Pirates began to dominate the Chinese entertainment industry.

The group was stunned, frozen in place, the ground turning a deep brown.

Ji Yun smiled and beckoned Zhao Liying to give everyone an extra red envelope, saying, "Next time it won't be just for a month."

The group looked at their recovered wages with great joy. Even though they knew Ji Yun's methods, they still smiled very happily and showed even more respect to Ji Yun to express their loyalty.

Wang Baoqiang needed to catch a flight back to his hometown tonight, so he greeted Ji Yun first, shaking hands with her to express his gratitude.

"Director Ji, to be honest, on the first day I really thought a fraudulent film crew had come—a company with no business license, a run-down office, a makeshift crew. But as we filmed, I found myself growing to love this film more and more. I'm truly grateful to you for giving me this opportunity. Thank you!"

Ji Yun put her arm around his shoulder, smiled, and said to him and Xu Zheng, "See you in the next movie."

"That's right, the next one!" Xu Zheng smiled happily.

Based on his assessment of the filming quality over the past month, he truly believed that Ji Yun wasn't trying to fool him with the pretense of a sequel. Given Ji Yun's current extreme popularity and controversial status, this film might not be a huge hit, but as long as it doesn't lose money, he can direct the next one! A second spring in his career!

Ji Yun saw off the Tangren filming crew who were in a hurry to return to the company to put away their equipment, Wang Baoqiang who was in a hurry to catch a plane, and Xu Zheng who was driving home to have New Year's Eve dinner.

Li Bingbing then walked over, reverting to her image as a sophisticated urban woman.

He sincerely said, "You directed wonderfully today."

Before coming, she only considered it a favor to Tangren Media, and her impression of Ji Yun came entirely from the internet: the most controversial junior from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, a hothead who dared to criticize Wu Yusen, Liu Yifei's rumored boyfriend, and a self-taught singer with decent singing skills...

He didn't seem like a respectable person at all. I never expected him to be such a good director.

"I won't keep you for the New Year's Eve dinner tonight. See you in the capital," Ji Yun said with a smile.

He's also going to Beijing after the New Year. He's already decided what to film for his next project and has even sent Gao Yuanyuan to find out about the other party so he can make a move in advance.

Upon hearing this, Li Bingbing laughed heartily and assertively declared that she would make the arrangements. She then handed over her business card with both hands: "This is my personal phone number. Director Ji can contact me anytime if you have a film; the fee is negotiable."

If this film is to hold an event in Beijing, I'll bring my friends to support it.

Ji Yun was taken aback. This woman was really giving him face. He was being targeted by John Woo and "Red Cliff," and Li Bingbing actually dared to come and support him. Wasn't she afraid of being targeted? But then he thought about how powerful Huayi Brothers was behind her, and how she had been severely damaged by Orange Sky Entertainment. So it was understandable.

……

Are you going home tonight?

Ji Yun had just seen Li Bingbing off when she received a text message from Liu Shishi.

Every time Liu Shishi finishes an activity and comes back, she asks him on time if he's going home.

But he would usually refuse, partly because he needed to work overtime in the editing room to meet deadlines, and partly because he didn't want any woman to completely control his schedule.

However, tonight is Lunar New Year's Eve, and Liu Shishi hasn't gone home for New Year's Eve dinner because she's waiting for him, so he should still go to see her.

"I've prepared a New Year's gift for you." Liu Shishi sent another message after not receiving a reply.

Seeing that she knew how to use bribery, Ji Yun smiled knowingly and replied with a text message saying "I will definitely be there".

Then he said to Xiao Zhao, "You've worked hard this month. I'll give you two weeks off. I'm going to be doing editing work. It's okay if you come. Come back after the Lantern Festival."

Xiao Zhao nodded happily.

Zhao Liying, standing beside Ji Yun, hesitated before speaking, holding Ji Yun's water bottle:

"Boss, can I still come after the New Year?"

I haven't received any acting offers lately, so working here provides a decent income to cover living expenses. If I do get a role, this place is close to Hengdian, which saves me a lot on travel costs.

She twisted her fingers, stole a few glances, and quickly said, "Half of my salary is fine."

Ji Yun glanced at her: "You don't even have money for food and lodging, and you're still acting?"

"Of course! I'm even planning to become a big star, so that those who looked down on me before will open their eyes and take a good look." Zhao Liying said confidently, puffing out her chest.

"Why don't you just transfer to my company and become Tiandao Culture's first artist?" Ji Yun swung his hoe.

Zhao Liying worked quite hard this month for a salary of three thousand yuan.

It would be a waste to miss out on such a good employee who doesn't cause trouble and can still earn over a billion dollars.

"Huh?" Zhao Liying opened her big round eyes: "But our company doesn't have many projects."

"The company is going to produce a movie and a TV series next. If you come, I can give you the lead role in that TV series."

Ji Yun's futures investment will mature in half a month, at which time he will receive a sum of hundreds of millions of yuan. With this money, he can start doing many things: acquiring film and television copyrights, scrambling for major IPs, investing in future internet giants, signing more artists and film crews...

Tiandao Culture is about to enter a period of rapid development and needs a large number of affordable and readily available actors.

Zhao Liying is definitely a standout among them. Besides being inexpensive, she's also incredibly capable of carrying a drama series. Her small face is both beautiful and non-threatening, making her the type of girl that ordinary people adore.

"Damn, the female lead!" Xiao Zhao's eyes darted around, urging his older sister to agree quickly.

In the past, he might have secretly tried to dissuade him, but he found that the footage Ji Yun shot this month was better than some of the pirated films from before.

My sister is now a founding member, so her treatment will definitely be different.

"The female lead?!" Zhao Liying's eyes lit up instantly, and she forgot about the water bottle in her arms, so excited that she almost jumped up.

But then she calmed down and said somewhat discouragedly, "But my agent is very good to me. Even when no one wanted me, he kept sending out resumes for me, treating people to meals, and even lending me money for living expenses. I can't be ungrateful."

Ji Yun didn't seem to care: "Why not just call them all together? Anyway, I was going to poach people anyway. I can give her a 50% raise and temporarily appoint her as the vice president of the brokerage department."

An agent who can bring Zhao Liying to fame must be quite capable; spending a little money on them is definitely worthwhile.

He shrugged and continued, "If you can poach Li Xue, the head of Huayi Brothers' talent agency department, I'll arrange another leading lady for you."

"Huh?" Zhao Liying blinked her almond-shaped eyes, looking adorably bewildered. So bold! She's really willing to be so reckless as to ask for the lead role!

……

6:00 in the evening.

Ji Yun drove back to the apartment building where the two of them lived.

Before going upstairs, he checked the daily updates on US stocks posted by Manager Liao. Fannie Mae's stock price had now fallen below 18, a drop of half a month, and the stock market was in a state of utter despair.

Countless stock investors were forced to liquidate their positions, while a large number of people posted on forums that they would resolutely hold on and never withdraw, and some even started to buy more shares on dips to average down their costs and wait for a pullback to make a big profit. It's simply insane.

They actually still have hope that the US government will step in to save the world.

Ji Yun remained silent, only filled with joy. The money they invested was exactly what Ji Yun wanted to earn. One hundred million was already secured; how far away was two hundred million?

Ji Yun hummed "Wishing you prosperity" as she opened the door.

The room was completely dark, with only the light from the balcony lamp shining in. It seemed that Liu Shishi had not yet returned.

Ji Yun fumbled for the light and turned it on. The white light instantly filled the room. After a moment of adjustment, Ji Yun noticed that the warming mat on the dining table in the living room was open, and the mat was already covered with more than ten dishes, including beef, lamb, chicken, duck, fish, vegetables, and seafood.

Meanwhile, Liu Shishi was fast asleep on the dining table, her nose still covered in flour, her expression innocent and charming, and she was smacking her pink lips.

She wore a loungewear nightgown, her hair simply tied up, and her figure was slender and graceful. Under the light, her skin glowed with a radiant whiteness.