Huayu: You were supposed to be a top star, but you've become capital?

Night had completely enveloped the capital.

Lin Shen's car drove all the way from Huairou back to the city center, and it was now quietly parked in the basement of the office building where Lucky Film was located.

The engine was turned off, and the lights dimmed, with only a few lights still on on the pillars in the distance.

"Brother Shen, do I need to come with you?" Yang Chaoyue asked as he handed over the bag.

"No need." Lin Shen took the bag from her hand. "You and Brother Wang can wait here. I have something to tell you, I'll be down soon."

Yang Chaoyue nodded, then couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother Shen, do you think President Jia will agree?"

Lin Shen had already opened the car door. Hearing this, he turned around, glanced at her, and smiled.

"He's not stupid."

The car door closed, and Lin Shen's footsteps faded into the distance in the empty underground parking garage. Yang Chaoyue watched his figure disappear into the elevator lobby before turning back.

The elevator went up, the doors opened, and right in front of us was the reception desk of Lucky Media.

Lin Shen walked straight to the end and pushed open the half-closed office door.

Jia Shikai was sitting behind his desk, staring blankly at the computer, a cigarette between his fingers, his brows slightly furrowed.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw Lin Shen; his brows immediately relaxed.

"You're here?" Jia Shikai stood up and came out from behind his desk. "Sit down, sit down, let me pour you some tea."

Lin Shen sat down opposite him and put his bag aside.

Jia Shikai brought over the teapot, filled Lin Shen's cup to the brim, poured one for himself, and then sat back down in his chair.

"Is the traffic congested?"

"It's alright." Lin Shen picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Why are you still busy here?"

Jia Shikai waved his hand, his smile fading slightly: "This is about Feng Kuzi's outburst yesterday, there's some follow-up to deal with."

Lin Shen put down his teacup, remained silent, and waited for what was to come.

Jia Shikai didn't mince words and spoke frankly:

"Your affairs will not be affected, we all know that. The Tomb Raider Chronicles is Kiwi's plate, so why should it belong to Croton and Huace?"

Needless to say, your business has nothing to do with the film and television industry. No matter how capable Feng Xiaogang is, he can't get into those areas.

He paused, then tapped his cigarette ash: "But things are a bit tricky on Lucky's end."

Lin Shen hummed in agreement, signaling him to continue.

"Our company is in Beijing. When Feng Xiaogang made that outburst, wouldn't all the shrewd people in the industry be thinking about it? Lin Shen offended Feng Xiaogang, so what about the people in Lin Shen's company? Have they said anything about it?"

Jia Shikai took a drag of his cigarette: "Of the projects I discussed with the newcomers before, two or three were somewhat related to the Beijing entertainment circle."

The conversation was going well until today when they became vague, saying they'd check the schedule and the script again. Frankly, they're just waiting and seeing.

After listening, Lin Shen picked up his teacup and took another sip.

"this one?"

Jia Shikai was momentarily speechless at his reaction, then laughed:

"What, isn't that enough? I need to keep an eye on those newcomers. Do you think everyone's like you, able to carry an entire show by themselves?"

Lin Shen laughed too: "Fine, I guess I was just talking without thinking."

Jia Shikai waved his hand, stubbed out his cigarette, and said seriously, "Seriously, you really don't plan to do anything about this?"

Lin Shen looked at him but didn't reply.

Jia Shikai continued, "Although Feng Xiaogang didn't name names, who doesn't know he was talking about you? If you keep quiet, outsiders will think you've chickened out."

"What will people in the industry think of you in the future? You may not care, but Lucky Film still has to deal with people."

Lin Shen put down his teacup: "Then what do you think I should do?"

"At least give us a response, right?" Jia Shikai said. "We don't need to completely break ties, but we need to let outsiders know that you're not someone to be trifled with."

Lin Shen shook his head. Jia Shikai looked at him and suddenly asked:

"Or... do you want to switch to the Shanghai circle? Someone asked me before, and they said they'd welcome you anytime if you're interested."

Lin Shen actually burst out laughing this time.

Jia Shikai was taken aback by the laughter: "What are you laughing at?"

Lin Shen picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then spoke: "Old Jia, didn't you notice?"

"What did you see?"

"It won't be long before all these circles you mentioned are a thing of the past."

Jia Shikai was taken aback, not quite understanding: "What do you mean?"

He really didn't understand. Over the years, the domestic film and television industry has been revolving around the same few circles. Of the ten film and television projects that can be named in China, seven or eight are related to these circles.

Lin Shen didn't rush to refute, but simply asked, "Who do you think is in charge now?"

"What do you mean, 'who decides'?"

"Projects," Lin Shen looked at him, "A project—whether it can be filmed, who will film it, where it will be broadcast—who decides all of that?"

Jia Shikai thought for a moment: "The production company, plus the investors, if it's going to air, then it'll be broadcast on major TV stations."

Who are the investors?

"There are many more: Huayi Brothers, Enlight Media, Bona Film Group..."

"Anything else?"

Jia Shikai paused.

Lin Shen continued for him: "There are also internet companies entering the market, but they're not called investors, they're called platform providers."

Jia Shikai was truly stunned. After thinking for a moment, he said uncertainly:

"But these circles have a solid foundation after all. The Beijing circle has connections, the Shanghai circle has capital, and although the Northwest circle isn't as powerful as it used to be, it still has the essentials... Aren't most projects in China still being handled by these people?"

Lin Shen picked up his teacup and took a sip, not in a hurry to refute.

Jia Shikai continued, "And to be honest, aren't these internet giants like Alibaba and Tencent also investing in Huayi?"

They may be rich, but making films still depends on people like us. Filmmaking isn't something you can just throw money at.

After listening, Lin Shen nodded: "You're right, that's how it is in the early stages."

Jia Shikai astutely caught the word: "early stage?"

Lin Shen nodded: "Yes, in the early stages. Now that these giants are getting involved, everyone's happy. Projects are selling well, industry resources are skyrocketing, and actors' salaries are soaring. It's booming, isn't it?"

"yes."

"They're new here and don't know how to play, so they're looking for someone to show them the way," Lin Shen said, looking at him.

"The giants are new to the game and don't know the rules, so they need to rely on traditional companies. They provide the money and we provide the effort. It's a win-win situation for everyone."

But Lao Jia, once they're familiar with the rules and have divided up the territory, do you think they'll still be satisfied with just contributing money?

Jia Shikai didn't interrupt, waiting for him to continue.

"What's their next step after they figured out the tricks of the trade?" Lin Shen paused, then continued.

"They use internet thinking to create content, including user profiling, big data, and targeted content delivery. What you film and what you don't film are all decided by them."

"Now, the problem we're worried about when we make a film is who to sell it to. There are only a few TV stations, and only a limited number of them can be broadcast on satellite TV. If they can't be broadcast on satellite TV, they won't get a good price."

"But once mobile devices fully take off, and young people stop watching TV, and traditional TV stations are losing ground to mobile devices, who will buy your shows?"

Jia Shikai instinctively replied, "Platform."

"That's right!" Lin Shen looked at Jia Shikai, "By then, the dramas we film will only be available on a few platforms: Tencent, iQiyi, Youku..."

"And LeEco," Jia Shikai added instinctively.