Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 62 Beijing Dance Academy and Peking University

Liu Shishi recalled: "On the first day, I met Sun Li, who acted in 'The Book and the Sword'. On the second day, I encountered several film crews shooting during my visit, but they were very strict and I didn't see any stars."

"Shishi, you're about to start filming. I heard that Lü Yi from the next dorm has also signed with a management company and officially entered the industry. You both have ways to break out of the dance circle." Chen Xin's words revealed a hint of envy.

"Lü Yi is signed with an agency called Tengda Culture, which is the same company as our dance academy's senior, Qiao Zhengyu. I wonder if she got in touch with him."

Lin Wenwen also mentioned a piece of news she had overheard: the two girls with the best looks at the Beijing Dance Academy had switched careers to become actresses. It was impossible for her not to have such thoughts.

Liu Shishi glanced at Song Ci with a half-smile, then lightly kicked him under the table, and inexplicably echoed, "I didn't expect Lü Yi to also be preparing to enter the entertainment industry, and even sign with a big company like Tengda Culture."

Song Ci actually recruited Lü Yi, who was her equal in school, into the company without telling Liu Shishi, which made Liu Shishi feel a little resentful.

Song Ci felt deeply wronged. His only impression of Lü Yi was that the Northwest Hammer King wanted to hammer her; he never interfered with Tengda Culture's artist management work.

He only knew from work emails that the company had recently signed several artists, both male and female. However, he didn't know who they were. It seemed he would have to ask Wang Jing another day to see if any of them were big stars from his past life.

"If someone is looking after you, it should be easier to get into the industry. I've heard that the entertainment industry is very murky, with a lot of competition for resources and suppression of newcomers. It's normal for Lü Yi and Senior Brother Qiao to stick together for warmth."

Chen Xin felt that students from the Beijing Dance Academy should take care of and support each other; otherwise, how could they compete for resources with the three major academies: Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and Shanghai Theatre Academy?

Song Ci strongly agrees with Chen Xin's viewpoint, stating that the three major academies—Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and Shanghai Theatre Academy—possess outstanding reputations and strength in the field of performing arts and have cultivated many excellent film and television talents.

These graduates from the three top universities are deeply intertwined in the entertainment industry, both competing and cooperating, and occupying the mainstream channels and resources of the entire entertainment circle.

Let alone ordinary people, even those who didn't graduate from the top three universities would find it difficult to establish themselves without the support of film and television companies. Having established seniors in the industry to help them would indeed make it easier for them to succeed.

A short while later, the waiter returned and began serving the dishes. The group didn't stand on ceremony and chatted while eating.

"Don't just talk about us, Lin Hao, tell us about Peking University, the top university in the country, introduce yourself."

Lin Wenwen and Lin Hao chatted on QQ a few times during the National Day holiday. She learned indirectly that his family was probably well-off, but she didn't know much else about his situation.

Seeing the four girls staring at him curiously, Lin Hao began to introduce them: "Peking University is divided into many colleges. The four of us are studying at the Guanghua School of Management, which is one of the best colleges at Peking University. Basically, only the top ten students in the province can get into Guanghua School each year."

We studied finance, and after graduation, most of us go on to work in finance-related fields. More than half of our alumni have gone on to work in banks or securities firms, earning very good incomes.

Liu Shishi listened with great interest. Although she knew that Song Ci had achieved excellent results and was the top scholar in Beiping, she did not know much about the specific college or major of Song Ci.

Liu Shishi put on plastic gloves and, while putting the peeled shrimp into Song Ci's bowl, praised Lin Hao, "Fatty Lin, I didn't expect you to have such good grades."

Lin Hao, head held high and chest puffed out, proudly hummed, "I am the top scholar from Jinling." Yang Yi's eyes widened, her gaze shifting back and forth between Lu and Tang. "Shishi, I remember you said that Song Ci was the top scholar from Beiping, and Lin Hao was the top scholar from Jinling. You two wouldn't happen to be top scholars too, would you?"

Tang Xiaochuan said shyly, "I ranked second in Sichuan Province and was the top scorer in Lizhou City in the college entrance examination."

Speaking of his college entrance exam results, his eyes shone brightly. The image of his fellow villagers celebrating with gongs and drums and the leaders from the Education Bureau coming to announce the good news still often appeared in his dreams. It was the reward for his countless days and nights of hard study, the turning point that changed his fate against all odds.

Lu Yugang's face turned red, and he said in a muffled voice, "I'm not the top scorer. My college entrance exam score was second in Harbin and fifth in Heilongjiang Province. I've embarrassed my brothers."

"That's impressive too." Yang Yi looked at Lu Yugang with newfound respect, never expecting that this burly Northeastern man could be so diligent and meticulous in his studies.

"Wenwen, eat some vegetables, try this shrimp, I'll peel it for you." Lin Hao fawned over Lin Wenwen, completely captivated by her sophisticated black-clad style today.

Seeing Lin Hao trying to curry favor with Lin Wenwen, Chen Xin teased, "Lin Hao, it's one thing for Shishi to peel shrimp for Song Ci, but what's your relationship with Wenwen that you're always peeling shrimp for her?"

"Hehe." Lin Hao didn't answer, but just blushed and silently peeled shrimp.

"Thank you, I can do it myself." Lin Wenwen declined Lin Hao's offer, glanced at Liu Shishi, and noticed that she and Song Ci were whispering sweet nothings to each other, their affection palpable.

"Bad woman!" Lin Wenwen felt bitter. Her boyfriend was a handsome top scholar who was also spotted by a director and successfully entered the entertainment industry. Why did all the good things have to be Liu Shishi?

Lin Wenwen originally planned to go all out and expose Liu Shishi's affair with a rich man at the dinner table. However, while this would be satisfying, it would also embarrass Song Ci and cause a complete falling out with Lin Hao, leaving her with no benefit whatsoever.

After listening to Lin Hao's introduction of Guanghua College, she completely understood that the boys at the dinner table were all super potential partners. Lin Hao came from a good family and was honest and kind. Putting aside Song Ci, he might not be a bad match for her. It would be meaningless for her to fight for a moment's pride. That's why she had been hesitating whether to proceed with the original plan.

But having finally caught Liu Shishi red-handed, she was unwilling to expose it in front of everyone. The flames of jealousy burned in her heart. While everyone else was laughing and chatting, she ate her meal with a bitter taste.

Outside the restaurant, the group was about to part ways. The meal had lasted for nearly two hours. Apart from Lin Wenwen, who was preoccupied with her own thoughts, everyone else chatted happily. Lu Yugang, Tang Xiaochuan, Yang Yi, and Chen Xin even exchanged contact information.

Liu Shishi smoothed her hair, which was ruffled by the evening breeze, and smiled as she said to the boys, "Song Ci, you don't need to take me home. The school is right next door, just a few steps away. But how are you going to get back?"

“The four of us can share a car to go back,” Song Ci replied.

"Song Ci, aren't you driving?" Lin Wenwen suddenly interjected, her voice clear and carried on the autumn breeze.

“Driving? I don’t have a car!” Song Ci said instinctively.

"Ah, on the first day of the National Day holiday, I saw Shishi get into an Audi sedan. I thought it was your car," Lin Wenwen said, then seemed to realize her mistake and fell silent, giving the impression that she was being pretentious.

(End of this chapter)