Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 84 Zhan Hongling's filming wrapped up.

The orange-yellow sunset painted the sky, and the calls of birds returning to their nests could be heard in the distance. At dusk, the crew of "My Own Swordsman" was filming the last scene of Zhan Hongling.

With a sword in hand and a long black cloak draped over her shoulders, Liu Shishi perfectly embodies the image of a heroic and valiant female constable in ancient costume.

At this moment, in front of the camera, Liu Shishi hesitated, her eyes filled with reluctance, as she bid a reluctant farewell to the people of Tongfu Inn.

Words cannot express the sorrow of parting. He said softly, "Alright, everyone, take care, until we meet again."

Qiao Zhengyu, who plays Bai Zhantang, gazes at his beloved Bai Yueguang, who is now married, and finally smiles with relief, saying, "Take care!"

"Take care, you too!" Liu Shishi smiled sweetly, her bright red hair ribbon swaying slightly, and turned away gracefully, without a trace of lingering affection.

"Cut! Very good! The crew is wrapping up!"

With director Shang Jin's announcement, Liu Shishi successfully completed her filming for the day, which was also her last scene in the "My Own Swordsman" series.

"Congratulations on wrapping up filming, Shishi!" Qiao Zhengyu said with a smile to Liu Shishi as she returned to the inn.

"Thank you, senior brother! Thank you, Sister Yan! And thank you all for taking care of me on set." Liu Shishi's eyes welled up with tears as she bowed to the main actors, expressing her gratitude for their guidance and help over the past week.

As the leader of the crew, Yan Ni quickly stepped forward to help Liu Shishi up, speaking softly, "Silly girl, why are you crying? You should be happy that filming has wrapped up smoothly!"

Liu Shishi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She had just been unable to control herself; it was both a release from a week of hard work and tears of joy after filming wrapped up.

"I was too excited and made a fool of myself!"

Shang Jin walked up to the group, his expression complex, and said to Liu Shishi with emotion, "Little Liu, you've really grown up. Your performance in the last scene was very vivid. Compared to when you first came to the crew, you've made tremendous progress."

From initial resistance when the investors tried to recruit her to now heartfelt praise, Shang Jin has witnessed Liu Shishi's progress over the past week. This girl is not spoiled, can endure hardship, and has some talent; she certainly has a promising future.

Hearing the director's approval, Liu Shishi beamed with joy, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Thank you, Director Shang, for not thinking I'm stupid and for patiently guiding me and explaining the scenes to me."

Shang Jin waved his hand, not taking credit for himself, and laughed heartily, "It was just what I should have done; it's mainly because of your own hard work."

Liu Shishi recalled what her boyfriend had told her about interpersonal relationships that night, and extended an invitation to the director and the main actors.

"I would be honored if Director Shang and all the teachers would join me for a barbecue dinner tonight."

"I have something to do tonight, so I won't be going. You young people have fun, but don't stay out too late. Except for Xiao Liu, everyone else has to continue filming tomorrow."

Knowing that everyone would be too shy with him there, Shang Jin casually made up an excuse to decline Liu Shishi's invitation.

Seeing that Shang Jin declined, Liu Shishi quickly invited him again, but Shang Jin smiled, shook his head, and turned away with a carefree attitude.

In fact, everyone knew perfectly well that the director would not attend such a small gathering of young people, and Liu Shishi was just being polite.

After Liu Shishi, Qiao Zhengyu, and the others returned to the dressing room to remove their makeup and change out of their costumes, they drove to a barbecue restaurant on the outskirts of Beijing.

This shop was recommended by Qiao Zhengyu. The owner is from Northeast China and has excellent cooking skills. The seasoning for the grilled skewers is just right, with a unique flavor. It is the best barbecue in the area and is very famous locally.

The aroma of grilled lamb skewers is irresistible, with every drop of fat sizzling in the flames and releasing an intoxicating fragrance. The owner keeps bringing the freshly grilled food to the table for everyone to enjoy.

Yan Ni, Yao Chen, Ni Hongjie, Yu Entai, Jiang Chao, Qiao Zhengyu, Liu Shishi, and child actress Wang Shasha, a total of eight people sat together, chatting about all sorts of things.

Because they had to film early the next morning, no one drank baijiu (Chinese liquor). The three men, along with the generous Yan Ni and Yao Chen, opened two cases of beer, while Liu Shishi and Ni Hongjie accompanied Wang Shasha to drink juice.

Jiang Chao downed his beer in one gulp, and with a hint of melancholy rising in his drunken state, he said, "I wonder if our 'My Own Swordsman' will be a big hit."

He entered the industry at the age of eighteen and spent eight years playing minor roles before being spotted by Shang Jin in the play "Wings of Peace" by chance.

He gained some fame in 2002 for his role in "The Story of the Cooking Squad". His years of playing minor roles made him experience the ups and downs of life and he longed for fame.

Not expecting anyone to give him an answer, Jiang Chao poured out his years of grievances and hardships as an extra to everyone. When he got to the point of being emotional, he even shed a few tears, which made everyone sigh.

Yu Entai is a graduate of the Donghai Drama Academy. Although he has taken the academic route and has not acted much, he has long heard about the fierce competition in the industry. When he hears Jiang Chao talk about his hard and depressing life as an extra, he is greatly shocked.

Yan Ni, Yao Chen, and the others shared the same sentiment and sighed repeatedly. Yan Ni, the oldest among them, has been in the industry for over ten years, yet she remains virtually unknown, demonstrating the arduous and lengthy path to fame in the entertainment world.

Yao Chen nudged Qiao Zhengyu beside him with his elbow, "Old Qiao, what do you think? Of all of us, you're the most famous. Tell everyone what it feels like to be famous."

Qiao Zhengyu is considered the highest-ranking person in the crew, earning 4000 yuan per episode, while the other main actors' salaries are less than half of his.

Qiao Zhengyu was also somewhat bewildered. Seeing everyone staring at him, he gave a wry smile and said helplessly:
"I really don't know what it feels like to be famous. I don't have any high-end brand endorsements, and I haven't won any major awards in the industry. Is this what you call being famous?"

The only time it gained some popularity was when "So Young" aired and it appeared on several variety shows to promote the program.

Qiao Zhengyu entered the entertainment industry in 2000 and later gained some fame for his role as Ouyang Mingri in "Snowflake Goddess Dragon".

He only became popular this year after the broadcast of "So Young". He did a few commercial performances, and all in all, he was only famous for three months before he joined the cast of "My Own Swordsman".

The company has a plan for him: after "My Own Swordsman" airs next year, he will have one or two representative works, and they will help him get endorsements so that he can fully transform and make a strong impact on the big screen.

Qiao Zhengyu also approved of Tengda's career planning for him, which is why he focused on filming in the "My Own Swordsman" crew, keeping a low profile and waiting for the opportunity to soar to new heights.

Yao Chen rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Give me a break. You at least have a movie called 'So Young' to your name, you've been on popular variety shows, and you have your own fans. If you're not famous, then we're practically unknown in the industry."

Liu Shishi listened attentively from the side. Seeing everyone's dejected mood and sighs, she asked in confusion, "Is the road to fame really that difficult?"

Her career has been relatively smooth so far. She started as the second female lead in "Moonlight and Lotus," and later signed with Tangren Media, a leading company in period dramas. Her boyfriend's company also provides her with some resources. Although she is not very famous at the moment, her future is promising. It's really hard to understand what she went through.

Yan Ni also took a swig of beer: "It's tough. The most ridiculous thing is that even if you put in hard work and effort, you may not necessarily get a reward."

Jiang Chao seemed unusually talkative today, rambling on and on as if he wanted to vent all the grievances he had held in for years.

"Among us, besides Lao Qiao, I guess only you, Shi Shi, have the potential to become a big star. In terms of looks, I'm destined not to be the male lead." A person should know his own limitations. His goal is to play a good supporting role and be a good green leaf.

"Old Joe is the best. He has a big company backing him and good looks. Success is just around the corner. I'd like to toast you. I hope you can give me a hand in the future."

After speaking, Jiang Chao held up his glass with both hands and toasted Qiao Zhengyu.

Qiao Zhengyu quickly raised his glass in return, "Brother Jiang, you're too kind. I'll definitely introduce you to any suitable roles the company has later."

As the top figure in Tengda, it's not difficult for him to introduce and recommend a few supporting actors.

Seeing that the atmosphere at the table was a bit somber, Yu Entai changed the subject, "Alright, let's not talk about these sad topics. People's lives are very different. Just because we are unknown doesn't mean that Shishi and Shasha are the same. Life is not just about the present hardships, but also about poetry and distant places."

I believe Shishi has a bright future. Shishi, you're leaving the crew tomorrow, this is your wrap party, let's all raise a toast to you.

Upon hearing this, everyone raised their glasses to toast Liu Shishi, offering their parting blessings.

Liu Shishi picked up her drink and quickly said modestly, "I'd like to toast everyone. Thank you all for taking care of me this past week."

The dinner party was a great success, with everyone enjoying themselves until after 10 p.m. They talked about the future, hoping for a ratings explosion for "My Own Swordsman," their faces beaming with happiness and satisfaction.

Knock knock knock! The next morning, Song Ci stood outside the guest room and gently knocked on the door. Poet Master had finished filming yesterday, and today, Saturday, he rushed to the set to pick up his girlfriend and take her home.

A moment later, Liu Shishi's voice came, somewhat muffled and containing a hint of wariness, "Who is it?"

Song Ci nodded, inwardly praising his girlfriend's strong sense of safety. "It's me, Shishi."

Hearing the familiar voice, clear yet magnetic, Liu Shishi quickly opened the door, and her boyfriend's handsome face immediately appeared before her.

Liu Shishi's bare face, devoid of makeup, instantly broke into a radiant smile. She reached out and hooked her arm around her boyfriend's neck, her words muffled by the toothbrush in her mouth: "You're here, Yi Yi."

Song Ci didn't speak, but simply pulled Miss Liu into his arms, his lips like feathers pressing against her forehead and brow, tender and gentle, peaceful and warm.

After a week apart, Liu Shishi was still full of passion and wanted to kiss her boyfriend, but unfortunately, she had a toothbrush in her mouth and could only regretfully break free from Song Ci's warm embrace.

"Come in quickly, honey, I'm going to wash up first." She turned around, pulled her boyfriend into the guest room, and rushed into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, Liu Shishi finished washing up. Looking at Song Ci standing by the window gazing into the distance, she first poured a glass of water and handed it to her boyfriend, saying gently, "Yiyi, have some water and rest for a while. I haven't put on makeup yet, and there's still a while."

Song Ci took the water glass, stared at Liu Shishi's pure, delicate, and naturally beautiful face, and couldn't help but chuckle. It had been a week since she last saw her, and she felt that Shishi had indeed grown up. When she served her tea and water, she had the air of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

Seeing that the young man was staring straight at her, Liu Shishi cupped her face in her hands and asked, puzzled, "Why are you looking at me like that, my darling?"

Song Ci expressed her heartfelt opinion: "I admire your beauty. I think you don't need to wear makeup. My Shishi is already beautiful enough without makeup. Wearing makeup would just make her too beautiful."

Liu Shishi beamed with delight as her boyfriend flattered her, playfully scolding, "You're such a smooth talker!"

She tiptoed and gently kissed Song Ci's cheek with her soft lips. Before her boyfriend could react, she gracefully withdrew to put on makeup.

Knock, knock, knock—another knock on the door.

"Honey, I'm putting on makeup, go open the door."

Liu Shishi's voice came from the bathroom. With her boyfriend there, she didn't need to be too careful. She asked Song Ci to open the door directly.

Song Ci, however, was in no hurry. After taking a sip of water, he casually placed the teacup on the table before opening the door.

"Shishi..."

When Yan Ni saw a man emerge from Liu Shishi's room, she immediately became wary and demanded sharply, "Who are you? Where is Shishi?"

Yan Ni and Qiao Zhengyu went to work on set early in the morning. The two walked together and happened to pass by Liu Shishi's room. They thought they would say hello and say goodbye, but they didn't expect that it was not Liu Shishi who opened the door.

Qiao Zhengyu recognized Song Ci at a glance, "You're screenwriter Song!"

Qiao Zhengyu was familiar with Song Dynasty poetry and had a very deep impression of it. At the celebration party for the film "So Young", Gao Yuanyuan asked him about Song Dynasty poetry.

He was very nervous when he saw Song Ci's appearance because the other party was really too handsome. If this was a male artist from Tengda, he would definitely challenge his position as the number one artist in the company. Fortunately, he learned from Jiang Tiantian that Song Ci was the screenwriter of "So Young", and he breathed a sigh of relief.

However, because of this incident, he still vividly remembers Song Ci's appearance, and with such a high degree of recognizability, he can naturally recognize her at a glance.

Yan Ni turned to look at Qiao Zhengyu and asked in confusion, "Old Qiao, do you know him?"

"He's the screenwriter of 'So Young'." Qiao Zhengyu first introduced Song Ci's identity to Yan Ni, then asked curiously, "But screenwriter Song, what are you doing in Shishi's room?"

Qiao Zhengyu knew Yan Ni and Song Ci, and had no intention of hiding his identity. "I'm Shishi's boyfriend, and I've come to pick her up."

Qiao Zhengyu looked enlightened. He had been wondering why Liu Shishi, an artist from Tangren Media, would make a cameo appearance in Tengda's TV series. Now he understood.

Song Ci is the screenwriter of Tengda Culture's key project, the Youth Trilogy. He knows the company's senior management and wants to get a small supporting role for his girlfriend. He believes the company's senior management will give him face.

Hearing the commotion, Liu Shishi rushed out, "Senior Brother, Sister Yan, what brings you here?"

Yan Ni glanced at the pure and natural Liu Shishi and smiled, "I came with Lao Qiao to say goodbye to you. This place is a bit remote. I was worried about how you would get back. I feel relieved that your boyfriend is here to pick you up."

After glancing at Song Ci, she praised, "Shishi, your boyfriend is so handsome, you two are such a perfect match."

Liu Shishi was happier when she heard others praising their boyfriends than when they praised her own; her boyfriend was her pride and joy.

Qiao Zhengyu also bid farewell to Liu Shishi, saying, "All good things must come to an end. Goodbye, junior sister! Screenwriter Song, I look forward to working with you again."

Liu Shishi reminisced about the moments on set and extended an invitation to the two, saying, "Let's get together after the whole series wraps up."

(End of this chapter)