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Just as Tiangong Auto's "Giovana A" was preparing for mass production and delivery, attracting global attention, Suning's layout in another field was also quietly reaping the rewards.

Chen Xiaojun, CEO of the "Bizarre and Unusual" film and television company, walked briskly into Suning's office, her face beaming with barely suppressed joy.

"President Su, great news! We've just officially signed a contract with Hunan TV for the broadcasting rights to 'New Lurk'!" She placed a document in front of Su Ning, her tone excited. "It's scheduled to premiere on February 16, 2015, during prime time! This is one of Hunan TV's most important drama schedules for next year!"

This result was somewhat unexpected.

After all, every single drama series that Suning has in its hands that is yet to be broadcast is a major hit.

In "Like a Flowing River," he plays the pivotal character Song Yunhui, whose transformation from an educated youth to a technical backbone of a state-owned enterprise carries the weight of the times.

In "Nirvana in Fire," he portrayed Prince Yu, a character with profound political acumen and complex personality, which presented a significant challenge.

In "The New Lurker," he served as both director and lead actor (playing Yu Zecheng), pouring his heart and soul into the project, attempting to integrate a new contemporary perspective and more refined production into the classic work.

Everyone thought that the star-studded and highly anticipated "Like a Flowing River" or the well-made and suspenseful "Nirvana in Fire" would be the first to air. Unexpectedly, it was the remake of the classic, "New Lurker," which faced the most pressure, that took the lead.

Isn't this a form of recognition for "New Lurk"? After all, Hunan TV has a lot of imagination.

Su Ning picked up the copy of the contract, quickly skimming through the key clauses, and raised an eyebrow: "Hunan TV... they certainly have guts. Tell me, why did they ultimately choose 'New Lurk'? And why did they give it such a good slot?"

Chen Xiaojun sat down opposite him and analyzed clearly: "President Su, I have had several in-depth discussions with the acquisition director and program director of Hunan TV. Their considerations are very practical: First, topicality. 'Lurking' is a national-level classic IP, which already has a huge audience base. Is it 'surpassing the classic' or 'ruining the classic'? This topic has never stopped since we started the project, and it naturally has its own heat. And you personally directing and playing Yu Zecheng is even more of a topic of discussion."

She paused, then continued, "Secondly, there's the difference in genre. This year, they anticipate that their competitors will focus on historical dramas (like our 'Nirvana in Fire') or period dramas (like 'Like a Flowing River'). 'New Lurk,' on the other hand, is a well-made spy drama with a distinct genre, which will give it a competitive edge in the early-year competition and allow it to quickly capture a specific audience."

"Third, the quality of the final product. I showed them the finely edited sample footage, and after their internal evaluation, they felt that the production quality, pacing, and especially your fresh interpretation of the character Yu Zecheng—'calm and reserved yet with hidden sharpness'—exceeded their expectations. They believe that this drama not only has sentiment but also originality and can stand the test of time."

Su Ning nodded, tapping her fingers lightly on the table.

He understood Hunan TV's strategy; it was a risk based on market judgment, but it also reflected recognition of their "bizarre and outlandish" production capabilities and his personal appeal.

"It seems that Hunan TV wants to use 'New Lurk' as a 'sharp knife' to carve out a bloody path in the opening drama season." Su Ning's lips curled into a playful smile. "They have given us a top-notch stage. The rest depends on whether our own drama is strong enough."

"Mr. Su is right."

"Now that the release date is set, we must immediately launch a publicity campaign, and we need to differentiate ourselves from the competition." Su Ning quickly entered decision-making mode. "The focus of the publicity for 'New Lurk' should not be too concerned about 'surpassing the classic,' but rather on emphasizing 'faith and choices in the new era,' highlighting the cinematic quality of our production and the deep portrayal of the characters' inner world. We should make my identity as the director and the interpretation of the character Yu Zecheng one of the core publicity points."

"Understood!" Chen Xiaojun immediately took notes. "We will adjust the publicity plan immediately, concentrate resources, and launch a nationwide pre-release campaign a month before the premiere. We will combine online and offline efforts, focusing on highlighting the quality of the series itself and your dual breakthroughs as a director and actor."

"In addition," Suning added, "we should work with Shandong Film and Television to coordinate and cooperate on the subsequent releases of 'Like a Flowing River' and 'Nirvana in Fire,' which can help raise expectations. We should also tell other platforms that 'New Lurk' is just the beginning, and the quality of the subsequent 'Bizarre and Wonderful' dramas will only be higher."

“Okay, Mr. Su. This way, we have even more leverage later.” Chen Xiaojun’s eyes gleamed with the shrewdness of a businessman.

After Chen Xiaojun left, Su Ning stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the bustling city scene in the distance.

In the business world, he holds the trump card of Tiangong Auto, poised to revolutionize traditional transportation; in the cultural field, the TV series he invested in is about to air on a top-tier satellite TV channel during prime time, influencing the spiritual lives of hundreds of millions of viewers.

The early release date announcement of "New Lurk" is like a pebble thrown into the water, not only stirring up ripples in the film and television industry, but also subtly echoing other sectors of his business empire.

When the public sees the shrewd and cunning "Yu Zecheng" on television, do they think of Suning, the real-life company that stirred up storms in the business world?

He picked up the internal phone and connected with the person in charge at Tiangong Auto: "Afu, the delivery preparations for 'Giovana A' must be done flawlessly. I want the voice of the 'Tiangong' system to resound throughout the beginning of 2015, both on the roads and on the screen."

A grand narrative spanning physical industry and cultural media is slowly unfolding with the release date of "The New Infiltrator".

The spring of 2015 was destined to be anything but peaceful.

……

On February 16, 2015, Hunan TV's prime time slot aired the new "Lurking" series as scheduled.

As predicted by Chen Xiaojun, CEO of "Guangguai Luli" Film and Television Company, the series has sparked a nationwide craze for watching dramas since its very first episode, thanks to its excellent production, tight pacing, and successful reimagining of a classic IP.

In "The New Lurker," Su Ning's portrayal of Yu Zecheng is no longer a simple copy, but rather imbues the character with deeper inner drama and qualities that align with the aesthetics of the new era.

His performance was calm and restrained, revealing his true talent in the details.

A subtle change in a glance, a slight tremor in a fingertip—all these vividly portray the tension of being in enemy territory, walking on thin ice, and the immense psychological pressure under the weight of unwavering faith.

As the director, his control over the overall narrative rhythm, his use of camera language, especially the extensive use of close-ups and metaphorical empty shots, and the creation of atmosphere, all give this spy drama a near-cinematic quality, with suspenseful twists and turns that keep the audience hooked.

The online discussion exploded instantly: "My God! Suning's version of Yu Zecheng is amazing! He's calm yet ruthless, wise yet world-weary—it's a completely different kind of performance!"

"This director's skill is amazing! The camerawork, editing, and music are all top-notch. I was so focused on watching that I didn't dare to breathe!"

"I thought it would be a poor sequel, but it turned out to be even better than the original! Suning is awesome!"

"Especially the scene of Suning assembling and disassembling the sniper rifle, it was so cool!"

With the popularity of "The New Lurker", Su Ning's past memorable roles have been recalled by the audience and strung together to form a clear line of his acting growth.

"I almost forgot, but Su Ning is Taozi, the righteous and somewhat clever 'ragpicker' from 'Under the Zhengyang Gate'! From collecting scrap to becoming Yu Zecheng, what a leap!"

"He also played Jiang Weimin, who was a bit timid but very real in 'Our Parents' Love'! He's practically a different person from the shrewd and resourceful Yu Zecheng he plays now!"

"And then there's his self-directed and self-acted movie 'The Massage Therapist,' where he played a blind masseur that broke my heart! His acting range is just too wide!"

"From ordinary citizens to historical figures, and then to elite spies, Su Ning's casting and performances have never disappointed! This is what a true actor is!"

Public praise poured in like a tidal wave, with titles such as "chameleon actor," "textbook example of acting," and "an artist whose talent was wasted on commercial success" once again bestowed upon Suning.

His Weibo followers skyrocketed, and the comment section was filled with cheers from drama fans and anticipation for his next work.

……

Inside the "bizarre and eccentric" company, the atmosphere was jubilant.

Chen Xiaojun excitedly reported the latest viewership ratings report and online public opinion analysis to Suning via telephone.

"President Su! It's a bombshell! A complete bombshell! The premiere of 'New Lurk' broke 2% in viewership ratings, and online viewership surpassed 100 million within 24 hours! It opened with an 8.9 rating on Douban, and it's still rising!" Chen Xiaojun's voice was slightly hoarse with excitement. "Right now, the entire internet is discussing your acting and directing abilities. Several top brands want you as their spokesperson, and interview invitations are booked for the next three months! Shouldn't we strike while the iron is hot and arrange some exposure to further boost its popularity..."

“Xiaojun,” Su Ning’s voice on the other end of the phone was calm and undisturbed, interrupting her, “Cancele all endorsements and interviews. As for my personal publicity, just maintain the moderate exposure required for the promotion of the ‘New Lurk’ series. Don’t overhype me personally.”

Chen Xiaojun paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled: "President Su, this is an excellent opportunity to solidify your personal brand value and boost the company's stock price at the same time..."

Su Ning chuckled softly, his tone carrying a detached certainty: "Xiaojun, you must remember, the core value of 'Bizarre and Outlandish' lies in its ability to produce high-quality content, not the personal fame of its owner. Actor Su Ning, director Su Ning—that's enough for him. As for Daning Capital and Tiangong Auto..." He paused, "...let business be business, and entertainment be entertainment. Isn't it more interesting to make a fortune quietly?"

Chen Xiaojun immediately understood Su Ning's deeper meaning.

Suning is trying to completely sever its identity, presenting itself as a pure creator while hiding its truly massive business empire behind the scenes.

This low profile is itself a deeper level of control and confidence.

“I understand, President Su.” Chen Xiaojun quickly adjusted her mindset. “We will strictly control the publicity and focus on the drama itself. We will politely decline all media requests that attempt to delve into your personal background.”

After hanging up the phone, Suning stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, looking down at the bustling city below.

The uproar online about "actor Su Ning" stands in stark contrast to his current inner peace.

He opened his tablet, on one side were clips of exciting moments from "The New Lurker," filled with praise from viewers; on the other side were the ever-increasing pre-sale data for Tiangong Auto's "Giovana A" and a construction progress report for the Hangzhou Super Factory.

A strange sense of separation and control arises spontaneously.

He can immerse himself in the world of his characters, experience different lives, and move hundreds of millions of viewers with his works; at the same time, he can also strategize on the business battlefield and disrupt the global industrial landscape with disruptive technologies.

On stage, he is a highly acclaimed artist; behind the scenes, he is an unfathomable business tycoon.

"If the audience remembers the character and the market remembers the product, that's enough," he muttered to himself, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

This feeling of subtly influencing and even defining a certain aspect of the era while hiding behind multiple identities brings him far more pleasure and satisfaction than simply standing in the spotlight and receiving worship.

The success of "New Infiltrator" is just a bright spot, but not the core, in his grand vision.

The real storm is brewing in the wider world.

And he is happy to play the role of the silent chess player behind the scenes.

……

Just as the ratings for "New Lurk" continued to top the charts and sparked heated discussions across the country, Tiangong Auto was also preparing a highly anticipated marketing extravaganza.

At Suning's behest, a special auction for the "Giovana A" car quietly came into the public eye.

Lei Busi, Marketing Director of Tiangong Auto, reported the final plan to Suning: "President Su, as per your instructions, we have reached an agreement with a top domestic auction house to auction the first 'Giovana A' car to roll off the production line, VIN code 001, as a special commemorative edition. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Youth Science and Technology Development Foundation."

Marketing Director Rebecca paused, then added, "We've given this car a special 'launch commemoration' and 'premier collector's edition' significance, and it will come with a personally signed plaque and lifetime free maintenance. We expect it to attract a lot of attention and bidding."

Suning looked at the proposal and nodded: "Very good. Charity can enhance the brand's image, but the story and rarity of the 'first car' are the focus of the hype. We want everyone to see that the 'Giovana A' is not just a means of transportation, but a collectible work of art, a crystallization of technology and craftsmanship."

"Understood! Mr. Su, this will be the most awesome marketing strategy of the 21st century." At this moment, Lei Jun looked at his boss with admiration.

"Haha, Director Lei, don't flatter me! Next, you must bring out all your marketing strategies." However, Su Ning looked at Lei Jun with a meaningful smile.

"Yes, Mr. Su."

The charity auction was held both online and offline on the day of the event, attracting numerous car collectors, wealthy individuals, tech professionals, and netizens who were simply curious.

The starting price was set at 50 RMB, and the bidding price quickly rose as all parties pursued the bid.

The price has been rising steadily, from 100 million to 200 million to 500 million, fully demonstrating the market's recognition of "Giovana A" and its symbolic value.

The bidding pace slowed down slightly when the price broke through 800 million.

Just then, an anonymous bidder joined the competition. After several rounds of intense bidding, the auction finally concluded with a stunning hammer price of 10 million RMB, successfully acquiring the landmark No. 1 car.

"10 million! Tiangong Auto's 'Giovana A' No. 1 car has been won by this anonymous buyer!" The auctioneer's voice was filled with excitement.

The news spread instantly across the internet through the media, causing a new wave of sensation.

Topics such as "sky-high price electric car" and "Giovana A auctioned for tens of millions" quickly became trending topics.

Just as everyone was speculating about the identity of the mysterious buyer, Tiangong Auto and "Guangguai Luli" Film and Television Company almost simultaneously released a joint announcement, accompanied by photos of a grand vehicle delivery ceremony:
"Warmest congratulations on the successful auction of car number one, 'Giovana A'! Thank you to the anonymous philanthropist for their generous support."

We are proud to announce that the vehicle, entrusted by Mr. Suning, has been successfully bid on and officially presented to Ms. Chen Xiaojun, CEO of 'Guangguai Luli' Film & Television Company, in recognition of her and her team's outstanding achievements in the cultural field and their remarkable contributions to the company's development. The fusion of technology and art shines brightly at this moment.

This announcement, like a boulder carefully thrown into a lake, stirred up a thousand ripples.

The record-breaking price of the first car at auction for tens of millions of yuan greatly enhanced the high-end image and scarcity value of the "Giovana" brand, causing the attention and pre-orders for subsequent mass-produced models to surge again.

This "charity auction" also earned the brand a good social reputation.

The fact that the company's CEO was gifted with the first car that the boss had purchased for tens of millions of yuan is not only a great personal honor, but also demonstrates the company's strength and the boss's high regard for the core management team. This has brought "Shen Gua Lu Li" and Chen Xiaojun's reputation in the industry and in the public eye to a new level.

When Chen Xiaojun received the car keys, she appeared composed yet excited in front of the media cameras: "I am very grateful for Mr. Su's trust and this generous gift. This is not only an encouragement to me personally, but also an affirmation of our entire 'Bizarre and Wonderful' team. We will definitely create more excellent works to repay everyone's support."

However, this meticulously planned and seemingly perfect "win-win" marketing campaign has stirred up some ripples in Suning's private life.

His girlfriend, Fan Lin, after seeing the overwhelming news about Suning giving Chen Xiaojun a car worth millions, although she understood the business considerations behind it, her innate sensitivity and possessiveness as a woman still made her feel quite uncomfortable.

She seemed rather sullen at dinner.

"What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking?" Su Ning noticed her mood and put down her chopsticks to ask.

Fan Lin hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help but say with a hint of sourness, "Now the whole world knows that you gave your capable female subordinate a luxury car... You're quite good at winning people's hearts."

Su Ning was taken aback at first, then chuckled. He took Fan Lin's hand and said in a gentle but apologetic tone, "Linlin, what are you thinking? This is just a business strategy. Xiaojun is the company's CEO, and this is an investment in her work and the company's image. You are the most important person to me."

Seeing that Fan Lin's expression had softened slightly, though she still looked somewhat aggrieved, Su Ning leaned closer, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of mystery and promise, "Okay, I promise you. When the upgraded version of 'Giovana A,' the 'Giovana A Plus,' rolls off the production line, I will definitely buy the first one for you. That will be the one that truly integrates our latest technology and is tailor-made for you. This one is just an appetizer."

Hearing Su Ning's promise, especially the phrase "tailor-made for you," Fan Lin's gloom finally dissipated, revealing a sweet smile. She gently punched Su Ning's shoulder: "Hmph, that's more like it. I'll remember that!"

A potential minor emotional disturbance was averted through Suning's skillful reassurance and more appealing promises.

The future auction of "Giovana A Plus" seems destined to become another remarkable event.

Suning once again demonstrated his masterful control over both the business world and his personal life.

...(End of chapter)