Who said this top flow is crazy! This top flow is awesome!

Chapter 405 Another New Year's Eve, Different Scenery, Different People
The Oscars are a matter for later; there's still some time before the Oscars. Ikeno's main purpose for coming here this time is the Golden Globe Awards.

In late November, the Golden Globe Awards kicked off in the United States.

Prior to this, the first round of Oscar voting had already begun.

However, due to traditional principles of secrecy, the outside world, including Hollywood, was unaware of the specific voting results.

Of course, the specific voting results are unclear, but that doesn't mean there aren't any juicy rumors circulating. At the very least, news and gossip about Ikeno are always the most talked-about.

For example, on the day of the Golden Globe ceremony, some Chinese entertainment media reported that Ikeno was not favored in the first round of Oscar voting. There were many reasons for this, but they were mostly the same old stories. After all, being Asian itself represents a lot.

Some media outlets have also reported that Ikeno's distributors have been working on it and the results have been quite good.

Regardless of the viewpoint, one thing is certain: Ikeno and the Oscars, which were previously ignored by the Chinese entertainment industry but had to be "acknowledged," have received tremendous attention.

This level of attention reached its peak that evening.

"Congratulations to Ikeno for winning Best Actor at the 85th Golden Globe Awards for 'The Martian'!"

Across the ocean.

When Ikeno stood up among a group of familiar faces from British and American dramas that he could only see on pirated software and walked all the way to the awards stage, people inside and outside the entertainment industry in mainland China felt a little subtle and hard to describe.

Yes, Ikeno won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Following Zhang Ziyi, Chi Liyuan has now been "confirmed" as well.

Unlike Zhang Ziyi, who has never dared to dream of winning an Oscar, Ikeno seems to have that drive. At least his chances of being nominated have risen sharply since he won the Golden Globe.

"Thank you for your recognition regarding the film, the science fiction, and the story."

Ikeno stood on the stage, his emotions not fluctuating much. Although the Golden Globe had a long history, after experiencing various events, big and small, it didn't hold much prestige in his mind.

However, given his current status and popularity within the Chinese entertainment industry, this is indeed something worth mentioning.

If winning Best Actor at previous film festivals had little effect, then winning the Golden Globe seems to have a slight impact; at least the competitors should take it a little more seriously.

"Ikeno has won an award."

That day, General Manager Gong, once again "tirelessly" reached out to management, and made a phone call to General Manager Chen.

Upon hearing this, General Manager Chen said, "I saw it."

"Um... Should we try to get our hands on 'Lurking'?"

"I heard you haven't seen the release of the 'Hidden' card pool?"

Mr. Gong was taken aback, then nodded frankly: "Yes, I have a good personal relationship with him, and I have always felt that we shouldn't do this, as it would disappoint our partners."

"...Do you have any information about this year's Oscars?"

When General Manager Chen finished speaking, General Manager Gong understood that it seemed that General Manager Li and his team had also attracted attention and had successfully focused on the Ikeno "Olympic bid" incident.

It seems...

It really worked.

I wonder if those higher up have noticed?
—Yes, and no, as if it were.

At least for now, I don't have time to pay attention to these things.

The passing of the old man was a huge blow to the entire Jin family. Jin Zhao was in his prime, but with the old man's departure, he, who had worked in related fields all his life, had lost the possibility of being transferred to another post.

As for whether or not one can make progress, that's entirely up to fate. Now is not the time to think about progress. What we need to do now is support the family and step up to take on that heavy responsibility when we lose our true support.

This heavy responsibility is obviously not easy to shoulder, so I have been busy for the past few months. In the past, I would occasionally go back home, but now I live in the capital. I am so busy that my heels are kicking the back of my head.

"Brother, look at all the businesses our family used to have..."

"Uncle, my company already had everything sorted out, how could this suddenly..."

Have you heard about what happened to Ikeno?

After a busy day at work, there's still a mountain of things to take care of at home, with all sorts of distant relatives. He didn't realize how much it was when his father was alive, but now he's feeling utterly exhausted.

There really isn't anyone capable in the family now. Everyone's used to a comfortable life. This is just a normal fluctuation after the old man passed away, but many people can't stand it anymore. They're afraid their comfortable lives will be disrupted, and they're calling several times a day to urge him to leave.

Amidst this chaotic information, one relatively worry-free piece of news emerged today – news about Ikeno.

News about Ikeno?
What news about Ikeno?
He was aware of Chi Ye's recent difficulties, including being targeted by Tencent headquarters, but at such a sensitive time, Jin Zhao couldn't offer much help. Jin Sui had called several times about this matter.

In fact, without the old man's help, relying solely on his own abilities to "forcefully suppress" others is simply too much of a stretch, akin to wishful thinking.

But if you have to give up some things... you can't really fight to the death over something so trivial.

Therefore, we have made this determination and decision today.

"What's wrong with Ikeno? Is it still about that matter? I'll go see her after I'm done with this busy period."

Today, I'm leaning back in my chair, talking on the phone with my sister.

"No, it's Ikeno who won the Golden Globe. He really wants to win the Olympics this time."

Jin Chao was stunned: "You won an award? Are you aiming for the Olympics?"

"Ah."

This year, she said softly, "What I want to say is that this child is quite easy to take care of, so don't worry about him too much."

Jin Chao remained silent: "It is indeed quite worry-free."

Golden Globe, Oscar nominations... Ikeno has always impressed him as a very smart entertainer. Now it seems that he is not only a smart entertainer, but also a person with extremely strong management skills.

He did this clearly to increase his own influence and attract more attention from more people and different social circles through these incidents.

The idea is correct, but there's a problem—is it enough?
"The Martian" has absolutely no chance of winning an Oscar.

Success here refers to winning an Oscar.

This point needs little explanation; nationality and political affiliation determine everything, no further elaboration is needed.

The problem now is that "The Martian" is aiming for an Oscar nomination, preferably for Best Actor. If successful, in today's Chinese entertainment industry, it will definitely create a huge stir and generate a massive wave of online buzz.

This kind of manipulation of public opinion and extracting whatever he needs from it is Chi Ye's forte, but this time he is not facing someone else, but a unicorn behemoth.

Even a little tapping and banging was enough to make him feel this bad.

Is this kind of public opinion really enough?

Today, he felt that it was almost there, but something was missing. He couldn't figure it out, and naturally, he couldn't think of it either. The release of "Lurking" might be a key to unlock and change many people's views on "Chi Ye".

And the kind of influence that would "leave a mark on film history." Mid-December.

As the year draws to a close, the atmosphere of New Year's Eve is gradually intensifying. As in previous years, the annual New Year's Eve concert is a grand competition among stars in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Ikeno has been at the top of the New Year's Eve rankings on major TV stations for a long time. As for female celebrities, the changes are even more dramatic, with her ranking fluctuating and making her unpredictable.

Therefore, it is also the topic that causes the most serious arguments at the end of each year.

The reason for this is that, upon closer observation, one can discover that every female artist who is the No. 1 on major TV stations has worked with Ikeno.

Arranging them by the time they collaborated with Ikeno is the most accurate approach.

From the very beginning this summer, to Shang Youshu, then to Sheng Ning, and then to Shi Jinwei this year.

That's right, Sister Pliers has finally "reached the top" this year. With the huge success of "Goblin", all aspects of her career have undergone a transformation. In terms of business, endorsements, and announcements, Shi Jinwei is now equivalent to Chi Ye among male celebrities.

Logically, she should be very happy, but for some reason, she just can't seem to find joy.

After the huge success of "Goblin", Taiyang Entertainment changed its attitude because it could no longer "get something out of Ikeno", and another group of people took the lead.

But Ikeno is Ikeno. He acted as if he had never cared about himself, nor about Taiyang, a behemoth like the former Yuena.

After all, if Yue Na could completely destroy him single-handedly, what chance would Tai Yang have?
Shi Jinwei felt that what she admired most about Ru Chiye was his ability. Looks and talent had to come after that. She just liked to appreciate and even fanatically admired Chiye's ability to "turn the world upside down".

He started when he was still a nobody, and he has never lost since.

This time, it seems like Ikeno is in serious trouble.

This is a conclusion that Shi Jinwei reached after meticulously collecting all the information during her busy work.

The behemoth at Tencent headquarters was completely enraged by Ikeno this time, and a competition that was "unfair" from the beginning began. However, from the very start, Ikeno was powerless to resist.

The original project was stalled, and Kiwi, one of the "iron triangle" members who were once the talk of the industry and cried wolf, changed their stance almost the very next day.

In addition, there was Ikeno's already poor interpersonal relationships, as well as the people he had offended in the past.

This time, aside from successfully and completely destroying Yuena, he seems to have gained nothing at all.

At the same time, what should have been a thriving business has instead sown the seeds for its current "desperate situation".

"Sister Shi, the appearance fees offered by major TV stations this year have increased three or four times compared to before, so there's basically no difference. Which one do you want to go with?"

The assistant pushed the door open and came in. Shi Jinwei snapped out of her reverie but didn't say anything.

The assistant immediately understood: "I couldn't find out about Chi Ge's schedule... He went back to China to join the film crew after the Golden Globe Awards, and he's been keeping a low profile."

Shi Jin thought for a moment and said, "Then... mangoes will do."

"mango?"

The assistant was taken aback for a moment, then understood.

Indeed, this is an answer that doesn't require any guesswork.

After all, everyone in the industry knows that Hunan TV, which has always been criticized, has come to regard Chi Ye as its own father. At this time, he is still so "steadfast", which means he is a true "brother".

To recount the first step that led to Ikeno's fame, it was her participation in Hunan TV's "See You".

It's pretty much a no-brainer where Ikeno will attend the New Year's Eve party this year.

but…

"If we act alongside Brother Chi, our billing order..."

The assistant looked anxious, secretly observing Shi Jinwei's expression and reaction.

Shi Jinwei's expression remained unchanged: "...Two contracts were drafted; we were 'tricked' into going through with it."

The assistant was stunned for at least ten seconds before suddenly slapping her thigh: "Damn, Sister Shi, you really have a way... uh..."

Suddenly noticing the unfriendly look from the woman with pliers, the assistant quickly added, "What I mean is... that's just how it is!"

"Ah."

Shi Jin nodded slightly in satisfaction, but then a strange anxiety and sadness appeared deep in her sapphire blue eyes.

……

"How much longer can I keep her hooked?"

“The contract doesn’t have much time left, but we can try to work on it from other angles.”

"...Does she really intend to leave?"

"Of course! I told you long ago not to treat Ikeno that way, but you just wouldn't believe me."

"I don't believe that a utilitarian woman like Shi Jinwei would have a conflict with the company over something like this... To be honest, she's a bit ungrateful. How many resources has the company given her over the years? Now that she's famous, she's forgotten all the support the company has given her."

"You even challenged the company over such a small matter. If you ask me, you should have been tougher on the contract from the beginning."

"..."

Taiyang Entertainment.

Among the senior executives of Shi Jinwei's agency, Shi Jinwei's agent was also present, though she didn't say much.

In fact, Taiyang Entertainment is usually unwilling, or rather "dare" to, do anything to Shi Jinwei, since Shi Jinwei is currently the company's cash cow.

Taking into account her relationship with Ikeno, since she was the only one Ikeno had voluntarily gone on a variety show to "offend people" for her, and later became a star promoted by "Goblin," regardless of Ikeno's true thoughts, at least from the outside perspective, this was a sign of a close relationship.

Taiyang Entertainment is better at making money than Yue Na; they know how to make concessions, even significant ones, for the sake of profit.

The fact that a giant company, no less powerful than Yue Na, spanning film, television, and music, treats an artist like Shi Jinwei with such utmost respect speaks volumes.

However, the relationship between the two has deteriorated repeatedly in the past six months.

Shi Jinwei's inexplicable "rebellious phase" was one aspect, but another was because Chi Ye had completely offended Tencent's headquarters. The subsequent targeted actions by headquarters and Chi Ye's frequent setbacks made Taiyang's attitude towards Shi Jinwei increasingly subtle.

Chi Ye is finished. Shi Jinwei's contract is expiring and he wants to leave. Where is he going? Stay here and keep making money for me!
If you can make concessions for the sake of profit, you can also take advantage of it.

Now, the two sides have gone from being "close" partners to being adversaries.

Previously, Taiyang was hesitant to be too explicit with Shi Jinwei due to Chi Ye's terrifying "star-making" and the rapid development of coconut culture.

But now that they are certain that Ikeno is finished this time, naturally, they cannot skimp on any of the necessary actions and methods.

Shi Jinwei? Shi Jinwei won't work either.

(End of this chapter)