Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 156 Marketing
Yan Ni gestured with her chin towards the right front, indicating that Liu Shishi should look at the group of people not far away, and then explained:

"Zhengyu arrived a long time ago; he's with the crew of 'So Young.' 'So Young' is much better than our crew; it received three nominations: Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress."

Zhengyu is the male lead in "So Young," and he'll be walking the red carpet with Gao Yuanyuan and the others, so he won't be with us.

Qiao Zhengyu arrived early and was talking with Teng Huatao, the director of "So Young," and Gao Yuanyuan, the female lead.

Seemingly sensing that someone was watching him, he turned to the side and saw Liu Shishi looking in his direction. He quickly smiled and waved to his junior sister in greeting.

After Liu Shishi nodded in response to Qiao Zhengyu, her gaze settled on a familiar figure next to Gao Yuanyuan, which was none other than her college classmate, Lü Yi.

Lü Yi plays the second female lead in the movie "So Young". Tonight, she attended the film festival in an exquisite pink dress, which made her look like a fairy descending to earth. Even standing next to the great beauty Gao Yuanyuan, she was not inferior at all. She was equally eye-catching and radiant.

Lu Yi also noticed Liu Shishi. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other.

However, their smiles contained different meanings. Liu Shishi's smile was calm and peaceful, while Lü Yi's smile seemed somewhat forced, as if hiding unspeakable complex emotions.

Lü Yi lifted her skirt and moved to the set of "Nightclub". She first greeted Xu Zheng and others, and then took the initiative to chat with Liu Shishi. Her voice was soft and magnetic, but there was a hint of sharpness in her words.

"Shishi, it's been a long time! You look radiant and full of energy today. It seems you take great care of yourself!"

"Being pampered?" Liu Shishi was taken aback. Her old classmate's words had a hidden meaning; it seemed that her visit wasn't just a simple reminiscing. "Lü Yi, you look beautiful tonight too. Gao Yuanyuan is almost outshone by you."

Lu Yi subconsciously glanced at Gao Yuanyuan, who was wearing a blue dress and exuding sweetness and youthfulness. Gao Yuanyuan was the female lead in "So Young," while Lu Yi was just the second female lead. Liu Shishi's statement that she outshone Gao Yuanyuan was clearly meant to stir up trouble.

Although she did have some ulterior motives, she always kept quiet about such things. If Gao Yuanyuan heard about her being too beautiful, she was afraid that it would create a rift between them.

When old classmates meet, they should be chatting and reminiscing. However, although the two seem to be getting along well on the surface, their words are actually full of hidden barbs and veiled sarcasm.

"Shishi, I heard you recently landed another big role in a drama produced by Tengda Culture. Congratulations!" Lu Yi's words carried a hint of sarcasm. It was infuriating that her company was getting so many good projects for outsiders.

"Oh, it's just a job, a way to make a living," Liu Shishi replied with a smile, but a hint of smugness shone in her eyes. "I'm lucky; my eye for men is unparalleled. You're all so envious."

In just a few words, this simple exchange ended with Liu Shishi's complete victory.

After a few tentative questions, Lü Yi discovered that her old classmate had become sharp-tongued and witty, a stark contrast to her quiet and introverted self in college.

After a verbal battle, he gained no advantage whatsoever; instead, he was left furious. It seems there's no one easy to get along with in the entertainment industry.

Returning to the "So Young" film crew dejectedly, Lü Yi muttered angrily, "What's so great about being a resource-backed star? You'll get dumped sooner or later."

He was also dissatisfied with Wang Luodan. She used to speak so eloquently in front of President Zhang, but after half a year, she hadn't even met Chairman Song once. And she still wanted him to help her? Help her my ass!

Seeing Lü Yi return looking dejected, Qiao Zhengyu asked with concern, "Junior sister, are you alright?" He was closest to this junior sister from the same school and department, and guessed that she had just been through a rough patch. Junior sister Liu was gentle on the outside but tough on the inside, and not someone to be trifled with.

Qiao Zhengyu knew that Wang Luodan and Lü Yi were extremely resentful of Liu Shishi ever since they learned about her relationship with the chairman. They believed that Liu Shishi had no acting skills or strength and relied solely on selling her looks to build connections and grab resources.

I have advised the two of them more than once to face reality. In the entertainment industry, acting skills alone are not enough. You need connections and influence. Now Liu Shishi has powerful backers. You can't compete with her. You have to accept it whether you like it or not.

Lu Yi pouted, looking unhappy: "It's nothing, I'll just go say hello."

"That must be Liu Shishi." Gao Yuanyuan noticed Lü Yi's slight mood and followed her gaze to recognize the pretty girl in white not far away. Upon seeing the girl's graceful demeanor and charming smile, she immediately felt a sense of urgency.

She is a post-75s actress, and can be considered a contemporary of the "Four Dan and Two Bing" (a group of four top actresses and two top female stars), but her career is not comparable to theirs at all, and she is far behind the "Four Dan and Two Bing".

Fortunately, he has had good luck in the past two years. He filmed a movie for Tengda Culture, and his status improved after the movie version of "So Young". His career has finally improved, but it is still neither high nor low.

Now, even girls born in the mid-85s are starting to compete with her. Two years have passed in the blink of an eye, and she'll be thirty. If she can't make further progress, she'll probably be old and faded and soon be overtaken by the younger generation.

A sense of regret welled up in my heart. If I had listened to my friend Yu Xin's advice and joined Tengda Culture earlier, my career development might have been completely different.

Although I have a good relationship with Tengda Culture now, there's still a layer between us; they want to promote their own artists. If it weren't for my connections with Teng Huatao, Qiao Zhengyu, and Yu Xin, I probably wouldn't have gotten the lead role in "So Young."

Gao Yuanyuan glanced discreetly at the top figures of Tengda Group and the newly minted director with a net worth of over 100 million yuan in front of her, and silently made up her mind that she must hold onto these two connections.

"Alright, take care of anything after the event. You'll be walking the red carpet soon, so try to control your emotions and smile naturally in front of the media." Teng Huatao sensed that the atmosphere on set was a little unusual, with the main actors displaying different expressions, so he smiled and offered a reminder.

He's been riding high lately. Since getting on board with Tengda Culture, his directing career has been booming. Now, with "So Young," he's become a director with a budget of over 100 million yuan, making him a sensation in the film industry.

This year's College Student Film Festival was a resounding success. The moment the host announced the official start of the red carpet ceremony, the venue erupted in cheers.

Under the dazzling lights, the red carpet, like a bridge to glory, was laid out in the spotlight.

The cheerful music and thunderous applause intertwined, creating a warm yet solemn atmosphere at the scene.

As the host announced the names of the film crews, they walked the red carpet one by one, creating a grand ceremony that showcased the brilliance of the film industry.

The male actors, dressed in impeccably tailored suits, exuded either dashing charm or mature sophistication, showcasing their masculine appeal.

The female celebrities were vying for attention, wearing incredibly gorgeous gowns, some elegant and charming, others sexy and alluring. Each gown was like a meticulously crafted work of art, shimmering dazzlingly under the lights.

Amidst the commotion, it was the turn of the "Nightclub" cast to walk the red carpet. Liu Shishi's sudden appearance was like the brightest star in the night sky, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Wearing a white dress, its pure white color like the first snow of winter, it gave off a gentle and pure feeling. The dress was simple yet elegant in design, with smooth and natural lines that perfectly outlined her graceful figure.

What is particularly eye-catching is the white ribbon tied in Liu Shishi's hair, which flutters gently in the evening breeze, as if adding a touch of liveliness to its owner's beauty.

The white ribbon that held her hair up shimmered softly under the spotlight, making one marvel that even the wind seemed to favor her, its gentle breeze causing the ribbon to dance gracefully, as if to make her even more radiant.

Liu Shishi smiled, her eyes bright and clear, showing no stage fright whatsoever. Every step and every movement exuded confidence and charm. She walked gracefully down the red carpet, waving to the audience and media. Reporters at the scene raised their cameras, the shutters clicking incessantly. Several media outlets that Cai Yinong had arranged beforehand took even more photos, seemingly determined to capture the beauty and charm of Tangren's leading lady forever in their lenses.

After signing autographs and taking photos, the cast and crew of "Nightclub" entered the venue. Yan Ni affectionately linked arms with Liu Shishi and exclaimed as they walked, "Shishi, you really stole the show tonight. Your makeup and styling on the red carpet were absolutely gorgeous."

Actually, very few moviegoers really care about the awards. What they enjoy is seeing stars shining brightly and vying for attention. I'm sure tomorrow's entertainment headlines will be about you and Gao Yuanyuan; everyone else will just be supporting characters.

Liu Shishi was a little shy, no longer as composed and confident as she had been in front of the media: "Sister Yan, it's not as exaggerated as you say."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Celebrities walk the red carpet to showcase their personal charm and style. It's essentially a marketing strategy to boost their popularity."

Take Fan Bingbing for example; at least 30% of her current fame comes from red carpet appearances. "I'm not pretty enough, otherwise do you think I'd want to work so hard to become a talent-driven actress?"

Speaking of this, Yan Ni couldn't help but sigh, recalling the hardships she had endured in her early years: "Shi Shi, you have good natural advantages, which means you can avoid many detours. The mainstream of the entertainment industry still values ​​looks."

Take Liu Yifei, who is known as the "Fairy Sister," for example. She became popular quickly because of her good looks, the support of resources, and marketing.

"You should become famous as early as possible. You have the potential and the conditions, and with Chairman Song's help, your future career will be very smooth."

After listening to Yan Ni's heartfelt words, Liu Shishi seemed to have something to say. It seemed that K-sister's advocacy of hype and marketing was not entirely useless.

The two chatted as they walked, then took their seats in the places arranged by the organizers, following the signs, and waited for the awards ceremony to begin.

As the venue gradually filled up, the atmosphere grew increasingly intense. With the host announcing the start of the event, the 14th College Student Film Festival Awards Ceremony officially began.

As the awards were announced one by one, the anticipation on the faces of the "Nightclub" crew members gradually turned into disappointment. They didn't win either of their two nominations, and the entire crew went home empty-handed.

Xu Zheng sat in his seat, a hint of fatigue and resentment on his face. He had originally thought that he could win the Most Popular Director among College Students award based on his popularity. Although this award was not very prestigious, if he could win it, it would be his first honor after switching to directing.

They came full of hope, but reality was cruel, leaving them only to leave disappointed.

"Director Xu, don't be discouraged! Not winning an award doesn't mean our film is bad!" Liu Shishi comforted the director instead.

She had no nominations and felt no psychological burden; she was simply there to broaden her horizons and join in the fun.

Xu Zheng took a deep breath and adjusted his mindset: "It's okay, I'm not as open-minded as a little girl like you." He had already decided to pursue the path of a commercial film director, to make money first, and to think about awards later.

After the guests' speeches, the film festival finally came to a close. As the music ended and the crowd dispersed, they slowly poured out of the venue like a tide.

Liu Shishi lifted her skirt and walked side by side with Yan Ni, following the flow of people towards the exit. On the way, she happened to meet Qiao Zhengyu, and smiled sincerely and brightly: "Senior brother, congratulations on winning the award."

Qiao Zhengyu's face was beaming with joy, but his humble demeanor remained unchanged. He had just narrowly defeated Chen Kun to become the most popular male actor among college students.

"Thank you, junior sister. Since Sister Yan is here too, let's have a get-together tonight to celebrate my award."

Yan Ni laughed and said, "I have no problem with that. I was just about to ask Lao Bai for a meal so you wouldn't walk the red carpet with us."

Qiao Zhengyu laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, not only is this meal on me, but the next time we get together, it'll be on me too."

Not wanting to spoil the fun of the reunion of old friends, Liu Shishi nodded and said, "You decide on the location, senior brother. My assistant will wait for me outside. Sister Yan and I will change our clothes and then head over."

"Okay, see you there or see you."

It was already 10 p.m., and Liu Shishi was getting ready to change her clothes before going to a dinner party.

At this moment, the Peking University campus appeared exceptionally tranquil under the moonlight, while Song Ci's dormitory 310 remained brightly lit.

Lu Yugang and Tang Xiaochuan went to the library and haven't returned yet; only Song Ci and Lin Hao are in the dormitory.

Song Ci sat at her desk, surrounded by books and materials, her eyes fixed intently on her laptop screen, deep in thought as she worked on her graduation thesis.

The faint light from the computer screen illuminated his face, outlining his handsome features.

Lin Hao, standing to the side, was shaking his head and typing away rapidly, seemingly chatting happily on QQ.

As the most loyal fan of the "Tang Poetry and Song Lyrics" pairing, Lin Hao was appointed by Liu Shishi as the administrator of her fan group.

Because fans know that Liu Shishi will be attending the College Student Film Festival today, they are all anxiously waiting for the first-hand news from the film festival.

Although it was already 10 p.m., the fan group was bustling with activity, with several messages flashing by every minute.

"The film festival has ended, but there's still no news about Shishi."

"Sisters, what kind of look do you think Shishi will wear on the red carpet today?"

The fans in the group chatted away, and Lin Hao watched with great interest. Occasionally, he would chime in with a few words, revealing some inside information, which prompted the girls in the group to keep asking him questions.

Ding ding ding, the group icon flashed three times, and the group owner sent three pictures.

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"Wow, so beautiful!" The group chat exploded with excitement as fans showered the chat with compliments.

(End of this chapter)