Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 160 Luxury Mansion
On the last day of May 07, the morning in Donghai City gradually awoke in a soft light.

Sunlight filters through the gaps between skyscrapers, casting golden patches of light across the city streets.

Early in the morning, the director and four lead actors of the TV series "My Love from the Star" were following behind a person in charge of Tomson Group, listening to him enthusiastically introduce the group's real estate projects.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our Tomson Riviera is a top-tier luxury residential project that is second to none in the country. It is located in the core area of ​​Lujiazui in Pudong, bordering the Huangpu River and facing the Bund, standing alongside landmark buildings such as the East China Sea Center and the Shanghai World Financial Center."

The person in charge then led the group to a huge land window, where the magnificent view of the Huangpu River was breathtaking.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please look at this unparalleled river view. Only at Tomson Riviera can you fully appreciate it. Imagine waking up every morning, greeting the first rays of sunlight, and overlooking the prosperity of the entire city. What a feeling and state of mind that would be."

"Mr. Wang, what are the apartment types and prices like here?" Everyone loves luxury homes, and after hearing the introduction, the male lead, Qiao Zhengyu, was itching to buy one and couldn't help but ask.

Although the celebrities in front of us are not here to buy houses today, actors earn a lot of money these days, especially A-list stars like Fan Bingbing and Qiao Zhengyu, who are potential clients of the group.

The person in charge, surnamed Wang, wore a professional smile and spoke with excellent manners and professionalism:

“We all adopt large-sized unit designs, with an area of ​​approximately 434 to 1200 square meters. Buildings A and C are one unit per floor, while Buildings B and D are one unit per two floors. The current price is approximately 10 yuan per square meter.”

Everyone gasped upon hearing this. In other words, even the smallest apartment costs 4340 million. How could such an expensive apartment be sold?
Qiao Zhengyu was immediately speechless, realizing that he had been presumptuous in asking about the price. He had thought that after becoming famous in the past two years, he had made some money from endorsements and commercial performances, and he had just seen this house and was tempted to buy one.

Looking back now, I realize I was just being narrow-minded. The money I've earned in the past few years is nowhere near what a true tycoon would make. I still need to keep working hard.

However, as everyone expected, Tomson Riviera's apartments have been unable to sell since they went on sale in February this year due to their high prices. In the three months since the launch, only two units have been sold, one of which was purchased by Song Ci.

Nowadays, the super-rich still prefer detached villas with gardens, and those willing to spend tens of millions to buy large apartments are still a minority.

Because of poor sales performance, the developer Tomson Group was about to increase its advertising efforts. Just then, the crew of the TV series "My Love from the Star" came to them seeking sponsorship. One side wanted to use the luxury house for filming, while the other side thought they could use the TV series to promote their products. The two sides hit it off immediately.

In addition, the first customer of Tomson Riviera, Song Ci, one of the top ten richest people, personally made a request. Tomson Group attached great importance to this and specially dispatched a person in charge to assist the film crew in filming. Today, he led the film crew to look at the house and scout locations.

In recent years, Korean dramas have become very popular in China. Mainland China mainly produces dramas about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships and war dramas, while Hong Kong mainly produces crime dramas and dramas about wealthy families' feuds. As for Taiwan, it is full of ridiculous idol dramas. Occasionally, one or two hit dramas will appear, but overall, it is completely no match for Korean dramas.

"My Love from the Star" is not only a fantasy romance drama, but also a modern urban drama with the potential to suppress the Korean wave and lead fashion trends. It was a super hit that swept across Asia in its previous life. With Tengda Culture's 5000 million yuan investment, Song Ci is paying close attention to this drama.

When he learned that the production team was short of a luxury residence to serve as the filming location for the male and female leads, he introduced Tomson Riviera to the production team and personally contacted the Tomson Group for help. At the same time, he asked his assistant, Song Xueying, to help coordinate the matter.

"Director Teng, President Wang has just given a brief introduction to Tomson Riviera. It should be able to meet your crew's needs for a luxury residence, right?" Song Xueying, dressed in an elegant little suit, remained as gentle and intellectual as ever.

Director Teng Huatao, who was carefully observing the surroundings of the house, snapped out of his reverie and quickly replied, "Perfect! The crew just needs two houses."

In the setting of "My Love from the Star", the male and female leads live across from each other. The Tomson Riviera apartments have one unit per floor, and the luxury of the apartments fully meets the requirements. The only problem is that the apartment layout is not right. However, it is not a big problem. Two floors were used for filming, and it can be edited in post-production.

"Two layers are needed?" Song Xueying asked in confusion. She thought she could just choose any set. Was filming a movie really that complicated?

Teng Huatao quickly offered an explanation, explaining the reason in detail.

"How about this, I'll take you to see Chairman Song's house. If there are no problems, I'll ask President Wang to arrange for you to borrow an apartment on the adjacent floor for filming," Song Xueying compromised after thinking for a moment.

Anyway, the boss had already instructed us before we came that we could lend his apartment to the film crew, and the developer would only need to provide one apartment.

"The chairman also bought a house in Donghai?" Lu Yi, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Song Xueying nodded, then turned to the person in charge and asked, "Mr. Wang, do you think this is acceptable?"

"I'm fine with anything, just do as you say, Assistant Song." The person in charge agreed nonchalantly. Tomson Riviera currently has a large number of vacant houses, so it doesn't matter whether they lend one or two to the film crew.

"Then it's settled. I'll take them to see Mr. Song's house. If there are no problems, we'll choose the other one on the floor below. Mr. Wang, thank you so much for your help today."

"Assistant Song, you're too kind. Just call me if you need anything. I've already given instructions regarding property security. During this period, those with work permits from the film crew can temporarily enter and exit Tomson Riviera."

Hearing the sponsor's cooperation, Teng Huatao said gratefully, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Wang!"

Song Xueying greeted the person in charge and called over the crew: "Everyone, please come with me. I'll take you to see President Song's residence."

Song Ci purchased an 850-square-meter duplex apartment in Tomson Riviera, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the East China Sea.

When Song Xueying led Teng Huatao, Fan Bingbing, Qiao Zhengyu, Lü Yi, and Wang Kai to Boss Song's residence, the moment they stepped inside, it felt as if they had entered a luxurious dream.

The super-large single-level apartment was decorated in a magnificent style. Inside, the dazzling crystal chandelier cast a soft light that reflected on the elegant marble floor, creating a dreamlike luster.

The exquisitely carved furniture exudes an air of nobility, with every detail showcasing unparalleled quality. The spacious layout is grand yet elegant, and the huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a magnificent view of the bustling metropolis of Donghai.

The five members of the "My Love from the Star" crew were all stunned by the luxury before them, their eyes filled with amazement and envy. Standing there, they felt as if even their breathing became cautious.

Teng Huatao walked around and looked at the house, asking curiously, "Assistant Song, how much did the chairman spend on this house?" After looking it over, he realized that the house in front of him was a level above the one the person in charge had just shown him.

Song Xueying drew back the curtains of the French windows, making the room brighter, and slowly replied, "Mr. Song is the first customer of Tomson Riviera. The developer gave us a discount, and we got this 850-square-meter duplex for 8000 million."

"80 million?!" Qiao Zhengyu was extremely shocked and stammered. He couldn't even afford the smallest apartment, but the boss easily bought it for 80 million. This is the wealth of a top tycoon!
Fan Bingbing's mouth gaped slightly, her eyes filled with amazement. She murmured, "This is too luxurious! It's unbelievable." Even though she was the wealthiest person in the crew, she still couldn't afford an 8000 million yuan mansion. Even the usually quiet Wang Kai couldn't help but remark, "Such a mansion is rare indeed." He gazed silently at his surroundings, filled with envy, thinking that when he could buy a house here, his life would be complete.

Song Xueying observed everyone's reactions and completely understood them. She was even more surprised than they were when their boss spent a fortune buying a villa in Beiping as a gift.

However, she is now a worldly person. In addition to the house in Tangcheng Yipin, the boss also owns a courtyard house in Beiping, a villa in Jingyuan given to Liu Shishi as a birthday gift, another large flat in Donghai, Phoenix Mansion, and some other properties. She has experienced a lot and has naturally become numb to it.

"Assistant Song, the chairman is usually in Beiping, not in Donghai, so why did he buy a house here?"

Ever since Lü Yi learned that Song Ci owned a house in Donghai, he had been curious and vaguely felt that it was related to his old classmate Liu Shishi, but he did not believe that Song Ci would spend so much money on a woman.

"Buying a house is naturally for living in. Just because Chairman Song isn't in Donglai now doesn't mean he won't come to Donghai in the future."

Song Xueying casually replied that, to her knowledge, Tengda Group would be opening its second headquarters in Donghai in the future. In addition, Liu Shishi's company, Tangren Media, is also located in Donghai. In the future, Song Ci might live in both Jingyuan Villa and Tomson Riviera.

Lu Yi wanted to ask another question, but Song Xueying didn't give her the chance and continued, "Everyone, President Song's apartment will definitely meet your filming needs. That's settled. For other matters, you can contact President Wang of Tomson Group for coordination. However, there is one thing I need to make clear."

"Please speak?"

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on her, Song Xueying said with a serious expression: "President Song is lending you this house for filming. Please take good care of it and don't damage it, so as not to lose face for everyone."

"Absolutely, absolutely! Don't worry, Assistant Song, if anyone in the crew dares to damage President Song's house, I'll skin them alive!"

Teng Huatao immediately patted his chest and assured everyone that no matter how much he was now Tengda Culture's top director, who was the undisputed leader on set and respected by everyone in the industry, he was still a force to be reckoned with.

But in front of a big shot like Song Ci, he's just a nobody. Offending the chairman makes it hard to gain a foothold in the entertainment industry.

"It's good that Director Teng knows what's going on." After arranging everything, Song Xueying told Teng Huatao the password and then left.

After the five members of the film crew went downstairs, they were still in a daze, as if they were in a dream.

Fan Bingbing glanced back at the mansion behind her, her mindset subtly shifting. Unconsciously, she made up her mind to expand and strengthen her studio, turning it into a powerful force. However, her current strength was still very weak, and she needed to leverage the power of Tengda Culture.

I heard that my old friend Zhao Zhetian has gotten on the good side of Jack Ma, the chairman of Alibaba Group. I need to hurry up and get on Song Ci's good side too. These big shots, even if they just slip through their fingers, it'll be enough to make me rich.

Seeing Fan Bingbing deep in thought, Qiao Zhengyu asked, "Bingbing, are you coming back to the hotel with us?"

"No need, my assistant is waiting for me outside in the car."

Qiao Zhengyu nodded and said no more.

The group parted ways in front of the main gate of Tomson Riviera, and the two groups left in their respective cars.

The Tengda Culture team returned to the hotel where the film crew was staying in a van. On the way, everyone had different thoughts, deeply moved by what they had seen that day.

"Our chairman is really rich, 8000 million! And he bought it but doesn't live in it, it's empty, that's really extravagant."

As soon as Lü Yi got into the car, he couldn't help but speak up. With Song Xueying present, it was convenient to say some things.

"How many years would it take us to save up enough money to buy a house here?" Wang Kai exclaimed enviously.

He's currently somewhere between a second- or third-tier celebrity. After deducting his agency's commission and expenses from his film and television fees, commercial performances, and a few endorsements, he can save about two to three million a year. At his current income level, he would have to work for over thirty years to buy a large apartment like Song Ci's.

"Brother Kai, you and Luo Dan are about to become famous, not to mention Brother Yu. You two probably still have a chance to become neighbors with the boss. I have no hope. Of the four artists in the company, I'm the only one who's not good enough, stuck in the middle." Lu Yi said dejectedly.
Two weeks ago, the TV series "Struggle", co-produced by Tengda Culture and Xinbaoyuan Film and Television, was broadcast on Donghai Satellite TV. As soon as the show started airing, the ratings continued to rise, and topics about "Struggle" kept emerging online. It was poised to become a phenomenal hit.

Wang Kai, who plays the male lead Lu Tao in the drama, has naturally seen his popularity rise, becoming increasingly famous and seemingly poised to become the most popular male artist at the moment.

Wang Luodan was also extremely lucky. She was originally cast as the third female lead because of her suitability for the role, but because of her likable character, after "Struggle" aired, her exposure and popularity with the audience were no less than that of the female lead. She is the person who enjoys the benefits of this drama second only to Wang Kai.

With her previous leading roles in "My Old Classmate" and "With You," Wang Luodan's career finally took a turn for the better after years of hard work.

These past few days I've received countless script invitations, clearly leaving Lü Yi behind. The two-year-long battle for the title of Tengda's top female star is finally about to be decided.

"I was just lucky." Wang Kai said modestly with a great mood when talking about "Struggle".

No one could have imagined that a melodramatic soap opera could become a phenomenal hit. It just goes to show that the company leaders have impeccable taste in choosing dramas.

Qiao Zhengyu stared quietly out the car window, his expression inscrutable. Originally, there was a huge gap in status between him and Wang Kai, but now that Wang Kai had unexpectedly become a sensation, his future development was uncertain.

Zeng Jia had already reminded him that his collaboration with Fan Bingbing on "My Love from the Star" was of paramount importance.

If "My Love from the Star" becomes a huge hit, he will become one of the most popular male celebrities. He can live off his past achievements for ten years. After that, as long as he accumulates experience and wins a few awards, he can become a top figure in the industry.

But if "My Love from the Star" flops, the decline in popularity could shake Wang Kai's position as the top male star in Tengda Entertainment.

(End of this chapter)