Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 317 The Distorted Press Conference
The past has come to an end, and it's New Year's Day again.

The Daguanlou Cinema in Beiping is the birthplace of Chinese cinema.

This hall, which bears witness to a century of glory for Chinese cinema, exudes a profound historical atmosphere under the afternoon sun in winter, with its bronze doors.

In 1905, the Daguanlou Cinema premiered "Dingjun Mountain," the first opera film made by Chinese people themselves, thus ending the history of China having no domestically produced films.

More than a hundred years later, the antique-style screening hall in the cinema is brightly lit, where the crew of "Goodbye Mr. Loser" held a press conference to mark the start of filming.

At the press conference, a group of reporters were already ready to go, with cameras, video recorders and other equipment all readily available.

Hu Ge, Yang Mi, and Liu Shishi—these three names alone generate buzz and online traffic. Two years after their collaboration on "Chinese Paladin 3," the three are teaming up again, and the news has already garnered a lot of attention.

Moreover, "Goodbye Mr. Loser" is produced by Tengda Culture, and with blockbuster works like "Love is Not Blind" and "Let the Bullets Fly" preceding it, this movie can be said to have generated a lot of buzz even before its release, making movie fans extremely excited.

At 2 p.m., the scheduled start time, director Ma Xin, dressed in a gray trench coat, took to the stage with the main cast. After exchanging friendly greetings with the audience and media, the press conference officially began.

The sound of camera shutters clicking and flashes going off all around was deafening. The first reporter to ask a question smiled and spoke in a loud voice: "Director Ma Xin, could you briefly tell us what kind of story 'Goodbye Mr. Loser' is?"

Ma Xin stood in the center of the stage, his gaze deep, clearly satisfied with the first reporter's successful question.

He knew that the reporters in the audience would definitely want to ask questions about the most popular lead actors, but there were established rules for movie press conferences: reporters should first ask questions about the movie itself and get down to business. This was an unspoken understanding among everyone.

Ma Xin succinctly stated: "The story mainly tells about the male protagonist Xia Luo who, after disrupting the wedding of the school beauty during his student days, unexpectedly returns to his high school days, lives a second life, achieves success, and ultimately rediscovers life and finds his deepest love due to inner emptiness."

"Director Ma, isn't this story similar to the rebirth novels that have recently become popular on online novel websites? It doesn't seem to have anything new."

Ma Xin nodded slightly, not denying it: "One theme, countless stories."

For example, everyone writes about sadness. No matter how ornate your words are or how long your descriptions are, someone else only writes one sentence: "He never cried again after that." The artistic conception and depth are different.

Although the film deals with the theme of rebirth, it features unique innovations in its plot and character development, and I believe viewers will find it insightful.

After hearing this, the reporter didn't press the issue. He politely asked one more question and then sat down calmly. He was just the one who gave the first impression; the real show was yet to come.

The host enthusiastically enlivened the atmosphere: "Please ask your question, reporter on the far right in the first row."

A female reporter stood up and said, "Director Ma, I'm a reporter from the Film News. Do you feel any pressure transitioning from a television director to a film director?"

Ma Xin remained calm and composed, showing no signs of stage fright: "Of course there is pressure. After all, it's my first time directing a film, and it would be a lie to say I'm not nervous."

Movies and TV series differ greatly in production scale and artistic requirements. Of course, pressure can also be a driving force.

In order to better film "Goodbye Mr. Loser," I did thorough preparation, actively consulting with teachers and mentors at various academies on some details, striving to present an excellent work to everyone.

Ma Xin spoke eloquently, dealing with reporters while recalling the two months of preparation. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions, realizing that he had truly devoted himself wholeheartedly to the task and dared not slack off in the slightest.

From character development and image shaping to scene construction and camera work, every aspect was carefully considered.

To better embody the character and the actor's traits, he even consulted with his mentors at the Central Academy of Drama, striving for perfection.

Such a long and arduous process was a last resort. The chairman's script was good, but the actors did not fully match the original work.

Take Xia Luo's first wife, Liu Xuemei, for example. The script describes her as an ordinary-looking, simple and unpretentious girl.

However, Liu Shishi is beautiful and has a cool and gentle temperament. She and Yang Mi, who plays Qiuya, are equally good and hard to distinguish.

Therefore, casting Liu Shishi as the female lead, with Xia Luo abandoning Xue Mei for Qiu Ya, might seem a bit ungrateful.

The characterization of Liu Shishi alone required repeated refinement, not to mention the other main actors who also needed attention. In order to achieve the best effect for the film, he devoted a lot of effort to the pre-production work.

The press conference proceeded smoothly, with the first few reporters diligently interviewing the director and the film's lead actor, Shen Teng.

In the next segment, the eager questioners, unable to contain their curiosity, turned their attention to the trio from the Legend of Sword and Fairy series, ready to unleash their full firepower.

"Hello Yang Mi, I'm a reporter from the Beijing News. What kind of character do you play in the movie?"

On stage, Yang Mi's hair was lightly tied up in an exquisite bun, with a few wisps of hair falling on both sides of her face, making her skin look as white as snow.

Wearing a blue off-shoulder dress, she showed off her beautiful shoulder and neck lines, paired with her delicate oval face, giving people a soft and comfortable feeling.

"I play Qiuya in the movie, who is the school beauty goddess in Shen Teng and Hu Ge's hearts." Yang Mi responded to the reporter with a charming smile and her unique Beijing-accented sweet voice.

After speaking, she gracefully twirled around, displaying her beautiful and slender figure, and playfully asked, "Do you all think I can play the role of the school beauty well?"

The reporter was quick-witted: "You can ask Teacher Liu Shishi about this. She is a recognized national school beauty. Yu Zhouzhou and Lin Shui are the first love and white moonlight of countless boys."

Liu Shishi stood next to Yang Mi, wearing a pure white chiffon blouse with a small bow at the neckline, paired with an orange pleated skirt. She looked fresh and elegant, exuding a tranquil poetic charm, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

When the reporter steered the conversation toward her, the leading lady smiled gently: "Mimi is incredibly beautiful, more than capable of playing a school beauty."

"Ms. Yang Mi, recently some netizens revealed that they saw you and Feng Shaofeng holding hands while shopping. Are you dating him?" another reporter asked, throwing out a very explosive question.

"That's not true! The TV series I starred in with him is about to be released. We just happened to meet up and talked about promotion. It was all work-related. It's just a misunderstanding by netizens."

The reporter, not wanting to let Yang Mi off the hook with her evasive answer, pressed further: "But is it really necessary to hold hands intimately for work-related matters?"

Yang Mi shook her head and categorically denied it: "It's baseless! Netizens just misunderstood."

Attentive reporters in the audience noticed that Hu Ge's expression was somewhat unnatural, and a hint of hunger and dejection flashed in her eyes.

He chuckled to himself. His ex-boyfriend was bound to be unhappy that his former lover had found someone new. He just wondered who had dumped whom back then.

Seeing that the reporter kept focusing on the female celebrity's scandal and the topic was getting further and further off track, Ma Xin gave the host a subtle wink.

Fortunately, Yang Mi has a very high EQ and always kept her distance, never mentioning the name of her TV series. Otherwise, he would have lost his temper and interrupted the reporter's questions.

The host, understanding the implication, immediately took over: "Please ask your question, reporter in the middle of the third row. This is a film press conference, so please try to ask questions related to the film." The newly called-out reporter ignored the host's warning, a sly glint in his eyes, and immediately launched into his attack:

"I'm a reporter from Entertainment Weekly. I'd like to ask Ms. Liu Shishi, recently some netizens have revealed that you went to see the movie 'Let the Bullets Fly' with a mysterious man. Everyone is very curious. Is that man your boyfriend?"

Liu Shishi was enjoying the gossip about Yang Mi when she suddenly found herself facing the same problem. She was slightly taken aback, but quickly regained her composure.

The audience was also in an uproar. The film's leading actress and second leading actress both seemed to be embroiled in dating rumors. Both of these popular young actresses were rumored to be in relationships, which was quite a hot topic.

In an instant, the flashbulbs dazzled the eyes, illuminating the press conference hall as if it were daytime. Reporters craned their necks, waiting for Liu Shishi's response.

Liu Shishi raised the microphone, her gaze falling on the group of reporters whose faces were full of curiosity, her voice clear and calm:

"I did go see Mr. Jiang Wen's movie 'Let the Bullets Fly' a few days ago, and it was an excellent film. I hope our 'Goodbye Mr. Loser' will be just as well-received by the audience."

These words immediately caused an uproar at the press conference, with the atmosphere becoming noisy and chaotic, and reporters discussing the matter animatedly.

Although Liu Shishi did not directly answer the reporter's questions about her love life, but cleverly dodged the question, in this kind of situation, sometimes not denying it is tantamount to admitting it.

"Is your boyfriend a celebrity in the entertainment industry?" the reporter persisted, seemingly convinced that Liu Shishi had a boyfriend.

He had definite information that the man who accompanied Liu Shishi to the movies that day was wearing a mask and hat, so his face was not visible. However, someone dressed like that must be that celebrity in the entertainment industry.

After answering the previous questions, Liu Shishi chose to remain silent, acknowledging that her usual answers were also a helpless move.

A few days ago, she and her husband went to the movies to enjoy some time alone. Unfortunately, they were recognized by fans. Luckily, Mr. Song was also fully disguised and managed to slip away quickly, so only a blurry image of his back was captured on camera.

When a reporter suddenly asked about this, she couldn't bring herself to deny the existence of Song Dynasty poetry. After some thought, she chose to tacitly acknowledge it.

As for Mr. Song's identity, let the reporters and netizens guess; it's their skill if they can guess it.

"Next reporter, please ask your question."

Without receiving a response, the host intervened again, and the reporter could only sit down dejectedly.

"Hello, Ms. Hu Ge. I'm a fan of yours. I really love your films like 'Chinese Paladin' and 'The Myth'." The female reporter, who had just stood up, had a mischievous smile on her face, making Hu Ge on stage feel like she was facing a formidable enemy.

"Thank you!" Hu Ge replied politely, her eyes unusually wary.

"Teacher Hu, Liu Shishi and Yang Mi are both outstanding women. Have you ever felt attracted to them when you interact with them?"

This thorny issue involved two popular actresses, and Hu Ge carefully chose her words and answered cautiously:
"Shishi and Mimi are indeed very outstanding, and I admire their talents at work. But to say I'm attracted to them, I definitely am not."

My feelings for them were simply a man's yearning for beautiful things, without any romantic involvement. We were just ordinary friends.

The female reporter smirked and tried to trap her "idol": "Really? I don't believe it! Let's not even talk about the rumors online that you and Yang Mi had a relationship in the past."

The way you look at Liu Shishi is wrong; it's filled with doting affection, definitely not the look between ordinary friends.

Hu Ge was shocked when she heard this. She said that his eyes were full of "doting" when he looked at the top sister. This was nonsense. How could he say such things so casually? If it got to the ears of the top sister's husband, the richest man, it might cause a misunderstanding. Would he even be able to live with himself?

"Don't talk nonsense. Shishi and I are just ordinary friends. She already has a boyfriend..." Hu Ge subconsciously tried to defend herself.

The first half of the sentence had barely left his lips when he immediately realized he had been tricked by the reporter. He stopped himself abruptly, swallowing the second half, and beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

The reporters at the scene were not fools; they were all sharp-minded and easily guessed that Hu Ge's unfinished sentence was definitely "she already had a boyfriend."

Combined with Liu Shishi's tacit agreement earlier, everyone can conclude that Tangren's top actress, this popular young star, is definitely in love, and Hu Ge is aware of it.

Hu Ge realized she had spoken out of turn and was filled with remorse. She had been reminding herself to be careful with her words and actions, but she still fell for the reporter's trick.

Having said all that, he could no longer hide it and could only look at the top sister with apologetic eyes, feeling uneasy.

Liu Shishi didn't care too much about Hu Ge's momentary carelessness. She thought it was good that her relationship was exposed, giving her fans a mental buffer so they could gradually accept the fact that she had a boyfriend.

However, she was very displeased with the reporter's statement. She frowned slightly and solemnly warned, "Hu Ge and I are just ordinary friends. Please do not spread rumors and mislead the public."

She maintained an appropriate social distance from Hu Ge, Yuan Hong, and others at the company, and her words and actions were always very proper.

The so-called "doting gaze" is completely unfounded. In this world, she only accepts her husband looking at her with that kind of gaze.

The cunning female reporter had obtained the information she wanted and, satisfied, withdrew her efforts.

Seeing that a movie press conference was about to turn into a gossip session about the trio from the Legend of Sword and Fairy series, director Ma Xin had no choice but to hastily end the conference after a few questions from reporters.

Backstage at the photo studio, Hu Ge said apologetically, "Shishi, I'm so sorry, I didn't notice just now..."

Liu Shishi waved her hand with a smile, her tone relaxed: "It's okay, I already agreed to it before, it's no big deal."

Meanwhile, the actors from Happy Twist, who had been relatively low-key throughout the press conference, quietly observed the situation, wondering if the leading lady, Tangren's top female star, had actually fallen in love.

However, at this moment, the group felt a mix of emotions, with an indescribable sense of loss. The feeling of being ignored by the reporters throughout the entire process was truly unpleasant.

Ma Xin clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention: "It's rare for our main creative team to get together today, let's all have dinner together tonight."

Yang Mi spoke first, looking troubled: "Director Ma, the company is holding a celebration banquet for 'Let the Bullets Fly' today."

The leading lady smiled and declined, saying, "I'm sorry, Director Ma, it's my husband's birthday today. My family and I have already made plans to celebrate his birthday with him."

"Oh, it's Mr. Song's birthday today. Please pass on my best wishes to Mr. Song and wish him all the best."

"Shishi, happy birthday to President Song." "May Mr. Song's career flourish."

Knowing Mr. Song's identity, Hu Ge and Yang Mi quickly offered their blessings and said a few auspicious words.

Only Shen Teng and the Happy Twist members looked at each other with puzzled expressions, extremely curious about who Liu Shishi's boyfriend, Mr. Song, was, the man who commanded the respect of several big stars.
(End of this chapter)