Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 345 The Romance of the 85 Flowers
The Donghai TV Festival Magnolia Awards, one of the three most influential awards in China's TV drama industry, has always been an industry benchmark since its establishment in 1986.

This trophy, symbolizing the highest achievement in television drama art, attracts countless film and television stars to compete for it every year.

On June 10th, a night of dazzling lights, the backstage area of ​​the Magnolia Awards ceremony was filled with a galaxy of stars.

Among the crowd, Ma Sichun, who was new to the entertainment industry, was standing next to her aunt Jiang Wenli, who was the chairperson of the jury for this year's Magnolia Awards. Her gaze was unconsciously drawn to a beautiful figure not far away.

Today, Liu Shishi looks like a fairy who has stepped out of a poetic painting. She is wearing a light purple haute couture dress, which is both gentle and dreamlike.

"Auntie, her dress is so beautiful." Ma Sichun's eyes sparkled, and her voice was full of longing. No woman can resist the charm of top luxury goods.

Jiang Wenli followed her niece's gaze and began to examine Liu Shishi's attire.

The dress worn by the top star was outlined with delicate lace, and adorned with light floral decorations on the shoulders and chest, resembling violets blooming in spring.

Each bead shimmered under the light, making the skin appear even more radiant and jade-like, as elegant and refined as an ink painting.

"This outfit should be from Gucci, which she's newly endorsing, and it's an unreleased summer collection for 2011." Jiang Wenli, a veteran in the entertainment industry, is a connoisseur of quality.

“Gucci!” Ma Sichun sighed softly, “When will I be able to endorse a foreign luxury brand?”

"You should be more realistic and try to become a second-tier brand ambassador first."

Before Liu Shishi became the spokesperson for Gucci, only the "Four Dan and Two Bing" (a group of four top actresses and two top actresses) in the entire mainland entertainment industry were qualified to endorse foreign luxury brands.

This is one of the reasons why they are at the pinnacle of all female celebrities. You've only just started out, don't aim too high.

Jiang Wenli glanced at Ma Sichun. With her resources and connections, she could easily promote her niece to the second tier. As for the first tier, she could only do her best and leave the rest to fate.

Ma Sichun nodded and saw a distinguished-looking man chatting intimately with Liu Shishi. No one around dared to disturb them and kept a proper distance.

"Auntie, who is that person who keeps talking to Liu Shishi?"

“That’s Mr. Li, the director of Donghai TV Station and president of Oriental Media Group.” Jiang Wenli’s expression was inscrutable, and she felt a little regretful.

Previously, the organizers of the Magnolia Awards had subtly expressed their hope that the jury would award the Best Actress award to Liu Shishi, but she overruled the objections and insisted on not selecting Liu Shishi.

Looking back now, it was indeed a mistake. There are no secrets in the world. If the news got out and Liu Shishi took notice of it, it would be very bad.

Nowadays, the entertainment industry is intertwined with capital and resources. Tengda Group has built a complete industrial chain from production and distribution to screening. Its influence is unmatched, making it a near-monopolistic monster in the entertainment industry.

Looking at the two people chatting and laughing not far away, Jiang Wenli sighed inwardly. Her insistence not only clashed with the organizers' opinions but also risked offending the richest man's wife, which was unwise. She had to find a way to remedy the situation.

In another corner backstage, several popular actresses were whispering about the focus of the evening.

"Mimi, why didn't I see you go and say hello to Shishi just now?" Tang Yan covered her mouth and chuckled.

She attended the ceremony tonight representing the cast and crew of "Summer's Desire," looking sweet and charming in a pink dress, but her shrewdness was undeniable.

Yang Mi glared at her best friend, secretly thinking: Even you, Tang Yan, this "naive and sweet" girl, know to avoid the top star's sharp edge. How could someone as shrewd as me go to Liu Shishi's side and become a supporting character?

Subconsciously, she touched her fiery red off-shoulder dress. Although the carefully chosen style was eye-catching enough on a normal day, it paled in comparison to Liu Shishi's elegant Gucci haute couture gown, and even appeared somewhat gaudy.

In the past, when information dissemination was not well-developed, entertainment industry ceremonies and red carpet events were mainly based on media written reports, with at most one or two photos attached.

In today's internet age, live streaming has become popular for various events, and celebrities' every move is magnified infinitely by the camera. Female celebrities' flaws in posture and styling are immediately apparent to netizens.

Tonight, Liu Shishi was like a celestial being, the most dazzling presence in the entire venue. Any female celebrity who got close to her inevitably became a supporting character.

"Is Liu Shishi easy to get along with in private? Is her personality really as unassuming and uncompetitive as people say online?" Qi Wei, another lead actress in "Summer's Desire," asked curiously, as it was her first time meeting Liu Shishi up close.

Yang Mi pouted, her tone tinged with bitterness: "If you had a childhood sweetheart husband worth billions, you could be just as detached from worldly affairs as her."

Qi Wei nodded in realization, filled with envy: "That's true, she really married well!"

A sweet feeling welled up in Tang Yan's heart: "Why compare with Liu Shishi? Everyone has their own destiny. Let's just live our own lives well."

Noticing her friend's unusual expression, Yang Mi tentatively asked, "You wouldn't really be with that Qiu Ze, would you?"

"Yes!" Tang Yan's cheeks flushed. "We've officially become a couple."

"I just don't understand, what is it about Qiu Ze that you like?" Yang Mi frowned.

How could that Taiwanese actress with such a bad reputation be worthy of Tang Yan! Could it be that their on-screen romance really carried over into real life?

"What's wrong with Ah Ze? People should be more realistic. A love like Shi Shi's is one of a kind in the entertainment industry in decades!"

Tang Yan pouted, somewhat displeased that Yang Mi didn't approve of her boyfriend, then smiled mischievously, "Besides, aren't you also with that Liu Kaiwei from Hong Kong..."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Yang Mi hurriedly interrupted, "It was him who pursued me one-sidedly, I never agreed. How dare some nobody try to hit on me? I'd at least find a top-tier star!"

Yang Mi proudly raised her chin, her mind drifting to the fairytale-like love between Liu Shishi and Song Ci.

Although she doesn't aspire to marry into a wealthy family, she does feel that her future partner should at least be on par with her in terms of career.

After all, in the entertainment industry, marriages where the woman is more successful than the man are rarely long-lasting.

"Stubborn!" Tang Yan shook her head helplessly, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes.

In this industry, there are very few eligible A-list male stars, let alone someone as proud and ambitious as Yang Mi.

Unlike female celebrities whose beauty fades after thirty, male celebrities may not see their careers flourish until they reach their thirties.

Yang Mi is currently in the prime of her life for marriage and dating, but the single male celebrities who meet her criteria are either already married and established in their careers, or are approaching forty.

Everyone has their own views on marriage and love. Yang Mi didn't want to get entangled with Tang Yan on this topic any longer. She would comfort this silly girl properly when Tang Yan broke up with Qiu Ze.

So I changed the subject: "I heard you took on a role in Tangren's new drama 'Xuan-Yuan Sword,' playing a supporting role to Shi Shi?"

"So what if I'm playing a supporting role! With Shi Shi starring, and 'Xuan-Yuan Sword' being Hu Ge's last fantasy drama, the ratings are bound to be good." Tang Yan shrugged nonchalantly. With Chen Tian Entertainment declining, she needed to plan for herself. As long as the script was suitable and the role was compelling, what did it matter if she played a supporting role to the leading lady?

Besides, Yang Mi also played a supporting role to Liu Shishi in the movie "Goodbye Mr. Loser". We're all in the same boat, so the second sister doesn't laugh at the third sister.

Yang Mi casually brushed a stray hair from her forehead: "Tangren is best at this kind of subject matter, maybe it'll be another 'Chinese Paladin 3'!"

Tang Yan's previously nonchalant gaze suddenly froze. Her best friend had just brushed aside her hair, leaving her stunned for a moment: "Honey, you've taken on quite a few roles lately?"

"Hmm. What's wrong?" Yang Mi felt uncomfortable under the intense gazes of Tang Yan and Qi Wei.

"Mimi, you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself!" Tang Yan hesitated, carefully choosing her words.

Qi Wei, however, spoke up quickly: "Mimi, have you been losing a lot of hair lately? You should pay more attention to your hairline. You're only in your early twenties; this can't go on."

Upon hearing this, Yang Mi's heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously touched her forehead and was immediately surprised to find that her hairline had receded a few more inches without her noticing.

Seeing her friend looking flustered, Tang Yan quickly comforted her: "Mimi, don't push yourself so hard later, get some rest!"
I know a very skilled traditional Chinese medicine doctor. Have her prescribe some medicine to help you regulate your body; it should cure your hair loss problem quickly.

Qi Wei also expressed his concern: "I also know a few ancient remedies that can guarantee to stabilize your receding hairline."

The two of them comforted Yang Mi's anxious mood with words, until a staff member came to remind her that it was the turn of the "Palace" crew to walk the red carpet. Only then did Yang Mi calm down, tidy her appearance, and enter the venue with the crew.

On the red carpet, the casts of TV dramas such as "Tie Lihua", "Summer's Desire", and "Three Kingdoms" made appearances one after another.

Soon it was time for the cast and crew of "Du Lala's Promotion" to enter the venue. Liu Shishi breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to escape the endless social engagements and walk the red carpet side by side with her co-star Tong Dawei.

"Walking toward us are Tong Dawei and Liu Shishi, the stars of 'Go Lala Go!' Welcome to the Magnolia Awards Ceremony."

As the voice announcement played, the top star lifted her skirt slightly, ascending like a lotus flower, and arrived at the signature wall, standing quietly amidst the light and shadow.

In an instant, the sound of camera shutters filled the air, and flashes illuminated the entire night sky.

"Ms. Liu, congratulations on your nomination for Best Actress at this year's Magnolia Awards." The female host offered her a warm congratulatory message. "Could you share your feelings at this moment?"

"Thank you to the jury for their recognition. I will continue to work hard and present more excellent works to the audience." Liu Shishi smiled slightly, quite excited as it was her first time participating in such a prestigious award as the Magnolia Awards.
After a few formal interview remarks from the host, the reporters in the audience were already eager to ask questions.

This is Liu Shishi's first public appearance in China since announcing her marriage on Weibo in March, and the media is full of curiosity about her married life with Song Ci.

"Senior Sister, where is Mr. Song?"

"Teacher Liu, I'm very curious, why did you and Mr. Song wait more than a year to officially announce your marriage?"

"There are rumors online that you and Mr. Song were childhood sweethearts. Is that true?"

"My husband is in Beijing, and he should be home from get off work by now. As for why we waited a year after getting our marriage certificate to officially announce it, it's just that I suddenly wanted to share this good news with everyone that day..."

Liu Shishi smiled sweetly at the camera and the microphone held in front of her, calmly answering various questions from reporters.

"Teacher Tong, you've worked with Teacher Shishi before. What kind of person do you think she is?"

Tong Dawei, who had been treated like he was invisible the whole time, pursed his lips, revealing a look of being both amused and exasperated.

Good news: a reporter finally noticed him and asked him questions; bad news: the reporter's questions were still about Liu Shishi, so it would have been better not to ask at all!
Tong Dawei thought for a moment: "Actually, Shishi is a very straightforward person in private, and she is very friendly to the people around her. She seems gentle and graceful, but she actually has strength. Beneath her gentle appearance lies a resilient heart."

After asking a few more questions, the reporters reluctantly allowed Liu Shishi to enter the awards ceremony venue.

The ceremony hall was packed, and Liu Shishi, as a nominee for Best Actress, was seated in the third row.

Before she could even sit down, Director Li, who had entered earlier from the fourth row, enthusiastically introduced her to a group of leaders.

"This is the State Administration of Optoelectronics... This is the Donghai Municipal Government..."

After exchanging pleasantries with the leaders, Liu Shishi was finally able to take her seat. By then, all the seats in the hall were already filled, and the 17th Magnolia Awards ceremony was about to begin.

As the ceremony progressed, awards were presented for Best Animated Feature, Best Screenplay for a TV Movie, and the Gold Award for TV Movie... One by one, the presenters were invited onto the stage, and the awards were announced one by one.

Soon it was time for the awards ceremony for the most popular actor and actress.

After the award presenters Hou Honglan and Ding Junhui gave their opening remarks, the female guest opened the red envelope containing the list of winners amidst great anticipation.

Hou Honglan glanced down at the list: "...Most Popular Actor in Audience Voting: Wu Xiubo, with 2415 million votes."

Male guest Ding Junhui followed closely behind, announcing loudly: "The 17th... Magnolia Awards' Most Popular Actress, voted by the audience, is Liu Shishi! 4582 million votes! Congratulations to Liu Shishi!"

In an era where traffic is king, audience voting is essentially a competition of popularity and buzz.

It's hard to say about male actors, but among female actors in the entertainment industry today, several actresses born in 85 are undoubtedly the most popular.

Liu Shishi, Yang Mi, Wang Luodan... These leading figures among the post-85 actresses each have over ten million followers on Weibo, making them among the first to benefit from the internet giants' advent of the traffic era.

Therefore, it was no surprise that the audience voted for the most popular actress.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, Liu Shishi and Wu Xiubo went on stage together to receive their awards and deliver their acceptance speeches.

The awards ceremony was in full swing, with the two hosts keeping the atmosphere lively and engaging with their witty remarks.

"Next up are the awards for the most-watched TV series and the most captivating TV series. The names of our two presenters are a strong guarantee of their popularity and appeal. Please welcome Zhang Jiayi, and also welcome back Liu Shishi."

Holding a red envelope, Liu Shishi stepped onto the stage a second time, exuding elegance: "Good evening, everyone. It's a pleasure to present awards with Professor Zhang Jiayi."

Zhang Jiayi leaned slightly towards the microphone and gave Liu Shishi a meaningful look: "When it comes to popularity, I don't have much to say. Teacher Liu Shishi has 2600 million followers on Weibo, impressive! As for me, I don't have a Weibo account."

Liu Shishi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. In this era dominated by social media, Weibo is the main hub for traffic in the entertainment industry, and it is indeed extremely rare for celebrities not to have registered on Weibo.

(End of this chapter)