Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 357 Flying Award

When Song Ci received Liu Yuqing's call, she was attending a university reunion.

On the other end of the phone, his younger cousin rambled on for a long time before he finally understood what had happened. He asked with concern, "Have you all left safely yet?"

"I've successfully left the film set!"

Standing outside the set of "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties," Liu Yuqing felt a lingering fear. As the saying goes, a wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. Her actions just now were a bit rash. If she had really offended the director and been detained on set, it would have been a loss that did not outweigh the gains.

Hearing that her cousin was safe and sound, Song Ci breathed a sigh of relief and asked directly, "So, what do you want me to do?"

Liu Yuqing was taken aback, and stammered, "I want that actress to apologize to Yanzi. It was wrong of her to hit someone."

"Oh!" Song Ci replied calmly, "It's true that it was wrong for the other party to hit someone. You should call the police to handle this. I believe the police will give your friend justice."

Liu Yuqing's lips parted slightly, and she was speechless for a moment.

"Yuqing, you've gotten a bit too cocky lately!" Song Ci snorted. Ever since he became the richest man in Asia, his little cousin had become increasingly flamboyant.

"How much do you know about this film crew? How dare you bring your classmates and friends to film here? Luckily, it's a legitimate production crew and they have no ill intentions towards you. What would you have done if you had encountered someone with malicious intent?"
"Little girl, safety comes first when you're out and about. If something really happens, even if I had a lot of money, I might not be able to protect you in time."

Song Ci paused, her tone slightly cold: "You called me simply hoping I would use my power to intimidate others and avenge your friend, didn't you?"

Liu Yuqing bit her lip and whispered, "Yes."

"Your current behavior is starting to resemble that of a spoiled rich kid!" Song Ci said sternly. "This whole thing started because of you, so you should try to resolve it through proper channels!"

After hanging up the phone, Song Ci frowned slightly. His cousin had been intelligent since childhood and was well aware of the family's power, so she was inevitably less cautious in her actions. However, he did not want Yuqing to become a spoiled and willful young lady.

However, since she's a little sister I've watched grow up, even though I say I don't care, I'm still a little worried.

After a moment's hesitation, he dialed Liu Rong's number, briefly explained what had happened, and said that if Liu Yuqing really encountered trouble, Liu Rong, the president of Tengda Culture, should handle it.

In Hengdian, the sun blazes down.

Liu Yuqing stomped her foot angrily, her little mouth pouting: "You stinky brother, Song Yiyi, that's not fair!"

"Yuqing, let's go back to the hotel." Li Lingyan's voice was barely audible. She didn't want to cause any trouble and tried her best to persuade her friend.

The other companions also advised, "Forget it, Yuqing. It's their territory, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Why should we let it go!" Looking at her best friend's still swollen cheeks, Liu Yuqing was unwilling to give up. "I'm going to call the police. I don't believe this can't be resolved."

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, he dialed 110: "Hello! Is this a police officer? I need to report a case. Here's what happened..."

The Zhejiang police were extremely efficient and took the incident of a tourist from out of town being assaulted very seriously. Within just over ten minutes, a police car arrived at the perimeter of the Qin Palace scenic area.

When the police met Liu Yuqing and the others who had called the police, they learned about the situation in detail and checked Li Lingyan's injuries. They immediately stated, "If the situation is true, we will handle it impartially and seek justice for you."

When the group returned to the film set, director Li Hantao was immediately troubled to see that they had come with the police this time.

He originally just wanted to keep the matter quiet and not escalate it, but he didn't expect that the young people would come back and call the police!
"It's her! Officer, she's the one who hit him!" Liu Yuqing stared at Zhao Yaoqi, who had changed into a new costume in the rest area, her anger rising.

When Zhao Yaoqi saw that the group had returned with the police, he immediately understood that they were still holding a grudge and wanted to get revenge.

However, with the young people causing such a commotion, she certainly won't be able to stay on set to continue filming, but her role is definitely safe.

When questioned by the police, Zhao Yaoqi did not hide anything, gave a meaningful smile, and truthfully admitted:

“This girl dirtied my scene, and I lost my temper and slapped her. It was definitely my fault. I apologize to her. I’m sorry! I will pay for any medical expenses if she is injured.”

With the police's mediation, the film crew settled the extras' wages on the spot and also paid an additional 500 yuan for emotional distress, which was considered a satisfactory resolution.

As Liu Yuqing walked off the set, she felt a tightness in her chest. Zhao Yaoqi's arrogant expression, as if saying "you can't beat me in the end," stuck in her heart like a thorn.

Looking at the banknotes she had just received, Li Lingyan felt a mix of emotions and sighed softly, "That's all I can do!"

Liu Yuqing was also very unhappy, gritting her teeth: "Where was the slightest bit of sincerity in her apology just now?"

As a fellow woman, Chen Duling could empathize with them and gently put her arms around their shoulders: "From a legal point of view, this dispute has indeed been resolved, but some harms cannot be quantified and dealt with."

Liu Yuqing seemed to be deep in thought, her eyes burning with anger: "Yanzi, I will help you get revenge. I will expose her behavior online."

Li Lingyan shook her head vigorously: "Exposing others online is too extreme. Let's leave it at that."

"Alright then." Seeing that her friend was determined not to cause any more trouble and wanted the matter to fade away, Liu Yuqing had no choice but to give up.

Seeing that it was still early, Lü Zhong asked in a low voice, "Shall we go to other attractions?"

Liu Yuqing waved her hand, her interest waning: "Let's go back to the hotel."

Everyone remained silent, wanting nothing more than to return to their hotel and lie down, letting time heal the humiliation of the day.

It was late at night, in the dormitory on the second floor of the Tangren Xiaobailou building.

Liu Shishi, who had just finished washing up after a day of filming, still had a bit of moisture in her hair, which was about 70% dry.

Sitting in front of the computer, I browsed Weibo's trending topics while having a WeChat voice call with my husband.

“Yuqing came to see me this afternoon and complained to me that someone was ignoring her. The little girl was so upset.”

"Hasn't everything been resolved? The police handled it very well." Song Ci smiled helplessly, though she had actually been following the situation closely.

Liu Shishi sighed and said seriously, "The loss of face a young lady has suffered cannot be easily repaired by a perfunctory apology or money. Yuqing is holding a grudge!"

“I know she’s unhappy, but that’s just how reality is. You can’t always have things your way. She had a smooth life for the first eighteen years of her life and was spoiled. If she had been born into an ordinary family, with her current personality, she would have suffered a lot later on!”

Liu Shishi nodded slightly, agreeing with her husband's words. They were indeed reasonable, but sometimes women were unreasonable.
"Yi-yi, let me ask you, if someone slapped me, what would you do? Would you call the police, make them apologize, pay some money, and settle the matter peacefully?"

Song Ci's tone suddenly changed: "What's the use of apologizing and paying compensation? It won't quell my anger. I'll definitely get back double the amount!"

Liu Shishi was taken aback. She hadn't expected her husband to answer like that; it seemed a bit hypocritical. For a moment, she felt inexplicably happy, but she still advised him, "Isn't this a bad idea? It could easily escalate the conflict. You and Yuqing didn't say that."

Song Ci responded forcefully: "I will not offend others unless they offend me; I know how to act with discretion!"

Besides, I can handle whatever happens, but can Yuqing? When you lack the ability, you should honestly abide by the rules of society and learn to assess the situation.

“I’ll handle this. After all, the girl who was beaten is my fan. She came to Hengdian to visit me on set, and she’s also Yuqing’s best friend. I can’t just sit idly by.”

"Fine, the production company behind 'Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties' is Great Wall Film & Television. Whether you ban it or not, it's up to you!"

Liu Shishi nodded and asked softly, "Darling, did you have a good time at your class reunion today?"

"It's meaningless. Once you enter society, everyone wears a mask and has all sorts of ulterior motives. They even beat around the bush when they talk to me."

Recalling the flattery and compliments he received from his classmates during the day, Song Ci sighed, his tone tinged with weariness.

Liu Shishi nodded gently. She was all too familiar with this atmosphere. Just because of her husband's fame, people in the entertainment industry fawned over her. She could easily imagine what methods her husband's classmates would use to please him.

"Get some rest, my wife. If I have some free time in a few days, I'll come to Shazhou to see you. I've been longing to visit the Mogao Caves for a long time."

"You should get some rest too. I'll be waiting for you on the sandbar." The woman imagined admiring the flying apsaras at Mogao Grottoes with her husband, a small smile curving her lips like ripples on Crescent Lake.

Time flies, and another week has passed.

On July 25th, Liu Yuqing and the others had returned to Beiping, while Liu Shishi and the "Xuan-Yuan Sword" crew were filming on location in Shazhou.

The sandbar is located at the westernmost end of the Hexi Corridor. In summer, it is dry and hot, with the sun scorching the Gobi Desert.

At noon, with temperatures soaring to over 30 degrees Celsius, filming for the "Xuan-Yuan Sword" series was forced to halt.

The Shazhou Cinema was poorly equipped, and the main actors were hiding in a bungalow to escape the heat, with the air conditioner blowing cold air.

Inside, Hu Ge took off his heavy prop golden armor and gasped for breath.

He was wearing a costume in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, with armor on top, and almost collapsed from heatstroke on set.

"Senior brother, have some water." Seeing that Hu Ge's face was flushed and he was sweating profusely, Gulinaza quickly handed him a bottle of mineral water.

Hu Ge trembled as he unscrewed the bottle cap and gulped down a large mouthful.

He licked his dry lips, still feeling thirsty, then tilted his head back and drank the entire bottle of water. Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief, regaining some of his energy.

"This awful weather is unbearably hot! Filming under the scorching sun is torture."

In the corner, Liu Shishi, also dressed in a thick costume, was wiping the sweat from the back of her neck with a wet wipe.

Her private RV is parked in Hengdian, and at this moment she can only escape the heat in the public lounge with everyone else, unable to change into light summer clothes like before.

At this moment, Cai Yinong pushed open the door to the dressing room, the bottle of incense and remedy in his hand clinking. After scanning the condition of the main actors, he put the medicine box on the table and said: "Don't get heatstroke. If you're not feeling well, don't force yourself. If there's anything wrong, speak up immediately."

Hu Ge waved her hand to indicate that she was fine, and Liu Shishi took the medicine bottle and took a small sip.

Cai Yinong sat down next to Sister Shishi, picked up the mineral water on the table and took a few sips, then said, "Shishi, there are two things I want to tell you."

Liu Shishi's eyes lit up, her eyelashes fluttering slightly: "Sister K, is there any good news?"

Cai Yinong wiped the sweat from his temples: "The organizers of the Feitian Awards invite you to attend the 28th Feitian Awards ceremony."

Liu Shishi sat up straight instantly, her eyes shining with a different kind of brilliance: "Sister K, I've been nominated for Best Actress?"

Hu Ge, Tang Yan, and the others looked at Liu Shishi in utter shock, knowing that the Feitian Award was a "government award" in the field of television dramas.

Symbolizing national recognition of a work, its authority far surpasses that of the Golden Eagle Awards, which focus on audience preferences, and the Magnolia Awards, which emphasize artistry. It is known as the "Oscars of the TV drama industry."

Even if you don't win an award, just being nominated is a huge affirmation of an actor's talent.

Hu Ge felt envious. He had been in the industry for eight years and had never won any decent awards, not even a nomination. This was why he made up his mind to never take on any more fantasy or historical drama roles after filming "Xuan-Yuan Sword".

Because these kinds of idol dramas and fantasy dramas will never be recognized by mainstream awards, if they want to achieve artistic success, they must break out of the comfort zone of fantasy and ancient costume dramas and transform into making serious dramas.

Cai Yinong rolled his eyes: "You want to get a Best Actress nomination? How old are you? You have a few excellent works, yet you dare to dream of the Feitian Award!"

"Oh, I wasn't nominated!" Liu Shishi's shoulders slumped, stunned. "Then why did the Feitian Awards organizers invite me to the awards ceremony? Just to watch the fun? They can't possibly make a young actress like me a presenter."

Cai Yinong explained, "In addition to the award-winning crew members, award presenters, and performers, the organizers usually invite some guests to attend the ceremony in order to increase the event's visibility and public appeal."

"I see, it's just to show support. Is Lao Hu going?"

"The organizers did not invite Hu Ge. Not just anyone can be a guest of honor at the Feitian Awards; it requires a comprehensive consideration of industry standing, social influence, and the needs of the event."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shishi smiled mischievously: "So, does that mean my industry status surpasses Lao Hu's?"

What was meant to be a joke from the top female star was met with a serious nod from Cai Yinong: "That's absolutely true!"
In terms of award nominations and popularity, you have indeed surpassed Hu Ge. To be precise, no other post-80s star in the entertainment industry can compare to you!

Compared to some of your predecessors, the only thing you lack now is mainstream awards, but your popularity and buzz are unmatched.

"Shishi, you have indeed surpassed me." Hu Ge admitted frankly, completely convinced, but her eyes darkened slightly.

Liu Shishi shook her head slightly. She knew her own situation best; her husband's support was indispensable to her current fame, while her own efforts only accounted for a small part. "Will there be any consequences if I don't go?"

“It’s okay if you don’t go, but you haven’t been to the Feitian Awards yet. You can go and experience the atmosphere of being surrounded by the best actors in the country.”

"Okay, as long as my schedule is okay, I'll go check it out. What's the other thing?"

"The variety show you participated in, 'Divas Hit the Road,' is scheduled to air in early August. Because it received a great response overseas at the time, when the show aired, Li Hong, a top host under Tengda, invited you to participate in an episode of 'Headline Star' to talk in detail about your trip to Europe."

She readily accepted the invitation from her husband's company's flagship program, and she's already thinking about how to showcase their affection on the show.

(End of this chapter)