How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 150 This kid is pretty righteous

Power and wealth are the best tonics for humankind.

They can make a hideous person look kind and gentle.

The so-called "fame and fortune" in the entertainment industry refers not only to material benefits but also to the positive image that comes with changes in lifestyle and status.

To most of the female celebrities in the audience, Wang Yao, standing on the stage at this moment, is a power machine that controls their popularity tonight.

Everyone who made eye contact with Wang Yao felt a surge of adrenaline and a sense of urgency, as if they were at an awards ceremony, anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the awards.

The only difference is that an award ceremony requires a selected work.

Wang Yao's choice is most likely a matter of subjective aesthetic preference.

A subtle atmosphere of female competition gradually formed.

The most nervous were Fan Bingbing and Zhang Yuqi, who had dealt with Wang Yao before.

Zhang Yuqi, in particular, tried her best to remain calm, but her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to explode.

If Wang Yao really chooses her.

That would really be an explosion.

But she couldn't deny that deep down there was an evil voice that truly wanted to be chosen.

Wang Yao scanned the entire room, his gaze first settling on Zhang Yuqi, then on Fan Bingbing's face, and finally on Liu Yifei, who was sitting alone in the corner of the third row of the banquet.

Wang Yao saw her on the list, but she didn't seem to walk the red carpet, and there was no sound of media discussion when she entered. She probably came in quietly.

"This is my first time attending an event like this, and I'm not very familiar with any of the female celebrities, so it might be a bit offensive to name names. But since Sister Ke Lan suggested it, I'll selfishly choose my friend Zhang Meng." In the end, Wang Yao smiled and shook his head, suggesting a name that wasn't even on the guest invitation list.

The venue erupted in commotion once again, and the media cameras frantically searched for the target.

Fortunately, Zhang Meng gained some fame at the beginning of the year thanks to "The Myth," otherwise many media outlets wouldn't even be able to match her face to the image.

Zhang Meng, who had been watching the excitement from the audience, stood frozen in place.

When Wang Yao raised his paddle and won the dress, she wasn't without a sliver of hope.

This was taken of her.

Whether it's for the sake of popularity and traffic, or for future brand promotion, she doesn't mind Wang Yao using her as a tool.

This is the closest she'll ever get to the top tier of the entertainment industry, and she might even surpass top actresses like Fan Bingbing in terms of media attention.

This opportunity was likely the only highlight of her career. She was well aware that, given her circumstances, it would be difficult for her to become the top female artist she aspired to be.

But when this stroke of luck became a reality, she couldn't help but attribute the complex emotions of 'life fulfillment' to the person who gave her this opportunity.

Zhang Meng was a big believer in Santa Claus when she was a child, but Wang Yao, who was standing on the stage looking at her with a smile, seemed to have become Santa Claus.

When all eyes and cameras were focused on her, the feeling of being the center of attention that she had longed for for so many years actually calmed her down, and a subtle thought arose in her mind.

If you find a good owner, being a tool doesn't seem so bad.

After the 'awards' were announced, most people, except for the winners, felt a sense of loss as they looked at the figures being led backstage by the hostesses to change clothes.

Some people cursed the idiot in their hearts, some felt envious, and some were burning with jealousy.

After all, in terms of looks, fame, and value, any one of them randomly picked out would be better than Zhang Meng, so they were naturally unconvinced.

After Wang Yao finished calling out names, he exchanged a few pleasantries with the host and then stepped down from the stage. The auction continued, since the time limits for each part of the banquet were planned in advance, and even if there were unexpected events, they had to be pushed forward.

Because of Wang Yao's disruption, Huang Yi, the female star representing Shanghai, lost her precious speaking opportunity. Su Mang hurriedly adjusted the script, preparing to make up for it in other segments.

The second item was a crocodile handbag from the Italian brand Bottega Veneta, with a starting price of 18.888 yuan. Huang Yi, who missed out on the first bid, seemed to be going all out this time, bidding 30 yuan right away, trying to overwhelm everyone with his presence.

However, perhaps because Wang Yao, a greenhorn who had just started out, stole the spotlight, some wealthy businessmen at the banquet also began to exert their influence, and in the end, the handbag, which was originally worth at most 25, was sold for 50.

Wang Yao didn't have much of an impression of this brand, as it wasn't among the potential partners.

After bidding a high price, Huang Yi took the stage and said, "This is the first time that Shiba Night has been held in Shanghai. As a Shanghai native, I must represent Shanghai in supporting public welfare, fashion and Su Mang. I also hope that the entrepreneurs present, especially those from Shanghai, will give generously to support charity."

His speech was typical of a Shanghai gentleman—both official and arrogant.

After speaking, she glanced at Wang Yao and saw him looking down at his game. Feeling somewhat offended, she stepped off the stage, looking annoyed.

The third item was quite interesting: a Hermès folding armchair. Most people's understanding of luxury brands is limited to everyday items such as clothing, backpacks, and accessories, but in reality, co-branded home furnishings are also a major source of their revenue.

Because the pricing of furniture is also quite ambiguous, coupled with the special meaning given by the brand and the limited edition, it is easy to attract the favor of some wealthy businessmen, who call it 'taste'.

This folding armchair, brand aside, could sell for at most 200 yuan on Taobao, but the starting bid was 18 yuan.

This is clearly not something that ordinary celebrities can afford.

After more than a dozen rounds of bidding by different wealthy businessmen, the auction price reached 85.

"Tsk, this chair probably sold for over a million, right?" Ren Quan clicked his tongue in amazement.

I can understand Wang Yao spending 45 yuan to buy a dress; it's like buying a trending topic.

But spending 100 million on a folding stool is indeed a bit outrageous.

Wang Yao also looked up at the piece of furniture, lost in thought.

"99.9999." A clear female voice announced the offer, eliciting a soft gasp from the audience.

"Li Bingbing is so rich?" Wang Yao asked, somewhat surprised.

Because the person who made the offer was actually Li Bingbing.

“All her money is with me. Look who she’s sitting next to,” Ren Quan said with a smile.

Wang Yao looked over and saw that Li Bingbing had somehow sat down next to Wan Tong and Feng Lun at the core table. It turned out that he had helped him set the price.

Or maybe these old guys are just showing off; they even have A-list actresses do the holding up of signs for them.

Wang Yao frowned and glanced at the remaining Jessica Jung beside him. Next time he came to this kind of occasion, he would have to bring someone with more prestige.

The auction on stage was broadcast in two languages. Since a third of the attendees were foreigners, Jessica Jung was able to understand the bids and was looking down at her phone calculator to convert them.

"Wow! This chair is worth 2 million Korean won!" Jessica Jung couldn't help but exclaim.

Her bonus last year was only slightly more than that.

"They probably bought more than just chairs." Wang Yao glanced at the program; Fan Bingbing was the presenter for this auction item.

It was quite interesting that Fan Bingbing presented the award to Li Bingbing.

Then Wang Yao witnessed a top-notch performance by two domestic actresses. The two actresses hugged and embraced each other on stage, acting like best friends who had been inseparable for many years. Anyone who didn't know better would think that the two had never had a falling out.

"This money was well spent, more worthwhile than investing in a movie," Wang Yao joked.

"If only you were this into acting," Ren Quan couldn't help but complain.

"Can seats be changed?" Wang Yao noticed that many people at the banquet had started automatically pairing up with each other.

"Of course, what? Am I not high enough to keep up with you?" Ren Quan glanced at him.

Wang Yao looked around and finally locked his gaze on Liu Yifei, who was sitting alone at a table in the corner. She had previously been at a table with Hu Jun and Sun Li, but now the other two had gone to meet acquaintances, leaving her all alone.

I don't know if she's playing the aloof persona or if she genuinely didn't know anyone at the event.

Wang Yao sent her a text message asking if she wanted to come over and sit down.

After all, they had met twice, and there was a possibility of future business cooperation.

"Let me ask my mom," Liu Yifei replied quickly.

A little while later, she lifted her skirt and moved to Wang Yao's table. Ren Quan tactfully gave her his seat so she could sit next to Wang Yao.

She wore a gold dress today, which looked slightly luxurious but also a bit old-fashioned. The halter neck design exposed her shoulders and back, highlighting her neck and shoulder lines. The only mismatch was that the braless part of her upper abdomen had no support, making it look a bit empty.

This dress would look even more stunning on Zhang Meng or Zhang Yuqi.

"Isn't this outfit ugly?" Liu Yifei noticed Wang Yao's gaze and whispered.

"Wearing this will make you look ten years older." Wang Yao nodded.

"I think so too, but the stylist said it looks more dignified this way." Liu Yifei pouted. "I've been watching you play games the whole time. What game are you so engrossed in?"

"It's just fruit cutting, mainly because there aren't many good shows to watch." Wang Yao handed her the iPad.

“I’m playing this too, it’s quite interesting, and it’s very popular on foreign websites.” Liu Yifei took the game and played two rounds.

"Did your mom send you here? Aren't you afraid the media will write all sorts of things about you?" Wang Yao laughed.

"She said it's best to write nonsense, so I can use you to suppress the rumors about me and Wang Lihong. Rumors outside the entertainment industry are easier to handle," Liu Yifei whispered.

"You're telling me something so confidential?" Wang Yao chuckled.

“I don’t think you’ll care, maybe even enjoy it.” Liu Yifei seemed to see right through Wang Yao. “Then you can hold up a sign for me later, to solidify the rumors.” Wang Yao smirked.

"You're still bidding on things? The remaining items are probably all close to a million in value," Liu Yifei said, frowning.

Although she had heard that Wang Yao's business was doing well, most of the people present were older, wealthy businessmen, and she always felt that an auction under the guise of charity was strange.

“I only bid on things that are valuable. I’m not here to be a sucker,” Wang Yao chuckled.

The grand reconciliation between Bingbing and Fan Bingbing on stage has finally come to an end. After walking off the stage hand in hand, they turned around and went their separate ways.

However, it was clear that Fan Bingbing's expression was even more gloomy, while Li Bingbing was all smiles, which meant that he had the upper hand.

The fourth item was a Zegna menswear handbag, priced at 20 yuan, which was bought by Mr. Wang from Huayi for 40 yuan.

The fifth item was a GUCCI men's/women's shoulder bag priced at 33 yuan, which was bought by Mr. Liu, the boss of the parent company of "Shi Ba" magazine, for 35 yuan. Almost no one raised the price.

Clearly, auctions aren't just about who has the most money; they're also about interpersonal relationships and social dynamics.

After three rounds of auctions, Zhang Meng, now dressed in a gown, reappeared at the venue. She was led onto the stage by a Dior representative and given a brief run-through before being handed over to Wang Yao.

Wang Yao also officially exchanged contact information with Adam, the head of Dior's China region, thus completing the first contact-building task of the night.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and Zhang Meng, with her new height, does indeed have a filter on her image. At least in terms of presence, she is no less than top actresses like Fan Bingbing.

"Pink suits you very well," Wang Yao complimented.

"Wearing pink at my age is a little embarrassing," Zhang Meng said, feeling somewhat ashamed for some reason.

Even though this dress was much more conservative than his own deep V-neck top with a slit that reached his navel, Wang Yao's gaze seemed even more intense.

"Sister Meng really suits wearing formal dresses, I'm so envious," Liu Yifei exclaimed.

"Miss Liu, please don't praise me too much, or I'll start to believe it myself later." Zhang Meng was a little surprised that Liu Yifei had moved to Wang Yao's side.

When she was filming with Hu Ge, they chatted about Liu Yifei, since the rumors about the two of them during the filming of "Chinese Paladin 1" were quite rampant at the time.

According to Hu Ge, Liu Yifei seems somewhat aloof and uninterested in most business settings, and not very sociable.

Judging from the atmosphere when they chatted with Wang Yao, they seemed to have a good relationship.

The auction was now more than halfway through, and it was finally time to bring out some of the most important items.

"The Chow Tai Fook 80th Anniversary Collector's Edition Set, limited to one set worldwide, starting bid 28.888 yuan," host Ke Lan displayed again.

This high-end gold-plated and diamond-encrusted art pen uses the brand's unique micro-pile setting and brushed finish to draw inspiration from traditional Chinese auspicious patterns such as auspicious clouds and the curves of porcelain vases, using elements symbolizing time and vitality, such as 'annual rings' and 'lilies'.

There is also a special edition set that includes a necklace, bracelet, ring, and other jewelry pieces.

Wang Yao really likes this pen.

Most importantly, this set has a personal serial number from Dr. Cheng Yu-tung, one of the four richest men in Hong Kong, which gives it special significance.

At least I'll have a good reason to visit you in the future.

Wang Xiaofei was the first to quote a high price of 40.

Because the award for this collection was presented by Zhang Yuqi.

Huang Yi then quoted a price of 45.

Wang Xiaofei frowned and glanced at Huang Yi before directly offering 50.

Huang Yi seemed to be deliberately trying to annoy him, and offered another price of 55.

Wang Xiaofei hesitated. The value of this collection was actually quite inflated. After all, diamonds, unless they are rare original whole diamonds, are really just second-rate collectibles in the circles of truly wealthy people.

Zhang Yuqi's famous quote, "A broken diamond is not a diamond," is merely a statement of fact. It's just a virtual premium created by wealthy businessmen who tie the scraps of a whole diamond to love.

Wang Xiaofei turned to look at Zhang Lan and saw Zhang Lan gently shaking her head.

Faced with Wang Xiaofei's hesitation, Zhang Yuqi's gaze grew increasingly cold.

Huang Yi held her husband's arm, her face beaming with smiles.

"60."

Just as the host was about to start the countdown, Liu Yifei's unique matte, clear voice rang out for the first time at the banquet, once again attracting everyone's attention.

Liu Yifei has always maintained a "separate style" in the entertainment industry, not belonging to any circle, but cooperating with all circles. This confidence mainly comes from the support of her mother and godfather.

Because he couldn't handle his relationship with Liu Yifei well, most people in the industry kept their distance and rarely tried to get close to her.

But when she sat next to Wang Yao, the handsome man and beautiful woman, in terms of visual harmony, did indeed outshine most of the couples that night.

Qin Hairu, who enjoys reading romance novels, even automatically started to imagine the characters in her mind.

A young, reserved, wealthy, and domineering CEO meets an unconventional female celebrity.

So sweet!
When Zhang Yuqi discovered that it was Wang Yao who made the offer, she could hardly hide the smile on her face. However, when she saw Liu Yifei next to him, she subconsciously frowned.

Wang Xiaofei was also somewhat displeased upon seeing this. Although it was certainly better for Zhang Yuqi to be the award presenter for Wang Yao than for Huang Yiqiang, the feeling of being suppressed twice, especially by a man younger than himself, was indeed a bit unpleasant.

"Give it to him; we'll be cooperating in the future," Zhang Lan said softly.

She wanted to see what was really going on between Wang Yao and Zhang Yuqi.

A price of 60 is already a very high premium for this item.

But Huang Yi and his wife had already been suppressed once, and this time they seemed to be a bit angry again.

"65." This time, Huang Yi's husband personally raised his bidding paddle.

The smell of gunpowder filled the air.

Liu Yifei frowned slightly and glanced at Wang Yao, who was smiling serenely.

Wang Yao tapped the table three times with his long, slender fingers.

Liu Yifei was stunned. She blinked, and after receiving a reassuring look from Wang Yao, she raised her paddle again, saying "80."

"Alas!" A piercing cry of surprise rang out from the audience, immediately sparking an uproar.

The price was increased by 15 yuan in one go.

This has clearly gone beyond the normal auction process.

Is this some kind of flaunting of wealth?!
People love to watch a spectacle, especially a spectacle of showing off wealth.

However, many of the older, wealthy businessmen present frowned.

That's why they don't want to hang out with people outside their circle; they lack tact.

Especially young guys like Wang Yao, who are just starting out, are difficult to deal with.

The Huang couple's expressions turned grim, but they managed to hold back in the end.

Wang Yao turned his head and glanced at them slightly, as if probing or challenging them, before going on stage.

This scene was naturally captured by many media outlets.

'Internet upstart crushes financial tycoon! Mysterious young tycoon outmaneuveres Huang Yi and his wife!'

E-commerce and finance, two of the most discussed industries in recent years, are inherently highly controversial and hot topics.

Many media outlets began frantically typing on their laptops, eager to be the first to publish trending articles and grab the headlines.

Every year, the auctions at "Time Bar" have some heated bidding scenes and topics, but none of them are as fresh and exciting as tonight's.

"Congratulations to Mr. Wang on winning this limited edition gift set. On behalf of all the beneficiaries, we thank Mr. Wang for his contribution to charity." On stage, Zhang Yuqi, holding the limited edition gift set, handed it to Wang Yao with a big smile.

When Wang Yao took the gift box, he gently pressed Zhang Yuqi's slightly cold hand against the back of the box, startling her so much that she froze, but still managed to smile at the camera.

Hey! You're really going too far!
"Thank you to the organizers for giving me this opportunity to do charity work. I also have great respect for Dr. Zheng. As a Chinese jewelry brand, his actions in spreading Chinese culture are worthy of learning and emulation by every local Chinese brand. Finally, I wish Ms. Zhang and Mr. Xiao Fei a happy and fulfilling relationship. Thank you very much." Wang Yao smiled sincerely and expressed his gratitude simply.

But this once again caused an uproar.

It's fine if you thank the organizers or the brands.

But why did he specifically instruct Zhang Yuqi and Wang Xiaofei?
Don't you know they're having a cold war? Or are you trying to ease the tension?

Wang Xiaofei was taken aback for a moment, then scratched his head and said, "This kid is quite loyal."

He thought Wang Yao was standing up for him out of consideration for Ren Quan.

Zhang Lan hesitated, her brows furrowed.

After Wang Yao stepped off the stage, the host took the opportunity to further fuel the Wang/Zhang relationship. Wang Xiaofei beamed with joy, while Zhang Yuqi's smile remained stiff.

But he was still savoring the subtle feeling of tension and excitement he had just experienced on stage.

(End of this chapter)