The younger generation, starting from where the wind blows...

Chapter 307 The Four Young Masters of Panda
After He Huan left, Tang Ruo returned to sit down in front of Yang Muye and Ye Luming.

"They say women change their attitude faster than turning the pages of a book. I didn't say anything wrong, so why did she suddenly become so aggressive?"

"You should just give a proper interview, but instead you're poaching someone on camera. Do you even know what that's called?"

Ye Luming looked at the bewildered Tang Ruo with an annoyance: "You're messing things up while you're eating!"

Tang Ruo looked aggrieved: "Wasn't I just trying to show my approval of her abilities?"

Ye Luming hit the nail on the head: "You're not after her abilities, you're just after her fame!"

Tang Ruo retorted, "That's right, I'm after her current fame. It would be a real shame if she didn't switch careers and become an internet celebrity with such a great opportunity."

Ye Luming snorted coldly.

"Do you think only you can see her value, but the TV station can't? She's already taken on a show with top-tier sponsors and guests. It would be crazy for her to give up a perfectly good show host job and become an internet celebrity."

Tang seemed about to speak but then stopped himself.

He Huan's attempt to become an internet celebrity is insane. Why are you so determined to become an internet celebrity?

"Why didn't you say so sooner? You made me offend people for no reason."

Tang Ruo's intuition told her that He Huan was probably quite vengeful.

Just then, Ye Luming said, "There are many things you don't know!"

Tang Ruo suddenly became alert.

"For example -"

Just as Ye Luming was about to speak, Yang Muye, who was standing next to him, suddenly coughed twice.

Tang Ruo was stunned on the spot.

No, you two are even wary of me?
Yang Muye reached out his hand, gesturing for Tang Ruo to hand over the items.

Tang Ruo didn't react at first, and it took her two seconds to realize that Yang Muye was talking about a recording pen.

"I was just trying to scare them. I didn't record anything at all."

To prove her point, Tang Ruo took out a voice recorder from her pocket and handed it to Yang Muye, telling him to check it as he pleased.

Yang Muye simply put the recording pen into his pocket.

"I have confiscated the items."

This still shows a lack of trust in Tang Ruo, fearing that he might tamper with the recording pen.

"No—is it really that serious?"

Tang Ruo looked at Yang Muye with a depressed expression.

—They treat me like a thief.

Yang Muye looked at Tang Ruo very seriously.

"As for!"

Tang Ruo was taken aback at first, then her eyes widened as if she had thought of something unbelievable.

"Don't tell me that what that reporter He said is true... Those posts online that smear and spread rumors about Panda TV were posted by your hired online trolls!"

"You're only just realizing it?" Ye Luming chuckled from the side.

"But--"

Tang Ruo stared at Yang Muye with disbelief.

While those online posts did indeed help Panda TV with its negative publicity, you should at least have informed me beforehand about something this big!
"If I had told you beforehand, would you have been able to deny it so confidently in front of the camera just now?"

"I--"

Although Tang Ruo really wanted to say that she could, she realized before she could finish her sentence that she had a "previous record" of cheating.

Now, not only do outsiders not trust him, but even his own people are worried that he will fail at a crucial moment.

If Tang Ruo hadn't succumbed to the psychological pressure and proactively admitted that the "wandering Leonardo da Vinci" persona was fabricated, the "Let's see" website could have lasted a little longer.

"Wouldn't doing this be considered cheating?" Tang Ruo asked cautiously.

The lesson of "wait and see" going bankrupt is too profound. Tang Ruo now really feels like he's been bitten by a snake once and is now afraid of ropes for ten years.

Yang Muyi did not answer immediately, but first asked Tang Ruo a question:
"Didn't you suspect in your interview just now that those online posts were done by our old rival, the ICC, who hired online trolls?"

"But as I said, that was just my guess—"

Before Tang Ruo could finish speaking, Yang Muye interrupted her directly.

"So if I don't admit it, then the ICC is your prime suspect, right?"

Seeing that Tang Ruo still didn't understand, Yang Muye changed his approach:
"Assuming I didn't hire people to post those things, do you think the ICC would just stand by and watch Panda TV go live? Since you can suspect them, it means they really might do such a thing. So I might as well do it myself and keep the initiative and the pace in my own hands."

Seeing that Tang Ruo still looked hesitant, Ye Luming also spoke up to comfort her:

"This is just a marketing tactic. If this is considered fraud, then wouldn't Makino's previous promotion of the cow/sheep mini-game using viral marketing be a huge scam?"

That wouldn't be making it onto CCTV news or being used as a classic case study in marketing courses; instead, it would be met with widespread condemnation.

Ultimately, it's all about the winner taking all.

As long as you succeed, even if the methods you use are somewhat unethical, people will selectively ignore them.

The same applies to Panda TV.

Once the website becomes popular after its launch, users and investors won't care at all whether the founder has any "criminal record".

After you bring me into the pass, great Confucian scholars will naturally debate the classics with me!

After listening, Tang Ruo had a look of "I have learned something" on her face.

Ye Luming was feeling smug after giving Tang Ruo his advice when Yang Muye suddenly turned to look at him.

"Stop lecturing others. Have you done what I asked you to do?"

Tang Ruo's eyes widened.

No, you two are actually hiding something from me?
Ye Luming shrugged, looking helpless.

"It was done, but it didn't go very smoothly."

"What is it?" Tang Ruo couldn't help but interject.

Since Yang Muye asked Ye Luming in front of him, it means that this matter must be related to the launch of Panda TV.

“It’s nothing serious. Muye just thinks I’m like an internet celebrity, and being alone is too monotonous, so he wants me to find two more companions.”

Tang Ruo couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Do you need to form a team to become an internet celebrity?

Just as I was about to question it, I suddenly remembered that Yang Muyi had mentioned the "college student internet celebrity universe" to me briefly before.

People like "Old Boys," "Plastic Brothers," "Sisters Who Make Waves," and "Loser Boys" all became popular by forming teams.

Is Yang Muye now asking Ye Luming to copy his homework?

Just as I was thinking this, Ye Luming's voice continued to ring out.

“I asked Sheng Zhe Ning to ask his friends. Apart from himself, the others are not very interested in becoming internet celebrities. You know, in our circle, people can do whatever they want in private, but everyone tacitly agrees not to be too high-profile in public, unless they are nouveau riche... Of course, this is an old concept. Even my uncle was persuaded by you to record a TV program. My becoming an internet celebrity can be considered as leading the trend in the circle.”

"So you didn't find a single person I asked you to find?" Yang Muye interrupted impatiently.

“I found it, it’s Sheng Zhe Ning who hasn’t been found, that’s why I said things aren’t going very smoothly.”

Ye Luming had long disliked Sheng Zhe Ning, and taking this opportunity, he naturally wanted to give him a piece of his mind. "Tell me about your situation first."

“I have a friend I’m on good terms with named Bao Yifan. He’s two years older than me and just returned from studying abroad. His family thinks he’s too young and doesn’t have much experience, so they’ve asked him to start from a low-level position to familiarize himself with the business.”

Bao Yifan?
Yang Muye was stunned for a moment.

Ye Luming, oblivious to the strange expression on Yang Muye's face, continued:

"This guy drives a sports car worth millions to and from get off work every day, earns a few thousand dollars a month, which isn't even enough for a meal. Anyway, he's quite bored and wants to find something else to do."

"So you just tricked people into becoming internet celebrities?"

Ye Luming objected immediately upon hearing this.

What does it mean to deceive?

Do you think I'm Uncle Benshan selling crutches?
"We hit it off immediately. Of course, I wouldn't object if you said we were birds of a feather. After all, among my friends, Bao Bao is the one I like the most. You've never seen him when he's showing off. He's such a peacock, so flamboyant!"

Ye Luming was speaking enthusiastically when he suddenly noticed that Yang Muye's gaze was a little strange.

"Don't get me wrong, my relationship with him isn't what you think!"

Yang Muye nodded.

"It's okay, just keep talking."

That expression clearly showed disbelief in Ye Luming's explanation.

That's why people say Chengdu is a mountain in their hearts!

Brokeback Mountain!
Ye Luming was instantly horrified.

“Bao Yifan and I are really nothing, just normal friends. He has a cool and roguish vibe and loves working out. Among all my friends, he has the most arrogant attitude, but you don’t find him annoying. I think his personality is really suitable for being an internet celebrity.”

Although Yang Muye didn't say it aloud, he actually agreed with Ye Luming's assessment of Bao Yifan.

It's flamboyant but not greasy, flashy but not superficial.

This personality is indeed quite appealing and easy to win over fans.

Ye Luming is a goofball, Sheng Zhe Ning is sharp-tongued, and Bao Yi Fan is flamboyant... They're just one person short of Yang Muye's envisioned Panda F4 - the Rich Young Masters Team.

Ye Luming solemnly assured him:
“You don’t need to worry about this. I’ve given Sheng Zhe Ning a firm order: if he wants to debut with me as part of a ‘team’ on Panda TV, he has to find the last person for me.”

-

In a high-end restaurant in Shanghai, Sheng Zhe Ning clasped his hands together and bowed to the young man opposite him.

"Dude, I'm really out of options this time, you absolutely have to help me with this!"

The young man sitting opposite him remained aloof and unmoved.

"Sheng Zhening, where did your usual sharp-tongued and sarcastic manner go?"

"I need your help urgently!"

Sheng Zhe Ning pleaded again.

The young man in front of him was named Xia Chengsi, the heir to the Shengxia Group.

Shengxia Group is a household name in Shanghai, partly due to its strong financial resources, and partly due to the various romantic affairs of its founder, Xia Chengsi's father, Xia Mingcheng.

It is rumored that this man had countless mistresses and more than a dozen illegitimate children.

Xia Chengsi's mother was also a ruthless woman. Knowing that her husband had a very messy private life, she refused to divorce Xia Mingcheng and always helped Xia Chengsi and his two siblings to firmly maintain their legitimate status.

Xia Chengsi grew up in this complicated family environment and his personality is as cold as ice.

Sheng Zhening was able to hang out with Xia Chengsi because her family had some kinship ties with Xia Chengsi's mother.

This time, I had no other choice but to ask Xia Chengsi for help.

"Ye Luming wants to become an internet celebrity and show off, and it's fine if you join in the fun, but why drag others into it?"

"We agreed that we would each find a friend to do a live stream together, and the four of us would debut as a team, which would make it easier to become popular."

Xia Chengsi had a cold smile on his lips.

Do you think this is a scene from "Meteor Garden"?

"Don't think this is a joke. Ye Luming became an internet celebrity to advertise for his advertising company, and I'm joining in on the fun to advertise for my own hotel—"

Before Sheng Zhe Ning could finish speaking, Xia Cheng Si interrupted him coldly.

"Shengxia Group doesn't need me to become an internet celebrity to advertise."

Yes, this is definitely not your place.

Your dad, that playboy, is already the "living advertisement" of Shengxia Group.

Normally, Sheng Zhe Ning's sharp sarcasm would have already flown out.

But this time, he held back.

"You certainly don't need to advertise for Shengxia Group, but let me ask you, what have you and Shana been practicing the violin so hard for all these years?"

Just as Xia Chengsi was about to speak, Sheng Zhe Ning spoke first:
"I know Shana; her dream is to become the best violinist in the country. What about you?"

"me too!"

Xia Chengsi replied coldly.

"I do not believe!"

Sheng Zhe Ning waved his hand in front of Xia Cheng Si: "Becoming a top-notch violinist in the country is just your superficial goal. In reality, your real purpose is to prove yourself to your father and get his attention."

Xia Chengsi neither confirmed nor denied this.

Sheng Zhe Ning patiently advised, "Times have changed. I think you should also adapt. You don't necessarily have to become a top violinist in the country to get your dad's attention. If you become a well-known internet celebrity, you can prove yourself to your dad just the same way."

Xia Chengsi picked up the napkin from his lap and threw it on the table: "Sorry, I'm not interested."

He stood up and was about to leave.

Sheng Zhe Ning called out to Xia Cheng Si.

"You're not going to help, huh? Fine, if you won't help, I'll ask Shana for help and have her do a live stream with me."

Xia Chengsi turned around abruptly, staring coldly at Sheng Zhe Ning.

"If you dare to go to her, don't blame me for turning against you."

Sheng Zhe Ning changed his humble and pleading attitude from just now and looked up at Xia Cheng Si.

"Aren't we already at odds?"

The meaning is clear.

—Knowing you're a total siscon, I'm going to use your sister to threaten you.

Xia Chengsi stared at Sheng Zhe Ning with icy eyes for a good five or six seconds.

As soon as Xia Chengsi sat back down at the table, Sheng Zhe Ning immediately switched back to his previous tone of gentle discussion.

"Even if you don't think about yourself, can't you at least think about Xia Na? Meng Yiran, the campus belle of the music department at Dongda University, became famous with her song 'Yu Xi Tan'. Xia Na's conditions are no worse than Meng Yiran's. I think what she lacks now is an opportunity to become famous. What was Zhang Ailing saying again? 'One should become famous as early as possible!'"

"You can come with us to start a live stream on Panda TV first. It'll be a way for you to scout things out for Shana. You don't need to do anything else. Just start the live stream when you're practicing the piano at home, and everyone can interact with each other when they have time."

"If the response is good, you can also let Shana join and have her stream with you. You'd feel more at ease having her stream with me, right?"

(End of this chapter)