Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 109, Section 108: My 1996
February 2, 1997, the 25th day of the 12th lunar month.

The morning sun pierced through the winter mist, casting a warm, golden glow on the somewhat old Soviet-style buildings of the Beijing Film Studio.

The snow in the factory area has been cleared away, and the main road is bustling with people, adding to the pre-holiday busyness and festive atmosphere compared to usual.

The atmosphere inside Shengying Media's office area was even more enthusiastic.

Unlike yesterday's "big dividend" distribution to all "Image Memory" project dividend holders in the factory auditorium, today is the day for Shengying Media's own "children" to receive their rewards.

A queue formed again outside the finance office, but this time the queue was much smaller and the atmosphere was more relaxed and intimate.

Those queuing up were all full-time employees of Shengying Media, their faces, young or no longer young, radiating pride and anticipation.

The vast majority of them share a common identity—children of film studio owners.

Their parents may have just received their hefty bonus in the auditorium yesterday, and today, it's their turn to receive the extra reward from the company.

"Name, Department".

Chen Yu remained seated behind the table, her voice clear and her movements swift.

"Zhang Wei, Business Unit One!"

"Okay, two hundred yuan red envelope, sign here." Chen Yu counted out two crisp hundred-yuan bills and handed them over. The girl in charge of registration next to him smiled and gestured for Zhang Wei to put his fingerprint on the list.

"Thank you, Manager Chen! Thank you, General Manager Wang!"

Zhang Wei took the money, happily stuffed it into his pocket, turned around and winked at his colleagues behind him, whispering, "Hey, this counts as double the New Year's money!"

The people behind him smiled knowingly and nodded in agreement.

This scene was simultaneously playing out at various offices of Shengying Media.

Two hundred yuan per person—the amount isn't staggering, but the sentiment behind it, this "private benefit" that distinguishes it from other seconded personnel within the alliance and is exclusively for the formal employees of Shengying Media, warmed everyone's hearts.

"General Manager Wang is such a good person!" A young employee quietly gave his colleague a thumbs up, his tone full of admiration: "Look, he just distributed bonuses to our parents' generation yesterday, that was done according to the rules, fair and just. Today he gave us special bonuses, that's a favor, that shows he values ​​us! He's given us both substance and face!"

“That’s right!” his companion agreed wholeheartedly. “My dad got his bonus yesterday and was so happy when he got home that he kept talking about how there was a bright future working with Boss Wang. Today I got this bonus again, and he had nothing to say. He kept praising Wang Sheng for being fair and for having everyone’s best interests at heart.”

"Exactly! In the past six months, our company has grown from nothing to something, producing wedding movies, shooting TV series, forming alliances, opening video stores... Which one wasn't achieved under the leadership of General Manager Wang? Those of us who followed along have received our salaries and bonuses in full, and our parents have also benefited from the profits. This life is so much better than when we were just wasting our time in the factory!"

"People are all made of flesh and blood. President Wang has truly benefited us, so how could we not be grateful to him? I think we at Shengying Media have completely won over the hearts of the people!"

Similar discussions circulated quietly among those receiving red envelopes and in the corners of the office area.

A cohesive force based on shared interests and emotional identification quietly becomes unbreakable through repeated tangible gains.

……

After distributing the red envelopes, Wang Sheng gathered all employees for a brief year-end meeting in the area in front of the main building.

He didn't stand on a high place, but stood in front like everyone else, in a casual posture.

"Everyone, you've worked hard all year." Wang Sheng began, his voice calm, his gaze sweeping over the familiar and unfamiliar faces: "This time last year, Shengying Media was just a name, and Beijing Film Studio was in a gloomy state. Today, we stand here to receive our bonuses and envision the future, all thanks to the hard work of each and every one of us."

He briefly reviewed the thrilling entrepreneurial journey of the past year, from wedding films to "Family Harmony Brings Prosperity," from distribution alliances to "Film World." He didn't exaggerate, but simply recounted the events, which stirred the hearts of everyone who experienced them.

"Past achievements belong to the past; the future lies ahead."

Wang Sheng then changed the subject: "After the New Year, TV movies will be mass-produced, the 'Movie World' will flourish everywhere, the VCD market will be explored in depth, and there are many more unexpected opportunities waiting for us. Shengying Media's stage will become bigger and bigger, and we need everyone to continue to work together and forge ahead!"

He didn't make unrealistic promises, but his firm tone and clear path gave everyone a glimpse of boundless hope.

"I won't say anything more."

Wang Sheng stood up, a rare, warm smile on his face: "Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance! May you all have a happy new year and a prosperous family! I also hope that next year, you will continue to follow me, Wang Sheng, and make a fortune together!"

"Thank you, Mr. Wang!"

Happy New Year, Mr. Wang!

Let's get rich together!

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers, sincere and passionate.

……

After the meeting.

Instead of returning to his office, Wang Sheng slowly walked towards the living area.

The winter sun felt warm and comforting on my skin. The bare branches of the sycamore trees lining the factory roads pointed towards the azure sky, and occasionally a sparrow would flutter its wings and fly by.

He had his hands in his coat pockets and walked at a leisurely pace.

Along the way, all the employees he encountered greeted him warmly.

"Mr. Wang, out for a stroll?"

"Mr. Wang, have you eaten yet?"

"Mr. Wang, Happy New Year!"

Whether it's a familiar experienced workshop worker, a young employee you don't know, or even a family member with children, everyone who sees him will stop and greet him with a sincere smile, a nod, or a greeting.

In those eyes, there was awe, gratitude, and an almost familial warmth.

Wang Sheng nodded in response to each person's question. Occasionally, he would stop to chat with acquaintances, asking if they had prepared all the New Year's goods and how the elderly in their families were doing.

As he walked, his thoughts drifted into the distance.

I thought of my childhood friend with whom I've been inseparable since we were toddlers, and I thought of Chen Liang, who is currently busy in eastern Guangdong, southern China, working on his "customized" business.

He pulled out his heavy Nokia 2110 from his pocket, found Chen Liang's number, and pressed the dial button.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. Chen Liang's slightly tired but still loud voice came from the other end. The background noise was a bit noisy, as if it were on a filming set.

"Hey, Brother Sheng?"

"Liangzi," Wang Sheng said, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face, "busy?"

"Just finished filming a scene, taking a break. What's up, Sheng-ge? Has it snowed in Beijing? I'm still wearing short sleeves here!" Chen Liang's voice was teasing.

"Stop talking so much."

Wang Sheng chuckled and scolded, then said seriously, "Tomorrow is the Little New Year, you... won't be able to come back, will you?"

"We can't go back!" Chen Liang sighed, but his tone was full of energy: "The Pearl River Film Studio is cooperating very well. We've got a lot of orders, our schedules are packed, and we have to finish more than twenty orders this month. Yu Dong and I have to stay here and keep an eye on things to make sure everything goes smoothly. What's wrong, Sheng-ge, you miss me?"

"I miss you my ass." Wang Sheng spat, then softened his tone, with a hint of barely perceptible emotion: "Happy New Year, Chen Baiwan."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Chen Liang's signature loud laugh: "Hahaha! Brother Sheng, your calling me 'Chen the Millionaire' made my heart pound! What, are you worried about your 3% stake?"

If you're worried about the money, I, Chen Liang, will write a statement immediately and return it to the company! I work for you out of brotherhood, not for the money!

How could Chen Liang not know this?
As the core pioneer and executor of the "personalized customization" business, he was deeply involved in the entire process from negotiation and filming to settlement, and was well aware of the huge profits of this business.

His 3% equity stake has already soared to millions in value with the explosive growth of his business.

In an era when the average annual income is less than 10,000 yuan, this is enough wealth to change the fate of a family.

"Bullshit!" Wang Sheng laughed and cursed, but his voice was warm: "Do you think I, Wang Sheng, a big boss, need your little bit of money? It's yours, take it! You deserve it!"

"Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Wang is really awesome now, worth hundreds of millions! We who are just following along are all benefiting greatly!" Chen Liang chuckled on the other end of the phone, his tone full of heartfelt flattery and intimacy.

After the joke was over, Wang Sheng's voice deepened, filled with genuine emotion: "Liangzi, you've worked hard. It's the New Year, and you still have to be out there working."

"Hey, what's the big deal! Brother Sheng, you gave me a platform and a chance to showcase my talents, I'm more than grateful!" Chen Liang said casually.

“This year, I’m inviting my uncle and aunt to my home to celebrate the Spring Festival together,” Wang Sheng said solemnly. “Your parents are my parents too. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they have a lively and joyous Spring Festival.”

On the other end of the phone, Chen Liang was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse: "Brother Sheng, thanks."

"And another thing," Wang Sheng continued, "I replaced the TV in the house with a 29-inch large color TV, and also bought a double-door refrigerator. I had Xiaoran help me prepare all the New Year's goods, so we don't need anything."

As Chen Liang listened, his nose began to sting with tears.

He knew that Wang Sheng wasn't showing off; he was genuinely fulfilling his filial duty so that Wang Sheng wouldn't have any worries.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and said firmly, "Don't worry, Brother Sheng. I'll definitely do a good job for you here in Guangdong! What you want to do is what I, Chen Liang, will do my life to accomplish!"

"Good brother." Wang Sheng uttered three words softly, but a thousand words were contained within them.

After a brief chat about work arrangements, Wang Sheng hung up the phone.

He stood there, gazing at the familiar tenement buildings in the residential area...

My 1996 is over.

(End of this chapter)