Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 27, Section 27: Famous Throughout the North and South

May 5, 1996, evening.

The last rays of the setting sun had not yet completely faded.

When Wang Sheng and others returned to the Beijing Film Studio for a debriefing meeting, the streets and alleys of Beijing were already filled with the smell of cooking smoke and the ink of newspapers.

The flow of people heading home from get off work was even denser than usual in front of the newsstand. Many people handed over change, but their eyes were already firmly drawn to the eye-catching headlines on the front page of the evening newspaper on the stall.

"Wow! A wedding video costing ten thousand yuan? Does anyone really waste money like that?" A middle-aged man in work clothes exclaimed in amazement, clutching a copy of the Beijing Evening News.

"That's not a video recording. The newspapers even said it's called a 'wedding movie'! It was made by a professional film studio team. How can it be the same?" A bespectacled intellectual-looking man next to him pushed up his glasses and pointed at the page to refute.

"Oh my, look at the photos of this bride, she looks like a movie star! This money was well spent!" An older woman came over and pointed to the photos in the newspaper.

This photo was actually taken by a newspaper reporter.

It's not just the Beijing Evening News.

Almost simultaneously, Shanghai's Xinmin Evening News and Guangzhou's Yangcheng Evening News—these mainstream evening newspapers with the greatest influence and circulation in China—unanimously published news about this "first record of an exorbitantly priced wedding in the country" on their front pages or in prominent positions in the social news section.

The Beijing Evening News' headline remained sharp and eye-catching: "Nearly 10,000 weddings unfolded today; why are Beijing's tycoons spending lavishly?" The subtitle read, "Professional film studio team at the helm; the concept of 'wedding movies' shocks the industry."

The article details the grandeur of the wedding, the media frenzy, and the astonishing price of 9999 yuan. Its writing is both curious and subtly critical of emerging consumption concepts and the upgrading of services under the market economy.

The style of Xinmin Evening News is more refined and sophisticated, with an article titled "Film Craftsmanship Involves Weddings, Shanghai Audiences Focus on Beijing's 'Sky-High' Weddings." The article focuses on analyzing the technical content and market logic behind "wedding films" and quotes the views of Shanghai economists, who believe that this "high-end model" is a sign that people have become richer.

Throughout the streets and alleys of Shanghai, there were also many exclamations of amazement:
"Oh my goodness, sister, come and see! In the capital, a wedding video costs ten thousand silver dollars! That's outrageous!"

"..."

The Yangcheng Evening News reported on the matter in a pragmatic yet slightly humorous tone: "Ten Thousand Yuan to Bid for a Wedding? Yangcheng Bosses Say: It's Worth Thinking About!" The report highlighted the attention paid to this matter by Guangdong businessmen with keen business acumen, and explored its potential as a "prestige project" and "new type of consumption" in the southern market.

"有得谂" means "it is worth considering".

Within a few hours, keywords such as "sky-high wedding", "wedding movie", "film studio team" and "founder Wang Sheng" spread through these evening newspapers with circulations of millions, reaching ordinary people's homes and crossing the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, sparking heated discussions among citizens in both the north and south.

Wang Sheng and his Shengying Media, in a sense, became famous throughout the country and became the talk of the town.

Envy, doubt, curiosity, amazement... a mix of voices pushed "Shengying Media" and the name "Wang Sheng" to the forefront of public opinion.

This nationwide exposure was phenomenal in the information environment of 1996.

……

Meanwhile, this copy of the Beijing Evening News was being circulated among Beijing's literary and artistic circles.

In a hotel where a film crew was staying, an assistant director slammed a newspaper on the table: "Look at those kids under Han Laohu, they're really something! They've made such a fuss!"

An actor nearby, who was reading a script, looked up and scoffed, "Just trying to attract attention. What artistic pursuits can you have in filming weddings? It's cheap!"

"Lowering the price?" Another well-informed producer chimed in, "This isn't just about filming a wedding. I heard that kid, Wang Sheng, is really quick-witted. He raised over two million yuan from the employees of the Beijing Film Studio with this idea!"
Over two million! Now all the children of factory workers are following him; he's known as the 'leader of the Beijing Electronics Brothers Gang,' he's really getting on the act!"

"The North Electronics Brothers?" The actor paused, his tone softening slightly. "No wonder they're so unconventional... Does Director Han have tacitly approved of this?"

"It's more than just tacit approval; I think it's strong support. The factory is in trouble right now, and being able to raise money and solve employment issues is what matters most. This kid is something else."

The producer clicked his tongue, a shrewd glint in his eyes: "I'll inquire about it later and see if there's any possibility of cooperation."

……

In a newly built residential community in Beijing, there is a slightly empty two-bedroom apartment.

Li Xiaoran curled up on the sofa, quite exhausted after just finishing an audition for a toothpaste commercial.

She picked up the copy of the Beijing Evening News she had bought on the way and almost immediately spotted the familiar phrase "wedding movie".

Li Xiaoran's heart skipped a beat, and then she quickly started browsing.

Since that misunderstanding, she has consciously started reading the newspaper regularly.

Although the article did not directly mention the advertisement she filmed, the words "film studio team" and "first-of-its-kind concept" made her instantly realize that the source of all this was that bright, sunny morning, that veil kissing the camera, and that man who only wanted to work—Wang Sheng.

The newspaper described the grand wedding, the media frenzy, the client's satisfaction, and the "strategic planning" of Wang Sheng, the mastermind behind it all.

As she watched, Li Xiaoran felt a complex mix of emotions.

She has left the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and signed with Xinbaoyuan.

But after a few days, most of the offers she received were for advertisements, and occasionally for minor supporting roles. It seemed that her dream of becoming an "actress" was still a long way off.

Wang Sheng's words echoed in her ears: "Signing the contract is just the beginning... Whether you can get roles later, whether you can become famous, is highly uncertain."

At that moment, she deeply understood the meaning of those words.

The signing didn't bring about an immediate change; she still had to go from audition to audition, waiting for a slim chance.

In contrast, Wang Sheng...

Through sporadic inquiries within the industry, Li Xiaoran pieced together information about Wang Sheng that secretly alarmed her: his creative advertisement became an instant hit, he persuaded the factory manager to secure resources, he boldly raised two million yuan from all the factory's employees, he rapidly expanded his business, and now he's even made headlines nationwide... He's only nineteen! The somewhat江湖-esque title of "Leader of the Beijing Electronics Brotherhood" evoked a sense of powerlessness and envy, as it represented energy, courage, and achievements.

While she was still struggling to get a small advertisement, he, who was younger than her, was already making waves and becoming a well-known figure in Beijing's social circles.

She put down the newspaper, walked to the window, and looked out at the myriad lights of the capital city.

The young figure who refused her invitation to dinner, calmly analyzed the risks of the contract, and shot a beautiful advertisement yet seemed distant, became clearer and clearer in her mind, and also became more and more... intriguing and resentful.

What kind of person is he?

His world seems to be forever filled with all sorts of bold plans and amazing execution.

But his own world seemed to still be lingering in waiting and uncertainty.

Li Xiaoran sighed softly, a strong urge to do something and change the status quo quietly growing in her heart.

Maybe...maybe I should contact him again?
……

the other side.

In a residential house in Beitaipingzhuang.

Feng Xiaogang, who had worked with Wang Shuo on several film projects that were all nearly ruined, was slumped in a creaking rattan chair, his eyelids drooping, looking rather listless.

According to rumors circulating in the industry, Wang Shuo has essentially been blacklisted.

Wang Shuo also revealed to Feng Xiaogang his idea of ​​fleeing to the United States to avoid the limelight, perhaps in the second half of this year, or perhaps next year.

Without Wang Shuo, Feng Xiaogang is like a man who has lost his soul.

Xu Fan tiptoed in, placed a newly bought copy of the Beijing Evening News on the table, and took away the nearly overflowing ashtray.

Xu Fan was not yet married to Feng Xiaogang at this time.

Feng Xiaogang and Xu Fan's relationship began in 1991 during the filming of the movie "Da Sa Ba". At that time, Feng Xiaogang had not yet ended his first marriage, and Xu Fan was going through a breakup with Wang Zhiwen. Feng Xiaogang took advantage of the situation, and the two quickly developed an extramarital affair.

By around 1996, their relationship was an open secret within the industry, and they were living together.

Feng Xiaogang later mentioned this period in his autobiography, "I Dedicated My Youth to You," describing the support and encouragement Xu Fan gave him during his career slump.

After Xu Fan left, Feng Xiaogang glanced at the newspaper with little interest. The eye-catching headline and black-and-white picture on the front page took several seconds to catch his eye: "Nearly 10,000 weddings unfolded today. Why are Beijing's tycoons spending lavishly?"

"Tch..." Feng Xiaogang snorted, with his usual mockery: "Wow, these days, anything can make the front page of the newspaper."

He thought it was just another bizarre thing done by some nouveau riche.

But the words "children of Beijing Film Studio" made him take another look.

Upon seeing this, his brows furrowed.

Feng Xiaogang picked up the newspaper.

The report described the extravagance of the wedding in detail, mentioning terms like "cinematic shooting," "professional lighting," "dual-camera Betacam SP," "Shengying Media," and "two million raised," which pricked him like tiny needles, making him instantly a little irritated.

"Hold!"

Feng Xiaogang sat up abruptly, his face growing increasingly grim.

Xu Fan put the emptied ashtray back in its place and asked, "Xiaogang, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Feng Xiaogang slammed the newspaper down, his voice rising involuntarily, filled with inexplicable anger: "Look at this! Is Master Han really out of options? Letting these young punks in the factory run wild like this? Filming a wedding?! What do you call this? This is neglecting your duties! This is degrading!"

He recalled his rejected drama, "Living a Miserable Life," which cost him over a million yuan and left him in a state of utter chaos. He had to come back to making TV dramas to earn a living.

But what's with this report?

A bunch of young people who just graduated from a training course, taking advantage of the factory's idle equipment, are doing this kind of shady business and they're actually making a fortune from it, daring to charge 9,900 yuan for a wedding! And they even got it published in the newspaper!

The contrast was so damn ironic, like a silent slap across his face.

"What's the technical skill involved in making this? Huh? What's the artistic merit?" He seemed to be asking Xu Fan, or perhaps questioning the air itself, his tone agitated: "Isn't it just using those filmmaking skills to fool laymen? To fool those guys who have a few bucks and don't know how to show off! What kind of skill is that?"

Xu Fan fell silent, too terrified to reply.

Feng Xiaogang took a deep breath, staring at the newspaper with a complicated expression.

Beneath his anger and disdain lay a hint of sourness and a sense of bewilderment at being left behind by the times, a feeling he himself was unwilling to admit.

He and Wang Shuo and others messed around with their so-called "art," only to end up with a lot of trouble.

But these guys don't play those games with you at all. They go straight for the market and the money, using unconventional methods that have caused such a huge commotion.

Han Sanping not only ignored it, but it seems he even tacitly approved or supported it? Just because it brings in money? And it solves the employment problem for the factory's children?
This world is really hard to understand.

"Damn it..." He finally crumpled the newspaper into a ball and threw it into the corner, as if to get rid of the troubling contrast: "A crooked path! It won't last!"

(End of this chapter)