Chinese entertainment industry has been booming since 2008.

Zhang Yang's unscripted live stream on Raccoon Voice, where he sat on the steps and engaged in equal dialogue with the audience, has become a textbook example of public relations in the entertainment industry.

Professor Wang from the Department of Performance at the Central Academy of Drama posted on Weibo: "In this restless era, it is a blessing for the Chinese entertainment industry to still see young people who treat acting with such devotion."

Renowned screenwriter Wang wrote on social media: "Zhang Yang's live stream showed us not only his acting skills, but also an artist's sincerity towards the audience."

As Zhang Yang left the venue, he was photographed wiping his eyes alone backstage. This photo quickly went viral online, with the caption: "The best performances always stem from the most authentic lives."

.....

The phenomenal sales of Xuewei Beer in "My Love from the Star" pierced through the fog of traditional marketing like a beam of light.

Countless business owners, holding their financial reports, suddenly realized: the ultimate goal of embedding Google is to directly become the master of content.

Overnight, the keyword in the boardrooms of major brands changed from "GG advertising" to "content investment".

As major brands flood the entertainment industry with cash, it has led to a flood of calls to agents of top-tier celebrities. Their quotes have been magically manipulated; yesterday's fee was 10 yuan per episode, but today it can reach 30 yuan per episode.

One popular young actor's team even invented an "auction-style" contract signing: simultaneously connecting with projects initiated by five brands, with the highest bidder winning.

A new joke is circulating in film and television bases: Now even the cleaning ladies on set have to ask, "Does this show have a brand backing it up?"

Of course, these brands waving their checkbooks aren't naive fools with too much money; they're far more shrewd than you might imagine.

At an investment analysis meeting, the CEO of a major home appliance company calculated on his fingers: "Last year, we invested in eight variety shows and twenty theatrical placements, spending 120 million yuan. The results were not as good as Snow Beer's sponsorship of 'My Love from the Star.' Now, we're investing 30 million yuan in a TV drama. We can recoup our costs on satellite TV and also imprint our products in the audience's memory. No matter how you look at it, this is a win-win situation!"

Smarter players have already begun to make their moves: liquor brands are partnering with film and television companies to develop treasure-hunting dramas, electric vehicle manufacturers are investing in science fiction films, and everyone wants to replicate Xuewei's miracle.

Amidst this jubilation, a dose of reality was quietly being poured. A purchasing director at a certain TV station shook his head, looking at the dozen or so brand-customized drama proposals in his hand: "They're all just piles of blatant advertisements; they can't even tell a proper story!"

A veteran producer in Hengdian expressed his concern: "Now, before starting filming, production crews ask the brands if they are satisfied, rather than asking what the audience wants to see."

A more brutal reshuffling is underway. Original projects without capital backing are being shelved one after another. Arthouse film directors' fundraising PPTs are being thrown into shredders, and a hit guide titled "How to Write XXX with Sentiment" is circulating among screenwriters.

This capital tsunami triggered by Snow Beer is reshaping the genes of the entertainment industry in the most ruthless way.

When every brand dreams of becoming the next Zhang Yang, and every star is labeled with a capital price tag, some see a fortune in gold, while others hear the soft sound of bubbles bursting.

Amidst this wave of capital frenzy sweeping the industry, Zhang Yang remained a detached observer. After looking at the stack of documents Sun Yu handed him, a knowing sneer appeared on his lips: "A mineral water brand wants to film a deep-sea adventure drama, a cosmetics company wants to create a period drama about palace intrigue, and even a hot pot chain has submitted a workplace romance script."

Zhang Yang casually flipped to a page and saw the clause that "the male lead must mention the brand slogan naturally at least three times per episode," then gently closed the page.

These people are really obsessed with money. They actually think the miracle of "My Love from the Star" is so easy to replicate. They're dreaming.

.....

The throne of the entertainment industry is never a comfortable sofa, but a precious vessel studded with spikes.

November 10th, 11 AM.

A well-known gossip account called "Insider Ghost" published a long article that, while not naming names, was extremely suggestive:

"Let's talk about that male celebrity surnamed Z who has recently risen to fame. Don't be fooled by the affectionate professor on screen. In private, he's a 'time management master.' On one hand, he's pulling together a top actress F to create a 'professional and dedicated' persona, while on the other hand, he's having a great time at a high-end private club, surrounded by women on both sides. There are pictures to prove it. It just depends on whether his team is smart enough and knows the 'rules'."

The accompanying photo is a blurry night scene pictured, showing a man whose back view bears some resemblance to Zhang Yang, posing intimately with several scantily clad women at the entrance of a brightly lit establishment.

"Zhang Yang's public image has collapsed!"

"Professor Li is actually a nightclub regular in private?"

"I feel so sorry for Fan Bingbing, she was so badly deceived!"

The topic instantly became a hot topic online. This time, Wang Xiaoer from Huayi has learned his lesson and no longer uses low-level slander. Instead, he uses these "leaks" that are difficult to verify and blurry photos. His intentions are despicable.

Zhang Yang found Wang Xiaoer's persistent slander against him rather hard to understand, but he didn't care to. Right now, Zhang Yang had more important things to do, and he would deal with Wang Xiaoer when he had some free time.

Some time ago, Zhang Yang established a shell company called Future Pictures. The person in charge of the company, Qi Mingwei, has contacted Ke Jingteng and is discussing the acquisition of "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

After initial contact, Ke Jingteng has become somewhat swayed. When you're out in the game, who isn't in it for the money? Don't be ridiculous to say it's for ideals.

It's worth noting that the copyright price for a typical established author's work is only around 50 yuan.

Rumor has it that the copyright to Liu Cixin's "The Three-Body Problem" only cost 10 yuan, and that was the price in 2010.

Therefore, Qi Mingwei asked for 200 million, which is really not low. The negotiations are almost complete. The two sides disagree on the director position. Ke Jingteng wants to take the director position, but Qi Mingwei disagrees. The two sides are at an impasse.

"Xiao Qi, you can give Ke Jingteng the position of assistant director, and you can also increase the price appropriately. If you can't reach an agreement, then forget it."

Ultimately, Qi Mingwei approached director Liu Junjie as an intermediary and successfully acquired the rights to "You Are the Apple of My Eye" with a deal worth 260 million yuan plus a position as assistant director.

...

Hong Kong, Repulse Bay.

In a villa nestled against the mountain and facing the sea, the salty sea breeze wafted through the open French windows, fluttering the white gauze curtains. Liu Yifei stood barefoot on the soft wool carpet, holding the script of "You Are the Apple of My Eye" in her hand, but her gaze was fixed on the shimmering sea outside the window.

The sunlight was perfect, casting a soft halo around her. She had just finished dubbing a Hollywood production, and there was still a hint of fatigue between her brows, but deep in her eyes, a glimmer of light flickered.

"Sissi, are you really sure about this?"

Mother Liu Xiaoli walked in carrying two cups of herbal tea, her tone as cautious as ever, "Zhang Yang's momentum is very strong, but his foundation is mainly in TV dramas and movies, especially youth-themed ones, which are quite risky. Besides, we missed out on 'My Love from the Star' before..."

"mom!"

Liu Yifei turned around, her voice soft yet firm. She waved the script in her hand: "It's because I missed out on 'My Love from the Star' that I want to talk to Zhang Yang in person this time."