Huayu: From the Era of Ringtones to Becoming a Legend

Lu Jiuge didn't rush to answer; she poured Zuo Wei a cup of tea before speaking:

"I want to start a company that operates independently from the current Qianxing Entertainment!"

Lu Jiuge's smile faded, and her tone became serious:

"I've decided on a name: Mirror World Media!"

"The world reflected in the mirror is also the reality. What I want to do is to erect this mirror, so that the true nature of everyone in the entertainment industry has nowhere to hide, and I will be in complete control!"

After a pause, Zuo continued to explain:

"Our main business is entertainment news, celebrity updates, public opinion monitoring, and, at crucial moments, guiding the direction of public discourse!"

"The Mirror World?"

The person on the left is chewing on this name:

"The world in the mirror? Or, a mirror realm that reflects the truth?"

"Haha, that interpretation works too!"

Lu Jiuge continued:

"This company needs someone who truly understands the industry, dares to take action, and knows where the bottom line is to steer it!"

Hearing this, Zuo Wei understood some of Lu Jiuge's meaning and tentatively asked:

"Mr. Lu, the reason you said you couldn't refuse last night was that you wanted me to work for you?"

Lu Jiuge didn't reply, but just looked at him calmly.

After a few seconds of silence, Zuo Wei leaned back slightly.

"Mr. Lu, you've investigated me very thoroughly. Then you should know that with all the things I'm holding onto that I haven't released, if I really wanted a client, it wouldn't be your unlicensed Mirror Media!"

Seeing Zuo Wei's reaction, Lu Jiuge already knew what was going on and smiled:

"I know your ambition isn't to be an outstanding employee, so..."

After a pause, Lu Jiuge directly stated the conditions:

"I'd like to invite you to become a shareholder of Mirror Media, offering you 20% of the shares. You will serve as the general manager, responsible for the company's operations!"

"I'll handle the company's investment capital, office space, and basic team. What you need to do is use your skills to run this company, not just dig up dirt and act as a paparazzi!"

Zuo Wei stared intently at Lu Jiuge, as if trying to see right through him:

"Why? Your Qianxing Entertainment could be making money hand over fist with ringtones and these songs!"

"Why get involved in this murky water of public opinion? This industry is even deeper and dirtier, and it doesn't make money. If it doesn't involve shady dealings, you're guaranteed to lose money!"

Lu Jiuge agreed with Zuo Wei's words and stared at him, lost in thought.

For this reason, most of the companies that focused on entertainment weekly magazines in later generations have gone bankrupt, and those that have barely survived are barely alive!

However, Lu Jiuge's own positioning is different. His purpose in founding Mirror World Media is mainly to guide public opinion and make himself have more negative faith value, so he doesn't care.

Another point is that, having worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade in her previous life, Lu Jiuge believes that entertainment weekly magazines are not incapable of making money, but rather that they haven't found the right direction.

Seeing that Lu Jiuge did not speak, Zuo Wei asked in confusion:

"Mr. Lu, don't you agree with my point of view?"

Lu Jiuge nodded, stood up, and asked:

"Zuo Wei, what do you think will be the most valuable thing in the entertainment industry in the next ten years? Is it songs? Movies? Or a celebrity's face?"

Before Zuo could answer, Lu Jiuge asked and answered herself:

"It's about attention! It's about the power of discourse! Who can define what's red, what's black, what's right, and what's wrong!"

"No matter how popular a song is, others can call it vulgar; no matter how good a movie is, others can spread rumors that it plagiarized."

No matter how clean an artist is, a deluge of negative articles can make it impossible for them to make a living!

"Traditional media have been high and mighty for thirty years because they have monopolized the channels for expression and defined the rules of the industry."

Lu Jiuge abruptly changed the subject, slamming her finger heavily on the table:

"But now, the internet age has arrived, and the old rules no longer apply in this new order!"

"In the midst of chaos, whoever first establishes a new set of rules that people are willing to follow and dare to believe in will be able to set the rules!"

His gaze was piercing, fixed on Zuo Wei:

"I want Mirror Media to be the one to set these new rules and act as the referee!"

He turned back, his gaze fixed intently on Zuo Wei:

"I don't want to one day, either I or any of the artists in my company, to be drowned in baseless scandals because we offended some powerful figure, leaving us with no one to even speak up!"

"I want to control the industry's discourse and personally define right and wrong! This is the goal behind the founding of Mirror Media!"

"And I hope you will be the one to take the helm!"

Zuo Wei remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the teacup.

Lu Jiuge's words were like a key, breaking through a layer of paper that he had never dared to think about in detail.

He has seen too many real scandals suppressed by money, while fake blemishes can ruin a person.

He has always been that knife that is borrowed and used by others, sharp, but not under his own control.

The most venomous temptation in Lu Jiuge's pie-in-the-sky promise is precisely this:

Perhaps there will be an opportunity to decide where the knife will point.

"Twenty percent of the shares, technology-based equity?"

After weighing his options for a while, Zuo Wei finally spoke:

"Does that mean I don't have to pay?"

"No need! Just join us!"

Lu Jiuge knew that Zuo Wei had made his choice, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Before the company becomes profitable, I'm responsible for basic expenses. After profitability, profits are distributed according to shareholding. Of course, the general manager receives a salary!"

"condition?"

The left side is for further questioning. Lu Jiuge holds up one finger:

"I have only one rule! Every word that Mirror World sends out must be based on facts. It can be sharp, but not fabricated; it can be monitored, but not framed!"

"What I want is for Mirror Media to become a trustworthy authority, not a black hand controlled by money! The rest is entirely up to you."

"We brought you here because we trust you can distinguish between digging up information and spreading rumors!"

Zuo Wei stared at Lu Jiuge for a long time, then suddenly smiled, a smile with a complex meaning:

"Mr. Lu, your idea is ruthless, but it's very similar to what I've learned over the years!"

"Let's work together and make this business bigger and stronger!"

Lu Jiuge extended her hand:

"Teacher Zuo, would you like to give it a try?"

Zuo Wei looked at Lu Jiuge's hands, then at his eyes, which were too young yet frighteningly mature.

A full half minute passed before Zuo Wei reached out and shook hands firmly with Lu Jiuge.

"I'll bring my team from my small studio over—two photographers and one informant—all industry veterans with exceptional skills!"

Zuo Wei, without any affectation, laughed frankly:

Consider this my pledge of allegiance!

"welcome!"

Lu Jiuge breathed a sigh of relief, shook hands with Zuo Wei, and sat back down at the head of the table to make tea.

"Old Zuo, I have the venue ready. When can you get there?"

Zuo Wei sat back in his chair, pondered for a moment, and said:

"I can start work now. The team is investigating the leads on Xie Xiaoxin's illegitimate child; they'll be able to get here in about a week!"

Lu Jiuge waved:

"Stop everything. Tell them to get here as quickly as possible. We have something important to do. Digging into a female celebrity's private life won't make us much money!"

Zuo Wei did not object; after nodding in agreement, his expression turned serious.

"Mr. Lu, now that we're on the same side, there's something I need to tell you. There's a force behind all these paparazzi coming to Hengdian to watch you!"

Lu Jiuge asked dismissively:

"SG Records? I heard about their harsh words a few days ago!"

The left side represents the head shaking:

"SG Records did indeed make that statement, and several domestic companies followed suit, wanting to teach you a lesson!"

"But the one who really paid a hefty price, specifically targeting you to bring you down completely, so you can never recover, is someone else!"