My capital is quite large.

Rest area for the crew of "Chinese Paladin 3" in Hengdian, Zhejiang.

The early spring sunshine shone on the film set, bringing a touch of warmth.

Yang Mi, dressed in a red costume, had just finished filming a scene and walked back to her private rest area with a slightly languid gait.

If you observe closely, you'll notice that her gait is noticeably softer than it was a few days ago, and even when she sits down, her brows furrow slightly involuntarily.

For three consecutive days.

On that big bed in Shenzhen Bay, she used almost every flattering tactic she could think of in her life.

But at this moment, there was not a trace of gloom on her slightly tired but still radiant face; instead, she was filled with excited joy.

Because in her handbag lay quietly the performance contract for the second female lead in Director Feng's "Aftershock"!

That's the most top-tier film resource in the country! It's the stepping stone to the big screen that countless TV actresses would kill for!

"Honey, you're back!"

Seeing Yang Mi sit down, Tang Yan and Liu Shishi immediately came over.

Tang Yan's gaze swept over Yang Mi's radiant yet faintly weak face, especially when she noticed the red marks on the edge of her neck that even the foundation couldn't completely cover, and her heart skipped a beat.

As an adult, how could she not guess what kind of ordeal Yang Mi had gone through in these three days?

"Honey, congratulations!" Her tone was tinged with a mix of emotion and envy.

"I heard you landed the second female lead role in Director Feng's new film, that's a really big shot. Sure enough... you were the first one to join the company, and the boss's 'favorite'."

Tang Yan deliberately emphasized the word "cherish".

Seeing Yang Mi use this method to obtain resources that defy fate, it would be a lie to say that I wasn't moved at all.

In this world of fame and fortune, who doesn't want to rise to the top in one step?

For a moment, a dangerous thought even flashed through Tang Yan's mind: should she also find an opportunity to fly to Shenzhen and pledge her allegiance to that young and handsome boss?

But the thought only lasted a second before she forcefully suppressed it.

Too dangerous.

That Mr. Li is a man of unfathomable thoughts; serving him is like serving a tiger.

She admitted that she didn't have Yang Mi's willingness to go all out; if she really got involved, she might not even have any bones left.

It's safest to just focus on making movies and get a 50/50 split of the profits.

Sitting to the side, Liu Shishi was completely unaware of the undercurrents between the two.

Holding a hand warmer, she innocently chimed in, "Sister Honey is really amazing! But our boss is also incredibly generous! I heard that as soon as Liu Yifei signed with the company, the boss gave her the lead role in Tsui Hark's 'Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame'!"

"The female lead in Tsui Hark's martial arts films! That's something to be envied. After all, everyone in the industry knows she has a background in martial arts and her action scenes are beautiful." Liu Shishi's tone was full of innocent amazement.

Upon hearing this, Yang Mi picked up her thermos, took a sip of water, and a barely perceptible sneer appeared on her lips.

Can't you have it if you just envy it?

If I hadn't flown to Shenzhen overnight and snatched a piece of meat from the boss's mouth, the resources for "Tangshan Earthquake" would probably have ended up in the hands of that "fairy sister" now!

She wasn't greedy. Even if she couldn't get the lead role, being able to snatch the second lead role from Liu Yifei made all her efforts over the past three days worthwhile!

"Shi Shi is right, we all have our own paths to walk. As long as we have the boss as our backing, we'll have a good future ahead of us." Yang Mi smiled radiantly, but a burning ambition blazed in her eyes.

……

Shenzhen, Haofeng Networks headquarters.

Inside the CEO's office, Li Feng was looking at the news headlines of several traditional internet portal websites on his computer screen.

Tencent's Annual Entertainment White Paper: The selection of the "Four Little Actresses" is in full swing, with the final list to be revealed in April!

Baijiahao, in conjunction with multiple media outlets, is holding a poll to select the four most promising young male actors in mainland China!

Looking at these news reports, Li Feng scoffed disdainfully.

In the spring of 2009, domestic print media and traditional portal websites held the most power in the entertainment industry.

They establish their authoritative position in the entertainment sector and guide netizens' attention through these so-called "selections" and "account bans".

"Trying to seize control of the entertainment industry right under my nose? Tencent, you're overreaching."

Li Feng pressed the internal phone and called in the Weibo project manager and Lao Han.

"Mr. Li." The two stood respectfully.

"Have you seen that 'Four Little Actresses' and 'Four Little Actors' selection that Tencent and Baidu are doing?" Li Feng pointed to the screen.

"I've seen it, Mr. Li. Tencent is leveraging the traffic from QQ's pop-up ads to make this voting campaign very popular recently," the Weibo project manager reported.

"Since they want to play, we'll play a big game with them."

Li Feng stood up, placed his hands on the desk, and his eyes revealed an overbearing and domineering aura.

"Although Weibo has surpassed 20 million users in the few months since its launch, we need a truly cross-platform entertainment extravaganza that involves everyone, to wrest the power of discourse in the domestic entertainment industry from Tencent and traditional media!"

"Old Han, have Weibo officially launch a nationwide poll immediately!"

"Isn't Tencent going to select the 'Four Little Actresses'? Then let's hold a 'Weibo Night: A Nationwide Vote for the Four Newest Actresses'!"

"There is only one voting channel, which is to register and log in to Haofeng's Weibo account! Each Weibo account can cast three votes per day, and reposting with specific hashtags will grant additional votes!"

The project manager's eyes lit up: "Mr. Li, this is brilliant! Tying voting rights to our daily active users will definitely drive us to get new downloads, and those enthusiastic fans will be working like crazy to get votes for their idols! But... should the four most popular young male celebrities follow suit?"

"Young Master?"

Li Feng drew a big red X on the whiteboard.

"What era are we living in? Why are we still using such clichéd phrases that reek of feudalistic theatrical performances?"

Turning around, his gaze sharp as he stared at the two of them, he wrote two words on the whiteboard that would change the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry for the next decade:

[Top influencer]!

"From today onwards, the word 'young scholar' will not exist in Haofeng's Weibo dictionary!"

"You need to introduce a completely new concept to the entire internet—in the data age, whoever controls the highest level of discussion, whoever has the largest fan base, and whoever can consistently dominate Weibo's trending topics list, is the top influencer of this era!"

"What we're going to do is select the four top celebrities!"

When Lao Han and the project manager heard those two words, they felt a surge of electricity rush from their tailbone to the top of their heads!

Top influencer! Top-tier traffic!

This word is so precise and so impactful!

It blatantly tore away the fig leaf of the traditional entertainment industry, placing "data" and "fan commercial value" in the most prominent position!

"Mr. Li, your move is absolutely brilliant!"

Old Han rubbed his hands together excitedly, "Once the concept of 'top influencer' takes root in people's minds, then the only standard by which netizens, fans, and even Google and brands across China judge whether a celebrity is popular or not will no longer be those shoddy lists from Tencent, but rather the trending search data on Haofeng's Weibo!"

"That's right. I want Haofeng's Weibo account to become the sole arbiter in the Chinese entertainment industry. If the Four Little Actresses weren't so deeply ingrained in people's minds, this would be a selection of the top male and female celebrities. There's always a need for a transition period."

Li Feng casually tossed the whiteboard marker into the pen holder. "Go and carry it out. Get Yang Mi, Tang Yan, and Liu Shishi from our company to campaign for votes as well. Try to keep the 'Four Little Flowers' positions within the family."

"clear!"

……

Xiamen, Fujian.

After several months of intense filming, the crew of "Meteor Shower" finally held a grand wrap party.

At 8 p.m., the doors to the banquet hall were pushed open.

Li Feng, with his easygoing and reserved demeanor, walked slowly into the hall, accompanied by Zhang Xinyu and Lao Han.

"President Li is here!"

"Hello, Mr. Li!"

The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Those supporting actors and even directors who are usually glamorous in front of the camera now wish they could bend over to the ground.

This is a super tycoon who now wields immense power in the internet and entertainment industries!

Li Feng smiled and gestured with his hand, appearing approachable: "Everyone, don't be shy. You've all worked hard these past few months in Xiamen, braving the wind and sun. This meal is on me, eat and drink well."

He didn't stay in the banquet hall for long; he simply raised his glass to toast the director and the entire crew.

Just as he was about to leave early, his gaze swept across the main table and landed on Yang Yang and Li Xin, who seemed a little reserved.

As the only two artists from Haofeng Film & Television present, Yang Yang and Li Xin immediately stood up nervously.

"Boss..." the two greeted him respectfully.

Li Feng walked up to them, patted Yang Yang on the shoulder, glanced at the refined Li Xin beside him, and smiled gently:

"You've done a good job these past few months. I heard you've been very hardworking on set."

"It's not hard work at all! It's all thanks to the company for this opportunity!" Yang Yang said excitedly, her face flushed.

"Alright, don't be nervous." Li Feng waved his hand. "Go back and rest for half a month. Old Han has already prepared the script for the sequel. The original cast and crew of 'Meteor Shower Again' will start filming next month. You two will still be the male and female leads."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the other actors who had been eavesdropping turned red!

The show hasn't even aired yet, and we don't even know how the audience will react, but they've already announced the male and female leads for the sequel at the wrap party?!

Is this the treatment one receives from being backed by Haofeng Film & Television and treated as a family-owned artist?!

"Thank you, boss! We'll definitely give it our best!" Yang Yang was so excited he almost bowed to Li Feng.

Li Feng didn't say anything more, nodded, and left the banquet hall with Zhang Xinyu.

As the big boss left, the oppressive atmosphere in the banquet hall was instantly ignited. Everyone, holding wine glasses, rushed towards Yang Yang and Li Xin, and all sorts of flattering, envious, jealous, and hateful toasts completely overwhelmed the two of them.

Yang Yang excitedly clinked glasses with everyone, as if he could already see his glorious future as the "number one male star" in the Chinese entertainment industry.

However, Li Xin, who was surrounded by everyone like a star, looked somewhat forced and stiff with a smile on her face.

My hand holding the juice glass was slightly sweaty. Looking at the closed doors of the banquet hall, Li Feng's gentle promises echoed in my mind, and a strong sense of unease welled up in my heart.

"Something's not right...something's really not right."

Li Xin murmured to himself.

In this cutthroat world, is there really such a thing as a free lunch?

She was just a girl with no connections whatsoever.

The boss paid the penalty for breach of contract to buy her out, gave her a top-tier 50/50 revenue-sharing contract in the Chinese entertainment industry, followed by the lead role in a fully-funded drama series. Now, before the series has even aired, he's already promised her the lead role in the sequel...

Throughout this process, the boss never made any demands on her, and they rarely even had the chance to meet.

She hasn't given anything, so why does she keep enjoying this god-like treatment?

Is the boss really a philanthropist who only values ​​talent?

Recalling the dramatic gossip about Yang Mi almost being blacklisted and having to fly to Shenzhen overnight to quell the storm, Li Xin couldn't help but shudder.

"Does the boss... really have no ulterior motives towards me?"

Looking at the cloyingly sweet juice in my hand, I felt as if behind this overwhelming wealth lay an invisible net that had already been laid out.

Perhaps the boss is just playing the long game?

Perhaps all the resources I enjoy now have already been secretly priced, but the high and mighty player hasn't yet come to collect the price?

"Xin Xin! What are you thinking about! Come here, Hao Ming is toasting you!" Yang Yang's excited shout interrupted Li Xin's thoughts.

"Oh...it's here."

Li Xin suppressed her fear, took a deep breath, put on a sweet smile, and rejoined this bizarre and extravagant feast.