Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Today, 91 Company has grown to have more than 600 employees, and several key departments are clustered together, making it somewhat overcrowded.

Besides the fact that Madou Media, which manages agency contracts, is independent, the music department also needs to be separated.

This year has seen a boom in ringback tones. With Phoenix Legend as a trump card, the independence of the music company also facilitates tax management and independent distribution.

Zhuang Huai'an named his music company "Strawberry," a name that is simple, elegant, and catchy.

He remains the chairman, while Wang Zhengliang has been promoted to general manager and music director. He is known for his steady personality and is a former teacher, so managing such a small company is not a problem for him.

On his first day in office, President Wang gave Zhuang Huai'an a shock: the biggest whirlwind in the entertainment industry in 05, the legendary figure, Brother Chun!

In the photo, Chun Ge now looks a bit green, just a junior at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, and hasn't yet encountered the show that made her famous.

"Boss, isn't that Super Girl competition on Hunan TV really popular lately? A friend of mine told me that after the Guangzhou auditions, the Chengdu auditions will start. I'm thinking we could give Li Yuchun a push."

Wang Zhengliang analyzed, "She has excellent grades in school, and although she's not particularly beautiful, she has a strong personality. There's no one like her in the industry yet, so I think we should give it a try."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Huai'an fell into deep thought.

Following the original trajectory, Chris Lee did indeed sweep the nation upon her debut, and on the night of the finale, she garnered over 350 million votes via text message, a truly terrifying figure, even more astonishing than the super topic activities on Weibo in later generations.

They can be considered the first generation of traffic-generating celebrities in the early days of the internet.

However, there is a problem: if Chun Ge doesn't sign with Tianyu, that talent show guru might manipulate things behind the scenes, and Chun Ge won't be able to reap the benefits of this championship. In that case, her only shining point will be her "personality".

It's not very meaningful to train them.

Or, could we collaborate with Tianyu?

"Okay, I'll have Du Hua follow up on this."

Zhuang Huai'an agreed. From a businessman's perspective, the company wanted to diversify its business, and artists like Chun Ge, who were purely "teaching" types, had considerable business potential.

"Okay, boss. I also have another candidate, someone extremely capable, no less than Liangying."

Wang Zhengliang pulled out another resume. Zhuang Huai'an took a look and nodded in approval. This person's abilities were indeed no less than Zhang Liangying's.

In 2002, he won an Excellence Award at the first Southeast Asian Free Fighting... cough, and in 2003, he won the "Best Newcomer Award" at the China Golden Record Awards.

Chengdu regional champion and national runner-up in the 2006 Super Girl competition.

Tan Weiwei!

If it's this person, Zhuang Huai'an is in a bit of a dilemma, because although Ms. Tan's singing skills are no less than Zhang Liangying's, her personality is no less than that of Li Yuchun.

During her participation in the Young Singers Grand Prix, she questioned the judges' scoring criteria on the spot and announced her withdrawal from the competition because she did not agree with the scoring results, causing quite a stir in the music industry.

Such an existence... he was somewhat worried.

"Tan Weiwei has a good resume, how come she hasn't been signed by a record company?"

"Boss, she sings bel canto, so..."

Got it, it's not making money!

Zhuang Huai'an nodded, his gaze falling on the last line of the resume.

[Represented young singers from mainland China at the 2005 Vienna Music Association Golden Hall Chinese New Year Concert (solo performance)]

Tsk, with that kind of experience, it's no wonder she's unhappy about finishing as runner-up.

"Oh, by the way, boss,"

Seeing his hesitation, Wang Zhengliang continued, "She also participated in Sanbao's large-scale musical 'Jinsha,' playing the female lead Jin, but she is currently the first candidate."

"Golden Sands?"

Zhuang Huai'an felt the name sounded familiar, and Zhang Lu reminded him, "Take a look at the third folder on the left."

He opened the folder and saw a stack of tickets.

"This was delivered by Sanbao's assistant," Zhang Lu explained considerately. "They probably invited you because they had worked with our company before and wanted to maintain a good relationship."

"Someone who insists on paying extra for TV drama soundtracks has no real connection with me."

Zhuang Huai'an sneered, finally remembering why this musical seemed familiar.

The first female lead in "Jinsha," who replaced Tan Weiwei, was Yao Beina, who was later known as one of the "Four Unlucky Sisters."

This person... sigh...

The date on the ticket is April 8th, which is tomorrow, the premiere at the Poly Theatre.

"Zhang Lu, do I have any plans for tomorrow?"

"No." Zhang Lu shook her head. She had never seen her boss, a billionaire, so reclusive. He was always either dealing with work or burying himself in his creative work. He never went to bars or attended parties.

"Okay, I'll keep three tickets for myself, and you can see who's interested in the rest."

"Okay." Zhang Lu understood. "Who" here specifically referred to the company's artists or middle management; it wasn't that she looked down on her employees, but rather…

Tomorrow is Friday, a workday…

"Old Wang, you cooperate well with Du Hua in following up on Li Yuchun's matter. Zhang Lu, you go and coordinate with Du Hua. As for Tan Weiwei, I'll go to the site tomorrow to investigate and then we'll talk."

"Okay, boss."

After the two left, Zhuang Huai'an took out his phone and sent a message to Liu Yifei, asking if she and Aunt Liu had time tomorrow.

"Tomorrow my mom and I are going to see a musical. The lead role is played by an older sister who took good care of me when I was little!"

The little girl's reply revealed a sense of joy.

She and Yao Beina were childhood friends, living together in the Wuhan Art and Literature Family Compound. When they met, Liu Yifei was only 5 years old, and 11-year-old Yao Beina always played with her like an older sister. They were each other's closest playmates in childhood.

Zhuang Huai'an replied: "I also received the invitation. I'll pick you and Aunt Liu up tomorrow."

Okay~ I'll be waiting for you~

After replying to the message, Liu Yifei, who was at home, went to talk to Aunt Liu about it.

"Mom, could you help me choose my clothes for tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu was taken aback. Her daughter had always had an inexplicable confidence in her own fashion sense, and the girl would usually resist when she was asked to put together an outfit.

What's wrong with you today? You don't look sick at all.

Seemingly sensing her mother's thoughts, Liu Yifei blushed and muttered, "It's all because my senior always makes fun of my taste... He always says my judgment is bad and that I should listen to my mother and the stylist more..."

Hmph! You damn man, I have impeccable taste! Otherwise, why would I have fallen for you!

Aunt Liu felt a mix of emotions after hearing this.

The good news is that she's not sick; it's that her daughter has developed cognitive abilities.

Bad news. A woman dresses up for the man she loves, and her own little wildflower... cough, her little cabbage is gone.

"Okay, leave this to Mom. I guarantee my silly girl will impress someone tomorrow."

"Mommy~"

Hearing Aunt Liu's slightly teasing words, Liu Yifei became unhappy and rushed forward to hug her mother, saying coquettishly, "I wore it for myself, who wants to catch the eye of my senior?"

"Huh? Did I just mention Huai'an?" Aunt Liu said with a hint of teasing. "I meant Xiao Yao."

The little girl blushed even more after hearing this, and couldn't say a word for a long time. She could only continue to bury her head in her mother's arms and pretend to be an ostrich.

Aunt Liu stroked her head with a smile. She was an extremely open-minded woman who treated her daughter like a friend. She had even accepted the relationship between her little wild boar and Zhuang Huai'an.

But a pang of sadness lingered in my heart, a mother's instinct.