Chapter 325 The crew celebrates their birthday
In the late spring morning of the romantic city of Bincheng, the salty and humid sea breeze gently caresses the place.
In a transistor factory on the outskirts of the city, the crew of the movie "Charlotte's Troubles" is busy preparing for a new day of filming.
In the leading actress's exclusive dressing room, velvet curtains block out the noise from the outside world.
Liu Shishi sat lazily in front of the makeup mirror, her eyes half closed, as if she was still immersed in the haziness of waking up in the morning.
In front of her, a young female makeup artist was holding tools and carefully applying makeup on her face, creating an exquisite look.
"Director Ma told me to make my skin tone darker. Time is a killer. In this scene, I have to play a housewife trapped in the daily necessities of life, a middle-aged woman with a yellow face."
Remembering the makeup requirements that the director had specifically told her yesterday, Yijie hurriedly gave instructions.
"Senior sister, you are naturally beautiful. To make you ugly is a test of my skills and it's quite tricky." The female makeup artist praised the beauty of the younger sister subtly.
On the side, Cai Yinong saw that Sister Yi was listless and asked with concern: "Didn't you get enough rest last night?"
Liu Shishi yawned: "I chatted with my husband a little late last night. I was about to go to bed, but everyone wished me a happy birthday on Weibo at 12 o'clock. It was already past 2 o'clock in the morning when I finished."
"Oh, look at my memory. Today is March 10th, your birthday! I was so busy negotiating with the TV station recently that I forgot your birthday."
Cai Yinong slapped his head and realized it belatedly. He secretly blamed himself for forgetting such an important day. He thought that he should quickly prepare a birthday present for Yijie.
Liu Shishi didn't care at all. She knew that Cai Yinong was really busy recently.
"Startling by Each Step" was a big hit, and I had to negotiate with the TV stations for the second and third rounds of broadcasting rights. At the same time, as the producer of "Charlotte's Troubles", I also had to worry about everything for the crew.
"The second and third rounds of broadcasting should be selling well. How much can the company of "Startling by Each Step" earn?" Liu Shishi asked casually with a hint of curiosity.
The makeup artist was styling up Yijie's messy hair while quietly eavesdropping.
Several people in the dressing room are members of the Yijie team and have signed confidentiality agreements. Cai Yinong was not shy and spoke frankly:
"The production cost of 'Startling by Each Step' was 50 million, and we later paid Tengda 30 million for publicity and promotion, so the total cost was 80 million.
The first round of copyright fees for each episode of Donghai TV is 5 million yuan, and the total copyright fee for 40 episodes is 200 million yuan. "
Cai Yinong was in high spirits, counting on his fingers, "With the subsequent broadcasts, as well as placement of advertisements, peripheral products, and revenue sharing from broadcast platforms, I can make tens of millions.
After deducting costs and taxes, a rough calculation shows that the show still made a profit of 200 million yuan.”
"So profitable!" Liu Shishi was a little surprised. She didn't expect that the movie "Startling by Each Step" would make a complete comeback for Tangren Film and Television, sweeping away the decline of the past few years.
"After all, 'Startling by Each Step' is a phenomenal hit that comes out only once every few years. It's hard to come by chance."
Cai Yinong sighed, then leaned closer to Sister Yi, and said mysteriously, "Shishi, there is another good news about "Startling by Each Step"!"
"Don't keep us in suspense, Sister K." There was a coquettish tone in Sister Yi's voice.
"South Korea wants to import the copyright of "Scarlet Heart", and this drama will be released overseas!"
"Really?!" Liu Shishi smiled happily upon hearing this, and she was looking forward to the drama becoming a big hit in the overseas market.
"Shishi, the crew is back on track now. I will be back to Donghai tomorrow. The company has a lot of things waiting for me to deal with, and "Startling by Each Step" has come to a glorious end. It's time for Tangren to start a new drama."
Cai Yinong said in a gentle voice, took out a document from his bag, lowered his head and glanced over it, "Before you leave, I'll tell you a few things."
Sister Yi nodded, indicating that Sister K would keep it in mind.
Cai Yinong ran his finger across the schedule and arranged it one by one: "On the 14th, you have to go back to Beiping to participate in the Weibo Night Internet Festival hosted by Tengda."
"I heard from my husband that this event seems to be quite lively and many celebrities have been invited."
Cai Yinong said with a serious expression: "Tengda attaches great importance to Weibo Night. This event will be held in a grand manner, and at least half of the celebrities in the entertainment industry will participate.
After all, Weibo is now the traffic powerhouse of the entertainment industry, and no star dares not to give face to Tengda. "
Liu Shishi looked at Sister K with her beautiful eyes and whispered softly, "Will my husband attend?"
Cai Yinong glared at his sister and snorted unhappily, "You and Mr. Song are a couple, and you ask me about his affairs?
But judging by the situation, he should participate in the Weibo campaign. It is said that Tengda has invited many bigwigs, all for Mr. Song’s sake, so he should go for both emotional and logical reasons.”
"Then I have to prepare well and not embarrass my husband."
"I'm telling you this so that you can take it seriously. This Weibo Night will be broadcast live online. It's so grand, and the scale is no less than the three major award ceremonies. There will be many stars and all the actresses will compete with each other for beauty.
Now that you are in the limelight, it is inevitable that some people will be jealous and take the opportunity to publish some exaggerated press releases to both step on you and suppress your popularity. "
Cai Yinong's reminder also made Liu Shishi alert. Nowadays, some celebrities use various tricks to hype themselves up, which makes it difficult to guard against:
"I have to prepare carefully and choose a dress that shows my temperament. I will trouble Liping and Xiaoya when the time comes."
The busy makeup artist Li Ping and the stylist Xiao Ya said in unison: "Senior Sister, leave it to us."
"This kind of fame and fortune occasion can best highlight the popularity and status of celebrities, so it is better to pay attention to it.
Although it is half your home court, with President Song here, you will definitely not suffer any loss, but there is no need to leave any excuses for the haters to attack you for no reason. "
"Don't worry, Miss K. I'm always very careful when I'm outside."
Cai Yinong nodded slightly, glanced at the schedule, and continued, "You need to ask for leave from the crew for three days at the end of the month to shoot a commercial for the brand."
Sister Yi said happily: "No problem."
With the huge success of "Startling by Each Step", Liu Shishi's popularity skyrocketed, and she became a top star. Her career took another step forward, and the company helped her to take on the endorsements of three brands: Baishantang, Evely Women's Wear, and Vichy.
"Shishi, I remembered something you mentioned last time. Didn't the president of Goldman Sachs say he wanted to introduce Bulgari to you as the spokesperson?"
"Sister K, you took the foreigner's polite words seriously."
Cai Yinong was greatly disappointed. Foreign luxury brands have always been very conservative and maintained a cool attitude towards cooperating with domestic celebrities.
In 2008, Huang Xiaoming was officially announced by Gucci as the first Asian spokesperson, marking a landmark event in the cooperation between the top luxury brand and domestic celebrities.
If the number one actress can get the endorsement of Bulgari, it will greatly improve her status and commercial value.
"Sister K, it is important to know yourself. Let's be realistic. I am very popular now, but there is still a certain gap between me and the four major actresses. Why would foreign luxury brands choose me?
Even if I use my connections to get a brand endorsement, it will be my husband's favor that is wasted. If the endorsement is not effective, it will embarrass everyone."
Liu Shishi persuaded Cai Yinong softly and had a fresh understanding of the current state of her career.
"Okay. I was delusional!" Cai Yinong sighed. He had to admit that although foreign luxury brands are gradually testing the waters and are willing to cooperate with mainland celebrities, they are still very cautious.
Liu Shishi showed a confident smile: "It's not a delusion. My husband said that the national economy has been developing rapidly in recent years, and major European and American luxury brands are developing the domestic market. It is a general trend to invite domestic celebrities to endorse products.
But foreigners are not stupid. It is impossible for them to endorse a brand right away. They need to gradually wait and see between becoming brand friends, brand ambassadors, regional endorsements and global endorsements.
But in general, given the size of the domestic market, those luxury brands will bow to the market.”
After a few more words, Cai Yinong prepared to leave and return to Donghai: "I'm on a flight at noon. I'll have Yuanyuan deliver your birthday present later. She's your executive agent, and she'll take care of your specific itinerary arrangements."
"Bon voyage, Miss K."
At the same time, on the streets of Bincheng, five top luxury cars sped towards the Wanda Hotel in the sunshine.
In one of the Mercedes-Benz cars, the famous sketch king Zhao Benshan smiled politely at the young man sitting next to him and said, "Mr. Song rarely comes to the Northeast, so I have to do my best to be a good host."
The other person in the back seat of the car was Song Ci. Today was Liu Shishi's birthday, and he took a private plane from Peiping to Bincheng early in the morning.
At this moment, the richest man was feeling emotional, secretly sighing that Zhao Benshan was indeed a local tyrant in the Northeast. He was well-informed and actually knew in advance that I was coming to Bincheng and was waiting for him at Jinzhou Bay Airport.
"You're welcome, Mr. Benshan! I'm curious how you knew I was coming to Bincheng."
When Zhao Benshan saw the richest man speaking so politely, his face broke into smiles.
After hearing what Song Ci said, fearing that he might misunderstand and think too much, she hurriedly explained: "It's really a coincidence. I just flew to Bincheng from another place. Before I even left the airport, I accidentally learned that Mr. Song was coming to the Northeast.
I have always admired Mr. Song's business talent, and since it is rare for you to come to Northeast China, I must meet you, so I have been waiting at the airport."
Song Ci nodded slightly, and his tense nerves immediately relaxed. He thought it was a coincidence. Otherwise, it would be really worrying if someone was watching his whereabouts.
After the two of them exchanged a few polite words, Zhao Benshan cautiously probed: "Excuse me, is Mr. Song coming to Bincheng on business this time?"
"It's a private matter. Today is my wife's birthday. She is filming here, so I came here to celebrate her birthday." When talking about Liu Shishi, a gentle and doting smile appeared on Song Ci's face, which warmed people's hearts.
"Today is Master Liu's birthday, so I have to prepare a small gift for her."
"Do you know my wife?" Song Ci was stunned for a moment, then reacted and waved his hand quickly: "You are too polite, no need to spend money."
Zhao Benshan smiled warmly, exuding goodwill: "Your Madam and I met on the set of The Founding of a Great Power. Mr. Song, there is no need to refuse. This is my little token of my thoughts and blessings to the younger generation in the industry."
Zhao Benshan's kindness was hard to refuse, so Song Ci could only accept it on behalf of his wife.
When the convoy arrived at the Wandi Hotel, Song Ci wanted to go straight to the crew of "Charlotte's Troubles" after completing the check-in procedures. However, when the local government leaders heard that the richest man was here, they hurried to visit him, which made him unable to get away for a while.
On the crew side, Liu Shishi finished her makeup and as soon as she left the dressing room, she met Hu Ge, Yang Mi and others who were holding flowers.
"Master, happy birthday to you."
"Shishi, I wish you will always be young and beautiful."
"Thank you Lao Hu, Mimi, and everyone." Sister Yi smiled as beautifully as a flower. She took the beautiful flowers from Hu Ge's hand and hugged Yang Mi again.
Although the two sisters had some unpleasantness due to the "Cai Yu dispute" some time ago, the performance of "Step by Step Surprise" was better than "Palace", so Liu Shishi generously revealed the matter. Although the two have not completely reconciled, the tense atmosphere has dissipated.
"Senior Sister, please go to the rest shed and take a look." At this time, assistant Lin Xia ran over breathlessly.
"What's wrong?"
Lin Xia took a deep breath, tried to calm her breathing, and answered with a slight wheeze: "Several waves of people came to give gifts. And there were also many of your fans outside the crew."
Liu Shishi's beautiful eyes flickered, and she suddenly remembered the surprise her husband had mentioned last night, and she began to look forward to it: "Who sent this gift?"
"Sister, you should go and see it yourself."
Liu Shishi smiled sweetly, her heart full of joy, and she couldn't wait to sign for her husband's surprise.
Several other members of the crew also wanted to join in the fun, so they followed Sister Yi's footsteps.
When we arrived at the rest shed, we could see that the originally empty space was now filled with gifts, flowers, birthday cakes, and some novel gadgets.
Yijie flipped through the greeting cards one by one, looking for the gift sent by Song Ci.
"Nie Yuan, it's not! Yu Bo, it's not either! Sicong's, it's not either. Hey, Teacher Zhao Benshan also gave me a gift!"
Liu Shishi was holding a beautiful gift and was confused when she saw the message on the greeting card, as she had no relationship with the sketch king Zhao Benshan.
After searching hard, she didn't find her husband's gift. She pursed her lips, looking a little unhappy.
Jiang Yuanyuan, who had been receiving gifts in the rest shed, understood Yijie's thoughts and came forward to whisper a few words in her ear.
"Really! He came to Bincheng?" Upon hearing this, Liu Shishi's eyes lit up and she immediately smiled with surprise on her face.
Jiang Yuanyuan nodded vigorously: "Mr. Song is busy right now, so you have to go to the hotel to find him."
"It's okay, I'll ask for leave from the director right away. It's a pity that my makeup has been ruined." Liu Shishi said it was a pity, but she had already taken a step and hurriedly went to find Ma Xin to ask for leave. Her thoughts had already flown to her husband.
Yi Jie and her assistant left the crew and prepared to rush to Wanda Hotel, when they found dozens of fans holding glow sticks, crowding outside the iron fence.
Unable to bear the kindness of the little lions, Liu Shishi got out of the car to interact with the fans and took photos with them. She took a lot of effort to comfort the fans before setting off again.
At night, in the luxurious guest room of Wanda Hotel, Song Ci holds a guitar and softly sings the most classic love song:
"The most romantic thing I can think of is to grow old with you, until we are too old to go anywhere, and I will still treat you as the treasure in my hand."
Liu Shishi supported her chin, her eyes as clear as water, and gazed at Song Ci gently. The bright moonlight outside the window sprinkled on her body, covering her with a hazy halo, which was beautiful and heart-warming.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com