After a couple of drinks, the rhythm gradually changed, and everyone started clinking glasses.
Liu Shishi picked up the wine bottle and toasted each of the older brothers, sisters, uncles, and elders. "My Own Swordsman," her first film crew, brought her much joy during the six months of filming. She was deeply grateful to those who had taken such good care of her.
"Sister Yan Ni, thank you for taking care of me for so long. You not only taught me how to act, but also played with me and slept with me. I am really grateful."
Yan Ni patted Liu Shishi's little head: "How can I not love such a cute child?"
The two drank a toast.
"Big Mouth Brother, oh no, Brother Jiang Chao, thank you for making so many delicious things for me, and for taking me shopping, to the amusement park, and buying snacks."
Jiang Chao smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. Girl, come visit me if you need anything, and call me when you miss me. We're both in Beijing, so we can get together anytime."
Sha Yi nodded: "Yes, we can get together anytime. When we leave, we should leave our phone numbers so we can find each other again."
Everyone ate, drank, played games, and made merry until after 10 p.m.
Before parting, Shen Fang asked Liu Shishi to pass on a message to Sha Yi, Jiang Chao, Yingtao, and Yan Ni.
"Brother Shen Fang said that he would like to invite you all to Longteng Media tomorrow. He has a project he wants to collaborate on with you."
The four exchanged a glance and nodded.
......
The next day at dawn, Sha Yi, Jiang Chao, Yingtao, and Yan Ni arrived at the entrance of Longteng Media.
Jiang Chao scratched the back of his head: "Guys, I think our chance has come."
Upon hearing this, Sha Yi clapped his hands and said, "That's what I think too."
Yan Ni and Cherry were a little confused.
"What?"
Jiang Chao smiled and said, "Although we all drank a bit too much last night, I wasn't drunk. President Chen secretly asked Shi Shi to pass on a message to us, saying that there's a project collaboration. I think it's probably not that simple. There's a high probability that they want to sign us. In other words, we've been chosen."
Yan Ni asked innocently, "Then why didn't you just say so?"
Sha Yi looked at the silly older sister speechlessly: "Damn, sister, we had so many people with us last night. If we sign with us but not with them, they'll definitely be unhappy. That's what makes President Shen so clever—he doesn't offend anyone."
"Well, I think we'll find out the result once we go in, so we don't get our hopes up for nothing. And don't forget, we're all employed," Cherry said, her mind clear as day.
Yan Ni nodded: "Exactly, we'll know the result as soon as we go in."
The group entered the gates of Longteng.
Rose, the receptionist, smiled at the four people: "Are you Mr. Jiang Chao, Mr. Sha Yi, Ms. Yan Ni, and Ms. Cherry? I'm the receptionist here, you can also call me Rose."
The four of them exchanged glances; they were waiting for us.
Yan Ni nodded: "Hello, it was President Shen who invited us here."
"Please wait a moment."
Rose dialed the landline: "President Chang, they've arrived."
"Please, let them in."
After hanging up the phone, Rose smiled and made an inviting gesture in front of the four of them.
"plz follow me."
Rose led the four people into the interior of Longteng Media, introducing the company as they walked.
"This is our public relations department, and over there are our screenwriting, makeup, talent agency, project planning, design, advertising, post-production, and technical departments..."
The four of them were like country bumpkins visiting a grand garden. Longteng now had nearly 800 employees. It could be said to be a very large media company, and this was in 2004. The media industry at that time was still in its infancy, just figuring things out, with few established players.
Jiang Chao, Sha Yi, Yan Ni, and Yingtao had never seen anything like this before. It was absolutely amazing and incredibly professional.
Rose knocked on the door of the director of Longteng's brokerage office.
Knock knock knock.
"Enter."
Rose opened the door.
Chang Lihong stood up and smiled, "We've been waiting for you. Please have a seat, and Rose will go pour you a few cups of coffee."
Rose pouted: "Mr. Chang, where is your secretary? Why do I always have to pour things for you? This isn't my job."
Chang Lihong rolled her eyes: "Little Rose, if you weren't our company's number one employee, I would definitely fire you. Go now."
Rose chuckled, "I was just kidding, just kidding. You're so kind. Remember to tell President Zhong about my contribution and give me a raise!"
After saying that, he quickly made his escape, thinking that his little prank was over.
Chang Jihong said apologetically, "This girl likes to joke around a bit, and she's also the first employee that our CEO Chen hired. I'm sorry, everyone."
The four of them quickly shook their heads: "They're very professional. We've never seen anything so professional before. They're just like those multinational corporations on TV."
A moment later, Rose brought in the coffee.
Chang Lihong picked up her coffee and took a sip.
"President Shen called you over because he wants to sign you up to join our Longteng Media."
Sha Yi and Jiang Chao exchanged a glance, realizing they had guessed correctly.
“I know a few of you who are all from the Air Force Political Department and are cultural workers with official positions. But things are different now. In the 1980s and 1990s, a secure job was highly valued. Now, with the privatization of media and the entry of various private media companies, the field is becoming increasingly competitive. Even though you are deeply involved in the cultural troupe, you must have felt it.”
"The iron rice bowl will become less and less desirable in the future. The money earned from just one TV series, 'My Own Swordsman,' is more than you could earn in your original workplace in your entire lives. This is the change brought about by market openness and market boom."
"I think you all understand what I mean."
The four exchanged a glance.
Yan Ni spoke up: "We've felt all of this this year. To be honest, fame and fortune came too suddenly, and we're a little dizzy."
Sha Yi, Jiang Chao, and Yingtao chimed in, echoing their sentiments. They had previously only filmed productions for the performing arts troupe and had taken on outside projects, but they had never earned this much money or been this famous before.
Chang Lihong smiled and said, "These are all perfectly normal things. As the industry gets better and better, your pay, fame and influence will also increase, just like those big stars in Hong Kong and Taiwan."
Jiang Chao raised his hand: "I want to ask, with the signing of the contract, does that mean we have to withdraw from the performing arts troupe?"
Chang Lihong nodded: "Yes, of course, it would be best if you could persuade the leaders to keep your positions. After signing the contract, you will be part of Longteng and no longer part of the Human Resources Group. After all, you can't work for two companies at the same time."
Yan Ni looked at Chang Lihong and asked, "Can we take a look at the contract first?"
Chang Lihong smiled and said, "Of course."
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