bookbashuk Chapter 595 First Meeting with Director Li
Chapter 595 First Meeting with Director Li
"It's time for you to show your skills again, isn't it?"
As soon as I saw Fatty Lin's smug look, I knew he was up to no good.
Back when the Agricultural Association was in Hong Kong Island, they knew exactly how things worked in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.
It's not easy to learn to be good, but it's incredibly easy to learn to be bad.
In the Hong Kong Island entertainment circle, Wong Tai-shing's team building activities are the most famous.
Those in the industry know that Wong Tai-shing's team-building activities are never proper dinners or outings; they are the most extravagant and chaotic private gatherings in the entire Hong Kong entertainment circle.
Yacht clubs, villa parties, round table dances—there's nothing he can't do if you can imagine it.
The artists under his management, regardless of gender, are nothing more than his toys.
Having spent so many years in Hong Kong, Ng Zong may not have learned much else, but she mastered the art of controlling artists like Wong Tai-shing. However, she was far more cautious than Wong Tai-shing, since the mainland is not Hong Kong.
Huang Dacheng can act recklessly in Hong Kong Island because of his capital. He can auction off whoever he wants and deal with whoever he wants. The Agricultural Federation wouldn't dare to do that. If the team building goes wrong or causes a scandal, it will be difficult for her to get along in mainland China.
That's why she invited us over.
She was worried that someone in the bureau might go too far and cause a death, so she asked us to help keep things under control.
These kinds of private gatherings involve all sorts of activities, with drinking being the least noteworthy, such as using drugs to enhance the experience.
If we're having a good time, it's not impossible that we might try something fancy, like setting off fireworks.
No matter which one it is, going too far can easily lead to trouble.
It's not just Datang Film & Television that does this; other film and television companies do it too, such as Huayi.
Huayi specially built a clubhouse for team building and to entertain some investors and big spenders.
To get opportunities, the artists at Huayi Company used every trick in the book, doing anything to please investors and sponsors.
With the example set by those above, there are few good people in the circle.
An elderly person must make contributions if they want to maintain their position.
Newcomers who want to climb the ranks still have to make sacrifices.
That's how the social atmosphere is gradually ruined.
Things are better now; at least there's a bottom line.
A few years later, the entertainment industry had become so prosperous that every year a few unknown artists would get into trouble at these team-building events or high-end drinking parties.
Here, "accident" means that someone has died.
At first, the people in the police station were quite afraid, but as time went on, every time something happened, it was suppressed by capital, so they became less afraid and became more reckless, daring to do anything, which eventually led to a major crackdown.
Returning to the present, the farmer is quite shrewd.
She saw it clearly: these kinds of decadent gatherings, like team-building events, are the most likely to lead to accidents.
Therefore, she would rather spend millions to invite us over to keep things in order. As long as her team building activities go smoothly, she can make the money back sooner or later, and the money will ultimately come from the customers themselves.
Huang Dacheng uses team building activities to make his artists pledge allegiance and leaves behind video footage as leverage. Would the Farmers' Association do the same?
Definitely!
If the artists don't renew their contracts when they expire, these video materials alone will be enough to recoup the fees paid to us for hosting the event.
As for whether the artists will be exposed, there's no need to consider that at all. Artists aren't stupid. If they are exposed, Nong Zong will certainly be criticized, and the artists who are exposed will also be unable to work in the industry.
"It can't get any more chaotic, it can only get more chaotic!" Long Nier muttered.
"That's just how this industry is!" I said, gently squeezing Long Nier's hand.
"Ni'er, do you think this only happens in the entertainment industry?"
Fatty Lin scoffed and said, "It's the same in every circle. Take the finance industry, for example; it's incredibly chaotic, especially for women in finance. If you don't have connections and want to climb the ladder, you have to sell yourself!"
"Don't even mention those without connections; it's the same for those with connections. In the eyes of those big shots at the top, everyone else is prey!" I added.
"Alright, that's enough. I'm getting ready. It's four days. How much massage oil should I bring?" Fatty Lin didn't want to talk anymore and got up, swaying as he walked towards the treatment room.
"Virtue!"
I cursed, and this guy also wanted to take this opportunity to relax.
"Brother, what do you mean? Do you want to join in the fun like Fatty?" Long Ni'er's sinister voice rang out from my side, and her small hand quietly landed on my waist.
"No, I'm not that kind of person!" I immediately swore.
On the afternoon of the third day, we boarded a plane to Shanghai.
After getting off the plane, the General Manager of the Agricultural Company personally greeted him.
Besides Nong Zong, there was another man with her.
The man was around fifty years old, with a square face, wearing black-rimmed glasses, and sporting long, shoulder-length hair that was neither entirely black nor white. He had a strong artistic flair.
"Thirteen, Xiaolin, Nier, let me introduce you. This is Director Li Liguo, my partner!" Boss Nong introduced us.
"Hello, Director Li!"
We have heard of this Director Li. The TV series produced by Datang Film and Television are either directed by him personally or supervised by him.
It can be said that this person is the pillar of Datang Film and Television.
"Thirteen, Xiaolin, Nier, I've heard so much about the three of you!" Director Li said with a smile, shaking hands with us in a very friendly manner.
After the introductions, the three of us followed Nong Zong into the car.
"K-sister, why are you having a team-building event here?"
After getting on the bus, Fatty Lin asked curiously.
"We have to do team building activities now, otherwise the team will be harder to manage!"
General Manager Nong sighed and said, "This year is a crucial period of growth for Datang Film & Television. 'The Myth' is doing well, and 'A Step into the Heart' is in preparation for filming. All the artists in the company are at the peak of their careers, so we must get together and boost morale!"
"Sister K, given our relationship, there's no need to say anything to fool outsiders. I want to hear the truth!" Fatty Lin said with a smile.
Mr. Nong's face stiffened, and he fell silent.
Director Li glanced at General Nong, then at us, but didn't say anything.
Fatty Lin remained calm, looking at Boss Nong and waiting for her to speak.
Long Nier and I are in no hurry at all.
"Why!"
After about five seconds, Boss Nong sighed and said, "We're all on the same side, so I won't lie to you. This year is indeed a critical period for the company. It's not just that the TV series 'One Step to Scarlet Heart' is going to be filmed, but more importantly, Hu Ke's contract is about to expire!"
"Besides Hu Ke, no one in the company can currently shoulder the responsibility. Those newly signed ones are all cunning and manipulative!"
"Ma Shuangshuang is also wavering; she's started having strange thoughts too!"
"I want to use this team-building activity to stabilize morale, finalize the contract with Hu Ke, give Ma Shuangshuang a warning, and incidentally teach those newcomers a lesson!"
As expected, this team-building activity was indeed purposeful.
Hu Ke is the top player in the Tang Dynasty. If his contract renewal cannot be secured, the Tang Dynasty will suffer a huge loss.
Ma Shuangshuang, known as the "Queen of the Tang Dynasty" for her gentle and unassuming demeanor, also had a significant influence on the Tang Dynasty.