Then, in a single day, these videos garnered over ten million views online!
Everyone was wondering: Who exactly was Jenny kneeling to? Who was she thanking? And who could make Jenny, who was at the peak of her career, kneel down on stage in front of tens of thousands of people?
Then, the media cautiously provided their answers.
These people were malicious; they deliberately avoided answering the questions directly. Instead, most used ambiguous language, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally describing: a film mogul returning from America, with deep connections in Hollywood; Mr. Chen Yang, a Hollywood upstart with super popularity in America, personally attending Jenny's first concert that night; and... accompanied by executives from Deep Blue Entertainment, in the VIP box of the stadium!
(Note: The location of the private room was exactly the direction Jenny was facing when she knelt down.)
The following text includes a considerable amount of my personal information. Of course, even American media dare not mention my underworld background, and domestic media know very little about it. It's mostly stuff that people already know: the famous hostage crisis, how many Hollywood tycoons and stars I rescued, the film company's first movie having superstars like James Cameron and Spielberg supporting it, countless other big names attending, the film's box office success, and the company's soaring performance… including the global box office hit of the adapted film, *The Great Heist*. I earned at least two hundred million US dollars.
Then, he subtly pointed out that I am now worth several hundred million dollars.
Of course, these media outlets also maliciously pointed out that Chen Yang was already married, and that his wedding had caused quite a stir...
Also, when I first came back, I was interviewed by a TV station, and I casually mentioned that I had only heard of Jenny in the domestic entertainment industry, and that I personally admired her... It was just a polite remark at the time, but now it's being used as an argument.
The conclusion is that it is obvious that there seems to be some "ambiguous" relationship between Chen Yang and Jenny.
As for how to be ambiguous...
Damn, a beautiful female celebrity who suddenly rose to fame within two or three years getting involved with a super-rich tycoon who returned from abroad—it boils down to two words:
Sugar daddy/sugar baby!
How did you become famous? A big boss lavished money on you and made you famous!
Especially since I've been married before! I've even heard that some tabloids are planning to make a big fuss about this and are going to send people to Vancouver to interview my wife! Or maybe they think that if they can interview my wife after this kind of scandalous news comes out, then the news will definitely be very sensational, right?
Damn it! Go to Vancouver? What the hell! If those bastards really dare to send people to Vancouver to harass Yan Di, I'll have them all thrown into the ocean and made to swim back!
This was the first time I suffered a small setback at the hands of the media. Actually, although I've dealt with the media a lot in the US... the American media has always been very polite to me, even quite preferential.
Very few media outlets bother me or try to make trouble for me.
Because of that hostage incident I did, the entire American entertainment industry, and even the media industry, felt they owed me a huge favor! Moreover, many of the people I rescued were media company owners! Since those owners owed me a life-saving grace, how could their media outlets possibly speak ill of me?
I threw the newspaper down hard, then sneered, "Hmph! You want to play with me? Fine, I'll play along!"
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter Fifty-Six: She's from Vietnam
At first, this incident infuriated me. Even in the US, where media freedom is rampant, I've never been targeted like this by the media. Yet, after returning to China, I'm being unfairly accused like this…
Damn, being kept by a sugar daddy?
At first, I was quite defiant and was ready to call a lawyer to sue those newspapers.
However, when Ning Yan found out, she immediately made me give up on that idea.
“Xiao Wu, it seems you’ve gotten too used to living abroad. You’re actually thinking of hiring a lawyer to sue the media when you come back…” She smiled wryly: “You have no idea how powerful the domestic media can be.”
I retorted, "What's wrong with the media? The media is the mouthpiece of the state! Why can they spout such nonsense?"
Ning Yan laughed: "Sue? How would you sue? In foreign countries, newspapers are privately owned businesses and industries. But in China, these newspapers aren't privately owned!" She casually picked up a few newspapers from the table and laughed: "Look at these XX Evening News, XX Daily, XX Express. Are you going to sue them? Let me tell you, these newspapers all belong to the XX Newspaper Group! What's the background of the XX Newspaper Group? Let me tell you, almost all newspaper groups in the country were transformed from local news agencies after the national industrial restructuring. In other words... these so-called newspaper companies were originally similar to state institutions!" She looked at me with a half-smile: "How would you sue?"
I see.
I'm not stupid. Ning Yan's words made me realize where I went wrong. In China, newspapers belong to the state (although they now claim to be companies, companies still belong to the state!). On this land, you think you can sue an official agency?
Hehe...hehe...at least I've never heard of a case where someone won such a lawsuit.
Ning Yan opened a newspaper. Pointing to the large color pictures and text, she laughed, "And these things too, did you see them? Actually, this text is pretty much the same as what's circulating online. Even if you sue, they'll just push it away, saying they were just reposting online text. The responsibility for reposting is very light; at most, they'll say something like, 'It was a work mistake, be more careful next time.' What can you do to them? Besides, in China, the newspaper industry is a very strange industry. Take Nanjing, for example, you and I are both from Nanjing. Several famous newspapers in Nanjing actually belong to the same newspaper group... This is unthinkable abroad! Because it's like one newspaper group monopolizes the newspaper industry in a region! And the so-called competition between several newspapers is actually just their own left hand fighting their own right hand. No matter who wins, they make money... But there's one condition! If you dare to sue one of the newspapers, you're essentially offending the entire newspaper group! You're essentially offending all the newspapers in that region! Do you think the media will speak well of you after that?"
"Damn it!" I couldn't help but yell, "Does this mean that in China, these media outlets are like tigers' backsides—untouchable?"
"Hehe, she has an imperial sword protecting her, you can't hit her, you can't throw her, you can't even show her a bad attitude!" Ning Yan seemed to have become more and more shrewd over the years, laughing, "Let me give you an example: You should know that in China, almost all public opinion says bad things about Zhang Ziyi, saying how bad she is. Low character, arrogant, and so on... But think about it carefully, putting aside whether this woman is good or bad, there's one thing: you and I don't know her, ordinary people don't know her, we're not familiar with her, so why do people keep saying bad things about her? It seems to have become a consensus; when Zhang Ziyi is mentioned, it seems most people dislike her. In fact, no one knows her at all, no one has ever interacted with her. Whether this woman is kind or evil, hypocritical or sincere, good or bad at heart... who knows? Even if you see her every day, even if you've known her for over ten years, you still can't see into someone's heart! But the whole country has never interacted with Zhang Ziyi, so why do they all criticize her?"
I remained silent.
Ning Yan smiled, looked at me, and slowly said, "The reason is simple. Back then, she offended the media. Almost all the media outlets said 'Zhang Ziyi is bad.' The media told the whole country 'Zhang Ziyi is bad,' and then... what happened next was predictable. Those who criticized her acting were wrong; although her acting wasn't great, it wasn't as bad as they made it out to be. As for her role in 'The Geisha Chronicle,' you and I both know that so-called geisha aren't actually prostitutes. It's just that the name contains the word 'prostitute,' so everyone said she was playing a Japanese prostitute... In reality, a geisha is simply a type of performer in Japanese culture. If..." "If you insist on comparisons, it's similar to the profession of Peking Opera actors in ancient China. As for her attending some award ceremony and saying her English was so bad she embarrassed the Chinese people... that's even more ridiculous... How many of these Chinese actors are good at English? Anyway, once you offend the media, don't expect them to say anything good about you! Any tiny flaw of yours will be magnified infinitely, turning nothing into something, white into black!" She looked at me, seemingly somewhat disdainful: "As for the masses... hehe, what do you think the masses are? The masses know nothing; they believe whatever the media and public opinion tell them. The masses? As for the internet..."
"Hmm, isn't the internet supposed to be free?" I asked curiously.
"Hahaha..." Ning Yan laughed: "Internet freedom is relative, and in China... internet freedom is also limited. You'll notice that many news articles in newspapers are very similar to those online. Do you know why? It's simple: because those trending news stories online, those heavily hyped topics, are actually written by media personnel, fabricated by hired guns! Okay, you say freedom, but that's relative. Let me give you an example... For instance, you want to post a message, so you go online to post it. But similarly, other hired guns also post messages online, but you're just an ordinary netizen with no connections. What you post..." Things posted online will quickly be swallowed up by the overwhelming flood of information online… You know, we live in an age of information overload! But those paid promoters, with the help of website administrators to hype things up, their posts can be featured on the homepage, placed in the most prominent position, so that the most people can see them, click on them, and then… they quickly become trending topics! And you, yes, that's right, you can post whatever you want, you can write whatever you want… but the problem is… if you post or write something, someone has to see it, right? A slightly larger website has tens of millions of page views every day! In that kind of traffic, anything you post will be instantly drowned in the tide…
Looking at me without speaking, Ning Yan said calmly, "What I'm saying is mild! Let me tell you, if they really wanted to ruin you, even if you tried to use online resources to promote yourself, I guarantee you would find that you would be powerless online! Why? Because although the internet is free, websites are still run by people, right? Most large websites need to be legally established and are subject to the supervision of the State Administration of Press and Publication, and are subject to official oversight. When that happens, what you post will be deleted immediately. Those messages that are unfavorable to you will be deliberately placed in prominent positions for dissemination... You can imagine what the result will be."
I took a deep breath and then laughed: "Luckily, you told me all this, otherwise I probably would have stirred up a hornet's nest."
"Actually, many of the so-called news articles on major websites these days... are actually written by media people... If you understand this industry, you'll know that," Ning Yan said with a smile. "After all, I've been in this industry for so many years. For example, some of the major portal websites in China actually control most of the online discussion. But do you know? Most of the people who write those headline news articles on these websites are actually 'part-time' staff from the news media. They're what you call ghostwriters. You'll find that a lot of news on the internet is almost exactly the same as what you read in the newspaper. Even if there are occasional minor differences, the tone and style of the writing are just like news reports from a regular newspaper."
"So, according to you? How should we deal with the media?" I laughed and said, "How about this, Ning Yan, let's not beat around the bush. Just tell me directly, how did you deal with the media in the past?"
"Simple, polite, and small favors." Ning Yan covered her mouth and laughed, "Actually, we're in the entertainment industry after all. In the media, the government controls the public opinion on major national and people's livelihood issues the most strictly. There aren't many restrictions on entertainment matters. So, whether the entertainment section of the newspaper praises you or criticizes you depends entirely on the pens of those reporters! If you're cold to them, they'll write bad things about you. If you're nice to them, they'll write good things about you. Of course, there are some who deliberately nitpick, but they're the minority."
"So polite, such a small favor?" My eyes lit up.
“Yes,” Ning Yan smiled. “What do reporters rely on to make a living? News. If there’s no news, they have to find it! If there’s news, they have something to write about. The more sensational the news, the more they benefit. Besides, these newspapers, these media outlets, these platforms belong to the state. But reporters are still human, right? Reporters also need to eat, they also need to get paid for their articles to live on. Have you noticed that at many press conferences, the organizers prepare a lot of small souvenirs, like pens or commemorative albums, etc., just small gifts, to make these ‘uncrowned kings’ go easy on them when they write their articles. Of course, there are also many people who pay to bribe some reporters to praise them.” She lowered her head and thought for a moment. “Now that I think about it, this time it’s not really aimed at Jenny. After all, our Deep Blue Entertainment Company has always had a good relationship with the media, and we’ve always done things according to the rules of the industry. Logically speaking, these media shouldn’t treat us like this. So, I think it’s mostly aimed at you.”
“Me?” I frowned. “I just got back, and I haven’t offended these media outlets, have I?”
“Of course you didn’t offend anyone,” Ning Yan said. “But the problem is… you just got back!” She continued, “Actually, in the domestic media circles, the rules for dealing with the media are fixed, and everyone follows them. But because everyone is the same, who do these media outlets say bad things about and who do they say good things about? After all, there are only a few people who don’t have good relations with the media. Readers get tired of all the back-and-forth insults and always need new topics. But everyone else just obediently follows the rules, so these guys can’t find anything to criticize. News always needs new topics. Now it’s much better…” "You're back... You're a big shot in America right now. A prime news topic! Most importantly... you have absolutely no connections back home! If it were us, we used to have a pretty good relationship with the media, and they wouldn't dare mess with us, otherwise they'd be breaking the rules! But you're different. You have no connection with them, no family ties whatsoever. Whether they praise you or criticize you, it's all up to them. In short, you have no personal relationship with them! They've finally found a topic of interest in you, so of course they'll hype it up!"
I slowly took a sip of tea, thought carefully for a while, then looked up at Ning Yan: "I understand... Hehe, I understand what you mean. Hmm... I can't afford to offend those newspaper groups. But those reporters are still human beings. Humans need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. They need to eat and wear clothes. They have emotions and desires. Right?"
The next day, I immediately held a press conference.
Given Deep Blue Entertainment's existing connections in the media industry, and the fact that I am currently a controversial figure, this press conference immediately attracted numerous media outlets.
Before the press conference even started, I made my first move. Every journalist present today received a small souvenir.
A set of old-fashioned optical mouse and keyboard, each worth 300 yuan. I spent tens of thousands of yuan preparing several hundred sets, and gave one to every reporter who came to the press conference.
A mouse and keyboard set doesn't cost much, but the problem is... these reporters, when they go back to write their articles, they still need to use a computer, right? They still need to type on a keyboard and click with a mouse, right?
The gift set I gave is uniquely designed and quite high-end; I believe many people will be willing to install and use it immediately after they get home.
The problem is... people are all made of flesh and blood, and they can tell good from bad in their interactions with others. These reporters are using the mouse and keyboard I gave them to write news articles. I simply don't believe they'd have the nerve to use the keyboard I gave them to type out articles and criticize me.
As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him," hehe!
Of course, there are those who betray you, taking your gifts and then turning around to call you a bastard. But such low-character, despicable people are, after all, a very small minority.
If even half of the hundreds of journalists who attended this press conference go back and, while writing their articles using the keyboard I gave them, remember my kindness and show leniency in their writing, then my tens of thousands of dollars will have been absolutely worthwhile!
Jenny was absent from the press conference; I attended with Fang Nan and Ning Yan. At the conference, I announced that I had officially acquired Deep Blue Entertainment, and the company had officially changed hands. The total investment was approximately 250 million RMB.
This news is explosive enough!
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
Everyone knows I'm very wealthy. It's not surprising that I spent over 200 million to buy a company. But the point is, my sudden acquisition of a top-tier domestic entertainment company with such a huge sum of money carries special significance.
Fundamentally, in the eyes of the domestic media, I am actually a relatively simple person.
I'm involved in organized crime abroad, which the domestic media is unaware of, and even the American media doesn't mention it. I'm also involved in smuggling, which these reporters are naturally unaware of. They don't even pay much attention to the legitimate investment and international trade businesses that my Huaxing Company engages in.
Because essentially, these reporters are "entertainment reporters"! And in their eyes, my most important identity is: a Hollywood movie mogul!
I own a very successful film company that has just produced a blockbuster film, and I also have close ties and extensive connections in Hollywood's high society.
In their eyes, I am a giant in the entertainment industry!
Now that I've returned to China and bought a top-tier domestic entertainment company, does this mean I've officially entered the domestic entertainment industry?
The entire room erupted. The reporters below were thrown into chaos, bombarding the room with questions. The company's professional emcee quickly regained control and announced the start of the question-and-answer session. The question-and-answer period was ten minutes.
"Mr. Chen Yang, is your investment in this entertainment company a move to enter the domestic entertainment industry? What will your next step be? Will you invest in movies?"
This is the topic that everyone is most interested in, after all, he is the owner of a Hollywood film company!
"Mr. Chen Yang, you own a film company in Hollywood, which means you have a very advantageous platform. Are you planning to invest in filming movies in China? Will you invite the stars currently under Deep Blue Entertainment to act in Hollywood movies?"
"Would you invest in producing a truly commercial blockbuster in China? Or apply Hollywood filmmaking techniques to the domestic film industry?"
"Would you like to collaborate with directors from mainland China? For example, Zhang Yimou or Chen Kaige? Which director do you think has the most potential? Is it Feng Xiaogang?"
Will Jenny be the lead actress in your next film investment? Will you take her to Hollywood?
I sat on the stage and smiled, “Since I’ve invested in this industry, I’ll naturally be committed to making this company successful. As for your questions about whether I’ll collaborate with my American film company… I want to say that I have this platform, so I certainly won’t fail to utilize it… Communication is a given. However, I can’t reveal the specific plans at the moment. But what I can say for sure is that future development will definitely be a two-way exchange. I will use the resources at my disposal to help the outstanding personnel under Deep Blue Company develop in Hollywood, and I will also introduce all the models of the American entertainment industry. You can all wait and see.”
I paused for a moment, then smiled slightly. I revealed a little: "What I can disclose at the moment is that we've made a preliminary plan for Jenny, one of our current artists. We've hired Ms. Swan, a very famous stage director in the West, to be Jenny's mentor. You might not be familiar with Ms. Swan yet, but she was Madonna and Britney Spears's go-to stage director, and she's a highly sought-after talent by major talent agencies in the US. I believe that having this outstanding person join us will be a great help to all the artists under our management in the future."
After a pause, I smiled and said, "Of course. I also have some other considerations, such as inviting my personal friend, Mr. James Cameron, to help the company's artists shoot a music video. It shouldn't be too difficult."
I made a last-minute call to Tyrant last night about this, and he readily agreed. After all, Tyrant had been struggling in America for two years before making a comeback with my film, "The Great Heist." He owes me a favor. For him, agreeing to help me produce a music video was just a matter of sacrificing a few days of his vacation.
These two pieces of news were like bombshells!
He's hailed as the go-to stage manager for pop icon Madonna and Britney Spears? Everyone knows his stature.
As for... James Cameron directing the music video... wow, an Oscar-caliber director directing a music video, that's practically the first time in China!
Zhang Ximou made a huge splash when he filmed an ad for a domestic website! If he were to actually bring a tyrant here... the effect would be even more explosive!
One sensational story after another was thrown out, and the reporters were all incredibly excited—of course, they'd have some big scoops to write about tonight!
Of course, there are idiots too. In this situation, there was one guy who stupidly asked a question: "Mr. Chen Yang, regarding your attendance at Jenny's concert, there are rumors that you and she have some personal relationship... Um, did you suddenly invest in Deep Blue Entertainment this time, perhaps as a lavish purchase for a lover?"
...
The entire room fell silent.
This idiot was still gloating over his question when he suddenly realized that almost all his colleagues were looking at him like he was a fool.
The look in his eyes meant: Is this guy an idiot?
Spending a fortune for a beautiful woman? How can someone say such nonsense?
joke!
That's right, there are indeed many wealthy people willing to spend a lot of money to support female celebrities, and there are also some rich guys willing to spend a lot of money to promote the women they like to become celebrities.
But the problem is... even rich people aren't fools! Spending a few million or tens of millions is already considered a super big spender!
But... spending 250 million to buy a company just to sleep with a female celebrity?
Do you really think rich people are idiots? Do you think rich people's money falls from the sky?
Everyone knows I'm not some spoiled rich kid. My current wealth and status are the result of my own hard work! Of course, someone who can start from scratch and get to where they are today can't be an idiot!
If I were really the kind of guy who would spend over 200 million to play around with a woman... then someone with such an idiotic mind wouldn't be able to amass such a fortune!
Soon, the reporter who asked that idiotic question was ignored by everyone.