pertwk Chapter 154 Fearless
Chapter 154 Fearless
As night deepened, the hustle and bustle of the Jinling Olympic Sports Center was gradually left behind by the car.
The black Rolls-Royce Phantom drove smoothly on the wide asphalt road.
In the back seat of the carriage, Zhang Xinyu carefully observed Li Feng's profile.
Although she was terrified by her boss's glare in the office just now, she knew from experience that serving a powerful person was like walking on thin ice that her boss had just been rid of the troubles at Huaxin Technology, so he must be in a great mood right now.
She picked up a glass of warm water and handed it to him, then, mustering her courage, broke the silence with a tone tinged with admiration:
"Boss, tonight's match was absolutely thrilling! Will that WE team be able to dominate like this and win the World Championship next year when they go to the S2 World Championship?"
Li Feng took the water glass, turned his head slightly, and looked at Zhang Xinyu with a meaningful expression.
Normally, he probably wouldn't even bother to explain.
But today, with the state-owned asset protection for the semiconductor industry in place, he was in a good mood. He also wanted to give a pointer to his chief secretary, who had been with him for several years but was still somewhat short-sighted in his business vision.
"Xinyu, you've been by my side for almost three years now, haven't you?"
Li Feng took a sip of warm water, his tone calm, "Why do you still see things in such a black-and-white way? Do you watch table tennis matches regularly?"
Zhang Xinyu was stunned for a moment.
She didn't understand why her boss suddenly steered the conversation from esports to unrelated traditional sports, but she honestly replied, "I watch the Olympics, but usually... I don't watch much."
"It's right not to look." Li Feng's eyes gleamed with a keen insight into human nature.
"Why is it that nobody watches it normally? Because Chinese table tennis is too strong, so strong that the outcome is predictable. A game that's always won can't keep viewers engaged for long."
"Similarly, if a team keeps losing like the Chinese national football team, until they're completely wiped out, then viewers will stop supporting them, and nobody will watch anymore."
"What's the best script? It's one where you keep losing, losing tragically, losing so badly you grit your teeth, leaving you burdened with the humiliation and expectations of 'fighting against foreign enemies'..."
"And then, in the deepest, most desperate valley, you win just once in a while!"
"The emotional value and the surge in online traffic that erupts at that moment are the most valuable things!"
Li Feng stopped there, closed his eyes and said nothing more, leaving the rest for Zhang Xinyu to figure out on her own.
Zhang Xinyu sat next to her, her mind racing.
No one watches if you keep winning... No one watches if you keep losing... The highest level of attention comes from losing first and then winning?
Suddenly, a light flashed in her eyes, as if she had been enlightened!
She got it!
The boss doesn't care about winning or losing in esports; he's talking about the "traffic code" of this business!
"Boss, I understand!"
Whether Team WE wins or loses at Worlds next year is completely unimportant! Whether the LPL region can win a world championship in its early years is also unimportant!
"As long as you create an invincible 'imaginary enemy' for the audience, and maximize nationalistic sentiment and competitive spirit, players will continue to follow the matches, buy merchandise, and support the teams! It's like a fan-training game that refines and purifies the fanbase!"
"Once we've had enough of the crushing defeats, once the hype has reached its peak, let's take another championship... The money and traffic we'll earn then will be ten times, a hundred times, more than we do now!"
Hearing Zhang Xinyu's quick application of the concept, Li Feng opened his eyes and looked at her with some surprise.
This woman has a pretty good understanding; with just a little guidance, she can see through the essence of business. She's much more quick-witted than those executives in the film and television department who only care about ratings.
"Not too stupid."
Li Feng withdrew his gaze and casually instructed, "Since you can still think straight, have the administration department register you for a top-tier MBA program tomorrow."
"You're now the president's special assistant at Haofeng Group, representing my reputation. Stop being so jealous and petty, and stop expecting me to teach you everything about business."
Hearing these words, which, though tinged with reprimand, were actually a sign of his trust and importance, Zhang Xinyu was overjoyed.
"Thank you, boss! Xinyu will definitely study hard and won't let you down!"
The fact that her boss is asking her to pursue an MBA means he's grooming her as a true confidante! That's far more valuable than rewarding her with a few designer handbags!
……
a few days later.
Inside a high-end, private Japanese restaurant in the heart of Nanjing, the ambiance is elegant, with the clear sound of flowing water emanating from the bamboo.
Inside a tatami room, Liu Yifei sat languidly in the main seat.
Across from her, Zhao Liying was holding her teacup somewhat awkwardly, appearing quite cautious.
Liu Yifei's gaze appeared casual, but he was actually observing the girl in front of him closely and discreetly.
This was the first time she had examined this rapidly rising star in the company so closely and carefully.
"She's basically a pretty, delicate girl from a modest family."
Liu Yifei silently gave his assessment in his heart.
Her round, chubby face and features are pleasing, but she's nowhere near as attractive as herself or Yang Mi.
Even compared to Tang Yan and Liu Shishi, her appearance is somewhat lackluster.
"It seems the boss has been eating too much fancy food lately and wants to try some simple congee and side dishes to change things up."
With this in mind, Liu Yifei lowered his guard.
With that kind of looks, the boss might pamper her for a year or two when she's new to him, but once that novelty wears off, it'll be absolutely impossible for him to shake her position.
Since there is no real threat, and the girl is currently gaining momentum, then this knife can naturally be used.
"Liying, you must have had a hard time filming these past few days," Liu Yifei said in a friendly tone, breaking the silence.
"It's not hard work, Sister Yifei. I'm already very content to have acting opportunities," Zhao Liying quickly put down her teacup, replying with a flattered expression.
Liu Yifei smiled and, without beating around the bush, threw out his chips.
"Old Han from the film and television department is preparing a major modern urban drama called 'Ode to Joy'."
Liu Yifei looked calmly at Zhao Liying. "I asked the boss for this role myself. It's an ensemble piece featuring five beautiful women. I cast Andy as the female lead."
"Bai Lu and Song Tie, whom I brought into the company myself, will play Qiu Yingying and Guan Juer."
At this point, Liu Yifei paused, looking at Zhao Liying's eyes, which suddenly lit up.
"There are two more outstanding characters left. One is the quirky and clever rich second-generation Qu Xiaoxiao, and the other is the vain but righteous Fan Shengmei."
"I think you're quite suitable for the role of Qu Xiaoxiao. As for Fan Shengmei... I heard you recently recommended an actress named Xin Zhilei to the company? Give her that role."
boom!
Zhao Liying's brain went blank!
Ode to Joy! A fully funded ensemble drama featuring five leading actresses, spearheaded by Liu Yifei!
This is tantamount to directly dragging her and Xin Zhilei, whom she had just won over, into Haofeng Film and Television's core top-tier resource circle!
But after the initial euphoria, Zhao Liying's clear-headedness, honed through years of hard work and struggle at the bottom, brought her back to her senses.
There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially not a free lunch personally handed to you by a fairy godmother.
"Sister Yifei..."
Zhao Liying didn't rush to express her gratitude: "This resource is too heavy. What... what do I need to give in return?"
Upon hearing Zhao Liying's straightforward question, a hint of admiration flashed in Liu Yifei's eyes.
This girl is indeed smart; it's so much easier to talk to smart people.
"You don't need to give anything in return." Liu Yifei picked up his teacup and stirred it gently.
"After 'Ode to Joy' finishes filming, it will be about three months later..."
"I will probably apply to the company for a long leave, and I will probably retire for one or two years."
"While I'm away from the company, you need to give it your all and compete with Yang Mi..."
"Don't let that woman have absolute power."
Retire for a year or two?!
Zhao Liying's eyes widened, and she almost stopped breathing!
At the peak of an actress's career, right after securing numerous top luxury brand endorsements, would she really retire for a year or two?!
For female celebrities who rely on their youth for a living, this is tantamount to ruining their future!
unless……
A flash of inspiration struck Zhao Liying!
A chilling guess popped into her head!
The boss is not short of money, and there is only one reason why a top female celebrity at the peak of her career would be willing to retire for a year or two!
"Sister Yifei...you...could it be that you...?"
Zhao Liying covered her mouth, staring in horror at Liu Yifei's still flat stomach, her voice trembling!
Liu Yifei neither admitted nor denied it; instead, a faint smile, a blend of maternal instinct and power, played on her lips as she quietly sipped her tea.
Seeing this reaction, Zhao Liying understood everything!
No wonder!
No wonder Liu Yifei is so calm and composed now, no wonder she is so dismissive of Yang Mi's attempts to win her over!
This is hardly an abandonment of the competition.
She's pregnant with a dragon's child!
If Liu Yifei really does conceive a child on his first try...
Then she's no longer Haofeng's number one sister!
This is clearly a meteoric rise to power, a move to secure the throne!
Faced with this overwhelming dominance, traffic and box office revenue are nothing but a fart!
No wonder they were so confident and dared to casually use top-tier resources like "Ode to Joy" as a favor!
Having figured this out, Zhao Liying no longer had any desire to compete with these top actresses.
This is not even in the same league as our opponent!
Without any hesitation.
Zhao Liying stood up, took half a step back, and bowed deeply to Liu Yifei.
"Sister Yifei, don't worry."
"As long as I, Zhao Liying, am still at Haofeng, Yang Mi will have to get past me if she wants to take the lead!"