Urban All-Round Master

Chapter 1669: Chapter 1703: The Turncoat Zheng Zihuan

The movie was still showing, with excellent box office results and word-of-mouth. But as soon as Zheng Zihuan terminated the contract, Huayu Group got severely isolated.

He was made famous by the movie ”Deflation Era”, which is still showing, meaning he will continue to gain popularity.

If the movie is pulled now, it would be a huge loss for Huayu Group.

Upon learning about Zheng Zihuan’s contract termination and job-hopping news, everyone in Huayu Group was furious, and naturally, Lin Zifeng was no exception. When they initially signed Zheng Zihuan, he was just a minor side character. Liu Ruyan happened to see him once by chance, found his demeanor alright, barely acceptable. Thus, she chose him to audition on set, and this slick kid quickly blended in well on the set. Since Lin Zifeng wasn’t focused on the film aspect, he overlooked these troublemakers.

In response, Liu Ruyan immediately called Lin Zifeng to apologize profusely.

However, Lin Zifeng didn’t care. Since Huayu Group’s ”Deflation Era” made some unknown small stars famous, letting them leap high, then let them keep leaping.

As for Nangang Golden Star Entertainment Group, Lin Zifeng’s attitude was rather indifferent. Jinxing Entertainment Group has been in Nangang for decades and is considered a major film group. Then part of their industry was acquired by foreign parties.

No pressure for Lin Zifeng. At worst, Huayu Group could promote more big stars.

......

The ones most indignant for Huayu Group were Huahua and Tangtang. They usually had a decent relationship with Zheng Zihuan on set, not expecting him to be so shameless.

Got famous, gained popularity, then jumped ship. When he was just a side character, his daily wage was only eight bucks a day. After signing with Huayu Group again, his monthly salary reached ten thousand! Huayu Group treated him generously, a newly debuted minor actor, finally offered him a generous pay. Yet he didn’t appreciate it and played after-the-fact games, truly disheartening...

Indeed...

Huayu Group’s ”Deflation Era” maintained consistent online popularity. Shangguan Film Group began having numerous stars privately offering Huayu Group an olive branch via agents, hoping Huayu Group would approach them and sign them. Yet these second-rate, third-rate small stars forgot something.

In Huayu Group’s eyes, what are they but irrelevant? Second-rate, third-rate small stars expecting Huayu Group to ’actively’ approach them? What a joke.

Eventually, as time dragged on, artists from Shangguan, Nolan, Ouyang, and many other film groups proactively contacted Huayu Group’s cultural department, seeking collaboration.

Some even came initially flaunting their attitude and charm, expecting Huayu Group to surely take them, only to end up with nothing.

Huayu Group completely ignored them, yet stars of all ranks, first-tier giants, second-tier stars, third-tier small fry actively approached Huayu Group.

”Xixi, how many new artists have joined Huayu Group recently?” In the Huayu Group office, Lin Zifeng lightly tapped his fingers on the desk. Considering recent events, Huayu Group performed quite well.

”Including those already signed, about a thousand people. However, most of them are film actors, coming over after terminating contracts with other companies.”

Zhang Xixi counted the numbers.

”Hmm, since they broke contracts, who pays the penalty fees?” Lin Zifeng found it amusing. If those artists joined Huayu Group, they would inevitably terminate contracts with those companies, but Huayu Group certainly won’t be foolish enough to pay their penalties.

”Of course, they pay themselves. They wanted to switch to Huayu Group, nobody forced them.” Zhang Xixi smiled knowingly.

Those actors likely intended to leverage Huayu Group’s current influence to boost themselves.

”Aren’t those Family groups and small groups going to be utterly frustrated? Their affiliated artists all jumped ship collectively. Even if they don’t spit blood, they’ll surely lose a layer of skin.” Lin Zifeng laughed wryly.

This time, Huayu Group made such a fierce move in Yanjing, single-handedly promoting the three biggest stars of the year with one movie. Who wouldn’t flock over in days?

But who knew all this was because Lin Zifeng proposed distribution to several major internet platforms, influencing the decision to compete aggressively online. Lin Zifeng aimed for popularity, not profit, thus enduring losses to gain followers...

”Haha, wasn’t all this thanks to Lin Shao your foresight? Without your drastic proposal to those internet giants on distribution, they likely wouldn’t do this. Although the move seemed risky, even now we haven’t made any money, but we’ve gained popularity. Now all of Huaxia knows Huayu Group. Compared to those expensive ad fees, we’ve gained so much more.”

”Haha... This time, those Family groups are not crying hard enough. Xixi, don’t use any stars who’ve jumped ship for new films in Huayu Group. At most, let them play supporting roles. We’ll promote big stars; these people merely take advantage of chaos to shine. Once they become famous, they’ll turn into a second Zheng Zihuan.”

”Wi- Will they return to their original companies if we don’t promote them? Wouldn’t that affect Huayu Group?” Zhang Xixi didn’t quite understand Lin Zifeng’s intention.

These star figures tried hard to jump to Huayu Group. Even if they can’t earn Huayu Group much fame, at least they aren’t future opponents, right?

”Don’t worry, if these traitors return to their film companies, do you think those companies would dare take them back? For fickle individuals like these, no company would employ them again. Every artist is nurtured rigorously by the company, and if they can create stars, they can certainly nurture newer, fresher newcomers.”

Lin Zifeng leaned back slightly, resting against the leather chair, savoring the feeling of ruling the world.

The entertainment industry is this way, newcomers replace old faces. No matter how beautiful the leading ladies, they won’t escape time’s ravages. When someone younger and prettier arrives, they’ll inevitably be replaced.

In Huaxia’s entertainment scene, truly lasting figures, classic icons are hard to achieve!

Lin Zifeng wanted this effect, causing first, second, third-rate stars to clash with their companies, suffocating them in turn. Huayu Group signs one by one but won’t use them in new films! Ultimately, the biggest victims are these star actors...

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