Chapter 101 1/2

Before June 21st, almost everyone thought it was just an ordinary blockbuster movie.

Like the previous hits from Starlight Entertainment, it was expected to be entertaining, maintain high popularity for a long time, and allow a large audience to enjoy a visual and auditory feast.

Strangely, before the movie’s release, the management of major cinemas frequently visited Starlight Entertainment.

After the release date of “Player,” some movies attempting to compete at the box office, though unable to discover anything specific, quickly rescheduled.

Nobody wanted to be headstrong, especially considering that Starlight Entertainment had become an undisputed giant in the entertainment industry.

Anyone who was truly headstrong had already been knocked dead by them during the numerous previous blockbusters.

People swiftly rescheduled and slipped away, but then wondered:

“She made such a big fuss. Heard the investment is significant. Couldn’t she wait a bit longer and aim for the Spring Festival box office?” A producer named Lu felt unlucky. “After careful selection, we finally picked a time, but now, with this movie from Starlight, all our previous promotions have gone to waste.”

At a gathering, when Lu mentioned this, Huang, a CEO, said, “Movies, you know, are like this. Who could have expected that, earlier this year, Starlight wouldn’t make any big moves? Now, in just half a year, they’ve created a movie linked with gaming. What’s Chairman Sheng thinking? Suddenly becoming interested in esports and wanting to make an esports movie?”

Now, no one said Chairman Sheng lacked maturity just because she was young. Even if some had said that initially, seeing Starlight Entertainment quickly become a top-three company in the industry made everyone shut up.

In meetings of entertainment companies’ upper management, discussions about Sheng Quan changed from “young and energetic” and “sharp and aggressive” to “a young person with some skills,” “truly well-educated,” and “the Yangtze River’s rising tide.”

Now, Sheng Quan was being described as “calculated and profound.”

Although everyone knew that Sheng Quan rarely visited the company, sometimes attending events, when others praised her, she would smile and say that she had basically handed the company over to Gu Zhao and the management team. Starlight had developed so rapidly, and the credit mainly went to them.

However, considering that Starlight had become such a massive entity and the entire company still operated as her personal realm even in her absence, it suggested that she was not to be underestimated.

“So, Chairman Sheng, I don’t believe she was just whimsically deciding to make a gaming movie for fun. Starlight has always been patient, but with the tight schedule for this movie, I bet she has some plan.”

While Lu was crying over his unfortunate investment in promotional expenses, his intelligence was still online. Even though he was reluctant to let go of the money already spent on promotion, he made a decisive move to leave quickly.

“However, considering the holographic theme, can they make it good in such a short time?”

Holographic gaming-themed movies were common in popcorn cinema, but due to the need for dazzling effects and the requirement for some big stars, the costs were much higher than other films.

Most viewers were attracted by the grand screen effects and various novel settings. Generally, these types of movies were more prevalent in Europe and the United States, with China producing very few. The last Chinese movie to incorporate holographic elements and achieve fame was “Interstellar War.”

“Of course, they can. Tianying is the designated special effects team for Starlight. I wanted to hire their company for special effects before, but they said all their special effects artists were fully booked.” Another CEO, Liu, commented, “They are probably rushing to finish the special effects for this movie.”

“Aren’t Starlight’s projects all so hot?” The person speaking had a face full of envy and jealousy that couldn’t be concealed. “Not only are they financially strong, but they also have a subsidiary like Tianying, renowned for special effects, at their disposal. Even the artists they sign are all top-notch. How could it not explode?”

“Yeah, this last-minute rushed movie is getting so much attention. And they haven’t even recouped the box office yet. I heard Starlight is preparing for another big production. I’m so envious I can’t even express it.”

“Another big production?”

The people who were initially engaged in casual conversation suddenly became attentive. They might have missed this round, but maybe they could catch the next one.

“Starlight is really wealthy.”

“They are liquid. With those previous hits, they must have made a fortune. And with that mechanical dog project, those dogs costing one or two million each are ridiculously expensive, but people are scrambling to buy them worldwide.”

Liu gestured with his right index finger, forming a number one. “I estimate that Starlight’s cash flow is definitely top-notch in our industry.”

“Envy is coming; envy is coming, hahaha.”

After everyone gathered and had a good time, when the banquet ended, each of them got into their own cars. Lu, who had withdrawn his film, was actively seeking sympathy during the meal. Once in his car, he immediately took out his phone and called Sheng Quan:

“Hey, Chairman Sheng, it’s me, Old Lu. Haha, nothing much, just wishing your new film a big success. You know I have some capabilities in publicity. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know.”

“Oh right, I heard Starlight is preparing for a big project. Our company just signed a new batch of…”

In the black luxury car behind, Liu, the CEO, also took out his phone, intending to call Sheng Quan to offer early congratulations. However, the call went through as “the other party is currently on another call.”

“Darn it! Who the heck went ahead of me?”

Liu didn’t need to guess; it must be the group he had just had dinner with.

Honestly, everyone was envious of Sheng Quan. But despite that, they all admitted that Sheng Quan was quite admirable. She didn’t eat alone; when she enjoyed success, she didn’t mind letting others have some soup.

Otherwise, why would there be sayings like “the first bird gets shot” or “when the wind blows, the grass bends”? Sheng Quan was riding high in popularity, yet she had remained peaceful until now.

Of course, having a dozen bodyguards around her also played a role.

He asked his secretary, “Do you know if Chairman Sheng has any public events coming up soon?”

The secretary, sitting in the passenger seat, immediately turned around. “Chairman Sheng is scheduled to attend the anniversary celebration at C University on the third of next month. Would you like me to arrange it?”

“Arrange it, and also prepare some information about our company’s new talents. I want to show Chairman Sheng.”

Although he didn’t graduate from C University and didn’t receive an invitation, going to C University for an anniversary celebration might sound a bit strange. But what did that matter?

“Check for any donation opportunities at C University. Chairman Sheng invested in students before, right? If possible, I’d like to contribute as well.”

The assistant reminded me, “Most of C University’s investment projects are related to scientific research and have substantial costs.”

“As long as it helps me get closer to Sheng Quan, any amount is worth it.”

Liu pressed down the car window, looking at the trailer for “Player” playing on the large screen outside the mall. “I have a hunch; this movie will definitely make a big splash.”

Many others had a similar hunch. Most of them had collaborated or competed with Starlight and knew each other to some extent.

Starlight, usually as stable as an old dog, suddenly accelerated the pace of making movies. Claiming it was just to capitalize on the global tournament’s popularity to promote the film and secure box office returns, no one believed it.

The investment Starlight made this time was too high. Even if the movie became a hit, the box office wouldn’t reach as high profits as people expected.

They all vaguely sensed that Sheng Quan was up to something.

But what exactly was she up to? Despite various analyses, no one could find any clues.

Some decided to step back and observe, while others, driven by intuition, wanted to make an effort and see if they could join Sheng Quan on the same boat.

Some CEOs even held meetings to discuss the unusual moves by Starlight Entertainment this time.

“No one can guess.”

Sheng Quan, with a slightly villainous smile, silenced her constantly ringing phone and said, “Even if I present the facts in front of them, no one will believe that holographic technology will truly appear in front of the public so quickly.”

“You don’t know how entertaining those holographic capsules are. Although the scenes we saw were just test images, they are incredibly addictive.”

Compared to Sheng Quan, who was chatting while having dinner, Gu Zhao, sitting opposite her, finished his last grain of rice with a meticulous demeanor, put down his chopsticks, and signaled the waiter to take away his bowl.

proficiently taking out a laptop and placing it on the dining table.

He turned the screen toward Sheng Quan. “This is the forecast for all the impacts of holographic technology on our company’s related business, and we’ve made sufficient preparations in all aspects.”

Even though she was used to it, Sheng Quan couldn’t help but cry and laugh at this rapid, one-stop transition.

“Weren’t we supposed to avoid talking about work during mealtime and just chat?” she complained.

Gu Zhao looked at the laptop in his hands. “I’ve finished eating.”

“No wonder you took eating so seriously just now.”

Understanding that he had misunderstood Sheng Quan’s meaning, Gu Zhao, with his long fingers, lifted the laptop and was about to close it.

Sheng Quan, however, reached out to stop him. “Give it to me. I want to take a look as well.”

Holographic technology wasn’t just for playing games; otherwise, when Ningzhou achieved results, Sheng Quan’s first reaction wouldn’t have been to contact the country.

Gu Zhao handed the laptop to Sheng Quan, and even someone who never paid much attention to others couldn’t help but praise him:

 “This is a technology that can change the world.”