Ding Yun's actions were viewed as reckless by many industry insiders, with some even suggesting she had more money than sense and was heading for bankruptcy.
However, regardless of outside commentary, Ding Yun proceeded with her plans methodically, advancing various projects.
She also maintained strict standards for these projects.
Lead actors had to fit their roles and be skilled performers, scripts needed to be polished and free of obvious flaws, and costumes, makeup, and props had to align with the plot, characters, and historical context.
As for variety shows, authenticity was paramount.
There was to be no haphazard editing or scripted content.
Essentially, she treated every project she initiated as her own artistic creation, meticulously refining it.
The entertainment industry, in reality, was not short of talented actors, capable directors, and skilled screenwriters. However, under the manipulation of capital, actors with good acting skills might not even qualify for lead roles, or even significant supporting roles. Capable screenwriters often couldn't implement their own ideas, with amateurs dictating script changes.
Directors might have to grudgingly follow investors' directives, and even fawn over the lead actors.
Given this, how could good works emerge?
Ding Yun couldn't control others, but she certainly wouldn't allow such situations to occur in the projects she funded. Therefore, she believed that even if her films and television dramas didn't align with current popular trends,
they wouldn't be too bad.
Their quality would definitely be up to par.
As long as the quality was acceptable and didn't attract criticism or damage her reputation, she could accept lower viewership ratings.
She preferred critical acclaim over box office success.
She'd rather be lauded for quality than be reviled despite immense profit.
This was because she still needed a high level of professionalism to improve her various talents and advance further.
…
Meanwhile, at Jinghe Entertainment Company.
In the CEO's office.
A comprehensive investigation report detailing Ding Yun's recent activities was neatly placed on the desk.
"Boss, I suspect she has a powerful patron.
And a very influential one at that.
Otherwise, where would she get so much money to invest in so many projects? More importantly, no matter how I investigate, I can't find out who her patron is. A patron whose background we can't uncover is likely someone we can't afford to offend!"
Li Hongying knew that the company's CEO, Ximen Jing, still held a grudge, which was why he tasked her with investigating Xu Siyan's information shortly after her comeback.
However, after she uncovered Ding Yun's massive financial transactions and couldn't trace their origin, she became concerned that Ding Yun had a patron with a very deep background.
Therefore, she was hesitant to continue offending her:
"Besides, two years have passed. Most of that anger should have subsided by now. Isn't it fine for us to stay out of each other's way? Why create an enemy out of nowhere?"
"How can you call it staying out of each other's way?
Do you know how much loss that bitch brought to our company? We paid over sixty million in fines alone, not to mention nearly a hundred million in back taxes.
Furthermore, our artists have been frequently jumping ship in the past two years.
The HR department is finding it extremely difficult to recruit new trainees.
Do you dare say it has nothing to do with that bitch?"
Ximen Jing spoke these words almost through gritted teeth. Sometimes, it was like this: once the revenge was exacted and the anger vented, it was over. But back then, he thought Ding Yun had retired and couldn't do anything against her, so the anger festered.
Coupled with the company's poor performance in recent years,
it was unbearable.
Thinking about it only made him angrier, leading him to lash out:
"Ban her, ban her! Contact people and make sure she's banned. Also, dig up dirt on her, anything you can find. If not, fabricate it.
And her parents, aren't they quite troublesome?
I heard they're both greedy for money.
Quickly contact them and tell them their daughter can make money to support them again."
"Boss, we can't ban her.
Several of Siyan's works have been officially praised and commended. They even called her a torchbearer of traditional culture. It's unlikely any company would go out of their way to ban her for our company's favor.
Spreading rumors might also be risky.
According to the information we've gathered, her hacking skills are quite impressive. I'm worried that if we spread rumors, she could trace our hired trolls back to their hometowns.
So, of the three points you mentioned,
only telling her parents is feasible."
After their company's previous tax evasion scandal, which resulted in several people being imprisoned, Li Hongying became less inclined to engage in illegal or unethical activities, especially being directly involved or giving orders.
Thus, she immediately found excuses,
subtly rejecting most of the boss's requests.
She was only willing to undertake tasks that posed no legal issues.
Although Ximen Jing was still furious, after careful consideration, he had to admit Li Hongying was right:
"Alright, you have a point.
Then, you will personally handle informing her parents about the specific situation. You must find a way to mobilize her parents and encourage them to cause a scene. Make Xu Siyan sound like she's making a fortune, and inflate her parents' expectations. Also, if it really sparks public discussion,
make sure to hire plenty of trolls to speak on behalf of her parents. If she can't handle it, we'll add fuel to the fire. I won't be able to rest until she's suffering."
Having gone this far, Li Hongying could no longer refuse and simply agreed to do it.
Then, Li Hongying discussed some details,
and after requesting some funds,
she immediately found Zhou E. She obliquely mentioned things like, "Your life must be very comfortable now; you must have bought villas and yachts, right?"
When Zhou E expressed confusion,
Li Hongying feigned surprise, "You don't know that your daughter, Xu Siyan, is popular again and making a fortune? And she doesn't have to share her earnings, keeping all of it. She's probably almost a billionaire now."
With such subtle instigation, after only a few words,
Zhou E rushed to find her son to help her search for information. When she discovered that Li Hongying's words were true, and that the beautiful and capable person who became popular a while ago, and who didn't resemble her daughter at all, was indeed her daughter, she immediately became both indignant and excited. She quickly packed her things, preparing to go find Ding Yun.
Of course, before they set off, they had called Ding Yun. However, Ding Yun had not removed them from her blacklist, so their calls couldn't get through. They could only go find Ding Yun in person.
They intended to repeat the events of the past,
and seize their daughter's savings and wages.