In the late afternoon, Liu Zhizhong and Yang Bingbing got out of bed, tidied up, and took a bath together. Big Lao's RV was super luxurious, making bathing quite convenient.
The couple was loving and in good spirits.
After getting ready, they drove their separate cars to Xinghai Film and Television Media Company.
Liu Zhizhong had already told Yang Bingbing that this might be the last production, and although she was reluctant to let go of his substantial traffic benefits, she could understand the situation.
Indeed, it's the lead goose that gets shot. You're too popular and some jealous dogs can't be dealt with. These jealous dogs, sometimes they come from the public, and sometimes they don't, those in the know will understand.
Retiring while you're ahead leaves a legacy of glory—what's wrong with that? If you continue, who knows when it might all blow up in your face?
Especially when you see someone who sold 150 million in sales and then had to refund 150 million. How is that worth it?
Back at the company, they officially got into work mode.
All relevant personnel from the departments of recording, filming, editing, and mixing were in full swing. Mr. L's newest work had to be launched with full force and be of excellent quality.
Furthermore, the entire company's traffic channels were fired up all day, already warming up in advance. The imminent release of Mr. L's latest work, with such promotions broadcast, took less than half an hour to dominate the trending searches and top the traffic charts.
The official production wasn't even out yet. Just a promotional little video, and it still claimed the throne of global traffic!
Countless fans and netizens were eagerly waiting!
Moreover, this preheat was beautifully done. In less than an hour, the content related to the preheat occupied four of the top ten trending searches. After all, there were many popular influencers who were sharing and drawing public attention.
As a result, even some regulatory bodies and a few disgruntled jealous dogs were actually quite satisfied this time.
Because it successfully buried the scandals about toxic industrial oil transports, effectively suppressing their heat.
During the production period, Liu Zhizhong really put his all into every expression and action, performing each word and phrase with great tension, when executive producer Yang Bingbing received a mysterious phone call.
Feng Xiaoyue was not in the country and uncontactable, so as the acting CEO, Yang Bingbing was handling all major affairs of the company.
After receiving the call, she was completely stunned.
After Liu Zhizhong finished telling Lin Juan's story and they moved into post-production, Yang Bingbing called him over the intercom, "Mr. L, could you come to my office, please?"
When a lady asks, how could Liu Zhizhong refuse?
By this time, it was already 7 PM.
Of course, Mr. L's work usually premiered at 7 PM, but today it would be delayed.
On the trending search, headlines like "Mr. L's work release delayed to around 8 PM" or "Mr. L's work breaks tradition" somehow managed to keep surging in the searches, constantly pressuring the trending topic about edible oil.
Liu Zhizhong arrived at Yang Bingbing's office, greeted with a smile and took a delightful sip of iced coffee. So refreshing!
This program was very effortful and effective. He believed in his own abilities, though admittedly, he was also quite exhausted. Content created with passion did wear one down.
Reclining comfortably on a large sofa, with his typically stern-faced female assistant leaning beside him, now so tender and emotional, she uttered words that shocked Liu Zhizhong.
Was this that mysterious phone call?
The caller claimed to be from the highest propaganda bureau of Tiandu, addressed as the big boss.
The big boss personally called and made three points: one, Mr. L's latest production managed the crisis well by shifting public attention; two, there would be an audit by the Tax Bureau regarding Mr. L's income and the necessary taxes must be paid—how much, someone would ascertain later; three, Mr. L should not release any more productions in the near future unless a major negative societal issue arises, and he could decide the content of such works himself.
Yang Bingbing even played the recording of the call for Liu Zhizhong to hear.
Liu Zhizhong confirmed it was indeed the big boss's voice since he'd heard him speak in news videos before.
Liu Zhizhong was of course shocked.
It looked like stepping down from being the Internet traffic king was not possible. Too outstanding, he had become a tool for others.
Liu Zhizhong could only bitterly say, "Bingbing, we are just tools. As long as they like, everything can be a tool. Also, we're still the leeks, still the sheep's wool, for others to shear and pluck as they please!"
Yang Bingbing gave a bitter smile and nodded, "You've really nailed it, sigh... Perhaps, if Sister Xiaoyue were here, she couldn't have withstood such a heavy blow either. It seems not so easy for you to quit."
"Perhaps only when my traffic value is completely drained will it be possible. But I fear by then... getting out will be even more infuriating..."
A sense of foreboding surged in Liu Zhizhong's heart. The source of this content ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
He understood society, politics, and just what the situation was in this "village."
Can you really think about escaping freely without any sacrifice?