Start by Spending One Billion [Entertainment Industry]-Chapter 67

At the Starlight Entertainment anniversary celebration, Sheng Quan was momentarily dazzled when she saw Yu Xiangwan walking toward her with a smile.

Then Gu Zhao arrived, and she was dazzled all over again.

These two were already exceptionally good-looking, the type who usually paid great attention to their appearance. But tonight, dressed to the nines, it was no exaggeration to say they practically glowed.

Sheng Quan unabashedly admired them while thinking how naturally gifted they were.

Despite their busy schedules, their looks hadn’t diminished—if anything, they’d only improved.

But then she remembered that both of them were her subordinates, and her mood lifted even more.

Starlight Entertainment had a sizable workforce. Though the anniversary celebration was split into two batches, the company had still booked a grand hall in the hotel to accommodate everyone.

As the event time approached, the seats gradually filled up.

With some time to spare, Sheng Quan leaned against Xu Man, chatting. Xu Man was mainly trying to pry details about tonight’s prizes, while Sheng Quan insisted on keeping the mystery alive.

Xu Man: "…"

The more Sheng Quan played up the "mysterious prizes" angle, the more eager Xu Man became.

The first anniversary celebration of Starlight Entertainment officially began.

Just like a year-end party, employees were expected to perform.

Every department gave it their all.

The previous internal competition video had significantly boosted team morale. Everyone pooled their ideas, and seeing the final product earn praise and admiration had been incredibly satisfying.

Especially since the company had even handed out consolation prizes to departments that didn’t win—though not as lavish as the five-award-winning team’s haul, it still drove home one point:

Starlight never let hardworking employees go unrewarded.

So for this anniversary performance, the previously awarded departments were striving to win again, while those who’d only received consolation prizes were determined to reclaim glory.

Perhaps without even realizing it, they’d developed a deep sense of belonging and collective pride in the company and their teams.

Sheng Quan noticed.

And it made her immensely pleased.

Especially when she saw how entertaining all the performances were.

Skits, dances, songs—even a cross-talk act.

Starlight’s employees, handpicked from the best of the best, delivered one engaging performance after another.

—"It’s just one cent short? Fine, I’ll give you a hundred bucks, how about that?"

—"Just?! One cent?! Alright, today we die together!!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

When the finance department’s skit reached this point, the audience erupted in laughter. The hilarious acting had everyone in stitches, Sheng Quan included—she was laughing so hard she nearly toppled over.

Yu Xiangwan steadied her, glancing at her teary-eyed mirth before smiling faintly himself.

Gu Zhao, who usually lacked a sense of humor, found himself smiling too as Sheng Quan laughed uncontrollably, even slapping his thigh in amusement.

The performers on stage, seeing the company’s top brass thoroughly entertained, redoubled their efforts.

The laughter spilled out into the hallway, piquing the curiosity of the hotel staff.

"It’s just an anniversary party, right? Why’s it so lively?"

Most company celebrations weren’t exactly quiet—people clapped and cheered on cue—but none were this raucous. The noise was practically lifting the roof.

Another staff member nudged him and gestured ahead. "Not just lively—look who’s there?"

The first employee followed his gaze and nearly jumped. "The general manager? What’s he doing here?"

Up front, standing where the servers usually would, was their hotel’s general manager—currently applauding with a smile.

This ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍was rare. Their hotel, while not five-star, was well-regarded in the industry—pricey and high-end, attracting many major companies for events.

But usually, it was the managers who handled things. The general manager showing up personally? That was a first in his tenure.

Peering inside, the employee muttered, "This company doesn’t seem that big—Starlight Entertainment? Sounds familiar, but not enough to warrant the GM’s presence. When did he even get here?"

"He’s been here since early on, overseeing the setup," the more informed colleague whispered. "The company’s mid-sized, actually. But the GM’s here on the chairman’s orders."

The chairman?!

Now the employee was truly shocked. Their chairman, who owned multiple businesses beyond the hotel, was what he’d consider ultra-wealthy. And he’d personally intervened?

He quickly rationalized it: "Maybe the company’s got family ties or something? I caught a glimpse earlier—their management’s mostly young."

Rich kids starting businesses—nothing new.

But for one to foster such dedication and affection from employees? He had a feeling this company would go far.

Inside, the festivities continued. Gu Zhao even took the stage to deliver a speech. Dressed in a light green suit that accentuated his sharp, striking features, his cool demeanor gave off an untouchable, almost divine beauty.

Total CEO-from-a-novel vibes.

Clapping along, Sheng Quan mused that it was no wonder Gu Zhao remained popular among staff despite never bothering to charm them. Made perfect sense.

Though usually robotic, Gu Zhao was surprisingly good at rallying spirits. Sheng Quan suspected he’d studied motivational videos.

"In just one year, Starlight Entertainment has signed 121 artists. Through our collective efforts, among these 121, the number who’ve reached ten million followers is…"

"This year, average salaries at Starlight have risen by 35%..."

"This year, Starlight has grown from a small team to…"

With employees already feeling a sense of belonging, Gu Zhao’s words filled them with genuine pride.

Yes, this was their company. Their Starlight.

Salaries rising, careers advancing—they’d built this together.

When Gu Zhao really put his mind to inspiring people, resistance was futile. When someone—no one knew who—shouted "Starlight will prevail!", the rest instantly followed:

"STARLIGHT WILL PREVAIL!!"

"STARLIGHT WILL PREVAIL!!!"

They believed in this future and were ready to fight for it.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

Amid the roaring cheers, Gu Zhao stood bathed in light, smiling faintly at Sheng Quan:

"Now, let’s welcome the chairman of Starlight Entertainment—Sheng Quan."

Sheng Quan stepped onto the stage one steady step at a time.

As the lights brightened, they illuminated her figure, casting a radiant glow.

"It’s so lively here. This anniversary celebration feels just like New Year’s."

The waitstaff outside couldn’t help but eavesdrop, mainly because the employee performances at this company were genuinely entertaining.

Another server, who had just come on shift, was equally curious. "I think they’re at the outstanding employee awards now. I wonder what the prizes are."

"What else could they be? It’s always the same few things. The generous companies hand out cash—ten or twenty thousand—while the stingy ones give out rice cookers."

As they chatted, they suddenly heard the young chairwoman announce from the stage:

"Cash rewards of ten thousand per person, a fifteen percent salary increase across the board, and a ten-day all-expenses-paid international vacation—with one family member included. Accommodations: Starlight Manor."

The employees erupted into cheers.

Starlight Manor!!!

Chairwoman Sheng’s Starlight Manor!!!

This was the luxurious estate that had been featured in international media. To call it a resort would be an understatement—it had everything one could dream of for a perfect getaway.

The outstanding employees on stage were beyond thrilled—not just about the cash and the vacation, but the salary hike. This was even better than a bonus; raises meant long-term benefits!

Those who hadn’t won this year were already steeling themselves to strive for next year’s awards.

After the employee awards came the management awards.

Yu Xiangwan had been buzzing with excitement all evening, especially when he stepped onto the stage and Sheng Quan personally placed the custom trophy in his hands.

His eyes shone brightly, reminding her of the look he’d given her long ago when she arranged for his foster mother to receive treatment at the best hospital in town.

Yu Xiangwan was overjoyed. His life had been filled with criticism, exploitation, and abandonment, but now, the person he devoted himself to was handing him a trophy that symbolized recognition—just for him.

His hands trembled slightly, the calloused fingers struggling to grip it firmly.

Then, a warm touch steadied him. Yu Xiangwan froze, looking up in surprise at Sheng Quan.

She wrapped her hands around his, helping him secure his hold on the trophy.

"Well done."

She smiled under the spotlight. "My outstanding employee—keep it up next year."

Yu Xiangwan’s eyes brightened again, flickering with renewed determination.

His body seemed to regain its strength as his long fingers tightened around the trophy, his striking peach-blossom eyes fixed unwaveringly on her.

"Yes. I will always be your... outstanding employee."

The raffle segment.

The employees went wild.

Outside, the servers listened as the host’s enthusiastic voice boomed:

"Let’s see what you’ve won—seven days of paid leave! Congratulations!"

"Oof, tough luck! You’ve drawn ‘jump three times on the spot!’"

"66666!! Someone just won an eight-thousand-yuan computer! Let’s hear it for them!"

"Cash!! Ten thousand!!"

"You’ve drawn ‘meow three times at everyone!’ Excited?"

"Hahahaha! You pulled ‘your boss has to meow at you!’ And guess what? Your boss just drew the same thing! Tonight, you’re destined to be a cat!"

The room alternated between roaring laughter, envious gasps, and eager anticipation.

Amid the electric atmosphere, Starlight Entertainment’s anniversary celebration came to a perfect close.

Many of the hotel staff had snuck over during their breaks to catch the excitement. Rumors had spread—no one knew how—that the company’s chairwoman was a relative of their hotel’s owner.

Why else would the general manager be hovering around?

But from a distance, with Sheng Quan constantly surrounded, no one got a clear look at her. It wasn’t until the group was leaving that the hotel employees noticed their own chairman rushing in.

"Here to see his relative?"

The chairman had arrived in a hurry, asking the front desk where Sheng Quan was. When told she’d just left, he dashed outside, leaving the staff puzzled.

"Wasn’t she supposed to be his junior? Why does he look so frantic?"

"Who said she was his junior? I’ve never heard the chairman mention any relatives visiting."

"Well, she’s so young. What else could she be?"

As they debated, their nearly fifty-year-old chairman jogged up to the group.

"Chairwoman Sheng! Chairwoman Sheng! What an honor! I just got back from my hometown—heard you were here and came straight over. I’ve been meaning to visit you! Why didn’t you tell me you were stopping by my little hotel? After all, we’re practically family!"

"I even rent half a floor from you!"