Chinese Showbiz: My Partner Is a Goddess

What do you do when your business partner is Liu Yifei, who’s caught in the middle of a scandal?

In 2008, Lin Chen returns from overseas and hands Liu Yifei, who is drowning in public scrutiny, a “Personal Brand Revamp and Career Roadmap.”

“Sign this, and I’ll get you back to the top within two years. In return, you’ll be my company’s chief partner and guinea pig.”

Liu Yifei signs, still skeptical.

And just like that, the entertainment industry takes a sudden turn:

While others use press releases to clean up their image, Lin Chen livestreams her everyday life through vlogs, letting the whole internet watch the “celestial beauty” play with cats. Public opinion turns around.

While others jump on the historical romance bandwagon, Lin Chen brings her a low-budget thriller script. “Play this villain, and you’re guaranteed to win an award.”

While others scramble for a spot at the Spring Festival Gala, Lin Chen gets Liu Yifei to invest in the newly launched Weibo. “This is the microphone of the future.”

While their peers are still battling over ratings, Lin Chen’s Huaxi Pictures has already established a script development center and a talent incubator, and has even begun setting industry standards for film and TV production.

His rivals can’t sit still. “You’re breaking the rules!”

Lin Chen smiles. “No, I’m making new ones.”

Years later, when Liu Yifei accepts an international award, she is asked backstage what made her successful.

She looks toward the man below the stage, discussing virtual production technology with an engineer, and smiles:

“The secret? I guess it’s finding a partner who wants to upend the industry and just happens to be willing to bring me along.”