Chapter Fifty-Nine: Strategic Planning

“I have no objections either. Since I chose to join the fan club as a core member from the start, I was prepared to set aside my work and focus on this endeavor,” Lin Yu replied with a smile. “Now that we can have the best of both worlds, there’s nothing more to say. It’s actually quite easy to explain—we’re essentially joining Qi Hua’s studio, responsible for fan organization and related tasks. The nature of the work is similar, only more professional. Our identity is first and foremost Qi Hua’s fans, then his staff. I think that’s the key point. Our motivation comes from devotion to our idol, and only then the generous salary. When motivation and starting point differ, so will the outcome. I suppose this is the foundation of your plan.”

Qi Hua gave him a thumbs-up. It was true; he had drawn inspiration from online games, an idea that came to him suddenly. Shen Manni refined the plan and, with the company’s strong support, it could be implemented—assigning work to those who love it, rather than simply hiring professionals. An interesting approach, adventurous, yet full of possibility. There was risk, but Qi Hua believed that he and Shen Manni could manage it.

Qi Hua handed over the authority to select new employees to Chang Yan and her group. At present, Qi Hua’s fan circle was uncomplicated, mostly comprised of steadfast, genuine fans. This was the perfect time to choose core members for the company. In the future, as the fanbase grew, more selections would be necessary, but strict screening was essential to prevent losses.

Chang Yan was already considering the best way to select personnel. The old structure no longer fit the current circumstances; management needed to be modernized, perhaps taking cues from guild management in online games. Deciding to research this, Chang Yan prepared to look into it further.

After seeing Chang Yan and her companions off, their minds busy with plans, Qi Hua and Shen Manni headed to the tenth-floor conference room. Today’s agenda was the specifics of Qi Hua’s comeback. All three of the company’s major executives were present, and the room was packed with relevant staff, a testament to the company’s high regard.

Qi Hua’s dedicated team had been assembled. As his agent, Shen Manni was naturally the heart of this team, overseeing all matters. Her main tasks included negotiating appearances, business collaborations, and devising and executing promotional activities advantageous to Qi Hua, as well as managing unexpected situations. It wasn’t just about accompanying the artist; aside from being by his side when necessary, most of her time was spent out and about. When the artist was popular, she’d be busy arranging various shows and deals; during lulls, she’d do everything possible to find new opportunities. The demands were high—having a good agent meant an artist was halfway to success, and this was no exaggeration.

Once an artist reached the top tier, a team centered around them was needed, handling all aspects: makeup artist, stylist, driver, bodyguard, personal assistant—covering every facet of professional and personal life, so the artist could focus entirely on their craft. Most daily matters were handled by the assistant.

For example, an artist’s official social media platforms were typically managed by the agent or assistant, posting images, news, schedules, and such. When the artist had time, they’d share selfies and interact with fans, but weren’t constantly monitoring. Only when a trending topic seemed relevant would they be prompted to engage.

Of course, some artists enjoyed managing their own platforms, and with smart devices, it was easy to handle personally if desired.

Makeup artists and stylists were usually assigned only to top stars, because their expertise and familiarity with the artist’s needs made everything more efficient. If, during a show, an artist encountered an unreliable makeup artist or offended such staff, it could lead to disaster—a ruined image, costly to recover. Thus, most top-tier artists brought their own makeup artists and stylists; they’d rather avoid such mishaps, and at that level, they could afford it. Lesser-known artists could only hope for good luck.

At this point, Galaxy Entertainment had provided Qi Hua with a professional team, showing their high regard for him. Although Qi Hua’s reputation was rising, his actual standing in the music industry was still low. Yet Galaxy Entertainment recognized his value and offered him the best treatment, which moved Qi Hua deeply. “If you treat me as a statesman, I will repay you in kind!” That was his nature; he resolved to give back to Galaxy Entertainment.

“Today, we’re discussing Qi Hua’s comeback arrangements,” He Li chaired the meeting. “As the saying goes, the hardest part is the beginning. The initial image is crucial—if Qi Hua’s first appearance wins unanimous public approval, subsequent work will proceed much more smoothly. This involves choosing the comeback stage and his image. Today, we want everyone to align their thinking, clarify our direction, and work together toward this goal. Let’s have Manni present the situation.”

“Thank you.” Shen Manni stood and acknowledged the room, picking up a file from a stack on the podium, smiling. “The company takes this very seriously, so we’re discussing it by top-tier standards, aiming for a strategic plan rather than a chaotic scramble. We’re honored. Next, we need to discuss two things: which path Qi Hua should take, and which stage he should choose for his comeback. Although we may not get our preferred stage, we must have a targeted plan. With so many dazzling shows and platforms, it’s hard to know where to start. One misstep could be costly.”

“I think his style and direction are quite clear,” He Li interjected. “Qi Hua has always presented himself as talented, capable, and approachable, which matches his personality. There’s no need to force him into a cold or comedic persona—just let him be himself. Audiences appreciate his ability; trying to attract attention with other labels would backfire.”

“Exactly,” Shen Manni agreed. “Qi Hua and I have discussed this. At first, it’s best to be a pure singer, letting the public focus on his work. As for personality, let it unfold naturally—no need for deliberate displays. I don’t foresee any issues, but he should still be mindful of his words and actions, especially regarding music industry etiquette, interpersonal relations, personal image, and attitudes toward sensitive issues. He must be cautious, avoid rash comments. The public’s attitude toward artists here is peculiar—both tolerant and strict, especially hypersensitive about certain matters. If touched upon, backlash can be fierce. This must be kept in mind.”

“In short, the values must be upright, and his stance correct,” Qi Hua said with a smile. He understood the public mindset well—unlike Western entertainment circles, where the attitude toward artists is simpler. Here, people can’t treat artists as ordinary, nor clearly separate the artist from their work. Often, an artist’s actions affect perception; their words and behavior are held to high standards. In the West, while people are interested in artists’ private lives, they rarely reject their work because of scandalous behavior. Here, if an artist earns the reputation of a scoundrel, their popularity plummets. No matter how good their work, the public will boycott them—won’t listen to their songs, watch their films, or enjoy their shows. It’s extreme.

If issues of private life or character can be redeemed, mistakes involving national or ethnic positions, or inappropriate statements, mean disaster. Once such an incident occurs, congratulations—you can basically announce your retirement. Even the highest stars can be condemned to oblivion; public passion is vivid and intense. That is the reality. Superstars and divas never equivocate on major issues, willing to sacrifice huge interests, enduring countless challenges to stand at the pinnacle. That’s why Shen Manni’s point was simple: from the start, Qi Hua must hold himself to those standards, because the goal has never been to be an ordinary artist. If he’s to strive, it must be toward the throne admired by all.

“Yes, if you just want to play around, do as you wish. But if you want to accomplish something, you must attend to every detail,” Shen Manni replied.

Qi Hua’s heart stirred, and he recited with a sigh: “To reach the summit, one must endure its pain; to move others, one must immerse oneself; to secure one’s fate, one must avoid harm; to resist passion, one must forsake emptiness; to find peace of mind, one must broaden ambition; to succeed, one must dream; to wear the crown, one must bear its weight.”

Indeed—to wear the crown, one must bear its weight!