Start by Spending One Billion [Entertainment Industry]

Due to the host's own wishes, the system feedback and subsequent task funds will now include the host's career progress as an additional evaluation criterion, alongside the beneficiary's favorability and career growth.

【Ding! Detected host career goal: Develop Starlight Entertainment into a world-class company. Current progress: 7%】

Sheng Quan: 【Ah, it’s already at 7%? I thought it’d be 5% at most.】

The sudden system upgrade didn’t surprise her much.

To be precise, she’d been waiting for the system’s rules to change for a while now.

It wasn’t hard to guess. Whether it was lifespan or monthly tasks, these rigid rules were clearly designed to make the system-bound host dutifully support beneficiaries like clockwork.

But admittedly, while such restrictions effectively ensured monthly task completion, they also made it impossible to fully spread one’s wings.

Take The Cultivator, for example. Filming couldn’t be sped up—producing a quality movie required at least six months. Yet, to achieve the best results, continuous funding was necessary. During The Cultivator’s production, Sheng Quan had to meticulously earn lifespan points every month.

But this didn’t make much sense. The system was composed of wish energy, and its goal had always been to "support exceptionally talented individuals," not "restrict the host in every way possible."

Scattered, small-scale investments were fundamentally at odds with the system’s original purpose.

Unless, from the start, this was meant to be a screening mechanism.

Still, despite all her speculation, she hadn’t expected a system scoring feature.

Sheng Quan was outright amused: 【006, if you’re the one grading me, are you sure you won’t give me special treatment?】

006 replied with utmost seriousness: 【The system evaluates based on multiple factors to ensure fairness—no backdoor dealings!】

【But I’m curious, what’s this ‘fate line’ thing? This is the first time it’s appeared, right?】 Sheng Quan nodded at Gu Zhao in acknowledgment, holding her coffee as she stepped into the elevator.

Other employees waiting nearby maintained neutral expressions, but the moment she entered, several couldn’t help murmuring excitedly:

“Was that Sheng Quan?”

“It was! I’ve seen her a few times. She’s back in the country? The news didn’t mention it.”

“Who’s Sheng Quan? Wait, you don’t know? Haven’t you been following the news lately? She owns this entire building! Starlight Entertainment on the top floor is hers. She’s not a celebrity, but she’s more famous than most!”

Unaware of the chatter, Sheng Quan stood in the private elevator reserved for Starlight Entertainment, watching the floors flash by as she continued:

【It’s been a long time since I signed Jin Jiu. Why is his fate line only changing now?】

【006 doesn’t know!】 006 was disarmingly frank: 【I just received a notification: Jin Jiu’s fate line has been altered.】

【But 006 is so happy! Host won’t have to worry about lifespan anymore!】

It cheerfully simulated fireworks in her mind:

【Boom! Boom! Congratulations, Host! Now you can really go all out!】

And Sheng Quan could go all out now.

But first, she made a call to her mentor:

“Qin Consultant, the first batch of trainees should be ready by now, right? Can you assign some to me?”

“I told you not to call me ‘mentor.’ Call me Consultant Qin.”

At the training base, Qin Guofu, dressed in athletic wear with sweat beading on his forehead, looked decades younger than when he’d first arrived in Shanghai. His once-white hair was now dyed black, and his voice boomed with vigor:

“I was just about to request their official deployment. These brats have been eating and drinking like kings, getting plump and restless. They’ve been begging me to start working.”

He paused, brow furrowing slightly:

“But why the sudden need for more people? Are you in trouble? I saw the news—you bought some estate overseas. Did that attract unwanted attention?”

“What’s Jiang Lu doing? Bragging about being some sharpshooter—I’ll have words with him later.”

Sheng Quan glanced up, amused, at Jiang Lu, who was reading across from her and looked up at the sound of his name:

“Consultant Qin, I’m on speaker.”

“Also, Jiang Lu never bragged. You’re the one who keeps telling me he’s a once-in-a-generation sharpshooter.”

Qin Guofu coughed. “That’s beside the point. How many people do you need?”

“As many as you can spare. I’m sure they’re ready to take over some of my current security details.” Her tone was light. “Don’t worry, no one’s targeting me. I’ll just be traveling more from now on.”

She added casually, as if discussing the weather: “My dream is to become the head of a world-class company. At that level, I imagine kidnapping attempts would be inevitable, right?”

Qin Guofu let out a gruff laugh.

In truth, while Sheng Quan had gained fame both domestically and abroad, they all knew she was far from the world stage.

The older one got, the clearer it became how nearly impossible such a goal was.

But the sixty-something man chuckled warmly, like any doting elder encouraging a young dreamer:

“Then I’ll have to train them harder. These brats will be guarding the CEO of a top-tier global corporation.”

After hanging up, Qin Guofu’s cheerful demeanor vanished, replaced by his usual stern authority.

When he announced the selection of trainees to protect Sheng Quan, the sun-tanned recruits erupted in excitement.

“Yes!!”

“We’re protecting CEO Sheng?!”

“Yu Na got assigned to her earlier! She said the benefits are amazing—she’s already saving up to buy a house!”

Their loyalty to the company and Sheng Quan was undeniable, forged through generous investment in their training and the bright futures she’d shown them.

—And, of course, the deliberate cultivation by their advisors.

The first batch of trainees had been recommended by Jiang Lu and Qin Guofu—veterans of varying ages, some as advisors, others as recruits.

From the second batch onward, referrals came from military superiors, where character and capability were easily vetted. This was the first filter.

Then came the second, the third, until only the most disciplined remained, ready for the grueling yet well-paid training ahead.

And this high salary was just the beginning. Once hired, they would earn double, triple, or even more.

Though they hadn’t officially started working yet, since they had stepped into the security industry, they couldn’t help but inquire about other security companies.

Then they discovered that, in the entire city of Shanghai, it seemed only their Starlight Security offered the highest pay and invested the most in training their skills.

A trainee who had been eliminated in the second round once lamented regretfully in the group chat:

"I only realized how good Starlight’s benefits were after I got eliminated and started looking for other jobs. My old squad leader nearly scolded me to death—he went through so much trouble to get me this amazing opportunity, and I blew it."

"I’ve quit drinking now. Can you guys ask the advisor if they’ll give me another chance? I swear I’ll work hard this time. I’ll really give it my all."

In the end, this regretful trainee never made it back into the company. Even though other advisors felt sympathetic, Qin Guofu, the chief advisor, remained firm in his refusal.

Before selecting the trainees who would "work for Chairwoman Sheng Quan," he openly explained why he wouldn’t give the eliminated trainee another chance:

"Starlight Security has a complete training program. Even someone with just average physical fitness could become a competent security guard after six months of training here. But from the very beginning, Chairwoman Sheng Quan made it clear—she only recruits veterans."

The retired officer, his sharp eagle-like gaze sweeping over the trainees despite his age, continued:

"Why? Because she knows how hard it is for us veterans to find work after service. She isn’t a veteran herself, but she respects us, values us. That’s why she reserved this opportunity—which could’ve been open to the public—exclusively for us. Do you know what this company represents? Starlight Security! A green channel created solely for veterans."

The trainees listened quietly, their hearts in full agreement.

Qin Guofu laid it out plainly:

"This green channel exists because of Chairwoman Sheng Quan’s high regard for soldiers. You are the first to benefit from it. If you fail—if you don’t uphold the honor of a soldier—you’ll be shutting the door for those who come after you!"

"Go ahead and ask around. Is there any other security company in the country that hires only veterans, offers such high pay, brings in top-tier instructors from various fields, gives year-end bonuses, and even provides pensions? Does Chairwoman Sheng Quan have so much money she doesn’t know where to spend it? No! She just wants you—the men and women who once defended this country—to live well, to earn a good living with your own skills! And not just earn, but earn big!"

By this point, the trainees’ emotions were fully roused.

Qin Guofu raised his voice:

"Tell me, after all Chairwoman Sheng Quan has done for us, after all the care she’s shown—can we let her down?"

The trainees, their robust figures bronzed by the sun, roared back in unison:

"NO!!!!"

"Faced with the privilege Chairwoman Sheng Quan has given us, with this green channel she built, we must work even harder! We must prove that her faith in us isn’t misplaced—that we deserve this path! Am I right?!"

"YES!!!!"

"Finally, protecting Chairwoman Sheng Quan and the company is protecting yourselves. I hope you all understand that."

From her vantage point on the second floor, Sheng Quan listened to Qin Guofu’s impassioned speech and remarked, "...No wonder you said their loyalty wouldn’t be a problem, Jiang Lu."

Advisor Qin really knew how to stir emotions. Even she, who had never served, felt her blood boiling.

With just a few words, he had shifted the discussion from "Is the screening process too harsh?" to "One person’s mistake affects how others see the entire group."

After this, even if a trainee were tempted to break the rules, the others would stop them—because this was about "everyone’s honor."

Jiang Lu didn’t seem surprised. A faint smile tugged at his lips, his eyes carrying a trace of nostalgia:

"He used to train us the same way. Sometimes he was harsh, but I knew it was for our good. He cared deeply about every soldier under his command."

Sheng Quan nodded in agreement.

"Are his family members still against him working in Shanghai?"

At this, Jiang Lu’s smile deepened slightly:

"They’ve argued over the phone many times. Of the three siblings, the two sisters managed to get leave. After visiting, they stopped trying to persuade him. The eldest brother works in a classified unit—apparently, it took him a lot of effort to get time off. He should be arriving in the next couple of days."

Indeed, the eldest Qin brother was on his way.

When they first learned that Qin Guofu had gone to work in Shanghai, his children thought their father had lost his mind!

A man in his sixties, an age when he should be enjoying retirement—what was he doing taking on a physically demanding job as a security advisor? What if he got hurt? What if he overworked himself?

Their mother’s passing had been a heavy blow to the entire Qin family, but the children knew their father had taken it the hardest. They had feared he might do something drastic and had rushed to send a grandchild to keep him company.

But as soon as their daughter left for university, their elderly father, now without companionship, went back to work. When the eldest Qin brother heard this absurd news, he nearly choked.

Tied up with a mission and unable to take leave, he could only hope his sisters would handle it.

But after the two sisters visited Shanghai and returned, they told him:

"Bro, honestly, Dad’s doing really well there. The benefits are amazing, and he loves it. Just let him stay."

For a moment, the eldest Qin brother wondered if he was hallucinating.

If not for his firm belief in materialism, he might’ve asked his sisters, "Have you two been cursed or something?!"

A man in his sixties, even if he could take on two men at once, working alone in Shanghai—a city where he had no relatives or friends—and they thought it was fine?!

Knowing how persuasive their father could be, the eldest Qin brother was convinced his sisters had been sweet-talked. Never mind that both were nearly forty—he held firm to this belief.

And ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍then, he arrived at the Starlight Security training base.

Before even stepping inside, he was stunned by the imposing grandeur of the entrance gate.

"This gate…" Must’ve cost a fortune, right?

The young employee guiding him smiled and explained:

"Your father designed it himself. Fully password-protected. See the camera above? It’s part of an independent security system. Every person entering or exiting has their own unique password and facial recognition clearance."

The eldest Qin brother: "..."

The level of security here was almost on par with his own classified workplace.

He asked, "...Isn’t this just a training base? Why the… extreme security?"

"Because we’re a security company. It’s only right that our own security measures are top-notch."

After going through a set of procedures with the young staff member, the gate opened, revealing a scene completely different from what "Brother Qin" had imagined—no dirt roads or scattered fitness equipment in sight. Instead, the ground was impeccably clean, with rows of beautiful glass buildings.

Men and women wearing Starlight Security training uniforms walked past, chatting and laughing:

"What are you eating today?"

"Muscle gain meal. I want to train harder. I didn’t make it as Chairman Sheng’s bodyguard this time, but maybe next time."

"I’ll stick to the healthy meal. The nutritionist says I’m maintaining my condition well."

Brother Qin: "..."

He couldn’t help but ask again, "You even have nutritionists here?"

"Yes, to better protect our clients, the trainees’ own health is equally important."

Seeing Brother Qin’s hesitant expression, the young staff member kindly added,

"Please rest assured, the Chief Consultant also follows meals planned by the nutritionist. Our company has professional health managers, rehabilitation therapists, and psychologists. The Chief Consultant even has two dedicated assistants serving him, so there’s no need to worry about his well-being."

Brother Qin: "..."

He only had one assistant himself.

Wait, no—even if daily health was covered, what about emergencies? This was the suburbs. What if someone fell seriously ill and couldn’t be rushed to the hospital in time?

As he pondered this, they arrived in front of a large building. The young staff member introduced,

"This is our training base’s medical clinic. The doctors here are all professionals. That large vehicle parked outside is equipped with ambulance-grade medical equipment. Since our base is in the suburbs, waiting for an ambulance to arrive and transport a patient might take too long. That’s why the boss prepared these."

Brother Qin peered through the glass at the professional medical equipment inside the clinic: "..."

Next, they passed by a library.

Though he couldn’t fathom why a bodyguard training base would have a library, he knew his father loved reading. Without a doubt, his father would adore this place.

They continued walking, passing a movie room, a small karaoke lounge, a laundry room, a barbershop, and even a dog kennel tucked away in the most remote corner.

Brother Qin: "..."

His father loved dogs.

With every step, his resolve wavered further. Finally, after circling the entire training base, he saw his father.

His hair was black again, his clothes neatly pressed, and his haircut fresh, making him look more spirited than ever. The man who had been despondent since his wife’s passing was now smiling as he chatted with Jiang Lu and a young woman.

He was beaming, his face brimming with pride and joy—just like the father Brother Qin remembered from his youth.

Back then, his father had always been proud. He would lift each of his children high in the air, laughing as he played with them, and take them shopping with their mother.

But gradually, as they grew older, his father’s straight posture had hunched, his strong arms had thinned, his thick black hair had turned gray, and the light in his eyes had dimmed.

Now, though, he seemed to have returned to those days—the father who once had dreams and looked forward to each new day.

Brother Qin’s nose stung.

He stared blankly, his lips parting and closing before finally calling out, "Dad..."

The elderly man in front of him spun around, his wrinkled face lighting up with delight.

"Xingbang! You’re here! That’s wonderful!"

In Brother Qin’s memories, such warmth between him and his father had become rare as he grew older.

That joyful tone only deepened his guilt and sorrow. His father had truly aged. He must have missed him terribly—otherwise, he could have just sent photos of the base.

This… was his way of asking him to visit.

Watching his sixty-something-year-old father stride toward him with youthful vigor, Brother Qin spread his arms, his eyes reddening as he prepared for this long-awaited embrace:

"Dad, I— Huh? Wait, Dad, easy! Easy!"

Brother Qin was utterly bewildered as his father dragged him over to Sheng Quan.

Still dazed, he watched his father beam with paternal pride and say cheerfully,

"Chairman Sheng, this is my son, Qin Xingbang. Didn’t you say you wanted to invest in some domestic special effects company? Ask him! He knows all about it! As long as it doesn’t involve classified information, he can help! And he’s got plenty of classmates who know this stuff too!"

"Though these confidential personnel can take side jobs, they need approval from their unit, and the process takes a while. Right, Xingbang? That’s the rule, isn’t it?"

Still in a daze, Brother Qin nodded blankly. "Yeah, that’s the rule. They usually approve it, but it takes time. Dad, are you trying to get me a job...?"

"No problem, I’ve got it figured out."

Just as he answered, he heard his dear old father enthusiastically propose a genius solution:

"Side jobs cost money."

"If you don’t charge anything, it’s fine!"