138: Godfather of the entertainment industry?

A single document, seemingly casual, was in reality a massive rock thrown into a calm lake. The ripples it stirred not only affected major media companies but were also clearly perceived by some top stars in the entertainment industry.

These veteran film and television heavyweights, having weathered the industry for years, already had social circles brushing against the edges of power and influence. How could the more ambitious among them let such a golden opportunity slip by?

Some well-connected superstars even learned insider information from certain 'white path' secretaries: that Old Master Xia held Cao Lang in high regard, not to mention the weight of that document itself.

A few of the more quick-witted ones immediately registered accounts on the 'Chonglang Short Video' platform.

They would occasionally tag the official account of Xingyao Media, their intentions clear as day.

The acclaimed actress Yang Mi registered a Chonglang Short Video account, posted a few casual short videos, and immediately triggered a massive influx of fans following her.

Even more direct were the actions of those with established fame in the circle, like Zhou Ye, Liu Haocun, Zhao Jinmai, and Zhou Yutong.

Not only did they register Chonglang accounts at lightning speed, updating daily to showcase approachability, but they also used various connections to directly contact Xingyao Media's director, Zheng Yi.

On the phone, the voice was exceedingly polite.

"Director Zheng, long time no see! We've all studied your company's scripts! I wonder if we have the honor to contribute a brick or tile to Xingyao Media?"

"The performance fee is negotiable, after all, I still have so much to learn!"

"I've cleared my schedule for you, so we'll just wait for your good news, Director Zheng."

The words were earnest, the posture humble, clearly and subtly revealing a desire to compete for the female lead role.

These past few days, Director Zheng Yi's office threshold was nearly worn down, and he received countless similar calls. He was filled with emotion. Not long ago, the actors he worked with were still small-time Internet celebrities, and those famous actors looked down their noses at him. Now, the tables had turned, and popular stars were actively knocking on his door.

All of this originated from that elusive, exceptionally talented, and deeply connected CEO Cao.

The entertainment industry, this arena of fame and fortune, has always been a place where background determines one's worth. The attitude from the upper echelons had already formed an irresistible torrent.

For a time, the entire entertainment industry cast its utmost attention on this suddenly rising star, Xingyao Media.

They discussed it privately, probing for Xingyao Media's next moves while also keeping an eye on the movements of Qins Media.

The reality was just as everyone expected.

Previously, old-guard companies like Qins Media, which had secretly thrown up obstacles trying to prevent their own artists and other stars from collaborating with Xingyao Media, now fell silent.

In the CEO's office of Qins Media, Qin Cheng's face was livid as he hung up one call after another from his artists' managers. The content was largely the same: inquiries about whether they could engage with Xingyao Media's projects.

"Damn it!" Qin Cheng slammed his phone onto the expensive rosewood desk with a heavy thud.

His trusted female secretary stood by, trembling, not daring to make a sound.

"The Xia family... Hmph, I never expected Cao Lang to have this connection behind him." Qin Cheng gritted his teeth, a flash of unwillingness in his eyes, but more than that, helplessness.

After all, when such a behemoth had made its stance clear, how could they, mere arms, dare to contend with the thigh? Continuing the boycott would only bring trouble upon themselves.

The tide is mighty; those who go with it prosper, those who go against it perish. They understood this principle better than anyone.

All the previous restrictions and suppression targeting Xingyao Media vanished overnight. The heads of various film and television bases also changed their tune, expressing they were ready to welcome Xingyao Media for filming at any time.

The entire industry seemed to be clearing a broad, smooth path for the rise of Xingyao Media... Meanwhile, on another front.

Cao Lang was bored at home, eating fruit while lying on the sofa binge-watching a drama.

A natural homebody, during his previous days as a workhorse, besides gaming, Cao Lang would watch some 'little yellow' stuff to find some solace in his empty hours.

But now, he felt nothing for those actresses with scandals. They weren't even as good-looking as the women he'd been with. Moreover, Cao Lang had plenty of self-shot videos on his phone—wasn't watching his own performances more interesting than watching others'?

Nowadays, Cao Lang had taken to binge-watching dramas; it was quite entertaining when bored.

"This female lead's acting isn't bad," Cao Lang remarked, eating a piece of crisp, bright red watermelon.

Li Meng sat at the edge of the sofa. At Cao Lang's request, she was watching the drama with him. Initially a bit reserved, but having known Cao Lang for a long time and familiar with his casual nature, she accepted this 'boss's' request.

"Yes, Mr. Cao. This young lady is called Tian Xiwei. A while back, I saw her crying scene—it was so immersive it even moved an old lady like me," Li Meng chimed in with a smile.

"You're no old lady. You're better preserved than many young girls," Cao Lang remarked, glancing at Li Meng unintentionally.

This former private butler of the Xiwier Hotel was dignified, elegant, and graceful—a veritable beauty of the auntie tier.

Li Meng gave a coy smile, her face unusually flushed. She had witnessed women flowing in and out of Cao Lang's life like water and had personally seen many young girls walking with difficulty the next day after a single night, unable to bear the burden.

She had even secretly estimated Cao Lang's endurance in her mind.

On multiple occasions, during intimate moments with her husband, closing her eyes would bring forth images to her mind that filled her with shame.

So it was perfectly normal for Cao Lang's unintentional words to ruffle her heart.

"Tian Xiwei, huh? Let me see."

Unaware of Li Meng's unusual reaction, Cao Lang took out his phone and searched on TikTok. He casually opened a highly-liked video. Tian Xiwei walking the red carpet really did look quite good.

"Mr. Cao, you have a new nickname now. Are you aware of it?" Li Meng changed the subject.

"What nickname?" Cao Lang asked curiously.

"'Internet Celebrity Godfather'! I think, not only could you become the Internet Celebrity Godfather now, even becoming the Godfather of the entertainment industry wouldn't be a problem."

Li Meng had re-watched 'urban tycoon' multiple times these past few days and was utterly in awe of Cao Lang's talent.

"Godfather of the entertainment industry?"

Cao Lang pondered for a moment, then joked:

"Haha, if I become the Godfather, I'll have this Tian Xiwei come perform for me privately."

Hearing this, Li Meng said with a serious expression:

"Mr. Cao, since I had the honor of your promotion to come here as the butler, I've seen many popular stars entering and leaving the Tan Palace gardens to visit various homes. In comparison, our No. 6 Palace is the foremost among the Tan Palace residences. Having Tian Xiwei come for a visit once—what's so difficult about that?"

In Li Meng's eyes, these female stars were, when it came down to it, just women.

The duck is the first to know when the river warms in spring.

Cao Lang himself hadn't even perceived how much influence he wielded in the entertainment industry, but Li Meng, as his butler, had more confidence in him than he did.

However, on this point, Li Meng wasn't wrong.

For Cao Lang to want to meet a female star now truly held no difficulty whatsoever.

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