However,
Old Fourth arrived at just the right time.
Cao Cheng still had many tasks to delegate to her.
After all, how could Young Master Cao personally step into the fray?
To put it bluntly,
the Young Master Cao of today was no longer the same as yesterday’s… let alone the one from the day before.
He had become ‘capital’ itself.
In just half a year, Young Master Cao had undergone a complete transformation.
Certain ‘influences’ are useful simply by existing.
Even if he didn’t wield them outright,
others couldn’t ignore them.
Take, for example, the backing of the Tang and Ren families.
Or the words spoken by the elders: entrepreneur, financier.
Or titles like Top Ten Young Enterprise Leaders, Top Ten Outstanding Youths… municipal, provincial, even national-level honors.
These were all unavoidable.
Even if Young Master Cao didn’t actively leverage these forces,
just standing there, draped in ‘glory,’ made him look undeniably impressive.
And it wasn’t just about influence—there was also an abundance of money.
In the world of business warfare, money truly meant ‘absolute power,’ always and forever.
Otherwise, in a few years, coal tycoons wouldn’t have been able to taint the entertainment industry so thoroughly.
Later, when major capital players entered the scene, they propelled the industry to unprecedented heights.
Sure, two decades later, there would still be plenty of naysayers looking down on showbiz.
But just compare the Chinese entertainment scene to Hollywood today.
What kind of competition was there?
None at all.
It was downright hopeless.
Any random Hollywood blockbuster with flashy effects could dominate the market—no mercy, no logic, just sheer domination.
It left many passionate filmmakers feeling disheartened, as if they’d never catch up in their lifetime.
But…
Fast forward ten years, and the difference would be staggering.
That was the real gap.
……
At this moment, Young Master Cao felt like a professional masseur.
This pair of twins—one in gray, the other in white—
both clad in silk.
As he kneaded their shoulders, he talked about investments and entertainment.
These two industries were, in fact, interdependent.
Entertainment wasn’t just about movies and TV shows—it was also about the power of promotion.
Done right, a single film or series could even push for legislative change.
Besides,
the wild west of the internet era was coming to an end.
Once major platforms emerged, it wouldn’t just be about domestic public opinion anymore—it would go global… America would have to open its eyes and crawl through the digital pipeline to settle accounts on Chinese soil.
So,
Cao Cheng wanted money.
But even more than that, he wanted fame.
With these, he could harvest an endless supply of emotional energy.
……
The next day,
Miracle Media made its move.
Though the company hadn’t yet produced any original content, its sheer ‘scale’ was already massive—no one in the industry could afford to ignore it.
Even those who’d been ‘burned’ by Miracle Media before still had to keep an eye on their next steps.
The auditions for The Voice began.
Unlike other talent shows that relied on regional qualifiers and open applications,
Miracle Media took a different approach.
They reached out directly to top music academies, asking professors and instructors to recommend their most talented—but still unsigned—students.
At the same time, they deployed an army of ‘temporary scouts’ to comb through bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues across the country, hunting for standout live performers.
They even scoured the internet for famous street musicians and wandering singers.
Gender didn’t matter.
Appearance didn’t matter.
Height, weight—none of it mattered.
There was only one requirement: a truly great voice. The Voice of China.
That was the mission.
The brand had to stand tall.
This version was even grander than the one from his dreams, thanks to a bigger budget and a wider talent pool.
They even reached out to industry insiders—behind-the-scenes composers, obscure musicians, or gifted artists who’d never gotten their break.
In short, there were countless ways to apply.
Referrals from insiders? Sure. Self-recommendations? Absolutely. Plus, an army of talent scouts scouring the globe.
As for the judges?
Every previously invited candidate was now off the list!
What a bunch of clowns.
The company also made sure to spread the word:
“We’re not rejecting these judges because they turned us down before—Miracle Media doesn’t hold grudges.”
“It’s not that they can’t sing, or that they lack professional skills. It’s just… we can’t have only mainland judges.”
“Why, you ask?”
“Because Miracle Media is a major enterprise. We’re not just here for mindless entertainment—we uphold cultural heritage, social responsibility, and national unity…”
The prestige factor shot up instantly.
After all, the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were one big family, right?
This was about higher-level considerations.
As media professionals, as entertainers, we couldn’t just think about ourselves—we had to be magnanimous.
It wouldn’t bankrupt us, it wouldn’t leave us destitute, and it wasn’t like we couldn’t afford it…
Wait.
Wrong script.
Whatever.
You get the idea.
And once Miracle Media’s stance was out there, what could anyone else say?
Just applaud!
What else was there to do?
Even the damn officials overseeing the entertainment sector were clapping!
……
Winter arrived swiftly.
The show’s preparations were nearly complete.
At the very least, auditions had wrapped up.
Now it was time to focus on the core elements.
For instance, they’d invested tens of millions in top-tier sound systems, stage design, and lighting.
They rented a massive venue.
Hired two of the most renowned Chinese bands in the world.
Everything was top-tier.
In reality, though…
It didn’t cost much.
On the surface, it looked extravagant, but the only real expenses were the sound and camera equipment—which could be reused.
As for the rest? The venue fees were discounted by the state.
The famous bands? They were just doing a favor.
Everyone knew Miracle Media had the ‘future richest man’ backing it.
You had to give face.
And the auditions?
Those didn’t cost a dime—they were giving people opportunities!
Not only did they not spend money, they made money. But don’t ask how—too many questions would just feed Young Master Cao’s negative emotional reserves.
Everything progressed smoothly.
By year’s end,
CCTV’s entertainment division secured an interview with Cao Cheng.
A personal profile.
By now, the public was intensely curious about this young man—branded a financial ‘thief’ by the West, yet hailed as the ‘Eastern Stock God’ by his followers.
……
The interviewer was none other than ‘Bei Ning’!
Despite his youth, he’d already made a name for himself at CCTV.
No high-profile interview was complete without him.
He’d even been a torchbearer this year and was slated to host the Spring Festival Gala.
A rising star in his own right!
In a couple of years, after some reforms, Bei Ning would truly shine—multitasking like a pro, his path to stardom smooth as ever.
“Hey there, fellow countryman.”
“Hello, countryman.”
The two shook hands warmly, even sharing a brief hug.
Both hailed from Sanjiang.
Their thick Sanjiang accents instantly bridged the gap.
Plus, they’d crossed paths before during the Olympics as fellow torchbearers.
“It’s not easy to get you these days. My boss said we have to strip you bare this time,” Bei Ning teased, eyebrows wiggling.
Cao Cheng clutched his chest in mock horror. “Strip me bare? Then I demand a female host!”
“Hahaha…”
Before the interview, they chatted and reviewed the questions.
CCTV didn’t do underhanded tricks,
but they still respected their guests.
Only a handful of hosts ever dared to stray from the script—and only because of their status.
It's not unusual for hosts to ask off-script questions or improvise, but some really cross the line, daring to ask anything—relying on the assumption that the other party won’t dare make trouble for them.
Clearly,
Bei Ning isn’t that kind of person.
Especially when it comes to fellow locals—there’s always some face and hometown sentiment involved.
Soon,
The equipment was adjusted, the lighting checked, and the makeup artist did final touch-ups.
Action!
"Welcome to News..."
After a brief opening, a few warm-up questions followed.
Then came the main topic.
The one everyone was curious about.
"Some people are calling you the 'Eastern Stock God.' How do you feel about that title?"
"Absolutely deserved!" Cao Cheng nodded.
Bei Ning nearly laughed out loud before asking, "No modesty at all?"
"Modesty has nothing to do with it. The title 'Eastern Stock God' came from Wall Street. Given their culture, I should be bold about it—otherwise, they might mistake our ancestors’ virtue of humility for weakness," Cao Cheng replied with a smile.
Besides,
Cao Cheng genuinely didn’t care.
He could carry the title with ease.
Sure, a few billion dollars might not seem like much compared to real financial dynasties.
But...
When it comes to the stock market alone, calling him a "stock god" isn’t an exaggeration.
Remember, a few years ago, that guy surnamed Soros wreaked havoc in Southeast Asia, plundering assets from entire nations, and even he only made that much.
And that was with coordinated moves in forex markets and backing from major players.
So,
Even if that was years ago and money isn’t worth what it used to be, it still proves that Cao Cheng’s moves have pissed off the right people.
There’s also the matter of pride—
He smacked Wall Street in the face.
Otherwise, why would they call him a "financial thief"?
Damn it.
Soros gets called a "tycoon,"
But Cao Cheng is a "thief"?
Talk about a double standard.
Besides,
A little arrogance brings in more emotional engagement.
His fans will love him regardless.
The haters? Even if he were modest, they’d call him pretentious or hypocritical.
The interview covered a lot.
Cao Cheng’s answers were consistently bold.
Even when it came to donations,
He spoke with official grace and grandeur.
Eventually, the topic shifted to the entertainment industry.
Bei Ning asked, "I know you’ve invested in equity across various industries, but recently, you’ve been working on a major entertainment project. What prompted this shift from finance to entertainment? Are you bullish on the industry, or is there another reason?"
Cao Cheng smiled. "It’s not really a shift—both are part of the tertiary sector. Besides, my grandmother was a musician in this field, and so are my sister and cousin. Maybe their influence gave me a certain fondness for the industry."
"Plus, I’ve got some spare cash now, so I’ll probably invest more in entertainment."
"But..."
Cao Cheng started seriously, then pivoted.
Bei Ning’s heart skipped a beat.
After half an hour of interviewing, he knew this fellow villager too well.
The man loved twists.
Sometimes, he’d say the most shocking things without batting an eye.
As thrilling as the content was, who knew how much would actually make it to air?
It still had to go through review.
"But that’s not the main reason."
"The main reason is... I think most people in this industry are trash."
"..." Bei Ning fought the urge to facepalm.
Bro, did you have to be that blunt?
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
ive and Ruthless] Before his transmigration, Ye Xuan was playing a game called "Severing Emotions to Attain the Dao." The game's core wasn't about leveling up by fighting monsters, but about conquering various "bad women" with wicked personalities and cold, fickle natures. There was only one method to conquer them: stay unwaveringly by their side, then die at a critical moment, driving them to madness after losing the protagonist. The higher their level of regret, the higher the player's score. To dominate the server, Ye Xuan conquered all the bad women. In the early stages, he showered them with boundless tenderness, only to choose to sacrifice himself for them later, making them weep bitterly and drown in regret. Among them were: Xia Lengyue, the unfaithful immortal wife who chased after powerful men and discarded her husband like trash. Ye Qingcheng, the Demonic Venerable of the Joyous Union Sect, who appeared pure and innocent but was, in reality, promiscuous. Wu Lingxiao, the Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty, who lusted after men and loved maintaining a harem. Bai Qiangu of the Endless Demonic Sect: a bloodthirsty mass murderer. However, when the protagonist transmigrated into the game world, he made a horrifying discovery. Eight hundred years had already passed. The bad women he had conquered had now each become deities and revered ancestors. Faced with the endless stream of toxic women coming for him, Ye Xuan could only rely on his god-tier acting skills to carve a path of survival through this world of treacherous women.
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
