Fourth Sister: What are you getting so close to me for Back off.

After dinner.

Cao Cheng asked their respective assistants to send the two girls off. Little Hanyun had now graduated, and the company in Zhonghai had arranged a dormitory for her.

It was much closer.

Cao Cheng got in the car, took out his laptop, downloaded the digital photos, and then posted a Weibo.

The picture he posted was the one taken during the meal just now.

The content read: "I went out for a stroll along the riverbank today and happened to meet two beautiful young ladies. I invited them to a meal by the way. I also accidentally found that they have good acting skills and abilities. I really feel like I've found a treasure. I'd like to invite them to my media company, but I don't know how to bring it up. I'm afraid of being too abrupt."

"???"

"..."

"Come on, does he think we're stupid?"

"Aren't these just the artists of his company? What's he talking nonsense about here?"

"Both of the young ladies are so cute. I envy Young Master Cao every day."

"If I could have such young ladies accompany me for a meal, I'd die a happy man."

"Do you really think it's just a meal? (Winking face)"

"Hey, don't talk nonsense. I'm so heart - broken..."

"One is Little Hanyun. Who's the other one?"

"Consort Ying!"

"Consort Ying?"

"From *Empresses in the Palace*. Haven't you watched it?"

"I watched it, but I didn't pay attention."

"Oh my god, I just realized it's Consort Ying. But it's strange. When I watched the TV series, I didn't think she was this good - looking. What's going on? Didn't she wear makeup when filming, but put on special makeup when meeting Young Master Cao?"

"I get it. This girl doesn't suit ancient costumes. She looks beautiful in modern clothes. This simple outfit gives off a feeling of a next - door girl."

"I'm going to re - watch the previous episodes, but can someone tell me who Consort Ying is?"

"..."

Soon.

Some reports came out, and people who didn't know started to inquire about Mao Xiaotong.

As for Little Hanyun, there were still quite a few negative comments.

Even though on the surface, Young Master Cao and Mango TV had reconciled, and Mango TV had broadcast the drama *Shocking*.

But the fans of the Super Girl contest didn't care about that.

These fans only knew that Little Hanyun was a traitor. When Miracle Media had a falling - out with Tianyu, Little Hanyun joined Miracle Media.

Wasn't that being a traitor?

Even though Miracle Media, Tianyu, and Mango TV had buried the hatchet, it couldn't wash away the fact that Little Hanyun had betrayed.

Young Master Cao hadn't been active on Weibo for two months, and this sudden post naturally went viral.

It also brought quite a bit of popularity to the two girls.

The company also opened Weibo accounts for them, and their follower counts started to skyrocket.

However,

Their Weibo accounts were temporarily managed by the management teams and needed to be in constant contact with the public relations department within the company.

In the future, whether it was posting photos or making comments, everything had to go through the company's review.

Mainly because the girls were young, and they were afraid that they might say something wrong.

...

When he got home.

The Fourth was sitting cross - legged on the sofa, using her laptop and replying to something on Weibo.

The big TV in front was playing *Empresses in the Palace*.

Hearing the noise, the Fourth turned around and gave Cao Cheng a sidelong glance.

Cao Cheng knew that this girl was jealous again.

Cao Cheng walked up, nestled next to her, and looked at her computer. She was arguing with some black fans using a small - scale account.

The Fourth had always had a bad temper.

"What are you scolding about? Oh my god, it's so vulgar. You're actually saying you'll f*** his dad?"

"..."

The Fourth was angry and slapped his arm.

It made a really loud noise.

Cao Cheng rubbed his shoulder, grimacing in pain. "Hey, why did you hit me? It was you who wanted to... "

The Fourth ignored his question and gave a soft snort. "Did you have a good time at dinner?"

Cao Cheng gave a silly grin. "Dinner was just so - so. The private - kitchen cuisine there was only of average quality. But it was still quite nice having dinner with the two young ladies."

"You... "

[Ding~ Negative emotions... ]

"Of course, no matter how happy I was, it's still not as good as being with my Xiang - mei." Cao Cheng quickly coaxed. As long as he got the emotions, it was fine.

First, negative emotions.

Then, positive ones.

Earning from both ends, he was really winning big.

Accumulating small victories into a great one. Amassing little by little was the way to go.

Hearing the mention of "Xiang - mei", The Fourth nodded and gave a little humph, looking as if she thought he was sensible.

But then.

The Fourth frowned and pointed at the laptop. "Look at what you've done."

Cao Cheng turned his head to look.

The fragrance from The Fourth wafted around his nose, and he unconsciously leaned a bit closer.

The Fourth glared at him angrily. "Why are you getting so close? Get out of the way."

Cao Cheng smiled but didn't move, continuing to look at the laptop.

Then, Young Master Cao looked puzzled. "Why are you blaming me? Wasn't it you who cursed at that guy and said you wanted to... his father? Why are you being so reckless? I'm not his father."

"… "

It took The Fourth a moment to understand the logic of his words.

Her face turned red. She pinched his waist and shouted in embarrassment and annoyance. "Who told you to focus on that? I meant for you to see what he said."

Of course, Cao Cheng had seen it.

It was just some keyboard warrior who said, "That guy surnamed Cao has such a good life. He eats well every day. Tonight will surely be a night of passion. How envious I am. But to be honest, those showbiz women, well... "

There was never a shortage of such remarks on the Internet.

This was not the first one, and it would never be the last.

After all,

Envying the plutocrats every day was the norm for most guys.

…

The Fourth pointed at the comment. "Do you think such a person deserves to be scolded?"

"Deserves it." Cao Cheng nodded seriously. "I'm sworn enemies with gambling and drugs."

The Fourth rolled her eyes at him and scolded. "And you, why did you have to post the photos to show off when you were just having a meal? What are you so cocky about? Don't you know it'll have an impact on the reputation of our artists?"

This showed that

The Fourth wasn't really jealous.

As the apparent boss of Miracle Media, how could she not understand the image of the artists under the company?

Little Hanyun came to Zhonghai after graduation. The company arranged accommodation and a management team for her.

Even this dinner was because Little Hanyun and Mao Xiaotong, who had just signed with the company, happened to be in Zhonghai.

Cao Cheng inviting the artists under the company to dinner was a common practice in the media company to strengthen the relationship.

After all, although the artists seemed to be employees, in fact, the relationship between the boss and the employees in this kind of company was not the same as that in an ordinary company.

It was more like a friendship.

For this dinner tonight, Cao Cheng had even asked The Fourth if she wanted to come. She just didn't want to move, so she didn't go.

So,

It wasn't entirely out of jealousy but more of a concern about the impact on the reputation.

"Okay, okay, I'll be more careful next time." Cao Cheng smiled and didn't say much.

Be more careful next time?

Not a chance.

Young Master Cao wouldn't miss any opportunity to collect emotions.

The Fourth didn't understand at all.

Did she know how many emotion points that single photo had attracted?

A full eleven thousand, and it was still increasing.

These emotional points are not only the negative emotions from those men who envy Young Master Cao, but also the jealous emotions from many female fans who envy Little Hanyun and the other girl.

Cao Cheng is not an entertainer, but it doesn't stop him from having a lot of "wife fans".

All in all, isn't he making a fortune?

Of course, apart from earning emotional points, it's also about building an image.

What's wrong with Cao Cheng having a meal with the artists under his company? This is just the beginning.

In a few years, when people find out that there are more female artists than male artists under Young Master Cao, and that he has meals and drinks with these artists every day, the effect will be explosive.

Especially since they are just starting out and don't have much fame yet.

When he manages to cultivate a few movie queens, divas, and variety show goddesses, that's when the emotional points will really go through the roof.

Do you really think Young Master Cao is fond of the entertainment industry? You're overthinking it.

Without the emotional points, Young Master Cao would rather lie at home and drink tea. Isn't that more enjoyable?

...

"Right!"

Seeing that Young Master Cao obediently agreed, The Fourth stopped nagging him and suddenly remembered something.

The Fourth said, "Didn't you mention before that little girl from the big earthquake, Zhang Zifeng... We've contacted her parents, but her parents..."

Seeing The Fourth hesitating to speak, Cao Cheng understood and asked, "They don't want to sign with our company?"

"Yes."

The Fourth said, "Sister Li went there in person. The little girl really wants to join us. It seems she's even your little fan, probably a fan of your looks..."

Cao Cheng gave a sidelong glance.

There's no need to mention that she's a fan of his looks.

Dude has inner beauty, okay? You don't understand a thing.

The Fourth continued, "But her parents, especially her mother, chose Huayi. As the guardian, her mother's opinion matters a lot, so Sister Li had no choice."

Cao Cheng frowned and asked, "Have they signed?"

"Not yet."

The Fourth said, "This little girl's mother is very shrewd. She knows that both our company and Huayi want to sign her daughter, so she's holding out for a better offer. She's probably waiting to see which company can offer better terms."

Cao Cheng laughed and said, "It's only natural for her to think that way. But our company's contracts seem to be unmatched by anyone. What are they still hesitating about?"

Cao Cheng is right.

The contracts of Miracle Media are designed to make others jealous.

Every time they are mentioned now, all the talent agencies in the industry can't help but curse behind their backs.

This is also the reason why many artists want to come here.

If it weren't for the strict casting requirements of Miracle Media, which almost always need Cao Cheng's approval, the number of artists at Miracle Media would probably exceed a hundred in no time.

Who wouldn't want to come, whether they're well - known or unknown?

So, if we simply compare the terms, not to mention the domestic entertainment industry, there's no entertainment industry in the world that can offer better terms than Miracle Media.

Since they haven't signed yet, it means there must be some sticking point.

The Fourth explained, "The little girl's mother is extremely shrewd. If Sister Li hadn't suddenly shown up, she would probably have signed with Huayi already."

"She hasn't signed yet mainly because she wants all the benefits and doesn't want to consider any of the drawbacks. She's discussing the contract duration with Sister Li."

"If we can reduce the contract duration to eight years or even five years, she'll sign with us right away."

Hearing this, Cao Cheng laughed and said, "What a pipe dream!"

The Fourth shrugged and said, "Tell me about it. Does she really think we're running a charity?"

It's true that the contracts from Cao Cheng's side are very good. The only drawback might be that the contract duration is relatively long.

Of course,

It depends on the person. For established figures who are already famous, the contract terms are much more flexible—three years, or even two.

Since they don’t require much training or resource investment, these people can start generating profit the moment they’re signed. It’s a win-win.

But for those who need nurturing, like Little Chensheng or Little Hanyun… it’s fifteen years.

The penalty for breaching the contract is also high.

This is a double-edged sword. If you want favorable contract terms, the duration inevitably has to be long.

Especially for someone with no reputation at all—where the company has to invest in training and resources—it’d be strange if the contract wasn’t lengthy.

Take someone like Zhang Zifeng, for example.

She’s still in school.

Her education can’t be put on hold, so her filming time each year is far less than the average artist’s. Even many endorsement deals are off the table—her limitations are huge.

It’ll take at least ten years for her to take off, meaning she’d only be profitable for the company for about five years.

Fifteen years doesn’t even seem long enough.

And yet…

Her mother dares to negotiate an annual salary? Five years? Eight?

Dream on.

Sure, Cao Cheng needs emotional leverage, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play the fool.