When will I be the queen

Chapter 469 Inside the Arena
"Who is this on my end?" Cai Cai asked the Immortal Lord.

The immortal was looking at the program booklet, and he didn't know either. "They must be artists from the company. Flip through them and see if there are any name tags."

Cai Cai didn't dare to look, and glared at the Immortal Lord, "How come you don't even know this!"
The immortal looked down at the program booklet and ignored Cai Cai.

Cai Cai could only pull out the program booklet. The program was packed with events—singing, dancing, awards ceremonies, speeches—all arranged. While there were bound to be surprises, this was the basic flow. Sure enough, the list was filled with names Cai Cai didn't recognize. Only a few names of clearly older, middle-aged artists were familiar to her. But the most familiar names were those of a group of business people; they were listed among the invited audience members, a special group due to company and individual sponsorships, including some award winners.
Cai Cai looked at one of the award-winning entrepreneurs, a little puzzled. Wasn't this guy still learning how to breed spotted cows? How did he become the most influential male entrepreneur of the year? After him was another familiar name; this string of names belonged to businessmen from Hong Kong, all of whom were respectfully addressed as entrepreneurs.
"Huamei's use of honorifics is much more generous than that of the National Taiwan Affairs Office." For a businessperson to receive such a title from the National Taiwan Affairs Office, patriotism, benefiting the country and its people are fundamental requirements; the ability to influence a local economy is a basic requirement; and good personal character and a stable, happy family are also essential. These minimum requirements eliminate 70% of Hong Kong's businesspeople. Even Ms. Cai Jinhui's initial title on the National Taiwan Affairs Office was simply "Representative of Hong Kong's Business Community," before she became a "Hong Kong Entrepreneur." The number of people in Hong Kong who have received this honorific title from the National Taiwan Affairs Office can now be counted on one hand.

Oh, her great-grandmother, Ms. Cai Chunqing, is known on Taiwan as a renowned entrepreneur from Hong Kong. Because Ms. Cai Chunqing consistently participated in and upheld the principle of "saving the nation through industry," she promoted the development of industry in Hong Kong and other regions, connecting various domestic and international economic networks, and making significant contributions to the nation and the country. She also made substantial contributions to education and other philanthropic endeavors. Even the notoriously harsh Hong Kong media never said anything bad about Ms. Cai Chunqing; the term "Empress" alone is enough to show the love and respect Hong Kong people have for her.

Unfortunately, Huamei missed out on the era of Ms. Cai Chunqing.
The Immortal Lord knew that Cai Cai had spotted some familiar faces; he had noticed the large list of Hong Kong businessmen long ago. Previously, there hadn't been this many people attending the lavish event.
At this moment, Si Chen arrived. He was wearing a bespoke suit, looking very handsome, though his makeup appeared a bit heavy upon closer inspection.
"Your eyeshadow is so sparkly," Cai Cai couldn't help but complain.

Si Chen resisted the urge to touch his eyelids. "Cao Xin's are even brighter than mine!"

Male celebrities shouldn't be comparing themselves like this.

Cai Cai then realized that the male celebrities had all been wearing rather heavy makeup along the way. Because the lighting was much dimmer backstage, the makeup looked even more pronounced on camera. If everyone else had lighter makeup, it wouldn't have been a problem, but once someone wore heavier makeup, they would look better on camera than the other celebrities in the frame. To avoid being at a disadvantage, everyone was forced to roll up their makeup. Luckily, the female celebrities always wore heavy makeup.

Well, it seems there's nothing fortunate about it; male celebrities should have experienced what it's like to wear makeup a long time ago.
Si Chen said he was sitting in the seat next to Cai Cai, "It was arranged by the company."

Cai Cai knew that Si Chen's main contract was with his senior's studio. Besides his senior, who was a semi-retired artist, there were other artists in the studio. "Is this okay?" Wan Qian only had Si Chen's film and television contracts.

"It's alright, my senior brother helped me contact Wanqian," Si Chen explained.

In other words, it was Si Chen who took the initiative to propose it, and Wan Qian probably agreed because of Cai Cai.

"Can I bring my senior brother over to say hello?" Si Chen had just asked that. His senior brother had no objections, but he was worried about Cai Cai.

Cai Cai didn't understand why it wasn't allowed. "Sure," she said, looking at the Immortal Lord. "Is it okay?"

The Immortal Lord nodded in agreement, saying that Si Chen would go find his senior brother before explaining to Cai Cai.

"You know there are unspoken factions in the entertainment industry, right?"

Cai Cai nodded, "I know, the academic and grassroots factions are mainly based on geographical location and mentorship." (Make up)

The "academic school" is easy to understand; it refers to graduates from officially recognized national art schools, most of whom then enter national art departments or similar organizations, generally holding positions or at the very least becoming members of formal associations. These are often referred to as "artist soldiers" by fans outside the art world.

The term "grassroots" has a broader scope. Previously, anyone not from an academic background was considered grassroots; even a math PhD or a financial tycoon becoming an actor was considered grassroots. Later, those who entered the industry from humble backgrounds—internet celebrities, extras, backup dancers, singers, amateur talent shows, stuntmen, etc.—were also referred to as grassroots by outsiders. In fact, nowadays, many people who come from relatively wealthy families, and who didn't become famous through acting, singing, or screenwriting, have all been categorized as grassroots.

"The most basic logic is that this person has no resources, or even any strength," the immortal explained.

Cai Cai understood; this was indeed very grassroots. "Actually, those who aren't second or third-generation rich kids in this industry are the real grassroots." For example, Si Chen, Xian Jun, and she herself could barely be considered one. Those whose families have no one involved in the entertainment industry are the real grassroots.

The immortal lord agreed, "Therefore, one can only rely on looks or money." But simply relying on money won't get you far.
As for regional affiliations, they initially stemmed from the production teams behind the scenes. Back then, there were film studios from various regions, along with Hong Kong and Taiwan, which led to distinct regional factions that even influenced the film and television productions. The downside was exclusion, but the upside was a flourishing of diverse styles. Film, television, music, and even hosting and entertainment styles each had their own unique characteristics, appealing to a wide audience and creating a vibrant industry. Later, with the passing of a group of older members, divisions arose, eventually evolving into a purely regional phenomenon based on household registration.

For example, Xianjun is a resident of the capital city, so he belongs to the film and television faction there and is a representative figure. Cai Cai herself has also been classified as a member of the capital city faction, but she is now a resident of Hong Kong, which is not a secret in the industry. Therefore, the capital city faction is reluctant to let go of her but does not dare to be too close to her. However, because of Xianjun, she can still enjoy the benefits of the capital city faction.

What are the benefits? The most obvious is that whenever there are projects in Beijing, artists from the Beijing faction will be given priority. Various events held in Beijing will also prioritize inviting artists from the Beijing faction. The same applies to other regional factions.

Now, due to the existence of many platforms, regional factions have emerged based on the location of the platform's headquarters. There are also regional factions based on the location of major film and television cities.

In simple terms, the "mentorship system" originated from academic factions and the earliest regional factions. Early practitioners left academia, their workplaces, and film studios to establish their own production teams. This was typically done by directors. For example, Fang Xiaoning comes from a mentorship system; he initially left a long-established film studio with his directing mentor. Later, students trained by the same mentor also formed mentorship systems, including directors, actors, singers, dancers, hosts, crosstalk performers, traditional performing artists, and even internet celebrities.

A popular online chef has created his own culinary school.

In the entertainment industry, the mentor-mentee faction is the closest and relatively stable. After all, the titles of master, senior brother, and senior sister are similar to those of family members, and they are influenced by the traditional values ​​of respecting teachers and elders. They are expected to impart knowledge, guide students, and resolve doubts, and most importantly, they are bound by shared interests, making stability difficult to maintain. It's also the faction where directors are most concentrated. Therefore, compared to other factions, it holds a relatively high status.
Other people outside the circle, influenced by marketing accounts, are divided into groups like the dog-owning faction, the cat-owning faction, the hotpot faction, and the director's wife faction. These are all things to be taken with a grain of salt and enjoyed as entertainment.

There are indeed many factions within the industry, and they are quite complex, but overall, practitioners tend to gravitate towards the most self-interested group.

"There are many factions in the capital. Si Chen's senior brother is named Feng Yuan. He studied acting and joined an actor faction in the capital after graduation. Then he met a director from a certain sect and went to that sect, thus breaking away from all the factions in the capital. Later, he met an investor and semi-detached himself from the company, becoming an investor himself. That's how he was able to sign Si Chen." Xianjun didn't want to be too explicit, but he basically explained it. "Many people say he's treacherous, and even more are jealous and envious of his ability to seize opportunities. But in general, people from many factions in the capital don't like to greet him. They can interact with him privately, but in places with cameras, to avoid leaving public images of their interactions or being in the same frame, it's not good to talk to him at Huamei. Mainly, there are some risks associated with him. If he falls from grace in the future, those who are in the same frame as him will either become the stones that kick him when he's down or the walls that collapse with him."

These are precisely the two situations that artists least want. Regardless of what happens behind the scenes, everyone in the industry tacitly agrees that harmony brings wealth and avoiding offending anyone. Even after retiring, they won't gossip about what they know about the industry. When retired or semi-retired artists do live-streaming e-commerce, the so-called "explosive revelations" they claim to have risked their careers for, are mostly not truly explosive. The public isn't stupid, but because of the entertainment industry's taboo surrounding such revelations, any artist who dares to claim they're ruining their career by making such a statement will always receive a wave of support from netizens.

Feng Yuan falls into this category. Because of his repeated attempts to climb the social ladder, many rumors, both true and false, circulated outside the industry. While opinions were mixed, the majority praised him. Because he was well-liked by audiences, those who favored him didn't see him as treacherous; they only saw him as striving to rise above his circumstances, breaking free from the shackles of capitalism, and reaching the pinnacle of freedom. This kind of villainous, overpowered protagonist persona resonated with netizens, thus cultivating a considerable number of extreme fans.

If someone in the industry is even slightly enthusiastic towards Feng Yuan, they're seen as envious and fawning over him. If they don't have any interaction with Feng Yuan, they're seen as jealous and resentful.

"So he was a high-risk artist, and that's why he couldn't act anymore. But in the capital industry, there's no such concern." Xianjun showed Cai Cai some extreme fan comments about Feng Yuan, which were truly extreme. "He just took a shortcut, acting for many fewer years than other actors before going into capital." Once you enter this industry, 99% of people don't want to leave. Because wealth, honor, adoration, and dignity come too easily compared to any other industry.

Cai Cai blinked. "I thought the ultimate goal for an actor was to become a director." Turns out, it's to become a capitalist!
"It's all the same. Actors who switch to directing already have inherent advantages." The key is whether they genuinely want to be directors or just want to make money as directors.

At this moment, Si Chen arrived with Feng Yuan.

Feng Yuan was dressed very simply; his suit looked expensive, but it was clearly not haute couture. He wasn't wearing any jewelry either, appearing quite plain, yet exuding a relaxed air, perfectly embodying the high-handedness of capital.

Cai Cai could tell he was acting at a glance. Because she was surrounded by so many genuinely relaxed and natural people, and now she only had one in front of her. An actor can never truly portray someone who isn't themselves. Those professional dramas are made for audiences who aren't in the profession; those in the industry simply can't stand them.

After Si Chen finished introducing them, Feng Yuan leaned forward and bowed slightly to greet Cai Cai with a handsome smile. He had the kind of reassuring older brother look, with gentle and well-defined features. He looked like a very popular and handsome guy.

Cai Cai looked him straight in the eye and saw his unease. She was puzzled, but still managed a smile. "I'm Cai Cai, it's a pleasure to meet you. Chenchen has been talking about you a lot, and I'm very grateful for your help with Chenchen. Please continue to look after him in the future; Chenchen's career depends on you. If there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to contact me anytime."

It's exactly the same attitude you would have when meeting your family's child's boss.

Si Chen looked at Cai Cai speechlessly. How could you make such a promise?
The immortal lord didn't speak or stand up, but tilted his head and watched Cai Cai and Feng Yuan talk.

Feng Yuan naturally wouldn't dare respond to Cai Cai's words. He knew about Cai Cai's background before signing Si Chen. He was initially excited and impulsive upon learning that Si Chen and Cai Cai were related, but quickly calmed down. If Si Chen wanted to exploit his relationship with Cai Cai and the power behind her, he wouldn't have signed her in the first place. After all, his reputation in the capital wasn't good, and many self-recommending newcomers deliberately projected an ambitious image to curry favor with him.

In reality, Feng Yuan himself can't quite figure out how he got to where he is today. He clearly learned from others, seeing what they did and doing it the same way. From social media to cultivating a fanbase, the result was that he didn't become an actor, but a capitalist, with a group of extremely fanatical career-driven fans. But if he's confused, he's not, and he has no regrets.

But his life's dream was to become a talented actor like Xianjun and Cai Cai. However, his talent certainly didn't shine in acting.

Behind the scenes, Feng Yuan is a true fan of Immortal Lord Cai Cai. He has registered multiple fan accounts using various phone numbers, having spent six years in the Immortal Court and two years in the Vegetable Garden. He can be considered a veteran fan.

"No, no, you're too kind. There's only so much I can do. It's all thanks to Si Chen's hard work. He's a talented and hardworking actor, a mentor in both character and conduct. I've learned so much from him. There's no question of relying on him; on the contrary, Si Chen has always helped and cared for me. He's the one who has made me who I am. I'm truly grateful to him. I've always wanted to say that if there's anything I've overlooked that requires more attention from Si Chen, please let me know. I really have many shortcomings and haven't done well enough."

Feng Yuan naturally didn't dare to respond to Cai Cai's words, and was even somewhat apprehensive, because it was true that his reputation and career had improved considerably after he signed Si Chen. Not to mention that after Si Chen and Cai Cai's relationship became public, people inside and outside the industry said that he had once again succeeded in his scheme. He didn't dare to admit that he had no idea and could only accept the envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Si Chen quickly stopped Cai Cai, not letting her speak anymore. "Alright, alright, anyone who didn't know better would think I'm some kind of useless bastard." He patted his senior brother on the shoulder. "Didn't you say you were going to thank them for the project?"

Feng Yuan said "oh" and once again expressed his deep gratitude to Cai Cai for introducing the project to Si Chen. Although he was not incapable of finding a project with the same investment for Si Chen, the character setting, screen time, and even the styling could never compare to the project introduced by Cai Cai.

Cai Cai said it was only right.

Because the competition for the Ninth Princess project was too fierce, and since none of the male characters offered any advantage to Si Chen, Cai Cai didn't let Si Chen squeeze in. She then asked the Immortal Lord for another project for Si Chen, stating matter-of-factly as compensation; otherwise, she would have had to snatch a role from the Ninth Princess project for him.

Xianjun had too many projects in hand, and there happened to be one that was already in preparation. The male lead role was being held up because the company wanted to retain him internally, but couldn't find a suitable replacement, so they were considering selling him, but hadn't agreed on a price yet. Artists from other companies and platforms were asking for higher fees and had more demands, and most of them would also bring their own screenwriters and makeup artists, which Xianjun wouldn't agree to. Just then, Cai Cai brought up the project, and Xianjun showed it to her. Cai Cai thought the male lead's character was okay, and although the story was a bit cliché, if filmed well, it could be a background drama, so she was willing to take it.

Si Chen was looking for a break from work, and after hearing Cai Cai's suggestion, he accepted the role without even reading the script.

When the company saw it was Si Chen, and with the Immortal Lord and Cai Cai backing him up, they didn't cause much trouble and quickly approved the contract with him. It was only then that Si Chen realized this was a project with an investment of over 100 million yuan, and a total investment expected to be nearly 200 million yuan. Si Chen had never played the male lead in such a large project before. After being stunned, he quickly asked Cai Cai, who herself didn't know anything about it. He then asked the Immortal Lord and learned that it was a fantasy drama project planned for joint domestic and international distribution; if it sold well, there was a high possibility of a second season.

This is a suggestion from Si Chen; try to get him and his studio to sign a priority contract.

Having received such a great favor, Feng Yuanbai hurried off to handle the matter while also thinking of personally thanking Immortal Lord Cai Cai. For Si Chen's sake, and for his own.