How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 385 Rich and willful!
evening.

After recording the program, Cao Qing rushed back to the company and found Xu Qingyu, the director of the training department, who was about to leave work.

"Director Xu, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately," Cao Qing said, mustering her courage. Her tense expression made her look somewhat nervous.

She'd been holding it in all day and just had to get it out; if she didn't find out the truth, she was sure she'd have trouble sleeping tonight.

Seeing Cao Qing's serious expression, Xu Qingyu assumed that they had something important to discuss, so she went back behind her desk, sat down, and pointed to the chair opposite her, indicating that he should sit down as well.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Cao Qing glanced at the chair but didn't sit down. After taking a deep breath, she said, "Director, Zhao Tong, Zhang Jiajia, Cheng Sisi, Chen Silu, and Su Jin were eliminated from the show 'Super Trainee.' Why were they able to form a group and debut after returning to the company?"

Xu Qingyu was taken aback. Looking at the indignant Cao Qing, she immediately understood why the other party had come to find her.

envy!

It's because of jealousy.

"Don't you know why Zhao Tong and the others were eliminated? Do you, like everyone else, think that Zhao Tong and the others were eliminated because of the vote?" Xu Qingyu retorted directly.

"..."

Cao Qing was speechless for a moment.

She naturally knew why Zhao Tong and the others were eliminated, and she also knew why she wasn't eliminated along with them, but she felt a little unbalanced.

Why is it that Zhao Tong and the others were able to debut as a group without putting in any effort, while she put in so much effort but still couldn't become a member of the Super Girl group?

So unfair!
Seeing that the other party did not speak, Xu Qingyu asked, "Is there anything else you want to ask? If not, go back and focus on preparing for the show."

Cao Qing was unwilling and gritted her teeth, saying, "Even if they were eliminated because of behind-the-scenes manipulation, what about me? We were all excellent trainees in the company. Why didn't the company consider me when they wanted to form a girl group, and why didn't anyone ask for my opinion? This is not fair."

“I understand how you feel, but I can’t answer the question you just asked,” Xu Qingyu said.

"Why?" Cao Qing frowned deeply, feeling slighted and betrayed by the company.

"Because you asked the wrong person." Xu Qingyu shrugged, looking completely innocent.

"what?"

Cao Qing was stunned for a moment, his eyes filled with confusion.

Director Xu doesn't know?
How can it be?

Xu Qingyu noticed the doubt in Cao Qing's mind and slowly said, "The fact that Zhao Tong and the others were able to form a group and debut was entirely due to Teacher Zhang's efforts. He is also the person in charge of the Future Girls group now. If you want to know the answers to those questions, you should ask him."

"Teacher Zhang?"

The man's face flashed through Cao Qing's mind. She shook her head and said, "Impossible. He's not a high-ranking executive in the company. Why would he arrange for someone to debut whenever he wants?"

Although the training department can also obtain a lot of resources from the company, these resources are mostly minor, peripheral roles, such as playing the sixth female lead, being a backup dancer for celebrities, or shooting some print advertisements.

This time, however, the company is promoting the group in a big way, which shows that they attach great importance to it and it is no exaggeration to say that they are being developed as a key target.

How could Teacher Zhang, a mere trainee instructor, have such great decision-making power?
“Nothing is impossible,” Cao Qing said calmly. “In order to promote the debut of the future girl group, Teacher Zhang signed a contract with the company that is similar to a betting agreement. He will be fully responsible for the group from now on, the company will not invest a single penny, and the group will need to pay ten million to the company every year.”

"What?" Cao Qing was taken aback.

She never dreamed that Teacher Zhang would go to such lengths to help Zhao Tong and others debut.

They don't want company resources, yet they want to hand over ten million to the company every year? Isn't that insane?
Cao Qing thought for a long time but still couldn't figure it out, so in the end she could only turn her gaze back to Director Xu.

"Director, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Xu Qingyu smiled and looked at the trainee in front of her, saying, "Why would I lie to you? If you want to debut, you can sign a contract like this. You are an individual, and you only need to pay two million yuan every year. The company will also promote you on Weibo."

As the head of the training department, she really hoped that all trainees could sign such a contract.

The company currently has more than 200 trainees, each receiving 2 million yuan, which amounts to 400 million yuan a year. This is pure profit with zero investment.

Looking at the entire entertainment industry, how many entertainment companies can achieve a net profit of 4 million yuan per year?

Only a handful.

"But, but without company resources, where do they get exposure, jobs, and income?" Cao Qing still didn't believe it.

It costs money to cultivate someone, and it costs even more money to promote someone.

How can I advertise if I have no money? How can I get on the trending topics list if I have no money? How can I treat everyone to a meal if I have no money?

“I’d also like to know the answers to these questions you’ve raised. Why don’t you ask Teacher Zhang? If he answers, remember to come back and tell me,” Xu Qingyu said.

"..."

Cao Qing opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

She came here today to find Director Xu to resolve a problem, but now, instead of getting an answer, she's encountered even more problems...
Oh no, I'm going to have insomnia tonight.

Seeing Cao Qing's distraught appearance, Xu Qingyu thought for a moment and said, "By the way, let me remind you of something. Teacher Zhang is very rich. One of his songs can sell for ten million."

Cao Qing trembled all over.

At that moment, all the questions were answered.

Because Teacher Zhang is rich, he can promote whomever he wants; because Teacher Zhang is rich, he is not afraid of performance-based contracts.

In short, it boils down to this: rich and willful.

Indeed, it's impossible to succeed in the entertainment industry without a powerful backer.

"Any other questions?" Xu Qingyu asked.

The implication is: If there are no problems, then go ahead and don't keep me from getting off work.

"That's all." Cao Qing shook his head in disappointment.

As for why Teacher Zhang didn't choose her...

She didn't dare ask.

However, considering Teacher Zhang's attitude towards her and towards Zhao Tong and others, she could roughly guess some of the reasons.

Xu Qingyu got up and walked to Cao Qing's side, patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Cao Qing, don't envy Zhao Tong and the others. With your qualities, you will definitely shine in 'Super Trainee'. If you can become a member of the Super Girl group, your future will be limitless."

That's a nice way of putting it. To put it bluntly, it's like saying: Don't be greedy and always want more.

Upon hearing this, Cao Qing felt not better, but rather extremely bitter.

Others may not know, but she knows very well that she will not become a member of the Super Girl group and will be eliminated in the final competition.

However, as compensation, Mr. Feng promised to give her a third female lead role in a self-produced drama on Qiku Video.

Thinking about this, Cao Qing adjusted her mindset and began to comfort herself. Although Zhao Tong and others were quite popular now, they might not be so in the future. As for her, although she wasn't popular now, with the exposure from the show "Super Trainee" and that web drama where she played the third female lead, who knows, she might become a big star in the future?

"Director Xu, it's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer." Cao Qing forced a smile, then turned and walked out.

Xu Qingyu watched Cao Qing's departing figure and shook her head inwardly.

She could tell that Cao Qing didn't have a good relationship with Zhao Tong and the others. Otherwise, they were all from the same company, so why were Zhao Tong and the others eliminated while Cao Qing was able to stay on the show?
It's likely that Xiao Zhang realized this as well, which is why he didn't consider Cao Qing when forming the girl group.

If a group is not united and everyone has their own selfish motives, then the group is destined not to last long.

Cao Qing left the director's office, wondering whether he should ask General Manager Feng for a few more resources.

A third female lead is ultimately just a third female lead; she won't get much attention. But if she could get a second female lead role, her popularity would definitely skyrocket.

Since we've already taken that step, what difference does it make whether it's once or many times?
If she can get close to Mr. Feng, wouldn't she be able to get on Qiku Video's variety shows and TV dramas whenever she wants?
"Cao Qing?"

Just then, a pretty young woman walked towards us.

Cao Qing looked up and saw Xu Xin, a trainee from the training department and her current roommate. They had a fairly good relationship.

"Didn't you go to record a show today? Why are you at the company?" Xu Xin walked up quickly and asked curiously.

"The show's finished, let's go back to the company and take a look," Cao Qing said with a smile, her previous disappointment and frustration gone, replaced by the sense of superiority of an outstanding trainee.

Although she is indeed at a disadvantage compared to Zhao Tong and others, she is still quite good compared to ordinary trainees who need to compete for resources through monthly exams.

Despite its many controversies, "Super Trainee" remains the most popular reality show on the internet.

And she will make it to the finals.

This is something that ordinary trainees cannot do.

“I know, you must have come back to see Zhao Tong and Zhang Jiajia, right? I know where they are, I'll take you there.” Xu Xin said, taking Cao Qing’s hand and walking towards the practice room.

"what?"

Cao Qing froze, about to say no, when Xu Xin interrupted her.

"Are netizens blind these days? They actually eliminated Zhao Tong and the others. They're so blind! But when it comes to judging people, Teacher Zhang is the best. He made Zhao Tong and the others famous with just one song. You might not know, but everyone was really motivated during training today. They all want to become the next girl group..."

Xu Xin continued talking non-stop, completely oblivious to Cao Qing's unpleasant expression.

Cao Qing had almost calmed down, but hearing others praise Zhao Tong and the others immediately made her feel worse again.

What do you mean?
Zhao Tong and others shouldn't have been eliminated. Should she have been eliminated instead?
"It's mainly because Teacher Zhang's songs are so good," Cao Qing said. "Whoever sings Teacher Zhang's songs becomes famous."

She would rather praise Teacher Zhang, whom she had always looked down upon, than admit that Zhao Tong and others were better than her.

“That’s true, but if Zhao Tong and the others didn’t have talent, they wouldn’t have so many fans,” Xu Xin said.

"..."

Cao Qing's lips twitched, and she thought to herself, "Is this person here to deliberately annoy me?"

"Xu Xin, I..."

Cao Qing wanted to find a reason to leave, since Zhao Tong and the others knew why she hadn't been eliminated, and it would be awkward to meet her. But as soon as she spoke, Xu Xin interrupted her again.

"Cao Qing and Zhao Tong are practicing their dance. I heard they received an invitation from Jiang Li to be guest performers at her concert..."

"What? Who told you this?" Cao Qing asked in surprise, no longer in a hurry to leave.

Jiang Li is a pop diva, and being a guest performer at her concert would definitely garner a lot of attention.

"That's what everyone's saying. Apparently, someone saw Sister Li's manager having dinner with Zhao Tong and the others, and overheard them," Xu Xin said.

Cao Qing gritted her teeth, her eyes once again flashing with jealousy.

Practice Room 9.

The room was now filled with trainees, all staring intently at Zhao Tong, Zhang Jiajia, Cheng Sisi, Chen Silu, and Su Jin as they danced, their eyes filled with envy.

Zhao Tong and the others did not let the trainees leave the classroom. They treated these trainees as audience members to train their ability to resist interference and avoid messing up when facing tens of thousands of fans at the concert.

"Excuse me, could you please make way?" Xu Xin squeezed through the congested front door to clear a path for Cao Qing behind her.

Cao Qing hadn't seen Zhao Tong and the others for many days, and now that he saw them again, he felt that the five of them had changed a lot.

Their every move is full of vitality and artistic rhythm, and they exude an invisible aura.

This is something only excellent dancers possess.

Cao Qing was secretly shocked. When did these five people become so powerful?

Previously, only Zhang Jiajia, who was the best dancer, could do this, followed by Cheng Sisi, but now it feels like everyone's dancing has improved to a higher level.

If before this she was confident that she was no worse than Zhao Tong and others, now that confidence has begun to gradually dissipate.

At least in terms of dancing, she is not as good as these five people.

why?
Why have they changed so much?

It wasn't like this when we recorded the show a while ago.

Could it be that these five people have been hiding their true strength all along?

Cao Qing clenched his fist, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.

It's one thing for him to be luckier than her, but now he's even stronger than her. How can she accept that?

As Gu Chunyan's prized student, she always looked down on Teacher Zhang's teaching methods, believing them to be pretentious and that Zhao Tong and others were just pretending to know what they didn't.

Meditation? Bullshit.

But now, seeing the changes in Zhao Tong and the others, her heart was filled with contradictions and a sense of crisis, and her previous understanding began to crumble.

Is my inability to meditate due to a lack of comprehension? Am I truly inferior to Zhao Tong and others? Is Teacher Zhang really more capable than Teacher Gu? Have all my previous assumptions been wrong?

Do not!
I don't admit it!

Cao Qing shook off Xu Xin's hand and hurriedly walked out of the practice room.

She's going to find General Manager Feng, and she's going now.

With President Feng as her backer, she believed she still had a chance to turn things around.

She, Cao Qing, absolutely cannot lose.

……

(End of this chapter)