Although reality can often be harsh, many must admit that talent and aptitude are often unattainable through mere envy.
Some individuals are born into affluent families, never worrying about food or drink, blessed with intelligence and beauty, surrounded by admirers. Others are naturally fair-skinned, beautiful, and exceptionally graceful, standing out in a crowd, and no amount of cosmetic surgery could rival their natural allure.
Take, for instance, a diva-level singer whose unique voice is a gift from birth. While other singers abstain from alcohol, smoking, and spicy food to protect their voices, she can indulge for a week and still perform flawlessly at a concert.
Consider a superstar like Arnold, whose innate qualities are so exceptional it's almost unfair. Other celebrities, after reaching the top, must meticulously maintain their image to avoid being surpassed by newcomers. Yet, Arnold can remain out of the spotlight for an entire year and still command unwavering support.
Then there is Xize, with his natural Asian identity, a pure Eastern face, black eyes, and hair. He can portray both generals and elders, his gaze capable of both worldly and ethereal expressions, evoking envy and admiration from many.
Arnold, accompanied by Sam, entered discreetly through the staff passage to avoid drawing special attention. However, reality often diverges from ideals. To Sam, wherever Arnold appears, he inevitably becomes the center of attention, especially at a gathering teeming with resources and connections.
As they walked through the staff passage, Sam mumbled behind Arnold, "Even if you want to keep a low profile, it's useless. Unless you stay home, as soon as you show up, people will flock to you."
Arnold remained silent, knowing that some occasions were unavoidable.
Yet, this particular gathering was starkly different from previous ones. Upon entering the venue, they were greeted by a dazzling array of crystal lights, but the hall was eerily silent. No one noticed Arnold's arrival; everyone quietly focused on the screen ahead.
Arnold paused at the entrance, directly facing Silver Fox's screen. As he entered, he saw a crowd with their backs to him. Sam, due to his angle, hadn't seen the screen and only noticed the unusual quietness of the hall.
This is too strange! How can it be so quiet?! Arnold entered, and no one noticed? What does it mean to turn their backs on Arnold?! Where is the respect for a superstar?
Sam was about to speak when Arnold stopped him, his arm, adorned with gold and diamond cufflinks, blocking Sam and pointing towards the screen.
Initially puzzled, Sam turned to look at the screen and gasped, "My God!!"
Xize's promotional photos had just finished playing, ending with a simple portrait. In the photo, Xize, wearing a white shirt, smiled gently at the camera, his eyes soft and serene. The extreme close-up magnified his flawless face, his black eyes and hair exuding an infinite Eastern charm. The subtle smile, eyes like crescent moons, and restrained mouth made it hard to believe that the same boy had produced the previous seven stunning promotional shots.
Sam's gasp coincided with the screen going black, snapping the audience out of their trance.
Finally, someone noticed Arnold, but their minds were still filled with the recent images, leading to an amusing scene.
Sam would remember this day forever, as it was unprecedented.
Veterans of the film industry, as if waking from a dream, approached Arnold, greeting him with excitement and saying, "Arnold, you're here. Great! Did you see those photos? They were astonishing."
"Mr. Arnold, hello. We met a year ago on Film Planet. You might not remember, but I'm Tom's partner. Did you see the promotional photos? That Asian kid, Xize, made my blood boil."
Familiar faces chimed in, "Arnold, why are you so late!? Xize's photos have finished. Xia Li didn't hide them until the end this time. If he had, I wouldn't cooperate with him for the next six months."
Strangers approached, "Mr. Arnold, hello. I'm XXX. Did you see the new guy, Xize?"
Arnold... Arnold... Xize... Xize...
Arnold had never encountered such a scene, where everyone greeted him while discussing another person. Even Arnold was surprised; mainstream media rarely mentioned his name alongside anyone else's. Yet today, both acquaintances and strangers eagerly talked to him about Xize.
Arnold's arrival seemed to split the venue into two main areas: one centered around Arnold, the other around Xize.
Jane Anning, like a guardian, stayed close to Xize. While Xize could appear multifaceted in photos, in reality, he maintained his usual gentle smile, like an innocent boy needing his agent's support.
This image was very endearing for a newcomer like Xize. In reality, most veterans preferred simple and clean new talents.
Jane Anning led Xize, greeting everyone who approached. Almost everyone showed great interest in Xize, with some filmmakers and veteran program producers expressing intentions to contact Jane Anning after the event.
As Jane Anning had promised Xize, she would handle the enmity, leaving Xize to simply be charming. As a seasoned agent, she knew how to converse, shield her artist from unnecessary engagements, and elevate his value.
Thus, Jane Anning was seen as a shrewd and proud agent, while Xize was a mysterious, highly coveted Asian newcomer.
Jane Anning and Xize greeted everyone without any specific targets, not seeking out directors or producers or clinging to veterans, appearing harmless and approachable.
But Jane Anning and Xize knew that some resources were already secured, and meeting more people now would pave the way for the future.
Soon, Xia Li, who had been absent, reappeared. He had been chatting in a private room and emerged after Xize's photos had finished playing.
Xia Li, the cunning old fox, smiled as he held a champagne glass, receiving envious and resentful glances from peers, greeting those inquiring about Xize.
He was soon intercepted by a famous producer and program director.
The man, Zhang Kai, a well-known producer of realistic simulation reality shows, was a mixed-race Asian. In his forties, he sported a high-brow black stubble and a bald head, rounder than Xia Li.
Privately, they had discussed Xize, but Xia Li, being secretive, hadn't revealed much. Zhang Kai hadn't taken it seriously, thinking Xia Li was just promoting his new talent group.
Now, Zhang Kai angrily confronted Xia Li, "You sly fox! The newcomer you mentioned was Xize?! Why didn't you show me his photos or videos?! I saved good resources for you! You're a damned fox!"
Xia Li, smiling, patted Zhang Kai, apologizing, "I didn't know the kid was this talented. You know, I'm busy and can't manage every detail. Calm down, I apologize."
Zhang Kai, still fuming, demanded, "Take me to him!!"
Xia Li, wiping Zhang Kai's spit from his face, agreed, "Alright, I'll call Jane over. She's his agent now."
Zhang Kai, though less angry, still looked displeased. His company, in collaboration with Arnold's studio, was creating a realistic simulation adventure reality show with massive investment and military resources. Despite the show's theme, it needed a new Asian face, preferably handsome, to boost ratings.
For two months, Zhang Kai had searched for a suitable Asian, even mixed-race, with black eyes and hair. Appearance wasn't crucial, but the right aura was essential.
Despite extensive searching, he hadn't found anyone suitable. He had contacted Xia Li about a four-member group managed by Jia En, but before the audition, he saw Xize's photos at the gathering.
He now wanted to strip Xia Li of his fat! Smiling! Smiling like a fool! A pure-blood Asian signed to Silver Fox should be cherished! If you don't, others will! Claiming to be too busy for such talent!
While Zhang Kai fumed, Jane Anning, receiving Xia Li's message, brought Xize over.
Zhang Kai, initially furious, glared at Xia Li, but when Xize emerged, his face blossomed into a smile.
Xia Li, holding his glass, maintained his composure in front of his subordinates. Seeing Jane Anning and Xize approach, he scolded Zhang Kai, "You're a big-time producer and director, stop grinning like that!"
Zhang Kai retorted, "As if you'd let that newcomer go so easily!"
Xia Li, touching his nose and glancing at Xize's clean face, thought helplessly, he really couldn't.