Perfect Divorce [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 42

Ye Huai’s flight was at 9:30 AM, and he arrived at his destination in the afternoon. Yuan Xingzhou went to the company, checking his phone incessantly throughout the day.

“Is something wrong?” Li Yu was accompanying an artist abroad and was in the middle of contacting an agent to handle paperwork. He looked surprised to see Yuan Xingzhou.

Yuan Xingzhou asked a few questions about the film crew—nothing more than how the female lead was and who the male supporting actors were. Whenever he asked these things, Li Yu would get a bit impatient, but he still gave him a full introduction.

It wasn’t a completely unfamiliar crew; several of them turned out to be supporting actors from that xianxia drama, and at that time, their status was higher than Yuan Xingzhou’s.

Yuan Xingzhou hadn’t continued to follow those few after the awards ceremony. He hadn’t expected that in just half a year, some had already “faded” to the point of being supporting actors for him.

“It’s not that they faded; it’s that you’ve maintained your popularity well this year.” Although the Huai-Zhou CP was a hidden danger, it had to be admitted that while everyone else was racking their brains to stay relevant, Yuan Xingzhou gained much more exposure than others by relying on this bundling.

In Lost City, which finished filming not long ago, Yuan Xingzhou’s performance had taken a qualitative leap. The director praised him to everyone he met. When industry acquaintances chatted, they all said Yuan Xingzhou was easy to talk to and could endure hardship.

“In this industry, it’s like rowing upstream; don’t waste your mind worrying about useless things. Only by acting well can you continue to have a living.” Li Yu looked down, busy replying to messages, but didn’t forget to instruct, “If your professional ability can hold up, then hot topics are the icing on the cake. If your professional ability isn’t good, then popularity is a castle in the air; it’ll collapse sooner or later.”

Yuan Xingzhou nodded repeatedly, then mentioned casually, “By the way, during the last variety show recording, a guest said they wanted to invite me to release a song.”

“Oh?” Li Yu asked. “Which one? Tan Yanke?”

Yuan Xingzhou shook his head quickly. “No, it’s another one, surnamed Pan. I want to try it out. If this matter is reliable, should I have them talk to you first?”

Li Yu didn’t take it to heart, waving his hand. “Fine, we’ll see when the time comes. Wait!” Li Yu suddenly stood up straight and stared at him. “What’s wrong with your neck?”

Yuan Xingzhou’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively wanted to cover it, but fortunately, Li Yu’s serious expression stimulated his reflexes.

Yuan Xingzhou instead raised his left hand and felt the other side. “What’s wrong?”

Li Yu looked at him as if he didn’t know. He was suspicious, but on second thought, Yuan Xingzhou was more anxious about his career than anyone else; he probably wouldn’t go out and fool around right after signing a contract.

“The right side, near the bottom, is a bit red,” Li Yu said. “Pay attention to yourself. If fans photograph it, they’ll start spreading rumors again.”

Yuan Xingzhou hurriedly complied. Seeing that Li Yu didn’t press further, he slipped away as fast as he could.

Li Yu was busy for several days and didn’t take Yuan Xingzhou’s mention of singing seriously at all. It wasn’t until the procedures for going abroad were all handled that he heard a Ms. Li from Bass Records wanted to meet with him.

The name Bass Records carried a lot of weight. When Li Yu arrived at the café downstairs and saw who it was, he was even more shocked. The one who came was actually the manager of Bass Records, Li Yan.

The two of them had attended a manager’s summit together several years ago. At that time, Li Yan already had the title of “The Rakshasa Woman,” while Li Yu had only just entered the industry. Their names were similar, but their statuses were worlds apart. Later, Li Yan shifted to being a music manager and began to act low-key, but Li Yu knew very well that the several currently popular singers were all brought up by her.

When peers meet, it’s certainly not to say hello.

Li Yu couldn’t help but feel suspicious. He walked a few steps closer and greeted with a smile, “So it’s Sister Li. Long time no see, Sister Li is still so young and beautiful!”

Li Yan wore a light gray dress; the tone was warm, but the lines were sharp, identical to her own temperament.

“Thank you.” She only gave Li Yu a slight smile. After the latter sat down, she went straight to the point: “I came here today to discuss the issue of Xingzhou’s contract.”

Before Li Yu could even sit firmly, he was stunned by this sentence.

“I’ve already looked into his current contract situation. Your contract has less than a year left.” Li Yan smiled. “Our company intends to sign him as a singer. Instead of wasting these few months, why don’t we cooperate?”

“Sister Li,” Li Yu had to say, “I don’t quite understand what you mean…”

“Xingzhou has great plasticity. You’ve clearly tapped into part of his potential; for that, he should be grateful to you,” Li Yan said appreciatively. “I’ve seen several of his TV dramas. I have to say, the road you paved for him is very steady.”

Li Yu: “Thank you, we—”

“But you aren’t a good fit.” Li Yan interrupted him somewhat impolitely, speaking at a steady pace. “You tapped into his B-side but completely covered up his A-side, which he is better at. In terms of artist development, you are a failure in this regard. Of course, I’m not attacking you; to be able to reach your current position, you naturally have your own strengths.”

Li Yu: “…”

“Instead of letting him be your third or fourth choice, why don’t we cooperate?” Li Yan took a contract from her bag and pushed it gently toward Li Yu. “I have two plans here. Plan A is that we are responsible for Yuan Xingzhou’s records and commercial performances, and you are responsible for his film and television management. Everyone manages their own accounts. After your contract ends, his management contract will be entirely signed with me.”

“Impossible!” Li Yu refused immediately. “Yuan Xingzhou is considered a top-tier artist in our Huayu. He will definitely renew his contract next year. We can discuss the record contract, but as for the rest, I’m afraid it’s out of the question.”

“Has Huayu declined that much?” Li Yan laughed. “It’s the first time I’ve heard of a top-tier artist having fewer than five endorsements.”

Li Yu: “…”

“Think about it carefully. If you really can’t accept it, it doesn’t matter,” Li Yan said gently. “Taking a step back, Xingzhou can propose to terminate the contract. Our company has prepared the liquidated damages; perhaps a lawsuit could be even cheaper?”

Li Yu didn’t expect the other party to be so aggressive. What was even more irritating was that he was intimidated by the other party’s aura from the start, making it very difficult to gain the upper hand now.

This person is too unreasonable! Who just comes up and tries to snatch someone away?

“He won’t terminate the contract,” Li Yu could only say. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask him. He just signed for a new script; would he be willing to let it go?”

“What about you then?” Li Yan asked in return. “If he is willing, are you?”

Li Yu was caught off guard by the question.

“Why be so spiteful? We managers are just in an employment relationship with artists. It’s normal to switch when it’s not a good fit,” Li Yan said. “Look at the contract and then give me a reply. If you insist on disagreeing, then we’ll have a different conversation.”

Li Yu didn’t expect Yuan Xingzhou to get on the path of Bass Records, and he certainly didn’t expect Li Yan to be so impolite. This talk was almost like showing up at his door to challenge him.

However, after Li Yan left, he opened the contract with some anger, only to have to admit that Plan B indeed made him hesitate.

—In this plan, Bass Records would be responsible for Yuan Xingzhou’s records and performance management, and Huayu could take a 10% cut of the income. Huayu would continue to be responsible for Yuan Xingzhou’s film and television business, and Bass Records would take a 10% cut of that income. As for commercial endorsements, it was more complicated because Yuan Xingzhou’s personal image was a combination of both; so, the two companies would divide it after calculating based on a coefficient ratio.

Yuan Xingzhou was on edge after knowing the people from Bass Records went to find Li Yu, worrying all day that Li Yu would call him.

To his surprise, after Li Yu called twice and was rejected by him, he stopped contacting him.

A few days later, Li Yan from Bass Records notified Yuan Xingzhou that things were mostly settled.

“If nothing goes wrong, things will be finalized in these few days. Li Yu will sign the contract with us before going abroad.” Li Yan met with Yuan Xingzhou. This time she wore a silk dress, still geometrically cut, but much gentler than before, and her tone of voice had also softened. “This way, every item of your future income will be 10% less. Have you thought it through?”

“I’ve thought it through.” Yuan Xingzhou didn’t expect the female manager to be so vigorous and resolute. He couldn’t help but nod admiringly. “Sister Li, you are so amazing.”

Ever since Ye Huai reminded him to learn how to carry himself with dignity, Yuan Xingzhou had been consciously correcting himself. It was just that old habits die hard, and he wasn’t sure if he was doing some things correctly.

During the gap while waiting for news these past few days, he had been on edge, afraid of causing trouble. Actually, since meeting Li Yu, Yuan Xingzhou basically didn’t dare to resist anything. Even if he had an opinion, he just didn’t speak up, and if he was truly unhappy, he would change the subject.

Li Yu had always disliked his weakness. This time Yuan Xingzhou finally showed some backbone, but he didn’t know how Li Yu felt.

“I hope Brother Li won’t be angry with me.” Yuan Xingzhou felt somewhat guilty in his heart. Li Yu had managed him for three years, and making a scene like this now was a bit unsightly.

Li Yan laughed upon hearing this: “If Li Yu were to replace you, do you think he would worry about you being angry?”

Yuan Xingzhou waved his hand without thinking: “Probably not.”

“Exactly. To him, you are just one of his business partners. When it’s not a fit, you’ll naturally be replaced. He doesn’t have any personal feelings for you,” Li Yan said. “So in reverse, why should you mix personal feelings into work? Isn’t it better for everyone to be straightforward?”

Yuan Xingzhou: “…”

“Talking about feelings in rational matters, and talking about rationality in emotional matters, is all hooliganism.” Li Yan smiled and casually opened a magazine on the table. “Are you busy these few days?”

Yuan Xingzhou was stunned by the lecture. He savored it carefully but then thought of something else.

“I’m not busy these few days.” Yuan Xingzhou regained his senses after a while and asked, “Are there arrangements?”

“No particular arrangements, you can take an early rest,” Li Yan said. “You’re joining a crew next month, right? Remember to ask for leave in advance. There’s a recording for a music variety show in mid-December. I intend to have you be a guest singer for one episode to show your face first. There’s an ending theme for an animation in late December that needs someone; your voice is quite suitable, it’s just that time is a bit tight. Additionally, there are two variety shows… the New Year’s Eve gala needs rehearsals. Can you get leave from the film crew?”

Yuan Xingzhou listened and wondered, Are singers so popular nowadays? It sounded like there were many more bookings than his own usual schedule!

By the end, he thought it was about going to third or fourth-tier cities for commercial performances, but he didn’t expect it was actually the New Year’s Eve gala?

I can actually be on a gala show?

“I want to go…” Yuan Xingzhou couldn’t help but say, “But this way, the vacation time in December might not be enough.”

Recording a variety show took at least a day, and he didn’t even know the situation for recording songs yet. Wouldn’t participating in gala rehearsals take two or three days? Yuan Xingzhou hadn’t been on stage for too long and couldn’t help but be nervous now. With asking for leave constantly, he might as well stop filming and just stick with Li Yan.

“Then I’ll trim it for you. Keep the music show and the gala, and see if the time can be concentrated together,” Li Yan glanced at her phone and reminded, “This way you’ll definitely have to work harder. Working back-to-back will be unavoidable… By the way, here’s the key to the company’s recording studio. Go there yourself when you need to use it.”

Yuan Xingzhou took the key and didn’t react for a long time. Was I really about to become so busy?

He thought releasing a record meant he would write and produce songs himself, and then the company would package them. He didn’t expect Bass Records was pushing him in all directions. No wonder Wen Ting said before that he either had to sign for more years or give up some profit, because for musicians, promotion and distribution were simply a bottomless pit. Even for appearing on shows or releasing songs, they had to buy recommendation spots everywhere, keyword terms, hot search pushes…

Yuan Xingzhou was overwhelmed with fear. He soaked in the recording studio for two days, gradually finding back some feeling, and then talked with the producer of the film crew.

The other party was very surprised that he took the initiative to propose this but didn’t agree rashly.

“I have several hundred demos here. You can send them to me after you’re finished. At that time, we’ll put them in the music library to choose from, but they might not be adopted,” the producer said. “If they are adopted, we’ll pay you copyright fees according to the budget. If they aren’t adopted, the costs are your own responsibility.”

The producer being responsible was undoubtedly good news for Yuan Xingzhou and also greatly reduced his sense of anxiety.

So for the next few days, he almost entirely soaked in the recording studio—looking at scripts, reciting lines to get into character, and casually playing a few melodies. When inspiration struck, he wouldn’t eat or drink, and when he didn’t feel anything, he would call Ye Huai.

Ye Huai, however, was much busier than he imagined. Yuan Xingzhou called several times and Xiao Lyu answered.

“Hard, it’s exceptionally hard.” Xiao Lyu clicked his tongue on the other end and sighed, “Brother Huai is too driven. When the director told him to do it himself, he really didn’t even use a stunt double. He went back at one o’clock the night before last and got up at five yesterday. He spent the whole morning on wirework in the rain; Brother Huai’s temples are almost bulging…”

Yuan Xingzhou’s heart trembled upon hearing this, and he almost scared away the melody he was brewing. However, when he called again later, Ye Huai had a relaxed tone.

“What’s the big deal?” Ye Huai said carelessly on that end. “What’s wirework? It’s not that exaggerated. A bunch of people are watching around. Also, I’m not like you, stubbornly enduring everything I encounter.”

Yuan Xingzhou was half-skeptical and could only say, “Don’t ignore the seriousness. There’s no action scene with falling and fighting that doesn’t cause injuries. You must find a stunt double for the high-difficulty ones, don’t be silly…”

Ye Huai laughed: “Why are you being so nagging? Do you miss me?”

“Yes.” Yuan Xingzhou said seriously, “You must be well.”

He was worried that Ye Huai, as a newborn calf who doesn’t fear the tiger, would truly do everything himself. Unexpectedly, a video call was placed from that end.

Yuan Xingzhou was immediately flustered, wanting to find a bathroom to wash up, but clearly there wasn’t enough time.

He could only answer with annoyance, and sure enough, Ye Huai’s face appeared in the lens.

“Come on, I’ll let you inspect the goods. Truly, I’m fine.” Ye Huai took his phone and hopped twice on the spot, then showed Yuan Xingzhou his face, then looked at his neck, and then lifted his T-shirt to show his abs…

Yuan Xingzhou stared at the screen seriously at first, but then seeing Ye Huai biting the hem of his T-shirt and looking cool while showing his abs, he instantly blushed.

“What are you blushing for?” Ye Huai said smugly. “Do you want to keep looking further down?” With that, he hooked his hand into the waistband of his pants.

“No!” Yuan Xingzhou said hurriedly. “Where’s your assistant?”

Ye Huai: “He went out.”

Yuan Xingzhou: “…”

Ye Huai was being mischievous. Seeing him shy, he deliberately asked, “Why aren’t you looking?”

Yuan Xingzhou’s face was bright red. He thought, I should be asking you that! Why are you making me look at your lower half in broad daylight?! He instinctively looked back at the recording studio to confirm the door was locked before turning his face back.

“Nothing,” Yuan Xingzhou had a slip of the tongue for a moment and couldn’t help but say, “I’m afraid it’s too small, and I won’t be able to see it without a microscope…”

Ye Huai: “???”

Ye Huai was clearly stunned by this comeback. Yuan Xingzhou quickly hung up the video call while laughing loudly before he could react. Ye Huai dialed again, and he hung up again. The two of them messed around four or five times before finally stopping.

Yuan Xingzhou felt it was childish. He hugged his knees and snickered for a while, then suddenly really wanted to go and take a look. What is the south like now? Has Ye Huai gotten used to it lately? Are the people in the film crew easy to get along with? Those two assistants are also quite handsome…

A thought gradually took root. Yuan Xingzhou felt it was absurd at first, but after a short while, he was already looking at plane tickets.

When he went home at night, he ordered takeout to eat but found it tasteless. He sat here and there in the room, looking around, wandering like a lonely ghost. When he regained his senses, his suitcase was actually already packed.

In late autumn, the north wind grew colder day by day. While Yuan Xingzhou was struggling over which day to set the flight for, he finally waited for the day to sign the contract.

Li Yu was still responsible for his film and television arrangements, while Li Yan was in charge of releasing songs and various commercial performances. Variety shows were arranged by both sides. If there was a conflict in time, Yuan Xingzhou would choose for himself.

“My personal suggestion is not to let him participate in too many variety shows.” After the three parties signed the contract, Li Yu looked at Li Yan. “Variety shows easily attach a specific personal label to him and will also give the audience aesthetic fatigue, which is detrimental to taking on scripts.”

“I know. Xingzhou’s image and value need to be maintained jointly by both of us.” Li Yan nodded. “You must also select scripts for him that are few but high-quality. We need time to make albums. Skip any low-quality money-grabbing dramas; that bit of acting fee is not as good as participating in a few commercial activities.”

“Fine…” Li Yu nodded, then looked at Yuan Xingzhou.

Since Li Yu’s call was rejected, this was the first time the two had met.

“Sister Li is a very powerful manager.” Li Yu looked at him for a long time before saying with a complex expression, “You must have learned a lot from her.”

Yuan Xingzhou knew Li Yu was very dissatisfied with his performance this time. To be fair, Li Yu helping him transition successfully indeed meant he owed him a debt of gratitude, but they would stop here.

Li Yu hadn’t intended to continue choosing him. Instead of waiting to be cast aside, he might as well seize the opportunity to strike out on his own. It’s just that no matter who it is, as the one being left behind, it won’t feel very good.

Yuan Xingzhou raised his brows and looked back. Thousands of thoughts ran through his mind, but ultimately he felt that what others thought didn’t seem important anymore. He reached out his hand to Li Yu.

“Thank you!” Yuan Xingzhou looked at the other party sincerely, with a smile in his eyes. “I wish us a happy cooperation.”