Chapter 54: Breach Of Contract, Hong Kong Circle’s Little Prince
“Brother Chi, let’s go.”
Keke tidied up the negotiation documents nearby: “Lawyer Zhang is already downstairs.”
Chi Ye came back to his senses and nodded: “Then let’s go.”
In fact, he was still a bit confused.
According to his prediction, even if Yue Na wanted to let him go, they should have delayed it for a while. After all, with contract disputes, they had plenty of reasons to delay. Publicly stating a breach of contract would alleviate public opinion, and internally, they would have to dissuade other artists from “learning” from Chi Ye’s actions.
This was Yue Na’s normal operating procedure.
But he didn’t expect the breach of contract process to be so fast this time, and he didn’t know if it had anything to do with those blue V accounts from yesterday.
Thinking this, Chi Ye and his group arrived at Yue Na Headquarters and were led into the “Reception Room.”
Along the way, Yue Na’s staff kept looking at him.
This reminded Chi Ye of the days right after he was reborn, when he walked into Yue Na late at night and had a feud with Ge Shuang that led to 《Jian Ni《 and 《Circulation《.
Entering the building for the second time, the attitude of the people around him had clearly changed.
Curiosity, unfamiliarity, surprise… and resentment.
—Because of Chi Ye’s matter, Yue Na Headquarters had conducted internal investigations and monitored public opinion, which was indeed unfriendly to the employees.
For the higher-ups, it was even more troublesome.
The higher-up who received Chi Ye’s team today was one of them.
He was slightly balding on top, had a protruding belly, and smiled amiably, but most of the conversation was handled by the lawyers, and he didn’t interject.
Chi Ye observed the bald head, waiting quietly.
…
Meanwhile.
Beijing, a seminar on film and television from both mainland China and Hong Kong.
The meeting lasted for two hours. During the break, a well-dressed man and woman were talking.
The man was not tall, with a lean build, and his hair was meticulously combed, making him look very shrewd.
The woman was tall, with upturned phoenix eyes, full red lips, and a powerful aura.
If Chi Ye were present, he would have recognized at a glance that although the woman’s facial features were different from Jin Xia’s, there were subtle similarities between their brows.
Especially the arrogance that occasionally appeared in her eyes; compared to Jin Xia’s reservedness, the woman displayed it much more obviously, without any pretense.
“Uncle Lai didn’t come to the meeting in person this time.”
The woman casually surveyed the lobby, and although she tried to maintain humility, her tone was unconsciously tinged with arrogance.
The man was not offended. He bent over and said with a smile: “Uncle Lai hasn’t managed the company’s affairs for a long time; it’s us who help him take care of it.”
Jin Sui remained noncommittal.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll have someone help them meet the director… Honestly, for action scenes, you still need directors from Hong Kong. Our company has collaborated with several, and none of them could capture that kind of flavor.”
The man nodded with a very humble posture and clinked glasses with the woman.
Jin Sui nodded slightly, her expression dignified: “The mainland market has been getting better over the past decade. I hope Young President Liu will take care of us.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Young President Liu nodded cheerfully, glancing around casually, and smiling: “Actually, Sister Sui has given us a way down.”
He lowered his voice: “After this incident, everyone in the industry is laughing at us… Do you think we could really refuse to let him go? He’s not a top streamer like Yu Yan… To put it bluntly, even the shareholders upstairs don’t know that kid’s name… It caused such an ugly scene, not letting him go would be asking for trouble, wouldn’t it?”
Jin Sui glanced at him but said nothing.
Young President Liu pretended not to see it and continued smiling: “But you, Sister Sui, have provided a step down, and we can’t be more eager to take it.”
As he spoke, he waved to his assistant, who handed him a plain, yet exceptionally exquisite packaging bag: “I heard Sister Sui used to like these things at home in her younger days. A small gift.”
Jin Sui’s phoenix eyes flickered towards the packaging bag, and she reached out to take it: “Then that’s it.”
“Okay, that’s it. I look forward to our cooperation.”
Young President Liu nodded repeatedly and watched Jin Sui and her assistant leave before straightening his back.
The assistant beside him asked doubtfully: “President Liu, what does she mean?”
“What does she mean? She means she’s putting on airs.”
Young President Liu smiled: “Hong Kong is in decline now. She’s trying her best to enter the mainland market… but she can’t let go of her pride… Alas, people’s family background is too important. No matter how many years they’ve been out, they won’t change. She’s just that kind of person.”
Assistant: “…”
“Call the company and tell them to… Chi Ye, yes, terminate his contract.”
Young President Liu waved his hand: “It’s not good to make such a big fuss. Resolve it quickly and eliminate the negative impact as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
…
On the other side.
Jin Sui walked a few steps with the packaging bag. Passing a trash can, she casually threw it in.
The female assistant beside her handed her a high-end wet wipe, and she meticulously wiped her hands: “Bastard, he was being sarcastic just now.”
Assistant: “…?”
“You didn’t hear it?” When facing people she was close to, Jin Sui was almost identical to Jin Xia: “He said, ‘He’s not a top streamer like Yu Yan.’ Aren’t we here this time to sign Yu Yan?”
The assistant suddenly realized: “He heard the news that Yu Yan refused us, so…”
“Damn it! This guy is really a scumbag!”
“Hmph.”
Jin Sui threw the wet wipe into the trash can, took out her phone, and called Jin Xia.
The call was answered quickly, and Empress Dowager’s sweet and surprised voice rang out: “Hello? Auntie!”
“Xia Xia.” Jin Sui’s voice had a slightly heavy nasal tone, always carrying a hint of coldness. The arrogance that couldn’t be hidden in her phoenix eyes disappeared at this moment, replaced by a deep, ingrained tenderness: “I’ve handled that matter of your little friend for you.”
“Really? Thank you, Auntie! Auntie, you’re the best!”
Empress Dowager was delighted.
“Well… When do you have some free time? Come and see me again. Your agent was here yesterday, and the hotel environment wasn’t convenient… Auntie misses you.”
“Okay, okay! I’ll have the team push back my schedule right away!”
Empress Dowager agreed repeatedly.
The aunt and niece doted on each other for a while, and then Jin Xia reluctantly hung up the phone.
“Oh, you two aunt and niece seem to be quite close.”
Sister Mi glanced at Jin Xia from the side, sounding a little envious.
Empress Dowager glanced at her.
“Are you hurt?”
“Yes.”
“…She should be in the mainland for New Year’s Eve. Why don’t you go find her then?”
Sister Mi spoke tough but had a soft heart.
“Mhm…” Jin Xia opened her contacts list, happily: “I’ll call Teacher Chi first to tell him this good news!”
Sister Mi: “…”
What a “hurt”!
…
Chi Ye didn’t receive a call from Jin Xia.
Because Yue Na had already proposed a contract termination plan, things progressed extremely smoothly at one point. When Chi Ye signed the termination letter, he felt a sense of relief.
He looked up at the balding man, with a look of both surprise and no surprise.
“Chi Ye, you are free.”
The balding man’s expression was blank. It was clear he had a very poor impression of Chi Ye.
Perhaps he knew Chi Ye would leave anyway, but the “negative impact” Chi Ye had brought to Yue Na made him personally dislike him.
Coincidentally.
Chi Ye felt the same.
“You still owe me the money you ‘owe’ me from these years.”
The balding man: “?!”
Chi Ye didn’t say anything more, stood up, and waved. Keke and Lawyer Zhang, still disbelieving, also stood up and followed Chi Ye.
I will get it back myself.
The balding man stared silently at Chi Ye’s retreating back, then scoffed after a long pause: “Besides your face, what ability do you have?”
“Without Yue Na, you wouldn’t even have a name in the industry.”
Chi Ye didn’t hear this sentence, and if he had, he wouldn’t have commented, because he thought the other party was right… but, “he” was not him!
The moment he stepped out of Yue Na Headquarters, Chi Ye felt the air become much fresher.
The system’s favorability points had grown to over twenty million.
This was an unprecedented treasure. Chi Ye had waited for this day for so long since his rebirth.
“Brother Chi… where are we going?”
Lawyer Zhang greeted him goodbye. Before leaving, he looked at Chi Ye with a complex expression, perhaps containing worry and blessings for his future.
Keke, however, looked a bit lost.
They had wanted to terminate the contract, but now that they had, and he was a free agent, where would they go?
The announcements for 《Jian Ni《 were gone, and all other work announcements disappeared the moment the contract was terminated.
Only 《Circulation《 remained.
“Didn’t Old Zhang send a message saying that after New Year’s Eve, 《Circulation《 will start filming on New Year’s Day?”
Chi Ye pondered for a moment: “You said… where is there a place with more people than the Screaming Night, with veteran actors… movie emperors, film empresses, kings of singers, heavenly queens…”
“Hmm?”
Keke was taken aback, not understanding why Chi Ye asked this, but still said: “Then… the closest one is New Year’s Eve.”
“New Year’s Eve… we don’t have any announcements, do we?”
Chi Ye also thought of New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve every year should be one of the biggest events in the entertainment industry. Top streamers and big stars would be performing, attracting high attention, and more importantly… there were so many things that could be “drawn” from it!
He didn’t lack “money” now; he lacked “goals”!
Using the current “initial” favorability points to select a target, acquire skills to improve himself, become a “hit,” then gain more favorability points, and continue to create hit products… in a cycle.
This was an absolutely positive cycle!
As long as he took the first step, the snowball would only grow bigger and unstoppable!
Before terminating the contract, he had considered his future path more than once, but at that time, due to contract restrictions, he had no opportunity or room to operate. For example, with singing, the copyright would definitely be taken by the company… but now it was different.
He had completely terminated the contract, and everything would change.
Now he was very firm—he wanted to be capital, to use favorability points, and become popular to become capital!
As the saying goes, only when you are strong yourself can you enjoy “eating soft rice” more… well, cough, cough.
He withdrew his thoughts, interrupted by a call from Jin Xia.
“Hello? Teacher Chi, did you terminate your contract?”
“Just finished.”
“That’s great! You finally terminated your contract!”
Empress Dowager was happy for Chi Ye, then excitedly said: “The day after tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Did you receive an announcement from Mango TV?”
Chi Ye paused and said sincerely: “No, I haven’t.”
“Oh, you haven’t received it.” Empress Dowager was not surprised at all: “Then you have now!”
Chi Ye: “?”
“The 《Jian Ni《 family has been invited, and you are included!”
Empress Dowager said gleefully: “I reminded the director to add you, and he didn’t object!”
Chi Ye: “…”
No, what’s the point of struggling? Can’t this “soft rice” really be eaten?!
He sincerely thanked her: “Thank Director Li and the Chief Director for me.”
The 《Jian Ni《 program team had always treated Chi Ye well. Even now with the “incident,” very few people in the industry were willing to get involved with Chi Ye. Several of Yue Na’s rivals, the Tao and Ku systems, only feigned outwardly that Chi Ye was fine, but there were no substantive olive branches.
It was clear they wanted to profit from his misfortune.
Only the 《Jian Ni《 side, as always, treated Chi Ye impartially, without any unusual glances.
“Okay, I’ll pass it on for you. Our whole family is waiting for you to come back!” Empress Dowager uncharacteristically spoke up for Yang Zi: “Teacher Yang Zi was asking in the group yesterday when you would be back, saying he wants to create a CP with you!”
Chi Ye: “…I really don’t want to be a dad.”
Jin Xia: “?”
“Oh, right… and Sister Shi Shi… Sister Shi Shi said… um… Sister Shi Shi told me not to say, so never mind.”
Chi Ye: “?”
“Alright, then I’ll see you on New Year’s Eve. I have some things to take care of here.”
“Take care of what?”
“Take care of my stomach. I’m hungry and need to eat something like gutter oil.”
Jin Xia: “…”
Chi Ye hung up the phone amidst Empress Dowager’s resentful muttering.
“Brother Chi, I received a message from Director Li. The Mango TV New Year’s Eve Gala, the 《Jian Ni《 family will appear together.”
Keke looked up at Chi Ye: “The first announcement after the contract termination!”
“Not bad, not bad.”
Chi Ye was very satisfied with this “Beginning.”
After all, 《Jian Ni《 was currently a potential stock for Mango TV, and the first episode was about to air, with a high chance of becoming a hit. As the platform, they would definitely use the New Year’s Eve Gala to promote it heavily!
“Let’s go, let’s eat some gutter oil, and then we’ll discuss what to wear for New Year’s Eve…”
He waved his hand, taking only his lone “team,” and left the place he once considered a nightmare.
…
At the same time.
Xiangnan.
Mango TV Building.
“Alright, alright, stop searching. I really didn’t bring any chicken feet this time!”
Zhang Xianming, Su Ran, and Lin Ze Yu angrily broke free from the security guards’ hands and shouted at a certain Person in Charge, “We’ve already refuted the rumors and you’ve sent out the Announcement. Now you’re saying we still need to discuss it? We’re definitely participating in this New Year’s Eve Gala!”
The Person in Charge glanced sideways at the three of them, not speaking.
“Buddy,” said Su Ran, one of the honest ones, his face flushing with anger, “That woman has already deleted her Weibo posts, and there’s no Solid Evidence. If you do this, it’ll be a Breach of Contract.”
The Person in Charge sighed, “I already said it’s not finalized. Even if it were, there’s no way we’d let you on stage.”
The Rise trio heard this and their faces fell.
—They all say Rise causes trouble, but who understands Rise’s suffering?
Ever since the Screaming Night incident, Rise has become truly “famous worldwide.” Their widespread Popularity naturally attracted the attention of many Satellite TVs wanting to gain Traffic.
Originally, among Rise, apart from Jiang Yi, only Zhang Ji Zhua had a “slight reputation” and was the target of strict scrutiny by various event organizers and Satellite TVs.
After the Screaming Night event concluded, they even put up a sign: Zhang Ji Zhua and dogs are not allowed!
But Zhang Ji Zhua wasn’t here to participate in an Announcement this time; he was accompanying his two teammates, Su Ran and Lin Ze Yu, as Audience members!
Su Ran and Lin Ze Yu, two honest individuals, have consistently been harmed by Rise’s reputation.
Fortunately, they are honest and haven’t had any Collapse of Persona or Negative News. Some Veteran Actors are very fond of them, and Mango TV had invited them to appear on stage during the final Chorus.
But unexpectedly, after a major Feud, Su Ran and Lin Ze Yu directly followed in the footsteps of their Big Brothers, gaining a reputation for “loving their Sister-in-law.”
Mango TV naturally had to consider whether the two of them could continue to participate in the New Year’s Eve Gala.
“Alright, go back for now and wait for notification. And even if you can enter… you, yes, you! Ji Zhua Zhang, you’re not getting in either!”
The Person in Charge looked at Ji Zhua Zhang, who was looking resentful and adjusting his Clothes, and did not hide his wariness, “We don’t want to become another Screaming Night!”
