Zhong Ying hadn’t even made it out of the Starwood Entertainment building when she unexpectedly bumped into her manager, Tang Qi.
Tang Qi was also clutching a contract in her hand. Upon seeing Zhong Ying, she rushed over. “Xiao Ying, what is the meaning of this?”
Zhong Ying arched an eyebrow. “Qi Jie, what’s wrong?”
“You’ve signed an S-Class contract now,” Tang Qi said, her voice filled with frantic urgency. “Why on earth did you insist on keeping me as your manager? I just got a call from the legal department telling me to come sign a new contract, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it! You have a much better platform now. I… my qualifications aren’t enough to help you further!”
As she spoke, Tang Qi’s expression turned despondent.
“Then go study more until you can help me,” Zhong Ying said, giving her a playful wink.
Tang Qi: “…”
“You really do look down on me, don’t you?” Tang Qi grumbled resentfully.
“Excuse me, are you Zhong Ying?”
Suddenly, a stranger’s voice called out from behind them. Both Zhong Ying and Tang Qi turned around.
The man speaking was quite handsome, possessing a more masculine edge than the typical “idol” look. Zhong Ying recognized him—Cao Wenrui. He was one of Starwood’s few established “method actors” and was currently a rising star and a popular leading man in the industry.
“Hello, I’m Cao Wenrui. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve seen your previous work; it was truly impressive.” Cao Wenrui spoke with a gentle, polite tone. “Now that you’ve signed with Starwood, I finally have the chance to introduce myself.”
“Mr. Cao, you flatter me.”
Technically, based on industry seniority, Cao Wenrui should have addressed Zhong Ying as Senior. By speaking to her as a peer, his tone carried a subtle, underlying meaning.
“Are you here to sign today? I’m glad you joined Starwood. The company treats its artists very well. The boss even bought us a five-star feast a few days ago; it’s a pity you weren’t here for it.”
“There will be other opportunities.” Zhong Ying suddenly recalled the phone call Zhu Xingtong had received while they were eating together that day.
For some reason, a thought popped into her head: You guys were eating a feast provided by the boss, while I was having a feast WITH your boss.
Seeing her lukewarm reaction, Cao Wenrui smiled again. “Anyway, congratulations on escaping that hellhole, Qiming. Don’t worry, Starwood would never allow any ‘pimping’ activities. As for how things were in the past… well, Starwood is very forgiving. You can feel safe developing your career here.”
It seemed Cao Wenrui had come with ill intentions. Even Tang Qi could sense the sharp edge in his words; Zhong Ying, of course, understood it perfectly.
Zhong Ying simply replied, “Mm.”
Stunned by that single, brief “Mm,” Cao Wenrui felt as though he had thrown a heavy punch only to hit a ball of cotton.
He gave an awkward laugh. “By the way, I heard you’re auditioning for The Actor? I’m planning to try out too, and I’m determined to land the male lead! I hope we get the chance to work together.”
“Alright.” After responding, Zhong Ying glanced down at the time on her phone. “Pardon me, I have to move house this afternoon, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
As he watched her walk away with her manager, a surge of irritation blocked Cao Wenrui’s chest!
What does an artist from a pimping agency have to be so arrogant about?! he thought indignantly. Does someone like her even deserve an S-Class contract?!
He fumed inwardly. With a face like hers, she probably just climbed into the boss’s bed!
“Xiao Ying, you’re moving this afternoon?” Tang Qi asked.
The question reminded Zhong Ying of that almost ridiculous “sponsorship” agreement. She even joked, “I’m moving into my patron’s house.”
Tang Qi’s face instantly paled. She felt she shouldn’t have brought it up.
“It’s okay, the topic isn’t that taboo,” Zhong Ying sighed. “I’ve signed both the agreement and the contract.”
“Honestly, Xiao Ying, I don’t understand… you were so against it before. Why did you suddenly agree?”
Zhong Ying paused her steps. “I went to meet that ‘patron’ earlier.”
“And?”
“The patron was delivered right to my door, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Huh?” Tang Qi was utterly confused. What did that mean?
“Regardless, Xiao Ying, have you thought this through? Signing that kind of agreement means you have to… have a relationship with them. You won’t even have the right to refuse.”
“It’s fine.”
Zhong Ying thought to herself that her agreement explicitly stated there would be no sexual relations. However, even if something did happen, it wasn’t certain who would be the one “taking advantage” of whom.
Tang Qi watched her, bewildered.
Why did it feel like Xiao Ying was actually quite happy to sign this deal? When President Long had come by earlier, his expression had been terrifying. What on earth had happened in the span of a single morning?