Chapter 8 - Finding Another Way Out (1/2)

Finding Another Way Out

Li Jiaer looked like she had been dropped into an icy hole. Arms tightly wrapped around herself, her body trembled unceasingly, but she collected herself soon after. She wiped her face, and then lowered her head and smiled bitterly. She had suffered through truly too much hardship these past few years. She had long become accustomed to the ups and downs in life; this bit of setback could not destroy her willpower and determination.

“Don’t worry about it, Ji’ge. You don’t need to take care of my business. Heaven never bars one’s way. If this road is blocked, then I’ll try another. After all, I managed to smoothly survive through the most terrible moment of my life, I’m not afraid.” She stood up and gave a careful bow. Although her eyes were still red, her lips already carried a light smile.

Ji Mian was completely moved by her strength and courage. He raised his hand and said, “Go home first, I’ll get someone to ask around for you, and see who’s giving you a hard time behind the scenes. If it’s possible to talk it out, I’ll be your go-between.”

“No need, no need, it’s too much of a bother…” Li Jiaer waved her hands over and over. The tears which had dissipated just moments ago gathered in her eyes again. It felt too nice to be looked after; she couldn’t quite completely contain her frailty.

“It’s not a bother. It will only take a few words. Go sit down first. I’ll be back soon.” Ji Mian gestured Li Jiaer to sit back down, and ordered an assistant to make her a new cup of coffee before heading to the chairman’s office in the top floor.

Fang Kun was also on the top floor and appeared to have attained some information. His expression was very strange. When he saw his boss, he immediately dragged him to a secluded seating area, and said in a low voice, “It’s Xiao Jiashu. Say, what do you think that brat wants? Yesterday should have been his first time meeting Li Jiaer, right? No enmity, no grudges, what does he gain from doing this? Chief Xiu as well, he actually agreed, no questions asked. Don’t tell me that he really can’t see Li Jiaer’s strength? Li Jiaer’s popularity is already exploding. She has millions of fans, counting hardcore fans alone. We only need add a little bit of management[1] and she can become the new generation Song Goddess. She’s a legendary money tree. With Chief Xiu’s shrewdness he shouldn’t agree to an unreasonable request like this, right? Do you think the two really are father and son?”

“So it really is him.” Ji Mian kneaded the space between his brows, and asked, his voice gloomy, “Did you find out the concrete reason behind it?”

“No. He says that he’ll shut her out, and shuts her out, not caring about reason at all. In my opinion, it can’t be that this brat wants to copy that overbearing chairman route, forcing Li Jiaer to a dead end, and then offering to be her sugar daddy, could he?” Fang Kun’s imagination went wild.

Ji Mian looked slightly taken aback, and in the end smiled coldly. “No matter what he’s up to, I won’t stand by and watch without lifting a finger.” After he finished his words, he entered the chairman’s office.

Fang Kun didn’t dare to go in, and without any better option, he strolled to the secretaries’ office, to fish for more information from the female secretaries.

“You’re here.” Xiu Changyu was not surprised by Ji Mian’s arrival. He said warmly, “Sit down.”

Ji Mian looked around and discovered that Xiao Jiashu had already left, the file that he had brought up was now in Xiu Changyu’s hands, and Xiu Changyu was currently attentively flipping through it.

“Chief Xiu, our company is adept at cultivating actors and actresses; we have produced a large number of movie emperors, empresses, but we don’t have even a single influential singer. If we can sign Li Jiaer, we can fill in that blank, why do you want to reject her? She is a good seedling. With your foresight, you should be able to see it.” Ji Mian said unhurriedly.

“Before I reply to your question, I also want to ask you one question.” Xiu Changyu put down the file, and calmly and clearly said, “As a performer, is it inner potential that’s important or is it moral conduct that’s important?”

Ji Mian was stumped by this question. Nevertheless, after a while of deliberation, he unyieldingly replied, “Naturally moral conduct.”

“I knew that that would be your answer.” Xiu Changyu smiled, pleased. “The entertainment world is too complicated. The bottom line of morality and ethics can fall again and again. So long as it isn’t exposed by the media, and the public doesn’t find out, performers can borrow the help of the public relations team to create themselves into a perfect person. But in reality? Certain people have long already rotted down to their very bones. I have always told you – as a performer, what is most important is not your public image, but deepening your own moral character and self-restraint. Only then will you never become a has-been and will be eternally remembered by your fans.”

“What you’re trying to say is that there’s a problem with Li Jiaer’s moral conduct? Who did you hear that from?” Ji Mian shook his head. “The person organising to sign her is me so naturally I’ve investigated her. She indeed has a criminal record from that year, but she was the victim. Although this may have an effect on her reputation, as long as we control public opinion properly, we can also help her win sympathy. She is a singer that relies on her skills[2]; it’s entirely possible for her to pull through this public opinion war.”

“You don’t need to say any more. I’ve already made my decision.” Xiu Changyu was good at listening to his subordinate’s opinions, but once he had set his mind on something, it was extremely difficult to change his mind.

Ji Mian had no choice but to give up on convincing him. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Then how far are you planning to go? Are you going to block her out of the entire entertainment world, and not give her a single opportunity to appear on camera?”

Xiu Changyu waved a hand. “I’m only abandoning signing her. I won’t interfere if she wants to sign any agency besides than Crown Age, Royal Crown and Lucky Water. Whether she can succeed in the entertainment world in the future will be up to her own ability.”

Ji Mian let out a clear breath of relief. Xiu Changyu did not have a pleasant reputation in the entertainment circle. In his early years, he was a womanizer, and had sex scandals with many female celebrities. Afterwards, he suddenly turned a new leaf, and started seriously running the company; his methods also became more and more ruthless. If anyone offends him, don’t even mention succeeding in the entertainment world, they won’t even be able to find a place to stand. Although he was saying that he was shutting out Li Jiaer, he had in fact left a lot of leeway, and it wouldn’t be considered driving her to the end of the road.

“Thank you Chief Xiu for your leniency.” Ji Mian stood up to prepare to leave.