Chapter 80: Yang Mi's Deception
The two chatted for a few moments, but Yang Mi still didn't state her purpose for coming today.
Li Chen had already somewhat understood.
It seemed she was thinking of terminating her contract.
She just wanted him to give her some reassurance first.
Li Chen found it quite amusing.
Truly a day dreamer.
Although Yang Mi was not the leading actress at Rongxingda now.
But if this matter got out, he would be suspected of poaching, and his reputation would suffer.
Yang Mi saw that she had said so much, but her senior still didn't respond.
Anxiously, she decided to go all out.
Piteously, she said, "Senior, I've already brought up the matter of contract termination with Rongxingda."
"If you don't take me in, I really have no other path?"
Li Chen was startled and frowned, "What's going on with you?"
"What does your contract termination with Rongxingda have to do with me? Did you tell Rongxingda the same thing?"
Li Chen felt truly wronged to be made a scapegoat.
He had no idea about this matter from beginning to end.
If Li Shaohong knew he was poaching her talent.
He would truly be in an impossible situation, unable to explain himself.
Although he didn't take Rongxingda seriously, this feeling made him very uncomfortable.
Yang Mi grew anxious, fearing that Li Chen would immediately call Li Shaohong to confirm.
Then she would be utterly humiliated.
"No, no, no, Senior. I didn't mention you, nor did I mention Rongchen Film and Television."
"I just said it was for personal reasons," Yang Mi quickly waved her hands, explaining.
Li Chen didn't know what to say about Yang Mi.
Do you think Li Shaohong is stupid?
These 'Three Billion Sister' and 'Eight Billion Sister' are each more troublesome than the last.
This strong ambition, no wonder she had the courage for a gambling agreement.
Yang Mi's termination fee, based on her current market value, wouldn't be that high.
Li Chen pondered for a long time, while Yang Mi was like a prisoner awaiting judgment, every second an agony.
"Yang Mi, regarding the contract termination, I advise you to consider it carefully."
"As for signing a contract, you are not qualified to discuss that with me yet, understand?" Li Chen didn't say anything more.
He had his assistant see her out.
You haven't even terminated your contract, and you're coming to talk about signing with me.
That's too ignorant of the rules.
It's common for artists whose contracts are about to expire to look for a new agency in advance.
But you, Yang Mi, signed an eight-year contract with Rongxingda, and only three years have passed.
If you want to leave, at least settle things with Rongxingda first before discussing anything else.
Trying to play empty-handed with him without doing anything, she was too naive.
Yang Mi left Splendid Diamond in a daze.
She was still pondering what her senior's two sentences meant.
He neither rejected nor accepted her.
Li Chen returned to his office and made a call to Li Shaohong.
After hanging up, Li Chen shook his head and sighed softly; Yang Mi's little schemes were something else.
On the other side, Li Shaohong called Li Xiaowan.
Li Xiaowan was completely confused.
"Yang Mi terminating her contract? What are you talking about?"
"Li Chen just called me; he has no reason to lie."
"I'm calling her now. You don't need to worry about it; I'll handle it."
After hanging up, Li Shaohong felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly.
Zhou Xun not renewing her contract was already enough to anger her.
Now a newcomer like Yang Mi also wanted to jump out and upset her.
It wasn't that she couldn't bear to let her go, but if this started, then there might be more Li Mis and Zhang Mis to come.
It would be too big a blow to Rongxingda.
At this time, Li Shaohong probably never dreamed that there would indeed be many 'Li Mis' and 'Zhang Mis' in the future.
Even to the point of going to court.
For example, Jiang Mengjie, Yang Yang.
Yang Mi hadn't even arrived home when she received a call from Li Xiaowan.
Yang Mi's heart skipped a beat as she answered the phone.
"Aunt Wan..."
"Mi Mi, I heard you want to terminate your contract with the company?" Li Xiaowan asked, suppressing her anger.
"Ah? I, I, Aunt Wan..."
Yang Mi was flustered, stammering, not knowing how to explain.
"It seems it's true then. I didn't expect to be the last to know."
"Aunt Wan, listen to my explanation, I..."
"Beep, beep, beep..."
The phone was already ringing busy.
Now Yang Mi was completely panicked. When she tried to call back, Li Xiaowan rejected the call.
Yang Mi returned home disheartened.
Seeing her like this, Yang Xiaolin asked a few concerned questions.
Only then did he understand the whole story.
"This is nonsense," Yang Xiaolin said, annoyed.
"Dad, do you also think I shouldn't terminate my contract?" Yang Mi said, feeling a bit wronged.
"If you really want to terminate your contract, you should do it openly and pay whatever compensation is due."
"Part on good terms, and no one can criticize you."
"But playing these little games with your company and the senior you mentioned will only make people look down on you," Yang Xiaolin said.
Yang Mi regretted it now.
"I know I made a mistake, but what do I do now? Aunt Wan isn't answering my calls..." Yang Mi fiddled with her fingers, annoyed.
"Go apologize and explain things clearly."
"And then, Dad?" Yang Mi asked with a bitter little face.
"If you've truly thought it through... Dad still has some savings," Yang Xiaolin said.
"Dad..." Yang Mi's eyes reddened.
Yang Xiaolin hugged his daughter and said, "Silly girl, don't be so sentimental with Dad."
Li Chen didn't concern himself with Yang Mi's affairs.
He met with Wu Bin at the company, discussed some details, signed the contract, and officially started his new position.
"Senior Brother Wu, happy to cooperate!" Li Chen said happily.
"Happy to cooperate."
Wu Bin was very satisfied with the treatment Li Chen offered.
And Li Chen promised him.
Aside from being the Chief Operating Officer, it wouldn't affect him if he wanted to take on acting roles.
The company would provide one script each year for him to direct.
Rongchen Film and Television's scripts were almost a golden brand now.
What more could he be dissatisfied with?
Moreover, Li Chen was also the director of Li Chen's mother's 'shoplifters'.
"Familiarize yourself with the company's operations these two days."
"After that, first go and negotiate the copyright for a novel."
"Which novel?" Wu Bin asked.
"parents love. I heard the film adaptation rights were taken by Jiang Wen."
"We only need the TV series rights. You go talk to the author; money is not an issue," Li Chen said.
"Also, you should usually keep an eye on major literary awards and literary websites for the company."
"As long as there are award-winning novels or novels with a high readership on websites, you can negotiate for their copyrights."
"If the amount doesn't exceed 2 million, you don't need to ask me," Li Chen continued.
"No problem, I'll set off in the next two days," Wu Bin agreed readily.
When Li Chen returned home, Miss Liu was already waiting there like a hostess.
"It feels really good to have someone waiting at home..." Li Chen smiled.
"You're back! Come quickly, try the new dish I made..."
Li Chen's smile immediately froze on his face.
"I don't think that's necessary, Xixi..." Li Chen said with a bitter face.
His first unpleasant dining experience was still fresh in his memory.
"Don't be afraid, this time it's not braised eggplant."
"I don't like to eat it either. That time wasn't it because I saw you liked it?"
Miss Liu was like the Big Bad Wolf tricking Little Red Riding Hood, coaxing and pulling Li Chen towards her home.
Li Chen couldn't refuse her, looking utterly resigned.
When they arrived at her house, Liu Xiaoli smiled and said, "Li Chen is here."
"Auntie, why do I feel there's an indescribable taste in your smile?"
Li Chen's expression was even worse than crying.
"Is there? Xixi learned another new dish. I didn't dare to try it, so you try it."
Liu Xiaoli said, suppressing a laugh.
"Mommy..." Miss Liu whined.
If you don't dare, do I dare?
Li Chen overcame his mental block and smiled, "That's right, Xixi's cooking, it has to be me!"
Miss Liu came over and linked her arm with Li Chen's.
She smiled and said, "That's more like it. Don't worry, I tasted it this time."
As the two were bantering, Li Chen's cell phone rang; it was Yang Mi.
"Yang Mi?"
Miss Liu murmured softly, her heart filled with doubt, staring at Li Chen.
Liu Xiaoli also heard it, but didn't listen to Li Chen's call, walking to the side.
Li Chen shook his head with a light smile, "I'll explain later, don't misunderstand."
"Senior, I'm Yang Mi."
"Mm, I know. Is something wrong?"
"Senior, actually, actually, I lied to you today. I haven't brought up the contract termination with Rongxingda yet."
Yang Mi felt much more relieved after saying this.
"But, I've already made up my mind. There's no turning back once the arrow is shot. I will terminate my contract with Rongxingda as soon as possible!"
"I'm sorry, Senior!"
After speaking, without waiting for Li Chen's reply, she quickly hung up the phone, her heart pounding rapidly.
Li Chen held the phone. Miss Liu was by his side, having heard the entire conversation clearly.
Liu Xiaoli, sitting at the center of the dining table, also cast an inquisitive gaze.
"Is it Mi Mi who played Guo Xiang?"
"It's her, Auntie."
Liu Xiaoli smiled and said, "During filming, that girl was very polite."
"She and Xixi were also very close. When the sun was strong, they would take turns holding an umbrella for each other."
"She called me Aunt Liu so affectionately, she was almost like another daughter to me."
Liu Yifei couldn't refute because her mother was telling the truth.
She had indeed taken good care of Yang Mi on set, but now it was a different matter.
"There's that? Auntie, I haven't heard Xixi mention it."
Li Chen and Miss Liu sat below Liu Xiaoli.
Miss Liu ignored these things, her hand resting on Li Chen's waist.
"What's this about her telling you about contract termination?" Miss Liu asked, eager to know.
"She called yesterday to arrange a meeting, and I told her to come directly to the company."
"Then..."
Li Chen recounted the day's events.
Liu Xiaoli and her daughter listened, stunned.
"She's too bold, isn't she?" Liu Yifei said, surprised.
"So if she really terminates her contract, are you planning to sign her?" Miss Liu continued to ask.
"Mm, after all, this girl's conditions in all aspects aren't bad."
"Of course, she definitely can't compare to you."
"But with proper training, she might become someone who can stand on her own in the future."
Li Chen didn't want to hide anything from his girlfriend.
Da Mi Mi was now like a girl next door who had just grown up.
With good guidance, she would also become a face of the company in the future.
In Li Chen's opinion, it was impossible for the company to make everyone a Best Actress or Best Actor.
Some people are suited to live in the spotlight.
Some people are suited to become Variety show personalities.
Some people are suited to be stars.
Teaching according to aptitude and letting a Hundred Flowers bloom was good.
"What about me then? How do you plan to train me, Director Li?" Miss Liu asked, her smile fading.
"It's all in here," Li Chen said, pointing to his head.
"First, I'll find four teachers for you, one for voice, one for body, one for acting, and one for expression."
"To help you solidify your foundation. A poor foundation won't take you far."
"Then at least one play each year to help you digest and hone your skills."
"I've already arranged your plan for the next three years. Today is a good time to tell you and Auntie about it."
Liu Xiaoli listened happily. The fact that Li Chen could say these things showed that he had seriously considered it.
Miss Liu's mood also brightened, and she smiled, "That's more like it."
It's on sale! Wishing everyone a prosperous Year of the Dragon, full of vitality, energy, and good fortune. It took me a long time to figure out how to put it on sale, sorry for the delay.
