Chapter 63: World Two [33] Part 1

Shao Qing said nothing, merely maintaining a smile as she watched the female artist leave, then turned to look at Jing Ke.

“She told me people have guessed you’re leaving Zongheng Entertainment, and that the higher-ups might test your willingness to stay today,” Jing Ke, who had a mouth, immediately recounted what had just happened.

Not just the conversation with the female artist, but she also recounted her exchange with Xiao Xuan—whom Shao Qing hadn’t seen—in full detail, leaving no possibility for misunderstanding.

“Mhm, it seems our President Jing is quite the hot commodity here. So many people want to get connected with you,” Shao Qing said with a smile, her eyes holding a somewhat complex emotion.

“Jing Ke, you don’t need to stick by my side constantly. Do you want to try making some friends?” Shao Qing’s tone was no different from usual. This was also the step she had always wanted Jing Ke to take.

But seeing that Jing Ke didn’t firmly refuse as she had before, Shao Qing couldn’t help but feel a nervous tightness in her heart.

“You want me to get to know more friends?” Jing Ke asked in return, simultaneously re-evaluating her relationship with Shao Qing.

Sharing an origin didn’t mean they were the same person. She shouldn’t crudely transfer her feelings for Shang Siyu onto Shao Qing; doing so would be disrespectful to both of them.

“Yeah, I have quite a few friends myself. You’re the boss of an entertainment company now; of course, you should get to know more friends and build some connections,” Shao Qing said, smiling, her arm linked with Jing Ke’s unconsciously tightening.

“Then shall I give it a try?” Jing Ke was somewhat uncertain. If this was what Shao Qing wanted, she was willing to attempt it.

“Give it a try. Lots of people want your contact information,” Shao Qing said, striving to maintain a normal tone.

Jing Ke had already given her so much. She didn’t need to revolve solely around her. She should have her own life and social circle too.

Yes, that was right.

Thinking this, Shao Qing composedly released Jing Ke’s arm and said, in a seemingly encouraging manner, “Go ahead and try. Build some useful connections.”

“Alright.” Jing Ke agreed this time, very readily.

The sense of loss and regret spread further within Shao Qing, but her reason held her back from saying anything.

Before Shao Qing could fully grasp her true feelings, her slightly clenched fist was grasped by Jing Ke. Her originally cold fingertips were enveloped by a warm palm.

“Come on. You know more people than I do. Help me judge then: who is worth my time to connect with, and who isn’t worth wasting my time on,” Jing Ke said, holding Shao Qing’s hand very naturally.

If she was going to build connections in the circle, then of course, she needed Shao Qing by her side to help her judge. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a laughingstock if she ended up chatting and becoming friends with someone who had previously shown malice towards Shao Qing?

Pulled forward by the hand, Shao Qing blinked, and then an even more pronounced smile appeared on her face.

“I can do that, but I don’t know that many people. Just take the advice I give as a reference,” Shao Qing said, keeping pace with Jing Ke.

—

The earlier female artist hadn’t lied. The higher-ups at Zongheng Entertainment had indeed sensed that Shao Qing might not renew her contract. They had split into three factions, each offering different opinions.

One faction believed that Zongheng Entertainment was Shao Qing’s long-time employer. They felt they could play the nostalgia card, offering a better renewal contract to retain her, focusing on sincerity.

Another faction felt Shao Qing’s departure was irreversible, so they were more inclined to maximize the exploitation of her value in the final half-year. They wanted to pass her traffic and popularity onto the company’s newcomers, thus minimizing the loss from her leaving.

As for the last faction, they felt Zongheng Entertainment should part amicably with Shao Qing. Because these higher-ups were well aware that Shao Qing now had a Backer behind her and was no longer someone they could manipulate at will.

There was no need to say who this Backer was. Just looking at this Backer’s investments in the entertainment industry, one could infer her strength.

The last faction felt there was no need to make things difficult for Shao Qing. If they parted peacefully, Shao Qing would certainly remember the kindness of her old employer. Perhaps she could even act as an intermediary, connecting the company with her Backer, achieving a perfect win-win situation.

The number of higher-ups holding each viewpoint was roughly similar. Everyone had their own ideas, and none could convince the others.

So, after Jing Ke had taken Shao Qing to meet two up-and-coming directors, Shao Qing was called to a corner by Sister Ke, who tactfully conveyed the Vice President’s desire for a chat.

“Is President Liu asking to meet me alone, or does he want me to come with Jing Ke?” Shao Qing asked.

“Just you alone, naturally. I expect it’s about whether you’ll renew your contract. If you haven’t thought it through clearly, don’t speak in absolutes. Leave yourself some room,” Sister Ke advised.

Personally, Sister Ke hoped Shao Qing would stay at Zongheng Entertainment. Only if she stayed with the company could she continue being her Agent. With luck, she might even witness her step onto the world stage.

However, Sister Ke, who had worked with Shao Qing for about seven years, also clearly understood that joining New Life Entertainment was an equally good choice.

Setting aside the absolute resource tilt, the boss herself was Shao Qing’s good friend. Shao Qing could possibly transform from a worker into a company partner; the degree of freedom would definitely be high.

“I understand. I’ll go let Jing Ke know,” Shao Qing said. Grasping Sister Ke’s meaning, she wasn’t overly surprised, having been somewhat prepared for this conversation.

—

Since it was a talk with a leader, it naturally couldn’t happen directly in the bustling banquet hall.

After briefly explaining the situation to Jing Ke, Shao Qing followed Sister Ke, turning left and right, finally arriving at a small room resembling a Meeting Room. Pushing the door open, she saw President Liu inside, brewing tea.

“Ah, Shao Qing, right on time. Quickly, sit down. I just finished brewing this pot of tea. Come, give it a taste,” President Liu said with a beaming smile, gesturing from his chair for Shao Qing to sit.

“President Liu,” Shao Qing greeted simply, pulling out a chair one seat away from him and sitting down.

“Try the tea. The leaves here are from my personal collection,” President Liu said, making casual conversation as if chatting about domestic matters.

Only after Shao Qing had drunk half her cup did President Liu tentatively broach the topic of Shao Qing’s work arrangements.

“I asked Sister Ke. After the New Year, you’re joining the crew to film ‘Jianghu Road,’ right? I heard it runs from February to May. After filming wraps, do you have any other plans?”

President Liu continued with a smile, “Do you want to film some movies, or participate in some variety shows to adjust your state and promote the new drama? If you decide early, we can arrange things on our end early too.”

“President Liu, I actually haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Rather than continuing to film or joining variety shows, I might take a break after wrap,” Shao Qing replied, an equally polite smile on her face.

Zongheng Entertainment hadn’t abandoned her when her popularity was declining; Shao Qing acknowledged that favor. So she wanted to part amicably with Zongheng Entertainment, rather than leaving with both sides wounded.

“You want to rest? That’s understandable. Four months of filming is indeed very hard work,” President Liu said, pausing slightly. “Shao Qing, if you wrap in May, you could just make it in time for a company benefit in June. There might be an opportunity for a visit and exchange program at an overseas film base.”

Failing to get the desired result from his probing, President Liu had to start throwing out bait, trying to win Shao Qing over.

“If you’re lucky and get noticed by a director over there, you might have a chance to appear in some international films. That could greatly boost your international visibility and pave the way for you to step onto a bigger stage.”

The first olive branch President Liu offered was enticing: an overseas study and exchange opportunity. Even without landing a role, she could still show her face in front of internationally renowned directors.

However, to Shao Qing, it wasn’t that tempting. Thinking of Jing Ke’s numerous assets overseas, Shao Qing’s tolerance and expectations had been significantly elevated.

“What President Liu mentioned does sound quite good, but I still want to rest for a while. Let this benefit go to other hardworking colleagues; they need such opportunities too,” Shao Qing said with a light smile.

“President Liu, what Shao Qing means is that she wants to build a solid foundation domestically first before gradually developing overseas,” Sister Ke, also present, immediately added, trying to keep the conversation’s atmosphere light and pleasant.

“That’s right. Down-to-earth young people are good too,” President Liu said, seemingly smiling, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“By the way, Shao Qing, your contract with the company expires in early June. How about renewing it in advance?” After the offered olive branch was politely returned, President Liu had no choice but to bring certain matters into the open.

“We’ve already discussed it internally. If you’re willing to renew, we’ll raise your treatment to the level of a first-time signing. In addition, we’ll give you three percent of the company’s shares,” President Liu said.

“I appreciate President Liu’s kindness, but I still want to rest for a while and think carefully about my future direction,” Shao Qing declined again.

“Shao Qing has been in the industry for years. Her status no longer needs maintaining through constant exposure. Taking a good rest and consolidating for a while is also a good choice,” Sister Ke continued to smooth things over.

She was technically part of the company’s management, so she knew that President Liu himself wasn’t very keen on an amicable parting with Shao Qing, wavering instead between the other two handling methods.