Chapter 243: I Want Shen Li

"Jin Xiao Entertainment," conference room.

"Bai He, Chen Ce, and Guo Zichu don't intend to renew their contracts when they expire."

Lu Jinzhao sighed upon hearing this, picked up the renewal contracts in front of him, and flipped through them casually: "Didn't they propose renewal conditions? Did you take the initiative to propose any?"

The person opposite him was dressed in casual clothes, with a round face and a round belly, squinting his small eyes. It was Brother Bo, the most capable agent in the company besides Sister Kuan.

Brother Bo snorted, his tone filled with helplessness: "It's useless whether I propose them or not. They're all in a hurry to set up their own studios and go solo. Damn it, when they first came under my wing as rookies, I drank liters of alcohol at banquets for their resources. Now that their wings have hardened, they can't wait to fly away. A bunch of ungrateful wretches!"

"Lu Zong, it's not that I can't keep them; it's that their hearts are too wild. They're all first or second-tier actors now. If they all leave, who's left under my wing? Ren Jia? Tang De?"

Lu Jinzhao looked at Brother Bo with a complex expression. In fact, the entertainment industry was just like this. Once actors achieved success, they inevitably had thoughts of going solo, unless there were particularly attractive renewal conditions or contractual constraints to force them to stay.

But good resources were limited, and contractual constraints weren't always effective.

"Don't be anxious. This also indirectly proves your ability. These few grew up under your guidance and are now actors in the industry capable of carrying a show," Lu Jinzhao comforted.

"What's the use? Is there even one who knows how to be grateful?"

As they were speaking, the door opened, and Sister Kuan walked in slowly. Seeing their ugly expressions, she couldn't help but say: "Stop with the long faces. I've transferred a few people to your team; they're all good seedlings with potential."

After saying this, a stack of artist files was thrown in front of Brother Bo: "You pick."

Brother Bo saw Sister Kuan and grinned: "Sister, give me Shen Li?"

"How about I give you Chu He instead?"

"That works too. Chu He is great. She's been at the top for so long and has never left your side. I just like those who know how to be grateful!" Brother Bo said half-jokingly.

Because he knew that even if Sister Kuan were willing, Ji Chuhe certainly wouldn't be. She had been brought to the status of a top female star by Sister Kuan, and just last year, she renewed a five-year long-term contract with Sister Kuan precisely because she recognized Sister Kuan's value.

Sister Kuan also knew he was joking: "Stop joking with me. You don't need to be sad about those who aren't renewing. Most of what they have today is because of you. Leaving you doesn't necessarily mean they'll do better."

Lu Jinzhao also nodded: "A twisted melon isn't sweet. Besides, Jin Xiao isn't lacking in artists. You can pick from these people; the company will certainly arrange things based on your lead."

Brother Bo flipped through them with little interest, and finally curled his lips: "I want Shen Li."

Lu Jinzhao and Sister Kuan looked at each other upon hearing this, their expressions surprisingly identical—both frowning deeply.

Shen Li's contract at the time was negotiated by Shen Ci herself, negotiated directly with Sister Kuan. If this were to be changed to Brother Bo halfway, Miss Shen Ci certainly wouldn't agree.

Moreover, Ren Jia was under Brother Bo's wing. Lu Jinzhao couldn't forget the previous incidents; how could he put Shen Li and Ren Jia under the same agent?

"Shen Li won't work. Her situation is special; she can only be managed by Sister Kuan," Lu Jinzhao stated clearly.

Sister Kuan didn't speak, but she didn't loosen her stance either.

At this moment, the office door was suddenly knocked, and it was Shen Li who arrived.

"Sister Kuan, Lu Zong."

Shen Li entered the conference room, greeted Sister Kuan and Lu Zong, and then looked at the chubby Brother Bo. Sister Kuan introduced: "A-Li, this is Brother Bo."

Shen Li had long heard of Brother Bo; he was a big name in the industry who had brought up many currently hot artists.

"Hello, Brother Bo." Shen Li greeted obediently.

It was also Brother Bo's first time seeing Shen Li in person. She was even more vivid and lively than the stills online, and that green, fresh, and tender energy was truly likable.

He smiled and said: "A-Li, right? Even cuter than in photos."

Shen Li smiled embarrassedly, and Lu Jinzhao looked at her and asked: "A-Li, why did you come to the company?"

"Sister Kuan asked me to come and sign two supplementary contracts."

"Oh right, the contracts before joining the crew. I'll go get them," Sister Kuan said, standing up and leaving the office.

"A-Li, sit down and wait." Lu Jinzhao greeted Shen Li to sit down, then looked at Brother Bo and said: "Take these materials back and look at them carefully. They were all picked out by Sister Kuan; her eye for talent won't be wrong."

Brother Bo nodded, but his gaze remained on Shen Li, and he probed half-jokingly: "A-Li, would you consider following me? The resources in my hands aren't worse than Sister Kuan's!"

Shen Li gave an awkward but polite smile: "Brother Bo, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Stop teasing her. Who steals people right to their faces!" Lu Jinzhao frowned.

"Where is it to her face? Sister Kuan isn't here, is she?" Brother Bo didn't care, continuing with a thick skin: "Really, A-Li, consider it. Sister Kuan has Ji Chuhe in her hands, so the best resources must go to her. If you come to me, you'll be the top priority, and all the good resources will go to you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Bo, but I'll stick with Sister Kuan," Shen Li refused him firmly in a soft, milky tone.

She didn't need the best resources; she only needed the resources she wanted.

Brother Bo wilted like a frosted eggplant, picking up the materials on the table: "Fine, I won't ask for trouble here."

As he was leaving, he still added a sentence to Shen Li: "If you change your mind, come find me anytime!"

After Brother Bo left, Lu Jinzhao hurriedly explained: "Brother Bo is just like that, but his intentions aren't bad. Several actors he brought up are leaving, and he's just feeling the heat!"

Shen Li nodded upon hearing this, and thinking of Brother Bo's forced smile just now, she felt a little sorry for him.

"By the way, A-Li, the conditions for this crew are relatively tough, and there certainly won't be an independent lounge. The company has assigned you a small RV, otherwise it would be too inconvenient," Lu Jinzhao said.

In the new drama, she plays a girl "in her youth" who was trafficked into the deep mountains. The crew is filming on location, finding a village in a mountain gully. Eating and living are both very hard, but an RV could greatly improve this problem. There is a small kitchen and a bed in the car.

"It's okay, Lu Zong, I'll be the same as everyone else. When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Shen Li didn't care much about this.

She had slept in a bunk bed in the same room as her sister since she was a child, and she wasn't a delicate person. She knew clearly that filming this drama would be hard, and she was well-prepared.

"I know you don't want to be special, but rest assured, there are plenty of actors who can't endure hardship. You certainly won't be the only RV joining the crew. Just listen to the company's arrangements."

Shen Li nodded upon hearing this and didn't insist further on this matter.

After signing the contract and coming out of the conference room with Sister Kuan, they happened to run into a commotion outside. Shen Li looked closely and saw that it was Ji Chuhe who had come to the company! ===== CHAPTER 244 =====