Chapter 288

Unlike him, even entering the industry wasn't something he decided himself.

After entering the industry, all his work was done passively, pushed along by the company. What kind of roles to play, what kind of endorsements to accept, and what kind of events to attend were all decided by the company.

Including those marketed hot searches, hyped-up topics, and the popularity he had piggybacked on.

The company had used every means to attract traffic on him, and he wasn't an exception; in fact, this operational model had become the mainstream in today's entertainment industry.

Almost everyone needed such methods to maintain their exposure and popularity, even if it was negative, because "bad publicity is still publicity"!

Artists aren't afraid of "bad publicity"; what they fear is no one talking about them.

But Shen Li didn't want these things, and she could decide whether she wanted them or not.

Song Anyu envied her from the bottom of his heart.

Sister Kuan nodded gently: "Actually, I could guess you would say that, but I still wanted to hear you say it yourself, because having no traffic is actually very fatal for an artist, especially a female artist."

Shen Li naturally understood the survival rules of the entertainment industry.

Traffic can prove an artist's commercial value; it is a true reflection of whether an artist is popular or not.

No one enters the industry without wanting to be a huge star; those who say they don't care about traffic are mostly being hypocritical.

But only Shen Li—Sister Kuan knew she only wanted to act.

"Sister Kuan, am I being a bit willful?" Shen Li said softly: "If I don't have traffic, will it affect my ability to get roles in the future?"

What she worried about most was still being unable to get the roles she wanted to play later on.

However, Sister Kuan laughed after hearing her words: "As for getting roles, leave that to me. You just focus on acting steadily. Whichever script you like, whichever role you want to play, I will go and negotiate for you. Otherwise, what do you think I am as your manager?"

"You were signed by me personally. Since the company handed you over to me, I will be responsible for you and safeguard your path ahead."

These words made Shen Li's heart instantly settle.

Xiaoyun and Apan also exchanged smiles; they knew Sister Kuan's weight in the industry, and this guarantee was crucial for Ali.

Sister Kuan and Song Anyu stayed in the village until the afternoon. Because Sister Kuan was there, Song Anyu didn't have any chance to be alone with Shen Li, which actually made Shen Li feel relieved.

On the high-speed train back to Panyang City, Sister Kuan took the initiative to invite Song Anyu to sit together, wanting to talk to him.

Being able to chat alone with such a senior, Song Anyu couldn't have asked for more.

As it turned out, the first thing Sister Kuan said was: "You like our Ali, don't you?"

Song Anyu looked at Sister Kuan with surprise, but then he nodded firmly: "Yes, I like her."

"You've been in the industry for a few years now. Although I haven't paid special attention to you, I don't recall any scandals related to your love life. I think you have good taste to admit you like Ali," Sister Kuan said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Song Anyu felt his heart lighten and asked tentatively: "Then Sister Kuan, do you... do you support it?"

"I don't support it." Sister Kuan shook her head.

Song Anyu's heart instantly turned cold.

He saw Sister Kuan look at him with a meaningful smile, then she said earnestly: "Whether from your perspective or Ali's, I don't agree. Your contract should have a clause prohibiting dating, right?"

Song Anyu hurriedly explained: "It's that I can't date without the company's knowledge."

"It's the same thing." Sister Kuan laughed: "For the company, this clause means you are forbidden from dating, because even if you report a relationship to the company, they won't agree."

"Remember, dating is a huge taboo for a popular traffic star!"

"Of course, our Ali is different. I allow her to date; not interfering with her love life was written into the contract from the beginning."

"But she cannot date you, because once your relationship is exposed, the public opinion and cyberbullying she faces will destroy her career."

"Anyu, you are a top-tier star. Your fan base is in the hundreds of millions. How can she deal with your fans?"

"Don't talk about you protecting her. The more you protect her, the more you will push her into a sea of knives and fire. Do you remember the incident outside the hotel in Hengdian? Just for a kiss scene, fans blocked the hotel entrance and almost hurt her. If you two really get together, have you considered what kind of consequences it will bring to Ali?"

This was what Sister Kuan truly cared about, and it was also the fear she felt while planning for the future.

She knew Ali had a very capable sister, but cyberbullying cannot be stopped just because someone is strong.

Fighting against millions of fans on one's own—Shen Li's sister couldn't do it!

So as her manager, she could not allow such a thing to happen.

Song Anyu was speechless; he had never thought about these things.

"It's not just about Ali; you also need to consider yourself. Your career has just reached its peak, and you should prioritize your career. Ali is someone you've only known for half a year. Even if you like her for some reason, I must remind you: you are a star, and you should put your fans first—at least put them before Ali, because they are the ones who made you."

"Behind your success is your team and your company. They have put a lot of heart and soul into this. Don't let them down because of a moment of passion."

"People can be greedy, but not too greedy. Trying to have it all will only lead to losing everything. Everything you have today was hard-won, so you must hold onto it well. The competition among male artists is just as fierce, and fans have far more choices than you imagine. If you don't cherish them, they can abandon you at any time!"

These words, delivered step by step like a warning bell, left Song Anyu unable to calm down for a long time.

"There is one more thing."

Sister Kuan looked at Song Anyu again, a flash of reluctance in her eyes: "I was hesitating whether to say it, but since we've talked this far, I'll just tell you directly."

Song Anyu nodded blankly, and heard Sister Kuan continue: "Even if you were to throw yourself into the fire for Ali with all your courage, Ali wouldn't be with you. Because she is far more clear-headed than you! Don't look at her as if she's delicate and soft; she may be inexperienced in the world, but she firmly knows what path she wants to take. This point won't change because of anyone's appearance, and you won't be an exception."

Song Anyu fell into complete silence.

Three days later, Shen Ci received another call from Ji Yongxiu.

It was still the same "Sparrow" coffee shop as last time; even the seat hadn't changed.

Shen Ci arrived as promised, sat down, and sighed softly while looking at the "hot Americano" in front of her.

"Miss Shen is still as radiant as ever today." As soon as Ji Yongxiu spoke, it was a heartfelt compliment.

Shen Ci's appearance didn't require his insincere, performative praise.

Shen Ci sized up Ji Yongxiu. He was wearing a black-blue suit today, and even his gold-rimmed glasses had been changed to black frames, showing he was someone who paid great attention to his attire.

"As for Mr. Ji, I personally still think the last outfit suited you better; it looked much more elegant and refined."

Ji Yongxiu lowered his head and smiled suddenly, saying somewhat embarrassedly: "Since Miss Shen likes it, I will change back to the last outfit when I see you next time."

"This is the drafted contract." Ji Yongxiu took the contract out of his bag and handed it to Shen Ci: "A formal land acquisition contract, Miss Shen, please take a careful look."

Shen Ci looked at the contract but didn't reach out to take it; she just slowly moved her gaze to Ji Yongxiu's face and said softly: "Mr. Ji, don't be in such a hurry. I think we still need to talk about the price again."

Ji Yongxiu's smile instantly froze on his face, and he hurriedly asked: "What does Miss Shen mean by this? Didn't we already agree on the price?"

"But the contract hasn't been signed yet, has it?" Shen Ci blinked, looking at the other party with an innocent expression: "Before the contract is signed, shouldn't it all be part of the negotiation phase?"

"Or are you saying I don't even have the right to bargain?"

"That's not it." Ji Yongxiu hurriedly returned to normal, a smile reappearing on his face: "It's just that I thought we had reached a consensus. Miss Shen, the price I offered is already very considerable. Are you still not satisfied?"

Shen Ci smiled genuinely: "If I can earn more, then of course I'm not satisfied with the current price."

This one sentence made Ji Yongxiu's brows knit together instantly, and his heart grew tense: "What does Miss Shen mean by this? Has another group approached you with an offer?"

"It's not convenient for me to disclose that, but if Mr. Ji is willing to talk again, I think there is still a chance for us to cooperate."

"Of course!" Ji Yongxiu nodded without hesitation, because if he refused to renegotiate at this moment, Shen Ci would likely abandon them directly and sell the land to another group.

If he lost this plot of land, he would lose the chairman's trust, and along with it, his status as the person in charge of subsequent projects and the opportunity to enter the board of directors!

No, he absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen!

Shen Ci had already seen his urgency from his micro-expressions. She spoke unhurriedly: "I won't add much. Just add '3000' to the original basis, let me make a small profit of ten thousand, and round it off."

"Mr. Ji, don't be in a hurry to answer me. If you agree, just contact me within a week with the new contract drafted."

Ten thousand?

A small profit?

Ji Yongxiu's pupils flickered; he felt that Shen Ci's vibe today was somewhat different from last time.

But he couldn't afford to think too much; he could only nod and agree first: "No problem, I will go back and hold a meeting with the company to discuss it."

Shen Ci nodded slightly and stood up to leave. She hadn't taken a single sip of the "hot Americano" on the table.

And just as she left the coffee shop, a message from Lianxing arrived: "Darling, found something, come back fast!"

Shen Ci smiled slightly at the message, looked back through the glass window at Ji Yongxiu, who was still sitting in his seat in a daze, and a flash of cunning crossed her eyes.

This chapter is a plus chapter, word count 3000+, goodnight!

(End of chapter)