Chapter 79

"I've finished reading the contract. Overall, there are no problems. There are some places I've marked that are clauses you can negotiate with the other party a second time."

As Lawyer Lin said this, he pointed with his pen for Shen Ci and Shen Li to see: "Like the contract term here, newcomer management contracts are generally five to ten years; they won't be too short, but there are also three-year ones. It specifically depends on how you negotiate."

"And these resources promised to you—one 'S-level' platform project per year, with a role no lower than the third female lead. These soft clauses all have room for negotiation."

Shen Li nodded in understanding and said to her sister: "Sister, as long as it's a role I want to play, I can accept any project level or role size."

"You can explain this thought to the other party in a moment. You must learn to express your own demands," Shen Ci said.

Just as they were talking, the makeup room door was knocked on; it was Sister Kuan.

"Shen Li, hello."

Upon meeting, Sister Kuan first enthusiastically reached out to greet Shen Li.

"Hello, Teacher. May I ask who you are?" Shen Li asked while shaking hands with her.

Sister Kuan got straight to the point: "I am an artist manager at 'Jin Xiao Entertainment.' You can just call me Sister Kuan."

Upon hearing this, Shen Li immediately showed a look of sudden realization. Xiao Yun and A Pan were both people from "Jin Xiao," and the production company for this drama was also "Jin Xiao Entertainment."

"Sister Kuan, please sit. May I ask what business you have with me?"

Sister Kuan smiled: "Of course. First, take a look at this."

As Sister Kuan said this, she casually took an artist contract out of her bag and handed it to Shen Li. When Shen Li saw the words on the cover, she subconsciously wanted to refuse, but was softly interrupted by Sister Kuan: "Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. Take a look first."

Seeing this, Xiao Yun whispered to Shen Li to explain: "Sister Kuan is the ace manager at 'Jin Xiao.' Yao Bin and Ji Chuhe are both managed by Sister Kuan."

Upon hearing this, Shen Li couldn't help but open her mouth in surprise.

"Thank you, Sister Kuan. Then I'll take a look first." Shen Li obediently reached out to take it, but her heart couldn't help but become conflicted.

Not to mention whether the terms of this contract would be better, she had basically already defaulted to signing with Teacher Yu Hong; she had always thought that way.

Seeming to feel her sister's unease, Shen Ci patted her back comfortingly and whispered: "It's okay, just take a look. When making a decision, just follow your heart."

She knew her sister's personality; refusing others was a very difficult thing for her to say, but people always have to learn to say "no," especially in the entertainment industry.

Shen Li nodded. With her sister there, she did indeed feel much more at ease.

The conditions offered by this "Jin Xiao" contract were indeed more tempting compared to Teacher Yu Hong's, but the parts that highlighted the advantages were not parts that Shen Li cared much about.

For example, the remuneration ratio; Jin Xiao offered her one percentage point more.

For another example, Jin Xiao promised that within two years, they would give her an "S" level female lead role, and would also give her a starring role in a "satellite broadcast drama."

These highly tempting promises, for any other newcomer, might be an opportunity to reach the sky in one step.

Only Shen Li, after finishing it, had no great waves of emotion in her heart.

"Sister, what do you think?" Shen Li looked at her sister in a dilemma.

The conditions offered by "Jin Xiao" were too outstanding. Even if her heart remained unmoved, she couldn't deny that the other party was full of sincerity.

Moreover, she currently had seven scripts in her hands that "Jin Xiao" had given her, letting her choose the role she most wanted to play from among them. She didn't know why the other party had such a move, but as a newcomer, she was very grateful to get such an opportunity to choose roles.

Including this drama, she was able to get the role of "Hua Xixi," and she had been very grateful to "Jin Xiao" for their appreciation of her from beginning to end.

Thinking of these things, she became even more conflicted.

"You're asking me?"

Shen Li nodded.

Shen Ci gave a playful smile and said bluntly: "Then I'll tell you the truth: I'm more inclined toward 'Jin Xiao'."

Seeming to understand that her sister would give this answer, Shen Li let out a deep breath.

Seeing this, Sister Kuan also smiled and said bluntly: "This contract is the top-tier newcomer contract at our 'Jin Xiao.' So far, only Ji Chuhe has received this contract. Now, everyone has witnessed her achievements. So, Shen Li, we at 'Jin Xiao' still value you very much."

"Thank you, Sister Kuan. I understand all of this. This is my first time encountering this situation, so I'm a bit conflicted."

Just as they were talking, a staff member knocked on the door, poked their head in, and said to Shen Li: "Ah Li, get ready to wait for the shoot."

Shen Li needed to detach from her current emotions, so she nodded and stood up hurriedly: "Sorry, Sister Kuan. I have two scenes this morning, so I'll go over first."

"Okay, I'll be on set all day today. Take your time to consider."

Shen Li nodded, gave her sister a look, and then hurriedly left the makeup room.

Sister Kuan and Lawyer Lin also followed out immediately. Only Shen Ci, Xiao Yun, and A Pan were left in the makeup room.

Shen Ci opened her suitcase on her own, took out three packaging bags, and greeted the two: "I brought you some specialties from Shengang. Thank you for taking care of Ah Li these days."

The packaging bags looked very high-end, clearly marked with the words "Premium Sea Cucumber."

This stuff wasn't cheap even in Shengang locally.

"You're too polite. How can we accept this?" Xiao Yun said in surprise, as if she hadn't expected Ah Li's sister to be so thoughtful as to bring them gifts.

Shen Li smiled and said: "Don't be polite; it's only right. As a newcomer, Ah Li doesn't understand many things. Thanks to your care, one box each. This box is for Teacher Wen Xuan."

She didn't even leave out the makeup artist Wen Xuan. Xiao Yun and A Pan's impression of Shen Ci instantly rose quite a bit.

The two thanked her repeatedly after receiving them. Shen Ci took the opportunity to show concern: "My sister is someone who doesn't really know how to express her thoughts, especially some unhappy things she never talks about. How has she been on set these days? Has anything unpleasant happened?"

This question was quite direct; Shen Ci just wanted to know her sister's recent situation.

Xiao Yun and A Pan looked at each other subconsciously upon hearing this. Ah Li mentioned her sister most often on a daily basis, so the two knew that their relationship as sisters must be very close.

After hesitating for a moment, A Pan nodded slightly at Xiao Yun, and then Xiao Yun spoke softly: "Other things are fine. Everyone likes Ah Li. The director likes her because she acts well, so the director often praises her. The staff likes her because she has a good personality; she calls everyone 'Teacher' and is very polite."

"It's just that there's an actress named Xu Zishan. Ah Li said she's from the same school. A few days ago, when filming a scene where Ah Li falls into the water, she deliberately kept NG-ing, causing Ah Li to soak in the water for a full half hour. Ah Li was so aggrieved she cried."