Chapter 241: No Way Back

Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the office, watching Li Bingbing's figure hurry away, a faint smile curling his lips.

"She is still young; she will understand later." He murmured to himself, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, Li Bingbing walked briskly out of the Feimin Building, took out her phone, and dialed her agent Li Caihong.

"Sister Li, do not book any appearances for me recently; I have some private matters to handle." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Ah? But there are two commercials and a film audition next week..." Li Caihong sounded somewhat anxious on the other end of the line.

"Cancel them all." Li Bingbing hung up decisively, giving the other party no chance to continue speaking.

Li Caihong on the other end of the line froze for two seconds, then helplessly smiled: "This girl..."

Not long after Li Bingbing left, a storm erupted within Feimin Entertainment.

"Did you hear? Li Bingbing signed a lifetime contract!"

"Really? Then isn't she completely bound to Feimin from now on?"

"President Xiang negotiated it personally; reportedly the terms were exceptionally good, with a profit-sharing ratio frighteningly high..."

In the artists' department corridor, artists gathered in small groups to whisper. Some were envious, some jealous, and others secretly calculated whether they should also go find President Xiang to talk.

At this moment, Li Bingbing had already arrived at the China Film Group, standing before Han Shanping's office door.

"Uncle Han, I have a request to make of you." Li Bingbing's eyes reddened the moment she entered.

Han Shanping hurriedly stood up: "Oh, Bingbing, what is wrong? Sit down, sit down quickly."

Li Bingbing did not sit; instead, she said directly: "Uncle Han, Shaw Brothers treats Zhou Xingxing like livestock, sending him to eight film crews a day, with a salary of only 800,000, and the contract is signed for ten years..."

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

Han Shanping's face gradually darkened; after listening, he slammed the table: "Unbelievable! These Shaw Brothers people treat artists with such disregard!"

He paced back and forth a few steps, then turned to Li Bingbing and said: "Bingbing, rest assured, Uncle will definitely help you settle this matter!"

Li Bingbing wiped her tears and nodded gratefully: "Thank you, Uncle Han."

Three days later, Li Bingbing received a call from Zhou Xingxing.

"Bingbing, Shaw Brothers agreed to modify the contract." Zhou Xingxing's voice sounded weary but carried a hint of relief, "The annual fifty films became twenty, and the salary rose to one million."

Li Bingbing froze: "Just like that? Uncle Han did not promise me this..."

Silence hung on the other end of the line for a moment; Zhou Xingxing sighed: "Bingbing, Factory Director Han has already done his utmost. Shaw Brothers has the contract clamped down so tightly there is not a single flaw."

Li Bingbing gripped her phone tightly, her fingernails almost digging into her palm: "But..."

"It is already very good," Zhou Xingxing interrupted her, "at least now I can catch my breath."

The two chatted for a few more moments, then hung up the phone.

Just as she put down the phone, Li Caihong's call came in.

"Bingbing, President Dong asked me to tell you," Li Caihong's voice was somewhat cautious, "Factory Director Han has done his absolute best, but Shaw Brothers' contract is indeed watertight. He feels sorry for not being able to fully fulfill his promise."

Li Bingbing leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes: "I understand."

"Do not be too sad," Li Caihong comforted her, "at least Zhou Xingxing's situation has improved significantly, hasn't it?"

"Mm." Li Bingbing replied faintly and hung up the phone.