Chapter 348: Pearl decides to change her allegiance

—Everyone is a bit player in their own life, yet a hero in the eyes of another.

After this sentence was displayed by the *Leisurely Slow Life* production team, it immediately surged onto the hot search list, with netizens attaching the tag: #LeisurelySlowLifeDropsAnotherGoldenQuote#.

Netizens were deeply moved by this sentiment, especially when paired with the footage filmed on the show, which gave people a sense of "discovering extraordinary little joys in ordinary life."

【Back then, when I went out to rely on relatives, I couldn't find the place, had no phone, and was penniless, so I had to muster the courage to walk into a 24-hour convenience store.

The employee at that convenience store didn't chase me away; she even poured me a cup of warm water and told me I could ask for more when I finished. It moved me deeply... Later, that convenience store clerk became my wife.】

【Whether I've worked hard all these years or if my salary has increased, I know the truth in my heart.

I work very hard every day, but my work has always stayed at the basic level, and it really hasn't increased much.

But I still believe those places need me. Because of my passion, I chose to pursue my current profession, and having done this work for over a decade, I've never thought of changing my mind.】

【I'm really crying to death... Ordinary positions need people to fill them too. If no one did them, how would this world function?

I have accepted my own mediocrity, but I also hope that mediocrity can be treated with kindness. In this show *Leisurely Slow Life*, I actually saw a glimmer of humanistic care.】

【Watching with laughter, leaving with tears...】

【Every person who works seriously deserves to be treated with kindness. Every time I need something or order a meal, I say thank you when I receive it.

Put yourself in their shoes: if I were serving others and could receive a thank you, my heart would also feel warm.】

【This show has such great love!】

Even the *Leisurely Slow Life* production team hadn't expected these scenes to spark a nationwide discussion, dominating the hot search list for three consecutive days.

Under the hot search, netizens launched a debate on the topic: "Is ordinary work worthy of respect?"

Some believed it wasn't worthy, because it is a requirement of the job; you receive that salary, so you must earn that money. If you don't want to earn it, leave. There's no need to demand others treat you differently just because you work seriously.

Because from the perspective of the work, this is the service attitude they should provide—it is simply what they are supposed to do.

It's like a top student who consistently scores over 140 points; scoring over 140 points every time isn't surprising. It's only when they suddenly drop below 100 that it would be shocking.

But others believed that even the most ordinary, most common work is worthy of respect.

No profession is born superior to another.

Professions are not divided into high or low, noble or base; only people divide others into different classes based on social status, salary, and so on.

When people work seriously, they should be respected. Take restaurant employees, for example; they only need to provide meals to guests according to standard portions.

That is what corresponds to their job content, and the extra portion added on top is actually the kindness of others.

Facing the kindness given by others, saying a "thank you" is not excessive.

Netizens expressed their opinions under the hot search; some were extreme, some were peaceful, and there were those just watching the show, or those who seemed neutral but were actually helping both sides...

They managed to keep this hot search topic alive for three days before it disappeared, successfully attracting a wave of fans for *Leisurely Slow Life*.

Coupled with the fact that this show was already leaning towards a relaxed genre, it was very suitable for watching while eating.

The heat brought by this discussion also led some people who had never watched this type of show to catch up on all the previous episodes while eating.

This also caused this variety show to remain high in browsing popularity on video websites ever since, consistently staying in the top five.

The scene returns to the end of the live stream connection.

The celebrities logged off one after another after the variety show finished airing; in any case, the video platform had already closed the live broadcast room long ago.

Jin Li also logged off the live broadcast room, packed her things, and left the venue provided by Maozhao.

She wouldn't need to come over tomorrow, but she probably wouldn't be able to miss the monthly meeting in the future.

In just two short days, Jin Li had gained the recognition of all the members of the Maozhao team.

It was already late, and Sui Lingfang came to pick up Jin Li to return to the apartment.

In the car, Jin Li didn't close her eyes to rest as she usually did, nor did she turn to look at the scenery outside the window; instead, she frowned and asked Fang Jie.

"Is Pearl not getting along well with her company lately?"

Sui Lingfang's expression changed slightly, and she spoke cautiously: "Ever since you mentioned to me last time that I could try to grasp an opportunity with Yu Guan Mingzhu, I sent people to investigate the movements of Century Entertainment.

Currently, Yu Guan Mingzhu is still Century Entertainment's only cash cow, so they still care a lot about her mood and state, but..."

She paused, stated all the information she had learned, and also confessed that she had bought an inside line at Century Entertainment.

"Century Entertainment has greater ambitions than before. Since Yu Guan Mingzhu became popular on *Leisurely Slow Life* last year, they have been booking her for three times as many variety shows as usual.

The inside information I received is that Yu Guan Mingzhu's schedule of announcements this year is no different from after she became popular last year; even after Yu Guan Mingzhu got angry, they still arranged that many.

Even if she explicitly said she wouldn't participate, the company would still find various reasons to make her participate. But when she got angry and breached the contract this month, Century Entertainment stopped forcing her to participate in announcements."

Jin Li raised her eyebrows and asked, "Looking at it this way, is Pearl's situation better than before?"

Sui Lingfang shook her head: "Although she isn't running those second- and third-tier variety shows anymore, I heard that Century Entertainment recently signed ten newcomers in one go, and then wanted Yu Guan Mingzhu to bring the newcomers along."

Jin Li frowned again and whispered, "Crossing the river and burning the bridge; ungrateful."

Sui Lingfang didn't speak.

Jin Li was biased toward Pearl's side, so naturally, she felt the company was greedy.

But deep down, if she were in Century Entertainment's management, she would have long since made Yu Guan Mingzhu bring along newcomers.

Because Qi Guan Mingzhu can neither act in dramas nor does she have any advantage in singing, she only makes a small splash when appearing on variety shows; unfortunately, she happens to dislike variety shows, and on top of that, her fashion resources and endorsement announcements are all very miserable.

So, unlike Jin Li's situation, Yu Guan Mingzhu actually has no sustainable development route in the circle and is very easily replaced.

It would be better if she encountered a reliable company, as her popularity wouldn't be depleted so heavily, but Century Entertainment clearly lacks this ability.

Jin Li suddenly raised her head and said, "Is your promise to Pearl still valid?"

Sui Lingfang reacted quickly and said solemnly: "Of course! Century Entertainment doesn't know how to develop Yu Guan Mingzhu, but Chenxi Entertainment does.

Let me put it this way: if Chenxi can poach Yu Guan Mingzhu, even if she only appears on *Leisurely Slow Life* for one variety show all year round, the company can still stabilize her status as a first-tier celebrity.

You, Xi Sister Meng Ze, and Yu Guan Mingzhu being in the same company creates an advantage that is simply too great; this is a triple win for you all!"

Jin Li lowered her head again and sent a message to Yu Guan Mingzhu.

On the other side, Sanyuetian, who hadn't been off the live stream for long, was called by the stylist to discuss whether to modify the three sets of looks they had come up with.

Although Chen Lin was there, his heart wasn't; he didn't participate in the discussion at all, but instead held his phone and sent messages.

Seeing this, Yan Xingdong pulled Chen Lin behind him to avoid being seen by people in the company and accused of having a bad attitude.

Chen Lin naturally noticed that Yu Guan Mingzhu had logged on particularly late today; she must have encountered trouble, so he kept sending her messages.

Chen Lin: 【Did something happen? Is there anything I can help with?】

Chen Lin: 【Why did you log on so late today? You don't seem to have had time to chat lately. What are you busy with?】

Chen Lin: 【Sister Pearl, are you there?】

At the same moment, at Yu Guan Mingzhu's place.

She hadn't been off the live stream for long when the doorbell of her apartment rang.

Yu Guan Mingzhu's home was equipped with a visual doorbell. She looked outside and found only Lu Shuxian, who was also carrying a large bag of things, so she unlocked the door.

Before long, Lu Shuxian's voice came: "Mingzhu, I bought you some snacks and drinks, as well as some high-quality ingredients. If you're in the mood, you can cook them yourself."

Yu Guan Mingzhu turned around and was pouring water for Lu Shuxian; she responded upon hearing this.

When she turned around again after pouring the water, a strange, pretty young girl greeted her and enthusiastically took the cup from her hand.

"Sister Mingzhu, hello, my name is Lu Yi. I'm a newly signed artist of the company, and I came to visit you with Manager Lu this time."

Yu Guan Mingzhu was caught off guard and only nodded after a while, "Hello."

"Sister Mingzhu, you sit. My cooking is actually quite good. How about I show you a few tricks?" Lu Yi said enthusiastically and actively.

Yu Guan Mingzhu shook her head and refused, her tone indifferent: "No need, I'm not very hungry. I'll eat later."

As soon as these words fell, they were interrupted by an even louder voice.

"Alright, Lu Yi, go show Mingzhu a few tricks!"

Lu Shuxian looked at Yu Guan Mingzhu with a smile, "Mingzhu, don't be polite with Lu Yi. Lu Yi is your little junior sister; you'll have many places to rely on her in the future. Give her a chance to perform."

Yu Guan Mingzhu was silent.

At this time, Lu Yi had already stood up, picked up one of the shopping bags Lu Shuxian had brought, and walked into the kitchen with familiarity.

Yu Guan Mingzhu frowned imperceptibly.

While Lu Yi was cooking, Lu Shuxian was also apologizing to Yu Guan Mingzhu in a low voice in the living room.

"If you don't want to participate, then don't. Why delay the time to go on *Leisurely Slow Life*? The people from *Leisurely Slow Life* were frantically sending me messages two and a half hours ago asking what was going on with you. I couldn't get through to your phone, and I didn't know how to reply."

Yu Guan Mingzhu said indifferently: "I fell asleep after arguing with you, and accidentally missed the time."

She didn't want to talk about this anymore; she was wrong about this. She shouldn't have gone to sleep when there was still an announcement at night, and she hadn't set an alarm.

Because of her own work error, she had already sent a message to the *Leisurely Slow Life* production team, saying that she didn't need the remuneration for this episode's broadcast, and that the part she had already received could be returned to them.

But the *Leisurely Slow Life* staff immediately refused her, saying that this was just a small matter and there was no need to deduct money, while also kindly caring about her life and urging her to seek medical attention in time if she felt unwell.

Thinking of this, Yu Guan Mingzhu couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

How funny, a stranger cares more about her health than her manager.

Hearing the old matter brought up again, Lu Shuxian smiled awkwardly and said: "Since you don't want to bring that artist, then don't. Why take it out on work?"

Yu Guan Mingzhu looked steadily at the manager: "I told you before, I won't bring anyone on the show. I already refused you once in the morning. What are you trying to do by bringing someone here to make a late-night snack in the middle of the night?"

Lu Shuxian shrugged calmly: "Nothing, I just think highly of Lu Yi, so I brought her over to let you recognize her face."

Yu Guan Mingzhu said bluntly and sharply: "I told you, I won't bring any artist on a variety show, even this Lu Yi."

"I know," Lu Shuxian said, "I just brought her over to see you and learn from you, is that not okay? Mingzhu, don't be too stingy."

After finishing a meal that tasted like wax, Lu Shuxian didn't notice the awkward atmosphere at all, chatting and laughing with Lu Yi, making the original owner of the house look like a guest.

Finally, Lu Shuxian took Lu Yi and left.

Yu Guan Mingzhu sent them off with a forced smile.

After they left, Yu Guan Mingzhu's face immediately collapsed. She lay on the sofa to rest for a while, then picked up the kitchen waste and went downstairs to throw it away.

The elevators in the entire apartment building were out of power for the day, and the property management sent someone to repair them, so residents had to take the stairs.

Yu Guan Mingzhu walked down the stairs for a while and heard the voices of Lu Yi and Lu Shuxian coming from ahead.

Lu Shuxian said with dissatisfaction: "I waited for so long and didn't wait for the elevator. I thought it was broken, but I called the property management and found out that it was out of power for maintenance today.

How come it was working when we came up before, but it suddenly had to be out of power for maintenance after only an hour and a half? Is this deliberately trying to pit us?"

Lu Yi didn't dwell on this issue, but asked worriedly: "Sister Lu, I see Sister Mingzhu doesn't like me. Did I come to the wrong place today?"

Lu Shuxian said indifferently: "No, don't look at Mingzhu as being arrogant; she's actually very easy to coax. If you grind her for a few more days, she will loosen her mouth.

When the time comes, I'll tell her to stuff you into the *Leisurely Slow Life* production team, so that your first variety show after debut can connect with Jin Li and Sanyuetian. The road ahead will be much easier to walk..."

Yu Guan Mingzhu suddenly stopped, took a few deep breaths, and felt that she couldn't go on like this anymore.

She was silent for a while, then suddenly turned and walked up; now she just wanted to return to the apartment.

Arriving at the apartment, she saw the messages sent by Jin Li and Chen Lin, hugged her doll pillow, and was distracted for a while before replying one by one.

Replying to Jin Li: 【Something happened. I don't want to stay at Century Entertainment anymore. I'm preparing to look for an entertainment company that can accept me recently.】

Replying to Chen Lin: 【Something happened at the company recently, and I'm a bit busy. I guess I'll be very busy for the next month.】

Chen Lin received the message and muttered: "Something happened at the company? Is Sister Pearl's schedule very busy lately?"

It just so happened that Brother Guang was in the same car with them, and upon hearing this, he asked: "Are you talking about Yu Guan Mingzhu? Where is her schedule busy? I haven't seen her appear much this month. I have heard that she has had a conflict with the company."

Chen Lin hurriedly asked: "Brother Guang, can you help me check? Maybe I can help Sister Pearl."

Zhang Guang didn't show it on the surface, but he had already kept this matter in his heart and said: "Okay, I'll have someone check tonight."

He couldn't wait to send Sanyuetian back to the villa before taking action, but instead sent a message to the team in the group chat, telling them to hurry up and check if Yu Guan Mingzhu wanted to jump ship.

It is very common for artists to have conflicts with their companies, and this involves the distribution of benefits.

Even brothers settle accounts clearly; what are artists? It would be strange if they didn't fight.

But it is unusual for a conflict to reach the point where a celebrity says it out loud to the outside world.

He knew that Chen Lin and Yu Guan Mingzhu had a good relationship, but no matter how good the relationship was, it couldn't be good enough to discuss the company's pros and cons with him.

It would be about the same if this kind of thing were discussed with members of Jin Li's Pink Girls.

But once even Chen Lin knew that Yu Guan Mingzhu had a conflict with the company, her conflict with the company probably had reached an irreconcilable point.

This could be Tian Ding's turn to take action! ===== CHAPTER 349 =====