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Without money to live on, he could temporarily find other work. Xu Yuqing supported himself by tutoring people online or going to students' homes to help them with their schoolwork.

He had scored exceptionally well on the college entrance exam and ranked near the top in university as well. Tutoring elementary or middle school students was more than manageable for him, and the money he earned was barely enough to keep him going.

The reason he kept holding on was, first, that he loved acting. Acting was his dream, and he did not want to give it up. Second, the contract he had signed with Star Universe Entertainment had only been for five years. Three years had already passed, and the contract was about to expire.

Seeing that he would finally be able to leave Star Universe Entertainment, escape the company's restrictions, and end this hopeless waiting, how could Xu Yuqing not feel hopeful and excited? Once he left Star Universe Entertainment, he could act again!

At that moment, Xu Yuqing felt like a bird about to break free from its cage. He could not help feeling elated and joyful.

Just then, the doorbell rang. He went over and opened the door. "Sister Liu, you're here."

The person outside was his agent, Liu Rong, Sister Liu. She had been managing him ever since his debut. Though she had a strong personality, she was actually a very good person.

Over the past three years, Sister Liu had helped Xu Yuqing through nearly every difficulty. She had lent him money, found him jobs that could earn him an income, and reminded him that if he still wanted to make a living as an actor, he had to maintain his image and physique at all times. Therefore, there were some jobs he could not take because they would affect that.

The two sat down on the sofa, and Liu Rong got straight to the point. "I've asked around. Some small companies may not have many resources, but they're legitimate. They aren't shell companies set up specifically to scam actors."

"I've already spoken with one of the company's managers. Once you officially terminate your contract with Star Universe Entertainment, their company is willing to sign you. But you'll probably have to start all over again, making guest appearances in productions and beginning with small roles."

"But you don't need to lose heart, Yuqing. Your looks and image are so good, and you're still young. That's your capital. As long as you keep persevering, there will always come a day when you rise again."

Xu Yuqing felt greatly encouraged. "Don't worry, Sister Liu. I won't be discouraged. As long as a company is willing to take me, as long as I still have a chance to act and appear on screen, to give the fans who have been waiting for me an answer, that would already be an immense blessing. I'll keep going!"

Sister Liu nodded, looking relieved. "It's good that you think that way. Keep this mindset, and after that..."

Just then, her phone started ringing. Someone was calling.

"I'll take this first." Seeing a familiar number, Sister Liu could not help frowning. A bad feeling rose in her heart. She stood from the sofa and went to the balcony to answer it.

Xu Yuqing also took out his phone and opened his fan forum, looking through the messages and support his fans had left him over the past three years, as well as the words they had used to argue with his antis.

He had never had the courage to respond before. The road ahead had been uncertain, and he had not even found hope for himself. He was afraid that if he responded, he would place the burden of his life on his fans as well. He should not drag them into his troubles. Keeping an appropriate distance was better for both sides.

But now, everything was about to take a turn for the better. Hope was close at hand. Looking at the fan forum page, he could not help smiling a little. Perhaps he would soon be able to respond to the fans who still supported him. He was back. He could keep acting.

Hearing footsteps, Xu Yuqing looked up with a smile. "Sister Liu, look, quite a few fans are still supporting me... Sister Liu, did something happen?"

Xu Yuqing's voice gradually became hesitant, because Liu Rong's face had turned somewhat unpleasant, her expression grave.

He could not help standing up as well. "Sister Liu, what's wrong?"

Liu Rong said, "Yuqing... the manager of that small company just called. He said their company can't sign you anymore."

Xu Yuqing's smile was forced. "What's the reason? Sister Liu, didn't we already agree..."

Why had they suddenly changed their minds at this point?

Liu Rong sighed. "I'm afraid Star Universe Entertainment put pressure on them behind the scenes."

She herself belonged to Star Universe Entertainment. Her efforts to find Xu Yuqing another place to go had ultimately not escaped the company's notice.

She could not help frowning, wondering how the company had found out.

Besides, Xu Yuqing's contract was about to end. It was perfectly normal for him to leave when it expired and find a new company. She had only lent him a hand, done him a small favor. Why did the company have to keep clinging to Xu Yuqing? Thinking of what had happened three years ago, Liu Rong could not help cursing Star Universe Entertainment for being inhuman. They had driven an innocent person into such a state. Their methods were ruthless; their hearts were black, and so was their blood.

But Star Universe Entertainment was a major company in the entertainment industry. It controlled countless resources, held major IPs and projects, had many popular actresses and actors under its banner, and had produced hit dramas and award-winning films. Its capital was immense, with few companies able to match it. Its influence in the industry was obvious.

Liu Rong and Xu Yuqing were both ordinary people. Like ants trying to shake a tree, they naturally could not resist a giant like Star Universe Entertainment. All they could do was wait for the chance to terminate the contract and rely on that piece of paper, on the law, to leave Star Universe Entertainment.

Xu Yuqing wiped his face, his expression bitter. "It's fine, Sister Liu. Star Universe Entertainment is probably warning you not to help me. You shouldn't get involved in this anymore. You've already helped me so much, Sister Liu. If this company doesn't want me, I'll find another one. At worst, I can go it alone. It'll just be harder, but maybe I'll have more choices then."

Though he was saying words to comfort himself, both Xu Yuqing and Sister Liu knew how difficult it was for one person to make it in the entertainment industry. Sometimes, all someone lacked was a single opportunity, yet that opportunity might never come even in a lifetime.

"We have to look on the bright side, Sister Liu," Xu Yuqing said. "You said it yourself—I have decent looks. As long as I persevere, I'll make it someday."

Sister Liu wanted to smile, but just then, another call came in.

She raised her phone and glanced at the screen. Her expression changed at once, and she hurried to the balcony again to answer the call.

After she left, Xu Yuqing gripped his phone and lowered his head. His expression became despondent and pale. He had thought there was finally a little hope, but it still... No, it was fine. Once he completely terminated his contract with Star Universe Entertainment, he would be free again. Then he would work harder, visit production crews every day, and submit his résumé. He would definitely get a chance to act.

Xu Yuqing encouraged himself. Thinking that way made him feel a little better.

But when Liu Rong came back, the moment Xu Yuqing saw her expression, his heart skipped a beat. He had a feeling that something else had slipped beyond their control...

"Yuqing..." Liu Rong's expression was stiff as she handed him the phone. Her voice was dry. "It's Boss Gao."

The president of Star Universe Entertainment, Gao Su.

Xu Yuqing took the phone and heard the man on the other end say in a low voice, "You got my younger brother sent to prison, and now you think you can just terminate your contract and leave the company? Let me tell you, impossible. I said I'd wait for you to come beg me. That still stands three years later."

Xu Yuqing spoke urgently. "The contract clearly states everything in black and white. I want to terminate it. Even you, Boss Gao, can't violate the law, can you? Don't tell me Star Universe Entertainment can cover the sky with one hand, pressure every production crew, and control everyone so that no one lets me act?"

"Why can't I?" The voice on the other end was casual, even carrying a cold laugh. "Crushing you is as easy as crushing an ant. The only reason I didn't wipe you out before was because I wanted to play you to death slowly. I wanted to watch you struggle again and again, work hard again and again, only for it all to be futile. To watch your hopes be destroyed and your pathetic posture. Now, your hell is only beginning. Look forward to it."

The call ended, and the other end went silent. Yet Xu Yuqing's expression slowly became blank and lost.

He had thought he could finally leave Star Universe Entertainment, only to discover that in the end, he was still trapped in darkness with no light ahead. No—perhaps he was about to fall into an abyss.

Not long after, Xu Yuqing learned what Star Universe Entertainment had done behind the scenes. The company had spread word that anyone who signed him would be going against Star Universe Entertainment. And if he wanted to leave the company, he would have to pay Star Universe Entertainment an enormous penalty for breaching certain clauses in his contract.

Those clauses looked harmless at first glance, yet hidden between the lines were traps enough to drag him down. Even if he hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit, the matter would not be easy to resolve anytime soon.

Star Universe Entertainment's plan was to drag things out, consume his youth and time, and crush him.

And a lawsuit required both connections and money. Did he have those connections? Did he have that much money to burn?

No. He had neither.

Even if he had money and could hire a lawyer, what lawyer would dare fight Star Universe Entertainment?

Unless it was one of the industry's absolute top lawyers. But people like that were rarer than phoenix feathers and qilin horns. They were simply beyond Xu Yuqing's reach.

And he did not have enough money to hire one even once. He probably could not afford even half a consultation.

Thinking of it that way, Xu Yuqing was nearly desperate. He could not see any way out. Just when he had thought his life had already hit rock bottom, he had not expected that after this setback, it could become even darker and sink even lower. In an instant, everything felt bleak, and every step became difficult.

Only a week had passed, yet Xu Yuqing already looked far more haggard and exhausted.

That morning, he had not even shaved. With nowhere to turn for help, he did not even have the strength to pick up a razor.

Liu Rong came again that day and asked him what he planned to do now.

Though she had some connections, she could not help Xu Yuqing.

Xu Yuqing gave a bitter smile. "It looks like Star Universe Entertainment is determined not to let me develop in the entertainment industry. The moment I show my face, the Gao Family will suppress me. Even if I successfully terminate my contract in the end, as long as Star Universe Entertainment remains in this industry, there will be little chance for me to develop here."

He almost had no way out left. No, there was still one: beg Boss Gao, sell himself, betray his principles and bottom line, throw away his conscience, and stain himself black. Only then—only if he did that—could he develop in the entertainment industry again, and perhaps even obtain better resources than before.

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