Page 6

Cai Jinbai said evenly, "Since I intend to sign Mr. Xu, of course I investigated beforehand. That wasn't difficult."

"Back then, Mr. Xu was slandered and targeted across the internet, while the company deliberately suppressed him. I imagine there were no shortage of people around him who kicked him while he was down, right?"

"Where is the person you saved now? They didn't step forward to clear your name or speak up for you at the time, merely standing by and doing nothing. They were probably ensuring their own interests remained untouched, wanting to protect themselves while abandoning their savior. Mr. Xu, it seems you shouldn't meddle in other people's affairs."

Cai Jinbai's words struck straight at the heart. Every sentence stabbed, and every word was true.

Xu Yuqing could only smile bitterly at that.

Back then, he had begged everyone he could. But with Star Universe Entertainment suppressing him from above, some people chose to protect themselves, while others took the opportunity to seize resources that had originally been his. Even when someone spoke up for him online, believed him, and tried to prove his innocence, it barely caused a ripple. Even if something made the trending list, it would quickly be taken down, no different from being silenced.

His fans had charged forward for him, yet his account had been controlled. Without any projects and without a chance to appear on screen again, he had no way to explain himself to the public. Thus, the name "Xu Yuqing" gradually faded from the internet.

Did he regret it?

He still had the same answer: he did not regret it.

If he regretted anything, it was only that he had not thought things through. He had been rash and impulsive. He had only recently entered the entertainment industry and suddenly become famous, before realizing that the darkness within it was not something he could resist alone.

He could not possibly investigate someone's character in detail before saving them.

They had belonged to the same company, he had been her senior, and it concerned a girl's innocence. So when she had tearfully begged him for help, Xu Yuqing had stepped in.

But if he could do it all over again, he would definitely think of a more reliable way before saving her.

He had saved her for no other reason than because it was what his heart had wanted to do at the time. He had acted with a clear conscience, nothing more.

Looking at the still gleaming Proper Wealth light above Xu Yuqing's head, Cai Jinbai said, "There is one thing you are mistaken about as well, Mr. Xu."

"What?" Xu Yuqing froze.

Cai Jinbai said, "Since you know the president of Star Universe is ruthless and wolfish by nature, how could you naturally assume that as long as you left the industry, he would let you go so easily?"

"You don't think Star Universe will only drag you through lawsuits and demand compensation for breach of contract, do you?"

"Then... then what else could there be?"

Liu Rong's face turned pale as she thought of something.

She had seen far more darkness in the entertainment industry than Xu Yuqing knew of or had experienced.

"No way... Could it really go that far?" Liu Rong muttered.

Xu Yuqing asked, "Sister Liu, what do you know?"

Liu Rong's voice was dry as she said, "Maybe... maybe someone will secretly find every possible way to get you addicted to drugs as well..."

Chapter 5

Liu Rong's words completely terrified Xu Yuqing. He sat blankly in his chair, his expression empty.

He wondered whether that was truly possible. If he really became addicted to drugs... it would not just ruin him completely. Even his once peaceful and happy family would fall apart and shatter because of it.

The moment he thought that possibility might become reality and truly happen to him, his scalp tightened and his entire body went cold.

That method was simply too vicious.

Xu Yuqing could not help clenching his fists, and his lips lost all color.

He understood that Sister Liu was not being alarmist. Some things were so dark and terrifying that they lay far beyond anything he could imagine.

"Star Universe Entertainment won't stop until it drives me to death..." Xu Yuqing muttered.

Or perhaps it wanted to force him to kneel and beg for mercy, crushing his pride and self-respect.

At that moment, Xu Yuqing could not help recalling Gao Chi's arrogant expression and words when he had barged into the private room to save someone—"If you dare take her away today, if you dare walk out that door, I'll kill you too!"

He had not been afraid then, because that was a crime. Could Gao Chi really disregard the law?

Besides, they had both been actors signed with Star Universe Entertainment. His value had not been low at the time, so the president of Star Universe Entertainment had to consider the bigger picture.

But before Gao Chi could act after making those threats, he himself had been taken away by the police first. Multiple instances of drug use and harboring others using drugs carried severe sentences.

Gao Chi had been taken away by the police from the company, and Xu Yuqing had been there. As he left, Gao Chi had glared at him viciously with a sinister gaze. Passing by him, Gao Chi had gritted his teeth and said, "I'm going to prison, but don't think you'll have it easy either. Just you wait. I can still kill you..."

Before he could finish, Gao Chi was shoved into the police car.

At that moment, Xu Yuqing had actually had a bad feeling. Gao Chi had gone to prison, and the matter had blown up, leaving no room for reconciliation.

Sure enough, Star Universe Entertainment shelved Xu Yuqing afterward.

And now, this matter still was not over.

The road ahead was unclear, filled with darkness.

"So what exactly am I supposed to do..." Xu Yuqing lowered his head and looked at his palm.

He wanted to clench his fist, only to find that his fingers had no strength.

At that moment, Cai Jinbai's voice rang out, as clear and pure as a spring, flowing unhurriedly past Xu Yuqing's ears.

"Mr. Xu can sign with Jinbai Entertainment. I can resolve this matter for you, allowing you to smoothly terminate your contract and leave Star Universe Entertainment, with no worries afterward."

Xu Yuqing abruptly raised his head.

Even Liu Rong could not help looking over.

Liu Rong said, "May I ask, President Cai, how do you intend to help Yuqing resolve this? Star Universe Entertainment is, after all, a major company in the entertainment industry, and Yuqing has such a serious conflict with Boss Gao. It is not something he can simply walk away from. If Boss Gao stubbornly refuses to let him go..."

Would Jinbai Entertainment still be able to hold on then?

Moreover, they did not yet know what sort of company Jinbai Entertainment was, nor what confidence or capital it had to make such claims.

What if the other side was merely boasting?

Or had some other purpose?

Liu Rong could not be blamed for overthinking. In the entertainment industry, it was better to always keep an extra eye open, lest one stumble into a trap and end up in a passive or unfavorable position.

Besides, why would the other party take the considerable risk of opposing Star Universe Entertainment just to help Xu Yuqing terminate his contract for no reason?

What if he had only escaped the tiger's jaws to enter the wolf's den, with an even more miserable and exploitative situation waiting for Xu Yuqing?

Therefore, what Liu Rong meant was that she wanted to understand Jinbai Entertainment clearly.

Was it some obscure little company? Had it only been established recently? What background did it truly have?

Xuan Yu lifted his eyes and shot them a cold glance, scoffing, "Hah, it's only a tiny entertainment company."

Liu Rong and Xu Yuqing were even more shocked and bewildered. Why did Vice President Xuan sound as though he did not regard Star Universe Entertainment as worth noticing at all? Was he truly that dismissive, that certain of handling this matter?

Liu Rong and Xu Yuqing did not dare ask why, nor did they even dare look directly at Vice President Xuan's face.

Compared to President Cai beside him, Vice President Xuan's aura was simply far too oppressive. If they were alone with him for too long, they might become restless and uncomfortable all over. How could they dare ask anything further? Their mouths remained tightly shut.

Fortunately, after a moment, Cai Jinbai said, "I understand both of your concerns. Signing with a new company does indeed require careful consideration."

"Jinbai Entertainment has only recently been established, and this is precisely the time when we are widely recruiting talent. Mr. Xu is an outstanding actor. I believe that if given the opportunity, he will surely soar to great heights, gain even greater popularity than before, rise to a higher position in the entertainment industry, and achieve both fame and fortune."

"I admire Mr. Xu's character and value your abilities. At Jinbai Entertainment, you can obtain better resources and development opportunities than before. I can even guarantee that no company in the entertainment industry will suit you better than Jinbai Entertainment, and no company will be more capable of elevating you to the pinnacle."

Cai Jinbai spoke in an even tone, but his claims were far from small.

His gaze was calm, and his expression had not changed at all, as though he did not think he was exaggerating.

"As for your concern over how I intend to resolve this matter and whether we will be opposing Star Universe Entertainment, I may as well be direct. In your eyes, this matter is enormous, so great that it is difficult to resolve. In mine, however, it is a trivial matter that requires hardly any effort. There is no need to waste more words here. As long as Mr. Xu signs with Jinbai Entertainment, all of your difficulties will be resolved."

"These are some basic materials about my company, along with the contract specially prepared for Mr. Xu." Cai Jinbai gestured for Yuan Guangjin to hand them the documents. "There is no rush to sign. I will give Mr. Xu one week to consider it. Once you have made up your mind, you may come to the Jinbai Group building to discuss and sign the contract."

"Here is the phone number and address. Then, I shall await Mr. Xu's response."

Afterward, Cai Jinbai and Xuan Yu stood and left, with Yuan Guangjin following behind. Before leaving, however, he turned around and reminded them with a smile, "President Cai is full of sincerity. I hope Mr. Xu will not disappoint President Cai. If you are concerned, you may certainly find a professional lawyer to look over the contract. Also, the meal has been paid for. Enjoy your meal, both of you."

The dishes were brought out one after another, complete in color, aroma, and taste. The food was exquisite enough to whet anyone's appetite.

But Xu Yuqing and Liu Rong had no desire to eat for the moment. They first opened the contract. After reading it carefully, Liu Rong's expression grew increasingly strange and surprised. Even Xu Yuqing hesitated slightly as he said, "Sister Liu, this contract... doesn't seem to have any problems."

Not only could he not see any issues, he even felt that the terms in the contract were actually favorable to him.

Liu Rong felt the same way. She frowned and said, "Star Universe Entertainment hides traps and tricks in its contracts. We cannot spot some traps concealed in the wording. We should still find a professional lawyer to take a look afterward."