Page 9

"Sooner or later" meant that she either got out in time, or she would gradually be suppressed and sidelined by Star Universe Entertainment, stripped of the resources and authority in her hands, have the artists under her taken away, and ultimately be thrown out of the company in a miserable, humiliating state.

Now that Xu Yuqing's Wealth Aura had begun to change, indirectly affecting her as well, Cai Jinbai was not at all surprised that Liu Rong would consider changing jobs. He had already had Yuan Guangjin prepare Liu Rong's employment contract, waiting only to discuss matters further with her and for her resignation from Star Universe Entertainment.

Jinbai Entertainment would handle Xu Yuqing's contract termination with Star Universe Entertainment in full.

After meeting and discussing matters with Yuan Guangjin, Liu Rong became even more determined to switch jobs.

Cai Jinbai lacked neither connections nor money. He directly hired Xiang Yizhou, one of the industry's most elite gold-medal lawyers, to help Xu Yuqing with the lawsuit.

After carefully reading the contract Xu Yuqing had signed with Star Universe Entertainment, Xiang Yizhou immediately approached Boss Gao for negotiations.

Representing Xu Yuqing, he had prepared all the materials that might be needed within a short period of time. He also laid out the contracts of several other actors. Given his standing in the legal world, obtaining such things was not difficult for him. Even more confidential information was in his possession.

In just a few words, he pointed out loopholes and unequal terms in the other actors' contracts. These bore a striking resemblance to Xu Yuqing's contract. If all of them were exposed, they would inevitably cause Star Universe Entertainment a certain degree of loss and impact.

Even though Star Universe Entertainment was a sizable company and a leader in the entertainment industry, who could guarantee that it would remain standing forever without any problems? Other companies were eyeing talented artists greedily as well. If they secretly poached people while the stars and actors signed with Star Universe Entertainment were unsettled, could Star Universe Entertainment guarantee that no one would leave?

Even if they could not leave for the moment, they would not be signed with Star Universe Entertainment for life.

Star Universe Entertainment was not the only destination in this industry. Stars could even go out and open their own studios.

He advised Star Universe Entertainment not to lose sight of the bigger picture over a minor matter. It was only a small actor—was he worth wasting so much time trying to suppress?

Xiang Yizhou made it clear that the person who had paid to hire him for Xu Yuqing's case would never let it go halfway. That person would have him fight Star Universe Entertainment to the end, until Xu Yuqing successfully terminated his contract and left. Otherwise, no matter how much time and money it took, they could afford it.

As for the consequences that might arise during that process, Boss Gao would have to weigh them himself.

No one in the industry was unfamiliar with Xiang Yizhou's name.

He had handled countless cases without a single defeat. As long as he took action, the outcome was bound to be victory.

He came from an impressive background, was strikingly handsome, and possessed exceptional eloquence and bearing. He had always been invincible at the negotiating table. In court, he was even more sharp-tongued and articulate. No one could match him in that regard. Even if someone barely held out for a while, they would eventually be defeated.

He was the best, most elite gold-medal lawyer. Naturally, hiring him came at an equally exorbitant price, and even money might not be enough to secure him, because he did not usually take cases lightly.

But Gao Su had never expected that someone would step forward and file a lawsuit for Xu Yuqing.

No, what sort of person had actually hired Xiang Yizhou for Xu Yuqing?

He had originally thought Xu Yuqing had reached the end of the road, but he had not expected him to find a way out of desperate straits.

"Who exactly asked you to help Xu Yuqing?" Gao Su asked darkly.

Xiang Yizhou curled his lips. "Sorry, I cannot disclose information about my client."

"Boss Gao only needs to know that if this goes to court, I have at least an eighty percent chance of helping Xu Yuqing successfully terminate his contract with your company."

"So, Boss Gao, are you still going to waste time on this lawsuit?"

"If you want to fight, I'll accompany you."

Gao Su's expression shifted unpredictably. Before he knew it, this matter had completely slipped beyond his control. He had thought crushing Xu Yuqing would be effortless, only for his plans to be abruptly shattered by an unknown variable that had appeared out of nowhere.

After weighing the pros and cons, Gao Su could only grit his teeth and let Xu Yuqing terminate his contract and leave.

Chapter 8

From eagerly awaiting the termination of his contract so he could regain his freedom and leave, to being restrained by the hidden loopholes in Star Universe Entertainment's contract and instead being required to pay an enormous breach-of-contract penalty, losing all hope of termination and even considering leaving the industry, then finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel and a sudden turn for the better—after he agreed to sign with President Cai and Jinbai Entertainment, Boss Gao had let him go within such a short time. He had successfully terminated his contract, as though he could leave Star Universe Entertainment in the blink of an eye and have nothing more to do with it from then on.

He was completely free!

Even with the contract firmly in his hands, Xu Yuqing still felt as though he were dreaming. He muttered, "This... happened way too fast."

It was like riding a roller coaster. His emotions had risen and fallen wildly during this period, but before he could even react, the ride had come smoothly to a stop, with bright light waiting at the end.

It really was just as President Cai had said before—this earth-shattering matter to Xu Yuqing was merely a trivial matter in President Cai's eyes, not worth mentioning and not requiring much effort at all.

President Cai had not even needed to step in personally. He had merely hired a lawyer for him, and Star Universe Entertainment had let him go.

In that instant, Xu Yuqing held the weightless contract as his eyes reddened. Endless gratitude rose in his heart toward President Cai, and he desperately wanted to do something to repay him.

What could he do? President Cai wanted for neither food nor clothing, lacked neither money nor material possessions, and presumably used only the best of everything. It seemed that the only way Xu Yuqing could repay this kindness was to act well, reach the pinnacle of success, and generate enormous revenue for the company.

When Xu Yuqing walked out of Star Universe Entertainment's doors, Xiang Yizhou was with him. It was not suitable for Liu Rong to openly get close to Xu Yuqing without restraint right now.

She was currently busy handling all the procedures for leaving Star Universe Entertainment. It would probably take around a month to finish, and that was already an optimistic estimate. But there was no rush. Liu Rong's departure would be much easier than Xu Yuqing's. At the very least, she did not need a lawyer's assistance and only had to follow the procedures.

As soon as Xiang Yizhou and Xu Yuqing left Star Universe Entertainment, they hurried without pause to the office building where Jinbai Entertainment was located.

Xu Yuqing was also deeply grateful to this top gold-medal lawyer of the industry.

He thanked him sincerely, but Xiang Yizhou said he was simply doing his job for money. If Xu Yuqing wanted to thank someone, he should thank President Cai. Otherwise, Xiang Yizhou would never have taken action for Xu Yuqing alone. Of course, he did not say that last sentence aloud. He was not the sort of arrogant person who spoke without restraint.

In front of outsiders, Xiang Yizhou had always known how to maintain proper boundaries and present himself as refined and polite.

Xu Yuqing asked curiously, "Attorney Xiang, do you know President Cai?"

Xiang Yizhou answered calmly, "I met President Cai once while abroad."

Oh, so that was how it was. Xu Yuqing understood. It was hardly strange for President Cai to know a prominent lawyer.

They soon arrived before the Jinbai Group building. Looking up, Xu Yuqing could not help but marvel at how imposing it was. This office building had been bought with a string of numbers he did not even dare imagine. It seemed as though the entire building gleamed with golden light. He wondered whether all that money piled together would be as tall as the building.

Xu Yuqing clicked his tongue inwardly and entered with Xiang Yizhou, heading to the top floor.

"President Cai, President Xuan, Mr. Xu and Mr. Xiang are here," Yuan Guangjin said as he knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Cai Jinbai was sitting on the sofa reviewing some documents. When he saw the two enter, he gestured for them to sit before him.

Xuan Yu, meanwhile, sat in a boss's chair, lazily holding his phone. His fingers tapped rapidly against the screen as though he were playing a game.

When the visitors arrived, Cai Jinbai put away his documents, but Xuan Yu did not even raise his head.

This office seemed to belong to the two of them jointly. It was extraordinarily large, with spacious sofas and even two boss's chairs. The desk was one long table, upon which a delicately crafted incense burner was lit. Hazy wisps of smoke drifted through the air, carrying an elegant fragrance that made people feel refreshed and at ease.

Whether it was an illusion or not, seeing President Cai seemed to invigorate Xu Yuqing, as though he were in better spirits. He personally thanked Cai Jinbai again and gave him a solemn bow. There was no need for further words. In the future, he would prove through his actions how determined he was to repay President Cai.

Cai Jinbai accepted his thanks. After Xu Yuqing formally signed his contract, and given that Liu Rong had not yet joined the company, he assigned three assistants to Xu Yuqing and had Yuan Guangjin take him out to familiarize himself with the company's internal environment.

The building's infrastructure had long since been fully completed. The office spaces, various equipment, and necessary supplies were all in place. Even if something had been overlooked for the moment, it could be added later without causing any delay.

As for staff, recruitment was still ongoing, and some departments had not even begun operating yet.

After Xu Yuqing and Yuan Guangjin left the top-floor office, Xu Yuqing became eager at the thought of touring the entire office building.

He asked, "Assistant Yuan, besides me, are there any other stars or actors signed with the company right now? Should I go meet them?"

Yuan Guangjin turned back at his words and smiled slightly. "There is no need, because apart from Mr. Xu, the company does not currently have any other signed actors or stars."

"Huh? I'm the only one?"

"Yes, only you."

Xu Yuqing could not help touching his nose, then said seriously, "I believe the company will sign more and more people in the future."

"That is certain," Yuan Guangjin said.

After all, this was only the beginning. With President Cai here, why worry that wealth would not flow in abundantly?

While Cai Jinbai spoke with Xu Yuqing, Xiang Yizhou sat quietly to the side and waited.

Only after the others left did he smile and say, "President Cai, it has been a long time."

Xuan Yu's fingers paused, and he raised his eyes.