Chapter 134: Chapter 133: Life and Death Decided by a Word
Upon hearing Yan Xiaobo’s words, Lu Meng’s manager chuckled.
The boss has arrived, meaning someone who can make decisions is here.
But when she looked up, she was startled into shivering. Although Gu Bai was handsome, in this scenario, being handsome was clearly useless. However, she recognized Principal Wang, standing on the other side with a look of amusement on his face.
Gu Bai standing with Principal Wang, and judging by their positions, it’s clear he holds the main position.
Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, if she still didn’t understand what was going on, then she might as well have been a manager for nothing.
The more she looked at Gu Bai, the more familiar he seemed.
Suddenly, she remembered the hot topic she accidentally saw last night. Wasn’t the Gu Bai in front of her the same boss of that Black Swan Capital discussed in last night’s trending topic?
Yan Xiaobo addressed him as President Gu with such respect. Moreover, it was not difficult to deduce from Gu Bai’s words that this internet celebrity guild should belong to him.
Lu Meng’s manager cried out internally, realizing she had stirred up a hornet’s nest. This young billionaire in capital was not only thriving in the entertainment industry but also owned such a small internet celebrity guild?
Hearing her manager silent, Lu Meng also put away her phone and looked up.
From her angle, she couldn’t see Principal Wang behind Gu Bai. As for Gu Bai, she didn’t recognize him. She originally debuted through a scandal and had no good reputation in public. Even if she had fans, they were all anti-fans. Therefore, she hardly checked Weibo, and no one informed her, naturally leaving her unaware of Gu Bai’s identity in front of her.
"Why aren’t you speaking?"
Lu Meng’s manager quickly turned around and signaled her.
However, to have made a temporary price hike showed Lu Meng’s inadequate emotional intelligence, and she didn’t grasp the manager’s intention immediately.
Gu Bai checked her attribute panel.
"Name: Lu Meng
Appearance: 75
Health: 59
Favorability: 30"
Goodness, this is the lowest three-dimensional attribute Gu Bai has detected with the system. Lu Meng in front of him, dressed in performance attire and heavy makeup, doesn’t score low on appearance, but the system’s attributes don’t lie. So, it’s possible she’s one of those facelift wonders.
As for the ridiculous 59 health points...
Even the lowest health score he encountered in Europe was 61, yet Lu Meng outdid Westerners. Maybe just a taste, and she’d just vanish?
Gu Bai was too lazy to waste words with her, and said to Yan Xiaobo, "Pay her the full 60K fee, and then kick her out."
"President Gu, this... "
He originally thought Gu Bai came to solve problems, but seeing this, Gu Bai seemed to be here to play the fool.
Seeing Yan Xiaobo wanting to say more, Gu Bai gave him a cold glance, "Do I need to repeat myself?"
"I’ll handle it right away."
"And whoever contacted Lu Meng, have them pack up and leave."
"Understood."
Listening to Gu Bai’s decisive actions with no blame on herself, Lu Meng was secretly pleased; she did nothing yet earned 60K.
Her manager, however, picked up on other implications in the words and quickly said, "President Gu, our Little Meng can perform even if sick! No need to raise the fee."
Hearing the manager, Lu Meng was displeased.
"Sister Lu, my throat probably won’t recover for a month or two if I sing. Without compensation, I definitely can’t perform!"
Lu Meng’s manager gave her a fierce glare after hearing her unawareness. Seeing the manager’s expression, Lu Meng felt intimidated. Over the years, both commercial performances and those shady dealings with big bosses were arranged by her manager. In Lu Meng’s mind, the manager held significant weight, seeing Sister Lu’s expression, Lu Meng realized something was wrong and shut her mouth obediently.
"President Gu, as you can see, Little Meng also expressed willingness to perform despite illness. Rest assured, it’s artists’ professional ethics, there definitely won’t be a breach of contract!"
Gu Bai had no interest in watching her play this drama and said to Yan Xiaobo, still standing by, "Why are you still standing here? Call security, escort them out!"
Yan Xiaobo hesitated but couldn’t help saying, "President Gu, since they are willing to perform, why not... After all, our promotion is already out, suddenly changing might affect the event."
Yan Xiaobo’s comment once again made Gu Bai’s face turn stern.
They invited so many A-list stars, just second-tier singers already numbered over a dozen. A second-tier like Lu Meng wouldn’t have been invited if he hadn’t checked the big list. Could such a notorious singer affect the event’s reputation?
Even knowing Yan Xiaobo was considering the company’s interests, this overly cautious demeanor made Gu Bai furious. Compromise with a second-tier artist?
"Yan Xiaobo, do your job as a planning director properly or leave. Or do you want to cover the 60K for the company?"
Hearing Gu Bai scolding him in public, Yan Xiaobo knew Gu Bai was truly angry, and didn’t dare utter another word, quickly pulling out his phone to call the security department to escort them out.
Realizing things had reached an irreversible point, Lu Meng’s manager pleaded, "President Gu, it’s our fault, we’ll perform for free at this event!"
"No need, I can’t be responsible if your artist damages her voice."
Lu Meng couldn’t hold back anymore. Over the years, she’d socialized with several influential figures, thinking she had some connections. Embodying the arrogance of a star, she straightened up.
"Sister Lu? Is it necessary to humble oneself for just a small internet celebrity guild?"
As soon as she said it, she finally saw the spectating Principal Wang clearly.
"Principal, what brings you here?"
Principal Wang, however, ignored her, continuing to whisper with Li Zhun beside him.
It wasn’t strange for a socialite to know someone like Principal Wang, who although had no industry in entertainment, was somewhat involved.
Gu Bai glanced at Principal Wang upon hearing this, "You know her?"
Principal Wang shrugged, "Met her once at a cocktail party."
Hearing this, Gu Bai couldn’t help but scrutinize him. Was this a legitimate interaction? Could Principal Wang be one of her conquests?
Principal Wang caught Gu Bai’s look and laughed, "Don’t misunderstand, only met her once!"
Gu Bai wasn’t interested in this juicy detail, instead asking, "Do you know what company she’s with?"
"Seems to be a company called Auspicious Culture. Lu Meng is their top artist."
Gu Bai understood Principal Wang’s implication about the company’s background. A decaying star being the top artist indicated a rotten company.
With his current status in the entertainment industry, taking down such a small company would be too easy.
"Lu Meng, right? This 60K might be the last sum you earn as a star. Better use it wisely for a business."
As a second-tier star, in terms of fan base, she was still decent, at least considered a public figure out of reach for ordinary people. But in Gu Bai’s eyes, just a minor character.
Concerning such a minor character, there’s no need for too much emotional fluctuation.
A word to decide fate.
Deserved last respects.