Xiang Fei shook his head, "My family doesn't own a mine, but I want to join Xiao Kou Chang Kai."
Wang Chuan was amused to the point of anger, "Kid, are you dreaming? Xiao Kou Chang Kai only recruits one person a year. Yes, if you get in, your value will increase a hundredfold, but you... I admit your performance on stage was good, but to get into Xiao Kou Chang Kai, I'm not trying to discourage you, but with your current abilities, it's impossible."
Xiang Fei couldn't help but lower his head.
In fact, he knew his chances were slim. Xiao Kou Chang Kai was the top dog in comedy films, and their productions never grossed less than two billion at the box office.
However, Xiao Kou Chang Kai produced at most one film a year, so their recruitment of comedy actors was extremely selective and rigorous.
"I know, but I want to try," Xiang Fei murmured softly.
Ren Kui immediately puffed out her chest, "Our boss said Xiang Fei will definitely get into Xiao Kou Chang Kai."
Boss... Wang Chuan took a moment to realize who she was referring to.
He sneered, "I see why you all want to go to Chu Xin. You're just being fed empty promises. You students are too naive, only listening to the grand blueprints described to you, and forgetting the fundamentals.
If you truly want a good future, take my advice and don't fall into a trap. You'll regret it later."
Ren Kui frowned, "Our boss is amazing, you don't understand. Xiang Fei, let's go."
Xiang Fei nodded and left with Ren Kui.
Wang Chuan watched their retreating figures, so angry he could have pounded his chest and stamped his feet, "These young people are too stubborn. What a shame, what a shame for such promising talent."
Li Jing snorted, "They want to jump into the pit themselves, why are you interfering?" She slung her bag over her shoulder and left.
Seeing this, Tian Cheng immediately stepped forward, "Teacher Li, I'm Tian Cheng, the class monitor of Class One. I really hope to join your Tianyu Company."
Cui Min also stepped forward, "Me too, me too."
Li Jing perfunctorily replied, "I hope we have opportunities to cooperate in the future." She ignored them and walked away.
Tian Cheng panicked inwardly and quickly turned to find Zhao Kuo.
"Teacher Zhao, I am..."
"I know, Ophelia, you are also a child with potential," Zhao Kuo said with a smile, but handed the contract to Yu Zhuang.
Cui Min smiled smugly and stepped forward, "Teacher Zhao, my name is Cui Min. I've previously been in contact with your Hei Li's agent, and I really want to join your company."
Zhao Kuo politely declined, "I only have five spots today, and they're all filled."
Cui Min became anxious, "I'm not in a hurry, I can sign the contract anytime."
Seeing that persuasion wouldn't work, Zhao Kuo was direct, "Sorry, you haven't reached our signing standard yet."
Cui Min was stunned.
Tian Cheng pushed Cui Min aside, "What about me, teacher? I really want to join Hei Li."
"You're not suitable either," Zhao Kuo said bluntly, too tired to waste more words.
Tian Cheng's face turned pale, "Teacher, I really didn't perform well today. My grades are usually among the top in the class. If you don't believe me, ask my tutor. I... how about I perform another piece for you on the spot? I... I..."
Zhao Kuo collected the last contract, picked up his bag, and left.
Tian Cheng watched Zhao Kuo's retreating back, her hands and feet growing cold. She stood frozen for a while, unwilling to give up, and turned to Wang Chuan again. But before she could speak, Wang Chuan refused, "You all go look at other companies. I'm not signing anyone here anymore."
Tian Cheng and Cui Min were completely stunned.
Gu Cheng came over with a contract and asked Yu Zhuang, "Which company did you sign with?"
Yu Zhuang sighed, "Hei Li. It's okay. I wanted to join Tian Hua, but they didn't want me."
Gu Cheng also felt a lingering fear, "Although I signed with Tianyu, they also gave me a lecture, saying they almost didn't sign me. Sigh... I really took a big fall this time. Do you know how many people from class B signed with companies?"
Yu Zhuang shook his head, "How many?"
"Twenty-seven people, only nine didn't sign. One named Xiang Fei said he's going to Xiao Kou Chang Kai."
"So many?" Yu Zhuang was surprised, "What about class A?"
Gu Cheng chuckled, "Of the fifteen who performed on stage, only you and I got contracts now."
After a long silence, Yu Zhuang sighed, "If I had chosen class B back then, I would have definitely signed with Tian Hua by now." Thinking that Zhuang Yu, whose grades were worse than his, had signed with Tian Hua, he was so frustrated he felt like he was going to suffocate.
Gu Cheng gestured towards Tian Cheng and Cui Min.
Yu Zhuang understood, and the two of them moved to another area to chat.
Tian Cheng clenched her fists tightly, took several deep breaths, and then went to ask other companies.
Cui Min was not to be outdone and started asking from another side.
After inquiring around, the two of them managed to get one contract each, but the profit-sharing ratio was one to nine, which was almost as good as not getting anything.
However, thinking that the companies outside would only be worse than those who came today, they deliberated for a long time before gritting their teeth and signing the contracts.
...
The performance hall gradually emptied.
Bai Lin let out a long sigh of relief, placed his hands on his thighs, and stood up with a "Heh yo."
"Teacher Bai Lin."
Bai Lin turned around and smiled, "Han Zhao, you're amazing, kid. You've made great progress this time. It seems you've overcome your psychological barriers."
Han Zhao smiled humbly, "After a week of intensive training, I learned a lot from Teacher Nine."
Bai Lin looked at Quan Jiu standing next to Han Zhao and nodded in greeting, "I've heard of Nine's great reputation. I truly didn't expect you to be so young and accomplished."
Quan Jiu joked, "I'm almost thirty, no longer young."
Bai Lin laughed heartily, "I'm relieved. I believe you won't let this child's talent be buried by you."
"I also believe you will make him shine," Quan Jiu smiled slightly and handed him his business card. "I've looked into your resume. You are a respectable person. I hope you will join Chu Xin and become the agent for Han Zhao and Ren Kui. Name your terms, and as long as I can fulfill them, I will."
Bai Lin was slightly surprised, took the business card, but said with some self-deprecation, "Since you've looked into it, you should also know that I was expelled from the board of Hei Li due to my conduct, essentially blacklisted in this industry."
"But that doesn't change your powerful network of connections over the past thirty years, does it?" Quan Jiu smiled, then said seriously, "Besides, I believe in my own judgment.
Every artist you've managed, while not necessarily famous, are all solid actors. They are your report card to this industry, and in my opinion, it's an excellent one. It's an honor to know you."
Bai Lin opened his mouth, stunned for a long time, then smiled bitterly, tears welling up in his eyes, "I never thought someone would see me this way."
Han Zhao quickly said, "Teacher, I also respect you very much. If I'm fortunate enough, I hope you'll be my agent."
Ren Kui smiled awkwardly, "Teacher Nine, I might need to bring someone else to you. My mother previously found an agent for me, and you can trust her abilities, she's definitely capable."
Quan Jiu nodded, "That's fine too. If he's willing to join, have him send me his resume."
Ren Kui quickly took out her phone and made a call.
Quan Jiu then said to Bai Lin, "I named the company Chu Xin because I hope the talents sent out from here can focus on the acting profession, rather than seeking attention through popularity or status.
In fact, the current entertainment industry makes me a bit sad. Good actors don't have opportunities, while people with no acting skills can gain fame and fortune through packaging, persona, traffic, and fan culture.
Of course, I don't have such grand ambitions to change it. I just hope to cultivate a group of different talents. Chu Xin Culture exists to protect their original intention as actors."
Bai Lin tightly gripped the business card in his hand, and after a long time, he sighed, "I am honored that we share the same ideals. However..."
He looked troubled and apologetic, "I do have one request, and it's a rather presumptuous one, but I truly hope you can grant it. If you agree, I, Bai Lin, swear that I will dedicate the rest of my life to Chu Xin."
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, "You're too kind. Please state your request."
"I hope I can bring one more person, Lu Lian."
Han Zhao asked in confusion, "Lu Lian is a senior two years ahead of me. He became famous nationwide as soon as he debuted. Hei Li also rose to become one of the top three entertainment companies because of him. He is an artist of Hei Li, and his contract should be at least another seven or eight years."
Bai Lin sighed, "Yes, seven years and three months to be precise. But he has been frozen by Hei Li. Although he's financially secure, he can no longer act. He is truly a rare gem, a genius buried like this, it's truly heartbreaking."
Han Zhao was surprised, "No wonder I haven't seen him in the past year. So the rumors online were true."
"The reasons behind this are long and complicated. I'll tell you more when there's an opportunity," Bai Lin looked at Quan Jiu, "I also have a part in him being frozen. I can say with certainty that if he doesn't return, I will not step into this industry again."
Quan Jiu pondered for a moment, "The issue of liquidated damages."
Bai Lin nodded helplessly, "Yes, in his first year with Hei Li, he earned over fifty million for them. In his second year, Hei Li earned 150 million through him. For the remaining seven years of his contract, calculated at the same rate as the first two years, the liquidated damages amount to 640 million."
Six hundred million, such a astronomical figure. Saying it out loud, Bai Lin himself laughed, "I'm very grateful for your invitation, but I can't abandon that child and return to this industry myself. Thank you."
Quan Jiu hesitated for a moment, then said, "There's always a way to solve problems, especially if it's just a matter of money. My entire net worth combined can cover it, but I want to know the full story behind this. Also, I don't do losing business."
Bai Lin was shocked, "You... you are really willing to help us?"
"Whether I can help you or not is uncertain, but I'm willing to try," Quan Jiu smiled. "Lu Lian is indeed a born actor. If he can join Chu Xin, I would be very welcome."
Bai Lin was deeply moved, "With those words from you, I am already very gratified." He knew that even Tianyu had given up on Lu Lian after learning about the 600 million liquidated damages.
"Then let's arrange a meal sometime, and I'll bring Lu Lian to talk to you in detail," Bai Lin added.
"Alright," Quan Jiu agreed, and then called out to Ren Kui, who was still on the phone, "Ren Kui, let's go."
Ren Kui quickly covered the mouthpiece, "Okay, you guys go ahead."
After Quan Jiu and his group left, she continued on the phone, "Oh my goodness, Mom, I don't want to go to Tianyu. Besides, my boss is really amazing. If you don't believe me, go check. Nine, our family even invested in the movie she made after returning to the country."
Ye Suhua was displeased, "No matter how amazing she is, one person can't replace thousands of soldiers. If you feel there are too many people at Tianyu and you won't be valued, then we can open our own studio. That would be better than you going to that Chu Xin."
"I really like our boss, she's beautiful, cool, and powerful. Anyway, I don't care. The contract is already signed. Also, Uncle Ping is also joining Chu Xin. I've already called him, and he agreed."
"What?" Ye Suhua was so angry she felt faint, "Oh, forget it, forget it. I don't care about you anymore, do whatever you want. Just don't ask the family for money." She hung up.
Ren Kui happily dialed Ping Yang's number again, "Hello, Uncle Ping, my mom agreed. Hurry and send me your resume."
Ping Yang on the other end simply said "Mm" and decisively hung up. Within seconds, the resume was sent to Ren Kui's phone.
Ren Kui quickly forwarded the resume to Quan Jiu.
...
Meanwhile, Li Jing left the performance hall and returned to her car.
By then, Jin Xue had calmed down and was watching short videos.
As soon as Li Jing got into the car, she asked, "How much do you know about Nine?"
Jin Xue immediately put down her phone and turned her head, "I was just about to tell you, that bitch is at Chu Xin Culture. Also, she definitely recorded the audio. Wei Tao wasn't even there, how could he have installed a listening device in the lounge in advance? It was definitely her. She recorded it and sent it to Wei Tao."
Li Jing's face contorted with anger, "Nine, very good. It seems we need to settle old and new scores together."