After taking advice, I became a top male idol.

On stage, the lighting technician is adjusting the lighting effects for the semi-finals.

Lin Zhixing stood in the center of the stage, having just finished rehearsing the accompaniment with the band members.

Just as Lin Zhixing was about to do it again, a stagehand wearing a name tag rushed over with a strange expression.

"Teacher Lin, excuse me for interrupting you."

Lin Zhixing put down the microphone. "What's wrong?"

"Um... someone is waiting for you in the VIP lounge right now. He says he's the artist director from an entertainment company and wants to talk to you." The stagehand lowered his voice.

Lin Zhixing raised an eyebrow slightly.

Director of an entertainment company?

"Okay, I understand." Lin Zhixing nodded. "Thank you for taking a break, band members. I'll be right back."

He handed the microphone to the stage manager, straightened his collar, and turned to walk backstage.

Since he couldn't avoid it, he might as well go and meet this so-called director. He wanted to see what new tricks they would come up with this time.

……

In the reception room.

Wang Qiang sat on the sofa and glanced at his watch with some impatience.

He had been waiting for almost twenty minutes.

As the artist director of Xinghuang Entertainment, he is always surrounded by admirers wherever he goes.

When those second- or third-tier celebrities see him, they all bow and scrape, they all treat him with utmost respect, some even wishing they could kneel down and call him "Dad."

"These days, there are more and more troublemakers among newcomers," Wang Qiang thought to himself.

However, remembering his boss Liu Yilong's instructions, he suppressed his impatience and continued to wait.

He didn't think there was anything seriously wrong with Zhang Yue's previous actions.

In this circle, this is the rule—before you have any value, you are just mud on the ground, trampled on by everyone; once you have value, capital will naturally lift you up to the clouds in the sky.

this is the truth.

Young people, it's normal to be a little arrogant when they've just achieved some success.

It's normal to feel wronged and want to save face.

"A lack of understanding of when to advance and when to retreat is a common problem among young people, but as long as the money is right, there's no bone that can't be broken."

This time, he came to Lin Zhixing with an A-level contract. The signing fee, profit sharing ratio, resource allocation... all the terms had been agreed upon, and as long as Lin Zhixing nodded, the contract could be signed immediately.

Mr. Liu's meaning was very clear—he had to sign this person off the hook.

If he knows what's good for him, then everyone will be happy.

If he doesn't know what's good for him...

A cold glint flashed in Wang Qiang's eyes.

There are plenty of ways to deal with him.

This kind of thing is all too common in the entertainment industry. Banning, freezing out, suing, huge compensation... there are plenty of methods.

No matter how talented a newcomer is, without any background, they are nothing more than an ant in the face of capital.

Just then, the door to the reception room was pushed open.

Lin Zhixing walked in.

Wang Qiang immediately stood up, his face beaming with smiles, and extended his hand: "Oh, Zhixing, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting! I'm Wang Qiang, the artist director of Xinghuang Entertainment. We spoke on the phone before."

Lin Zhixing glanced at his outstretched hand, but did not shake it. He walked straight to the sofa opposite and sat down.

Wang Qiang's hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on his face solidified.

Anger welled up inside me.

But he quickly suppressed his anger, withdrew his hand, sat down on the sofa, and comforted himself: This kid's hot right now, it's normal for him to be a bit temperamental. Once the contract is signed, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with him later.

"Zhixing, let's get straight to the point. I've come here today with the utmost sincerity."

Wang Qiang took a contract out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Lin Zhixing. "After a unanimous decision by the company's senior management, we have tailored a top-tier A-level contract for you."

"We'll pay a signing fee of three million! Cash, all at once!"

"The penalty for breach of contract is waived!"

"You'll be given priority consideration for future variety show and film/television projects!"

He paused, then lowered his voice, "And, as for Zhang Yue, if you find her an eyesore, the company can fire her directly. How about that? Is that enough sincerity?"

Lin Zhixing glanced down at the contract.

Familiar terms, familiar formula.

A 20-year contract, all copyrights belong to the company, and the penalty for breach of contract is astronomical...

It's the same old thing in a new bottle.

"Is it still the same contract as before?" Lin Zhixing looked up.

"Yes." Wang Qiang nodded, leaned back on the sofa, and crossed his legs. "But the terms are already the best in the industry. Lin Zhixing, you should think carefully; not everyone gets this kind of opportunity."

The entertainment industry is a melting pot, a kaleidoscope, full of all sorts of people and things.

Lin Zhixing has been around for so many years, he's seen it all, even if he hasn't eaten pork. The few words he utters will surely refresh your worldview.

Lin Zhixing smiled and asked, "What if I don't sign?"

Wang Qiang's expression changed.

The smile disappears.

"Not signing?"

"Lin Zhixing, have you thought this through?"

Wang Qiang dropped his pretense. "Xinghuang Entertainment is one of the four major entertainment companies. Our influence is beyond your imagination. In this industry, if you don't obey..."

"You think we really can't do anything to you?"

"Lin Zhixing, you don't actually believe that all those scandals about you before were fake, do you?"

Lin Zhixing raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I'd like to hear more."

Wang Qiang sneered, "Back then, Zhang Yue did fabricate some dirt on Zhang Xianyu to make way for him. But who can really tell what's true and what's false?"

"and......"

Wang Qiang paused for a moment, then unleashed his true trump card.

"You were able to get into 'The Voice of China' not because you were outstanding, but because the artist the company originally recommended suddenly fell from grace, leaving a vacancy. Zhang Yue put you in to fill the gap."

"In other words, you didn't participate in the preliminary rounds or go through the formal selection process at all."

"If this gets out..."

Wang Qiang stared into Lin Zhixing's eyes and said, word by word, "We'll say that you bribed the casting director or used improper connections to get in through the back door."

"We can even sue you for fraud, and the amount you're demanding in compensation won't be 300,000, but 3 million, or even more! You have to trust our legal department's capabilities; they can turn white into black, and they can sue you until you're bankrupt!"

Seeing that he didn't speak, Wang Qiang assumed he was scared and felt a surge of smugness.

"Young people, those who understand the times are the wise ones."

Wang Qiang's tone softened a bit, and he pushed the contract over again, saying, "You should feel honored. If the company didn't value you and think you were worthwhile, I wouldn't have come here to waste my breath on you."

"Do you know how many people envy you for this opportunity? Rules are rules, and you'll understand that later. In this industry, no one can fight against capital."

"Sign the contract."

Lin Zhixing looked at the contract and suddenly smiled.

He stood up and picked up the pen.

A hint of smugness flashed in Wang Qiang's eyes.

Sure enough, I'm still young; I get scared easily.

However, the next second, Lin Zhixing threw the pen on the table and turned to walk towards the door.

"you!"

Wang Qiang suddenly stood up. "Lin Zhixing! What do you mean?"

Lin Zhixing didn't turn around, pushed open the door, and left the reception room.

"Bang!"

The door was slammed shut.

Wang Qiang was so angry that he was trembling all over.

How dare they just walk away like that?

How dare they treat Xinghuang like that?

He hadn't been ignored like this in a very, very long time.

As the artist director of one of the four major entertainment companies, he manages countless stars, including top celebrities he has made famous and obscure ones who have faded into obscurity.

Not just anyone has the right to put on airs in front of him!

"Young man, you're still too young."

Wang Qiang sneered, took out his phone, and dialed Liu Yilong's number.

"Mr. Liu, I came in person. He refuses to sign."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"I see."

......

Xinghuang Entertainment Headquarters.

Liu Yilong was comfortably leaning back on the sofa, resting his head on the plump, soft thighs of the popular young actress behind him.

A pair of soft, boneless hands were gently massaging his temples.

Listening to Wang Qiang's report over the phone, Liu Yilong kept his eyes closed, his expression completely calm.

At his level, very few things can anger him anymore.

Since they're so ungrateful, there's no point in keeping them around.

......

Office of the Chief Director at Yanjing Radio and Television Station.

Xia Xue leaned back in her chair, listening to the staff's report, while Xinghuang's artist director stormed off.

She thought for a moment, picked up her phone, and dialed a number.

"Hey, Ye Lan."

......

The crew of the TV series "War and Chaos".

Ye Lan was wearing a Republic-era cheongsam, her makeup exquisite, and she was touching up her makeup; there were only a few shots left.

Upon seeing Xia Xue's call, she waved for the makeup artist to pause and answered the phone.

"Hello, Director Xia."

Xia Xue got straight to the point and briefly explained the situation.

After hearing this, Ye Lan tightened her grip on her phone slightly.

"So what is Director Xia planning to do?" Ye Lan asked in return.

"Of course we support him."

Xia Xue smiled. "He's a guarantee of high ratings now. And to be honest, I quite admire this kid. He's talented and has personality; there aren't many people like that anymore."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "But speaking of which, it seems you, Queen, are quite concerned about your junior student, aren't you?"

Ye Lan did not deny it.

"Yes, after all, she's my student."

"Hehe, I get it, I get it."

Xia Xue said meaningfully, "But you should also be prepared. Lin Zhixing has now taken a bite out of many people's interests. Some people won't let him off easily."

"I see."

Ye Lan's voice turned cold. "Director Xia, if there's anything I can help you with, just say so."

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear that."

Xia Xue laughed and said, "After all, as a superstar, your resources in this industry are much better than mine, a small director."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before hanging up the phone.

Ye Lan thought for a moment and then dialed her agent, Sister Hong's, number.

"Hey, Sister Hong..."