Invitation to Join

Wu Assistant looked puzzled as Qin Ran took off her glasses and set them aside. On her laptop screen was a video chat showing Wu Assistant and Sister Li, all three of them clearly revealing their current states. It was already after work hours; Sister Li was still in a stage dressing room, Wu Assistant was on a business trip abroad in a different time zone, and only Qin Ran was in her study.

Wu Assistant was well-versed in business matters but didn't quite understand people's motives.

"Don't worry, this time the cost of terminating Zeng Qian's contract won't be too high." Qin Ran believed Zeng Qian wasn't that foolish and wouldn't have signed a highly unfavorable contract with her agency. Even if she had been naive, her parents wouldn't be. Zeng Qian's family had some wealth and a dedicated legal team. It's common for parents to have a legal team review a contract in such cases.

The stories of celebrities being trapped by their contracts often involve those who were nobodies before their debut. They don't understand the pitfalls in contracts and are often coaxed into signing them quickly by their agents.

These contracts have very obvious commonalities: long durations, often ten or twenty years, and if the artist breaches the contract, they have to pay for the remaining years. The loopholes are usually one-sided, mentioning only the artist's penalties for breaching the contract without specifying the agency's obligations. Some contracts even require the artist to participate in a set number of commercial activities per week, failure to do so would also constitute a breach.

Some agents, using both persuasion and deceit, even if the young artists notice such terms, might say, "It's just for show; everyone signs it. No one really has to work that long. Stars have much shorter working hours now."

But when the time comes, that clause turns into a noose for the artist.

Such contracts are blatant exploitation and take advantage of legal loopholes. But this kind of thing rarely happens to rich kids who are just dabbling in the entertainment industry because many of their parents are the ones playing such tricks in business.

If their kids want to venture into the entertainment industry and sign a contract, given the number of news stories out there, it's impossible for their parents not to scrutinize the contract carefully, down to every clause and word—unlike those from poorer backgrounds who have to rely solely on their understanding of the terms.

Wu Assistant didn't fully grasp Qin Ran's point but agreed nonetheless. "I'll have the legal department prepare the contract. You'll have it by tomorrow."

The video meeting concluded, and Qin Ran closed her laptop. After putting her glasses back on, she went out to find Yu Shuman still hard at work. Qin Ran paused in surprise. Yu Shuman had placed her laptop on the coffee table and was sitting on the carpet with her back against the sofa.

Qin Ran walked over and sat down next to her, leaning her head on Yu Shuman's shoulder.

"Manman, doesn't sitting like this make you tired?"

Yu Shuman's fingers were tapping on the keyboard as she edited her thesis without taking her eyes off the screen. Hearing Qin Ran's question, she stopped typing. "It's alright."

"Why not move to the study? It's more comfortable."

Yu Shuman stretched, and Qin Ran's head, losing its support, slipped onto the sofa. Watching Yu Shuman stretch her limbs, then save her file and close the laptop, Qin Ran felt a bit speechless. "I'm done, anyway. You use the study for work, and I've just been using it more often lately. It's fine."

Qin Ran pouted, wanting to say something, but Yu Shuman pulled her up. "Alright, we've been sitting for quite a while. Since dinner, some time has passed. It's now safe to exercise without risking appendicitis. Let's go!"

Qin Ran was momentarily stunned and hadn't quite grasped what was happening before Yu Shuman pulled her up, threw a coat on her, and dragged her out the door. The cool breeze of the May evening still carried a chill, but after running with Yu Shuman for a while, the coldness disappeared instantly. Qin Ran felt only warmth and exhaustion.

Yu Shuman had already adjusted her pace for Qin Ran, or she would have run much faster. They jogged around the neighborhood five or six times before slowing down. Qin Ran's breathing was heavy, while Yu Shuman remained relaxed.

Just then, a neighbor walked by with her dog. Seeing Yu Shuman and Qin Ran, she greeted them cheerfully, "Out for a run again, Miss Celebrity?"

Yu Shuman felt a bit shy. "Just out for some fresh air."

"Running is great! Finished filming and back home?"

"Yes, I finished filming a while ago, so I have time to exercise now."

The neighbor decided to stop and chat with Yu Shuman. "That's great! I was away on a business trip and just got back. I didn't expect you two to have been running around the neighborhood for days." She didn't talk much to Qin Ran, seeing that Qin Ran was always gasping for air. She was afraid Qin Ran might pass out.

Today, Qin Ran seemed slightly better, so the neighbor playfully remarked, "Your stamina is improving, Miss Qin. You don't seem as exhausted as before."

Being told this, Qin Ran couldn't help but smile, waving her hand to downplay it. Inside, however, she felt a burst of pride. Her practice over these past days was finally paying off, and even the neighbors could see her improvement.

After chatting with Yu Shuman for a bit, the neighbor continued her walk with the dog. Yu Shuman then took Qin Ran for a few more rounds before heading upstairs to rest.

The next day, the assistant arrived with the contract as promised. Qin Ran took it, planning to impress Zeng Qian over the weekend. Since Zeng Qian had invited her to dinner, she might as well make it expensive. Qin Ran chose a famous private kitchen in Beijing, reserved a spot in advance, and pre-ordered some quality ingredients, ready to give Zeng Qian a treat.

Qin Ran was looking forward to the weekend, not only to drain Zeng Qian's wallet but also to recruit her into 99 Entertainment, finally ensuring she stayed at least 800 meters away from Yu Shuman. Qin Ran was in a good mood for the next couple of days until the assistant told her, "Boss, there's a gentleman who wishes to contact you. We weren't sure whether to schedule him an appointment, so please take a look."

Generally, Wu Assistant handled cooperation invitations, only bringing a few to Qin Ran's attention. However, the assistant's conflicted expression suggested that this wasn't someone Qin Ran needed to meet personally. Yet, she brought it up, indicating that she thought Qin Ran might be interested in seeing this person.

Curious, Qin Ran took a look and found out it was the same man she had met in the waiting room earlier—Ling Second Brother. Qin Ran furrowed her brows. Why was he trying to contact her?

She spun the little note Ling Second Brother left at the front desk. Unlike his older and younger brothers, Ling Second Brother didn't use a business card, only a handwritten note.

Though she was curious about his intentions—whether to call a truce, negotiate, or confront her on behalf of his sister—Qin Ran couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the hot-tempered Ling Second Brother who had a history of being a bit rough.

She called over the bodyguard on duty, coincidentally the same one who accompanied them during the New Year.

"Miss, if the person has a military background and is quite skilled, how much could you handle?"

The bodyguard was straightforward. "I can't beat him, but I can definitely hold him off. I won't let him harm you, Boss." She was not only honest but also confident. Despite admitting that she might not win, her eyes were bright and her voice firm when she promised to protect Qin Ran.

Assured by the bodyguard's words, Qin Ran decided not to contact Ling Second Brother immediately, intending to let him wait for a while.

When the weekend arrived, Qin Ran and Yu Shuman went to the dinner appointment. Although Zeng Qian was the one treating, Qin Ran had already reserved the room and the food; Zeng Qian just had to pay. Zeng Qian arrived early and was already seated in the private room when they came in.

Seeing the two enter, Zeng Qian smiled. "You're here! Come, have a seat. I just checked the ingredients Miss Qin ordered. They're top-notch." She acted like a waiter, guiding them to their seats and even taking on the task of pouring tea for them.

This place was indeed pricey, evident from the complimentary tea. Most restaurants would serve chrysanthemum or barley tea, with high-end ones offering Maojian or white tea. This restaurant served Longjing tea. Unless they were sure they could make their money back from the customers, they wouldn't serve such high-quality tea.

Zeng Qian knew she was going to be taken for a ride but didn't mind. After all, this meal was meant as an apology. If the hosts wanted to make it difficult for her, it was understandable.

Zeng Qian was overly familiar, so much so that it triggered Qin Ran's social anxiety. She shifted her chair closer to Yu Shuman, who patted her hand, signaling her not to worry. When Qin Ran turned to look, she saw that Zeng Qian, after pouring the tea, had sat down right beside Yu Shuman.

At that moment, Qin Ran was too shocked to speak.

What is she doing?! Huh? What is she doing?! There's a big round table here, and she has to sit next to Manman?!

Manman is kind-hearted, but that doesn't mean you can sit so close to her!

Our Manman is accommodating, but you can't just cling to her!

Qin Ran's inner turmoil was like a stormy sea, made entirely of jealousy. Her gaze became one of resentment. She knew she shouldn't have let Zeng Qian off the hook. See, she hadn't even said a word yet, and Zeng Qian was already sitting so close to Yu Shuman!

Is there any justice?! I'm the one who's supposed to be with Yu Shuman!

Qin Ran decided she couldn't delay things any longer. She took a folder out of her bag and placed it on the table's rotating tray, turning it in the opposite direction to Zeng Qian and Yu Shuman's surprised gazes, making a full circle before stopping in front of Zeng Qian.

She did it on purpose, not wanting it to pass by Yu Shuman, to make it seem like Zeng Qian and Yu Shuman were too close.

Zeng Qian looked confused and even pointed at herself. "Is this for me?"

After Qin Ran nodded, Zeng Qian picked up the folder. The cover was a black, opaque plastic sheet, clearly holding something business-related. Glancing at it, Zeng Qian quickly realized—it was an invitation to join 99 Entertainment!

Zeng Qian's eyes widened in shock.

Zeng Qian: Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!

Qin Ran: Once you join 99 Entertainment, I'll make sure you're always seated far, far away from Manman!