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..............
For Jian Xingsui, today was truly... magical.
Somehow, someway, Actor Fu actually... asked to add his WeChat contact. Furthermore, it was the said actor who took the initiative.
Was he dreaming right now? It must be, right?
When he returned to his seat, Shen Xingchen sneered in annoyance: "Why are you acting as if you never added someone's WeChat in your life before?"
Jian Xingsui glared at him angrily in response.
Shen Xingchen finally calmed down a bit, and leaned closer and said, "I'll tell you a secret."
Jian Xingsui said, "What secret?"
"If Fu-ge added you, then maybe... this contact isn't like the one he gave to others," Shen Xingchen quietly lowered his voice, as if he's telling a big secret: "You know, some kind of work-only number? Business contact? It's usually managed by his assistants and other staff, and he basically almost never reads through all the messages. Though, more likely, he doesn't have the time to read all of it – he's very busy, why would he do that, when his assistant can manage it perfectly anyways?"
Jian Xingsui's heart suddenly beat uncontrollably, a hint of hesitant colored his voice: "Then what do you mean?"
"If he added you, it should be his private number." Shen Xingchen said in a wise tone, in absolute contrast to his messy, spiky hair, "You are special to him, understand that?"
Hearing that, Jian Xingsui smiled subconsciously, "Really?"
Shen Xingchen nodded, "When have I lied to you?"
The hot pot was boiling, but no matter how hot it was, it was not as hot as Jian Xingsui's heart. He felt that today might be the best day of his life. No matter how shitty his future ranking might be, it won't spoil his good mood.
A mechanical female voice came from outside: "All trainees, please go to the hall on the first floor to gather after the meal."
This voice was as terrifying as The King of Hell's summoning order.
Everyone looked at each other, and they all saw the same determination in each other's eyes. Some people took the lead to get up. With the current oppressive atmosphere, no one could eat anymore. Instead, they all went down to the lobby on the first floor. There were 56 seats placed on the opposite side of the lobby. The trainees were still standing nervously, as there were 108 of them. The meaning was obvious – half of them would be directly eliminated during this round.
The instructors stood in the middle and watched all the trainees stand up one by one.
Fu Jinxiao picked up the microphone, and spoke in a gentle tone: "Is all the trainees of 'Starlight' currently present?"
Everyone raised their voices: "All here!"
The voices resounded in unison throughout the gymnasium. Everyone came here with a dream and vigorous spirit. It might be the end for some of them, but they still put a brave face in front of the camera. They hoped the audiences would witness their fiery youth and brilliance.
Fu Jinxiao glanced at everyone, and whispered: "Now from left to right, start counting and introduce your name."
This was also the last chance for all of the trainees to introduce their existence in front of the big screen. It was akin to a glorious last spark of a dying star – leaving your youthful mark on the show, hoping the glitter would be remembered in the hearts of many.
The first trainee, all the way on the left side, started shouting:
"'Starlight' trainee Zhang Zhen, reporting for assembly!"
"'Starlight' trainee Ji Beichuan, reporting for assembly!"
"'Starlight' trainee Zhou Xun, reporting for assembly!"
It was also at this moment that many audiences gradually realized that under the camera, there were many unfamiliar faces. Those who weren't given much screen time, yet they were still contestants who bet their future in the show. The audience might never see them again, as it was already time for a final farewell.
After everyone reported their names, many people felt very happy after shouting their names loudly on the top of their lungs. It's as if they shouted away their anxieties alongside it.
Instructor Tuya took the microphone and said with a smile: "Now according to the order of your elimination in the previous game, please open the envelope in your hand. Please read your ranking aloud."
Finally, this moment came.
For Jian Xingsui, he could feel that his roommate, Wen Shengge was trembling beside him. Since the start of the show, this person has always been very good-natured and humorous. In front of the camera, he always had a witty quip with a happy demeanour. But in private, he was actually mostly a silent man. And it's clear that his clown-like persona was, well, a persona.
The first person to open the envelope came to the spotlight. He looked at his ranking for a moment, then he smiled a bright, joyful smile. He showed the content to everyone, while reading the words written there, "Ji Fei, your ranking in this stage is the 47th. Congratulations on entering the second stage!"
The other cheered for him, his happiness was infectious.
Ji Fei also hugged the others in a tight hug.
Although, everyone actually knew that the ranking 46 – 56 was actually on the bottom ten. That level of popularity was actually tepid, and their actual chance of debuting was slim to none. But currently, none of that matters. So long they could move up to another stage...
Tuya smiled and said, "Congratulations, please go to your ranking seat."
Ji Fei ran to his own place, his happy smile made many people feel envious.
Soon, most of the people shouted. Tuya looked at the list and read the name of the next trainee: "Shen Xingchen."
Shen Xingchen, who was standing next to his friend, nodded and opened his envelope. He was very confident. In fact, his popularity was also very high. There was nothing to worry about. Everyone guessed that he should be in the top 6, in the debut position.
After Shen Xingchen opened it, seeing the name, his expression was solemn at first, and then he curled his lips into a smile. He was born with a ruffian air, coupled with his spiky hairstyle's unruly feeling, made him stand out among all the boys. His bad-boy appearance was a sharp weapon to attract little girls, so he played into that type as he spoke, "Shen Xingchen, your ranking in this stage is the 2nd. Congratulations on entering the second stage!"
Jian Xingsui looked at Shen Xingchen, and Shen Xingchen patted the younger man's shoulders in return while saying, "This young master is waiting for you over there, you must accompany me, okay?"
He was always so domineering.
Perhaps under this dominance, there was a hint of gentleness and care.
Wen Shengge was the most nervous one among them, and Tuya read his name next: "Wen Shengge, please open the envelope and read out your rank."
Finally at this moment, Wen Shengge opened his envelope and read it. After seeing the content, he covered his lips to control his emotions, but tears still fell on the paper. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down his shaky voice, and read: "Wen Shengge, your final ranking in this stage is the 57th. Unfortunately, you will stop here."
There was a moment of silence at the scene.
There was nothing more depressing than almost, almost making it. It was a hair breath away from succeeding. He was 57th, while the cut-off was 56.
Wen Shengge was depressed, he couldn't stop his tears, and couldn't even hold the envelope with his shaky hands. Jian Xingsui, who was next to him, couldn't bear looking at him and patted him: "I... Shengge... Don't be sad... Yo–"
Wen Shengge hugged Jian Xingsui tight, using him as an outlet of his bubbling emotions. His tears fell on Jian Xingsui's shoulder, wetting it with hot drops and choking sobs. Despite that, Jian Xingsui didn't dislike it, even wiped the tears on his cheeks for him, and said in a soft, soothing tone, "Don't cry... your... uhm... your makeup will be messed up. You don't want the viewers to see it, right?"
What left unsaid was—
'This may be the last – let's not leave a bad impression on everyone.'
Ning Ze also came over and patted Wen Shengge. He's not good with his words, so he couldn't find the perfect words to comfort him. But he believed that his action was understandable enough.
Before Wen Shengge walked to the elimination area next to him, he gently gave his roommates another hug, and said, "You two – must stay and go on to the next stage for me."
Jian Xingsui felt a little sad for some reason.
The audience was also a little sad out of sympathy. But they got an emotional whiplash when the camera turned to Jian Xingsui:
[Can 20,000 yuan Brother succeed in getting his 20,000 yuan this time?]
[It's paid. It's paid.]
[Hahaha, he looks sad on the surface, but he's probably smiling inside.]
[Pretending to be sad~]
More and more people read out their rankings, and the situation started to get worse.
So far, all the people between the ranking 56-46 have finished reading, and almost all the people between the ranking 46-16 have been filled out. Even Ning Ze has entered his ranking position. Because Jian Xingsui was among the last to be eliminated in the battle royale game, his turn hadn't come up yet. There were not many positions left for him now, so at this point, he was either on the top spot or eliminated.
The audience also gradually restrained their smiles from the initial teasing:
[It's true!]
[Is 20,000 yuan Brother going to be eliminated?]
[Please not... I want to see him continue to be silly on the show.]
[I'm not the type to be overly emotional in this kind of scene, but even I think it's a bit too sudden...]
Jian Xingsui himself was having a hard time. But what he didn't expect was that Shen Xingchen, who was waiting in the auditorium not far away, looked as if he was going through a worse situation.
From the beginning, Shen Xingchen, who always liked to laugh, sat on the chair without saying a word.
Among the four members of their dormitory, currently two members were promoted, one was eliminated, and last one was in a precarious position.
Shen Xingchen never hid his emotions, his anxiety was written on the center of his brows. He might look like an uncaring person, but in truth, he was a very emotional person.
Even the audience started to get anxious:
[Can you hurry up?]
[20,000 yuan Brother is not really leaving.]
Just when everyone was getting nervous, Fu Jinxiao took the microphone, and he said: "Is there anyone who hasn't opened the envelope yet? Please raise your hand."
The contestants timidly raised their hands.
There were Anran, Jian Xingsui, Li Xu'an, Wei Jin and a couple of others who hadn't been called.
Fu Jinxiao said: "Okay, Li Xu'an, you come first."
Li Xu'an had always been a relatively popular contestant. At first, he opened the envelope hesitantly, but not long after, he smiled confidently, letting everyone see the envelope while he read it out loud: "Congratulations Li Xu'an, you have won first place in this stage and successfully entered the second stage!"
The audience was in an uproar, many players stood up to congratulate him. The atmosphere was very lively.
If Li Xu'an was the first place and Shen Xingchen was the second place, then Anran must be in third place. Many people think so, and according to the popularity ranking, it should be like this.
Fu Jinxiao raised his eyelids and glanced at Anran lightly, and said, "Anran, it's your turn."
Anran was called on, and he took a deep breath and walked forward. He was smiling when he opened his envelope, but when he saw the words written there, his smile was a little dull.
Many contestants didn't understand what it meant, but their confusion was cleared when Anran read it loudly: "Jian Anran, your ranking in this stage is the 4th. Congratulations on entering the second stage!"
..........
Fourth place!
Not only Anran himself, but even many contestants were stunned. Since the recording of the show, everyone knew of Anran's staggering popularity. How could he be in 4th place? If his level of popularity only gave him the 4th place... then who was the 3rd?
Fu Jinxiao was not surprised. In his heart, he knew who was more deserving of the 3rd ranking. He looked at the trembling youth beside him and said, "Jian Xingsui, your turn."
Jian Xingsui stood stiff, rooted on his spot when he was called. The envelope in his hand felt clammy, it seemed to be soaked with his sweat. When he arrived at the show, he really only wanted that 20,000 yuan consolation prize because he was desperate for money.
But... after many days of gruelling practice with everyone, after meeting such good roommates who became his genuine friends, after meeting fair mentors who actually cared for him... he became greedy. Nobody wouldn't, without an exception. He was getting good treatment now, he wasn't satisfied in getting less. It was human nature – to want a mile after getting an inch.
Jian Xingsui lowered his head and began to open the envelope. When he looked down and saw the writing on the envelope, the hand holding the envelope even trembled slightly. In the end, the buzz-cut boy's eye was reddened with tears. It dripped into hot droplets through his cheek, into the sweat-soaked envelope.
Fu Jinxiao reminded the youth: "Please read your letter out loud."
Jian Xingsui took a deep breath, trying his best to make himself look calm enough, and finally began to read: "Jian Xingsui, your ranking in this stage is the 3rd. Congratulations on entering the second stage!"
—After it was read out loud, everyone fell into a deafening silence.
Anran's expression was even uglier. He wasn't reconciled with the result! He had always been at the top of the list! But now Jian Xingsui, that insignificant nobody, who came out halfway out of nowhere, took all the limelight. His limelight.
Many trainees also couldn't believe the result. But some of them took the lead to react. They jumped up and cheered, congratulating the third place winner. Shen Xingchen even jumped three feet high and yelled excitedly, "You are promoted! You made it! Third place!!"
Jian Xingsui trembled a little when he read it himself. He couldn't believe he was promoted, much less placed as the 3rd. He tried to speak, but his lips moved without any sounds uttered out.
Seeing his bewildered look, Fu Jinxiao curled his lips, bemused, "Please move to the promotion area."
After Jian Xingsui came over, he needed to make a speech for the show. But his head was filled with fog, so he really didn't know what to say. So he just muddled through.
The thing is, he knew a little about his predicted ranking. Just after the Weibo incident happened, his ranking was 25th. It was smack-dab in the middle. Of course, he didn't expect his ranking would soar up into the 3rd after the clarification was given by the crew. It seemed that thanks to that controversy, he actually got more popular. Maybe because after his fans were abused by the malicious editing, they fought back in retaliation?
Fu Jinxiao asked him without turning his head, "How do you feel now?"
"I..." Jian Xingsui didn't know what to say, so he just told him the truth, "I'm very excited, because... uhm, I didn't expect this ranking. I thought... my best result was just... barely scraping into the promotion..."
Fu Jinxiao had never seen such a sincere, yet foolish person.
The actor's gaze darkened. After Jian Xingsui met his gaze, he knew that there was a high probability that he had said the wrong thing again, so he shrank his neck a little timidly.
Fortunately, Actor Fu did not reprimand him. Instead, he just turned around and looked at other contestants, be it those who were promoted and those who were eliminated. Some people were mired in despair and self-pity, while the other was happily chattering, radiating pure joy as they congratulated each other for being "lucky" enough.
Fu Jinxiao said into his microphone: "Who among you all, today, already predicted your current ranking?"
In the audience – more than a hundred people, no one could reply.
"Then, let me ask another question: are you satisfied with your current ranking?" Fu Jinxiao glanced at everyone, his gaze sharpened, "Is this ranking the highest you can reach? Are you satisfied with your current results? Or, are you willing to stop here?"
He was still greeted with silence.
Fu Jinxiao raised his voice a little, his patience wearing dangerously thin, "Yes or no?"
The question finally woke them all up. All the contestants replied in unison: "Not satisfied!"
Fu Jinxiao's lips upturned in a slight, amused smile, "Then I will tell you now: it's useless to be willing."
"?"
The contestants originally thought that Actor Fu was here to motivate them. Instead, he spoke like this? What does he actually mean? Everyone looked at each other for a while, stunned stupid without anything to say.
Fu Jinxiao gave them a clarification.
"The variety show 'Starlight' is a live broadcast. Your every move was displayed for them to see and judge. There might be an edited version, but the audience could still see your every choreography mistake, every off-tune singing, and such. It's easy to disappoint them, and it's even possible to make your fellow competitor look good in comparison."
"And so, now that the first stage is over, you say that you are not satisfied. Tell me, is it useful?" Fu Jinxiao's stern gaze swept over everyone, "Will your useless words be able to win back the hearts of fans? Or, can you correct your previous mistake? Am I wrong to say this?"
It was like a wake-up call, harshly knocking on everyone's hearts.
Just when everyone was deep in thought, Fu Jinxiao changed the subject again, "However, everyone makes mistakes."
"In 2005, I participated in a singing competition. I remember that my instructor at that time asked me to sing another song as an extra test. I made a horrible mistake and it resulted in me failing the audition. That instructor... he questioned my sheer unprofessionalism. What kind of singer can't sing on the spot? Even some of my fans were disappointed and left me. At that time, only one loyal fan kept sending me comments on my Weibo to cheer me up. They asked me to keep moving forward, to not let this one mistake discourage me, and keep working hard towards my goal." Fu Jinxiao explained slowly, a hint of fondness in his deep, melodic voice.
This kind of past failure was unknown to most people, and it made everyone laugh.
Only Jian Xingsui in the back, who didn't smile.
As Fu Jinxiao's loyal fan... of course he intimately knew of that event. It made him somber thinking about it.
Fu Jinxiao had a panoramic view of everyone's expressions. He then brought the topic back, "Some of you may be eliminated today like me at that time, but I want to tell you that a mistake does not determine your life. In return, for those who were promoted, the current success does not mean that you will not make mistakes in the future. If this time, you get through because of sheer luck, and think that with your fluke mentality you can do it again, you will find that it's absolutely impossible to succeed in the end. Understand?"
The trainees were still stunned silly.
Fu Jinxiao frowned slightly. He didn't yell loudly, but asked again in a lower tone, "Understand?"
After that, all of the trainees spoke loudly in unison, "Understand!!"
Those simple words stabilized the hearts of the trainees who were originally in complicated moods. Especially for Jian Xingsui, who was standing closest to the actor.
With that speech, he could feel Fu Jinxiao's overall planning ability and sheer charisma. This man had that leader-like quality. He could easily control the overall situation by observing his surroundings. He grasped everyone's heart by his story, and made everyone follow the pace he set.
Again, Fu Jinxiao sneaked a glance at Jian Xingsui.
Jian Xingsui could feel the stare, so he suddenly answered the actor face-to-face, all timid like a primary school student who was pointed by his teacher. "U-understand!"
Hearing his answer, Fu Jinxiao raised his eyebrow, speaking in a casual tone to his microphone, "Do you still want to run away with that 20,000 yuan?"
Thinking about it, the audience didn't expect that Fu Jinxiao would use this event as an example. But with just a simple joke, he neutralized the previous serious atmosphere. At the same time, he gave his favorite contestant another shot. Truly, Actor Fu's ability to direct the limelight on the field was top-notch.
Jian Xingsui's earlobes instantly turned red, and he murmured, "I don't want to."
Fu Jinxiao said, "Are you sure?"
This time, he didn't need Actor Fu's guidance. Jian Xingsui took a deep breath, and solemnly said into the microphone: "I'm sure!"
"Very good," A faint smile appeared on Fu Jinxiao's handsome face, and he waved his hand slowly. When chatting with the youth, he was a little more casual and intimate. He continued his teasing, "Then go back to your ranking position, my third place."
The sexy and lazy voice made his ears numb. Jian Xingsui felt that if he stayed longer, his hands and feet would pathetically become limp and out of sync. Wanting his dignity to be intact, he quickly returned to his teammates as if he was running away. After he sat beside the second-place Shen Xingchen, he finally could let out the breath he held.
Jian Xingsui knew that his current ranking was the result of many, many factors intertwining.
It's clear one of them was because of Shen Xingchen — this brash, bold, talented young master who kept tagging alongside Jian Xingsui. In contrast, Jian Xingsui was very naive, and the viewers loved this kind of gap between the two friends. Another factor was the special attention of the two instructors: Fu Jinxiao and Tuya. The two of them, and also other instructors, liked this honest and hard-working kid. Of course, the last factor was his own work, but that one was a given.
Combining all of these, it's clear that his ranking would be sky-high.
.........
Many people talked about the shocking ranking announcement.
Actor Fu's agent, Wang Meican, was one of many who did the same. The said agent kept babbling on and on to voice her disbelief. This made Fu Jinxiao feel annoyed after listening for a short while, so he directly went to the smoking room next to the left stairway. In the room, he relaxed, leaned against the window and lit a cigarette. With a smoke in hand, hearing the rant of his agent became bearable.
Wang Meican sighed and said: "At least listen to this bit, will you? Really... the major entertainment agencies have already signed contracts with the show. They already... bribed them, so to speak. As a result, it's clear that the top 6 debut position has basically been pre-determined. It's dirty work, but that's how it is in this industry... I know that you have a crush on that kid and want to help him. But if you give him hope now, wouldn't it be more painful when his hope are dashed later?"
Fu Jinxiao held a cigarette between his slender fingers, and blew out the smoke artfully. He was still leaning against the window, his movement languid yet willful, as if what Wang Meican say was just nonsense.
"You know this kind of thing better than me, right?" Wang Meican put her hand on her waist, "And look at his broken agency, why is it called Bankrupt Entertainment, dear god. Anyways, you asked me to check that agency some time ago, and I found out what kind of agency it is. Let me tell you the truth, that agency won't hold on for long. Besides Li Xu'an, it doesn't have any more outstanding trainees. So even if Jian Xingsui has potential to debut, his agency can't give benefit to debut both him and Li Xu'an. It's futile."
Fu Jinxiao finally replied, "I just want to see how far he can go with his own ability. Besides, the ranking besides the final one could still be won by his own hand. Even if he fails in the end, I won't interfere with the decision."
Wang Meican then breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, she suddenly couldn't sit still and rushed over because she watched the last latest live broadcasts. Did other people can't see what she saw? Fu Jinxiao's love for this youth had surpassed that of other juniors in the past. If she didn't interfere, or at least, ask about it now... Then she's afraid the next news she got would be their official relationship announcement. She would be the last to know.
Now it seemed that it hadn't reached that boiling point yet.
Just as he was thinking, there was a sound from the stairway next door. A phone call came in, speaking in a familiar voice. As he leaned against the wall, Jian Xingsui accepted the call and greeted politely, "Hello, Wang-ge."
The man on the other side of the phone, Wang-ge, has been Jian Xingsui's agent for a year.
After their public recording was over, the show crew returned everyone's mobile phone. This also included Jian Xingsui, but he didn't expect that the first person to contact him was actually his agent.
The agent said with a meaningful smile1, "Xingsui, you really make me proud, giving me a good face for nurturing the third-place rank!"
Jian Xingsui smiled shyly and said, "It's nothing."
Wang-ge said cheerfully, "I knew you had this talent, so it's not wrong to let you participate in this variety show."
Jian Xingsui was also a little happy in his heart for being recognized by others. This also compounds the feeling he got that today might be his luckiest and happiest day in his life.
Wang-ge put away his smile, and said softly, "I have some good news for you."
Jian Xingsui replied in an equally soft voice, "What good news?"
"Didn't you join the show for 20,000 yuan? I know you are short of money." The middle-aged agent continued in a cloying tone, "Did you know that today some... company actually contacted us. They offered a price of one million yuan, so long as you announced that you voluntarily quit the show due to illness before the second ranking. After you do that, the money will be wired directly to your account."
Jian Xingsui's smile froze on his face.
Ye Wang's "request" made the youth's body feel it grew colder. He also slowly leaned his back against the wall, as if he couldn't support the weight of his body. The previous sense of happiness seemed to instantly disappear without a trace, and despair grew from his heart like a vine — it entangled his lung, his limbs — so, so tight, leaving him gasping for oxygen, desperate for a gulp of air.
Jian Xingsui tried his best to make his voice steady, and asked softly, "What do you mean?"
The older man thought he still didn't understand, so he simply said, "Suisui, there are some things you still don't understand because you're still young. You see, although you are now in third place, that ranking won't be yours for long. In fact, the top six have already decided from before the show was filming. I know you have a good relationship with Shen Xingchen, right? Didn't he tell you that his agency has long signed an agreement with the program's crew? Besides, he is the second son of that Shen family, there's no way he won't debut. Wise yourself up and face the reality, Suisui. Those times where you all call each other 'brothers'? Forget them, those were just purely for the camera."
Jian Xingsui held his phone and said nothing.
His breathing began to return to normal, but he still refused to speak. He tried his best to stabilize his tumultuous emotions raging inside.
"You should also understand that you aren't very good at dancing and singing, so of course it's impossible for you to debut in an idol group, yeah?" Wang-ge seems to have grasped Jian Xingsui's Achilles' heel, "You can tell the difference between 20,000 and one million. Let's take the easy route and not continue to participate. Don't you agree?"
Across the two of them, hidden behind the stairwell, was a pair of people – both dead quiet.
Fu Jinxiao leaned against the railing, his handsome face was expressionless with unreadable emotions. The cigarette between his fingers was burning little by little, and the ash slowly fell to the ground. But the man stood still, completely unmoving.
The time seemed to stretch until forever – a minute felt like a century.
Finally, Jian Xingsui said in firm conviction, "I want to continue participating in the show."
His agent thought that Jian Xingsui was obviously stupid, "Why are you so bull-headed? You want to quit after the recording is over??"
Hearing that made Jian Xingsui hesitate for a while. He remembered when the ranking announcement happened just today, especially when Fu Jinxiao's gaze seemed to bore into his soul, asking him if he still wanted 20,000 yuan in a soft tone. At that time, he firmly answered that he no longer wanted that money.
At that time, he was poor, in a dire condition, without a scrap of family support – he had nothing and no one. He wasn't crazy smart, he could only think one step of a time, and that step happened to be making money. He could only bite the bullet and participate in this show to get that 20,000 yuan despite knowing that the protagonist was also here. Beggars can't be choosers, after all.
But now?
But now... he somehow gained great friends, and was able to communicate with his long-cherished idol. He felt that his gloomy life now had some bright, hopeful spots.
Just like the magic disguising Cinderella, it will vanish after the midnight clock strikes. Jian Xingsui could only wait for the other shoe to drop, for his life to continue as usual, for this happy dream to end.
He was short of money, but he was even more short of love.
And— there was a non-zero chance that his friends were fake, never consider him a brother like he does. It was possible for Fu Jinxiao to actually not care about someone as insignificant as him.
But... in the end, he believed that his life could still be turned around. That little bit of light was within his reach.
"I won't quit." Jian Xingsui said firmly, "I don't want that million either."
Across the wall, Fu Jinxiao's eyes brightened as he flashed a faint smile. He flicked the cigarette ash, avoiding his slender fingertips.
He seemed to be deep in thought, and this action made Wang Meican a little nervous. Because this was a tell-tale sign that Actor Fu was actually serious.
Wang-ge became livid, "Are you crazy?"
Jian Xingsui instantly replied, "I'm not crazy."
"I promised you that money and you dare to refuse?" Agent Wang turned around angrily, "No. You don't have a say in this matter. You must listen to this arrangement. Do you know, even if you stay, you won't be able to debut anyway. So, what the hell are you just doing? Remember, you are still signed with the agency. Do you think the higher-ups will let you do whatever you want?"
The threat was palpable, but Jian Xingsui remained silent.
He understood every bit of it, but he didn't react. It wasn't that he didn't care, but he was numb with this kind of turn of event. He already knew his life sucks, nothing good rarely happens. It's natural for him to accept the worst possible outcome.
He lived through it many, many times. It only made him stronger.
The phone was hung up one-sidedly, and the stairwell was turned back into its previous calm. After the conversation, Jian Xingsui simply left without crying or fussing.
Sometimes, the more silent someone is in the face of injustice, the more distressing it feels.
It's clear to Fu Jinxiao that Jian Xingsui was used to... this.
Wang Meican looked at the silent actor and said in a whisper, "You..."
"I was thinking." Fu Jinxiao threw the cigarette butt into the ashtray, walked to the sofa next to him and sat down. He crossed his slender legs, and looked up to his agent, "Has our agency not signed a new star for a long time?"
Wang Meican was shocked!
Fu Jinxiao's agency was the largest and most well-known in the industry – Fenghua Entertainment. As a company under the famous Fu Conglomerate, Fenghua Entertainment naturally had the best resources and the absolute right to speak. Today's top artists, stars, and singers in the industry generally came from this agency. It could be said that this was a company that you can't enter even if you have countless connections.
remember this is a 3rd POV omniscient, so despite the agent speaking from the phone, he was still fully described by the narration.