C6 Contract

After the live broadcast of the show, a trend called "Ruoshui's 'Redemption'" quickly swept across the internet.

In the entertainment industry, rising to fame is actually quite simple. Shan Ruoshui understood this well. With her clear, bright voice and a single show, she rapidly shot to stardom. Her social media following surged by hundreds of thousands within a week, even if they were just casual fans. The next step was to solidify her fan base. But before that, there was something more important to address...

"You’re saying you’ll pay my penalty fee just to get me to switch to Fang?" In a secluded corner of a hidden café, Shan Ruoshui sat with her arms crossed, facing a poised woman in professional attire.

Gu Ya adjusted her slipping glasses as she sized up Shan Ruoshui. "Yes, our boss sees potential in you and hopes you'll join Fang. It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?" She noticed the ambition in the young woman's eyes, recognizing that such drive and talent were not to be underestimated.

Shan Ruoshui knew of Gu Ya—who didn’t know Fang’s top agent? Unfortunately, her former agent, Meng Zhong, the best of the best, had transitioned to directing. Given her current situation, Meng Zhong might not even take her on. So, Shan Ruoshui smiled warmly at Gu Ya, seeing her as a promising option. "Miss Gu, but I still have many years left on my contract. Your company paying my penalty fee seems... not worth it?"

"Gain and loss, gain and loss—how do you know if the gain outweighs the loss or vice versa?" Gu Ya replied confidently.

Fang, one of the largest entertainment companies, had nurtured stars like Faang Xiao and Qii Qingqing. It was indeed a great choice. Shan Ruoshui lowered her head and smiled shyly. "Then I might need to trouble you in the future, Ms. Gu." The difference between "Miss Gu" and "Ms. Gu" was just a word, but the meaning was quite different.

"Naturally, I'll be your manager from now on. Looking forward to working together." Gu Ya knew Shan Ruoshui wouldn't refuse, and she was right. Extending her slender fingers, Gu Ya's formal smile softened slightly, becoming more personable.

Shan Ruoshui reached out and shook Gu Ya's hand. After their hands parted, a contract appeared in front of Shan Ruoshui.

Having renewed contracts multiple times with the entertainment company Q.E, where Meng Zhong worked, Shan Ruoshui could easily discern the terms laid out in this document. It was an exceptionally generous contract for someone still considered a newcomer. Shan Ruoshui looked at Gu Ya, her eyes filled with obvious doubt. Was Fang's chairman, Faang Zhen, out of his mind?

"You deserve this contract." Gu Ya saw no issue in offering Shan Ruoshui a contract meant for top-tier artists. "If you have no objections, we can sign right away."

"Shouldn't we first terminate the contract with MQ? I'm not the kind to sign two contracts at once." Shan Ruoshui pushed the contract back, still wearing her shy smile. Despite her gentle demeanor, she didn't come off as unappealing.

"You're right, that was my oversight." Although Gu Ya apologized, her expression showed no remorse, her smile growing wider.

Shan Ruoshui wasn't fond of clever people, as they often did inexplicable things to amuse themselves, much like Gu Ya. She really preferred simple-minded folks. Conversations between clever people required too much maneuvering, which was too much trouble for someone as laid-back as her.

"Well then, I'll be counting on you, Ms. Gu." Shan Ruoshui stopped looking at the tempting contract, her shy smile giving way to a confident expression, exuding the self-assurance and pride of Jian Yan.

Gu Ya had encountered people with similar confidence before. Some soared to great heights, while others fell into obscurity due to their arrogance. As she looked at the young woman in her early twenties across from her, she wondered which path this one would take and how accurate Chairman Fang's judgment was.

Gu Ya closed the contract and put on her sunglasses, which had been resting on the table. The coffee in front of her had long gone cold, yet she hadn't taken a single sip.

"I'll leave the meeting with MQ about the contract termination to you, Ms. Gu," Shan Ruoshui said, watching Gu Ya stand up and straighten her clothes, which had wrinkled from sitting. Ruoshui had no intention of getting up; instead, she picked up the cold coffee and took a sip, tasting its bitterness.

"Of course," Gu Ya nodded slightly, not bothering with a farewell before turning to leave.

Ruoshui set the coffee down after one sip. As a singer, she was mindful of protecting her voice. She picked up the glass of room-temperature water nearby to wash away the bitterness in her mouth.

When she called the waiter to settle the bill, she discovered that Gu Ya had already taken care of it. She chuckled softly, accepting Gu Ya's treat with a smile, as her own finances were currently tight.