Chapter 15: Meeting once again
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: ChaiTea
Shen Yu's management company's headquarters was not too far from the airport. He took the company's car and went straight to Mei Fei's office on the seventh floor once he arrived.
Mei Fei was the most capable and powerful manager of this small company, Hua Long, and had a large personal office. The first time Shen Yu came here was five years ago when Mei Fei picked him from a group of newcomers to nurture him.
At that time, the innocent Shen Yu actually thought that he had earned some recognition and could soon make a name for himself. He was even excited for a long time. Unfortunately, Bao Zhuzhen from the same batch as him had such growth momentum that all of Mei Fei's attention was drawn to him. And the company kept recruiting newcomers, so Shen Yu remained in an awkward position for a couple of years.
Shen Yu wondered what Mei Fei intended to tell him for her to call him over specifically.
Shen Yu walked out of the elevator, his mind filled with thoughts. The contract he signed with the company would expire in a year. Even if she intended to talk to him about his contract, it should not be this soon.
"Hey, Brother Shen."
Hearing someone calling for him, Shen Yu paused at the elevator door for a few seconds. He looked up and saw a teen coming out from the direction of Mei Fei's office.
He was indeed a teenager. He seemed to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. He was wearing an oversized white t-shirt and black harem pants. He had crisp short hair and fair skin. And when he smiled, his eyes would curve into the shape of a crescent moon, giving him a refreshing image.
"Hello, you are...?" Shen Yu was slightly puzzled. The teenager seemed to be one of the newcomers who had just joined the company. However, they had never met before, so why was he greeting him with so much affection?
"Ah, I've forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Liao Keyi; a newcomer picked by Sister Mei," the newcomer had already walked to Shen Yu's side as he spoke, "Thank you in advance, Brother Shen."
Liao Keyi went straight into the elevator after thanking Shen Yu, unable to conceal the happiness and complacency in his eyes. Seeing that, Shen Yu's heart began to sink.
Wasn't the typical greeting between artists under the same manager "let's work hard together" or "let's take care of each other"? What exactly was Liao Keyi trying to say?
"Sister Mei, I'm here." When Shen Yu pushed the door open to go in, Mei Fei was organising the files on her office desk.
Mei Fei smiled the moment she saw him and said, "Oh, Shen Yu. Come, have a seat." Her expression was gentler than usual, and Shen Yu could only feel his heart sinking further down a dark valley.
He dropped his eyes, "Sister Mei, we have known each other for five years. Just tell me directly."
"Honestly speaking, you're one of the smartest of all the artists I'm managing. Not in the right area, unfortunately," Mei Fei laughed as she replied and sighed, "you're not getting famous enough."
"You met Xiao-Liao just now, didn't you?" Mei Fei changed the topic before Shen Yu could reply.
"Mhmm, I ran into him near the elevator."
"What do you think?"
"Pretty good temperament. Sister Mei has good eyes for such things." Shen Yu commented lightly.
"Xiao-Liao is my older sister's son. He has pretty good conditions in all aspects and really likes the entertainment industry," Mei Fei held her hands together and crossed her fingers as she organised her words, "He's graduating from high school this year. He isn't rushing to get into a university, so he has come under me to test the waters. He'll have more chances to get into an arts academy next if he has a bit of popularity."
"I'm already nearing 40 years old. Both my energy and resources are getting tight. I can't cope with too many people under my management," Mei Fei paused and glanced at Shen Yu before she continued.
"Just like you said, we have already known each other for five years, so I'll be straightforward. You're the least worrying one among all the artists I'm managing. I have thought it through and decided to stop managing you after you have finished filming the Pursuit of the Wind."
Mei Fei finished her last sentence, coming to her final decision. She leaned back on her chair and waited for Shen Yu's answer.
It was merely her excuse when she said her ability as a manager was diminishing with age. To focus on her efforts in making Liao Keyi famous, Mei Fei must compromise and take resources from the other artists under her management. Clearly, after considering the trade-offs, Mei Fei decided to give up on Shen Yu, who had the slightest chance of getting famous. Being "the least worrying" was not really a compliment to an artist.
Of course, Shen Yu understood everything. He lowered his head, fists under his sleeves clenched tightly, and released slowly. After more than ten seconds of silence, a bitter smile crossed his face.
"I did not expect you to give me such a big shock the moment I returned."
Shen Yu had been under Mei Fei for five years. Although he had not been famous, he did not make any mistakes, so she felt a little guilty for simply tossing him away. Seeing that Shen Yu had the sense not to make a fuss, Mei Fei asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
Seeing that Mei Fei seemed to have more to say, Shen Yu asked with a calm voice despite the turmoil in his heart, "What suggestions do you have?"
He was already a full-fledged adult. He had parents he needed to feed, and fans to take care of. Shen Yu, who had no one to rely on, could not afford to be controlled by his emotions. Even if he was punched in the face and his teeth broken, he could only laugh it off and stomach it.
Mei Fei was satisfied with his attitude and decided to help him analyse the situation sincerely, "Of course, the company will assign you a new manager once you're no longer under my management. But let me be straightforward, many people are eyeing my position in this company, so you, who did not get famous under my management, will most definitely be targeted."
"Your contract with the company is expiring in a year, right? You're going to continue your road as an actor for the rest of your life anyway, so I suggest you try your best and perform well during the audition for Director Zhong's film in a few weeks' time, and take the opportunity to make contact with other companies who put out dramas and films and see if any of them are taking in actors."
"I understand. Sister Mei, I'll take my leave."
"Go ahead."
Understanding the underlying meaning behind Mei Fei words, Shen Yu knew that there was no point for him in staying any longer. With the audition opportunity as his compensation and "hush money", how much Shen Yu ended up developing would be according to his capability.
Did he blame Mei Fei? He, himself, could not tell at that moment.
Humans were profit-seeking, let alone a capable manager such as Mei Fei. Mei Fei's choice was to be expected between her nephew, full of potential, and an old artist who had not been famous despite being in the industry for years.
Shen Yu only felt a chill in his heart. The company he thought he could stay in and focus on acting for the rest of his life eventually gave up on him. That was the entertainment circle. Just what could be worth trusting in this circle?
In the large private room of a high-end club, the employees of Hua Long Entertainment were joking and playing around with one another, drinking and playing the rock-paper-scissors game, celebrating their company's anniversary. All the artists who had rushed back from all over the country also gathered in twos and threes, exchanging pleasantries. Shen Yu sat alone in a corner, holding a glass of red wine. He had yet to recover from his gloomy mood.
The walls have ears, and many people in the company were already aware of Mei Fei's actions. Tacitly, no one bothered Shen Yu, but they would cast glances at him occasionally, their eyes inevitably filled with sympathy. The artists who were close to each other would even fill each other in quietly regarding the incident.
Shen Yu felt a little annoyed. He pulled the collar of his white shirt and decided to go out for some fresh air.
This high-end club was pretty famous in Beijing. It was designed to imitate the layout of Suzhou Gardens; beautifully decorated with rocks, water, hills and grass, the corridors curved, and the service staff would only appear when the bell was rung. The venue was known to protect its customers' privacy pretty well. It was no wonder the members of the entertainment industry favoured it.
Shen Yu walked out of the private room and wandered among the fake hills and flowers. He could hear the calming, tinkling sound of the artificial stream hitting the stone floor. The small waterwheel creaked and turned, and the flowers, which he could not name, emitted fragrance. Seeing as no one was around, Shen Yu unbuttoned another button and stretched his neck. After he took a few deep breaths, he was finally feeling better.
Suddenly, he heard someone talking on the phone from the other side of the artificial hill. The person on the phone seemed to be moving towards him.
"Oh, got it."
"Young Master Yan, are you sure you're not scared? You didn't even dare to utter a word."
"No, what exactly did you do to that person?"
It was quiet.
Shen Yu was studying the movements of the waterwheel out of boredom. He was startled the moment he heard the voice. He wanted to avoid the situation out of respect for the other person's privacy but got lost in the winding corridor. After attempting to find an exit by walking around aimlessly, the voice became more apparent and nearer. He rounded a boulder anxiously and came up against the man from the other side instead.
The back of the man seemed strangely familiar.
The other party noticed his presence the moment Shen Yu paused. The man was still on the phone as he turned around quickly, revealing a face that Shen Yu had been watching every day recently. It was a face he was highly familiar with.
Shen Yu was truly flabbergasted this time round. He was frozen on the spot, unmoving.
Fortunately, the man a few steps away from him was still acting normal. He saw Shen Yu and clicked his tongue.
"Alright, Yan Caizhu, I have something to settle here. Talk to you later."
Without waiting for a reply from the other side of the line, Zhong Simo hung up the phone without hesitation.
He looked up and down over the dumbfounded Shen Yu, his gaze lingering half a second longer on his neck before a big smile split across his face.
"Look at how upset you are. Who bullied you?"
__________
Translator's note:
HAPPY CHRISTMASSSSS!!!!
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