As the year drew to a close, Newstar Company's CEO Wu Shengkai personally visited the Shen Corporation building with the annual report in hand.
"CEO Wu," Assistant Lin greeted.
"Ah, Assistant Lin, long ti no see. How have you been?" Wu Shengkai warmly exchanged pleasantries.
Assistant Lin's smile hesitated for a mont: "Pretty good."
Wu Shengkai paused, then said with a laugh, "Busy with year-end matters, huh? Who isn't? It'll get better after this period."
Assistant Lin patted his shoulder: "Go on in, President Shen is inside."
"Okay."
Wu Shengkai, holding a folder, knocked on the door.
"Co in."
He pushed the door open, his deanor imdiately becoming much more respectful: "President Shen, here's Newstar's annual report for your review."
Shen Yanshi flipped through it.
Seizing the mont, Wu Shengkai boasted, "This year our revenue has doubled compared to last year, and our stock price has soared. Newstar has lived up to expectations this year, President Shen must be satisfied, right?"
The surge in revenue and stock price this year was largely thanks to Xiang-Nuan. Her small-budget web series "White Poplar" had beco an unexpected hit, bringing in a flood of business deals and doubling her value, which of course ant big profits for the company.
And since Newstar had invested in "White Poplar," the stock price had skyrocketed, reaping a huge profit.
If it weren't for this, Wu Shengkai wouldn't have co to see Shen Yanshi so relaxed.
Shen Yanshi looked up at him, his voice cool: "What about next year?"
Wu Shengkai's smile froze. Next year, Xiang-Nuan's contract with Newstar was due to expire.
He forced a smile: "Next year we have three big productions lined up, and Beiguo, the second female lead in 'White Poplar,' has also erged as a star, gaining a huge following. We plan to continue casting her in youth dramas next year. We won't disappoint you, President Shen."
"White Poplar" had been a hit for the entire team, with both the second female lead Beiguo and Xiang-Nuan, both from Newstar, gaining countless fans.
"Xiang-Nuan not renewing her contract?"
Wu Shengkai was taken aback. You're asking ?
"I've personally discussed the renewal with her several tis, restructured the contract, offered a better revenue share, and promised more resources for her future developnt. But Xiang-Nuan doesn't seem to want to stay with Newstar. She hasn't agreed to renew yet, and it looks like she won't."
Shen Yanshi took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, a hint of suppressed anger in his eyes.
She really had the heart to be ruthless.
Wu Shengkai gauged Shen Yanshi's expression, tentatively suggesting, "If President Shen is reluctant to let her go, there are ways to extend the contract. Xiang-Nuan is currently shooting 'Strategist,' and you're the biggest investor. Replacing her is just a matter of a word. Plus, I have so dirt on her that I can use as leverage. With these issues, it's not impossible to hold soone back."
Shen Yanshi suddenly looked up: "What dirt?"
Wu Shengkai smiled: "Xiang-Nuan got into a fight in high school and was taken to the police station. Although she was a minor and didn't get a criminal record, the local station has a record of it. It caused quite a stir in Lin City back then."
His eyes narrowed slightly: "Fighting?"
He found it hard to associate these words with Xiang-Nuan.
"Hey, who doesn't have a bit of a dark past from their youth? Besides, these art students are always a bit unruly, and it's not uncommon for young girls to get into fights."
Wu Shengkai spoke with disdain.
Shen Yanshi's gaze turned colder, and Wu Shengkai quickly reined in his smile.
He had thought that since Shen Yanshi and Xiang-Nuan had split up, Shen wouldn't care about this woman anymore, which is why he dared to speak so casually about her.
Wu Shengkai offered a forced smile: "You haven't inquired about her before, so I didn't bring it up. It's not exactly a glorious past, but in our entertainnt company, managing so many artists, how can we not keep so leverage in hand? If President Shen thinks it's necessary..."
"No need," he interrupted coldly.
"Yes, yes, of course, I wouldn't dare act rashly once President Shen has spoken."
Shen Yanshi didn't look up at him again, his aura dismissive, clearly no longer interested in wasting words.
Wu Shengkai intended to leave discreetly, but he worried that he might have offended the Young Master today and racked his brain for a way to make ands.
"President Shen, with the year-end approaching, there's a charity gala in a few days. Will you be attending?" he ventured to ask.
"You think I'm free?"
"This charity gala is hosted by Madam Xie of the Xie family. Almost all the notable figures from the capital will be there to support it. Madam Xie's favorite granddaughter loves chasing celebrities, so the banquet plans to invite so stars. I heard Xiang-Nuan is also invited."
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