Chapter 102: Becoming a Brick in Her Entertainment Empire

"Grandpa, Grandma, please don’t get upset. It’s not worth it to be angry with someone like Liu Nana!” Qiao Xianyi exclaimed.

Lin Ye, full of indignation, added, “It’s beneath us!”

Those two—honestly, they might as well just become comedians at this point.

The entire evening, their back-and-forth banter was like watching a comedic duo perform a routine.

Song Jinse and Lu Cheng hadn’t taken the matter to heart to begin with, but being surrounded by a group of adorable youngsters and being cheered up was a rather pleasant experience.

The two water villas were close to each other, so Li Huan didn’t bother driving. He figured a walk to escort Grandpa and Grandma back would be a good way for everyone to calm down.

Qiao Xianyi clicked her tongue. “This show is really toxic.”

Song Jinse looked at her curiously. “Toxic?”

Lin Ye explained, “Grandpa, Grandma, you might not know, but this is the second season of the show. The first season, the guests were at each other’s throats, arguing every minute on screen.”

By the second season...

The conflicts weren’t as fierce, but the drama was even more intense!

Qiao Xianyi and Lin Ye buzzed around Lu Cheng and Song Jinse like two little bees, fooling around incessantly.

Li Huan quietly supported Lu Cheng, chiming in from time to time.

Meanwhile, Bai Lu and Di Jiaer trailed at the back.

“Jiaer, I really didn’t expect you to step up like that,” Bai Lu said, still in disbelief. “You’re supposed to be one of the reserved, parent-type, aren’t you?”

Di Jiaer coolly shoved his hands in his pockets. “I like Grandpa and Grandma.”

So, whether Liu Nana’s actions were intentional or not, he wasn’t about to let it slide.

Bai Lu covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “Protective—Jiaer, you’re serious about it.”

It was a trait very much like the Lu family.

Di Jiaer let out a deep sigh. “Stop making fun of me. I’m not even sure how I’ll face my company and agent when I get back to the capital.”

It felt good to act cool in the moment, but there’d be hell to pay later.

It’s best not to act on impulse.

The details of his management contract were too private—it even involved business secrets of other companies, so Bai Lu didn’t want to pry.

After all, Jiaer’s agency was one of the top three.

It was also the main rival of Yu Xing Entertainment.

From her current position, things were complicated.

Bai Lu simply asked, “Will it be a big problem?”

If the answer was yes, she’d shamelessly ask her father for help. After all, Jiaer stood up for Grandpa and Grandma, and her father would definitely help. No one was more protective than the Lu family.

“It’s quite a hassle. Our type of contract, the clauses and restrictions are endless—so many you wouldn’t believe it. They even dictate what you can wear every day,” Di Jiaer said, shrugging nonchalantly. “If I get scolded, I’ll just stand at attention. If it comes to the worst, I’ll terminate the contract. What else can I do?”

Li Huan shot him a glare. “What’s all this about terminating contracts? It hasn’t come to that. Saying things like that will just make Bai Lu worry even more.”

Di Jiaer quickly smiled. “I’m just joking. At most, I’ll get a lecture—don’t worry, Bai Lu.”

Bai Lu pouted and saw her grandparents exchange a silent glance. “I’m not worried at all.”

After all, Jiaer was the man she’d set her sights on. Sooner or later, he’d leave his company and become a pillar of her entertainment empire.

Better to strike while the iron was hot.

If this incident gave Jiaer the chance to terminate his contract, all the better.

She’d introduce him to Gao Fanqin directly!

Suddenly, Qiao Xianyi said, “Jiaer, you need to be careful. Liu Nana’s backer and your company’s boss have been old friends for years. If Liu Nana whispers in his ear, things might get tough for you. I suggest you just terminate your contract.”

Li Huan was about to be driven mad by these troublemakers. “Why are you talking about terminating contracts? Do you think it’s free? Jiaer’s only been back in the country for less than a year!”

The penalty fee was astronomical!

Unlike the privileged Qiao Xianyi, Li Huan’s family was poor—so poor they could barely afford food.

To cover his mother’s medical bills, Li Huan had participated in a reality show for ordinary people—the kind of melodramatic tearjerker on local TV.

Because of his good looks, Yu Xing Entertainment signed him as an artist at a rock-bottom price.

He’d been in the industry for five or six years, always stuck in web series.

Earlier this year, he had a small breakout in a BL adaptation web drama.

That’s how he got the chance to be on this variety show.

Before that, he was practically invisible.

His costume drama look was stunning, but in modern attire, he seemed more ordinary by comparison. With good acting training, he had real potential to become a star.

Unfortunately, Yu Xing Entertainment treated people terribly.

In his previous life, after Yu Xing Entertainment squeezed all the commercial value out of Li Huan in a short time, they discarded him without hesitation.

Still, he earned enough for his mother’s medical expenses, and he was content with the occasional TV role.

He was never ambitious.

The eldest Miss Qiao spoke with absolute confidence. “What’s there to be afraid of? Is Liu Nana the only one with a backer? I have my dad! If you really want out, Jiaer, I’ll talk to my dad. He’s way more influential than Liu Nana’s backer.”

Bai Lu seized the chance to add, “Jiaer, you’ve already offended Liu Nana. With her vengeful nature, things won’t go well for you. I think Qiao Qiao’s right—you might as well terminate your contract. With Uncle Qiao around, it won’t be a big problem.”

Qiao Xianyi was thrilled. “Jiaer, after you terminate your contract, come join Yu Xing Entertainment with me and Bai Lu!”

“Go away, stop causing trouble!” Bai Lu was exasperated. “Is Yu Xing Entertainment any good? Just look at Huan—wasted there for so many years! His costume roles are so stunning, he should have been a star ages ago. Instead, Yu Xing Entertainment keeps casting him in trashy modern dramas—completely blind!”

Li Huan: “......”

Was it really appropriate to talk like this about your own management company, especially with President Yu in the picture?

Qiao Xianyi said, “I think Yu Xing Entertainment is pretty good.”

Bai Lu sneered, “That’s because you have President Qiao backing you up. Anywhere would seem good to you. Enough talk—just go home and get your dad to help Jiaer terminate his contract.”

“But where would Jiaer go after that?” Qiao Xianyi asked.

“To Gao Fanqin, President Gao!” Bai Lu replied with conviction. “President Gao is the backbone of Royal Eagle. If Jiaer signs with him—”

“Stop, just stop.” Di Jiaer was exasperated. “I haven’t even said anything and you’re already making plans for me to terminate my contract? Did you even ask my opinion?”

Li Huan shot them both a look. “Quit adding fuel to the fire.”

Qiao Xianyi obediently said, “Got it!”

Bai Lu stuck out her tongue. “But Jiaer, aren’t you tempted by President Gao? He’s amazing—the top agent in the industry!”

“Not interested,” Di Jiaer replied decisively. “Of course I’ve heard of President Gao’s reputation, but everyone has their specialty. President Gao has never managed someone like me. He’s a king- and queen-maker for film, but it’s a different world. I’d be better off with the Four Juniors.”

Lin Ye finally couldn’t hold back. “Isn’t the point that it hasn’t even reached the stage where Jiaer needs to terminate his contract?”

At most, he’d get a lecture from his agent. How did it escalate into terminating contracts and changing companies?