Chapter 9: The Price of Five Percent

Su Xuan remained utterly calm. “I’m not going. As you said, Star Culture isn’t for me. I’m old news; it’s time for me to return to my roots. Come to the company now, and we’ll sign the renewal contract with Yezi Media.”

Liu Pangpang gasped, startled. “You’re really going to sign it?!”

“I’m not signing it for nothing,” Su Xuan replied. “I have conditions. The higher-ups at Yezi aren’t all idiots; they’ll definitely give me a substantial bonus for a renewal contract. I’m guessing it’ll be shares.”

Liu Pangpang sobered. “I understand what you mean. I’m on my way. First, give me a number. How many shares would they have to offer to keep you for you to sign?”

“Five percent.”

The third-floor conference room at Yezi Media buzzed with subdued tension.

Nearly all the shareholders were present. Matters involving share transfers required the attendance of every shareholder, as the shares would be divested from their personal holdings.

Naturally, some were willing and some were reluctant to part with shares to retain an artist. However, the most unwilling individual wasn’t a shareholder at all, but Fu Mu, the current head of Yezi Media, known in the industry by his moniker—’Little Shen Chao’.

Fu Mu’s eyes and nose twitched imperceptibly. His profile bore a striking resemblance to Shen Chao, yet his overall appearance and demeanor were distinctly fierce, making him quite recognizable.

He truly didn’t look much like Shen Chao, especially his eyes, which had a lot of white, were monolid, and slanted upwards. Unlike Shen Chao’s cool detachment, Fu Mu’s gaze seemed to threaten to bite.

Fu Mu exuded a raw, ruthless energy, and he was known for achieving his goals by any means necessary. Liu Pangpang had, at one point, been utterly terrified of him.

Seated in the conference room, Fu Mu wore an air of condescending superiority, his smile failing to reach his eyes. “I don’t believe Su Xuan is worth buying over with Yezi Media’s shares.”

“How many years has he been irrelevant? His box office just barely crossed a hundred million, and we don’t even know if it’s a flash in the pan. I think there’s absolutely no need to rush.”

Fu Mu continued, “Let’s wait until Shen Chao’s fans’ enthusiasm for buying movie tickets dies down. Right now, it’s still Shen Chao’s fanbase driving this. What if it only ends up making a little over a hundred million?”

The shareholders murmured amongst themselves. This was, indeed, the very topic they had gathered to discuss today.

Wang Changhai, one of the main shareholders occupying the head seat, rebutted Fu Mu’s assertion. “Although it’s only been one day, the purchase curve shows a gradually rising positive feedback loop.”

“Most professional film critics’ feedback has also been quite positive, affirming Su Xuan’s performance.”

Fu Mu scoffed dismissively. “It’s all bought, that’s all. Do you believe me if I say I could go act, and then pay them to say I acted well? The effect I’d bring would be even better than Su Xuan’s.”

Wang Changhai shook his head, unwilling to argue further with Fu Mu. “Fu Mu, I know you have a grudge against Su Xuan, but in business, we speak of business. We are discussing Su Xuan’s future development value.”

Fu Mu’s fingers twitched twice, and the mockery on his face grew increasingly apparent. “Director Wang, could you please clear your head? Don’t keep dreaming of rising to the top by riding on someone else’s coattails.”

“Don’t you find this sudden surge in popularity abnormal? The last movie to cause such a stir upon release was ‘Nine Streams’, one of the top three highest-grossing films domestically, with a final box office of 4.7 billion. Its promotional budget alone exceeded 200 million.”

Fu Mu’s fingers tapped lightly and contemptuously on the table twice. “‘Courtyard’? It’s questionable if its promotional budget even reached ten million. There must be something behind this; perhaps someone is even buying tickets.”

Wang Changhai hesitated. Fu Mu’s words weren’t entirely baseless, yet he countered, “‘Courtyard’ and ‘Nine Streams’ both had Shen Chao carrying the box office… perhaps…”

Fu Mu sneered. “That’s still Shen Chao’s credit. Director Wang, I don’t think it’s a wise move to go to such great lengths to sign a mere fringe artist.”

Wang Changhai tried to explain, “But if the movie becomes a huge hit, Su Xuan can reap the benefits of the film, and his future development won’t be bad.”

Fu Mu’s lips curved downwards, but half-way through the gesture, he seemed to recall something and paused, leaving his expression awkwardly contorted. His hand clenched the armrest as he averted his gaze, scoffing, “It’s just a little benefit. It’s not that easy to become famous; fame always comes at a price.”

Fu Mu’s mouth was smiling, but it was a particularly hollow smile, imbued with a hateful, gnashing resentment. “If it were that easy to become famous, to rise to prominence without ever having suffered any hardship, then that fame would be fleeting, dissolving with the slightest disturbance.”

Another shareholder hesitantly whispered, “But Shen Chao became famous without much hardship, and he remained popular for a long time. Perhaps Su Xuan could become the next Shen Chao…”

Fu Mu slammed his hand on the table, cutting the shareholder off fiercely. He roared, “Shen Chao, Shen Chao! Everything is Shen Chao! How many years does it take for one Shen Chao to appear? Does having one Shen Chao mean everyone can become Shen Chao?!”

“Wake up, all of you! Stop dreaming of cultivating Su Xuan into Shen Chao. It’s impossible. He’s been irrelevant for four years; if he could have become popular, he would have long ago. He simply doesn’t have the innate drive for fame. How can he compare to Shen Chao?! Shen Chao is gone! He’s left Yezi Media!”

He panted heavily, his eyes slightly bloodshot, and slammed the table, declaring sharply, “Now, I am the one in charge of Yezi Media.”

Outside the door, Su Xuan slowly pushed it open. His smile was serene, while Liu Pangpang beside him wore an expression of utter mortification, head bowed in embarrassed silence.

What Fu Mu said was not without reason.

Four years. Those who could become popular would have already done so.

Upon seeing Su Xuan, Fu Mu offered no pleasantries, merely letting out a faint laugh before slowly settling back into his seat. His aversion to Su Xuan was almost palpable.

Fu Mu leaned back in his chair, spreading his hands, and sneered, “Let’s be honest, aside from Shen Chao, everyone else who’s popular in this industry either has a stunning face or powerful backing. Su Xuan’s face is just… well, let’s not even think about altering his face.”

“And as for capital, how much money can Yezi Media really pour into promoting Su Xuan?”

Liu Pangpang argued, standing his ground. “Su Xuan’s acting is excellent.”

Fu Mu’s expression grew even more derisive. He pushed off the armrest to sit upright. “Agent Liu, do you think we need actors? We need money, we need popular stars. Su Xuan is twenty-six; even if he becomes popular, how many years will that last? We need Su Xuan to make money. Can you provide that for us?”

Su Xuan spun a chair around and sat down, seemingly unbothered by the insults. He remained remarkably calm. “How much do you want him to earn?”

Liu Pangpang felt a sense of foreboding and softly called Su Xuan’s name. “Su Xuan…”

Su Xuan tilted his head, meeting Fu Mu’s gaze. His fingers twitched, and then he suddenly smiled. “Fu Mu, based on the current box office trend, my movie ‘Courtyard’ alone will earn more than you do in an entire year. Why do you think I’m not worth this five percent?”

Fu Mu’s eyes narrowed, a strange, menacing glint in them, like a vicious dog with a scarred eye staring at its prey. He was just about to erupt.

Wang Changhai, seated at the head of the table, was impatient. He wanted to keep Su Xuan; an artist with such explosive potential was nothing but beneficial to Yezi Media.

Wang Changhai quickly interjected with a smile, cutting Fu Mu off. “Su Xuan, how about this? I’m your old boss, after all. I was here when you and Shen Chao joined. Now, well, Shen Chao has left, and I can’t treat you too harshly.”

Wang Changhai looked at Su Xuan sincerely. “I’ll make the decision. We’ll give you three percent. Will you sign the renewal?”

Fu Mu crossed his arms and chuckled. Wang Changhai had initially been prepared to offer five percent to retain Su Xuan, but now, with Su Xuan present, this ‘turtle’s grandson’ was trying to claw back two percent.

Su Xuan smiled affably. He waved his hand. “Oh, Director Wang, there’s no need to be polite with us. You’re my old boss. If it’s five percent, it’s five percent. Not a single cent less.”

Wang Changhai was speechless.

Su Xuan remarked nonchalantly, “Aren’t you hoping I become the second Shen Chao? Then let’s do it on the scale of the second Shen Chao. Back then, Star Culture kept Shen Chao with five percent. What, you expect me to become the second Shen Chao, but can’t even manage five percent?”

A hush fell over the entire room.

Wang Changhai hesitated for a moment, then, as if fearing Su Xuan would change his mind, he relented. “Alright, five percent it is!”

Fu Mu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wang Changhai, are you out of your mind?!”

Su Xuan looked at Fu Mu, his hands clasped on the table. He tilted his head, gazing at the profile that bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Shen Chao’s, as if recalling something from the past.

Finally, Su Xuan lowered his head and spoke softly, “It has nothing to do with you, Fu Mu. I’ll give you a piece of advice too. For a thief, the physical suffering endured from stealing someone else’s beautiful possessions or food is not true hardship. It’s merely a deserved punishment. After the punishment, they remain a thief, not the rightful owner.”

“The things the true owner fights for with blades and spears—that is what counts as true hardship.”

Su Xuan stood up, calmly looking at Fu Mu opposite him. “Fu Mu, what physical suffering have you endured?”

After speaking, Su Xuan nodded towards a flustered Wang Changhai. “I’ll come and sign once Director Wang has the contract drafted. Thank you all for coming to listen to my nonsense.”

With that, Su Xuan pulled Liu Pangpang, who still looked like he wanted to backtrack, and opened the door, leaving the room.

Fu Mu remained rooted to the spot. After a few seconds of silence, he let out a sneering laugh, but said nothing more.

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