Volume One, Chapter 20: Refusing Starry Entertainment

Back at the base of the dormitory building, Jiang Yu noticed Wang Mingxu was there too.

"Boss, why are you alone? Where are the others?"

"They’re holed up in the dorm. As for me, I came down to get them some cigarettes."

"You spoil those two too much," Jiang Yu rolled his eyes.

Wang Mingxu chuckled, "Nothing I can do. They call me godfather, so I have to pamper my own sons, don’t I?"

The two bantered as they made their way toward the dorm, but just then a voice called out to them.

"Jiang Yu, please wait a moment. Would you mind chatting for a bit?"

Jiang Yu turned and saw a middle-aged man who looked vaguely familiar. The man approached with a faint smile and handed him a business card.

"Hello, Jiang Yu. I’m Li Gang, Chairman of Starlight Entertainment."

Chairman of Starlight Entertainment.

Jiang Yu raised his brows, paused briefly, then looked up at him. "Hello, Chairman Li. What brings you here?"

"Well," Li Gang smiled, "I listened to your ‘At the Crossroads Where Phoenix Flowers Bloom’ today, and I also learned about your previous song, ‘Bare Faced.’ I truly appreciate artists like you. I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in joining our company?"

As the chairman of Starlight Entertainment, Li Gang naturally had access to all the latest data on trending topics. The buzz generated by "At the Crossroads Where Phoenix Flowers Bloom" was unprecedented, especially with graduation season in full swing.

Their company relied on girl groups to attract a certain demographic—fans with raging hormones and questionable intelligence—but that was hardly the entirety of their audience. The vast majority were rational and regarded such acts with disdain.

Now Jiang Yu had emerged, and if they could sign him, the company would surely reach new heights.

Li Gang had tracked down Jiang Yu’s dormitory and come in person, intent on recruiting him.

Yet Jiang Yu simply shook his head. "Sorry, Mr. Li, I’m not very interested."

Li Gang was momentarily stunned by the rejection.

A freshly graduated student, refusing such a generous offer? As Jiang Yu turned to leave, Li Gang hurried to block his path.

"Jiang Yu, perhaps you don’t fully understand Starlight Entertainment."

"We’re one of the top ten entertainment companies nationwide, with vast resources. If you join us, I’ll provide you with everything you need—music, film, and more. How about a contract as a Tier Two celebrity right from the start?"

Jiang Yu knew well what a major company Starlight Entertainment was, and a Tier Two celebrity contract was certainly tempting.

But he believed there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. A capitalist offering such terms without expecting anything in return? Impossible.

Setting that aside, there was another crucial reason.

There were two people in that company—his ex and her current partner. For those reasons alone, he would never work at Starlight Entertainment.

"Sorry, I’m really not interested. If I change my mind, I’ll reach out to you."

With that, he walked off with Wang Mingxu toward the dorm.

"Jiang Yu, I hope you’ll think it over. Starlight Entertainment’s doors are always open for you."

…

On the stairway.

"Fourth Brother."

On the way up, Wang Mingxu was puzzled. "Starlight Entertainment is a major company. You didn’t even pause to consider before turning them down?"

"I simply don’t want to go," Jiang Yu replied.

He wasn’t someone who’d lose his head and rush at an opportunity just because it knocked.

He knew enough about Starlight Entertainment to realize he didn’t want to be forced to work late into the night, drenched in sweat, nor did he want to collaborate with all those monsters and demons.

"True," Wang Mingxu nodded. "Their style doesn’t suit you at all. And that Zhao Yiyi…"

He stopped abruptly, glancing at Jiang Yu, a bit awkward. "Fourth Brother, I didn’t mean anything by that."

Jiang Yu smiled. "It’s fine, Boss. Whatever that woman does is no concern of mine."

…

Starlight Entertainment, in the office.

"Mr. Li, what about the variety show you promised?" Zhao Yiyi looked at Li Jiang, her gaze seductive.

Li Jiang grinned. "Don’t worry, it’ll start soon."

Just then, a hurried knock sounded at the door.

"Mr. Li, the chairman wants to see Zhao Yiyi…"

Li Jiang’s heart skipped. Zhao Yiyi? Had their affair been discovered?

The company’s official policy forbade any relationships with newcomers.

First, exposure could ruin them before they’d recoup their investment.

Second, if they ever tried to make a newcomer pay a breach-of-contract penalty, and the newcomer had evidence…

Either way, the company’s reputation would suffer.

Li Jiang, trembling, stepped into the chairman’s office. "Dad."

"Chairman," Zhao Yiyi echoed, her nerves frayed.

"I’ve told you both—address me as Chairman in the company!" Li Gang’s brows furrowed as he looked at Li Jiang. "I only called Zhao Yiyi. Why are you here?"

Hearing this, Li Jiang relaxed. That meant their affair hadn’t been exposed. But what could it be?

Zhao Yiyi, meanwhile, was confused. Why did the chairman want to see her alone?

Could he be planning to make a move on her?

That wouldn’t be good. She was already involved with Li Jiang…

But what if? Should she resist, or not?

While Zhao Yiyi indulged her fantasies, Li Gang spoke up.

"Yiyi, you graduated from the Film Academy, correct? I heard Jiang Yu was your classmate?"

Hearing that name, both Li Jiang and Zhao Yiyi felt a jolt.

"Y-yes…" Zhao Yiyi composed herself and answered awkwardly.

Li Gang nodded.

"I didn’t expect you two to be classmates. Yesterday I approached Jiang Yu to see if he’d join our company as an artist, but he refused outright."

"So, I’d like you, as his classmate, to try talking to him. In exchange, I’ll allocate more company resources to you."

"This…"

Zhao Yiyi shuddered—not out of joy for extra resources, but at the prospect of approaching Jiang Yu.

"Mr. Li!"

She looked to Li Jiang for help.

But Li Jiang did not dare say a word.

If he revealed the truth about himself, Zhao Yiyi, and Jiang Yu in front of his father, he’d be in trouble.

Li Gang seemed to sense something was off, raising his brows. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

"No, Dad, I think you’re right."

Li Jiang cleared his throat and said something that made Zhao Yiyi’s eyes go wide.

"Yiyi, the company needs a talented artist like Jiang Yu right now. I’m sure you won’t refuse to help us recruit him, will you?"