82: Abnormal terms

As the group approached, Gao Xiaofan realized the person leading them was a woman.

Who is this now?

"Hello, Mr. Gao. I am Jing Yu, the Operations Director of iQiyi."

While he was still dazed, she had already walked up to him and greeted him softly.

Gao Xiaofan looked at the woman before him. She appeared to be in her early thirties but had delicate features. Even in casual wear, her curvaceous figure was evident; she clearly took great care of herself.

Gao Xiaofan nodded and returned the greeting. Then, led by Cheng Yan, they walked to the side.

"Mr. Gao, it's like this. First of all, thank you for participating in our variety show. We've come this time hoping to reach a deeper level of cooperation with you."

Gao Xiaofan didn't speak. He glanced at Cheng Yan beside him and waited for Jing Yu to continue.

"We at iQiyi have always wanted to have our own artists, but we haven't found the right person until now. After the show started, we found that Mr. Gao perfectly meets our signing standards. I wonder if you're interested?"

After listening, Gao Xiaofan shook his head.

"I don't know how to act."

"We have indeed considered the acting aspect, so we are strictly looking at variety shows. You can listen to the terms iQiyi is offering."

Gao Xiaofan nodded and remained silent.

Jing Yu looked around and noticed there wasn't even a place to sit, so she continued.

"If you agree to sign, we will find ways to make you famous in this variety show—even more popular than you are now, pushing your livestream room's popularity past 100 million. After this show ends, we will tailor-make a new variety show just for you."

"What do I need to give in return?"

Gao Xiaofan was, after all, a seasoned veteran who had endured the harsh realities of society; he wasn't swayed by Jing Yu's words. There was no such thing as a free lunch.

Jing Yu smiled. "You don't need to give anything. Just sign the contract. We've brought it with us; you can take a look."

After speaking, she took a stack of contracts from Cheng Yan and handed them over.

Gao Xiaofan took them suspiciously and began to flip through.

Could there really be such a good deal?

It wasn't until he had skimmed the contract that Gao Xiaofan smiled and handed it back.

"What you've said is very tempting, but I'm used to a leisurely life. I'm really worried that I won't meet your company's requirements."

Jing Yu opened her mouth to say more, but she saw Gao Xiaofan turn to leave.

Seeing this, Jing Yu felt irritated. She had traveled so far, crossing mountains and ridges, only to find nowhere even to rest, and he was being so disrespectful.

"We've discovered a slight issue with the contract signed previously..."

Gao Xiaofan stopped, turned to look at Jing Yu, and interrupted with a smile.

"It's about that fifty thousand yuan, right? I don't want that fifty thousand anymore."

Jing Yu had a mouthful of words she couldn't say. She glared at Cheng Yan and turned to walk back.

Cheng Yan followed behind expressionlessly.

Gao Xiaofan sat on a small mound with a calm expression, pulling a cigarette from his pocket to smoke.

Qiu Gu approached with a strange expression and patted him on the shoulder.

"The Program Production Crew said... no smoking... during the show."

Gao Xiaofan was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, nodded, and stuffed the cigarette back into his pocket.

Was Ai Qi Film and Television really that petty? Had his refusal to sign hit them that hard?

Looking at the float on the water, Gao Xiaofan couldn't help but want to laugh when he thought of the terms in the contract.

The contract stated that all gift revenue would be distributed to him on a 50-50 split basis for this show. If the show performed well, they might consider increasing his share to 70% later on.

Upon seeing this clause, Gao Xiaofan immediately lost any interest in signing.

What did that even mean?

You're using my money to handle my affairs? And then I'm supposed to shackle myself to you?

What the hell are you dreaming about? Besides, most of the gifts in this show were from Brother Quan alone, and he planned to return the full amount after the show.

Good grief, with one signature, you want to freeload millions of yuan?

Keep dreaming.

He had already guessed something was up when he saw Cheng Yan's expressionless face and lack of greeting, and noticed Qu Lang hadn't come along. But he hadn't expected the offer to be so insincere. It was like giving him an indenture contract and then demanding half his assets... On the way back, Jing Yu's face was as cold as frost.

"What is a country bumpkin putting on airs for? When we get back, void that fifty-thousand-yuan contract."

"Also, cancel the employment system. Isn't he so capable? Let him handle everything by himself."

Cheng Yan followed behind in silence, listening quietly.

"Also, reduce his promotion both overtly and covertly. We can't control other platforms, but on our own, there shall be no trace of this country bumpkin."

"See if we can increase the network latency for that bumpkin's livestream room. Since so many people are watching, let's make it unwatchable."

Hearing this, Cheng Yan couldn't help but speak up.

"Director Jing, everything else is fine, but if we mess with the network latency, we're sabotaging our own platform."

Hearing this, Jing Yu snorted but didn't argue.

Back in the village, Jing Yu looked disgusted, constantly shaking her legs to try and shake the mud off her shoes, but it was useless.

Already in a bad mood, Jing Yu pulled open the car door, sat in the back, took off her shoes and threw them out. After changing into a pair of high heels, she headed toward the production crew's Control Room.

Seeing her leave, Cheng Yan sighed and prepared to return to the Control Room as well. Qu Lang approached from the side.

"Looks like the talk didn't go well," Qu Lang said with a cigarette in his mouth and a half-smile.

Cheng Yan glared at him. "Talk, my foot! You ran off, and I had to go there and take the heat."

"Is that my fault? Who came up with that outrageous contract of yours? Was their pig brain overloaded?"

Cheng Yan pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and smoked, not wanting to deal with him.

After a thought, he still spoke.

"The fifty thousand you gave Gao Xiaofan has been rescinded."

Qu Lang was stunned, then sneered. "No way. A huge company like yours isn't even willing to part with fifty thousand?"

"Besides, that fifty thousand was within my authority to use at my discretion. What are you guys doing?"

Cheng Yan sighed. "She's the director, my boss. What the hell can I say? Don't keep blaming me. Wasn't it your suggestion? I brought it up. Now look, she's come down to manage this mess personally."

Qu Lang didn't bother with him. He snorted, kicked one of the shoes Jing Yu had just thrown out, and walked away.

[Image]

Seeing this, Cheng Yan threw his barely-smoked cigarette onto the ground, glanced at the remaining shoe, and kicked it away forcefully. Feeling slightly better, he turned and headed toward the Control Room.

Before he even entered, he heard cheers coming from inside.

Curiously, Cheng Yan pushed open the door and saw Jing Yu standing in the room with her arms crossed coldly, looking at the large screen.

The show's popularity was skyrocketing, surpassing 100 million.

"I told you, that country bumpkin isn't worth our effort."

Cheng Yan stared blankly at the data on the screen as Jing Yu's smug voice rang in his ears.