Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 96, Section 95: Signing Gao Yuanyuan (Revised)

On the night of October 7, 1996, autumn was deepening in Beijing, and a cool evening breeze blew through the residential building where the Gao family lived.

When Gao's father returned home, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening.

He didn't immediately mention his visit to Wang Sheng at the Beijing Film Studio during the day. Instead, he washed his hands as usual, sat down at the dining table, and silently ate the food his wife had heated up in the pot.

Gao's mother noticed that her husband was preoccupied, but she did not urge him. She simply added a bowl of soup to his bowl.

After dinner, Mr. Gao called Mrs. Gao into the bedroom and closed the door.

In the living room, Gao Yuanyuan pretended to watch TV, but her ears were perked up, and her mind had already flown to her parents' closed bedroom door.

In her experience, if her parents talk about something behind her back, it's definitely something important!
Could it be related to my signing with Shengying Media?

……

Inside the bedroom, Mr. Gao lit a cigarette, and the rising smoke obscured his slightly tired and thoughtful face.

He slowly began to speak, recounting to his wife his trip to the Beijing Film Studio that day, as well as his conversation with Li Tingting.

He did not add any subjective evaluation, but simply objectively recounted Li Tingting's words and actions, her judgment of Gao Yuanyuan, and the astonishing resources and confidence she displayed.

"Later, I asked an old classmate who works in the cultural system."

Mr. Gao exhaled a smoke ring, his voice low: "Although he's not in the film and television industry, he's well-informed. According to him, this Wang Sheng is indeed a big shot in Beijing's entertainment circle."

In just a few months, he turned wedding videography into a highly profitable business that monopolized the high-end market, earning the Beijing Film Studio a staggering amount of money. The studio's director, Han Sanping, treated him like his own son.

He recently won a national-level youth science and technology entrepreneurship award and is riding high. The TV series he produced really did star Zhao Benshan and Guo Da, and it was co-produced by Beijing TV—no doubt about it.

Gao's mother was stunned. She was just an ordinary doctor, and the business deals that her husband talked about, which involved hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, as well as the names of celebrities that only existed on television screens, felt both distant and shocking.

"So, does that mean Shengying Media is really capable? Or is it a scam?" Gao's mother asked hesitantly, her voice carrying a hint of expectation and a touch of unease.

Mr. Gao nodded heavily and stubbed out his cigarette: "It's most likely true."

He looked at his wife with a complicated expression: "I originally thought that we would be content if Yuanyuan could get into an ordinary university and find a stable job."

But this girl is ambitious, and such an opportunity is right in front of her... Wang Sheng is right about one thing: if she can really take this path, her starting point will indeed be higher than that of most people.

If we block this path out of worry, won't our children resent us in the future?

Gao's mother remained silent.

She recalled the astonishingly bright eyes in her daughter's eyes when she said she wanted to be a big star, and how absent-minded yet full of anticipation she had been these past few days.

As a mother, how could she not hope that her daughter could realize her dreams and have a bright future?

However, her ingrained beliefs and fear of the unknown led her to instinctively want to protect her daughter, choosing what seemed to be the safest path.

At this moment, listening to her husband's detailed analysis, especially after learning that Wang Sheng was not bluffing but truly possessed extraordinary abilities, the scales in her heart began to tip.

"You...you think it's okay?" Gao's mother asked softly, her tone softening.

Mr. Gao sighed, then seemed relieved: "I've thought it through carefully. There are definitely risks; nothing in the entertainment industry is smooth sailing. But Wang Sheng, and the platform he provides, are the best option we can get in touch with right now."

With him protecting her, Yuanyuan will at least not go astray. As for how far she can go, that depends on her fate and her efforts. What we, as parents, can do is help her see the pros and cons when she makes choices, and provide support when she needs it.

He paused, then looked at his wife: "I think we can give it a try."

Seeing the meticulous judgment in her husband's eyes, a judgment born of an engineer, Gao's mother finally nodded: "Since you've said so, then... we'll listen to you. As long as the contract is fine, we'll support Yuanyuan."

The couple reached an agreement and came out of the bedroom.

Gao Yuanyuan immediately jumped up from the sofa, looking nervously at her parents, her little hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.

Gao's mother walked up to her daughter, looked at her daughter's expectant and anxious face, reached out and smoothed her hair, and smiled gently: "Yuanyuan, your father told us everything. President Wang... is indeed a capable man."

Gao Yuanyuan's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had fallen into the stars.

“Your parents have discussed it,” Gao’s mother continued. “If you really want to go down this path, we support you. Tomorrow, your parents, your brother, and I will go with you to the Beijing Film Studio to sign the contract.”

"Really?!" Gao Yuanyuan could hardly believe her ears. Overwhelmed with joy, she instantly overwhelmed all her tension. She screamed and threw herself into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly. Her voice was trembling with tears but also full of happiness: "Mom! Thank you, Mom! Thank you, Dad! You're both so wonderful! I will definitely work hard! I will never let you down!"

Standing to the side, Mr. Gao watched his wife and daughter embrace, a relieved and gratified smile on his face.

He walked to the phone, picked up the receiver, and dialed the number Li Tingting had given him.

The call was answered quickly, and Li Tingting's calm voice came through: "Hello."

"Hello, Assistant Li, this is Gao Yuanyuan's father." Mr. Gao's tone was calm.

"Hello, Mr. Gao."

Li Tingting's voice was filled with laughter: "How have you decided?" "We've discussed it." Mr. Gao glanced at his still excited daughter and said, "Tomorrow morning, her mother, her brother, and I will accompany her to your company to sign the contract."

"That's wonderful!" Li Tingting's voice was filled with genuine joy. "Mr. Gao, you and your wife have made a wise decision. I'll be waiting for you at the company at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"great, see you tomorrow."

……

The following day, October 8th, Tuesday.

The autumn air is crisp and the sun is shining brightly.

The Gao family of four—Gao's father, Gao's mother, Gao Yong, and Gao Yuanyuan, who was dressed up carefully, wearing a pink sweater, and whose face showed both excitement and a little nervousness—appeared on time at the main building of the Beijing Film Studio.

Li Tingting was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing them, she immediately greeted them warmly: "Mr. Gao, Mrs. Gao, Yuanyuan, you've arrived! Please come in."

……

We arrived at the office where Li Tingting's workstation was located.

After the greetings, everyone took their seats.

Li Tingting placed the two prepared contract texts in front of Gao's parents and Wang Sheng respectively.

The contract uses a standard business contract format, with clear terms and rigorous wording.

"Mr. Gao, Mrs. Gao, this is the trainee contract and the accompanying five-year formal artist management contract letter of intent."

Li Tingting: "According to the law, Yuanyuan is under the age of eighteen, so the trainee contract needs to be signed by you two as her guardians. This contract is valid for one year, mainly for basic training and observation. After one year, Yuanyuan will turn eighteen, and if both parties have no objections, this formal contract will be automatically signed for a term of five years. All terms have been reviewed by professional lawyers and are fully compliant with regulations."

Mr. Gao picked up the contract and began to read it carefully, word by word.

Gao's mother also joined them, and although she didn't quite understand the legal provisions, she was equally focused.

Gao Yong sat down next to his sister and gently comforted her, who was a little nervous.

The office was quiet, with only the rustling of papers turning.

As Li Tingting said yesterday, the contract terms clearly define the rights and obligations of both parties.

Shengying Media will provide training in vocal music, performance, and physical fitness, cover the training costs, and plan Gao Yuanyuan's performing arts career and provide performance opportunities during the contract period.

Gao Yuanyuan is required to comply with company arrangements and strive to complete training and work tasks.

The profit-sharing ratio is clear, and the breach of contract clauses are explicit and reasonable, with no hidden traps.

Mr. Gao looked at the contract for nearly half an hour before slowly putting it down.

He looked at Li Tingting, and the last trace of doubt in his eyes disappeared.

"The contract is fine, it's very standard." Mr. Gao nodded to his wife.

Mrs. Gao breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile appearing on her face.

“Since everyone agrees, let’s start signing.” Li Tingting took out a pen.

The first thing they signed was a one-year trainee contract.

As the guardian, Mr. Gao solemnly signed his name and pressed his fingerprint on the section for the second guardian. Ms. Gao, as the co-guardian, also signed.

Next came the formal five-year artist management contract confirmation letter.

This document signifies that Gao Yuanyuan's parents, representing her, have confirmed their intention to sign a formal contract with Shengying Media after the one-year trainee contract expires and Gao Yuanyuan comes of age.

Gao Yuanyuan herself also signed her delicate name on the letter of intent. Although it does not yet have full legal effect, it represents her personal will.

After all the documents were signed, Li Tingting carefully put them away and filed them.

Li Tingting stood up and extended her hand to Mr. and Mrs. Gao again: "Mr. and Mrs. Gao, thank you so much for your trust! From today onwards, Yuanyuan is a part of Shengying Media. Please rest assured that I will do my best to provide her with the best platform and opportunities, and I will never let you down."

Mr. Gao politely shook hands with Li Tingting and said, "Manager Li, I'm entrusting Yuanyuan to you. I hope she won't let you down."

“I believe she will.” Li Tingting smiled and looked at Gao Yuanyuan.

Gao Yuanyuan's face flushed with excitement. She walked up to Li Tingting and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, President Wang! I will definitely study hard!"

Li Tingting patted her on the shoulder, her tone gentle yet encouraging: "No need to thank me, this is an opportunity you earned yourself. Remember, this path is not easy; it requires talent, but even more so, hard work and perseverance. Starting tomorrow, the company will arrange systematic training courses for you, so be prepared."

"Ok!"

Gao Yuanyuan nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with determination and anticipation.

(End of this chapter)