Back to 17, My Brother is the Cult Leader

"Fang Yuan, are you free tomorrow afternoon? Let's find a place to talk."

Fang Yuan was looking at the actor shortlist materials that Ning Hao had sent when he heard this and put down his pen.

Wang Jinghua's voice remained as calm as ever.

Some things are better left unsaid over the phone; you have to talk to them in person.

"Okay. Let's go to that teahouse from last time, at three o'clock."

After hanging up the phone, Fang Yuan closed the documents and leaned back in his chair, thinking for a while.

It has been quite a while since Huang Xiaoming tipped him off.

The fact that Wang Jinghua called at this time indicates that Huayi Brothers has already laid out its bargaining chips, and that she has made up her mind.

The next afternoon, when Fang Yuan arrived, Wang Jinghua was already sitting inside.

She was wearing a dark blue shirt, her hair was tied up, and there was an untouched cup of green tea in front of her.

Wang Jinghua usually smiles before speaking to people, but not today; she just sat there quietly.

Fang Yuan knew what was going on as soon as he saw this.

"You're here." Wang Jinghua raised her chin, gesturing for him to sit down.

Fang Yuan sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and didn't rush to speak.

Wang Jinghua glanced at him, then suddenly smiled, a smile that seemed somewhat self-deprecating.

"You probably already know, right?"

Fang Yuan didn't pretend to be confused and nodded: "I've heard. Huayi Brothers is in contact with you."

Wang Jinghua said, "It's not just contact. The terms have been almost finalized. I will be the president of Taihe Culture Brokerage Company, and I will have a lot of autonomy over the entire artist management division."

She paused, her tone as flat as if she were reading a news report.

"You know Huayi Brothers' situation. They have three business lines: movies, TV series, and artist management. Their financial resources are what they are."

"After I get there, the resources these kids will have access to will be much more than they do now."

Fang Yuan took a sip of tea and did not interrupt her.

"Fang Yuan, I'm telling you the truth." Wang Jinghua looked into his eyes.

"It's not that I didn't hesitate. In the past two years of cooperation, you haven't treated me unfairly at all."

Zeng Li, Yan Danchen, and Huang Xiaoming—if you hadn't given them the opportunity, their paths wouldn't have been so smooth.

However, I can't ignore the conditions offered by Huayi Brothers.

I'm not young anymore, and more and more of these young people around me are relying on me for a living. I need to pave a wider path for them.

Fang Yuan put down his teacup and said, "Sister Hua, you don't need to explain. I understand."

He said this in a very calm tone, and his face showed no emotion.

Having been in this industry for so many years, I've come to understand one thing—when it comes to collaborations, everyone gets what they need when they come together, and when they part ways, there's no need to complain or blame others.

Wang Jinghua brought her artist resources and collaborated with him for two years, and both of them earned what they deserved.

Now that Huayi Brothers has offered a higher price, it's only natural for her to leave.

"There are some things we need to sort out between us."

Wang Jinghua took a folder out of her bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Fang Yuan.

"The company shares I acquired are all here. I'll refund you at the original price, not a penny more. I've already arranged the formalities; you just need to sign."

Fang Yuan opened the folder and glanced at it. It was indeed the original equity agreement, with the withdrawal clause clearly marked.

He looked up at Wang Jinghua but didn't say anything.

Wang Jinghua continued, "Huang Xiaoming has also withdrawn from his position; he will be coming to Huayi Brothers with me."

"it is good."

His expression remained unchanged; he simply asked, "Where are Zeng Li and the others?"

Wang Jinghua paused for a moment.

Fang Yuan knew the answer from that silence.

"Zeng Li, Yan Danchen, and Li Xinyu, those three aren't coming with me to Huayi Brothers."

Wang Jinghua's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible regret, but more so, restraint.

"Their contracts with my management have been terminated."

Fang Yuan didn't speak, waiting for her to continue.

"Everything else is negotiable, but you need to take care of how these children develop in the future."

Only when Wang Jinghua said this did a hint of genuine emotion appear in her voice.

Fang Yuan nodded and said only one word: "Okay."

A car drove by outside the window, bringing with it a wave of heat. The glass door of the tea room was pushed open and then closed again, and two young people who looked like students came in, chattering and ordering cold drinks.

Wang Jinghua glanced outside, then looked away and said something Fang Yuan hadn't expected.

"Hao Wei will not go to Huayi Brothers."

Fang Yuan was taken aback.

Hao Wei is a key member of Wang Jinghua's talent agency team. He has been with Wang Jinghua for many years. He is efficient and has a good eye for talent. People in the industry call him "Sister Hua's right-hand man".

"She doesn't agree with my decision." Wang Jinghua picked up the now-cold green tea, took a sip, and put it down.

"She felt that Huayi Brothers had expanded too much, with too many artists and factions, which would create too many constraints once she joined, and it was not as flexible as it is now."

We argued twice, and neither of us could convince the other.

Finally, she made it clear to me that she would not go to Huayi Brothers with me.

Fang Yuan asked, "Where is she planning to go?"

Wang Jinghua glanced at him, and a slight smile finally appeared on her lips:

"She wants to come to your place. If you think it's suitable, then accept her."

This person is capable, straightforward, and sometimes their words can be harsh, but they are reliable in their work.

Fang Yuan didn't agree immediately. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Let her come and talk to us."

"Okay, I'll talk to her later." Wang Jinghua stood up, straightened her shirt cuffs, and looked at Fang Yuan seriously.

"Fang Yuan, thank you for these past two years. From now on, we'll go our separate ways, but I hope we can remain friends."

Fang Yuan stood up and stretched out his hand.

After Wang Jinghua left, Fang Yuan did not rush to leave.

He sat back down in his chair, opened the folder left by Wang Jinghua, carefully read through the terms of the share withdrawal agreement, and then signed his name in the signature column.

The tea had gone completely cold, so he didn't refill it.

The afternoon sun slanted in through the west-facing window, illuminating half of the tea room.

The next day, Fang Yuan arrived at the company and before he even entered his office, he saw Hao Wei already waiting at the door.

Hao Wei was very young, with short hair, no makeup, and wearing a black cotton shirt. He looked as neat and efficient as a paper cutter.

She saw Fang Yuan coming over, stood up, and nodded.

"Sister Hua told me," Hao Wei said, getting straight to the point without any pleasantries.

"If you'd like, I can come over tomorrow."

Fang Yuan leaned against the desk and glanced at her.

He had met this person a few times before and knew her work style—efficient, professional, and in protecting the interests of artists, she was just like Wang Jinghua.

"Senior sister, Zeng Li and Yan Danchen's management contracts are currently empty."

Fang Yuan said, "Why don't you start with those two?"

Hao Wei said, "No problem."

Fang Yuan added, "After you arrive, you'll only be taking the two of them with you for now."

If the company has other artists in the future, or if you have suitable people you'd like to sign, we'll talk about it then; there's no rush.