Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

After finally getting through the interview, he really didn't want to stay inside any longer. He quietly said goodbye to his senior sister Fu and then slipped out of the magazine building.

Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to just leave; he just thought he'd wait in the car first.

The little yellow duck stayed where it was, keeping Director Zhang and the editor-in-chief company as they continued their pleasantries.

Li Xiang returned to the car and stayed there for a while. Seeing that no one had come out yet, he got bored and pushed open the car door, walked to the door, and looked around.

When I looked up after hearing footsteps, I saw the little yellow duck carrying a magazine.

Li Xiang hadn't intended to pay any attention to the little yellow duck, but the little yellow duck just couldn't stand the way it looked at him, and it glared at him with a sharp look.

Li Xiang, naturally, wouldn't tolerate this kind of person, and immediately retorted sarcastically, "Is that all? Didn't the editor-in-chief ask you to shoot another cover for the magazine?"

The little yellow duck stopped three steps away, tightened the magazine in its arms, and sneered:

"It's still better than some people who just show up without a word. What, is the threshold here too low to accommodate a man like you?"

"I wouldn't dare accept that. I'm just afraid I'm not good with words and might say something wrong that would tarnish the civility of this place."

Unlike some people whose mouths are as sweet as honey, she's a waste of her talent to be an actress; she might be better suited to studying at Deyun Society.

"That's still better than you. What are you pretending to be so profound for? Are you trying to make amends because you're afraid the audience will think your acting was bad after the movie is released?"

Li Xiang twitched the corner of his mouth and glanced at the magazine in her arms. "Are you talking about yourself?"

To play Jingqiu, you have to wear your cleverness on your sleeve. Anyone who didn't know better would think Jingqiu had suddenly changed her personality and become the eloquent Wang Xifeng.

"You're talking nonsense!" The little yellow duck's voice suddenly rose a fraction of a second, then quickly subsided.

"Unlike you, what can you do besides grinning at the camera? Oh right, you have a pretty good face, but it's a pity that acting isn't about relying on your looks."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang quickly took a step back, increasing the distance between himself and the little yellow duck.

"At least I still have a reputation to rely on, but what about you? You can only rely on the company to push you... It's not a big deal, after all, people with sweet words are popular everywhere."

The little yellow duck stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing, though it sounded a bit fake: "Likewise."

Someone who can make Director Zhang wait for half an hour must have connections far stronger than acting skills. I can't compare.

"At least I know that acting isn't just about talking. Unlike some people who treat a magazine office like a stage, putting on a show even more enthusiastically than they're acting in a play..."

The little yellow duck took a deep breath, as if suddenly remembering something, and suddenly laughed, its voice softening a bit, but making people even more uncomfortable:

"Fine, I won't argue with you. Anyway, the movie's about to be released, so hopefully some people won't end up not even making a splash."

Li Xiang didn't reply, but glanced at the building entrance and saw Director Zhang's figure appear on the steps. He smirked and said, "Then let's wait and see."

After saying that, he turned around and walked towards Director Zhang, leaving Little Yellow Duck standing there. Little Yellow Duck tightened his grip on the magazine, but didn't say anything more. He turned around and got into the car.

As for Li Xiang, he felt refreshed after the verbal battle.

Today's interview was like turning on a valve. Interview invitations came one after another, all from print media of a certain high standard.

After finishing another interview with Director Zhang that day, he was driven back to the Beijing Film Academy by the studio staff. Just as he was about to catch his breath, his phone rang.

He picked it up and saw it was his Uncle Wang. "Come to the school gate now, I'll be waiting for you here."

Li Xiang didn't dare to delay, grabbed his backpack, and hurriedly got into Uncle Wang's car parked by the roadside.

The car hadn't gone far when it turned into an alley and stopped in front of a teahouse that looked quite old.

The two found a private room by the window and ordered a pot of Biluochun tea.

Uncle Wang took a sip of tea before saying, "You rascal, were you getting impatient?"

"It's alright," Li Xiang shook his head. "I've actually been quite busy these past two days. Director Zhang has been taking me to print media events."

"Oh?" Uncle Wang raised an eyebrow. "I remember Zhang Weiping wasn't keen on promoting you, was he? Or was he using the excuse that it wasn't advisable to have too much exposure right now?"

"That's what was originally said," Li Xiang explained.

"However, after we finished our phone call that day, Director Zhang told me that we needed to increase our exposure so that we would have more confidence when we talked to the agency later."

That's why they took me to a few races on their own initiative.

Uncle Wang was pleased to hear this, at least his former classmate and friend was really loyal.

"Haha, you'd better remember this favor, kid. When you're successful in the future, find a chance to repay them properly."

"Then I'll take Uncle Wang's good wishes. After all, by the time I really have the ability to repay Director Zhang, I'll probably be a top superstar."

"He's never serious, and he can talk nonsense in just a few words."

Uncle Wang chuckled and scolded, then picked up his teacup, took another sip, and his expression gradually became serious.

"Alright, let's get down to business. I've been communicating with Huace these past couple of days, and the other conditions are all fine. The compensation they're offering sounds pretty reasonable."

After all, you're the first artist they want to sign. Even if it costs a fortune, they'll still promote you, so the treatment you receive will naturally be excellent.

"However, there is some controversy regarding the length of the contract."

The main issue is that they want to sign a 10-year, deeply binding contract with you, and I can't agree to it on your behalf.

When Li Xiang heard the words "10 years," his heart skipped a beat. Mainly because 10 years would mean 2020, which was indeed a long time.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Uncle Wang added, "Contracts in the industry are basically either 5 years or 10 years."

Some are even more ruthless, signing 15-year contracts, but these are extremely rare, and nine times out of ten they involve some kind of quid pro quo; otherwise, who would be willing to tie up most of their career?

"The core of our negotiations with Huace now lies in the term of the contract."

If they insist on signing a 5-year contract, I reckon they might not be willing to commit fully.

Keep in mind that you still have to study at the Beijing Film Academy for three years, so you can't devote yourself entirely to the film set. If you think about it carefully, you can only actually work for them for two years.

For such a large company, two years is too short. Even if they reluctantly agree, the resources they receive will definitely be greatly reduced, and they will not treat you as a core member.

They might be using you while secretly training someone else.

If that's the case, then signing with their company wouldn't make much sense.

Li Xiang lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the cup, his mind racing with calculations.

Ten years is definitely not enough. Not only is it too exhausting, but by the time the contract expires, he will be 29 years old. Who knows how many changes might occur in those ten years?

Furthermore, he didn't intend to stay stuck in the television drama industry forever.

While some dramas can indeed become huge hits, it would be too degrading if, after ten years, a show still had to rely on sweet romance dramas to boost its national popularity.

But as Uncle Wang said, after deducting the time spent in school, only two years can be truly devoted to work.

The company isn't a charity. How could they possibly invest heavily in promoting an artist who might leave in two years?

Furthermore, the real surge in viewership began after 16, and by 19, there was a proliferation of excellent works, with salaries skyrocketing.

If he only signs a 5-year contract, it will be close to expiring by the time this wave of benefits truly begins.

Why would the company throw good resources at him then?

I'm afraid I'll just be able to watch others eat meat while I can't even get a sip of hot soup. Wouldn't all those years have been for nothing?

Having figured this out, Li Xiang looked up at Uncle Wang, his tone becoming more composed:

"Uncle, how about this? We can sign the contract until 2018, which is 8 years."

"I spent three years of my time in school, so I definitely couldn't take on a high-intensity workload. Consider these three years a gift to them; it sounds more respectable that way."

But Uncle Wang frowned upon hearing this: "You're still too naive."

What's the difference between 8 years and 10 years? Why bother arguing with them about this?

If things drag on to the end, even if they agree to sign an 8-year contract, they'll likely still be unhappy and might hold a grudge.

We need to look at things from a long-term perspective, focusing on future prospects. If they really help you rise to prominence, what are those extra two years?

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang realized what was going on, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.

Ultimately, he was still being somewhat presumptuous.

Even if he's a "Zhang Yimou's leading man," he's still just a newcomer who hasn't officially debuted yet.

It's not to the point where the company is scrambling to hire me. To act like a superstar and pick and choose like that is unrealistic.

Furthermore, even if he knows which dramas will be hits and which opportunities will be lucrative, he can't be sure if he'll actually benefit from them.

It depends on the company's arrangements and resource allocation; it can't all be based on his wild imagination here.

He scratched his head and smiled at Uncle Wang: "Uncle, you see things very clearly. No matter how well you plan, in the end you still have to sit down and talk to them."

"That makes sense. You're going to their company, so you have to leave them some leeway and not make things too awkward."

"However, you can bring up the 8-year timeframe you just mentioned when we meet."

If it succeeds, all the better; if it doesn't, it can still serve as a pretext for negotiation, allowing you to try and secure other benefits.

For example, resource priorities or profit-sharing ratios are much more practical than stubbornly sticking to time limits.

After Li Xiang replied with an "okay," the unrealistic thought in his mind completely disappeared.

Indeed, the tangible benefits that can be obtained are more important than vague figures for the number of years.

He picked up the teapot and refilled Uncle Wang's cup with water: "Then I'll have to trouble you to take care of things when the time comes, Uncle Wang. I'll follow your arrangements."

"Why are you being so polite with me? Let's schedule a time later and go talk to them together, and try to sign the contract as soon as possible."