CH 33

Cen Yueze looked at his old classmate and the newcomer who was about to join his company.

“Shen Qingshu?” He asked.

Shen Qingshu nodded.

“Amateur?”

Shen Qingshu nods again.

“How old?”

“22。”

Cen Yueze was a little surprised. He couldn’t tell at all. He thought at most he was eighteen or nineteen. Unexpectedly, he’s already graduated from college.

“All right.” Cen Yueze handed him the contract. “Take a look, if everything looks fine, we’ll sign the contract.”

Shen Qingshu reached over and Han Cheng took it before he could touch it.

Shen Qingshu leaned over and looked from next to him.

The contract was very thick and Shen Qingshu took some time to read it. With his previous signing experience, he paid special attention to several places. He thought there was no problem, so he nudged Han Cheng and said to him, “I’ve finished reading it.”

“I’ve finished reading it, too.” Han Cheng replied.

Saying so he handed the contract back to Cen Yueze, “There are several places that need changing.”

Shen Qingshu: ? ? ?

Shen Qingshu glanced at him secretly. There was nothing that seemed unfair. He thought it was quite relaxed.

However, he had the intention to let Han Cheng check over it, so he didn’t speak and planned to let Han Cheng lead.

Cen Yueze took it back and asked him “Where does it need to be changed? I had our friendship in mind when drafting it, this is the loosest contract in our company.”

“The profit proportion between the company and artist” Han Cheng looked at him and said, “5:5 isn’t this too little?”

“How so? Other artists in the company are 4:6 or 3:7. This 5:5 is the treatment that only first-line artists in the company can have, okay?”

Han Cheng leaned back in his chair and looked disdainful. “Qingqing is different from them. Qingqing is my brother. Isn’t my brother your brother? Is this how you treat your brother? Is it?!”

Cen Yueze: …

“As brothers do we still have to settle accounts!”

“In our family, us two are good brothers. I’m older than you. You have to follow the family rules, 5:5 is unacceptable.”

Cen Yueze was speechless, “All right, 6:4.”

“I have a very good relationship with Qingqing. I watched him grow up.”

“The 6:4 is as low as I can go.”

“He’s like my brother. If he’s happy then I’m happy. He’s not happy and I’m not happy.”

“Han Cheng, that’s enough from you.”

“Do you understand this feeling? If I didn’t know you personally, I really don’t dare let him join the entertainment industry. How turbulent the entertainment industry is. Look at him. He’s like a little white flower. What a simple child!”

“7:3, 7:3, all right!”

“I remember when we were at school, we had a good relationship. Several times you didn’t do your homework and asked me for help as soon as you came into class in the morning…”

Cen Yueze held his forehead, “Do I still earn a profit if I give you 8:2?”

“How can you not make money with 8:2? In fact aren’t you making too much with 8:2? This vulgar money is unworthy of our sincere friendship. I think 9:1 is perfect, nine nine returns to one even has a nice ring to it. 1

Shen Qingshu: …

Shen Qingshu looked at his driver in shock and didn’t dare to speak.

Cen Yueze guessed that this would happen. Everyone surnamed Han are all not good things!

“So are you going to make me work for your brother for nothing?”

“How can this be considered working for nothing? You still recieve 10%. If it were me, I would not only give him all I earn, but also give him pocket money every day.”

Cen Yueze: …

“Besides,” said Han Cheng, “Everyone is a discerning person and we are not blind. Just give Qingqing a few scripts and he will be popular by the end of the year, rise to the top by next year and help you attract new people the year after. Is this not making profit? There are often people scouted on the street, but top class people can’t be found often. People as beautiful as Qingqing are rare, ordinary artists are infinite. Don’t you want a gold plated signboard for activities? Those small flies  can’t represent your company. We should take a long-term view and catch big fish that can last for a long time, okay? “

Cen Yueze: …

“I thank Mr. Han for giving me lessons!”

“You’re welcome.” Han Cheng waved his hand, “We have been classmates for so many years. Before I lent you homework to copy, now I teach you knowledge. It can be seen that the times are changing. Your brother Han’s love for you has not changed. It’s still true love!”

Cen Yueze: …

Shen Qingshu: …

“So it’s settled.” Han Cheng concluded.

Cen Yueze was defeated, “Then I’ll type a new contract.”

“While you’re at it, change the liquidated damages too.”

Cen Yueze: ? ? ?

“Why are you looking at me like that, isn’t it obvious? There are many unavoidable circumstances where he  might breach the contract. For example he feels too tired after shooting for two years,  doesn’t want to shoot and wants to go home. By then I won’t have to pay the liquidated damages. Our relationship is deep. Wouldn’t it be awkward if I asked you to pay for copying my homework back then? Now you want to ask your brother Han who teaches you classes to pay? Wouldn’t that make you laugh?

Cen Yueze: “Do I look like I can laugh?”

“Can’t you laugh? I remember you laugh very easily. Didn’t you laugh more when you were chasing girls? You must be under too much pressure recently. I’ll take you out for a drink another day to relax.”

Cen Yueze: …

“It’s so decided. Change it, change it together and then print  it out.”

“Han Cheng, when I look at you now there’s only one sentence in my mind. Do you know what it is?”

Han Cheng thought for a moment and asked him, “It is always a pleasure to have a friend from afar?”

Cen Yueze sneered, “With friends like you. Even if they are far away, they should be killed!”

Han Cheng clicked his tongue, “Tsk, so narrow minded.”

“You are generous and sentimental. Is this your company? When I look at you now, I have that sentence in my mind – the birth of capitalism, every pore is permeated with blood and tears!”

“I understand, I understand, evil capitalism. Fortunately we are a socialist country, socialism is good, long live socialism.”

“Your pores are full of my blood and tears, you know?”

“Then our blood is thicker than water. We are good brothers!”

Cen Yueze: …

Cen Yueze bowed his head and began to revise the numbers.

“Don’t you have only one brother?” After he finished revising, he looked up at Han Cheng.

“At present, he is the only one who wants to act.”

“That’s for the best.”

With that, Cen Yueze made a new contract and handed it over.

Shen Qingshu glanced at Han Cheng and saw the other party nodding. Only then did he finally sign his name.

“Alright, once the contract is signed we can enter the second stage.” Han Cheng stated.

Cen Yueze was shocked, “Come again? Why is there a second stage?!”

Han Cheng looked calm. “He hasn’t chosen an agent. Good brother, this is your own brother. The future top of the entertainment circle and the gold plated signboard of your company. You have to carefully choose an agent for him”

Cwn Yueze: It seems… There’s nothing wrong.

“What do you want?” He asked Han Cheng.

Han Cheng turned him around and directed at Shen Qingshu, “Don’t ask me, ask him. I don’t need an agent.”

When Shen Qingshu heard this, he drew from his previous experience, “A male agent is preferable, if the relationship is too good there may be a possible scandals. And have to have good business ability. They should only manage my work and I will try to meet the requirements of the company in my private life, so they should not intervene too much. It’s best not to be too overbearing. If I don’t like a script and I don’t want to accept it, it would be troublesome if they badgered me into taking it. I’m afraid we’ll quarrel.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Han Cheng added, “Don’t be too strict, don’t resort to all means for resources, don’t be too competitive, don’t overly manage the body of artists, and don’t pick anyone who only cares about profit.”

Ce Yueze: …

Cen Yueze turned and asked Han Cheng, “Do you want the position of agent?”

“Are you kidding?” Han Cheng strongly disliked the suggestion. “Your company can’t afford to pay a minute for me to be a broker. You can’t afford my salary.”

“Yet you’re so proactive!”

“I don’t care about my brother, I care more about you.”

Cen Yueze said “Heh”, he is too fake!

“What heh? Ah, look for one according to these requirements. It’s time to test your working ability.” Han Cheng stared at him.

Cen Yueze nodded helplessly, “I know, I know.”

“Thank you.” Shen Qingshu said politely.

“No need.” Cen Yueze also gave his old classmate face, “I have a good relationship with Han Cheng. If you have any requirements or needs in the future, you can tell me directly.”

“Thank you.” Shen Qingshu thanked again.

“Your brother is much more polite than you.” Cen Yueze commented.

“That’s because he doesn’t know you well. How well do we know each other? No need to be so polite.” Han Cheng grabbed Cen Yueze’s shoulder.

Cen Yueze shrugged his shoulders to shake off his hand, “I’m so grateful.”

“Look at you, acting estranged from your brothers again?”

Cen Yueze: …

Cen Yueze silently dropped the topic.

After the three had dinner together, Han Cheng left first with Shen Qingshu.

“You have the contact information of Qingqing and me. You can contact me at any time.”

“Well, be careful on the road.”

“We’re going.” Han Cheng waved to him.

While Shen Qingshu was waiting in the car, he couldn’t help giving Han Cheng a thumbs up, “You’re so awesome. I’ve never seen such a loose contract!”

“That’s right. Otherwise, what am I here for? To be your mascot?”

“Thank you.” Shen Qingshu smiled.

“How will you thank me?”

“How do you want to be thanked?”

”I won’t tell you.” Han Cheng fastened his seat belt. “Where is the sincerity if I tell you? Can’t you think of it yourself?”

“How many times should I reward you tonight?”

“How many times?” Han Cheng approached him.

“Twice?”

“Only twice? Is that even considered a reward?”

“Three… Three times?”

“How many more times than three?”

“More?!”

“Have you read any novels? At least seven times a night!”

Shen Qingshu: ! ! !

Shen Qingshu was shocked. “I’m afraid I’ll become a waste car.”

“How can it be so easy?”

“You’re not a car, of course you don’t understand!”

Han Cheng thought about it and said, “Fine, let you off with four times.”

“Three times, three times.” Shen Qingshu tugged at his sleeve. “Three times is already a lot.”

“Is three times enough for you to show off your excellent performance.”

“More than enough, I’m afraid the driver is the one that will need to be changed.” Shen Qingshu shook his sleeve. “Have mercy on your car. Am I not your most favoured?”

Han Cheng: …

“Why don’t you reply!”

Han Cheng: “… Don’t you want to explore?”

“Is this exploring? You are exploring and while exploring you’re risking me!”

Han Cheng had no choice but to reluctantly agree, “Okay, okay, three times, who makes you my favourite car.”

Shen Qingshu was relieved.

Han Cheng reached over his body and helped him fasten his seat belt, then touched his head. “After you are more familiar with the road conditions, we will open up a new world!”

Shen Qingshu: ? ? ?

You still haven’t given up. Really deserve to be male lead in a romance novel. It’s Indeed not a good match with cannon fodder car!

1 九九归一 A saying where you calculate ninety nine times and still come back to the one (or zero), making a loss. 

2 The original sentence is from Confucius “The Analects”: 有朋自远方来，不亦说乎, It is a pleasure to have friends from afar.

[Interpretation] Wouldn’t it be pleasant to have like-minded friends from afar?

[Usage] This sentence is often used to welcome friends from afar.

“自你之后，有朋自远方来，虽远必诛！” Said by CY is a quote from the character Lu Xiaoyu 吕小鱼 in the online novel《大王饶命》. Which turns the previous confucius saying into something comical.