Lin Tianxiang forced a smile and said, "Does President Xie have such a soft spot for beauties? She's signed with me for thirty years, with a penalty of thirty million. If you can come up with the money, she's yours."
The reporters were thrilled. This was a public showdown, a major scoop.
Xie Sui glanced at the reporters. His own newspaper had sent people, which was good; they knew to work hard.
Shu Jie was so embarrassed she wanted to burrow into the ground. She was also scared. President Lin was angry. If President Xie didn't help her, what would happen if she was blacklisted later?
She pleaded with President Lin, "Let's go inside. It was my fault. President Lin, please don't be angry."
Unfortunately, President Lin was furious. Women were all cheap. After pampering her for two days, she didn't know her place. He said coldly, "Is it over just because you said you were wrong? You act like a slut around every man you meet, you deserve to be taught a lesson."
Shu Jie's eyes welled up with tears. She felt truly wronged and worried. She was still young and didn't know what to do.
Xie Sui looked at Shu Jie's familiar face and smiled. "President Lin keeps his word. Thirty million is nothing. With so many media reporters as witnesses, this young lady will be with our company from now on. Now, have your agent bring the contract and terminate it on the spot. I'll pay immediately."
Shu Jie couldn't believe it. Was President Xie really willing to spend so much money to sign her?
Lin Tianxiang's face turned even uglier. "President Xie, are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"
Xie Sui shrugged innocently. "President Lin, that's not fair. You're the one who set the terms. I agreed, so how am I opposing you? President Lin, you're a senior in this industry, and I respect you. Next time you have an artist you dislike, send them to me. I don't mind. Miss Shu, welcome aboard."
Shu Jie felt dizzy. How had she suddenly changed bosses?
Lin Tianxiang's face was grim. He said in a low voice, "If you dare to go over there, believe it or not, I'll make sure you can never recover."
Xie Sui looked at her with a smile. Shu Jie instantly made up her mind and walked behind Xie Sui. "Thank you, President Xie, for thinking so highly of me."
"Good, very good. You're all so capable."
Lin Tianxiang left in anger. Shu Jie was the pillar of their company and was on the verge of becoming a star. Yet, because of a few words, she was now with Xie Sui's company.
A Feng pulled Shu Jie aside and said, "Don't be nervous. President Xie is a very good person. He's a hundred times better than following that President Lin. We might not earn as much money, but it's stable and secure."
"Thank you. May I ask your name?"
A Feng was still a nobody. "My surname is Xu. Everyone calls me A Feng."
"Hello, Sister A Feng."
"Hello, Miss Shu is very beautiful. You'll definitely be the top star of our company."
Top star and top talent were terms President Xie used, so they followed suit.
Shu Jie instantly liked this company. Compared to her previous company, where everyone was scheming and she could be betrayed by colleagues at any moment, it felt like a constant battle. She couldn't relax at all. At President Xie's company, everyone was very friendly, and the atmosphere was relaxed.
Entering the venue, Xie Sui's seniority was not enough, so he sat further back. He didn't mind; it was a gradual process. They had no films to screen today. They were just there to accompany the main event, watch the fun, and show their presence.
Xie Sui saw many familiar faces, composers and lyricists who would become famous in the future. He was very envious. Signing just one of them would be a huge profit later on.
Lin Tianxiang, who was good friends with Director Xu, was complaining to him about Xie Sui's despicable behavior. Director Xu kept glancing over. Xie Sui smiled and waved, acting as if nothing had happened.
After the awards ceremony, there was a banquet. Reporters were not allowed in. This was the main event of the day.
President Qiao pulled Xie Sui along to meet many industry bigwigs. Xie Sui chatted and laughed, confident but not arrogant, humble yet not low-key. It was already difficult to achieve this. What was even more commendable was his age, not yet thirty. Many second-generation rich kids his age were still chasing girls and getting into fights, acting like playboys.
"President Xie is young and promising, a rare talent. His participation will surely make our entertainment industry more vibrant."
President Qiao and Xie Sui were currently in a honeymoon period, praising him without reservation.
Lin Tianxiang sneered, "President Qiao, if I didn't know better, I'd think Xie Sui was your illegitimate son. You're promoting him so highly. You're the president of the association, and this is a bit much, don't you think?"
President Qiao's expression soured. "President Lin, that's not right. What's wrong with supporting new and younger talent? Don't let your personal biases cloud your judgment. You're old enough, be more open-minded."
This was a jab at his narrow-mindedness. Lin Tianxiang wanted to argue, but Director Xu stopped him. "President Qiao is right. President Lin has had too much to drink. You guys chat."
Lin Tianxiang tugged at his tie. "Why are you pulling me? That guy Qiao just got his seat as president, and he's already hyping up this kid. Who would believe they don't have any ulterior motives?"
Director Xu said, "You know they have ulterior motives, so why are you seeking trouble? He's the president, after all. Offending him won't do us any good."
Lin Tianxiang snorted. He saw a peer and smiled, greeting him, "President Wu, long time no see. What have you been busy with lately?"
President Wu was very cold. "Just busy with nothing. President Lin, you're busy. I have a friend over there. Excuse me."
Lin Tianxiang was dumbfounded. What did he mean? Was he not even giving him face?
He saw a few more peers avoid him. Lin Tianxiang knew then that it was Xie Sui's doing.
"He's really something. A bunch of useless people, scared off by a mainland guy. No backbone."
Director Xu mused. To have so many peers side with President Xie, President Xie's methods were extraordinary. These bosses had all invested with Xie Sui, planning to make a fortune in the stock market. Now that President Lin had fallen out with him, if anyone got too close to President Lin, Xie Sui wouldn't play with them anymore, wouldn't that be a wasted effort? That's why they were all avoiding President Lin. No one would pass up money, right?
To outsiders, President Xie seemed amazing, with so much support from his peers. Those who had wanted to get close to Lin Tianxiang now flocked to show favor to Xie Sui.
At this moment, Xie Sui was staring intently at a middle-aged woman, his eyes shining. Don't misunderstand, he wasn't lusting after her, but looking at her like a god of wealth. This woman was the famous Aunt Qiong.
At this time, Aunt Qiong's books were selling quite well, but the film and television copyrights had not yet been developed. She didn't have the fame she would later achieve. Of course, he also wanted to get to know Jin Dàdà, but she was very low-key and wouldn't attend such an event. It would be difficult to acquire Jin Dàdà's mainland copyrights.
"Hello, beautiful lady, can I help you with anything?"
Xie Sui left his fellow bosses and went to try and build rapport with Aunt Qiong. He was young, and his smile was a bit sly. His eyes were too bright, making Aunt Qiong a bit nervous. She looked at him as if he were a human trafficker.