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Chapter 17: Signing with the Company—Relaxed Life as an Entertainment Worker!

“Ha‑ha, I was just kidding,” Zhong Yang laughed awkwardly, “You don’t have to take it seriously…”

“I was kidding too,” Pei Yunzhe looked up at Zhong Yang with cool rationality. “It’s about maximizing benefit. Everything I promised you serves as both compensation and investment.”

“…Investment?” Zhong Yang was taken aback.

She didn’t quite grasp capitalist logic, but since he was being so direct, there was no need to conceal anything—so clearly, Pei Yunzheng had no other motives. Given that, she had every reason to accept this opportunity.

“I understand. Thank you, Mr. Pei.” She rose politely. “You should continue your work—I’ll go now.”

“I won’t see you out.”

After the door shut, Pei Yunzhe turned back to the paperwork. Qiguang Media had been established mainly to support his brother’s work in China; profit or loss didn’t matter much to him—but helping out wouldn’t hurt either. At least another girl wouldn’t be publicly humiliated for her hair.

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Afterward, Zhong Yang contacted Su Mingzhu to discuss signing the contract, and Su Mingzhu was delighted—inviting her to come by the next afternoon to review the details at Tuowen.

The next morning, a steady light rain began and continued as Zhong Yang left home. Holding an umbrella and wrapped in her coat, she walked calmly to Tuowen. She loved light rain—under an umbrella, it created a private world, shut out noise, and all she heard were the gentle pitter-patter of drops. Still, her black shoes and pant legs got a bit muddy and damp.

Su Mingzhu was already waiting at the office entrance. Seeing Zhong Yang, she took the umbrella from her hand. “This rain’s been going all night—annoying. I’ll drive you home afterward.”

“No need, it’s close. I’ll walk.” Zhong Yang replied with a small smile.

They rode up to the 9th floor—Public Relations Department, Su Mingzhu’s office.

“Take a look at the contract first. I have something from the interns to handle—be right back.” Su Mingzhu placed the contract in front of Zhong Yang and left quickly.

Zhong Yang gratefully accepted the tea her assistant provided, sat down, and carefully reviewed the contract. Though she trusted Pei and Su, after previous setbacks, she couldn’t afford another financial mistake.

To her surprise, the agreement was extremely fair—81/19 split in her favor. That was top-tier generosity by entertainment industry standards. After double-checking, she signed her name solemnly.

As of today, she officially became an artist under Qiguang Media—and Pei Yunzhe became her ultimate boss. She felt gratified: good benefits, humane management… now she could relax and just work as an entertainment professional!

Su Mingzhu burst back in: “Any questions with the contract?”

“Nope. I’ve signed.”

“Great. I’m moving it forward,” Su Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief, sipping from her thermos. “You have no idea how hectic things have been—never felt I was so important until I took on this!”

Zhong Yang offered a comforting smile. “Thanks, Mingzhu. They say with great power comes great responsibility—means you’re truly capable.”

“Thanks for the praise. And you’re our first artist…” Su Mingzhu stood and extended her hand. “Let’s have a wonderful partnership.”

“Absolutely!” Zhong Yang shook her hand firmly.

“I better get back to work.” Su Mingzhu patted her head affectionately. “Let Cai take you around to explore. Tuowen is hosting a tech exhibition right now.”

Sounds good—going for a walk was fine—Zhong Yang nodded: “Sure, thanks.”

Walking past the office area, she watched staff absorbed in their screens. A pang of reflection hit her: if she hadn’t entered showbiz, she might be just like them—badge around her neck, nine-to-five job, browsing the web during downtime. Fairly comfortable.

Though she still pursued her dreams with optimism, she knew the vicious rumors, constant rejections, and setbacks over the past year had chipped away at her confidence. She no longer rushed into things fearlessly. If things stayed tough another year or two, she might give it all up.

Fortunately, new hope had arrived. She touched the crystal bracelet on her wrist—worth 9,999—which hadn’t been just a waste. Since she started wearing it, bad luck seemed to vanish, replaced by good fortune…

The exhibition was near the tech department, a bit away from the PR offices. She needed to pass through other departments to get there.

“Hi, Wang Cai—what a coincidence!” called a male staffer wearing a company badge as she and Cai passed. His eyes lit up as they landed on Zhong Yang. “Who’s this beautiful lady?”

“She’s Mingzhu’s newly signed artist. Don’t get any ideas,” Cai said, pretending to be disapproving.

“Oh, I see.”

Inside the company, rumors traveled fast. Everyone knew that the PR head had just become CEO and the company was entering the entertainment field. The man put his thoughts aside, and, pulling out a pen, said, “Could I get your autograph?”

Zhong Yang hesitated—she’d never been asked for one before. She asked shyly: “Um, sure—where should I sign?”

He parted his jacket zipper, revealing a plain white tee. “Here, please! Thanks!”

She signed it, and he beamed, whistling as he returned to his desk.

Soon enough, people in the corridor slowed—everyone stared at her. She whispered to Cai: “Um—is it almost quitting time?”

“No, no—it’s because he went around telling everyone. That’s why so many stopped.” Cai looked embarrassed: “Don’t mind them—they’re just curious to see a little celebrity, to stick around.”

True, the staff had good manners—they just stared. Zhong Yang acted unbothered and kept moving with Cai.

Then suddenly someone called, “Bingbing’s here! Get back to your desks!”

“Wow, she’s in IT today? Why is she over here?”

“Don’t guess her motives—hurry!”

“I just got here—I didn’t see anything! Wait for me!”

Instinctively, Cai rushed—but then remembered she was supposed to be working and stopped. Within seconds, the corridor was clear—people had vanished. Zhong Yang said in awe: “Pei’s influence is huge…”

“No kidding—who dares slack off when the cold-boss might catch you?” Cai mimicked a frightened face.

“I get that,” Zhong Yang said. She’d been nervous during a director’s talk-back on set before.

Cai thought she meant Pei’s icy demeanor: “Really? You’ve met him?”

“Um…” Before Zhong Yang could answer, she was interrupted by a deliberate cough:

Cough!

They turned to see Pei Yunzheng and assistant Zhang in the hallway. Zhong Yang was okay—but Cai froze.

“Sorry, throat was dry. Miss Zhong—where were you headed?” Zhang asked.

Zhong Yang: “Um—Mingzhu asked Cai to take me to the tech exhibition…”

“Nice coincidence—we’re heading there too.” Zhang told Cai: “You can leave. I’ll take Miss Zhong.”

Relief washed over Cai. “Okay! Goodbye, Mr. Pei! Goodbye, Assistant Zhang! Miss Zhong—take care!”

Once Cai left, Zhang said helpfully: “Mr. Pei, the IT systems report just came in—I’ll go fetch it.”

“Mm.”

Zhong Yang blinked. “Should I walk on my own?”

Pei Yunzheng glanced at her: “Stay with me. Or do you want people staring at you?”

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