The manager told her that she had once been an unknown artist. Now, thanks to this wave of attention, she had managed to get her face known among the audience. She didn’t need to worry about the harsh criticism from the public now, because time would make everyone forget, and if needed, they could always use online influencers to clear her name. In the entertainment industry, what mattered most was popularity.

Although Fang Li realized that this didn’t seem quite right, her manager threatened her with the future development, and she didn’t dare to resist.

Mu Wan asked, “So, do you realize that the things you did before will get you criticized?”

Fang Li sniffled, “I’m not stupid, of course I know!” She looked at Mu Wan, and maybe because Mu Wan wasn’t in the entertainment industry, she let down her guard and spoke honestly.

“I’ve also participated in other activities before. My manager always told me to stand out, no matter the method, as long as it attracted the audience’s attention. I know it’s easy to make people hate you, but I still did it.”

“Because the entertainment industry is like this.”

“Using any means to get attention.”

“Everyone does it, so I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.”

“Until I met you, Wan Jie, you’re really the best. You take care of me like a big sister.”

“Even when I make mistakes, you accept me and cover for me. I’m an only child, and I’ve never been protected like this by anyone.”

Mu Wan felt a little awkward being praised like this. She changed the topic and asked her about the important matter. “What’s going on with this blacklist you’re talking about?”

Fang Li seemed like she was about to cry again.

“This afternoon, we were planning to go to the concert, but suddenly, my manager messaged me on WeChat, asking me to pretend I lost the money. He said that doing so would definitely raise a lot of attention.”

This key 1,000 dollars would affect the entire team’s atmosphere and schedule. If Fang Li had really lost the money, she would definitely be scolded by the fans of the other people in the livestream. The heat from that incident would definitely blow up.

Mu Wan thought through the situation and looked somewhat surprised. “So just because you didn’t listen to him, he wants to blacklist you?”

Fang Li covered her tear-streaked face with her hands.

“I was really looking forward to it at the time. I didn’t want to disappoint you. I’ve been practicing hard every night these days. I thought if my dance performance went well, the manager wouldn’t pursue it.”

“But right after the livestream ended, I got a message from him. He said he didn’t need disobedient artists and told me to move out of the artist dormitory when I returned to the country.”

Mu Wan asked, “Does he want to terminate your contract?”

Fang Li shook her head, feeling like her future was completely bleak.

“It’s not that easy. I signed a ten-year contract, and they spent a year training me. Now, just as I’m starting my career, they want to blacklist me. They’ll even claim I’m breaching the contract and make me pay for the training costs.”

“For the rest of the time, the company won’t give me any more jobs. If I don’t want to waste ten years, I’ll have to pay a million-dollar penalty.”

“There was someone in our group before who ended up like this. Now, she’s completely out of the industry and returned home to become a kindergarten teacher.”

Her childhood dream had always been to stand on stage and dance. She wanted to shine just like she did today. That’s why she didn’t want to quit the industry.

Mu Wan remained silent, thinking to herself that this contract model seemed really familiar.

“Your company wouldn’t be called Zhuo Xing, would it?”

“No… it’s called Mosi…”

Mu Wan nodded. It seemed like it was the same trick every agency used to deceive people. All these scummy agencies were doing the same thing.

Outside the door, four ears were pressed against the door, eavesdropping stealthily.

Zhou Yang: “This agency is really awful, wanting to blacklist her over such a small matter?”

Zhong Yi: “Do you think just anyone can join your big company? The entertainment industry is full of people who treat artists like slaves, like Huang Shiren. These young, inexperienced ones are easy to deceive.”

Zhou Yang: “Can’t they sue?”

Zhong Yi: “The contract is in black and white. Even if they do sue, they might not win. And if they fall out with the company, who knows what kind of dirt the company might have on them? It could make things even harder.”

Zhou Yang: “So Fang Li is just stuck being controlled by a ruthless agency?”

Li Shuqin: “Or maybe someone can lend her money to help her break the contract?”

Zhong Yi and Zhou Yang both fell silent. To be honest, neither of them really wanted to help. Zhong Yi was genuinely short on money. Although he was an experienced actor, most of his roles were in serious dramas, and his pay wasn’t high. He was still paying off his mortgage. Zhou Yang simply didn’t like getting involved in financial dealings with others. Without the cameras, he didn’t hide his true feelings.

“If we’re going to be acquainted, I can introduce her to a lawyer if she needs to sue. If she’s in financial trouble, I can lend her some money to get through. But beyond that, I might not be able to do much.”

Zhong Yi was on the same page. After all, they’d only known Fang Li for seven days, and her previous actions hadn’t exactly made her likable. They felt they’d already done a lot by offering what help they could.

Li Shuqin was hesitating. With her current connections, she could easily introduce Fang Li to some jobs to help her quickly earn a million, but that would mean offending Mosi Company. Plus, if Fang Li didn’t perform well in those jobs, it could hurt her own reputation. Or maybe she could help her secure a few small roles, mentor her, and maybe discover if she had acting talent?

Suddenly, they heard Mu Wan’s voice from inside the room.

“How much longer are you going to eavesdrop outside?”

They were startled and hurriedly pulled their ears away from the door, feeling guilty.