When the first snow fell this winter, Sheng Min had been rehearsing in the theater for three weeks.
He tried out all the roles involved in the script. Starting from this Monday, he would no longer play any supporting roles and would only concentrate on rehearsing the main role. It can be seen from Yin Qianpin's changes to the lines that he tried to modify them in accordance with Sheng Min's temperament.
"I'll tell you." Deng Jing was a little more relaxed now, whispering to him with a smile, "According to my understanding, I think we will discuss the contract in the next two days."
Sheng Min smiled. Yin Qianpin himself had not officially expressed his position to him yet. Until the final signature was made, anything could happen. Besides... Speaking of the contract, it aroused another concern for him. In a few days, his eight-year agency contract would end.
As the deadline approaches, various entertainment gossip forums are abuzz with discussions about whether he will renew his contract, and if not, who will get the contract.
Some people gossiped that he was recently rehearsing Yin Qianpin's drama and released photos of him entering and leaving the theater, but public opinion generally speculated that this was just a pastime outside of his movie and TV drama contracts, and it was all normal. No one thought he would really switch to the drama circle.
No matter how famous Yin Qianpin is, drama is ultimately a small circle.
A marketing account that likes to watch the fun launched a vote, and the option of not supporting the renewal was the most popular.
When the media asked about the company, the answer was "no comment". A familiar reporter sent a message to ask Sheng Min about his attitude, but he just wanted the matter to end as quietly as possible and it was difficult for him to respond.
Even the illegitimate fans came to the theater, probably wanting to ask him about his plans in person. There was a particularly persistent boy who came back the next day after being chased away by the security guard. Shengmin didn't want to affect the progress because of his personal affairs, so he took the initiative to negotiate. The other party looked at him twice, said nothing, and ran away again...
All kinds of discussions were rampant, and the company's stock price was affected. However, Zhang Shan, who had returned to City N as Zhang Zhihua said, had not come to see him since that phone call.
"Xiao Min." Deng Jing patted his shoulder. "What are you thinking about so intently? Your phone is ringing."
Yang Xu called and said that his mother had ordered a few mountain lambs and had also sent one to Sheng Min. They would be back today, so he was asked to remember to pick them up after receiving the message.
"Has Zhang Zhihua contacted you recently?"
"No, I haven't been contacted for a long time... Brother, what's wrong? Didn't you not renew your contract?" Yang Xu asked, "I have already started looking for a bookstore, but if you change your mind, I won't open a store and will come back to be your assistant."
"It's okay, I'll just ask." Sheng Min suppressed the thoughts in his mind. He had already made a decision, so there was no need to worry about it. "When the bookstore opens, remember to ask me to come and support it."
"Of course." Yang Xu laughed, "Brother, remember to add some wolfberries when stewing the mutton. The meat here is very good. My mother buys it every year."
"Thank auntie for me."
"Hey, brother, why are you being so polite to me? It's snowing and cold today, so we have to eat lamb anyway."
When I left the theater, the snow was getting heavier. I received the text message half an hour ago. Sheng Min walked to the car and sent another message to Li Xuan asking him if he would come home for dinner tonight. I don't know what happened recently. There is no big movement in "Nowhere Island". Li Xuan's work is naturally going smoothly. Those days of being busy day and night seem to have suddenly passed... ...
"Yes, it will be later, around 7:30. I will update tonight. I have an operation meeting later. I will be back after it is over." Li Xuan's message came back quickly, "If you are hungry, eat first."
'I'm not hungry, and I had a late lunch. I'll be waiting for you.'
He ordered a fish head to be stewed with the mutton. The side dishes originally only included radish, lettuce and tofu, but after thinking about it, he added two packets of crab claw mushrooms.
Just as the soup was stewed in the casserole, the bell rang again. This time it was Yin Qianpin.
"Director Yin." Sheng Min turned on the speakerphone and put the phone aside, slicing tofu while talking, "What's wrong?"
"Home?"
“Just arrived.”
Yin Qianpin uttered an "oh" and rambled on for a long time before finally getting back to the point: "How do you feel about the recent rehearsal?"
"It's pretty good." Sheng Min finished slicing the tofu and started cutting the radish. He hesitated for a while between slicing and dicing. "What do you think?"
"Hey, you."
Yin Qianpin pretended to sigh, as if he had made up his mind: "I think it's fine... Forget the polite words, I won't say anything more. Deng Jing is a talker, I don't know how many times he has whispered to you. Let me be frank, I have been thinking about it for a long time. I want to sign a long-term contract with you, five years or ten years, we can discuss it..."
"If it really doesn't work, three years is fine." He paused, then continued, "You know, I don't like touring repeatedly, so I can at least guarantee that you will play the leading role in a new drama every year... Before you, my troupe only signed Deng Jing as a long-term actor, so the terms of your contract will be based on his... However, it's up to you. If you haven't made up your mind yet, we can sign the contract for "Bu Jiu Shan" first and start the tour in March. We really can't delay it any longer. The requirements are still the same. During the tour of "Bu Jiu Shan", I hope you don't take other jobs."
Yin Qianpin must have prepared a speech in his mind, as he spoke fluently. He finished his speech in one breath and gulped down half a glass of water. He didn't hear Sheng Min say, "What? Are you so happy that you're stupid?"
"Yes." Sheng Min put the chopped radish into the plate, paused for a moment, and said solemnly, "Director Yin, thank you."
"Don't be so hypocritical. What's there to thank for in a partnership?" Yin Qianpin said, and his tone was obviously happy. "Then why don't you come early tomorrow? In your office, before the rehearsal, we'll talk about the contract. I've asked a lawyer to draft a first draft. You can take a look at it first. When your contract is finalized in a few days, we'll sign it... It's settled, and it'll be a relief for you and me."
"Okay." Sheng Min blinked. The steam from the casserole next to him condensed into fine water droplets on the glass, blurring the falling snow outside the window. "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
I didn't tell Li Xuan about this when I had dinner with him, thinking I would give him a surprise after signing the contract. But I was worried about it in my heart, thinking I was calm, but at night it felt like I was back to the night before Children's Day in kindergarten. Thinking about trying on new clothes the next day, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.
"What's wrong?" Li Xuan was half asleep and half awake, raising his hand and gently pressing his shoulder.
"Did it wake you up?"
"I wasn't sleeping too deeply anyway." Li Xuan moved his arms and circled his back. "What's wrong with you? Are you worried about something?"
Sheng Min shook his head, thought for a moment and suddenly said, "Li Xuan, you are so nice."
"Hmm?" Li Xuan opened his eyes. "What?"
"It's okay." Sheng Min smiled and clung to him intimately, "Go to sleep."
"Okay, go to sleep." Li Xuan lowered his head slightly, touched his lips to his forehead, and said childishly, "You too, our Sheng Min is the best."
I had a dreamless night and when I woke up it was already bright.
A small portion of the casserole was left from last night's stew. When Li Xuan came back, he bought some wet noodles from the fresh food store at the door. This was the last crop of pea sprouts in this season, so they were fresh enough without adding any other seasoning. They cooked the noodles and ate them together before going to work.
Having said that he would look at the contract today, Sheng Min arrived a little earlier. Yin Qianpin had not arrived yet. The tenth floor was quiet, with only him there.
Sheng Min's office has good lighting. The morning sun shines on the pear wood table. There are also two boxes of Yanjin grapes, which were brought by Deng Jing - his office is diagonally opposite Sheng Min.
Sheng Min took out the script and read it, making notes while watching the rehearsal video during this period.
He tended to get caught up in things, and when he noticed footsteps, he was almost at the door. It wasn't Yin Qianpin's, but the sound of high heels. They stopped outside the door.
He frowned and stood up subconsciously. At the same time, there was a knock on the door. Outside the door was a face that shouldn't have appeared but should have appeared earlier.
"I heard that your car was parked in the yard, so I came over." Zhang Shan smiled, "Xiao Min, it's been a long time since we last met. I hope I didn't disturb you."
"No way, Mr. Zhang, please take a seat. We should have met each other anyway." Sheng Min stepped aside. "What would you like to drink?"
"No need for anything... I'm here to talk business with you." Zhang Shan walked in without hesitation and took out a thick document. "It's the contract for the renewal. You probably didn't read the one Zhang Zhihua sent you. It's okay. I brought another one."
Sheng Min smiled softly and pushed it back to her: "Mr. Zhang, I won't sign it."
"I didn't ask you to sign now."
"I don't need to watch it either." Sheng Min sat down opposite her and looked her straight in the eye. "Boss Zhang, you know what I mean. I won't renew my contract. I thank you for your kindness and care over the years, but when I ask myself, I have made enough money for the company, and I have done nothing to let the company down..."
"You haven't done anything wrong to the company, but the company needs you now and can't do without you." Zhang Shan smiled, "Xiao Min, let me make it clear that there is no such thing as a good breakup. Only I am willing to have a good talk with you now... It's not that I don't have bargaining chips to negotiate with you."
"My sexual orientation?" Sheng Min asked calmly.
Zhang Shan did not deny it: "You also know..."
She took out a stack of photos from her handbag and said, "They go out together and always stay together. They have a good relationship."
"You have someone following me?"
"I admit that I arranged for someone to watch you, but I'm not the only one following you. However, your peace and security for the next two weeks depends on me."
Zhang Shan lowered her eyes to look at her newly done nails and said slowly, "Half a month ago, someone sent these photos to the magazine. You should be thankful that I spent enough money in advance to go door to door for you to stop it. If this news really gets out, what do you think will happen?"
"What can I do?" Sheng Min asked softly, "None of the contracts I signed, whether with the company or the brand, said I can't have a romantic relationship. The only thing that's related to it is that I've damaged the brand's image. I have a lot of endorsements, and most of them will expire next year. I haven't renewed any of them. If they want, they can sue them, but I'm afraid it's hard to win. Even if they win, can't I afford to pay the money?"
"Xiao Min, you've really grown up." Zhang Shan shook her head, but she didn't look flustered. "Since you've brought up the subject, it doesn't matter." Then she changed the subject and said, "Aren't you curious about who's following and taking pictures... I'm really curious. Whoever wants to touch my golden doll, I'll naturally find out."
She picked up the stack of photos again, her fingertips slid across the two people standing side by side, leaving a glaring white mark: "It turns out that it's not all because of you... Sheng Min, you really picked a good boyfriend. If they find a second-generation man, they must have some resources. You had to find someone who goes against me and cause yourself a lot of trouble."
Sheng Min frowned slightly because of the strong reference. Zhang Shan smiled and said, "When I started my business, they said I was ruthless and an iron lady. This is a bit exaggerated. I don't dare to be called that... But there is one thing, I never fight an unprepared battle. Do you know why I came to see you today?"
She paused deliberately: "If you don't want to talk to me about the contract, we can talk about something else first... You haven't looked at your phone since I came in? Go online now, any game forum will do..."
She had only said half of her words when she saw Sheng Min's face change as she wished. Zhang Shan slowly finished the rest of the sentence: "Something big happened at your boyfriend's company."