Chapter 75 - 76: Signing the Contract

Ruan Xingwen looked at Yu Yue’s obviously embarrassed expression and couldn’t help but laugh. "Haha, Ah Yue, have you really gained weight?" He quietly added in Yu Yue’s ear, "It’s okay, a little extra makes for a nice feel~ Hehehe." Yu Yue was stunned by his colorful yet straightforward description, wide-eyed with astonishment: "Xingxing! What wild words are you saying out loud?!" Zhang He curiously chimed in: "Huh? What did Xingxing say?" Yu Yue ignored her. This only made Zhang He more curious, wondering what was said to make someone as thick-skinned as Xiao Yue get so embarrassed. "Hmph!" Seeing Zhang He’s inquiry tinged with schadenfreude, Yu Yue turned around, grabbed Ruan Xingwen, and headed up the stairs, moving smoothly as if he was going home. Zhang He: "..." Whose house is this anyway? While talking, they had already reached the third floor. Within minutes, the door to Ruan Xingwen’s house appeared in front of them. "Phew, we finally made it." Yu Yue was slightly out of breath, leaning against the wall by the door, waiting for Ruan Xingwen to open it. Zhang He was also a bit out of breath but not to the extent of Yu Yue. She mocked him: "Xiao Yue, you’re really too weak." Yu Yue shot her a look, urging Ruan Xingwen: "Xingxing, open the door quickly, there’s a bee buzzing non-stop." Seeing these two about to quarrel again, Ruan Xingwen quickly opened the door, ushering them inside: "Come in quickly, the house is a bit messy, hope you don’t mind." "Take a seat, there’s only plain water and cola at home, I’ll go get them." Ruan Xingwen led the three to the couch, motioning for them to relax, and then headed to the kitchen. Zhang He waved her hand, sat on the couch as directed, "I’ll take anything to drink. You’ve already kept it pretty tidy, unlike our Young Master Yu, who has people handling all his trivial tasks, all he needs to do is eat~" Her words carried a hidden meaning. Yu Yue was a bit frustrated, but noticeably calmer than before, he asked mockingly: "Sister He, be honest, you’re just jealous that I have someone, aren’t you?" This time it was Zhang He’s turn to be speechless. Just as she frowned and prepared to retort, Yu Xiaozhe nonchalantly watched the noisy pair, turned, and followed Ruan Xingwen to the kitchen, "I’ll help you get it." Ruan Xingwen heard Yu Xiaozhe’s voice but didn’t catch what he said, so he poked his head out from the kitchen and asked, "Brother Ze, what did you sa...m..." His head happened to bump into Yu Xiaozhe’s chest, who was just about to step into the kitchen, and the two froze. Yu Yue, having achieved a little victory with Zhang He, got up "full of spirit," wanting to see if there was anything he could help with in the kitchen. Ruan Xingwen’s old house wasn’t large, and the kitchen was just a short walk away. Yu Yue found it odd to see his brother standing at the kitchen entrance. "Brother, why are you standing at the door? Where’s Xingxing?" Startled by Yu Yue’s voice, Ruan Xingwen felt the chest pressed against his cheek slightly tremble. He looked up and saw Yu Xiaozhe lowering his head, smiling with his eyes, "Hehe, aren’t you going to get up, Xingxing?" Obviously, his voice carried a hint of laughter. Ruan Xingwen snapped out of it and quickly stepped back. The kitchen was small, and he was about to hit the stove behind him when Yu Xiaozhe quickly steadied him. With the force, Ruan Xingwen bumped into his arms again, into a hug with a faint scent of cologne. Yu Yue, behind them, seeing this scene, excitedly shouted, "Ah, ah, ah! I didn’t mean to interrupt you, carry on, carry on!" Ruan Xingwen instantly sprang away, grabbed the ready-made water and cola, and quickly returned to the living room. Yu Xiaozhe stayed where he was, regretfully touching the position on his chest. Just now Xingxing’s face was pressed right there. He felt his heart’s beating noticeably quickened. He felt both helpless and grateful; apparently, this time he’s really fallen. In the living room, Zhang He only heard Yu Yue’s shout and watched Ruan Xingwen rush over, feeling a bit confused. "What’s up with Xiao Yue?" Ruan Xingwen shook his head, indicating he didn’t know either. Little did he know that the redness at the tip of his ears clearly told others, "Something’s up, really something!" Seeing that Ruan Xingwen didn’t want to say more, Zhang He shifted the topic, picked up a can of cola, and called to the brothers at the kitchen door: "You two hurry over, we have a meeting this afternoon, let’s get down to business soon!" All four sat around the couch. Zhang He took a thin document from her bag and handed it to Ruan Xingwen. Ruan Xingwen accepted the document and flipped it open. "Contract" Very straightforward. And the contents of the document were concise, merely some contract precautions, followed by contract details: 1. During the contract period, Party A must provide Party B with resources and cannot arrange any activities against Party B’s wishes. 2. Party A cannot use the contract as a reason to restrict Party B’s freedom to make friends. 3. Party A must provide Party B with material support, such as housing, transportation, clothing, etc. 4. Earnings from events and shoots by Party B are split 70/30 with Party A, and Party A cannot withhold Party B’s earnings for any reason. Seeing this, Ruan Xingwen had to look up to Yu Xiaozhe to confirm, "Brother Ze, is this... is this a signing contract?" Yu Xiaozhe gave him an affirmative nod. Zhang He then explained: "Here’s the thing, Xingxing, you are the first artist our studio has signed, besides Yu Xiaozhe. I understand other companies’ contract shares, and yours, even within Huasheng, belongs to the category of top-tier artists." Zhang He paused as Ruan Xingwen was about to speak, stopping him with a gesture. "Hold on, listen to me first. With your current status, you wouldn’t be able to sign this contract. Before meeting you, I also disagreed with Yu Xiaozhe’s approach. But after getting to know you, I think giving you this contract is totally worth it." "I believe you also have confidence in your ability to ascend to the pinnacle. Ruan Xingwen, do you trust me? Or, do you trust yourself?" Ruan Xingwen was tempted by Zhang He’s words. What was his initial intention for entering the entertainment industry? It seemed he simply treated it as a job without high ambitions, just wanting to make a living. He agreed to Yu Xiaozhe’s proposal mainly to help Little Qilin and Yun Jing. But putting all that aside, as a man, Ruan Xingwen also had his ambitions and aspirations. Yet he preferred a laid-back lifestyle and didn’t want to change. Now Zhang He’s words undoubtedly sparked his competitive spirit. And what she said next made him firmly decide to sign the contract. "Don’t you want to achieve what Yu Xiaozhe has? Even surpass him?" Zhang He’s words carried a slight hint of temptation...