Chapter 27 Part 1

Xingyao Headquarters was located in Beijing CBD. The building resembled a sharp sword piercing the clouds, with its massive exterior screen facing the bustling square. It sometimes played promotional clips for movies and ads, but more often showcased Xingyao Entertainment’s own brand with dazzling special effects.

At that moment, inside the General Manager’s office on the 29th floor, a tall, handsome man with an air of nobility and gentlemanly demeanor was speaking to Yu Qingxian.

“Qingxian, we agreed that I’d wait for you back then, but three years have passed front and back. You can’t expect me to wait indefinitely, right? Let me tell you, my contract expires in three months. Golden Qilin and Imperial Capital Entertainment have been actively reaching out to me, and they’re willing to consider my demands… I’m not saying this to pressure you, but you have to think about me too. With my current status, I could go independent without renewing, couldn’t I? My fans have asked me several times in private when I’m going to start my own studio. If it weren’t for you, why would I have stayed at Xingyao all this time…”

Yu Qingxian hooked up one corner of his mouth. “Young Master Kang, don’t make it sound like Xingyao has mistreated you. You demanded a five percent increase in box office revenue share before, along with autonomy over endorsements and gigs—has the company not agreed to every single one? Also, I clearly rejected you at the time, so please, Young Master Kang, don’t speak for yourself and disregard others’ intentions, alright?”

Three years had passed, yet this habit of speaking for himself showed no sign of improvement.

Although he was Xingyao’s artist, the company exerted minimal control or restrictions over him. Their partnership was mutually beneficial and win-win. If he didn’t renew, whether he started his own studio or jumped to Golden Qilin, he might not enjoy the same glory as now.

After all, running a studio meant lacking backing and support—he’d have to handle everything himself—and Golden Qilin and Imperial Capital Entertainment each had their own Top Brother and Top Sister.

On a personal level, though he disliked the man’s presumptuousness, he still gave this Xingyao Top Brother due respect on the surface. If the other thought he could force compliance through the renewal, he could only say he’d thought too much.

Yu Qingxian knew why Kang Zeyu had suddenly dropped his gentlemanly indirect approach and become so aggressive… because Old Master Kang was ill—gravely ill.

Old Master Kang was the Kang Family’s stabilizing anchor. Though retired, the juniors and confidants he’d groomed remained. Kang Zeyu’s success stemmed not just from his own good conditions, talent, and effort—seventy percent was thanks to the Kang Family’s power and status.

Otherwise, how could a film emperor under thirty get opportunities no matter how hard he worked?

With Old Master Kang in this state, Kang Zeyu was probably anxious…

“Qingxian, how can you be so heartless? Do you have to draw such a clear line with me after how I’ve treated you these three years?” Kang Zeyu stood up in frustration, reaching out to grab Yu Qingxian’s hand, only for him to dodge swiftly.

Yu Qingxian’s brows furrowed. Could he say that Kang Zeyu’s ambiguous advances only annoyed and troubled him?

The man kept sending him gifts and inviting him to meals, ignoring all rejections—just like now… If Kang Zeyu weren’t so busy and couldn’t disturb him often, he would have terminated the contract long ago, even at the cost of offending the Kang Family and Xingyao’s shareholders.

Yu Qingxian took a deep breath and tried to use a professional tone. “Young Master Kang, I believe our relationship is just boss and artist—at most, collaborators. There’s really no talk of heartlessness. If you agree to renew, all of Xingyao’s terms remain unchanged—that’s the biggest commitment I can give you.”

After all, if something happened to Old Master Kang, the conveniences from Kang Zeyu’s status and position might vanish. Not kicking him while he was down was already magnanimous enough.

Kang Zeyu seemed to catch the implication in Yu Qingxian’s words. Extremely sensitive at the moment, he flushed red with humiliation-like fury and lunged forward to seize President Yu’s wrist. “Yu Qingxian, what do you mean by that? Now that the Kang Family is faltering, you want to shake me off, huh…”

“General Manager, Yi Ge is here!” Ouyang Yuyuan burst in excitedly, only to freeze at the scene.

“Uh… General Manager?” Ouyang Yuyuan glanced at one, then the other.

Yu Qingxian wrenched his hand free with some force, coldly wiping his wrist. “It’s nothing. If he’s here, show him in. Kang and I are done talking.”

Kang Zeyu: “What Yi Ge? Is it that Pretty Boy you’ve taken a liking to lately?”

His tone dripped with jealousy, as if he and Yu Qingxian had actually been involved.

Yu Qingxian ignored him. The guy was being unreasonable now; following his rhythm would only drag him in—utterly unnecessary.

Finding it pointless, Kang Zeyu huffed and headed out. Spotting Chu Yi waiting on the sofa outside, he sized him up provocatively. “What the hell are you? You think you can compete with me!”

Chu Yi: “???”

You’re quarreling with President Yu—why drag me into it?