Chapter Nineteen: Choices

The ringing phone belonged to Su Tong. He fished out his budget smartphone, glanced at the caller ID, and his expression turned peculiar as he looked up at Zhang Xin.

Zhang Xin felt a tightness in her chest; she seemed to know what was coming, but could do nothing to stop it.

"Ah, hello, Mr. Tang," Su Tong answered the call, raised his palm apologetically to Zhang Xin, and stepped aside to take the conversation.

Zhang Xin slumped in her chair, a sense of dejection washing over her. Hearing Su Tong address the caller as Mr. Tang, she could guess the nature of the call. She hadn't expected that the headhunters parachuted in from entertainment companies by the streaming platform would be eyeing Su Tong as well.

Things had just become even more difficult. For most people, once they met Tang Shan, they would certainly be poached. The allure of the entertainment company behind him was irresistible. Which grassroots streamer didn't dream of making it onto entertainment television, of becoming a star admired by all, a household name?

Currently, television and entertainment news barely featured show streamers. Even if their annual income reached tens of millions, it mattered little; the origins of the show stream were rooted in adult services, stained with an indelible mark, forever barred from the mainstream.

Several minutes later, Su Tong returned from his call.

"Zhang Jie," he said as he sat down, his face calm and composed.

Zhang Xin forced a bitter smile. Was her rekindled fighting spirit to be so quickly extinguished again?

Su Tong was apologetic and spoke candidly: "Zhang Jie, you once said that gold will shine wherever it is. Now that I've grasped my path, understood the myriad ways, I am filled with confidence and anticipation for my future. The difference in roads only changes how quickly I reach my destination. Once we've finished this coffee, I still have some things to attend to. Heh, coffee's really expensive, dozens of yuan a cup. Years ago, with my family's support, I could afford it, but I was just a child then and didn't care for coffee. These past years, I've tasted life's hardships, grown fond of it, yet lack the means. I will continue streaming, and won't give up my studies, but my time spent in show streaming will lessen. Quality is what matters, not quantity..."

Su Tong spoke in a way only the clever could understand, and Zhang Xin's eyes began to shine.

"Su Tong, rest assured—the contract I'll offer you will be fully satisfactory. My resolve from earlier remains unchanged: if you refuse to attach yourself to any entertainment company, I will do everything in my power to pave your path to stardom. Of course, if a major entertainment company decides to promote you, their resources will far outstrip mine—I won't make grandiose promises I can't keep." Zhang Xin felt hopeful again. Her greatest wish wasn't for Su Tong to join her now, but for him to take the path of independence in the future, and allow her to lay out his star journey.

"For the next couple of years, I prefer to manage things freely. But since they've come all this way, I should at least meet them. Maybe their offer will be even better?" Su Tong laughed, his words practical and somewhat mercenary.

Zhang Xin replied with a charming smile, "Well then, I'll treat these days as a holiday for myself, and enjoy the seaside city. No matter the outcome, as the local host, you must show your older sister around. Oh, and bring the two Qiaos as well—I’d love to meet them, they’re so adorable."

"Absolutely, absolutely. I’ve long wanted to take Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao to Discovery Kingdom. It’ll be even better with you joining us, Zhang Jie," Su Tong replied with a smile.

"Xiaoyu? Xiaoxiao?" Zhang Xin was momentarily puzzled, then quickly realized, "So Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao are the two Qiaos. Such lovely names."

They chatted for over half an hour, then Su Tong checked the time and rose to take his leave.

Tang Shan was nearly at Jinzhou District.

The two had agreed to meet elsewhere, in a teahouse.

Despite living in Jinzhou for several years, Su Tong lacked a sense of direction; sometimes even Baidu Maps could mislead him. It took him quite a while to locate the place.

"Mr. Tang, you've traveled such a long way," Su Tong greeted him, displaying impeccable manners, his aristocratic air leaving Tang Shan astonished.

Could this person be from the royal family of Great Qin?

Tang Shan found himself, like Zhang Xin before him, immediately subdued by Su Tong’s presence upon meeting.

Su Tong was supremely confident, as if an entire world stood behind him. No matter who he faced, he remained composed and unflustered.

"Have you renewed your contract with KuKu yet?" Tang Shan asked directly. For some reason, meeting Su Tong made him even more certain of the young man's talent; those few songs were merely appetizers.

Judging from the way he told stories, Su Tong had the makings of a movie star. With proper cultivation, his acting talent could one day rival the best.

"Not yet, I’m still considering," Su Tong replied honestly, with a self-deprecating smile. "I wanted a silver contract with KuKu, but the manager gave me a standard one."

Tang Shan’s eyes widened in disbelief. Not even a silver contract?

To use a popular phrase from the internet, they weren’t even willing to pay me a hundred yuan.

"Haha, haha..." Tang Shan couldn’t tell if Su Tong was joking or not, but he played along: "Well, now I understand why KuKu has stalled. With such an outstanding streamer, they failed to recognize your worth. We’ve recently become part of 'Zhonghuang Entertainment', the integration is complete, and we’re flourishing, soaring to new heights. I wonder what your thoughts are, Su Tong?"

Tang Shan was shrewd. He didn't immediately try to recruit Su Tong, preferring first to hear his impressions and opinions.

Su Tong smiled, "Countless handsome men and beautiful women dream of joining Zhonghuang, fighting tooth and nail for a place. Signing with Zhonghuang means limitless prospects..."

Hearing Su Tong's praise, Tang Shan’s face lit up. Clearly, Su Tong had a strong sense of vanity and a desire to perform—such people yearn intensely for stardom.

"I wonder, Mr. Tang, are you here representing Zhonghuang, or...?" Su Tong inquired.

Tang Shan was momentarily stunned. Was this guy pretending not to know? His very first question had been about Su Tong's contract with KuKu, obviously concerned that a renewal would prevent him from joining the show stream.

They were both savvy; this was plain as day.

Want to join Zhonghuang? Tang Shan sneered inwardly. Just tens of thousands of followers and you think you can join Zhonghuang? Unless you have immense wealth and influence, it's wishful thinking.

If today's negotiation were with a middle-aged woman from Zhonghuang, someone powerful who might be looking for a casting couch arrangement, you’d have some hope. I’m a man, not interested in men, so forget it.

Kids these days are getting more naïve, Tang Shan thought, but kept a neutral expression and replied, "Zhonghuang has its own star-making program. Recently, the headquarters decided to select some streamers from the show scene to enter the entertainment industry. You know why I’m here."

Su Tong relaxed; he’d really worried that Tang Shan was representing Zhonghuang directly. If he were, Su Tong would be conflicted—should he sign or not? If you missed this opportunity, it might never come again.

During the hour since he’d parted from Zhang Xin, Su Tong had talked with Little Devil. To become a superstar, signing with an entertainment company wasn’t the only path. Of course, these companies wield tremendous power—if they pour their resources into you, it’s hard not to become famous. The real danger is being relegated to obscurity.

Once you’re out of favor, your contract binds you hand and foot, and you’re essentially sentenced to death—your signing period wasted.

If Xiaoyu were to sign with an entertainment company, and Su Tong started his own business and wanted Xiaoyu to endorse it, without the company’s approval it would be impossible; every commercial activity would have to go through them.