Extreme Pampering

Chapter 17: Chapter 17 She is naturally good.

Chapter 17: Chapter 17 She is naturally good.

The meeting with the investors left many certain that Songjian Media was set to promote someone, yet they were curious about how Shen Zhiyi had caught Songjian Media’s attention.

“Zhiyi,” Guo Ting was shocked to learn that the script had been modified and never imagined that the beneficiary would be Shen Zhiyi. Why hadn’t she mentioned such a powerful backer earlier?

“Do you know President Qin from Songjian Media?”

Songjian Media was an established entertainment company, and since Qin Fangru took over, it was rare for him to sign new talents, nor was it known for him to personally promote anyone. His sudden investment in the drama crew stirred quite a discussion in the industry.

“I don’t know him,” Shen Zhiyi said truthfully. She really did not know Qin Fangru.

“Hey, why don’t you tell me the truth,” Guo Ting laughed with a meaningful expression, “If you have a good relationship with President Qin, what resources can’t you get? Tell me the truth, how interested is President Qin in you?”

Was this a temporary whim or was he planning to give her more benefits?

Shen Zhiyi understood the implication of his words and knew what he was plotting. If she really had President Qin as a backer, he and the company would try to cozy up to her again in order to leverage Qin Fangru’s influence for investments.

“Before we discuss this matter, I have another thing I’d like to talk about with you.”

Guo Ting was eager to coax everything out of her and was exceptionally amiable. He nodded repeatedly, “Okay, tell me.”

Shen Zhiyi took out a document she had prepared from her bag and met his gaze directly, her tone even, “I want to terminate my contract.”

“Terminate… terminate the contract?”

The document on the table was indeed a contract termination form, clearly outlined in every detail.

Guo Ting hadn’t expected this move and burst into an angry laugh, his expression turning sinister, “Shen Zhiyi, do you think just because you have found a sponsor, you can do whatever you want? You have half a month left on your contract with the company. You can’t leave a day earlier. Thinking about terminating the contract? No way!”

His voice was loud and fierce, but Shen Zhiyi was not intimidated by his aggressive demeanor. She simply pointed her finger at the document on the table, “During my years at the company, the income split was thirty for me, seventy for the company. Even so, several endorsement fees have not been deposited into my account. That’s one point.”

She listed her grievances expressionlessly, “The company has signed performance contracts on my behalf without my knowledge, in total, five drama engagements have been signed under my name. That’s the second point.”

“As a company’s actress, the company has the obligation to help me in public relations and maintain my image, but instead, you bought marketing accounts to fabricate false facts and personally attack me. That’s the third point.”

Shen Zhiyi spoke plainly, “Shall I continue?”

“If the company breaches by inaction, do I have a problem with terminating the contract?”

“Shen Zhiyi,” Guo Ting gritted his teeth, “You sure know how to keep score. The company signed contracts for you to pave the way for your acting career. The withheld endorsement fees are just temporary. As for buying marketing accounts to slander you—what evidence do you have?”

He warned in a deep voice, “Don’t think about opposing the company. It won’t end well for you. Just honestly get through this half a month.”

Shen Zhiyi scoffed, already anticipating the scene when she would terminate the contract in half a month, “When the news of the termination spreads, are you planning to blacken my name as the party at fault?”

She was already very familiar with the company’s tactics.

“So you’re determined to forcibly terminate the contract with the company?”

Guo Ting smirked mockingly, “Just because of your backer, Qin Fangru?”

Shen Zhiyi turned her head, “It has nothing to do with President Qin.”

Even if she had someone behind her, that person should be named Pei—she wondered whether he was still engaged in his business overseas, or if he had already put her out of his mind and cooled off.

“Shen Zhiyi, I advise you one last time, even if someone is backing you, wanting to terminate the contract with the company is not going to be easy. The company’s legal department isn’t just there for show. I’d like to see who dares to take your case.”

“Don’t bother yourself.”

Shen Zhiyi stood up. “At the end of the day, you’re just an employee, so stop throwing your weight around here.”

“Shen Zhiyi!”

She had already walked far away.

Perhaps to show her some lesson, it did not take long for the company’s legal lawyer to find Shen Zhiyi. He even made a point of coming to the filming set, clearly intending to blow the situation out of proportion to attract onlookers.

Liao Yuan blocked the prying eyes of others, “Do you really have to terminate the contract with the company now? Can’t you wait a bit longer?”

It was just half a month anyway.

Shen Zhiyi shook her head, she had gotten familiar with the celebrated scriptwriter over the past few days, and spoke more casually, “I already passed the audition for ‘Charming Mirror’. To participate in this film, I must first terminate my contract, or the company won’t agree.”

Terminating her contract with the company was bound to happen; the company knew she wanted to leave and would never let her have her way. On the contrary, they would even use the contract termination to continue attacking her and sever all ties.

Liao Yuan was surprised, “So you are the lead actress that Director Meng had his heart set on. I was wondering where he had unearthed such a gem.”

“Since that’s the case, have you found a good lawyer yet?”

No sooner had she spoken than Shen Zhiyi’s phone received a message; the lawyer she had an appointment with suddenly made excuses not to come.

It was clear that the company was applying pressure.

Shen Zhiyi did not hesitate and decided to continue contacting other lawyers, but at that moment, Secretary Qin suddenly sent her a lawyer’s business card.

“Miss Shen, if you need anything, you can contact this lawyer.”

Was it arranged by Pei Yu? How did he know that she just needed a reliable lawyer.

The company’s lawyer was urging her, Shen Zhiyi did not have time to inquire with Secretary Qin, and directly contacted that lawyer.

—She knew she could not refuse Pei Yu’s kindness, though she had many reasons to do so.

The lawyer arrived quickly and went straight to the point after a brief overview of the documents.

“This company must not be new to this kind of thing; they handle details very well. It won’t be easy to sue them as they will take advantage of the situation to delay until the normal termination time, thereby preventing you from signing with the new production crew.”

Shen Zhiyi placed a recorder on the table, “Regarding the company forcing me to take roles, deliberately delaying my advertisement fees, I have evidence.”

She was not foolish; the company’s treatment had long fueled her desire to terminate the contract, but she had always been cautious because of Huo Heng.

“With evidence, that will be much easier,” the lawyer showed a relaxed smile. “It’s not feasible to sue given the timing, and joining the new crew is crucial. We’ll use this to negotiate with them.”

With so many instances of the company’s breach of contract, exposing just a few would arouse public outrage; surely they understood this reasoning.

Thanks to the recorder and the lawyer’s excellent negotiation skills, the situation progressed especially smoothly.

After everything, Shen Zhiyi escorted the lawyer out, “Thank you for coming to resolve my urgent crisis.”

The lawyer smiled, “It’s all part of the job.”

He was a lawyer from Pei’s, having handled countless major and minor cases, but this was his first encounter with the entertainment industry.

He reported the situation to his boss, adding an extra comment, “Miss Shen is very astute. Without her evidence, this case would have been much more difficult.”

With the time difference, it was deep night outside as Pei Yu held the phone, his posture relaxed.

“She is certainly good.”

Aside from her dislike for him, she was beyond reproach.