Rong Qiao emerged from the club feeling a bit dazed.
She couldn't believe her luck.
It was as if a pie had fallen from the sky.
Because Mrs. Lu had promised to help her resolve her contract issues and grant her freedom.
She had long wanted to leave the company but was deterred by the exorbitant termination fees. If she didn't terminate the contract, the company would continue to drag its feet, preventing her from making a comeback. By the time the contract expired, she would be too old.
Her contract with the company was for five years, with a year and a half remaining.
If Mrs. Lu was willing to help, it would be the best possible outcome.
"I don't want to owe anyone. You helped me once, and I'll grant you one wish, how about that?"
"Do you still want to stay with this company? If not, I'll have them set you free."
These words came so easily from Mrs. Lu's mouth. Her long-cherished wish could be fulfilled with just a few words from someone else. This was the difference between the wealthy and ordinary people, wasn't it?
Rong Qiao was stunned at the time, covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Husband, what do you think?" After making arrangements with Rong Qiao, Mrs. Lu sought assistance from the man beside her.
Lu Yanbei held her hand and said one word. "Good."
Afterward, Rong Qiao was shown out.
Standing under the scorching sun, Rong Qiao finally sobered up, followed by excitement.
She finally had a chance to turn her fortunes around!
Just then, her phone rang.
It was Qiao An'an calling. "Rong Qiao, you betrayed me!"
"Miss Qiao is joking. We were never on the same path, so how could there be betrayal?" Rong Qiao replied with a charming smile.
The person on the other end of the line roared in anger. "You tipped off Su He, didn't you?"
"If you say so, then it is," Rong Qiao no longer cared. She had already gotten what she wanted, and Qiao An'an, even with her connections, was no longer a threat to her.
"Rong Qiao, the company has abandoned you, so why are you so proud! Believe it or not, with a single word from me, I can make your situation even worse!"
"Qiao An'an, you should worry about yourself!" Rong Qiao didn't want to listen to her hysterical curses and hung up the phone.
When Qiao An'an called again, her phone was switched off.
With one problem resolved, Rong Qiao was in a good mood and entered the mall, swinging her bag.
Tomorrow, she would be free!
*
Su He kept her word and quickly resolved Rong Qiao's contract issues.
Of course, Lu Yanbei's help was indispensable in this matter.
However, the negotiation with the opposing company was handled by Xu Jing, a golden agent from Su He's studio.
"Rong Qiao is a pawn to you anyway. All her resources have been distributed among other artists, and keeping her holds no value for you. It's better to terminate the contract amicably, and you can still collect a considerable termination fee."
"Although Rong Qiao hasn't made a public appearance in some time, she is still a second or third-tier star..."
"So what? The entertainment industry changes so quickly. A few months of inactivity and fans will have already moved on! Or do you plan to re-sign her?"
The company representative remained silent for a long time, still somewhat reluctant. "The company spent a lot of money to cultivate her. Terminating the contract like this will result in significant losses for the company."
Xu Jing chuckled. "I understand the industry rules better than you. We all know how much you spent to nurture her and how much you earned from her. This is a five-million termination fee. Sign the contract termination or wait for her popularity to completely fade, and she'll become a nobody. Choose one!"
Xu Jing had the upper hand in terms of assertiveness. Coupled with the power she represented, the company representative reluctantly signed the document.
Upon receiving the termination contract, Xu Jing did not meet Rong Qiao but instead mailed the contract directly to her.
Su He had once asked her if she wanted to sign Rong Qiao to Qinghe Entertainment. Xu Jing retorted, "This woman has been rumored to be involved with your Mr. Lu several times. Aren't you jealous?"
"I trust my husband," Su He replied confidently.
Xu Jing nodded with a smile. "Rong Qiao is indeed good, but the company has too many similar artists. Adding her wouldn't make much of a difference, nor would losing her. Moreover, she's too straightforward and tends to get into trouble easily."
Su He's expression immediately conveyed understanding. "You have a point."
Rong Qiao had considered Qinghe Entertainment but ultimately abandoned the idea.
Firstly, they might not be willing to accept her. Her popularity had declined significantly recently, and her commercial value had shrunk, making it difficult to recover to her previous state in a short period. To put it bluntly, they ran a company for profit. Mrs. Lu paying five million to terminate her contract was already an act of utmost kindness.
Secondly, she was still somewhat afraid of Lu Yanbei. She could tell that Lu Yanbei didn't want her to have too much contact with his wife.
Based on these two points, she would not sign with Qinghe.
Rong Qiao was overjoyed to receive the contract and excitedly announced the good news on social media.
She still had a considerable number of loyal fans, and they were happy for her upon hearing about her contract termination.
"Congratulations to Xiao Qiao for escaping the abyss! So happy!"
"What a trash company. It's the right decision for Xiao Qiao to leave!"
"She should have done this long ago!"
"No matter where you go, we'll support you!"
As Rong Qiao scrolled through the comments, the weight on her heart finally lifted.
Just as she was considering calling a few friends to celebrate, her former agent showed up.
"Rong Qiao, when did you get in with the Lu family? You didn't even tell me."
Rong Qiao glanced at her indifferently, too lazy to respond.
When she was at her lowest, her agent hadn't done anything for her. In fact, she had even transferred her assistant to serve other artists. Hmph! Now she remembered her.
"It has nothing to do with the Lu family, I just helped Miss Su with a small favor." Rong Qiao dared not mention Lu Yanbei again, lest this gossipmonger spread it everywhere.
"Miss Su? You mean Mrs. Lu...?" The agent's eyes darted around, and she forced a smile, trying to appease her. "Isn't Mrs. Lu also connected to Mr. Lu? You still say it has nothing to do with the Lu family?"
Rong Qiao rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Who I'm associated with has nothing to do with you, right?"
"How could it not be related? Actually, I've wanted to quit for a long time. If you plan to sign with Qinghe, I can come with you and still be your agent."
Rong Qiao was amused by her words. "I wouldn't dare to trouble Sister Zhao! I'm just an irrelevant celebrity now, with an uncertain future. I can't possibly delay you!"
Sister Zhao's smile stiffened. "Look what you're saying. We've worked together for so many years, you know my character."
"Precisely because I know it too well," Rong Qiao said coldly, staring at her.
Sister Zhao's gaze made her uneasy, and her smile finally faltered.
She said in anger, "What are you so proud of! Don't think you can go back to how you were just because you've found a powerful backer! Someone like you, who bites the hand that feeds them, won't have a good ending!"
"You don't need to worry about my fate!" Rong Qiao unceremoniously kicked her out and slammed the door shut.