From unemployment in crosstalk to top star in Chinese entertainment

The next day, in Dongsi Hutong, at a private restaurant.

When Yu Liang arrived, Zhao Mingyuan was already waiting in the private room.

The courtyard features blue brick walls, wooden lattice windows, and a pomegranate tree. Early summer sunlight filters through the leaves, scattering dappled light across the stone pavement.

The private room was small, with an eight-immortal table, two round-backed chairs, and a meticulous painting of peonies hanging on the wall.

When Zhao Mingyuan saw Yu Liang come in, he stood up and extended his hand.

"Teacher Yu, it's finally time to meet you."

"Mr. Zhao, you're too kind." Yu Liang shook hands and sat down opposite him.

The tea was Pu'er, its liquor a deep red, still steaming. Zhao Mingyuan didn't rush to speak, but first poured him a cup and pushed it towards him, then took out a document with a kraft paper cover from his briefcase and placed it on the octagonal table.

"Teacher Yu, you can take a look at this contract first. Xinli's plans for you are all in there."

Yu Liang opened the contract. It was a 50/50 revenue split, a minimum three-year contract, and an exclusive agency agreement covering all areas except crosstalk. Film, variety shows, commercials, short videos—all performing arts activities would be handled by Xin Li.

Attached to the document is a development plan with the title in bold: Film & Television + Variety Shows + Topics + Business – Creating an All-Round Top Star Route.

The wording was beautiful. But as Yu Liang read through the list point by point, the calculations in his mind became clearer and clearer.

In terms of film and television, Xin Li promised him the priority to choose between the second male lead in a primetime TV drama and the male lead in a web drama—he trusted these two offers, as Xin Li's film and television production capabilities were top-tier in the industry, and securing drama contracts was effortless for her.

Regarding variety shows, it says "priority recommendation to top-tier S-level variety shows on leading platforms," ​​which is "priority recommendation," not "guaranteed seat."

In terms of business, they promised "endorsement collaborations with top-tier brands," but Xinli's business team is only considered above average in the industry.

Needless to say, short videos are practically nonexistent for Xinli.

Of the four lines of the pie Zhao Mingyuan painted for him, only film and television were something Xinli could truly support. The other three were just "I'll give you a framework, and you can do the rest yourself."

Yu Liang leaned back in her chair, her mind reeling with even deeper thoughts.

Choosing Xinli is not about what it can give you now, but about what it can become in the future.

He knew better than anyone what was going to happen next.

In 2018, Tencent's money will flood into the film and television industry. The 3.3 billion yuan investment in Xinli is just the first step; a full acquisition is also on the horizon.

Once the acquisition is complete, Xinli will receive more than just money; she will also gain priority access to the entire Tencent content ecosystem. Variety shows, IPs, and broadcasting platforms will all be on the same chain.

That's why he chose Xinli.

He didn't sign with a production company; he boarded an aircraft carrier that was undergoing refitting.

The ship is still in the dock. Zhao Mingyuan needs it as an anchor point for traffic, and he needs Xin Li as a base for resources. Everyone gets what they need, and no one loses out.

He is different from Da Lin and Zhang Ruoyun. Although their father-son relationships are not very good, it does not affect their ability to enjoy certain resources.

As for Yu Liang, he has to earn everything himself. Setting up a studio? Too early.

At this stage, what he needs is not just freedom, but someone to pave the way for him. Xinli happens to lack someone like him and also happens to have the ship he needs.

Yu Liang pulled himself out of his thoughts, turned to the last page, and stopped.

"Mr. Zhao, this planning document is quite well done." His tone was unhurried. "However, there are a few things I'd like to confirm with you first."

"Please go ahead, Teacher Yu."

"How much does Mr. Zhao know about my contractual relationship with Deyun Society?"

Zhao Mingyuan put down his teacup and nodded. He had, of course, been aware of this matter—before deciding to sign Yu Liang, he had already thoroughly investigated Yu Liang's background within Deyun Society.

"As far as I know, Teacher Yu's contract with Deyun Club has always been project-based, covering only crosstalk performances and not film, variety shows, music, or business."

Zhao Mingyuan said with certainty, "In other words, in all fields outside of crosstalk, Teacher Yu is a completely free and independent person."

Yu Liang smiled and nodded.

Since Guo Qilin transitioned to a different career path, he has been signing project-based contracts with Deyun Club.

At that time, Deyun Club neither said they would expel him nor arranged any performances for him.

After Zhao Mingyuan finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly: "Then, Professor Yu, what are your thoughts on the terms of these four lines?"

"A 50/50 split, I have no objection. A three-year term, I have no objection either." He paused, then looked up. "That's not what I'm concerned about."

"What is that?"

"broker."

Yu Liang put down her teacup and looked at Zhao Mingyuan. "I don't doubt Xinli's management team, but regarding variety shows and commercials, President Zhao wrote 'priority recommendation' and 'matching with top-tier brands' in the planning document. To put it bluntly, he's just setting up the framework for me; the rest is up to me to earn."

His tone was calm; he wasn't accusing anyone, but simply stating the facts.

"I don't mind earning my own resources. But the prerequisite is that I need to have someone knowledgeable by my side. An agent who can connect variety shows and business deals and has existing connections."

Zhao Mingyuan paused for a moment as he held the teacup.

"I understand what Teacher Yu means." He put down his teacup and pondered for a moment.

"Variety shows and commercial ventures are indeed not Xinli's strong suits. But that's precisely why I've been looking for suitable candidates recently."

He pulled another document out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Yu Liangmian.

It's a resume.

"Zhou Jiajia. She used to work at Jiahang Media, in Yang Mi's team. She managed Dilraba and has accumulated a lot of mature variety show resources and business connections. She has good relationships with major TV stations and platforms. She recently left Jiahang and is currently a freelancer."

Yu Liang looked down and flipped through two pages before looking up.

"Is Xinli planning to poach her?"

"We're already in talks," Zhao Mingyuan said, his tone more certain. "It's not just for you. Xinli's talent agency business needs upgrading, and we must strengthen our variety show and commercial business lines. Zhou Jiajia is the most suitable candidate we can find on the market right now."

Why did she leave Jiahang?

Zhao Mingyuan smiled and picked up his teacup.

"She said she wanted to mentor an artist who was starting from scratch. At Jiahang, she managed established celebrities, and all the paths were already paved. At Xinli, she could build both variety shows and commercial ventures from scratch. For an ambitious person, this is more attractive than sticking to an existing system."

Yu Liang was silent for a few seconds, then picked up his teacup. The Pu'er tea had gone cold, but he didn't care.

"Okay." He put down his teacup. "My agent is here. I'll sign."

A slight smile finally appeared on Zhao Mingyuan's face. He stood up and extended his hand.

It's a deal.

Yu Liang grasped his hand, her grip neither too tight nor too loose. "It's a deal."

The two came out of the private restaurant.

The early summer night breeze blew in from the alley entrance, carrying the dryness and coolness unique to Beijing.

Zhao Mingyuan's car was parked at the alley entrance. He got in, rolled down the window, nodded to Yu Liang, and then drove away.

Yu Liang stood under the pomegranate tree, took out his phone and glanced at the time—9:30 pm.

The signing process is roughly in place. Now, once Zhou Jiajia's side is settled, the game will officially begin.

Just as I was about to call a taxi, my phone screen suddenly lit up.

Caller ID: Yang Mi.

Yu Liang answered the phone.

"Did you sign with Li?"

Yang Mi's voice came through the receiver, but it was impossible to tell whether it was a question or a confirmation.

Yu Liang looked up at the swaying moonlight on the pomegranate tree, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Honey, you've got fast news."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone. Then Yang Mi chuckled, her laughter carrying a hint of "I knew it."

"Yu Liang," she said, "do you know that I originally left you a copy of the contract?"