Mad Dragon gets out of prison and marries a beautiful CEO.

Chapter 108

At 2 PM the next day, Chen Li arrived at the Xinghai Entertainment Company building on time.

The office building in the eastern district of Yuncheng is decorated in a magnificent style. Many young people come and go, some carrying musical instruments, some carrying documents, and there are short queues of two or three people at the elevator entrance.

Sister Hong was waiting for him in the lobby downstairs.

She was wearing a smart dark blue suit and looked much more energetic than when she first arrived. When she saw Chen Li come in, she went up to him and led him into the elevator with brisk steps.

"Xiaowen had just finished a meeting this morning, saying she was coming down to welcome Mr. Chen, and then someone asked her to sign some urgent documents," Sister Hong said after a brief explanation. "Regarding that artist, someone came to contact us again this morning."

Chen Li turned his head to look at her: "Whose person?"

"The operations director of Xiaoran Media, a woman surnamed Ma, brought a draft contract and handed it directly to the artist's agent. When Xiaowen found out, she got angry, but she couldn't stop her. Before the contract expires, the artist has the right to contact other companies."

Sister Hong explained it in a simple and easy-to-understand way, after all, the entertainment industry is a deep and complex place with many rules, and it's like being in a completely different world.

The elevator dinged as it arrived, and the doors opened to reveal a light gray carpeted corridor with semi-glass partitioned office areas on either side.

Sister Hong led him to the end of the corridor, to the door of a spacious office, knocked twice, and pushed the door open.

Xiaowen stood up from behind her desk. Today she was wearing a white silk shirt with the cuffs rolled up to her forearms and thin-rimmed glasses. She looked neat and tidy.

"Mr. Chen, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

She walked around the table and stepped out, extending her hand politely in invitation.

Although the two did not have a strict superior-subordinate relationship, he had slept with President Mu, and was above President Mu in this relationship, which was more important than his position.

"Sister Hong told me yesterday that you were coming over, and I also have some things I'd like to talk to you about in person."

Xiaowen always speaks with great tact, showing respect while remaining approachable.

Chen Li sat down on the sofa, and Sister Hong poured three cups of tea and placed them on the coffee table before moving to a single seat next to her.

Xiaowen didn't beat around the bush; she sat down and immediately began to speak:

"I know about Mr. Chen's relationship with Sister Hong. She has already joined the company, and President Mu intends to cultivate her as a core member, so there is no need to avoid it."

"Since you're here today, I'll get straight to the point. Xinghai Entertainment is currently facing some trouble."

Chen Li nodded:

"About that artist whose contract is about to expire?"

Xiaowen nodded, took off her glasses and placed them on the coffee table, then rubbed her temples.

"Just thinking about her gives me a headache."

"Her name is Su Wan. She is a top-tier artist that our company has been cultivating for three years. Her market value and reputation are both rising."

"The contract expires at the end of the year, and there are at least three companies vying for it at the same time."

"Li Family Entertainment offered the highest signing bonus. Although Xiaoran Media offered less money, their profit-sharing ratio was more flexible, and they promised to let her open her own studio."

Chen Li asked:

"And what is her own attitude?"

Xiaowen replied:

"She hasn't made a statement yet. But she recently turned down three variety show appearances that I arranged, and instead took the time to have a meal with Xiaoran's people. Mr. Chen, I'm not stupid, the wind is already shifting."

Chen Li picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked:

"What does Su Wan lack?"

Xiaowen was stunned for a moment, as if she hadn't expected this question.

She thought for a moment and said:

"She's a smart woman. She's been working in the industry for several years and she's not short of money."

"What she wants now is the right to choose, who gives her the most freedom, who respects her personal wishes, and who doesn't treat her like a cash cow. She prefers to cooperate with whichever party she chooses."

"These are all things that Xiaoran Media can do."

Chen Li put down his teacup, thought for a moment, and said:

"What if I could get her to stay?"

Xiaowen raised her head, her eyes filled with surprise:

"Mr. Chen, I don't doubt your abilities, but this isn't about money. You don't know her character yet, so how about I export out her information as completely as possible for you to see?"

"I'm not paying," Chen Li interrupted her. "Do you have a complete set of artist management contract details? Let me see."

Xiaowen glanced at Sister Hong.

Sister Hong nodded slightly, got up and walked behind the desk, took out a document from the drawer and handed it over.

Chen Li took the document and flipped through a few pages. His gaze lingered on the sections on "Termination Clause," "Non-Competition Agreement," and "Right to Operate Independently," before he closed the document.

He pointed to several places with his finger, indicating:

"Your current contract terms are too rigid. The artists feel tied up, and any lenient terms offered by outsiders will tempt them."

"You only need to do one thing: before Su Wan officially expresses her opinion, revise the core terms of your agency contract. For example, increase the percentage of jobs you can independently secure, relax the approval threshold for business cooperation, and clarify the termination procedure and shorten the cycle."

"You don't need to wait for the legal process to be completed. Talk to her in person and tell her that the contract can be renegotiated and the terms can be adjusted to her satisfaction."

Xiaowen was silent for a moment, then clasped her hands together on her knees. After a few seconds, she nodded.

"You're right. I was so focused on how to stop her from leaving that I forgot to ask her what she really wanted."

"However, Mr. Chen, once we make concessions, she will forget who put her in her current position and will take advantage of Wan'er to push her luck."

"This matter was not something I needed to get involved in, much less Mr. Chen. It was only because the general manager of Xinghai Company could no longer persuade her that he reported it to his superiors."

Chen Li stood up, walked to the window, looked at the city skyline, and said:

"You're right. People are grateful to their benefactors when they are in dire straits, but they easily become arrogant when they are in power."

"We're doing business, not charity. If we give her benefits, she'll naturally have to pay a price."

"Behind Xiaoran Media stands Lin Xiao, and behind Lin Xiao is Lu Changgeng. It's likely that she's considering the company's strong background, which would help her expand her career."

"The trouble Xinghai Entertainment is currently facing stems from Juxian Chamber of Commerce."

"After you keep Su Wan in check, Lin Xiao won't let it go. She'll find another way to take your place."

Xiaowen leaned back on the sofa without saying a word, but the light in her eyes as she looked at Chen Li changed. It went from simple gratitude to something more complicated, as if she was pondering the weight of those words.

"Then, what should we do?" Sister Hong couldn't help but ask.

"He's just an artist, so it's easy to handle in some ways."

Chen Li crossed his arms, rubbed his chin, and fell into deep thought. Why did he feel that there seemed to be some kind of conspiracy behind this?