Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 54 The first day of the first lunar month

January 22, 2004, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The streets of Beijing are filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. Red lanterns adorn the bare roadside trees, new Spring Festival couplets are pasted on the doors of shops, and the occasional sound of firecrackers can be heard, with a faint smell of gunpowder in the air.

Fu Yibai drove away from home early in the morning.

His destination was not the company, but Fan Binbin's apartment.

"Cellphone" has long been out of theaters, and its final box office was over 62 million.

It's several million more than in my previous life.

Two blockbuster movies in one year made Fan Binbin an overnight sensation, no longer just a useless pretty face struggling in TV dramas.

Now that "Cellphone" has officially finished its run, Fan Binbin's contract termination can finally be processed.

Fu Yibai parked his car in the underground parking lot of Fan Binbin's apartment and took the elevator directly to the floor where the apartment was located.

Enter the password, and the door lock opens.

The room was warm and filled with the rose scent that Fan Binbin usually uses.

The room was quiet. Fu Yibai took off his clothes, changed his shoes, and walked towards the bedroom.

The bedroom was dimly lit, with heavy blackout curtains blocking out the morning light.

Fan Binbin curled up in the middle of the bed, wrapped tightly in the quilt, with only half of his face and his long, black hair scattered on the pillow showing.

She was fast asleep, her breathing even and deep. She had obviously gone to bed late last night, and perhaps the fatigue accumulated from her recent promotional trips was finally being released on this festive morning.

Fu Yibai didn't wake her and was about to leave the room when the person on the bed stirred.

Fan Binbin opened his eyes groggily, first looking blankly at the ceiling, then focusing his gaze and seeing Fu Yibai standing at the door.

She blinked, as if to confirm it wasn't a dream, then lazily curved the corners of her mouth, her voice thick with sleepiness and a nasal tone.

"You're here... Why are you here so early?"

As she spoke, she stretched her arm out from under the covers and beckoned to him, like a cat begging for attention.

Fu Yibai walked back to the bedside and sat down.

Fan Binbin naturally snuggled closer to him, pressed her face against his leg, took a deep breath, and sighed contentedly.

"What time is it?"

"It's just past eight o'clock."

"Hmm... lie down with me a little longer."

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I watched the Spring Festival Gala until late last night, and then talked on the phone with Sister Hua for a long time. I'm exhausted."

"What did Sister Hua say?"

Fu Yibai followed her words and asked, stroking her hair with his fingertips, combing through the slightly tangled strands.

Fan Binbin rubbed against his palm, opened her eyes a crack, and became more awake.

"What else could we say? We exchanged New Year's greetings, chatted casually, and then... they probed about my plans after the New Year, saying that Huayi had secured several good endorsements for me, as well as the lead role in a big-budget TV series, and wanted to schedule a time to discuss it in detail."

She pouted.

"Wang Zhongjun sent me a New Year's greeting text message a couple of days ago. It was quite polite, but he added at the end, 'Huayi will always be the home of artists.'"

Fu Yibai remained expressionless.

"How will you reply?"

"I told Sister Hua that I wanted to take a break and adjust for a while after the New Year, and we could discuss the specific work details after the New Year."

As for Wang Zhongjun's text message, I simply replied, "Thank you, Mr. Wang, Happy New Year," and didn't follow up on his message.

Fan Binbin raised her head, rested her chin on his lap, and her eyes became clear.

"What are your plans regarding my contract termination? Will you discuss it directly, or...?"

"Zhao Qi prepared several plans."

Fu Yibai said.

"The ideal solution is a peaceful termination of the contract, with the agreed-upon penalty for breach of contract being paid."

Although the amount is not small, you can afford it now, and the company can also support a portion of it.

As long as Huayi gets the money and saves face, they may not fight to the bitter end.

After all, forcing an artist who isn't truly committed to the business won't benefit them either.

"What if they don't want the money and just want to hold me hostage?"

Fan Binbin asked the question that worried him the most.

"That depends on how far they want to restrict access."

Fu Yibai's eyes turned slightly cold.

"Wang Zhongjun is a smart man. I mentioned tax matters to him on the phone last time, so he should understand what I meant."

If Huayi insists on escalating the situation and making a scene, we're not without options.

But that's a poor choice; it's not good for anyone, especially for you, who are in a period of growth and need a smooth transition.

He looked down at Fan Binbin.

"Therefore, the first step is to formally express the intention to terminate the contract. Zhao Qi should do this on behalf of the company, with a sincere attitude and negotiable terms."

The key point is to express the desire for an amicable parting, while implying that we are fully prepared.

Huayi is not a monolithic entity. Wang Jinghua has many artists under her management, and they may not be willing to completely oppose us for the sake of Huayi.

Moreover, Wang Jinhua's contract with Huayi is about to expire...

"You mean..."

"That's right. Based on my investigation and deduction, it is very likely that Wang Jinhua will not renew her contract with Huayi after it expires."

We could have easily divided and won them over beforehand.

Fan Binbin listened attentively, her eyes gradually brightening. She admired Fu Yibai's calm, strategic planning and his ability to control everything.

"I'll listen to you."

She propped herself up, leaned in and kissed him on the lips, a fleeting touch, yet filled with intimacy and trust.

"You tell me how to go, and I'll go that way."

Fu Yibai put his arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace.

Fan Binbin straddled his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. The silk fabric of her loungewear was soft and smooth, outlining her full curves.

In the morning light, her face, unadorned, was clean and bright, with lingering moisture in her eyes from just waking up.

"Then let's hurry."

Fu Yibai's palm was placed on her lower back, and the warmth was transmitted through the fabric.

"During your annual leave, sort out all the unfulfilled contracts, endorsements, and business collaborations with Huayi and make a detailed list."

Zhao Qi's side will simultaneously prepare legal documents and negotiation plans.

We'll officially launch on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year when people return to work.

"it is good."

Once the serious business was over, the atmosphere in the room relaxed.

Fan Binbin fiddled with the buttons on his shirt, his fingertips lightly brushing against his chest.

"How long will you be gone to Berlin this time?"

"It depends."

If all goes well, it will take about half a month.

If there are activities that require extension, we may stay for a few more days.

"No Country for Old Men...it's bound to win an award, right?"

She looked up at me and asked, her eyes filled with complete trust.

"It all depends on human effort."

Fu Yibai didn't say anything definitive, but the certainty in his tone was enough to reassure her.

Fan Binbin didn't press the matter further, but simply hugged him tighter, buried her face in the crook of his neck, and said in a muffled voice, "I'll miss you."

Fu Yibai patted her on the back without saying anything.

The two embraced quietly for a moment, then Fan Binbin suddenly chuckled softly, his breath tickling Fan Binbin's skin.

I'm hungry!

"Then get up quickly, let's go out to eat."

"That's what I meant~"

Fan Binbin reached out and grabbed it, smiling foolishly.

"You little devil! I'll feed you right now!"

The room was filled with a series of rousing chants.