9: Yang Mi is preparing to terminate her contract with Rong Xinda!

After finishing late-night snacks with Teacher He and the others, Yang Mi and the rest went their separate ways.

On the third day, Yang Mi and her Agent, Zeng Jia, took a business van to Rong Xinda early in the morning.

On the way, Yang Mi was talking to Zeng Jia.

"Mi Mi, your contract with the company is about to expire. Are you planning to sign with another company later?" Zeng Jia looked at Yang Mi and asked softly.

"Ah? Sister Zeng, I haven't decided yet," Yang Mi replied after a brief pause.

She really hadn't thought about where to go after terminating her contract with the company.

Of course, with her current level of fame, any company would be scrambling to sign her.

However, she felt that no matter which company she joined, she would lose her autonomy, be at the company's beck and call, and have little control over her own schedule or personal time.

"Mi Mi, why don't we set up a studio?" Zeng Jia suggested.

"A studio?" Yang Mi was momentarily stunned. She knew about studios, but she hadn't considered opening one herself since she didn't know much about that side of the business.

"Exactly, Mi Mi. You have enough fame, popularity, and resources now. We can completely set up our own studio to serve you.

"This way, you'll have freedom, won't be restricted by a company, and won't have the company bleeding you dry. It's a win-win-win."

Zeng Jia kept talking about the benefits of setting up a studio, appearing very enthusiastic.

"And many celebrities are setting up their own studios now. We're not like before when you weren't famous. We can definitely go solo; there's no need to work for someone else," Zeng Jia continued.

"I'll think about it." Yang Mi didn't agree immediately. Although she was somewhat tempted, she still had some hesitations.

After all, she lacked experience, and it was only the explosive success of chinese paladin 3 that had brought her so many opportunities.

At this moment, Yang Mi thought of Chen Le and wanted to ask for his advice.

"Mm, Mi Mi, setting up a studio is definitely better than joining an entertainment company. You can take your time to think it over."

After that, Zeng Jia stopped talking.

Yang Mi took out her phone, thought for a moment, and sent a message to Chen Le.

"Do you have time? Let's have lunch together."

On the other side, Chen Le received the message and readily agreed... At noon, after finishing her work, Yang Mi made a call and invited Chen Le out.

They arrived at a high-end restaurant and entered a private room.

Chen Le and Yang Mi sat together.

"Old Chen, I'm planning to terminate my contract with Rong Xinda," Yang Mi said, looking at Chen Le.

"Terminate the contract?" Chen Le was startled by her words, then remembered something.

In his past life, it seemed Yang Mi had terminated her contract with Rong Xinda around this time as well.

"Yes, I want to set up a studio with Sister Zeng. Do you have any advice?" After speaking, Yang Mi looked straight at Chen Le with her beautiful eyes, wanting to hear his suggestions.

Hearing this, Chen Le remembered something else.

In his previous life, after Yang Mi left Rong Xinda, she co-founded Jaywalk with Zeng Jia. It wasn't until 2022 that the media reported she was leaving Jaywalk.

Although Chen Le didn't know exactly why she left Jaywalk, there must have been some irreconcilable conflict.

"What made you think of starting your own studio?"

Hearing this, Yang Mi thought for a moment and said, "The company has too many restrictions. Only now do I understand why you said you liked freedom back then, Old Chen."

"True," Chen Le nodded.

Then, he asked, "Who is Sister Zeng?"

"Sister Zeng is my Agent; her name is Zeng Jia," Yang Mi answered.

After Yang Mi spoke, Chen Le frowned.

He was very familiar with Zeng Jia.

In his past life, Zeng Jia was Yang Mi's Agent, and the two of them were a case of mutual success.

However, things changed after the studio was established.

In the early days of Jaywalk, the company constantly used Yang Mi as a gimmick for promotion, but in reality, her shares in the company were very few.

Later, after Jaywalk went public, Yang Mi's shares were diluted, becoming even fewer.

Chen Le guessed that this was likely one of the reasons why Yang Mi eventually left Jaywalk.

This imbalance between contribution and reward was a powder keg from the start; it was only a matter of time before it exploded.

Thinking this, Chen Le felt he should warn Yang Mi that the contribution and reward in a partnership should be equal, so she wouldn't repeat the mistakes of her past life.

After all, Yang Mi was his girlfriend now. How could he watch her jump into that huge pit again?

"Going solo has its benefits, but setting up a studio requires attention to many issues. You have to take it slow. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."

Chen Le didn't tell Yang Mi to ditch Zeng Jia and go it alone because current Yang Mi couldn't do without her; her future development still relied on Zeng Jia.

However, Chen Le could guide Yang Mi during the studio's formation to prevent her from being trapped and suffering a major loss.

"Then what should I look out for?" Yang Mi asked curiously.

"Setting up a studio is essentially no different from setting up a company. If you and your Agent establish a studio, it means you need to determine the distribution of equity.

"After all, the studio is being set up to serve you. If you don't have equity, the studio can kick you out at any time," Chen Le said.

He was giving Yang Mi a heads-up; after all, in her past life, she was forced to leave Jaywalk because she didn't have enough shares.

The studio she helped build ended up benefiting others instead.

"That could happen?" Yang Mi was quite surprised.

"Of course. For example, if you were no longer valuable to Rong Xinda, wouldn't they just kick you to the curb?"

"Similarly, the studio exists because of you right now—you have popularity and plenty of resources. If you lose your popularity in the future, will the studio still revolve around you?" Chen Le spoke eloquently.

Yang Mi nodded after listening.

She indeed hadn't thought about these issues initially. According to Chen Le, she definitely needed to hold enough shares in the studio; otherwise, she would just be working for someone else's benefit.

"I understand, Old Chen. I'll be careful."

"Alright, let's eat first. We can talk more about the studio after you've terminated your contract with Rong Xinda."

"Mm."

The two of them then began their meal.

After finishing her meal, Yang Mi patted her slightly rounded belly and let out a small burp.

Hearing the sound, Chen Le turned to look at Yang Mi.

"What? Never seen a beautiful woman burp before?" Yang Mi's face flushed slightly as she retorted immediately.

"I have, but I've never seen such a beautiful woman burp~" Chen Le chuckled.

Hearing this, Yang Mi stood up contentedly, then looked at Chen Le and said, "Let's go shopping."

"Sure," Chen Le nodded.

After settling the bill, Yang Mi pulled Chen Le to a nearby commercial street to go shopping.

Following behind Yang Mi, Chen Le could already imagine the scene of himself being draped in bags of all sizes.