32: Chapter 32 Preliminary Contract Finalization

The next day, Dongsi Hutong, a private restaurant.

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

Green brick walls, wooden lattice windows, and a pomegranate tree planted in the courtyard; the early summer sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, shattering into patches of light on the stone floor.

The private room was not large, containing an Eight Immortals table, two horseshoe chairs, and a detailed painting of peonies hanging on the wall.

Seeing Yu Liang enter, President Zhao stood up and reached out his hand.

"Teacher Yu, we've finally met."

"You are too polite, President Zhao." Yu Liang shook his hand and sat down opposite him.

The tea was Pu'er, deep red in color, and still steaming.

President Zhao did not rush to speak; he poured him a cup first and pushed it over, then pulled a document with a kraft paper cover from his briefcase and placed it on the Eight Immortals table.

"Teacher Yu, you can take a look at this contract first. Xinli Media's plan for you is all inside."

Yu Liang opened the contract.

A fifty-fifty split, starting with three years, and an exclusive agency contract for all fields except for Crosstalk.

Film and television, variety shows, commercial endorsements, and short videos—all performance activities would be represented by Xinli Media.

Attached at the back was a development plan, with a title in bold letters: Film & TV + Variety + Topics + Commercials, creating an all-around top-tier celebrity route.

The wording was very nice.

But as Yu Liang read through it line by line, the mental balance sheet in his mind became clearer and clearer.

In terms of film and television, Xinli Media promised priority selection for a male supporting role in a satellite TV drama and a male lead in a web drama—he trusted these two points; Xinli Media's film and television production capability was at the industry ceiling, so getting these contracts wouldn't be difficult.

Regarding variety shows, it was written as "priority recommendation to S-class variety shows on top platforms"; it was "priority recommendation," not "guaranteed spot."

Regarding commercials, it promised "matching endorsements with top-tier brands," but the commercial team at Xinli Media could only be considered upper-middle level in the industry.

Short videos went without saying; Xinli Media was almost a blank slate in this area.

The pie President Zhao drew for him—out of the four lines, only film and television was something Xinli Media could solidly support; the other three were all "I'll build the framework for you, you handle the rest yourself."

Yu Liang leaned back in his chair, the mental calculation in his mind deepening.

Choosing Xinli Media wasn't about choosing what it could give him now, but choosing what it could become in the future.

He knew better than anyone what would happen next.

In 2018, Tencent's money would flood into the film and television industry like a torrent.

A 3.3 billion investment in Xinli Media was just the first step; full acquisition would follow.

Once the acquisition was complete, what Xinli Media would receive wouldn't just be money, but priority access to the entire Tencent content pool.

Variety shows, IP, broadcasting platforms—all on one chain.

This was the reason he chose Xinli Media.

He wasn't signing with a production company; he was boarding an aircraft carrier that was currently being refitted.

Right now, this ship was still in the dock; President Zhao needed him to act as an anchor for traffic, and he needed Xinli Media to serve as the foundation for resources—each getting what they needed, neither losing out.

He was different from Da Lin and Zhang Ruoyun.

Although their father-son relationships were average, it didn't affect their ability to enjoy certain resources at all.

But he, Yu Liang, had to earn everything himself.

Start a studio? Too early.

At this stage, what he needed wasn't just freedom, but someone to pave the way for him.

Xinli Media happened to lack someone like him, and it also happened to have the ship he needed.

Yu Liang withdrew his thoughts, flipped to the last page, and stopped.

"President Zhao, this plan was put together quite thoughtfully." His tone was unhurried. "However, there are a few things I would like to confirm with you first."

"Please go ahead, Teacher Yu."

"How much do you know, President Zhao, about my contractual relationship with Deyun Society?"

President Zhao put down his teacup and nodded. Of course, he had looked into this matter—before deciding to sign Yu Liang, he had already thoroughly investigated Yu Liang's background at Deyun Society.

"As far as I know, Teacher Yu's contract with Deyun Society has always been project-based, covering only Crosstalk performances, and does not involve film, television, variety shows, music, or commercials."

President Zhao's tone was very firm. "In other words, in all fields outside of Crosstalk, Teacher Yu is a completely free and independent person."

Yu Liang smiled and nodded.

Ever since Guo Qilin transitioned, the contract he signed with Deyun Society had been project-based.

At that time, Deyun Society neither said they fired him nor arranged any corresponding performances for him.

After speaking, President Zhao leaned forward: "So, Teacher Yu, what are your thoughts on the terms for these four lines?"

"I have no objections to the fifty-fifty split. I have no objections to the three-year term either." He paused and looked up. "That is not what I am concerned about."

"Then what is it?"

"The agent."

Yu Liang put down the teacup and looked at President Zhao. "I don't doubt Xinli Media's agency team, but for the two lines of variety shows and commercials, what you wrote in the plan, President Zhao, was 'priority recommendation' and 'matching with top-tier brands.' To put it bluntly, it's building the framework for me, and I have to earn the rest myself."

His tone was very calm; he wasn't accusing, just stating facts.

"I don't mind earning resources myself. But the prerequisite is that I need someone knowledgeable by my side. An agent who can connect with variety shows and commercial endorsements and has existing contacts."

President Zhao's hand holding the teacup paused.

"I understand what you mean, Teacher Yu." He put down the teacup and pondered for a moment.

"The two lines of variety shows and commercials are indeed not Xinli Media's strong suit. But precisely because of that, I have been scouting for suitable candidates recently."

He pulled another document from his briefcase and pushed it in front of Yu Liang.

It was a resume.

"Zhou Jiajia. Previously at Jiahang Media, she was part of Judge Yang Mi's team. She has managed Dilraba and has accumulated quite a lot of mature variety show resources and commercial contacts. She has good relationships with major satellite TV stations and platforms. She just resigned from Jiahang recently and is currently a free agent."

Yu Liang lowered his head to flip through two pages, then looked up.

"Is Xinli Media planning to poach her?"

"We are already in talks." President Zhao said, his tone gaining a bit more certainty, "It's not just for you. Xinli Media's agency business needs to upgrade; the two lines of variety shows and commercials must be strengthened. Zhou Jiajia is the most suitable candidate on the market that we can poach right now."

"Why did she leave Jiahang?"

President Zhao smiled and picked up his teacup.

"She said she wanted to manage an artist starting from scratch. At Jiahang, she was managing established traffic; all the paths were already paved. Coming to Xinli Media, she can build the variety and commercial lines from nothing. For an ambitious person, this is more attractive than guarding an existing plate."

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

"Fine." He put down the teacup. "Once the agent is in place, I will sign."

A smile finally appeared on President Zhao's face. He stood up and reached out his hand.

"It's a deal."

Yu Liang shook his hand with a firm grip. "It's a deal."

The two walked out of the private restaurant.

The early summer night breeze blew in from the entrance of the hutong, carrying the unique dryness and slight chill of the capital.

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

Yu Liang stood under the pomegranate tree, took out his phone, and checked the time—9:30 PM.

The framework for the signing was largely in place; next, once things were finalized with Zhou Jiajia, this game of chess would officially begin.

Just as he was preparing to call a car, his phone screen suddenly lit up.

Caller ID: Judge Yang Mi.

Yu Liang answered the phone.

"Did you sign with Xinli Media?"

Judge Yang Mi's voice came through the receiver; it was impossible to tell if it was an interrogation or a confirmation.

Yu Liang looked up at the moonlight swaying on the pomegranate tree, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Sister Mi, you're quick with the news."

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds. Then Judge Yang Mi laughed, the laughter carrying a hint of "just as I thought."

"Yu Liang," she said, "do you know that I had originally reserved a contract for you?"