34: You don't want this either...

"Chang Chang, this is my boss, Xu Muyang." Li Xiuwu introduced Xu Muyang to Shu Chang.

Upon hearing Li Xiuwu's introduction, Xu Muyang was speechless. He thought to himself, 'Being the manager of Golden Culture is enough; why do you have to call me your boss?'

Shu Chang stood up in surprise. "Hello, Boss Xu."

She had heard that this Courtyard House was a property of Golden Culture, temporarily provided for Li Xiuwu to live in.

She didn't have the same level of insight as Liu Xiaoli; although she felt it was a bit unreasonable, she hadn't given it much thought.

"Hello, Shu Chang. I've seen many of your works, and your acting is excellent." Xu Muyang sized up Shu Chang.

A young, beautiful girl; no wonder the boss was so attentive.

After receiving the call from Li Xiuwu, he had done some research on Shu Chang. Despite her young age, she already had many film and television works, and her acting skills were quite good.

She was an outstanding artist in her own right and had high potential for signing.

"Boss Xu, you are too kind." Shu Chang felt a bit embarrassed.

Xu Muyang exchanged a few polite pleasantries before getting straight to the point.

"I came to the capital this time because Xiuwu recommended that you join Golden Culture. What are your thoughts on this?"

Shu Chang looked at Li Xiuwu, and Li Xiuwu nodded at her. He spoke up, "I think that since you have the idea of applying to the Beijing Film Academy, it is necessary to sign with an agency to plan your future path. Golden Culture is very good."

He explained with a smile, "Golden Culture doesn't have many artists, and the management is very humane. Very few companies respect their artists this much. Look at me; I haven't been subjected to any restrictions by the company."

Xu Muyang looked at Li Xiuwu, speechless inside, but smiling on the outside.

"At Golden Culture, we hope for our artists to have long-term development. In terms of management, we fully respect the artists' choices and play a supporting role."

"Xiuwu said you are currently preparing for the Gaokao. We will fully support your Gaokao and can even provide some assistance with tutoring."

Xu Muyang followed Li Xiuwu's lead. Anyway, it was the boss's money being spent to help the boss woo a girl; he dared to make any promise.

As Shu Chang listened to the two of them, she recalled that over the years, some companies had approached her wanting to sign her, with the condition that she must obey the company's arrangements.

She hadn't been very willing; she had always wanted to attend school normally and hadn't fully committed to being an actor. When she heard Xu Muyang say they would fully support her Gaokao, she was somewhat moved.

"I... I would like to hear my uncle's opinion." Shu Chang wanted to agree, but she couldn't make decisions for herself yet.

"Good, it's good that you have this idea. You continue to review and prepare for the Gaokao; I will help you negotiate the other matters," Xu Muyang said with a smile.

Shu Chang looked at Li Xiuwu, unable to make up her mind.

Li Xiuwu nodded at her. "Don't worry. Once you sign with a professional agency, your uncle will be able to relax a bit more; he can continue working without having to worry about you."

Shu Chang nodded. She wasn't stupid; she sensed that Li Xiuwu had arranged this, but she didn't have many other choices.

She wanted to focus entirely on the Gaokao, but she didn't want to fall out with her aunt and put her uncle in a difficult position.

"Thank you, Boss Xu." Shu Chang bowed solemnly.

"You're welcome," Xu Muyang said. "We are signing you in the hope that we can grow together."

"You go ahead and get busy. I'm going to catch up with Xiuwu about the work here in the capital."

Li Xiuwu also nodded at Shu Chang, and then walked out with Xu Muyang.

Shu Chang saw them to the door of the side room and watched their retreating figures.

The two were talking, and watching from behind, she felt that they didn't seem like a superior and subordinate, or at least not the type of superior and subordinate relationship that appeared on the surface.

She returned to the side room, sat at the desk, and rested her chin in her hand, thinking.

Suddenly she smiled, then lowered her head to look at the test questions in her workbook.

"Then I'll leave it to Brother."

Li Xiuwu and Xu Muyang came to the living room. Li Xiuwu took out the documents that Qiu Wanjun had sent over, and the two examined them.

"With this, I am even more confident that I can close the deal." After reading the documents, Xu Muyang felt a bit of disdain for that He Xujun.

Li Xiuwu nodded. "Go ahead and negotiate. Just try your best not to affect Shu Chang's Gaokao."

"Okay." Xu Muyang put the documents away.

"By the way, Phoenix Legend's new song is spreading well. Does Mr. Li have any plans for them?"

Li Xiuwu frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "I don't know much about the music industry. How do you think they should develop?"

"There are two options: a lower one and a higher one." Xu Muyang raised his hand to gesture.

Li Xiuwu looked at him.

"The lower option is that they have some fame now, so we could have them take on gigs and perform at events to make money. Most music companies in the mainland do it this way."

Xu Muyang saw Li Xiuwu frowning; clearly, this idea did not resonate with him.

He continued, "The other option is to have them participate in programs and keep releasing songs to accumulate fame, without rushing to take gigs for quick money."

After listening, Li Xiuwu shook his head.

"As their direct person in charge, I hope you can provide them with a long-term development plan, give them guidance on professional knowledge, and also build up their psychological awareness."

"The company isn't short on money, so there's no need to exploit them for quick cash from gigs. However, they should still take on some bookings so that the two of them can earn money and improve their current economic situation."

Xu Muyang looked at Li Xiuwu in astonishment. He hadn't expected this young man to consider things so comprehensively.

Planning long-term development for Phoenix Legend while also having them take gigs to improve their economic situation.

"I understand." Xu Muyang suddenly felt some respect for Li Xiuwu; this young man's success was not just pure luck.

"You know the state of the company; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's just for fun, but I still hope you can manage this group well," Li Xiuwu said.

"Rest assured, Mr. Li," Xu Muyang promised.

Li Xiuwu nodded and saw Xu Muyang off as he left the Courtyard House.

When Li Xiuwu bought Golden Culture, he used it as a bridge company for funds; it had to have its own operating projects and pay taxes every year.

If he wanted to spend money for his own enjoyment, he had to do it through this company.

For example, the money within Golden Culture was investment capital from a Hong Kong investment company. To spend this money, it had to be paid out in the name of Golden Culture; it couldn't be transferred directly to Li Xiuwu's account.

Additionally, the funds he invested in internet companies and gaming companies would also need to be circulated through a bridge company later on.

Xu Muyang didn't go to find Shu Chang's uncle first; instead, he contacted He Xujun to meet.

"Are you Mr. Xu Muyang from Golden Culture?" He Xujun asked when she arrived at the hotel private room and saw Xu Muyang.

"That is correct." Xu Muyang sized up He Xujun, nodding inwardly. She still possessed charm; she indeed had some assets.

"I don't know what you wanted to see me for?" He Xujun asked, somewhat confused.

"Our company thinks very highly of Shu Chang and wants to sign her. I heard that her current management contract is in your hands, so I wanted to talk to you first."

Xu Muyang was being polite before resorting to force; he was prepared to talk normally first. If it could be resolved normally, there would be no need for those documents.

Of course, he was also confident that he could reach an agreement by bypassing this woman and going directly to Shu Chang's uncle.

But he wanted to complete the negotiation peacefully. If he went directly to Shu Chang's uncle, it would surely cause some conflict between the husband and wife.

Family discord might cause Shu Chang to be distracted from the Gaokao.

"Impossible." He Xujun shook her head immediately. She looked as if she had been stung by a scorpion, loudly refusing.

"Ms. He, wouldn't you like to hear the price I'm offering?" Xu Muyang said.

Upon hearing this, He Xujun looked up in astonishment, staring at Xu Muyang.

"As long as you agree and help convince Shu Chang's uncle, I can give you 500,000 in one lump sum."

He Xujun's eyes lit up, but only for a moment before she shook her head.

Shu Chang was a goose that laid golden eggs. As long as she held on tight and squeezed hard, she could earn 500,000 in a year or two.

She shook her head.

Xu Muyang, however, smiled. "Ms. He, surely you wouldn't want others to know that you were the 'third party' and had a daughter for that man, would you?"