Chapter 9: What Belongs to Me Will Always Be Mine

Something was wrong—terribly wrong. Since Su Orange had said our production crew would reach out to Li Wanbai, it couldn't have been mere speculation. Even if Dao always kept a close eye on the developments at Radiant Sun Entertainment, there was no way he could know Li Wanbai would join "Us" before the invitation was even sent out.

Li Wanbai looked up at Sister Chen and blurted out, "Did 'Us' already send me an invitation?"

Sister Chen was utterly stunned, her face full of surprise. "How did you know?"

Now, everything made sense.

Li Wanbai frowned deeply. "Did you turn down the show for me, or what?"

"Does it matter? Either way, you wouldn't be going!" Sister Chen was startled, cutting her off anxiously. "Whether we rejected them outright or gave the opportunity to someone else, as an artist, you have no right to meddle in the company’s upper-level decisions, right?"

Li Wanbai's expression shifted subtly.

All consequences of those ten years she’d left behind.

She'd been with Radiant Sun Entertainment for a whole decade, yet she owned no shares. Without shares, she and the company were simply in a superior-subordinate relationship; she had no say in the company’s decisions, nor did she have the right to pick her own projects.

The company wielded the knife, and she was the meat on the chopping block—no freedom at all.

Only now did Li Wanbai realize, belatedly, that whatever the company gave her, she simply had to accept.

Still, it wasn’t entirely impossible to negotiate.

"Your company just wants me to take on more endorsements, attend more business events, bring in more money. But if I don’t want to, no matter how many jobs you line up for me, it’s useless," Li Wanbai said softly.

Sister Chen's eyes darkened at once. "What are you implying?"

Seeing Li Wanbai’s calm expression, she hesitated, then softened her tone. "I was too blunt earlier, but think about it: doesn’t it make sense? If the company doesn’t make money, you don’t make money. Isn’t everything we do for your good?"

She cursed inwardly. That was the trouble with entertainment companies—after investing so much time and money into shaping a star, once the artist gained influence, they’d start dictating terms and refusing to cooperate.

Indeed, the higher-ups’ decision was right. Never put all your eggs in one basket.

The company had decided to let Li Wanbai drift and focus on cultivating Ye Xiruo. She’d been hesitant at first, but now it seemed the shift should happen sooner rather than later.

Li Wanbai had no idea what was running through Sister Chen’s mind. Her eyes curved as she said, "I know it’s for my good, but the approach isn’t right. How about we each take a step back? I’ll help the company secure more endorsements, take on more business gigs, work non-stop for several months if needed, but my condition is—I want to appear on 'Us.'"

Sister Chen glared at her. "You think you can just go because you want to? They’ve already filled the spot!"

"That’s not my problem. The invitation was originally mine; it’s the company that assigned it to someone else. It was my opportunity to choose whether to take it. Now I’m choosing to go." Li Wanbai didn’t say the rest, but everyone present could guess her meaning.

She’d decided to participate; it was now up to the company to resolve the missing slot. Whether they removed the person who took her place or begged the production team for another spot, none of it concerned Li Wanbai.

Sister Chen gritted her teeth in frustration but was powerless. As Li Wanbai said, the slot was originally hers, and apart from Li Wanbai, Radiant Sun Entertainment didn’t have anyone truly suitable. Even Ye Xiruo, their up-and-comer, couldn’t compare to Li Wanbai yet.

"Fine, I understand. I’ll speak to the higher-ups."

She paused, glancing at Li Wanbai without betraying any emotion. When did this girl become so shrewd? Before, she never asked questions—just did whatever the company said, endorsements, variety shows, whatever. She’d never been this difficult.

If Sister Chen thought Li Wanbai had gotten sharper, Li Wanbai herself felt it even more.

In high spirits, she hurried to tell Su Orange the news.

When Su Orange heard, she immediately put down her fried chicken. "You really did that—traded three months of endorsements for a spot on 'Us'?"

"Yes," Li Wanbai nodded. Seeing Su Orange’s expression darken, her heart thudded. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Completely wrong! You’re still not thinking straight." Su Orange stood up, her face clouded with barely suppressed anger. "That wretched company of yours is squeezing you dry! First, you need to understand: whether it’s endorsements or variety shows, the company profits either way. The only difference is how much—less or more. So what? Even scraps are still meat, isn’t it money all the same?"

"It was meant to be one or the other, but you’ve agreed to do everything, working yourself to the bone while the company reaps the rewards. You’re being sold and then helping them count the money!"

Her tone was full of outrage, though none of it was directed at Li Wanbai. "That damn company is disgusting!"

Li Wanbai swallowed hard. "So what now? The deal’s already made. I went through the terms carefully; they’re offering me far too much!"

Inside, she was still the Li Wanbai from ten years ago, the one who hadn’t even attended university, whose only windfall had been the 500 yuan given by her family on Children’s Day. Now, the company threw around five million like it was nothing—it was hard not to be tempted.

Su Orange stroked her chin, thoughtful. "They don’t want you on variety shows, first because the profit split is lower, but more importantly, because a variety show gives you more exposure. If you manage to clean up your image, you won’t be able to rely on controversy for fame anymore, and the company won’t be able to use you to generate traffic. What about their other artists then? They must be worried you’ll really make a comeback and leave them."

"The variety show is a must!"

"Right, exactly," Li Wanbai nodded eagerly. "The only reason I compromised was because I wanted to go on that show."

She wanted that show, which was why she had to negotiate clearly with the company.

She couldn’t just contact the show’s producer herself; even if she did, her schedule was packed—she wouldn’t be able to film. She might even have to pay a penalty to either the show or the endorsement sponsors; in either case, the fines would be astronomical.

This variety show was currently her only chance to clear up her issues with Yu Baichuan.

Human relationships are so fragile. If one side is determined not to communicate, there are countless ways for that to happen.

"Variety show… redemption… and…" Su Orange muttered, then suddenly looked up at Li Wanbai. "You’re the biggest flaw in their plan."