However, the other party was Starlight Media, which was countless times better than Century Entertainment. If they could really move to Starlight Media, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost for both him and Jiang Chi. They would be able to stand on a broader platform and access higher-level resources. Geng Tian was very tempted.

The awkward part was that in half a year, when Jiang Chi's five-year contract with Century Entertainment expired, Geng Tian still had a full year left on his own contract with Century.

To jump to Starlight Media with Jiang Chi, he would inevitably face a breach of contract lawsuit. He didn't have the daring to spend a fortune for a handsome face. He couldn't bear the cost of this lawsuit. But if he didn't go with Jiang Chi, it would mean unilaterally terminating his manager contract with Jiang Chi, and having no further connection with him from then on.

Geng Tian had been in the industry for years, and Jiang Chi was the only artist he'd managed who had become truly popular. If it weren't for Jiang Chi, why would the people from Starlight Media be so polite in their overtures to him?

It was because of Jiang Chi that he had gotten this far. He was grateful to Jiang Chi, but he also had his own selfish motives.

Geng Tian now had other artists under him, but all of them combined weren't as famous or profitable as Jiang Chi alone. To let go of this cash cow, he was absolutely unwilling.

Caught in a dilemma, Geng Tian gritted his teeth and replied to the other party that Jiang Chi was undecided and needed more time to think.

The person from Starlight was easygoing, saying that was understandable. They also generously stated that if Jiang Chi had any demands, he could feel free to raise them, and they were willing to make certain concessions for Jiang Chi.

Geng Tian smiled bitterly and thanked them.

Naturally, Geng Tian didn't say a word of this to Jiang Chi.

Very few people knew Jiang Chi's private contact information. As his manager, Geng Tian could keep him in the dark as long as he wanted.

He knew in his heart that if Jiang Chi heard about this, he would surely agree.

Logically, people strive for better opportunities.

Emotionally, it was rumored that the big boss of Starlight Media had some blood ties to Ye Lan. Jiang Chi wouldn't be indifferent to that.

Geng Tian watched Jiang Chi typing with a smile on his face, feeling extremely guilty. He was afraid that he hadn't secured the person from Starlight, and they might contact Jiang Chi through other channels; he was also afraid that Ye Lan's people were involved in this matter, in which case he wouldn't be able to hide it for long.

If that happened... it would truly be a case of drawing water with a bamboo basket—a total waste of effort.

"Who are you contacting?" Geng Tian asked, feigning casualness. "You look so happy."

"Huh?" Jiang Chi looked up. After a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help but show off a little. "I'm telling Brother Ye Lan about the game on the show today! The game was played five times, and I won all five times."

Geng Tian forced a laugh: "Yeah, impressive, impressive..."

While Jiang Chi was happily talking to himself with Ye Lan, on Ye Lan's end, he was discussing next year's scripts with An Ya.

Ye Lan had made a rare trip to the studio headquarters. An Ya took the opportunity to show him the spring/summer collection that a partner brand had sent over earlier. Faced with several racks of dazzling haute couture, Ye Lan glanced over them, made a few critical remarks, and pulled out a few pieces he couldn't stand, tossing them aside. He said grudgingly, "Don't let me see fluorescent colors again... it hurts my eyes."

"Fine, fine, have it your way. I'll have someone send the shoes and sunglasses directly to your house." An Ya turned and instructed her assistant to wheel the clothes away, then continued, "I've picked out a few scripts for you, see if there are any you like."

Ye Lan sat down and picked one up, asking, "Is the schedule set?"

"They're mostly for the second half of next year. A few of them can accommodate your schedule with minor adjustments." An Ya sighed. "You lose weight whenever you film. You need to recuperate. After 'The Scum' wraps up, you can rest for a quarter before joining the next set. That would be perfect."

Speaking of which, An Ya remembered Ye Lan getting dead drunk a few days ago and said, "But if you don't care about your own body, I won't bother considering so much for you either."

"Nagging me once is enough." Ye Lan looked up and smiled at An Ya. "I promise, I won't get wasted again during the New Year holiday, okay?"

An Ya huffed. Ye Lan lowered his head to look at the script. Just as they were talking, Ye Lan's phone rang.

It was a call from Ye Huaquan.

Ye Lan hadn't seen Ye Huaquan since returning from the set. Ye Huaquan felt bad for his nephew spending the New Year alone and said, "You free tonight? If not, come out with me. It's been a while since we've had a chat."

Ye Lan put the script aside and smiled, "You pick the place, I'm good with anything."

An Ya took the script to flip through it herself and, hearing this, coughed lightly.

Ye Lan heard her and looked at An Ya, changing his tune: "Well... why don't I go to your place instead? I haven't even wished you a Happy New Year yet."

Ye Huaquan laughed heartily: "A rare occasion, young master! You still remember to wish me a Happy New Year? But tonight, let's go out. If you want to come over, we can come back together after we're done, stay at my place for a few days, and leave after the holiday."

Ye Lan quickly shook his head: "No way, I'm not going there to be disciplined by you. I have work here, it's not convenient."

Ye Huaquan had to oblige him: "Fine, come over when you're free and bored. Oh, right! Someone gave me a few bottles of wine the other day. What a coincidence, it's Grand Lafite from your birth year. A full twelve bottles. I didn't let anyone even touch the crate, I'm saving them for you. Come and get them yourself someday."

"From the year I was born, huh? That's really something..." Ye Lan drawled, glancing at An Ya. Seeing she still had a stern face, he gave a weak smile. "Alright! You can keep them for me for now. Store them well. When I get married, we'll open them all. They can be my Nu'er Hong."

Hearing this, Ye Huaquan burst out laughing, taking a moment to recover. "Alright, hahahaha, I'll save them for you."

An Ya put down the script, a hint of a smile also appearing on her lips.

Ye Huaquan asked a few more questions about Ye Lan's health, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, that little friend of yours, he doesn't seem very interested in my offer."

Ye Lan's gaze darkened, and the smile on his face faded slightly. "What do you mean?"

When it came to work, Ye Huaquan became more serious. He smiled and said, "An Ya told me this was your idea. So I had my people contact him with Starlight's best current offer. I even said it was just an initial contract and he could raise any ideas of his own. But even so, he didn't give a clear answer, just a lukewarm reply that he'd consider it, and then nothing."

Ye Lan scoffed: "He's been too busy lately, it's possible he didn't have time."

'Busy my ass! He was just babbling to me on WeChat for ages about which dumpling filling is the best.'

Ye Huaquan hummed in agreement and said, "Actually, I rarely manage things at Starlight. I've never been too involved in the entertainment industry. I only looked into this because An Ya mentioned it to me a few times. I'll make it clear, if this were anyone else, given that attitude, I would never have my people contact him again. I can't stand those people in your circle who get arrogant when they're not even that important..."

"He wouldn't dare." Ye Lan smiled. "You'll see when he actually gets to you. He really doesn't have a single bad habit, just a kid with a very gentle temper. And..."

Ye Huaquan was in a high position and had never been directly involved in signing artists, so he wasn't clear on many of the procedures. But Ye Lan knew the ropes. Ye Lan put a cigarette between his lips and said lightly, "Besides, who your people actually contacted, I have no idea. Don't be so quick to pin the blame on him."

Ye Huaquan was a smart man and understood after hearing this. Ye Lan's tone hadn't been particularly polite, but he liked this neither humble nor overbearing spirit in Ye Lan, which was so much like his younger self. He deliberately teased him: "Then why don't you tell him yourself?"

"To be honest, with him..." Ye Lan lowered his head and smiled, "it's hard to say if we're close or not. If he finds out it was my idea from start to finish, he might overthink it. It would be awkward when we interact then, no fun..."

Ye Huaquan thought that made sense. He added, "Since you're not that close, don't think too highly of him either. You say you don't know who my people contacted, but what if they did contact Jiang Chi? What if he knew it was my Starlight, your old company, that wanted to recruit him, but he just doesn't want to come?"

"He won't come? Not willing?" Ye Lan bit the filter of his cigarette and smiled. "Then we find a way to make him willing."

Ye Huaquan was stunned.

A corner of Ye Lan's mouth curled up: "You're not reluctant to spend the money, are you? Or should we sell my Nu'er Hong to cover it for now?"

Ye Huaquan paused for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. "Good! If my nephew wants him to come, he'll definitely come!"

Ye Lan let out a huffing laugh. After hanging up, he looked at his WeChat, which showed several unread messages, and smiled lightly.

'As if I can't handle you?!'

Causing trouble for me before you're even signed. Just wait until you are; see how I...

Ye Lan paused, thought for a moment, and smiled.

'Once he's actually signed... I probably wouldn't have the heart to mess with him that much.'

But he still had to be messed with a little.

A small punishment as a warning, just enough to make a point.