Ning Ran stood by the French windows in Nan Chen’s office, looking at the bustling city under flickering lights.
The world was beautiful, yet filthy.
It was so filthy that some people used the ashes of the dead to blackmail others. Human nature was just pure evil.
What if Nan Chen refuses to help?
Should I just sit and watch that wicked woman, Luo Yi, defile mom’s ashes? Mom had suffered so much when she was alive, and she can’t even rest in peace after death.
Ning Ran felt helpless and was on the verge of tears.
Just then, the coffee was delivered, but the security guard wouldn’t let the delivery man in.
It was natural as not anyone could enter the CEO’s office.
Ning Ran collected the coffee downstairs and delivered it to Nan Chen’s desk.
Nan Chen didn’t look up at all.
“The coffee is here. Drink it while it’s hot,” Ning Ran said in an ingratiating manner.
Nan Chen kept quiet.
“I bought coffee just to please you, and just so you would listen to me,” Ning Ran continued.
She had rarely put herself so low with such humble words.
Nan Chen eventually lifted his head slightly, but looked down again soon and continued working as if Ning Ran was invisible.
“I need money urgently right now, and I don’t know any other rich people. I can only borrow some from you,” Ning Ran added.
Nan Chen remained silent.
“I…”
Ning Ran wanted to continue speaking when Nan Chen suddenly raised his head, looking coldly at the former.
Ning Ran’s mouth was agape with surprise, and she was afraid to speak anymore in fear that Nan Chen would be sick and tired of her.
“As I said, as long as you give up custody of the children and leave Flower City, I’ll give you a large sum of money. Enough to clothe and feed you for the rest of your life.”
Ning Ran was relieved when Nan Chen eventually spoke.
It was better for him to reprimand her than not uttering a single word.
“But I can’t give up on my children. They are my life, and I won’t exchange them for anything.”
Ning Ran was adamant in her stand when it came to her children.
“Yet you’re borrowing money from me?” Nan Chen was really impatient.
“I’ll pay you back real soon,” Ning Ran replied.
Naturally, Nan Chen didn’t believe in her words. She didn’t need to look for him if she was just going to borrow a small amount of money.
If she was going to borrow a lot of money, would she even able to pay them off at once? It was definitely unrealistic.
In conclusion, this woman was playing tricks, and she was insincere.
“Get out,” Nan Chen sneered, evicting her from the office.
“I…”
“Out!” Nan Chen raised his voice, his tone harsh.
“Please!” Ning Ran begged softly.
Nan Chen was momentarily stunned. Did she just say “please”?
“I wouldn’t have come to you if there’s any other way. I know you hate me, and that you look down on me,” Ning Ran said.
Well, at least you know your place, Nan Chen thought.
“It’s really for urgent use if I’m borrowing money from you. I’ll die a horrible death if I lie to you.”
“How much do you want?” Nan Chen suddenly asked.
Ning Ran was overjoyed. Does this mean he agrees?
“Ten million.”
What a sizeable request!
Even if the Nan family was filthy rich, they
didn’t print money for a living.
How brazen of her to demand for ten million!
Nan Chen looked at Ning Ran in silence, sending a chill up the latter’s spine.
“I’m using it for…”
Ning Ran wanted to explain, but Nan Chen stopped her with a wave of his hand.
He didn’t want to listen because he felt that what she was about to say would be bogus.
“Come to the office tomorrow. Jiang Zhe will liaise with you,” Nan Chen said.
Ning Ran was elated. “You agree?”
Nan Chen waved his hand, indicating her to get lost and not interfere with his overtime work.
“Thank you. I’ll definitely pay you back as soon as possible.”
This was simply nonsense to Nan Chen’s ears. You just borrowed ten million from me and you’re saying you’ll pay me as soon as possible? Who are you kidding?
When Ning Ran walked to the door, she suddenly turned back and picked up a cup of coffee. “Two cups are too many for you. You can’t drink too much at night.”
In other words, ‘You can’t waste it. I’ll take one’.
Nan Chen was utterly speechless.
Walking out of Nan Chen’s office, Nan Chen felt much more relaxed.
As long as she could get the money, all she had to do now was get her mother’s relics and ashes.
She must get even with Luo Yi, that witch, and avenge her mother.
…
The next afternoon, Ning Ran was filming on set when she received a call from Jiang Zhe.
Jiang Zhe told her to come over to the office after filming and that the car he sent to pick her up was waiting outside.
Although the director didn’t have the nerve to make her stay, Ning Ran insisted on finishing her two scenes, and only then did she make her way to the headquarters of Nanshi Corporation.
Jiang Zhe welcomed Ning Ran and brought her to another office.
Thereafter, he handed a thick contract to Ning Ran, saying, “Ms. Ding, please have a look. If there’s no problem with the contract, please sign it.”
“Contract?”
Ning Ran took a look at it and saw that Party A of the contract was Star Entertainment and Party B was Ning Ran herself.
Star Entertainment was an entertainment company under Nanshi Corporation and the main producer of what Ning Ran was filming now.
“What is this? A contract with me?” Ning Ran asked.
“Yes, the president asked me to prepare it,” Jiang Zhe replied.
“The contract is too long and I don’t understand it. Just tell me the terms directly,” Ning Ran said.
Jiang Zhe nodded, seemingly to have expected this.
“This contract is a full contract. All performances of Party B during the contract period are owned by Party A, including but not limited to film and television, and all runway shows. The proceeds will be divided between Party A and Party B at a proportion of nine to one. Nine to one? That is, the company takes ninety percent, and the artist takes ten percent!”
“During the contract period, Party A will provide Party B with a large number of performance opportunities which guarantees at least one drama, one movie, three endorsement deals, and a series of performance within a year. You can be rest assured about this, Ms. Ding. Star Entertainment is backed by Nanshi Corporation so their resources are still very powerful, “ Jiang Zhe explained.
“Is it also a nine to one split for other artists of Star Entertainment?” Ning Ran asked.
“No, it’s mostly eight to two,” Jiang Zhe answered honestly.
“Then why is it nine to one for me?” Ning Ran was unconvinced.
“Because you don’t have much fame. You’re not a big shot in the showbiz world yet, and have to rely on the company to turn you into a star,” Jiang Zhe replied with a smile.
“Alright, go on.” Ning Ran was already very upset.
“The contract period is twenty years. In twenty years…”
“What? Twenty years? That’s buying me for life! I’ll be an old lady when the contract ends!” Ning Ran yelled.
“Star Entertainment is a good company, Ms. Ding. You can’t be possibly thinking about signing with another company after twenty years, no?” Jiang Zhe smiled.
“The share is small and the contract period is long. Other artists usually sign for three to five years. But twenty years?! That’s really cruel! I’m not signing it!” Ning Ran shouted.
Jiang Zhe shrugged helplessly. “I’m just following orders. If there is any objection to the contract, you can run it by the president. You’re no ordinary artist, Ms. Ding, and this contract has been specially tailored for you.”
Ning Ran thought Poker Face was just evil. He came up with such a demanding contract, knowing that she was in trouble and needed a favor from him.
What was the difference between this and a servitude contract?
