Chapter 21. Agency
"I don't know how but we have to breakeven within the first two weeks."
Forest Production CEO Shin said as he shouted towards the employees.
His face looked pale, not because of the anxiety but because of working too hard. There were dark circles under his shaggy eyes. He was even finding it hard to walk but he was still working.
"Don't worry, CEO, we are already working on it."
"Yeah, we are fleshing out press release every minute. There are tons of articles on the internet as well."
"Yeah, we will surely make it big."
The employees were also tired like the CEO but they still kept working.
"We have to give our all in the marketing. It was not easy to took more money from the investors. We have to give our best in it."
"Don't worry, CEO, we will surely do great. Our main trailer already had more than 10 million views."
The marketing department head, Shi Shang said as he carried over a stack of paper.
"It isn't just about the trailer, we have to do more than that. That movie «Silly love» is garnering more attention from the public."
"Isn't that because of the rumours that the male and female lead are dating?"
"Ha, that's just bullshit rumours created to make more hype for the movie."
"Can't we do something like that? I think our movie will gather more attention that way."
"We can't have that. Their agencies would not agree. Agencies, these days are sensitive about dating rumours and they are already helping us by sending out press releases."
"Yeah, Chu Min and Li Xinru are also promoting the film on their social media accounts and some entertainment shows."
"Yeah, they are intensely promoting the film among the fans."
Amidst the employees talking, a producer asked a question about Ren.
"What about the actor playing the role of Jay, Xin Ren. I didn't see any articles regarding him."
Hearing that, the other employees also chimed in as they said.
"Yeah, there were not even articles like 'New rookie to debut.' or 'An amazing rookie debut'."
"There really isn't any article about him. What the hell is his agency doing?"
Shi Shang clicked his tongue listening to the conversation, as he said.
"Don't you know that he didn't have any agency."
"What??"
"He don't have any agency!!"
"I can't believe it. I thought that he was trained for a long time, seeing his acting."
Confused voices sounded out when Shi Shang said those words.
"Yeah, it's a pity that he didn't have any agency. Either way, I bet many agencies would want to recruit him after the movie premieres."
"Yeah, that's true."
CEO Shin said as he thought of his acting which was shocking at the very least.
* * *
The atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Ren was currently sitting in a restaurant with Jiang Wan and Zhang Yufeng sitting in front of him.
They both had nervous but expectant expressions on their faces.
"So, you have finally decided which agency you want to join, huh?"
"Yes, I have decided."
Ren said while calmly looking at those two. It's been a little over the month since they had both shown interest in him and Ren had finally decided to give his answer.
The shooting of the movie had already finished and the trailer was also launched. The movie was close to releasing.
At first, Ren had thought to select a agency after the movie release. He can get a better contract that way but his thoughts changed when he thought about it deeply.
If he decided to choose his agency after the movie release, then he can get a increased pay but he can also lost his chance at garnering more popularity.
The movie can make him a hot topic for sometime but to continue it, he would need a agency.
If he decided to join a agency right now, then they can help him get more popular by sending press releases and getting good offers.
Although he was sure that the movie will be a hit, showbiz is always unpredictable. He didn't wanted to take chances.
That's why he had decided to join a agency before the movie release. He at least wanted to safeguard his position.
"I thought about it for a long time and compared both of your contract proposals. After analysing both of your contacts, I decided to go with..…."
Both Jiang Wan and Zhang Yufeng gulped when Ren was going to announce the name.
They were both wishing inwardly that he would choose him. They were feeling like as if their exam results are going to be announced.
They both wanted Ren to join their company after seeing his acting and that belief had only gotten stronger as they had spent time together.
They were impressed by their acting but they wanted him more because of his personality.
He was young but he was not naive, he had a mature feel to him which is also reflected in his acting.
He also had good relationship with his friends and he was sociable. He had all the qualities of a star.
Zhang Yufeng and Jiang Wan hands were clenched into fists as they waited for Ren to say the next words.
"....Top star entertainment."
Jiang Wan nearly hopped from his seat when he heard those words. His eyes were shaking with excitement and he had a big cheerful smile on his face.
On the other hand, Zhang Yufeng just sighed as he looked at the excited Jiang Wan. He had a disappointment expression on his face as he asked.
"Can you tell me why you refused my offer?"
Zhang Yufeng wanted to know the answer of the question the most right now. Their agency was clearly the best but Ren had chosen the other agency.
"Actually, both of your proposals were not much different."
"Then, why do you choose Top star entertainment. There should be a specific reason, right."
When Zhang Yufeng asked that question, Jiang Wan also calmed down his innocent heart as he looked at Ren.
He also wanted to know why he decided to choose his agency when the other one was obviously better.
'I can't say the truth!'
Ren thought as he think of the reason he decided to go with Top star entertainment.
Actually, he had first decided to go with RG entertainment but when he had thought about the future, he had changed his thoughts.
RG entertainment will go through a downfall in a couple of years. Ren didn't knew the reason but several scandals will break out of his celebrities and their president would even be admitted into the hospital.
It was said to be the worst phase of RG. They would take many years just to calm down.
On the other hand, Top star entertainment will have a smooth sail. Even in the future, they would be one of the most prominent agencies in the country.
It was easy for him to make the decision after looking at the future.
That's why he had decided to accept the proposal of Jiang Wan instead of Zhang Yufeng but it can't say that.
He would be treated as a crazy person if he said that.
"Truly, it was just a feeling."
"A feeling??"
"Yeah, when I thought about which agency to join, I just thought that Top star entertainment would suit me better."
"Ah, I lost because of that."
Zhang Yufeng sighed when he heard that. He was clearly dissatisfied with the answer but he can't force Ren to join his agency.
On the other hand, Jiang Wan was laughing while he was shaking hands with Ren.
"Haha, welcome to our agency. We will surely not disappoint you."
"Please take care of me, then and don't forget my condition."
"Don't worry about it. Just come to the office tomorrow to sign the contract."
After shaking hands with Jiang Wan, Ren looked towards Zhang Yufeng and extended his hands.
"Let's work together in the future."
Zhang Yufeng clasped Ren hands and said.
"Yeah, if the opportunity arrives, then let's work together."