For the next few days, everything was nice and peaceful. There weren't any annoying phone calls nor unnecessary people intruding on Lily's life. The only thing that was bothering her was the fact that Lin Que has important meetings in both the hospital and company, leaving no time for them to see each other.
Sighing to herself, Lily pressed the stop button on her blender and poured the content into her mug. Since she liked her smoothies with chewable pieces of fruits, she usually stops the blender at a certain time to give it the texture she liked. After grabbing her purse, she double-checked that she had everything before heading to the company.
On her way to work, she received an incoming call from Sofia. Directing the call to her Bluetooth device, she answered the call. "Good morning, Sofia."
"Good morning, Lily! I have great news for both of us! Tian Corps contacted me this morning informing me about the changes you've made last time being finalized today. They said that once the assistant is finished with editing the contract, someone will deliver it to Jiang Corps. I'm just letting you know beforehand."
The excitement from Sofia's voice could not be missed. A smirk rose on Lily's lips when she heard about the good news. "That's great! I am very happy for you. If nothing is wrong after I review the contract, I will sign it. Everything should go smoothly unless Tian Corps play any underhanded tricks on the contract with me. I'll have my lawyer review it before signing it as well."
"Ahh...Sorry for dragging you into this. I know you quit the entertainment industry for personal reasons. I also knew that you didn't want to get involved, but you did me a favor. If it wasn't for you, I think I would've lost my job already." Sofia thanked her earnestly, appreciating the help Lily was willing to give despite having nothing to do with the company anymore.
"No worries. If it weren't for you, I probably would've been drugged or sent to serve nasty bosses under the disgusting managers out there. Plus, as long as their conditions are reasonable, I wouldn't reject the offer. However, this is the last time I can help you with this. If another time occurs, I suggest you look for a different agency that won't coerce you into doing anything against your ethics."
Sofia remained silent as Lily continued speaking. "I know you well enough, Sofia. You aren't the type to force your artists to do anything they don't want to do in unethical ways to gain profit. Although surviving in the entertainment industry is harsh and pretty much cruel if one really relies on it to make a living; I never once doubted your motives."
Hearing nothing but silence from the other end of the call, Lily frankly spoke her thoughts about the company. "Between us, there is no need to hide our true thoughts. There aren't reporters nor paparazzi to record this conversation. I've known about the pressure the company has placed on your shoulders and you've been working hard to shield your artists. I applaud your courage and bravery. However, how many artists can you save from their claws?"
"To be honest, your current artists have high potentials in winning the spotlight in the industry. All they are missing are opportunities because the company wanted to reap benefits from CEOS for sponsorships. If you think staying at this company and managing new artists would save them from the company, then you are wrong. Not everyone will be placed under you. If you truly want to help your artists, my most honest suggestion is for you to switch over to a different company where resources would support all of you. Bring your artists with you. Or even better, open your own firm for it."
Although Sofia understood Lily's words completely, she was still hesitant about making such a huge choice. For one, she wasn't confident in finding a company that would accept her along with her artists. Another concern was the amount of wage the companies would offer. In the current company, her monthly wage was around seven thousand dollars a month. However, this amount was barely helping her pay the fees for her family's living expenses and other miscellaneous fees.
Speaking about opening her own firm, this thought did once cross her mind. However, the amount of money she had the invest must be earned back. If she fails to get endorsements or sponsorships for her artists, then everyone including herself would be in deep trouble.
"I understood the things you've just said, but I can't make such a risk. I need to make sure my salary will be as high as my current monthly salary. I also need to make sure if I ever opened my own firm, then I will be able to gain connections with other big companies for sponsorships. It's a lot more to think about management and other things." Sofia wishes everything was as easy as it sounded. If that's the case, she would've been rich by now.
"Sofia, don't worry about money. You just have to answer one question. Do you or do you not want to open your own firm? Forget about the money and cashflow problems. If this problem did not exist right now, would you have opened your own firm?" Lily asked straightforwardly. Ever since their previous meeting, Lily had researched alternative ways for Sofia to work in a better environment.
"Yes. I would." Sofia answered with full determination.
"Okay, then that's all it matters. I have a studio that is currently vacant. I can rent it out to you for an extremely low price. All it needs right now are some furniture which will be provided by me later. After everything is done, you just need to move in. From now on, I will be your biggest investor and sponsor. The company's sponsorships and endorsements will be available to you and your artists. However, they will still have to gain the roles using their skills, meaning audition."
"There won't be loopholes for you to run around, but I guarantee that until your firm gains profit, I will be your biggest backup. Along this journey, you will learn to do everything from scratch. A percentage of the earnings will go to Jiang Corps, but your artists will definitely not starve. You will be paid your current monthly wage and even higher as you continue working."
Lily's words moved Sofia to tears. She could hear faint sobs from the call. "Thank you, Lily. Thank you so much. But for Tian Corporations contract..."
"Verbal contracts still have power by law. I will do as I said since they've compromised with my conditions. Don't worry, even quitting needs time. Your artists have projects they are working on. I'll wait until they finish working and for you to ask them to join your team first." Lily smiled once again when she heard Sofia's concerned voice.