Xia Li hurriedly stepped out, wiping the sweat from his palms on his trouser legs. Xize took a step back, offered a faint smile, and greeted him, "Hello."
Though Xia Li was a high-ranking executive, and despite his brief lapse in composure, he quickly regained his usual demeanor, nodded, and said, "Hello, come with me."
Xia Li's office was also decorated in a Chinese style, complete with a tea table. He personally boiled water and brewed tea to serve Jane Anning and Xize. When Jane Anning held the small clay teacup, her wrist trembled almost imperceptibly. This was her first time taking such a significant risk—it was truly a do-or-die moment. Fortunately, Xize had played his role as a mere figurehead flawlessly, proving that this bold step was indeed the right one.
Jane Anning wouldn't have dared to come negotiate with Xia Li without some leverage. She directly sent him the previously captured footage from the film set. After watching it, Xia Li remained silent for a moment, then nodded, and his gaze toward Xize changed.
Now, it was a look of appreciation and approval.
Xia Li briefly inquired about Xize's background and the details of his contract with the company, then said to Jane Anning, "I can't interfere too much with the decisions of the lower levels in my capacity as an executive, as you know, it's against the rules. However…"
Jane Anning and Xize had been waiting for this "however." Xia Li glanced at the two of them and continued, "However, I can offer you my personal assistance."
Jane Anning was ecstatic. Although Xia Li wasn't the most authoritative figure at Silver Fox, he had vast resources within the company and the entire industry, knowing many influential figures and numerous investors. If they could secure his personal support, Xize's path would gain an additional layer of protection!
Xia Li added, "But don't get too excited just yet, Jane. You should understand better than anyone that risk and reward go hand in hand. While I'm willing to offer my personal assistance, it will bring more scrutiny to your artist. How you handle that is up to you."
Jane Anning turned to Xize, searching his eyes for confirmation. Xize nodded, giving her a reassuring look, so Jane Anning made the decision. "We're willing to take the risk. As long as Mr. Xia Li is willing to give Xize this opportunity, I'm confident you won't be disappointed."
Xia Li leaned back on the sofa, wearing the expression of a benevolent yet powerful boss, and nodded at Xize with a tone full of expectation. "I hope you can become the next Arnold."
Xize, however, looked at him with a steady gaze, sitting calmly, and said, "I'm not Arnold."
Xia Li was momentarily stunned but suddenly understood. The Xize before him wasn't looking to replace anyone or become the second of someone else. He was Xize, and one day, when he stood at the pinnacle as a galactic superstar, he would still be Xize.
Xia Li nodded in satisfaction, saying, "I look forward to seeing that."
As they left Xia Li's office, Xize turned to Jane Anning and said, "You've got guts." To directly bypass your superior and negotiate with the boss for resources—it was a bold move.
Jane Anning exhaled deeply, relaxed her shoulders, smiled, and patted him on the back. "I wasn't acting on a whim. When I first joined the company, Xia Li was my supervisor. We worked together for a long time, and he mentored me. Otherwise, do you think I'd still be at Silver Fox? In the internal power struggles, I'd have been cannon fodder long ago."
As they walked towards the elevator, it opened with a "ding" before they reached it.
At first, Jane Anning didn't pay attention to the people coming out of the elevator, continuing her conversation with Xize. "Later, I'll show you that footage. You really did an excellent job, so have confidence in yourself."
Xize wasn't paying much attention either, fiddling with the bracelet on his wrist, when suddenly they heard a particularly mocking laugh coming from the direction of the elevator, followed by undisguised ridicule.
"Well, well, who do we have here?! Isn't this Jane? It's been a while since I've seen you at the company. I thought you were still on vacation. Got any work lately?"
Both Xize and Jane Anning turned to see a man in a garish yellow and green floral shirt, a pearl necklace at his collar, and earrings in his ears, striding towards them. Behind him trailed a man in his twenties, with striking, sculpted features typical of mixed heritage, though his dark eyes hinted at Eastern roots. That man was Xining.
The man who had just mocked Jane Anning was Jia En, the agent of the boy band Xining was currently part of. Though not as experienced as Jane Anning, Jia En had made a name for himself at Silver Fox over the past few years, successfully managing several popular groups. Although none of his artists had reached superstar status, their earning potential was significant, and they were no less skilled in attracting fans and generating revenue.
Xining was about to graduate this year and had joined Jia En's new boy band six months ago. Already possessing a certain level of popularity, the group officially debuted three months ago and quickly became a sensation, currently at the height of their fame and fortune.
Jane Anning and Jia En had been at odds for quite some time. Although they both worked as agents at the same company, they operated in different spheres. Previously, when they encountered each other, they would exchange polite greetings, but ever since Jane Anning had been stripped of her projects, the balance had shifted. Jia En now addressed her by her first name without any formality, whereas he used to respectfully call her "Ms. Anning."
What made matters more interesting was that the animosity between the agents had spilled over into the artists they managed. Although this was Xize's first time meeting Xining, his so-called "brother" had often tripped him up. During a previous audition, Xining had relentlessly mocked and belittled him, causing the original Xize to audition despite knowing he wasn't suited for the role.
Jane Anning and Jia En facing off, and Xize staring down Xining—avoiding an all-out confrontation on the 48th floor of Silver Fox Tower was already a miracle.
In the past, Jane Anning would have ignored Jia En, but things were different now. Why should she tolerate this? He was just a junior agent; why should she even consider him worth her time?
As for Xize, he remained calm, standing there without revealing any emotion. His demeanor and posture were impeccable, leaving nothing to criticize.
Jane Anning subtly touched Xize's back, a slight gesture of reassurance, then lifted her chin slightly in Jia En's direction, smiled, and glanced at Xining. "I wasn't working until recently, and for that, I have to thank the artist in your care. If it weren't for his 'kindness' in giving Xize the chance to audition for Tom's project, I'd still be idle."
Both Xining and Jia En frowned simultaneously, with Xining looking particularly uncomfortable as he shot a puzzled look at Xize. How had his timid brother not been frightened to death by the Kaia Beast? Was this calm and collected person standing before him really Xize? What a joke—wasn't he supposed to be unconscious in the hospital after being scared out of his wits during the audition?
Jia En was even more suspicious. He had seen Xize before, knowing he was Xining's little brother. With the rising popularity of Asian stars, of course, he paid attention to any newly signed artists. However, after reviewing Xize's profile, he had deemed him a lost cause, no matter how good his looks were, and so had let him go. Otherwise, if he had been placed in one of his boy bands, Jia En was sure he would have become a sensation across the galaxy upon debut.
But what had he just heard? Xining had recommended Xize for an audition with Tom? Was he hearing things?!
Seeing Jane Anning take the lead, Xize followed suit, smiling politely and courteously. His demeanor was no longer the gloomy and silent one of the past; instead, his smile was warm and inviting, his natural charm captivating everyone around him with a single glance.
He said, "Yes, there was a small incident, and I ended up in the hospital, but fortunately, it wasn't anything serious. Thanks to my brother's help, the director seemed quite pleased with me."
Xining: "…"
Jia En: "…"
Jane Anning hadn't expected Xize to deliver such a cutting remark, and she mentally applauded him. She threw in another parting shot, "Sorry, we have to leave now. Xize has an appointment with the director to discuss the contract, so we'll be on our way." With that, she and Xize walked directly between them towards the elevator, not even bothering to go around. Her movements were as bold and flamboyant as her fiery red trench coat.
Xining was left stunned and bewildered. From the moment he had stepped out of the elevator and caught sight of Xize, he had sensed something was off. Was that really Xize? The timid, lifeless brother he remembered? Was that person standing before him truly Xize?
As soon as Jane Anning and Xize had left, Jia En seized Xining by the chin, his grip harsh, while regret gnawed at him for not having secured Xize under his own management. With a venomous tone, he spat, "What were you thinking, recommending a role for that precious brother of yours behind my back? Have you lost your mind? You barely get any screen time in that film yourself, and you want to squeeze him in too? I had no idea you loved your brother this much!"
Xining was still reeling from the encounter, unable to comprehend how Xize could have transformed so drastically. Had the ordeal with the Kaia beast jolted him awake? He hurried to explain, "No, Jia En, it's impossible. You know what he was like before. There's no way he could have passed the audition."
Jia En jabbed a finger at Xining, the silent promise of retribution hanging in the air. Now was neither the time nor place to discipline him—certainly not on the 48th floor. For now, Jia En could only fume over his missed opportunity with the Asian newcomer.
Glaring at Xining, Jia En stalked off towards Xia Li's office, with Xining scurrying to keep up.
Jia En had brought Xining here with a purpose—to secure a spot at the upcoming industry artist exchange event.
This annual event was a pivotal moment for emerging artists, where top directors, screenwriters, and music producers gathered to scout new talent. It was often dubbed the "Talent Marketplace" by outsiders, a place where artists were paraded like goods on display. Despite the unflattering comparison, newcomers eagerly anticipated this event, knowing it could catapult them to stardom.
Jia En's current project was a boy band called "Windchase," with the code name "W" The group consisted of four young men carefully selected from a pool of rookies, each with unique traits but unified by their Asian-leaning looks. In a world where mixed-race features were common, the team stood out as a distinctive presence.
A shrewd reader of trends, Jia En tailored his offerings to meet market demands. Unlike Jane Anning, who sought to cultivate talent over time, Jia En pursued immediate impact, aiming to strike where the industry's pulse was strongest.
This year, Jia En hoped to leverage Xia Li's influence to give "W" a competitive edge at the exchange. Although the event had no strict cap on the number of participants each company could sponsor, Jia En was counting on Xia Li's backing to elevate the group's visibility, giving them a head start over others.
However, Jia En's confidence was shattered when Xia Li declined his request without hesitation.
Momentarily stunned, Jia En broke an unspoken rule by asking, "Why?"
Xia Li's brow furrowed slightly, creating three faint lines on his forehead. "Many agents come to me with requests, and my time is limited. I can only support a select few. If everyone I declined asked me 'why,' I'd spend my entire day justifying my decisions to you all."
Jia En clenched his fist behind his back, seething at the memory of Jane Anning and Xize from earlier. Masking his frustration, he forced a smile and apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xia Li. I was too hasty. I just want to ensure my artists have the best possible opportunities."
Xia Li waved off the apology. "It's nothing. Silver Fox thrives because of dedicated agents like you. Rest assured, we'll do everything we can to secure resources for you at the exchange. Silver Fox's success depends on its talented artists."
As Jia En and Xining walked back towards the elevator, Jia En's demeanor grew colder. Xining followed in silence, his nerves fraying under the tension. Suddenly, Jia En turned and fixed him with a sharp, cutting gaze. "How far do you think your brother can go?"
Xining's heart tightened. Xize's abrupt change unsettled him, but he reasoned that such a profound shift couldn't happen overnight. The boy who had been gloomy and timid for years couldn't suddenly become someone else. It must have been an act, a show put on because his agent was present.
He answered, "Not far. He's always been timid. There's no way he can go far."
Jia En's eyes gleamed with malice. "For your sake, I hope you're right."