Chapter 162 - New Year's Matters

Although ONE’s daily activities were left to Chu Qianqian’s arrangement, Qingyi and Chu Ziyu were still technically under Lin Jingze’s name. Signing contracts with major productions like [Ling Xiao] was something he had to handle.

However, the company recognized Chu Qianqian’s capabilities in this matter, and decided that she would manage all affairs related to ONE in the future. Lin Jingze wasn’t dissatisfied with this; in fact, he was quite relieved. As the only top agent at Kunhuang Group, he had many responsibilities. Besides ONE, he also managed several other artists and groups, so he was glad to have someone to share the workload.

After their previous lengthy interaction, Lin Jingze and Zhang Dong had developed some understanding of each other, and both parties were fairly satisfied with the contract terms. The few disagreements over things like the artists’ image rights, merchandise, and promotional appearances were resolved through mutual concessions.

As for the remuneration, Zhang Dong took into account ONE’s current popularity and his previous changes of mind, and raised the amount since his last discussion with Lin Jingze.

With negotiations like this, an hour quickly passed.

“Director Zhang, looking forward to our cooperation.” With a successful resolution to a longstanding concern, Lin Jingze’s eyes gleamed with a hint of a smile behind his glasses.

“Young people these days, truly impressive.” Both were shrewd individuals, and although there was no verbal sparring, an hour of negotiation wasn’t easy. Compared to the energetic young Lin Jingze, Zhang Dong seemed a bit more fatigued.

Seeing this, the assistant immediately stepped forward to support Zhang Dong, only to be waved off.

“No need, I can manage.” Zhang Dong’s expression was somewhat stubborn as he spoke, feeling that at under fifty, he wasn’t old or frail enough to need such care.

Lin Jingze, keen on observing others’ thoughts, didn’t mind saying a few kind words now that the contract was signed. “Director Zhang, age only enhances your capabilities-it’s the best time to do big things. For instance, everyone is eagerly anticipating [Ling Xiao], knowing you’re the director.”

Even knowing it was flattery, Zhang Dong still felt quite pleased. His eyes narrowed, a smile appeared, and he exuded an inner confidence that made him look much younger.

“Thank you for the kind words.”

Returning to the company, Lin Jingze headed straight to the president’s office on the top floor.

The office was impeccably organized, its owner seemingly having an obsession with order, as all the furniture was arranged perfectly. It felt almost criminal to disrupt the setup.

Lin Jingze harbored this feeling, so whenever he visited President Mu’s office, he generally chose to report standing up, unless the meeting was exceptionally lengthy. This time was no different.

Since Lin Jingze entered, Mu Han had been reclining in his chair with his eyes closed, resting. After a brief silence, he suddenly asked, “How did it go?”

Although the question was ambiguous, Lin Jingze knew what Mu Han was asking about and promptly relayed the details of the contract confirmed with Zhang Dong today.

“…Those are the key points in the contract to note. As per your instructions, we’ve placed restrictions on ONE’s image rights and merchandise.” Lin Jingze pushed his glasses up as he spoke, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Everyone at Kunhuang Entertainment, from the executives to the cleaning aunt and the receptionists, knew that Qingyi was Mu Han’s cherished younger brother. The restrictions on image and merchandise rights were evidently for his protection.

“Got it,” Mu Han nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a “ding” echoed through the otherwise silent office. Ignoring Lin Jingze’s curious glance, he opened his phone to reveal a selfie of Qingyi.

In the photo, Qingyi’s hair was a natural black, seemingly softened with chemicals to lie flat, making the usually lively and playful Qingyi appear quite subdued.

Realizing it had been a while since he’d seen Qingyi, the brother-obsessed President Mu lost interest in work and decided to have a good chat with his brother.

With a single look from Mu Han, Lin Jingze took the hint to leave. “President Mu, I’ve completed my report, so I’ll take my leave now.”

He was met with a succinct “Okay” from President Mu.

Upon opening the picture, Mu Han was about to take a closer look when he received a new message from Qingyi: “This is the new hairstyle Chu Qianqian took me to get. Does it look good?”

With a slight smirk, Mu Han realized Qingyi hoped for compliments not just for himself but also for Chu Qianqian. After a brief pause, he dialed Qingyi’s number. “Chu Qianqian has good taste; you look much more well-behaved now.”

“What do you mean ‘much more well-behaved’? I’ve always been super well-behaved, okay? Is there anyone else in the world as capable, well-behaved, or caring towards you as I am?”

Qingyi’s words were filled with laughter, and Mu Han didn’t need to see him to know that Qingyi’s pride was likely through the roof. With a sigh, Mu Han didn’t burst Qingyi’s self-indulgent bubble of being the “world’s best younger brother.” He simply replied, “Yes, yes, you’ve always been well-behaved.”

“By the way, starting next week, you’ll be staying in City B until the filming is done, right?”

Qingyi nodded instinctively on the other end of the call, then quickly remembered his brother couldn’t see him and said, “Yes, yes. Ziyu and I are playing the teenage versions, which is about half the storyline, so it should wrap up in about three months.”

“Three months?” Mu Han mused, “It’s already mid-November. Where will you spend New Year’s?”

Qingyi’s expression darkened as he realized he hadn’t considered this. The filming was in City B, so he should logically spend New Year’s at the Mu Family’s ancestral house. But that meant dealing with all the extended family, anyone slightly connected to the Mu Family coming for the festivities. Although Qingyi enjoyed lively gatherings, he disliked people approaching him just to cozy up to Mu Han.

“Maybe I’ll just stay with the film crew.”

Mu Han dismissed Qingyi’s joking suggestion without hesitation. “Nonsense. You have a home. There’s no reason to spend New Year’s at the film crew site.”

“Then I’ll just stay at my place and visit Grandpa and Mom at the ancestral house on New Year’s Eve.”

“You…”

To get his way, Qingyi softened his voice, pleading, “I really don’t want to stay at the ancestral house with those uncles and aunts.”

Mentioning “uncles and aunts” made Qingyi’s eyes grow cold, his voice dropping in warmth. Unlike the rational and magnanimous Mu Han, Qingyi could never forget how those so-called relatives had shown their true, ugly faces after his father’s death, bullying his mother and grandfather.