Ch26 - Itching to kneel at his fee (1/2)
3.3 – Itching to kneel at his feet
translator: xiin
editor: BlueBug & alamerysl
Xue Ling only went back upstairs after talking to the old man. The two suitcases were still untouched, and the only proof that this was where he was staying was the slight indentation on the bed. Bai Hao glanced around again after he entered, feeling oddly dissatisfied.
However, he suppressed this inexplicable discomfort, casually pulled over a chair and sat down, indicating that Xue Ling should follow suit. It appeared that his elder brother did not regard this place as someone else’s territory at all. “It’s fine if you want to enter the entertainment industry, but there are some things we have to properly discuss.”
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Xue Ling pouted, thinking in his heart that it was no wonder he promised so quickly before – there were still hidden traps waiting for him. He took the papers from Bai Hao’s hand and looked through them with some astonishment. “These are?”
“These are several contracts for artists signing with White Light Entertainment.” Bai Hao directly brought out several versions of the contract. “Which one do you want?”
Xue Ling didn’t even know what to say about this elder brother anymore. Putting several contracts in front of him… He wasn’t an idiot; of course he would pick the best one. So he did not hesitate to say, “Platinum-level contract.”
Bai Hao’s expression showed that this had been expected. He looked down and laughed: “You have a lion’s appetite. This type of contract is signed by film emperors after proving their worth.”
Xue Ling frowned, “How does elder brother know that I won’t be a film emperor?”
Bai Hao looked at him without speaking.
Xue Ling also knew that based on the original owner’s setting limitations he should not have any acting ability, and so he pressed his lips together and changed tactics. “Elder brother, look~ since the contract is within the family, wouldn’t you still have to give me any profits that went to company? Since it’ll come to me anyway, it’s better not to have the money be transferred back and forth, it’s so troublesome that way. You also know that I still need investment for my film. I haven’t saved enough money over the years, and I’ll need to get sponsorships. I’ll really go hungry if I don’t earn more.”
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
Bai Hao looked at him with amusement. Who talked like this? What kind of argument is ‘since it’ll go to him anyway, so it’s better to save time and transfer procedures’? “Are you really not planning to just amuse yourself as an amateur?”
“With heaven and earth as witnesses, when did I ever amuse myself with these kinds of things!” Xue Ling stared at the other party unhappily, as though disapproving of being talked about that way.
Bai Hao looked him over from top to bottom, then from his feet back up to his head several times, and it was not known what he was thinking. “Then you have to promise me not to cause trouble, not to take risks, and not to do any of those hideously messy things.”
“I promise!” Xue Ling raised his hand and swore without even having to think about it.
Only for Bai Hao to pull his hand back down. “Don’t be happy so soon. Your film still needs investment. Where are you going to get sponsorships?”
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Xue Ling did in fact know someone who would unhesitatingly throw money at him, but he did not want to have any close connection with that scum gong; he was unwilling to even have him as an investment associate. His eyes darted around and finally fell on the man sitting in front of him.
Bai Hao could not properly describe this kind of itchy feeling in his heart. In any case, when he looked at that expression that was clearly planning to scheme against himself, his heart was filled with a rush of warmth. That feeling where he wanted to offer up everything the other party wanted in front of him with both hands was more fervent than any other time.
Then he was stunned. Which time?
When had his younger brother ever asked for anything from him? Over the past two decades, the amount of words they have exchanged could clearly be counted with two hands…
“Elder brother, you’re a good person~ why don’t you invest in your poor, starving younger brother’s film?” His smile was particularly appealing, and together with his delicate features, he appeared especially spoiled and charming. The system silently covered its face with its tail; it would be bad if its host ordered it to dig out its eyes after witnessing such black deeds…
Bai Hao watched his brother’s face as the latter tried to curry favour and couldn’t help wanting to laugh. And then, he seemed to discover that he was laughing a little too often today and shifted his gaze, eyes landing on the contracts Xue Ling had tossed to one side. He wrinkled his brows: “Let’s make a bet. If you win, I’ll provide the investment, help you find actors, and help you prepare everything you’ll need.”
Xue Ling did not expect that such a good thing would happen, unhesitatingly nodding his head. “Let’s bet! What’s there not to bet over?”
Bai narrowed his eyes before opening his mouth to say, “Go and sign a contract with White Light Entertainment without my assistance, and without utilizing your background and connections with Bai Family. If you can get a silver level contract or above, I will help you invest and specifically assign people to help you manage your career. Your movie will also be added onto White Light Entertainment’s release schedule with the best preferential treatment.”
As soon as Xue Ling heard this, he knew that Bai Hao was going back on what he had said before. Clearly he had just promised to help him sign a contract, but now he’s not acknowledging it and setting a bet instead. But, it’s also not a bad thing like this – it’s more challenging. Xue Ling picked up the contracts beside him, stuffed them into Bai Hao’s hand, and ushered him out of the room.
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
“Good, good, good. If elder brother says to bet, then I’ll bet. Only, you can’t go back on your word when I win.”
Bai Hao let Xue Ling push him out of the room, opening the door to see their housekeeper looking at them with some surprise. His smile faded as he nodded and left immediately.
Xue Ling stretched out his head to see the housekeeper. The housekeeper laughed awkwardly, having inexplicably felt that the Young Master’s gaze towards himself was somewhat cold. “Little Young Master, as you will be staying in the main house in the future, is there anything else you need in the room? You can make a list and I will arrange it.”
Xue Ling blinked – he had not thought of this place as his home. It was just a place similar to the hotel, so he had no particular requirements for living here. But since the housekeeper had already asked, he didn’t mind making it more comfortable.
The system was still in its original spot and remained unmoving, waiting until Xue Ling closed the door before it jumped up to say, “Why does host want to act? Bai Yue clearly had no such wish.”