Chapter 8: Future Superstars
Xu Fang drove steadily, maintaining a comfortable speed. She didn't ask many questions after Xu Youyou got into the car—she was someone who knew when to keep quiet.
Sitting in the backseat, Xu Youyou glanced at the pendant hanging from the rearview mirror—a group photo of two children—and asked, "Do you have kids?"
Without taking her eyes off the road, Xu Fang replied, "Two daughters. One's five, the other's eight."
"Do they study in Shanghai?" Xu Youyou continued.
"The cost of living is too high in Shanghai," Xu Fang said. "They stay in our hometown."
Xu Youyou was curious and asked, "I rarely see female drivers. Is being a private driver a well-paying job?"
Xu Fang didn't mind the question. "I've been doing this for a while now. On a good month, I can make around 20,000 yuan. But some months, it barely breaks 10,000."
"That's a tough job," Xu Youyou said sympathetically. "What about your husband? What does he do?"
There was a pause before Xu Fang answered quietly, "He used to drive a special car in Shanghai, too. He died from overwork. After that, I had no choice but to take over his work to support my children."
Xu Youyou frowned. "Who takes care of your kids then?"
"I pay my mom 3,000 yuan a month to look after them back home," Xu Fang replied.
Having learned all she wanted, Xu Youyou thought about how much easier it would be with a full-time driver. "If you want, you could be my driver. I'll pay you 30,000 yuan a month."
Xu Fang's heartbeat skipped, but she kept a steady grip on the wheel. "Boss, don't joke. I'll take this seriously."
Just then, the car arrived at Huaxin Hospital. Xu Fang carefully pulled in.
Xu Youyou stepped out. "I'm not joking. My monthly salary is 30,000 yuan. I'll give you a three-month bonus at year-end and provide social security when I open my company. Think it over and give me your answer in three days."
Xu Fang didn't hesitate. She was already imagining earning 450,000 yuan a year, buying a small house in Shanghai, and settling her daughters there. She almost felt guilty for driving the car for so little money before. Now, she followed Xu Youyou like a personal bodyguard.
Xu Youyou didn't mind the company. Following the system's instructions, they entered Huaxin Hospital, where soon Song Zhibai's voice came over.
"Doctor Wang, isn't there medicine you can take? Is surgery really necessary?" Song Zhibai's voice was thick with anxiety.
Dr. Wang shook his head earnestly. "Xiao Song, your mother's condition is stable for now, but it won't last without surgery. Only Dr. Liu Shengchao in China can perform this operation, but his schedule is full. You have to decide soon."
Song Zhibai's voice was muffled. "I understand. Thank you, Dr. Wang."
Footsteps faded away, then Xu Youyou appeared in front of Song Zhibai.
He blinked, surprised and tense. Hastily, he wiped tears from his eyes. When he saw it was Xu Youyou, a flicker of anger crossed his face.
"Miss Xu, I've already taken leave."
Xu Youyou cut straight to the point. "I want to offer you a high-paying job. I have no other intentions—just think you're perfect for this. Promise me, and your current problems will be solved."
Song Zhibai was bored and ignored her, walking straight to the ICU at the end of the corridor. Outside the glass room, Xu Youyou followed and saw a middle-aged woman inside, pale and hooked up to tubes.
"That's your mother," Xu Youyou said gently.
Song Zhibai didn't look back. "You're not the first to say that. But my mother would rather die than betray her principles or me. She'd rather die than live with that kind of compromise."
Xu Youyou recalled that after Song Zhibai died in her previous life, people learned he came from a single-parent family, and his mother's death had left him devastated. It probably led to his tragic suicide.
"I want to start an entertainment company, and I want you to be an artist. You have the looks to make me a lot of money."
Song Zhibai sneered. "You might say that, but who knows what dirty thoughts you're hiding."
Xu Youyou sighed. "Have you been hurt before? Is that why you're so guarded?"
He pursed his lips, clearly affected by her words.
Seeing no point in persuading him further, Xu Youyou turned and left with Xu Fang.
"Go to the government affairs center," Xu Youyou instructed.
Without questions, Xu Fang drove them there. Xu Youyou quickly found an agency to register a company and got a business license for Hucheng Youyou Entertainment Film and Television Co., Ltd.
She rushed to get an official seal made and drafted an agency contract.
When Xu Youyou returned, Song Zhibai didn't expect her to come back so soon.
"I lent you money for medical expenses," she said, handing him the contract. "You can pay me back when you earn money. This contract is signed for five years. After that, I can renew it."
The first clause detailed the medical expenses loan.
What stunned Song Zhibai was a clause at the bottom: "If Party A forces Party B to provide sexual services, this contract is terminated immediately, and Party B is not obligated to repay any medical expenses paid by Party A."
Song Zhibai's focus was on that clause. He thought he'd sign anything—even a bloodsucking contract—just to get help. Yet Xu Youyou's agency contract was surprisingly fair.
The commission system was tiered: for income under 10 million, the company takes 70%; between 10 and 30 million, 60%; above 100 million, 30%.
Launching a star requires huge investment. While the commission looked high, it was reasonable compared to typical industry contracts, where artists get a mere 10% or less.
Xu Youyou wouldn't lose out—Song Zhibai was naturally gifted and already had a fanbase. Even though he died in his past life, fans still honored him every year. Someone like him wouldn't have trouble making it big.
But at that moment, Song Zhibai, still preoccupied with his mother, hadn't realized his potential. He glanced quickly through the contract and resolutely signed.
"Looking forward to working with you, my big star," Xu Youyou said with a bright smile.