23. Equity Repurchase Agreement

After the biggest problems had all been resolved, the production team's progress could only be described as advancing by leaps and bounds. Just a day later, Huang Yaming personally brought Chen Ruowen a new sample cut of the show, with the director's team working overtime to fill in missing scenes and edit. The excitement in his large eyes practically screamed, "I'm going to be famous!!!!!!" with a trail of exclamation points.

"It's good," Chen Ruowen replied after staying up late to watch the entire sample. She sent Huang Yaming an "OK" gesture on WeChat, specifically pointed out a few spots where advertisements and sponsor mentions needed to be inserted, and didn't forget to remind him, "Remember to cut a classy, impressive opening sequence."

On the other end of the line, Huang Yaming was moved to tears. "I've never seen such a responsible patron… No, patroness… Actually, that's not quite right either… Ah, whatever, it doesn't matter what to call her!"

He then instructed post-production to add a bold line to the top row of the end credits:

Chief Advisor: Chen Ruowen

"I really want to put a photo of her up there…"

Putting down her phone, Chen Ruowen rubbed her neck, reluctantly pulled out her laptop, opened her email, and resignedly downloaded a set of electronic test papers. Following the notes organized in the attachment, she worked through each question, checking the explanations as she went.

The notes Bai Jinyan sent only covered principles and things to watch for, never providing formulas or answers. So Chen Ruowen had to read the explanations carefully before attempting each problem—an exhausting task for her.

After organizing her answers, she scanned and sent them off to Bai Jinyan, yawning as she glanced at the clock.

It was four in the morning.

She forced herself through her nightly routine with her eyes half-closed, finally collapsing into bed.

Every day like this—what a sense of accomplishment…

On the same day the sample was finished, Gao Tang called to inform both Chen Ruowen and her father, as well as Director Huang, that he had too many matters to attend to and would be returning to the company. He politely added a few well-wishes for the new program and said he'd host a meal to make it up to them once he returned.

As an investor, Gao Tang had no obligation to stay on set every day, and his words about making amends were just a polite formality. Chen Ruowen paid it no mind, not even bothering to reply to what was clearly a mass message.

"Young Master Gao, it's time to board," his assistant, Xiao Hu, reminded him quietly, seeing him still seated in the VIP lounge, staring at his phone.

"Heh," Gao Tang chuckled softly, finally tearing his gaze from the screen.

"She really isn't going to reply to me."

…

The penultimate round of "No NG Tonight" had already concluded. According to the plan suggested by the director and the investors a few days prior, all three lead actors from "The Apartment" ended up in the pending seats this round—not a single one advanced. This sent the actors into a panic.

In contrast, the "Harem" team, thanks to their abundance of outstanding actors, had the highest number of members advancing, making the ultimate championship harder than ever to predict.

Even among such a strong cast, Xu Xiangwei's acting style remained uniquely memorable. After watching her perform opposite the show's female leads in the pre-finals, Chen Ruowen finally made up her mind and called Xu Xiangwei into the private room.

"What are your thoughts on the finals?"

Xu Xiangwei was visibly more energetic than when she first joined the competition, but she still seemed uncertain in the face of Chen Ruowen's question.

"I'll do my best," Xu Xiangwei replied, a note of hesitation in her voice.

The last time Chen Ruowen had summoned her for a talk, she'd heard nothing more afterward. Knowing she had twice failed to show up when called, Xu Xiangwei didn't dare press for details. And now that Chen Ruowen had called her in again, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

Chen Ruowen wasn't satisfied with such a noncommittal answer. She took a stack of documents from the drawer and placed them between herself and Xu Xiangwei.

"Have you ever heard of a wager agreement?"

Xu Xiangwei's mouth fell open.

Such agreements weren't rare in the industry, but they were usually reserved for top-tier stars. After signing, those stars would work like mad—filming, marketing, making money—terrified of losing and being ruined by the penalties.

Not to mention that she didn't even own any shares in a company; even if she did, as a barely-known actress who'd never been in a major production, signing something like this was practically signing her own death warrant.

Seeing the shock on Xu Xiangwei's face, Chen Ruowen explained further. "Of course, this version is a bit different from the traditional wager contract. Take a look for yourself."

Xu Xiangwei took the contract in a daze, becoming more bewildered as she read the terms. It wasn't that the conditions were too harsh—quite the opposite. She seemed to be getting the better end of the deal.

According to the contract, the agreement only took effect if she succeeded in the audition and landed the role of Consort Dong'e. If she lost the competition, the contract would be void.

The term was just two years. During those two years, Twin Stars would provide her with five TV dramas and two variety shows, all with billing no lower than second lead! In addition, there were eight endorsements and sixteen magazine covers, not to mention a host of interviews and appearances. As long as the quality of the projects was assured, the quantity was nearly the industry’s maximum.

But her obligations were no small matter either.

First, she could not refuse any company-arranged schedule for any reason. All television and variety show ratings had to exceed 2. Every endorsement and screen project had to hit a formidable profit target.

If she managed to meet all the requirements, starting from the third year, Twin Stars would begin granting her film resources and continue to support her until her popularity waned. If she failed, not only would all her earnings and assets go to Twin Stars to pay the debt, but she would also face a permanent ban from the entire industry.

The contract looked strict, but Xu Xiangwei knew she was being handed an incredible opportunity.

Because… right now, she had nothing at all.

If she won the bet, she would surely rise to A-list status. If she lost, well, her situation wouldn’t be much worse than it was now, right?

No, not exactly. At least now she could still scrape by with small roles in minor productions, occasionally show her face in her teacher's theater troupe. If she were blacklisted, even those small chances would disappear.

So what should she choose?

Most importantly, could she actually win this competition?

Xu Xiangwei lacked confidence in herself.

Noticing her hesitation, Chen Ruowen calmly withdrew the contract and remarked casually, "Of course, you don't have to sign. After all, if you pass the audition, you'll still get the role of Consort Dong'e. Though it's just the third female lead, if the show takes off, even the third or fourth lead can get a share of the limelight. Your livelihood would be secure."

Xu Xiangwei gazed at her own lovely reflection in the glass. Once, she had been the undisputed top of her acting class. Once, her life had been smooth sailing, and she had been on the cusp of joining the ranks of first-tier stars, living a dazzling life filled with TV roles and talk show appearances.

But now?

Her bank balance was down to three digits. Every month, she lowered her pride to chase luck in third-rate productions. The man who had betrayed her had married, had a child, owned a house and a car, and was living happily.

And herself?

Thirty years old, with nothing at all.

In an industry that thrived on youth, how many more years could she survive?

Xu Xiangwei withdrew her gaze, strode to Chen Ruowen, and pressed her still-fair, slender palm firmly onto the cover of the contract.

"No, I'll sign."