"Miss Yao, what do you think?"
After stating his terms, Arden looked straight at Astra Yao, quietly waiting for her answer.
Astra Yao's moist, luminous eyes flickered slightly. She admitted that she was tempted—Arden's conditions perfectly matched the ideal scenario she had envisioned. There could hardly be a more favorable contract than this.
However, she still had some concerns.
"Daoist Arden, I'm very satisfied with your temple's… company's contract terms. But if you sign me, aren't you worried that the film and entertainment companies under the TOPS Alliance will cause trouble for Yunkui Summit?"
Judging by the usual conduct of companies under the TOPS Alliance, Astra Yao didn't believe they would let a golden goose like her simply slip away.
This wasn't self-flattery. Astra Yao had a very clear understanding of her own star potential—something evident from the popularity of her performances outside the small plaza and the persistent pursuit by major film and television companies.
"TOPS, huh… heh!"
Hearing Astra Yao's concern, Arden let out a disdainful chuckle. "You're on the Waifei Peninsula, so you should be well aware of the grudge between Yunkui Summit and Porcelumex, right?"
"Mm."
Astra Yao nodded.
Because of the Gleaming Ridge Stone Mine, Porcelumex had been constantly at odds with Yunkui Summit. The recent incident had stirred up a huge commotion—anyone who wasn't a shut-in knew about it.
"Porcelumex is also a company under the TOPS Alliance. Since we've already offended TOPS, offending two or three more of their subsidiaries doesn't really matter… When you've got too many lice, you stop itching; when you owe too many debts, you stop worrying. Porcelumex can't do anything to Yunkui Summit. Adding Odeum HAE or Fugue won't change a thing."
To be honest, compared to a manufacturing company like Porcelumex, Arden cared even less about film companies like Odeum HAE and Fugue.
So, what if he offended them?
Were they going to storm the mountain gate or something?
If they really dared to overestimate themselves and come knocking, Arden would make sure they understood why flowers are so red.
They just needed to watch out for underhanded tricks.
"Ha… hehe."
Astra Yao was amused once again by Arden's overly down-to-earth metaphors.
Crude as his words were, the logic held. She had to admit that what he said made sense—and it convinced her.
"Besides, Yunkui Summit isn't without a backer that can stand up to TOPS!"
As he said this, Arden glanced around. Seeing that there were no outsiders like worshippers nearby—aside from Ju Fufu and the other two observing discreetly—he beckoned Astra Yao closer.
Having never been particularly close to a man before, Astra Yao hesitated for a moment, but still leaned in.
She trusted Daoist Arden's character and didn't believe he harbored any improper intentions.
"I'll tell you, but don't tell anyone else, okay?"
After giving this reminder, Arden leaned close to Astra Yao's ear and lowered his voice, whispering softly, "My Shifu, Yixuan, is in a cooperative relationship with Mayor Mayflower. With the mayor backing us, TOPS wouldn't dare do anything."
"Oh~ so that's how it is!"
Hearing this, Astra Yao suddenly understood.
If there was any force in New Eridu capable of contending with the TOPS Alliance, it would be the mayor's faction.
Seeing how confidently Arden spoke, it didn't seem like he was lying to a young girl like her. Astra Yao finally put her worries to rest.
With all concerns resolved, Astra Yao wanted to sign on the spot. However, since Suibian Film & Television hadn't been formally established yet, they could only sign a letter of intent for cooperation.
"Pleasure working together! Uh… I'll go register the company the day after tomorrow."
"Pleasure working together! Then I'll wait for your good news, Daoist Arden."
To prevent anyone with ulterior motives from acting improperly, Arden personally escorted Astra Yao home.
When it was time to part ways, the two exchanged contact information for convenience and added each other as KnockKnock friends.
Once Suibian Film & Media was established, Astra Yao became the company's very first signed artist.
Though it was called a company, there were actually only five people in total.
Yunkui Summit was the nominal majority shareholder, with Yum Cha Sin as a minority shareholder. Arden served as chairman; the general manager and operations were handled by Yiji. Sweety was both a board member and a consultant, as well as the sole artist manager for Astra Yao, the only signed artist.
Ju Fufu was the executive director—commonly known as the one who handled all the odd jobs—and occasionally doubled as a bodyguard.
Of course, with Yixuan Shifu's authorization, Arden could mobilize Yunkui Summit's resources. Even Yixuan herself might occasionally make a cameo appearance or two—something she seemed somewhat interested in.
With the company's basic framework established, it was time to plan Astra Yao's debut performance and press conference.
And right on schedule, obstruction from TOPS subsidiaries—the Odeum HAE Entertainment Group and Fugue Film Company—arrived.
"Master, all the TV stations we contacted have rejected our company's cooperation proposals."
Yiji reported the company's predicament to Arden, the chairman.
Although New Eridu had a network, it was far less developed than Earth in 2025 before Arden's transmigration. The primary means of spreading film and entertainment content still relied on movies, videotapes, and television.
It was too early to talk about movies, so television became the most crucial medium. And to get on TV, one had to go through TV stations. Yet even when Suibian Film & Media offered prices above the market rate, they were still rejected.
It was obvious who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"Hmm…"
Arden frowned in thought. "If the soft approach doesn't work, do we have to go hard?"
With that thought, he turned his head toward Ju Fufu, who was nearby studying a script.
As a tiger Thiren with ideals and ambition, Ju Fufu had always wanted to make a movie promoting the 'Tiger Hero.' Now, at last, the opportunity had come.
"Going hard doesn't sound too good… what about Yixuan Shifu's side…?"
Yiji knew exactly what Arden was planning and couldn't help but feel worried.
"Shifu… she should be able to understand me… right?"
Yunkui Summit was an upright and reputable sect. But for the sake of greater "justice," sacrificing a TV station director who was being manipulated by evil forces—so long as Arden reasoned with them and appealed to their emotions—Yixuan Shifu should… maybe… probably… not mind?
Well, Arden wasn't entirely sure either.
"Arden, if I remember correctly, the Mayflower family also has affiliated TV stations. Maybe we could try asking the mayor."
At this moment, the consultant Sweety offered a better solution.
With her outstanding appearance, Sweety had once been discovered by talent scouts herself, though she had turned them down. Still, that experience gave her insight into the industry.
"The mayor, huh… that works!"
Yunkui Summit had done many things for Mayor Mayflower in the past. Now, it was time for the Mayflower family to return the favor.
Moreover, compared to illegal threats, asking a friend for help was something Yixuan Shifu would find much more acceptable.
Wasting no time, Arden immediately shared his idea with Yixuan Shifu. As expected, she readily agreed, and Mayor Mayflower also didn't refuse Yunkui Summit's request to "lend a small hand."
With the TV station issue resolved, Astra Yao was one step closer to her debut concert.
===BREAK===
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