Chapter 89: No One Is Foolish

The man called Brother Ma did not seem the least bit surprised that Mo Qi had turned him down. He only smiled, and instead of taking the contract she had handed over, he pushed it back toward her and said, “There’s still quite a bit after this. You can finish reading it, and then we can talk.”

Mo Qi shook her head. “No need.”

“Can you tell me why you’re refusing?” Brother Ma asked. “Or has Stellar Entertainment already talked to you about signing?”

Everyone in the industry knew that Shen Yijue had shown an unusual interest in a newcomer during the talent competition. It made perfect sense that he would bring Mo Qi directly into Stellar Entertainment.

“Stellar Entertainment hasn’t contacted me yet, and my refusal has nothing to do with Stellar Entertainment.”

“Then can you tell me why?” Brother Ma said, unhurried. It was as though he and Mo Qi were simply chatting about something ordinary, not discussing something as important as a contract.

Brother Ma looked relaxed and cordial, but Mo Qi did not dare let her guard down.

People who mixed in this circle were mostly masters of social maneuvering, and far too adept at reading human affairs.

Especially someone like Brother Ma, who could sit in the position of agent for a leading entertainment company. One could not afford to be careless around him. Otherwise, he might smile while selling you out, and you would still be foolishly helping him count the money.

“It wouldn’t be suitable for Lin Zheng and me to debut as a group,” Mo Qi said earnestly.

“You don’t want to form a group with Lin Zheng?” Brother Ma asked naturally, without the slightest hint of trying to sow discord.

Mo Qi rolled her eyes inwardly, and a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

Could it be that this guy had only ever intended to sign Lin Zheng from the beginning, but worried that she might, because of her connection to the King of Songs, introduce Lin Zheng to Stellar Entertainment? So now he was deliberately driving a wedge between her and Lin Zheng?

Once she understood this, when Mo Qi looked at Brother Ma again, all she could see in the face of this middle-aged man in his fifties, with his square jaw and broad features, were four words: cunning beyond measure.

In truth, Stellar Entertainment had deeper roots than Heavenly Universe Entertainment. With Shen Yijue alone, it could firmly hold its own against Heavenly Universe and Royal Entertainment. If one could join Stellar Entertainment, and had connections as well, the road ahead in show business would naturally not be bad.

Moreover, Stellar Entertainment had now begun expanding into the music market, and at present it did not have any major music superstars. With Lin Zheng’s and Xie An’s talent, they would undoubtedly be valued if they went there.

It was only that Mo Qi’s relationship with Shen Yijue had gradually changed, and even she was planning to run away. Naturally, she could no longer recommend Lin Zheng and Xie An.

Understanding Brother Ma’s intentions, Mo Qi lightly tapped Lin Zheng’s hand under the table and said, “At least for the next five years, I won’t be entering the music scene. As for Lin Zheng, her musical talent was already recognized by everyone during the competition, and she will surely go farther and farther, and shine more and more brightly, on this path. If the two of us were to be paired together as a group, do you think it would be appropriate, Brother Ma?”

The higher-ups at Heavenly Universe Entertainment could not possibly have overlooked such a question, yet they had still explicitly included it in the signing contract. That could only mean they had done so on purpose.

Their ultimate target was Lin Zheng, and naturally it would be even better if they could sign Mo Qi as well. But with Shen Yijue backing Mo Qi, they had not held out much hope.

Fortunately, Mo Qi’s mind was quick and flexible; otherwise, she might truly have fallen into Heavenly Universe Entertainment’s small trap.

“Hmm.” Brother Ma gave a low chuckle, not answering directly. Instead, he asked, “Then does Mo Qi think it would be suitable for Lin Zheng to go to Stellar Entertainment?”

“There are so many kings and queens in music under Heavenly Universe Entertainment that I could count them on my fingers and toes. They have a huge fan base and an unshakable position in the music world, and every year Heavenly Universe carefully plans new singles and albums for them.” As she spoke, Mo Qi suddenly lifted her wineglass, smiled slightly, and asked, “Brother Ma, can you still see my little finger beneath this glass?”

Brother Ma glanced at it. Mo Qi’s fingers were holding the stem of the glass, with her little finger tucked underneath, completely hidden from view.

No one here was foolish, and everyone naturally understood what she meant.

Heavenly Universe had far too many towering trees in the music industry. If a sapling like Lin Zheng were planted among all those giants, would anyone still be able to see her?

Brother Ma raised his glass and, in the same motion, clinked it against Mo Qi’s before tilting his head back and finishing all the red wine in one go.

Mo Qi smiled as well and emptied her glass.

Only then did Brother Ma lower his voice and say, “I watched the videos of your competition. In the first episode, the program team even used your friendship as a gimmick to promote the show. To be honest, I always thought that was just staged. But now I understand.”

He opened his briefcase again, took out another contract, and handed it to Lin Zheng. “Lin Zheng, I believe Mo Qi really is your good friend now.”

Lin Zheng had a frank personality, but she was not stupid. The moment she saw the new contract, she understood Heavenly Universe Entertainment’s intention.

“Mo Qi.” Lin Zheng tightened her grip on Mo Qi’s hand beneath the table. Just now, if she were to say she had felt no resentment or anger at all, that would be a lie. For a moment, even the thought that Mo Qi was afraid Lin Zheng might drag her down had surfaced.

But now she understood. Mo Qi had actually been thinking of her from beginning to end.

A wave of guilt and emotion rose in Lin Zheng’s heart, and for a moment she did not know what to say.

Mo Qi squeezed her hand back and said, “Take a look at the contract first.”

“Mm.” Lin Zheng nodded and began to examine the new contract seriously.

The terms listed were extremely favorable. Aside from guaranteeing Lin Zheng’s exposure, it also gave her priority rights to release records.

By the time one finished reading the entire contract, no one would doubt that Heavenly Universe Entertainment was cultivating Lin Zheng as a future queen of music.

Lin Zheng was somewhat excited and almost wanted to sign the contract right then and there.

Mo Qi tightened her hand, and only then did Lin Zheng calm down. She said, “Brother Ma, can I give you my answer tomorrow?”

“Of course.” Brother Ma nodded, poured wine into his glass, and clinked it with Mo Qi and Lin Zheng. “Then I’ll wish us a pleasant collaboration in advance.”

That old fox had clearly already assumed Lin Zheng would agree to sign.

Mo Qi silently grumbled to herself, though her expression did not change.

Brother Ma tipped back his head and drank, a sharp gleam flashing rapidly in his eyes. If Mo Qi had not been sitting there, Lin Zheng would probably already have signed.

People said Mo Qi was naturally suited to the entertainment industry. At first he had remained skeptical, but now he was completely certain.

This little fox, with her calm smile that never betrayed the slightest ripple, made it impossible to guess what was really turning in her mind.

The three of them each had their own thoughts, yet somehow got along exceptionally well.

That was the advantage of being with smart people: even when there was a blade hidden in the smile, no one would ever show their anger openly.

After they finished their wine and discussed the work, they lowered their voices and chatted about gossip.

From a short distance away, Zhou Tingzi watched the three of them laughing and talking, and jealousy gnawed at her. She loved singing, and of course she also hoped to win Heavenly Universe Entertainment’s favor.

Grinding her teeth, Zhou Tingzi added something to her own wineglass, then picked it up and walked over with a bright smile. “Mo Qi, you all were talking to Brother Ma so happily. You don’t mind if I join in too, do you?”

“Tingzi, come quickly. We were just talking about you,” Mo Qi said, scooting a little closer to Lin Zheng to make space. “Come sit.”

Zhou Tingzi set her glass down beside Mo Qi’s and sat down with a smile. “You weren’t talking about my embarrassing moments, were you? Let me tell you, Mo Qi. If you say anything embarrassing about me in front of Brother Ma, I’ll cry for you.”

Zhou Tingzi was also very good at smoothing things over, and with one sentence she had already struck up a rapport with Brother Ma.

Mo Qi only smiled and said nothing, content to watch the show.