Chapter 416 – Mo Fei’s Blunder
Mo Fei arrived alone at Niu Meiling’s office. Niu Meiling’s assistant had just stepped out with a kettle and, upon seeing Mo Fei, quickly nodded and smiled, “Sister Fei, you’re here?”
If it were any other minor celebrity, she might not have been so polite. But Mo Fei’s status was special, almost on par with that spoiled rich young master Ju Jie. She could come and go as she pleased, without needing an appointment or prior notice.
“Is that Mo Fei? Come in, come in! I was just hoping you’d visit!” Niu Meiling heard the commotion and peeked her head out. Seeing Mo Fei alone, she was stunned for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. She came forward to greet her, even personally pulling out a chair for Mo Fei to sit down.
“Don’t make tea. Get Mo Fei a glass of lemon water. It has great beauty and whitening effects!” Niu Meiling instructed her assistant before sitting back in her own seat.
“Thank you for your trouble.” Mo Fei smiled slightly at Sister Ling’s assistant.
The smile actually made the other person feel somewhat flattered. After all, while Mo Fei had never neglected basic courtesies, she rarely showed her smile.
Mo Fei had also undergone some subtle changes in her happy life. Mo Xiaojuan might not have noticed, but those who didn’t interact with her often could sense the change more clearly.
After some brief pleasantries and waiting for the assistant to leave, Niu Meiling was the first to get to the point.
“Mo Fei, what do you think of the contract you took back last time? If there are any terms you find unsuitable, we can continue discussing them!” Niu Meiling said with a smile.
Whether they could reach an agreement was another matter, but she wanted to show her goodwill first.
However, she was destined to be disappointed!
Mo Fei hesitated for a moment, biting her lower lip, then said directly, “Sister Ling, I’m sorry, but I don’t want to renew the contract!”
Before this, Mo Fei had gone over her words countless times in her mind but couldn’t figure out a clever or tactful way to express her thoughts. So… she just said it directly.
After saying it, Mo Fei let out a slight sigh of relief, as if the burden that had been weighing on her heart had finally been put down. However, there were still other burdens…
“What did you say?” Niu Meiling was stunned, almost unable to believe her ears.
After Mo Fei spoke up, she became much more open and at ease. With a calm expression, she explained to Niu Meiling, “Sister Ling, please don’t misunderstand. I don’t want to join another agency. Instead, I’ve decided to start my own studio, and have it independently manage my artist affairs.”
Niu Meiling heard Mo Fei’s explanation but didn’t really take it in. She was furious, staring at Mo Fei intensely. She suddenly slammed her hand on the table and scolded, “Mo Fei, do you even know what you’re saying?”
Mo Fei was taken aback.
Niu Meiling didn’t give Mo Fei a chance to speak. She angrily said, “Do you know how many resources the company has invested in cultivating you? You wanted to make a comeback, fine, I produced an album for you. You didn’t do well, then later wanted to release your own album. Fine again! Zhenzhen’s album has been pushed back without a release date because of this. How much thought and effort has the company poured into you? Do you even know?”
“I know…” Mo Fei hadn’t finished speaking when she was interrupted again by Niu Meiling.
“No, you don’t know!” Niu Meiling said with a cold laugh. “If you knew, you wouldn’t go back on your word, dragging the company along while making your own plans to leave! Now that your wings have grown, and you’re a big star, with only four months left on your contract, we can’t stop you anymore. You must be feeling pretty proud, right?”
Mo Fei felt a little uncomfortable from Niu Meiling’s harsh words. Her eyes reddened as she said, “It’s not like that, Sister Ling, it’s not what you think!”
“I just want freedom. I don’t like announcements and commercial performances—these jobs are too complicated! I just want to be a pure musician!” Mo Fei bit her lower lip to hold back her tears. She tried to explain. “At Tianmei, I can’t feel this freedom, so I want to open my own studio. I’m not trying to betray you or Tianmei. Can you understand?”
“Understand my foot! If this isn’t betrayal, what is?” Niu Meiling cursed, now completely furious. “Let me tell you, Mo Fei, don’t think being a singer or being in the entertainment industry is so simple. Freedom? Ha! You think just because you’ve had some success, you can act all high and mighty? You think you can just go for freedom now? Don’t all singers need to participate in announcements? Don’t they all need to do commercial performances? Do you think fame is so easy to accumulate?”
What Niu Meiling said was actually just words spoken in anger. In fact, announcements and commercial performances are, to some extent, consuming a star’s popularity, turning that popularity into real money. Even though they help maintain heat, that effect can only offset the consumption.
Mo Fei didn’t like to argue. She pressed her lips, her expression stubborn, holding on to her own beliefs.
The two remained silent for a while.
“Mo Fei, we’ve been working together for over ten years. Is there anything we can’t sit down and talk about properly? Why must we part ways like this?” Niu Meiling was initially furious, but gradually suppressed her anger, squeezed out a smile, and said to Mo Fei.
She still wanted to try to keep her.
Mo Fei shook her head. Her tone remained calm as she said, “Sister Ling, I’m sorry, but I have my own pursuits. I understand that what you value is profit and the company’s development, but all I want is music!”
In other words, their paths no longer aligned.
“For delaying the renewal of the contract, I admit it was my fault,” Mo Fei said frankly, “As compensation, including the Beijing concert, for all the concerts and commercial performances you need to arrange for me before the contract expires, I am willing to forgo my share of the income. It can all go to the company.”
This silly woman, whether she felt indebted to Niu Meiling or wanted to salvage a little bit of their relationship, actually wanted to compensate Niu Meiling.
Don’t underestimate this income. Mo Fei’s value had skyrocketed!
But Niu Meiling, seeing Mo Fei’s stubborn expression and knowing her personality from past experience, probably knew that this matter was irreversible, and her face darkened.
However, Niu Meiling didn’t lose her temper in front of Mo Fei. She forced a smile and said to Mo Fei, “Mo Fei, you’re young and impulsive. I advise you to go back and think it over. Once you’ve thought it through clearly, we can talk again.”
Mo Fei hesitated, wanting to say more, but seeing Niu Meiling’s expression, she knew it wasn’t the right time to continue. She could only sigh and say, “Sister Ling, my decision is based solely on personal considerations. I hope you can understand. Once you’ve calmed down, I’ll come back to apologize.”
After Mo Fei left, Niu Meiling angrily threw her teacup, startling the assistant who had just walked in.
“Ungrateful traitor! Get out! Don’t bother me unless it’s important!” Niu Meiling shouted.
The assistant ducked her head and scurried out, closing the door behind her.
“What did Sister Mo Fei say to make Sister Ling so angry?” The assistant secretly listened outside the door. Although the soundproofing was good, she could still hear the sounds of things being smashed inside. She secretly clicked her tongue.
Angry? That was an understatement.
Niu Meiling was beyond furious!
Her face was grim as she sat in her chair for a moment. Then, she suddenly stood up, pulled open the door, and glared at the assistant, who hastily picked up a magazine, pretending to read. “Call Manager Jian over!”
TN: If you like my translations, support me in ko-fi: Here.
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