Chapter Four: This Circle is a Mess

Stirring her spoon, Xu Meiqi analyzed seriously, "Generally, talent agency contracts are like selling your soul to the company. Of course, selling your soul isn't out of the question, but you have to negotiate a good price. At the very least, they should cover social security, right? What is the base salary? Do you get weekends off? What are the holiday benefits? If you get eliminated in the first or second round, you still have to sign with the company, so you need to negotiate these things carefully. But then again, like you said, even if you get nothing out of it, at least you'll get a decent cut during the competition. Free money is free money, might as well take it."

Genuinely wishing the best for her best friend, Xu Meiqi hesitated slightly. "Logically, being selected is a good thing, and I should congratulate you. But... this industry is just too messy. I can't bear to see a sweet, innocent girl like you, who is pure as a blank sheet of paper, jump into this muddy swamp."

Lin Ke also hesitated slightly. "Is it really as terrifying as the entertainment industry?"

"Much worse than the entertainment industry. A monthly salary of twenty-eight hundred, working yourself to the bone all day. After all, we don't have fans to back us up. This place eats people alive and spits out the bones."

Actors in micro-dramas might work twenty hours a day, but at least they could get on the trending searches. For low-tier streamers like them, they could work themselves to death and no one would ever know.

However, Xu Meiqi knew very well that for someone like Lin Ke, who was struggling on the edge of a cliff, it was impossible to give up an opportunity that was within arm's reach.

It had been like this since college. She would run for class monitor, sign up for the long-distance race at the sports meet, and apply to be a campus ambassador for recruiting companies.

Lin Ke had the courage to face any difficulty that would make others shrink back.

Even if a single misstep meant plunging into an abyss.

"If you really want to gain a foothold at Cocoon, you need to build good relationships not just with your colleagues, but also the camera crew, makeup artists, and administrative staff. Especially the agents. Big stars treat their agents like butlers, but for small fry like us, our entire future is in their hands. Be sweet-tongued, keep coffee and desserts ready, and who knows—a casual word from them bringing in a brand deal could save us ten years of hard work."

Lin Ke's fingers flew across her screen as she took notes on what Xu Meiqi was saying. She had never entered the professional world, and these things were still too complex for her.

"You're amazing. That's some serious workplace Machiavellianism!"

"Oh, please! That's hardly Machiavellian. It's just that I've learned my lessons the hard way." A hint of loneliness flickered across Xu Meiqi's face. Society was, after all, different from campus. Once they left that ivory tower, how many could still remain little princesses?

Lin Ke smiled, resting her chin on her hands. "It's okay, you have your Prince Charming! A prince will always pamper his princess. How have you two been lately?"

"The same as usual. Actually, Zhou Yifan treats me quite well and takes care of me in every way. But given his status, he's just too busy, and it's hard for him to provide emotional support."

Lin Ke felt something was off. "Does he still only contact you at scheduled times? Not even using WeChat, only apps like Momo? You've been together for so long, what about the future?"

Xu Meiqi said helplessly, "After all, he's a celebrity agent! He can't be that free when it comes to dating. And... Yifan is nine years older than me. My parents probably won't accept it, so I don't dare tell them."

"So what if he's nine years older? True love is priceless. Younger guys have their charms, but older men have their own appeal! I think you should push the relationship forward. You can't just be at his beck and call, staying completely silent when he doesn't reach out."

Drawing circles in her bowl with her spoon, Xu Meiqi said, "We'll see! Being a streamer isn't that free either. He's not the only one who needs to hide things. Who knows, once you sign the contract, you might have to take your relationship underground too."

Underground...

Lin Ke couldn't help but think of Dou Peng, the boy who had been with her for two years. Back in school, they were both in the broadcasting station, attending classes, participating in clubs, and working part-time jobs together. Their lives were completely in sync. But it wasn't until they started working that she realized how different two people could become. She wondered where he was delivering food now.

In the end, Lin Ke still filled out the interview resume. For someone like her, there were too few choices. No matter how much uncertainty lay ahead, she didn't dare to give up easily. Every opportunity she gave up might be the last one she ever got.

The Cocoon Building. In the end, Lin Ke stood before the entrance of this building.

After taking the subway for over an hour, wearing her neatly ironed dress, Lin Ke clutched her printed resume, took a deep breath, and walked through the front doors.

"Quick, quick, move aside! Watch out! Keep the emergency lane clear!"

Just as she entered, a crowd rushed out of the building. Several people in dark green paramedic uniforms hurriedly wheeled a gurney out, with someone kneeling on the gurney, performing CPR on the patient.

Pushed into a corner, Lin Ke stared blankly at the scene, feeling a sudden wave of panic.

What was going on? Were big companies really this terrifying?

The sharp-eyed receptionist spotted Lin Ke and stepped forward at the right moment. "I'm so sorry. An employee had a sudden medical emergency and we had to call an ambulance. I hope we didn't startle you. May I ask what brings you to Cocoon today? Do you have an appointment?"

Looking at the well-mannered receptionist, Lin Ke calmed down slightly. "Excuse me, I'm here to interview for... a streamer position."

The receptionists at Cocoon were all handpicked from the flight attendant program at the civil aviation academy, their smiles radiating pure warmth. "Ah, so you are one of our future stars! Do you have your resume and invitation? I'll have someone show you upstairs."

Lin Ke blushed slightly. "Yes, right here. Thank you."

In truth, Lin Ke was not an extrovert by nature. Every personality test she took labeled her as an INTJ. But for someone like her, striving for a chance, she didn't even have the luxury of being an introvert. She had no choice but to fake being outgoing.

"Thank you for your help, I'm Lin Ke."

"Of course. Please head to Elevator 11. Our administrative staff is waiting for you at the turnstile."

The administrator guided Lin Ke all the way up, walking through long corridors before entering the atrium terrace on the twentieth floor.

She was given a brief overview of the interview process. Since she had already made it through the preliminary rounds, there were no mass auditions. She only needed to enter the conference room one by one to meet directly with the directors of each department. Those who passed would sign their contracts and start next Monday.

Looking up from the atrium terrace, one could see ten stories of corridors. Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall, reflecting off a rockery, a waterfall, and a pond, making the water shimmer.

Plump, bright red koi swam in the crystal-clear pond. On the walls flanking the terrace hung portraits of the monthly and quarterly "Star Streamers," each earning tens of millions a month.

Still unaccustomed to the fast pace of a large corporation, Lin Ke followed closely behind, feeling a bit out of place as they reached the waiting area.

A dozen elegantly dressed women were already seated there, wearing professional attire and bold red lipstick, carrying the polished air of those well-versed in the ways of the world.

"Oh, look, there's a little sister here. Are you still a student?"

Lin Ke knew that being called a student was a jab at her looking unsophisticated, rather than a compliment on her youth. Looking down at her floral dress, she realized it was a world apart from their white shirts and pencil skirts.

But she usually stood out in a good way when she wore this at school!

What should she do? She felt like her confidence had been completely crushed in their very first encounter.