Chapter 398: Poaching |
The members of TKY02 did not stay in the venue for long. After all, they had all day tomorrow to rehearse here, and it was getting late. It was time for dinner.
Accompanied by the staff members, the girls laughed and playfully shoved each other as they left through the side door they had entered from.
Hoshino Rin walked out the door. The moment the setting sun's rays hit her, she heard another sharp crackle of static electricity coming from the venue behind her.
She turned her head in confusion, but she still saw nothing.
...
Inside the clear glass, dark brown cola surrounded ice cubes that clinked musically against the sides.
On the glistening grilling pan, slices of marbled meat sizzled under the blistering heat, releasing an appetizing plume of smoke.
Piercing the steaming, perfectly cooked beef with a dinner fork, she rolled it up, dipped it generously into a bright red sauce, and popped it into her mouth. With a gentle bite, the savory juices instantly burst forth, sending a thrilling tingle across her taste buds.
Swallowing the meat and juices together, followed by a huge gulp of ice-cold cola, brought a sense of happiness so profound it was almost moving!
"Ah, I am so full!"
Resting his cheek on his hand, Hoshino Gen watched this scene calmly. He lowered his hand and was just about to stand up when the mobile phone on the table suddenly buzzed and rang.
He picked it up and answered. The voice of the company secretary quickly came through from the other end. "President? Are you available right now?"
Hoshino Gen glanced across the table at Sasaki Ayane, who had already gotten up to pay the bill, and then looked at Monica, who was still sitting there, clearly stuffed. "Just tell me what it is," he replied mildly.
"Yes, well, here is the situation. The human resources department contacted me urgently a moment ago. They have been actively trying to poach Fujimoto Agency's top artist, Akizuki Youka, to join Fanxing Entertainment. The terms they offered were accepted by her side, but..."
"Miss Akizuki has one condition. She said she wants to meet with you today. As long as you personally invite her, she claims she will sign the contract immediately."
...
Akizuki Youka. Even back when Hoshino Gen paid zero attention to the entertainment industry, this name was already incredibly familiar to him.
There was no mystery as to why. This star of the Fujimoto Agency was not just their top earner, but also a guaranteed ratings magnet for TV dramas over the past two years. She was the dream lover of countless teenagers and one of the most wildly popular young actresses of the current era.
With such a high level of fame in today's information age, it was difficult not to have heard of her.
Bringing an artist of her caliber under the Fanxing banner would undoubtedly be a massive boost to Fanxing Entertainment's current development. To put it more bluntly, Akizuki Youka joining Fanxing could, to a certain extent, shift the entire landscape of the entertainment industry.
However, the terms had been laid out. If she was willing to accept them, she should sign; if not, they would go their separate ways. Now that she had accepted the terms, she was demanding a personal, face-to-face invitation before putting pen to paper?
Was she taking herself a bit too seriously?
She was just an artist. No matter how popular she was or how high her status in the entertainment industry climbed, it was strictly confined to that circle. Stepping outside of it... let alone anything else, for a trillion-dollar business empire like the Fanxing Group, ruining a popular star was practically effortless.
She might be a massive sensation now, but as long as Hoshino Gen desired it, he could easily use Fanxing's power to bring her acting career to an abrupt stop.
Of course, Hoshino Gen was not that tyrannical. Since he had actively involved himself in the Fanxing Group's business operations, he would naturally fulfill the responsibilities expected of a President.
However, his personality meant he could never truly consider the company's best interests in absolutely everything. Thus, blending his sense of responsibility with his innate character...
"Have her wait at the company. I am about twenty minutes away right now. If I do not see her when I arrive, have someone tell her she can look for a new career."
...
The secretary on the other end of the line paused before replying, "Yes, Young... President."
The secretary naturally did not think her overly young President was bluffing. Having been temporarily transferred from the Fanxing Group's headquarters to serve as this interim President's temporary secretary, she was acutely aware of his abilities.
Let alone ending a popular artist's career path, even ending her path in life would likely be a breeze for him...
The call ended. Hoshino Gen stood up just as Sasaki Ayane returned from settling the bill.
"Looking at your expression... did something happen?" Sasaki Ayane asked out of curiosity.
"Company matters. It is trivial."
Sasaki Ayane looked at his calm expression and asked, "Are you heading back to the company now?"
"I can drop you off at home first."
Sasaki Ayane shook her head. "Why waste time on unnecessary detours?"
The underlying meaning was that she wanted to accompany Hoshino Gen. Naturally, given Sasaki Ayane's personality, she was unlikely to ever state something so straightforwardly.
Hoshino Gen did not say anything else. He glanced back at Monica, who was trailing beside him. "Do you want to go home now, or later?"
Monica grinned broadly and giggled, "There is no one waiting for me at home anyway!"
...
The Mercedes-Benz S600 sped like lightning down the road. Just as Hoshino Gen had stated on the phone, it took nearly twenty minutes to arrive at the Fanxing Building.
At this hour, the building was still brightly lit. Overworked corporate slaves were still toiling away at their desks, fighting endlessly for their salaries.
Hoshino Gen did not park the car in the underground parking lot. After all, he was not planning to stay long and might be back down shortly, so he simply parked right out front.
As he stepped out of the vehicle, he happened to see a white Audi approaching rapidly. With his exceptional eyesight, he could easily see that sitting inside the car was the famous star who had demanded a personal invitation from him.
Yet, his footsteps did not falter for even a moment. Leading Sasaki Ayane and Monica, he walked straight through the main entrance and headed directly for the nearest elevator, neither deliberately quickening nor slowing his pace.
But just as he arrived in front of the elevator doors and was about to press the call button, chaotic and hurried footsteps echoed, accompanied by an urgent shout: "President Hoshino!"
Hoshino Gen turned his head. Running toward him was a woman in her thirties, dressed in a professional blazer, wearing glasses, and carrying a briefcase. She panted heavily, staggering to a halt in front of him. "Please... please wait a moment!"
Hoshino Gen withdrew his hand from the elevator button. His gaze lingered on the woman in front of him for only a split second before shifting to the space behind her.
Still quite a distance away, another young woman—far more beautiful and dressed in a highly fashionable and exquisite manner—was walking toward them at a leisurely, unhurried pace.