Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 69 Shirley's Contract Scandal

Sulli's contract with SM Entertainment expires in two weeks, and the news has already spread.

It wasn't a rumor spread by Yinguo Entertainment. Someone inside SM Entertainment leaked the news that Sulli wouldn't renew her contract and was going to switch to a new company. The day the news broke, Su Yu was at the company looking at the outline of "Goblin" when Kim Dong-wook pushed open the door and held up his phone in front of him.

"Take a look."

The screen shows Naver's top trending search: Sulli leaves SM, where is she next?

Su Yu glanced at it and handed the phone back. "Who put it there?"

"SM Entertainment wants to strike first, create public pressure, and force Sulli to make a statement." Kim Dong-wook sat down. "The internet is in an uproar now, with fans divided into two camps. One camp says they support Sulli's decision, while the other camp is criticizing her for being ungrateful."

Where's Shirley?

"She's in her dorm. The PR team has already spoken to her on the phone, but she said she wouldn't comment."

Su Yu thought for a moment, then picked up his phone and called Shirley.

It rang three times before she answered. Shirley's voice sounded calm, but Su Yu could tell that the calmness was feigned.

"Did you see the news?" Su Yu asked.

"I saw it."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Didn't you tell me not to respond? I won't respond."

"That's not what I meant. I was asking if you're alright?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. Shirley's voice softened. "Are you worried about me?"

Su Yu didn't reply.

"Su Yu, if you're worried about me, just say so. Don't beat around the bush."

"...I'm worried about you."

Shirley laughed on the other end of the phone. The laughter wasn't loud, but it sounded a bit lighter.

"Alright, that's enough. I'll handle things with SM. Just get a lawyer ready for me."

After hanging up the phone, Su Yu asked Kim Dong-wook to contact the legal team. Choi Min-soo also arrived, saying that he had dealt with people from SM Entertainment before and that they were not easy to deal with.

"What do they want?" Su Yu asked.

"Breach of contract penalties. And a ban," Choi Min-soo said. "SM Entertainment has never been lenient with artists who leave, especially someone of Sulli's caliber. They won't let them go easily."

Su Yu leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice.

"Then let's fight."

The next day, Su Yu took Kim Dong-wook and Choi Min-soo to SM Entertainment.

The negotiations took place in SM's conference room. Three people came from the other side: the head of legal affairs, the head of artist management, and a director from the public relations department. The leader, surnamed Park, was in his fifties, with slicked-back hair and a smile that looked like a mask.

"Representative Su, I've heard so much about you." Minister Park extended his hand.

Su Yu gripped it briefly, then released it and sat down.

"Sulli's contract with SM expires in two weeks, and she's not renewing it. We're here today to discuss the termination of her contract," Su Yu said bluntly.

Minister Park's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned slightly cold. "Representative Su is straightforward. Then we'll get straight to the point. Sulli has an additional agreement with us; if she terminates the contract early, she'll have to pay a penalty. The amount..." He pulled a piece of paper from his folder and pushed it in front of Su Yu, "Two billion won."

Choi Min-soo glanced at it, and his expression changed. "This is 500 million more than what's written in the contract."

"That's the basic penalty for breach of contract. Sulli also has three endorsement deals and two unfulfilled performance contracts, and those losses should also be factored in."

Kim Dong-wook remained silent, but his fingers flew across the keyboard under the table.

Su Yu picked up the paper, glanced at it, and put it down.

"Two billion, sure."

Minister Park was taken aback. He hadn't expected Su Yu to agree so readily.

"However," Su Yu changed the subject, "during Sherry's time at SM, some of her income was deducted from her earnings under the guise of 'management fees.' We will have a third-party auditing firm audit the accounts. If any unreasonable deductions are found, SM will be required to provide double compensation."

Minister Park's smile froze for a moment.

Kim Dong-wook spoke up at the opportune moment: "We have already contacted Seoul's largest auditing firm, and they will begin auditing the accounts next week. It is expected to take two weeks. If problems are found, SM will not only have to pay compensation, but will also face public pressure."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

"Is Representative Su threatening us?" Minister Park's voice turned somber.

"This isn't a threat," Su Yu said. "It's a fair trade. You want a penalty for breach of contract, and I want to audit the accounts. Neither of us loses out."

After a ten-minute standoff, SM Entertainment finally relented, lowering the penalty for breach of contract to 1.5 billion won, and terminating all of Sulli's contractual obligations on the contract's expiration date.

Choi Min-soo breathed a sigh of relief as he walked out of the SM building.

"How did you know there was a problem with SM's accounts?" he asked Su Yu.

"Just a guess," Su Yu said. "That's how big companies are; they can't withstand scrutiny."

Kim Dong-wook laughed beside him. "It's not a guess, it's a clue Sulli gave me. She said that SM adjusts its accounts at the end of each year, allocating a portion of its revenue to 'management fees.' There are never any details about this money."

Su Yu glanced at him. "You certainly know how to use intelligence."

"I'm a journalist by profession; it would be a waste not to utilize intelligence."

After getting into the car, Su Yu sent Shirley a message: "It's done. The penalty for breach of contract is 1.5 billion."

Shirley replied instantly: "You paid for it for me?"

"The company will pay. It will be deducted from your future commission."

"Isn't that the same?"

"It's different. If the company pays, you can deduct it from your taxes."

Shirley sent a long string of ellipses, then sent another message: "Su Yu, you're really... thank you."

Su Yu did not reply.

The celebration dinner that evening was held at a barbecue restaurant near the company. Sulli arrived, wearing a black hoodie without a hood and with her hair down. She seemed to be in a good mood, clinking glasses of soju with Choi Min-soo and then having a drink with Kim Dong-wook.

Cai Xiubin was also there. She sat next to Su Yu, serving him food and pouring him water, her movements as natural as if she had done it hundreds of times.

Shirley watched as Cai Xiubin wiped the grease from Su Yu's lips, paused for a moment in her wine glass, and then downed it in one gulp.

Park Jiyeon also arrived and sat next to Lee Ji-eun. There was a fist's distance between the two, but Park Jiyeon always served food to Lee Ji-eun first, and Lee Ji-eun didn't refuse and ate silently.

After observing the surroundings, Kim Dong-wook whispered to Su Yu, "The romantic relationships in your company are more complicated than in a TV drama."

Su Yu glared at him.

"Okay, I won't say anything more." Kim Dong-wook raised his hands in surrender.

Halfway through the meal, Shirley stood up, took her wine glass, and walked over to Su Yu.

"Representative Su, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Su Yu stood up and bumped into her.

"From now on, I'm with Yin-Yang Entertainment." Shirley looked into his eyes. "You'll treat me well, right?"

"The company will treat all artists equally."

Shirley laughed. "You know I wasn't talking about the company."

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Chae Soo-bin kept her head down, picking at her food, not looking at them. Park Ji-yeon and Lee Ji-eun exchanged a glance but remained silent. Kim Dong-wook pretended to answer a phone call and went outside.

Su Yu looked at Shirley and remained silent for two seconds.

"I will do everything I can to make your career better."

Shirley stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled. There was a hint of bitterness in that smile, but mostly a sense of relief.

"Okay. Good for your career too."

She finished her drink and sat back down.

Cai Xiubin looked up and glanced at Su Yu. Su Yu sat down, found his hand under the table, and shook it.

Su Yu shook hands in return.

It was almost midnight when they finished the barbecue. Everyone dispersed. Kim Dong-wook took Choi Min-soo home, Park Ji-yeon drove Lee Ji-eun home, and Sulli called a designated driver.

Su Yu and Cai Xiubin walked at the back.

The autumn night breeze was a bit chilly, and Cai Xiubin hunched her shoulders. Su Yu took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"Aren't you cold?" Cai Xiubin asked.

"It's not cold."

You always say you're not cold.

"Because it's really not cold."

Cai Xiubin smiled, reached into his coat pocket, touched his hand, and intertwined their fingers.

The two of them walked slowly down the empty street, hand in hand. The streetlights cast long, overlapping shadows of them.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Sherry has signed a contract, so you'll have more opportunities to meet in the future."

Su Yu didn't speak.

"I don't mind," Cai Xiubin said softly. "I believe you. But Su Yu, what if one day..."

"No," Su Yu interrupted her.

Cai Xiubin stopped and looked up at him. The light from the streetlamp fell on her face, and her eyes shimmered with light.

"You didn't even let me finish."

No matter what you say, the answer is no.

Cai Xiubin stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him quickly, as if afraid of being seen.

"Let's go home."

The two continued walking. One by one, the streetlights behind them dimmed, while one by one, the streetlights ahead lit up.

Su Yu's phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out with one hand and glanced at it; it was a message from Shirley.

"Thank you for today. Not just for the contract, but for so much else. Su Yu, you're really kind."

After reading it, Su Yu typed a few words: "Get some rest."

After sending it, I turned off my phone.

Cai Xiubin didn't ask who sent it, but simply squeezed his hand.

Back home, Cai Xiubin went to take a shower first. Su Yu sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, and randomly changed the channel. An old movie was playing, in black and white; he watched for a few minutes but couldn't get into it.

Many things flashed through my mind: Jung Cheol-min's warning, Kim Dong-wook's investigation, Sulli's signing of the contract, and the launch of the new project.

And there was that moment when Cai Xiubin kissed him under the streetlight.

He suddenly realized that of all these things, only the last one was truly important.

Cai Xiubin came out of the shower, her hair still wet, wearing a white T-shirt and her pants rolled up to her calves. She walked over, sat down next to Su Yu, and handed him a towel.

"Help me wipe it."

Su Yu took the towel and helped her dry her hair. Her hair was very soft, and when it got wet, its color darkened and it lay flat against her scalp. His fingers ran through her hair, his movements very gentle.

Cai Xiubin closed her eyes, like a cat being stroked.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Won't you get annoyed in the future? It's the same people and the same things every day."

Su Yu paused for a moment, then continued wiping.

"Won't."

Why?

"Because every day is different."

Cai Xiubin opened her eyes and turned to look at him. "What's different?"

Su Yu looked at her. "You look better today than yesterday."

Cai Xiubin paused for a moment, then smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

"When did you learn to say things like that?"

"Just now."

"Say it more often in the future."

"It depends on my mood."

Cai Xiubin laughed and playfully punched him, then snatched the towel and dried her hair herself. Su Yu leaned back on the sofa, watching her clumsily dry her hair, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"I'll go heat up a glass of milk for you."

"Need not."

"You drank quite a bit of alcohol today, drinking some milk will be good for your stomach."

Cai Xiubin stood up and went into the kitchen. Su Yu heard the sound of the refrigerator door opening, the microwave starting up, and a cup being placed on the table.

He closed his eyes and heard Cai Xiubin humming a song softly in the kitchen.

He hadn't heard that song before, but he thought it sounded nice.

It's not because the song is good, it's because of the singer.

The milk was warmed up, and Cai Xiubin brought it over and handed it to him. Su Yu took it and drank a sip; the temperature was just right.

"Is it good?"

"Um."

"Couldn't you say one more word?"

"It tastes great."

Cai Xiubin was satisfied and sat down next to him, leaning on his shoulder. Su Yu held the milk in one hand and had his other arm around her shoulder.

The old movie on TV finished, and it switched to the late-night news. It was reporting on the stock market, with tech stocks surging and Tencent hitting a new high. Su Yu glanced at it, thought about the stocks in his account, and a slight smile twitched at the corner of his mouth.

He had more and more money, but he cared less and less about it.

He used to earn money to survive, to move out of his basement apartment, and to buy a building and a company. Now, what is he earning money for? He's not quite sure himself.

Perhaps it's to make life better for the people around me.

Chae Soo-bin no longer has to worry about making a living, Sulli can take on the roles she wants, Park Ji-yeon and Lee Ji-eun can be together openly, and Yoon Shi-yoon no longer has to eat expired rice balls from convenience stores.

These things are far more important than the numbers in the account.

Su Yu finished his milk and placed the cup on the coffee table. Cai Xiubin was already leaning on his shoulder, almost asleep, her breathing becoming very light.

"Go to bed," Su Yu said softly.

"Hmm..." Cai Xiubin stood up groggily. Su Yu turned off the TV and took her hand as they walked into the bedroom.

The bedside lamp was orange-yellow, its warm light softly illuminating the entire room. Cai Xiubin slipped under the covers and patted the spot next to her.

Su Yu lay down, and she immediately leaned in, pressing her face against his chest.

"Goodnight," she said listlessly.

Su Yu lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight."

The lights are off.

In the darkness, Cai Xiubin slowly drew circles on his chest with her fingers.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"You told Shirley today, 'I will do everything I can to make your career better.'"

"Um."

"Do you say this to every celebrity?"

Su Yu was silent for two seconds. "No."

"Then why did you say that to her?"

"Because she deserves it."

Cai Xiubin paused for a moment, then continued drawing circles.

"Then what do you think I deserve?"

Su Yu turned to face her, looking into her eyes in the darkness.

You deserve me.

Cai Xiubin didn't say anything, but she hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest.

That night, neither of them could fall asleep for a long time.

It's not insomnia, it's that I can't bear to sleep.

The night view of the Han River outside the window was quietly lit, with occasional cruise ships passing by, their lights leaving long streaks on the water.

Su Yu opened her eyes and gently stroked Cai Xiubin's back with her fingers. She was already asleep, breathing evenly, with a slight smile on her lips.

He was thinking about a problem.

Can one person protect many people at the same time?

The answer is no.

But you can give it a try.