One Useless Rebirth

Looking at his trusting eyes, Li Ru was reminded of the instructions from her superior. After struggling for a while, she said to him with a sigh, "He Bai, you should be able to understand the meaning of this contract. The trending topic on the Internet always changes far more quickly than we could imagine. If you could retain your current popularity, then that's a yay for all of us. If you couldn't, the company will need some insurances and a plan B to make up for what it has invested in you.

In other words, the ten-year term is to prevent the situation where you bail on the company after it props you up to fame. And if you prove to be a bad investment, then the company couldn't very well continue to pay you that well, hence the one-year probationary period. That's to say that the company would take the offer back if you fail to deliver any good result in a year and by then you could only get what you are due.

'In other words, the risks are all on me while the company reaps all the benefits.'

He Bai finally understood why Di Qiuhe's said "The big boss of the Saint Elephant is a bad guy. Think twice before you sign the employment contract." Such an unfair contract could achieve nothing other than driving people away.

"Ms. Li." He closed the contract and for the first time he refused her, "I am not stupid, and there is no way I would sign this. I appreciate your trust and the care I felt during my time in the Saint Elephant, but popularity is just too fragile a thing for me. I'd like to support myself by working hard, not by some online popularity"

Deep in her heart, Li Ru admired his attitude, but considering her position, she could only try to persuade him, "Luck is also an integrate part of one's strength. If you are not satisfied with the contract, we could talk about it. Why don't you think about it and get back to me later? There is no rush."

"Sorry," said He Bai as he pushed the contract back with a bitter smile, "Ms. Li, I am to be a junior student soon. I am only here to earn tuition. And after the incident over at the Li Hu Park, I have already seen what the company can be. Short-term cooperation is fine, but long-term cooperation is just not what I want." The offer had already been made, and if he didn't refuse it outright, he would run the risk of being seen as a snooty person living off his popularity. If the negotiation failed, the company might even come after him on the Internet. He was never an indecisive person and he thought it best to get out now.

After finishing his words, he got up and bowed to Li Ru, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I am sorry things don't work out the way you want. The task that the company assigned to me will be finished as soon as possible and I will email it to you. Good bye."

Hearing him mentioning the previous incident in which the company sided with Ma Xingtong, she realized He Bai had been gradually alienated from the company. As she thought about this, she felt more tired than she was sorry for the situation, Seeing that he was about to go, she hurriedly stopped him and said "You have a long way to go. There will never be a just working environment. If you insist on doing it your way, then work harder. Only when you reach the top can you enjoy the scenery. Best wishes to you."

He Bai was a bit touched. He turned around and took another bow, "Thank you, Ms. Li. I will do my best."

Seeing that, Li Ru felt a ton being lifted off her and reminded him in a subtle way, "You have gone to the Red Guest today. Many people here have seen that. I believe you were just there to give your friend fruits, but others might not think the same. The summer vacation has just begun. If you still want to find a part-time job on this street, best avoid the Red Guest.

He Bai was reminded of others' odd looks back in the company. It all made sense to him now and he found it ridiculous. After thanking her again, he turned around and left.

It would seem that the transition from a promising photographer to a jobless vagrant could happen as quickly as the time it took for him to deliver the fruits.

Lying in the chair, he dragged over the computer and turned it on. Then he took out his phone to check on the deposit. He had a minor headache when he saw the figures on the screen. If he had known this earlier, he would have bought a cheaper computer. It's just the beginning of the summer vacation and he still had two months before the school started, so he needed to find a new part-time job ASAP.

Suddenly He Bai's phone rang up. Lowering his head, he found that it's an unknown call. Reminded of what Di Qiuhe had told him about a potential client, he sat up straight quickly and answered it courteously with a "Hello".

"Hello, is that photographer He Bai speaking?" A gentle and sweet female voice came out from the phone.

'Photographer He Bai? This is definitely a business call.'

He held back his excitement and replied in a polite way, "Yes, this is. You are?"

"Hello, Mr. He. I'm Lin Xia, the head of the Yi Ka apparel. We saw some photos you took for the hostess of the B City TV station on Internet and we love it very much. We think your photographic style is very consistent with our subsidiary girl's apparel brand. So I'm calling to ask you may I invite you to work with us."

The woman on the other end of the phone cut right to the chase and that startled He Bai a bit, "What kind of cooperation are we talking about?" 'Girl's apparel brand. What's that?'

Lin Xia didn't mind that his question was too shallow. At first, she patiently introduced him to her company and then she walked him through the details of this potential cooperation. At last, she said that he did not need to decide now and that he should give it some thoughts.

He Bai agreed and told her when he would reply. After hanging up the phone, he was quiet for a few seconds to digest what had been offered to him.

'Taking photos for girl's apparel brand comes with high commission. And I don't need to clock in. I can begin with a short-term contract and if everything goes fine, I get to discuss long-term cooperation with them. Perfect! That's the kind of part-time job I want for summer vacation!'

He jumped out of joy and immediately took out his phone to make a call to Xu Yinrong. Taking photos of clothes wasn't exactly the same thing as taking photos for models and he needed to consult his teacher first!

In the border province, Di Qiuhe finally got half a day off after the tough training with the martial arts coach. He stuck to his gentleman image and said farewell to everyone. Then he sent away the assistant under the pretense that he was tired and needed some rest. After that, he returned to his room, charged his phone and turned it on.

Suddenly, a rush of missed calls and messages popped out and they were all from Jiang Xiuwen.

Feeling disappointed, he just ignored it outright. When he found the message from the little puppy, he looked it over carefully. Then he found out the phone number of the shop owner from whom Di bought the fruits last time and ordered another batch of fruits for the little puppy. He was about to make a call to the little puppy, but on second thought, he decided to chat with him via WeChat.

So, he quitted the dialing page and opened the WeChat while lying in sofa by the window.

White and Whiter: Are you in the Red Guest?

White and Whiter: My friend sent me a lot of fruits and it's too much for me. Would you like some?

White and Whiter: Are you there? Qiuqiu?

Fixing his eyes on the last sentence, Di Qiuhe curled up his lips with a satisfied sigh, "Well. Just some fruits. Why do you have to share them with me? What a clingy child…" And, it's not from your friend. It's from your senior schoolmate, elder brother and idol!

"You little puppy. Always saying these things when you mean the other." He clicked on the profile image of He Bai and started typing words with a face that read 'It's your honor that I would chat with you.'

A Bird Born in Autumn: I've been busy these days and I haven't been using WeChat for quite a while. Thank you for your concern, Bai. ^-^

A Bird Born in Autumn: Love you, Bai.

A Bird Born in Autumn: My stepmother haven't been making any trouble for me recently. I feel so good. Thank you for all the photos and gifts that you gave me before. Where is your dorm? I would like to send you gifts in return. ^-^

Before he left B City, he saw Xiuwen purchased a batch of new cameras. The little puppy loved photography so much. If he could get a new camera as a gift, he must love it very much and thank him for a thousand times.

Perfect! Smart! Di Qiuhe was very satisfied with his plan.

Ding-dong. A new message. He lowered his head.

White and Whiter: You don't need to do that. I already know. If you feel sad, you can just tell me and I would hear you out.

A Bird Born in Autumn: "?" 'What's that about? What does he know? I'm sad? About what?'

White and Whiter: I met your cousin in the Red Guest. He told me one thing or two about what you are going through… Anyway, you gotta take care of yourself out there in the foreign land. Don't dwell on these ideas like committing suicide or running away from home. Think about your family who care about you. Life is beautiful after all.

Di Qiuhe: "??" 'Foreign land? Cousin? What?

White and Whiter: You don't need to send me a gift in return. If you have money, you should go treat yourself. And, your cousin is a good person. He cares about you. You could talk to him if you have any trouble. Your family is far more important than what your idol could give you. Life will get better. Just have a little faith. ^-^

Di Qiuhe: "?!!" 'What? What does that mean? Idol? What does he take me for? I am very down to the earth and I am every bit as good as that so called "cousin". Just a few days out of contact. What's going on with this little puppy?