Chapter 73 Side Story 3 (Normal World Ending)

Ye Zhen and her stepmother usually kept to themselves. After her father remarried, she moved out and, by chance, embarked on the path of becoming a trainee.

Therefore, she couldn't figure out the other party's intention in extending an olive branch at this moment, and even had a vague worry that the other party saw the commercial value of their explosive popularity and wanted to use the Ye family's identity to put pressure on her, so as to make the entire Zoothys work for the Ye family.

In response, Ye Zhen solemnly stated, "There's no need to consider me. Just choose the option that's most beneficial for the team, and do whatever is appropriate."

Therefore, when Ling Wei and her team officially met with Wen Shulan, everyone was on high alert and fully prepared for the challenge.

“Aunt Wen,” Ling Wei, acting as the representative, laid it out bluntly, “We have many options now. As far as I know, you don’t have an established entertainment company or team under your name.”

She wasn't bluffing. In fact, some of the companies that extended offers were mysterious new companies with terms so generous they were practically selling themselves, as if they were empty shells created out of thin air for them.

That was too scary, I didn't dare answer.

"In short, we are hard to be moved."

Wen Shulan simply smiled and put down her coffee cup. "Don't be nervous, I'm not here to be your boss."

"I'm here to invite you to become partners in my studio."

I was moved.

The cooperation model proposed by Wen Shulan was simple, surprisingly fair, and even clearly biased towards Ling Wei and her group.

She provided the money and resources, and was responsible for building a professional team and handling all the external affairs.

Ling Wei and the other four individuals contributed their future profits and brand value as shares, becoming partners in the studio.

It's not about working for her, but about starting your own business, giving them the core creative rights, decision-making power, and even development plans to themselves to the greatest extent possible.

Ling Wei and the others were a little confused, and even wondered to themselves: What is this stepmother after?

Before they could figure it out, Wen Shulan readily laid out her hand.

"It's obvious that no matter how big the promises those big companies make, you still hesitate because deep down you don't want to work for others."

She smiled shrewdly and frankly, "But you're short of money, and you're short of a reliable backer who can handle things and give you the final say."

"And I happen to have money."

She had a generous dowry from the Wen family and regular dividends from the family trust, so she could have lived a very leisurely life.

But now, she plans to gamble all her spare money on these five girls in front of her.

The reason is very practical, and also very "Wen Shulan".

"Because if money isn't spent to generate more money, it will be pressured to have more children."

She curled her red lips into a smug, rebellious smile, "I just don't want to have children, that's why I'd rather come and be someone's stepmother."

Ye Zhen remained expressionless: "..."

The others: "..."

The motive was unusual yet reasonable, and the conditions were so good that it was impossible to refuse.

Thus, the transaction was successfully completed.

Now, four years later, Zoothys has risen like a rocket and firmly stands at the pinnacle of the idol industry.

It's time to plan for the next phase.

The next stage is transformation.

Or rather, it's a gradual shift from the forefront to behind the scenes, using their accumulated experience, reputation, and resources to cultivate a new generation of "light-chasing girls" and build a more sustainable brand and business empire.

She looked at Ling Wei and the others with approval in her eyes: "To be honest, the speed at which you have risen has far exceeded my initial expectations. My original conservative estimate was that you would not have reached your current level until you were twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old."

However, this is even better. The next step is to use your influence, especially Ling Wei's proven creative abilities, to cultivate the next generation. This is more valuable and sustainable in the long run than simply extending your own careers.

She then elaborated on the plan: "Ye Zhen can systematically learn business management and operations, and will be responsible for the studio's strategic direction in the future; Zhao Xiaohe and Sha Jing have unique strengths in dance and stage performance, and can serve as mentors for newcomers, responsible for training and stage guidance; as for Xiaoxiao..."

She looked at Lu Xiaoxiao, who seemed a little nervous, and said, "Several good film and television projects have already extended offers to you. They are impressed by the talent and storytelling in your music videos. This is a new direction worth trying."

Lu Xiaoxiao instinctively hugged Ling Wei's arm tightly: "I...I don't know if I can do it well..."

Ling Wei grasped her hand in return, her tone relaxed: "It's okay, we're financially independent now, so do what you want. Xiaoxiao, do you want to act?"

Her performance in the music video was indeed the most talented in the group, but she hasn't completely overcome her lack of confidence and tendency to panic.

Lu Xiaoxiao lowered her head and thought for a while, then made up her mind: "I want to give it a try."

She has used her earnings over the years to upgrade and renovate the orphanage where she grew up, but she wants to do more. If she can earn more money, she can help more children who are as helpless as she once was.

Ling Wei understood, "Then go. At worst, you can video chat with me anytime you're filming."

Can I be your Wi-Fi hotspot remotely?

The other members had no objection to this. Over the past four years, they have been running and sprinting almost non-stop to get to where they are today.

Now that we've reached the summit, it's time to see other scenery and explore new possibilities in life.

After everyone else left, only Wen Shulan and Zoothys' five members remained in the meeting room.

Looking at the girls in front of her, who had made their decisions but whose brows still showed a hint of melancholy, Wen Shulan softened her tone: "You've all worked so hard these past few years. Now, take a good break and rest for a while. After all, once the new plan starts, you'll be busy as bees again."

Her gaze swept over the crowd, a knowing smile on her face: "Eat whatever you want."

My gaze fell on Zhao Xiaohe, who stuck out her tongue shyly. This girl was a real glutton. She had done many things like sneaking takeout at night and then exercising like crazy the next morning. During the tour, she was so hungry in countries with no good food that her eyes were practically green with hunger.

“If you want to spend more time with your family, then go ahead and do so. As for those who want to…” Her gaze drifted to Ling Wei, and a smile played on her lips, “you can go and date now.”

Ling Wei: "!!!"

Everyone else looked at her with a mocking smile. Ling Wei said, "I...no, I...how did you know?"

Wen Shulan chuckled: "One night, someone got drunk and asked us, 'She has a friend who made an appointment with someone to wait for her or something...' How do you think I know that?"

Sha Jing, who is usually quiet, then added insult to injury: "Captain, aren't we your friends? Who else do you have as friends?"

Ling Wei: "......" She has a lot of friends!!!