Jing Yu's contract with Yunteng TV had already expired in mid-December. In fact, everything he helped with in the latter half of the month—promotion, licensing, events—he did essentially for free.
But since it was all related to his own dramas, Jing Yu didn't really mind.
Still, once January arrived, and with no contract renewal in sight, he moved out of the apartment Yunteng TV had provided.
Jing Yu had made up his mind to leave Yunteng TV and go independent. And in his eyes, someone who'd made that call shouldn't keep taking advantage of former benefits.
Besides, after leaving Lan Province, every contact and connection he'd made was now in the Modo City. If he was going to start his own production company, the capital of Great Zhou's entertainment industry was the obvious base of operations.
But first, he had to settle where he'd live.
"So Jing Yu, I'm telling you, moving to our complex is absolutely the right choice. This is one of the most secure high-end neighborhoods in the Modo City. No paparazzi stalking, no reporters climbing walls, and no creepy fans installing cameras in the building across from yours."
Yesterday, Xia Yining had gone all in trying to convince him over the phone. And it worked.
That said, Jing Yu wasn't planning to buy a place. Great Zhou's property prices weren't nearly as insane as in his past life—they were comparable to early 2000s prices in his old world. Even a unit in a luxury building here could be bought for 20 million yuan. But he had no intention of locking up that much capital.
Why buy when you could rent for just a few hundred thousand a year?
With 20 million, he could invest in a low-budget drama and potentially double that within a year. Property might appreciate by 50%, sure—but it still wouldn't be a better return than a hit show.
And right now, there are no signs that the housing market is heading up.
When he arrived at the complex, Yu Youqing and Xia Yining were already waiting for him.
Both wore dresses and heels, long flowing hair, sheer black stockings—elegant and radiant.
"You're here!" Yu Youqing greeted him with a smile.
"I gotta say, I didn't expect this," Jing Yu said as he looked at them. "You two didn't seem that close on set… and now you're roommates?"
The real estate agent was leading the way, and Jing Yu was casually chatting.
"What can we say? After all the hate we got online, we trauma-bonded," Xia Yining said, glancing at Yu Youqing.
The two had started as competitors, sure—but after working together on several series, they couldn't actually bring themselves to dislike each other. In fact, outside of topics involving Jing Yu, they got along quite well. Not quite BFFs, but definitely more than acquaintances. So when Jing Yu brought them both to work on Yunteng TV's projects, it made sense for them to share a place—same hometown, same circles, familiar faces to rely on in a massive city.
"Jing Yu, lots of celebrities in the Modo City live in this complex," Yu Youqing said. "It's very secure."
"That's exactly why I picked it," Jing Yu sighed.
Fame had changed everything. These days, he couldn't step outside without a mask. And if he was going to live somewhere new, it couldn't be just any place. Unless he wanted his front door swarmed by screaming fans.
The agent brought them to a high-rise unit.
It was just over 300 square meters, luxuriously furnished. Not massive, but definitely spacious enough.
Jing Yu didn't bother negotiating. He signed the lease on the spot.
Between the screenwriting fees, acting payments, and still-pending royalties from 'Hikaru no Go', 'Another', 'Steins;Gate', and 'Initial D', Jing Yu was already earning over 300,000 yuan a day. This apartment costs just 300,000 a year to rent—it wasn't even worth the time it would take to shop around.
What mattered to him most was privacy and security.
He had no interest in waking up one day to find someone had installed a hidden camera in his bathroom and leaked footage of him showering online.
The agent seemed surprised at how quickly the deal closed.
Contract signed, done and dusted.
Jing Yu turned to Yu Youqing and Xia Yining.
"Looks like we're neighbors now. I'll be counting on you."
"It's the other way around!" Xia Yining said brightly. "No matter how great the security, it's still not as reassuring as having a neighbor you trust. If something happens, knowing you're right next door really puts me at ease."
"Neighbor?" Jing Yu blinked. Something didn't feel right.
"Yep. The unit Yu-jie and I are renting is directly across from yours. This floor only has two apartments, and we're in the other one." There was a flicker of smugness in Xia Yining's eyes.
Jing Yu was speechless.
He knew something was fishy when she pushed so hard for this place.
The agent earlier had probably been coached to pitch this exact unit.
"Anyway," Yu Youqing cut in, trying to steer the conversation. "You didn't renew your contract with Yunteng and moved out of their housing. Word's been spreading like wildfire—are you really leaving for good?"
"That's right," Jing Yu said, not trying to hide it.
These two weren't just "his usual actresses." If anything, they were among the few he could actually call friends.
With friends, he didn't play games.
Yu Youqing and Xia Yining exchanged shocked glances.
If Jing Yu had stayed at Yunteng TV, his future would've been set. They would've done anything to keep him.
He'd just established himself in the industry, gained nationwide recognition—and now this?
"So… what's your next move?" Xia Yining asked, her voice tense.
Last time, Jing Yu had left Jinhui TV and shown up in the Modo City all by himself.
Was he… doing that again?
Maybe he was joining one of the Big Six? Hopefully, Xingtong TV, since that was local.
"I'm going independent," Jing Yu said flatly. "Planning to start my own production company soon."
"Cough! Cough!"
"Cough!!"
Both women nearly choked on their tea.
Was Jing Yu just too bold… or were they too conservative?
While they were still trying to phrase polite questions about which network he might join, Jing Yu just hit them with that.
"Going solo?" Yu Youqing couldn't hold back.
"That's way too risky! The big networks might gang up on you!"
Jing Yu casually brushed off their concerns, but by now, both women were sure of it—he was dead set on this path.
"Actually," Jing Yu said, glancing at them, "are either of you interested in joining my company?"
To be honest, the film and TV industry has always had a lot of "accidental" directors, actors, hosts, and people with zero background trying their hand at directing. What really mattered was capital.
And Jing Yu had it. Between his savings and the incoming revenue from 'Initial D', he could scrape together nearly 100 million yuan.
"Join your company?" They exchanged looks.
"I'd let you invest for up to 1% equity each. But during the company's startup phase, you'd need to work around my shooting schedule," Jing Yu added.
Now that he had left Yunteng TV, there was no way he could easily cast major stars anymore.
His talent plus the backing of Yunteng TV or one of the Big Six had made him a force to be reckoned with.
But now? No one doubted his talent—but without the platform of a big network, everything became uncertain. Popular actors weren't going to gamble their careers when they had safer options.
If he could get Yu Youqing and Xia Yining—two actresses at the peak of their fame—to join his camp, it would be a huge win.
"So… where is this company?" Xia Yining pressed. "If you want us to join, we need to know your plan."
"The company?" Jing Yu scratched his head. "Still registering it. I've got a friend helping with the paperwork—it should be approved in a day or two."
The two women were stunned.
Seriously, Jing Yu?!
You left Yunteng TV, and you don't even have the business registered yet?
This was borderline reckless.
"But… that's not the point," Jing Yu muttered, trailing off.
In his past life, he was a corporate cog. Even in this life, despite two-plus years since being reborn, he'd still been… working for others.
Yes, leaving Yunteng TV was a gamble.
But sometimes, you just have to take risks.
Whether he'd succeed going solo—nobody could say. But right now, he felt no pressure.
"Now," he thought to himself, "everything depends on how things go between Cheng Lie and Yunteng TV."