Chapter 100

Fu Feirong is now completely relaxed, and her excitement is growing. She enthusiastically shares today's experiences with Yu Xinting and An Xin: "When we went in, she was recording. I really felt dizzy at the time, but I didn't dare to stare. I don't know if I'll ever have another chance."

An Xin is a bit dismissive: "There are plenty of opportunities!"

Yu Xinting chuckles: "If you get to know her, introduce her to us... Is she really that thin?"

Fu Feirong nods: "Yeah, her legs are so slim, just this thin." She gestures as she speaks.

An Xin asks: "Did she hear you sing?"

Fu Feirong recalls: "She might have... The sound quality there was really good, so clear, even clearer than our conversation!"

Qi Qingnuo hasn't joined in the conversation, focusing on the contract instead. She realizes it's too thick to read through quickly and says: "Let's get a copy later."

Yang Jingxing says: "I've already read it, you can take it."

Qi Qingnuo asks: "Aren't you going to have a professional look at it?"

Yang Jingxing replies: "The most professional person I can find is your dad."

Qi Qingnuo says: "He's not a lawyer... But I guess those lawyers wouldn't understand this industry either. Are you in a hurry?"

Yang Jingxing shakes his head: "Not at all."

When they arrive, Fu Feirong's sister-in-law warmly welcomes them, and everyone is delighted. Even Qi Qingnuo congratulates them. Fu Feirong's brother suggests they go out to eat somewhere nice, but Yang Jingxing says: "Let's stay here, you keep the money."

The boss's wife says: "I just cooked some new rice with good quality grains, you can chat while you eat."

They still order dishes, each person only one, knowing the boss will add a lot more on his own.

The first dish is still grilled fish, with the ingredients cut more finely. Yu Xinting recognizes that the fish is different from the last time, and the boss's wife explains it's a large carp she just bought, which tastes better than the silver carp. Everyone praises the hospitality and says it's delicious.

The boss, seeing it's not busy, joins them with his wife, each holding a beer. The boss is moved: "I didn't go to school, I don't know how to speak, but I want to thank you for not looking down on our Pupan and treating her as a friend, helping her so much. We all raise a glass to you, Yang Jingxing, Miss Qi..."

Qi Qingnuo stands up first, holding a glass of orange juice in both hands, and smiles: "We've been freeloading so many times, and you still say this. We really feel bad... Here, we raise a glass to Brother and Sister."

This suggestion is met with everyone's approval, and Yang Jingxing even encourages Fu Feirong: "Pupan, you should thank your brother and sister the most, you get to eat their cooking every day."

Everyone laughs, and Fu Feirong's sister-in-law continues: "Last year, when we were at home for the New Year, we had Pupan's fortune told, and it said she would meet a benefactor..."

Yang Jingxing says: "It wasn't accurate, the year is almost over."

An Xin laughs: "It's already 2007."

Fu Feirong's sister-in-law looks at Yang Jingxing: "Yang Jingxing..." She smiles: "I don't know how to address you, calling you Mr. Yang feels a bit formal, hehe..."

Yang Jingxing pleads: "Just use my name."

The boss's wife looks at Qi Qingnuo: "Miss Qi..."

Qi Qingnuo smiles helplessly: "Sister... I shouldn't even call you sister, you might not be older than me."

The boss's wife is surprised: "Impossible! I'm 23!"

Qi Qingnuo smiles: "Close enough, we're both in our late twenties. You really don't need to be so formal with us."

The boss's wife is embarrassed: "I call Yu Xinting more easily, maybe because we're from the same hometown."

Qi Qingnuo chuckles: "Xinting, I'm jealous."

Yu Xinting laughs and tells the boss's wife: "We're all good friends, it's the same."

The meal is enjoyable, with Yang Jingxing being the only one not particularly active. An Xin even starts envisioning Fu Feirong's bright future, saying what will happen if she becomes a big star.

Fu Feirong is clearly not thinking that way, afraid: "Don't say that, people around will laugh at me."

An Xin says: "You're about to sign a contract, anything is possible."

Fu Feirong pouts: "The noodle seller next door looked down on me, thinking I was doing something improper when I sang at the bar."

Qi Qingnuo encourages: "Prove her wrong with your talent."

Fu Feirong whispers to Qi Qingnuo, gossiping: "I told her you're your dad's daughter, and she didn't believe it at first!"

Qi Qingnuo laughs: "I definitely am my dad's daughter!"

...

After the meal, Fu Feirong has to go back to work at the bar, and Yang Jingxing decides to go with her, asking Qi Dawei to help analyze the contract to see what can be negotiated. Yu Xinting also wants to go, but An Xin has to return to school, so she takes a taxi on her own. On the way to the bar, Yu Xinting starts to read through the contract, but Fu Feirong, the main party, isn't very concerned.

Yu Xinting notices: "These requirements are so excessive!"

Qi Qingnuo says: "This is still relatively good, some are even worse."

Yu Xinting, looking at Fu Feirong, pouts: "If it's too much, we won't sign it, let's see what they do!"

Fu Feirong says: "I don't mind, whatever happens is fine."

At the bar, Qi Qingnuo hands a stack of contracts to her father, saying: "I need your help."

Qi Dawei glances at it and smiles at Yang Jingxing: "Old Gan called me..."

Qi Qingnuo says: "This time, you need to stand up for your little brother."

Qi Dawei smiles: "We're all on your side."

Taking advantage of the early hour, they sit down and talk. Qi Dawei congratulates Yang Jingxing and Fu Feirong, acknowledging that many people would kill for a contract.

Qi Dawei emphasizes to Yang Jingxing: "Old Gan is helping you, he appreciates your talent, and he's a veteran at Hongxing." It's unclear which side he's really on.

Yang Jingxing nods: "I know, but we still need to be cautious."

Qi Dawei smiles: "When we were new, we signed contracts without thinking... We did suffer some losses and were deceived. We don't know what new tricks they have now."

They start analyzing the contract, with Qi Dawei flipping through page by page. Most pages he glances at and puts down, occasionally stopping to explain some clauses and offer advice. After all, in a "company," profit comes first, and collective interests outweigh individual interests.

Regarding some of the more oppressive clauses, Qi Dawei reassures Yang Jingxing: "As long as you maintain a good relationship with the company and can generate profits for them, they won't be too extreme. For example, if the company arranges a commercial activity you don't like, you can negotiate. Of course, not repeatedly."

After a long analysis, Qi Dawei gives his best advice: "It's best to sign a shorter contract, three years is ideal. When it's time to renew, you'll have more room to negotiate." He also reflects on his own 15-year career in the entertainment industry, signing contracts with three different companies, each with its own share of bitter memories. The most glorious period for the Chenghuang band was when Qi Qingnuo was between 5 and 10 years old, and they were with Hongxing. Although it wasn't entirely pleasant, the company didn't do anything particularly outrageous.

Back then, artists and singers weren't as dependent on companies. Most had real talent and could complain about exploitation by capitalists. Now, the entertainment industry is fast-paced, and most new stars are packaged products, lacking the personal charm and ability to complain about the darkness of management companies. Without the company, they might be nothing.

Yang Jingxing is relatively lucky, getting a collaboration model that a new artist wouldn't dare to dream of. If it weren't for the impression his songs made, with Fu Feirong's overall qualities, no one might have signed her even if she begged.

So, Qi Dawei also reminds Yang Jingxing of this: "Writing songs isn't easy, the deadlines are like life or death, and you often have to revise dozens of times. The more talented you are, the more they exploit you... Don't be scared, but they even prepare drugs for you."

Qi Qingnuo warns Yang Jingxing: "If you touch that stuff, we won't know each other."

Yang Jingxing swears: "I'll never touch it."

Qi Dawei says: "To be fair, Hongxing is one of the better ones. When we wanted to leave, we still had two years left on our contracts, and they didn't pursue us."

Yu Xinting and Fu Feirong are both scared, and Yu Xinting asks: "Why did the Chenghuang band break up?"

Qi Dawei laughs: "We were too tired. At our busiest, we had 18 concerts a month, always on planes, in cars, or on stage. We felt like 50-year-old men at 30, and when we finally got home for a day or two, we didn't even have the energy to play with our daughters."

Qi Qingnuo laughs: "You didn't need to be there."

Qi Dawei then tells Fu Feirong: "You have this dream and this opportunity, you should seize it while you're young. No matter what happens, you won't regret it."

Fu Feirong, feeling deeply moved, nods solemnly.

Qi Dawei then tells Yang Jingxing: "Finish the songs early, your sister-in-law can already sing them."

Yu Xinting chuckles: "Like 'Fingertip Stream'?"

Qi Qingnuo complains: "I've heard it so many times, my ears are calloused."

Around 7 PM, Ran Jie arrives, envious, and hugs and kisses Fu Feirong. For most women, 30 is the end of their life. Although Ran Jie doesn't look old and sings well, no one would sign her as a singer now, and she probably gave up on that dream long ago.

But now, Ran Jie is excited: "Pupan, if you become famous, don't forget your sister."

Fu Feirong shakes her head, afraid: "Ran Jie, you're teasing me."

Yang Jingxing says: "You're both her sister and her teacher, once a teacher, always a father, it's a complicated relationship."

After Ran Jie and Fu Feirong sing two songs, Yang Jingxing and Yu Xinting leave, with Yang Jingxing reminding Fu Feirong to think it over. Fu Feirong still says: "I'll follow your advice."

On the way back to school, Yu Xinting asks Yang Jingxing: "Is it for Pupan?"

Yang Jingxing shakes his head: "No."

Yu Xinting guesses: "You want to join the company yourself?"

Yang Jingxing nods: "Sort of."

Yu Xinting suggests: "You can start your own company!"

Yang Jingxing laughs: "It's not that simple."

Yu Xinting has many ideas: "As long as the songs are good, many people will like them. You can put Pupan's songs online, and she'll become famous, and the company will make money. There are so many who aren't even half as good as you..."

Yang Jingxing says: "That's a good idea, once Pupan records the songs, we can promote them online first."

Yu Xinting is happy: "So you won't sign the contract?"

Yang Jingxing says: "If the terms are good, I'll sign."

Yu Xinting confidently says: "Right, it's not like you're begging them... You should also let them know you're very rich and don't need the money."

Yang Jingxing laughs: "I can't pretend to be rich."

Yu Xinting says: "If I were you, I wouldn't want to make money... Do you want to be very, very rich, like a billionaire?"

Yang Jingxing laughs: "Who doesn't?"

Yu Xinting says: "I don't! My dream is to have a beautiful house, a salary that lets me eat well once a week and buy clothes every two weeks. I don't buy expensive things, and I don't need a big house, I think smaller is cozier... Being too rich is exhausting."

Yang Jingxing says: "I'll try it and see."

Yu Xinting is skeptical: "But you never spend money, I don't think you like money at all."

Yang Jingxing says: "Who says I don't? I want to buy a Steinway, a Fender guitar, have my own recording studio, and my own band..."

Yu Xinting looks at Yang Jingxing and decides: "Then I'll support you making money."

Yang Jingxing smiles: "Thanks."

Yu Xinting is embarrassed and asks: "Will Pupan be able to help you make money once she's famous?"

Yang Jingxing says: "It sounds better to say we'll work together to make money."

Yu Xinting sighs, tapping a small decoration on the dashboard: "It's a bit contradictory, I want her to become famous soon, but I also don't want her to be famous."

Yang Jingxing asks: "Why?"

Yu Xinting says: "If she becomes famous, you'll be very busy, and we won't have time to eat together."

Yang Jingxing laughs: "Eating is the most important thing, we'll definitely find time."

Yu Xinting worries: "If Pupan becomes famous, will she change?"

Yang Jingxing says: "Everyone changes."

Yu Xinting looks at Yang Jingxing, not quite believing: "Will you change?"

Yang Jingxing laughs and teases: "I don't even know what I'll become."

Yu Xinting shakes her head: "No, you haven't changed since I met you."

Yang Jingxing laughs: "Did you see through me at first sight?"

Yu Xinting quickly explains: "No... You've always been good to me."

Yang Jingxing says: "That's because you haven't changed."

Yu Xinting pauses, then asks: "What if I change?"

Yang Jingxing says: "It depends on how you change."

Yu Xinting thinks for a moment, then says firmly: "I'll become extremely annoying!"

Yang Jingxing looks at Yu Xinting, surprised: "I thought you didn't realize how cute you are now."

Yu Xinting quickly corrects: "I mean, even more annoying."

...

(100 chapters, I am deeply grateful to the readers who have been sticking with me. Thank you, responsible moderator Xiao Wu, and the friends who have been helping me and hoping for my improvement. The long, profound, and insightful posts in the book review section are even more profound than the book itself, and the suggestions and advice are more thoughtful than the author's. Thank you to the old friends who have been supporting me... In short, I will learn from you, strive to be a good friend and a good writer, and from tomorrow, I will have the right attitude, write well, and write more... I'll put it here, so I don't just think about it and do nothing! Thank you again!)

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