Chapter 56

Hong Fei said with a sigh, "Not signing you to a record contract is truly a great loss for the company. Now that President Huang has spoken, he wants to sign you to a record contract. What do you think about it?"

Ye Ming was very determined, his eyes revealing a profound and distant gaze as he said, "I want to reach the top on my own, but I understand a principle: to reach the top, one must be fully dedicated. My current goal is to become a top actor, a superstar who can carry an entire production alone. Only then can I control my own destiny. Therefore, I won't sign my record contract casually. Even if I do sign, it will only be on a per-album basis, not a long-term contract. In the short term, I won't release any albums. I know my foundation isn't strong enough, and I understand the principle that greed can lead to failure. If the company wants to sign, I don't object, but only one album at a time, and at most two."

Hong Fei was taken aback, seemingly unable to accept such conditions. After a long pause, he said, "Even when Wang Fei signed with Baidu, it was for four albums at once. Signing for two albums is a treatment reserved for top singers, and you haven't reached that level yet."

Ye Ming was unmoved and said, "Wang Fei's contract was for 60 million, the price of a top diva. Even if the company offered 10 million, I would agree to sign four albums, but I doubt President Huang would agree."

This made Hong Fei laugh. He chuckled and said, "10 million? You could buy the entire company and it still wouldn't be enough. Don't talk about such nonsense. Two albums it is, but under the same conditions, the company must have the right of first refusal, and this must be clearly stated."

Ye Ming nodded without hesitation and said, "No problem. After all, I still have a connection with Yonghua. I agree to sign with Yonghua under the same conditions, but when recording the album, I must have full song selection rights, or I won't sign."

Ye Ming didn't plan to release an album in the short term, so he didn't care about this momentary delay.

Hong Fei finally took Ye Ming seriously. This kid was no ordinary newcomer. After some thought, he said, "You must have learned a lot in Hong Kong. Your negotiation skills are quite good. However, the company also has its requirements. You can have song selection rights for your first album, but for the second one, if you want the same rights, your first album must sell double platinum in both Hong Kong and Taiwan. Otherwise, you'll have to follow the company's lead for the second album."

Warner and Baidu were both investigating Ye Ming's background, intending to sign him. Hong Fei was determined to sign Ye Ming to a record contract, no matter what. Whether it was one or two albums didn't matter; the key was to secure Ye Ming's recording rights.

Mao Duoduo, seeing the media reports, was so angry that he smashed almost everything in his room. He ranted, "Ye Ming, a mere newcomer, what is he? How dare he show off and be hailed as the successor to a superstar? He's not worthy of it."

In Mao Duoduo's view, he had spent years in the industry to reach the status of a top star, and only then did he deserve to be called a successor. Ye Ming, a newcomer, being so highly praised by the media was absolutely unforgivable.

George, seeing Mao Duoduo sitting in his chair, panting, said, "Mao Mao, why bother with a newcomer? It would be easy for you to deal with him, given your status. Engaging with such a person only elevates his status. You are a top star, and he is just a newcomer, not even a recognized one. Just let the people from Feidie handle him. If you say the word, they won't dare to ignore it."

As a pillar of Feidie Records, Mao Duoduo held significant influence, and no one at Feidie would dare to defy him.

In the "Empresses in the Palace" production team, Feng Xiaogang, Ge You, Xu Pei, Huang Bo, and Xu Zheng, among others, all sent messages to congratulate Ye Ming on his success at the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

Ye Ming immediately called them back, and they exchanged pleasantries over the phone.

At the "Empresses in the Palace" production team, even during meals, someone would promptly deliver boxed lunches.

Previously, although Ye Ming was the lead actor, he had to fetch his own lunch. As a newcomer, he couldn't expect anyone to deliver it to him.

During the meal, Ye Ming received a text message from Chen Xi, congratulating him.

His heart warmed, and he quickly called her back. It turned out that Chen Xi had already returned home, and it was uncertain whether she would come back to the capital before the Spring Festival.

However, Chen Xi repeatedly stated that after the Spring Festival, she would continue to follow the production team.

It seemed this young girl had an extraordinary passion for acting.

The post-production work for "Empresses in the Palace" was proceeding smoothly, and the cast had become well-coordinated.

None of them were at the level of award-winning actors, mostly newcomers, so their cooperation was becoming increasingly seamless.

Chen Zhipeng had initially intended to create obstacles, but seeing Ye Ming's rising status in the production team, he gradually gave up his revenge. Although they didn't become close friends, with the help of Su Youpeng, Lin Xinru, and Zhao Wei, their relationship improved.

At least, they would chat a bit during their free time.

As Zhang Tielin put it, the production team entered an unprecedented period of unity, a virtuous cycle. Just like Sister Hua, who, under the training of Zhang Tielin and Fan Bingbing, could now say two phrases: "Princess is well" and "I'll be damned."

Zhang Tielin always complained that Fan Bingbing had corrupted his mynah bird, while Fan Bingbing insisted that she hadn't and blamed Zhang Tielin for not training it well.

In the biting cold of winter, the production team filmed the last scene, the wedding of the two princesses, which the director deliberately placed at the end for good luck.

With Sun Shubai's nod, Chao Guoli waved his hand and said, "Wrap it up."

At that moment, the sun was setting, and the entire capital was beginning to exude a strong festive atmosphere.

Sun Shubai gathered everyone and said, "Today, 'Empresses in the Palace' is officially wrapped. The production team has booked a hotel for tonight. Everyone, let's drink to our heart's content and not leave until we're drunk."

With the wrap, the production team members gathered for the last time. Tomorrow, they would go their separate ways, and it was uncertain when they would meet again.

Life's opportunities are like this, coming and going. The production team was enveloped in a thick atmosphere of farewell.

Zhang Tielin, putting on his down jacket, said in a cheerful voice, "Finally, it's done. It wasn't easy. A group of newcomers completing this production is something I can hardly believe."

"Empresses in the Palace" had a difficult start, with funding shortages and frequent accidents. The actors often struggled to get into character, but they overcame various challenges and completed this period drama.

No one but Ye Ming understood the storm this production would bring to the screen.

Holding a bag, Ye Ming said, "Teacher Zhang, don't be so sentimental. A few of us want to go to Tiananmen Square to leave a final memory of the 'Empresses in the Palace' production. Would you like to join us? The night view of Tiananmen is quite nice."

Zhang Tielin waved his hand and said, "No, that's for you young people. However, be careful. Xiao Yanzi and the others can get carried away and lose track of time. Be at the Xiang Piaopiao Hotel by seven o'clock. It's impolite to be late. You should arrive early."

In general, as the lead actor, unless there are special circumstances, one wouldn't miss the wrap party.

Even award-winning actors wouldn't break this rule.

Ye Ming nodded quickly and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Zhang. I'll keep an eye on the time."

Chao Guoli didn't say much this time, simply waving his hand and lending a car to Ye Ming.

Zhao Wei, Fan Bingbing, Lin Xinru, and Su Youpeng, a group of five, set off for Tiananmen Square.

The Tiananmen Square was already enveloped in a festive atmosphere, with red lanterns hanging high.

Snowflakes began to fall, starting as a light snow, then turning into a heavy snowfall.

The square was now sparsely populated, with only a few people, including Ye Ming and his group, enjoying the snow, and the dedicated police officers and soldiers on duty.

Excited, Ye Ming and his group jumped and played on the square.

Even Su Youpeng, without any concern for his star image, didn't worry about paparazzi, as it would be highly professional for them to be out in such weather.

As the five were happily playing, two police officers suddenly appeared.

Everyone was startled, thinking something had happened.

However, one of the tall police officers said, "Be careful, the road is slippery in the snow. Watch your step."

It turned out that the patrolling police officers, seeing the group of young people running like wild horses, had kindly come to warn them.

After the police left, the three "Empresses" didn't lose interest and started a snowball fight. Zhao Wei grabbed a handful of snow and attacked Lin Xinru, then launched an assault on Fan Bingbing.

Unexpectedly, Zhiwei and Jin Suo formed an alliance and surrounded Zhao Wei on the Tiananmen Square.

Ye Ming stretched out his hands, gazing at the sky as the snowflakes fell, covering the world in a silver blanket.

The air was exceptionally fresh, but in the cold, there were also the sounds of laughter and a faint sense of parting.

Su Youpeng, opening up for the first time, said, "Others see the Little Tigers as very successful, but after returning from our studies, I realized how cruel the entertainment industry is. If it were before, I would never have taken on a period drama. Do you believe me? I don't know if I will succeed this time. Auntie Qiong is taking a bet, and so am I."

Looking at the laughing "Empresses," Ye Ming smiled happily and said, "Believe in yourself. Not only are you taking a bet, but we newcomers are also taking a bet. I believe we can create our own miracles. 'Empresses in the Palace' will not let you down."