Chapter 40

At 5 PM, at Shengshi Advertising and Film Company.

A black Ford minivan parked at the entrance. Assistant Xiao Song jumped out of the car, looked around, and said to the person inside, "Brother Peng, no reporters, you can come out now."

Wearing sunglasses, a sun hat... and a mask, Su Youpeng got out of the car and quickly walked towards Shengshi Company, accompanied by Xiao Song.

Xiao Song, walking beside him, quietly reminded him of today's schedule: "Brother Peng, Teacher Zhao Wei has an appointment for dinner at 7 PM. Considering the traffic, you have at most 45 minutes."

Su Youpeng grunted in acknowledgment and walked into Shengshi Company with Xiao Song.

Xiao Song approached the reception desk: "Hello, we're here to see President Mai Xiaoyu."

The receptionist smiled professionally: "May I have your name, please? Do you have an appointment?"

"My name is Song, and I made an appointment with President Mai over the phone."

"Please follow me."

The receptionist, confirming that the two were the visitors Mai Xiaoyu was waiting for, led them inside, constantly sneaking glances at Su Youpeng.

In such hot weather, wearing a sun hat and sunglasses was normal, but the mask... could he be a celebrity?

Su Youpeng felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze, fearing exposure of his identity.

This discomfort disappeared as he entered the Shengshi photography studio.

The set for the Ice Valley Orchard advertisement was relatively simple and could be built within Shengshi's own studio, unlike the Dove advertisement, which required renting European street scenes at a film base.

Inside the studio, a simple beverage shop was set up, with a large advertisement hanging overhead, featuring nine prominent red words: "Ice Valley Orchard, Shake Before Drinking."

Did he really accept an advertisement for another fruit juice?

Was he going to compete with Tianyi?

Ice Valley Orchard vs. Orange Juice?

Shake Before Drinking?

Quite interesting.

The receptionist said, "Please wait a moment, I'll inform Teacher Mai."

At that moment, Mai Xiaoyu was scolding Lu Jianjun. A cute little boy stood nearby, holding a bottle of Ice Valley Orchard and shaking it vigorously.

"Old Lu, why are you so nervous?"

"How many times have you made a mistake?"

"Is it really that hard to wiggle your hips?"

"Little Lu learned it in one try; he's your nephew."

"My name is Lu Han, not Little Lu," the little boy corrected shyly.

Every time he heard this name, Mai Xiaoyu felt a bit dazed.

Lu Han...

Putting the strange dream aside, Mai Xiaoyu patted the little boy's head and said, "Lu Han, be a good boy. I have a task for you. Teach your uncle to wiggle his hips, and I'll give you two bottles of Ice Valley Orchard."

"I'll do my best."

Handing Lu Jianjun over to Lu Han for coaching, Mai Xiaoyu quickly walked towards Su Youpeng.

As he approached, just about to speak, Su Youpeng shook his head, and Xiao Song spoke first: "Hello, President Mai, we haven't delayed your shooting, have we?"

"I'm only responsible for creative planning; the shooting is not under my jurisdiction."

He came to the set today not to supervise Xiao Xing's shooting.

The Ice Valley Orchard advertisement was co-created by Xiao Xing, who understood the style Mai Xiaoyu wanted. Mai Xiaoyu had also drawn several key frames to constrain Xiao Xing's creative freedom, ensuring the advertisement wouldn't deviate from the intended style.

He came to see Lu Han, to confirm if he was the same person he had dreamed about.

The answer was astonishing.

Seeing Su Youpeng hesitate, Mai Xiaoyu suggested, "There are many people here, and they talk a lot. Why don't we find a quieter place?"

Su Youpeng nodded, and Xiao Song suggested, "Let's talk in the car."

"Okay."

After informing Xiao Xing, Mai Xiaoyu followed Su Youpeng out. After a few steps, they heard Lu Han's young voice: "Ice Valley Orchard, Shake Before Drinking."

Looking back, they saw Lu Han earnestly teaching Lu Jianjun to shake his body.

...

Su Youpeng's minivan was spacious, with the air conditioning on.

Getting into the car, Su Youpeng took off his mask and took two cans of beer from the car's mini-fridge, handing one to Mai Xiaoyu.

Pop!

Mai Xiaoyu opened the beer and took a sip, pointing at the mask and asking Su Youpeng, "Aren't you hot?"

Of course, he was hot; the mask was soaked through!

But there was no choice; even big stars have their difficulties.

Recently, "Deep Affection in the Rain" was popular, and the media started spreading rumors about his relationship with Zhao Wei. Journalists came up with all sorts of wild rumors, some even claiming that Ruby Lin had inserted herself between them, creating a love triangle.

Three days ago, Zhao Wei returned to Beijing from out of town, and the media went into overdrive, wanting to follow them 24/7.

Could he afford to be careless?

"Brother Peng, we have half an hour left," Xiao Song reminded him.

"The schedule is tight," Mai Xiaoyu said in surprise.

Su Youpeng nodded: "Time is limited. Let's get straight to the point, and we can talk about other things later."

He came to see Mai Xiaoyu about the copyright for "Ten Years."

He really liked "Ten Years," and after his company, Starlight Records, reviewed it, the music director also praised it highly. They decided to release a new album in the second half of the year, with "Ten Years" as the lead single.

The company was currently collecting songs and wanted to secure the copyright from Mai Xiaoyu to quickly release a single as a test. If it became popular, it would help promote the new album.

Mai Xiaoyu had previously said he would give "Ten Years" as a gift, but China is a major copyright country, and copyright issues cannot be taken lightly.

If the song became popular, disputes over copyright could be very troublesome.

Starlight Records' transfer contract included all rights to "Ten Years," including the ringtone rights. Su Youpeng felt it was a bit excessive and used his influence to secure a high price of 50,000 yuan for Mai Xiaoyu.

Don't think that ringtone downloads are profitable; it's all a fairy tale.

Without the support of a powerful record company, even a popular song's ringtone rights are worth only a few thousand yuan, and the singer doesn't earn much, let alone the songwriter.

This is the industry standard.

If you don't agree?

Fine, we won't make a ringtone.

Or we'll make it but not promote it, so there are no downloads.

Still not agree?

So, for a singer without a strong background, occasionally singing a hit song, the ringtone rights are often sold cheaply. The main goal is to gain popularity through the large number of ringtone downloads and then earn money through constant performances and commercial appearances.

Therefore, 50,000 yuan is not a small amount for a newcomer like Mai Xiaoyu.

But as a professional con artist, Mai Xiaoyu wrote the song and sang it in the bathroom, going through all this trouble, just for 50,000 yuan?

He wanted Su Youpeng's favor!

"Teacher Su, I appreciate your kindness. But I said I would give you the song, so I won't take any money. If you consider me a friend, don't mention money. Brother Peng?"

Su Youpeng was slightly taken aback but then nodded firmly: "Alright, I'll consider you a friend. I owe you a favor. If you need anything, contact me anytime."

He gave his private number to Mai Xiaoyu, and they quickly signed the zero-fee copyright transfer contract, filling in "Xiao Yu'er" as the songwriter and composer. Su Youpeng shook Mai Xiaoyu's hand and said, "I have something else to do tonight, let's have dinner another time. Honestly, I really like this song 'Ten Years'."