I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

For Xu Kong, competing with Su Zhi was indeed a match of equals.

At least when it comes to other people, Xu Kong always reserves some of his strength.

But Su Zhi's words seemed vulnerable on the surface, full of feedback.

In fact, it is very difficult to really win outright.

The strength is bottomless.

Of course, Xu Kong is not without a solution.

For example, he knows exactly where the opponent's weaknesses are.

What makes Su Zhi truly different from ordinary people is her somewhat outrageous recovery ability.

No matter what kind of storm it is, we can still regroup our forces within ten minutes.

……

In the end, it can only be said that both sides won and lost, and the game ended in a draw.

But for Su Zhi, it has indeed been a long time since she last met Xu Kong.

This time when I came back to Beijing, I was quite satisfied with the welcome ceremony.

"call……"

"Fortunately, I have another day off tomorrow."

Su Zhi spoke up.

For her, although her body has a strong ability to recover, it cannot withstand Xu Kong's unremitting efforts.

"By the way, I haven't asked yet, can Youyou... bear it?"

Su Zhi didn't know what she was thinking, but she suddenly became curious.

"Take care of yourself first!"

Xu Kong was a little drunk and stood up again.

"Wait a moment!"

Su Zhi quickly begged for mercy.

This is a relatively rare situation.

But he still suffered the final blow from Xu Kong.

……

Su Zhi's return to the capital was just a small episode.

In fact, if we only talk about work, Xu Kong and Su Zhi have the least interactions.

The other party is neither an artist under Fengge, nor does Xu Kong have any shares in Su Zhi Studio.

So except for the time when Xu Kong helps the other party write songs, most of the work is completely independent.

Although Su Zhi would ask Xu Kong for some suggestions on the future development of her studio from time to time.

However, Xu Kong never interfered in the operation of the other studio.

……

Apart from being busy with several projects that Feng Ge is currently preparing to shoot, Xu Kong has used the extra time to relax.

Although I go to the company every day, I either go to Zhu Yu's office or wait for Youyou or Shang Yuxin to come to see me.

Apart from that, go find Su Zhi when you have time.

It seems that the schedule is very busy, but Xu Kong himself still enjoys it.

Thanks to the fact that I paid more attention to physical exercise in this life, and my youthful energy, I have never been in a state of overwhelm.

It means that you have to be on guard against accidentally bumping into someone from time to time.

There is nothing we can do about it.

He wasn't really bold enough to be so blatant.

Although except Youyou, everyone else should have noticed it a long time ago.

It just wasn't exposed.

It's a tacit understanding between each other.

Xu Kong himself is actually no exception.

……

"The Masked Singer has entered the semi-finals."

"Su Yuwei and the others will probably be unveiled in the next few days."

Seeing Xu Kong, Zhu Yu took the initiative to speak.

For her, there weren't many opportunities to chat about business with Xu Kong like this.

The main thing is that this guy has never been honest every time he came to her office.

Even Zhu Yu couldn't help blushing and secretly complaining in her heart sometimes, saying that young people are just full of energy.

Although she is actually not much older than Xu Kong.

But perhaps because I have a child, I always feel that Xu Kong is too young.

The main reason is that they are afraid of affecting the other party's business.

But if Xu Kong knew, he might have to explain it in detail.

Although Zhu Yu is the kind of person who is easily shy, even though they are now an old couple, she will still subconsciously resist at the first opportunity.

But in fact, the other party always reacts before him.

The mouth may lie and the heart may not want to admit it, but the body is very honest.

……

"Does time pass that fast?"

Xu Kong was stunned for a moment.

In fact, strictly speaking, the show "King of Masked Singer" has been on the air for almost half a year.

There was a break for a while due to the Spring Festival.

But the popularity has remained high.

Xu Kong almost never stopped writing songs for Su Yuwei and others.

It’s just that I don’t have that much time, so I personally guided the whole process.

At present, almost all four participating singers from Fengqing Entertainment have advanced to the semi-finals without exception.

As for the current fixed number of seven singers on the show, Fengqing Entertainment directly occupies more than half of the positions.

It's almost becoming a special.

However, Xu Kong knew that Mango did not do it on purpose.

Voting is also open to the public using real names.

And no one questioned the results.

Of course, it is also possible that no one could have imagined that the most popular contestants in the entire show are all from Fengqing Entertainment.

Moreover, most of the new songs that have become popular were written by Xu Kong alone.

When the final result is announced, it may cause quite a stir.

……

Of course, Xu Kong himself doesn’t need so much traffic.

But for Su Yuwei and others, this "King of Masked Singer" is indeed a very good opportunity.

Su Yuwei herself is fine. She is already a relatively famous singer among the new generation.

But for singers like Mao Zheyu and Ke Chen who were previously unknown, this program can be said to be the first step for them to officially become well-known singers.

So Xu Kong attaches great importance to this program.

If Fengqing Entertainment wants to become a big company like Jiying Media, it needs to have the patience to fight a protracted war.

At the same time, this so-called first step cannot fail.

……

"The Mango TV production team contacted us and said they were planning to invite you to be a special judge in the semi-finals."

Zhu Yu spoke up.

She didn't know why Wu Youxue didn't take the initiative to contact Xu Kong this time.

"What time?"

Xu Kong asked.

Zhu Yu replied: "It should be around next Wednesday."

"It's broadcast on the weekend, so the schedule is quite tight."

Xu Kong nodded.

"I agreed. Please help me contact them."

"As for the appearance fee, just talk about it normally. It's okay to give a friendly price."

With his current net worth, even if he only participates as a special guest for one or two episodes, the price would most likely be astronomical.

There are also many production teams willing to spend money. But "King of Masked Singer" is indeed a little different.

Because it involves a group of singers under Fengqing Entertainment, Xu Kong is already considered a so-called stakeholder.

The interests of Mango have long been tied together with its own.

So it's not necessary to help out for free.

But the appearance fee will definitely not be exorbitant, a normal fee will be enough.

……

"I still want to ask, why didn't Wu Youxue contact you alone this time?"

"Maybe it's because you participated in the Spring Festival Gala on Tomato TV before..."

Zhu Yu asked.

In fact, according to the personal relationship between Xu Kong and Wu Youxue, this invitation was entirely handled by the program team and Zhu Yu, Xu Kong's agent, which was indeed a bit too official.

At least there should be some communication in advance, and then go through this kind of process.

“It’s related, but it’s not the main thing.”

Xu Kong replied calmly:

"I'm going to participate in the Spring Festival Gala on Tomato TV. Director Wu must know about it."

"But in fact, this form is more normal at present."

"After all, Fengge and Mango are no longer small companies or platforms, so it is necessary to go through the normal process."

After a pause of a few seconds, Xu Kong spoke again:
"Besides that, Director Wu should also be aware that our relationship cannot always be used."

"For some things, there's no need to show up in person. Just follow the normal process."

"For now, there should be no changes to our long-term partnership with mangoes."

In fact, this is quite common.

After all, can Xu Kong and Wu Youxue be considered friends?

Of course it counts.

But we haven't reached the point where our relationship is really good and we can open up to each other.

So even if there is a friendship, the so-called favors will all be used up.

It would be fine if Mango and Fengge had always been in an equal position, but one party has taken the initiative, similar to Xu Kong himself now.

Wu Youxue should also be aware that it is impossible to keep asking Xu Kong to participate in their Mango programs and parties.

Especially since every invitation was made by Wu Youxue himself, that was a bit too much.

If favors are always consumed one-sidedly, they will be consumed sooner or later.

As for the invitation to the "Masked Singer" program this time, it is obvious that even if Wu Youxue himself did not ask, Xu Kong would most likely agree.

So there is no need to waste so-called favors on this.

Xu Kong knew that according to Wu Youxue's current attitude, the next time he spoke, it would most likely be when the other party felt that he had no other choice.

……

"understood……"

After listening to Xu Kong's explanation, Zhu Yu basically understood it.

But after nodding, she still felt a little unbelievable.

Although this is not the first time I have witnessed Xu Kong's maturity in handling things.

But Xu Kong does seem like a veteran who has been in the entertainment industry for many years.

Not only is he very proficient in all kinds of social practices.

And I can handle it with ease.

Zhu Yu even felt that, compared with Xu Kong, her agent's analysis and handling of these matters were not as good as Xu Kong's.

……

"By the way, I have to talk to Yan Rui about this. All cooperation with Mango will remain the same."

"This includes giving priority to cooperation in film and television dramas under the same conditions."

Xu Kong suddenly remembered something.

Although the current cooperation between the two parties may not be like before, it will be finalized privately between him and Wu Youxue first.

In addition, some of the conditions previously set must not be changed.

Strictly speaking, in the current situation, Mango is more dependent on them.

Xu Kong would not change his mind suddenly.

Moreover, there is no real conflict between him and Wu Youxue.

Strictly speaking, Xu Kong was quite satisfied with the previous collaborations.

To put it more deeply, the help that the other party provided him at the beginning, whether it really worked or not, is hard to ignore.

If Xu Kong was still just an artist of Fengge, he might not have thought so much.

But what is involved now is not just him or the director and the works he starred in.

So there is nothing wrong with standardizing some processes.

Moreover, there was no need for the two of them to communicate too much about these things. They were both smart people, and they understood each other tacitly.

……

"Director Wu, Xu Kong has agreed."

At this time in Xingcheng, the director of "King of Masked Singer" found Wu Youxue and told him the news.

Wu Youxue was not surprised by this.

Then he spoke:
"Then let's talk according to the normal process."

"As for Xu Kong, when he arrives in Xingcheng, I will take a look and have a meal with him alone."

In fact, Wu Youxue had no choice but to do so.

Of course he wanted to just call Xu Kong and resolve everything.

This was his way before.

But now, Wu Youxue had to admit that he and Xu Kong were now on equal footing, and that the other party even took the initiative.

Especially before the New Year, Xu Kong participated in the Tomato TV Spring Festival Gala.

It was a reminder to him.

At present, Xu Kong is a hot commodity in almost all major domestic TV stations.

In comparison, mangoes do have some advantages that are not particularly significant.

But to be honest, it still depends on the personal relationship between himself and Xu Kong.

Friendship is something that will run out sooner or later.

The huge success of "The Masked Singer" is indeed a win-win situation for both parties.

But on the other hand, Xu Kong’s participation in their variety shows is almost purely to help increase traffic.

For him personally, apart from the appearance fee, there are not many obvious benefits.

If it weren't for Xu Kong's current identity as one of the bosses of Fengge and Fengqing Entertainment, Wu Youxue might have had a more difficult time.

……

In addition to this, the current mango has indeed begun to become a little lazy.

Including the previous "Singer" and the current "King of Masked Singer".

As long as there is this relationship with Xu Kong, it seems that there is no need to worry about any problems.

Since there was really no other way, just invite Xu Kong over and ask him to sing a new song.

The program’s data and popularity will naturally be able to revive.

This is almost a lazy and cheating way.

Although it does work.

But Wu Youxue knew that this could not last long.

Especially since there was a precedent of Xu Kong participating in the Spring Festival Gala of other TV stations, and it was reported some time ago that Tomato TV planned to invite Xu Kong to be a mentor in its new program.

Wu Youxue is no longer able to be a variety show director himself, and has to do everything himself.

Therefore, we still need to put some pressure on Mango TV’s current variety show directors.

Don't spend time and effort on the new program, and spend the whole day thinking about asking Xu Kong for help.

……

This year, for several subsequent Mango TV shows, Xu Kong was on the invitation list of directors and producers.

Moreover, he even came to ask him to invite the other party individually.

Isn't this a joke?

Do you really think that just because you helped Xu Kong once, you can keep using him forever?
And in terms of favors, Xu Kong had actually repaid them long ago, and now he owed the other party.

...(End of chapter)