The Road to Superstardom: Starting as a Singer

Back at the hotel, Huang Weijie rested for a while, as he still had work to do in the afternoon.

This trip to New York is not only for participating in "Good Morning America," but also for completing three endorsement shoots.

It could actually be done in Los Angeles, but Huang Weijie is so popular right now that brands want to capitalize on his popularity, so they are all willing to accommodate his schedule.

At 1 p.m., Huang Weijie arrived at an industrial-style photography studio in Lower Manhattan, ready to shoot Nike's GG.

Nike offered a pretty good deal: an $800 million two-year global endorsement deal, including TV advertising, print advertising, social media content, and the rights to design co-branded footwear.

Besides the knife I just got, the promotional campaign is off the charts, making me a true A-list celebrity!

As for the final collaborative design, it's essentially Nike designing a sneaker named after him and giving Huang Weijie 5% of the sales revenue.

The fact that Nike can do this means they have seen Huang Weijie's amazing appeal.

Since his debut, Huang Weijie hasn't taken on many gigs, but whether it's Sennheiser, Armani, or A&F, the sales figures have been very good. Even at Walmart, foot traffic has increased significantly during this period.

Although it's about exploiting fans, it's a matter of mutual consent.

Huang Weijie felt he had done enough by not accepting endorsements for fast-moving consumer goods or similar products.

The Nike shoot went smoothly.

Wearing Nike's latest running shoes and training clothes, Huang Weijie completed a series of running shots under the Brooklyn Bridge, and then filmed a dance practice segment in an underground dance studio in Greenwich Village.

Finally, on the stage set up inside the studio, when the lights came on, he said the classic line "Just Do It" to the camera.

Over the next two days, Huang Weijie participated in photo shoots for Pepsi and Apple.

Pepsi paid $300 million a year, while Apple provided a $200 million image licensing fee for global Google Play campaigns over the next three quarters, in addition to two years of free phone service and priority access to Apple's mobile phone products.

When filming Pepsi's "GG", Huang Weijie was looking forward to meeting some famous celebrities, but he was disappointed. He was the only one filming this time, and he would be edited together with other celebrities in the later stages.

Although somewhat disappointed, he was generally in a good mood, as the exposure from the three major brands had been a huge boost to his career.

At 9 p.m. on September 11, after finishing the photoshoot for Apple's GG, Huang Weijie and Madeline got into the car back to the hotel together.

Three endorsements, worth 13 million US dollars, 70% of which is 9.1 million, that's enough to shut some people up.

Although Jive Records did not make a profit in the first three years after signing him, in just over three months, the revenue he generated for the company has far exceeded the profits that many people could contribute during the entire contract period.

However, this does not rule out the possibility that some greedy individuals might think, "Since you're so good at making money, wouldn't you have made even more if you had debuted three years ago?"

Huang Weijie can only say that you are unbeatable when it comes to such a brilliant idea.

If he hadn't worked hard at Curtis over the past three years and honed his skills on countless stages, big and small, how could he have achieved the composure and brilliance he displays on stage today?

Do you really think he's cheating?!

Can someone write songs without understanding music theory, amaze the world with their voice without knowing how to sing, and exude charm on stage without knowing how to dance?

Tsk... This isn't the Chinese entertainment industry, and it's not like it's ten years or more from now. If you want to become an idol, how can you expect to do it so easily with just a pretty face and no talent?

The city lights flashed past the window, but the car was unusually quiet.

The silence was quickly broken by Madeline.

"Jace, the company just called and wants to start album pre-orders tomorrow."

Huang Weijie leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and said, "After talking about moving it up for so long, it's finally confirmed that it will start tomorrow?"

"..." Madeline was speechless.

She could hear the sarcasm in Huang Weijie's words, and to be honest, she was also dissatisfied with the company's delays.

They had promised to start pre-sales early if the new song did well, and the publicity team was all prepared, but the order was never given.

Moreover, the previously agreed-upon increase in the publicity and marketing budget has not materialized.

"Fine, let's just go with their plan."

Huang Weijie didn't press further. Madeline had also been very anxious these past few days about why the company was delaying things.

Asking her won't get you anywhere; she most likely doesn't know.

There's a low probability... that they might be aware of it.

If that's the case, then there's even less reason to ask.

……

At midnight on September 12, the album pre-sale started on time.

The pre-sale is available in three versions.

First digital album: $9.99

Second physical standard edition: $12.99 (includes autographed photo and thank-you card)

The third limited deluxe edition: $29.99 (includes CD, exclusive poster, custom necklace and raffle code, limited to 5 sets).

To boost sales of the limited deluxe edition, the marketing team devised a clever plan: fans who purchase the deluxe edition will receive an exclusive code to participate in a subsequent lucky draw, with prizes including VIP concert tickets, Jace-style clothing, and more.

The concert tickets alone excited the fans, causing a surge in traffic to the official website in the first minute of the pre-sale opening, and the server briefly froze for more than 40 seconds.

Within just one hour, 3.8 digital albums, 3.2 physical standard editions, and 2.6 limited deluxe editions were sold.

This data is terrifying!

Even the company executives who were used to big events were taken aback. They knew you were capable, but they didn't expect you to be this capable!

"At this rate, the deluxe version will be sold out before the end of today!" The sales director's voice trembled with excitement on the conference call. "Gentlemen, we may have underestimated market demand, and we may have underestimated Jace Huang!"

As expected, the deluxe version sold out around noon.

Jive has urgently added 20,000 pre-orders, with the delivery date extended to October.

New York JFK Airport.

Huang Weijie was escorted into the VIP room by Madeline, Jessie, and a group of security personnel.

After taking their seats, Huang Weijie took off his sunglasses, and Madeline handed him her iPad.

"Take a look."

"What?"

Seeing Madeline smiling without saying anything, Huang Weijie took the iPad and glanced at it.

The screen was filled with comments from fans.

"Always support Jace!!"

"(Image) Number 005, I don't need to say more about its strength, right?"

"Number 9527! May God bless me so I can get a concert ticket!"

"With this pre-sale speed, is Jace about to break the record for a newcomer?"

"Let's have a rational discussion: is it possible for first-day sales to exceed 20?"

"The person upstairs is being conservative. At the current rate, it could easily reach 25."

"With three hit songs in a row, this album is definitely of high quality."

"Some people say Jace's three hit singles are the best tracks on the album, and the rest are just filler. LOL, so what? Even if it's a pile of shit, I'll still taste it!"

"Huaxia fans are here! Although we have to wait for international shipping, we've already placed our deluxe order! (Picture)"

"One more South Korean fan! Jace is super popular on the Melon charts! When will Jace come to South Korea?!"

Huang Weijie looked at Madeline with confusion, not understanding why she wanted him to see these comments.

He knew, of course, that he had many lovely fans supporting him, and he had seen them when he woke up in the morning, which was quite delightful.

But showing him these comments at this point...

Is there any purpose behind this?

"Jace, look at these lovely fans, they are your pride and joy in this industry..."

"Hey, Madeline, really..." Huang Weijie interrupted her, both amused and exasperated. "I know I'm only 16, but you don't have to use this kind of rhetoric to comfort me."

Madeline was a little embarrassed.

Last night in the car, Huang Weijie's tone was unusually calm, unlike his usual sunny and vibrant self.

This also caused her to toss and turn in bed after returning to her room, unable to fall asleep.

They were worried that Huang Weijie, being young and impetuous, might act rashly and start a fight with the company.

This kind of thing happens all the time in Hollywood, but unless you find a stronger backer, few people who go against their original company will have a good ending.

This is exactly what Madeleine is worried about.

No matter how composed Huang Weijie usually appears, his age is still a factor.

At this age, especially with so many people around him admiring him!

It's too easy to give people the illusion that you can be at odds with the world.

The reason I started with fans today is that Madeline spent a long time researching last night and finally found an old Chinese proverb that can be used to persuade people: "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

She wanted to tell Huang Weijie that fans can indeed lift you up, but unless you can retain these fans, they will eventually let go and let you fall to your death!

Anyway, though her words were rough, the reasoning was sound. She had prepared a speech in her mind, ready to give a splendid presentation to temper the impulsiveness and arrogance of the hot-blooded young man in front of her. However, she did not expect that Huang Weijie's reaction would be so unexpected.

"emm..."

"Haha, don't worry, Madeline, I know what's important." Huang Weijie gently patted the other person's shoulder.

Isn't the concern that he might be unhappy about the pre-sale and possibly go against the company?

Just kidding, how could he possibly have such a naive idea?

There are no benefits at all. Will doing this make the company think you're not easy to bully?

No, it will only make them feel that you are difficult to control, thus making them more eager to collect dirt on you in order to hold you firmly in their grasp.

He was indeed a little annoyed, but not because of the company's delay, but because of the promise made out of nowhere.

Making a promise and then failing to keep it is the most disgusting thing.

Huang Weijie would rather have never heard such words than be disgusted by them.

Actually, according to the original plan, the pre-sale was not scheduled to start until the 14th. Now that it's started two days earlier, it's already considered a support from the company.

Getting things done two days in advance isn't something that can be achieved with just a few words; many local marketing strategies need to be changed as a result. In this country, doing these things requires a lot of effort.

Huang Weijie believes the company must have made sacrifices, but unfortunately, he has a mouth that loves to show off.

"OK, OK..." Madeline said "OK" twice, then exclaimed, "Jace, you are truly the best artist I've ever met. I want to be with you forever!"

"Ugh! Come on! Can you be normal for once?!"

"Hahaha!"

Huang Weijie boarded a flight back to Los Angeles.

While he was flying in the sky, the total pre-orders for the album "Jace Huang" finally surpassed 220,000 copies at 4 p.m., with sales exceeding $3 million.

At 6 p.m., the plane landed in Los Angeles.

After signing autographs and taking photos with a few fans he bumped into at the airport, Huang Weijie got into his car and left.

Back in the hotel suite, before I could even catch my breath, Taylor Swift called.

"Hey Jace, don't forget..."

"Yay~ I didn't forget, Taylor Swift." Huang Weijie rubbed his temples, glanced at the time, and said helplessly, "It's not time yet."

"Okay, but congratulations on your album pre-sales! Wow~ I wish my album could do that too," Taylor Swift said enviously.

"You will, Taylor Swift."

"Hmm, I think I can do it too."

Huang Weijie shook his head and chuckled, "Yes, you already have that much-needed confidence, and I believe that day will come soon."

"Thank you, Jace. Oh, by the way, there's something I wanted to tell you."

"you say."

I broke up with my boyfriend.

"What?"

Taylor Swift tightened her grip on her phone slightly and repeated, "I said, I broke up with Joe."

"..."

Huang Weijie blinked. If he remembered correctly, Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas got together in July, right? It hasn't been that long...

Are you playing house?

Oh, you mean Taylor Swift will have a history of breaking up after only one month together?

That's fine.

"Hey Jace, why aren't you saying anything?" Taylor Swift seemed a little nervous.

"Emm, I'm just a little surprised. Why did you suddenly break up with him?"

"It's just not a good fit, but I did something super cool! Do you want to know?"

"What?" Huang Weijie asked instinctively.

"I called him and told him I wanted to break up over the phone. Do you know how long that took? 27 seconds!"

Before Huang Weijie could answer, Taylor Swift began to answer her own question, her emotions inexplicably agitated, "I think it's because I have no feelings for him that I can speak so decisively and so quickly!"

So?

What do you want to say?

"Jace, when will you grow taller?"

After a brief silence, Taylor Swift suddenly said something completely unrelated.

But Huang Weijie immediately understood. He opened his mouth and said awkwardly, "Ha~ these things are hard to control. Maybe I'll suddenly grow taller."

"Oh~ then I'll wait, wait for the day I can look up to you..."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Weijie lay down on the bed in a T-shape.

He then put his hands behind his head and pondered for a moment, after which a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

Interesting, Christine, someone has challenged you to war.

……

7:30 p.m.

Taylor Swift's "Love Story" music video premiered globally at 8 p.m.

Huang Weijie reposted it on time, adding the caption: "Every girl deserves this kind of romance."

In the music video, he wears a custom-made medieval knight outfit and meets, dances with, and makes a vow under the moonlight with "Juliet," played by Taylor Swift, in a castle.

There were no kissing scenes, but the intense, loving gazes between the two caused a sensation online.

With his help, Love Story's online popularity began to climb rapidly, but Huang Weijie did not pay much attention to it afterward.

After changing into a white shirt and jeans, he put on a hooded sweatshirt and then quietly got into a car and left the hotel.

The car drove for forty minutes in the darkness before stopping in front of a secluded detached house in the western part of Los Angeles.

Huang Weijie pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt, then got out of the car, entered the password, and pushed open the door.

The living room lights were warm and yellow. Christine stood with her back to him by the open kitchen island, pouring water.

Hearing the sound, she turned around.

The black spaghetti straps are very thin, fully exposing the collarbone. The neckline isn't low, but the close-fitting fabric accentuates a full, curvaceous figure.

She wore dark blue skinny jeans, the blue of which seemed to have been dyed onto the fabric by the evening sky.

The pants were tightly fitted, with no extra space from waist to ankle, highlighting the lines of the thighs, the curve of the knees, and the slenderness of the calves...

Every inch of fabric follows the curves of the body perfectly.

Huang Weijie closed the door behind him and leaned against it, watching her.

Those legs, straight and long, look playful.

Christine put down her water glass, a smile on her face and a hint of smugness in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. She just crossed her arms and quietly enjoyed the greedy gaze of someone.

"Darling," Huang Weijie said in a low voice, "turn around."

Christine blinked, then a sly smile flashed in her eyes.

She obediently turned around and faced away from her.

The girl's straight back and round, pert curves made Huang Weijie's eyes widen slightly.

He didn't know what "still holding a pipa, half-concealing her face" meant before, but now he understands.

Huang Weijie took off his hoodie, casually tossed it onto a chair, strode over to her, and scooped her up in his arms.

Christine gasped softly and naturally wrapped her arms around his neck.

The sofa in the living room is very spacious.

Huang Weijie sat down first, leaning back into the sofa, and then let Christine straddle his lap facing him.

Spread your legs apart, bring your calves together and pull them back, just like a girl in an anime.

"Sit like a duck."

Both of them were wearing jeans.

Even through two layers of fabric, Huang Weijie could clearly feel the girl's softness, and for a moment he felt positive and uplifted.

Christine naturally noticed his change and gently reached out to unbutton Huang Weijie's white shirt.

A strong desire to conquer suddenly appeared in his eyes.

A while ago, Huang Weijie was wearing this white shirt while performing for the entire United States, and he shone brightly in front of millions of people!

And now, he's beneath me!

Thinking about this, she became even more excited and unconsciously moved her legs.

The room was quiet, amplifying both of their senses, and Huang Weijie immediately noticed Christine's change.

He suddenly said, "Darling, I'm very pleased with this surprise."

Christine smiled smugly and said nothing.

"When did you start preparing?"

"In the next few days," she said softly. "It's just that you went to New York, otherwise we could have seen it earlier."

"Oh, that's a pity." Huang Weijie drawled regretfully, then asked, "Where did you put the scissors at home?"

Christine was taken aback: "Scissors?"

"Okay, go look for it."

She got off his lap, rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a pair of sewing scissors. Returning to him, she still looked puzzled: "What do you need scissors for?"

Huang Weijie took the scissors and chuckled, "Honey, actually I only told half of what I said that day."

"What?"

Huang Weijie leaned close to his ear and whispered something. Christine froze for two seconds, then her smile instantly turned red: "...Fuck!"

The sound of scissors cutting fabric was exceptionally clear in the quiet living room.