Peninsula: From Water Injection to Stardom

After the interview recording was completed, there was another segment: recording an unplugged version of "That's What I Like".

This segment will be edited together with the previously recorded video and is also part of the interview.

When it comes to singing, Jiang Yan is quite adept.

With the band playing live acoustic music, he improvised the way he sang the original song and sang a complete unplugged version in a higher key during the high notes.

The moment after he finished singing, Matthew clapped excitedly and said, "That was fantastic! Your live performance reminded me of many excellent musicians."

This is not an exaggeration; he and his team have interviewed all sorts of musicians, including many singers with excellent vocal skills.

But Matthew says he rarely encounters people like Jiang Yan who can not only create their own songs, but also have clearly undergone systematic training, possess highly professional singing skills, and have an outstanding timbre.

"Thank you for the compliment," Jiang Yan replied with a smile.

The process has now come to an end.

From now on, when Billboard publishes this interview video is no longer something Jiang Yan can control.

Matthew stood up and extended his hand to Jiang Yan: "Yan, we had a very pleasant chat today. I really hope that when we have the chance to meet again, your song will be on Billboard's HOT100."

Jiang Yan grasped his hand, smiled, and replied, "Thank you for your blessing. I think that day will come."

After a brief chat, Matthew and his team left CUBE.

After seeing the other person off, Jiang Yan did not leave as well, because Jiang Zhennan had some things to discuss with him.

After the two sat down in an office, Jiang Zhennan got straight to the point: "This morning, Yuehua Entertainment sent us a message saying they received a cooperation email from a chain convenience store."

When Jiang Yan heard the news, her first thought was whether it was the whole family, but she immediately dismissed the idea because the whole family now has a spokesperson.

Which convenience store?

"It's Lawson's domestic chain."

"Rosen? What kind of cooperation is it?"

Hearing this name, Jiang Yan was somewhat surprised, because if he remembered correctly, Lawson did not hire celebrities to endorse their brand; they preferred to collaborate with IPs.

"The email said they were planning a merchandise design event and invited you to their flagship store in Shanghai for a surprise interactive session," Jiang Zhennan explained.

"Surrounding design? I don't know how to do that either," Jiang Yan said, spreading his hands.

"Of course they won't actually let you come. They'll hire another designer, but they'll just put your name on the contract."

"That's no problem. How much is the quote?"

"200 million, the cooperation period is three months. Within three months, all chain stores in Shanghai will display your image and sell limited edition merchandise designed by you."

"That sounds good. Tell Yuehua Entertainment I've accepted."

Although Jiang Yan is now more cautious about accepting endorsements, it depends on the situation.

He would temporarily put aside endorsements for fast-moving consumer goods or brands with low brand recognition.

But chains of convenience stores are worth considering.

Lawson has nearly 500 chain stores in Shanghai alone. This collaboration will help them effectively expand their reach to lower-tier markets.

"I'll talk to the department now and have them handle the talks," Jiang Zhennan said, picking up his phone and typing a message.

After sending the message, he continued, "There's one more thing. Dream Concert has sent an invitation; it's 25 for two songs. Do you want to accept?"

Jiang Yan asked, "When?"

June 20th.

"Let me think..."

Jiang Yan hesitated for a moment after hearing this, but his hesitation did not mean that he thought the price was unacceptable.

In South Korea, the maximum appearance fee for commercial performances is generally 30 won, so the organizers of this mixed-gender event seem to be quite sincere.

The problem is that he originally planned to return during September.

If you accept this performance, it may affect your other comeback schedules for the month.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked again, "I don't have any other plans at the moment, do I?"

When asked this question, Jiang Zhennan opened his phone's notes app, glanced at it, and shook his head, saying, "Not for now, but if the cooperation with Lawson is finalized, we'll have to go back to Shanghai in September."

Jiang Yan nodded thoughtfully, and after a moment, he made a decision.

"Okay, go and coordinate with that platter organizer and ask them about my priority. If it doesn't match, then I won't accept it."

Although the price is very reasonable, to be honest, it's still too little money.

He can earn more by taking on commercial performances in China.

However, if the performance is of a high enough caliber, Jiang Yan will accept the role without much hesitation, even if it's just one of the last three or four to perform.

"I understand." Jiang Zhennan immediately understood what he meant.

After discussing the two matters, there was nothing else to talk about for the time being, so the two got up and left the office together.

Upon reaching the bottom of the Cube office building, Jiang Zhennan asked, "Are you going straight back to your apartment?"

Jiang Yan replied, "Okay, someone's coming later, I'll go back and wait."

"Who—oh, I know, your boyfriend is back, right?"

Jiang Zhennan quickly realized who Jiang Yan was talking about.

"You know that's good. I'm not talking anymore, I'm leaving now."

After a brief farewell to Jiang Zhennan, Jiang Yan returned to his apartment a dozen minutes later.

After waiting in the apartment for about half an hour, the doorbell rang.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan, who was sitting on the sofa, got up and went to open the door.

Kim Seolhyun, whom I hadn't seen for a while, stood gracefully at the door.

After entering, and having just changed into slippers, Kim Seolhyun immediately hugged Kang Yeon and said in a sweet voice, "Oppa~".

Jiang Yan then casually put his arm around the other woman's slender waist and laughed, "You look a little thinner."

Upon hearing this, Kim Seolhyun immediately pouted and complained, "Yeah, it's been so tiring performing in the US lately. We had to go to rehearsals shortly after getting off the plane and adjusting to the time difference, and then perform right away in the evening. They didn't give us much time to rest at all."

Jiang Yan brushed aside the bangs that had fallen across her forehead, then kissed her and said, "Our Seolhyun has really worked hard. It makes my heart ache."

"Oppa, don't just kiss my forehead, kiss me here too~"

Kim Seolhyun said in a coquettish tone, then pouted and closed her eyes.

"Okay, mua."

Jiang Yan leaned in and kissed him, then laughed and said, "Is this alright now?"

"Hehe, I want to kiss oppa too."

After being kissed, Kim Seolhyun still seemed unsatisfied and reached out to hook her arm around Jiang Yan's neck, then leaned in and kissed him back.

She seemed to be releasing the pent-up longing she had accumulated during this period of separation.

The two kissed their way from the entryway to the bedroom, and then drew the curtains...