Chinese Entertainment King: Starting as a Fat Boy and Becoming a Singing King

Chapter 85 You think you can beat Hua Chenyu? (Second update, begging for first subscription)

"Dear leaders, I'm just a newcomer and I don't know anything."

When Xu Yao said this, his expression was as serious as that of a well-mannered student answering a teacher's question in class.

A cold snort came from the corner. It was Zhao, the Vice President of Operations who hadn't said much the whole time. His lips curled down, and he squeezed out a sneer from his nose, yelling, "Damn it, I don't believe you!"

Xu Yao pretended not to hear or see, and continued in that sincere, inquiring tone, "So, please tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Director Zhou of the Artist Management Department was the first to speak.

She was one of only two female leaders present today. Unlike the others, she didn't speak with a hint of probing or gesturing; instead, she spoke as if she were handling a routine task she had done countless times.

"Xiao Xu, the company wants you to do a few things. First, issue a statement online to reconcile with the company. The wording doesn't need to be too complicated; just say that the previous conflicts were caused by misunderstandings due to poor communication, and that a consensus has now been reached, and the contract will continue to be fulfilled. Second, rejoin the team and continue leading the tour. The tour has been suspended, which puts pressure on the sponsors."

She paused for a moment, as if considering her words.

"The company can make an exception and give you a 30% cut, which is unprecedented in the history of The Voice of China. This percentage is enough to show the company's sincerity. In addition, if you are not feeling well in the future, it's just a matter of telling your agent to take leave. What happened to Xiaolin last time will never happen again."

Xu Yao nodded, but did not respond to her.

He looked at Minister Zhou and asked another question: "Minister Zhou, that's not what I wanted to ask. What exactly is the purpose of my rejoining the team?"

Minister Zhou was taken aback: "What? For what reason?"

"If my only reason for returning to the team is to continue touring, then if I terminate my contract and leave, can't I still lead the team to tour under the name of the champion trainee? What's the difference?"

Upon hearing this, Minister Zhou's expression froze for a moment.

Mr. Liu slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacup lid to bounce up.

"What's the difference between you terminating your contract to go solo and staying with the company full-time? Did you sign the contract for nothing? Did you get the platform for free? Without The Voice of China, where would you be now? You're talking to me about revenue sharing, but since you're still with the company, you have to follow the company rules!"

Xu Yao waited for him to finish speaking, paused for a moment, and then spoke.

"Mr. Liu, I don't want to bring up how the company has treated me today. Both sides' lawyers have finished their discussions. Everyone knows whose fault it is that things have come to this point. I'm not here to argue or dredge up old grievances. I'm here to have a peaceful discussion with all of you leaders about how to resolve this issue."

Jin Lei slammed his pen down on the table, making a crisp sound.

"Xiao Xu, stop beating around the bush. Just say it, what do you want? To terminate the contract? I'll say it right here, don't even think about it. You think you can terminate the contract just because you have money? We'll be going back and forth in court, going through first and second trials for three to five years. What kind of popularity will you have left then? Going to court will do you absolutely no good."

Xu Yao smiled.

"What Director Jin said may not be right. I'm young and naive. Whether a lawsuit will benefit everyone or not, we'll only know after we start the process."

Jin Lei frowned but didn't reply.

Xu Yao moved his chair forward a little and sat up slightly.

"I'm here to solve the problem. The key to solving the problem is figuring out what both sides really want. So, I'd like to start by asking all the leaders here a question: What does the company really want?"

Deputy Director Wang remained silent throughout, leaning back in his chair. Upon hearing this, he put down his thermos; the bottom of the cup landed softly on the table, and everyone fell silent.

"Xiao Xu, feel free to speak your mind. We're all here today to hear what's on your mind."

Xu Yao knew that this was the voice that truly held the reins today.

He bowed slightly and nodded to Deputy Director Wang, then said, "Distinguished leaders, if keeping me in the tour group is simply to ensure the continued availability of commercial performances for 'The Voice of China,' then the question arises: why can 'The Voice of China' continue to have such a long run? It's because of the contestants' fame. The longer the fame lasts, the longer the commercial performances can continue. Therefore, if the company can terminate my contract, we can add conditions: I will continue to participate in important commercial performances of 'The Voice of China.' Not every performance, but the key, influential ones. Wherever I go, I will carry the title of 'The Voice of China' champion. This title is not a burden for the company; it's a valuable asset."

Deputy Director Wang tapped his finger on the thermos.

"Then why do you insist on leaving? Staying at the company won't change the outcome, will it?"

Xu Yao turned his gaze to Deputy Director Wang, his voice becoming calm and serious.

"Director Wang, why did my single 'Loneliness Is Not Good' make it into the top 50 of the new song chart? The company should know best. It's because Sister Na was the first to repost it at 2 AM, Teacher Yang Kun followed up with a repost the next day, and Teacher Liu Yifei posted on Weibo asking if anyone praised my brother's handsomeness." It's because the song itself is catchy. Without these, what promotional resources did the company provide? Homepage recommendations? Media press releases? Nothing at all.

He paused, his gaze shifting from Deputy Director Wang's face to General Manager Liu's face, and then back again.

"From the first season to the third season, how many contestants has The Voice signed? Which of them has the company truly invested in building long-term fame? Look at how much effort the other station put into promoting Hua Chenyu—a solo concert in his debut year, and an album released overseas next year, his second year. And our contestants? Tours, commercial performances, real estate openings, shopping mall anniversary sales. Leaders, this isn't building fame, this is squandering it."

At the other end of the table, someone lowered their head, while someone else scribbled on a notebook. No one objected.

"That's why I wanted to do this on my own. It's not about completely cutting ties with 'The Voice of China' just because I terminated my contract. If the company isn't suited to developing a famous singer, then let me do it myself. I'll negotiate resources myself, find people to write and release songs, and spend my own money to build my own fame. What if—what if—my fame really does rise and surpasses Hua Chenyu, who's been heavily promoted by the other show? That would be a boost for 'The Voice of China' brand. From now on, I'll prioritize accepting invitations from the station and come back to participate in every season of 'The Voice of China' to generate buzz for the show. Isn't that the result everyone wants?"

The meeting room fell silent after these words were spoken.

Xu Yao didn't give them much time and continued, "Leaders, let's be realistic and look at this from a revenue perspective. Under the company's current high-intensity popularity-consuming tour model, how much profit can the company make from me during my one-year contract period? Ten million? Is that enough? If not, let's say twenty million. But if my fame really takes off, and the Voice of China program team takes me to do commercial performances, how much can a top-tier New Year's Eve concert generate? Is it equivalent to several years' worth of tour revenue? This isn't terminating the contract; it's a different way of cooperating."

"In this way, the company and the 'The Voice' brand will only gain more benefits and fame."

Jin Lei looked at Xu Yao with a newfound scrutiny: "You—are you really that confident you can take down Hua Chenyu next door?"

Xu Yao met his gaze: "If I can't even beat Hua Chenyu, how can I become a top singer of the new generation? What I want to do is not to terminate my contract, but to realize my musical dream."

In later generations, leading figures among the new generation of singers include Hua Chenyu, Deng Ziqi, Mao Buyi, and Zhou Shen.

Xu Yao's goal is naturally to leave these four far behind, and then surpass the leading figures of the middle generation of singers, Xue Zhiqian, Zhang Jie, Li Ronghao, and Xu Song.

He will become the next generation of pop star.