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

Chapter 87 Is this a dream? This is wishful thinking (Fourth update, begging for first subscription)

"Little Xu."

Deputy Director Wang placed the thermos back on the table. The sound wasn't loud, but the entire conference room fell silent.

This is the absolute authority of a leader.

Xu Yao understood, nodded, and stood up. The martial world wasn't just about fighting and killing; it was about human relationships and social interactions. Little did he know, above the martial world, there existed a celestial palace.

Deputy Director Wang looked at Xu Yao with a calm and composed gaze characteristic of an elder, and said slowly, "I understand. You want to terminate your contract. You believe you can become the next generation's king of pop, and the company has become an obstacle to your dream. Is that a fair assessment?"

Xu Yao thought for a moment and did not avoid the question.

"Director Wang, the intensive tour is indeed affecting the preparation of my new album. Furthermore, I hope that the contestants from 'The Voice of China' can have more opportunities. With fame, although the number of performances may decrease, it doesn't mean the income will decrease. The greater the fame, the higher the value of a single performance. The income from one top-tier commercial performance might be equivalent to ten tour performances. And—"

"Xiao Xu, listen to me."

Deputy Director Wang raised his hand, signaling him to stop for a moment.

"We won't discuss other students' questions today. We'll only discuss yours."

He put his hand back on the table and took a sip of tea.

He drank his tea at a moderate pace, and everyone could only wait patiently.

"If the company doesn't hinder your development in the next two years, feel free to experiment. If you achieve what you've said in two years, and the company also feels that the music scene has indeed produced a remarkable singer, a rising star, then the company will no longer restrict you."

He paused for a moment and looked at Xu Yao.

"But what if you're just arrogant? What if you haven't made a name for yourself in two years? Then go back to the company and do a proper tour. We're down-to-earth. If we can't hold concerts, we can still make money commercially. It's not shameful or embarrassing. Not every singer has the ability to hold concerts, right? If every singer could make money by holding concerts, there wouldn't be enough stadiums in the whole country, would there?"

Hahaha----

"The director is absolutely right."

A burst of laughter erupted in the conference room.

It wasn't the kind of hearty laughter, but rather the kind where subordinates subtly flatter the leader after he finishes speaking.

General Manager Liu smiled, Jin Lei smiled, and General Manager Zhao smiled too.

Laughter echoed around the long table, spreading out like ripples.

Only Xu Yao remained calm and composed.

"Director Wang, thank you for giving me such a generous choice. Two years of no interference, letting me go out and try my luck. If I succeed, the company will be proud of me. If I don't succeed, I'll come back and honestly do tours. It really sounds like a favor from the company."

A slight smile appeared on Deputy Director Wang's lips, but before it could fully unfold, Xu Yao's next words froze it in mid-air.

However, Xu Yao knew that this was just a delaying tactic.

Moreover, he knew in his heart that if he agreed today, what would be the point of his promise a year later when the company had a different management team?

If you're unlucky and don't make it big in two years, and then you happen to be on tour, does that mean you're resigned to your fate for the rest of your life?

We finally got the chance to negotiate face-to-face with the leaders. If we don't succeed in terminating the contract this time, the only option left will probably be litigation in court.

When it comes to litigation, the company will definitely choose to destroy itself rather than give in.

Deputy Director Wang remained silent, waiting for Xu Yao to continue. There was no anger in his eyes; he was more like an experienced chess player waiting to see how his opponent planned to break through his own trap.

"Director Wang, distinguished leaders. First of all, I thank you for giving me such a great opportunity and trust. To be honest, defeating Hua Chenyu is just a small goal for my debut."

Xu Yao paused for a moment, glanced at everyone's expressions, and then continued.

"My real goal is to become the new king of the Chinese music scene after Jay Chou. To achieve this, I need to devote all my energy to it without any distractions and fight tirelessly."

The meeting room was silent for about two seconds.

Then Mr. Liu leaned back in his chair and curled his lips upward.

"What did you say? You want to become a superstar like Jay Chou?"

Mr. Liu finally couldn't hold back any longer. He shook his head, his smile filled with undisguised sneer. The smile wasn't meant to be deliberate humiliation, but rather a genuine feeling that this was utterly absurd.

"Xiao Xu, when Jay Chou debuted, you were still in elementary school, right? Do you know how Jay Chou got his start? It was a perfect storm of timing, location, and people—a combination of resources and luck. You hummed a few tunes and went backstage at the Spring Festival Gala, and you really think you're cut out for it?"

Xu Yao was not angered by his laughter at all. He waited for President Liu to finish speaking before speaking: "President Liu, Stephen Chow once said that everyone should have dreams, otherwise what's the difference between them and salted fish? If even President Liu thinks that we should be ordinary, then the ambition of us trainees will be worn down."

Mr. Liu continued to scoff, "Is this a dream? You're just delusional. Why don't you call Li Ronghao and Zhang Jie and ask them if they dare to say such a thing?"

"Xiao Liu, don't rush, let Xiao Xu finish speaking," Deputy Director Wang said.

Xu Yao nodded his thanks and continued speaking.

"Since things have come to this point, my thoughts are simple. I'm grateful to 'The Voice of China' for giving me a start, and I will repay 'The Voice of China' with the value it deserves. How much is the termination fee? I can't afford it, but I can borrow it, as you all heard on the phone just now. But I don't want to go down the termination route. This time, the company has hurt me so much, so why haven't I filed for termination? Because I cherish 'The Voice of China.' If one day I really become a king of the music scene, just this one title, 'I came from 'The Voice of China,' is it worth the 30 million termination fee?"

Mr. Liu did not answer. In the corner, Mr. Zhao let out a soft laugh, his face full of contempt.

"Xu Yao." Minister Zhou frowned, looking him up and down.

"Are you drinking fake alcohol? Listen to what you're saying! Do you want to be Jay Chou? Do you want to be the King of Pop?"

You've been in the industry for less than a year, released only one single, and that single didn't even crack the top ten. You're sitting here negotiating with us? Have you lost your mind?

"Minister Zhou," Xu Yao's voice remained unchanged, "why did Sister Na make an exception and bring me to the Spring Festival Gala?"

Hua Chenyu's original album topped the JD.com music sales chart, and so can mine. And I will make "Xu Yao from The Voice of China" the show's most dazzling selling point.

Mr. Liu, having reached his limit, retorted, "I've seen plenty of braggarts, but someone as good as you is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Does anyone in the room actually believe you? Do you think I weigh the same as you, a measly 250 pounds?"

Xu Yao ignored President Liu's words and spoke as if he hadn't heard them: "I'm not sitting here today to argue with you leaders. I'm sitting here today to speak from the bottom of my heart. Every word I say comes from the heart. I hope you leaders will allow me to pursue my dreams without distraction."

This was Xu Yao's ultimate goal: to truly contend for the highest position of power. The only way was to be sincere and see if he could move the leader.

Lacking background and ability, resorting to scheming and manipulation?

These are all minor tricks, not up to par, and will only anger those at the pinnacle of power.

What if the boss doesn't approve?

That leaves only one option: litigation.

Deputy Director Wang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put the cup down.

When the lid was put back on the rim of the cup, it made a very slight sound, like a comma that stopped everyone in their long tug-of-war without making a sound immediately.