A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

Soon, Deng Xinyao arrived at Han Tang Entertainment.

In the reception room, the two exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business.

Su Fan asked directly, "You used to be a very talented singer-songwriter, so why have you disappeared for almost two years?"

Deng Xinyao said with a wry smile, "It's not that I want to disappear from the public eye, it's that the company has blacklisted me."

Why?

"Because I didn't renew my contract with the company, which was expiring in three years, they blacklisted me."

Although he had guessed the reason, Su Fan still asked, "With your creative ability and popularity, you'd be in high demand at any company. Why don't you leave your current company?"

Deng Xinyao said somewhat resignedly, "It's not that I don't want to leave, it's that I can't. The copyrights of all my songs are with the company. Even the songs I wrote myself don't have copyrights in my hands. Besides, the contract clearly stipulates that if I unilaterally terminate the contract, I will face a sky-high compensation of 100 million yuan. No company is willing to pay that amount for a singer who can't even take the copyrights with him. Even if an entertainment company is willing to pay, it would be equivalent to offending my current company. This industry is interconnected. No one is willing to do something that costs money, offends people, and doesn't guarantee future profits."

"So you've started to give up?"

Deng Xinyao did not deny it: "Taking it easy is the only thing I can do. I still have three years left on my contract with them. These three years are enough for them to smooth out all my rough edges."

"Both of you are testing each other's bottom line, it's just a matter of who will compromise first."

"That's right. They had previously agreed to let me participate in the show 'Music Pioneer' as a guest performer, but later they went back on their word."

Is this a test of you? Or are they deliberately pushing your limits?

Deng Xinyao said somewhat helplessly, "I guess so. They talked to me later, wanting me to renew my contract so that I would have the opportunity to step into the limelight."

"The renewal terms must be very demanding, right?"

"As with the previous terms, the copyright of all the songs I create must belong to the company, and the revenue sharing will be 10/90, with them getting 90% and me getting 10%."

Su Fan sighed, "It would be more accurate to call them slave owners than capitalists."

"What's even more outrageous is that they've already registered my name as a trademark."

Upon hearing this, Su Fan thought of a singer surnamed Deng from his previous life.

At this moment, Su Fan invited, "Come to Han Tang, I'll take care of the rest for you."

Deng Xinyao asked, as if confirming she hadn't misheard: "A 100 million yuan penalty for breach of contract? Are you sure?"

"This money will be temporarily provided by Han Tang."

Su Fan said it was a temporary departure, which Deng Xinyao interpreted as her implying that Su Fan was about to sign another unequal treaty with Han Tang.

Su Fan noticed her worry and said, "You don't need to worry. Han Tang doesn't have those kinds of contracts that lock people up. You can leave whenever you want. Also, when I said 'temporary payment,' it doesn't mean you'll have to pay for it later."

Deng Xinyao asked疑惑地问道：“Then who will pay?”

"Let's wait and see. Maybe Beifeng will have a change of heart and return the copyright and the penalty for breach of contract."

To this outlandish idea, Deng Xinyao smiled wryly and said, "You really are... daring."

"You still have to have dreams, what if they come true?" After saying that, Su Fan changed the subject, "Alright, I'll have my legal department handle the handover with your former company in a bit."

Finally, Deng Xinyao stood up, and as she walked to the door, she turned back and asked, "Was it worth it?"

"What do you mean by whether it's worth it or not? I call this bottom-fishing investment. Don't worry, I won't do a deal that loses money."

Deng Xinyao looked at him for two seconds, then opened the door and went out.

Su Fan returned to his office and pondered, "Which song should I choose?"

After thinking for a moment, he said, "This one will do!"

So, Su Fan typed "Full Stop" on the computer.

This song, "On Earth," was written, composed, and sung by G.E.M. (Gloria Tang).

This can be considered to be the first song created by G.E.M. after she established her own studio.

This song is about how a person uses a song to extricate themselves from a relationship that drains them.

Su Fan finished composing the song and handed it to Deng Xinyao.

Deng Xinyao took the song and looked at it for a long time, not even noticing the tears streaming down her face.

Su Fan did not disturb her.

After a long silence, Deng Xinyao wiped away her tears and said, "Thank you!"

Su Fan then said, "Hurry up and record the song. Once the legal department has sorted out your old company's issues, we'll release the song. Oh, I forgot to tell you, your old company has a grudge against me. I'm using you to slap them in the face. You don't mind, do you?"

Deng Xinyao affirmed, "I don't mind. As long as it hurts them, I'll do whatever it takes."

"That's good. I don't like to hide things; I just say what's on my mind. I hope you'll be the same way."

Deng Xinyao nodded gratefully and then went to the recording studio.

Jiang Yi, Cui Zhan, Ma Xiaoya, and others naturally gathered around the listening earpiece.

Ma Xiaoya remarked, "Well, our boss is up to something again!"

Jiang Yi said, "At first, I saw someone online saying that coming to Han Tang would get you a song, and I thought it was just netizens joking, but it seems it's true!"

Ma Xiaoya muttered, "I wonder if there are any song rewards for referring others!"

As soon as she said that, everyone looked at her.

Ma Xiaoya was somewhat confused: "What, is there a song on my face?"

Jiang Yi said, "Although there's no song on your face, if what you just said comes true, wouldn't there be a song?"

Ma Xiaoya looked at them with some disdain: "I'm telling you, if you want to run a pyramid scheme, go do it yourselves. I'm a decent person, I can't do that."

……

The atmosphere at Han Tang Entertainment was relaxed, but those who had been manipulating public opinion behind the scenes didn't have the leisure to do so.

They not only witnessed the explosive popularity of the song "Returning Gun," but also Qu Feiming's interpretation of the song and the righteous indignation of netizens.

The feeling of doing all the work for someone else is really uncomfortable.

So, these people gathered together again.

This time, no one said anything like "he's just a nobody who's just starting out."

Because beginners won't make every song appear on the trending charts.

It also prevents industry insiders like Ma Yuesong and Qu Feiming from writing an entire analysis to speak up for him.

At this moment, Jiang Xiangdong said, "Is this your method? Instead of suppressing others, you've made them even more popular. I'm starting to suspect that you're deliberately creating hype for them."

That was said with a hint of sarcasm.

No one responded, not because they didn't know how to respond, but because it would be pointless to respond anyway.

Jiang Xiangdong never personally took action; he had the authority to offer his opinions from a superior position.

Whether they agree with it or not, they have to accept it.

After all, the weight of Dynasty Entertainment is undeniable, and they can't refute it.