They don't actually think I like them, do they?

Yan Qing suddenly smiled slightly and turned her gaze back to Lin Han.

"Xiao Lin, I heard you only signed a one-year contract with Pop Media?"

“Yes,” Lin Han replied.

"Han Yi, the chairman of Pop Media, is no ordinary person. He was promoted from the marketing department of Bilibili. In terms of judging people, his ability is no less than that of any agent in a top-tier media company."

"As a newcomer, you managed to get ten million and a one-year contract from Han Yi. Lin Han, you're not simple."

"No, no, no, it was just good luck. It was mainly thanks to a cellist."

Lin Han felt rather embarrassed by Yan Qing's sudden praise.

Everyone took Lin Han's second half of his sentence as a humble remark and didn't pay much attention to it. After Yan Qing gave him high praise, some people smiled and nodded, while others looked at him sideways. Without exception, they all wanted to hear more and see what other outstanding qualities Lin Han had.

At this moment, Lin Han had already vaguely sensed it.

For many of them, the initial admiration had turned into the feeling of looking at a legendary treasure, or to put it more simply, a commodity.

"Xiao Lin is too modest. To tell you the truth, I noticed your talent even before you started writing songs," Yan Qing said.

Do you remember the first time you and Xiaoli were rumored to be dating at school?

These words immediately jolted Lin Han awake.

That time, in order to complete the system's task, Lin Han grabbed Yan Yuli's hand and rushed into the school.

That scene was filmed, causing a huge uproar at the school and being called Yan Yuli's first image crisis.

As Yan Yuli's on-campus assistant at the time, Lin Han had a responsibility to resolve this matter, so he asked Xu Hui to write an article.

It was that article, filled with Lin Han's self-deprecating humor, that successfully ended the storm before the scandal spread to Weibo, and everyone turned to mocking Lin Han instead.

It was that experience that allowed Lin Han to see the world clearly and find his direction forward.

"You wrote that article, didn't you? To end a potentially explosive negative news story within half a day—that kind of public relations ability is something even our company's best agent might not be able to do," Yan Qing said.

These words once again drew gasps of amazement from the crowd.

"This actually happened before Orange Jam debuted!"

"High school students, they're amazing!"

For seasoned veterans who have been in the industry for so many years, this meal was truly an eye-opener.

It turns out that there really are people who can handle so many abilities at the same time.

He has conquered the music scene with his talent and has the potential to become a legendary manager. Moreover, his contract with Pop Media shows that this eighteen-year-old is also a super shrewd person.

"Xiao Lin, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. After your contract with Bubble Media ends, do you have anywhere to go?" Yan Qing asked.

"This..." Lin Han hesitated.

This hesitation was feigned; he was only refraining from slapping her in the face so quickly because of Yan Yuli's mother.

Faced with such an obvious offer, Lin Han could only refuse!

I signed a one-year contract with Pop Media so I wouldn't have to be a dog anymore. Why would I leave and go to another company to continue being a dog?

No matter how much money they offer, Lin Han will absolutely not agree!!

“I know what you want, Kobayashi. You’re a smart man, and very ambitious.”

Yan Qing took a sip of tea and put down the cup.

"Now, in front of all the senior and middle-level shareholders of Chestnut Firm at the table..."

So everyone at this table is one of your executives?!

Lin Han then realized that he had fallen into a wolf's den.

"I can give you a guarantee."

Yan Qing said, "As long as you are willing to sign a contract with our Chestnut Studio a year later, I can give you shares in Chestnut Studio and make you our shareholder."

165. Turning the tables

At this moment, Yan Yuli finally understood her mother's intention.

Why bring Lin Han into the spotlight at the dinner table? Why deliberately recount Lin Han's actions in detail?

In fact, all of this was done for the shareholders at the table.

On the surface, this was Yan Yuli's college entrance celebration banquet, but in reality, the dinner table had long since become a conference table, and the dinner party had long since become a shareholders' meeting.

The goal was to make shareholders understand the marmalade and its commercial value, laying the groundwork layer by layer, all for this purpose—to secure a future deal with the marmalade at a high cost.

Normally, the board members would definitely object. For an artist with no connections, no matter how much commercial value or how outstanding their skills, the only question is how much money they'd have to pay to sign them.

However, dividing the shares is not an option. You haven't invested, nor are you a founding member of the group. This pie belongs to all shareholders, and everyone would rather have a smaller share than let anyone else get a piece, even if it's just a small slice.

Everyone knows this is a fact.

However, after Yan Qing's various arguments, everyone realized that this orange jam was not just about "huge commercial value".

Right now, Ju Zi Jiang may just be an artist, but in the future, he could very well become a business elite. Give him a small piece of cake, and he can make it bigger!

Therefore, when Yan Qing proposed to attract Lin Han to join in exchange for shares, everyone was shocked, but no one objected.

Even those who felt resentful were silenced by the praise everyone had given the orange jam.

So, what was Lin Han's reaction upon hearing this?

I was a little confused, but also a little delighted.

Lin Han never expected that Yan Ma would be so bold as to offer him, an eighteen-year-old boy, shares.

Since it was specifically mentioned that Lin Han would become a shareholder, the percentage would be at least one percent, and possibly even higher.

Don't underestimate this one percent. As a second-tier brokerage firm, Chestnut Agency's market value is definitely not less than one hundred million.

From Lin Han's own perspective, he certainly knew he deserved the price!

This confidence stems from his unlimited range of skills, but more importantly, from his forward-thinking vision.

However, Yan Qing dared to conclude that Lin Han had such value based on only two or three things.

It's no wonder that the person who single-handedly cultivated Yan Yuli into a top-tier star in the entertainment industry has such a sharp eye.

It would be a lie to say that I am not moved.

After all, as a shareholder, regardless of the size of the stake, Lin Han could no longer be considered a "dog." With the company thriving, Lin Han was essentially pocketing huge sums of money.

Moreover, even if Lin Han wanted to start his own business, he had the ability.

However, there was no money.

Many people possess exceptional skills but fail to achieve anything due to a lack of initial capital. They can only watch enviously as those who took 500 million from their fathers to start businesses, eventually making billions and claiming superior abilities are the reason for their failures.

While tempted, Lin Han wasn't stupid; he still wanted to know how long Chestnut Agency intended to sign him. He was just hesitant about whether to ask.

Yan Qing didn't seem to be in a hurry, giving Lin Han plenty of time to prepare mentally.

Just then, a fair hand was placed on Lin Han's left hand under the table.

Lin Han raised his head.

Yan Yuli's beautiful, dignified face was etched with worry.

She shook her head slightly.

Lin Han was stunned.

Yes, how could he not have thought of Yan Yuli?

Yan Qing, who is extremely protective of her daughter, had always been very wary of her before. Why is she now allowing her to join Chestnut Agency? Isn't this giving her more opportunities to spend time with Yan Yuli?

Could it be that Yan Qing could disregard all these things when faced with the company's interests? Was she really such a rational person?

Is there a possibility.

Chestnut Studio has no notable artists besides Yan Yuli so far. Is it because the other artists they have trained are not capable enough?

Do not!

Absolutely not! !

Instead, this ruthless mother poured most of the company's resources into Yan Yuli, leaving no room for others to survive.

Occasionally, when they encounter exceptionally talented newcomers, these talents become nourishment, all of which is used to nurture Yan Yuli.

And I am the best nourishment for Yan Yuli.

At that time, I will become a ruthless songwriting machine and producer, retreating behind the scenes to contribute to Yan Yuli's career, with no possibility of making a comeback in the entertainment industry.

And his relationship with Yan Yuli will be his biggest weakness!

Of course, these are all Lin Han's wild fantasies. It's also possible that Chestnut Agency genuinely wants him.

But faced with such a terrible mother, he dared not rule out the possibility.

Seeing that Lin Han had been thinking for so long, Yan Qing seemed to be getting restless as well.

"Xiaolin, if you have any concerns, feel free to speak up. The company's senior management is all here, and everyone can help you answer them..."

"Mother, this is my graduation celebration banquet. Can we not talk about business?"

When Yan Yuli's voice came on stage, everyone's shocked gazes turned towards her.

Yan Yuli tried to calm herself down and said in a respectful voice,

"I mean, it's been going on for quite a while now, shouldn't you go and toast the other guests?"

The crowd could hardly believe their ears.

This was the first time they had ever seen Yan Yuli rebel against Chairman Yan!

Just now, even when Yan Qing mentioned that a new studio had been set up, Yan Yuli didn't dare to say a word.

Now, at this crucial moment when Yan Qing is trying to persuade Lin Han, Yan Yuli has actually stepped forward.

Yan Qing's face visibly darkened as she stared at her daughter for a long time.

Then, she smiled slightly.

“You’re right, Yuli.”

"Come with me to toast the wine."

Yan Yuli got up from her seat, and before leaving, she took one last look at Lin Han.

Their eyes clearly screamed, "Hurry up!"

After Yan Qing and Yan Yuli left, only Lin Han and the directors remained at the table.

"Xiao Lin, why don't you accept such a good offer?" Minister Wang, who had previously praised Lin Han the most, asked.

"Actually, I already have plans after the contract expires," Lin Han said with a smile.

Just now, Yan Yuli had completely helped Lin Han make this final decision.

"Huh? Which company offered a higher price?"

“Actually, I plan to start my own entertainment company,” Lin Han said.

Everyone was quite surprised.

Not even twenty years old, and she wants to start her own business?!

It turns out that this orange jam didn't want to make anyone's cake bigger; instead, it wanted to bake a new cake itself.

Such ambition is hard not to admire!

As seasoned veterans of the entertainment industry who have been navigating the industry for decades, they all had a premonition when faced with the aura emanating from this young man.

He might actually succeed.

After Lin Han finished speaking, he suddenly stood up.

"Although I won't be working with my uncles and elders in the same company anymore, I welcome everyone to invest when I start my own business. I'd be very happy to give them priority to invest in their personal capacity, but there are limited spots available!"

After Lin Han finished speaking with a smile, he placed the QR code for adding friends on WeChat on the table.

The board members were taken aback.

To everyone's surprise, Lin Han had already started asking for money shortly after Yan Qing left!