Chapter 10: Signing with Shaw Brothers

"Qianzai! Get up quickly!" Mother's urgent knocking on the door woke Xiang Qian from his deep sleep.

Xiang Qian rubbed his eyes and opened the door: "Mom, what's the matter so early?"

"Miss Li is waiting for you in the living room; she says it's an urgent matter from Shaw Brothers."

Xiang Qian instantly woke up, threw on a T-shirt haphazardly, and rushed out. He saw Li Ling sitting upright on the living room sofa, with a stack of documents placed before her.

"Sister Ling, so early?" Xiang Qian was somewhat surprised.

Li Ling pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses: "Qianzai, the company values you highly. This is a ten-year contract; all commercial revenue will be split two-eight, and the company will do its utmost to make you a star."

Father walked over holding tea: "Two-eight? The company takes eight?"

Li Ling smiled and nodded: "This is the standard contract for new artists; it is already very generous."

Xiang Qian took the contract and flipped through it carefully, his brows gradually furrowing: "Sister Ling, ten years is too long. And this clause regarding copyright ownership..."

"Copyright must belong to me," Xiang Qian pointed at the terms, "the company may have usage rights, but ownership is mine."

Li Ling showed a look of difficulty: "This... company custom is always..."

"Sister Ling," Xiang Qian put down the contract, "you should be clear about the value of these few songs of mine."

Mother interjected: "The songs my son writes naturally belong to him."

Li Ling hesitated for a moment, then took out her phone: "I need to ask Sixth Uncle."

"Sixth Uncle, it's like this... yes, he insists on the copyright... okay, understood."

After hanging up the phone, Li Ling took a deep breath: "Sixth Uncle says if you can create five hit songs within one or two years, the contract can be changed to five years, revenue split fifty-fifty, and copyright belongs to you."

Xiang Qian's eyes lit up: "Also, I want the right to refuse invitations for film and television dramas."

Li Ling gave a bitter smile: "You... alright, I'll go back and revise the contract."

Xiang Qian rode his bicycle to the building below Zhou Huimin's home and happened to meet her coming out.

"Qianzai!" Zhou Huimin ran over, "Why so early?"

"Amin, did Shaw Brothers ask you to sign a contract?"

Zhou Huimin nodded: "I signed it yesterday, a ten-year long-term contract!"

Xiang Qian's expression changed: "Ten years? What about the terms?"

"One-nine split, the company promised to push me hard..." Zhou Huimin's voice grew smaller, "what's wrong?"

Xiang Qian clenched his fist: "They gave you the standard new artist contract; it's too harsh."

Zhou Huimin forced a smile: "It doesn't matter; being able to debut is already very good."

Xiang Qian spread the two contracts side by side on the table: "Look, your contract term is double mine, and the revenue split ratio differs greatly."

Zhou Huimin bit on her straw: "But... I have no bargaining chips."

"You do!" Xiang Qian held her hand, "How popular is 'The One I Love' right now? You are just too honest."

"Then... what do we do now?"

Xiang Qian thought for a moment: "Wait until my contract is signed, then I'll take you to renegotiate. For now, don't accept any work."

Li Ling handed the revised contract to Xiang Qian: "Specially approved by Sixth Uncle; take a look."

After reading it carefully, Xiang Qian signed his name with satisfaction: "Sister Ling, I have one more reluctant request."

"Go ahead."

"Zhou Huimin's contract... can it be changed too?"

Li Ling raised an eyebrow: "She signed it voluntarily."

"But the terms are truly unfair," Xiang Qian said seriously, "you've seen her potential too."

Li Ling pondered for a moment: "How about this? If she can reach the top three in the competition, the company will reconsider her contract."

Xiang Qian told the news to Zhou Huimin, and she jumped up excitedly: "Really? That's great!"

"So next," Xiang Qian pinched her cheek, "you must shine on stage and let everyone see your value."

Zhou Huimin nodded heavily: "Yes! I will work hard!"

Under the setting sun, the shadows of the two were stretched very long. Xiang Qian looked at the girl with a brilliant smile beside him and silently made a firm decision to fight for the best conditions for her.