Chapter 499: Insider Revelations, Hao Zhongyi Appears, Music Copyright Crisis

After confirming that everyone's thoughts were aligned, San Yuetian and the others spoke openly with Zhang Guang.

They brought up that after terminating their contract with Tianding, San Yuetian would not disband, but could transition from a resident group to a limited-term group, setting a multi-month comeback period each year specifically to participate in group engagements.

Zhang Guang pondered for a moment and said, "The reason Tianding wants you to separate is that as a top-tier boy band, your development has already hit a ceiling."

"The engagements and endorsements you should have secured have already peaked; continuing to keep you as a group will only lead to a step-by-step decline."

"The company wants you to separate, and honestly, I agree. It's not easy to climb to the peak, and it's even harder to watch yourself slide down step by step. If you can accept this gap, you can continue as a group."

Yan Xingdong and the others exchanged glances, each seeing a glimmer of determination in the other's eyes.

Chen Lin smiled and said, "Brother Guang, if we slide, we slide. We can hold on and we can let go. The reason we still want to develop as a group is that we don't want to let down our fans."

Luo Yi added, "We've noticed the issue with engagements too. Developing personal schedules individually is the best solution; we just don't want to disband completely. This way, we can give an answer to the group fans who have followed us for years."

Gu Cheng said, "Back when we debuted, and even after we debuted, fans spent a lot of energy and money on various chart-topping data to unlock endorsements for us."

"As celebrities, even if we have already transitioned into strength-based actors, we still don't want to let down the efforts of our fans. They have given so much, and we want to leave them with the hope of a group reunion; I think that's quite good."

Yan Xingdong said, "Even as a group, if we become less popular, there's no way we'd fall to second-tier. Our group just isn't cost-effective for Tianding, but that doesn't mean we'll really become less profitable."

Yan Xingdong saw it very clearly: even if San Yuetian's heat faded and their popularity weakened, leaving only fan support,

with San Yuetian's fan base, relying solely on fans would be enough to maintain their status as a first-tier boy band.

Chen Lin, not knowing what he thought of, said, "We aren't focusing solely on boy band engagements; most of the time we still need to develop individual engagements. As long as our personal image and reputation don't go wrong, we will only get more popular, and by extension, we will get more popular after returning to the group. How could we not be popular?"

The others couldn't help but look at Chen Lin, their gazes burning.

Chen Lin shrank his neck: "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"

Zhang Guang patted his shoulder, "No, I just think you have great insight and are very good at analyzing. As your manager, I feel very gratified!"

Yan Xingdong: "Chen Lin has grown up; he finally has some brains."

Gu Cheng: "It would be better if he had a bit more scheming; I don't want to look at him like I'm looking at a silly big kid every time."

Luo Yi pushed up the glasses he used as an accessory, let out a light hum, and wore an expression of "seeing through everything."

He felt Chen Lin was actually quite scheming, but he put it all into chasing people.

After talking openly with San Yuetian, Zhang Guang felt a long-lost sense of relief.

After leaving the villa, he returned to his residence and made a call to a friend to inquire about starting a company and other matters.

His friend was not in the entertainment industry and worked at a major brand company.

Because that brand wanted to collaborate with Three Month Sky, he spent a period of time coming over to coordinate with them. At that time, Zhang Guang and Three Month Sky were both newcomers in the entertainment industry, and they were both flustered and busy with the coordination.

This person had helped them a lot and often kept in touch with Zhang Guang privately. Over time, the two became friends.

"Starting a company? What kind of company do you want to open?"

Zhang Guang asked, "Artists have artist studios; do managers need to open studios too?"

The friend replied, "That depends on what kind of channel you want to build. Artist studios have limited resources, rely on the artist's own connections, and are highly autonomous."

"Once something happens, the team can solve it quickly. The studio focuses entirely on the artist's core affairs; it is essentially a self-employed light operation, suitable for top-tier artists who already have influence and are pursuing financial autonomy."

He changed the subject: "A company is a resource-based platform with strong resource integration capabilities, covering film, television, and endorsements across the entire network."

"However, decision-making efficiency is low, requiring layers of approval and complex processes."

"But it can provide comprehensive services for artists, such as promotion, legal, finance, business... If you choose to open a company, you can also control various investments through the company."

Zhang Guang was a bit hesitant. He personally wanted to open a company, but perhaps opening a studio could serve artists faster.

The friend suggested, "When you first start a company, the process doesn't need to be too complex, and having fewer staff is fine. If you open a company, the artist studio can be affiliated under your company."

"You have so many connections in the industry; my suggestion is to open a company, integrate all the resources you have on hand, and let them twist into a rope to exert greater power."

Zhang Guang said, "Then let's open a company. Will the process be very complex?"

"I'll recommend someone to you. He specializes in running company processes. It will be fast with him, and it won't take up your energy."

After finishing the serious business, the friend asked curiously, "Aren't you working at Tianding? Why do you suddenly want to open a company? Are you thinking of going solo?"

Zhang Guang said cautiously, "No, I'm still working at Tianding. I might have a chance to be promoted to management this year."

"But according to Tianding's internal regulations, once you enter management, you can't personally manage artists. But I have so many resources in the entertainment industry on hand; it would be too wasteful to leave them there unused."

"So I was thinking if I could open a company to integrate the resources; maybe I could help others."

The friend suddenly realized, "That idea of yours is okay, but perhaps you should tell Tianding. Large companies have different thoughts about employees partnering with others to open companies while in office."

"Especially if the company you open has highly similar business to the enterprise you work for, Tianding should make you sign some non-compete agreements."

He joked, "Of course, maybe they won't make you sign very harsh terms; maybe they'll just tell you not to manage artists for Tianding Entertainment."

Zhang Guang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Don't reveal this on your end either; maybe I won't want to open it in a few days."

The friend said, "OK!"

After hanging up, he sent a few messages to others, but they were all telling them to hide it from Tianding and not reveal his whereabouts to the outside world.

Letting Tianding know was impossible.

He wouldn't sign a non-compete agreement with Tianding either; he had never heard of managers signing non-compete agreements when resigning in the industry.

Since San Yuetian trusted him so much, he had to do something for San Yuetian.

At the very least, regarding the contract, he would drag it out as long as possible, and regarding engagements, he would try his best to fill them up.

If he wanted to make the company unable to control the artists, the first step was to have the artists sign a bunch of engagements with huge breach-of-contract penalties.

When the time came for the truth to be exposed, if Tianding wanted to deal with San Yuetian, that would be no problem.

Just pay the huge breach-of-contract penalty.

As for intentionally releasing black material to ruin the artists' reputation, that was even more impossible.

Did they think major brand public opinion monitoring was just for show?

If Tianding Entertainment intentionally ruined an artist's reputation, the brand would sue them and demand breach-of-contract penalties.

Busy engagements were a restriction on the artists' freedom, but they were also an alternative protective umbrella.

At the very least, during the engagement period, if Tianding didn't want to be sued by the brand, they wouldn't dare spread rumors.

In the past, companies could block artists because they refused to renew their contracts.

But now, with public opinion monitoring becoming stronger and the industry placing more importance on artists' reputation and fame, this situation was becoming rarer, and companies had no chance to exert it.

At the very least, it was hard to find opportunities to suppress their own top-tier stars; once something happened, both the company and the artist would have to pay, and the company couldn't stay out of it.

Brands didn't care what grievances the company had; every debt has its debtor, so pay the breach-of-contract penalty first.

To say something funny, some stars signed a bunch of endorsements when they got married, and after divorcing a few years later, they didn't dare to announce they were divorced, dragging the news for two or three years.

Brands required artists to maintain their couple image during the contract performance period; if they couldn't do it, pay the breach-of-contract penalty.

As a result, when paparazzi photographed a star having an "extramarital affair," "one-finger zen," or "teasing a fresh meat," netizens finally knew the so-called loving couple had already divorced.

As for the so-called extramarital affair, that naturally didn't exist.

The next day, Zhang Guang came to Tianding.

At the same time, Qiguan Mingzhu also stepped out of Ji Qinglian's door.

She came out of Ji Qinglian's apartment without hiding her whereabouts at all, and was photographed by paparazzi lying in ambush in the garage.

Today, these paparazzi were all aiming for Qiguan Mingzhu.

They had received definite news that today was the day Qiguan Mingzhu's contract with Tianding Entertainment would be completely terminated.

But whether she was signing with Tianding or jumping to another company, there was no word in the industry yet.

They had called Tianding staff, who said they didn't know.

They had also called Chenxi Entertainment, and they also didn't know.

The paparazzi were a bit depressed. If Qiguan Mingzhu really signed, shouldn't these companies be promoting it with gongs and drums?

Why was it getting calmer as the date approached?

"She's out, she's out, finally waited for her. It seems she stayed at Ji Qinglian's for a whole night; their relationship is really good!"

"The most harmonious girl group in the domestic entertainment industry is no joke. Among all girl group members, the members of Pink Girls have the best relationship; even if the group has disbanded, they still gather together from time to time."

"Because the members have a good relationship, their fans have high tolerance for the group and often hope they can reunite publicly."

There were too many paparazzi squatting in the underground garage. Originally, some paparazzi wanted to sneak photos, but they found that other paparazzi were more blatant than them and occupied the best shooting positions.

Other paparazzi were anxious and revealed themselves, snapping wildly at Qiguan Mingzhu.

Some paparazzi greeted her while shooting.

"Are you leaving to sign a contract with a new company in a while?"

Qiguan Mingzhu smiled brightly and said: "Yes!"

The paparazzi were energized and immediately asked: "Is it Tianding? If it were Tianding, it should have been announced long ago. Which company did you choose?"

Qiguan Mingzhu smiled and said: "You'll know when the time comes. I will announce it as soon as I sign the contract."

After these paparazzi greeted Mingzhu, they didn't block the driveway but made room for Qiguan Mingzhu's car to leave first.

The paparazzi who came later saw this scene and were a bit puzzled: "Why do I feel that Qiguan Mingzhu has a good relationship with those paparazzi who asked questions? It's rare to see such a harmonious relationship between stars and paparazzi."

Some older paparazzi stared at the license plate of the media car that had already left, as well as the logo on the microphone they had just glimpsed, a flash of thoughtfulness crossing their eyes.

"Those paparazzi seem to be from Hong Kong and Taiwan, which is not surprising. When the Pink Girls group first debuted, they had the most engagements and activities in Hong Kong and Taiwan; even after they became popular in the mainland, they often went to Hong Kong and Taiwan to participate in activities."

A paparazzi heard this, and suddenly a flash of inspiration hit, and he slapped his thigh excitedly:

"Do you think the entertainment companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan also want to sign Qiguan Mingzhu?"

"This..."

Other paparazzi looked at each other, feeling that this was really possible.

After all, they had followed so many stars changing contracts, and they had never encountered media from Hong Kong and Taiwan following and reporting.

It was a pity that news from Hong Kong and Taiwan didn't often come to the mainland; otherwise, combined with the news released by the Hong Kong and Taiwan entertainment industry recently, they would know why these media came.

Jin Li had no scenes that morning and, as usual, did problems until she wanted to go to the bathroom before taking a break.

Jin Li's frequency of going to the bathroom was very stable, basically running once every two hours.

But initially, netizens didn't know this pattern and were still calling her the "Liver King" because she could stay nailed to her seat for two hours.

Later, they discovered that she always went to the bathroom during breaks, and only then did netizens raise this doubt, which was then personally liked by Jin Li, essentially acknowledging her rest pattern.

Today, during the break, her phone vibrated, and Jin Li opened it, unable to help but freeze.

This was a private message from Qiguan Mingzhu.

【Hao Zhongyi Entertainment started contacting me last month, wanting me to jump to them, but I ignored them.】

【These past few days they have been looking for me quite frequently, and the price they offered is higher each time. Currently, the conditions offered are no worse than what Chenxi Entertainment promised, and they also promised me many international resources.】

Jin Li thought for a moment and made a call.

Before long, Qiguan Mingzhu answered the phone. The surroundings were clearly very quiet, but Jin Li heard a burst of noise.

Jin Li asked: "Where are you? Have you already arrived at Chenxi Entertainment?"

Qiguan Mingzhu: "I've already arrived at the company entrance, but many media and fans have gathered at the gate, and my car is blocked at the entrance and can't get in."

She paused and said hesitantly: "I've been here for two hours already, and more and more people are coming. Sister Fang has urged me to get out of the car many times, saying the company will send the best security for me, but I refused on the grounds of worrying about safety."

Jin Li knew that Qiguan Mingzhu was not a hesitant person.

She would complete the decisions she made and the things she promised crisply and neatly.

Qiguan Mingzhu suddenly showed a hesitant attitude, which meant she was really hesitant, not intentionally putting on airs or holding out for a better price.

Jin Li asked: "Do you have any concerns?"

On the other side, topics about Qiguan Mingzhu on the internet also hit the hot search one after another.

#Qiguan Mingzhu arrives at Chenxi Entertainment gate! #

#Qiguan Mingzhu is about to sign with Chenxi Entertainment! #

#Contract signing has changed, Qiguan Mingzhu refuses to get out of the car for two hours#

The first two tags were the first to explode, but the last hot search only appeared for half an hour before it reached the third hot search, with the highest discussion volume on the entire network!

The comprehensive heat couldn't compare to the first and second, but surpassing them was only a matter of time.

Many gossip public accounts entered the field to analyze, among which "Yixin Entertainment," which had revealed the news two hours ago, received the most attention.

At that time, when major media were guessing who Qiguan Mingzhu would fall to, only "Yixin Entertainment" revealed that a Hong Kong entertainment company was contacting Qiguan Mingzhu, suspected of creating an "International Superstar" plan specifically around Qiguan Mingzhu, with full sincerity.

No matter which company Qiguan Mingzhu signs with this time, it is highly likely that changes will occur!

While major media outlets hadn't realized that "Hong Kong media" was a trend, the paparazzi at One Heart Entertainment had already compiled the headlines from Hong Kong gossip accounts over the past month and quickly captured the Hong Kong media's analysis of Guan Mingzhu.

As for the "international superstar" plan mentioned on the gossip accounts, it was something they fabricated by combining the rumors leaked by the Hong Kong media!

It is indeed easier for Hong Kong and Taiwan to get in touch with the international scene, but it is not easy for stars there to get by right now; salaries are low and endorsements are few, so Hong Kong and Taiwan stars are flocking to the mainland to make money.

If a Hong Kong or Taiwan company still wanted to sign Guan Mingzhu at this time, the paparazzi couldn't think of any conditions other than taking an international route that could move the artist.

Although it was fabricated, the logic was self-consistent.

When it was first released, netizens were dismissive, but after Guan Mingzhu lingered outside the main entrance of Dawn Entertainment for two hours, it immediately exploded across the entire internet.

【So it really is a Hong Kong or Taiwan entertainment company coming over to poach Guan Mingzhu? What's so good about the entertainment industry there? It's not even as good as a mahjong parlor in Macau!】

【Yeah, Macau's mahjong parlors come with their own Feng Shui arrays that make you want to keep playing. As for the Hong Kong and Taiwan entertainment industry, that's a product of the last century, right? Are there any famous artists there recently?】

【Whoa, learn about a certain Jiang who is popular all over Asia, Southeast Asia, and the entire universe. People call him the top traffic of a certain port, the only top traffic of a certain port, with popularity exceeding the Four Heavenly Kings and hotter than JAY and Eason~】

【To the person above, that person's popularity isn't even as red as the Luohu Station in the small fishing village. If Guan Mingzhu really signs with a Hong Kong or Taiwan entertainment company, that would be a huge joke (doge).】

With "One Heart Entertainment" pointing the way, the domestic media finally reacted, flipped through the fresh news happening in the Hong Kong entertainment industry recently, and discovered that the media there had been frequently mentioning Guan Mingzhu these past few days.

The reason for this is that a giant in the Hong Kong entertainment industry that has already fallen on hard times, "Hao Zhongyi Entertainment," has been making frequent moves recently, voicing its desire to sign Guan Mingzhu!

Netizens: Interesting. jpg

Originally, netizens didn't believe at all that Guan Mingzhu would resort to such a desperate move and choose to jump ship to a Hong Kong entertainment company.

But as Guan Mingzhu continued to linger outside the main entrance of Dawn Entertainment, netizens also became a bit uneasy.

【Don't, T^T don't tell me you're going to Hong Kong. People move to higher ground and water flows to lower ground, why are you moving lower and lower!!】

【If you've been kidnapped, blink once, and I'll transform into Super Wings to save you!】

【Could it be that Hao Zhongyi Entertainment got hold of her dirt and is threatening her, forcing her to sign with the company?】

【Looking around, the speculation above is the most reasonable.】

【When Pink Girls debuted back then, they were diligent and conscientious. The one with the most dirt was only Jin Li, who was called the "slacking queen" by the paparazzi, and they often mocked her for not having the strength to work, making her look short-lived. What dirt could Guan Mingzhu possibly have?】

On the internet, netizens were making a huge fuss.

In the real world, Jin Li and Guan Mingzhu were on a call.

Guan Mingzhu was silent for a while, then sighed and said: "He used our music copyright issue to threaten me today, saying that if I don't sign with Hao Zhongyi Entertainment, he won't let us sing any of Pink Girls' songs."

Jin Li was stunned for a moment.

"But the problem is that our music copyright isn't with Hao Zhongyi Entertainment either. I remember the company packaged and sold our music copyright back then. We wanted to buy it back, but we were a few days late, and I don't know who bought it."

Jin Li remembered this matter very clearly.

Precisely because they didn't know who had purchased their music copyright, they couldn't contact the copyright holder to obtain authorization whenever they wanted to sing.

Guan Mingzhu thought of a devious trick at the time, saying she would sing first, and as long as she received a breach of contract subpoena delivered by the court, she would know who had bought the copyright.

It's just a lawsuit, she didn't care.

It was also because she sang for a few months without receiving any subpoenas that the other members followed suit and sang first.

Copyright and other issues could be addressed later.

For so many years, no one had ever come to them regarding music copyright issues.

They all thought perhaps it had been purchased by some philanthropist who had made their music copyright public.

Because other artists singing their songs also had no problems.

As a result, Hao Zhongyi Entertainment has now jumped out, claiming the music copyright is in their hands?

Is this possible?

Just thinking about it, one knows it's impossible!

Otherwise, Hao Zhongyi Entertainment would have sent them subpoenas long ago; how could they possibly be doing a good deed?

Guan Mingzhu said: "I also feel it's not in their hands, but he just sent me the copyright contract to look at."

Jin Li asked keenly: "Can you see the specific company that purchased it?"

"No." Guan Mingzhu shook her head and said, "He only showed me the first page of the contract, which was all about the music copyright introduction for Pink Girls."

"But I looked at some details of the contract, and it's not fake; it's definitely our copyright agreement."

Jin Li asked: "So are you considering jumping ship to Hao Zhongyi Entertainment now because of our music copyright issue?"

Guan Mingzhu immediately denied it: "Of course not. I'd have to be stupid to sign with them. If it were the giant company before the split, perhaps there might be a slight possibility."

"But now Hao Zhongyi Entertainment is about to become a second-tier entertainment company in Hong Kong, and they haven't developed any mainland business, so it's impossible for me to go."

Jin Li smiled, "That's right, so what are you hesitating about? Or do you not want to sign with Dawn Entertainment anymore?"

Guan Mingzhu said hesitantly: "Hao Zhongyi Entertainment wants to sign me. As long as I haven't signed with another company for a day and don't give them a definitive answer, there is room for negotiation."

"I want to go to Hong Kong first and discuss our music copyright issue with them."

Jin Li asked back: "Do you want to hear my advice?"

Guan Mingzhu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Go ahead."

Jin Li: "Don't go, sue them."