Chapter 297

In Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong's eyes, Li Luo had indeed demonstrated astonishing talent in less than a year.

He wrote several songs, one of which, "Year Rings," was made popular by Yuan Wanqing—this genuinely surprised the couple.

Later, they heard that Yuan Wanqing had also purchased Li Luo's other songs; they assumed she had simply seized the momentum of "Year Rings" and bought the rest, hoping one of them might also become a hit.

But…

An entire new album.

Nine songs.

All composed by Li Luo?

That's completely different from what was said before!

Even among highly renowned singers and lyricists, it's rare for an entire album to be solely created by one person.

Especially not a Gao Zhongsheng.

Xu Rongsheng and Cui Suling, beside them, were equally astonished, just like Li Guohong and his wife.

After all, Xu Rongsheng believed that while Li Luo might truly have a gift for songwriting, occasional songs like that were still acceptable.

He was more aware of Li Luo's mastery and skill in Online Novel under internet paradigms.

But he never imagined Li Luo also possessed such talent in song composition.

He had convinced a well-known singer to entrust her entire new album to him.

This wasn't just ordinary trust.

"You might not fully understand," Ying Zhicheng coughed twice, casting a complex glance at Li Luo before explaining, "The earlier song 'Year Rings' could be said to have gained popularity by riding the traffic of the TV drama 'Yaochi Xianyuan.'"

"But the song Li Luo recently released, 'Waiting for You After Class,' was sung by himself, and its promotion came solely from his novel."

"Yet even so, 'Waiting for You After Class' still climbed to the top of the new song charts and held a top-three position for an entire week."

"So, after discussing with Yuan Wanqing and considering Li Luo's own suggestions, we've preliminarily finalized the promotional plan for the new album."

At this point, Ying Zhicheng couldn't help but laugh, expressing amazement at how bold and avant-garde the proposal was—after all, it was truly a promotional angle that a normal person would be hard-pressed to think of.

"In short, when Yuan Wanqing's new album is released, alongside the normal promotional process, Li Luo will have the female lead in his novel simultaneously announce the new album."

"Synchronized promotion inside and outside the novel, mutually reinforcing each other."

Hearing this, Li Guohong and the others were instantly stunned, then suddenly understood.

"That's really interesting," Xu Rongsheng couldn't help saying. "This promotional strategy… too bad I'm not a communications professor, or I'd definitely make my students study this case—if it succeeds, it could at least generate several papers."

Hearing this, Li Luo twitched his lips, thinking: Uncle Xu really won't let him off the hook…

Why does everything have to become a paper?

No wonder in his past life, Xu Youyu always got a headache whenever he mentioned Xu Rongsheng.

Originally, he worried about how to handle the exposure of his Online Novel writing.

After the family accepted their daughter writing Online Novels, Xu Youyu then had to worry about her father turning her books into case studies, writing one paper after another.

But in this life, he had taken the blame for his senior, becoming Xu Rongsheng's research material.

Thinking of this, Li Luo felt a headache coming—he wondered whether he should find an opportunity to recommend "Literary Era" to Uncle Xu.

He couldn't keep being the shield while Xu Youyu hid behind him, firing off hits, could he?

That was a bit unfair.

"So how are the remaining three songs coming along?" Yuan Wanqing looked at Li Luo, her eyes hopeful, smiling. "The first six songs you gave me are nearly finished recording, but if we're going to perform live, the arrangements still need adjustments."

"Well…" Li Luo didn't want to be too shocking, so he'd been controlling his song output frequency.

It was still over three months until August 21st's challenge show, and the final three songs wouldn't be performed by Yuan Wanqing until around October anyway.

So Li Luo wasn't in a hurry, merely saying: "I have ideas, but haven't finished writing them yet—I'll definitely complete them before August."

"Alright." Yuan Wanqing nodded satisfied, then asked curiously, "But what exactly do you mean by 'have ideas'?"

Asked this, Li Luo fell silent, then turned to look at Ying Zhicheng and asked softly: "Uncle Ying, have you signed any specific clauses with the show's production team?"

"For example, does the challenge rule guarantee a loss, or something like that?"

"Can Aunt Yuan compete normally?"

Hearing this, Ying Zhicheng immediately understood his meaning, glanced at Yuan Wanqing, then smiled: "Yuan Wanqing already told me earlier, so we discussed it with them during contract negotiations."

"The challenge can proceed normally—if she performs well and receives enough votes to place in the top four of the episode, she succeeds in the challenge."

"Originally, the other side just wanted a regular challenger, never intending to replace anyone."

"But midway, one contestant negotiated with the show's team due to scheduling conflicts and couldn't appear in later episodes."

"So we just happened to catch that opportunity."

Hearing this, Li Luo smiled, then turned to Yuan Wanqing, cleared his throat with two coughs: "I checked the dates—if Aunt Yuan can make it to the later episodes, the second-to-last episode seems to fall right during National Day holiday?"

"Hmm…" Yuan Wanqing pulled out her phone, paused thoughtfully, checked, then nodded. "Yes, October 2nd."

"Then the first of the three songs should be one with patriotic sentiment—would that be okay?" Li Luo asked. "Have you ever tried this style before?"

Yuan Wanqing frowned, shook her head, then relaxed: "I can try."

When she first debuted young, her company crafted a sweet, innocent image, so her songs were either sugary love ballads or heartbreak tunes for young girls.

Now that she's older, though she still looks about twenty-six or twenty-seven, she's no longer a little girl.

So her first comeback album had a more mature overall style.

And the six songs Li Luo gave her so far are mostly not the kind she sang in her youth—they're part of her post-comeback transformation.

"But," Yuan Wanqing warned, "this style has pros and cons. Write it as soon as possible so I can review it."

"Alright." Li Luo nodded, then added, "As for the next two songs—if Aunt Yuan makes it to the finals…"

"Uh…" Yuan Wanqing laughed and shook her head. "The chances seem slim—just succeeding in the challenge would already be great."

"Don't underestimate yourself," Ying Zhicheng said. "Let's hear what Li Luo has in mind."

"My idea is simple," Li Luo chuckled, pointing at Yan Zhusheng, who sat quietly beside him. "If we really make it to the finals, how about having Zhusheng come on stage as a duet partner during the guest performance segment?"

At these words, everyone paused in surprise.

Yan Zhusheng blinked, momentarily stunned.

Yuan Wanqing was the first to recover, frowning as she asked, "Are you sure? What song requires Zhusheng to sing it with me?"

"I have a song in my head, though it's not finished yet—I think it's perfect for you and Zhusheng to sing together," Li Luo smiled. "Mother-daughter duets usually sound great too. But it's up to you two—wait until I finish writing it, then decide."

By now, Yuan Wanqing no longer underestimated Li Luo, especially since the songs were his own—he must have his own unique understanding.

Yuan Wanqing glanced at her daughter beside her, seeing the eager expression on her face, and chuckled. "Alright, we'll see then."

Li Luo nodded in satisfaction and added, "As for the last song, I think it'll suit you perfectly, Aunt Yuan."

"Then I'll look forward to it," Yuan Wanqing smiled.

She had seen plenty of storms in her life, but hearing Li Luo say these things still made her unexpectedly hopeful.

I hope it doesn't disappoint me too much.

"So…" Li Guohong, seeing the conversation end, couldn't help whispering, "Could we hear those songs first?"

"Of course," Yuan Wanqing nodded. "But it'd be better with accompaniment… though acapella isn't out of the question."

"Wait!" Ying Chanxi stood up suddenly and ran toward the piano room, turning back to Yuan Wanqing. "Auntie, wait—I can get you a guitar."

"Oh, that works," Yuan Wanqing nodded, watching Ying Chanxi retrieve the expensive guitar from the piano room and hand it to her.

But as Yuan Wanqing held the guitar and instinctively examined it, her expression froze.

She turned to look at Ying Zhicheng, eyes narrowing slightly, her gaze unreadable.

Ying Zhicheng was slow to react, not understanding the meaning behind Yuan Wanqing's look at first.

But when his eyes fell on the guitar in her hands, he froze, then asked hesitantly, "Xixi, isn't this the guitar I kept at home?"

"Yes," Ying Chanxi nodded innocently. "What's wrong?"

"But… when did you bring it here?" Ying Zhicheng hurriedly asked.

"Last year," Ying Chanxi pointed at Li Luo. "Li Luo plays guitar, so I thought he might use it, so I brought it along. When we started school last year for military training, he even sang on the campus field with this guitar."

"Oh~" Yuan Wanqing nodded, letting out a soft laugh. "So you brought it last year."

"Cough, cough…" Ying Zhicheng cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. "Let's sing, sing—afterward we have to return to the company this afternoon."

"Fine," Yuan Wanqing hummed, cradling the guitar and plucking its strings. She set aside her thoughts about Ying Zhicheng for now, and as the rhythm began, she softly hummed.

It was her favorite song: "Chasing the Light."

Soon, the living room was filled with Yuan Wanqing's voice.

Midway through, she glanced at Yan Zhusheng and winked, signaling her to join in.

By the end, Li Luo joined in harmony, while Yuan Wanqing played guitar to accompany them both.

After the songs ended, Li Guohong and the others were deeply moved.

"That was really good," Li Guohong patted his son's shoulder. "Being able to write songs for Aunt Yuan is your fortune."

"Don't say that," Yuan Wanqing laughed. "I should be thanking Li Luo."

Saying this, she handed the guitar to Li Luo and added, "Keep using this guitar."

Hearing Yuan Wanqing say this so suddenly, Li Luo froze. He took the guitar, looked down at it, then at Yuan Wanqing, then turned to look at Ying Zhicheng beside him, lost in thought.

Could it be…

"Cough…" Ying Zhicheng cleared his throat and whispered, "This guitar was a gift from Wanqing before."

"Right," Yuan Wanqing smiled sweetly. "Guitars are meant to be played. Your uncle is always busy—he probably never uses it. It's better you use it."

Hearing their words, Li Luo finally understood, forcing a faint smile.

Since Yuan Wanqing had said so, Li Luo stopped being polite.

But inside, he silently felt sorry for Ying Zhicheng.

His girlfriend gave him a gift—and his own daughter handed it to another guy… After returning home, would Ying Uncle get scolded by Aunt Yuan?

But they're both grown adults—surely they wouldn't get upset over something so small?

Meanwhile, Ying Chanxi was puzzled, glancing between Yuan Wanqing and Ying Zhicheng.

If this were a year ago, she might not have thought much of it. But later, Li Luo told her this guitar was expensive—normally costing at least ten thousand yuan.

Could this really be a casual gift between ordinary friends?

Still, she remembered Aunt Yuan wasn't short on money, and she was an artist under her father's company—maybe it was just flattery toward a superior.

But the thought of a woman giving her father such an expensive gift made Ying Chanxi frown slightly, a pang of discomfort rising.

Still, since her father and Aunt Yuan were friends behind the scenes, she said nothing.

"By the way, there's another matter," Ying Zhicheng said to Li Luo, then turned to Li Guohong. "Li Luo's income is already substantial. My suggestion: you should establish a company for him."

"He's earning several million a year now. Paying taxes as an individual is wasteful."

"Corporate taxes are slightly higher than personal rates, but they're far better for this level of income."

"Plus, having a company makes things easier—future contracts can be handled directly through official accounting."

"Including Li Luo's royalty income—ask your online novel platform if they'll allow changing the personal contract into a corporate one."

"Or you could sign an agency agreement between Li Luo personally and the company you form—there are many ways."

"I also want to sign a new overall contract with you regarding the upcoming album, clarifying rights and royalty splits."

"See when you're free and register the company first."

With Ying Zhicheng's reminder, Li Luo finally understood.

Honestly, the state-set tax rate for author royalties isn't high.

Last year, excluding his song income, his royalties were only around a few hundred thousand yuan.

For an average worker, that income would mean a hefty tax bill.

But he paid a fixed rate of about 11%, and under national policy, he even received tax rebates at year-end.

But this year, things were different.

Starting in February, his monthly income rose to hundreds of thousands, and even without counting the income from Huayue Film and Television's new album deal, just his royalties alone were estimated to reach several million a year.

If taxed under personal royalty rates, he wouldn't get a tax refund at year-end—he'd have to pay additional taxes.

Thinking of this, Li Luo nodded: "Hmm, I'll ask my editor if there are any precedents for this. As for the company matter..."

"You're not yet of age—this needs your parents to handle," said Ying Zhicheng. "If Old Li isn't familiar with it, I'll have my secretary accompany you to handle the registration—it's quite simple."

"Alright, I'll think it over," said Li Guohong, sensing the importance of this. He immediately nodded. "But let's not trouble you—I'll ask my brother. He used to run a business and likely has connections at the local industry and commerce bureau."

"That works," Ying Zhicheng smiled, then patted Li Guohong's shoulder. "Now that Li Luo has made something of himself, you two have shut down that breakfast shop. Perfect time to start a company—handle his contracts, give yourselves and your wife a salary, help him avoid taxes, and keep you from being idle."

Hearing this, Li Luo thought the idea was quite good.

Once the storefront is bought and the company registered, his parents could just stroll over occasionally to check how business was going.

Go to Uncle's milk tea shop, order a drink, enjoy the air conditioning, and chat.

When Li Luo needed something done, his parents could sign contracts on his behalf—giving them something to do.

Thinking of this, Li Luo grinned and patted Li Guohong's shoulder, teasing: "Dad, you're gonna be our company's general manager now—same rank as Uncle Ying. You can finally stand tall when drinking and bragging."

Hearing this, Ying Zhicheng couldn't help but laugh, then burst into hearty laughter.

Li Guohong's face flushed red. "Don't be embarrassed—it's just a tiny company. How can you compare it to Old Ying's?"

"That's different," Ying Zhicheng chuckled. "I'm just a high-level employee working for shareholders—my share of dividends is already the limit."

"If Li Luo's songs, sung by Wanqing, become hits, plenty of people will privately approach him to commission new ones."

"This book is already a blockbuster. Who knows? Maybe you'll even sell the film and TV rights someday."

"I looked into it—copyright fees for works at his level are at least tens of millions."

"Once your company is established, with Li Luo as your cash cow, its valuation won't be low."

Hearing this, Li Guohong and Lin Xiuhong felt dizzy, as if they were suddenly soaring into the clouds.

But Li Luo stayed clear-headed. He coughed twice and reminded them: "My online novel is a plagiarism-style work—it's all existing cultural content from reality. Copyrights are hard to sell; disputes are inevitable."

"That's true," Ying Zhicheng mused. He hadn't thought of that before, but then added, "But your book also has quite a few original songs, right?"

"You could easily isolate those, adjust them slightly during adaptation, and easily avoid copyright issues."

"Even..."

As he spoke, Ying Zhicheng's heart leapt—he felt a sudden interest.

He'd had his secretary investigate Li Luo's novel thoroughly—it was wildly popular on Qidian.

And Qidian, backed by Tencent, was now China's largest male-oriented online novel platform.

Any book that went viral nationwide commanded sky-high copyright prices.

Even a murky case like I Am Really Not a Star, with its copyright ambiguities, could still be sold if someone really wanted to.

Hearing this, Li Luo suddenly remembered something.

When he started, no popular entertainment-themed online novels had ever sold film and TV rights.

Even urban-themed stories rarely sold—this genre was mostly considered female-oriented territory, and male-oriented urban novels were rarely considered for acquisition.

But earlier, during this very stage, many film and TV companies didn't yet understand the precise chemistry between online novels and screen adaptations, so they still bought the rights to many blockbuster novels.

One entertainment-themed novel, even after being banned and taken down, still sold its film rights—and was later adapted into a TV series.

Thinking of this, Li Luo felt a flicker of interest.

Ying Zhicheng shared a similar thought.

Over the years, Huayue Film and Television's push into TV dramas had been somewhat awkward.

Though they'd produced a couple of hits and some fan-service dramas, they were far from firmly established.

Their previous drama, Jade Pool Immortal Affair, received mixed reviews but managed decent profits thanks to two young idols—not huge earnings, but acceptable.

There's also a coming urban romance drama this summer, My Life With You—no one knows how it'll perform.

But given the popularity of Li Luo's novel, the plot must be pretty strong, right?

I wonder how it'd do as a TV series.

With these thoughts, Ying Zhicheng's mind grew active.

But these ideas were still immature, so he didn't press further.

Afterward, the four families chatted on the sofa a while longer, and by around two in the afternoon, the parents began to leave.

Outside Bihai Lanting, Ying Zhicheng's driver was already waiting with the car.

Yuan Wanqing didn't wait for Ying Zhicheng to open the door—she opened it herself and got in first.

Ying Zhicheng hurried to the back seat from the other side and whispered: "I always keep it at home. I had no idea when Xi Xi took it here."

"I'm not angry," Yuan Wanqing crossed her arms, gazing calmly out the window. "You never use it anyway."

"Cough... don't say that," Ying Zhicheng gently took her hand in his. "It was your birthday gift to me. Shouldn't I find some excuse to have Xi Xi bring the guitar back?"

"Forget it," Yuan Wanqing laughed and shook her head. "I'll be more careful next time—give you things you actually use. Keep the guitar. Consider it a gift to Li Luo."

"That..."

"That's fine," Yuan Wanqing turned and pressed her lips to his, then said, "A gift is just a gift. Don't load it with too much meaning. If you want something, I'll give you something else next time."

The driver sat in the front seat, deaf to the conversation behind him, pretending he heard nothing, driving steadily.

On the other side, Yan Zhusheng watched Li Luo carry the guitar back to the piano room and whispered to him: "Next time it's your birthday, I'll buy you a new guitar."

Li Luo: "... Isn't this guitar good enough? It was specially given by your mom."

"It's still Uncle Ying's thing," Yan Zhusheng said seriously. "I'll give you another one—then you can return this one to Uncle Ying."

"What are you two talking about?" Ying Chanxi asked curiously, having just come out of the bathroom.

"Nothing," Yan Zhusheng immediately fell silent as Ying Chanxi approached.