Chapter 109: The Only Man in the Queen

Xie Tingfeng’s fans, who had long thought Zhou Yi was just mooching off fame and didn’t deserve to be mentioned alongside their idol, were finally silenced.

In terms of endorsement fees, Coca-Cola matched Pepsi, both paying figures in the tens of millions.

In terms of album sales, Zhou Yi’s albums achieved a staggering Asian total of nearly two million copies, matching Xie Tingfeng’s actual sales figures.

Now even Zhou Yi’s biggest weakness—awards—had been fully addressed. He didn’t just win Hong Kong’s Top Ten Chinese Golden Melody Awards and several mainland prizes, but also Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards, plus awards from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and even Vietnam.

Warner’s channels for winning overseas minor awards were far more professional than those of Emperor Entertainment, Xie Tingfeng’s agency.

One must admit that, for now, Xie Tingfeng’s only advantage over Zhou Yi was the fame of his girlfriend—Wang Fei, a genuine veteran diva.

But Zhou Yi had too many scandals.

Whenever Xie Tingfeng’s fans tried to use Wang Fei to overshadow Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi’s fans would counter with young female stars like Xiao Yaxuan, Fan Bingbing, Chen Hao, Sun Yanzi, and Zhou Xun, mocking Xie Tingfeng for merely “living off women,” unlike their own Zhou Yi, whose female companions kept changing.

As a result, both fanbases escalated into personal attacks, generating unprecedented heat.

On the entertainment sections of mainland China’s three major portals, any news related to Zhou Yi or Xie Tingfeng would inevitably spark a battle between their fans within ten comments.

On Tianya Community, the most active Chinese online forum, posts about Zhou Yi sweeping four Golden Melody Awards came one after another, with many users already digging into Zhou Yi’s alleged background and the identities of his rumored girlfriends.

Zhou Yi, who often browsed Tianya for gossip, immediately noticed this trend and called Qian Jiang to ask if the company had hired internet trolls.

The answer was no.

On the side, Qian Jiang smiled and delivered another piece of good news: “Yi, due to your outstanding performance at the Golden Melody Awards, you’ve officially secured the position of Little King in our marketing strategy.”

“Anta is getting restless too—they’ve noticed you, thanks to Li Ning.”

“After all, the story about you kicking off Peking University’s Chinese Department with a 13-0 score keeps growing wilder, even getting commentary from a national-team player named Fan Zhiyi, expanding the reach further.”

“To snatch you, Li Ning offered you eight million over three years—higher than Anta’s first offer.”

“Anta doesn’t want to lose the spotlight again, so they raised it to nine million over three years. I think that’s their limit—Anta has only just entered the profit highway.”

“So, which one do you pick? Li Ning’s offer is one million lower, but their brand influence is stronger and their promotional channels better.”

“...Anta. Li Ning’s best current endorser is still their founder, Li Ning—I’d just be second-tier. But Anta has no number one. They spent so much to sign me; their top promotional resources have to go entirely to me.”

After careful thought, Zhou Yi made his decision.

Li Ning was still young; whether in official channels or public prestige, he remained Li Ning Company’s ideal spokesperson. Zhou Yi would only be second fiddle.

“Alright, I’ll go negotiate the contract with Anta. Wait for my good news.”

Qian Jiang hung up.

Soon after, Ding Shizhong, son of Anta’s CEO, personally flew to Taiwan with his team on May 7 to meet Zhou Yi and sign the endorsement contract.

Born in 1970, Ding Shizhong was at the age to build something big—and he personally drove the deal to sign Zhou Yi.

“I’m very excited about our collaboration, Zhou Yi.”

With his ambition burning, Ding Shizhong grinned broadly after beating Li Ning to sign Zhou Yi as spokesperson: “According to this contract, we’ll quickly launch a personal series of products based on your image.”

“Our design team will send you the exterior drafts for review—you’re welcome to suggest changes.”

“Pleasure doing business with you, Director Ding.”

Under his agent’s watch, Zhou Yi smiled brightly as he signed his name on the contract in front of the cameras.

Another nine million in the bank—even after splitting with the company and paying taxes—felt great.

So much so that when he returned to the company building with Qian Jiang and saw Na Ying’s official debut at Warner, he was beaming.

“Zhou Yi, haven’t seen you in days—how come you look even handsomer?”

“Na Jie, don’t flatter me, or Yanzi will accuse me of being narcissistic again.”

Zhou Yi smiled, waving his hand, then glanced at Chen Zeshan beside Na Ying with a knowing look.

Chen Zeshan’s “Queen’s Palace” concept was indeed brilliantly executed—at least from a marketing standpoint.

Once Zhang Huimei joined Warner, alongside the original queen Zheng Xiuwen and rising diva Sun Yanzi, the four queens gathered under one roof, drawing countless eyes.

But except for Sun Yanzi, the other three all went mysteriously quiet, like they’d been cursed.

After Zhang Huimei’s debut album, each subsequent one flopped harder, until her final Warner album barely revived interest before she left.

Na Ying was even worse: after joining Warner, she released a smash album with the classic “Laugh It Off,” then vanished from the entertainment scene to get married and have children.

Zheng Xiuwen’s popularity plummeted off a cliff—largely because she’d already milked her Korean counterpart, Li Zhenxian, dry.

Just one year after its launch, the original Queen’s Palace was reduced to Sun Yanzi alone holding up the facade.

Zhou Yi guessed this was one reason Sun Yanzi had released seven albums in three years, plus two concert tours and countless signing events, fan meetings, and variety show appearances.

Especially in variety shows—Warner’s Queen’s Palace had only her left standing, so she had to carry it all.

“Zhou Yi! Crazy! Zhang Huimei’s really joining Warner!”

Back in the company lounge, Sun Yanzi hadn’t even sat down before rushing over, her face tense with worry: “Why is the company signing so many female singers? Are they unhappy with me?”

Logically, a company rarely tolerated multiple number-one female artists.

Na Ying, Zheng Xiuwen, Zhang Huimei—all were powerhouses. Wasn’t she, a young newcomer, out of place among them?

“What are you afraid of? I’m still here.”

Zhou Yi didn’t offer comfort; he shot her a sidelong glance and chewed his orange slowly: “Be confident. Maybe you won’t even need me—you’ll beat them and take the top spot yourself.”

Sometimes, luck was truly mysterious.

Looking at how Sun Yanzi rose to number one at Warner, her rivals kept collapsing on their own—she claimed the throne effortlessly, with zero resistance.

“...”

Sun Yanzi gave him a look like he’d lost his mind: “Did you win the award and go brain-dead? It’s been three days—Fan Jin should’ve snapped out of it by now. Me as number one? Dream on.”

“Wanna bet?”

“No bet. You already lost once to me at the Golden Melody Awards. Wait till you pay up before we talk again.”

Zhou Yi chuckled, chewing an orange segment: “It’s been three days—you still haven’t told me what you want me to do.”

“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll think of it first.”

She reached over, snatched the other half of the orange from his palm, and grinned mischievously at him.

Zhou Yi instantly grew wary: “Are you thinking of something bad?”

“Me? No way.”

Perched on the armrest, Sun Yanzi swung her dangling legs, chewing her orange segment and smiling at him: “Don’t worry—I won’t make you do anything illegal. I’m a law-abiding citizen.”

“In our legal world, people who loudly proclaim themselves law-abiding are usually the opposite.”

“...Shut up.”

Sun Yanzi shoved the remaining orange segments into his mouth, muttering: “You’re judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty man.”

“Oh, by the way, Coca-Cola also offered me an endorsement—but for Sprite.”

“Sprite?”

“Yes.”

Sun Yanzi nodded, her expression odd and slightly resentful: “But the fee won’t be nearly as high as yours. Chen Zeshan probably negotiated it between three and five million over four years.”

Zhou Yi rolled his eyes: “Obviously. I had to write the ad song too.”

Every penny he earned was hard-earned!

Besides, he was competing with Xie Tingfeng’s popularity; Sun Yanzi had no direct rival—this amount was already thanks to Warner’s dual-star advantage.

Even Jay Chou, when he first blew up, got his first Pepsi endorsement for a mere two million.

“Hey, will the company ask you to write songs for the new signings—Na Ying, Zhang Huimei, even Zheng Xiuwen?” Sun Yanzi suddenly asked, struck by the thought.

“You think songwriting is cabbage? It depends on my inspiration.”

“For you, it’s practically cabbage. Soon you’ll be the only man in Warner’s Queen’s Palace,” Sun Yanzi counted on her fingers: “Four female singers, and you’re the only guy.”

“I’m not interested in any of you four. Thanks.”

Zhou Yi glanced at Sun Yanzi’s modest bust and sneered.

Sun Yanzi: “...”

Aaaah!!!

PS: Business trip over. Home now. Starting tomorrow: four chapters a day~

(End of Chapter)