Chapter 230

As a big brother with a temper, Zang Tianshuo nearly lost control of his rage, but the voice on the other end was his elder brother—

"No, I—"

"What 'I'? If you've got no brains, don't drag me down with you! From today on, I have nothing to do with you—do you hear me?!"

"Get as far away from me as you can!"

"…"

Watching the call end, Zang Tianshuo, who had bullied others for years relying on his patronage, fell into confusion.

He didn't understand. He couldn't comprehend.

Last month, when he collected his dividends, his face was still smiling—how could his own mother have been insulted in the blink of an eye?

But soon, he realized one thing—

Shit, has the whole thing blown open?

That can't be right—if the truth had come out, the person on the other end wouldn't be this furious.

After a brief moment of confusion, Zang Tianshuo's mind spiraled into chaos.

What do you mean "nothing to do with me"?

You've been eating at my table for years, your belly's so fat it's dripping oil—and now you tell me we have no relation?

Zang Tianshuo shoved aside Siqin Gerile and immediately redialed—

"Dial…."

"…"

Waiting endlessly for a reply, Zang Tianshuo was truly panicked now.

Fuck!

He's serious?

"What happened? Why do you look so pale?" Siqin Gerile frowned, noticing his expression.

"I don't know. I'm going out. Stay home and don't move."

"But this is—"

Before Siqin Gerile could finish, she fell silent upon seeing Zang Tianshuo leap out of bed and dress with a speed she'd never seen before.

With a solemn expression, Zang Tianshuo, his fat general's belly protruding, got in his car to leave the compound—

Unexpectedly, the barrier gate at the entrance seemed broken?

"Beep! Beep-beep-beep!!!"

In the freezing winter, Zang Tianshuo, his heart as cold as the weather, slammed the horn repeatedly, drawing the attention of the security guard and repairman.

"Terribly sorry, terribly sorry, Mr. Zang—this barrier broke at the worst possible time; our repairman is still fixing it."

"…"

Crack!

Near the guard booth, Wang Xiaoyu, now leading the repair crew, finally spotted the person she wanted to photograph. She tucked away her thermos, still steaming from the hot tea inside—

The camera, originally meant to capture the damaged barrier and the scene, shifted angles and accidentally included the frantic Zang Tianshuo as well.

"Teacher-student romance… impressive."

Watching the black Tiger Head Benz drive straight out of the compound after Zang Tianshuo was lifted by human hands, Wang Xiaoyu lifted her thermos and took a sip, her tone tinged with reflection.

Zhou Yi really gave him a problem that was hard, yet not hard.

"But teacher-student romance alone won't be enough…"

Recalling the words and key points Zhou Yi had given him before he arrived, Wang Xiaoyu muttered to herself.

"Hey, you—what are you doing? I've never seen you before."

"Oh, I'm with an insurance company. The car that accidentally damaged this barrier belongs to my client—I'm here to inspect the scene."

Calm and composed, Wang Xiaoyu chatted with them, casually recommending insurance to each one, radiating total professionalism.

"…"

……………………………

"Do you know what you're doing is illegal?"

Zhou Yi's home.

After finally finishing the first round of Spring Festival Gala song rehearsals, Zhou Yi—who had rarely spent the whole day at home, dozing off and sleeping soundly—was about to step out for a snack when he stepped into the living room and immediately noticed something odd.

Chen Hao, dressed in a beige turtleneck sweater and dress pants, was crouched on the floor picking up documents and papers. Hearing the door open, she looked up in surprise: "Why are you here?"

"... That's a good question."

Zhou Yi, wrapped in a thick magenta pajama robe, stretched and yawned: "This is my house. If I'm not here, where else would I be?"

"Well, not impossible."

After gathering all the scattered papers and placing them neatly on the living room coffee table, Chen Hao stood up, clapped her hands, and smiled warmly: "I came to deliver the contract. Since you're home today, you might as well sign it—this is the agreement with Wang Xiaojing."

Leaning against the doorframe, Zhou Yi perked up immediately, raising an eyebrow in surprise: "So fast?"

"The lawyer team introduced by Sa Beinan is very capable—they figured everything out in no time. Wang Xiaojing genuinely wants to cooperate: 5% equity, higher than your estimated 2% or 3%."

Zhou Yi's interest was genuinely piqued now.

The revenue from the first group of the Twelve Girls Band was still substantial—even 5% would amount to a significant sum over the next few installments, and it was foreign currency.

"Also, he wants to invite you to dinner, but didn't say why."

"I've been telling everyone I'm busy with my English single. Just say you don't know."

Zhou Yi glanced at the contract, replying casually: "Someone's been watching me lately—he probably doesn't want this to blow up, so he's thinking of throwing a banquet to smooth things over and get Zang Tianshuo to settle things with me over drinks."

"I know that. I mean you have no idea what's going on—the rumors just suddenly appeared out of nowhere," Chen Hao nodded.

In mainland China at this time, the entertainment industry still largely operated like a criminal underworld.

Affairs of the martial world should be settled within the martial world; don't drag matters into court—it's embarrassing. Film and music companies mostly adhere to this code.

It's a shallow pond teeming with Wang Ba, and every corner is filled with big brothers.

Hai Run Film, under Hai Yan's command, is like this; Hua Yi Brothers, whose name constantly imitates Warner Bros., is like this too; so are other mainland music companies, including Xi Yangyang Records, home to Shuimu Nianhua.

Chen Hao, who didn't fully understand the dark side of the entertainment industry, asked curiously: "You don't want to negotiate?"

"No no no, it's not about whether I want to or not—it's about whether Warner wants to. He's picked the wrong person to be the mediator."

Zhou Yi shook his finger and denied: "Someone's trying to steal a share from Warner's plate—that's directly threatening Zhou Jianhui's performance."

"What's it got to do with me? I'm just a naive, pure young boy."

These days, singers make money in only four ways: endorsed products, album releases, concerts, and side gigs.

The money from variety shows is pitifully small by comparison.

That's why many singers only appear on shows during album or concert promotion periods—to increase exposure.

With Zhou Yi's current popularity, his concerts are guaranteed to make money—big money—and the actual cash after splits are real, tangible performance metrics.

Not to mention Zhou Yi rarely does side gigs—only attends offline events for endorsed product brands;

He rarely appears on shows, and even his endorsed products can be counted on one hand.

Under these circumstances, besides album releases, concerts are truly Zhou Yi's only major source of income.

What rank are you, Zang Tianshuo, to stick your hand into Warner's profit-sharing plate?

At least, Zhou Jianhui's outwardly expressed attitude is this—

I just became president of Greater China, and you, a little nobody, come to steal my food? What will others think of me? What will competitors think of me? What will Zhou Yi think of me? What will Sun Yanzi think of me?

If Zhou Yi and Sun Yanzi both lose faith in me, Zhou Jianhui, wouldn't every other record company be grinning ear to ear?

"The company hasn't encountered the issues the media claims, and Ah Yi is very happy at the company, as is Yanzi."

November 27, morning.

Zhou Jianhui himself, during an interview, mentioned for the first time the threats he'd received, refuting the rumors as baseless, and emphasized that Zhou Yi had no intention of switching labels—a revelation that thrilled the media like sharks smelling blood.

Since Zhou Yi was unknown when he first signed his contract, the media still can't agree on how many years his contract with Warner actually lasts.

Some say three or four years; others say six or seven; some even claim ten.

But industry insiders all know the truth.

Just four years—so what? Pay the breach fee. Ah Yi, Yanzi, come to our company; once you arrive, you'll be our number one and top star.

After confirming Zhou Yi's Beijing concert was blocked, major labels including Universal and EMI quietly leaked rumors—this further confirmed why Zhou Jianhui was furious enough to act personally.

Unimpeachable.

When your cash cow is about to be chopped down, who else should die but you?

Who could possibly endure this?

As soon as Warner's giant machine turned on, those with vested interests immediately went silent. No matter how hard Zang Tianshuo searched, the answer was always: "Not home," "No time," "Next time for sure."

In just one day, all the powerful figures he once knew vanished without a trace.

Even if he were stupid, he now knew he'd kicked a steel plate—and not just any steel plate, but one that even all the people behind him together couldn't protect him from.

Tragically, he didn't even know why he'd been abandoned.

"Lately I've only targeted Zhou Yi—that is, Warner. But just Warner alone shouldn't make them all retreat. Could it be Coca-Cola?"

Zang Tianshuo, who'd been so worried he'd only drunk porridge all day, suddenly felt heartbroken.

Losing is fine, but not knowing why he lost—that was unbearable.

Without a mentor to guide him, and without awareness of which news to follow to broaden his perspective, he had no idea the Entry-in-World Team even existed—he didn't even know what the Entry-in-World Team was.

"Go find Zhou Yi. The incident started because of him. Apologize sincerely to him, make him satisfied, and perhaps this matter will be resolved."

His wife, Li Mei, equally exhausted, still held out a sliver of hope for Zang Tianshuo.

She knew about her husband's affair with the female student, but she refused divorce—because if she divorced, she'd truly lose. As long as they didn't divorce, no matter how much money Zang Tianshuo earned afterward, she'd get half.

After all, they had children together.

"Right now, it's Zhou Jianhui who's furious. Zhou Yi has never properly operated in Beijing's music circle—he probably never even heard of you."

"Given Zhou Yi's status at Warner, if you win his forgiveness, Zhou Jianhui probably won't punish you too harshly."

"I don't even know which way Zhou Yi's front door faces—how am I supposed to find him?"

"Didn't you give him your business card during rehearsal? Didn't he give you one back?"

"No."

Zang Tianshuo, his eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights, painfully rubbed his face: "He said he doesn't have a business card—he's still young."

"..."

"I'll try finding Wang Xiaojing again—or someone else from the Spring Festival Gala who's had contact with him."

Though suffering, he still had to do what needed doing.

But what Zang Tianshuo didn't expect was that the moment he stepped out the door, several Beijing newspapers splashed across their front pages irrefutable evidence of his extramarital affair with a female student—

Clear, damning photos struck like heavy hammers during this November, as Spring Festival Gala discussions rose: the subjects in the photos were none other than performers from the 2002 Spring Festival Gala.

"Extramarital Affair with Female Student! Big-name Singer, Beast in Human Form!"

"Evil to the Core! Famous Singer's Ten Crimes!"

"..."

As a singer with recognizable hits, news about Zang Tianshuo spread rapidly across Beijing and nearby cities, propelled by invisible hands.

The speed was so swift it revealed just how furious Zhou Jianhui truly was.

Most crucially, Zhou Jianhui's public schedule suddenly added a trip to headquarters.

Now it wasn't just Zang Tianshuo who panicked—it was everyone behind him.

"Brother, brother, please—find a chance to arrange a meal with Zhou Yi."

"Sis, I'm serious—I know I was wrong. Can you please arrange a meeting with Zhou Yi?"

"…"

Now, the number of people genuinely afraid of causing international outrage surged.

Just kidding.

If this matter truly gets dragged into the open, it won't be just one side that loses face. And pulling up the radish brings up the mud—they're all dirty themselves…

"This incident is purely Zang Tianshuo's personal behavior—it has nothing to do with me, Uncle."

"Auntie, believe me, I really didn't know the situation."

The support figures who had instantly knelt down kept cutting ties; Zang Tianshuo, meanwhile, finally realized where he'd lost—his eyes nearly bulged out—

Fuck!

If Warner's so damn capable, why did you struggle so badly in China before? Had to buy a Wheat Field just to enter the mainland music market?!

This sudden surge of unrest even reached the top levels of CCTV.

After all, Zang Tianshuo was still on the Spring Festival Gala list—this was the worst possible time for this to happen…

"Can you reach Zhou Jianhui?"

"We can, but he's probably still furious. This time he went too far. Their usual rule is thirty percent of ticket revenue, plus using their sound equipment for a fee."

"Nonsense!"

"What about that boy, Zhou Yi? See if you can get him to talk some sense into Zhou Jianhui—he'll listen to Zhou Yi."

"…"

Against the backdrop of Zhou Jianhui's rage, Zhou Yi became the picture of a clean-cut, harmless boy.

He was also the only insider who could rein in Zhou Jianhui.

Those who owed favors owed them; those who needed benefits got them. Zhou Yi, who should have been at the center of public opinion, quietly stepped aside—becoming an observer of the incident—

And became, in many eyes, the only suitable intermediary who could persuade Zhou Jianhui not to take this matter to Warner's headquarters.

After all, one moment he was actively engaging with the world, the next the mainland's top singer was being extorted… It would sound terrible if word got out.

Is this how you're building a business environment?

"It should be about time now. Once Wang Xiaoyu digs up all the evidence, it'll be enough to send him to prison."

Warner Building, CEO's Office.

After hanging up yet another call, Zhou Yi, who'd received many calls today, smiled wryly: "I heard he wants to see me too."

"It's normal he wants to see you. How much favor you collect is up to you."

Zhou Jianhui, smiling warmly, showed not a trace of anger: "Your first-day data hasn't been fully tallied by headquarters yet, but for the single, they've already identified some major obstacles for you."

Saying this, Zhou Jianhui handed Zhou Yi a list.

"Obstacles?"

Zhou Yi, curious, flipped it open—and the first names he saw weren't the big names he expected.

"The woman at number one is Alicia Keys. Her single 'Fallin' is R&B-style, with massive numbers—she's reportedly strong enough to compete for Grammys for Best New Artist and Record of the Year."

"The second woman is Kylie Minogue. Her single 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' is currently the fastest-rising track on the Billboard Hot 100. If your single wants to climb into the top ranks, you'll almost certainly clash with her…"

Knowing Zhou Yi likely didn't know either of them, Zhou Jianhui gave a brief rundown—especially on the latter.

The rise of 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' was unprecedented; moreover, the song had already topped charts in over a dozen countries outside the U. S.

"…"

Before even reading the rest, Zhou Yi was surprised by the first two names.

Kylie Minogue, nicknamed the Australian Pea Princess.

She was once hugely popular, then faded, but after her comeback, this slow-dance anthem 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' achieved an epic feat—topping charts in over twenty countries across Europe and America, propelling her to a new peak.

As for Alicia Keys, she was nicknamed Gun Sister.

In Zhou Yi's mind, she was even more formidable:

She officially debuted in 2001 and released her first studio album in June.

Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Best R&B Female Singer, Best R&B Single, Best R&B Album;

World's Best-Selling R&B Female Artist of 2001, World's Best-Selling New Artist of 2001.

True debut-at-the-peak—absolutely terrifying.

"It's almost December already—still this strong?"

Seeing the massive stats, Zhou Yi couldn't help but grimace.

Gun Sister Alicia's single came out in April, her album in June—now it's nearly December, and it's still one of the hottest tracks;

As for Pea Princess Kylie Minogue, her song came out in September and is still climbing.

"I'm surprised—I thought Britney Spears would be number one."

You don't know until you look—then you're shocked.

Before this, Zhou Yi truly thought Britney was his biggest obstacle on the singles chart.

ps: A bit late, but no big deal—I adjusted the direction and updated all the data.

(End of Chapter)