Marriage Concerto (Small Thing Called Love) Chapter 30

Chapter 30: I will seat her on the throne of the music industry

The barbecue party continued all the way until night time. After Ding Meng drank the director’s concoction of fruits and vegetable juice, she completely lost her appet.i.te to continue eating.

After the celebration ended, quite a few people wanted to catch a ride in Qiao Yichen’s car. Ding Meng judged them for daring to sit in the car of someone who had just suffered a concussion. Meanwhile, she walked out the door and hailed a taxi.

When she reached home, Qiao Yichen had not yet returned. She figured that he had really been dragged off to be a chauffeur. Looking at the time, she thought, yup, not bad at all. Tonight’s practice could probably be skipped as well.

Since Xingyao had made an appointment to sign a contract with her tomorrow, she decided to rest up properly tonight. She took a shower and went straight to bed. When Qiao Yichen returned home after dropping everyone off and discovered that all the house lights were off, he knew Ding Meng had definitely already gone to sleep. However that wasn’t a problem. The future was long and there would be plenty of opportunities to make up for this skipped practice.

The next day, he was a step ahead of Ding Meng in visiting Xingyao Entertainment. The Xingyao manager said that the song for the compet.i.tion winner had already been written and let him take an early look to hear his feedback.

The song which had been written just for the winner was called Kiss Kiss. Qiao Yichen held the lyric sheet and read it for a while. He wrinkled his eyebrows as he set it back down. “This is the song written by your reputable and well-known songwriters?”

There were actually lyrics like, “Don’t speak, kiss me”. Were they really not s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g with him?

The manager’s face looked a little ugly, but due to Qiao Yichen’s golden reputation within the industry, he could only wear a smile and say, “Gao Ge and Lin Wentian are the personal songwriters for our groups Babygirl and BIG. You should know that Babygirl and BIG are two of the most popular groups in the country right now. They have been coming out with hit after hit.”

Qiao Yichen laughed, “Of course I know that they are popular right now. I also know that they can only amount to this much.”

After hearing the two most popular groups under their management get insulted by someone like that, the smile on the Xingyao manager was barely hanging on. “What is the Great Producer Qiao trying to say?”

Qiao Yichen spoke, “Ding Meng has a longer road ahead of her. I don’t want her to sing this sort of bubblegum pop song.”

The representative frowned and the last vestiges of his smile disappeared, “I hope you don’t forget, she has already signed a contract with us.”

Qiao Yichen glanced at him before standing up and leaving the meeting without saying a word.

After he got into his car, he put on his bluetooth headset and immediately called the CEO of Guangchen Records, “Sign Ding Meng to our company.”

The person on the other side of the phone was stunned for a moment before laughing in response, “At times, I really can’t figure who is who’s boss between the two of us.”

Qiao Yichen replied, “If I was your boss, I would have signed her over already. You think I would need to call you like this?”

The person on the other side of the call fell silent for a good while before speaking, “Hasn’t she already signed a contract with Xingyao?”

“She only signed a one song contract.”

“Hoh, looks like Great Producer Qiao didn’t like the song.”

Qiao Yichen started getting a little impatient, “Are you signing or not, one word.”

That person contemplated for a moment, “I have also watched a bit of Heavenly Voice. Her performance during the finals was really good, but Xingyao spent their time and money to make that compet.i.tion. If we s.n.a.t.c.h away the first place winner, we will look a little shameless.”

Qiao Yichen scoffed, “This wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done something shameless. You could definitely accomplish this with ease.”

“I am definitely not carefree about matters that involve forking over money.”

Qiao Yichen didn’t even think before responding, “You can deduct the penalty fee from my salary.”

The other party was stunned and his tone of voice carried a hint of contemplation, “What is your relations.h.i.+p to that Ding Meng? Why does it seem a little improper?”

Qiao Yichen spoke, “She has a lot of potential.”

“Eh?” The tone was clearly unconvinced.

“You’ll see her worth in the future.” He spoke up to here and then paused before continuing in an particularly serious tone, “I will seat her on the throne of the music industry.”

That person stared blankly for an instant before laughing, “OK, since you think so highly of her, I have no choice but to sign her over.”

Qiao Yichen warned, “If she asks, just tell her that you want to sign her and that the company will help her take care of the penalty fee.”

“…When did you change your name to Lei Feng?”

“Why are you spouting so much nonsense? I’m driving so I’m hanging up.”

Qiao Yichen was just about to hang up the phone when the person on the other end blurted out, “Hold on! Didn’t you also promise Xingyao to help them record the song?”

Qiao Yichen replied, “I promised them that I would record a song for their first place winner, and that is exactly what I plan to do.”

“…You’re so shameless. I think I should let you sit in the boss’s seat instead.”

“Don’t be modest. The entire company knows that you’re the sect leader of the Shameless Sect.” After he finished speaking, he disconnected the phone without the slightest hesitation.

Back at home, Ding Meng was in the middle of collecting her things. Just as she stepped out the door, her phone rang. She picked up her phone and saw it was an unfamiliar number. She hesitated for a moment but still answered, “h.e.l.lo.”

“h.e.l.lo, is this Miss Ding Meng?” A gentle female voice traveled from the speakers, her Mandarin so official that she sounded like a TV broadcast host.

Ding Meng blanked out for a bit. She didn’t seem to know anyone like this. “I am Ding Meng. May I ask who you are?”

“h.e.l.lo, this is Guangchen Records. Our CEO Xiang would like to invite you to come by our company for a visit.”

“CEO?” Ding Meng felt rather stupid, “I don’t believe I know your CEO Xiang…” Guangchen Records seemed to be Qiao Yichen’s company. Could it be that…their relations.h.i.+p had been discovered by his boss?

“It’s like this, CEO Xiang saw your performance in Heavenly Voice and really appreciates your talent. Therefore, he wants to invite you to discuss the matter of working together.”

Ding Meng felt even more stupid. Talk to her about working together? A record company’s CEO wanted to personally speak to her about working together?

Most likely because she didn’t respond, the person on the phone continued, “We understand that you haven’t signed an official contract with Xingyao yet. Why not give yourself another option?”

Actually Ding Meng was rather interested. Based on the low pay written in the contract Xingyao had given them last time, she figured that company was definitely very skilled at exploiting their entertainers. “However, the appointment time of my meeting with Xingyao is going to arrive very soon…”

The other party spoke, “You don’t need to worry about that. We will send people to deal with it. Miss Ding Meng, CEO Xiang personally arranged this meeting with you. We hope that you can see our sincerity.”

“Ah…” Wording it like that really made her feel apologetic. However, she had made plans with Xingyao first. Even if she didn’t sign a contract with them, she still ought to give them a heads-up. Running off to another company like this didn’t look very good. “Could you give me a little more time to think this over?”

“Alright, however I hope you can be quick. CEO Xiang pushed back quite a few items on his agenda to create an opening.”

“Okay, I will be quick.”

This secretary was really good at piling the pressure on others. She was basically her boss’s guardian spirit. Ding Meng hung up the phone and quickly dialed Qiao Yichen’s number.

“What’s up?”

Qiao Yichen quickly picked up the phone. Ding Meng spoke impatiently, “Goudan, is your company called Guangchen Records?”

Qiao Yichen raised his eyebrows and spoke calmly, “Yes it is. Why?”

“Is your boss’s last name Xiang?”

Qiao Yichen laughed inside. He hadn’t expected that this ordinarily simple minded girl could become so vigilant at a crucial moment, “Yes it is. Again, why?”

“Ah, you definitely wouldn’t have expected this! His secretary just called me, saying that he wants to sign a contract with me!”

“Ah…”

His indifferent tone made Ding Meng feel rather dissatisfied, “Do you have any advice?”

Qiao Yichen thought for a moment and then spoke, “Guangchen differs from Xingyao in that it specializes in making records. If you want to be an idol, sign with Xingyao. If you genuinely want to make music, sign with Guangchen.”

Ding Meng grasped the phone in her hands and was silent for a moment, as if she had come to a decision, “I understand, but I previously signed a contract with Xingyao. If I break the contract, I’ll have to pay a million in penalty fees…”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Since Guangchen wants to sign you, the company will naturally pay the penalty for you.

Ding Meng felt relieved hearing him speak like that, “Alright then, that’s all, goodbye!”

She hung up and contacted the secretary again, telling her that she would head over immediately.

Although Guangchen Records wasn’t as big of an entertainment company as Xingyao, the company’s building was just as large and extravagantly built. After she explained the purpose of her visit to to the security guard, she was let in. Very quickly, a woman dressed in a business suit came over to receive her, bringing her directly to the tallest floor of the company.

“Ahead is CEO Xiang’s office. He is waiting for you inside. You may enter.”

Ding Meng thanked her and nervously knocked on the door.

“Please come in.”

Ding Meng was rather surprised. She had originally believed that people who were any kind of CEO all had quite a few years on them. However, this was actually a very youthful voice.

She pushed the door open and walked inside. Sure enough, she saw a young man sitting in front of a wide office table. The man looked very handsome and wore a luxury suit which made him seem even more das.h.i.+ng.

He smiled at her and pa.s.sed over a business card, “h.e.l.lo, I am the CEO of Guangchen Records, Xiang Guang.”

“He… h.e.l.lo.” Ding Meng courteously accepted his business card and lowered her head to look at it.

Xiang Guang? Qiao Yichen? Guangchen Records?

She seemed to have realized something.

Xiang Guang invited her to sit down and handed over a contract. “We have already prepared a contract. You can take a look first.”

“Ah, okay.” Ding Meng took the contract and began looking through it. However, this was her first time looking at this sort of contract. She didn’t even have a reference point to measure it by so she wasn’t able to judge how good the other party’s conditions were. The contract stated she would be signed on for five years. Ding Meng figured that at least this point seemed okay. It was a lot better than some companies who signed people on for life.

While she looked at the contract, Xiang Guang sat across from her and sized her up. He pondered, what exactly about this person had attracted Qiao Yichen?

Ding Meng suddenly lifted her eyes to look at him and smiled, “Also, I previously signed a one song contract with Xingyao…”

Xiang Guang interrupted her, “If you sign a contract with us, the release of your first single will naturally be taken care of by us. As for that contract, the company will take on the penalty fee.”

“Ah…” Ding Meng nodded her head. Sure enough, this was just as Qiao Yichen had predicted.

The conference phone on the office desk suddenly rang. Xiang Guang pressed down on the accept call b.u.t.ton and the secretary’s voice traveled through, “CEO Xiang, Great Producer Qiao has come.”

Xiang Guang grinned slightly and glanced at Ding Meng. Was Qiao Yichen scared that he would take advantage of her?

“Let him in.”

“Okay.”

Right as the secretary’s voice cut off, Qiao Yichen pushed the door open and walked in. He looked at Ding Meng, walked next to her, and sat down, “Let me take a look at the contract.”

“Ah, alright.” With Qiao Yichen helping to look over the contract, Ding Meng was more than happy to quickly hand over the contract.

Qiao Yichen held the contract and read it page by page. Xiang Guang just sat across with his mouth smiling widely, “What relations.h.i.+p does Great Producer Qiao have with Ding Meng to actually help her look over the contract?”

Qiao Yichen didn’t even raise his head as he spoke, “Middle school cla.s.smates.”

“Ah.” Xiang Guang smiled profoundly and didn’t speak again.

“There are no issues with this contract. You can sign it.” After looking through the contract, Qiao Yichen returned it to Ding Meng.

Ding Meng nodded her head and used the pen laying on the side to sign her signature.

Xiang Guang looked rather amused, “Miss Ding, don’t you trust your middle school cla.s.smate a bit too much?”

“Eh…” Ding Meng was speechless for a moment. Qiao Yichen cast a glance at Xiang Guang and Xiang Guang obediently shut up.

After the contract was signed, Xiang Guang smiled at Ding Meng, “Congratulations on becoming an employee of our Guangchen Records. However, without even earning a single cent from you, I have already ended up spending a million on you. I hope that you can work hard for our company in the future.”

Qiao Yichen silently looked at him. This person was really shameless.

On the other hand, Ding Meng felt that his words were reasonable. She nodded her head and promised, “I will definitely work hard at singing, and I won’t fail to live up to the great expectations of the company and CEO Xiang!”