Volume One, Chapter 17: I’ll Start a Company, and You’ll Be the Director!

For others, "Northern Autumn Sorrow" drew the outline of a farewell and melancholy from a certain autumn in their lives, an endless longing for lost loved ones. Su Le's voice carried a kind of magic, weaving together these complex and delicate emotions into a powerful tide, swirling and surging above the concert hall. Each flash of stage lighting seemed to crown a different story, and the faces illuminated below, aglow with emotion, were the best witnesses of all.

This concert was no longer just a performance; it became a collective release of emotion, a dialogue from the depths of the heart. Through Su Le's singing, everyone found echoes of their own stories, and in the resonance of others, felt a strength that made them less alone.

As Su Le's final lingering note faded into silence, it was as if a spell had been cast upon the stage. Snow began to drift down from the sky, as if time itself had slowed for this moment. The audience's voices rose in amazement, intertwining.

“Hiss...”

“It’s snowing...” Amid the snowy scene, Su Le whispered, “It’s so cold.”

His words, carrying a faint warmth, pierced the chill and echoed in every heart.

The whole venue fell silent...

When Su Le turned to the crowd, waved, and called out, “Goodbye, see you again if fate allows!” the hall erupted, crashing like a tidal wave.

“Idol! Idol!”

“White Elephant God!”

“Aaaah!”

“In love with you!”

“Did you break up, idol? How can you sing such a sad song?”

“Even better than Big Fish—amazing!”

“I can’t even envy him, I want to be him!”

“Legend, legendary again!”

“Is this really a folk song? No, this is the dream I wanted to have as a child, and couldn’t fulfill as an adult!”

“What a song—Southern Mountain, Northern Autumn Sorrow...”

“What was that last note? Suddenly, I feel cold too,” a girl said, wiping sweat from her face.

“Yes, in Tianzhou where it’s nearly thirty degrees, after hearing that, I felt cold!”

“I want to hear more, I can’t get enough!”

For a moment, fans below called out in unison for the White Elephant God to return.

But Su Le had already retreated backstage.

“Brother Su, that was amazing!” Song Hongyan ran over, grabbing Su Le’s arm in excitement, pressing it tightly to her chest.

Su Le felt a shock run through him, instinctively wanting to pull away—but Hongyan was holding on too tightly.

Fortunately, he hadn’t removed his mask; otherwise, it would have been even more awkward.

“Brother Su, in my heart you’re like a god!”

“This Southern Mountain has become legendary again!”

“You’re so handsome!” Ren Yingying gazed at Su Le with worship in her eyes, her face shining.

“Who says folk songs don’t belong in the halls of greatness? Southern Mountain is a masterpiece, a slap in the face to those who look down on folk music!”

Chen Tianxiong walked over, smiling, and shook Su Le’s hand with genuine respect.

“Su Le, thank you for letting me hear the best folk song of my life!”

“You’re right; folk songs aren’t just tunes from the countryside, they’re classics sung by every people.”

“It’s not an exaggeration to call you the godfather of folk music.”

Chen Tianxiong’s praise came from the heart—admiration, without a trace of flattery. Su Le had elevated folk music to a new realm.

“You flatter me, Mr. Chen!” Su Le replied with a gentle smile. “I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone. I simply love folk music and love singing—nothing more.”

“Hongyan, Yingying, hurry onto the stage and finish the show. Gain more stage experience!” Chen Tianxiong waved.

“Yes, Mr. Chen!” Song Hongyan and Ren Yingying went joyfully up to the stage, greeted by thunderous applause.

Backstage...

“Mr. Chen, I have an idea. I want to sign a contract with you!” Su Le suddenly said.

“What? Sign a contract?” Chen Tianxiong was surprised. “Are you sure, Mr. Su? It’s not that I’m refusing, but I realized later that the Eastern Group isn’t suitable for you. Even our headquarters isn’t qualified to sign you!”

“Because a contract would be a shackle, limiting your growth and future!”

Though Chen Tianxiong deeply desired to sign Su Le, Hongyan and Yingying’s words had made him see clearly. Su Le wasn’t suited to a contract. He might miss out on some promotional opportunities, but with his extraordinary talent and current popularity, even without a company behind him, he would rise.

“You’re right, Mr. Chen, a contract would indeed limit my development. But what I meant is—I want to sign you!” Su Le suddenly smiled, removing his mask and revealing confident composure.

Chen Tianxiong was stunned for a long time.

“You... what do you mean? Sign me?”

Chen Tianxiong was puzzled.

“That’s right. I’m preparing to start my own entertainment company. I sincerely invite you to be the entertainment director. I’ll give you full authority to manage the company. As for artists, we’ll nurture them together. I’ll write songs, and you’ll manage the artists, find distinctive singers. Would you be willing?” Su Le had the idea of starting his own company the moment he felt the feverish emotion in the hall. With his vast library of songs, the best path wasn’t just debuting himself, but cultivating stars and masters, so his music archive could be fully realized.

“Start a company? Are you serious, Su Le? Is this a joke?” Chen Tianxiong was incredulous. Starting an entertainment company was easy, but running it was difficult. In the industry, connections and status were essential. Without enough strength, no one would pay attention.

“Of course I’m not joking! I’ve even thought of the name—Sky Entertainment. If you’re not interested, just forget I asked,” Su Le quickly offered a way out, knowing Chen Tianxiong was already a director at Eastern Group and had no need to risk jumping ship to a company that wasn’t even registered yet.

“That won’t do, Su Le. A man’s word is his bond. You just said you’d hire me as director! Backing out now wouldn’t be right,” Chen Tianxiong suddenly said seriously.

Su Le realized and began to laugh.

“Then it’s settled. I don’t have much money right now, so your salary might not match Eastern Group’s, but I promise: within three months, I’ll make Sky Entertainment the top media company in Tianzhou. If I fail, you can leave anytime.”

If he couldn’t manage that, there was no one else in the country who could.

“I believe in you, Su Le. From Big Fish to Southern Mountain, I’ve seen it—you’re a prodigy!”

“Genius, prodigy! While you’re still penniless, I’d work for you for free, because you’re destined to soar!” Excitement flashed in Chen Tianxiong’s eyes; his heart was pounding.

He had long wanted to leave Eastern Group, especially after the Big Fish copyright was forcibly taken—he’d already thought of resigning. He didn’t want such things to happen again. It was like raising a child, only for someone else to come and take them away, calling them father. The pain of that—words could not describe.