Volume One, Chapter 160: All Within the Wine

"A mentor?"

Jiang Yu flipped through a few pages toward the back and burst into laughter, realizing it was indeed a mentor's contract. "Auntie, you're really having me go back into the trenches!"

Su Ling couldn't help but chuckle. "You're the only person left in the company who can still sing, and I'm thinking we need to cultivate a few more. It's always easier to get things done when you have your own people in court, which is why I want you to take on this document. If you don't want to do it, it's fine."

Jiang Yu looked at the document and fell silent for a moment. "Auntie, I can participate in this show. I'm not sure who you have in mind to recommend, but I do have a few candidates of my own."

Seeing how serious Jiang Yu was, Su Ling said, "Tell me who your candidates are, and I'll consider them."

"Guo Qiang, Wei Hualing, Liu Bin, and..." Jiang Yu turned to look at Wu Kenan. "You've been with me for quite a while now. I made you a promise—do you want to go on a show?"

He had made that promise some time ago, but because of his heavy workload recently, he hadn't been able to fulfill it.

As for Wu Kenan, although they had originally been on opposing sides and Wu had been forced to scheme against him, Wu had proven extremely loyal afterward, even risking his own reputation. Jiang Yu had always wanted to help him return to the stage.

Wu Kenan was tempted upon hearing Jiang Yu's words. After a moment of consideration, he shook his head. "I want to continue being your assistant."

"What are you thinking? I'm offering you a chance and you're turning it down," Jiang Yu said, sounding exasperated.

Wu Kenan smiled. "After being your assistant for all this time, I've realized that the entertainment industry isn't somewhere an ordinary person can easily survive. If I went back in, there's no telling when I'd be chewed up and spat out with not even my bones left. It's much safer and more stable just being your assistant. I don't want to be in the music circle anymore. But if you end up filming a drama later on, make sure to give me a role."

"Have it your way!" Jiang Yu glared at him.

After the two finished speaking, Su Ling resumed the conversation. "Actually, the list I finalized for this time consists of the exact three people you just mentioned."

"Well, that works out wonderfully!" Jiang Yu smiled, then turned serious. "Right, Auntie, regarding Guo Qiang and Wei Hualing, I have an idea."

"Go ahead."

"Can we have them form a duo?"

"You want them to form a group?"

Jiang Yu nodded. "I've participated in shows with them before, and I think they're uniquely suited to form a duo."

Su Ling considered it for a moment. "We can give it a try, but they have to agree to it themselves."

"Right, there's still quite a while before the show starts. I'll talk to them about it."

Su Ling nodded, then looked at Su Muyu. "What about you? What kind of work do you want to take on?"

Su Muyu stretched lazily and said in a languid tone, "I just finished filming a drama, so I want to rest for a few days. After that, I'll be in Jiang Yu's television series."

"You're going to sleep your life away!" Su Ling laughed and scolded her. "There is one more thing the two of you need to participate in, though."

"Auntie, you're really working us to the bone," Jiang Yu muttered, scratching his head. How could one job keep coming right after another?

Su Ling pouted. "How could I possibly overwork the two of you? One is my niece, and the other is my nephew-in-law. I'd rather overwork anyone else than you two."

Su Muyu burst into laughter. "Come on, Auntie, tell us what it is."

"You forgot!" Su Ling looked at Su Muyu. "Around this time of year, what is it that's supposed to happen?"

As she spoke, she handed over two invitations.

Seeing the invitations, Su Muyu finally remembered. "I almost completely forgot—the Bazaar Charity Gala."

"This year's charity gala is different from previous ones; international guests will be attending as well. And among them, a very important figure will be there," Su Ling said with a mysterious smile. "Cameron."

"Him?" Su Muyu looked somewhat surprised.

Jiang Yu, on the other hand, was full of curiosity. "Who is Cameron?"

"Cameron is one of the key figures behind the Oscars."

"Oh..."

Su Ling looked at them both. "The two of you can try to get acquainted with him. You might just break into the international market."

"Alright."

After stepping out of the office, Su Muyu headed back to Tanzhou Palace first.

Jiang Yu pulled out his phone. "Hey, Guo Qiang, you busy today? I've got some free time, let's find a place and grab a few drinks. Liu Bin that brat too—oh, and make sure to call Wei Hualing as well."

"What are you guys in the mood for?"

"Alright, let's meet at the barbecue restaurant downstairs from the company."

......

At the barbecue restaurant downstairs.

Inside a small private room.

The company's artists frequently came here to eat, and the owner was sharp enough to set up several small private rooms specifically so that celebrity artists could dine without being disturbed.

Jiang Yu had already arrived early to order skewers and was waiting.

Before long, the other three walked in together.

The three of them greeted him very politely, "Brother Yu!"

Previously, they could pal around with Jiang Yu on equal footing because they were all on the same level, but now Jiang Yu had far surpassed them. Aside from envy, they felt a deep sense of respect. Combined with the unique senior-respect culture of the entertainment industry, it made them all feel a bit constrained in Jiang Yu's presence.

"Hey, why so formal? We're all our own people, just relax and sit down to eat something first," Jiang Yu said with a smile.

Liu Bin chuckled. "Brother Yu, you haven't changed a bit! Well, then I won't stand on ceremony, haha!"

With that, he immediately dug into the skewers, getting oil all over his mouth.

Liu Bin had loosened up, but Guo Qiang and Wei Hualing were still somewhat reserved, seeing as they had spent a bit longer in the entertainment industry than Liu Bin. To be honest, they deeply envied Liu Bin's carefree attitude.

"Brother Yu, did you call us out today for something specific?" Guo Qiang asked politely.

Jiang Yu rolled his eyes. "Brother Qiang, you've all seen me at my most difficult moments. Was I ever this timid and hesitant around you back then?"

Hearing this, Guo Qiang felt a bit embarrassed, but it helped him relax. "My bad, then! What good news do you have for us by calling us together today?"

As he spoke, he picked up a skewer of squid and began eating with relish.

"That's more like it! Xiao Wei, you don't need to be so uptight either," Jiang Yu smiled.

"I won't beat around the bush with you guys. Let's talk about Guo Qiang and Wei Hualing first. Last time, I mentioned having you two form a duo—have you thought about it?"

Guo Qiang took a sip of beer. "I went back and thought about it very carefully. If anyone else had said that to me, I wouldn't have believed it for a second. But since Brother Yu, you said it, I believe you unconditionally!"

Jiang Yu nodded and shifted his gaze to Wei Hualing.

Wei Hualing lowered her head and remained silent for a few seconds before looking up, her eyes filled with determination. "Brother Yu, I've been in the industry for several years now, and I've always remained a second-tier nobody. I want to take a gamble—I agree!"

Jiang Yu smiled. "Don't worry. I was a bit busy before and the timing wasn't right, but now the opportunity has arrived!"

"The Voice of China has sent me an invitation to be a mentor, and the company plans to push the three of you onto the show."

"Since you trust me this much, while I can't guarantee I'll turn you into front-line superstars overnight, I will definitely give you a result you'll be satisfied with."

"I'm not worried about the other two, but Guo Qiang, you'll need to change your style a bit."

"From here on out, I'm going to custom-tailor songs specifically for the three of you!"

Hearing this, the three of them instantly grew excited.

Jiang Yu was currently the most genius songwriter in the entertainment industry; many people begged on their knees and still couldn't get a single song out of him. And now, he was going to personally custom-tailor songs for the three of them.

Exchanging glances, the three raised their glasses simultaneously.

"Brother Yu, no need for fancy words—it's all in the drink!"