Volume One, Chapter 70: Silly Girl

After receiving affirmation from the teachers, Jiang Yu sent all of his work to them.

Wang Xianjun said directly, “You rascal, composing such wonderful music must have worn you out these past days. Go home and have a good rest. Leave the rest to us old-timers!”

Jiang Yu wanted to politely refuse and join the teachers in the production process—after all, he was simply drawing from his own stockpile and wasn’t actually that exhausted.

But the teachers insisted he take a break. They told him he’d already handled the most difficult part; the rest was up to them. Otherwise, their trip would have been in vain.

Jiang Yu knew they were looking out for him, hoping he could return home to rest.

“Teachers, I’m really fine,” he said.

Just then, Wang Xianjun looked at him with a smile and asked, “Don’t be in such a hurry. You still have your solo to prepare. Have you finished the song?”

Jiang Yu was momentarily stumped. He hadn’t chosen a song for his own performance at the National Day show yet. His backpack was full of songs, but now he was paralyzed by indecision and needed to consider carefully what to sing.

So he stopped arguing, and immediately bought a ticket home to Jiangxia.

He had planned to report back to the company right away, but unexpectedly, he ran into Su Muyu’s assistant, Xiao Zhu, on the road and learned about the situation. He also found out what Su Muyu was planning.

Thus he rushed over, arriving just in time to overhear Su Muyu and Su Ling discussing matters.

“Jiang Yu, you’re back?” Su Ling called out.

Su Muyu slowly turned around. Upon seeing that familiar face, she broke into a smile.

Jiang Yu didn’t reply to Su Ling. He simply looked at Su Muyu, smiling. “I’m back.”

“You’re back already? Have you finished everything?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s all done. The lyrics and music are written. The teachers said they’d handle the rest.”

Su Muyu nodded, saying nothing more.

“Aunt, please contact Director Yan. I can take part in the next episode,” Jiang Yu turned to Su Ling. “Also, today I’d like to use the music studio to prepare my next competition song.”

“Oh, all right!” Su Ling was taken aback, but nodded.

Jiang Yu turned back to Su Muyu. “Let me take care of the rest from here.”

“Very well.”

A faint smile played at Jiang Yu’s lips as he strode into the music production room.

But no one noticed the hateful gaze fixed on him from a shadowy corner.

After work, a figure slipped quietly into the music studio.

...

“What did you say? Jiang Yu is back?” Li Gang shouted in the offices of Star Entertainment.

Li Jiang nodded. “Yes, that Li Hao came over and informed us. Jiang Yu returned yesterday, and he’s already prepared a song for the next episode.”

Li Gang frowned. He hadn’t expected Jiang Yu to return so quickly.

“Dad, don’t worry,” Li Jiang said with a faint smile. “Li Hao also brought us a great gift!”

“What gift?”

Li Jiang turned to a staff member. “Go, bring Li Hao up.”

Soon, Li Hao entered. “Chairman Li.”

Li Gang turned with a smile. “I hear you have quite a gift for me?”

Li Hao grinned obsequiously. “I managed to get hold of the song Jiang Yu will use in the next round. He just wrote it.”

“What did you say?” Li Gang’s eyes widened. “Hurry, let me see it!”

But Li Hao shook his head—he wasn’t so foolish as to reveal his trump card right away. “Chairman Li, such a great gift shouldn’t just be handed over so easily...”

Li Jiang, standing to the side, was furious. “And who do you think you are, setting terms for my father!”

“Hey, Li Jiang, mind your manners,” Li Gang intervened, smiling pleasantly at Li Hao. “My son has a temper. Don’t take it personally. Go ahead, state your terms.”

Li Hao’s eyes gleamed with ambition. “At the very least, I want an A-level contract, you pay my penalty fees, and I want resources. I want to be placed on the hottest shows. I want all of this written into the contract—only then will I hand over the song.”

“Impossible!” Li Jiang roared.

Li Gang raised an eyebrow. “That’s fine. Li Jiang, have legal draft a contract.”

“Dad!”

“Go now.”

Li Jiang had no choice but to leave the office. After a while, he returned, contract in hand, and handed it to Li Hao.

Li Hao took it eagerly and looked it over carefully.

“The contract duration is too long. At most, I’ll sign for two years at a time,” Li Hao said after reading it.

“I warn you not to push your luck!” Li Jiang snapped, jabbing a finger at his nose.

An A-level contract typically required a minimum five-year term. The company would be investing heavily, and if they couldn’t recoup their money from him, the losses could easily mount into the millions.

“No problem,” Li Gang, as chairman, was well aware of the risks but agreed nonetheless. “Have legal draft a new contract!”

After some time, the revised contract was produced. Li Hao checked it and looked satisfied.

Seeing Li Hao’s expression, Li Gang said at just the right moment, “Welcome to Star Entertainment.”

“Thank you, Chairman Li. I’ll work hard!” As he spoke, he pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to Li Gang.

Li Gang immediately examined it but frowned. “Just the lyrics?”

“Yes, after Jiang Yu finished composing, he took the music away. I dug this draft of the lyrics out of the trash.”

“All right, you may go. I have work to do.”

Li Hao nodded and left, beaming as he clutched his contract.

Once Li Hao had gone, Li Jiang pointed furiously after him. “Dad, what’s he worth? He’s a nobody! Do we really have to sign him on such generous terms?”

Li Gang calmly studied the draft. “Didn’t we just get Jiang Yu’s lyrics? I must say, Jiang Yu is truly talented—these lyrics are excellent. Go find the two best arrangers and have them set this to music.”

Seeing his father’s lack of reaction, Li Jiang was even more frustrated. “Dad, I’m talking about that guy!”

Li Gang looked up. “I’m your father. I built Star Entertainment from nothing. Do you think I’m a fool?”

“Then why—”

“It’s just a contingency. If Huayue Entertainment decides to pursue the matter of the stolen song, we can pin everything on him. If it blows over, and he’s with us, getting rid of him will be child’s play.”

Li Jiang’s eyes lit up. “I get it, Dad. I’ll go find the arrangers.”

“Good. Once the music is ready, give it to Xu Kun. He has the opening number for the next episode.”

“Understood.”

Three days later.

“Two and a Half Years as an Idol” was about to start filming again.

On this day, Jiang Yu arrived once more at the hotel already reserved for him...