Chapter 23: Forced Union, Turmoil Rises Again
[Glory Points +5]
[Glory Points +5]
[Glory Points +5]
...
[Current points balance: 9542.]
Su Bai's Glory Points soared again, reaching nine thousand five hundred, just a few hundred points away from the final dose of the medicine.
Logically, Su Bai should have been quite happy.
But right now, no matter how he tried, he couldn’t feel any joy.
Because all these points had been earned thanks to Director Song Liang, who had sacrificed his own future.
These two thousand points weighed heavily in Su Bai’s hands.
“Hey, by the way, Su Bai, I saw a video posted by Liu Siyen, and there was an interview in it. It said you used to run a company.”
“What kind of company was it?”
“Since you have experience running a company, and Old Song is idle now, since they won’t let us do it, why don’t we just do it ourselves?”
The moment Zhang Mingke finished speaking, Su Bai and Song Liang exchanged a glance.
This idea was actually workable!
Zhang Mingke continued to explain, “Our only advantage now is the inherent charm of the song ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth.’”
“But songs released through short video platforms, no matter how popular, lack credibility.”
“Only when this song is officially released and receives high praise on major music platforms, will it truly be recognized by the authorities.”
“And now, if we want to release the song, it seems we’ll have to go it alone!”
“Since Song Liang and I have both received warnings, I fear no one will dare to sign you, Su Bai!”
After Zhang Mingke finished, the two stared at him in shock.
“Director Zhang, you—you were threatened too?” Song Liang couldn’t believe it. Su Bai might not know how influential Zhang Mingke was, but Song Liang certainly did.
In Beijing, he had considerable power.
Song Liang never expected Huisi Capital’s reach to extend all the way to Zhang Mingke!
Zhang Mingke waved his hand dismissively, showing he didn’t want to elaborate on the topic.
He continued, “You two have to release the song and achieve some results. Only then will I have more say in things!”
“I’m afraid I can’t help you with anything else.”
“Because of this mess, I have to rush back to Yan Jing immediately.”
Although Director Hu had said nothing, Zhang Mingke knew it was inadvisable to have further contact with Song Liang and Su Bai for a while.
If they met too often, someone would inevitably become suspicious.
After finishing the last round of drinks, Zhang Mingke boarded a flight to Yan Jing.
Su Bai and Song Liang exchanged another look.
In each other’s eyes, they saw hope.
And they saw a fire rekindled!
Half a year ago, it was timidity and fear that nearly cost Yang Mengke her life.
That incident had taught Su Bai a lesson.
Sometimes, avoiding problems doesn’t solve them.
The more you retreat, the more your enemies will push you, trampling you further.
“Brother Song, Director Zhang’s suggestion might truly be the only way right now.”
“Are you interested—shall we go all in together?”
Song Liang ran his hands through his greying hair, as if making up his mind.
He picked up his glass and drained it in one gulp.
“To hell with it! We’ve got nothing left anyway—what’s there to fear?”
Su Bai, hearing this, stretched out his hand and gripped Song Liang’s tightly.
After careful discussion, they settled on a plan.
Song Liang would invest ten million, along with all his current resources.
Su Bai, meanwhile, would release his three songs—‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth,’ ‘The Lone Brave,’ and ‘Actor’—through the new company.
And thus, launch the new company with a bang.
Though Song Liang had been cast out, he still had savings.
But he knew full well that this ten million was all he had left of value.
As for his previously vast entertainment industry connections, Song Liang wasn’t sure if anyone would still be willing to work with him.
They agreed: Su Bai would hold 51% of the shares, Song Liang 49%.
It had taken them quite some time to reach this conclusion.
Song Liang knew he wasn’t suited to be the principal figure!
Partly because of his age, partly due to his personality.
That was why Li Xiguang had always overshadowed him for so many years.
Song Liang also realized that if he became the lead of the new company, he might face suppression from certain people in the industry.
Moreover, he knew that the commercial value of Su Bai’s three songs far surpassed ten million—possibly by a wide margin!
The new company’s name: Tiancheng Entertainment Media Co., Ltd., based in the Magic City.
Su Bai considered whether to bring back his former team, which had been disbanded, and finally decided to notify them.
After all, they had worked well together before, and everyone was decent.
“Hey, Zhou Yang, what are you up to?”
“Bro, President Su, I really had no idea those interviewers would use the footage to do something so insane.”
“If I’d known they were interviewing me just to smear you, I would never have said what I did.”
“Since seeing that video, I’ve wanted to call you, but I didn’t know how to explain.”
“That’s why I haven’t contacted you!”
“Bro, I saw another director posted a video clarifying things for you.”
“How’s it going now? Is it impacting you badly?”
“But honestly, Brother Bai, I had no idea you could sing, and so well! You really kept it hidden!”
Su Bai replied impatiently, “Alright, alright, you rascal, don’t I know your temperament by now?”
“The usual Xue’s Barbecue—hurry up! If I don’t see you in half an hour, you’re done for!”
After hanging up, Su Bai smiled at Song Liang.
He explained, “This guy used to work at my company—he’s a good kid.”
“He’s the one in the interview video.”
“Others might think he was slandering me, but I trust him!”
“Because when I was at my lowest, when I needed money most, he gave me every penny he had—fifty-eight thousand six hundred yuan—without keeping a single cent for himself!”
“And it was thanks to his fifty thousand that my sister’s life was barely saved!”
“Don’t say he meant to harm me—even if he did, I wouldn’t blame him.”
“This is a debt I owe him!”
Song Liang nodded, curiosity stirring in his heart.
He wondered what kind of person this loyal young man Su Bai spoke of truly was.
“Previously, almost everything in my company was handled by him!”
“So, if we can get him on board, we’ll avoid a lot of trouble.”
Meanwhile, a video was once again circulating wildly online.
Its content was as follows:
The assistant director Song Liang, who had repeatedly vouched for Su Bai and released videos clearing his name, had now been fired by Xingyue Media, where he served as deputy chief director.
I don’t understand the reason behind this!
But since the parent company—the host of this songwriting competition—could make such a decision, does it mean there’s an untold truth hidden behind the scenes?
As soon as the video was released, it caused yet another uproar.