DAEYTT **Chapter 14: A First-Tier Contract Doesn't Measure My Worth**

Qin Xuerong dragged her tired body back to her place, flopping onto the sofa without wanting to move. She was wearing professional attire that accentuated her curvy figure. She picked up her phone and saw several @ messages in her classmate group. Opening it, she found several messages with the same link.

"Xue'er, look at this video. Do you know this uncle?"

"Class monitor, come and see, do you recognize this titanium straight man?"

Qin Xuerong clicked on the link, which led to a video on Weibo. Seeing Wang Qian on the video's cover, she immediately sat up from the sofa, her eyes lighting up with excitement, quickly clicking to watch.

"This guy is actually the owner of Haidilao? I just went to Haidilao a few days ago, too bad I didn't run into him."

Qin Xuerong muttered to herself, "He's avoiding me. Hmph, I’ll go to Haidilao to eat right now."

She glanced at Su Feier in the video and confidently said, "Hmph, this internet celebrity isn't as pretty as me."

Immediately, Qin Xuerong quickly freshened up, changed into casual clothes, and put on light makeup before heading out!

Driving her small sports car to the Haidilao in the video, Qin Xuerong was stunned by what she saw.

The street outside the Haidilao was packed with people. The entrance of the restaurant was filled with customers waiting for a table, and those who couldn't sit had to stand outside. There were also many young people and small internet celebrities trying to catch a glimpse of the titanium straight man uncle.

Small internet celebrities were live streaming around the restaurant, hoping to catch Wang Qian on camera and maybe become professional internet celebrities themselves.

After finding a parking spot and walking to the Haidilao entrance, Qin Xuerong found it impossible to get in due to the crowd. At the door, Tang Feifei was using a microphone to address the crowd.

"Dear guests, we apologize, but Haidilao is completely full today, with over 500 people on the waiting list. Realistically, only about 150 can be accommodated. For those further down the list, I suggest coming back earlier tomorrow! Also, our boss is not here today. He doesn't come often, so there's no need to wait if you want to see him. I don’t know when he’ll be back!"

"We're very sorry!"

Tang Feifei stood on the steps, bowing to the dense crowd below.

Qin Xuerong stood among the crowd, feeling helpless.

She couldn't just rush up and tell Tang Feifei, "I know your boss," could she?

Just as she was thinking about it, two young women approached Tang Feifei, saying, "Manager, we know your boss and need to talk to him. Can you contact him for us?"

Qin Xuerong disdainfully glanced at the two women in hot pants showing off their long legs.

Tang Feifei smiled politely, "I'm sorry. Our boss can't come over. If you know him, please contact him yourselves."

The two women awkwardly smiled, then quickly turned and left.

Qin Xuerong thought for a moment and then approached Tang Feifei, "Manager, I want to get a membership card and top it up!"

Tang Feifei maintained a polite smile, "Sure, Miss. Please follow me."

After quickly filling out the information, Tang Feifei handed the membership card to Qin Xuerong, "How much would you like to top up?"

Qin Xuerong took out her bank card, "Full amount."

Tang Feifei was stunned, blinking, "How much is the full amount?"

Qin Xuerong playfully smiled, "Ten thousand yuan."

Tang Feifei blinked again, confirming, "Are you sure about topping up ten thousand yuan?"

Qin Xuerong: "Yes."

The people behind her in line were shocked by the amount and turned their curious gazes toward her, seeing a beautiful girl who was also so rich.

Qin Xuerong nodded affirmatively, "Yes, ten thousand should be enough for my meals this year! By the way, how much do I need to top up to have your boss dine with me?"

Pfft!

A woman in line behind her burst out laughing.

Tang Feifei also smiled, quickly responding, "Sorry, we don't offer that service."

Qin Xuerong laughed, "Just kidding! By the way, when you see Wang Qian, tell him I'll come by every day."

Tang Feifei widened her eyes, taking a closer look at Qin Xuerong, realizing that this beautiful girl probably did know her boss. She smiled, "Sure, I'll pass on the message. Anything else I can help you with? Given today's crowd, you probably won't get in. As a premium member, you can enjoy phone reservation services. Next time, you can call half an hour in advance to reserve a spot or get on the waiting list."

Qin Xuerong leaned closer to Tang Feifei, whispering, "Can you give me Wang Qian's phone number?"

Tang Feifei pursed her lips and smiled, knowing that Qin Xuerong might not be as familiar with her boss as she claimed. She replied, "Sorry, you should ask him for it yourself."

Qin Xuerong laughed, turned, and left.

She didn't go home but sat on a bench across the street from Haidilao, holding a cup of milk tea. Her expression was calm as she watched the entrance of Haidilao, wearing earphones with three songs on loop: "Once You," "Ordinary Road," and "Alive."

She stayed there until Haidilao closed.

She watched as Tang Feifei and the employees went home, then walked to her car and drove back home.

...

In Shanghai's Tomson Riviera.

Li Qingyao, wearing pajamas, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the Huangpu River with a glass of milk in her hand.

"I once crossed mountains and seas."

"And also passed through crowds..."

"I once asked the whole world."

"Never got an answer..."

The song played in the living room.

Then the prelude to "Alive" began.

"Every day standing on tall buildings."

"Watching the little ants below..."

Li Qingyao slowly finished her milk, then lay on the sofa, covering herself with a blanket. She didn't turn off the music, letting the three songs play on loop as she slowly drifted into sleep.

...

Morning.

Wang Qian woke up earlier than usual, first checking the page of his computer that he hadn't turned off. He refreshed the data on the Tengfei Music website.

"Once You," 21,090 plays, 20,801 downloads.

"Ordinary Road," 24,899 plays, 23,798 downloads.

"Alive," 18,906 plays, 18,780 downloads.

Overnight, the numbers for all three songs had significantly increased.

Moreover, Wang Qian saw that "Once You" and "Ordinary Road" had both entered the top fifty on the original song monthly chart, though they were near the bottom. Still, it was a good start.

Feeling refreshed, he quickly washed up, left with a bit of stubble, and headed out.

He took a car to the hotel where "The Voice" crew was staying.

He Dongming was already waiting at the entrance.

"Today, all the contestants selected for the blind auditions are coming to sign contracts. If they ask you to sign with their agency, just be non-committal."

He Dongming whispered to Wang Qian.

Wang Qian nodded, "I understand!"

Having spent over ten years in the entertainment industry in his past life, he was well-versed in these matters.

The two of them entered a large conference room inside the hotel, where a dozen contestants were already signing contracts. Some had brought along agents, indicating they were already with agencies, while most of the others had come alone.

When Wang Qian walked in, everyone looked at him with curiosity. After all, Wang Qian had become somewhat of a small internet celebrity, especially locally in Shanghai, where his fame was higher.

A few seemed like they wanted to greet Wang Qian but hesitated, possibly because of his status.

Zhou Qinghua personally handed a contract to Wang Qian. "Wang Qian, this is the program's contract. You don’t have a management company yet, do you? Want me to recommend one?"

Wang Qian took the program contract and looked it over carefully. He smiled, "Thanks for your concern, Director Zhou. I'm not in a hurry to sign with a management company. I'd like to wait a bit longer."

Zhou Qinghua asked, "You want to wait until your popularity rises to sign a better contract?"

Wang Qian nodded in agreement, "Of course! I don't want to sell myself cheaply."

Zhou Qinghua advised, "But you're currently in the rising phase of your popularity. You need a management company to help you stabilize it. You can't handle everything on your own, and you’re not professional enough. This will put you at a disadvantage compared to other newcomers. Over time, the gap will widen, and it could lead to you failing to debut."

Fail to debut? Was that a subtle threat?

Wang Qian shrugged indifferently, "If I fail, then I'll just go back to running my hot pot restaurants."

Zhou Qinghua was speechless. Last night, he had asked someone to investigate and found that Wang Qian's two hot pot restaurants in Shanghai were booming, usually packed during meal times, with each location’s monthly revenue estimated at over four million yuan.

That was terrifying. Two locations, with annual revenue over 100 million yuan? If he fails to debut, he'll just go back to being a billionaire?

Zhou Qinghua felt at a loss with Wang Qian. Wang Qian's appearance indicated maturity and a steadfast mind. Otherwise, he couldn't have been successful in his early thirties, opening two such popular restaurants.

Threats? It seemed Wang Qian was just here for fun. If things didn't go his way, he might just leave the game, potentially harming the show's reputation if it got out.

After some thought, Zhou Qinghua said, "What if I could help you get a first-tier contract?"

He still wanted to sign Wang Qian to his company. Offering a higher contract wasn't a big deal since his company wouldn't lose much; it just meant less exploitation.

Wang Qian smiled, "Don't laugh, Director Zhou, but I feel that a first-tier contract might not measure my worth."

Zhou Qinghua widened his eyes at Wang Qian, trying to see if he was joking. He found Wang Qian's gaze sincere, as if he truly believed a first-tier contract wasn't enough for him.

"Mr. Wang, you haven't officially debuted yet. Right now, you're at best a somewhat popular independent singer. A first-tier contract is already way beyond your current level!"

Zhou Qinghua reminded him.

Wang Qian shook his head seriously, "I don't think it's enough."

Zhou Qinghua felt helpless, stood up, and extended his hand to Wang Qian, "Then I can only wish you success in surpassing the first tier. Good luck!"

Wang Qian also stood up and shook Zhou Qinghua's hand, "I will!"

After watching Zhou Qinghua leave, Wang Qian checked the contract again and found no issues. It was a standard contract for contestants, with no overly harsh terms, just requirements for contestants to follow the director's instructions and pre-approve song choices to allow time for the program to secure the rights.

Wang Qian didn't need to buy cover song rights. He would sing his own songs.

He swiftly signed his name on the paper.

Wang Qian handed the contract to He Dongming.

He Dongming gave Wang Qian a thumbs-up, then quickly collected the contract and left.

"Hey, Wang Qian!"

A voice called from behind, accompanied by a pat on the shoulder.

Wang Qian turned to see Ma Yunlong, whom he had met during the auditions. He smiled and greeted him, "Hello."

Ma Yunlong, feeling quite familiar, sat down next to Wang Qian, giving a thumbs-up first, "Bro, you're amazing. The songs you sang in Su Feier's livestream yesterday were great, especially your originals, 'Once You' and 'Ordinary Road.' They are absolutely top-notch. I even paid to download them."

"I didn't expect you to be a hidden big shot."

Wang Qian smiled, "Thank you."

Ma Yunlong leaned in closer to Wang Qian, glancing at the other contestants still reviewing their contracts, "See those guys? They are trainees from big companies. And those independent singers over there are also talking to management companies. I'm meeting some agency people this afternoon. How about you? Have you picked a management company yet?"

Wang Qian shook his head, "I don't plan to sign with one for now."

Ma Yunlong looked closely at Wang Qian, "You're really not signing with a management company?"

Wang Qian nodded seriously.

Ma Yunlong was speechless, "Impressive! So, are you giving up on winning? Without a management company, no one will help you with promotion and hype! Unless your skills are out of this world, how can you compete with others? This year’s contestants are considered the strongest ever, with none just filling the numbers! That Zhu Yan you saw yesterday can sing two and a half octaves."

"And there's that girl from the Central Conservatory, a prodigy who can sing three octaves, with top-notch singing skills, and proficient in various instruments. Her piano skills are said to be at a concert level, and she even declined invitations to perform. She's the hottest contestant this season, signed with Jinghua Entertainment, one of the top four entertainment groups. They have money and resources and are bound to make her a star."

"That guy who looks like a drag queen is a trainee heavily promoted by Tianshan Entertainment. He has undergone two years of professional training in singing and dancing. With his company investing money and resources, you can bet he’ll be a hit!"

"And there are others..."

Wang Qian interrupted Ma Yunlong's introductions, "That's enough. I'm not interested in them. I'll just focus on doing my best."

Wang Qian stood up, patted Ma Yunlong's shoulder, "I'm leaving now. Drop by my hot pot restaurant when you have time."

Ma Yunlong was momentarily stunned, then immediately complained, "I went last night and waited two hours without getting a table."


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