Li Mengjiao’s runner-up finish left her entourage jubilant.
Xu Mei’s championship, however, fractured her support group into factions.
Fu Jing was thrilled, envisioning Xu Mei’s album and rise to stardom.
Qin Yi, happy for her, worried about her future—being a celebrity wasn’t as simple as Fu Jing imagined.
Xu Mei’s parents, while pleased, were laced with frustration. Post-competition, they finally saw her harsh rookie contract.
Ten years long.
A meager profit split, with the company claiming most of Xu Mei’s earnings to recoup their “packaging and promotion” costs.
A seven-figure penalty for breaking the contract.
Xu’s father was livid. “How could you sign this? No way to back out now—where’s our family getting millions to cover that penalty? A ten-year deal—how old will you be then? You were reckless. We thought you were just touring Chengdu with classmates, and instead, you entered a singing contest and signed this behind our backs—”
Others got prize money for competing.
Xu Mei’s “prize” was a supposed million-yuan “personal album.”
Xu’s father, a seasoned middle-aged man, valued tangible rewards, not airy promises.
Xu Mei had traded her prime decade for such a flimsy commitment, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he grew.
Xu’s mother, less heated, still disapproved. “You’ve loved singing since you were little, and I encouraged it, even paid for vocal lessons. I never thought indulging you would lead to this. Why aim to be a star? Our family’s been upright for generations. You’re not like those girls chasing fleeting fame. You got into a top university—what about your studies?”
Xu Mei insisted she’d planned it out and discussed it with the company. She’d balance their demands with her education.
“They want to brand me as an intellectual singer and support my studies. The contract’s tough, sure, but it’s standard for entertainment newbies. Another company might not offer better.”
Back then, the organizers barred contestants from contacting other companies, leaving Xu Mei with little choice if she wanted to break in.
She’d weighed the long term, low split, and steep penalty.
What did it matter? If she got famous, she’d have leverage to renegotiate. If the company refused, she’d break the contract. A seven-figure penalty was astronomical for workers but manageable for a star.
Facing her parents, Xu Mei showed defiance.
The contract was signed—her parents could only scold her. As Xu’s father said, their family couldn’t afford millions to free her.
Among those present, only Qin Yi’s family might have the means, but Xu Mei and Qin Yi were barely a year into dating. Her parents, no matter how brazen, wouldn’t ask his family to foot the bill. They only knew Qin Yi’s family was well-off, a classmate of Xu Mei’s, well-educated, tall, handsome, and a good match.
If they had to nitpick, their sole gripe was that Qin Yi hadn’t stopped her from signing.
Too late now. Unable to pay the penalty, Xu Mei was locked into the contract. Xu’s father demanded to meet the company’s head, seeking assurances that the contract’s favorable terms would be honored.
When would the “million-yuan” album launch?
Was that budget for all three finalists’ albums or a million each?
As champion, shouldn’t Xu Mei’s promotional budget exceed the runner-up’s and third-place’s?
Finally, Fu Jing had a chance to speak. “Uncle Xu, the company will prioritize making Xu Mei a star. The album? No worries—they promised it at the press conference with all those media present. It’s legit.”
Her words faltered as a thought hit her: the organizers promised albums for all three finalists. Could Li Mengjiao, unsigned, still get one?
Would Xu Mei blame her for pushing the contract? Probably not—the company wouldn’t lose money. They’d either force Li Mengjiao to sign like Xu Mei or cancel her album.
Fu Jing pulled Xu Mei aside, whispering, “Keep an eye on this. Find out what terms they’re offering Li Mengjiao. It’s not fair if the runner-up gets better treatment than the champion.”
Li Mengjiao not signing and forgoing the album?
Fu Jing didn’t consider that an option.
No one would pass up such a shot at fame.
Li Mengjiao’s parents, citing her age, were likely holding out for better terms.
Their overreach cost her the championship.
Xu Mei hesitated. “Even if they give her better terms, what can I do? The contract’s signed. If the company won’t budge, I’m stuck…”
Fu Jing leaned in, murmuring a plan.
“…Will that work?” Xu Mei asked.
“Absolutely. You’re not the only one who signed. Think about it—plenty of signed contestants didn’t make the top three, yet an unsigned one did. They’ll feel it’s unfair too.”
If Li Mengjiao held out and signed a better deal, it’d be even more unjust.
Especially for the third-place finalist—outdone by Li Mengjiao in the competition and now in contract terms? Unacceptable.
Fu Jing’s scheme didn’t require Xu Mei to act directly, but she’d reap the benefits.
Xu Mei nodded slowly.
When Qin Yi asked what they discussed, Xu Mei dodged, “Fu Jing was talking about taking leave from school.”
Seizing the opening, Qin Yi raised a concern. “Is Fu Jing planning to be your assistant? The competition’s over, and she’s still not back at school. You’ll have tons of gigs—can’t keep dragging her along for every one. I saw Professor Fang had an assistant. Why not hire one? I’ll try to join you for gigs, but when I can’t, the assistant can.”
Hire an assistant?
Xu Mei was intrigued.
Stars had assistants.
During the Hunan competition, she’d seen Mango TV’s visiting celebrities. The low-key ones had just an assistant; top stars brought drivers, makeup artists, entire entourages, exuding superiority.
To persuade her, Qin Yi pointed to her contract. “Look, it says the company should provide an assistant. You can use their staff or hire someone you trust, and they’ll cover the cost.”
He’d never found the contract so agreeable.
Xu Mei, hooked, dove into the clause with her parents. Fu Jing stood frozen, unable to process it.
