Times have changed!
The old approach of focusing solely on teaching is outdated in this new era.
The content of Professor Fang’s lectures hasn’t changed much from before, yet it’s clear that students now listen to every word she says with greater attention.
The halo of fame has added to Professor Fang’s charisma.
Even her husband, who works at the provincial TV station, has expressed support for her new endeavour.
With all these benefits laid out before her, and with Pan Li constantly encouraging her, Professor Fang has already half-stepped from the purely academic world into the entertainment industry. Producing an album for the top three contestants is a deep collaboration between her and Hunan Province.
Professor Fang’s theoretical expertise is exceptional, but producing a pop album is something she’s never done before.
With her strong personality and high regard for her reputation, having been invited with a hefty sum by Hunan, how could she face anyone if she botched the album?
She genuinely wants to make this album a success.
The top three contestants, Xu Mei, Li Mengjiao, and Zhang Yangning, which one should she choose?
Pan Li’s suggestion is to pick Li Mengjiao.
“You have the skill, and Li Mengjiao has the popularity. Combine the two, and the album’s success is assured.”
Pan Li’s words sound sincere, as if she’s entirely thinking of Professor Fang’s interests.
Among the three contestants, Professor Fang actually prefers Xu Mei.
Xu Mei fits her idea of what a singer should be.
As for Li Mengjiao, it’s not that Professor Fang dislikes her, but Li Mengjiao’s attitude during the competition struck her as unreliable.
Li Mengjiao lacks the drive that Xu Mei has. Making this album feels more like a casual whim for her.
Xu Mei is all-in, desperate to make a name for herself in the industry, while Li Mengjiao seems indifferent, as if it doesn’t matter whether she makes it or not. The girl enjoys singing now, but in a while, she might lose interest. She hasn’t signed a long-term contract with the company, so not breaking into the industry wouldn’t cost her much, she has her family to fall back on!
But Pan Li is right, Li Mengjiao does have the highest popularity.
Even without commercial performances or much exposure, her online popularity remains sky-high, and Professor Fang is reluctant to let that go.
Pan Li urges Professor Fang to choose Li Mengjiao, while Professor Fang weighs the pros and cons.
She’s already received the song list for the top three contestants.
She has a rough idea of which songs suit Xu Mei, which suit Li Mengjiao, and which were tailored for Zhang Yangning.
Among them are three standout tracks, crafted through a collaboration between renowned musicians and famous lyricists from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Labelled as a million-yuan album, these three songs are the most valuable, guaranteed to make whoever sings them a star.
According to the company, the three contestants should each get one of these songs.
But that’s not set in stone.
With three albums and three producers, the one with the most influence could claim the best songs. If manoeuvred well, a producer snagging two of the songs isn’t out of the question.
Though it’s her first time as an album producer, Professor Fang holds considerable sway in Hunan.
She’s not just a music academy professor and a judge for the talent show, her husband’s support has also bolstered her role as a producer this time.
Xu Mei or Li Mengjiao?
Professor Fang isn’t sure.
“I’ll think it over.”
Pan Li nods with a smile, “I was just throwing it out there. The decision is yours, and whoever you choose, it’ll be an honour for them!”
Her words resonate with Professor Fang, who finds them quite pleasing.
Initially, Professor Fang took Pan Li on as an assistant out of pity, but over time, she’s grown somewhat reliant on her. Even someone as resolute as Professor Fang enjoys flattery. As the saying goes, flattery never fails, and Pan Li’s attentiveness suits Professor Fang’s transition to this new work environment.
Pan Li made mistakes in the past and faced due punishment. Professor Fang believes that, moving forward, Pan Li, as well as those she wronged, should look ahead, everyone’s life must go on!
Though Pan Li says it’s Professor Fang’s decision, she secretly hopes she’ll pick Li Mengjiao.
Li Mengjiao has thoroughly offended Xu Mei.
Xu Mei had Fu Jing deliver a set of high-end cosmetics to Pan Li, with an envelope containing five thousand yuan in cash tucked underneath, hinting that she hoped Professor Fang would produce Li Mengjiao’s album. Pan Li understood Xu Mei’s intentions.
Pan Li also dislikes Li Mengjiao.
Li Mengjiao is Wen Ying’s friend, and if Li Mengjiao fails, Wen Ying would surely feel uneasy.
Moreover, Pan Li finds Li Mengjiao’s arrogant attitude grating, not just her, but all girls like Li Mengjiao, those from privileged backgrounds, Pan Li despises them all.
Take Li Mengjiao, effortlessly obtaining what others dream of, yet acting so nonchalant, isn’t it just because her wealthy family gives her a safety net?
Coming from an ordinary background, Pan Li, when bullied, lacks the means to retaliate. Her powerless parents can’t stand up for her, and she envies all these young women who seem to be born into fortune.
If Professor Fang chooses Li Mengjiao, Pan Li vows to make her life miserable, ensuring she falls hard!
…
In the lounge, Wang Shuang looks around curiously.
It’s her first time in a place like this, and she finds it novel.
She heard there’s a professional recording studio here, and during song selection, the top three contestants will get to sing to test their compatibility with the tracks.
“Which producer do you want to pick?”
Three albums, three producers.
One is Professor Fang, a judge from the competition, a familiar face to Li Mengjiao.
Professor Fang was strict with her critiques during the competition but never deliberately harsh. Aside from the fact that she took on Pan Li as an assistant, Li Mengjiao has always had a good impression of her.
The other two producers are Huang Yongjuan, brought in from Beijing, who’s crafted albums for major mainland artists and is highly renowned in the industry. His talent is matched by his temper, earning him the nickname “Commander Huang” for his dictatorial style in the studio, like a warlord of old.
The third is Yuan Fenghui, invited from Taiwan.
Taiwanese idol dramas are currently a massive hit on the mainland, with many young idols debuting and amassing huge fanbases.
Yuan Fenghui single-handedly launched a popular idol boy band, but recently, for reasons unknown, she fell out with her protégés. The boy band, once cosy with her in interviews, suddenly changed tune, publicly complaining to the media about Yuan Fenghui tricking them into harsh contracts and exploiting their commercial value. They issued an ultimatum to their agency, either fire Yuan Fenghui or they’d all terminate their contracts.
As a producer, Yuan Fenghui had made the company a fortune, from TV dramas to music albums, earning her significant credit.
But this idol boy band was the agency’s cash cow, and they were reluctant to let them go.
As soon as the band threatened to leave, other companies began approaching them, offering to cover their breach-of-contract fees.
The agency approached Yuan Fenghui, suggesting she take a step back and reconcile with the band members.
The real money-makers weren’t the producers but the company, after all!
Harsh contracts?
Had she not discovered them, some of these now-famous stars would still be playing bit parts in dramas, working as freelance models, or even employed at hair salons. Now that they’re famous, they turn on her, accusing her of exploiting their commercial value.
Which newcomer’s contract isn’t harsh?
If you want to make it in this industry, you accept its rules, no company is running a charity!
Furious at these ungrateful “white-eyed wolves,” Yuan Fenghui didn’t wait for the company to fire her, she quit on her own.
Taiwan’s entertainment circle is small, and staying there, constantly running into her former agency and those ingrates, was maddening. In a fit of frustration, she came to the mainland seeking new opportunities. Hunan, having tasted success with talent shows, aimed to make the Super Girl brand bigger. With Yuan Fenghui’s star-making experience, they hit it off, and she jumped at their offer.
Yuan Fenghui’s professional calibre surpasses Professor Fang’s, though it’s unclear how she stacks up against Huang Yongjuan.
Wang Shuang, previously only interested in basketball and gaming, had no clue about the entertainment world. This time, accompanying Li Mengjiao to Hunan for song selection, she did her homework thoroughly.
With Li Zhentao absent, Wang Shuang felt she needed to protect Li Mengjiao from schemers and went out of her way to dig into the three producers.
Professor Fang aside.
Huang Yongjuan’s foul temper would likely clash with Li Mengjiao’s, like Mars hitting Earth, neither yielding to the other.
Yuan Fenghui seems suitable.
But Hong Kong and Taiwan tabloids painted Yuan Fenghui as a “villain,” and Wang Shuang worries she might apply the same strict rules she used on the boy band to Li Mengjiao.
There were even rumours that Yuan Fenghui introduced the band members to older, wealthy women. When this leaked, fans rallied against her, calling her a disgusting old woman. Her move to Hunan was partly to escape the fans’ vitriol.
What if Yuan Fenghui tries to set Li Mengjiao up with some rich guy “
Thinking this, Wang Shuang realises Li Mengjiao’s options are limited, it seems Professor Fang is the only choice.
But there’s Pan Li by Professor Fang’s side.
That woman’s no good, what if she sabotages Li Mengjiao?
If they could find a way to get rid of Pan Li, choosing Professor Fang might work.
Wang Shuang falls into deep thought.
Li Mengjiao, however, has none of these concerns. From start to finish, she never considered choosing Professor Fang.
“Anyone but Professor Fang will do.”
It’s not that she dislikes Professor Fang, but Professor Fang employs Pan Li as her assistant.
A woman capable of setting up a honey trap for Wen Ying’s uncle, what kind of person could she be?
A leopard doesn’t change its spots.
Li Mengjiao’s parents say Wen Ying is trustworthy and genuinely looks out for her. Anyone Wen Ying rejects, Li Mengjiao won’t get close to!
No matter how good Professor Fang is, associating with a piece of filth like Pan Li taints her, she’s absolutely not an option.
Li’s mother taps her, “You little brat, saying things like that outside will offend people.”
Li Mengjiao giggles, “I wouldn’t say it in public. Anyway, the company promised to make an album for me, that’s been settled.”
Wen Ying said it, fight for the treatment you deserve, don’t be too arrogant, but don’t let anyone walk over you.
Li Mengjiao resolves to put this into practice.
Shedding her earlier flippant attitude, she decides to choose Yuan Fenghui as her album producer!
