Xu Mei or Zhang Yangning?
Professor Fang hesitated.
Before the call, she hadn’t decided who to pick.
In the lounge, Pan Li slipped in quietly, looking like she had something to say but holding back.
Professor Fang asked General Manager Guan to hold, covering the receiver, “What now?”
Pan Li stared at her toes.
“Zhang Yangning just took two of her own compositions to consult with Teacher Huang Yongjuan.”
Professor Fang’s head buzzed.
What did that mean?!
Li Mengjiao went to Yuan Fenghui, and now Zhang Yangning was copying her, going to Huang Yongjuan?
Huang Yongjuan wasn’t like the disgraced Yuan Fenghui. His production skills were proven in the mainland music scene, his fame far outstripping Professor Fang’s. If she hadn’t been a talent show judge, the gap would be even wider.
No matter how thick-skinned Professor Fang was, she couldn’t claim to be better than Huang Yongjuan.
Li Mengjiao was out, Zhang Yangning was out. Even if Huang Yongjuan rejected Zhang Yangning, Professor Fang couldn’t stoop to picking up someone else’s discard.
Fearing more bad news from Pan Li, Professor Fang’s grip on the receiver tightened. Her mouth was more honest than her pride, and she uncovered the receiver to say Xu Mei’s name.
“Mr. Guan, I choose Xu Mei!”
Professor Fang had no choice. If she didn’t pick Xu Mei now, she feared Xu Mei would pull the same stunt as Li Mengjiao and Zhang Yangning.
If Xu Mei came to her, that’d be ideal.
But if not?
Professor Fang would truly lose face!
By informing Guan first, she avoided embarrassment.
Guan felt a bit sorry for Xu Mei.
But there was no helping it.
The girl hadn’t been quick enough, failing to secure Yuan Fenghui or Huang Yongjuan!
Now that Professor Fang had spoken, Xu Mei would have to bear the slight.
Her first album would be a test run. If it didn’t work out, the company could offer other opportunities later.
Xu Mei was always sensible, surely she’d understand the company’s and his predicament.
To avoid complications, Guan promptly agreed, “Xu Mei is a newcomer we’re especially high on. Handing her to you, Sister Fang, puts my mind at ease. Please take good care of her album!”
Professor Fang wasn’t thrilled, but Guan’s words salvaged some of her dignity.
Pan Li nearly lost her composure.
She’d never expected Professor Fang to pick Xu Mei, or rather, Xu Mei was the only option left!
Recommending Li Mengjiao now would be stabbing Professor Fang in the heart.
Pan Li wanted to cause trouble for Li Mengjiao but didn’t want to annoy Professor Fang, who was still her biggest backer.
Missing this chance, who knew how long she’d have to wait for another?
Li Mengjiao’s luck was unreal!
By some twist of fate, she’d landed Yuan Fenghui as her producer.
Pan Li got the news early but held off telling Xu Mei and Fu Jing.
She feared they’d kick up a fuss if their plan failed, and Professor Fang would find out she’d taken bribes.
Once the company announced the decisions, Xu Mei and Fu Jing wouldn’t have grounds to complain. They’d still have to work together on the album, so they wouldn’t dare fall out with her. The gifts and money in Pan Li’s hands? She wouldn’t return them, what she got was rightfully hers!
…
Without Pan Li’s tip-off, Xu Mei and Fu Jing were clueless about Professor Fang’s decision.
Even Zhang Yangning going to Huang Yongjuan didn’t faze Xu Mei, who thought Zhang Yangning’s cool exterior hid a cunning streak, full of schemes.
The company called everyone to a large meeting room to discuss song selection. Zhang Yangning entered just behind Huang Yongjuan, clearly having won him over.
Yuan Fenghui, in a professional suit, was the second to arrive. Xu Mei stood, warmly greeting, “Teacher Yuan,” pulling out a chair, “Would you like to sit here?”
Yuan Fenghui smiled and nodded, accepting Xu Mei’s gesture, sitting beside her and waving toward the door.
“Li Mengjiao, come in!”
Li Mengjiao bounced in with a grin. Yuan Fenghui scolded her, “Have you got no sense at all?”
Xu Mei’s budding smile froze.
Because while Yuan Fenghui chided Li Mengjiao, she casually pulled out the chair next to her, making Li Mengjiao sit obediently and stay put.
“When Mr. Guan speaks later, just listen. I know which songs suit you.”
Yuan Fenghui said this without any regard for the others in the room.
Xu Mei’s face went pale as paper.
Yuan Fenghui wasn’t scolding Li Mengjiao, she was clearly looking out for her.
…How could Yuan Fenghui have chosen Li Mengjiao?!
