Entertainment: Starting with a Song of Rice Fragrance

29. Flying Entertainment's Sincerity

It was during Zheng Ning's second night performing at the bar.

"Sizzle~"

A green taxi sped up and came to a smooth stop in front of the tavern.

"This is it, the famous little bar, where Zheng Ning performs."

The middle-aged male driver enthusiastically introduced the slightly aloof office lady sitting in the back seat.

"Look how many people there are. They all know he's coming tonight, so many people have come here in advance to wait for him."

"Thank you, driver. People from Shuncheng are so hospitable."

Zhao Lu changed into a pair of comfortable flat leather shoes this time. Still dressed in a white casual suit, she got out of the car and looked towards the entrance of the bar.

A wooden plaque hangs high above the main entrance, bearing the words "Little Tavern".

"This must be it, but there are so many people..."

She looked up and saw that the room was already more than half full, but there were still groups of two or three drinkers walking in, arm in arm, chatting and laughing.

It's only 6:30 pm and there are already so many people here; this is definitely not a normal peak time for a bar.

"But I finally made it. Hopefully I won't miss it this time."

She tiptoed and squeezed her way in. The people around her initially looked disgusted at being squeezed, but when they turned around and saw that she was a beautiful woman, they immediately stopped caring and even made room for her to pass.

At this moment, they are in the boss's private booth.

Zheng Ning was chatting with Zhao Gang. Kai Zi was also there today. The three of them were having a great time chatting over three glasses of juice and a fruit platter.

"Ningzi has now stabilized at 13th place. The one above her can't surpass her, but the one below her can't catch up either."

Kai looked at his phone with a hint of regret.

"Come on, you're still not satisfied? Thirteen! That's the result of fierce competition among countless new singers promoted by well-known companies!"

Zheng Ning picked up the juice and took a small sip, saying with a mix of pride and nonchalance.

"I'm already quite satisfied with this ranking. Could I actually break into the top 10?"

"Hey Ningzi, I don't like what you're saying. Why can't you break into the top 10?"

Zhao Gang picked up his cocktail, took a big gulp, and slammed it down on the table.

"With such a great voice and such an outstanding song, I think it's only right that you not only make the top 10, but even the top 5!"

"Hehe, thank you for thinking so highly of me, but one should at least have basic self-awareness. I haven't spent a single penny on packaging and promotion, how could I possibly break into the top ten? Wouldn't all the money those other companies spent be wasted?"

"Oh? So Mr. Zheng is worried about not having a company to handle his packaging and promotion? Perhaps I can offer some assistance in that regard?"

The three were chatting when suddenly a pleasant female voice came from the side.

"Huh?"

Hearing this abrupt interruption, the three of them turned around at the same time, only to see a well-dressed, capable office lady in her thirties, wearing a white casual suit, smiling at them.

"You said...you can help Ningzi with her company's packaging and promotion? May I ask who you are?"

The newcomer's attire and makeup clearly indicated that he was no ordinary person. Having seen the world through his father's influence, Zhao Gang immediately became serious and tugged at Zhu Kai, who had a nonchalant expression, beside him.

"Hello, I am Zhao Lu, a senior agent from Feiyang Entertainment. This must be our great singer Zheng Ning. This is my business card."

She recognized Zheng Ning's handsome face from the three of them early on; she had seen him countless times in videos. She smiled slightly at the two people next to her and then handed her business card to Zheng Ning.

"Flying Entertainment? Agents?"

Zheng Ning was shocked as she accepted the rather luxurious business card. Looking down, she saw that it really did have those words written on it!

"Great, Ningzi, Feiyang Entertainment has also approached you about signing a contract!"

Zhao Gang couldn't help himself this time and burst into laughter, patting Zheng Ning on the shoulder.

"Ningzi, you're amazing! It's only been a few days, and two of the three giants have come to see you. You really have a lot of influence!"

Zhu Kai happily picked up his cup and took a big gulp.

"Oh? Did another one of the three giants also come to see you, Mr. Zheng Ning?"

This time, it was Zhao Lu, who had a calm expression, who was surprised.

He thought he had already valued Zheng Ning's talent and ability enough, and had been thinking about signing him a few days ago.

I never expected that a competitor would try to get there first.

"Ah, yes, Ms. Zhao, an agent from Xinghai Entertainment also came to see me a few days ago."

Zheng Ning stood up and politely gestured for Zhao Lu to sit down. Zhu Kai, being quite perceptive, stood up and made room for Zhao Lu to sit next to him.

"May I ask what kind of conditions they offered you? Judging from your expression, you probably haven't decided whether you want to go with them yet."

Hearing Zheng Ning's tone, the well-informed Zhao Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She could hear the regret and helplessness in his tone, though he concealed it well.

"Ah... I can't disclose that right now. If you have any conditions, please list them out now so our friends can have a reference."

Having never experienced business negotiations before, I was about to state the conditions offered by the other party.

But Zhao Gang stopped her, smiling politely at Zhao Lu.

"Hehe... I was presumptuous. Alright, then let me tell you about our conditions for Feiyang."

"Mr. Zheng Ning, because of your outstanding performance of 'Rice Fragrance' on this year's Newcomer Champion Chart, we have decided to sign you as our contracted singer and also as a composer in our composition department."

She took out a thick stack of A4 paper from her briefcase, held it with both hands, and solemnly handed it over.

"Our plan is to invite you to become one of our C-level contracted singers. That is to say, we will give you the contract treatment of a C-level singer, which is equivalent to a third-tier singer. We will give you about 500 million yuan a year for publicity and packaging, as well as a certain amount of various announcements."

"Huh? My friend sings so well and can also write songs, and you only gave him a third-rate singer rating?"

Zhu Kai, who was standing to the side, interrupted her impatiently before she could finish speaking to the outside.

"Hehe, sir, please be patient, I haven't finished yet."

Despite being interrupted, Zhao Lu wasn't angry at all; instead, she smiled patiently and spoke.

"Don't interrupt, let him finish speaking first."

"Hehe, okay. But that was our initial plan. At that time, your 'Rice Fragrance' was ranked outside the top 20."

"But when its name surged to number 13 and firmly pinned one of our rising stars on the list, I realized that such a contract was simply not enough to prove your worth."

He reached out and snatched the contract that Zhao Gang was still carefully reviewing from his hand, and then took out another stack of contracts from his briefcase.

"So, with my absolute authority, I took it upon myself to change your contract to a B-level contract, and to the treatment of a second-tier singer."

"We will provide you with approximately 2000 million yuan annually for advertising and packaging, as well as various announcements in accordance with the terms of a Class B contract."