Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

Chapter 301 Jenny's Offer

J Society Building, top floor.

"Xiaoyou, before the second round of performances, I risked being investigated for tax and made a batch of internal tickets to get you to the third place."

"After the latest episode was aired, you should have made a comeback in the rankings, but instead you fell to ninth place. It's really ironic."

In the Buddhist temple where a white bone Buddha statue is enshrined, Matsudaira Jenny, whose sturdy body is faintly visible under his loose monk's robe, is sitting cross-legged on a cushion, looking at his mobile phone with a surprised expression.

"Ahem... Gulp... Sorry, President. I tried my best, but I didn't expect that Xia Fan..."

Takahashi You, who was kneeling under the monk's robe, raised his head with tears in his eyes, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

"I didn't expect that his dancing skills are better than yours, right?"

Matsudaira Johnny sighed silently.

"This Burning-type Xia Fan is in the first position, running further and further away..."

"For this show, I specially transferred Akimoto to run it. What on earth does he do for a living?"

He glanced at the real-time ranking of the "Idol Birth Festival" on his phone, frowned slightly and opened the address book...

"Oh? Could it be that my words have reached the point where 'what I say will come true'?"

The next second, a call from "Akimoto Manjiro" appeared on his phone screen.

"Be quiet."

Matsudaira answered the call only after holding down the back of Takahashi Yu's head and forcing him to surrender.

"Akimoto... I hope what you want to say is the same as what I am thinking."

"This new guy from the Burning Department is so special that even you are helpless?"

"But the last time the people from the Brokerage Division made an acquisition offer to the Burning Department, it was rejected..."

"Okay, I understand. I'll go find that old guy in person and give him some face."

After hanging up the phone, Songping's expression was a little complicated.

"President... that was Director Akimoto..."

Takahashi You raised his head and asked with some concern.

"Did I ask you to look up?"

But before he could finish his words, Matsudaira pressed him down again.

"Mr. Zhou, long time no see, are you feeling well?"

After calming down, Matsudaira dialed the number of "Shou".

"I'm still in good health, playing golf, so don't worry about me, Jenny. I don't come to you for no reason, just tell me what you have to say."

On the other end of the line was the weathered and loud voice of Be Company's president, Suho.

In the background, you can faintly hear the sound of a swing and the cheers of "good shot" from others.

In an oligopolistic industry like the District 11 entertainment industry, the bosses of several leading entertainment groups are naturally "old acquaintances" who have known each other for many years.

"Let's be frank. Your trainee disrupted my biggest talent show this year..."

"Name your price. I want to buy out Xia Fan's agency contract."

Suppressing the anger in his heart, Matsudaira spoke calmly and got straight to the point.

"Xia Fan's agency contract?"

"Remember, our performing arts department has already declined your company's inquiry last time?" Zhou Fang pondered for a moment before answering slowly.

"Hey, I asked for the price myself, so of course we're talking about more than just money. In addition to Xia Fan's 'liquidated damages' calculated at fifty times the current popularity, there's also the debut position other than the C position in this 'Idol Birth Festival', the spot in the Red and White Songs Contest, the schedule of the NHK TV program, the role in the investment movie..."

"These are the resources under my J Company. If you like them, just ask..."

Matsudaira Jenny smiled playfully and made a bold offer...

"Hmm...what..."

Before Zhou Fang on the phone could say anything, Takahashi Yu, who was busy working below, let out a muffled cry of surprise.

You know, although J Company is not as large as the Burning Company, it has an absolute monopoly in the field of boy group idols, as well as related industries such as music, variety shows, concerts, movies, TV dramas, etc. Be Company has always coveted these markets but has been unable to get involved.

What surprised him was that in order to obtain Xia Fan's agency contract, Matsudaira Jenny was willing to offer almost "unlimited" resources as bargaining chips.

What is more worrying is that if Xia Fan also becomes a member of J Company, then the "first script of counterattack" in his hand will change hands, right?
"As expected of Jenny, right from the start, he made an offer that was hard for me to refuse."

On the other end of the phone, there was a hint of smile in Zhou Fang's voice.

"So, what Mr. Zhou wants is..."

Just when Matsudaira was getting ready to listen to the other party's "lion's mouth"...

"I'm sorry, but I can only decline your company's kindness."

"Xia Fan is not for sale at Bethesda. His value is far beyond the measure of a top idol."

Zhou Fang decisively rejected his proposal.

"What... Mr. Zhou, you should know how many ways our J Club has to ban a trainee."

"Even if Xia Fan takes my debut spot in the end, the limited group contract is still in my hands. I can completely hide him until he is forgotten by the public."

Faced with this unexpected answer, Matsudaira's chest heaved, and he spoke earnestly and patiently.

"Whether it's the Yakuza or the entertainment industry, every industry has its own rules. I'm certainly aware of that."

"President Matsudaira, just follow the rules. Don't mind it."

But Zhou Fang showed no sign of wavering.

Although Matsudaira Johnny's words sounded threatening, they were sincere...

For J Company, which has a monopoly on "idol resources", they have ten thousand ways to make an idol disappear from the public eye and fall into the abyss of "oblivious death", including banning, hiding, bloodsucking, smearing and even underworld means.

If he was just an ordinary trainee signed by a subsidiary company of the Burning Department, no matter how talented he was, Suo Fang would not and would not have to refuse the generous acquisition conditions offered by Matsudaira Johnny.

But the person the other party wanted to buy was Xia Fan.

No, to be precise, it is "coming down to earth"...

The creator of the phenomenal singles "Sakura" and "Red Lotus" in the first half of the year, the new monster music star who has made major entertainment companies suffer in fear of his next work until now, has come to earth.

In the entertainment industry of District 11, if idols and comedians are cheap products produced on an assembly line and available in large quantities, then excellent creators are irreplaceable works of art hand-carved by masters.

In Zhou Fang's opinion, Xia Fan participated in the "idol audition" just for fun, and he didn't care whether the results were good or bad.

However, Xia Fan and Bethesda have only signed a non-exclusive creative contract. The identity of the music creator "Xia Fan" is currently the company's top secret and must not be leaked to the outside world...

If Xia Fan was banned by J Company and could not make a successful debut, or if his idol career was in slump after his debut, it would be something he would be happy to see happen.

With Xia Fan's talent, if he gave up the idea of ​​showing off on stage and focused on behind-the-scenes creation, he might be able to produce a few more hit songs.

(End of this chapter)