HuaYu: The most muscular director in history!

"I think we can have a proper talk now, Mr. Xiang Nan."

In the office, a young man approached Xiang Nan and extended his hand; he was from Sony's talent agency department.

There's a certain significance to the way people address each other here. In Japanese culture, "Sang" is more commonly used when addressing strangers or peers, while "Kimi" is used when addressing peers but is more often a term of endearment for juniors.

Watanabe's words carried a hint of coercion.

"Watanabe-san, I'd like to think about it in a couple of days. There's a variety show that's going to air tomorrow night."

"Sigh—" Watanabe nodded.

"Mr. Xiang Nan, we hope you will consider this carefully. Sony will consider whatever request you make."

"Yes."

The short meeting ended, and the group began to leave.

Xiang Nan and Chen Yaochuan were the last to leave, which is the unfortunate reality of the Japanese entertainment industry.

"How are you? Are you tired?"

As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, Chen Yaochuan began his belated concern.

"Not tired."

Two simple words, carrying a hint of emotion, but fitting his image as a young person.

Are you angry with me?

"no."

Chen Yaochuan stopped and turned to walk towards the street in the distance, tilting his head at Xiang Nan as he did so.

"Where to?"

"Izakaya."

The two walked along the shopping street without a destination until they came to an izakaya (Japanese pub) with relatively few people, and then went inside.

Welcome!

"Excuse me!"

"What would the guests like to order?"

"Any recommendations?"

Chen Yaocuan knew a few simple everyday phrases.

While he went to order food, Xiang Nan looked around and surveyed the surrounding environment.

The ceiling was lit by round, warm yellow lights, and some Japanese banners with incomprehensible writing hung on the low ceiling. There were no tables and chairs for dining, but rather a long bar counter.

Behind the bar is the kitchen, where customers can see the cooking process directly. Opposite the bar is a small TV showing some TV dramas that Xiang Nan has never seen before.

Xiang Nan sat down on the high stool and took out his phone to take a look.

Still no news. I wonder if she watched the show.

"Xiang Nan, do you like sashimi?"

"Can."

A short while later, Chen Yaochuan sat down next to Xiang Nan, holding two bottles of sake in his hand.

"Can I drink it?"

"Give me some."

The two sipped their sake and watched the chef at work before Chen Yaochuan finally spoke.

"You are the most talented newcomer I have ever seen."

Xiang Nan remained noncommittal. He was a reborn person, and all the songs were plagiarized. What talent did he have? Nothing more than a good-looking appearance and a good voice.

"I really think that it's a waste of your talent for you to become an actor or a director."

"That's not how it's calculated..."

"Let me finish speaking first."

Chen Yaochuan raised his glass and clinked it against his.

"You and President Cui had already discussed the signing, but he didn't expect you to perform so well. Bringing it up again will definitely make you unhappy. Let me tell you something: it's good to have a big tree to lean on."

"Really? I think it's fine to go wherever you have the ability, whether it's Wang Fei or one of the Four Heavenly Kings, it's the same no matter which company you switch to."

"Being a singer can earn you a lot of money."

"I don't want to make money."

Xiang Nan's tone was more serious than ever before. He looked at Chen Yaochuan and, for the first time, revealed his aspirations: "Being a director is my dream, and promoting Chinese-language films to the world is my goal. What's the difference between a person without goals and a salted fish?"

Xiang Nan's words were resounding, and Chen Yaochuan looked at him quietly before finally letting out a sigh.

"Sony is planning to offer you a long-term contract with a revenue split of 8:2. If you insist on the original contract, it will remain a newcomer contract, and you will have to pay for all future marketing and promotion yourself."

Xiang Nan frowned.

This is the final ultimatum!

So, does this mean we have to build our own team and find our own people?

There are three key metrics to consider when selling an album: royalties, profit sharing, and costs.

Royalties + profit - costs equals an artist's pre-tax income.

The higher the royalties and profits, the higher the artist's income, and publicity expenses are also included in the costs.

Now it's like Sony is just washing its hands of the business, only participating in the production and sales of CDs?

The cost of producing CDs is not borne by the company; it is deducted from the singer's income.

What a bad start...

He sensed arrogance again; last time it was Liu's mother, and this time it was Sony, the world's top record company.

Sony also takes a cut and needs to make money, but they would rather earn less than force Xiang Nan to sign the contract, which shows how ruthless they are.

After all, the right to amend the contract is in their hands, and if Xiang Nan breaches the contract, he will face huge compensation.

The contract only covered distribution; Xiang Nan overlooked the promotion aspect when the contract was signed!

"By the way, you don't need to worry about the publicity in Taiwan and Hong Kong."

"Brother Chen..."

Xiang Nan suddenly realized something: Sony would definitely not be kind enough to provide the team and funding; Chen Yaochuan had paid for it himself.

"Stop talking. This is the downside of this industry: blending in with the crowd. Even Jay Chou can't avoid it."

Xiang Nan breathed a sigh of relief.

The entertainment industry is indeed not simple.

"Thank you, Brother Chen."

"You should get your team together sooner rather than later. That Feng Man is quite good; she's shrewd."

"Um……"

Just then, their dishes arrived. Chen Yaochuan didn't mention Sony again, and Xiang Nan tacitly refrained from asking.

What variety shows are airing tomorrow night?

"Play baseball."

"Oh, a national movement!"

"Yeah, I should gain a lot of fans. I hit a home run that day."

"first?"

"Yes! It's the newbie aura, right?"

"Then you exploded!"

As the two had predicted, two major events occurred surrounding Xiang Nan on October 24.

First, Sony did indeed make things difficult and withdrew its funding. However, Sony didn't take back the money already spent on promotion, nor did it try to prevent the project from failing, since a record deal had been signed after all.

The second big thing: Xiang Nan—exploded!

#Here comes the strongest rookie in history!#

#A fledgling dragon from China arrives with the heavyweight title PLANET#

#Xiang Nan, a rising star, has moved millions to tears!#

#Xiang Nan, an incredibly handsome 17-year-old boy who is 190cm tall!#

#First Home Run! Rookie Xiang Nan's Sports Stats Are Off the Charts#

The next day, Xiang Nan sat by the low coffee table in his bedroom, yawning, listening to Feng Man vividly recount the news.

"A beautiful young man rarely seen in three thousand years, with an extremely sensual physique, a sexy voice, and moving music—Xiang Nanjun, a supernova from China!"

"Why 'Your Majesty'?"

"You're a newcomer, you're only 17 years old."

"Tsk—"

Upon hearing the name "Jun," Xiang Nan immediately thought of Watanabe's arrogant attitude; despite being a short man, he had such a high level of arrogance.

"Xiang Nan! Xiang Nan!"

Feng Man waved and skipped, finally getting Xiang Nan's pupils to focus again.

"Xiang Nan, are you thinking about something bad?"

Xiang Nan glanced at her, then got up and walked towards the bathroom.

"Mind your own business. From now on, I'm your boss."

"What kind of boss is this fierce!"

The bathroom door clicked shut, and soon the sound of running water and Xiang Nan's lazy voice could be heard.

"I'm very gentle with others; I suggest you look for the reason within yourself."