He was in college, but his songs were at the Grammys.

The profit-sharing ratio for S-level contracts is even more outrageous.

The profits will be split 30/70, with Chen Ming taking 70% and the company taking 30%.

How many people in the company's history have received such a contract?

You can count them on one hand.

And those people, which one of them didn't work hard in this industry for more than ten years and earn their status through solid achievements?

What about Chen Ming?

Nineteen years old, one month since her debut.

It should be noted that before this, Chen Ming had only received an A-level rookie contract.

Now they've jumped straight to S-class!

They even removed the word "newcomer" from the contract!

It is truly rare to be promoted several levels at once.

"President Song," someone spoke, their tone hesitant, "Isn't it... too fast?"

Song He looked at the person who spoke, who was a long-time shareholder of the company and was usually very reliable in his words and actions.

"Old Zhang, what's up?"

Old Zhang adjusted his glasses, carefully choosing his words: "I'm not saying Chen Ming is bad; he is indeed very talented, that's obvious to everyone. But an S-level contract, isn't that a bit much? He's only been in the industry for a month, and hasn't even released a single official album yet. What if…"

He didn't finish speaking, but everyone understood what he meant.

What if it doesn't rise afterward?

What if it's just a flash in the pan?

Signing an S-level contract means a real investment of money and a significant allocation of company resources.

Song He did not answer immediately.

He turned to look at the projection screen, at that young face.

After a few seconds, he spoke:

"Old Zhang, I have a question for you."

"Please speak."

"How did you feel after watching that song?"

Old Zhang paused for a moment, recalling how he had felt just now.

What did he feel when that song played?

He recalled the children's innocent yet powerful voices, Chen Ming's steady and firm singing, and the moment when the phrase "When the youth are strong, the nation is strong" struck his heart.

He was silent.

Song He continued, "Let me tell you how I feel. After watching that song, my first thought was, 'This song can be seen by those in power.'"

"Cultural sectors, educational sectors, and even higher levels."

The meeting room was quiet.

"What's most important to us in the entertainment industry?" Song He's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "Making money? Of course, that's important, but what's even more important than making money is security, the path that allows the company to move forward steadily."

"Chen Ming's song is paving the way for the company."

He looked at everyone present.

"Think about it, if someone asks us in the future, 'Which company is Chen Ming an artist under?' How are we supposed to answer?"

No one speaks.

But everyone knows the answer.

A dazzling galaxy.

"With an artist like this, if we don't offer him an S-level contract, are we just going to wait for other companies to poach him?" Song He's voice rose slightly. "Do you believe that someone will call him tonight, someone will ask to meet him tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, someone will offer him better terms than us?"

Old Zhang opened his mouth, as if to say something, but found himself unable to speak.

Song He was telling the truth.

"But..." another shareholder chimed in, "Won't the other artists have objections if we give them S-level contracts?"

This is another practical problem.

There are so many artists in the company, some are A-list, some are B-list, and some have worked their way up for years to finally get an A-list contract.

Now, a newcomer who has only been in the industry for a month can directly surpass them and get an S-level rating.

How can people's hearts be at peace?

Song He remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he said, "So this matter needs to be kept secret."

He looked at everyone present with a serious expression.

"Only those of us here know about the S-level contract. It was signed privately and will not be made public."

"This way, we can retain people without making others envious."

Everyone looked at each other.

That's a pretty clever move.

But it is indeed feasible.

"Wait until he wins a truly prestigious award, or achieves something significant, then we can announce it publicly," Song He continued. "By then, what can anyone say?"

There was a few seconds of silence in the conference room.

Then, someone was the first to nod.

"Okay, I agree."

I agree.

I second that.

No objections.

Old Zhang pushed up his glasses and nodded: "Okay, let's do as President Song says."

Song He leaned back in his chair and let out a soft breath.

He looked at the young face on the projection screen, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Chen Ming, oh Chen Ming...

How many more surprises can you give people this time?

Song He has been a gambling addict his whole life!

Upgrading Chen Ming to a rookie A-level contract last time was a gamble!

Giving Chen Ming the top-tier S-level contract this time is a gamble!

It's just that the stakes are higher this time.

In short, it boils down to two words!

All in!

......

Anya was driving home when she received the call.

The name flashing on her phone screen made her heart skip a beat; it was Song He.

Making a phone call at this time usually means something bad is going to happen.

She pressed the button on her Bluetooth headset: "President Song?"

"Anya, come to the company tomorrow morning," Song He's voice came through the earpiece. "Bring Chen Ming's contract with you."

Anya was taken aback: "Chen Ming's contract? Is there a problem?"

"No problem, it just needs an update."

"Update?" Anya didn't understand. "Wasn't the A-level contract just signed recently? What needs to be updated?"

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Then Song He spoke, his tone as calm as if he were asking what to have for dinner:

"Not Grade A, it's Grade S."

Anya's hand holding the steering wheel trembled slightly.

She quickly steadied the car and pulled it over to the side of the road.

"President Song," she took a deep breath, "what did you just say?"

"An S-level contract." Song He repeated, "The company just finished a meeting and unanimously approved upgrading Chen Ming's contract to S-level, with a 30/70 split, he gets 70% and the company gets 30%, and a guaranteed annual salary of one million."

"The terms will be agreed upon privately and will not be disclosed to the public at this time."

"Come to the company tomorrow and complete the initial procedures."

The other end of the phone went quiet.

Anya, holding her phone, stood frozen in the driver's seat.

Chen Ming previously held an A-level rookie contract, which already made many people within the company envious.

Now they've jumped directly to S-level and even dropped the "newcomer" label.

This……

"President Song," Anya finally found her voice, "Are you sure?"

Song He didn't respond: "An Ya, you've been with me for so many years, when have you ever seen me lose a bet?"

Anya was taken aback.

赌。

She was all too familiar with that word.

Song He has a problem: he's face-blind and can't remember unimportant people.

But he also has a knack for judging people very accurately.

Anyone he deems important will have their face memorized without hesitation, and then he will invest heavily, pouring resources into them relentlessly.

Some people privately call him a "gambling dog".

But he won most of those bets.

The company's current pillars of strength were all "gambled" on by him back then.

"But..." Anya wanted to say something more.

"Anya," Song He interrupted her, "Did you watch the live stream just now?"

Anya remained silent.

Of course she saw it.

When the song "Ode to Young China" played, she was downstairs at her company, sitting in her car, staring at her phone screen.

When the children's voices merged with Chen Ming's voice, and when the phrase "When the youth are strong, the nation is strong" pierced through the screen, her eyes reddened.

Song He felt he didn't need to explain anything anymore, so he said, "This kind of artist is worth taking a gamble on. You can inform Chen Ming."

The phone hangs up.

Anya held her phone, leaned back in the driver's seat, and watched the sky gradually darken outside the window.

With Chen Ming's contract being upgraded.

Her salary and bonuses will also increase.

She really struck gold!

At 8 p.m., Anya dialed Chen Ming's number.

"Chen Ming, is now a convenient time to talk?"

"That's convenient, Anya, please tell me."

Anya took a deep breath: "The company has decided to upgrade your contract to S-level."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Then Chen Ming's voice came through, his tone unreadable: "S-rank?"

"Yes," Anya explained, "It's a 30/70 split, with you getting 70% and the company getting 30%, and a guaranteed annual salary of one million. The terms are to be agreed upon privately and will not be made public for the time being."

"This was just decided in a meeting of the company's senior management, and it was unanimously approved. It was personally decided by President Song."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few more seconds.

Chen Ming was indeed a little surprised.

He knew that Brilliant Galaxy had been good to him; last time, they directly promoted him to an A-level rookie contract, which was already quite generous.

But this time...

Skip the A-level selection and jump directly to the S-level?

That's the treatment reserved for top singers.

To put it bluntly, Lin Wei is currently only on a B+ contract. The company will only upgrade her contract once the overall data for this album for the month is released.

And he, a newcomer who debuted a month ago, directly got an S-level?

This can no longer be explained by "generosity".

This is a high-stakes gamble.

I'm betting he'll reach that position someday.

I'm betting he won't be a flash in the pan.

It's worth betting on him.

If he hadn't known for himself that he would definitely be worthy of this contract in the future.

He had to admit that the higher-ups at Brilliant Galaxy had lost their minds.

Either one of the company's wealthy female executives has taken a liking to him.

Chen Ming let out a soft breath.

He suddenly remembered the messages he received on his phone after the afternoon performance.

Several talent agencies acted incredibly quickly; they had already extended offers to him through various channels right after his performance this afternoon.

The conditions are all good.

But none of them are as ruthless as Brilliant Galaxy.

Get it straight to S-level.

That kind of boldness is truly rare.

"Chen Ming?" Anya's voice came through the phone. "Are you listening?"

"Yes." Chen Ming snapped out of his reverie. "Sister Anya, I wanted to ask, is the contract still for five years?"

"Yes, five years, but with an added condition: after five years, if other companies offer similar terms to Brilliant Galaxy, you need to give us priority consideration."

Chen Ming nodded.

This clause is reasonable.

He thought for a moment and then said, "Okay, I agree."

Anya paused for a moment, then smiled: "Okay! Then let's come to the company tomorrow to sign the contract?"

"Okay." As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Ming seemed to remember something and suddenly said, "Sister Anya, I have a request."

"you say."

Do you remember our bet?

Anya was taken aback.

A bet?

She remembered.

That happened at the end of April.

Chen Ming said he would find inspiration in class, but she didn't believe him, so the two made a bet.

Let's bet on a reasonable request.

"I remember," Anya said. "Why, do you need it now?"

Chen Ming smiled: "Yes."

"Speak, what are your demands?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Then Chen Ming spoke, his voice serious: "My request is that you don't disturb my class unless it's absolutely necessary."

Anya was stunned.

That's it?

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but then heard Chen Ming's voice continue:

"Anya, do you know what? When you came to find me during class that day, I already had the inspiration for a song."

Anya's heart skipped a beat.

Chen Ming's voice carried a hint of heartache:

"But! Since then, I've never been able to remember anything after that song."

As he spoke, he let out a sigh.

Chen Ming: ε=(´ο｀*)))

Anya: "..."

She held her phone, frozen in place.

inspiration?

Was she interrupting me?

Chen Ming continued, "I already had the lyrics in the works at that time, listen..."

On the other end of the phone, Chen Ming cleared his throat and then hummed softly:

Keep it simple, keep your way of speaking simple~

"Please omit the progressive emotions~"

"You're not an actor~"

"Don't design those kinds of plots~"

The melody is light and subtle, yet inexplicably catchy.

The sound traveled through the phone and struck Anya's ears directly.

She was stunned.

This melody...

These lyrics...

Although it's only four short sentences, it has that flavor, that texture.

It's definitely a great song.

And it's a very special kind of good song.

After humming, Chen Ming sighed softly, "Alas, it's a pity I can't remember anything after that."

Anya held her phone, her mind completely blank.

Anya didn't believe it at first!

But Chen Ming spoke with great conviction, and even hummed the lyrics and melody of a song, which sounded quite nice!

Moreover, under normal circumstances, given Chen Ming's creative level, he wouldn't need a teacher at all, but he still goes to class on time every day. Maybe what Chen Ming said is true!

Otherwise, I wouldn't specifically demand this of myself!

She remembered that afternoon.

The sun was shining brightly at the end of April.

She went to Jiang Yi to find Chen Ming and told him that "Big City, Small Love" was a hit, and the company wanted to upgrade his contract and take him to record a song.

At that time, Chen Ming said he had to go back to class.

She found it strange, and even a little confusing.

but now……

If what Chen Ming said is true.

If she hadn't disturbed his class that day.

If that song were written in its entirety.

Judging by the quality of Chen Ming's songwriting...

Anya suddenly felt a strange sense of guilt welling up from the bottom of her heart.

She interrupted Chen Ming from writing the song.

She interrupted a song.

This is a song that could become another hit.

A song that might just dominate the charts again.

A song...

"Chen Ming," she began, her voice tinged with guilt, "I'm sorry, I..."

"It's alright, Anya." Chen Ming waved his hand dismissively, his voice relaxed and even magnanimous. "It's just a classic song. With my age and talent, I'll definitely be able to write one in the future. You don't need to blame yourself."

Anya felt even more guilty.

What does it mean to say "it's just a classic song"?

That's a song that can chart!

Chen Ming must feel regretful too; he's just trying to comfort himself now.

What a good child.

She took a deep breath, her tone becoming resolute: "Chen Ming, don't worry! From now on, An Ya won't let anyone disturb your classes! Not even the chairman! I said it!!!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Then, Chen Ming's voice came through, carrying a hint of relief:

"Okay, thank you, Anya."

That's right!

This is exactly the effect I wanted!

hang up the phone.

Chen Ming stood on the balcony, looking at the night view outside the window. He happily put away his phone and looked down at the unopened little egg in his hand, which the mischievous boy had given him.

In a good mood, I'll have some sweets.

......

Chen Ming's request quickly reached Song He's ears.

Song He immediately issued the order to the entire company!

During Chen Ming's class, no one is allowed to disturb him for any reason!

Mr. Song doesn't know how to create art.

However, Mr. Song respects art.