Perfect Superstar.

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"What do you all think of this new streamer?" Fang Shaohui set down his pen, letting it roll half a meter across the smooth tabletop.

The projection on the wall paused at the moment Lu Chen put down his guitar after finishing 'Blue Lotus Flower'. Fang Shaohui scanned the faces of the company executives in the room, his gaze revealing little.

Tonight's PK Theme Show was 'Whale TV''s biggest promotional event in half a year, an initiative funded by over 5 million and personally launched by General Manager Fang Shaohui. 

While the project and funds weren't huge, as a well-known young executive, Fang Shaohui hoped this event would boost 'Whale TV''s popularity and morale as a prelude to reclaiming past glory.

So, all the executives gathered tonight in the conference room to watch the PK Theme Show together.

The performances of 24 streamers were nearing their end, and naturally, some were rising stars!

One executive hesitated, then said, "This streamer, Lu Chen, seems to be the standout. I think we should offer him a better contract."

They each had detailed profiles of the competing streamers in front of them.

Lu Chen had a basic contract with a signing bonus of only 50,000, which no longer matched his current popularity.

Fang Shaohui nodded expressionlessly.

Another executive spoke up, "His songs are quite impressive. Are they really all original?"

The talent department manager immediately replied, "They are indeed all original. At first, I didn't believe it either."

The 30-something businesswoman couldn't praise Lu Chen enough: "We checked in the 'Greater China Music Library'. Every song is registered under his name. He's a very talented young man!"

"I also think we should sign him and promote him to a larger market!"

Since taking charge of 'Whale TV', Fang Shaohui aimed to expand the platform's resources into broader markets and had even set up an entertainment company. The talent department's main role was to discover and cultivate new stars.

The entertainment industry was the true prize, though it was fiercely competitive.

'Whale TV' wasn't ready to dive headfirst into the fray, but utilizing its resources to reap greater rewards was undoubtedly a strategic goal for the company's future.

Their biggest rival, 'StarryLive', was already implementing a similar plan— and quite successfully!

A smile crept onto Fang Shaohui's face.

The talent manager noticed the change in his expression and continued, "We could create a dedicated project for him, buy out his song copyrights, release an album, and package him as a songwriter-type idol."

"Manager Wang, let's hold on a moment."

Just as she was enthusiastically outlining her plan, a voice interrupted her from the side.

Though displeased, Manager Wang forced a smile and asked, "Manager Wu, what's your opinion?"

Wu Hongming, one of 'Whale TV''s founders and a senior member of Whale Technology, had interrupted her.

Although Manager Wang was close to Fang Shaohui, she couldn't disregard Wu Hongming's opinion.

In a calm voice, Wu Hongming asked, "How much are you prepared to pay to buy his song copyrights?"

Manager Wang paused, surprised by the question. After a moment's thought, she replied, "I was thinking of a 5-year artist contract with a 300,000 annual salary and a 10% profit share, which would include all his songwriting rights."

From her perspective, this contract was extremely generous. For a young talent like Lu Chen, an opportunity to be promoted and groomed for the entertainment industry was a dream come true. Countless newcomers longed to tread the path to stardom.

An annual salary of 300,000 plus a 10% profit share even seemed almost too generous.

Wu Hongming neither agreed nor disagreed, but pointed at the screen, saying, "The song Lu Chen just sang, 'Blue Lotus Flower', has already been sold to Capital City's Qingyu Media Company."

"For 200,000YuaN!"

"That's impossible!"

Manager Wang was the first to exclaim, eyes wide. "That's top-tier pricing!"

Some executives who knew the market were equally shocked. "Is that true?"

A song sold for 200,000 was indeed top-tier pricing, usually reserved for established names. The idea that a newcomer could sell a song at that price sounded like a plot from a fantasy novel.

"There's no impossibility here," Wu Hongming replied calmly. "I've already checked with some contacts in Capital City's entertainment circle, and this deal is widely known. Several agencies have tried to sign him, but he's turned them all down."

"So, I suggest we don't insist on copyright ownership. Nor should we expect him to sign an ordinary artist contract. We should negotiate based on our top-tier streamer contracts instead."

Manager Wang protested, "Manager Wu, how can you be so sure he wouldn't sign?"

With a sigh, Wu Hongming answered, "You could certainly try negotiating with Lu Chen, but this young man is principled and determined. Without a top-tier artist contract, it's unlikely that he'd be swayed."

Much of Wu Hongming's understanding of Lu Chen came through his niece, Wu Shanshan, who kept close contact and a keen interest in Lu Chen's career.

As the head of operations, he couldn't overlook this rising star on 'Whale TV'.

A top-tier artist contract?

The executives exchanged glances— could that really be an option?

Manager Wang was about to protest further, but Fang Shaohui intervened, "Let's have Manager Wang start by discussing an artist contract with him. If that doesn't work out, we'll proceed with a top streamer contract."

Wu Hongming replied without batting an eyelid, "I have no objections, but don't forget— we have many competitors."

Fang Shaohui's aura faltered slightly.

In the past two years, 'Whale TV' had been heavily poached, especially by 'StarryLive', whose talent raids had nearly bled 'Whale TV' dry. Other new streaming platforms were also waiting to pounce.

The PK Theme Show could certainly boost the platform's popularity, but it would also attract envious eyes.

Newcomers like Lu Chen, who only had a basic contract, were prime targets for poaching!

If 'Whale TV' hesitated now, they might lose a rising star.

Initially, Fang Shaohui hadn't thought much of Lu Chen and was mainly using him to set an example for his project. But hearing Wu Hongming's words, he finally began to take him seriously.

"Then let's discuss a new contract with him as soon as the event ends."

After a moment's hesitation, the general manager added, "Manager Wu, why don't you handle it? Go with the top streamer contract."

At this crucial moment, he chose to rely on Wu Hongming, trusting his judgment and integrity.

Wu Hongming nodded. "I'll take a team to Capital City tomorrow morning and speak with him face-to-face!"

The executives were all stunned, not expecting Wu Hongming to take such a special interest in Lu Chen.

The last time Wu Hongming personally met with a streamer was last year when he signed Baby Qing'er, currently 'Whale TV''s top female streamer! And he was willing to go all the way to Capital City.

One executive couldn't help but say, "We should've given him a better contract from the start."

A better contract would mean a longer term and more binding clauses.

But for such hindsight remarks, Wu Hongming felt only disdain. "Even this contract with a 50,000 signing bonus nearly got blocked by the finance department!"

'Whale TV' was heavily backed by venture capital, and the finance department had significant control over funds.

The executive fell silent.

Finance Manager Old Wang's face twitched but he ultimately decided to play dead.

After delivering a small slap to their collective ego, Wu Hongming asked, "So, what's my negotiation limit for this contract? If it's less than 500,000 for the signing bonus, don't even bother asking me to negotiate. Whoever wants to can handle it."

He shot a glance at the talent manager.

The eloquent woman stayed silent. If Wu Hongming had suggested a 500,000 signing bonus for Lu Chen from the start, no one would've agreed.

But now that they understood the situation, knowing Lu Chen had sold just one song for 200,000, a 500,000 signing bonus no longer seemed excessive.

She even felt a hint of regret. If only she could've secured Lu Chen with a standard artist contract, her talent department would've gained a real ace.

A true ace!

(End Of The Chapter)