Xinghui Entertainment.
Director's Office.
"Director Zhao, are you sure that song written by the new guy passed?" Zhou Xiali sat opposite Zhao Yuan, her face filled with disbelief.
"Of course, his song is good. I sent it to your email yesterday. Did you listen to it?" Zhao Yuan nodded.
She wasn't surprised by the result.
Having been in the position of Director of the Composition Department for so many years, Zhao Yuan knew the outcome the moment she heard Su Yu's song.
After a pause, she continued, "When Su Yu arrives later, you can discuss the profit-sharing with him, and then we can start recording."
Zhou Xiali was surprised. "Profit-sharing? He signed a contract with no base salary!"
She hadn't heard Su Yu's song at all, as she never expected a song written by a newcomer to pass.
Zhou Xiali was well aware of Xinghui's two types of contracts.
If Su Yu had signed a contract with a base salary, she, as the singer, would only get a fixed share of the profits.
Now that Zhao Yuan was asking her to discuss profit-sharing with Su Yu, it indicated that he had signed the contract without a base salary.
Such a contract was something even mid-level producers would hesitate to sign, as creative inspiration wasn't constant. If they couldn't produce good work, they wouldn't earn a single penny. How dare a newcomer take such a risk?
Youthful impetuosity, Zhou Xiali pondered for a long time, arriving at only this conclusion.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door.
"Please come in," Zhao Yuan said.
"Director Zhao, I'm here," Su Yu entered the office.
Zhou Xiali turned her head to look at Su Yu. Her eyes brightened for a moment before regaining their composure.
She secretly sighed, "What a handsome young man!"
"Su Yu, we don't have much time. You settle the profit-sharing with Xiali, and then quickly start recording. The client is already pressing us."
Zhao Yuan pulled out a prepared contract from a drawer beside her.
This was the profit-sharing contract between Su Yu and the singer.
"You are the singer for this project, right?" Su Yu looked at the woman sitting in front of Zhao Yuan.
He knew this was the singer requested by the client. Previously, when they asked her to record a demo, she had sent Jiang Xiao'e to substitute.
"That's right. Little brother, you're so handsome, it would be a shame not to be a singer." Although Zhao Yuan was complimenting Su Yu, she made no move to stand up.
"Heh, I don't sing. Let's get started. What percentage do you want?"
Su Yu didn't seem bothered by her arrogance. He smiled, pulled over a stool from the side, and sat down.
"Since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. Previously, with Zhang Kun collaborating on this project, the company rule was a ten percent share."
"Okay, let's sign," Su Yu nodded.
He didn't want to delay the profit-sharing they had already discussed.
"Little brother, don't rush, I haven't finished speaking..." Zhou Xiali smiled.
Su Yu paused, then looked up at her.
"Previously, Zhang Kun signed a contract with a base salary, so he could only get a twenty percent share. I getting ten percent was understandable."
"However, you signed a contract with a fifty percent share. If I only get ten percent, wouldn't that be a bit unreasonable?"
After speaking, Zhou Xiali looked at Su Yu with a smile.
Zhao Yuan, listening nearby, her expression grew serious. She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Zhou Xiali's current action, though seeming like a price hike on the spot, was not against the rules.
The contract Su Yu signed did not have the company responsible for assigning a singer; he was supposed to negotiate that himself.
Therefore, it was not appropriate for Zhao Yuan to say anything at this moment.
"How much do you want?" Su Yu spun the pen in his hand, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Little brother, since you're so easygoing, I'll be direct too. This time, you still get twenty percent, and the rest goes to me. For any future collaborations, we'll split it fifty-fifty, how about that?"
"You should know my popularity, Zhou Xiali. If I sing this song, even with twenty percent, you'll earn enough money."
Zhou Xiali smiled confidently at him, stating it calmly.
Although she was an internet celebrity who gained fame on short video platforms, her current popularity was comparable to some traditional second-tier singers.
And Su Yu was just a newcomer. In her mind, giving him twenty percent was already quite generous.
"Director Zhao, aren't you asking for too much? According to the market, it's more reasonable for you to take twenty percent."
Zhao Yuan frowned slightly and couldn't help but speak.
Zhou Xiali was clearly trying to take advantage of Su Yu being a newcomer.
"Director Zhao, you're being a bit biased. My taking twenty percent is based on the standard for mid-level producers. He's just a newcomer. I'm already being generous by not making him lose money. Thirty percent is my bottom line," Zhou Xiali said calmly.
"How about..." Zhao Yuan tried to say more, but was interrupted by Su Yu.
"Zhou Xiali, is it? You have your bottom line, I have nothing to say. Since we can't agree, let's just drop it." Su Yu put down his pen and spread his hands.
This woman completely treated him like a novice fresh out of the industry. Continuing to negotiate would be a waste of time.
"Heh, I don't mind. But I'm afraid you won't be able to report back to the client satisfactorily." Zhou Xiali was surprised that Su Yu had given up so easily, and then said proudly.
She was the singer designated by the client, which was the basis of her firm stance on demanding a high price.
Su Yu calmly said, "Director Zhao, please ask Jiang Xiao'e to come over."
Zhao Yuan was taken aback. "Su Yu, you want Jiang Xiao'e to sing this song? But the client..."
"It's fine, just call her over. I'll talk to the client," Su Yu's tone was firmer than ever.
If it were anyone else daring to speak to Zhao Yuan like that, she would have kicked them out on the spot.
However, after hearing Su Yu's words, Zhao Yuan actually called her assistant A'ru.
"Hmph, Jiang Xiao'e is just a newcomer. Do you think the client will want her?" Zhou Xiali snorted coldly.
But Su Yu ignored her and looked down at the contract terms.
A brief silence fell upon the office.
Not long after, A'ru entered the office with Jiang Xiao'e.
"Director Zhao, Teacher Su... Sister Xiali is here too." Jiang Xiao'e nodded to the two of them, then her gaze caught Zhou Xiali. She quickly greeted her with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Xiali just snorted coldly and turned her head away, completely ignoring her.
Jiang Xiao'e, not understanding the situation, was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhao Yuan nervously.
Su Yu took the contract from in front of Zhou Xiali and handed it to Jiang Xiao'e, asking her, "If you were to sing that song 'Later,' how much profit-sharing would you ask for?"
The sudden question left Jiang Xiao'e momentarily stunned.
When she reacted, a look of elation appeared on her face. However, she glanced at Zhou Xiali's somber expression, and her smile immediately vanished.
Although she was a newcomer, she wasn't foolish.
The fact that Su Yu was asking her to sing this song now meant that he hadn't reached an agreement with Sister Xiali on profit-sharing.
If she were to insert herself into this situation now, she might offend Zhou Xiali...
At this moment, Zhou Xiali's expression became even more triumphant.
"Sometimes, opportunities only come once." Su Yu noticed Jiang Xiao'e's hesitation and smiled at her.
If she didn't even have the courage to offend someone, she wouldn't be able to survive in the entertainment industry even with good resources.