Chereads / Rebirth of the Entertainment Giant / Chapter 19 - Devils Treaty

Chapter 19 - Devils Treaty

At 9:00 in the morning, Zhang Xiaohua arrived at the studio.

At this time, all the staff had arrived with excitement and expectation as they waited for Zhang Xiaohua to arrange today's work.

As soon as he entered the company's door, Zhang Xiaohua looked towards Wang Jingwen for the first time. He could not help himself as he couldn't believe it that the bright and pretty girl in front of him, was actually the gorgeous woman who was swaying her hips yesterday.

If you didn't look closely enough, you really couldn't recognize her!

This was the most ideal image in his mind!

Zhang Xiaohua gave Wang Jingwen a thumbs-up in his heart, and at the same time, he clearly saw the future of Wang Jingwen. He believed that, under his guidance, she would soon become a superstar in the music world.

However, Zhang Xiaohua did not express this feeling and the group of musicians only saw his expressionless face as he still held a cool attitude towards Wang Jingwen. He sat down on the sofa and took out the contract and delivered it to Wang Jingwen's hands.

"This is the contract book for the company. You may have a look at it first, and if you don't have any objections, then please sign it." Zhang Xiaohua said indifferently as he took out his mobile phone and started playing a casual game without worrying about Wang Jingwen. He firmly believed that no singer would refuse to sing "Broken Hearted Woman."

Wang Jingwen polished her eyes and devoted herself to the content of the contract now in her possession.

In the beginning, there were no excessive clauses in the contract. However, when she saw the last page, the original calm expression on her face gradually changed...

The more Wang Jingwen read, the angrier she became in her heart, but enduring the indignation, Wang Jingwen continued to look down at the contract's terms:

1: Wang Jingwen (hereinafter called 'Party B') shall not make any public appearances, or participate in any commercial activities without the sole permission of HuaXiang Entertainment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter called 'Party A').

2: Except with permission from Party A, Party B cannot enter into any commercial cooperation agreements with a third party without authorisation, including films or television shooting agreements, music production agreements, advertising agency agreements and variety show performance agreements. If Party B wants to contact third parties or participate in any commercial activities, Party A must be present.

3. In the period of validity of the contract and without violating the law and ethics, Party B must fulfil all the activities arranged by Party A unconditionally. The scope includes concerts, fan clubs, signing parties, advertisements, films and television shootings, releasing albums, entertainment and interactive legal business activities. After deducting various propaganda and production expenses, the remaining income is distributed in a ratio of 7:3. Party A will receive a total of 70 percent of the total income, and Party B will obtain a total of 30 percent of the total income.

4: The effective start date of this contract is on April 5, 2020, and is valid for FIVE (5) years, terminating on April 5, 2025. During this period, Party B will obtain the rights to perform the work "Broken Hearted Woman." Both parties may retain the right to investigate and punish any breaches within the contract.

5: If Party B unilaterally proposes cancellation to Party A, or Party B violates any of the terms mentioned in this contract, Party B will be held liable by Party A. By then, Party B must pay Party A a termination fee of 15 million Yuan.

The final right of interpretation of this contract shall be owned by [HuaXiang Entertainment Co., Ltd.].

......

After looking at the contents of the entire contract, Wang Jingwen almost passed out from anger!

How was this a contract? It was clearly a slave clause proposed by the Devil!

Restricting one's personal freedom was a problem as she wouldn't be allowed to engage in casual commercials or anything else as a matter, not without permission anyway, this was clearly just a slave contract. She couldn't even talk to any third parties without supervision, and the most critical point of all was that the income was distributed according to the ratio of 7:3! This was worse than those larger companies. The breach of contract fee was even more intimidating, this was clearly bullying!

Wang Jingwen gritted her teeth and she wanted so much to rip up this so-called contract book, but at the same time, she knew that this was probably her only opportunity to reach the top of the music industry.

Actually, Zhang Xiaohua was forced to do this. After all, the kind of case in which the two parties cooperated, then disputed because of their interests, was not unusual in his past life. This was a hidden danger, especially in the entertainment industry, it was more common than not.

Therefore, as long as the relevant clauses were all indicated in the contract, and the terms were simplified, the other party could not find any loopholes. This way, there will be no escape if she breached the contract.

Of course, the premise was that Zhang Xiaohua was very confident that even if he was overbearing in the contract, the other party wouldn't refuse to sign. Which singer would refuse the chance to become a superstar when it was just one signature away?

Zhang Xiaohua knew how powerful the position he is in, he could create superstars just by taking out "classics" from Earth, something even those top-level entertainment companies couldn't achieve.

That being the case, they needed to squeeze out the most benefits possible for their own side. Otherwise, he would be disgracing those classic works from earth. 

"Will you sign in the end? Please don't waste everyone's time, OK?" Zhang Xiaohua whispered while he continued to play on his mobile game.

"Boss Zhang, can I mention a few..."

"No negotiations, you either sign it or leave it. Nothing in the contract will be changed."

Zhang Xiaohua mercilessly interrupted her as there was no room for negotiation.

As she looked at Zhang Xiaohua, who was still casually playing his games, she was quite upset and had a hard time deciding, she hatefully grinded her teeth. In frustration, she could only choose to sign, she now officially become a signed singer for HuaXiang Entertainment.

Wang Jingwen was certainly displeased. However, there were several people on Yuan Datong's side that were already rejoicing.

Having been idle for so long, there was finally something that could be done today.

"Emma, you are her agent now, after all, you were responsible for introducing her to us." Zhang Xiaohua commanded Emma powerfully.

"You got it, boss." Emma replied.

"Xiao-Hua, what are we going to do now?" Yuan Datong asked impatiently.

"Let Wang Jingwen arrange the recording, make the song "Broken Hearted Woman" as soon as possible, and make it known to the public." Zhang Xiaohua was also very motivated. When he made that statement, Wang Jingwen had finally calmed down. 

"The recording is no problem, but how will we publish the song?" Yuan Datong suddenly thought of an issue, and this issue was clearly ignored before.

"At the very least, we need people to make a music video. This is the most basic thing, and if you want to make money, we will have to contact those record companies and ask them to make a bunch of copies of the song. In regards to sales, even if the song is recorded, we can't sell the copies, let alone make any money."

After Yuan Datong's remarks came out, Emma and others also felt that they were light headed for a moment.

Shooting a professional music video, producing records, packaging, and publicity all costs money. For the company, the lack of funds is currently the biggest problem and the most troublesome issue.

When everyone felt helpless, Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "The music video we can shoot ourselves, we just need a tablet computer with a high-definition camera, get Wang Jingwen to record the song. I have a plan for the rest of the issues. As for the production of copies, it's inevitable, but we only have one song at the moment and we can't afford to create our own copies. We will create an album, and make those record companies take the initiative in asking for cooperation instead of us requesting their help."

"Create an album?" Wang Jingwen, Yuan Datong and the rest all frowned and their eyes were full of suspicion. Obviously, everyone did not really believe that Zhang Xiaohua had the ability to make albums.

No wonder...

An album contains between 5 and 15 songs, but the only song that could be used at the moment is "Broken Hearted Woman." According to the minimum standard, 5 songs are needed in an album. They were currently missing 4 songs...

Everyone was very confident that the title song "Broken Hearted Woman" could guarantee the sales of the album. But just based on the company's existing capabilities, if they wanted to complete the production of an album, it was tantamount to suicide. Even if it could be completed, that would be a matter of years later.

In the face of sceptical eyes, Zhang Xiaohua smiled, then gently squeezed and cleared his throat...

Nowadays, it's difficult to convince people to place trust in you without solid proof.

"See also the smoke rises, 

And the dusk shines on the earth. 

If you want to ask the smoke, where are you going? 

There is a poetic sunset, a painting in the evening, 

And the poetic beauty is beautiful. 

I only have you in my heart.

Whenever there is a bright moon, 

I will ask for wine from heaven, 

And I know of the palace in heaven. 

It is what it is. I want to go by the wind, 

But I'm afraid the heights are overwhelming, 

And it's like dancing on the ceiling.

In love with the shortcomings of an angel, 

In a devilish language, God has only blinked in the clouds, 

And in the end, his eyebrows are wrinkled and so is his head.

After a storm does not necessarily come a beautiful sky, 

It is not sunny there will be a rainbow, 

So you look innocent, does not mean that you are. 

Not all feelings will have beginning and end, 

Lonely is not necessarily scared."

Zhang Xiaohua worked his way up and sang five songs. They were:

See You Again

I Hope You've Got Time

Pieces

Floating Years 

The World

Every single one of them was a popular song from Earth. In this world, these songs could also instantly capture the hearts of anyone, and this point had been reflected in the shocked and excessive expressions of the current crowd.