"I lost."
Jiang Kui's moves left Sun Yaohuo impressed, a hint of respect in his expression.
Jiang Kui was indeed a commendable opponent.
But Lin Yuan's next words further provoked Sun Yaohuo!
Because Lin Yuan, unexpectedly, asked Jiang Kui, "Do you have any plans to release a new song next?"
Thump! Thump!
Jiang Kui's heart raced. She only wanted to leave a good impression on Lin Yuan, not to lose to Sun Yaohuo.
Yet, unexpectedly, she managed to secure a collaboration opportunity. At that moment, she fully understood why Sun Yaohuo was so fervent in seeking collaborations: "I will release a new song after the Lunar New Year, but I haven't found the right piece yet..."
Sun Yaohuo's eyes reddened.
Jealousy ignited, fiercely burning!
Lin Yuan nodded, "So, your lung capacity should still be good?"
Jiang Kui nodded vigorously, "When I was studying vocals, I specifically trained for lung capacity!"
"The split?"
This was Lin Yuan's main concern.
Jiang Kui was very upfront, almost without hesitation, "If I can collaborate with Mr. Lin Yuan again, I will accept any profit-sharing proposal you suggest, your call!"
"Hmm..."
She was a skilled negotiator.
Lin Yuan furrowed his brow slightly.
In fact, what he feared the most was when someone said, "It's up to you," as it threw the issue back at him.
If it's too little, he'd feel awkward. Too much, and he'd feel remorse.
Jiang Kui was waiting for Lin Yuan's response, but to her surprise, Lin Yuan didn't continue the conversation, which made her heart skip a beat:
"Did I say something wrong?"
On the other hand, Sun Yaohuo was getting anxious.
Despite being Jiang Kui's competitor, seeing her on the verge of losing this rare opportunity, he couldn't help but chip in, jokingly: "If my junior wants to collaborate with me, I don't want any share anyway."
The last time he dined with Lin Yuan, Sun Yaohuo got a glimpse of Lin Yuan's thoughts.
Jiang Kui quickly changed her stance, "Right, I won't take any share!"
Hearing this, Lin Yuan felt relieved.
He wasn't one to push his luck too far; he couldn't genuinely be that greedy: "Let's stick to the usual arrangement then. I have a song that suits you well."
Lin Yuan referred to "Balloon."
This song required a female singer with ample lung capacity, and Jiang Kui was a suitable candidate.
"As for the old rules, the singers take a 0.5% share."
How could Jiang Kui possibly refuse? In fact, much like Sun Yao, she would accept without payment. So, she nodded wildly, as if afraid Lin Yuan might change his mind. "Great, great!"
After saying that, Jiang Kui glanced at Sun Yao with a hint of gratitude. She had no idea that Mr. Lin Yuan was grappling with profit-sharing issues.
It seemed to be effective! Sun Yao, with a testing attitude, also reminded Jiang Kui. He didn't expect this uniquely minded junior to fall for it. This made him realize that he might have a chance too!
...
The next day, Lin Yuan sent the next month's manuscript to the editor, Yang Feng's email. After all, the system had long since divided the sections.
It was now late January.
Across the country, major universities welcomed the winter vacation.
The students at the Qin Prefecture Art Academy had already packed their things, getting ready to head home the next day.
Lin Yuan also wanted to go home.
So, on the eve of the winter vacation, he came to the company intending to ask for leave from Old Zhou.
According to the contract, when he didn't have classes, he was supposed to be at the company. Not showing up counted as Lin Yuan skipping work and would result in a deduction from his salary.
But taking leave wasn't an issue.
Entering the manager's office on the tenth floor, Lin Yuan found it empty. So, he asked his colleague Wu Yong where Old Zhou was.
Wu Yong said, "The manager is usually on the twenty-second floor. What do you want to do?"
Lin Yuan replied, "Ask for leave."
Wu Yong shook his head, "I advise you to drop this idea. Normally, taking leave isn't difficult, but now it's different. Before the annual leave, many people try to ask Old Zhou for leave, and they all end up being scolded miserably by him. After all, the new year has started, and many singers are planning to release songs. It's a busy time for the composition department."
"I'll try."
Having said that, Lin Yuan took the elevator directly to the manager's office on the twenty-second floor.
...
Seeing that persuasion didn't work, Wu Yong said nothing more, expecting Lin Yuan to hit a wall in attempting to take leave before the new year.
Arriving at the twenty-second floor, just as Lin Yuan reached Old Zhou's office door, he heard Old Zhou in a rage inside: "Leave? No! Just because you're a senior composer doesn't mean I'll indulge you! You know how many singers at the Vocal Department are getting ready to release songs after the New Year. At this time, you're thinking about finding leisure? If you really want to ask for leave, all the composers in the composition department must present me with a decent song!"
"Alright, I understand."
The guy who had just been scolded by Old Zhou slinked out of the office, crestfallen.
At this moment, Old Zhou noticed Lin Yuan at the door. Trying not to appear too severe, he forced a smile, "Lin Yuan, do you have something to discuss with me?"
Lin Yuan said, "I'd like to take leave."
Old Zhou's smile gradually faded.
You didn't see the guy who just asked for leave getting scolded by me?
He coughed lightly, aiming to appear less severe, yet his tone carried an edge, "You should be on winter break now. According to the contract, you're meant to work during the break."
"Mm."
Lin Yuan recalled what Old Zhou had just said, "Can you take leave by presenting a song?"
Old Zhou nearly choked, "Well, that's one way, but your song has to pass the quality check. After the New Year, many singers will release new singles, and some big names even have album plans. For our composition department, the demand for songs is substantial..."
"Is this one acceptable?"
Lin Yuan took out his phone and, right in front of Old Zhou, sent 'Balloon.'
"A new song?"
Old Zhou scrutinized Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan nodded, "A new song."
Old Zhou didn't say much and directly listened with headphones.
After hearing it, Old Zhou's eyes widened slightly—
The quality of Lin Yuan's new song was quite good. Though not on the level of 'Big Fish' and the like, it had an engaging quality.
But is Lin Yuan too productive?
He had thought Lin Yuan was already wrung dry, but here he was, producing yet another decent new song today.
"Can I take leave now?"
Old Zhou mechanically nodded, "Fine... fine... You've finished your work before the New Year, after all."
He couldn't find any faults with 'Balloon.'
Lin Yuan nodded and returned to the tenth floor. When Wu Yong saw Lin Yuan return, he teased, "How was it? I told you, the manager doesn't grant leave at a time like this."
"I got it."
Lin Yuan said, packing up his things.
Wu Yong was stunned for a few seconds, then thrilled, "The manager is surprisingly easy-going this year? Heh heh, then I'm also going to ask for leave!"
"Mm."
Lin Yuan tidied up at his desk.
When he finished packing and was about to leave, he ran into Wu Yong, who had come back. Lin Yuan casually asked, "Did you get your leave?"
"..."
Wu Yong looked at Lin Yuan with resentment, "I got a scolding from the manager. Why didn't you say earlier that you got the vacation by exchanging a new song?"
"Right."
Lin Yuan said matter-of-factly, "You could also exchange a song, couldn't you?"
Wu Yong felt somewhat offended, "Why do you assume I have a song that could get me to leave?"
Thinking for a moment, Lin Yuan said, "I thought you might."
With that, Lin Yuan slung his small backpack over his shoulder and left cheerfully.
Wu Yong stared blankly at Lin Yuan's departing figure, contemplating Lin Yuan's seemingly casual tone, and for a moment, he felt a hint of self-doubt—
Is writing a decent new song truly that simple?