Chapter 44: Song Selection and Grouping for the Third Performance

After the fourth episode of "Tomorrow's Star" aired, both parts, Fang Xing's ranking on the popularity chart skyrocketed like a rocket.

Originally, major companies like Tide Sound Culture and Baichuan Entertainment had planned to manipulate the rankings and push Fang Xing out of the top ten.

They spent quite a bit of money on this effort.

But now, that money can be saved.

Because Fang Xing's ranking on the popularity chart has shot straight into the top three, alongside Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen, taking first, second, and third place respectively.

Given the current situation, trying to squeeze Fang Xing out of the top ten is pretty much impossible.

Tide Sound Culture had previously talked about creating a limited-edition trio with Fang Xing, Wu Junchen, and Liu Yichen—the "Trident."

Now there's no need to create anything; the three are already standing together at the top.

This development startled He Hongtu, the big boss at Tide Sound Culture.

On the surface, Fang Xing is just in third place, but Tide Sound Culture has access to Penguin Video’s detailed data for "Tomorrow's Star" and knows the reality is far more serious than it appears.

Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen’s popularity votes are largely driven by fan crowdfunding, accumulated fame from "Idol Era," and their agencies’ operations.

However, Fang Xing’s votes are an entirely different matter.

With no crowdfunding or agency operations, most of his votes are free ones.

It’s the quirky netizens, who toss out barrage messages like "I’ll roast you forever," while simultaneously voting for him.

Wu Junchen still has the highest total vote count, but according to Penguin Video’s backend data, the number of people voting for Fang Xing has already surpassed Wu Junchen’s.

If things continue this way, the situation will soon spiral out of control.

What makes Tide Sound Culture even more dissatisfied is that Fang Xing still hasn’t signed a management contract.

Under normal circumstances, entertainment companies have plenty of ways to deal with these trainees: shelving, blocking, or eliminating them—any one of these strategies could suppress a rising trainee who hasn’t quite made it big yet.

But Fang Xing is completely unyielding, and even doesn’t mind dropping out of the competition to return to school.

Before the fourth episode aired, Fang Xing’s popularity wasn’t so high, and Tide Sound Culture thought they could still exert some control over him.

But now that he’s in the top three, things are getting more and more out of hand.

If another entertainment company approaches Fang Xing, it’ll be a real headache.

At a Tide Sound Culture staff meeting,

He Hongtu attended for the first time in a while, tapping on the table as he looked at the artist management team. "I heard Fang Xing still doesn’t have an agency. Has anyone reached out?"

The managers exchanged awkward looks; no one dared to speak.

Artist Director Liu Rongxuan set down his pen and replied, "We’ve already sent someone to negotiate, but the terms he’s asking for are way too high—even when we offered him a premium contract, he wouldn’t sign."

Typically, entertainment companies offer three types of standard contracts: basic, premium, and top-tier.

These correspond to revenue shares of 20%, 30%, and 40%, respectively.

A trainee like Wu Junchen, recruited at age fourteen or fifteen, usually signs a basic contract.

He Hongtu listened to the report and reminded them, "I’ve heard Baichuan Entertainment and Songstone Records are interested in Fang Xing as well. What’s your strategy?"

The conference room fell silent for a long moment before Liu Rongxuan spoke up, "For a trainee like this, by company standards, the highest we can offer is a premium contract, but he refused."

He Hongtu coughed lightly. "Then offer him a top-tier contract. And spread the word that we’re planning to form a limited-edition trio with Fang Xing, Wu Junchen, and Liu Yichen—the Trident—so Baichuan Entertainment won’t even think about making a move."

"Fang Xing has been trending number one for several consecutive episodes. He’s probably getting cocky. When negotiating, his demands rival a platinum contract—I’m worried he won’t even sign the top-tier one…"

Liu Rongxuan, who had been handling this matter, added, "I also spoke with the production team, hoping to suppress Fang Xing’s popularity a bit, but you know what Tong Fei is like, Mr. He.

"If he wins again in the next performance, it’ll be even harder to dampen his popularity."

He Hongtu pondered for a moment. "In that case, arrange for Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen to compete against him once—let him lose badly so he recognizes his place."

Liu Rongxuan immediately nodded, "That will be much easier. The company has already hired a Korean production team to create new singles for Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen.

"If you agree, Mr. He, we can premiere these two singles on 'Tomorrow's Star.'

"It’ll give them a head start promoting the songs, and we can send the Korean production team over to create the most spectacular stage for Wu Junchen."

He Hongtu nodded. "Good. Let’s go with that. Once he loses, he’ll understand the company’s strength and sign the contract obediently."

...

The day after the fourth episode aired, the production team immediately began recording for the next performance’s groupings and song selections.

Lu Ming, Shao Yu, Guo Keda, and Wang Huajun were all a bit nervous.

Because with new groupings, they might not end up on the same team as Fang Xing.

Fang Xing had proven his overwhelming talent with four breakout songs.

Moreover, they’d been getting along well lately; anyone with sense wanted to stick closely to this powerhouse.

Not only did Lu Ming and the other three want to stay close, but trainees from other groups were also starting to show goodwill toward Fang Xing, intentionally or not.

Especially those from neighboring dorms, who often invented excuses to chat in Fang Xing’s dorm.

Even the youngest, Lu Ming, could see these people were all trying to cozy up to Fang Xing.

And, they actually had a chance.

Because their team had only five members, leaving room for more.

...

At ten in the morning,

The director informed everyone to head to the song selection hall.

When Fang Xing and his group arrived, they noticed the atmosphere was different from last time; the air felt fresher.

Because this time, Hashim wasn’t there.

Hashim had been eliminated completely, packing up and leaving the training camp the night the performance ended.

There were also far fewer people in the hall this time; after two rounds of performance eliminations, only forty-five remained.

Lu Ming had originally been in Class D; if he hadn’t met Fang Xing, he’d probably be lying on his sofa at home now, watching the show with envy.

Once everyone had arrived, Shen Xiyin stepped into the hall again. "Hello everyone, I’m back."

Lu Ming saw Shen Xiyin enter and his hands began to tremble.

Guo Keda elbowed him. "What’s wrong with you? Why are you shaking?"

Lu Ming replied anxiously, "We’re regrouping. If I get put on another team, I don’t even want to compete."

"Don’t be afraid. I’m sticking with Fang," Guo Keda said, though he was also worried.

He knew perfectly well that clinging to Fang Xing was the only way to advance.

Lu Ming looked at Fang Xing, "Captain, we won’t be separated, right?"

Fang Xing glanced toward the production team. "Depends on whether they change the rules. But if I’m still captain, I’ll definitely choose you all."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

The five placed their hands together, sealing their pact.