Chapter 49: A Lenient Contract

The two of them looked at each other and smiled, both having guessed what the other was thinking. Ultimately, it was Liang Yusong who spoke first: "Moss Records isn't a large company, and we don't promote boy bands—we focus solely on music.

"We have several first-tier and rising artists, and we've collaborated with top stars. If you don't have another company in mind, you might want to give us some thought."

This was an understanding between musicians; Liang Yusong wasn’t pressing, simply offering Fang Xing another option. Though their cooperation was harmonious, a contract required detailed discussions.

Fang Xing considered for a moment, then asked, "Have you heard about the demands I made to Tide Music?"

Liang Yusong raised his eyebrows in affirmation. "Your demands are basically a platinum contract. Such contracts are usually reserved for superstars at major companies.

"A platinum contract is flexible; it doesn’t force artists to take on work.

"With the conditions you listed, I can guarantee no entertainment company in the country would agree to them. Do you believe that?"

Fang Xing nodded in acknowledgment. "That’s true."

Liang Yusong continued, "Big companies are out to make money. When is a boy band at its most valuable? It's the first three months after debut.

"After three months, the excitement from the talent show fades, earning power drops, and they can easily be replaced by newer groups.

"So big companies aim to squeeze every bit of value out of those peak three months.

"In your conditions, you demand the right to refuse company-arranged work. No company would agree to that."

Fang Xing knew the rules of the entertainment industry well, so he understood Liang Yusong spoke the truth.

Liang Yusong’s candidness wasn’t just about partnership; he wanted to be friends. In the eyes of a musician, Fang Xing’s four songs were proof enough of deep musical talent.

Idols may fade, but music endures.

Liang Yusong went on, "Moss Records can agree to your demands and won’t force you to take work. The reason is simple: I’ve seen your recording ability, your music production skills.

"Those skills won’t disappear after three months; I believe your fame will only grow.

"So, most of your conditions are acceptable to Moss Records—though the artist’s share can’t be at the highest level right from the start."

Fang Xing hadn’t expected a company would actually agree to his demands; he was genuinely surprised.

In truth, he’d intended those demands as a starting point for negotiation, asking for the sky in order to settle for something reasonable.

Of course, one reason Moss Records could agree was that they didn’t do boy bands, and couldn’t offer much in that area.

Without resources or exposure, a boy band can fade incredibly fast.

Consider "Produce 101" on Earth: for members whose original agencies lacked resources, once the limited group disbanded, they basically vanished from the public eye.

Moss Records had no boy band resources, so their bargaining chips in contract talks were limited.

In fact,

Liang Yusong hadn’t planned to compete with Tide Music for talent in the first place.

After all, Moss Records was dedicated to music and had business dealings with Tide Music; poaching talent could jeopardize future collaborations.

Still, competition among entertainment companies was fierce.

As long as it wasn’t illegal, signing artists was a matter of skill.

If Moss Records were too intimidated by Tide Music to sign new talent, they might as well leave the industry.

To put it plainly,

Tide Music wanted a popular contestant from a talent show to cash in on that fame.

Liang Yusong was drawn to Fang Xing’s music production ability; the popularity gained from the show was just icing on the cake.

Fang Xing pondered for a while and asked, "If I sign with Moss Records, would I have to withdraw from the competition? If I want to focus on music, I don't want to sign a limited group contract."

If "Tomorrow's Star" debuted as a group, a limited group contract would be required.

And after debut, the group would be managed by Tide Music.

If Fang Xing signed with Moss Records and debuted as part of the group, falling back under Tide Music, he would inevitably be sidelined.

Therefore, if he signed with Moss Records, Fang Xing didn’t want to join the group and might have to withdraw from the competition.

Liang Yusong chuckled, "No need to withdraw. We also collaborate with Feifan Entertainment, and I’m a mentor on the show. If you’re interested, I’ll have the company draft a contract for you to review tomorrow. No rush—think it over and decide when you’re ready."

"Alright, I’ll give it careful thought."

Contracts aren’t settled in a word or two; it’s best to see the actual terms before making a decision.

...

Back at the training camp, Fang Xing went about his usual routine, rehearsing performance pieces with his team.

The following afternoon, he received the accompaniment tracks from Moss Records.

Along with the music, there was a contract.

The artist share section was left blank—not for Fang Xing to fill in arbitrarily, but to be discussed in person.

The real focus was on the contract’s detailed clauses—

The rights and obligations of both parties, and specific stipulations.

After reading through, Fang Xing found this contract far more flexible than the one from Tide Music.

Tide Music’s contract was strictest in one clause: the artist could not refuse company-arranged work.

How strict depended on how ruthless the company could be.

Working while hooked up to an IV drip—such things weren’t uncommon at big companies like Tide Music.

Moss Records’ contract was more relaxed, but it had one hard rule: after signing, all songs produced could only be released by Moss Records.

This was a firm clause.

Fang Xing found it reasonable.

This contract, he felt, wasn’t so much for signing an artist as for signing a music producer.

If Moss Records signed a producer who then let other companies release their songs, what would be the point?

After reading, Fang Xing was satisfied with the overall direction, though the share and specifics would need a face-to-face discussion.

Of course,

He wasn’t in a hurry to sign; this could wait until after the performance.

Moss Records wasn’t rushing him, either.

In fact, Fang Xing, Moss Records, and Tide Music were all waiting, watching for the outcome of the upcoming performance.

If Fang Xing lost to Wu Junchen, his spotlight would dim.

Tide Music could then use that to negotiate a lower contract.

Moss Records would do the same.

Though Moss Records had offered a generous contract, it was still a business, aiming for profit.

A smaller artist share meant more revenue for the company.

Fang Xing understood this well, so he waited, too.

If he won against Wu Junchen, he could negotiate for a higher share.

Fang Xing wasn’t purely a businessman, nor a saint—he wanted to earn money, too.