Chapter 68: I've Changed My Mind—Let's Change the Competition Rules (Please Keep Reading!)

The next day.

Fang Xing and Liang Yusong arrived together at Tong Fei’s office, ready to continue negotiating the limited group contract.

“Please, have a seat. What would you like to drink? Tea, perhaps? I have a pot of Xinyang Maojian gifted by a friend—let’s give it a try.”

Tong Fei’s face was all smiles as she reached for a tin of tea leaves from the cabinet behind her and handed it to her assistant to brew.

Once the assistant had left, Tong Fei spoke first: “Fang Xing, your popularity is soaring. Withdrawing from the show now doesn’t make sense, why not reconsider? The terms for the limited group contract are quite flexible, only two years, and debuting as a group is a great opportunity.”

Liang Yusong chuckled, “President Tong, we’re all veterans in the entertainment industry. There’s no need for me to explain who orchestrated yesterday’s ‘negative news’, is there? Now, you’re asking Fang Xing to sign the group contract with Chao Yin Media—aren’t you pushing him into the fire?”

Truthfully, Tong Fei was furious about the whole affair.

Chao Yin Media was one of the investors in this show, yet they went so far as to hire internet trolls to smear the trainees.

If Fang Xing’s career truly ended because of this, Feifan Entertainment would lose at least tens of millions.

Chao Yin Media’s motivation was simple: if Fang Xing’s popularity plummeted, they wouldn’t suffer much loss.

Because once Fang Xing faded out, all attention from “Tomorrow’s Star” would shift back to Wu Junchen.

The show might lose momentum, but Wu Junchen’s popularity wouldn’t drop; instead, he’d absorb all the show’s buzz.

Unfortunately for Chao Yin Media, they failed to dig up any real dirt on Fang Xing and had to resort to fabrication.

The company responsible for this “scandal” prepared thoroughly, even buying up all candid photos of the alleged fight.

Since the photos were real, if Songshi Records hadn’t responded quickly, letting public opinion ferment for a few days, it would have been difficult to recover, even with clarifications later.

But Chao Yin Media hadn’t counted on Songshi Records’ crisis response being so swift.

Nor did they expect Songshi Records would hire one of the top three PR firms in the industry for a newcomer.

In fact—

When entertainment companies handle crisis PR, it depends on the artist’s status.

For a minor celebrity, companies wouldn’t spend much on PR.

Hiring a PR firm costs real money, and only top-tier stars are worth such investment.

This time, Liang Yusong acted decisively, not waiting for the facts to be clarified, and immediately brought in the team from Mingsi PR.

They managed the crisis within forty-eight hours, successfully turning the tide.

After this incident, not only did Fang Xing’s career not collapse, but he gained even more favor among the public.

Now, sponsors of “Tomorrow’s Star” were ready to increase their advertising budgets.

Naturally, Tong Fei didn’t want Fang Xing to withdraw at such a moment, so she continued to persuade him:

“Fang Xing, reconsider withdrawing from the show. Don’t rush your decision.”

Fang Xing smiled serenely, “President Tong, I’ve changed my mind.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Tong Fei didn’t immediately understand.

Liang Yusong was also puzzled—Fang Xing hadn’t mentioned this to him before.

Fang Xing continued, “I’ve changed my mind. I won’t withdraw from the show.”

Tong Fei’s eyes lit up, “That’s more like it. So, when will you sign the limited group contract?”

Fang Xing shook his head, “I won’t withdraw, but I won’t sign the limited group contract either.”

“What does that mean?”

Tong Fei’s brows furrowed deeply—staying in the show but refusing the contract would complicate matters.

“Of course, I don’t want to make things difficult for you, President Tong. How about I propose a solution?” Fang Xing’s lips curled into a dangerous smile.

Originally, Fang Xing truly intended to withdraw.

Afterward, he would focus on music at Songshi Records.

But the fabricated “negative news” by Chao Yin Media yesterday had infuriated him.

If they couldn’t beat him on stage, they’d resort to smearing him offstage.

Such a rogue company deserved to be taught a lesson.

“What solution?” Tong Fei didn’t understand, but decided to hear him out.

Fang Xing grinned, “It’s simple—upgrade the competition format. After all, you’re no stranger to making changes, President Tong.”

“How would the format be upgraded?” Tong Fei pressed.

Fang Xing laid out his plan: “Split into camps for the ultimate showdown. Move the group debut night forward, make the fourth performance the debut night, and let Chao Yin Media’s trainees debut as a group.

“Then, form two camps—a boy group as one camp, and I’ll lead the other.

“Change the finals into a battle between the two camps. Buzz, drama—everything will be there.”

Tong Fei’s eyes sparkled at the idea.

Moving the group debut night forward and holding the finals after the debut could indeed solve many issues.

The only challenge was whether Chao Yin Media would agree.

Tong Fei narrowed her eyes, studying Fang Xing with interest. “Are you suggesting this because you’re confident your camp can win the ultimate showdown?”

Fang Xing replied with a smile, “It would be difficult to lose.”

Tong Fei pondered, “Your idea is good, but Chao Yin Media may not agree.”

“That depends on your ability, President Tong. Surely yesterday’s events left you with some anger?” Fang Xing smiled coolly.

“Don’t try to provoke me.”

Tong Fei’s face stiffened, but she smiled meaningfully. “Changing the competition format like this would put a lot of pressure on me, and the one who benefits is you. How do you plan to compensate me?”

Fang Xing looked at her with equal interest, “How would you like to be compensated, President Tong?”

Tong Fei considered, “Once this season of ‘Tomorrow’s Star’ ends, you’ll be a top-tier celebrity. It won’t be easy to invite you to future shows.”

Understanding her implication, Fang Xing agreed readily, “Consider it a favor owed to you, President Tong. Any future shows you produce will get the friendship price from me.”

Connections are essential in the entertainment industry.

That’s how relationships are built.

Tong Fei replied with equal frankness, “In that case, I’ll note your suggestion and handle Chao Yin Media. Go prepare your song for the finals. Don’t lose—otherwise, you’ll be hoist by your own petard.”

With the matter settled, Fang Xing and Liang Yusong left Tong Fei’s office.

Since they hadn’t discussed the ultimate showdown format beforehand, Liang Yusong was still pondering its feasibility.

Fang Xing asked, “Is my proposal alright? Will Songshi Records dare to compete with Chao Yin Media?”

Liang Yusong laughed heartily, “Why wouldn’t we? I have my own temper.

“I only signed a music producer, and Chao Yin Media pulled these tricks. The fact that we didn’t retaliate in kind already shows restraint.

“Your idea is excellent. Defeating Chao Yin Media fair and square on stage will leave them speechless.

“But are you sure you can win? What song are you planning for the finals? Want me to check it first?”

He was, after all, a renowned producer with a pile of albums taller than most people, so he had some confidence in this area.

Fang Xing nodded, “Alright. Once I finish the demo, I’ll have you review it, Teacher Liang.”

Liang Yusong added, “Your plan is good, but Chao Yin Media may not accept the challenge. If they refuse, the production team can’t force the rule change.”

Fang Xing grinned, “I trust Tong Fei will persuade them. This idea will take the show’s popularity to a whole new level.”

In truth, for the past decade, talent shows have hit a bottleneck—there hasn’t been a phenomenon-level show in ten years.

Tong Fei earned the moniker “Queen of Talent Shows” because, fifteen years ago, she produced “Dream Girls,” the first generation of talent show variety.

That year, “Dream Girls” was a true phenomenon, launching a champion who made the cover of Time magazine: Li Yiyan.

Fifteen years have passed.

Neither shows produced by Tong Fei herself nor those crafted by other companies have ever surpassed that season of “Dream Girls.”

Now, Tong Fei saw a new possibility.

It was a chance to break her own record—a chance she would not let slip.

Still, Tong Fei was waiting for Saturday night’s broadcast of episode six, part two, of “Tomorrow’s Star.”

Because the song “Young China Speaks” was not a conventional pop song—it leaned more toward the mainstream. Whether the audience would embrace it remained uncertain.

She wanted to see how much buzz “Young China Speaks” generated before making her decision.