Chapter 74: Poaching Talent by Chao Yin Culture

A new week began, and the production team wasted no time preparing for the formation night’s group assignments. All the trainees received a notice from the program a day in advance, informing them to gather the next day to record the grouping content.

The day before filming, Liu Rongxuan, the artist director of Chaoyin Entertainment, personally led the program’s directors to have one-on-one conversations with the top twenty trainees on the popularity chart.

Naturally, several members of Fang Xing’s team were among them.

The conversations focused especially on Shao Yu and Lu Ming, who were Liu Rongxuan’s main targets. Of course, Guo Keda and Wang Huajun were also on Liu Rongxuan’s persuasion list.

Chaoyin Entertainment’s goal was simple: since Fang Xing refused to sign the limited group contract and insisted on the faction finals, they would poach all his teammates first. Even if these teammates hadn’t initially caught Chaoyin’s eye, they would be recruited anyway. The purpose wasn’t to sign these individuals per se, but to take away Fang Xing’s allies and make things difficult for him.

That night, after being called in for a talk, Shao Yu and Lu Ming came back, pulled up chairs behind Fang Xing, and said, “Captain, we have something to discuss with you.”

Fang Xing, who had been working on a composition with his headphones on, noticed their unusual behavior and took off his headphones. “What’s up?”

Shao Yu and Lu Ming exchanged glances, until finally Shao Yu spoke first. “Just now, the artist director from Chaoyin Entertainment talked to us—one by one, separately.”

“Oh? Did Chaoyin want you to sign the limited group contract?” Fang Xing could more or less guess what it was about.

Shao Yu explained, “Sort of, but not exactly. Actually, when I joined the show, I already signed a debut contract. But this contract only takes effect if I make it into the group—otherwise, it’s void.”

In fact, since the selection phase, Chaoyin Entertainment had made all promising trainees sign a debut agreement. The contract was meant to prevent trainees who became popular during the show from refusing to debut in the group. As long as a trainee had potential, Chaoyin would get them to sign early. The contract stipulated that it would automatically take effect if the trainee debuted, and be void if not.

Originally, this contract was designed precisely to prevent exceptions like Fang Xing. However, since Fang Xing was still a student at Donghai Conservatory of Music, he hadn’t signed the group contract and slipped into the show. Later, Chaoyin had time to fix this, but they didn’t think Fang Xing would become such a sensation, and were unwilling to offer him a top-tier contract at first. By the time they changed their minds, it was too late—especially after the official group account reposted Fang Xing’s song, the situation was already out of Chaoyin’s control.

Fang Xing’s case was unique, but Shao Yu’s was different.

From the start, Shao Yu had taken the opportunity to join the show because he wanted to debut. However, having graduated two years earlier, he was already considered older for a boy group trainee. If he hadn’t met Fang Xing, he likely would have been eliminated by the third performance, with little chance of debuting.

“Oh right, you all signed those group contracts. So what did Chaoyin want?” Fang Xing understood.

Shao Yu said, “Chaoyin wants us to sign a new contract. If we do, they’ll guarantee us a spot in the group—but in return, we’d have to do whatever they say for the rest of the competition.”

Fang Xing immediately understood their intentions. The group contract Shao Yu had signed was entirely in Chaoyin’s favor, offering no real protection or guarantee of debut. In other words, unless the trainee made it into the group, the contract was meaningless.

Now, with their desire to poach Fang Xing’s teammates, Chaoyin was dangling guaranteed debut spots as bait, trying to get Shao Yu and the others to sign new limited group contracts and follow their lead.

Lu Ming quickly added, “I didn’t sign anything new. I only came here for the exposure. I started off in Class D, and should’ve been eliminated in the first round anyway. I don’t even want to debut now. Even if I did, I’d probably be the least popular in the group.”

He wasn’t tall enough, and his looks didn’t fit the fans’ ideal. He knew very well that even if he did debut, he’d be the least popular. Besides, he’d only made it to the finals because Fang Xing had brought him along. If Fang Xing wasn’t in the group, he’d fade into obscurity quickly even if he debuted.

Shao Yu felt much the same. His vocal ability was among the top three—maybe even top two—of all the trainees. He didn’t bother shooting for number one, since Fang Xing’s vocal skills were the best, and he was well aware of it. In his eyes, no one else came close. If he debuted, he’d be the best singer in the group, but never the most popular—not even in the top three. Rather than debut under those circumstances, he’d rather maintain a good relationship with Fang Xing; that would be more promising.

At that moment, Guo Keda walked in from outside and said, “Fang, you’ve heard, right? Chaoyin’s director talked to me too. He said if I signed a new contract and did as they said, I’d get a spot in the group. I turned him down on the spot. I’m sticking with you. Can you keep taking me along?”

Fang Xing stood up, looked at the three of them, and said solemnly, “Your lives are yours to choose. If debuting is better for you, I’ll advise you to go for it. If you don’t want to debut, I’ll support that too. As for the future, I can’t promise I’ll always be able to help, but if you ever need musical support, I’ll do my best. But again, your lives are in your own hands. Don’t let me sway your decisions, and I won’t make them for you. Understood?”

Guo Keda bumped his fist on Fang Xing’s shoulder. “Why so serious? I’m sticking with you anyway. It’s obvious why Chaoyin wants me. With my level, I should’ve been eliminated in round two. Offering me a debut slot now isn’t because they value me—it’s just to poach you, Fang.”

Shao Yu and Lu Ming had already made up their minds.

“I’ve thought it through. Debuting isn’t going to help me much,” Shao Yu said.

“Same here,” echoed Lu Ming.

The four of them chatted in quiet understanding for a while.

Just then, Wang Huajun returned, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Captain, can I talk to you alone?”

“Sure. Shall we go outside?” Fang Xing gestured toward the door.

The two of them walked down the corridor to the balcony at the end.

Wang Huajun took out a cigarette, sniffed it, then tucked it behind his ear without lighting it. He smoked, but never indoors at training camp.

“It’s about Chaoyin, isn’t it?” Fang Xing had already guessed.

“The director said if I follow their arrangements, I’ll get a spot in the group,” Wang Huajun said frankly.

Fang Xing nodded. “They talked to Shao Yu and the others, too.”

Wang Huajun looked over and asked, “If I accept their offer, will you be angry?”

“Why would I be angry? It’s your decision,” Fang Xing replied, repeating the advice he’d given the others.

Wang Huajun frowned. “Don’t you think I’d be a traitor?”

Fang Xing shook his head. “There’s no betrayal here. In fact, you’re the only team member I can’t help. Shao Yu and Lu Ming are singers—I can keep working with them. But you’re a classical dancer. I can’t help you in dance. If you have a better opportunity, you should take it—I won’t stand in your way.

“If Chaoyin really promises you a debut slot, you should go. But make sure that promise is written into your contract.” Fang Xing offered his hand for a high five, joking, “Even if you debut, we’ll still be friends. It’ll be like I’ve planted an undercover agent in the limited group.”

“Deal!” Wang Huajun high-fived him, and both of them burst out laughing.