Chapter 52: I Don’t Intend to Sing Either Song

Zhang Yingjing frowned and said, "You know what Mango TV did to you a few days ago, right?"
Xu Ze nodded; he had noticed as soon as the show aired.
They deliberately ran ads during his segment, covering his face, refused to broadcast his promotional videos or photos.
Anyone with eyes could see Mango TV was targeting him.
Zhang Yingjing's brows furrowed slightly. "But for some reason, Mango TV stopped targeting you the next day."
Xu Ze thought for a moment, then replied, "So you want me to go on Sheep TV, so that if they keep trying to suppress me later, I’ll have another layer of protection?"
Zhang Yingjing looked at him approvingly—worthy of a Qingbei scholar, he understood immediately.
She analyzed, "Mango TV’s moves were just the first step—a probe by the capital bosses. They’ll definitely come at you with bigger actions later."
"So, what do you think? Will you go with me? The appearance fee might not be much, but if you agree, I’ll talk to the director."
Xu Ze nodded. "Alright, I’ll go."
He wasn’t stubborn; there was no reason to refuse something that would benefit him.
At this, Zhang Yingjing grew curious. "You haven’t signed with a company yet? Have you considered joining one? At least then you’d have someone to handle these things for you."
Xu Ze shook his head. "I haven’t considered it."
He knew all too well the methods entertainment companies used to exploit newcomers. Even with some fame, things wouldn’t be that much better.
You work yourself to exhaustion, only for the company to take most of your earnings. The cars, agents, and training teachers they assign you—all their salaries come out of your share.
Then you sign contracts of five or ten years, and if you don’t obey, they slash your resources or even freeze you out entirely.
If you want to leave, you’re hit with sky-high penalties because of the contract.
So, Xu Ze had no intention of joining any company.
If necessary, he could set up his own studio later.
Zhang Yingjing nodded slightly. She knew someone like Xu Ze wouldn’t easily join a company. He wasn’t like Wang Yihan, a traffic star propped up by the company.
He had real talent.
If she hadn’t had issues with her own company these past two years, she would have invited Xu Ze to join hers. With her there, it wouldn’t be hard to get him a fair contract.
But given her current situation, she’d better not.
She looked Xu Ze up and down, blinking. "Remember—when you go on stage at Sheep TV next week, don’t wear athletic wear."
Xu Ze was puzzled. "Then what should I wear?"
Zhang Yingjing was speechless. "Come on, it’s Sheep TV—not an audition. Dress a little more lavishly and formally."
"I don’t have anything else. This is all I own."
"Then go buy a set."

Xu Ze shrugged. "No money."
Zhang Yingjing: "..."
So, after all that, it’s not that you like wearing sportswear—it’s because you don’t have money?
Zhang Yingjing rubbed her forehead and said, "Let’s go. I’ll take you shopping."
"Eh?" Xu Ze insisted, "But I really can’t afford it!"
He only had 498 left in his account and still needed to eat.
Zhang Yingjing walked toward the door. "I’ll pay for you now, and deduct it from your appearance fee later."
...
Half an hour later.
Xu Ze and Zhang Yingjing slipped quietly into the mall entrance.
Zhang Yingjing wore a wig, black sunglasses, a mask, and a long coat.
No one around could recognize this top-tier female star.
Xu Ze marveled silently; she was clearly used to this routine.
At her insistence, Xu Ze also wore a mask and hat.
Together, they really didn’t look like upstanding citizens.
An hour later.
"What kind of clothes do you want?"
Zhang Yingjing asked through gritted teeth, barely able to control her expression.
She had let Xu Ze try on a dozen outfits, and he disliked every one.
Xu Ze was amused—he had some innate talent if he could annoy the ice-cold mentor into showing emotion.
But he wasn’t doing it on purpose; he simply couldn’t wear those flashy clothes.
Not wanting to push her any further, lest the teacher explode, he thought for a moment and said,
"Actually, I’ll just get a white shirt and black casual pants."
Zhang Yingjing was speechless. After all that, he wanted just a shirt?
"Suit yourself. Third floor sells shirts—I’ll take you." She sighed, giving up on persuading him.
She swore—this was the first and last time she’d help a man pick clothes.
When it came time to pay, Xu Ze was shocked—just these two items, and they cost 5,000!

Zhang Yingjing even thought that was cheap.
Sure enough, stars earn and spend a lot.
...
The next day, Xu Ze was still asleep.
Zhang Yingjing called him.
"Why did you take so long to answer?" she said bluntly.
"I was sleeping."
"No classes?"
"I do, but not until the afternoon."
"Alright." Zhang Yingjing cleared her throat. "The director at Sheep TV agreed. Appearance fee is 100,000. Send me the songs you’ll perform these days."
She didn’t tell Xu Ze that originally the fee was only 50,000. Afraid he’d think it too little, she added another 50,000 herself to round it up.
Without a company, Xu Ze would take all the money himself—more than many rookie singers.
Before Xu Ze could reply, Zhang Yingjing asked, "Which song will you sing? 'East Wind Breaks' or 'Do You Know, Do You Know'?"
"But I suggest you sing 'Do You Know, Do You Know'—it’s still trending, and would have better effect."
But Xu Ze replied abruptly, "I’m not planning to sing either."
Zhang Yingjing was confused. "Then what? Someone else’s song? Have you sorted out the copyright?"
Xu Ze answered confidently, "My own song. Isn’t this a children’s music competition? I should sing something more fitting."
She was so startled she choked on the phone, then admonished, "Xu Ze, this is your first time performing on Sheep TV. This isn’t an audition—it’s important for your future development. You have to take it seriously."
"Trust me—sing 'Do You Know, Do You Know.' It’s safe, won’t go wrong, and will have effect."
Trust you? Are you Huang Xiaoming?
Xu Ze promised, "My song won’t be any worse than 'East Wind Breaks' or 'Do You Know, Do You Know.' Trust me."
Zhang Yingjing was speechless. Are you the National Song Library?
Just pull out a song and it’s high quality?
Thinking of this, she suddenly recalled the "Big Fish" and "Wild Child" he wrote yesterday, and hesitated.
Who knows—maybe he really has more up his sleeve.