I became a music industry godfather by writing confidantes.

Chapter 025 Please

Time passed slowly, and Jiang Yan sat on the sofa, staring at her agent Peng Liang.

"An hour has passed." Peng Liang silently calculated the time in his mind, feeling an unusual anxiety in the air.

This anxiety stems not from the restlessness or unease brought about by the long wait itself, but from a deeper reason: the power struggle triggered by the special status of the absentee.

When he first joined the company, he heard from his seniors that in the entertainment industry, a place of fame and fortune, being late is never just a simple matter of personal time management; it is almost always used by the management team as a psychological tactic.

Being five minutes late might genuinely be due to traffic congestion, but being fifteen minutes or even half an hour late definitely indicates that the other party wants to convey a precise and unambiguous signal:

My time is far more valuable than yours. In this upcoming collaboration, I am the one in a superior position with absolute dominance. You'd better be sensible.

"Brother Peng, this..." Jiang Yan lowered her voice and asked cautiously.

Peng Liang glanced at him, gesturing for him to be quiet, his voice barely audible: "No matter what happens later, don't say a word. Just do your job. We're here today to audition."

After a while, Jiang Yan couldn't hold back any longer: "Brother Peng, do you think Sister Xu Xiao was really delayed by some urgent announcement?"

Peng Liang took out his phone, quickly tapped on it, and typed text:

How is that possible?

This is typical studio politics; Xu Xiao is vying with Producer Yang for control of the recording studio.

He further explained:

The producer wants the integrity and artistic expression of the work, which is effect A.

What singers want is to highlight their singing style, technique, or personal characteristics so they can show off in front of their fans; this is effect B.

If the two sides reach a stalemate and the producer and singer compromise, the final result will be effect C.

Now, Xu Xiao is playing this game, trying to use the classic tactic of being late to give Yang a hard time and make it easier to seize control.

If Producer Yang backs down today, then how this song is recorded and sung from now on will be up to Xu Xiao.

The atmosphere was even more awkward in the rest area.

Sitting on the sofa, Wang Shihui, a seasoned producer, felt as if his face had been ripped off and repeatedly trampled on on the ground.

An hour ago, he was still trying to make amends for Xu Xiao with that elder-like, conciliatory attitude, saying that the traffic in Beijing was bad and that she was too busy with her schedule.

But as time went on, this attempt to make amends became ridiculous and made him uneasy.

At 2:42, the door to the recording studio was finally pushed open.

Xu Xiao, dressed in the latest haute couture and wearing sunglasses that covered half her face, walked in surrounded by her agent and assistant.

The agent, a slightly thin woman who looked to be in her thirties or forties, clasped her hands together and chuckled, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, so very sorry. Xiaoxiao was held up by a brand's business representative. They insisted that Xiaoxiao shoot a couple more promotional sets, and she just couldn't refuse..."

This excuse is known in the industry as a catch-all, cleverly attributing the lateness to the artist's commercial value; the subtext is:

We're late because we're too famous.

In the circle, "red" undoubtedly represents the most standard political correctness.

She talked and laughed as she approached, but as she scanned the rest area, she suddenly noticed Wang Shihui's expressionless face.

The agent's smile froze for a second, and she bowed as she said, "Oh dear, Mr. Wang, what are you doing here? Look at me, if we had known you would be here in person, we would have come much earlier."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wang Shihui, she turned to Yang Du and said, "This must be Producer Yang, right? You're a promising young man with great potential. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Now that everyone's here, how about we start now? Xiaoxiao's voice is in fantastic condition today. She'll treat us to a good meal after we wrap up, as an apology to everyone."

Yang Du didn't speak. He slowly got up and looked down at the watch on his wrist.

"Sixty-two minutes have passed since the agreed time of 1:30."

Yang Du is not some masochist who would offer up his right cheek after being slapped on the left. If he had a system, why would he swallow his anger? What was the point of having the system?

"According to the rules, your qualification to audition in the studio is invalid. Please leave now, and don't bother coming back."

Peng Liang kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with tissues, his small eyes filled with unease.

He and Jiang Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes:

My goodness, pop star Xu Xiao was so decisively and cleanly kicked out by producer Yang, just like that.

This is...this is so cool!

The agent's face turned from flushed to ashen in a matter of seconds. She stepped forward and raised her voice several decibels: "Producer Yang, are you kidding me? Waiting an extra hour in the recording studio is common. We're all here to work."

"Do you know how much profit Xiaoxiao's business deal just now could generate for Jinshi?"

Then she looked at Wang Shihui: "Teacher Wang, you be the judge. Xiaoxiao didn't do it on purpose. Besides, when did our Jinshi's rules become so rigid, completely devoid of human touch? Without even this much flexibility, how can we cooperate with top brands in the future, right?"

Little did they know that Wang Shihui was seething with anger at that moment.

He had already suffered two defeats at Yang Du's hands, and the sense of frustration had not completely disappeared when Xu Xiao pulled this stunt.

He had just praised Xu Xiao in front of Yang Du, almost implying that the selection should be made immediately.

The results of it?

He's completely lost face!

Wang Shihui sneered, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not worthy of being called 'Teacher Wang' by you. Yang Du is the producer; if you have any problems, go find him. What right do I, a decrepit old man nearing retirement, have to speak in this recording studio?"

Xu Xiao keenly sensed that Wang Shihui's attitude was different. She took off her sunglasses and quickly apologized, "Teacher Wang, I'm sorry, I really didn't know you were here today."

Xu Xiao's words only made Wang Shihui angrier. He felt an inexplicable fire shooting straight to the top of his head, burning his heart and liver. He waved his hand and didn't even bother to say anything more.

"Alright." Yang Du raised his hand, stopping the manager who was still trying to make excuses. "Since your team believes that commercial interests and brand promotion are more important than auditioning, then I respect your choice. Please leave."

Xu Xiao is used to being fawned over in the industry; she's never been treated like this before.

"Okay." She put her sunglasses back on. "That's interesting. I hope the final result of this song, 'Painting Heart,' will match your temper today."

"Let's go."

Jiang Yan and Peng Liang, who were standing to the side, were dumbfounded and huddled quietly in the corner like two quails.

Suddenly, Peng Liang realized something and grabbed Jiang Yan's arm tightly:

If the person who was expected to rank first in both the written and oral exams is eliminated, will the original second-place candidate automatically take their place?

"Jiang Yan".

"Here!" Jiang Yan quickly stood up, like a student who was suddenly called on in class.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready."

"Okay, let's audition."