Chapter 106: The Treasure Map

During the two days spent waiting for news, Liao Yuan’s new home was finally secured. It was located at Renheng Riverside Garden, not far from the company, right in the city center. The monthly rent was seventeen thousand yuan for a two-bedroom, two-living room apartment spanning 120 square meters, with a deposit and three months’ rent prepaid.

This place was a haven for the wealthy elite. While it could not compare to luxury residences like Tangchen Yipin or Jiujian Hall, it was still considered a high-end community, boasting top-tier property management and security, as well as excellent sound insulation between floors.

Here, even if his identity were revealed, Liao Yuan would not have to worry about being relentlessly attacked by Han Yu’s obsessive fans.

Almost everything from the old apartment had been replaced, most notably the S-277 Steinway piano—a limited edition that many wealthy people could not get their hands on. Liao Yuan cherished it deeply.

Liao Yuan had come to terms with the fact that, unless it was an essential need, buying property at this stage was not particularly profitable and might even lead to losses. Since the introduction of property taxes, the once rampant real estate speculation had nearly vanished, and purchasing property was no longer the primary investment avenue.

With Fu Xiaoci’s disdainful prompting, Liao Yuan had a few suits tailor-made. Finally, he could wear different suits to various occasions.

Before long, two days passed, and Liao Yuan and his companions returned to Fudan University.

This time, in front of Song Baining stood two groups of people. Upon seeing Liao Yuan, to everyone’s surprise, Song Baining took the initiative to approach him.

Mo Jingming, General Manager of Lemon Entertainment, and Chai Ke, Vice President of Hualong Media, both noticed the scene and wore puzzled expressions.

Chai Ke, short and sturdy, dressed in British-style attire, looked at Mo Jingming thoughtfully and asked, “Do you know him?”

Mo Jingming glanced at Liao Yuan nearby and nodded slightly. “He seems somewhat familiar, but I’m not sure. What is he doing here? What’s his relationship with Song Baining?”

“Who cares who he is,” Chai Ke said irritably. “Mo, let’s be clear—Tang Guo is yours, but I’m determined to have Song Baining. No one else can take her away. That’s final.”

“That’s up to Miss Song,” Mo Jingming replied, fingers idly playing with a jade ring on his hand, smiling slightly. “A star of her caliber is a veritable cash cow. Everyone knows that. There’s no need to pretend ignorance; it all comes down to the price. Besides, Miss Song likes singing. What’s the point of a film production company competing with us for a singer?”

Chai Ke snapped coldly, “Mo, you’re the one pretending not to know. Do you think the recording department at Hualong is just for show?”

“What era is this? You still have a recording department?” Mo Jingming laughed. “Chai, this is the age of digital music. Besides, what good is it to challenge me? I told you, it ultimately depends on Miss Song’s choice.”

Meanwhile, upon seeing Liao Yuan and the others arrive, Song Baining stepped forward and looked at him. “Baikal, what song did you bring today?”

Liao Yuan frowned. “My name isn’t Baikal. It’s Liao Yuan.”

“Alright, Baikal,” Song Baining said, “I looked up your company online. Did you write songs before?”

She scrutinized him. Though her expression was still cold, it was far better than a few days ago.

Liao Yuan nodded. “Yes, I have.”

“No wonder your songs read like poetry.”

She paused, gesturing toward Mo Jingming and the others behind her. “If I join your company, will they stop bothering me?”

Liao Yuan glanced over and asked, “Who are they?”

“The same as you.”

Song Baining spoke more than usual today. “I’ve thought it through carefully. This can’t go on. You’ve already disrupted my normal life. For now, I have a temporary positive impression of your company. Yes, I can join, but I have a few conditions.”

Liao Yuan smiled. “Let me hear them.”

“First, don’t disturb my studies before graduation; second, I won’t participate in any commercial performances other than singing; third, don’t force me to do anything I dislike; fourth, I will only sing songs that you write.”

As soon as she finished, Liu Hai and Fu Xiaoci looked stunned.

Fu Xiaoci, hot-tempered as ever, couldn’t hold back. She jumped in. “Hey, that’s too much. How can an artist refuse all commercial performances? Such a thing doesn’t exist!”

Song Baining ignored her, staring straight at Liao Yuan.

Liao Yuan stroked his chin, thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, I agree.”

Song Baining’s lips twitched, forcing a smile that was worse than crying.

Fu Xiaoci was furious. “Hey, Liao Yuan, you can’t agree to that! How can someone eat without working?”

Liao Yuan patted Fu Xiaoci’s shoulder. “It’s settled then.”

At that moment, Song Baining took a deep breath and said to the two companies behind her, “Then you can be witnesses and tell them I already have a contract.”

Liao Yuan nodded, about to step forward, but Liu Hai tugged his sleeve. “Boss Liao.”

Liao Yuan looked puzzled. “What is it?”

“Those two—Mo Jingming from Lemon Entertainment and Chai Ke from Hualong Media—don’t embarrass them if it’s unnecessary,” Liu Hai advised.

Liao Yuan raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t know much about Hualong Media, but Lemon Entertainment was the company behind Xie Yuxuan and Han Yu.

Lately, those two’s fans had given Liao Yuan a hard time. Just as he was catching his breath, he had to face their boss as well.

Interesting.

When Liao Yuan looked at Mo Jingming, Mo Jingming was looking right back at him.

Mo Jingming had a sharp memory and remembered Liao Yuan very clearly.

After all, it was rare for a small streamer to publicly criticize Han Yu online. Such a bold, self-destructive act would not be forgotten even after ten or twenty years.

Yesterday, the latest episode of “Produce 101” announced a new round of rankings.

The results left Lemon Entertainment’s executives deeply displeased.

Liao Meiqi, from a small company, once again topped the likes chart. Xie Yuxuan lagged by just two million votes, narrowly missing first place.

Though the gap was not wide, Liao Meiqi’s popularity was clearly stronger.

Thanks to the song “Nobody,” two members of Liao Meiqi’s team—Zhu Xiyu and Ju Nianzhi—surged into the top five in the new rankings.

However, they still lagged far behind third place Yu Xiaoxi and second place Xie Yuxuan in votes.

Still, being in the top five meant greater audience attention.

The other six team members also climbed from the bottom or middle ranks into the top twenty, becoming hot favorites. Their involvement in performing “Nobody” had clearly paid off.

The competition had reached a fever pitch.

Classes A, B, and C had long since lost their meaning.

All contestants were ranked weekly by the number of likes.

Liao Meiqi’s repeated top ranking shook much of the entertainment industry.

According to the latest survey, over one hundred million viewers worldwide regularly watched “Produce 101,” with countless casual viewers as well. It was a show with extraordinarily high viewership.

Thus, if the girls ultimately debuted as a group, their prospects were bright.

They had great potential to rival the Empire Seven in popularity.

Although Lemon Entertainment was furious, after investigating Liao Meiqi’s background, they began exploring alternative strategies.

A week ago, Lemon Entertainment started preparing a plan to acquire Liao Meiqi’s small company, Xinyuan Entertainment.

Acquiring Xinyuan Entertainment would mean controlling Liao Meiqi’s lucrative future.

However, even Lemon Entertainment did not expect Xinyuan Entertainment to resist stubbornly.

Xinyuan Entertainment was an obscure small company focused on artist training and commercial performances. Founded nearly three years ago, it made a modest profit but was essentially operating at a loss.

Under these circumstances, their resolute refusal shocked everyone.

To Mo Jingming, the decision-makers at Xinyuan Entertainment were either foolish or insane.

They simply lacked the capacity to manage a high-profile artist like Liao Meiqi.

And for Liao Meiqi, being with such a company meant only two possible fates:

Either to fade into obscurity or to breach her contract.

Mo Jingming could not understand what gave Xinyuan Entertainment the courage to ignore an acquisition offer worth tens of millions.

But as he watched Liao Yuan approaching, a faint clue flickered in his mind.

Though vague and fleeting, it gave him a profound sense of crisis.

“Hello, I’m Liao Yuan from Little Yellow Fish Cultural Agency. May I ask your names?” Liao Yuan smiled and extended his hand.

Chai Ke, unsure of Liao Yuan’s background, shook his hand. “Hello, I’m Chai Ke from Hualong Media.”

Mo Jingming, however, chose to ignore the gesture. He looked thoughtfully at Song Baining. “Miss Song, have you made up your mind?”

“I have,” Song Baining nodded.

Mo Jingming asked again, “Are you sure you don’t want to hear our company’s terms?”

“No need. I’ve already agreed with Boss Liao. We’re signing the contract soon,” Song Baining replied coolly. “Sorry to have wasted your trip.”

Mo Jingming nodded, glanced once at Liao Yuan, then turned and left.

Chai Ke was dumbfounded.

What on earth had happened?

He was confused but soon regained his composure. Pointing at Liao Yuan, he said speechlessly, “Miss Song, you hesitated and delayed all this time just to sign with him?”

Song Baining replied, “No, this has been my decision all along. I told you before, but you didn’t believe me. Now he’s here.”

Chai Ke looked at Liao Yuan and suddenly asked, “What did you say your name was again?”

“Liao Yuan,” Liao Yuan smiled calmly and confidently.

Chai Ke pointed at him. “Good kid, cutting in halfway with bold tactics. I’ll remember you, Old Chai.”

After Chai Ke stormed off, Song Baining said slowly, “Did I cause you trouble?”

“Not at all,” Liao Yuan smiled. “As long as you sign with Little Yellow Fish, it’s all worth it.”

Song Baining asked, “Aren’t you afraid I might go back on my word?”

“If you want those people to keep pestering you, that’s your choice,” Liao Yuan said with a smile, signaling Liu Hai to prepare the contract. “Besides, I have confidence in myself.”

“Oh?” Song Baining looked at him seriously. “So confident in your writing?”

“I’m not just a writer,” Liao Yuan said with a slight smile. “A man is like a treasure map; the longer you study it, the more puzzles you solve, the greater the surprises become.”