Chapter 18: An Unconventional Offer

The online buzz and commotion did not affect Lin Ziyao in the slightest. After the stage performance concluded that evening, she seized the opportunity during the show’s subsequent break to return to her home in Jiang City.

Just before she left, Qin Yu had specifically arranged a time for Lin Ziyao to visit her studio.

Even with the production crew on holiday, Lin Ziyao’s life maintained a consistent routine, commuting between the hospital and home. Each day, she would bring food for her grandmother, and they would eat together by the bedside.

However, the viral spread of “The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style” performance and its secondary creations online meant she had to be cautious when going out, always donning sunglasses and a hat. This was an experience of celebrity treatment she had never encountered in her previous life.

Just how popular had this song become?

It could be said that many shops on the streets now played the song. Some businesses even sensed a commercial opportunity, organizing their employees to learn it, record videos, and upload them to websites to boost their company’s visibility.

Even her grandmother, who was hospitalized, would occasionally hum a few lines while eating, though Lin Ziyao hadn’t yet told her that she was the song’s composer.

Today marked the final day of the production crew’s holiday, and it was also the appointed time for Lin Ziyao to visit Qin Yu’s studio for a recording session.

A ringing phone startled Lin Ziyao awake from her deep slumber. She picked up the call, saw the number was from Qin Yu, and answered, her voice soft and sweet with lingering sleepiness. “Hello?”

“How long were you planning to sleep? I called you several times before you finally picked up!” The sweet tone in Lin Ziyao’s voice clearly did nothing to quell the complaint in Qin Yu’s.

They had agreed on a time, yet when it arrived, Lin Ziyao hadn’t answered her phone.

Hearing this, Lin Ziyao instantly sobered up. She checked her phone, discovering several missed calls. Faced with such a situation, she could only “slide to her knees” in apology. “My apologies, I genuinely didn’t notice.”

“Give me your home address; I’ll come pick you up!” Qin Yu sighed softly, rubbing her brow. As they needed to rush back to the resort in the evening, their available time was limited.

Before long, Lin Ziyao spotted a black commercial van arriving. The door slid open, revealing Qin Yu seated inside.

“Get in!”

Observing Lin Ziyao’s attire, it was no different from usual: a loose white shirt, slim-fit black jeans, and long hair casually unbound. Only the languor in her eyes hinted at her relaxed ease.

Lin Ziyao obediently boarded the commercial van, surveying its interior layout. It was entirely different from what she had expected from the outside. The seven-seater vehicle felt exceptionally spacious with only Qin Yu inside, apart from the driver.

“Have you had breakfast?” Qin Yu inquired.

Lin Ziyao shook her head.

Qin Yu nodded slightly. “Perfect. Eating too much can affect your singing voice during recording.”

Lin Ziyao stared at her, wide-eyed. ‘Shouldn’t the normal response be, ‘Let’s get some breakfast first’?’ she thought.

Observing Lin Ziyao’s astonished expression, Qin Yu once again experienced a rare sense of delight.

Of course, those were just words. Qin Yu still retrieved a bag of bread and a bottle of water from the car, handing them to Lin Ziyao. “I knew you hadn’t eaten breakfast. Just have a few slices to line your stomach, but don’t eat too much.”

Just as Lin Ziyao pulled out a slice of bread and prepared to put it in her mouth, Qin Yu added, “The rest, if we don’t finish recording this morning, will be your lunch!”

“Hey!” Lin Ziyao pouted. “I thought all the songs we’re recording today were mine?”

“Speaking of which, take a look at this collaboration agreement and tell me if there are any issues.” With that, Qin Yu produced another contract from the car and handed it to her.

Still holding the bread in her mouth, Lin Ziyao opened the bag and glanced at the contract. After reading it, she found herself unable to eat the bread. This collaboration agreement wasn’t just good; it felt like they were practically giving her money for free.

“Are you just giving me money?” After finally swallowing the bread, she pointed at the contract’s clauses. “My condition was for you not to take the copyright for the songs, but for my albums or singles, you’re only asking for production costs plus a ten percent commission. Aren’t you making any profit?”

Normally, artist contracts split song royalties either 30/70 or 40/60. However, Qin Yu’s proposed terms were 10/90, meaning they would only take a ten percent profit after essential costs. This was so unusual that it made Lin Ziyao wonder if it was a shell company.

“Is there a problem with that?” Qin Yu shifted her posture, asking with amusement. “Didn’t you say you needed money?”

“Can you speak for your company?” Lin Ziyao shot her an indifferent glance.

Hearing Lin Ziyao’s words, Qin Yu burst into laughter, as if she had heard the funniest joke imaginable. “The collaboration agreement is with you. Take your time to consider it.”

Her slightly trembling shoulders, however, betrayed her irrepressible mirth.

“How strange. And I recall today’s purpose was to tour your company and record some songs!” Lin Ziyao couldn’t be bothered to engage further, instead resuming her breakfast.

Not long after, the group arrived at the location of Qin Yu’s studio.

“Your company is truly wealthy, to be able to rent a studio in such a prime location.” Lin Ziyao stepped out of the car, gazing up at the towering commercial building, and exclaimed.

This was the most prosperous area in Jiang City, where office rent was several times higher than in ordinary districts. At this moment, Lin Ziyao truly believed Qin Yu’s company possessed the financial power to “give away money.”

“Alright, I’ll take you upstairs for a tour first!” Qin Yu reached out, taking Lin Ziyao’s hand, and led her into the building.

The staff inside the building showed no surprise or inappropriate behavior upon seeing Qin Yu and Lin Ziyao, which put Lin Ziyao at ease. After all, she feared being cornered in a public area like the lobby, where escape would be impossible.

Following Qin Yu’s lead, the two walked towards the studio’s location.

This place, however, shattered all of Lin Ziyao’s preconceptions about celebrity studios. She had initially imagined a space filled with numerous instruments and recording equipment. Instead, it was indistinguishable from a regular office, with employees simply greeting Qin Yu as they passed by.

“Where’s the recording studio?” Lin Ziyao looked left and right, unable to find the recording room. The sight of the office-like studio made her, a former corporate drone, feel her scalp tingle, urging her to leave quickly.

Since Lin Ziyao had spoken, Qin Yu didn’t linger. Her original intention had been to showcase her studio team, hoping to instill confidence in Lin Ziyao to sign the contract.

“The recording studio is upstairs. I’ll take you up.”

With that, Qin Yu led her up one floor. Originally, they were scheduled to record one song each today, but due to the immense popularity of “The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style,” they now needed to record an additional song, bringing the total to three instead of the planned two.