Zhou Weiqiang led Chen Yang to sit down on the sofa, then said with a smile:
"President Qin of Haixia Audio-Visual Publishing Co., Ltd. is very interested in these songs. He's an old friend of mine. They want to buy the copyrights outright—60,000 yuan for all three songs. What do you think of that price?"
Frankly speaking, Chen Yang was a complete newcomer to the music creation circle. For three new songs that hadn't been tested by the market, a price of 20,000 yuan per song was already quite good. Of course, Chen Yang himself was very clear about the value of these songs. In his future life, these were songs that had proven to be absolute hits; their actual value was definitely more than 60,000 yuan.
However, Chen Yang didn't rely on this line of work for a living. He just wanted to pay off his debts as soon as possible and raise some more money as start-up capital for his business, so he didn't want to haggle too much over the selling price. Therefore, Chen Yang readily agreed:
"Sure! Let's sell it to them!"
Zhou Weiqiang seemed to have anticipated Chen Yang's agreement. He picked up a stack of papers from the coffee table and handed them to Chen Yang, saying:
"Alright, the transfer contract has been drafted. Take a close look, and sign it if there are no problems!"
In Zhou Weiqiang's opinion, the price was already quite high. Although the songs were indeed very good, this industry relies heavily on reputation. For Chen Yang, an unknown songwriter, to be offered 20,000 yuan per song was already a favor to Zhou Weiqiang.
"No need to look at it. With Brother Qiang personally overseeing it, what do I have to worry about?" With that, Chen Yang picked up a pen from the table and quickly signed his name at the end of the contract.
Zhou Weiqiang gave Chen Yang an appreciative look, then put the contract away. Chen Yang took out a bank card and handed it to Zhou Weiqiang, saying,
"Brother Qiang, why don't you just go all the way and entrust this whole matter to you? When you get the money, after deducting the money I owe the bar and your share, just deposit the rest into this card."
Zhou Weiqiang was a straightforward man. Without a word, he took Chen Yang's card, then pulled a pack of cigarettes from the box on the coffee table and tossed it to Chen Yang, saying,
"Xiao Fang, are you really not considering singing for Brother Qiang? We can discuss the salary further!"
Chen Yang lit the cigarette, a troubled look on his face.
Seeing this, Zhou Weiqiang immediately smiled and said,
"Alright, I understand. No need to say anything more, just work hard for me! Brother Qiang won't treat you unfairly!"
Chen Yang had originally planned to resign and leave after paying off his debts. But now the situation is different. As long as Su He works here, even if Zhou Weiqiang tries to fire Chen Yang, he won't resign. Therefore, Chen Yang nodded and said,
"Thank you for understanding, Brother Qiang! I'll get back to work now!"
Zhou Weiqiang waved his hand, and Chen Yang stood up and went straight to the dressing room to change.
The bar was always exceptionally busy on weekends. Su He barely had time to rest from the start of her shift, while Chen Yang constantly patrolled the bar, afraid of making any mistakes. Ning Qiaoqian was still on leave, and another male bartender, A Lei, was covering for her. Without Ning Qiaoqian's flirtatious banter, Chen Yang felt his time at the bar was a bit dull.
Finally, around 11:30 PM, Chen Yang and Su He left the bar together.
As Chen Yang drove, he proactively said,
"This car was borrowed from Qiaoqian's family. We were delayed in Xiamen this morning, and if we take the bus back, we'll miss the afternoon's competition."
Su He was naturally reserved and wouldn't usually ask about such things. However, Chen Yang felt that although they hadn't officially crossed the line, it was better to be upfront about some things. Of course, Chen Yang wasn't foolish enough to reveal everything about his relationship with Ning Qiaoqian.
Su He smiled slightly,
"I don't think I asked about that..."
"Whether you ask or not is your business; whether you tell me or not is mine!" Chen Yang immediately interjected.
Su He smiled silently, a warm feeling washing over her. Su He had lived a difficult and frugal life since childhood. Although from middle school to university, her natural beauty had never lacked suitors, she had always been busy—busy studying to change her fate, busy working to support her family. Romance was something Su He had never even considered growing up. But the feeling of being moved doesn't wait until you're ready for a relationship to arrive. Su He and Chen Yang hadn't known each other for long, but from the first time she heard him sing in a bar, Su He herself didn't realize that this talented fellow villager, with a similar background to hers, had quietly entered her heart.
For a while, Su He unconsciously began to enjoy this feeling of being cared for and cherished, and she herself unconsciously started to miss Chen Yang when he wasn't around.
Lost in thought, Su He suddenly remembered the calligraphy and painting competition and turned to Chen Yang, saying,
"By the way, the judging for the shortlisted works in the calligraphy and painting competition is on Wednesday afternoon. Director Lü from the Art Department asked me to tell you that you absolutely must participate. He said you have the best chance of winning the gold medal!"
At this moment, the car had already arrived at the girls' dormitory building. Chen Yang parked the car smoothly in front of the building and then jokingly said,
"What about you? If you participate, I definitely will!"
Su He pursed her lips without speaking, opened the car door, got out, and stood prettily beside the car, saying,
"If you don't participate, then I won't participate either!"
Chen Yang was overjoyed upon hearing this and laughed heartily at Su He. Su He's pretty face inexplicably flushed, her heart pounding like a deer. These words might not have mattered to anyone else, but to Su He, they were quite blatant. Chen Yang's laughter only made Su He more embarrassed. She stamped her foot and said with a hint of pout and shyness,
"What are you laughing at? If you laugh again, I won't talk to you anymore!"
Chen Yang, panting, suppressed a laugh and said,
"Okay, okay! I won't laugh anymore, alright?"
Just as he finished speaking, Chen Yang remembered Su He's shy expression and couldn't help but burst out laughing again.
Su He's face immediately turned bright red. She glanced quickly at Chen Yang and ran upstairs as if fleeing. Only when she reached the corner of the stairs and was sure Chen Yang couldn't see her did she stop. She touched her slightly panting chest with her delicate hand, her face burning. Thinking of Chen Yang's mischievous grin, Su He couldn't help but laugh out loud herself.
...
June 1st, Tuesday, Rongcheng North Riverside Park. On the beach, a few tourists strolled leisurely, while a group of elderly people danced in a nearby open space, and several children ran happily along the riverbank.
Chen Yang sat alone on the park railing, the rushing river flowing below. A cool river breeze swept over him, making him feel refreshed and relaxed.
Zhou Weiqiang was extremely efficient; he had already returned Chen Yang's bank card yesterday. Of the 60,000 yuan copyright fee, Zhou Weiqiang received 20%, or 12,000 yuan, as agreed. Adding the 6,000 yuan Chen Yang owed the bar, Zhou Weiqiang deducted a total of 18,000 yuan. The remaining 42,000 yuan was deposited into Chen Yang's account in full.
This was the first time Chen Yang's net worth was positive since his rebirth. He first bought himself a few new outfits. Accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle of his previous life, Chen Yang's biggest worry was the pile of low-end, tacky, and tasteless clothes left behind by his ex-wife, a complete loser. Forty thousand yuan wasn't enough to buy luxury brand names, and he couldn't squander it all at once—he needed it as start-up capital! But he could still dress somewhat presentably and with a bit of taste.
Currently, Chen Yang was wearing a Jack & Jones casual outfit: a black military-style fitted shirt, pencil-gray straight-leg jeans, and brown casual leather shoes. This outfit perfectly accentuated his slightly rebellious air, and it cost him a little over two thousand five hundred yuan.
This was under the condition that Chen Yang was extremely frugal; after all, this money would be used for a big reason! If it were according to Chen Yang's previous life's habits, forty thousand two thousand yuan wouldn't even be enough to buy a belt!
"I made money, I made money, and I don't even know how to spend it! I could buy a Nokia with my left hand and a Motorola with my right..." As Chen Yang was lost in thought, his phone suddenly rang loudly. It was the same ringtone he'd set yesterday in a great mood after receiving the money. So at first, Chen Yang didn't realize it was his phone ringing. After ringing for a while, he finally snapped out of his daze, hurriedly pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and swiped to answer.
"What are you thinking about? Staring blankly at the Minjiang River, not even answering the phone..." As soon as the call connected, Su He's teasing voice came through the phone.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yang excitedly turned around and saw Su He standing on the steps ten meters away, wearing a pale yellow dress, holding a phone, smiling sweetly.
It was Su He! "So, what's the matter that you asked me out?" Su He walked step by step towards Chen Yang, her hands behind her back. Today, she wore her hair in a ponytail, tilting her head slightly as she looked up at Chen Yang. Her serene demeanor was enhanced by a touch of playfulness, making her even more alluring.
Su He's eyes held a hint of expectation as she gazed at Chen Yang.
Chen Yang smiled and pointed to a group of children playing on the beach under the guidance of their teacher, saying,
"Today is Children's Day! For your innocent heart, I specially rescued you from the hellish library. Tell me, how are you going to thank me?"
A fleeting look of disappointment crossed Su He's eyes, but she quickly replied with a grin,
"How old are you? Still celebrating Children's Day!"
Chen Yang noticed Su He's expression, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He suddenly pulled a beautifully wrapped gift box from behind his back, handed it to Su He, and exclaimed loudly,
"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Su He!"