Chapter 68: Li He’s Resolve

After Liu Kang left, Old Qin congratulated Li He, saying, “You can now be considered a quasi-Gold Award songwriter. At twenty years old—remarkable, truly remarkable.”

One couldn’t help but marvel. Gabe was simply too young; so young, in fact, it was hard to believe these songs were his creations. Many university students at twenty were still lost, unsure about their future—whether to take the civil service exam, pursue a teaching credential, go to graduate school, or study abroad. The importance of this decision was no less than the choice of university and major after the college entrance exam.

While his peers were still lost in contemplation over which path to take, Gabe had already carved out his own legend in the world of songwriting. Whether or not Han Feng agreed to sing “Ten Years,” it wouldn’t affect Li He’s status as a quasi-Gold Award songwriter. If Han Feng refused, there were other singers—some even King or Queen of Songs—vying to perform it.

Classic songs were not easy to create. Even the King and Queen of Songs had to humble themselves before such works. Once “Ten Years” was released, Gabe’s quasi-Gold Award status would be a certainty.

The cool and elegant Zhang Yang was also delighted; witnessing the birth of a Gold Award songwriter firsthand was indeed a memorable event. Especially since Li He’s status as a Gold Award songwriter was different from the others. Most were either lyricists or composers, but Li He was both—he was a Gold Award lyricist and composer, two titles in one.

Though Li He hadn’t yet met all the criteria for a Gold Award songwriter, he had already accomplished the most challenging requirement: creating at least one classic song. The remaining prerequisite—having ten songs top the Storm Download Chart—was much simpler.

Classic songs were few and far between. Some senior songwriters had already achieved over ten number ones, only lacking a single classic to reach Gold Award status. That one song blocked the path of many. Li He, however, had already overcome the hardest hurdle.

Lounging comfortably in her soft office chair, Zhang Yang joked, “From now on, we’ll have to call you ‘Little Gold Award.’” After a pause, the cool beauty continued, “But don’t get cocky. ‘Little Gold Award’ still has the word ‘little’ in it. Only when you can drop that word will you have any right to be proud.”

Li He replied calmly, “I’ll do my best.”

Li He’s composure made Old Qin and Zhang Yang feel slightly unsettled. At twenty, shouldn’t he be a bit more exuberant and daring? Yet he seemed so steady and mature beneath his youthful, handsome appearance—a weathered, gray heart in a young man’s body.

Old Qin had thought, after Sister Yang’s remarks, he would share some experience himself, to show off his seniority. Yet, with Li He’s calm demeanor, it felt as though Li He were the senior one.

After the playful banter, Zhang Yang sat upright, crossing her legs, her expression turning serious. “Don’t worry about Han Feng—I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you, Sister Yang,” Li He said sincerely.

A smile blossomed on Zhang Yang’s cool, elegant face. “According to the company’s revenue-sharing model, Han Feng’s rank is higher than yours, so the split will be based on his level.”

“Although the company treats Han Feng as if he were already a King of Songs, he’s still missing a trophy and hasn’t officially reached that level. In that sense, he’s just like you.”

Han Feng was one trophy away from being crowned King of Songs; Li He was one number-one hit away from becoming a Level 3 songwriter. The company had already made exceptions in their treatment of both: Han Feng received King-level benefits, and Li He was treated as a Level 3 songwriter.

Zhang Yang continued, “In terms of revenue sharing, since Han Feng isn’t yet officially King of Songs, the company’s standard is a 4:6 split—forty percent for the company, sixty percent for you and Han Feng to share.”

“Of that sixty percent, Han Feng’s rank is much higher, so the singer:lyricist:composer split is 4:1:1. Since you’re both lyricist and composer, you get two shares—twenty percent. Han Feng gets forty percent.”

If the singer of “Ten Years” were a true King of Songs, the split between the singer, Li He, and the company would be 8:2.

Li He frowned slightly. The revenue split felt a bit low. He had hoped to earn more, so his sister’s life could be a bit easier.

After thinking it over, he asked, “What if the singer is a newcomer, or someone who’s only just debuted? What would the split be then?”

Old Qin explained, “If it’s a newcomer, his rank in the company would be lower than yours, so the split would follow your level—70% to the company, 30% to you and the singer. Between you two, the split would be 0.5:2.5—you get 25%, he gets 5%.”

The higher your rank, the more you earn. This rank isn’t set by Shengshi Entertainment alone—it’s industry-wide.

“The purpose of ‘Ten Years’ isn’t to make money,” Zhang Yang said coolly. “Having Han Feng sing it is mainly to boost your standing in the songwriting world—making money is secondary.”

“For us songwriters, if we want to earn more, we have to raise our rank. Once we make Gold, the split with the company becomes 7:3—we and the singer share seventy percent, the company takes thirty. As our rank rises, our share with the singer also increases.”

The splits are all relative; as your rank climbs, so does your share. For instance, the ‘god-tier’ lyricists and composers get a 9:1 split—ninety percent for them, ten for the company.

Remember, before a song is released, all the promotion, MV production, chart-pushing, and associated costs are covered by the company, and those expenses aren’t trivial.

After calculating for a moment, Li He asked, “Sister Yang, the splits between us, the singer, and the company are all clear. But how about the guitarist, pianist, bassist, and so on?”

Zhang Yang explained, “Their shares come out of the company’s portion—that’s not our concern.”

So, if I could take on more roles myself, I could earn more… Li He made a silent decision: from now on, for songs he ‘borrowed,’ he’d try to take on more positions himself.

It wasn’t about the money; he just wanted to keep busy. After all, idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

After some thought, Li He said, “Sister Yang, when we record ‘Ten Years,’ I can handle the piano.”

“You can play piano too?” Old Qin was taken aback.

Good-looking, a talented lyricist and composer, a good voice, and now a pianist? And still only a junior at university.

Unbelievable.

Li He nodded seriously. “My piano skills aren’t that advanced—only Grade 9—but playing the accompaniment for ‘Ten Years’ won’t be a problem.”

While Grade 9 wasn’t especially jaw-dropping in the professional piano world, it was more than enough for this song.

Faced with Li He’s modest ‘humble-brag,’ Old Qin was utterly stunned. “Grade 9 piano skills!”

Unreal.

Not only could he play piano, but he’d even broken into the professional circle.

Zhang Yang also fell silent, afraid if she said more, she’d be tempted to throw a high heel at Li He.

It was just too envy-inducing.

After a while, Zhang Yang, still with her legs crossed, said, “Old Qin, don’t assign Li He any more tasks in July.”

“One ‘Ten Years’ is enough. He could go several months without another assignment.”

“Understood,” Old Qin nodded. If you want me to assign more, I couldn’t anyway—I’m out of stock… Li He sighed. He was out of songs, and the negative emotion points from custom songs weren’t enough yet.

It was just too hard.

“You two can head back now,” Zhang Yang said. The necessary instructions had been given—time to send them off.

After Li He and Old Qin left, Zhang Yang suddenly slapped her forehead with a wry smile. “I actually forgot about ‘Friends.’ Li He still hasn’t completed that song.”

She had gone to find Old Qin precisely to track down the person who’d written half that song, but with all the excitement over “Ten Years,” there was no chance of getting Li He to finish “Friends” anytime soon.

How careless.

Inside the elevator, Old Qin crossed his arms, smiling as he looked Li He up and down. Li He, feeling creeped out, asked, “Brother Qin, what are you doing?”

What are you staring at? Haven’t you seen a handsome guy before? Fine, stare if you must, but what’s with that lecherous grin?

A shiver ran down Li He’s spine.

“You don’t have much work in July,” Old Qin said with ill intent. “Just in time—the company’s film ‘Guardian’ is about to premiere. I’ll treat you to the movie.”

“No thanks,” Li He politely declined. He knew the plot inside out, and it bore a striking resemblance to a film he’d watched in his previous life.

If he had free time, he’d rather think about how to earn more negative emotion points.

If you don’t go, how can I introduce you to my daughter… Old Qin kept trying. “You’ll definitely regret missing this movie. Besides, it’s our company’s investment—you should support it, for the team spirit, you know?”

No matter how persuasive you are, I’m not going. Li He’s stance was unshakable.

Old Qin wasn’t ready to give up. “After the movie, I’ll buy you dinner.”

“What kind of dinner?” Li He asked, curious.

“A feast,” Old Qin replied through gritted teeth.

“I’ll think about it,” Li He said. After all, a big meal could save quite a bit of money.

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PS: Posting first, editing later. Over 10,000 words today!