TTIG Chapter 73.1

Campus drama “Confession Letters” achieved unexpected results, ranking first in daily summer season viewership after one week of broadcast.

 

Drama fans declared: All thanks to peer comparison!

 

Those fantasy epics with gorgeous effects but melodramatic plots had long caused audience aesthetic fatigue. This year, gorgeous effects + top traffic stars didn’t work either—bad plots still meant failure.

 

FTM was truly lucky this time—casually singing an OST that went viral, with music platform saves becoming the champion among all summer season TV drama OSTs.

 

Summer was the main battleground for films and TV dramas, while the music scene lacked fresh trending events and seemed quite peaceful.

 

Until the morning of August 4th, when a message dropped like a bombshell, shattering the surface calm.

 

Xie Shiqi: “Thank you @Sheng Yao Media for nurturing and supporting me these years. Contract expired, not renewing. Farewell and best wishes—may Sheng Yao Media prosper.”

 

Sheng Yao forwarded her Weibo: “Very honored to walk ten years with Shiqi. Wish Shiqi a bright future.”

 

The hashtag #Xie Shiqi Leaves Sheng Yao# was pushed to trending #1, with the music diva’s influence indeed causing huge waves.

 

“Holy crap, Sister Shiqi left Sheng Yao!”

 

“Heard Sheng Yao has tons of rules and ridiculous company cuts—good to leave and be free!”

 

“Not renewing expired contracts is normal, right?”

 

“Universal celebration! Congratulations to Sister Shiqi for gaining freedom!”

 

Artists not renewing expired contracts with original companies was quite common in entertainment circles, but Fang Yinnian hadn’t expected Xie Shiqi to leave Sheng Yao.

 

As Xie Shiqi’s fan, he naturally knew Sheng Yao had discovered her, signing her during her unknown period for a full ten years. He’d thought Shiqi had a good relationship with the company to sign for so long.

 

Yet she left Sheng Yao at her ten-year debut anniversary—were renewal contract terms poorly negotiated? Or did she want to start her own studio?

 

Fang Yinnian had chatted pleasantly with Xie Shiqi at the celebration banquet, they’d added each other as friends, and she’d even said she’d guest at their future concerts.

 

So asking privately after seeing trending news should be fine, right? Fang Yinnian boldly messaged Xie Shiqi: “Sister Shiqi, I saw the trending topic—you terminated your company contract?”

 

Xie Shiqi quickly replied: “Yes, regained freedom~”

 

Fang Yinnian was stunned—regained freedom? Had she been very unfree at the company?

 

Xie Shiqi said: “I plan to open my own studio. These years were too exhausting. I’m not so short on money now, so I’ll give myself a month’s vacation before preparing for my global tour in September.”

 

Fang Yinnian: “Sister Shiqi, rest well and good luck with the tour ^^”

 

Xie Shiqi: “Thanks, you guys keep working hard too [flowers].”

 

She didn’t say much more, and Fang Yinnian didn’t dare ask if she’d had conflicts with the company.

 

He went to the restaurant for breakfast with his teammates.

 

Tan Junwen glanced at his stock trading app as usual, then was surprised to discover—the Sheng Yao Media stock he’d bought had hit daily limit down at market opening.

 

Tan Junwen was stunned: “What the hell? What’s happening?”

 

He quickly showed his phone to everyone: “Brothers, remember the Sheng Yao stock I bought?”

 

After everyone received their money from year-end financial settlement, Tan Junwen had wanted to trade stocks but was jointly dissuaded by Mo Xun and Tang Che.

 

Later he said he’d just put some pocket money to test waters. Fang Yinnian remembered this and looked up: “What’s wrong, Junwen? Did you lose money on stocks? How much?”

 

Fu Fei joked: “It’s fine, don’t be sad Junwen-ge. I’ll sing ‘Don’t Cry’ for you and you can earn it back later.”

 

Tan Junwen slapped the back of his head: “It’s not about profit or loss—Sheng Yao stock suddenly hit limit down, there must be major company changes. That’s what I’m worried about!”

 

Tang Che guessed: “Could it be related to Xie Shiqi leaving Sheng Yao?”

 

Tan Junwen frowned: “An artist’s expired contract departure shouldn’t cause an entertainment company’s stock to directly hit limit down, right? I think the problem isn’t that simple.”

 

The group exchanged glances, looking at each other uncertainly.

 

As a renowned listed company in the industry, Sheng Yao Media had a large roster of singers including FTM, plus ace acts like Xie Shiqi, He Yan, Tao Yizhou, Black Sky band, and many second and third-tier singers.

 

Mo Xun said calmly: “Listed company stocks are affected by many factors—maybe there are high-level changes or the company lost money investing in other projects?”

 

He looked at Tan Junwen: “Junwen, hurry up and sell the stock. Stop playing—it’s nerve-wracking.”

 

Tan Junwen scratched his hair: “I won’t sell. I didn’t put much money in anyway. I’ll observe for two more days.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Xun’s phone suddenly rang. He answered: “Brother Xu… now? Okay.”

 

Mo Xun put down his phone: “Everyone eat quickly—our manager’s calling us back to the company for a meeting.”

 

The group wolfed down breakfast and jogged to the conference room on the 10th floor of Company Building A.

 

Xu Baichuan handed five contracts to each person, saying: “Here, read the contracts and sign. I’ve booked new variety shows for you.”

 

Fang Yinnian looked down at his contract. His was for regular guest status on “Time Records.” What surprised him was that the contract’s regular guest name wasn’t written as “FTM Group” but as “Fang Yinnian.”

 

Fang Yinnian was stunned—was he going alone?

 

He instinctively looked at Mo Xun, meeting Mo Xun’s gaze—clearly, Mo Xun’s contract was also different.

 

Mo Xun asked directly: “Brother Xu, are we splitting up for separate activities? I’m going to ‘Street Dance of China’ alone?”

 

Xu Baichuan said: “Right. You have too many variety show invitations. Having all five go as regular guests together has limited promotional effect.”

 

“Moreover, variety show appearance fees quote by group for combinations. For example, ‘Sounds of Nature’ regular guests get 2 million per solo act, but for your five-person group they quote 4 million total, which splits to 800,000 each. After company cuts, there’s not much left.”

 

“But if you five act separately, you can simultaneously appear on five different variety shows, getting paid as individual guests. As long as you carry the FTM label, you can expand recognition fivefold. Get my meaning?”

 

The five exchanged glances, quickly understanding their manager’s intention.

 

As a group activity, they could only appear on one show at a time, only influencing that show’s audience while getting group rates.

 

If promoting separately, that would be five times the exposure. Maybe today Fang Yinnian appeared on Nanxing TV, tomorrow Mo Xun on Yuntu TV, the day after Junwen showing his face on Dongyang TV…

 

Frequent face-showing would greatly help FTM’s recognition. Plus each person got independent appearance fees without splitting with teammates.

 

FTM was already popular—now they needed to expand their circle.

 

Splitting up was indeed the fastest method.

 

However, since debut the five had always been accustomed to group activities. Suddenly venturing into entertainment circles alone left everyone feeling uncertain.

 

Xu Baichuan briefly introduced: “Yinnian goes to ‘Time Records,’ Tang Che to ‘Music Station’—these two aren’t competitive shows, no need to be mentors. Just seriously prepare one song per episode, not much pressure.”

 

“Mo Xun goes to ‘Street Dance of China,’ Junwen to ‘Chinese New Rap,’ Xiao Fei to ‘Idol Producer’ as regular guests. These three are competitive shows where you’ll serve as mentor assistants—just maintain humble attitudes and there’ll be no problems.”

 

“Though these variety shows aren’t first-tier influence, they’re offering you quite high rates. Take the chance to earn more money.” He paused, joking: “Of course, I also get commission.”

 

Everyone laughed.

 

Managers getting project commissions was industry common knowledge. Some selfish managers would book shows artists disliked or force them into unwanted roles just for commission.

 

Their manager had treated them well since debut, worrying about them like a homeroom teacher, so everyone still trusted Brother Xu greatly.

 

Mo Xun said decisively: “Let’s do it—second half of the year we’ll split up, with all five separately appearing on different shows.”

 

With the captain speaking, others had no objections. After roughly reviewing contract terms, they signed their names.

 

Xu Baichuan said: “Second half of the year’s main schedule will be your respective variety shows. I’ll find five assistants to separately accompany you for recordings. Contact me immediately if there are any problems.”

 

Fang Yinnian: “…”

 

For some reason, he suddenly felt uneasy.

 

Splitting up to record variety shows, each going to different programs as guests—other domestic entertainment idol boy groups had done this too.

 

But… they’d only released one album.

 

Logically, shouldn’t they continue making a second album, accumulating more songs, then prepare for concerts?

 

Fang Yinnian didn’t quite understand Xu Baichuan’s planning approach. But he keenly sensed their manager’s mood wasn’t that good today, frequently checking his phone for messages with a furrowed brow.

 

That afternoon, Fang Yinnian boldly messaged Xu Baichuan: “Brother Xu, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you privately. Do you have time this afternoon?”

 

Xu Baichuan replied: “Come to my office at 3 PM.”

 

At 3 PM sharp, Fang Yinnian arrived at Xu Baichuan’s personal office. Upon entering, he immediately felt the atmosphere was strange.

 

Xu Baichuan was on the phone, pointing at the sofa for Fang Yinnian to sit first.

 

Fang Yinnian heard his lowered voice: “CEO Zhao, I really can’t rest easy leaving them now. Wouldn’t leaving now mean giving up halfway? Thank you for CEO Zhao’s recognition, haha, alright… we’ll collaborate again when there’s opportunity. Yes, goodbye.”

 

CEO Zhao? Was that Sheng Yao’s CEO Zhao?

 

Fang Yinnian sat anxiously on the sofa.

 

Xu Baichuan hung up, rubbing his temples: “Old Zhao’s call… oh right, did you know CEO Zhao resigned?”

 

Fang Yinnian was stunned: “Ah? No.”

 

Xu Baichuan said: “The president’s office just issued internal documents today. Sheng Yao’s CEO is now Zhou Haoran. You probably didn’t check the company’s internal mailbox. Forget it—this matter doesn’t concern you, don’t worry about it.”

 

Fang Yinnian: “…”

 

Could today’s stock limit-down be related to high-level changes?

 

Xu Baichuan looked at Fang Yinnian: “What did you want to see me about?”

 

Fang Yinnian said: “Oh, it’s like this—I’ve written several songs recently. One is an FTM harmony song, plus two solo singles. We… don’t have plans for recording new songs in the second half?”

 

He nervously gripped his fingers: “My songs naturally can’t compare to Teacher Yu’s level. But I played them for the others and they all quite liked them, wondering when we could record them.”

 

Xu Baichuan pondered: “Your second half schedule is packed. How about this—give me the songs first, I’ll see how to squeeze out time for recording.”

 

Fang Yinnian immediately handed him a USB drive: “Thank you, Brother Xu!”

 

Seeing Fang Yinnian’s bright eyes, Xu Baichuan softened slightly, standing to pat Fang Yinnian’s shoulder: “Sigh, Yinnian, actually you could go solo right now, but I don’t want FTM to disband so early, so you five will try individual activities for a while.”

 

Fang Yinnian was shocked: “What… disband?”

 

This word left his mind completely blank, because he’d never thought FTM would disband—they’d only debuted two years ago!

 

Xu Baichuan said: “I insist on not letting FTM disband, but today’s high-level meeting had very divided opinions.”

 

He hesitated, looking troubled: “The company has many changes recently. Sheng Yao cultivated you not to help realize your dreams, but for greater profits.”

 

“You five together can’t maximize profits. One money tree earns less than five… you understand?”

 

Fang Yinnian fell silent.

 

Yes, the five of them appearing on variety shows and endorsements together could only get one “group” payment. But once acting independently, company income would increase fivefold.

 

Behind companies was capital—businessmen naturally prioritized profits most.

 

Same time period, earning 4 million versus 10 million, with companies taking 80% of the majority—anyone could figure out which to choose.

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)