Everyone: “…………”
Fang Yinnian said: “I’ve already submitted evidence to my lawyer. President Zhou, whether to sue or not—I’m waiting for your answer.”
With that, he decisively turned and left the office.
Brilliant sunshine streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows onto the hallway floor—Jiangzhou was still having beautiful weather today.
Yet Fang Yinnian’s mood was incredibly heavy. His eyes suddenly stung with sourness as he single-handedly confronted the company’s top artist Tao Yizhou’s team and President Zhou who condoned it all…
What were his actual chances of winning?
One careless move and he’d be blacklisted, never able to recover.
But he had to terminate his contract and reclaim copyrights to all his songs.
If he could also solve Mo Xun’s production issue, that would be even better. He also wanted to protect the person he liked, letting Mo Xun happily follow Director Qi to film and learn.
Fang Yinnian walked slowly toward the elevator with a pale face, his legs feeling like they dragged heavy stones—every step was incredibly difficult.
Xu Baichuan quickly chased after him, grabbing Fang Yinnian’s wrist and saying quietly: “Yinnian, come with me.”
Fang Yinnian was pulled to the 10th floor office and the door was locked behind them.
Only then did Xu Baichuan release Fang Yinnian’s hand, taking a deep breath to gently persuade: “Yinnian, Tao Yizhou isn’t the only ‘creative singer’ in the industry who plagiarizes. Selling one song for 1 million isn’t a loss—your teacher’s songs only earn that much. Don’t be too stubborn or inflexible.”
“We can still write many more songs in the future. Don’t directly conflict with President Zhou, okay? He’s more ruthless than you think. You’ve already angered him with this stunt.”
“If he really wants to get nasty with you, you won’t be able to handle it. Industry blacklisting is minor—he might spread rumors and expose fake scandals to ruin your future.”
Hearing these words, Fang Yinnian’s fingers trembled slightly.
He knew he was taking enormous risks. How could a nobody without backing fight against capital?
He could clearly grit his teeth and swallow blood, forcing himself to suppress this anger and wait out the remaining two and a half years until contract expiration.
But every day staying here was unbearable. He could no longer find that initial feeling of loving music and simply wanting to sing.
He even more didn’t want songs he’d worked hard to write being carelessly ruined by the company. Giving them to others to sing while claiming others wrote them—had they ever respected him?
He didn’t want to endure anymore.
Besides, he’d always wanted to study abroad since childhood. Lausanne Academy was his dream school—he’d discussed admission requirements in detail with Sister Yu Can. Going there for graduate studies after university graduation to enrich his knowledge and experience while freely writing songs—that was the life he wanted.
Fang Yinnian took a deep breath, making up his mind: “Brother Xu, my confrontation with President Zhou and Tao Yizhou’s team isn’t completely hopeless—after all, I’m in the right this time.”
Xu Baichuan looked at him in surprise: “What can you do alone? Arms can’t twist thighs—stop being naive, okay?”
Fang Yinnian said: “I’m not alone—I have my teammates.”
Would they… stand on his side?
***
That evening after returning home, Fang Yinnian personally cooked a table of dishes and invited teammates to dinner. At the meal, he tried to simply and calmly tell everyone the cause and effect.
After hearing everything, Mo Xun was almost furious with rage, wanting nothing more than to tightly hold Fang Yinnian in his arms—how could his Yinnian suffer such injustice?! Those beasts were simply inhuman!
Tan Junwen looked completely bewildered: “Yinnian, you really want to terminate your contract with the company? But if you leave, won’t our FTM break up?”
Hearing this, Fu Fei’s eyes immediately reddened as he grabbed Fang Yinnian’s hand, choking up: “Brother Nian, don’t… don’t leave, okay? I know you’ve been wronged in this matter, but you’re FTM’s main vocalist—what will we do if you leave?”
Just then, Mo Xun suddenly said calmly: “I support Yinnian taking this opportunity to terminate his contract and leave Sheng Yao.”
Everyone looked up at their captain in surprise.
Mo Xun said: “All of Yinnian’s song copyrights are with the company—this will always be a hidden danger. He can’t go the next two and a half years without writing a single song. Being able to regain freedom and reclaim copyrights is a good thing.”
Mo Xun had indeed grasped the key issue—this was also why Fang Yinnian had to leave.
Before Tao Yizhou’s incident, several songs he’d written had been suppressed by the company, unable to be officially released. He didn’t want future songs he wrote to all be handled by the company either.
He wanted to make his own decisions.
Leaving Sheng Yao was the best and only choice.
Mo Xun analyzed calmly: “President Zhou’s intention to break up the group is obvious. Even if Yinnian stays, our second album would be indefinitely delayed. The five of us earning money separately brings maximum revenue to the company. As long as we stay at Sheng Yao, we can’t escape being manipulated by them. Yinnian leaving earlier means earlier liberation.”
After Mo Xun finished speaking, he looked at Fang Yinnian with heartache, but the latter just smiled slightly and said gently: “Exactly. FTM now only has a name left. It’s very difficult for us to continue developing as a team—the group exists in name only. Disbandment is inevitable. We currently can’t control our own fates unless we become independent.”
Several teammates exchanged glances, looking completely bewildered.
Mo Xun continued this topic: “Let’s speak plainly today. Our biggest advantage is short contract terms. After 5 years expire, I want to leave Sheng Yao and establish my own business. Are you willing to come with me?”
Fu Fei asked in shock: “Brother Mo, you want to open your own studio?”
Mo Xun said: “Right—being our own bosses so no one can order us around anymore.”
Tang Che said calmly: “Being a boss isn’t that simple. You don’t have that many industry connections and resources, right? Do you understand how to operate a studio? Do you know how to manage subordinate staff and deal with TV stations and various platforms?”
Tan Junwen scratched his head: “I don’t understand any of this.”
Mo Xun said: “We still have Brother Xu.”
Fu Fei’s eyes widened: “You want to bring Brother Xu along?”
Mo Xun nodded: “Haven’t you noticed that after President Zhou took power, he’s gradually hollowing out managers’ authority? Xu Baichuan was promoted by the previous CEO Zhao—President Zhou obviously doesn’t trust Xu Baichuan much. Maybe after some time, our manager will be replaced too. When that happens, Brother Xu will definitely resign.”
Everyone: “…”
No wonder Brother Xu had been looking worried lately.
Previously, what schedules they took were decided by their manager, but now everything needed President Zhou’s approval. Xu Baichuan was probably very frustrated too—if not for being unable to abandon them, Old Xu would have left long ago.
Mo Xun said: “I’ll privately negotiate cooperation with Brother Xu, having him secretly gather resources and connections. When our contracts expire, we’ll all leave together and sign him to our studio. Only then can we be truly free.”
Hearing the captain’s words, everyone couldn’t help yearning for that free future.
But… could it really go so smoothly?
Mo Xun said seriously: “The key now is that everyone must be united and stand firmly together. Don’t be swayed by President Zhou’s various sugar-coated bullets and privately renew contracts.”
“If even one of us five gets caught with fatal dirt on them, or gets persuaded by President Zhou to secretly renew, then FTM would lose all meaning of existence.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
Fu Fei was first to raise his hand: “I won’t renew. I’ll listen to Brother Mo—we’ll leave together when the time comes.”
Tang Che raised an eyebrow: “I don’t want to stay at this crappy company either. Their hyped-up ‘creative singer’ Tao Yizhou is actually just a fake embroidered pillow. In the future they might package and hype us too—I don’t want to live like a fake person.”
Tan Junwen smiled: “Then I’ll go with you all too. I’m happiest when singing and dancing with you guys.”
His teammates’ firm support deeply moved Fang Yinnian, who said quietly: “Thank you everyone, thank you for not blaming me and being willing to stand on my side.”
Tang Che gently grasped his hand: “Yinnian, you’re the most courageous among us. Daring to confront President Zhou head-on—you’re really cool.”
Tan Junwen said: “Exactly. I wouldn’t have that courage—probably wouldn’t even know what to say.”
Fu Fei scratched his head, laughing: “Brother Nian is just tough. When the director mocked us rookie idols for why we insisted on live vocals, Brother Nian firmly said we would sing live.”
Fang Yinnian’s heart warmed: “Because I have you all beside me—you’re my confidence to confront the company.”
All five looked at each other and smiled together.
Fortunately, when sad times came, friends stood by their side—they were never fighting alone.
Mo Xun reminded: “After Yinnian leaves, let’s try not to directly conflict with the company, and don’t let them know we’ll run away. Everyone act obedient, verbally agree to consider renewal at expiration, and learn President Zhou’s pie-in-the-sky speaking skills. Everyone earn more money to accumulate startup funds for opening our own studio.”
Everyone nodded: “Understood.”
Mo Xun said: “Tomorrow morning we’ll go back to the company together to negotiate. Think about what to say.”
Fang Yinnian said: “I’ll terminate my contract with the company. You four should disband and go solo.”
Mo Xun felt a stabbing pain in his heart. He looked at Fang Yinnian, saying quietly: “That way you’ll be cursed to death by group fans. Everyone will think FTM disbanded because of your betrayal.”
Fang Yinnian: “It doesn’t matter—let them curse. FTM already exists in name only anyway. Better to disband outright than let the company make more trouble with the group name. I’ll be the catalyst for this disbandment.”
Everyone fell silent.
Currently there was no better solution.
Having Fang Yinnian swallow his anger and pretend ignorance about Tao Yizhou’s matter, continuing to fulfill his Sheng Yao contract for two and a half more years while handing over all created songs to the company…
That was too unfair.
Better to leave now and win more opportunities for teammates.
***
The next day, all five FTM members were called back to the company by President Zhou.
After deep consideration, President Zhou’s attitude had softened considerably: “Yinnian, ultimately this is personal grievance between you and Tao Yizhou. I already called and severely scolded him last night. He’s also willing to privately apologize and raise copyright fees to 2 million. Don’t sue—just make friends, okay?”
“You’ll both be mixing in the music industry in the future—you see each other all the time as company artists. Why make things so ugly?”
Fang Yinnian smiled: “President Zhou, I don’t accept his apology. Tao Yizhou’s team is clearly in the wrong—suing him is reasonable. But considering the company cultivated me and he’s a company-backed top star, I’m willing to propose three conditions for private resolution.”
Zhou Haoran’s face twisted with rage for an instant, saying coldly: “You’re determined to leave? Think clearly—once you go, you’ll be FTM’s biggest traitor. Group fans alone could drown you in spit!”
Fang Yinnian said: “It’s fine. Having the four of them go solo perfectly suits President Zhou’s intentions, doesn’t it?”
President Zhou: “…”
Mo Xun said quietly: “Let Yinnian go. If he really sues, Tao Yizhou’s downfall wouldn’t benefit Sheng Yao either.”
Tan Junwen smiled in agreement: “Tao Yizhou is the company’s money tree—what a pity to cut it down. Yinnian and Tao Yizhou are now irreconcilable. President Zhou, freeing Yinnian benefits both sides.”
President Zhou: “…”
He hadn’t expected these people to actually support Fang Yinnian’s departure.
He’d originally wanted to split FTM’s five members, assigning different managers and having everyone frantically take schedules—the company could have five more money trees. Now that Fang Yinnian insisted on leaving, he was simply seeking death.
President Zhou smiled without warmth: “Fine. Since you insist on leaving, I can’t tie you up. But you must sign a contract transferring that song to Tao Yizhou and sign a confidentiality agreement—otherwise they’ll worry you might renege.”
Fang Yinnian nodded: “No problem. I’ll sign the termination and transfer agreements together.”
***
On the way back from the company, everyone felt very downcast.
Their group had been a makeshift operation from debut—rising fast but cooling even faster.
Company leadership never intended to properly manage the group, only caring about immediate profits. The industry probably never expected FTM to be so short-lived.
Only two years after debut, falling apart like this.
Fu Fei sniffled, choking up: “Brother Nian, when you study abroad alone, will you miss us?”
Fang Yinnian’s heart ached as he ruffled his hair: “I’ll miss you all, Xiao Fei. When I’m free, I’ll send you photos.”
Mo Xun asked quietly: “When will you leave?”
Fang Yinnian said: “After school starts, I’ll first prepare for graduation defense, then focus on exam prep. Once I get Lausanne Academy’s acceptance letter, I’ll go study there.”
He paused, forcing a relaxed smile: “I contacted Sister Yu Can—she’ll look after me there. Don’t worry.”
Don’t worry…
How could they not worry?
Thinking of Fang Yinnian studying abroad alone, unfamiliar with people and places in a foreign country, Mo Xun’s heart felt like it was being cut by knives.
He hoped the two years would pass quickly.
He would prepare everything and wait for Yinnian to return freely.
**
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
