Fang Yinnian’s contract termination agreement with Sheng Yao took half a month to approve. Artists peacefully terminating with management companies were extremely rare in the industry—for Sheng Yao, Fang Yinnian was the first case.
One song for one termination agreement, regaining freedom—Fang Yinnian felt he’d profited quite well.
After all, this was his grievance with Tao Yizhou’s team. Even if he really sued, at worst Tao Yizhou would lose the lawsuit, apologize, and pay compensation. The company would definitely find ways to suppress the news—not necessarily bringing down Tao Yizhou.
However, President Zhou had only recently become CEO and obviously feared Fang Yinnian making things bigger, ruining Tao Yizhou’s carefully packaged “musical talent” persona, so reluctantly agreed to let him go.
Company insiders were all surprised—what reason could cause a popular artist to suddenly terminate their contract, with leadership actually agreeing to approve it?
President Zhou issued gag orders forbidding anyone from mentioning this.
With limited people knowing the inside story, naturally no one dared randomly leak information. Fang Yinnian had achieved his goal without major incident.
Fang Yinnian called home to tell his family about his decision.
Dad was surprised, not understanding why he’d suddenly go abroad. Mom was very supportive: “Go do what you love. Reading more books while young has no downsides.”
Fang Yinnian’s heart warmed: “Thank you Mom. If I have holidays, I’ll come back to see you.”
Grandma said: “Yinnian, work hard! Get a foreign master’s degree to show Grandma!”
Fang Yinnian’s eyes crinkled with laughter: “Okay Grandma, wait for me.”
After returning to school, he began preparing for graduation defense and Lausanne Academy’s entrance exam. Sister Yu Can was a Lausanne Academy student who happened to return home for this vacation, giving Fang Yinnian much help.
Yu Ziluo was puzzled: “Why suddenly want to study abroad? Going abroad now—isn’t that wasting hard-earned popularity?”
Fang Yinnian said: “Teacher, I’ve been very busy these years without time to seriously focus on music. This is a good opportunity to broaden my horizons, accumulate knowledge, and enrich myself.”
Yu Ziluo frowned: “Teacher certainly supports your thinking. You’re still young—more learning and settling is good. But what about your teammates? Would the company agree?”
Fang Yinnian said: “Teammates all support me very much, and the company has no objections. Don’t worry, Teacher.”
Yu Ziluo was still concerned, having people inquire about Yinnian and Sheng Yao’s situation, only to hear news of contract termination.
His little apprentice had actually terminated his contract with the company early?!
Management companies wouldn’t possibly release popular money trees unless he held chips the company had to accept.
Despite extensive inquiries, Yu Ziluo learned nothing, and with Fang Yinnian refusing to speak, he could only instruct his daughter: “Yinnian seems gentle but has a determined personality. I’m afraid he’ll suffer hardships abroad. You’re familiar with Britain—remember to look after him.”
Yu Can laughed: “Dad, don’t worry. I know many friends abroad—I won’t let your precious apprentice lose a single hair.”
Only then did Yu Ziluo feel at ease.
***
On Valentine’s Day February 14th, Fang Yinnian’s birthday, Mo Xun’s new drama “Qingzhou Mystery Files” officially began production.
Mo Xun got his wish to collaborate again with Director Qi, playing a detective with vastly different character traits—something Fang Yinnian had fought for him before leaving.
Mo Xun was very clear about the enormous risk Yinnian had taken to fight for his freedom to join this production team. He was both moved and heartbroken.
He really wanted to drop everything and run away with Yinnian.
But thinking about their future and the long road ahead, without sufficient funds and resources in hand, he could only endure for now.
After the production launch ceremony, Mo Xun sent Fang Yinnian a message: “Happy birthday. Your gift is in the dorm drawer.”
Fang Yinnian was packing to leave the dorm. He opened the drawer to find a lightweight e-ink e-reader and a handwritten card.
“Yinnian, happy birthday. I know you love reading and staring at computers hurts your eyes. This e-ink reader can download lots of materials—use it to read materials when you study abroad.”
Fang Yinnian opened the e-reader. Several books were already on the desktop—all music-related materials he usually read, which Mo Xun had downloaded for him. The e-ink screen’s light was comfortable and eye-friendly, not causing strain even after long reading.
Mo Xun’s gift wasn’t expensive, but very practical. Every time he used it to read materials in the future, picking up the e-ink screen would remind him this was Mo Xun’s gift. This present could accompany Fang Yinnian through his entire study abroad experience.
Fang Yinnian’s heart warmed as he replied: “Gift received, thank you. I’ll move to Teacher’s place for a while.”
Mo Xun responded: “Mm, take care of yourself.”
In early March, Fang Yinnian returned to school for graduation exams. Having completed his credits and passed assessments, he received his diploma from Jiangzhou Music Academy ahead of schedule.
He then began reviewing English to prepare for studying abroad.
Sheng Yao wasn’t rushing to officially announce Fang Yinnian’s departure because some FTM group endorsements hadn’t expired yet. Suddenly announcing disbandment would affect endorsement sales and might require penalty payments.
Tan Junwen was again assigned by the company to film campus dramas, Xiao Fei and Tang Che continued variety shows, and Mo Xun was also in Director Qi’s production team. With teammates developing steadily, Fang Yinnian felt at ease.
Time flew to May. Fang Yinnian passed exams and received Lausanne Academy’s acceptance letter, preparing to go abroad early to familiarize himself with the environment.
At this time, online public opinion had completely spiraled out of control.
With all four FTM members active while only Fang Yinnian suddenly disappeared—no Weibo updates, no official schedules for him.
“Where’s Yinnian? Haven’t seen him in so long!”
“Where did my precious Fang Yinnian go?”
“What the hell is the company doing!”
“Could Yinnian have been blacklisted by the damn company?”
“The other four filming dramas and recording variety shows while Fang Yinnian’s been missing two months—can you believe it!”
Fans were in panic.
Many rushed to Sheng Yao Media’s official Weibo demanding explanations. Fans cursed daily while the company played dead with no responses.
Until May 15th, when Sheng Yao Media suddenly issued an official statement: “FTM boy group will officially cease team activities from today. All group endorsements have expired.”
“Group member @FTM Fang Yinnian has decided to leave the group to study abroad due to personal ideological differences with the company. The company expresses respect.”
“FTM’s remaining four members will continue solo development. Thank you for your attention and support of FTM.”
“Wishing all members bright futures.”
This news created massive waves online. Within half an hour, #FTM Disbands# shot to trending #1 with a blazing red “explosive” tag!
Countless group fans collapsed in tears.
They stared at the statement in disbelief—every word like knives cutting their hearts.
Such a good group, disbanding after less than three years?
How could this happen!
Fang Yinnian, why did you leave?
Massive numbers of fans flooded Weibo, frantically typing comments.
“My world collapsed! Tell me this isn’t real!”
“Ahhh I’m going crazy! When will Sheng Yao go bankrupt? Breaking up such a good group—the boss is a complete idiot!”
“Why disband why disband why ahhh!”
“I want to cry whenever I hear their songs now. There’ll never be another group with such beautiful voices in domestic entertainment 555!”
“Why did Yinnian leave? What does ‘ideological differences with company’ mean?”
“This announcement is so passive-aggressive, isn’t it disgusting?”
“Is disbandment Fang Yinnian’s personal reason? How long has it been since FTM had group activities—doesn’t your company have any self-awareness?”
“I don’t think Yinnian is selfish. There must be some conflict with the company. With such high popularity, suddenly studying abroad seems very suspicious, right?”
“Fang Yinnian seems more like he was blacklisted by the company?”
“Haven’t seen them perform together in so long. I thought they’d record a new album in the second half, but they just disbanded? Are you kidding me?!”
“WTF! Damn company give me back my music group!”
“Never expected the music group would be even shorter-lived than Sonic.”
“The boy group I was most optimistic about—I’m really furious!”
Many impulsive fans and disguised haters frantically cursed Fang Yinnian.
“Ungrateful backstabber! FTM’s number one traitor!”
“Probably got arrogant after being promoted by the company, wanted better treatment, and left when negotiations failed, right?”
“I think he wanted to go solo long ago—he was almost grinning when recording variety shows alone”
“Fang Yinnian’s solo fans must be thrilled, finally shaking off those four dragging teammates, heh”
“Congratulations to Fang Yinnian for freely hitting high notes alone, no longer needing four bodyguards as backup vocals”
“Studying abroad is such a good excuse—who knows if he was blacklisted for having dirt on him”
…
“Yinnian baby must have been wronged—I’m so heartbroken”
“Damn company is inhuman, Yinnian don’t be scared we’re waiting for you to come back”
“Your singing is really beautiful, please don’t give up!”
“Still want to hear you sing—please don’t leave, okay?”
“Why study abroad now! Must this book be read?!”
Online discussions intensified.
Those cursing him, questioning him, pitying him, comforting him, saying they’d wait for his return…
Various voices nearly swallowed Fang Yinnian whole.
His psychological endurance was always strong—he didn’t care about attacks and abuse. But seeing fans lining up on his Weibo crying and begging him not to leave, he suddenly felt very sad.
Sorry, musical notes.
I couldn’t protect the FTM group.
Fang Yinnian posted on Weibo, writing earnestly: “Thank you @Sheng Yao Media for letting me join FTM and meet such wonderful four teammates.
For personal reasons, I will temporarily leave to study abroad, absorbing more knowledge to enrich myself.
Every day in FTM made me very happy. I’m also grateful for musical notes’ support. ‘Thank You’ is the song I wrote for everyone—everything I want to express is in that song.
In the future, please continue supporting FTM’s other four members. I must temporarily say goodbye to everyone.
But I believe…
Farewells are for better reunions^^”
***
After Fang Yinnian posted on Weibo, countless fans frantically reposted and commented, with four teammates also reposting successively.
Tan Junwen: “Wish Yinnian all the best.”
Tang Che: “Fighting, you can definitely do it.”
Fu Fei: “Brother Nian fighting, success in your studies.”
Mo Xun simply wrote four words: “Waiting for you to return.”
Fans who’d initially impulsively cursed Fang Yinnian now realized something was wrong—it seemed FTM had no internal problems. It should be that Yinnian couldn’t reach agreement with the company about something.
With Yinnian going abroad alone and the other four going solo, what exactly happened? Everyone speculated.
Attacks on Fang Yinnian gradually decreased. Four members’ solo fans were happy their idols could go solo, while five-member group fans cursed Sheng Yao daily.
For a time, memes like “Sheng Yao is dead” and “Did Sheng Yao go bankrupt today?” spread crazily online.
However, domestic entertainment management companies being cursed into trending by fans was routine. Sheng Yao was thick-skinned and unafraid of criticism—just play dead. Anyway, with Fang Yinnian insisting on leaving, the remaining four money trees could still earn for the company.
After posting on Weibo, Fang Yinnian’s phone nearly exploded with calls.
Teacher Ji Ying, little sister Ouyang Xi, sister Zhao Jing, brother Chen Mian, and many industry friends he’d met while recording variety shows all sent messages or called, concerned about what happened.
He just said he wanted to study abroad. Everyone naturally didn’t believe it but could only respect his choice.
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
