Chapter 102: The Invitation Letter

Then came the matter of resources,” Helen continued. “A few creators we had already worked with quite a bit in the past, after learning of Lin Qihua’s talent, gladly agreed to keep collaborating with us and provide the company’s artists with high-quality works. They are also willing to exchange ideas and discuss things with Qihua.”

“That is excellent news. If there is a chance, we should definitely meet and talk,” Lin Qihua said happily. Singers live and die by their songs. The company had so many artists that he could not possibly shoulder every song they needed on his own. If he could secure more collaborations at a time like this, it would be a tremendous boon to the company.

“So, the company has no more worries now,” Yu Fengqin concluded. “As the artists get busier, the cash flow is gradually returning as well. Therefore, we plan to improve employee benefits at the end of the year to thank everyone who stayed with the company during its darkest days. And next year, we expect to renew contracts with all the artists and further improve their rights and protections.”

“Sister Qin is mighty and imposing,” everyone cheered.

“It is only right,” Yu Fengqin said emotionally. “Without everyone’s perseverance, our company would never have made it through. Now that we have, we still cannot treat you all unfairly. As long as the company keeps growing well, we will continue to improve every aspect of our support. Please rest assured.”

“Good!” everyone cheered.

After chatting for a while, the others dispersed, leaving only Lin Qihua and Lian Yuling to follow Yu Fengqin back to her office.

“Lingling, are you all right?” she asked with concern.

“I’m fine. It’s not like I’m making a comeback,” Lian Yuling said lightly. “After so many years, indulging myself once in a while is not a big deal.”

“That’s good.” Yu Fengqin patted her chest. “Seeing you onstage made me both happy and worried. I was in quite a conflict.”

Watching the two of them talk, Lin Qihua knew they still would not tell him the truth. But in the end, it was because he lacked strength. In truth, he had already guessed that Lian Yuling had likely offended someone she should never have offended, and had been forced to stay hidden in Galaxy Entertainment for a full ten years.

Ten years. What a span of time. For an artist who regarded the stage as life itself, that was practically the whole of a career. What a blow that must have been.

Lin Qihua only regretted that he was not strong enough to help Lian Yuling.

One day, I will help you stand on that stage openly and aboveboard, and let you bloom with your own light, he silently vowed.

“By the way, Qihua,” Yu Fengqin said, taking something from the desk and handing it to him. “There is a banquet next month. Come with me.”

Lin Qihua took it and saw that it was an invitation card, from Pine Ridge Entertainment Agency.

“It’s like this,” Yu Fengqin explained. “Next month is Pine Ridge Entertainment’s tenth anniversary, and they are holding a banquet, inviting industry guests to attend. We are among the invitees.”

Lin Qihua understood at once. It was just a normal banquet invitation. He knew Pine Ridge Entertainment too: a small entertainment company, on roughly the same level as Galaxy, with one or two top-tier artists and not much real strength.

“If it were a large company, they wouldn’t be sending us invitations,” He Yanlin said with a wry smile from the side. “For a banquet like Pine Ridge’s, everyone usually goes along and gives them a bit of face. It’s also a very good place to discuss cooperation. But for companies like Glory Arts and South Arts, at most they would send the head of the artist division, which is already quite good. As for those superstars, they certainly would not appear at an occasion like this. So most of the attendees will be the bosses of small companies and some first-tier artists. In our company, the most suitable person to accompany Sister Qin is you. At least you can help shield her from the flies.”

Lin Qihua nodded and put the invitation down. “No problem. I’ll go with you then. It should be after the fourth round of the competition, right? When I get back, I’ll go along.”

Yu Fengqin smiled brightly. “All right.”

They talked a little longer, and Lin Qihua knew the three of them still had matters to discuss, so he took his leave first.

He went to the office of Bright Star for a look and found it bustling with activity. The trio of Chang Yan, each with their own strengths, worked together very well, and the other staff were also full of enthusiasm, taking pride in Lin Qihua’s achievements.

“It’s just that we aren’t really able to play much of a role,” Chang Yan said, dissatisfied with her own work.

“We’ve only just started, haven’t we?” Lin Qihua said with amusement. “Besides, Song Star has its own unique way of selecting the audience, so it wouldn’t be suitable for a whole crowd to go in, would it? This is already very good. There will be plenty of places in the future where I’ll need everyone’s help.”

“She is always trying to climb to the sky in one step,” He Yanlin said with a smile. “How could things be that easy? Your participation in this program has given everyone just enough time to integrate everything. On one hand, we can do the ordinary support work well in Xiangzhou; on the other, we can organize the rapidly growing fanbase, structure it geographically, and form an effective network for contact and coordination. By the time you finish this program, I think we will have almost completed that.”

“Thoughtful,” Lin Qihua said, giving a thumbs-up.

“Your fan count has already exceeded twenty million,” Chang Yan said happily. “I think reaching thirty million by the end of the competition won’t be a problem at all. That is a solid first-tier artist standard. Leaving aside the people who follow you just because of the trend, your true devoted fans should number more than five million. That is already an astonishing figure.”

“Devoted fans are not counted that way,” Lin Qihua said with a smile. “Fan cultivation is a long-term accumulation process. It requires the artist to produce better and better results, especially to show enough personal charisma. Works alone are not enough. Only after going through some storms can you tell who the real devoted fans are.”

“It’s like when the tide rises, everyone is in the water. Only when the tide goes out do you know who is still swimming, right?”

“Exactly.”

“I just hope you keep rising with the tide and never face any storms,” she said.

“That is impossible. In this circle, who is without some controversy?” Lin Qihua said with a laugh. “How can one see a rainbow without wind and rain? How can one temper oneself without trials and storms, and ultimately climb to the highest peak?”

“Anyway, no matter what happens, Bright Star will be with you,” Chang Yan declared firmly.

“Then I’ll be counting on you.”

After leaving Bright Star, Lin Qihua went to the rehearsal room for another look. At the moment, Lei Jing and Xiao Xiao were both out running promotional engagements, and only the Vivi group and two newly debuted rookies were practicing earnestly. After listening for a while, he could tell that they had made tremendous progress during this period, which made him very happy.

Back at the dormitory, he called several good friends to ask about how everyone was doing. Qin Lulu had already returned to Yanjing and was making the final preparations before her studio officially opened.

“Minister Lin has resigned. Did you know about that?” Qin Lulu asked over the phone.