Chapter 62: The Tradition of a Flourishing Era (Please Vote for Me)

Li He was completely stunned.

Were the paparazzi here really so bold, to pounce in broad daylight? And—brother, aren’t you going for the wrong person? Out of the six of us, your best bet should be Jiang Qi, she’s the most famous and currently in the limelight. If not her, He Xier would do; she’s got some recognition and is just starting to stand out. Aside from the two assistants, I should be the least noticeable one here.

The shadowy figure approached, then stopped, making no move to take photos or anything of the sort. When Li He finally glimpsed their face, he was even more bewildered.

He’d thought at first it was a man coming at him—a reasonable assumption given more men work as paparazzi and stalkers, since they’re better at taking a beating. Yet as the figure drew near, he realized it was a striking, mature woman with an air of authority.

Are you here because you failed to ambush a celebrity, and now you’re turning to admire my looks? Li He wondered.

Jiang Qi, who had turned around, had only one thought in her mind: How did she end up here?

He Xier, the last to step out of the car, was the least shocked. She quickly caught up and stood between Li He and the coldly beautiful woman. Even He Xier was confused: Why was the deputy director of the Singer Department downstairs, rushing out like a paparazzo?

She steadied herself and introduced, “Li He, this is Deputy Director Zhang Yangyang, who is also an award-winning composer.”

Before He Xier could finish introducing Li He, the aloof Zhang Yangyang spoke first: “There’s one thing He Xier didn’t mention—I am also the independent founder of the Songwriting Department.”

A senior… Li He felt he’d finally found his tribe. He took Zhang Yangyang’s hand and said, “Hello, Sister Yang, I’m Li He.”

“Welcome to the Songwriting Department, Jia Bei.” Zhang Yangyang was warm and enthusiastic.

She specifically welcomed him to the Songwriting Department—not the Singer Department or Shengshi Entertainment. The difference was significant. Her friendly manner contrasted sharply with her cold, aristocratic appearance.

Just then, two people rushed out from the Shengshi Entertainment building—a man and a woman.

He Xier slipped into the role of commentator, whispering, “The man is Liu Kang, head of the Singer Department. The woman beside him is his secretary, Lina.”

Liu Kang looked furious. He’d received Jiang Qi’s message and was waiting on the first floor, hoping to greet Li He and win him over. The Singer Department was in the midst of internal conflict, and he needed to recruit some songwriters. The company’s original songwriters were too united to be swayed, so the newly arrived Jia Bei was his first target.

He never expected Zhang Yangyang to be waiting outside ahead of time. How did she get wind of this? Too cunning.

Li He watched the unfolding scene, suddenly struck by a sense of déjà vu. It was remarkably similar to the airport episode. Could it be that snatching talent was a Shengshi Entertainment tradition? Li He’s thoughts swirled, and he felt the thrill of being competed over by the big shots.

“Zhang Yangyang, the sun’s blazing outside—why did you come out?” Liu Kang smiled.

He was ordinary-looking, wore black-rimmed glasses, and was dressed in a suit, the image of a corporate executive. Zhang Yangyang, by contrast, had a sharply cut bob hugging her jawline, glossy red lips, and a black business suit that highlighted her cold, regal beauty.

“Of course, I came to meet my recruit. It’s Jia Bei’s first visit, and I worried he’d get lost,” she replied.

Facing Liu Kang, Zhang Yangyang was a different person entirely: “Though the Songwriting Department is vast, it’s not easy to find. It’s hidden too deep, wouldn’t you agree, Director Liu?”

Her words—“not easy to find, hidden too deep”—were a pointed jab at the Songwriting Department’s desire to break free from being under the Singer Department’s wing. Its fame now warranted independence.

Such strong combativeness… Li He, watching the drama unfold, couldn’t help but admire.

Liu Kang, the ordinary-looking department head, opened his mouth but found no words. Whether he was unwilling to spar or simply couldn’t keep up, it was unclear.

His secretary stepped forward, smiling, “Director Zhang, everyone knows where the Singer Department is in the company, and the Songwriting Department sits at its very core. It’s easy to find once you’re inside.”

She was reinforcing the Songwriting Department’s place within the Singer Department, asserting its importance and inseparability.

Dad used to say: only women can defeat women… Li He wholeheartedly agreed with this truth.

Liu Kang stepped in as the peacemaker, saying, “Alright, Lina, Zhang Yangyang, we’re all family. Let’s save the discussion for inside—standing out here under the blazing sun…”

Before he could finish, Zhang Yangyang interrupted with a pout, “Who’s family with you? I have a husband.”

Liu Kang was instantly dumbfounded. Was that what he meant? How did it come to this? Of course he knew she had a husband.

The trump card is out… Li He marveled.

Secretary Lina grew anxious, thinking that Director Zhang was playing dirty, dodging reason with shamelessness.

Thrown off by Zhang Yangyang’s surprising tactic, Liu Kang was momentarily at a loss. After three seconds, he recovered, explaining, “Zhang Yangyang, you know I meant that songwriters and singers are family…”

The assertive Zhang Yangyang interrupted again, “Director Liu just said it himself—‘songwriters’ and ‘singers.’ It’s obvious from the names we’re not family.”

An unreasonable, strong-willed woman is unbeatable… Li He concluded.

This brief skirmish ended with the cold, queenly Zhang Yangyang triumphing over the hastily prepared Liu Kang with sheer force of will. Though his secretary was formidable and nearly turned the tables, their difference in rank was too great. Zhang Yangyang could play rogue with Liu Kang, but the secretary couldn’t do the same with her.

“Everyone’s waiting—let’s head upstairs,” Zhang Yangyang said, lifting her sharp chin victoriously and calling Li He into the company.

He Luo, unsure what was happening, was about to follow his best friend when Jiang Qi grabbed his arm, stopping him. He wanted to ask what was going on, but seeing Jiang Qi’s threatening look, decided to keep quiet.

Did I just miss something…? He Luo, still in the dark, felt as though he’d lost a fortune.

“Hello, Sister Yang.”

“Hello, Sister Yang.”

As they entered the company, staff along the way greeted Zhang Yangyang with warmth, as if she were the star of a workplace drama. Li He unconsciously straightened his posture, caught up in the atmosphere; it was easy to imagine himself a major player, like those slow-motion scenes from corporate dramas in his previous life.

Thankfully, Li He was restrained enough not to swagger with arrogance.

Along the way, people greeted Zhang Yangyang enthusiastically, and some glanced at Li He. His exceptional appearance, combined with his astonishingly young age for a songwriter, made it hard to associate him with the company’s newly discussed star, Jia Bei.

Even Zhang Yangyang, when she first saw Li He’s photo, wondered if there had been a mistake. How could Jia Bei be so young, and so handsome? To put it simply, he could have relied on his looks—so why choose talent instead?

As they walked, Zhang Yangyang introduced Shengshi’s layout to Li He: “The first floor is Reception and Security, the second and third are Public Relations, the fourth is a mixed department, fifth to ninth are Agents, tenth to fifteenth are our Songwriting Department—each floor has two groups, making twelve in total.

“Sixteenth to twenty-second are the Singer Department, though we rarely go up; they usually come down. Twenty-third to twenty-fifth are the newly founded Film and TV Department, just established, with few staff. Twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh are currently empty, reserved for the future Variety Department.

“You don’t need to worry about those—just remember where the Songwriting Department is. If you need anything, they’ll come down; no need for us to go up.”

She pressed the button for the fifteenth floor in the elevator. “My office is on the fifteenth floor. If you have any issues, come directly to me.”

They exchanged phone numbers and added each other on WeChat.

All along, she never mentioned the Singer Department, as if the Songwriting Department had already gained independence.

Soon, they arrived at the fifteenth floor. Zhang Yangyang led Li He to her office.

Stepping out of the elevator, Li He surveyed his surroundings.

One word: Spacious.

Two words: Vast expanse.

Three words: Truly wide.

Four words: Shengshi is wealthy.

Though he hadn’t seen the work area yet, he spotted several entertainment facilities on the way to Zhang Yangyang’s office: billiards, claw machines, even a mini bowling alley.

Was this really a workplace? Calling it a leisure center was no exaggeration.

Inside the office, Zhang Yangyang made a call and said, “I’m assigning you to Group F. Any objections?”

I wish I could go to Group A… Li He smiled, “No problem.”

Soon, there was a knock at the office door. The slightly plump Group F leader, Old Qin, didn’t wait for Zhang Yangyang to invite him in; he burst through impatiently.

He glanced at the handsome, young Li He, swept the office with his eyes, then his smile froze. “Where’s Jia Bei? Could it be Liu Kang managed to intercept him after all?”

Not finding his target, Old Qin grew anxious, showing no respect for his superior, the department head.

This is what songwriters are really like—calling the Singer Department head “that guy” without a second thought… Li He felt proud to be a songwriter.

I am proud!

“He’s right here.”

The cold, queenly Zhang Yangyang introduced Li He to Old Qin with a radiant smile.

Old Qin was instantly stunned.

Li He’s outstanding looks caught his eye immediately; he’d assumed he was some fresh-faced idol from the Singer Department about to debut. Li He’s appearance ticked every box for a star artist.

Circling Li He, Old Qin left him baffled.

“You’ve instantly raised our Songwriting Department’s visual appeal,” Old Qin praised cheerfully.

It’s not that songwriters are unattractive, but they aren’t idol stars—appearance isn’t a requirement, and as long as you have talent, having three legs wouldn’t be a problem.

But when songwriters and star artists mingle, the difference in looks is obvious. In comparison, songwriters can even appear plain or unattractive.

“Hello, Brother Qin,” Li He greeted.

“Hello.” Old Qin laughed, “Welcome to Shengshi’s Songwriting Department, welcome to Group F.”

Well, here we go—now it’s Shengshi’s Songwriting Department.

With such strong independent spirit among the staff, it’s no wonder Zhang Yangyang was so assertive with Liu Kang.

I’m not fighting alone—behind me are countless songwriters of Shengshi.

This is promising.

Old Qin was delighted. As for Li He’s youth?

So what if he’s young? Yes, it’s a bit strange to have written “Dispel Sorrow,” “Bubble,” “A Bridge of Fate” at this age, but so what? If he can write songs that capture the world’s dust and emotion at a young age, it proves his talent is extraordinary.

Given time to grow, he has a good chance of writing classics.

No—he will surely write classics.

The cold, queenly Zhang Yangyang sat in her chair, cheerfully reminding, “Old Zhou, Jia Bei’s real name is Li He. He’s a junior at Shandong Art Academy… about to start his senior year. In these two months of summer break, take good care of him. Once school resumes, if he has obligations there, he won’t be able to come to the company.”

“No problem,” Old Qin agreed at once. “Not coming in when you have something to do is our department’s tradition. In our group, those two haven’t shown up once since the New Year.”

Songwriters have a simple reason for taking leave: seeking inspiration outside. Those five words say it all—no need for more.

The Songwriting Department is the most relaxed in Shengshi Entertainment—no need to clock in, as long as you complete your assigned tasks.

As long as you finish your work and submit your songs, it doesn’t matter how long you stay away.

Of course, to enjoy this privilege, you must at least be a Gold Songwriter. Senior songwriters don’t qualify.

“Alright,” Zhang Yangyang smiled. “You know the situation. Li He, I’m handing you over to Old Qin. I hope you’ll become the youngest Gold Songwriter in the industry under his guidance.”

She had high hopes for Li He; otherwise, she wouldn’t have braved the blazing sun to intercept Liu Kang downstairs.

For most songwriters, being recruited by Liu Kang wouldn’t be a big deal. But Li He was different—he had the potential to be both a “Song Dad” and a “Lyric Dad.” On this, she and Liu Kang agreed.

“Sister Yang, I’ll take Jia Bei back now. Everyone’s waiting downstairs,” Old Qin said with a smile.

Zhang Yangyang nodded, “Alright, Li He, go with Old Qin. If you have any questions, you can come directly to me.”

Old Qin protested, “Sister Yang, if Jia Bei has any issues, he can come to me—no need to trouble you.”

Li He glanced at Old Qin, wondering if everyone at Shengshi Entertainment was like this. The deputy director wants independence from the department head, and now Old Qin seems ready to rebel against the queenly Zhang Yangyang.

Before leaving, Li He said, “Sister Yang, I’m heading down with Brother Qin.”

Once outside the office, Old Qin looked at Li He and said, “From now on, come to me if you have any issues—no need to trouble little Zhang. I can handle everything.”

Li He: ????

What did I just hear?

———

PS: First draft, revisions to follow.