Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Handing Over Salary, Music Platforms Go Back on Their Word
[Brother releases a new song!! I’ve finally been waiting for this.]
[Honey, don’t mind what those haters are saying. Compared to your looks, I love your talent more.]
[I agree with the sister above. Initially, we were drawn to your looks, but later we were captivated by your character and loyal to your talent.
It’s just a scar on your face; many people have them in real life. But because you’re a public figure, those haters single you out. However, we, your fans, won’t leave you.
I will always remember what you said when you debuted, "My name is Edward Monroe, an ordinary boy who loves to sing." So, please keep singing.]
The girl who posted this comment didn’t expect it to become the most liked and replied to.
It wasn’t until the fan club shared her comment that the fans who hadn’t unfollowed realized they were back to that summer, when a boy in white introduced himself with innocence and tenderness.
The fans, who are easily moved to tears, couldn’t help but cry when they saw this post on their phones. It’s just a scar on his face; it’s not like he committed a crime.
...
After posting on Weibo, Edward Monroe turned off his phone immediately, knowing full well the comments would be filled with malice.
"Ethan, do you think this song will break the record tomorrow?"
He lay on the sofa, looking into the kitchen, and spoke clearly.
After a while, Ethan Song came out of the kitchen with a dish, "What did you just say?"
He was cooking in the kitchen and didn’t hear what Edward said due to the loud noise.
"Do you think the new song can break the record?"
Edward Monroe asked again, a little impatiently.
Ethan Song raised his eyebrows and replied with a smile, "If it were before, I might have been unsure, but this time the lyrics and choreography were all crafted by K. You already know the answer, don’t you?"
Hearing this, Edward Monroe smiled gently. Indeed, he had a feeling that tomorrow’s song would shock everyone.
"Alright, come and eat," Ethan Song placed the last dish on the table, "Do you think I’m cursed to not only cook for you but also act as your manager? Shouldn’t you consider paying me?"
Without a second thought, Edward Monroe replied, "What pay? Isn’t all the money I earn with you?"
As he said this, he felt a bit gloomy. Although it’s his money, his mom said his life skills were a complete mess, so he wanted to manage his finances, but she insisted all the money be given to Ethan to manage.
From then on, all of it went into someone’s pocket without a cent missing.
Ethan Song responded with a laugh, "Seems like it."
Seeing the other person looking unmotivated even while eating, Ethan’s smile widened, thinking that the guy probably didn’t know his mom’s real reason for doing so.
...
Song Manor.
Olivia Song’s eyes fiercely stared at the phone screen, then suddenly she threw the phone away.
It seemed the people on Weibo were ready to go against the Song family.
Since that incident, her reputation had been poor. Although her follower count kept rising, who wouldn’t want to leave a perfect impression on others?
So today, she specially recorded a video of her playing the piano to post on Weibo to regain some image, but the trending search was dominated by Edward Monroe, and her post didn’t even make a splash.
"Yinyin, why are you so upset?"
Sammie Ziegler witnessed everything as soon as she came downstairs and couldn’t help but speak with concern.
Hearing the voice, Olivia Song’s face immediately turned to a pained expression, her voice choked with frustration, "It’s all about Weibo."
As soon as Sammie Ziegler heard the word "Weibo," her refined face couldn’t help but wrinkle, "Didn’t your father say not to get involved in these? After what happened last time, so many people laughed at us in the circle."
"I said it was an accident," Olivia Song’s voice suddenly turned sharp.
Sammie Ziegler quickly tried to soothe her, "Okay, okay, it was an accident."
Then, she remembered something, "Yinyin, how’s the progress on your drama?"
"It can be aired before New Year’s Day."
"Alright, then. When the time comes, let your father buy all the ads in Bayne City just for you."
With those words, Olivia Song’s eyes lit up, "Thanks, Mom."
Just thinking about having all the ads in Bayne City promoting her made her blood boil with excitement.
...
Slam.
A folder was thrown directly at a man’s head. The man behind the desk wore a darkened expression as he scanned the group in front of him, speaking displeasedly.
"He has a new song up his sleeve, and you didn’t know about it. What have you been doing all this time?"
The group felt wronged, as no one expected Edward Monroe to hide it so well.
"Mr. Dung, what should we do? Tomorrow at midnight, a new song by Cheng Qi will also go online."
The speaker was Edward’s former manager, who now handled a second-tier singer.
James Dung furrowed his brow, clearly aware of the importance of the matter.
Cheng Qi, a singer who’s always been overshadowed, was releasing a new song in competition with Edward Monroe. It was uncertain who would win.
After a long pause.
The group heard a ruthless voice, "Since that’s the case, make sure Edward Monroe’s new song can’t go online. Inform those music platforms that if they dare to release his new song, they’re crossing James Dung."
"Got it."
"Lily, what did Mr. Kang say?"
As soon as Cheng Qi saw his manager return, he eagerly asked.
Zhang Li patted his face and reassured, "Don’t worry, with me here, no one can stop your path."
Feeling the touch on his face, Cheng Qi bowed his head to hide the disgust and hatred in his eyes. If it weren’t for climbing up the ladder, he wouldn’t take a second look at this old woman.
"Thank you, Miss Li."
Seeing his expression, Zhang Li found it amusing. After all this time, he was still shy.
It’s true, once someone starts overthinking, it’s hard to pull them back.
"I have something to do, meet me at the usual place tonight," Zhang Li glanced at her watch, opened the door, and left.
Once she was gone, Cheng Qi angrily kicked a chair over, gripping his hands tightly with a storm brewing in his eyes, "Zhang Li, Edward Monroe, once I make it big, I’ll make sure you experience my humiliation too."
"What did you say, can’t be released?"
Edward Monroe spoke in disbelief over the phone.
"Apologies, Mr. Monroe, there’s an order that your new song can’t be released on our platform."
The staff member he spoke to felt a sense of pity, seeing even top idols get suppressed.
"I understand, thank you." Edward hung his head, deep in thought.
He followed up with several more calls, all to platforms that suddenly reneged on deals, preventing the new song’s release.
Finally, one compassionate staff member advised, "Mr. Monroe, perhaps you should give up. Your former company has made it clear that any platform publishing your new song will be going against them."
The point was clear, and Edward Monroe understood that these people were afraid of him rising and threatening their company’s interests.
Hanging up the phone, he stared at the ceiling, muttering after a long time, "Edward Monroe, you’re really useless."