Why bother writing songs? Fast forward to the "Don't Laugh Challenge"

Chapter 42 Taking this seriously? A million in funds?

Xia Shen thought about the offer from July Records for a while and then nodded in agreement.

Although the process of getting to know July Records has been a bit unpleasant, frankly speaking, there's really no real conflict between us. The whole incident started and ended because someone within July Records wasn't being honest.

Large companies like these are inherently complex, so it's understandable that something like this could happen. The main issue is whether it was handled properly.

Now that the problem has been properly resolved, there's no point in him pursuing it any further. In fact, to put it bluntly, he's actually the one who benefits in this matter. With the copyrights to these explosive songs in hand, the value he can create is far more than what he has at this stage.

Moreover, Zhou Yumeng's involvement is also a factor.

Therefore, cooperation can continue.

This time, it was actually the vice president who personally came forward! Not just some director!

As for the contract, July Records has indeed shown great sincerity by offering a licensing agreement rather than a buyout agreement.

Each time Xia Shen produces something, July Records will provide a copyright usage fee depending on the current situation. The copyright is in Xia Shen's hands, but July Records has priority to obtain authorization. Xia Shen can then receive 30% of the commercial revenue generated!
Don't underestimate this 30%! It's actually a very high figure, because the company definitely takes a cut, and the original singer of the song you wrote for them also gets a share, right? It's a very complex issue of profit chains.

Generally speaking, producers who sign licensing agreements only receive 10% to 20% of the revenue, because they have already received copyright licensing fees, which is already a source of income.

It can be said that the figure of 30% represents July Records' sincerity.

Another issue is copyright; the copyright of the songs Xia Shen writes still belongs to him.

Once this condition was presented, Xia Shen felt there was nothing to hesitate about and immediately signed his name on the contract.

After the July record was released, Xia Shen silently looked at Zhou Yumeng.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Zhou Yumeng asked with a smile. "Or do you think I look especially good today?"

Did he notice that I deliberately changed my lipstick color today?

Zhou Yumeng wondered if Xia Shen had noticed this small change.

However, Xia Shen's reaction was: "Is it because of you today? That's why your company gave me this kind of contract, and it's an authorized one at that."

It's obvious without much thought that it's illogical for this contract to end up in his hands.

The most logical outcome would actually be that he receives a buyout contract.

Furthermore, the vice president's personal intervention and his almost peer-like attitude helped him understand a lot.

It's possible that many people wouldn't understand what the vice president of a record company really means, or how important a person is.

But normally speaking, it would have been quite an achievement for him to even have access to the director.

Based on a few more details, he could easily conclude that it was related to Zhou Yumeng.

Xia Shen sighed softly to himself.

This is actually the key reason why he has been afraid to face the question of how to deal with Zhou Yumeng.

He knew from a very young age that Zhou Yumeng's family background was not simple, because he used to often go to Zhou Yumeng's house to play.

When I was a child, I didn't understand, but now that I'm older, I still wonder what kind of family can afford such an outrageously large villa with a huge garden.

There are also the expensive clothes and accessories that Zhou Yumeng is wearing.

All of these factors exacerbated Xia Shen's awareness of the gap between the two of them.

Clearly, Zhou Yumeng's influence must have played a role in today's events.

Zhou Yumeng looked at Xia Shen for a moment, feeling a little disappointed.

So I didn't notice the change in her.

Then, she nodded straightforwardly: "Yes, so how are you going to thank me?"

As she spoke, she moved even closer.

Although she was a little flustered, she still mustered up her courage and went over to meet Xia Shen's gaze.

He knows what kind of answer she wants to hear, right? He knows, he knows, he knows, right?

However, after thinking about it seriously for a moment, Xia Shen said, "How about this, you can sing these songs for free from now on, and you don't need to split the profits with me."

Xia Shen hurriedly looked away, then waved his hand dismissively, saying, "We're practically family!"

This was the best way Xia Shen could think of to express her gratitude. The songs produced afterward came later, after the contract was signed.

However, these songs that broke the agreement were an exception. Due to contractual reasons, these songs no longer had any connection with July Records, and Xia Shen had full control over them and the right to decide all distribution issues.

He meant it when he said he would sing for Zhou Yumeng for free.

However, Zhou Yumeng was briefly disappointed when she saw that Xia Shen was still not buying it. She shook her head and said, "One thing at a time. The profit sharing still needs to be given. It's 50% as agreed. I can't let you suffer a loss just because of our relationship."

How could she possibly let Xia Shen suffer a loss?
“I don’t need you to thank me for anything,” Zhou Yumeng said. “You said it yourself, we’re practically family. On the contrary, if you hadn’t written songs for me during the finals, and even written several hit songs for me, I don’t know if I would have this level of fame now. We’ve all achieved this together.”

"Together we achieve something?" Xia Shen murmured.

“Yes! Let’s achieve it together!” Zhou Yumeng nodded. “So take me home! I sprained my ankle!”

"When did you sprain your ankle again??"

"Now!"

After watching Zhou Yumeng enter her home, Xia Shen left in the early afternoon.

Actually, Zhou Yumeng invited him to her home to sit down, have some tea, play games, and so on. She also mentioned that she had used her connections to buy him a PS6.

But Xia Shen actually had other things to do, and when he thought about his appointment, he had no choice but to say goodbye.

His business is quite simple; it's about visual effects culture.

Ultimately, his contract with July Records was a collaboration agreement. July Records had no right to ask him to do anything, and he had the right to refuse. He was not an insider at July Records, and apart from the works, they had no subordinate relationship, nor did he enjoy any of July Records' benefits.

But Visual Effects Culture is different. He actually signed a brokerage contract with Visual Effects Culture, he enjoys the resources and development of Visual Effects Culture, and he is still a member of Visual Effects Culture.

That's right, a while ago Lao Chen contacted him and told him to come back to the company when he had time, because he had something important to tell him.

Today is the day we agreed upon.

Soon, Xia Shen returned to the company and met the anxious Old Chen.

Now, Old Chen's attitude towards him is completely different from when they first met; he treats him like a precious treasure.

As soon as Xia Shen returned, Old Chen looked at him resentfully: "I thought you were going to board the big ship in July and not come back to our broken ship. You must have made a fortune from those songs, right?"

The smell of vinegar practically wafts off the screen.

"Alright, stop it. You're making me a little worried about your sexual orientation," Xia Shen said quietly. "We did make some money, but we haven't settled the payment yet."

With his current popularity, he has no doubt that those few breakout songs will bring him a lot of revenue, but the exact figures will only be known after "The Legend of the Immortals" finishes its theatrical run and statistics are compiled.

And who knows, maybe a song will break the record in the future?

"Oh, how about I treat you guys to dinner tonight?" Xia Shen said.

"That's more like it." Old Chen said with satisfaction, "But seriously, have you really not considered joining July completely?"

Xia Shen has gotten to know everyone in the company quite well now. Once you get to know them, you realize that they are all really nice people, and you can joke around with them.

“July Records is too big and not suitable for me. The situation there is too complicated. To be honest, I still prefer the atmosphere of our current company,” Xia Shen said.

This is his honest opinion, especially after experiencing some things that he understands: sometimes, joining a big company doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a good life.

On the contrary, although visual effects culture may seem old-fashioned and vulgar, the people here are actually very nice. You can really make money here, and there aren't many complicated or shady dealings.

You can tell by looking at him sleeping in his studio and wandering around the company every day with messy hair and a toothbrush in his mouth.

Therefore, unless something major happens, he will not leave Visual Effects Culture in the short term, especially while his contract is still in effect.

Xia Shen didn't dwell on the topic any further, but instead asked, "So, what's the rush?"

"That's great! Your grades are pretty good right now, aren't they? After discussion, the company thinks it's appropriate to let you try writing some serious stuff. So we had a meeting to talk about you and decided that you'll be the one writing the next album. We'll make a high-quality album."

The company is giving you a direct allocation of 100 million yuan for production! And the subsequent operating capital will be increased to 500 million yuan!

Old Chen dropped his joking expression and said seriously.

At that moment, Xia Shen's pupils also contracted.

(End of this chapter)