Chapter 170 - 166: Pushover x Innocent Little Overlord 5

Chapter 170: Chapter 166: Pushover x Innocent Little Overlord 5

"A contract? You want to sign me after I sang just one song?"

Ji Xiaosong could hardly believe it. Her former self had a very weak presence at school; not only that, she even had a reputation for being a total pushover.

No matter who bullied her, she would never stand up for herself or say a single word in protest.

’So why would Jiang Yao be interested in me?’

’One song doesn’t prove a person’s talent. After all, many people only manage to write one hit song in their entire lives.’

"I found your lyric book back in college. I originally wanted to talk to you about it, but seeing how you were such a pushover every day, I figured that even if I did, you wouldn’t be able to protect your own work. On top of that, you and Ji Yao don’t get along. I was worried she might force you to become her ghostwriter."

Jiang Yao looked at Ji Xiaosong and told her his true thoughts.

"Then why are you willing to sign me now? I feel... I feel like I’m not really any different from before."

Ji Xiaosong still maintained her timid and meek demeanor, seemingly no different from before.

"The Ji Xiaosong of the past wouldn’t have dared to enter a competition by herself, much less without a single bodyguard by her side."

Er...

’That’s true.’

"So, you’re willing to give me a chance because you think I’ve finally learned to fight back?"

"Yes. So, will you accept? As long as you’re brave enough to step out, I’m willing to help you."

"Why?"

Ji Xiaosong really wanted to ask, ’On what grounds? Why should he help me?’

"Your talent is more than enough to help you break free from that family. I’m willing to help you because of that. Is that reason enough?"

"Enough."

"You’re an adult now, so you can make your own decisions. I heard there was some trouble at the Ji family’s home today. That Chairman Ji couldn’t even leave the house for work."

As Jiang Yao spoke, he gave Ji Xiaosong a scrutinizing look.

"I’ve heard quite a bit about the Ji family. For instance, that you, the young miss, are always being watched. For something like that to happen yesterday, yet you were still able to come out today... it shows the problems at home didn’t affect you. You’re more capable than you seem."

Hearing this, a nervous sweat broke out on Ji Xiaosong’s back.

’I never would have guessed. Jiang Yao, who usually acts like an arrogant, spoiled rich kid, actually has this side to him.’

In her memory, Jiang Yao had always been wild, arrogant, and domineering—nothing like the calm, shrewd man before her now.

He got good grades, sure, but rich kids with good grades were a dime a dozen. He didn’t seem particularly special.

’Could it be...’

’He’s been possessed?’

’Did he transmigrate?’

’Is that not the real him?’

The more she thought about it, the more searchingly Ji Xiaosong looked at Jiang Yao.

"What crazy thoughts are running through your head now?"

"Nothing. I just feel like you seem different today."

"Heh!"

Jiang Yao scoffed.

"You and I never interact. How would you know what I’m really like?"

"That’s true. Fine. For old times’ sake, since we were classmates in both high school and college, as long as the contract you offer isn’t terrible, I’ll sign."

Having reached an agreement, the driver soon brought them to Jiang Yao’s family’s company.

They were in the center of B City, its most prosperous district.

And Jiang Yao’s family’s company building was one of the city’s central landmarks.

"This... your family owns this entire building?"

"Yes. The entertainment company you’re signing with is on the 99th floor."

Jiang Yao led Ji Xiaosong into an express elevator, and they ascended to the 99th floor.

As soon as she stepped inside, Ji Xiaosong saw a familiar name: Starry Entertainment.

"Starry Entertainment... This is your family’s company?"

Ji Xiaosong’s jaw dropped.

Starry Entertainment was one of the top companies in the entire country; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the industry leader.

"Of course. This is just one of the industries my family is involved in. It’s nothing special."

It was already six in the evening, but many people at Starry Entertainment were still at work.

"Good evening, Mr. Jiang."

The receptionist greeted Jiang Yao professionally.

Jiang Yao nodded and pulled Ji Xiaosong forward.

"This is Ji Xiaosong. She’s an artist I’m about to sign."

"Hello, Miss Ji."

The receptionist’s expression remained unchanged—not fawning or overly respectful, just strictly professional.

It made sense. Starry Entertainment had signed countless A-listers. Almost every household name in the industry was one of their artists.

The receptionist had seen it all. There was no telling whether a newcomer like Ji Xiaosong, who had just been brought in, would ever make it big.

Jiang Yao led Ji Xiaosong into his office.

His office was huge. The outer office area alone was well over a hundred square meters.

"The contracts are ready. I’m offering you a standard A-level contract, second only to S-level. In the future, as the songs you write gain popularity, or as your own value as an artist increases, your terms will improve as well."

Ji Xiaosong took a look. Hmm...

’She couldn’t understand a thing.’

’In all the worlds she had traveled through, she had never been a lawyer.’

"Can’t make heads or tails of it?"

Jiang Yao watched her read through it, line by line, her brow furrowed so deeply you could trap a fly in it.

"Yeah, I don’t get it."

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t get it. We’re Starry Entertainment, a major company, not some shady outfit that signs people to slavery contracts. The standard term is five years, that’s the rule."

Ji Xiaosong ignored him, reading through every clause first. It really wasn’t a slave contract, nor was it particularly predatory.

The profit-sharing was clearly defined. Jiang Yao pushed a golden fountain pen in front of her. "Starry’s standard A-level contract has a three-seven split, with the artist getting thirty percent. The company handles all promotion, marketing, and resource allocation. But for you..."

He tapped a finger on the special terms section. "You retain permanent rights to be credited for your original works, and the music royalty split is raised to fifty-fifty."

Ji Xiaosong’s fingertips brushed across the gilt-edged paper of the contract.

For a newcomer, the industry standard was a two-eight split—with the artist getting twenty percent—and the copyright belonging to the company. This contract, however, allowed her to keep sixty percent of digital music revenue, and offered a four-six split on physical albums.

The clause for escalating tour revenue was even more astounding—if she performed more than twenty shows in a year, her share would automatically increase by five percent.

"A guaranteed eighty-thousand-a-month creative stipend?"

She looked up in astonishment. "That’s more than many second-tier songwriters make."

"Your lyric book contains twenty-seven complete demos."

Jiang Yao toyed with his jade cufflinks—top-grade, old-mine glass jadeite from Myanmar. "Later tonight, we’ll produce a full version of ’Graduation Season,’ the song from your competition, and upload it to all the major platforms. I imagine getting it to the top of the charts won’t be difficult."

He suddenly leaned in, the scent of his ambergris cologne washing over her. "If I don’t sign you right now, should I just wait for the vultures to smell blood in the water?"

Ji Xiaosong smiled.

"I’ll sign. I’ll sign right now!"

Without another word, Ji Xiaosong signed her name at the bottom.

After the contract was signed, Jiang Yao personally drove Ji Xiaosong to the entrance of the Ji family estate. At that exact moment, Ji Fu and the others were finally able to speak a complete sentence again.