Chapter Sixty-Two: I Want to Write a Song

“First place, Guardian Band!”

“A total of 283,125 votes!”

The margin was over twenty or thirty thousand votes; Lin Ze’s victory this round was utterly indisputable.

Lin Ze had actually prepared himself for defeat, considering his modest fanbase and the fact that he didn’t engage in fan-club culture. He thought it was already generous of his supporters to show up for him.

Next came the awards ceremony, where the local leaders would take the stage. Given the significant scale of the event, the county had specially prepared trophies, certificates, and even a plaque representing the county’s literary delegation.

After the group photo, Li Xiangyu hurried over to find Lin Ze, snapping a picture together.

“Lin, my brother…”

Hearing Li Xiangyu call out, Lin Ze instantly grew wary.

“What are you up to?”

“Brother Lin, what kind of contract did you sign with your company?” Li Xiangyu asked quietly.

“What’s it got to do with you?” Lin Ze, suspecting Li Xiangyu was sent by Zhang Huai to poach talent, responded with annoyance.

“I’m just curious. With your potential, shouldn’t the company offer you an A-level or even S-level contract?” Li Xiangyu’s tone was almost ingratiating.

As the saying goes, unsolicited kindness is either flattery or mischief.

“Our company is fine. The contract should be finalized this week. I’ll be starting my own studio, so I have no plans to switch companies for now.”

The company truly wasn’t bad. Last night, Wang Xue had informed him the contract was ready; once the competition ended, he could go sign. The collaboration had been pleasant, and there were no drawbacks to being under Star Voyage Media.

“Ah… Got it, got it,” Li Xiangyu nodded repeatedly, looking thoughtful.

Lin Ze wasn’t sure what he supposedly understood, and walked backstage with the elders.

Before reaching the lounge, Lin Ze spotted Chen Nan already waiting backstage.

“Lin Ze! Hello, hello.”

Chen Nan’s appearance was unremarkable; Lin Ze paused, trying to recall who he was.

“Oh, Brother Nan, what brings you here?”

“I specifically came to see you. Hearing your music live is the only way to feel its impact.” Chen Nan didn’t hold back, offering effusive praise.

Chen Nan had many good qualities, but his face lacked any distinctive features.

He was considered “famous” thanks to his vocal skills and good songs, but not “popular”—his ordinary looks meant most passersby forgot him instantly, making fan growth difficult.

His company had sent him onto a few variety shows, but Chen Nan lacked a sense for entertainment. On those shows, he was practically invisible.

“Lin, we’re off to change clothes,” Old Wang said, patting Lin Ze as he spoke.

Lin Ze agreed, then brought Chen Nan into the lounge.

Seeing Su Zitan, Chen Nan immediately extended his hand, “President Su, hello, hello! I’ve watched your shows; I really envy your relationship.”

“Thank you, thank you.” Su Zitan smiled.

“Actually, I’m here mainly to hear your music up close. Besides…”

Chen Nan looked a little embarrassed.

“I’d like to commission a song from you. Price is negotiable.”

“Ah~”

Lin Ze had already guessed his intent.

This was a perfect opportunity to use Chen Nan’s request to build the reputation of his new studio.

“No problem,” Lin Ze replied promptly. “Brother Nan, when do you need it?”

“No rush, no rush. Just finish it when you can,” Chen Nan said hastily.

He genuinely feared Lin Ze would whip out a song immediately. What mattered was quality, not speed. As long as the song was good, waiting a bit longer was fine.

“Alright.” Lin Ze agreed without hesitation. “Just for a song, you didn’t need to come in person—leave a message or call, and I’d know.”

Chen Nan smiled, “You probably haven’t checked your microblog private messages lately. I’m not the only one who wants to commission a song from you.”

“Oh?” Lin Ze was surprised.

If that’s the case, maybe the new song charts will soon be filled with his name…

Lin Ze came back to himself and saw Chen Nan looking at him with a strange expression. He cleared his throat, “Don’t worry. Once I send you the song, I won’t sell it to anyone else.”

Chen Nan opened his mouth, but didn’t say anything.

Lin Ze’s confidence was remarkable.

“Well, I was planning to invite you for a meal, but you’re heading to the celebration banquet, so I won’t intrude.”

Having just met, their conversation wrapped up quickly. After exchanging contacts, Chen Nan took his leave.

Lin Ze changed his clothes, and upon his return, Wang Xue arrived.

“You really soared this time. I get to bask in your glow,” Wang Xue said, for once not putting on her usual sour face.

Over the past two years, Wang Xue’s matchmaking had yielded no good men, and Lin Ze’s career hadn’t taken off either—she nearly hit early menopause.

“But watch yourself lately. You’re trending, so mind your conduct in public and online,” Wang Xue advised.

“Understood, understood,” Lin Ze nodded.

“Old Wang and the others are waiting outside the theater. Let’s move quickly,” Su Zitan said after glancing at her phone, which showed a message from Aunt Tian Hui.

Lin Ze took Su Zitan’s hand. “Will you come with us, Sister Xue?”

“I’ll pass. I’m heading home this afternoon. I’ve booked your tickets for tomorrow noon, so you can sign the new contract at the company when you return,” Wang Xue waved. “And the Phoenix Park account you wanted has been transferred to you.”

Wang Xue came and went quickly. With Lin Ze’s studio about to launch, there were plenty of matters to handle, all needing her attention.

“Once the contract’s signed, we’ll go home for a bit—Dad Lin and Mom Wang are already here.”

“Should we take this opportunity to settle our engagement? Or maybe just get married?” Lin Ze mused aloud, already planning the wedding.

Su Zitan pinched his fingers sharply.

“How can you talk about marriage so soon? You only proposed recently. People say the honeymoon period lasts three or four months after dating, and you need another two years for the adjustment phase. Only after that is it good to marry.”

“What’s left to adjust? We’ve been ‘adjusting’ for over twenty years.”

“You’re impossible!”

…

Eating hotpot, everyone felt a wave of emotion.

Who would have thought, at their age, they’d make it onto TV and become celebrities?

Lately, distant relatives had been calling much more often.

“Uncles and aunties, next week we’ll be filming elsewhere. If there’s a chance, we’ll come back to visit you all,” Lin Ze raised his glass to toast them.

“But before we leave, there’s a little gift I want to give everyone.”