I admit defeat.

Jiang Kui’s maneuver left Sun Yaohuo in awe, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect. Jiang Kui was indeed a worthy opponent. However, what Lin Yuan said next struck Sun Yaohuo even harder!

Lin Yuan actually took the initiative to ask Jiang Kui, “Do you have any plans to release a new song?”

Thump! Thump!

Jiang Kui’s heart suddenly raced. She initially just didn’t want to lose to Sun Yaohuo. But she never expected that she would actually get a chance. At this moment, she completely understood Sun Yaohuo: “Yes… I plan to release a new song after the New Year, but I haven’t found a suitable piece yet…”

Sun Yaohuo’s eyes turned red. The flames of jealousy burned fiercely!

Lin Yuan nodded, “Then your lung capacity should be quite good, right?”

Jiang Kui nodded vigorously, “I trained my lung capacity specifically when I was studying vocal music!”

“What about the split?”

This was what Lin Yuan was most concerned about. Jiang Kui was very perceptive and almost without hesitation said, “If I can collaborate with Teacher Lin Yuan again, I can accept any split you propose. Just give whatever you think is appropriate!”

“Hmm…”

Lin Yuan remained noncommittal. Jiang Kui was clearly very good at navigating these situations.

Lin Yuan frowned slightly; in fact, he was most uncomfortable when people said things like “just give whatever you think is appropriate.” If he gave too little, he would feel embarrassed. If he gave too much, he would feel a pinch.

Jiang Kui was waiting for Lin Yuan’s response, but when she noticed that Lin Yuan stopped talking, her heart skipped a beat: Did I say something wrong?

Instead, Sun Yaohuo became anxious. Although he was a competitor with Jiang Kui, seeing her about to lose this rare opportunity, he couldn’t help but lend a hand, jokingly reminding, “If Junior Lin collaborates with me, I wouldn’t want a split.”

During a previous meal with Lin Yuan, Sun Yaohuo had somewhat figured out Lin Yuan’s tendencies.

Jiang Kui quickly changed her tune, “Right, I don’t want a split!”

Hearing this, Lin Yuan was relieved. He wasn’t someone who would take advantage of others, and he couldn’t really be that greedy: “Then let’s stick to the usual split. I have a song here that’s quite suitable for you.”

Lin Yuan was referring to “Balloon.” This song required a female singer with a high lung capacity, and Jiang Kui was a suitable candidate. As for the usual split, the singer would get a 0.5 share.

How could Jiang Kui refuse? In fact, like Sun Yaohuo, she would accept it even without pay, fearing Lin Yuan might change his mind, she nodded enthusiastically, “Sure, sure!”

After speaking, Jiang Kui glanced gratefully at Sun Yaohuo. She didn’t know that Teacher Lin Yuan was hesitating over the split. It really worked!

Sun Yaohuo had reminded Jiang Kui with a try-it-and-see attitude, not expecting that this unique junior would actually go for it, making him realize that he might have a chance too!

…

The next day, Lin Yuan sent the manuscript for next month to Editor Yang Feng’s email. After all, the system had already sorted the chapters.

It was already late January. Universities across the country were entering winter break. Students from Qinzhou Art Academy were packing up to go home the next day.

Lin Yuan also wanted to go home. So, on the day before the winter break, he went to the company to ask Old Zhou for leave. According to the contract, when he didn’t have classes, he was supposed to work at the company. Not working would count as absenteeism, and his salary would be deducted.

If he got the leave, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Entering the supervisor’s office on the tenth floor of the Composition Department, Lin Yuan found it empty, so he asked his colleague Wu Yong where Old Zhou was.

Wu Yong said, “The supervisor usually works on the twenty-second floor. What do you want to do?”

Lin Yuan said, “Ask for leave.”

Wu Yong shook his head, “I advise you to give up on that idea. It’s usually not hard to ask for leave, but it’s different now. Every year before the annual leave, many people try to ask Old Zhou for leave, but they all get scolded badly. After all, the new year is starting, and many singers are planning to release songs. The Composition Department is very busy.”

“I’ll give it a try.”

After saying that, Lin Yuan took the elevator to the supervisor’s office on the twenty-second floor.

“……”

Wu Yong, seeing that he couldn’t persuade him, didn’t say anything more. He figured Lin Yuan would realize how hard it was to get leave before the new year after hitting a wall.

On the twenty-second floor, just as Lin Yuan reached Old Zhou’s office door, he heard Old Zhou inside losing his temper: “Leave? No way! Don’t think that just because you’re a senior composer, I’ll indulge you! You know how many singers in the Artist Department are preparing to release songs after the New Year. There’s no way you can slack off now! If you really want to take leave, you must produce a decent song!”

“Okay, I understand.”

The guy who got scolded by Old Zhou left the office dejectedly.

At this moment, Old Zhou noticed Lin Yuan at the door. Not wanting to appear too harsh, he forced a smile, “Lin Yuan, do you need something?”

Lin Yuan said, “Ask for leave.”

Old Zhou: “……”

His smile gradually disappeared. Didn’t you see the guy who just got scolded for asking for leave?

He cleared his throat, not wanting to seem too harsh, but his tone was still somewhat stiff: “You should be on winter break now, but according to the contract, you still need to work during the break.”

“Yes.”

Lin Yuan recalled Old Zhou’s earlier words, “So if I produce a song, I can take leave?”

Old Zhou almost choked, “That’s what I said, but the quality of the song you produce must be up to standard. After the New Year, many singers are planning to release new singles, and some big names even have new album plans. The demand for songs in our Composition Department is very high…”

“How about this one?”

Lin Yuan took out his phone and sent “Balloon” to Old Zhou right in front of him.

“A new song?”

Old Zhou stared at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan nodded, “A new song.”

Old Zhou didn’t say much, directly putting on headphones to listen.

After listening, Old Zhou’s eyes widened slightly—

The quality of Lin Yuan’s new song was quite good. Although it wasn’t as good as “Big Fish,” it was still catchy enough.

But wasn’t Lin Yuan a bit too prolific?

He had previously thought Lin Yuan was already exhausted, but today he produced another song that sounded pretty good.

Lin Yuan asked, “Can I take leave now?”

Old Zhou nodded mechanically, “Sure… sure… Who do you plan to have sing this song?”

Lin Yuan had already thought it through, “Jiang Kui.”

Jiang Kui?

Old Zhou thought for a moment and said, “Jiang Kui does have plans to release a new single and is currently selecting songs. This ‘Balloon’ is quite suitable. She probably won’t refuse.”

“Okay.”

Lin Yuan said, “Can I leave now?”

Old Zhou had no choice but to smile wryly, “Alright, you can go. After all, you’ve completed your work before the New Year.”

He couldn’t find any fault with “Balloon.”

Lin Yuan nodded and returned to the tenth floor. When Wu Yong saw Lin Yuan return, he teased, “How did it go? I told you, the supervisor won’t approve leave at this time.”

“I got it.”

Lin Yuan said as he packed his things.

Wu Yong was stunned for a few seconds, then overjoyed, “The supervisor is so easygoing this year? Haha, then I should ask for leave too!”

“Okay.”

Lin Yuan returned to his desk to pack his things.

After packing up and preparing to leave, he ran into Wu Yong again, who had just returned. Lin Yuan took the opportunity to ask, “Did you get the leave?”

“……”

Wu Yong looked at Lin Yuan with a resentful gaze, “I got scolded badly by the supervisor. Why didn’t you say earlier that you got your leave by exchanging a new song?”

“Yeah.”

Lin Yuan said matter-of-factly, “You can exchange a song for leave too, right?”

Wu Yong felt a bit offended, “Why do you think I have a song good enough to exchange for leave?”

Lin Yuan thought for a moment, “I thought you could.”

Saying that, Lin Yuan had already slung his backpack over his shoulder and happily left.

Wu Yong stared blankly at Lin Yuan’s back, recalling Lin Yuan’s somewhat casual tone, and for a moment, he felt a bit self-doubt—

Is writing a decent new song really that simple?