Lin Chen's eyes fell on the contract. On its white cover, the words "Xingyao Entertainment Artist Management Contract (Draft)" were written in black font, making them seem particularly heavy.
"Can I... take it home and take a look?"
"Of course," Mr. Wang agreed readily. "Here's the draft. You can study it carefully. It contains key terms such as the scope of cooperation, revenue sharing, rights and obligations, and the contract term. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me." He added, "However, the company has limited positions for promising newcomers. I hope you can make a decision quickly."
Leaving the café, the evening city lights began to illuminate. Lin Chen, guitar in hand, wandered aimlessly through the bustling streets. Mr. Wang's words still swirled in his mind. The draft contract sat like a branding iron, heavy and hot in his pocket. He felt an unprecedented sense of confusion. Signing the contract seemed like a leap into the sky, but the feeling of being completely orchestrated and "packaged" resonated with him instinctively.
He pulled out his phone again, opened the Echo app, and searched for "Music Master." He hesitated for a long time, composing his words, and finally, briefly and without detailing the key details, told the other person about today's audition experience, the judges' comments, and how Xingyao Entertainment had contacted him and provided him with a draft contract. He desperately needed advice from someone he could trust, someone unconnected to the glitz and glamour of the world.
After sending the message, he didn't hold out much hope for an immediate response. However, just a few minutes later, his phone rang—an unfamiliar local number.
"Hello?" Lin Chen answered, puzzled.
"Is this 'Shanjian Chenyin'? This is 'Music Master.'" A gentle, slightly hoarse male voice came from the other end. He sounded older, yet his voice was full of energy. Lin Chen was surprised. "You...how do you have my phone number?"
"You linked your phone number to Echo. I contacted customer service through the platform's backend partner channel, and it took some effort to get it." Chen Kai, the "music veteran," explained, his tone apologetic. "I hope I wasn't being abrupt. I think the situation you just described would be more clear over the phone. Is it convenient for you now?"
Half an hour later, Lin Chen followed the address Chen Kai gave him and arrived at a studio in a residential building in the old city. The hallway was dim, but pushing open the soundproof door revealed a different world. The room was small, cluttered with various musical instruments, recording equipment, records, and books. It seemed a bit messy, yet it was filled with a rich atmosphere of music and life.
Chen Kai was a man in his fifties, slightly plump, with some graying hair. He wore a loose linen shirt and wore a gentle smile, but his eyes betrayed the sharpness of experience and a subtle hint of fatigue. "Are you here? Come in," he greeted Lin Chen warmly, moving a pile of sheet music off the sofa. "It's a small place, don't mind. What would you like to drink? I have some herbal tea I brewed myself. It's good for your lungs and throat."
"Thank you." Lin Chen sat down somewhat awkwardly, accepting the warm, fragrant cup of tea.
"I roughly learned about your situation over the phone." Chen Kai sat down in the chair across from him, looking at him calmly. "First, tell me, what do you think?"
Lin Chen lowered his head, observing the herbs floating in the cup. "I... I don't know. Xingyao is a big company, and the opportunities are great. But... I just feel like something's off, but I can't put my finger on it."
"Your intuition is right, kid." Chen Kai sighed, his eyes becoming distant. "Xingyao Entertainment, Lu Tianyu's kingdom... That place is a paradise for some, but for others, it might be a swamp that swallows dreams and souls."
Lin Chen suddenly raised his head. "I was in that industry when I was young." Chen Kai pointed to several yellowed photos on the wall. They showed a group of young people in a recording studio. One could vaguely make out Chen Kai's youthful vigor. "I've been a musician and a producer. I've seen too many young people like you, with pure dreams, who plunged headfirst into it, and ended up..."
He shook his head and stopped talking. "Have you carefully read their draft contract? Especially the parts about the contract term, revenue sharing, liquidated damages, and rights and obligations?"
Lin Chen shook his head honestly. "I haven't. Mr. Wang said that's the industry standard..."
"Industry standard?" Chen Kai scoffed, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Often, 'industry standards' are just a cover for giants to exploit newcomers." He stood up and, carefully pulling out a thick volume on the Copyright Law and several entertainment industry case studies from the cluttered bookshelf, "Let me tell you what 'traps' you should be wary of."