Chapter 67: Portrait Rights

  Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what the next one will taste like. For some time now, Guo Xiaoyu's life has been like this chocolate, wave after wave of unpredictability coming at him. When he stood facing Zhao Yuyun, he didn't sit down for a long time, he knew that once he sat down, life would become even more unpredictable. At least before, he knew what was inside the box of chocolates, but if he sat down, who knows what else might be in there? But thinking about his parents, Teacher He and their expectant gazes, and his own curiosity about that sky, Guo Xiaoyu finally sat down.

  Guo Xiaoyu had just sat down when Zhao Yuyun couldn't wait to speak up and said, "Xiaoyu, you've finally arrived."

  "Aunt Zhao, it's been a while since we last met, you're getting younger and younger!" Guo Xiaoyu had not improved in other areas over the years, but his flattering skills had increased significantly. People like Zhao Youyun, who are professional career women, often particularly dislike comments about their profession, so you can't say they're capable. However, this type of person is especially stable at heart, so you also can't say they're beautiful, as that would make them feel particularly frivolous. But there's one place where these women are particularly concerned - their appearance. Yet, deep down, they've already acknowledged their age, and it's this contradictory nature that makes "getting younger and younger" the perfect compliment for them.

  Just then, Guo Xiaoyu had just finished speaking, and the corner of Zhao Youyun's mouth curled up into a faint, imperceptible smile as he said, "Xiaoyu, do we still need to say these flattering words?"

  "What flattery, I'm telling the truth! Is it against the law to tell the truth these days?!" In fact, Guo Xiaoyu's words were double-edged, on one hand, she was comfortably flattering again, and on the other hand, she was telling Zhao Youyun: "Don't drag in relationships, we'll talk as we should."

  Zhao Yuyun couldn't believe she had misjudged Guo Xiaoyu. She thought she knew him, just a guy who loved to sleep, but after their last conversation with her husband, Zhao Yuyun had a new impression of him - "this kid is not bad". But now, in just these few minutes, Guo Xiaoyu gave her a completely new understanding. He clearly knew today's meeting was about signing the contract, yet he didn't bring a lawyer and wasn't excited at all. From their conversation earlier, Zhao Yuyun realized she had slowly fallen into a disadvantageous position, which shocked even herself. It had been a long time since she'd experienced being at a disadvantage in negotiations like this.

  "Xiao Yu, how have you been lately?" In order to regain his disadvantage, Zhao Youyun decided not to take the initiative to speak. He wanted to let Guo Xiaoyu bring it up.

  "It's okay, I've been filming a TV series recently, and maybe I'll record a song later. Aunt Zhao, you know that I posted a video online, the song in that video is the theme song of the TV series I'm currently filming. The director wants me to finish recording the song as soon as possible after finishing the drama. " Guo Xiaoyu's half-true and half-false words were actually just an excuse for herself. Originally, she didn't want to sign this contract, if Zhao Yuyun hadn't spoken up, she would have been happy. This way, not only can she continue her life, but also has a valid explanation in front of her parents."

  Guo Xiaoyu finished speaking, and Zhao Yuyun knew that she wouldn't be able to regain the initiative today. She adjusted her mindset, smiled, and said: "Xiaoyu, Auntie Zhao has known your parents for many years and has watched you grow up since childhood. I won't beat around the bush with you either, just like I said on the phone, I hope you can become a signed singer under my label. Don't worry, based on our two families' relationship, plus your unparalleled talent, Auntie Zhao will definitely make you the new generation's king."

  Zhao Yuyun spoke with great passion, but Guo Xiaoyu remained unmoved. This woman was still trying to pull strings, wanting to tell Guo Xiaoyu that she was the elder and trying to regain control. The term "Queen" was already the third time Guo Xiaoyu had heard it, but coming from Zhao Yuyun's mouth, it felt completely different from when He Laoshi or Gao Yuanyuan said it, giving Guo Xiaoyu a totally different feeling. However, since Zhao Yuyun had taken the initiative to speak up, Guo Xiaoyu didn't want to continue playing mind games with her either.

  "Aunt Zhao, I know, and I agree to be your signed singer, so can we discuss the terms?"

  Guo Xiaoyu's straightforwardness left Zhao Youyun stunned for a moment, but her good professional quality quickly brought her back to her senses. She took out a document from her bag and handed it to Guo Xiaoyu, saying: "Given our relationship, Auntie Zhao will absolutely not treat you unfairly. The contract period is five years, and all the profit-sharing schemes are divided equally at 50% each."

  To be honest, this contract is actually not bad. The contract period for new artists is usually quite long. Five years is really not considered long for a newcomer, some newcomers sign for ten years. As for the share, it's also quite good, generally singers only enjoy album shares and advertising shares, and some companies even exploit newcomers to the extreme, leaving them with just enough shares to cover their basic living expenses.

  Guo Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "Aunt Zhao, what about the obligations I'm supposed to fulfill?"

  "This is very simple." Zhao Youyun said confidently: "The company will help you release an album every year. When the album is released, you need to participate in various promotional activities arranged by the company. In addition, if the company requires it, we hope you can also participate in some of Mango TV's large-scale celebrations every year. If you really don't want to, you can refuse, but it's best not to refuse. As for other times, what you do is not interfered with by the company, but you need to report back to the company. Finally, there is the issue of your portrait usage rights. We have already discussed that the share of advertising revenue is 50-50, which we temporarily call three-dimensional portrait rights. There are also some two-dimensional portrait rights, such as posters and figurines, these portrait rights all belong to the company."

  "The portrait rights can be used in this way." Guo Xiaoyu was speechless, based on the information in his mind, he firmly believed that he would definitely become popular. Once he became popular, this so-called flat portrait right could make the company earn a lot of money.

  Guo Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "There's no problem with the portrait rights. The so-called flat portrait rights you mentioned, I can let go of them. However, before your products are released to the market, you must show them to me first. If I don't agree, you cannot release them." Guo Xiaoyu didn't want some messy things to appear at that time. With Mangguo Media's crazy cells, they might actually be able to do it.

  "That's okay, no problem." Zhao Yuyun readily agreed, as this should have been done with the person's consent in the first place. Zhao Yuyun continued: "Then I'll get someone to modify the contract, we can have lunch together, and when the contract arrives, you take a look if there are any issues, if not, we sign?"

  "Wait..." Guo Xiaoyu stopped Zhao Youyun from making the call and said, "I have another question." Guo Xiaoyu pointed to the contract term and asked, "Isn't this contract's duration too long?"

  "Too long?" Zhao Yuyun was stunned, saying: "Generally, new employees' contracts are seven years, eight years, and even up to ten years. Five years is already considered very short."

  "But I think it's too much, at most I can only sign for three years."

  "Impossible." Zhao Yuyun flatly refused.

  "It's possible." Guo Xiaoyu took out a small notebook from his backpack and handed it to Zhao Youyun.

  Zhaoyun flipped through the book with a puzzled expression, wanting to see what kind of miracle this tattered little book could bring. Originally intending to laugh at it, Zhaoyun became more and more shocked as she read on, slamming her hand on the table and saying: "I agree, three years is just three years."

  Looking at Zhao Youyun's excited expression, Guo Xiaoyu narrowed his eyes and said, "I told you, it's possible."