Chapter 112: A Contract, A Melody, and a New Beginning

“Heh…” she let out a sorrowful laugh. “I have no power to cancel the contract. This bloodsucking company just wait! I’ll make sure it learns that a weak woman isn’t someone to bully or exploit endlessly.”

How could she possibly fight back against the company?

Zhou Can could only think of one way.

Once she takes her own life, that album will essentially lose all its value. By then, Bei Hai Lang Xing Company’s investment will have been a total loss.

And if she writes a suicide confession exposing the crimes of Bei Hai Lang Xing Company, that hoodlum company will suffer even greater losses.

“You want me to drink!”

She struggled desperately to snatch the beer can.

“Stop drinking – it’s bad for you!”

Zhou Can refused to let go; clearly, her strength could never match that of a man.

Besides, Zhou Can had trained his wrist strength to be far superior to the average person’s.

“Who gave you the right to boss me around?”

Fueled by the alcohol, she glared fiercely at Zhou Can.

“You said I was your boyfriend. With that title, how can I be the one bossing you around?”

Looking at this stubborn yet tender and delicate girl, Zhou Can felt compassion for her for the first time.

He couldn’t bear to see a beautiful flower wither away.

She had both talent and beauty; all she needed was an opportunity.

At least from his perspective as a doctor, every life is precious and only lived once. No hardship justifies ending it.

There’s a saying – those who never give up eventually prevail.

Only the living have opportunities.

Su Qianqian stared at Zhou Can in stunned silence.

“Heh… If it were the old days, I might have considered a romance with you. But now, forget it!” she sighed bitterly, then withdrew her hand from the beer can.

“Afraid you’ll hold me back?”

Zhou Can raised an eyebrow.

He could see right through her thoughts.

“My situation is worse than you think! I have no energy for love. But you coming here tonight to listen to my woes… that already means so much. You’re good-hearted, righteous, and a brilliant doctor at a top hospital in Tuyu. I know you’ll eventually find someone truly worthy.”

She looked at Zhou Can with sincere eyes.

“Are you giving me a ‘nice guy card’?”

Zhou Can smirked.

“Come, sit here!”

He beckoned Su Qianqian to join him.

“What for?”

she asked in a coquettish tone.

“Worried I might be making a move on you?” Zhou Can teased.

In the end, she allowed Zhou Can to pull her close and sit beside him.

It was clear she was a bit nervous.

Perhaps she had never been this physically close to a man before.

“Last night in the taxi, didn’t you lean on my shoulder? Was it comfortable?”

Zhou Can asked her.

“Mmm! It felt more secure than ever,” she replied, a shy, sweet smile gracing her lips.

The innocence of budding love is endlessly enchanting.

It leaves both sides with an indelible and beautiful impression.

“Come on, lean on my shoulder. From now on, whenever you need, this shoulder is yours for life.”

Zhou Can wrapped his arm around her.

She didn’t resist but simply leaned into him.

Then she closed her eyes, quietly savoring the comfort he offered.

Even the strongest woman has moments of vulnerability.

Surrounded by despair and adversity, a fragile woman fighting everything feels overwhelmed and pained.

Zhou Can’s shoulder let her forget her troubles, offering an unparalleled sense of peace.

“Qianqian!”

“Mmm!”

She murmured softly, like a contented cat.

At that moment, the two truly looked like an inseparable couple.

Even Zhou Can felt an unfamiliar, pounding excitement in his heart.

“How much debt do you have?”

“Over three hundred thousand!”

“I’ll pay it off for you—if you agree to be my girlfriend.”

Zhou Can added one condition.

His mother was always urging him to bring a girlfriend home. Su Qianqian, with her looks, figure, inner qualities, and character, sparked in him the thrill of romance.

At that moment, holding this beautiful woman close, he longed to spend his life quietly in her embrace.

He had never truly known love, never experienced its real essence.

All he knew was that holding her, with her leaning on him for support, made him feel incredibly at ease.

His heartbeat quickened; his blood raced.

“It’s useless,”

she said, gently shaking her head.

Even as she leaned on Zhou Can’s shoulder, she refused to move away.

Her silky hair brushed against his face, releasing a delightful fragrance into his nostrils.

That exquisitely lovely face was now mere inches away.

It gave Zhou Can an immensely pleasing visual treat.

“I’ll pay to buy the album and help you break the contract. From now on, if you want to work, get a regular job; if you prefer not to, I’ll support you.” – Biquge

Zhou Can’s voice was calm, yet to her ears it stirred a tidal wave of emotion.

“Do you think it’s just spare change? It’s five million! Don’t be ridiculous.”

This time, she opened her eyes and tilted her head slightly to look at him.

When Zhou Can proposed paying off her debt, she didn’t react much.

After all, for her, once she cleared this hurdle, earning three or four hundred thousand wasn’t out of reach.

In fact, it was even possible to earn that much within a year.

“I know, but what’s five million? Are you worried I can’t come up with it?”

Zhou Can pulled her even closer.

With such a huge sum, he wasn’t planning to ask his family for help.

Instead, he intended to sell two houses.

It was all an investment in Su Qianqian’s future.

Besides, before moving forward, he planned to consult with Mr. Li.

After all, Mr. Li had once been the vice president of Tianyu Interactive and nearly became CEO. With his expertise in music rights, he was the perfect adviser.

“You’re so rich and still working as a real estate agent?”

She realized Zhou Can wasn’t joking and looked at him in astonishment.

Few people can truly muster five million like he could.

Many families would find it extremely difficult to come up with just 500,000.

Despite his youth, when Zhou Can nonchalantly mentioned spending five million on her album, his tone was calm and confident.

It truly left her stunned.

“When did I ever say I was a real estate agent? It was you who said that!”

Zhou Can laughed as he replied.

Su Qianqian paused, trying to recall—and indeed, he had mentioned it.

“Then what do you do?”

she asked, staring at him.

“I’m a doctor!” Zhou Can winked.

“Hmph, I’m not buying it! But your shoulder is so comfortable to lean on – I wish I could do that forever!”

She closed her eyes, no longer speaking, and simply enjoyed the expanse of Zhou Can’s shoulder.

Before long, she actually fell asleep.

Zhou Can chuckled softly; she must have had too many drinks and her sorrow and despair had drained her energy, so she quickly succumbed to sleep.

After holding her for a while, Zhou Can gently laid her on the sofa.

Then he went into the bedroom, fetched a blanket, and covered her up.

However, when he entered the bedroom and switched on the light, he unexpectedly saw a folded note pressed against the bedside table.

“Dear Mr. Real Estate Agent, I’m gone – leaving this world for good. Consider the remaining rent and deposit as a small repayment for your help. Thank you for your kindness.”

It was Su Qianqian’s suicide note addressed to him.

“This girl is so foolish!”

Zhou Can silently thanked his luck that he had arrived in time.

Now, Su Qianqian’s suicidal thoughts had surely not vanished; after all, she hadn’t mentioned anything further about Zhou Can buying the album.

Holding the blanket, he carefully re-covered her on the living room sofa.

So that she wouldn’t catch a chill.

He had to help her break the contract with that hoodlum company – it was the best way to dispel her suicidal urges.

Fearing that a phone call might disturb her, he

went to the back elderly room, closed the door, and stepped out onto the balcony.

He dialed Mr. Li’s number.

“Zhou Can, why are you calling me so eagerly?”

Mr. Li answered, clearly pleased to hear from him.

“It’s so late; I hope I’m not disturbing you and your wife?” Zhou Can had arrived at Su Qianqian’s place around five and, before he knew it, had stayed for over three hours – now it was nearly half past eight.

“We don’t go to bed that early. Judging by your tone, something’s wrong – this isn’t just a friendly chat. So, what’s the matter?”

Mr. Li, ever perceptive, picked up on it immediately.

“There is indeed something. I have a friend who recorded a music album with her signing company…” Zhou Can recounted the events, seeking Mr. Li’s professional advice.

“What’s your relationship with that female star? Five million isn’t a small sum – if you’re willing to spend that much to help her, you must be more than mere acquaintances. I always thought you were just a doctor – I never imagined you were rich. You’ve kept it well hidden.”

Mr. Li was genuinely surprised by Zhou Can’s account.

Zhou Can usually kept a low profile – he didn’t even own a car.

Even Mr. Cui thought he was simply an ordinary doctor.

Who would have guessed he was actually a bona fide rich second-generation?

“I plan to make her my girlfriend, but she’s afraid of burdening me, so she hasn’t agreed yet. With her suicidal thoughts, I really want to help her.”

Zhou Can told Mr. Li everything without holding back.

“If she were your girlfriend or if your relationship was solid, there’s another way to handle this. If I’m not mistaken, her agency is Bei Hai Lang Xing, right?”

Mr. Li, who usually lounged at home like a layabout, was surprised at his own depth of knowledge about the industry.

Who would have thought he knew so much about the entertainment business?

“Heh, you’re incredible. Her agency really is Bei Hai Lang Xing.”

“Heh, in this line of work, a little word from an industry veteran tells the whole story. Bei Hai Lang Xing is notorious. Their founder, Mr. Gui – a former department manager at Tianyu Interactive who got fired for serious misconduct – is at the heart of it all.”

Mr. Li knew everything about that hoodlum company.

Its founder, with a criminal record, was dismissed by Tianyu Interactive and yet refused to mend his ways, continuing to take advantage of newcomers from art schools. It’s truly despicable.

“So, what exactly is your relationship with that star?”

Mr. Li pressed further.

“Her character is impeccable – maintaining her integrity for years is no small feat. I’m confident I can make her my girlfriend, maybe even my future wife. But nothing’s set in stone.”

Zhou Can answered honestly.

“Now, if we play it safe, the production cost of an album can range from a million to tens of millions. The most frugal singer – who writes, composes, and sings their own work – might spend no more than 200,000. The highest expense is usually the MV production.”

Mr. Li, ever the professional, was well aware of the pricing and production process.

This time, Zhou Can had come to the right person.

“MV production is essentially a bottomless pit. For high-end productions – hiring a renowned director, selecting a professional band and dance troupe, and filming in famous scenic spots, not to mention special effects – the budget can easily reach tens of millions. It isn’t far off from making a short film.”

“I haven’t seen the final cut of the album yet, so I can’t assess its price. But knowing Bei Hai Lang Xing, if they quote five million, there’s definitely room for negotiation.”

Zhou Can’s heart skipped a beat – he owned that album.

Loving the music so much, he had even copied some of the songs onto his phone.

“Mr. Li, I’ve got some songs from that album on my phone. Want me to send them over?”

“Sure, send them over!”

Mr. Li agreed without hesitation.

Sometimes, having a few trustworthy friends proves invaluable when it matters most.

Zhou Can sent the songs over.

It wasn’t long before Mr. Li called him back.

“I’ve listened to the songs and reviewed them. You’ve got a keen ear – this star’s vocal talent is rare, and her musical foundation is impressive. With proper guidance and promotion, I dare say she’s destined to be a top star. Who knows, she might even become a diva in the future.”

Mr. Li’s high praise for Su Qianqian was unmistakable.

Zhou Can wasn’t surprised.

He might not know much about music, but listening to Su Qianqian sing was incredibly soothing.

Her voice cleansed the soul in a way few songs could.

“Mr. Li, I plan to buy the album’s master recording and rights from Bei Hai Lang Xing soon. What price do you think is reasonable?”

Zhou Can was completely out of his depth when it came to this.

He had no clear idea at all.

“I’d cap the buying price at around two million. Since your girlfriend is teetering on the edge of suicide, this can serve as a bargaining chip – it just depends on whether you can stomach it.”

Mr. Li’s advice matched exactly what Zhou Can had been considering.

“Mr. Li, we’re on the same wavelength. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I was also planning to confront Qianqian before purchasing – using her suicidal state to pressure them for a heavy discount. I feel it’s my duty to ensure Bei Hai Lang Xing doesn’t profit at her expense.”

Zhou Can never cared about saving face or moral pretenses.

All that mattered was inflicting a huge loss on the enemy, even if it meant sacrificing a bit of reputation.

“Since you have no qualms, it should be doable. A star pushed to the brink would be more than willing to see Bei Hai Lang Xing lose out – there’s no way she wouldn’t agree.”

In many ways, Mr. Li and Zhou Can were kindred spirits.

Both played by their own rules, unconcerned with societal judgment or moral constraints.

“Now, here’s my entire plan. I’ve been cooped up at home for over three years – nearly rotting away. Back when your wife was depressed, I stayed with her out of guilt. Now that she’s getting better, I want to get back on my feet and earn more money.”

“That way, when a cure for her condition finally emerges, I’ll be able to buy it right away. And I have an even bigger ambition – I can’t just wait for foreign pharmaceutical companies. I need to earn more money to either start my own pharma company or invest in drug research.”

Mr. Li’s words filled Zhou Can with exhilaration.

Truth be told, he was willing to spend a fortune on that album solely to save Su Qianqian.

When it came to monetizing it, he was completely clueless.

But with Mr. Li – a titan from Tianyu Interactive – on board, it was a tremendous boon.

Especially since the two shared a deep bond.

Zhou Can trusted him completely.