Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 39.1

Huai Xu tilted her head, leaving Song Yingshi with a view of her fair profile and trembling eyelashes. When she broke the news to Song Yingshi, a hint of joy and longing flashed in her eyes.

When Song Yingshi caught this glimpse of expression, she got the feeling that Huai Xu genuinely wanted to share this piece of news with her.

At this realization, Song Yingshi relaxed. She felt relieved over the fact that Huai Xu wasn't being bullied.

So she was just too shy to tell me the news before. What an awkward little brat, Song Yingshi thought, smiling.

Immediately afterward, she couldn't help but be happy for Huai Xu, and she began asking for more details as she chewed on the mandarin slice. However, when she heard Huai Xu had found Fu Qi to produce her song, she choked on the mandarin slice and started coughing uncontrollably.

Huai Xu reflexively reached out to pat Song Yingshi's back but stopped halfway and retracted her hand. Then, she poured a glass of water for Song Yingshi, furrowed her brows, and strictly said, "Don't talk while you eat."

Song Yingshi was still trying to catch her breath when Huai Xu reprimanded her. She secretly wrinkled her nose before putting on another smile as she lifted her head to face Huai Xu, saying, "I just wanted to know what you've been up to today."

Huai Xu immediately toned down her strictness at Song Yingshi's words. Lowering her voice, she assured, "That's all I did today."

"Tell me more about it," Song Yingshi urged.

After all her intervention, Song Yingshi honestly hadn't expected Fu Qi to still produce songs for Huai Xu in this life. Similar to how she hadn't expected Zheng Qiyi to appear as one of the Star of Spring's mentors, she couldn't help but wonder if some unknown force was working to bring the plot back on track. This situation also reminded her not to let her guard down.

Setting those thoughts aside, Song Yingshi was still curious about the details of Huai Xu's outing today. She wanted to know what Huai Xu said and did to win Fu Qi over.

Hence, Song Yingshi promptly bombarded Huai Xu with a series of questions.

"You didn't mention how you got in touch with Fu Qi in the first place. And what's up with Director Wu? Can't you get into the specifics? Also, how dare you act so mean to me just now?"

As Song Yingshi spoke, her tone gradually began carrying hints of complaints. She even used the opportunity to get back at Huai Xu for scolding her earlier.

Huai Xu: "..."

Huai Xu got to fully experience how capable the little woman before her was at acting spoiled and difficult in these past few days. Yet, the person in question seemed to lack self-awareness of her behavior.

However, it was precisely this lack of care or concern that made Song Yingshi even more alluring.

Huai Xu couldn't tell if she felt troubled or secretly pleased when dealing with Song Yingshi's willfulness. Lowering her gaze, she handed the cup to Song Yingshi and said, "Drink some water first."

Song Yingshi gave Huai Xu a sideways glance before withdrawing her gaze and taking a few sips of water as instructed. When she lifted her head from the cup, she looked directly at Huai Xu like an audience waiting for a story.

Huai Xu's heart softened when she met Song Yingshi's innocent gaze. However, just as she was about to recount her day, an overlooked point suddenly flashed in her mind, "Do you know Fu Qi?"

When it came to the general public, roles such as producer, arranger, and mixer were not given as much attention compared to singers, lyricists, and composers due to a lack of understanding. Hence, while Fu Qi might be a skilled producer, his fame was mostly limited to within the entertainment industry.

When Huai Xu remembered Song Yingshi overreacting to Fu Qi's name, her gaze grew inquisitive.

Now, it was Song Yingshi's turn to be at a loss. She realized she had recently gotten so cozy around Huai Xu that she had forgotten about her act. She would never have made such a rookie mistake had this interaction taken place in the past.

Feeling frustrated with herself, Song Yingshi quickly tried to cover up her mistake.

Meanwhile, Huai Xu's gaze never moved away from Song Yingshi. When she saw Song Yingshi still quiet three seconds after her question, she subconsciously leaned forward to get a better look at the person before her.

A moment later, Song Yingshi leaned on the edge of the table, her chin slightly lifted as she faced Huai Xu with a face as bright as spring dawn. Then, she softly sighed, "I guess I can't hide it from you anymore."

Huai Xu's pupils darkened slightly.

Under Huai Xu's deep gaze, Song Yingshi said, "Actually…I've been planning to help you release songs, so I've looked into this aspect of the industry."

After coming up with a valid topic, Song Yingshi had a much easier time making up the rest of her story.

"It shouldn't come as a surprise to you, right? Have you forgotten about the arrangement, vocal, and music theory instructors I hired for you previously? You are bound to have to release songs in the future. Keep in mind that you are an artist under my care. We've even signed a contract—"

Song Yingshi stopped her sentence midway as she remembered Huai Xu's contract wasn't an artist's contract. Instead, it was a dirty lovers' contract she had used to bind Huai Xu to her financially. Of course, it was now a thing of the past, considering their current genuine friendship.

After reflecting on her words for a moment, Song Yingshi lightly coughed and said, "We can sign a new contract—but if you want to release a song and debut, you can't do without the support of a company, right? So, I had to prepare these things in advance. Of course, you are free to sign with another company if you're not comfortable with me. I don't mind."

The first half of Song Yingshi's words was a mix of truths and lies.

The part about recruiting Fu Qi was false, but Song Yingshi did have someone prepare a studio for Huai Xu.

Song Yingshi was no stranger to the entertainment industry's various professions. After learning about the resources available to her in this life, she was keen on starting her own entertainment company, whether it was to support herself or others.

As for the latter half of her words… Despite how generously Song Yingshi had spoken, her generosity still appeared somewhat forced and insincere.

Huai Xu had a hunch Song Yingshi didn't really mean the latter half of her words, so she focused on the first half, asking, "You want to sign me?"

Song Yingshi nodded, her expression serious.

Who was Huai Xu? She was the novel's female protagonist!

While Huai Xu in the original novel might not be as lucky as the protagonists of other novels, her talent and ability were one-of-a-kind.

Moreover, Song Yingshi had seen first-hand how diligent and earnest Huai Xu was at improving herself. Huai Xu was the best wage slave in the eyes of capitali— Huai Xu was a genuinely excellent prospect in Song Yingshi's eyes, and signing her could only lead to massive profits.

Besides, what if Huai Xu signed with another company and ended up being shelved[1]?

Song Yingshi had sworn to take care of Huai Xu's career in the future. Hence, whether it was out of personal feelings or logical reasoning, she had no reason to let other companies have Huai Xu.

Thinking up to this point, Song Yingshi couldn't help but thank Fu Qi's timely appearance. According to her estimates, it was about time for some talent agents to begin approaching Huai Xu.

…

Song Yingshi's hunch was correct. The next day, agents from several entertainment companies arrived at the White Tower.

During Star of Spring's audition phase, both entertainment companies and trainees maintained a wait-and-see stance. The trainees were waiting for better terms or companies they preferred, while the companies were waiting to assess the trainees' market value. Although some independent trainees went ahead and accepted the deals they were offered, many refused the olive branches extended to them.

Now that the first episode of Star of Spring had aired, and the online response to the trainees' performances was remarkable, many talent agents quickly acted on their intuition. While the trainees' future success remained uncertain, good resources waited for no one. Not to mention, the sooner they signed these trainees, the bigger the share they could get from these trainees' endorsements. Hence, armed with new conditions, these talent agents rushed to meet the trainees.

As Song Yingshi and Huai Xu were the only independent trainees in Class A, it went without saying they received the most requests to meet. Furthermore, the contracts the talent agents prepared for them offered significantly better conditions than the contracts prepared for other trainees.

When the production crew gathered the independent trainees to inform them about the talent agents' request to meet, Song Yingshi politely said, "Thank you, but I don't need a contract, so I won't be meeting them."

The staff nodded and looked at Huai Xu.

Before Huai Xu could say anything, Song Yingshi answered on her behalf, "Huai Xu doesn't need one, either."

Staff: ?

Huai Xu gave Song Yingshi a sideways glance, to which Song Yingshi responded by smiling gently while secretly pinching Huai Xu's waist with her left hand. Then, without looking at Huai Xu, Song Yingshi whispered, "Reject them."

"..."

Huai Xu shifted in place, feeling a little ticklish. Then, doing as told, she nodded to the staff and said, "I don't need it. Thank you."

Neither Song Yingshi nor Huai Xu met with the agents!

The other trainees in the room exchanged hesitant glances with one another. After some deliberation, some followed the staff to meet the talent agents, while two other trainees expressed their lack of interest before returning to practice.

TL Notes:
[1]shelved: When an artist/celebrity gets shelved by the company they are under, it means the company doesn't care to assign them work or help publicize them.

The reasons for a company doing so could vary from the artist in question not being worth the investment or bullying.

In such events, unless an artist's contract expires or they can afford the contract termination fee, they'll be stuck with their company and forced to fend for themselves.