Chapter 370: Negotiation

“Wu Jie!”

Before Zhang Lan could say a word, Xu Lei had already turned around and snapped at Wu Jie, shooting a glare at Li Xiaoxiao as well.

These two…

Truly a pair of useless teammates!

She had just managed to steer the mood in the right direction. If Zhang Lan had even a sliver of sentimentality or nostalgia, there was a good chance she would have agreed.

But thanks to these two, they completely ruined the atmosphere she had worked so hard to build.

Not only were they unhelpful, they actually made things worse.

Looks like if she ever joins an entertainment company in the future, she’ll have to stay far away from these two. Otherwise, who knows how she might get dragged down with them.

Zhang Lan ignored Xu Lei’s rebuke and simply gave Wu Jie and Li Xiaoxiao a calm, indifferent glance.

After a moment,

She let out a soft chuckle.

“All other terms remain the same. The compensation is two million.”

“Zhang Lan…”

Hearing this, Xu Lei couldn’t help but turn to Zhang Lan with a worried look.

Zhang Lan looked at her and spoke slowly, unhurriedly.

“Two million. Not a cent less. Otherwise, no one gets to use those songs.”

“Honestly, two million is already a low price, isn’t it? Just one of those songs on the New Releases chart—if the entertainment company gives it proper packaging and promotion—do I really need to spell out how much money it could make?”

“And it’s not like the two million is coming out of your pocket. The entertainment company will pay for it. So don’t look so troubled. Just pass along my terms to them.”

“Either they agree, or no one uses those songs. There’s no other option.”

Zhang Lan’s tone was firm. She had initially thought that, since they had all struggled together in the early days of the club, during its most difficult times, maybe she didn’t need to be so hung up on those songs.

But the attitude Wu Jie and Li Xiaoxiao showed made her realize how laughable that idea was.

“Zhang Lan, can’t we talk this through a little more? I mean, two million is really…”

Xu Lei tried to persuade her again, but before she could finish, Zhang Lan cut her off.

“No need to discuss it further. Two million. That’s final.”

Her tone left no room for negotiation.

Seeing the resolute look on Zhang Lan’s face, Xu Lei knew there was nothing more she could say. She turned and shot another glare at Li Xiaoxiao and Wu Jie behind her.

“Wait here for a moment.”

She said this to Zhang Lan, then walked a short distance away and made a phone call.

The call connected quickly.

After some time, she returned and looked at Zhang Lan with a neutral expression.

“Alright. Two million it is. I’ll go print the contract. The payment will be transferred to you after it’s signed.”

The jump from five hundred thousand to two million had caught her off guard.

The entertainment company had only authorized a budget of one million. She had thought that with some emotional appeal, she could close the deal at five hundred thousand.

Everything had been going smoothly—until Wu Jie and Li Xiaoxiao ruined it.

Not only did she lose the fifty-thousand margin she was hoping for, the company had to shell out an extra million and was now a bit displeased with her.

Still, at least the deal was done. To avoid any further complications, it was best to get the contract signed as soon as possible.

As for the company’s discontent, she believed that as long as she proved her value by helping them earn two, five, or even ten times that amount, any dissatisfaction would naturally disappear.

“Alright.”

Zhang Lan didn’t hesitate this time. Since she had already made up her mind, there was no need to drag it out.

Once the contract was signed,

Everyone would go their separate ways. No need for drama, just a clean break.

Two hours later,

At Nanhe Coffee,

Zhang Lan glanced over the contract in her hands. After confirming there were no issues, she signed her name.

Xu Lei let out a breath of relief when she saw the signature. She looked across the table at Zhang Lan and spoke softly.

“Thank you.”

No matter what, Zhang Lan hadn’t chosen to burn all bridges. For that, she was genuinely grateful.

“What’s the point of saying that now? If there’s nothing else, you can leave. I’d like some time alone.”

Zhang Lan replied flatly, taking a sip of her coffee.

It was bitter.

Xu Lei looked at her for a moment, then said nothing more. She stood up and left.

Li Xiaoxiao and Wu Jie quickly followed suit. But as they passed by Zhang Lan, they couldn’t help but speak.

“You’ll regret not joining the entertainment company.”

With that, they hurried off.

Regret?

Zhang Lan murmured the word to herself, then let out a light laugh.

What was there to regret?

She had started with nothing. This was just returning to square one.

No, not quite square one. She had gained something.

She looked down at the contract in her hands.

Two million.

At the very least,

Shen Rou’s investment hadn’t gone to waste.

Thinking of Shen Rou made her smile. Now that was a real friend.

She pulled out her phone, sent a message,

Then downed the rest of her coffee in one go and left the coffee shop.

Hmm.

The coffee at Shen Rou’s shop really was pricey—188 yuan for a single cup. Good thing Xu Lei paid for it.

5:00 PM.

Mingri Group.

Top floor,

Assistant’s Office.

Shen Rou swiftly wrapped up her tasks for the day and finalized the work plan for tomorrow. Without lingering, she left the company in a hurry.

“Good evening, Assistant Shen!”

“Hello, Assistant Shen!”

“…”

Inside the elevator,

She ran into many employees leaving work for the day.

They all greeted her respectfully. Though Shen Rou was “just” an assistant, she was the president’s assistant.

And the president’s assistant wielded more authority than even the general managers of some branch offices.

How could they not show respect?

“Hello,”

Shen Rou responded with a polite smile.

Normally,

She would stay behind in the office a little longer after work, waiting until most of the employees had left before heading out herself.

But this afternoon,

After seeing the message from Zhang Lan, she grew anxious and didn’t wait around.

Exiting the elevator and stepping outside the building,

She didn’t take the subway like she usually did. Instead, she flagged down a taxi.

Half an hour later,

Shen Rou arrived hurriedly at the entrance of a basement. She knocked lightly on the door.

But after just two knocks, the door creaked open on its own.

It wasn’t locked.

She pushed it open gently and stepped inside. A strong smell of alcohol hit her in the face.

Shen Rou frowned slightly, her gaze quickly landing on a figure in the distance.

Zhang Lan was slumped against one of the basement walls, surrounded by several empty bottles.

Seeing the scene,

Shen Rou couldn’t help but feel worried and quickly walked over.

“What’s going on? Why did the club disband?”

Standing beside Zhang Lan, Shen Rou couldn’t hold back her question.

“Rou Rou, you’re here. Give me a hug.”

Zhang Lan looked up at the sound of her voice, recognized her, and opened her arms for an embrace.