Chapter 103 Xiao Qingfeng Acts Like a Scoundrel

In the Qingfeng Media reception room, Xiao Qingfeng and Zhuo Ziqi sat facing each other.

Zhuo Ziqi said apologetically, "Teacher Qingfeng, I apologize for bothering you, but I have no other choice. However, I feel that you can help me!"

Xiao Qingfeng handed a cup of instant coffee to the other person and said with a smile, "Teacher Zhuo, I don't quite understand what you're saying. After all, we don't have any interaction."

The two could be said to know each other or not. They could be said to know each other because they had only met at some events, but they could be said to not know each other because they had never spoken to each other.

However, Zhuo Ziqi was more famous than he and Xia Luan combined back then. She was the top female artist at Hive Music and was known in the music industry as someone who could support an entire company on her own.

However, there have been rumors recently that things haven't gone so well between him and the company!

Zhuo Ziqi took a small sip of coffee before saying, "Teacher Qingfeng, I would like to ask you for advice on how to terminate my contract with the company, since you have experience in this area!"

Xiao Qingfeng's hand, which had just picked up his coffee, froze in mid-air... Wait, are you being polite?

What do you mean I have experience? That sounds like an insult!

Zhuo Ziqi seemed to realize that her words had been somewhat offensive, and quickly explained, "Teacher Qingfeng, please don't misunderstand. I am currently suffering from oppression and exploitation by the company. I think you are a person full of justice and are not afraid of their suppression, so I think only you can help me!"

Looking at Zhuo Ziqi's anxious yet apologetic expression, Xiao Qingfeng sighed slightly and put down his coffee cup.

"Teacher Zhuo, please don't rush. Tell me about the specific conflicts between you and the company." Xiao Qingfeng's tone softened.

Zhuo Ziqi's eyes reddened slightly as she began to pour out her heart.

“Mr. Qingfeng, when I first joined Hive Music, the company treated me very well and gave me a lot of resources, allowing me to showcase my musical talent. At that time, I also did my best to create value for the company. You could say we complemented each other.”

Zhuo Ziqi paused for a moment, then continued, "But later, the company became increasingly outrageous. They kept arranging various commercial performances and events for me, without considering my physical condition or time for music creation at all. I have repeatedly asked to have more time to create new works, but they simply don't listen and only think about how to make more money off me."

At this point, Zhuo Ziqi's voice trembled slightly.

“Once, I was sick and my throat hurt terribly. The doctor advised me to rest for a while. But the company forced me to participate in a large commercial performance. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and go. After that performance, my voice was severely damaged and I couldn’t sing for a long time.”

"Moreover, the company is very opaque in its finances. A lot of my income is deducted by the company for various reasons, and I have no idea how much money I actually earn. I feel like a puppet manipulated by the company, with no autonomy whatsoever."

Zhuo Ziqi became increasingly agitated as she spoke: "I really couldn't take it anymore, so I wanted to terminate my contract with the company. But the company is unwilling to let me go. They threatened me that if I dared to terminate the contract, they would blacklist me and leave me with no place in the music industry. I am really distressed and helpless now, and I don't know what to do."

Xiao Qingfeng listened quietly to Zhuo Ziqi's story, his expression growing increasingly grim, his anger rising like a volcano about to erupt.

After Zhuo Ziqi finished speaking, Xiao Qingfeng slowly sat down and remained silent for a long time.

He then sighed deeply, his tone filled with indignation: "In today's entertainment industry, profit comes first, and art and humanity are thrown to the back of the mind. Those companies only treat artists as tools to make money, completely disregarding the artists' physical and mental health and artistic pursuits."

Xiao Qingfeng's eyes revealed his deep dissatisfaction with the current entertainment environment.

"Look at the music scene today, how many real musicians are buried? How many talented people are bound by this unhealthy environment? For short-term profits, companies keep exploiting artists and arranging meaningless commercial activities, while ignoring the essence of music."

Zhuo Ziqi felt like she had found a kindred spirit and said excitedly, "I knew that Teacher Qingfeng was a man of deep feeling, so please help me, Teacher Qingfeng!"

Xiao Qingfeng thought for a moment and smiled, "I can help you, but you have to agree to join my Qingfeng Media after it's done. Of course, don't worry, I will never arrange for you to do anything you don't like, and I will also write songs to help you reach the next level!"

Zhuo Ziqi said, "As long as you can help me get out of Hive Media, I am willing to join your company."

......

That afternoon, Xiao Qingfeng followed Zhuo Ziqi to Beehive Media!

Xiao Qingfeng sat at the negotiating table, his back straight as a pine tree, his eyes sharp and firm, as if they could see through all hypocrisy and injustice.

He slightly raised his chin, exuding an aura that commanded respect.

In the conference room of Hive Media, the lights were still dim, and the atmosphere was as cold and heavy as ice.

Several high-ranking executives sat opposite him. The one in the lead slightly raised his chin, his eyes full of disdain, and slammed his hand heavily on the table.

He said sternly, "Hmph, Zhuo Ziqi, don't be ungrateful. The company has given you such a good platform, and you want to just pack up and leave? You're simply ungrateful."

As he spoke, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest, a gesture that seemed to be a show of defiance towards Zhuo Ziqi.

Another high-ranking official stood with his arms crossed, a cold smile playing on his lips.

He said, "Who do you think you are? Without Hive Media, you are nothing. Don't think that bringing in Xiao Qingfeng will change anything. We're not afraid."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze revealing a condescending scrutiny, as if Zhuo Ziqi and Xiao Qingfeng were merely insignificant characters.

Another high-ranking official glanced at Zhuo Ziqi and Xiao Qingfeng and said arrogantly, "This contract is legally binding. You want to terminate it? No way. We can arrange things however we want, and you have no choice but to obey."

He lightly flicked non-existent dust off his suit, a gesture that revealed his contempt for Zhuo Ziqi and the others.

The top executive tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said in a firm tone, "Let me tell you, in the entertainment industry, Hive Media is the rule-maker. If you dare to disobey, just wait to be blacklisted. Don't regret it then."

He slightly raised his head, his gaze passing over Zhuo Ziqi and Xiao Qingfeng, as if looking into the distant future, a future where Zhuo Ziqi and the others were destined to be trampled underfoot.

A suffocating atmosphere filled the conference room. The arrogant attitude of the senior executives of Hive Media was like a heavy dark cloud, making it hard for Zhuo Ziqi to breathe.

In contrast, Xiao Qingfeng remained calm and composed throughout the entire process, observing the crowd before him.

"Everyone, don't get so angry. Do you think you can do whatever you want just because of the contract? What you've done to Zhuo Ziqi has seriously violated the law and morality."

The executives at Hive Media glared angrily: "Law? Morality? In the business world, there's only profit. We signed a contract with Zhuo Ziqi, and she has to abide by it. We assign her work, and she has to do it; it's her obligation."

Xiao Qingfeng's eyes narrowed: "Obligation? What about her rights? You disregarded her health and forced her to perform, deducting her income. Is this what you call rights?"

After Xiao Qingfeng finished speaking, he suddenly stood up: "Since you are so insistent, I have no choice but to leave first. However, I will write your deeds into songs. I believe you have heard 'Rakshasa Sea City' and 'Upside-Down Song'!"

"So please believe me, I definitely have the ability to make your Hive Media infamous across the entire internet. I mean what I say!"

After Xiao Qingfeng finished speaking, he turned to Zhuo Ziqi and said, "Let's go first. We'll have a lawyer intervene later. I'll cover all your expenses during this time. If they want to drag it out, we have plenty of time!"

Xiao Qingfeng's words were not only for Zhuo Ziqi, but also for the senior executives present.

Although Zhuo Ziqi was terrified, she had promised Xiao Qingfeng before coming that she would listen to him in everything, so she could only stand up and walk towards the door!

"Wait a minute!"

Suddenly, a senior executive at Hive called out to Xiao Qingfeng!

......