Chapter 369: Zhang Lan’s Misfortune

"Do you think that's possible?"

Zhang Lan looked at Li Xiaoxiao and couldn't help but smile. Didn't these people know about her dedication to music?

How could it be possible for her to give up the music studio?

Even if she were the only one left in the music studio, she would still persevere.

"Zhang Lan, I think it's better to join the Entertainment Company. You have to realize that the four of us are credited on those songs. Once we join the Entertainment Company, we will definitely have to listen to them."

"If the Entertainment Company doesn't grant authorization, you probably won't be able to use the songs we created."

Wu Jie looked at Zhang Lan with a conflicted expression.

"What do you mean by that?"

Hearing Wu Jie's words, Zhang Lan's tone turned cold.

"Are you threatening me? Since the four of us are all credited, if I don't grant authorization, even if you join the Entertainment Company, you won't be able to use them, right?"

She had thought that after spending so much time together, even if they were going their separate ways, they wouldn't say things like that.

But Wu Jie's words clearly carried a threatening tone.

Not joining the Entertainment Company with them means no authorization? That's truly ridiculous.

"Hahaha, Lanlan, don't get angry. Wu Jie didn't mean it like that; he just wants you to join the Entertainment Company as well, there's no other meaning."

Xu Lei hurriedly stepped forward to persuade her, while simultaneously pushing Wu Jie to the side.

Zhang Lan ignored Xu Lei, turned around, leaned back in the chair to the side, and lowered her head in silence.

After a long while, she took a deep breath and looked up at Xu Lei.

"Have you all already made up your minds?"

However, before the others could answer, she knew their choice just by looking at their expressions.

"Zhang Lan, we…"

Xu Lei looked at Zhang Lan, wanting to say something but hesitating, her expression showing some guilt.

But for the sake of her own future, she still chose to join the Entertainment Company.

Although the club was developing smoothly at the moment because they had created a few decent songs, who could really predict anything when it came to creation?

Perhaps now there was plenty of inspiration, and they had created a few good songs, but what about the future? There would always be a time when inspiration ran dry, and what would they do then?

However, it would be different if she joined the Entertainment Company. Even if she couldn't create good songs, the Entertainment Company could commission songs from others for her.

Although joining the Entertainment Company came with many restrictions, there are always trade-offs.

Furthermore, joining the Entertainment Company wasn't just about singing. After joining, those with lesser prospects might take on some commercial work or advertisements, while those with better resources would very likely participate in variety shows.

If she could join a variety show, she would be able to appear on television and be recognized by the audience.

As long as she appeared on enough variety shows, even if she didn't have many songs, she would be known by many people. Being known by many people meant her popularity would rise, and once her popularity was up, would she ever lack money to earn?

Xu Lei thought to herself, and after careful consideration, she ultimately decided to join the Entertainment Company with Wu Jie and the others.

Among the four in the club, she was confident that in terms of singing ability, she was only slightly worse than Zhang Lan.

After all, Zhang Lan had been eliminated because she refused the unspoken rules of the production team, not because she couldn't sing well, and she herself had been eliminated because her throat was uncomfortable that day, causing her to underperform.

Therefore, she and Zhang Lan definitely had no issues in terms of singing ability.

But Wu Jie and Li Xiaoxiao were different; they had genuinely been eliminated because their singing ability was poor.

So, in terms of singing, she was stronger than Wu Jie and Li Xiaoxiao. Joining the Entertainment Company with them, as long as she showed her talent a little, it was easy to imagine who the Entertainment Company would tilt resources toward in the end.

"Alright, I understand. If you want to go, then go."

Zhang Lan waved her hand, feeling somewhat exhausted. Those who were meant to leave would leave eventually.

Besides, she had already seen their yearning for the Entertainment Company; forcing them to stay was meaningless.

"We can leave, but the songs…"

Seeing Zhang Lan wave her hand and agree to their departure, Wu Jie couldn't help but want to speak up again.

But before he could finish his sentence, he was glared at by Xu Lei.

"Zhang Lan, after we join the Entertainment Company, there will definitely be many things beyond our control. Some things aren't up to us, like the songs—if the Entertainment Company doesn't let us grant authorization, there's nothing we can do."

"You should be able to understand this kind of situation."

"Yes, Zhang Lan, you could also refuse to grant authorization, but I don't think there's any need to make it a lose-lose situation. If everyone can use them, then the songs we created won't go to waste."

Xu Lei glared at Wu Jie, but couldn't help but complain internally.

This brainless guy Wu Jie, provoking Zhang Lan at a time like this—if she really doesn't grant authorization for the songs, what will you do then?

The biggest bargaining chip for the Entertainment Company in inviting them to join was those few songs.

If those songs couldn't be used, even if they joined the Entertainment Company, how much leverage would they have left?

To not even understand something this simple—how had she not realized before that Wu Jie was so stupid?

"What do you want to do?"

Zhang Lan looked at Xu Lei and asked calmly.

She saw Xu Lei's expression and reaction just now clearly.

She never expected that after knowing her for so long, this Xu Lei would turn out to be such a person.

Hearing Zhang Lan's question, Xu Lei organized her thoughts a little and spoke slowly.

"To be honest, these songs are very important for us joining the Entertainment Company. I don't want it to reach a point where no one can use them."

"So, we have come up with a new proposal: the copyright for the current version will be given to you to use. You can do whatever you want with this version of the song, but you cannot adapt or re-create it, nor do you have the right to authorize others to use it."

"Of course, doing this infringes on your rights, so we will give you 500,000 as compensation."

"After we leave, it will definitely be very troublesome for you to support the club alone. Although the current songs are popular, it's just the beginning, and they are in the free new song phase; it will take some time to generate revenue."

"And this 500,000 will allow you to maintain the club's expenses for a while."

Zhang Lan rubbed her head and looked at Xu Lei seriously.

In truth, she didn't value the songs that much; what she valued more was the memory of the few of them creating songs in this dim basement.

At that time, she really felt that she had met three like-minded partners.

To create good songs, she was willing to endure any amount of hardship.

But now it all seemed so ridiculous; the appearance of an Entertainment Company had directly caused their club to fall apart.

Forget it!

She sighed inwardly. Since they wanted this song so much, she would just let them have their way.

At least they had struggled together before.

After thinking this through, Zhang Lan looked up at Xu Lei, just about to nod in agreement, when she saw Wu Jie step forward and speak.

"Zhang Lan, what are you still hesitating for? This offer is already very good; don't be ungrateful! What kind of good outcome could you possibly have fighting against an Entertainment Company?"

Seeing that Zhang Lan remained silent, Wu Jie finally couldn't help but speak again.

"Exactly…"

Li Xiaoxiao also couldn't help but chime in.