38: Chapter 38 "Bubble"

The two arrived at the company. Zhou Juan was sitting at the front desk touching up her makeup.

Upon seeing them, she immediately stood up.

"CEO Zhang, CEO Chen. Zi Qi is waiting for you in the office."

"Alright."

On the way, Zhang Ying had received a call from Zi Qi, so she had asked her to wait in the office.

"Da Ping, have you finished writing the song for her?" Zhang Ying asked.

"It's finished." Chen Shaoping turned to look at Zhang Ying. "If she doesn't agree to join the company, how much should we sell the song for?"

"Charge her whatever it's worth. Even though she's in a lawsuit with her previous company, she's not short on money," Zhang Ying said with a smile.

"Zi Qi, you're early!"

As soon as Zhang Ying and Zi Qi met, they embraced, disregarding Chen Shaoping's gaze.

"For the song, of course, I had to come early. I say, none of your company's managers are here."

Chen Shaoping chuckled. "Here we are. Miss Zi, what have you decided?"

Their hands clasped together.

Today, Zi Qi was still wearing leather pants paired with a sleeveless vest, her hair styled like dreadlocks. Her overall look exuded rebellious youthful energy.

She seemed to have a particular fondness for leather pants.

"Teacher Chen, I'll be direct."

"I don't want to join any company for now. If I decide to sign with a company later, and your company is still around, I will definitely choose you first. How about that?"

Zi Qi spoke very directly. She was not optimistic about the company's future prospects.

Zhang Ying was choked by her words, but upon reflection, she couldn't refute them.

If Chen Shaoping hadn't suddenly joined, the company might really have disbanded.

She couldn't help but gaze gently at the man beside her, a sudden sense of security and reliance blooming in her heart.

"Okay, I'll send you the song, and we can discuss the price after you've heard it."

Zi Qi hadn't expected Chen Shaoping to be so agreeable, and many of the arguments she had prepared didn't get a chance to be used.

Chen Shaoping quickly found the song "bubbles" in the System Mall and directly exchanged it for 1 paparazzi points.

[Host has paparazzi points: 2 points.]

"I've sent you the song, take a look."

Chen Shaoping took out his phone and sent the newly exchanged song to Zi Qi.

After receiving the file, Zi Qi eagerly started reading it.

As she read, she unconsciously began to hum softly along with the sheet music: "The bubbles in the sun are colorful, just like how I, who was deceived, am happy..."

As expected of a powerful singer, even her a cappella was exceptionally beautiful.

"Zi Qi, that's really good, keep going." Zhang Ying leaned closer.

Such a scene was rare: two singers discussing and singing, seriously exchanging their understanding of the song.

Chen Shaoping didn't disturb them and started browsing videos.

Suddenly, the Tax Bureau sent him a special message.

Under the official account of the Tax Bureau, a specially bolded item was very conspicuous. Chen Shaoping clicked on it and read it carefully.

"According to the investigation, Bingbing's tax evasion violations mainly include two parts: personal tax evasion and corporate underpayment of taxes.

For Bingbing's act of splitting contracts to evade taxes, a fine of 4 times the evaded amount is imposed. For her use of studio accounts to conceal personal income and evade taxes, a fine of 3 times the evaded amount is imposed.

Fines are also imposed for her company, where she serves as the legal representative, failing to withhold and pay individual income tax, among other violations.

The total amount of back taxes, late fees, and fines combined exceeds 880 million yuan."

"According to Article *** of the Dragon Country Criminal Law, because Bingbing is being administratively penalized for tax evasion by the tax authorities for the first time, and has not previously faced criminal charges for tax evasion.

Now that she has paid off all taxes, late fees, and fines (within the stipulated period), she will not be held criminally liable according to law."

"Bingbing's agent, Moumou Guang, is suspected of committing a crime for instructing employees to conceal and intentionally destroy accounting vouchers and account books during the investigation, obstructing the tax authorities' investigation. Compulsory measures have been taken against him by the public security organs in accordance with the law."

"Relevant officials and responsible personnel of the local Tax Bureaus and other competent tax authorities have been held accountable in accordance with laws and regulations."

"The Dragon Country State Taxation Administration will deploy work to standardize the tax order in the film and television industry, urging relevant enterprises and practitioners to conduct self-inspections and rectify issues, and pay off taxes within one month.

Otherwise, once verified, severe penalties will be imposed."

Below this announcement, netizens' comments quickly poured in.

"I knew actors made money, but I didn't expect them to make so much. Actors are harming the country!"

"Upstairs, if you have the ability, go be an actor yourself, don't just spout nonsense here."

"Although they explained why Bingbing isn't being held criminally liable, I'm still uncomfortable. Such a large sum just gets brushed aside?"

"I suggest the Tax Bureau investigate every artist; many of them are definitely not clean."

"Someone exposed her, otherwise she'd still be making money with peace of mind."

...

Many netizens, quite a few from the Tax Bureau, flooded Chen Shaoping's Qingbo account.

"Thank you, Shao Ping, for recovering losses for the country."

On this matter, even Li Lu's fans didn't dare to badmouth Shao Ping, or they would face public criticism.

Many of Li Lu's fans even became Shao Ping's fans.

But Shao Ping's own haters wouldn't tolerate him.

"Shao Ping's Dad: My son has grown up, my heart is greatly comforted."

"Little Cub: The old cow opens the door for the calf, the cow has come home! (Thumbs up emoji)"

Less than half an hour after the Tax Bureau released its investigation report, four departments—the SARFT, the Film and Television Administration, the Ministry of Culture, and the State Administration for Market Regulation—jointly issued an announcement.

"Films, TV series, TV programs, web dramas, micro-films, music, etc., produced with the involvement of artists with problematic conduct are required to be suspended from broadcast and removed from shelves.

For performing artists who meet the conditions for a comeback, the Dragon Country Performing Arts Association will notify member units and individuals, cancel joint boycott measures, and supervise and guide them to participate in industry training, vocational education, public welfare projects, and other activities to improve their public image."

For a time, the internet was in an uproar, especially among investors. Before, they just needed to provide money, but now they also had to investigate the history of participating celebrities.

Once an artist with problematic conduct was encountered, it would be troublesome.

Chen Shaoping looked at the two ladies who were still discussing and interrupted them, "How about we put the song aside for a moment and look at the latest news? It's highly relevant to both of you."

"What news?"

Zhang Ying took out her phone and checked, her expression unchanged.

"This doesn't concern me much; I've always been a law-abiding citizen."

"Me too. But this Bingbing is really rich."

"Do you know her?" Chen Shaoping asked.

"Just an acquaintance, not really 'knowing' her."

Zi Qi looked at Chen Shaoping and said, a little embarrassed, "Teacher Chen, I want to buy the full copyright for 'bubbles.' Would it be possible for you to only retain the right of attribution?"

Zhang Ying thought her ears were playing tricks on her; such a request was very excessive and rude.

She wanted to persuade her but then remembered the songs Zi Qi sang at her previous company, which she no longer even had the right to sing, and she felt relieved.

Chen Shaoping chuckled, a hint of playfulness in his eyes as he looked at Zi Qi.

"I know this idea is a bit excessive, but... I still want to try." Zi Qi lowered her head, her voice growing softer and softer, not daring to meet Chen Shaoping's gaze.

"Yes!"