92: Chapter 92 This collaboration... I've approved it!

Lu Li helped her bring the suitcase inside, placed it against the wall, and then turned to pour two cups of water in the kitchen.

Shen Qingxue was already sitting on the sofa, having removed her hat, sunglasses, and mask, revealing her aloof and cold face.

Her long hair was somewhat disheveled, with a few stray strands clinging to her temples. Compared to usual, she clearly looked a bit more exhausted now.

Lu Li handed her a cup of water and sat down on the single sofa nearby.

Shen Qingxue took the cup and lowered her head to take a sip.

The two of them fell silent for a few seconds.

Lu Li finally couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.

"By the way, why did you terminate your contract? And even if you did, you wouldn't need to come running to me, right? With your status, there should be plenty of companies wanting you."

Shen Qingxue gently rubbed her fingers along the rim of the cup without answering immediately.

The living room was quiet for a moment.

"Things aren't as simple as what's being said online," Shen Qingxue finally spoke.

Lu Li didn't reply, patiently waiting for her to continue.

Shen Qingxue placed the cup on the coffee table, leaned back against the sofa backrest, and gathered her thoughts.

"My contract with Starlight Entertainment still had two years before expiration. This termination was initiated by me."

Lu Li raised an eyebrow and didn't interrupt.

"The hefty liquidated damages are one issue, plus the company took back the house I lived in and the car provided."

Shen Qingxue's tone remained calm. She paused for a moment and continued.

"Also, all my endorsements and business activities were transferred to other artists under the company."

Lu Li's brows furrowed tighter and tighter as he listened. Good grief, this wasn't just leaving with nothing; it was getting skinned alive.

"Then you..."

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask something, but felt it wasn't quite appropriate and swallowed it back down.

Shen Qingxue glanced at him, seemingly seeing through his doubts, and continued.

"Most importantly, one of the terms in the termination agreement I reached with Starlight Entertainment is..."

"Within one year, I am not allowed to sign with any entertainment company other than Starlight Entertainment, otherwise the compensation penalty will double."

Lu Li's pupils trembled slightly.

Holy shit, not allowed to sign with any company within a year?

Wouldn't that mean Shen Qingxue wouldn't be able to appear on screen through any official channels during this year?

No team, no resources, no exposure.

In this age of information explosion, one year is enough for most people to forget a star.

Even if this person was Shen Qingxue, hailed as the national goddess.

"Isn't this just being put on ice? It's a pure overlord clause," Lu Li's voice dropped.

Shen Qingxue nodded slightly.

"There's no other way. If I didn't want to be bound, this was the only option. Ever since you sang that song for me, I had already thought everything through, which is why I decided to come find you."

Lu Li was stunned for a moment, pointing at himself in disbelief.

"Find me? I'm just a third-rate transparent minor figure, what can I do to help you?"

Shen Qingxue turned her head to look at him, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly, not knowing whether it was a smile or helplessness.

"You're not a third-rate anymore, your followers are almost at a million."

Lu Li choked for a moment, opened his mouth to say something, but found that he didn't know how to retort at all.

Shen Qingxue withdrew her gaze and continued: "Also, listening to what you said, you don't have any contracts on you right now, right? You just proposed a termination."

"Yeah, pretty much none, because the penalty hasn't been paid yet."

Lu Li nodded, vaguely guessing what she wanted to say.

"Therefore, I want to collaborate with you."

Shen Qingxue's tone became serious, her aloof eyes rarely carrying a hint of solemnity.

"No company, no team, just the two of us writing our own songs, recording our own songs, and releasing our own songs."

Lu Li leaned against the sofa, staring at Shen Qingxue for several seconds, his brain spinning rapidly.

The plan Shen Qingxue mentioned sounded crazy, but upon careful thought, it didn't seem entirely unfeasible.

He had Earth's music library, but his singing skills were definitely weaker compared to top artists, while Shen Qingxue lacked suitable songs, but she had top-tier singing skills and popularity.

If the two of them combined...

Hiss, it was simply unimaginable.

Furthermore, both of them were currently in a contract-free state, free to do whatever they wanted without having to look at anyone else's expression.

After all, could being an employee be sweeter than being your own boss?

"Are you sure?"

Lu Li straightened his posture, and his expression also turned serious.

"Are you sure you want to collaborate with a minor figure like me who just became popular two days ago? Aren't you afraid I'll lead you astray?"

"And... without official channels, can it really work?"

Shen Qingxue looked at him, her tone calm and light.

"If there are no official channels, we'll take the internet singer route. The contract only restricts my signing, but it can't restrict me as an individual."

An internet singer?

Lu Li suddenly remembered those three giants who liked side-swept bangs before transmigrating. Mind you, they also made their fortunes as internet singers back then.

Holy shit! Thinking about it this way, it actually seems viable!

And if they collaborated, at most he would just write some songs or whatever, without even needing to sing them himself, able to make money lying down.

Doesn't this fit his current life motto even more?

Thinking about it, Lu Li instinctively started giggling foolishly.

Shen Qingxue watched Lu Li in front of her suddenly start giggling foolishly and couldn't help frowning.

They say geniuses' brains are more or less abnormal, this guy...

"Ahem."

Shen Qingxue couldn't help coughing to interrupt Lu Li's daydream.

Lu Li snapped back to reality, letting out a tactical cough. Inside he felt inexplicably guilty, but on the surface, he remained calm.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome guy before?"

Shen Qingxue: "..."

Sometimes she really wanted to hold him close, oh no, call the police.

"Alright, then I approve this collaboration!" Lu Li waved his hand grandly, acting very magnanimous.

Shen Qingxue nodded. Since that was the case, she didn't have much burden in her heart anymore.

The living room was quiet for a moment.

Shen Qingxue's gaze suddenly fell on Lu Li's face.

"Right, how much is your penalty fee again?"

Lu Li leaned against the sofa, hearing this, he let out a helpless sigh.

"Ten million."

Shen Qingxue's brows frowned slightly, but she didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"The company side is biting hard: either give ten million and walk away, or leave the copyrights to the songs."

Lu Li spread his hands, a hint of helplessness in his tone.

"Copyrights definitely cannot be given away, this is my bottom line."

Shen Qingxue nodded slightly. This choice was within her expectations.

"Then I can probably cough up five million here, but there's still a gap of about five million. If it really doesn't work out... I'll just have to sell the copyright of one song."

Lu Li sighed.