Chapter 23: 023: New Song 《Red High Heels》
After a dinner, several future top lawyers devised three strategies for Zhang Liangying.
The best strategy was “turn the tables.”
The contract provided by Tianyu did not specify Zhang Liangying’s base salary, working hours, or social security and housing fund contributions, which violated the Labor Law of the Republic of China, officially implemented on January 1, 1995.
Therefore.
Even if Zhang Liangying signed it, she would not be a formal employee of Tianyu.
This contract was, at best, a labor service agreement.
There were ways to terminate it~
If she wanted to terminate it effortlessly, there was also a good method: obtain evidence of Tianyu threatening, pressuring, or coercing Zhang Liangying.
For example: if there were threatening words like “you won’t advance if you don’t sign,” then this contract would be invalid.
The middle strategy was “delay tactics.”
This meant not replying to Tianyu for the time being. If Tianyu pressed hard, they would use the excuse of Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying having disagreements – that the two were negotiating and arguing.
This would delay the finals of the Hangzhou Division.
The worst strategy was “flip the table.”
Directly refuse Tianyu: If you have the guts, eliminate me!
Finally.
After discussing for a while, Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying decided to use both strategies, first stalling them, then finding an opportunity to obtain evidence of coercion.
To this end, Shen Qing specifically bought a voice recorder.
…
Meanwhile.
In places Shen Qing didn’t know about, similar things were happening.
Wang Han and President Yu arranged to meet with contestant No. 09, He Zuoyan, at a coffee shop.
Although He Zuoyan wasn’t great at singing, she looked good. At least she was better than the other tomboys, and she was a university student.
Tianyu had high hopes for her and wanted to ensure her advancement to the Hangzhou Top 3.
But when He Zuoyan saw the contract, she was also confused.
Ten years!?
Wasn’t this a slave contract?
He Zuoyan wasn’t stupid either. She replied, “President Yu, my parents aren’t home today. Can I wait until they get back to ask for their opinion?”
President Yu said, “Actually, signing now won’t hurt you. I can guarantee you a spot in the Hangzhou Top 3. You know, your skill level isn’t as good as Ji Minjia’s or Lin Shuang’s, but you’re better looking than them. You should learn to leverage your advantages…”
Regardless of what President Yu said, He Zuoyan insisted on waiting for her parents to decide.
The person surnamed Yu was furious but could only give up.
After sending away He Zuoyan, who refused to sign, the person surnamed Yu met with Lin Shuang and Zheng Jingwen… These two signed the contracts readily.
If Ye Yiqian was included, only three people in the Hangzhou Division signed long-term contracts.
Ji Minjia and Ding Ding actually wanted to sign, but Tianyu hadn’t approached them yet – it could only be said that their looks weren’t enough, so they were placed at the back.
Wang Han took a sip of coffee and said, “President Yu, I have a feeling Zhang Liangying and He Zuoyan might not sign.”
President Yu replied, “I don’t care about He Zuoyan anymore. I must try harder for Zhang Liangying; her overall strength is the strongest, and her commercial value is the greatest.”
Wang Han pouted, thinking to himself, “Which capable person would want to sign this kind of slave contract? Unless they’ve lost their mind…”
President Yu immediately called Shen Qing.
10:00 PM.
Old Soldier Food Stall.
Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying arrived on time.
Wang Han stood up to greet them, smiling and saying, “Liangying, Little Shen, come sit. The barbecue and beer here are excellent…”
President Yu, sitting there, nodded slightly, “Sit, have a couple of drinks.”
Shen Qing’s attire tonight was different from before. He wore black cargo pants with two large pockets.
Inside the pockets was the voice recorder.
After a few rounds of drinks.
President Yu formally began the conversation.
“Liangying, have you considered it? As long as you sign the contract, I’ll guarantee you become the Division Champion and a Top 3 national finalist. The company will also use its best resources to cultivate you.”
Zhang Liangying said, “President Yu, I’ve been singing in bars since I was young. I prefer a more free environment. If I sign an artist contract, I’m afraid I won’t be able to adapt.”
President Yu smiled faintly, “Liangying, I know you’re still young, but don’t you understand the difference between freedom and the future?”
Zhang Liangying’s voice rose slightly, “President Yu, what… what do you mean by that?”
President Yu leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and said, “Super Girl is entirely managed by us at Tianyu. Of course, we’re not doing charity. If you don’t sign a contract with Tianyu, why should we let you advance?”
Shen Qing deliberately raised his voice and questioned, “President Yu, are you saying that if Liangying doesn’t sign, you’ll eliminate her?”
Shen Qing’s tone was unfriendly, and he clenched his fists.
President Yu couldn’t stand this kind of disrespect. He snorted coldly, “So what if I am? Those who don’t sign with Tianyu will be eliminated.”
Seeing the tension escalating, Wang Han quickly intervened, “President Yu, Shen Qing, calm down. Don’t let it get like this. Let’s talk things through…”
Shen Qing had obtained the evidence and was in a good mood.
He pretended to take a deep breath and said, “Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom for a moment, I’ll be right back.”
Zhang Liangying followed him.
The restroom at the food stall was unisex. After Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying entered, they immediately locked the door.
The voice recorder successfully recorded what the person surnamed Yu said.
Shen Qing said, “Liangying, we got it!”
Zhang Liangying said, “Hehe, what do we do now? Sign?”
Shen Qing replied, “Let’s stall for a few days, then sign.”
Zhang Liangying said, “Okay, okay, I’ll listen to you.”
Returning to the dinner, Shen Qing’s attitude changed from bad to very enthusiastic. President Yu was almost coaxed into a fetal position by Shen Qing.
The person surnamed Yu patted his chest and guaranteed, “As long as Zhang Liangying signs the contract in a few days, I will definitely ensure she makes it into the national Top 3.”
…
The next day.
As dawn broke, Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying got up and went to the West Lake to practice singing.
Along the way, they encountered several elderly fans who were out for an early morning exercise.
“Sigh, girl, you’re Zhang Liangying, right? Oh my, our whole family likes you very much. My granddaughter has voted for you quite a few times with my phone.”
“Keep it up, bring glory to Hangzhou!”
“I watched the live broadcasts from other divisions, and none of them sang as well as you.”
“You’re so diligent and hardworking, you’ll definitely become a star in the future. Auntie will always support you, keep it up!”
“…”
Although the fans were enthusiastic, they affected their singing.
Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying had to find a secluded spot.
They practiced until past nine in the morning. When the weather got hot, they put on masks and walked back to the hotel.
After showering, Shen Qing sat at his desk, spread out an A4 paper, and wrote a title: Red High Heels.
This song was the theme song for “Love Call Transfer II: Love’s Crossroads,” written by Tanya Chua and included in her 2009 album “If You Meet Him.”
Once released, the song quickly dominated major music charts and was still listened to by many people years later.
It could be said to be a classic in the Chinese music scene.
Tanya Chua herself became popular with this song~
“How can I describe you, most fittingly?”
“What can I compare you to, to make it special?”
“My feelings for you are strong.”
“…”
After finishing the lyrics, Shen Qing stretched.
Zhang Liangying had also finished showering. Barefoot, she stepped onto the soft carpet and, like a mischievous daughter, sat on Shen Qing’s lap, “It’s 11 o’clock, what should we have for lunch?”
Shen Qing said calmly, “Let’s look at the desk first.”
Zhang Liangying kissed Shen Qing, then turned her head and saw the lyrics. She jumped up excitedly, “Ahhh, a new song…”
