Chapter 7: Honor to the Foster Father!

Li Can left the interview room with a cheerful smile. Before leaving, he cast a smug glance at Lin Feng, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

Lin Feng’s face darkened.

Just by looking at Li Can, it was clear he was silently asking, "See how awesome I am, bro?"

Lin Feng’s mood completely collapsed.

"...I should have hit him for eight hundred more!"

Watching Li Can’s confident figure fade into the distance, Lin Feng continued the interview filled with resentment.

The interview results were unsurprising.

Without considering background, mentors, or Li Can’s close friendship with the company, purely based on being one of the top graduate students in the National Music Vocal Department, there was no reason for him not to be hired.

By noon, after the interviews concluded, exhausted and hungry, Lin Feng found himself again in the music studio on the 14th floor, Area A, where Li Can sat with his legs crossed, sipping tea.

Nearby lay an empty lunchbox, still containing many bones.

Lin Feng’s eyes reddened.

He was already enjoying a work meal with an added chicken leg.

“Have you finished the handover? Sun Zhai, you’re really free, huh?”

“Yo, bro Feng, you didn’t get kicked out, huh?”

At the sight of Lin Feng entering, Li Can’s eyes brightened.

Of course, he knew this was most likely arranged by company executives.

Li Can didn’t want to ponder the underlying schemes.

At least, working alongside someone familiar was the best outcome.

“I’m not that free either. This entire morning I met with quite a few company executives. Ugh, these social duties are really annoying.”

Li Can impatiently flicked his fingers in a deliberately humblebrag manner.

Is this even a person?

Lin Feng’s temper began to flare.

“By the way, have you eaten?”

Li Can’s question abruptly broke Lin Feng’s brewing frustration.

His gaze instantly cleared.

“Not yet. I’m starving.”

“Oh,” Li Can suddenly chuckled. “I already ate. Jealous, huh?”

“?!”

Lin Feng’s flushed cheeks visibly cooled down.

But before he could explode, Li Can skillfully tempered the mood.

“I saved you a portion. Here, and there’s a cold bottle of Coke too.”

---

“Hehe, godfather!”

Lin Feng, starving to the point of despair, instantly transformed from a sullen frown to a beaming smile.

He quickly took the lunchbox and sat down to enjoy it.

One had to admit, the meals in a high-end company were delightful.

Clean, hygienic, generous portions, and delicious—rumor had it they hired many top-tier professional chefs to cater for the company’s meals. After all, stars and big names frequently visited, so food quality had to be guaranteed.

“I’ve already discussed some upcoming work arrangements with several executives here. The music studio in Area A is newly built, and for now, I’ll be taking charge.”

Li Can flipped through some documents and stood up.

Handing a file to Lin Feng, he began to explain.

“The initial phase won’t be too busy. There’s plenty of time to prepare and get accustomed, so first get familiar with the equipment here. Also, prepare for a project that requires B-level resources—you’ll need to deliver results on that.”

“Right off the bat, B-level?”

Lin Feng was a bit surprised but, considering Li Can’s abilities, readily accepted the reality.

In high-end entertainment companies, B-level resources were often equivalent to S-tier in the industry.

Ordinary newcomers barely had access to anything above E-level resources.

Because resource levels depended entirely on expected promotional effort, music production investment, and whether it met the client’s market factor assessments.

It had nothing to do with the quality of the song.

Popularity also depended on the market.

Resource levels were highly dynamic, not fixed. If a song caught fire, promotion could increase, raising resource levels; if it flopped, promotion plans might be altered, leading to a downgrade.

The ceiling could skyrocket, breaking into the market and possibly propelling the artist to A-level, even S-level fame.

The floor could be complete failure or just average.

Most likely, the song would gain modest recognition but the artist would remain low-profile.

Such resources were already quite rare.

Artists starting with B-level resources had to meet high standards in either skill or potential popularity.

According to Xia Ai’s detailed data analysis of entertainment industry songs, Li Can believed the promotional effort for a B-level project could support a mid-to-high production cost song with excellent potential, like “The Hourglass of Memories.”

Whether it could launch a star like “Leather Pants Sister” depended on the singer.

“Just B-level.”

Seeing Lin Feng’s surprised expression, Li Can raised an eyebrow, wearing an “It’s no big deal” look.

Then, to Lin Feng’s stunned silence, he broke into a rather strange dance.

“Just B-level~ Just B-level!”

“Just B-level~ B-level awoo~~”

“...”

Lin Feng froze, chopsticks in hand, even forgetting to chew.

He felt like splitting apart right there.

Surprisingly, the sudden melody was quite catchy.

---

For a moment, Lin Feng couldn’t tell whether this B-level thing was crazy or brilliant.

He sighed inwardly.

Every gain comes with loss. Li Can gained talent but lost his mind. He lost his mind but gained happiness. He gained happiness but ended up awkward. And he didn’t give a damn.

“Phew... Enough daydreaming. Take a look at the requirements for this pilot project first.”

Li Can exhaled and sat down, reminding the dazed Lin Feng.

“The singer will come to audition tomorrow!”

“...”

Lin Feng gave Li Can a side glance, unwilling to speak.

“Did you forget I’m a vocalist? At most I can sing harmonies.”

“Who says you have to do exactly what your major is? You’re my assistant now. Whatever I tell you to do, you do it.”

Seeing Lin Feng about to blush again, Li Can calmly waved his finger.

“Let me tell you a number.”

“Eight hundred isn’t enough!”

“The company told me, if we hit the expected popularity targets—KPI—we’ll get corresponding resources to use freely. Originally, I planned to create a male-female duet with you and Han Jiayin. If you don’t want this chance, I’ll find someone else...”

“Godfather above!”

Lin Feng was ecstatic and grinned again.

Dirty or hard work? This was just helping a brother out. Who else would I help if not my good buddy?

Pure friendship, no strings attached.

Li Can chuckled and flicked his fingers.

“Godfather likes being called that. Say it again.”

“Li Can, I warn you, don’t go too far!”

“... And another carefully produced solo track for Han Jiayin.”

“Godfather! My dear godfather!”

The music studio was filled with joyful energy.

...

On the 18th floor, Xingmei Entertainment’s music division, the department manager’s office.

Wang Yongchang, reflecting on the generous terms promised to Li Can that morning, felt a bit uneasy.

Offering such a favorable deal was a gamble even for himself, as a department manager at Xingmei.

He casually picked up a page of company-signed artist information and muttered,

“Chen Meijing... can she seize this final chance to break her curse of fame? Li Can... whether he can prove his worth depends on the success of your collaboration!”