Chapter 37: The Sibling Pact

"Graduation Year Cast Comes to Shanghai—Galen Performs Original Rap and Pop Songs!" — Oriental Life News

"A Song Dedicated to the City of Magic! An Unexpected Surprise: Shanghai Dialect Rap!" — Shenjiang Service Guide

"The Fusion of Rap and Pop—Can Galen Open a New Chapter for Chinese Music?" — Xinmin Evening Entertainment Edition

...

All the major newspapers in the city gave substantial coverage. The official microblogs of various media outlets also promoted the event. In this day and age, money makes things possible. In Shanghai, everything was handled by All Cola, while in the capital, the promotion was slightly delayed but supported by Yida.

Compared to news about superstar icons, these ripples seemed insignificant—until a bombshell interview by China Entertainment appeared in print, online, and on their official broadcast, immediately drawing everyone’s attention:

"Exclusive Interview with Diva Liu Xiayu: Shocking Endorsement of Galen’s 'Pop Rap'!"

The first half of the article maintained Liu Xiayu’s usual interview style—simple, concise answers, sometimes just a nod or shake of the head sufficed. But at the end, when the reporter asked, "After returning to China, have you discovered any promising Chinese singers who truly surprised you?" Liu Xiayu replied:

"I hadn’t found anyone before, but last night in Shanghai, I attended an event and heard a new singer named Galen. His self-created pop rap style has great potential; I’m eager to invite him to write a song for me in this genre..."

This response, nearly six hundred words long, was nothing but undisguised praise for Galen.

At this point, every fan, casual observer, and even haters of Liu Xiayu were stunned.

The icy diva had never praised a newcomer so openly in an interview—this was unprecedented!

In an instant, China Entertainment’s website and microblog comment sections exploded. In just twenty minutes, the official microblog surpassed one hundred thousand comments; an hour later, it was nearing eight hundred thousand, and the numbers kept climbing.

Most commenters were Liu Xiayu’s fans; even some international fans joined the frenzy, so among the sea of comments, foreign languages occasionally appeared, from various countries.

"What happened to the diva? How could she vouch for a minor singer?"

"Is this really what the diva said? Could China Entertainment be faking it?"

"Highly possible! China Entertainment’s print sales have been plummeting, and even after moving online, they’ve struggled to grab attention. Their title as ‘Number One Entertainment Media’ is fading—they probably did this out of desperation!"

"What? They shouldn’t exploit the diva’s name! And who is Galen anyway? Is he related to the chief editor of China Entertainment?"

"You don’t know Galen? He’s been trending on microblogs lately!"

"Do I need to know him?"

"…"

While heated arguments raged online, Galen himself had already completed all the contracted commercial performances and returned to the capital.

Wu Chaoyang personally came to pick him up, but Maile drove them back.

“How was it? Was the tour exhausting?” Wu asked.

“It was alright. The two flights a day were rough, but everything else was fine,” Galen replied.

“Hah, you’ll get used to it eventually!” Wu chuckled. “By the way, I’ve clarified the issue with your performance fees!”

Galen looked at Wu Chaoyang, waiting for the answer.

“They did conceal it!” Wu held up three fingers.

“Thirty thousand?” Galen sneered.

“I checked with All Cola. Starting from your third show—the day after you sang 'Chang’an, Chang’an'—they increased your pay by thirty thousand per show! After the company’s cut, over eight shows you should have received an extra two hundred and ten thousand, but they pocketed it all!”

“Let’s sue them!” Galen said bluntly.

“Uh… The company wants to send a lawyer’s letter first. If we can get the money back, we’ll let the lawsuit drop,” Wu explained.

“Why?” Galen asked, puzzled.

Wu said, “We’re all in the same industry, and we have a lot of business dealings. Many big names performed for them when they were starting out—they’ve lasted so many years for a reason! Even if we sue, they’ll probably just find a scapegoat.”

Seeing Galen’s displeasure, Wu added, “Don’t worry, Cai Yuehua will definitely be fired! For Ms. Liu’s sake, they’ll have to give something.”

“Ms. Liu is involved too?” Galen was surprised.

“Hah, don’t forget—the money they stole was yours and the company’s. It’s a small sum, but Ms. Liu was furious when she heard. With the company pushing you hard now, if they can’t settle this to your satisfaction, how can we cooperate in the future?”

Wu’s words were reasonable, and Galen accepted it. After all, this wasn’t a matter of life and death. Though he felt Cai Yuehua should rot in prison, reality wasn’t his to command—ultimately, he just wasn’t strong enough yet. Turning things over in his mind, he saw sense.

He gazed at the scenery outside, his eyelids drooping, and soon drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, the online debate showed no sign of abating—it was spreading fast.

Suddenly, a netizen exclaimed, “Look! Look! Liu Xiayu just liked China Entertainment’s microblog!”

“What? The diva liked it? That means…”

“No way! Is this interview actually real?”

“Quick, come! China Entertainment just released the interview video!”

“Let’s watch it—there’s no faking that!”

One moment everyone was arguing about the interview, the next, an even more explosive headline arrived: “Liu Xiayu merges her independent music label with Yida Film through equity swap.”

For a moment, the microblog fell silent.

All Liu Xiayu’s longtime fans were dumbfounded—was this still the diva they knew?

No news for ages, then suddenly a string of headlines—and this one was seismic.

Back when Liu Xiayu returned to develop her career in China, Yida had said they wanted to establish a music division, fully entrusted to her.

They’re family, so it seemed natural.

But no one expected Liu Xiayu to refuse!

She not only publicly founded her own music studio, established Rainy Day Music Label, and declared to the media that the purpose of founding the label was to keep her music from becoming a commodity.

This infuriated Liu Xiahui, who went to their father, Liu Qingtian, to complain.

But Liu Qingtian didn’t object—instead, he supported his daughter’s decision, leading to a bitter sibling feud.

Of course, it was mostly Liu Xiahui expressing dissatisfaction; the elegant, aloof Liu Xiayu never commented on the matter.

With endless media distortion and online speculation, the siblings’ relationship was seen as completely irreconcilable.

But today’s news shattered all those rumors.

Everyone wondered what caused this century-making reconciliation between the siblings.

No one knew!

Yet some noticed that Galen’s signing company was Yida, and connecting this with Liu Xiayu’s interview, they speculated—could the Liu siblings’ collaboration be related to him?

Time rewinds to the previous day.

Having hurried back from Shanghai, Liu Xiayu headed straight to Yida after landing.

Her sudden visit stunned Liu Xiahui—he was genuinely startled.

Her first words were, “Give me Galen. Name your price for breaking his contract.”

Liu Xiahui steadied himself, quickly sorted his thoughts, and smiled, “No way! No price will do.”

“Name your terms and let’s discuss,” Liu Xiayu said coolly.

“Heh… cough, cough.” Liu Xiahui’s smile turned awkward.

His sister was always like this—her thoughts unfathomable, words equally elusive.

He straightened up, “Any terms?”

Liu Xiayu replied flatly, “Ever since I returned, you’ve been slandering me in public. I’ve never said a word about it.”

“Slandering? Me?” Liu Xiahui laughed in exasperation. He had voiced his dissatisfaction and said harsh things, but only because Liu Xiayu refused to return to the family—otherwise, Yida would have entered the music industry long ago.

But seeing Liu Xiayu’s calm demeanor, he could only smile bitterly and shake his head. “Alright, what do you want?”

“I reserve the right to sue for defamation,” Liu Xiayu said. “Now we can negotiate.”

“You…” Liu Xiahui choked—how was he supposed to negotiate now?

Knowing his sister’s character, if she said it, she’d do it. If such a scandal broke, the family’s reputation would be ruined, the company’s stock would plummet, and their father would definitely punish him!

Gritting his teeth, Liu Xiahui said, “Fine, since you’re my sister—how about this? Your studio, Yida will buy it outright. Name any price.”

“Money stays in the family,” Liu Xiayu replied coolly. “I demand an equity swap. Yida can hold thirty percent of Rainy Day Music, but Yida’s music production department must merge into Rainy Day Music, forming Yida Rainy Day Music Production. You handle management and distribution.”

“So many demands, and only thirty percent?” Liu Xiahui shot to his feet, but Liu Xiayu stood firm, staring him down.

The standoff lasted less than a minute before Liu Xiahui surrendered. “Alright! I agree! We’re family—who cares about shares?”

He could only comfort himself.

“Thank you. Tomorrow, I’ll send my assistant and lawyer to sign the contract.”

With that, Liu Xiayu stood to leave—never bothering to say goodbye.