“Ah?!”
Jiang Ran’s eyes widened.
Han Xiao showed a faint smile, “Just a quick question, you haven’t sold the copyright to that song, have you?”
“…That song ‘Luzhou Moon’?”
“If it’s the one you sang in the bedroom yesterday, then it should be.”
“No.”
“One should never harbor malicious intent, but one must always be on guard against it.”
Copyrights are like patents; it’s a first-come, first-served game.
Especially for songs, it’s technically effortless for someone with ill intentions to plagiarize, so it must be dealt with before performing, otherwise, you’ll have no recourse when you’re wronged.
“That’s good. Do you intend to sell it? I won’t let you suffer a loss.”
Han Xiao nodded seriously and said, “If you don’t want to sell the copyright, then consider it me paying for a single opportunity to perform it, at the highest market price.”
“What’s the highest price?”
Jiang Ran’s eyes lit up.
Han Xiao’s eyes crinkled in a smile and she said, “Generally, for new lyricists and composers, the industry price for lyrics is 500-2000 yuan, for composition it’s 1000-3000 yuan, and for arrangement and accompaniment production it’s 3000-30000 yuan. These prices don’t fluctuate too much. So, the approximate cost for a song from planning to completion is around 10,000 yuan, with higher quality ones reaching 30,000 yuan.”
“If it’s an experienced artist with multiple collaborations and mutual trust, a high-quality lyric and melody could fetch up to 50,000 yuan. If the lyrics are truly exceptional and the singer has foresight and is willing to spend, it’s not impossible for a buyout to reach 100,000 yuan.”
“Any higher… those are true masters. Millions for a single song are normal, but correspondingly, their clients are only a few. After all, a song’s copyright is heavily related to the performer. The same song, sung by a big star, will inevitably be more popular than if sung by an ordinary person. A simple example: a first-tier singer releases an album, and even if the songs are mediocre, they can still sell well because the audience buys into them and accepts them. If it’s an unknown, struggling singer, who would buy it?”
“The quality of your song is really good. If you sell the copyright, I can give you 120,000 yuan. It’s not that this song’s price is only worth 120,000 yuan, but rather that my entire savings are only 120,000 yuan. If you think it’s too low, we can still discuss it, and I can give you an IOU. I trust my judgment; it’s definitely worth it… As for the performance opportunity, it’s also 120,000 yuan.”
Having never seen a six-figure sum in her life, Jiang Ran almost blurted out, “Sister, my brother has ‘n’ more excellent songs here, do you want them? Buying more is a better deal!”
Xu Huo, on the other hand, gave Han Xiao a thumbs up and asked, somewhat confused, “Has anyone ever taught you not to reveal all your cards in a negotiation? You’ll lose out.”
This girl seems smart, but why is she so naive in person?
Han Xiao pondered for a moment and said, “Normally, contracts are handled by agents. This is my first time, and I really don’t understand negotiation techniques, only sincerity.”
Xu Huo nodded, her expression calm, “I can see that, but I actually wanted to sing that song myself. It was an accident that you heard it.”
“You want to be a singer too?!”
“I want to make money.”
“…Well, okay.”
Hearing Xu Huo say that, Han Xiao couldn’t say anything more.
Lyrics, composition, singing… the income from singing is definitely the greatest.
Moreover, based on what she heard yesterday, Xu Huo totally had the capability.
Whether it was an overnight sensation or a flash in the pan, at least she’d show her face.
That was much better than selling the copyright to her and then just having a silent credit at the beginning of a performance.
The more iconic a song, the stronger the “first impression” buff it carried.
This was also why most cover songs, sensorily, never quite matched the original.
“Besides, in a competition, original songs don’t necessarily guarantee points, right? That song is pretty good, but it might not be suitable for you…”
Han Xiao was noncommittal, forcing a smile as she pursed her lips, “Then I apologize… for disturbing you today.”
The three ate in silence.
Seeing the atmosphere gradually turn quiet, Han Xiao put down her chopsticks after eating, stared at Jiang Ran, and asked, “Jiang Ran, have we met somewhere before?”
“Huh? No…”
Han Xiao’s eyes held suspicion, “I just feel like you look familiar. Is it just my imagination?”
“She has a common face.”
Smack!
“How can I have a common face?!”
Jiang Ran was furious, raising her small hand to hit him.
Xu Huo instantly corrected himself, “A face that everyone loves.”
Jiang Ran huffed arrogily, “That’s more like it…”
Han Xiao didn’t dwell on it, picking up her plate and standing up, “I’m done eating, so I’ll be going now.”
“Don’t bother.”
Watching Han Xiao’s retreating back, Jiang Ran leaned in and whispered, “Brother, this girl is quite rich. She didn’t even bat an eye taking out 120,000 yuan.”
Her breath, like fragrant orchids, carried the warm scent of a young girl, making Xu Huo feel tingly and uncomfortable.
He looked around, then pointed at the students at the next table and asked, “Are they in the way?”
“No, why?”
Jiang Ran looked at Xu Huo with a puzzled expression.
“Since they’re not in the way, you can speak a little louder…”
Xu Huo leaned back slightly, creating a safe distance from Jiang Ran, and said dismissively,
“Why are you so close to me? I thought you were afraid someone would hear a secret.”
Jiang Ran was both shy and annoyed, almost fainting from holding her breath.
“Brother!!!”
“It’s okay, we won’t be short on money in the future either.”
Xu Huo stopped joking and rubbed her head.
“Are you sure we’ll make more money than we do now?”
Jiang Ran pouted slightly, her voice a little whiny and sweet.
“Not sure.”
“Got a problem?”
“Then let’s just make a profit now! You have so many songs!”
Xu Huo was always someone who avoided trouble, “I told you it’s not suitable. We’re not related, there’s no need to get involved. How about you sell the one I gave you? That one’s suitable for a girl to sing.”
“No!”
Jiang Ran immediately glared, “You said you were going to give me the copyright to that song! I’m almost an adult now.”
“But I haven’t given it to you yet, have I? Come here and rub my shoulders. I’m exhausted from sitting all morning.”
“Oh.”
Jiang Ran wiped her mouth and stood up behind Xu Huo.
“Your Majesty, is that comfortable? Is your concubine serving you well?”
Jiang Ran said sweetly.
Xu Huo patted her hand, “Not bad, that’s enough.”
Actually, Jiang Ran’s massage wasn’t comfortable at all; her touch was too soft.
Xu Huo was just symbolically asserting his authority as the head of the household.
“After school, are we going to the welfare home?”
Jiang Ran asked.
Xu Huo nodded, “Yeah, and we’ll give half of your bonus back. Our living expenses don’t need that much… they’re the ones who need the most support.”
“Then I want a subsidy too.”
“What subsidy do you want?”
“Can you give me more pocket money?”
Jiang Ran looked at him expectantly.
Xu Huo pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, “Ranran, you’re still young.”
“I’m almost 18,” Jiang Ran protested softly.
“Then 50 a week?”
Xu Huo probed.
“A single eyebrow pencil outside costs 79 now!”
“That’s true.”
Xu Huo thought for a moment, “How about 100? I really don’t have more than that.”
Jiang Ran pouted so much an oil bottle could hang from her lip, then reluctantly nodded.
Xu Huo found it amusing, “Can’t you just keep some for yourself next time? You keep giving it to me and then asking for it back, you’ve got too much time on your hands…”
“You don’t understand, this is a sense of ritual.”
“What the hell is a ‘sense of ritual,’ you’re definitely going to be a good wife in the future.”
“Mmm-hmm?”
“Other people’s husbands hand over their salaries, and they’re always reluctant. You, on the other hand, you’re a cheapskate!”
“Hehe, only for you am I cheap.”
Jiang Ran leaned down and gently rested her chin on her brother’s shoulder, acting spoiled.
Xu Huo shivered his shoulders, “Stop it, there are so many people here.”
“We’re siblings!”
Song Jian, who had seen Han Xiao leave and wanted to say hello, suddenly stopped, his eyes burning with rage.
He found Xu Huo utterly detestable.
His destination shifted to the cafeteria entrance, and he even sarcastically muttered as he passed Xu Huo, “A femme fatale, indeed, a femme fatale…”