Chapter Seventy-Nine: Termination of Contract (Combined Edition)

A woman in love has zero IQ—this saying couldn’t be truer. Early in the morning, Yang Xiaoya called with news that left Zhou Miao utterly astonished.

Li Qin was actually terminating her contract with Rainbow to join Surge!

Just days ago, Zuo Qiu had chatted with him about plans to increase the profit share for the two members of Summer Bubble and even gift them some shares. Yet today, Li Qin was resolutely breaking off with Rainbow, ignoring the fifty million penalty fee. What on earth had happened in between?

Regardless, Summer Bubble was Zhou Miao’s own creation, and his relationship with them was decent. He felt he ought to check in and understand the situation.

After Zhou Miao finished his call, his expression grew serious as he began to dress. Hu San, worried, asked, “What’s wrong?”

“There’s something at the company. I need to look into it. I’ll be back by noon. Sleep a bit more,” Zhou Miao replied, gently kissing her forehead.

By the time Zhou Miao reached the company, Li Qin had already left. Only Zuo Qiu and Zhao Li, her eyes red and swollen, remained in Zuo Qiu’s office.

“What’s going on? Why so sudden?” Zhou Miao inquired.

Seeing Zhou Miao arrive, Zhao Li’s lips quivered, and tears that had just stopped started flowing again.

If Li Qin’s departure affected anyone most, it was undoubtedly Zhao Li. The two had entered the company together, supporting each other through countless grueling days and nights. They woke up together, ate together, stretched together—not sisters by blood, but closer than kin.

It had taken ages, but finally Zhou Miao wrote songs for them, helping them debut and realize their dreams. Yet now, Li Qin chose to leave.

“It’s all because of Lin Zekai!” Zhao Li sobbed.

Lin Zekai? Zhou Miao knew him—a nobody idol in Korea for a few years, who signed with Surge after returning to China. He’d become hugely popular lately.

Through Zhao Li’s account, Zhou Miao finally understood the whole story.

After Summer Bubble rose to fame, they met various artists from other companies at business events, including Lin Zekai. Few knew that Li Qin had been Lin Zekai’s fan before debuting; she’d only confided in Zhao Li due to the tense relationship between their companies.

According to their contract with Rainbow, the first three years after debut forbade romantic relationships. So after connecting with Lin Zekai, Li Qin asked Zhao Li to cover for her, sneaking out whenever possible to meet him.

Initially, Zhao Li hadn’t sensed anything amiss. Company rivalry didn’t mean artists had to ignore each other. But later she learned Lin Zekai had been telling Li Qin that his company forbade him from dating Rainbow artists, urging her to break her contract and facilitating her move to Surge.

Surge promised to cover her entire penalty fee, grant her a high profit ratio, plus resources and support unavailable at Rainbow.

Li Qin felt valued by Surge. After the explosive success of “Chinese Talk” and “Love Ya Love Ya,” Summer Bubble was arguably the top girl group on the music scene—an immense money-maker, making the fifty million penalty easily recoverable.

Tempted by love and money, Li Qin wavered, even attempting to persuade Zhao Li to join her. But Zhao Li ultimately refused.

This morning, Li Qin arrived at the company with Surge’s legal team, wearing sunglasses and saying nothing, leaving all processes to the lawyers.

Seeing her attitude, Zuo Qiu understood there was nothing left to discuss, so she simply collected the penalty and let Li Qin go.

With Li Qin gone, Summer Bubble effectively ceased to exist. Even if someone new joined, Zhao Li wouldn’t agree, nor would the fans accept it.

Compared to Zhao Li’s simple-mindedness, Li Qin always had greater ambition. When Zhou Miao first arrived, she urged Zhao Li to ask him for songs. Exposure to more people and experiences after debut broadened her horizons, fueling her desires.

Zhou Miao wasn’t surprised by Li Qin’s choice in the face of temptation. What intrigued him was why Zhao Li hadn’t followed Li Qin. They were close sisters and partners in interests—didn’t she realize separating would be mutually destructive?

Zhou Miao poured a glass of water for the sobbing Zhao Li. “Drink some water. What’s done is done; crying won’t solve anything.”

“Why did you refuse her? Wouldn’t it be better to go to Surge together?” Zhou Miao finally voiced his doubt.

Zhao Li clutched her paper cup in silence. After a long pause, she said, “Because I don’t want to be called a treacherous ingrate. The company nurtured me, Brother Miao made me famous. Without Rainbow, I’d be nothing but the name ‘Summer Bubble.’”

Though Zhao Li seemed silly and fans said she was a bit scatterbrained, she saw things more clearly than anyone.

“I know you’re sad Li Qin left, but I’m truly glad you stayed. Don’t worry, the company won’t treat you unfairly,” Zuo Qiu said, hugging Zhao Li’s shoulders.

To her, Zhao Li had made the right choice. Surge had plenty of resources, but also many artists. If they went, competition would be fierce, and without support, there was no guarantee they’d prevail.

Surge moved quickly. No sooner had Li Qin terminated her contract with Rainbow than a press conference was held within two hours to sign her officially.

At the conference, Hu Xiaoqian’s face beamed like an aged chrysanthemum; he was clearly delighted to have poached Li Qin.

The press, however, focused entirely on Li Qin, peppering her with question after question.

“Miss Li Qin, why did you leave Rainbow? Was there a conflict with Zhao Li?”

Li Qin, wearing oversized sunglasses, remained unreadable under the flashing lights. Upon hearing the question, she replied, “Zhao Li and I have a great relationship. We’re sisters for life.”

She hesitated, then continued, “I joined Surge simply because I was too exhausted—I wanted a more comfortable environment.”

Bang! Watching the live stream, Zuo Qiu slammed her desk. “That traitor!”

Was Li Qin tired at Rainbow? Yes, she was—running dozens of business shows a year, attending events, appearing on variety programs. But which top star isn’t tired?

Many celebrities wish for such exhaustion, but no one even invites them!

Li Qin’s words, in this context, were a clear hint that she left due to Rainbow’s exploitation. She surely knew the pressure this would bring on Rainbow, yet said it anyway.

She had no choice—this was her pledge to Surge.

“Will you pursue a solo career now, or form a new group with other female artists?” another reporter asked.

Li Qin was about to answer when Hu Xiaoqian took the microphone, smiling, “Let me answer that. I’m truly delighted Li Qin chose Surge. It will prove to be an exceptionally wise decision, and we will devote ourselves to making her the best solo female singer in the country!”

“We’ll start her new album immediately. Please look forward to it—I guarantee her comeback will be dazzling!”

“From now on, she’s no longer just a member of some group. She is Li Qin, the one and only Li Qin!”

…

“She is Li Qin, the one and only Li Qin~” Zhou Miao mimicked Hu Xiaoqian’s tone theatrically, then spat in contempt. “That old bastard will never have a son with a proper ass!”

Zuo Qiu rolled her eyes, and even Zhao Li was torn between tears and laughter. How could this guy have zero idol awareness, spouting such vulgarities?

“Li Qin’s releasing an album. Should we challenge her?” Zhou Miao asked.

Zhao Li was about to shake her head, but Zuo Qiu slapped the table. “Challenge her! Of course we must! Otherwise, people will think we’re guilty. Not only challenge, but bring her down completely!”

Zhou Miao agreed. Rainbow’s top star had been poached; if they didn’t respond, how could they maintain their reputation? Every company would walk all over them.

Zhou Miao patted Zhao Li’s shoulder. “Come on, tell me what kind of song you want. Should I write a sister track to ‘Depend’? Maybe call it ‘Gan’?”

Zhao Li timidly said, “Brother Miao, don’t joke with me. I’m really upset.”

But Zuo Qiu took him seriously, supporting her chin thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t ‘Gan’ be too crude for a girl? Why not write her a song called ‘Hum’ instead?”

Zhou Miao was speechless. “‘Hum’? Are we trying to act cute for the competition?”

Still, judging by Zhao Li, Zhou Miao pretty much understood what she wanted. “Alright, I’ll decide myself. Zhao Li, come see me in a couple of days for your song.”

With that, Zhou Miao took a sip of water and left. There was a little cutie waiting for him at home.

Zhao Li watched his departing figure with worry. Would he really write a song called ‘Gan’? With his troublemaker personality, it was entirely possible.

For the first time in her life, Zhao Li felt a kind of fear toward Zhou Miao’s music.

Meanwhile, the internet was in chaos. Summer Bubble’s breakup, Li Qin’s signing with Surge, Li Qin’s allegations of Rainbow’s exploitation—all shot to the top of trending topics. Fans of Summer Bubble were devastated by the news.

Just a lazy weekend morning, and upon waking found their favorite group disbanded—more surreal than a dream!

Soon, fans gathered under Rainbow’s official account, venting their fury—calling it a heartless factory, a skinning company, unscrupulous capitalists…

That afternoon, Rainbow responded: “Regretfully, our former artist Li Qin has officially terminated her contract with us today. We thank her for her contributions and wish her success at her new company.”

“Regarding Summer Bubble, after consulting with Zhao Li, we’ve decided not to reform the group. Summer Bubble is officially disbanded today. Zhao Li will relaunch as a solo female singer. We sincerely apologize to all Summer Bubble fans.”

“Lastly, Zhao Li’s debut solo album is in the works, with tracks tailor-made by our gold medal producer Zhou Miao—stay tuned!”

Compared to Li Qin’s backstabbing remarks, Rainbow’s announcement was gracious—no avoidance, no mudslinging, even wishing her happiness. If not for the final note about Zhao Li’s upcoming album, netizens might’ve thought Rainbow would just swallow the insult.

“Gold medal producer? Brother Miao got a promotion?”

“Sisters face off! Hurry up!”

“Li Qin’s move is so dumb—where else will she find another Zhou Miao to write songs for her?”

“Surge and Rainbow are old rivals. They even targeted Zhou Miao before. This won’t be simple.”

…

No matter the gossip, Zhou Miao hurried home, picking up Hu San’s favorite dishes on the way. It was nearly noon; she must be starving.

As he opened the door, the sound of a hairdryer came from the bathroom—she’d just gotten up and showered. Zhou Miao set down the food and quietly snuck up behind her, suddenly hugging her.

But Hu San wasn’t startled at all; she caught his gaze in the mirror, smiling and rolling her eyes at him.

Zhou Miao buried his face in her neck, inhaling her scent deeply. “Does it still hurt?”

“It does~” Hu San freed one hand to hold his head, saying it hurt but her lips curled into a gentle smile.

“I bought your favorites. Finish drying your hair and come eat. Are you starving?” Zhou Miao asked with concern.

“A bit.” Hu San relished his care and attention, though she wondered how long it would last—rumor has it men are pigs, cherishing nothing once they have it.

During lunch, Hu San habitually played on her phone. Upon seeing the trending topic about Summer Bubble’s breakup, her eyes widened. No wonder Zhou Miao had rushed out that morning—what a bombshell!

“Why did she leave? Is it really because she was overworked?” Hu San asked curiously.

Zhou Miao scoffed, “In the entertainment industry, only two kinds of people aren’t tired. One is like me—doesn’t rely on media exposure, rests when I want, earns when I want. The other is nobodies—they can’t even keep busy, and no one invites them, no matter how cheap.”

“She just wanted to go. ‘Tired’ is her excuse. She got together with Surge’s Lin Zekai and wanted to soar with him, so she switched companies.”

Lin Zekai? Another huge scoop! Having a celebrity boyfriend is handy—one gets all the industry gossip.

But after learning the real reason, Hu San said, “I understand her. If I were Li Qin and you were Lin Zekai, I’d go to Surge too.”

Zhou Miao pinched her cheek. “Just watch. Those two will never last. Lin Zekai’s a notorious playboy. Li Qin thinks joining Surge means she’ll be with him forever? Naive!”

Hu San agreed. Lin Zekai’s reputation was always poor—a major player. If not for his rabid fans, he’d have faded long ago.