CHAPTER 415: CHAPTER 286: IPARTMENT GOES VIRAL ONLINE

"President Chu, Sun Jian has asked for leave."

The next morning, Chu Tian had just arrived at the studio and was about to check on Li Guang when he encountered the head of the artist management department, who relayed this to him directly.

This news left Chu Tian somewhat baffled. "Asked for leave?" he said. "What’s wrong? Why suddenly mention it to me?"

Asking for leave is perfectly normal, he thought. For instance, Wu Ya occasionally took leave to go to the hospital for observation. And artists, being human too, all have times when they need to take leave. It’s perfectly normal. Logically speaking, there’s no need to mention it to me.

"No, President Chu," the department head said. "I think his mood is off. And Sun Jian also said he did not want to release his new song and that he doesn’t plan on debuting for now."

"Doesn’t plan on debuting?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Tian furrowed his brows. Did something happen? Or could it be that Sun Jian has issues with the debut arrangements and is having second thoughts?

Now I understand why the artist management head mentioned it to me, he realized. After all, I’ve given him a new song, poured effort into his training, and I’m still arranging his debut. For him to suddenly ask for leave at such a sensitive time... anyone would overthink it. Especially for someone in a crucial position like the artist manager. If she lacked such sensitivity, what kind of manager would she be? Otherwise, an artist under her might get poached, and she’d be clueless. That would be ridiculous.

It’s not just the manager; I’m thinking the same thing,

Chu Tian admitted to himself. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat exasperated with Sun Jian for not keeping his composure. Under my arrangements, his future is so promising; I even planned to mold him into a folk music superstar. And yet, just because of a slight delay, he’s contemplating another path? If that’s the case, it might actually be a good thing. Someone so short-sighted, lacking resolve and patience... him leaving sooner would save me a lot of resources. Otherwise, investing heavily only for this to happen later would be a huge loss.

"Did he mention where he was going?" Chu Tian asked, despite having mentally begun to write him off.

I did have high hopes for him, he reflected. And frankly, I was involved in creating all the training outlines for this batch of artists. Many of the training contents and techniques are from my decades of experience in my past life, not much different from what Xu Qingqiu used.

"Yes," the department head replied. "Sun Jian said he wanted to go out, find some inspiration. He said he feels his current abilities are lacking and he has some new ideas about that song."

"Hmm?" Chu Tian murmured, puzzled once again.

If this is just an excuse, it’s a very thoughtfully crafted one, he mused. If not, could he genuinely be thinking this way?

Just as he was about to ask further, his phone suddenly rang. Picking it up, he saw it was a message from Sun Jian.

*President Chu, I’m sorry to disturb you. I am very grateful for the song you found for me; I personally love it. But yesterday, due to some matters, I realized my understanding of the song is still very superficial.*

*Especially emotionally, I’m wholly unable to bring out the full emotional expression of the song. So, I plan to take some time to travel, to see Drum Tower, to see more of the world. Perhaps when I return, I could also write songs like this.*

*I’m sorry, I know I’m being capricious, but I also know this is a path I must take. I hope President Chu can understand. And finally, could you please explain to the boss on my behalf? I really don’t want to lose my job.*

After reading the message, Chu Tian was somewhat speechless. This all seemed quite formal until that last line,

he thought. The boss? The boss is my girlfriend! Good grief. So, Sun Jian didn’t send this message just to explain himself—that last sentence was the real point, wasn’t it? Wow, talk about a loud calculation! As expected of you, Sun Jian!

Despite being lost for words, Chu Tian found he somewhat understood Sun Jian’s thinking. Perhaps people with strong personalities are all like this, he mused.

Since he wants to go out and explore and isn’t in a rush to debut, then I’m certainly not in a rush either, Chu Tian reasoned. Besides, his experience is indeed a bit lacking compared to Brother Lei from my previous life. Maybe traveling around will actually be useful. If he genuinely gains something, it would benefit the studio too.

He quickly sent a text back:

*Okay, I look forward to your return.*

To his surprise, Sun Jian replied immediately. I wonder if he was just waiting by his phone, Chu Tian thought, amused.

*Thank you, President Chu!*

Looking at this message, Chu Tian couldn’t help but smile. After putting away his phone, he turned to the artist manager, who was still nearby, and said, "Alright, I understand. Sun Jian should be fine. Don’t worry about him for now; let him be."

"Okay, President Chu." Seeing that Chu Tian had said this, the artist manager felt reassured. She acknowledged and then hurried off to attend to her own tasks.

Chu Tian then headed over to the artists’ lounge, intending to see how Li Guang was doing and whether he was ready for the next stage of his development plan.

「...」

Meanwhile, elsewhere online, things were exceptionally lively.

"Hahaha, Meijia is seriously talented!"

"My naive sweet little sister, let me show you my new wife’s wallpaper [Meijia.jpg]."

"Lv Ziqiao is really the cream of the crop among jerks, the king of womanizers. Man, he’s absolutely legendary! He’s a role model for our generation!"