Since the founding of this academy, countless superstars have emerged here. At the same time, we will continue to work hard in the future to cultivate more superstar students and more musicians. I sincerely hope that the duo "Phantom" will strive harder to bring the audience more musical impact.

After the middle-aged woman finished speaking, she glanced over the surging crowd, where the Phantom fans were now completely silent. With a slight smile, she raised her voice, "I officially announce that the duo Phantom has graduated from this academy, earning the title of the most popular rising star group in the Shanghai music scene!"

Clap, clap, clap!……

A burst of scorching applause erupted, and the entire audience—men and women alike—shouted "Phantom! Phantom!" incessantly.

At that same tense moment, two figures entered, both wearing black denim hats and professionally dressed attire. One held a violin, and although their features were obscured by the hat, their presence instantly drew Yang Yi's attention. Meanwhile, the other figure moved towards a grand piano situated in the background.

"Phantom—Whoa!!!!" The sound was clearly like a wolf howl.

The violinist turned slightly toward the person at the piano and offered a faint smile before raising their head. In that instant, everyone froze, though their faces remained hidden.

But when the person seated at the piano looked up, everyone gasped—the women visibly thrilled, the men audibly panting. Yang Yi, however, was merely stunned, slightly surprised, and overwhelmingly filled with a tender warmth.

Even if the woman standing in front didn't turn around, Yang Yi knew exactly who she was. After all, sleeping with someone meant you couldn't possibly not know them—that would be the height of absurdity.

Undoubtedly, this duo was comprised of Li Qian on the violin and Xia Shiyun on the piano. The two of them had exerted immense effort, step by arduous step, to reach this status today.

Li Qian turned around, offering a slight smile as she surveyed the crowd. She took a deep breath—a ritual she cherished before every performance. She settled her violin and gently closed her eyes.

A soaring melody erupted from the violin cradled at her neck. She played for less than a minute before the music from the piano behind her—a sound that was utterly captivating—made its entrance.

This was the musical style of the 21st century, a formula suited for nationwide, even global, appeal. This level of control, this music, was undeniably the most beloved. Yang Yi savored every note.

He could discern that every tone emanating from the music represented a longing heart; every chord struck embodied a yearning. If the violin served to temper the spirit, the accompanying piano was designed to bewitch the soul, making everyone feel that unique sensation transmitted through the music.

"General Manager, what do you think of this duo? Immensely popular, already famous in Shanghai, and their musical ability is superb!" a middle-aged man said to his company's General Manager.

"Hmm, they are indeed quite good!" replied the man addressed as General Manager, though his acknowledgment was perfunctory. His eyes roamed over the two figures on stage with deliberate focus, missing not a single detail as if they were fixed beneath his lids.

"Then, sir, should I approach them later to discuss an arrangement?" the middle-aged man inquired.

"Oh?" The General Manager finally turned back, casting a look at the middle-aged man. He stated, "I'll handle this personally this time."

"Yes!" The middle-aged man paused briefly at the response but complied. However, a subtle expression of disdain flickered through his eyes. Having worked alongside this man for several years, he knew exactly what was on his mind.

He sighed inwardly, "Since the company fell under this fellow's charge, our performance has consistently dropped. Now, the newly emergent Longwei Audio-Visual Corporation in Shanghai is clearly walking all over us. Alas, the second-generation heir, oh, the second-generation heir!"

The musical style grew richer, the texture purer, bringing immense comfort to the listeners, creating a feeling that all worldly matters had momentarily ceased. Of course, only those listening intently and savoring the intricacies could experience this sensation.

"The mastery of these two girls is nearly surpassing my own. I never imagined they would improve so significantly in just a few months," Yang Yi murmured quietly to himself.

When the piece concluded, the duo had already vanished from sight without offering any further explanation, their departure adding to their mystique.

"Hoo, Sister Shiyun, I'm exhausted..." Li Qian set down her violin, her beautiful face etched with fatigue.

Xia Shiyun smiled faintly. "It's fine. This is our final performance at the academy. Starting tomorrow, we move onto bigger and grander stages."

"You know, I'm actually curious what expression that bastard will have when he realizes we've become stars," Li Qian teased, raising an eyebrow.

"He'll probably be very surprised!" A voice suddenly materialized beside the two women.

"Ye Xiaohou?" Xia Shiyun and Li Qian exclaimed simultaneously.

"Uh, what's wrong? I thought the two of you looked quite surprised!" Ye Xiaohou asked, suddenly feeling a bit put out.

"Hehe, nothing. It's just surprising to see you here, given how busy you are," Xia Shiyun replied.

"Not much. Regardless, you two are now Longwei's top act. I came to inform you that the recording schedule is set. You just need to come to the company in a couple of days to record, and then you can release your album," Ye Xiaohou said with a light smile.

"Oh, it's settled then. That's good," Xia Shiyun nodded.

"Hey, Ye Xiaohou, what did you mean earlier when you said that bastard would be surprised? You didn't finish," Li Qian pressed, sensing Ye Xiaohou hadn't revealed everything.

"Hehe, this is good news. On my way here, I got a call from the Second Brother. He said the Boss is back and is likely heading this way now."

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Xia Shiyun and Li Qian's expressions shifted dramatically as they cried out, their demeanor instantly transforming. Xia Shiyun nervously twisted her hands, while Li Qian was more direct, pacing back and forth, clearly anxious. Ye Xiaohou observed all this and inquired, slightly confused, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

"What do we do, what do we do? That bastard is back! Hurry, hurry and change clothes."

"Right, take off the makeup quickly!"

The two women moved frantically, each speaking a sentence before rushing to change out of their performance attire. But just as they started to move, two figures stepped forward, blocking their path.

"I'm very sorry, ladies. Could you spare us a moment of your time?" The older of the two middle-aged men greeted them with utmost politeness.

"Who are you people?" Li Qian asked suspiciously, looking at the sudden arrivals.

"Oh, we are from Tianyin Audio-Visual Company. My name is Dong Tai, and here is my card." The middle-aged man, the General Manager of Tianyin Company, offered Li Qian a smile brimming with false warmth—though no one knew what true intentions lay beneath that facade.

But the next moment, his smile froze, as the hand holding out the card remained suspended in mid-air. Li Qian clearly had no intention of accepting it, signaling that she offered Dong Tai no respect whatsoever.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I know you, so please don't waste your time," Li Qian stated bluntly, effectively shutting down the conversation as she tried to leave.

However, Dong Tai intercepted her again. Maintaining his insincere smile, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Miss, our company is interested in signing you. Furthermore, our company offers definite opportunities for development in Shanghai. Please consider our offer!"

"Definite development opportunities?" Li Qian felt as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world. If Tianyin Company possessed even five percent of Longwei’s strength, that would be an overestimation.

Tianyin Audio-Visual Company certainly had the clout in Shanghai to make a new artist, or a duo, famous. However, the scandals swirling around the company were legendary in Shanghai, and even though they managed to suppress most reports, the underground whispers remained uncontrollable.

The tales of forcing contracts in exchange for sexual favors, compelling victims to jump from buildings to prove their innocence, forcing people into unwanted acts—Li Qian was intimately aware of these shameful industry secrets.

"Miss, could you perhaps reconsider?" The other middle-aged man adopted a look of earnest appeal. He was painfully aware of the current situation at Tianyin Audio-Visual Company; if new talent wasn't injected soon, Dong Tai would eventually ruin the whole enterprise.

"No need to reconsider. They are already signed with Longwei Audio-Visual Company," Ye Xiaohou announced, popping up at the opportune moment.

The two men from Tianyin looked utterly dumbfounded, staring at Ye Xiaohou. Knowing what they wanted to ask, he chuckled, "I am Ye Xiaohou, General Manager of Longwei Audio-Visual Company. May I ask if openly poaching my Longwei talent like this constitutes crossing our boundaries?"

"Hiss!" Upon hearing this, both men sucked in a sharp breath. They were well aware of Longwei’s current standing in Shanghai—a company that had skyrocketed to prominence in just a few months had become a genuine commercial miracle.

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