"Teacher Fusheng, please come in. Chairman Xu is waiting for you inside."

"As for the copyright registration, please rest assured, leave it to me."

Secretary Liu changed how she addressed Lin Rui.

Instead of using committee members, they replaced them with Teacher Fusheng.

Secretary Liu knew exactly what form of address to use in different situations.

It was he who initially proposed the idea, guessing that Lin Rui was a low-key person who didn't want to attract attention, which led to the nearly nineteen-year gap in their relationship.

Therefore, at the copyright protection center just now, he only used the titles "Mr. Lin" and "Committee Member Lin".

This way, the secret that Lin Rui is Fu Sheng can be avoided.

These are the details.

Details often determine success or failure.

This is the philosophy of life that his father instilled in him from a young age.

It applies to both officialdom and personal growth.

After watching Lin Rui enter the reception room, Secretary Liu gently closed the door before leaving with the copyright documents for "Leaving Xiazhou".

"You've arrived."

"sit."

Xu Hongzhuo took off his reading glasses and walked to the sofa with a smile.

He took out a file folder and casually handed it to Lin Rui: "Open it and take a look."

"good."

Lin Rui accepted it politely.

Inside the file folder were several pages of documents and a red certificate.

Lin Rui first took out the certificate, on which were engraved several gleaming gold characters on a hard cover.

— Xiazhou Art Association Member Certificate

Looking through the documents, you can see your photo, name, age, and resume information.

"This is the association's recognition of you, and also their commendation."

Xu Hongzhuo didn't seem to want to elaborate.

But Lin Rui knew that this palm-sized document possessed unimaginable power throughout the entire Xia Prefecture!

Admittedly, the title of honorary member does not grant him any real power.

But in sensitive areas outside of power, this identity symbolizes unimpeded access!

Even someone as wealthy as Zhou Rongze had to rack his brains to get in touch with the government.

Even if you do make contact, it's only with people who are detached from the core network.

However, the title of honorary committee member brought Lin Rui directly into the core area.

A meteoric rise to power!

It's no exaggeration to say that this palm-sized document was the key to his meteoric rise to power!

What do I need to give in return?

Lin Rui put the documents back.

Merchants pursue profit, while officials seek fame.

Lin Rui firmly believes that there is no such thing as a free lunch; if there is a reward, there must be a price to pay.

Xu Hongzhuo gave Lin Rui a deep look; this kid was acting far too calmly.

For a moment, he almost mistook Lin Rui for a nineteen-year-old student, but an old man like him who had wasted decades in officialdom.

I underestimated you.

No wonder he was able to remain silent and unassuming in his prime, leaving a nineteen-year gap in his career.

No wonder he possessed such extraordinary talent at the age of twenty, truly deserving the title of "a peerless gentleman in the world"!

"There is no need to feel any burden."

"The association gives you this status as both an honor and a form of protection."

"Our biggest dream is to see our nation rise to prominence and stand at the top of the world while we are still alive."

"This road is long and arduous, and full of thorns. But we see hope in your generation."

Xu Hongzhuo felt a little wistful and emotional.

As the president of the Xiazhou Art Association, he has worked diligently for most of his life. His greatest dream is to witness the rise of the nation and the prosperity of the country.

But now, a large number of foreign cultures have invaded Xiazhou. Although art knows no borders, we can't help but watch as the crafts left by our ancestors gradually decline and become forgotten.

He saw it all, and it pained him deeply.

"Can I make a request?"

Xu Hongzhuo handed Lin Rui a pen, indicating that he should sign the document.

"Can."

Lin Rui took the pen but didn't rush to take the documents out of the file folder.

He wanted to hear what kind of demands Xu Hongzhuo would make.

If things go too far, he will not hesitate to give up this identity.

"No matter where you are or what temptations you face, always remember that you were born in Xiazhou and share in the glory of the nation."

Seeing Xu Hongzhuo's slightly red eyes, Lin Rui nodded emphatically.

This time, he didn't hesitate. After taking out the document, he quickly wrote down his name.

From this moment on, he became an honorary member of the Xiazhou Arts Association.

…

Tianrui Entertainment.

Meeting room.

At this moment, the huge screen is playing Lin Rui's rehearsal of "Leaving Xia Prefecture" in the music room.

Bang!

The conference room door was pushed open forcefully.

"Mr. Zhou, you must help me."

"What's up?"

Seeing He Qing rush into the conference room in a flustered manner, Zhou Rongze frowned slightly, his dissatisfaction evident in his expression.

“It’s my son’s brat. He went and provoked Lin Rui for no reason. Now this matter has blown up so much that my brother might be implicated.”

"What?!"

Zhou Rongze, ignoring the documents in front of him, slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "He Qing, what exactly happened?"

"That's how it is..."

Sweat beaded on He Qing's forehead as he explained the whole story in detail, not daring to conceal anything.

After hearing this, Zhou Rongze disregarded his image and slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"You ignored my words? What were my instructions?"

"Regarding the Weibo outcry, you and Lao Xu were in cahoots, and I haven't settled accounts with you yet."

"Now it's even worse; they've stirred up a hornet's nest and reached out to the Xiazhou Arts Association!"

Zhou Rongze looked utterly bewildered.

He knew He Chu and knew that this guy was a typical smiling tiger.

But he never expected that at this critical juncture, he would dare to go looking for trouble with Lin Rui.

It must be admitted that He Chu is more courageous than his brother He Qing.

That's really something!

As for Lin Rui receiving the title of honorary committee member, Zhou Rongze was surprised, but he could understand Xu Hongzhuo's thoughts.

The newly crowned pinnacle of the piano world.

They deserve this honor.

"President Zhou, please do me a favor and say a few good words for my brother, considering how hard I've worked for the company all these years."

"As for my good-for-nothing son, he can be beaten or punished as he pleases."

"As long as Lin Rui is willing to downplay the matter, I, He Qing, will accept this debt even if it means going bankrupt."

He Qing was truly terrified.

This is not a trivial matter like children arguing or having a disagreement.

He was well-informed and had heard about Lin Rui's glorious deeds in the Golden Hall.

In the eyes of the officials today, Lin Rui is a hero who has brought glory to the country!

His status as the first piano master in Xiazhou's history is an achievement worthy of being recorded in history!

He Qing dared not think about what kind of punishment his younger brother He Chu would face if this matter were to reach Xu Hongzhuo's ears.

Suspension from duty pending investigation?

This is still good!

Outsiders may not know, but surely he knows how much benefit He Chu received during his tenure?

Power and sex.

Power and wealth.

What needed to be done, was done.

They did things they shouldn't have done.

If it's really discovered, He Chu will not only be condemned for the rest of his life, but He Qing might also be sent to jail.

Not only does he want to send away his uncle, but he also wants to send away his own father, the good-for-nothing son he gave birth to?

Two for the price of one?!

"Let's not even talk about whether Lin Rui will listen to me. Even if he does, I won't do it."

"That's strange. Why should I clean up the mess your He family made?"

Zhou Rongze curled his lip: "Besides, my word doesn't count in this matter now."

"Zhou Rongze!"

"Are you really so heartless that you'd rather watch someone die than help them?"

"I, He Qing, conquered this land for Tianrui, and this is how you treat your meritorious officials?"

He Qing looked angry and even changed how he addressed her.

"A meritorious official?"

"He Qing, don't think I don't know. You've been exchanging glances with Xie Longyue and Yang Yi lately."

A mocking expression appeared on Zhou Rongze's face.

"No!"

"Who is this bastard who is framing me? Mr. Zhou, please don't believe the rumors."

He Qing's expression changed drastically, revealing a look of utter disbelief.

He did indeed secretly contact Rolling Stocks and Tianyi Media, planning to seize the opportunity to bring his artists to switch companies.

As for liquidated damages, they are not a problem at all for companies as financially powerful as Rolling Stock and Tianyi.

"rumor?"

“What you and Xu Jinmao have been doing lately is written clearly in the document.”

"Take it and see for yourself!"

Zhou Rongze laughed in anger, grabbed the documents in front of him, and threw them hard at He Qing.

He Qing flipped through the documents, his face growing increasingly grim with each page he turned. He roared, "Nonsense! Which despicable person framed this! President Zhou, tell me, I'm going to find him!"

"No need to look for me, I'm right here."

In the conference room, a swivel chair that had always been facing away turned around, and a middle-aged man sat on it.

The middle-aged man's lips curled slightly upward: "I heard you were looking for me?"

Upon seeing the man's face, He Qing's pupils shrank dramatically: "Li Donglai!"