Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 867 - 621: The House and the Music

On September 23rd, after four days of competition, the 15th Asian Athletics Championships drew to a close. The Huaxia delegation topped the gold medal table with a tally of 19 golds, 10 silvers, and 8 bronzes, while Qatar leapt to second place on the medal table with 6 golds, 3 silvers, and 2 bronzes, followed by Japan in third.

After the competition, Link took a flight back home.

Owing to his three record-breaking performances in the shot put event at the Asian Athletics Championships, lifting the domestic record from over 19 meters to 20.81 meters, there is hope that he could win a gold medal for the National Team at next year's Olympic Games.

The domestic media, reporting on this competition, uniformly spotlighted Link, saying that after last year's injury, he was not beaten by the setback. Relying on strong willpower and a sense of honor, he persisted with training, continually improving his technique, and ultimately achieved remarkable success in shot put.

This coverage also elevated Link's fame a notch higher in his homeland.

Yet, having not captured gold in major international events, his domestic fame can't match that of Yao Ming, Tao Zhe, Liu Xiang, Tian Liang, and others, at least for now.

However, not only did he seize gold this time, but he also set a new Asian record. After returning home, the athletics department rewarded him with an honor certificate for national-level athletes, a 20,000 RMB championship bonus, and a 30,000 RMB reward for breaking the Asian record.

Accounting for winnings from previous competitions, Link currently has savings of 380,000 RMB. With this money, he purchased an apartment built in 1999 at the Scholar Park, close to several universities—120 square meters, two bedrooms, two living rooms, and a large balcony.

The total price including two parking spaces was 800,000 RMB, with a down payment of 250,000 RMB.

"This place is quite nice, it's not far from our Beijing University of Science and Technology, as well as the Sports University."

Zhang Zilin said, leaning on the balcony and observing the greenery below.

"Not bad, it would be even better if it was larger. My ideal apartment should have a gym, a study, a piano room, and a dressing room that can fit lots of clothes and shoes. But such apartments are more expensive, beyond my reach for now, so I'll live here first and save to buy a big villa or a courtyard house in the future."

Link surveyed the surroundings. The neighborhood was average, lacking parks and lakes.

"Being able to buy a house in the Capital City at 18 is more impressive than many, no need to rush into buying a bigger house."

Zhang Zilin smiled at him, leaning against the balcony.

"Hearing you say that, it seems I'm indeed not bad."

Link said with a smile curving at the corner of his mouth.

"Not just not bad, but very impressive. Yesterday, I showed your news coverage to my mom and asked her what she thought of you. She praised you as a great young man and said you'll be even more outstanding in the future."

Zhang Zilin held his hand and laughed.

Link raised an eyebrow, "So have you not told your family about us dating?"

"There was never a chance to say it, they're always so busy with work, and my parents are strict. Every time I see them, I don't know how to start. Will you blame me for being too timid?"

Zhang Zilin inquired.

"No, take your time, there's no need to be under pressure. It's okay if we talk about our relationship later. Or perhaps I could wait until next year when I become an Olympic champion; then even if your parents blame you, they'll do it more lightly in the face of a gold medal."

Link pinched her nose lightly.

Zhang Zilin thought for a moment, then shook her head, "No, it's too long to wait until next year's Olympics, I can't keep it from them for that long. And you mentioned becoming an Olympic champion; no one can guarantee that. What if it doesn't happen? I've decided to find the right opportunity soon to tell them. What do you think about me moving out and living here after they agree?"

"Sure, call me if you need any help."

After sitting in the apartment for a while, Link and Zhang Zilin left. The apartment was new with only basic finishing and no furniture, so it wasn't ready for living just yet.

Link planned to move in after the renovations were complete and the furniture fully furnished.

To sort out the renovation and furniture, he spent another 100,000-plus RMB, almost depleting his available funds.

In early October, Zhang Zilin took part in the Huaxia region modeling competition hosted by the New Silk Road Model Company in Hainan, competing with hundreds of models from across the country. However, due to starting her career late and lacking basic skills, she only made it to the top ten.

The champion of this edition of the New Silk Road Modeling Contest was won by Xiao Qing, a model under the same company, with Gu Yu and Yao Yao finishing as runner-ups, and three others as third place.

The event is modelled after the Miss America pageant, though social contexts differ and the imitation isn't quite accurate, consequently not possessing much influence domestically. The name recognition of the champion of the New Silk Road Contest was even less than that of a boxing championship winner like him.

After the modeling contest, Zhang Zilin came clean to her family about their relationship. After some consideration, her parents conditionally agreed, allowing them to date but not to cohabit. They felt the two were too young for cohabitation, which would only be appropriate after over three years of dating.

Link didn't insist, but once the apartment was renovated, Zhang Zilin would sometimes stay over on weekends, allowing him to momentarily enjoy the bliss of a shared life.

During this period, besides training for boxing, shot put, and javelin at the Sports University, he also took time to visit Director Wang Xiaoshuai's film set, making a cameo in the movie "The Red and the Black" with a small role of just two lines.

However, after his cameo appearance, Director Wang Xiaoshuai pulled him aside to watch the footage on the monitor, stating that he was a born actor. His image, demeanor, expressions, and dialogue were all in perfect harmony, with no hint of an affected performance.

To this, Link was not surprised; he had acted in Hollywood for over ten years, receiving nearly every major film award in the world, with his movies grossing over 15 billion US Dollars at the box office.

Even if he started anew, and his performance level had dropped somewhat, it was still stronger than many currently in the industry.

Acting was too much of a hassle, and Link did not accept any other roles offered by Director Wang. After leaving the "Green and Red" crew, he visited Taihe Wheat Field Music Company in Erli Tun and tried out two songs in their recording studio—one was Beyond's "Liking You," and the other an English song "Hotel California."

At the scene, Wheat Field Music's founder Song Ke, music director Zhang Yadong, and chief agent Zhang Lu were all present.

After hearing him sing, Song Ke offered on the spot to sign him with a 200,000 US Dollar signing bonus and to buy out his performance contract for the next 8 years.

Link merely smiled indifferently and said outright that the other party was dreaming.

For those singers who need opportunities and long for fame, a 200,000 US Dollar signing bonus along with the opportunity to sign with a big company like Wheat Field Music is something nobody would refuse.

But for someone like him, who is already famous as an athlete, those two conditions were far too trivial and not tempting at all, not to mention that what was being offered was a 'performance contract', which included singing, acting, and even modeling.

"Link, don't be hasty. Think it over. Join Wheat Field Music, and I guarantee that within three years, you'll become a first-class singer in the country. In five to ten years, your fame won't be less than Zhou Jielun, Tao Zhe, or Wang Lihong," said Song Ke, puffing on a cigar with great flair.

Watching Song Ke's pretentious attitude, Link barely held back his laughter and said, "200,000 is impossible and an 8-year performance contract is even more impossible. Just because I can sing doesn't mean I have to be a singer. I'm also a pretty good boxer. If you did your research, you should know that not long ago, several major boxing promotion companies wanted to sign me with a signing bonus of 1 million US Dollars."

Hisss!

Someone on the scene sucked in a breath of cold air; 1 million US Dollars could be exchanged for nearly 7 million RMB. If what he was saying was true, Wheat Field's 200,000 signing bonus really wasn't much to look at.

"My asking price is 5 million US Dollars. They have some concerns, so they're still considering it, but I'm not in a hurry. I have confidence in my fists. In the boxing world, as long as you can fight, you don't need to worry about not making money.

My future work will still mainly involve boxing, so I'm definitely not going to sign such a lengthy performance contract," Link said.

Song Ke and chief agent Zhang Lu exchanged glances. They wanted to ask whether Link's claim of 1 million US Dollars was true, but judging by his expression and tone, he was very convincing and did not seem to be making it up.

This made Song Ke withhold his doubts.

"Link, if you have any conditions, feel free to propose them, and we'll discuss," said chief agent Zhang Lu.

Link thought for a moment and put forth three conditions: first, to sign a contract for two albums, with the option to sign more if the collaboration was satisfactory. Secondly, he wanted the highest royalty of 8% per album, and if he wrote the lyrics and composed the music himself, an additional 12%.

"Impossible. You're just a rookie singer. Promotions and advertising cost a lot of money. An 8% royalty is something only popular singers can get. Plus, you mentioned creating music—can you write songs?" Song Ke said with a stern face.

"A little bit," Link said, looking around and noticing a piano behind Zhou Xun. He walked over and asked Brother Xun to scooch over, then stretched his hands out on the piano keys.

The moment he sat down, the atmosphere around him changed. Though he was wearing a loose shirt and casual jeans, sitting at the piano, he seemed as if he was a pianist in formal attire, ready to perform at Vienna's Golden Hall.

Ding ding ding~ Dang dang ding~

Link's fingers danced on the keys, adeptly playing the intro of "All of me."

"This is..."

Song Ke looked toward the company's number one music figure, Zhang Yadong.

Zhang Yadong furrowed his brow tightly, listened for a while, then shook his head, saying he had never heard it before.

"You haven't heard it either? Could it be that he wrote it himself? He knows how to write songs?" asked Song Ke in surprise.

"I don't know, but just judging by his piano playing skills, he's no worse than me," Zhang Yadong said.

Link only played two sections of the piece before stopping and returning to his original spot. "As an athlete with some fame, I can sing, compose, and write lyrics. If I want to become a famous singer, it won't be too difficult.

President Song, considering these points, I'm interested in becoming a collaborator with Wheat Field Music, not just a singer relying on you to become famous. If you're interested, let's continue talking. If not, consider it just a joke I made, how about it?" Link said to Song Ke.

Scratching his scalp, Song Ke thought for a moment and said he needed to discuss with the company's people and would give Link an answer later.

Link said that was fine.