Facing Beyoncé's request to "link up," Leon seemed a bit hesitant.
Ever since Robbie started being moody, he hadn't vented his "positive energy" for two days—something unimaginable in the past.
He needed a full-throttle Western showdown with the cowgirl from Texas.
But in the end, he chose restraint—
Messing around so blatantly would inevitably lead to trouble sooner or later.
When that time came, he would lose all protection from JAY-Z.
With his wings still relatively weak, ending up as a corpse on the streets of Harlem would likely be his fate.
Rejected, Beyoncé sighed with a smile, staring at Leon with resentful eyes.
She raised her arm and waved, leaving the Apocalypse Music recording studio surrounded by her bodyguards.
Currently, the main recording work was done. Next up were post-production mixing and the MV shoot.
In terms of director choice, Old Mike was undoubtedly the most economical option.
And he had unique insights on how to capture the most perfect female physique.
But Leon felt that after going through so much trouble to bring two scorching hot Divas together, he should also make a big splash with the MV shoot.
He had a bold candidate in mind—
Madonna's go-to MV director and cinematographer, David Fincher, who had long since transitioned to making movies.
With a highly distinct personal style in visual language and expression, this guy was a true genius.
He had already established his status in Hollywood with Se7en, Fight Club, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Currently, he was directing the thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
The idea was grand, but reality was skinny.
Getting such an eccentric director to come out of retirement to helm an MV probably wouldn't be easy.
"Leon, I have something to say to you." Taylor took off her ten-centimeter high heels. "These shoes are practically a torture device..."
"Your figure is already so outstanding." Leon curled his lip. "Wearing high heels, are you trying to warn men to stay away from you?"
"I just do it for better posture." Taylor rolled her eyes.
This point was undeniable.
High heels were widely used as men's height-increasing shoes in the 17th century.
For men, the function was to increase height; for women, the function went far beyond that.
It could adjust posture.
Making the places that should be concave more concave, and the places that should be convex more convex.
Taylor's hips had curves not losing to Beyoncé's, but her chest was lacking a bit of material.
This point could be compensated for by underwire bras and high heels.
Taylor held her high heels in her hand, scanned around, but didn't see her assistant.
"Where did that guy go..." Taylor focused her gaze on Leon. "Looks like I have to trouble you."
As soon as the words fell, before Leon could agree, she threw the sweat-stained high heels into his arms.
"You don't look very happy." Taylor smiled. "Did you want me to carry these shoes myself?"
Leon had never carried shoes for any lady.
But under Taylor's "order," he didn't seem to have the option to refuse.
"Tell me, what exactly is going on between you and Robbie?" Taylor asked.
"Nothing, everything is fine," Leon answered very naturally.
He finally knew what Taylor wanted to talk to him about.
Robbie's mental state had been very poor recently. In this situation, she inevitably vented to her bestie.
He could fully imagine what kind of unforgivable scum he had been described as in the hearts of Taylor and Miranda.
"Really?" Taylor tucked her hair behind her ear. "But Robbie has been crying to me until late at night recently. Since I've known her, she's always been a heartless, silly girl."
"What terrible thing did you do to her?"
In the past two days, Taylor had practically become Robbie's spiritual mentor.
Constantly inputting her own set of values into the other party regarding career and relationships.
For example, when a woman can have everything, a man's necessity for life is less than a cat's;
The main function of love is to provide emotional value; upgrading to a "shackle" like marriage is completely unnecessary;
Summed up, it could be summarized in a vulgar phrase—be your own queen.
Leon listened without making a sound, secretly pinning Taylor down and roasting her in his mind.
She was the kind of stupid woman who tried very hard to look smart.
If she weren't stupid, she wouldn't have done so many foolish things, like letting Scott, the boss of Big Machine Records, own all the copyrights to her works.
Compared to her, Madonna, the best-selling Diva of the previous era, was much smarter.
This woman looked unrestrained and behaved outrageously.
But when dealing with major record companies, she always kept the initiative of the game in her own hands.
In 1992, Madonna formed her own subsidiary "Maverick" under Warner, starting to operate in the record market as a record company boss.
After that, she signed artists like Alanis Morissette and Olive, and expanded publications from records to movies and publishing.
On the surface, Madonna's company was a subsidiary of Warner, so she should be constrained by Warner Music executives.
However, in fact, it was not so. Even the president of Warner dared not provoke Madonna, and could only let this woman do whatever she wanted.
Compared to that, Taylor could be said to have no means at all.
Just a money-printing machine manipulated by others.
Facing the continuous output of values, Leon quickly waved his hand to find a topic to stop it. "Are you hungry?"
"No..." Taylor subconsciously touched her stomach. "I mean, a little hungry."
"Let's eat and talk."
Saying that, Leon began to adjust his outfit.
Wrapping himself up tight as usual before going out.
And Taylor was even more exaggerated than him; she didn't even show a single hair.
Over 1.8 meters tall, with very lethal eyes and iconic full lips.
No matter where she went, she could always be easily recognized by fans.
Leon drove the Porsche 997 carrying Taylor, with a large group of bodyguards following closely behind in a business van.
"What big meal are you treating me to?" Taylor asked.
"Coke and burger... the greatest American contribution to world cuisine."
"No wonder Robbie always complains to me that you are actually quite a boring man in terms of lifestyle."
"That's your prejudice against fast food," Leon said. "What do those vegetarian fools who only eat salad say? Why is eating fast food boring, but eating salad is fashion?"
These words left Taylor unable to refute.
Vegetarianism was becoming a fashion in the entertainment industry.
A symbol of strong spiritual power and self-discipline.
Influenced by this trend, Taylor had also tried vegetarianism, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of meat.
This attempt lasted only one day before it was declared over.
Leon parked the car next to Madison Square Park.
Opposite was a McDonald's fast-food restaurant.
"What do you want? I recommend the classic Double Quarter Pounder." Leon asked.
Taylor showed an incredible expression. "You really decided to eat this? I mean... do you usually eat this?"
Leon spread his hands. "Most of the time. I occasionally eat Chinese food to improve my diet."
Taylor was powerless to roast him for a moment.
A superstar rising as fast as Lady Gaga back in the day, a national celebrity who ignited the "Second East Coast vs. West Coast Gang War"...
Yet so obsessed with cheap poor people's meals; this was simply unreasonable.
"Better not." Taylor pointed to a green storefront not far away. "If you insist on eating burgers, I recommend you try Shake Shack..."
Leon looked in the direction she pointed.
There was a long line under that flashy green sign.
He made a judgment immediately—another damn internet celebrity shop!
Since social media became a lifestyle, such internet celebrity shops were emerging endlessly in New York.
Shake Shack was originally a public welfare temporary stall project initiated in Madison Square Park, New York, selling only hot dogs and milkshakes.
With rising popularity, it upgraded to a permanent store in 2004, and now it was the hottest fast-food restaurant in New York.
Such shops were usually sought after by those leftist trendsetters; expensive and bad tasting were their major characteristics.
"Alright~" Leon waved his hand helplessly, picked up his phone, and ordered the underling in the car behind to join the queue.
"Can we talk now?" Taylor took off her sunglasses and took out her makeup bag.
Taking down the mirror on the visor, applying lipstick.
"Are you that interested in my private life?" Leon asked.
"I have zero interest in your private life!" Taylor said solemnly. "I'm doing this for Robbie~ God, I've witnessed her breakups many times, but I've never seen her so sad."
"Sounds like you're not her bestie, but her mom." Leon sneered.
"Is everything you say usually this annoying?"
"Otherwise?" Leon said. "She is an adult. If she has any thoughts, she should tell me to my face."
"But no matter what she tells you, you guy won't do anything to comfort her." Taylor's volume rose three degrees.
"Fxxk, since she's an adult, some things have to be learned to digest by herself." Leon said. "Didn't you say you hate men who like to be a dad to others the most? Coincidentally, I don't like taking care of others either."
"Listen, I'm not her dad. I can't take care of her emotions without a bottom line!"
These words left Taylor speechless.
The two fell silent for five minutes, each scrolling through social media.
At this time, the underling in line handed over two set meals.
Before leaving, the underling didn't forget to complain, "Shxt, I never thought I would do such a stupid job."
Leon unwrapped the burger and devoured it.
Although the taste was very average, he had to say the advantage was the large size and sufficient meat.
For fast food like burgers, being large and filling was already winning half the battle.
But Taylor, who actively asked for Shake Shack, didn't touch a bite, just sipping the milkshake in small mouthfuls.
"It's a great honor to collaborate with you this time. I look forward to more opportunities for cooperation in the future." Leon asked, "Are you going back to Los Angeles? heard you just bought a mansion in Beverly Hills."
Taylor raised her chin, rolling her eyes at Leon. "Don't you know I have houses all over the US~ Take me to Tribeca; I haven't been there for a long time."
Only then did Leon remember that sitting next to him was the female singer with the strongest money-making ability in recent years.
And she had a near-fanatical pursuit of buying houses.
In 2006, Taylor started her country music career in Nashville, Tennessee, releasing her first self-titled album.
After You Belong with Me from her second album Fearless rose to third on the charts, Taylor bought her first property at just 20 years old.
Since then, it got out of control, successively purchasing multiple mansions all over the US.
Leon put down the burger he had eaten more than half of and wiped his mouth.
Floored the gas pedal to start.
The engine roared, and the huge push-back sensation shook Taylor so much her face lost color, and the milkshake in her hand spilled out.
Splattering white sticky substance all over her fair thighs.
"Leon!! What are you doing!" Taylor was so anxious she almost swore.
"Very sorry..." Leon frantically pulled out two tissues and threw them over.
After dropping Taylor off at the luxury apartment in Tribeca, Leon returned to the office.
After the recording work ended, order was restored here.
He opened YouTube and typed "Vibe" in the search bar.
Sure enough, the official channel of Vibe magazine popped up.
Bonnie was already familiar with internet brand operations.
Leon made the request yesterday, and she established the official channel today.
Old Jones's attainments in music needed no elaboration, and he also had unique insights into the development of rap music.
But Vibe in his hands was going downhill, on the verge of death...
Among the factors, besides the decline of traditional print media, the biggest reason was that the conservative Jones couldn't keep up with the times.
The market demand for hip-hop music was even greater than in the 90s.
Nowadays, it was no longer the exclusive music genre for Blacks in the slums, but spread to the white middle-class teenage group as a fashion.
Focusing on the online operation model could not only spread brand influence faster but also save a lot of costs.
In the near future, Vibe would only issue a small number of physical magazines in New York State.
In places other than New York State, it would be issued in the form of digital magazines.
This saved a lot of logistics, personnel, and printing costs.
Knock knock—
"Come in."
Bonnie held a stack of documents in her hand, her face full of joy.
"I saw that the Vibe official channel has been established." Leon put his feet on the table. "You did a good job, keep it up."
"You will have a share of the commercial order revenue of this YouTube channel in the future."
"Thank you, Boss~" Bonnie could no longer suppress her joy.
Taking advantage of no one else in the office, she sat directly on Leon's lap.
Her plump legs in black stockings rubbed constantly.
"I have a big surprise for you!" Bonnie pecked Leon on the face, leaving a shallow lip print.
"What?"
"Our Federal Tax ID (EIN) application has been approved!"
Saying that, Bonnie spread open the document in her hand and handed over the EIN certificate printed with tax information.
Lion's Den Media.
This was the new company name Leon casually decided on in a small-scale meeting a few days ago.
Since the Federal Tax ID had just been issued, this company was currently in a shell state.
Soon, Lion's Den Radio and T-ray's Chester Bad Boy Radio would be merged into this new company.
Immediately after, would be completing the full acquisition of Vibe.
When all this was completed, Lion's Den Media would become the company with the second-largest business volume in Leon's hands, second only to Apocalypse Music.
Currently, he already had some ideas about the candidates for management.
Sean, the supervisor of Apocalypse Music's planning and marketing department, had rich experience in the media industry. He was the best candidate to be responsible for the operation of this new company.
"You can post recruitment information on our official channel now..."
"No age limit, Ivy League graduates are best."
"Requirements: hardworking, dedicated, team-oriented... whether they have media industry work experience is not important."
"Preferably young people. Young people value prospects more and won't have their heads filled only with vulgar money."