This statement made Phil's jaw drop, while Cardi excitedly threw herself into her boss's arms, wanting to demonstrate her "Disappearing Rolling Pin" magic trick right then and there.
Times Square, known as the Crossroads of the World, is the only area in New York City where zoning laws require building owners to display bright promotional signage.
Those dazzling giant screens are like ceaseless money-printing machines. A 30-second ad on the most prominent screens can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Even the screens in peripheral positions don't ask for less than $1,000.
For a rookie record label just starting out, this was a significant expense. Printing records and building the recording studio had already eaten up most of Leon's savings.
The cost of printing a CD was around $1.25, while vinyl records reached a staggering ten-plus dollars.
The initial printing cost for the Bodak Yellow EP exceeded $80,000!
Fortunately, the royalty checks from Roc Nation were never late. In less than a month since joining the company, his debut single had sold over 120,000 copies.
Counting his gig earnings, Leon's net worth had now broken the $250,000 mark.
This money might be nothing in New York, but in a Midwestern city, he'd be solidly middle class.
"Just do as I say. Don't worry about the money."
Since the boss said so, Phil naturally had no concerns—it wasn't his money anyway.
He was just curious why a penny-pincher like Leon was doubling down on his bet.
---
Three days later, Cardi B's debut EP was officially released, sweeping through the streets and alleys of New York overnight.
In fact, two days before the official release, New York hip-hop fans had already been brainwashed by Cardi B's demonic laughter and her shiny black ass.
During that gang conflict on Chester Street, some paparazzo snapped a perfect photo.
In the photo, Cardi had the head of gangsta producer T-Ray firmly clamped in her crotch with her powerful, athletic thighs.
Whether it was because the clamp was too tight or he was under biological weapon attack, the famous gangsta producer looked pained, begging for mercy.
And in the background of this photo, two groups of gang members wearing red bandanas and covered in tattoos were facing off with live ammunition.
This photo hit the front pages of a dozen professional hip-hop media outlets simultaneously. The topicality and controversy were maxed out.
Cardi B burst onto the scene with the title "Daughter of the Bloods," quickly causing an earthquake in the hip-hop circle!
In Times Square, tourists from all over the world were conquered by Cardi's dirty twerking, sighing involuntarily: As expected of America, this is too much freedom...
Under the boost of Leon's cost-is-no-object spending, major New York radio stations also praised Bodak Yellow generously.
With this massive momentum, Cardi B's debut EP was snapped up by fans as soon as it hit the shelves. Lines formed outside major record stores in New York.
If not seen with one's own eyes, no one would believe a rookie who just turned 18 could achieve such results.
"Rich! I'm gonna be rich..."
In the Apocalypse Music office, all the staff gathered together. Besides celebrating Cardi B's dazzling success, they were also sending Leon off.
Tomorrow he would depart New York for Philadelphia to attend the Made in America Festival.
To commemorate this historic moment, Leon specially invited Old Mike over—conveniently using Cardi's ass to get closer to the old scumbag.
Under the influence of alcohol, Cardi and Bonnie twerked almost the entire night. Nearing sixty, Old Mike watched with his blood pressure soaring, clicking the shutter of his camera non-stop.
Grinning fiercely, Leon shouted to everyone, "Everyone, a toast to Cardi! Salute to the greatest ass in the Bronx!"
"Our records are selling out faster than Mexican flour... Phil, place an order with the factory!"
"Tell them to crank up the horsepower and produce like hell for me!"
"Yes, BOSS!" Phil was already drunk as a skunk, collapsed in the recording studio like a stray dog.
Cardi's success meant he was making a killing too. Cardi's schedule was already booked through next month.
The last time he was this busy was when he partnered with Avril Lavigne.
Cardi swayed over to Leon, laughing strangely while rubbing her butt against his thigh. "BOSS, I don't know how to thank you... You can do whatever you want to me tonight."
It wasn't that Leon wasn't interested in Black girls. American folklore always said Black girls had more kick than white girls.
A white tunnel you can't see the end of at a glance, while a black one is tighter and more exquisite.
But Leon waved his hands in terror. With anyone else, he might have charged, but Cardi B? Forget it.
This girl had hundreds of ex-boyfriends and even provided daily "clock-in" services for an old geezer like Phil.
God knows what strange bacteria she was carrying.
But the alcohol had gone to his head, and Leon felt his body was like a pressure cooker reaching its limit.
"Bonnie... come to the bathroom with me."
Obedient Bonnie, like a tame rabbit, hopped behind Leon into the bathroom.
"Oh yes~ Just like that~"
"Your technique has improved, baby~"
Leon narrowed his eyes, enjoying the quiet moment. Just then, the bathroom door was pushed open. He realized he had forgotten to lock it.
Cardi B stood outside, emitting that strange laugh unique to her that no one could imitate.
"WTF, Cardi, don't you know how to knock?!"
Cardi bit her finger and said softly, "Seems like you have talents that rival a Black man in some areas, BOSS."
Saying this, she stepped forward in her high heels, approaching Leon like she was eyeing delicious prey.
Leon wanted to say something, but Cardi had already squatted down.
"Can I join, Bonnie?"
Bonnie spread her hands. "Be my guest~"
Both coming from the midnight club scene, Cardi and Bonnie had become besties.
Between besties, sharing fun things and delicious food was only natural.
Leon wanted to stop it, but it was too late. Dopamine was destroying his rationality.
Watching the two figures, one black and one white, servicing him, he felt his soul ascending to a hedonistic heaven.
---
Early the next morning, Leon took the company car to Philadelphia, over 100 kilometers from New York.
This is one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the United States. During the Revolutionary War, the First and Second Continental Congresses and the Constitutional Convention were held here. It was the US capital from 1790 to 1800.
Today, the Black population here is as high as 50%, making it one of the cities with the worst public safety in the country.
Someone once described this great old city: On one side is "freedom and democracy," on the other is gangs and drugs.
The Made in America Festival was a two-day event held on the famous Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Leon would perform on the first day. In Jay-Z's view, his fame wasn't enough to merit an appearance on the second day.
To build hype for his festival, Jay-Z often used his connections to invite a series of big names, sometimes even performing himself.
And the headliner for this festival was Kesha, who had topped music charts in multiple countries a year ago with the divine track TiK ToK.