Rebirth 2010, the best

Chapter 218 Elixir
"Although I do have some intention to speak for Lao Chen, you should also know that a mature agent will not cause any trouble for you, but will help you achieve twice the result with half the effort. Do you know that our record market is quite sluggish now? Last year, not counting Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, the singer who sold the most in the mainland was Jane Zhang, whose album "I Believe" was produced by me. Can you guess how many were sold?"

"One million?"

"..."

After listening to Zhang Lina's words, Wu Mengqi was speechless.

"Xiao Na, do you know what 100 million copies means? In the United States, that's also a platinum sales certification."

“…We have so many more people than the United States, and we can’t sell a million copies?”

Zhang Lina was obviously surprised.

Seeing this, Wu Mengqi nodded:

"Well, last year, the only singer who could possibly break through one million copies was Jay Chou. His "Crossing the Era" probably sold one million copies."

"perhaps?"

"Well, probably, because no one knows the exact number except JVR. But I guess they didn't sell one million, otherwise the company would have used it for promotion. Of course, this doesn't include piracy... If piracy is included, it would definitely be a breakthrough. Oh yes, you like Lin Junjie very much, his album "She Said" sold 40 copies last year, but like I said, we don't count Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, just the mainland. Last year it was Zhang Liangying's "I Believe", and she only sold 15 copies."

"So little!?"

Zhao Hang said this subconsciously.

But he immediately realized that this was wrong and waved his hand:

"Teacher Wu, that's not what I meant. What I meant was..."

"I know."

Wu Mengqi obviously didn't care, waved his hand and continued:
"But the record market is like this, and guess where she ranked in the album charts last year?"

"Top twenty?"

Hearing Wei Qianqian's words, Wu Mengqi smiled bitterly and shook his head:

"No, eighth. The ones ahead of him are Jay Chou, SHE, JJ Lin, Wang Lihong, Jolin Tsai, Mayday, and Eason Chan. Among the top ten, Jane Zhang is eighth, Chris Lee is ninth, and Elva Hsiao is tenth. The number one is calculated as one million, and SHE, who are second, is directly cut in half, with the number announced being five hundred thousand and a little bit... You see, this is the current record market situation. Most singers' albums don't sell very well, because there are so many sources of music online... If singers want to earn money, they can only rely on concerts and online websites to buy copyrights. And for singers like you who are just starting out and can't hold concerts yet, online music copyrights can even determine whether you can continue to maintain a state of food and clothing and walk on this road without starving to death."

Then, he said to several people very seriously:

"So, listen to me. Even if you don't look for Lao Chen, you should find a reliable agent. It's good to have a dream, but the prerequisite is to live first."

"..."

Including Lu Yao, everyone was speechless.

And Bai Yao also said:

"I remember at the end of last year, there was a music producer named... Xiao Ke? Does Teacher Wu know him?"

"Yes, I know him. What happened to him?"

"He said in an interview that the music album market is dead..."

"That's too absolute, but the reality is actually similar. Producers like us didn't have to appear on so-called variety shows or cooperate with any programs ten years ago. But you see, now I have to run around for a living, appear on variety shows that I don't want to appear on, and serve as music producer for those singers who have already been ranked... Sigh."

Wu Mengqi let out a long sigh.

Clearly, things are changing.

They too had to change.

But Lu Yao knows that this is actually a period of pain for the entire music market.

Even this period of pain is very long.

It will take at least until 2017 or so, when a few domestic audio and video platforms start to monopolize the music or TV programs of some singers, and then people will really start to pay attention to copyright...

There's nothing we can do about it.

The market decides, and humans cannot interfere at all.

Copyright awareness emerged relatively late in the country.

After hearing Wu Mengqi's words, Wei Qianqian nodded:

"We understand, Mr. Wu. When we meet Agent Chen tomorrow, we will have a good chat with him."

"Well... let's have a good chat, and then when you come back, we'll see how you promote this album. This is about the extent of my help..."

"Don't say that. We are already very grateful."

"what……"

Although he could feel the sincerity in the eyes of the children, Wu Mengqi still smiled self-deprecatingly.

What a pity.

he said in his heart.

If it was ten years ago...

Time makes people grow old.

……

Wu Mengqi left after dinner.

He is actually quite busy. Jane Zhang is going to release an album this year, and it is nearing the end of production. As the album producer, he has delayed the progress of the album because of the No Survivors band's affairs.

Zhang Jingying was still a little dissatisfied.

But...as a music producer, Wu Mengqi actually sees it very clearly.

Although he now inevitably has to bow down to make a living, he still retains the qualities that a musician should have.

Jane Zhang is competing with other singers for the market, it's like an arms race.

The next album, which has already been named, is called "Change". The company found musicians from the United States and South Korea to create it for her, with the aim of consolidating and developing her position and even expanding into the international market.

To be honest, those musicians are all big names.

But…that album isn’t pure.

At least in his opinion, it was not pure.

How pure can a singer be if he is pushed around?

But the painting "And Then There Were None" that I handled was different.

He could truly feel the...the talent and sincere emotion that flowed freely in the notes and singing in every song.

Unpolished jade.

This is what he really likes.

Given this preference, it is only natural that he takes a back seat in "Changes" this time.

He has no regrets.

Zhang Jingying is no longer the student she once was.

As the world changes, people also change.

He has long been used to it.

And thinking of this... the middle-aged man couldn't help but sigh.

It’s not for Jane Zhang, but for these children.

When the album starts to sell, it means that they will inevitably move towards the commercialization route.

I hope... they can try their best to keep their original intention.

Or, keep it for a few more years.

……

"This album... no matter how much it sells, Mr. Wu will get 4 and you will get 6. We don't want a penny."

"……are you crazy?"

Basement garage, in front of the trash can.

Xu Ruochen rolled his eyes when he heard Wei Qianqian's words:
"I have no objection if you give Mr. Wu 4 or him 5, and we can just divide the rest equally... Why would you give it all to me?"

"No, this is what we agreed on."

Wei Qianqian shook her head:

"Also, we'll split the cost of the album. If we lose money, we'll make it up to you later."

"You're not done yet, are you?"

Mr. Xu was a little annoyed:
"Do I look like someone who is short of money?"

"We know you have money, but you need to explain clearly. We are all in this band together, and the recording fee is a lot of money, we know that."

“…Lao Lu, please save me, I can’t communicate with her.”

"Don't look for me, because I'm in the same group as her. I know you're not short of money, but you really need to explain the reason clearly. Of course, if it sells well, it will be considered as the production fee for our next album. It's all yours anyway, so just keep it. Oh, and if we lose too much money, then we can take commercial performances to pay off the debt... This was not my idea, don't glare at me, it was something we all discussed."

"…Are you sick?"

Master Xu was completely speechless.

I thought that this money was not even enough for a night out at the bar with my buddies.

Lu Yao, you guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, it’s fine if you don’t speak up for me, but why are you standing on the enemy’s side?
At this time, Bai Yao patted him on the shoulder:

"Let's just put it this way. We're all doing this for friendship. Besides, what if we make some money? We can share it when the time comes."

“Senior, you…”

"Okay."

Bai Yao smiled and shook her head:
"Anything else? If you're fine, let's disband. Who's going back to school?"

Lu Yao's hair stood up subconsciously.

but……

She just stared at herself.

"I……"

He opened his mouth.

"You're walking through school, right?"

Seeing him hesitate, Bai Yao asked directly.

"Uh……"

Lu Yao was a little surprised, so she nodded and asked others:
"what about you?"

"I'm going home and have to pack my things. Where are we meeting tomorrow?"

Listening to Wei Qianqian's words, Zhao Hang said casually:

"The airport."

"I can take you guys tomorrow. There are just three of you, can you two handle it yourselves?"

After Bai Yao finished speaking, Wei Qianqian and Xu Ruochen nodded:

"okay."

"That's it, let's go."

"Walk."

With Lu Yao's mouth twitching, he was forced into the car and squeezed into the back seat with Zhao Hang.

The BMW arrived at the hotel while chatting about the album.

"Lu Yao, let's go to the gym."

"..."

Lu Yao thought to himself, you don’t want to act anymore, right?
"What about you two? Going to the gym with me?"

"Ah no no no..."

Zhang Lina was the first to shake her head.

How can a beautiful girl do fitness?

After exercising, the path I walked on my belly will disappear, right?

As for Zhao Hang...

"Senior, how do you guys do your fitness?"

"First, run five kilometers of aerobics, then start strength training. The whole process will take about two hours. There will be about seventeen or eighteen exercises. Do you want to join?"

"..."

Zhao Hang looked at his skinny body.

I thought to myself, do you want to see me flutter my butterfly wings?
Quickly shook his head:

"I can't. I... I have something else to do in the dormitory." "Okay, then let's gather here at 9: tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Uh-huh."

The two agreed and left together.

As soon as the two of them left, Lu Yao sighed:
"Can you be more obvious?"

"Hey, you dare to talk to me?"

Senior sister Leng Yan seemed to be smiling.

"You've been distracted all day...thinking about me?"

You really don’t want to say that.

Lu Yao himself really felt like he was being teased.

"Come on, have dinner with me tonight. You lost a lot of protein yesterday, so you need to replenish it. Let's rest for a while, then have dinner. After dinner, go back and pack your luggage and put it directly in my car. We'll leave tomorrow when we go downstairs."

"…Senior, are you really not going to let me go back?"

"if not?"

She shrugged.

"Don't you think our secret relationship is exciting? And..."

The senior who was still excited the previous second shook her head the next second:
"I have today off, please stay with me."

“But I want to get back to working on the model.”

"One day short?"

"..."

Looking at Lu Yao's speechless expression, Bai Yao chuckled.

what.

Passive personality.

love it.

Just thinking about what is going to happen soon makes me feel a little overwhelmed.

……

"Awake? ...Good morning."

"…Senior, it's time to work out."

“Isn’t this the same?”

"Same?"

"Um... shh, don't talk, baby. You're going to get on a plane soon and you'll be gone for three days. I can't stand it."

"Senior sister..."

"Shh. Be good and close your eyes."

"..."

At around 9 o'clock in the morning, before going downstairs, Lu Yao took out the health pills from his backpack and put two into his mouth without saying a word.

He hasn't eaten this much for a while.

But... I have to eat now.

And feeling that two were not enough, he threw another one into his mouth.

Looking at the senior sister who walked out of the bedroom, wearing an ordinary sportswear and sweatpants, hiding all her beautiful figure, he was a little dazed for a moment.

It seemed as if the person last night was just a dream, an illusion.

"Let's go."

"Um...you're not training this morning?"

"It's okay. Sending you is more important."

"Uh……"

"…Am I not very good at saying sweet words?"

Lu Yao was shocked.

I thought to myself, what you just said were love words?

But the senior student who was dressed in ordinary clothes shook her head:

"I'll learn slowly. Let's go. Don't miss the flight."

"……it is good."

The two of them went downstairs together. In the car, she asked for leave in front of Lu Yao and directly skipped the morning training.

After hanging up the phone, she said:
"come back earlier."

"……it is good."

Lu Yao nodded, looked at Zhao Hang who was walking over with a suitcase, and said:

"If you're too tired, you don't have to train in the afternoon."

"……ha."

"What are you laughing at?"

"I love it when you care about me. It's charming."

Then she shook her head:

"Don't worry, I know what's going on. Also, I'm not asking you to come back early for any other reason, I just want you to stay with me longer. I'm going to Yunnan soon... We won't see each other for a month, I want to stay with you for a few more days. So, let me pester you for a few more days."

"……Um."

"Also, remember not to expose yourself in front of your girlfriend."

"...Why didn't I realize you were such a strong person before?"

"It's not that I'm strong, it's because I know how to get along with you."

"..."

The car door opens.

Lu Yao did not respond.

Zhao Hang got in the car and muttered:
"Why is the village girl so slow..."

……

At 10:, the group of five met at the airport gate.

Then queue up to get your boarding pass.

Zhang Lina looked very excited and chattered all the way.

Lu Yao was sweating all the time.

"…Are you hot?"

He asked Zhao Hang who was standing beside him.

?

Zhao Hang looked back at him and asked in confusion:

"Why are you so hot?"

“…I don’t know either.”

Lu Yao wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a big gulp of water.

I just feel very hot.

At this time, Wei Qianqian's somewhat surprised voice sounded:
“We are business class?”

"Yes, it says... the cabin has been upgraded on the 17th. Ma'am, you and your companion can go to the business class channel to check in your luggage."

"Uh……"

Wei Qianqian, holding her ID card, looked surprised. She nodded politely to the ground staff and asked a few people in confusion:
"Why are we in business class?"

Having said that, her first reaction was to look at Xu Ruochen.

"? What are you looking at me for?"

"…You did this?"

"no."

Mr. Xu looked like he was telling you not to wrongly accuse me.

Although he usually traveled by private jet or business class, he obviously understood what it meant to follow the crowd, so this time when the people from Shonan booked him economy class, he did not upgrade.

He also looked confused at this moment.

but……

"Business class is business class. I guess they made a mistake in the beginning. We are guests, so how can we be in economy class?"

After hearing what Master Xu said, several people looked at each other and showed some joy on their faces.

Being able to sit in business class is definitely more comfortable than economy class.

and……

“I haven’t flown business class yet.”

Zhang Lina's words resonated with Zhao Hang.

Apparently, it was his first time too.

Just like that, the group exchanged tickets at the business class window, checked in their luggage, and passed security. Mr. Xu then took out a gold card and was taken to the airline waiting room where VIPs were waiting by the airport welcoming car that had been waiting there for a long time.

There is no need to say much about the environment. At 12:10, everyone boarded the plane together.

After Master Xu sat down, he looked at Lu Yao, who was sweating profusely, and asked speechlessly:

"Did you take a shower?"

"..."

Lu Yao ignored him.

But he did feel the heat.

then……

After the plane took off...

He immediately had a nosebleed.

Seeing his hands covered in blood, Xu Ruochen was frightened and quickly asked Wei Qianqian for paper to stuff his nostrils.

The flight attendant also noticed something was wrong and came over to ask Lu Yao if he was okay.

But Lu Yao's expression became strange.

Subconsciously, I sat up straight, trying not to look at this beautiful woman with an attractive figure and appearance...

The most important thing is that he has to sit up straight to hide his embarrassment.

After waving his hands to indicate that he was fine, he, with two balls of toilet paper on his head, inexplicably thought of a possibility.

Could it be because I took three health-preserving pills?

He subconsciously wanted to ask Xu Ruochen.

But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly paused.

This...how do you ask?
"Will there be any problem if I take three?"

So the question is, if he asks himself why he eats three?
How do you answer?

Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth twitched and he leaned back in his seat somewhat dejectedly.

At this time, the flight attendant, who looked to be in his 40s or s, came over with a tray containing towels and wet wipes...

Lu Yao sat up straight again.

Ok.

This young...the flight attendant is still quite charming...damn!
Is this an elixir?

Is it so powerful?
He was completely speechless.

(End of this chapter)