Marry a female star at a bargain price

Chapter 302, Section 303: The most common is the most elegant.

That night, Lin Xiao worked an extra shift and transcribed the sheet music for "Little Apple".

It was past 1 a.m. when I finished writing.

Lin Xiao looked at his "results" and felt very satisfied.

Back when I was a star on Earth, even though I was just a pretty face with no substance, I still looked down on pop songs like "Little Apple".

Even racking my brains, I still can't figure out how this song became so popular.

However, now, on a parallel world's Blue Star, he has somehow leveled up and become a father.

Looking at her daughter's rosy cheeks.

This ordinary man immediately understood the most sincere and simple emotions beneath the mundane rhythm and lyrics of "Little Apple".

He then realized that the purer the love, the less it needs fancy words to embellish it.

The most common is the most elegant; perhaps that's the idea.

Of course, Lin Xiao didn't have that many insights either.

Old Cao just said he needed a song, and then this song popped into his head.

Then, naturally, it became the first song he released after founding the "New Rural" music company.

He sent the score to Cao Yuanzhi overnight.

After successfully sending the message, he was extremely tired and fell asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed.

Over the next two days, I continued to focus on the key task of merging villages and towns, and quickly forgot about "Little Apple".

The weekend is coming soon.

I worked a full day on Saturday and didn't get home until after 7 p.m.

After dinner, I played with my daughter for a while and then coaxed her to sleep.

Lin Xiao looked at the chubby little girl in the crib, her round, rosy face beaming with a carefree grin.

Suddenly it occurred to me:

I sent the new song to Lao Cao three or four days ago, but there's been no response at all.
He rushed to the living room and called Cao Yuanzhi.

It rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

"What's wrong? Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?" Lin Xiao asked.

"The dinner party just ended..."

Old Cao sounded a little drunk.

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "You have another dinner party in Ninghai? Who organized it?"

"Hey, it's a meeting organized by the school leadership, they invited the head of the publicity department... I can't refuse!"

"The school? The publicity department?"

Lin Xiao was surprised, but quickly understood the logic behind the dinner party.

Although Lao Cao is not a native of Nanzhou, he studied at university in Ninghai for four years.

They met in the school's guitar club.

When you're ordinary, the school is proud of you; when you achieve great success, the school is proud of you.

Previously, Lao Cao was a music producer in Haicheng, which was considered quite good among his alumni, but it was not exactly appreciated by the school leaders.

Later, after she debuted as a big singer, she was put on the school's "contact more often" list.

As a result, the celebrity's trial card expired after only a few months.

The school was filled with regret and planned to remove him from the list. But then they suddenly discovered that he had left Shanghai and returned to Ninghai to develop his career. He had even made connections with the provincial propaganda department and founded a music company called "New Rural Culture".

This career is just beginning and has not yet achieved any success.

But in the eyes of the leaders of Ninghai University, it was far more valuable than his personal status as a big singer in Haicheng.

After all, no matter how famous he becomes, it's his own business, and whether he wants his alma mater to benefit from it is another matter.

But his return to Ninghai on behalf of the Shanghai Grand Entertainment Company to collaborate with the province in developing the emerging music industry has already brought honor to his alma mater.

The school leaders are all smart people.

How can we not cling to the alumni network and interact with them more often, so that the alma mater and alumni can benefit each other in the future?

For these reasons.

Cao Yuanzhi gained the favor of the school leaders, which led to tonight's dinner party.

Lin Xiao has worked within the system for so many years and is now the head of a town, so he can easily see through these intricacies.

He thought it made sense.

What really surprised him was—why wasn't I called on for this?

No, what does this mean?!

In terms of fame, I am far superior to Lao Cao.

In terms of contributions to our hometown, I'm more direct than Lao Cao.

Even from the perspective of the establishment of "New Rural" Music Company, Lao Cao was indeed the person in charge, but I was the one who connected the dots and facilitated the establishment of the company!
Besides, I also graduated from Ninghai University!
How come my alma mater acted as a go-between, treating Lao Cao like an honored guest, but forgot about me?!

Lin Xiao didn't really want to go to the city to drink this glass of wine.

I just think this is a bit outrageous... It's really disrespectful to people!

"Hey, don't you guys who organized this drinking party think you've forgotten someone important?" Lin Xiao couldn't help but ask in a muffled voice.

"An important person? Who is it?"

"..."

Lin Xiao was breathing heavily, his white teeth grinding together.

Old Cao, having succeeded in his prank, laughed maliciously.

"You're not talking about yourself, are you?"

"...Otherwise what?!" Someone was grinding their back teeth to powder.

"Hey, you should have said so earlier! Stop going around in circles!"

Old Cao said smugly, "If I had known you wanted to drink so much, I would have invited you to come with me. That way, they wouldn't have been able to get me drunk and I wouldn't have been able to handle it. With you by my side, you could have shared a few drinks with me..."

Lin Xiao's eyes widened in disbelief.

No, is that the point?

His breathing became even heavier.

Old Cao listened to the panting on the other end of the phone and felt incredibly happy. He had finally gotten revenge for being taken advantage of by this kid a couple of days ago and becoming his father.

"Alright, it's really because I didn't make you angry, huh?" Old Cao chuckled.

"Hey~"

"Don't be angry, it's my fault for telling the leaders not to call you!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Would you come if I called you?"

"I'm not going any further than that!" Lin Xiao blurted out.

"Then it's over!"

As expected, Old Cao laughed and said, "I knew you wouldn't want to go, so I turned it down for you. I even argued with the school leaders for ages before they finally agreed..."

As Old Cao spoke, he sighed and laughed, "In terms of fame and status, you are far superior to me, a singer whose career has collapsed. Only a blind school leader would dare to disregard you. Not to mention the provincial leaders. Although I am the actual person in charge of 'New Rural Culture,' this company has no connection with you in name only."

"But everyone knows that you are the core figure of this company, the key to Nanzhou Province's cultural tourism promotion. Without you, this company would not exist at all, and even with the backing of the publicity department and Feihong Entertainment, it would not achieve anything."

"Therefore, you should be the most rightful guest of honor at tonight's dinner party. The provincial and school leaders were also eager to invite you. But given that Mayor Lin is very busy lately, I can only reluctantly accept your invitation!"

Old Cao sounded very resentful.

"Oh, I see, hehe~"

Lin Xiao was satisfied.

He realized that he was becoming more and more mundane.

Before getting married, he lived a quiet life within the system, possessing a magnanimous spirit that transcended two lifetimes, and didn't care about the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

Now, on the contrary, I've become petty and concerned about what others think of me, especially my daughter. Whenever my little chubby girl cries, I feel like I have to be there for her right away.

This transformation seems like a regression, no matter how you look at it.

But Lin Xiao really likes these changes in himself, feeling that he is becoming more and more "human".

"By the way, speaking of the new rural landscape!"

Lin Xiao remembered the important matter, "I sent you the new song on Wednesday, did you receive it?"

"received……"

"You received it but didn't even reply? You've been acting like you're dead for so many days!"

Lin Xiao couldn't help but complain, then asked, "What do you think of this song?"

Old Cao stammered for a long time, his tone thick with the smell of constipation.

"Hmm...uh...did you really write this song?"

"Nonsense! Did my four-month-old daughter write this?"

"..."

Old Cao was speechless; the anxiety that had been hanging over him finally died.

Lin Xiao said impatiently, "No, just say what you want to say. What's with all this stammering?"

Old Cao sighed.

"Then I'll just say it directly..."

"Well, tell me!"

"Your new song... what garbage is this?!" Old Cao immediately went berserk.

Lin Xiao: "???"

Old Cao couldn't help but shout, "That melody, those lyrics, even if you dared to write them, I wouldn't dare to hum them. Just humming one makes my face sore..."

"Is this definitely not some kind of children's Children's Day performance song? Oh no, no, no, even elementary school students singing this is a bit childish, it's more like kindergarten..."

"No, buddy, have you gone mad from staying in town? You've lost all your musical talent. This pop song is so cheesy, it's not even in the same league as your previous works..."

"If you get kidnapped, just blink! I'll post on the alumni forum tomorrow and call for a rescue! Brothers are loyal, I'll never abandon you, respect..."

"Dude? Old Lin? Lin Xiao? Are you still there?"

Lin Xiao stood on the balcony with a resentful expression.

After a long while, he wiped his face, forcibly wiping a handful of saliva off his face over the phone.

Goodness, that's some really dirty language!

"Hey..." "I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just telling the truth, this song is really rubbish!"

"..."

Okay, that's enough, I understand, stop adding insult to injury!
Lin Xiao was about to cry.

If I didn't know how popular this song was on Earth, I probably would have backed out by now.

However, even if you have confidence in your heart.

He forced himself to say, "But I think... this song has potential..."

"Where's the potential?"

Old Cao continued his barrage of criticism, "The melody is catchy, the lyrics are weak, it's kindergarten level, even little kids wouldn't like it. If we were to officially release this song, wouldn't that just be asking for trouble..."

"Alright, alright, I know you don't like this song, you don't need to give me any more reasons!"

Lin Xiao quickly interrupted, otherwise Lao Cao would have complained for at least ten more minutes.

He said earnestly, "This song, 'Little Apple,' is indeed different from my previous songs, but it was written from my true feelings. Just because you don't appreciate it doesn't mean the general public doesn't!"

Cao Yuanzhi frowned and remained silent.

He thought to himself, "I'm a professional musician who's been a producer for nearly ten years. If I can't appreciate it, how can the general public possibly appreciate it?"

"Moreover, this song is the first song from our 'New Rural' Music Company!"

Lin Xiao continued, "Since it's a new beginning, it naturally needs a completely new style, don't you think?"

This point did resonate with Lao Cao.

But he still asked, "The style is indeed completely new, but... the three words 'Little Apple' have absolutely nothing to do with your 'new rural' positioning!"

Lin Xiao laughed.

"How can it be unrelated? It's extremely important!"

"Where is it big?"

"I'm asking you, where do apples grow?"

"Uh... on an apple tree?"

Where do apple trees grow from?

"...in the soil?"

"Isn't this rustic enough?!"

"..."

Old Cao was utterly shocked: Damn, this actually works?!

……

Under Lin Xiao's insistence.

Cao Yuanzhi ultimately endured the humiliation and reluctance, and in a desperate and irrational manner, temporarily abandoned all his musical talent and professional ethics, agreeing to seriously produce this song "Little Apple".

Of course, Lao Cao didn't really want to talk to Lin Xiao at all.

He agreed to do this song mainly because of tonight's dinner party—the leaders had extremely high expectations for New Rural Music Company, and he himself had made this company his only career for the rest of his life.

However, this career is extremely dependent on Lin Xiao's creative abilities.

Therefore, even though Lao Cao couldn't appreciate the song "Little Apple" at all.

But when I think about how the company is currently in a critical stage where it needs to make ends meet, and how the team I've assembled is already in place with more than a dozen people who need to receive salaries every month.

He couldn't care less about professional ethics or musical beliefs for the time being!

After all, he is now not only a musician, but also the boss of a company.

As a boss, making money is the top priority.

Making money requires a conscience; without a conscience, you'll only make more money!
So, he gritted his teeth and threw himself into the production of "Little Apple".

The arrangement and production were completed quickly.

Although it was fast, Lao Cao didn't slack off at all. Instead, he used his years of accumulated skills to make this lively pop song sound incredibly cheerful, colorful, and exaggerated.

After receiving the sample and listening to it, Lin Xiao thought... Hmm, this is the flavor!
The arrangement was adjusted twice more before it was finalized.

Then comes the most crucial question—who will sing!
Since Xinxiangtu has just been established, it currently only has a music production team and no professionally signed singers.

Of course, as Feihong Entertainment's branch in Ninghai, Xinxiangtu can utilize all the singers under the parent company, and even Han Xixi is one of the suitable candidates.

However, Lin Xiao and Cao Yuanzhi both believe that:
Only a male singer could sing such a corny song with that "greasy, annoying, and brainwashing" feeling.

Therefore, Xixi immediately passed over the singers!

When Han Xixi found out, she looked dejected on the surface, but inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief: Thank goodness I was eliminated... I was so disappointed!

As for the other male singers under Fei Hong's label.

Lin Xiao and Lao Cao were not considered either.

After all, the new rural area is a new beginning, and it's a collaboration with the official government of Nanzhou Province.

Naturally, the songwriting and musical style should serve the overall development of various undertakings in Nanzhou Province, and choosing a local singer from Nanzhou Province is the best solution.

This person also needs to have a certain level of fame and influence.

Because this is the company's first song, it has to be a great start... although Lao Cao probably doesn't have much hope at all!
So in the end, after much deliberation...

There are only two most suitable candidates: Lao Cao and Lin Xiao.

Looking at the final list, the boss, Cao Yuanzhi, was so frightened that his face turned ashen, and his hands almost doubled.

"No, no, no, I can't!"

"I've already had my career ruined and retired from the industry, what's the point of singing anymore? I'll never sing again in my life!"

"Besides, this song requires a lot of energy, and I'm the most depressed person, so I just can't sing it with that feeling!"

"No, no, I can't..."

Lin Xiao's eyes nearly twitched as he listened to his older brother's trembling voice.

Thinking to myself, Lao Cao, being a womanizer, probably never admitted to being "impotent" in his life, but now he's making it his catchphrase.

Wow, this song is really powerful!
Once you eliminate one of the two options, the final result is no surprise.

Lin Xiao is the most popular and well-deserved candidate.

First of all, he is the songwriter and composer, so he has the best grasp of the feeling and atmosphere of this song.

Secondly, he has been officially exposed, and in terms of popularity and traffic, ten Cao Yuanzhis combined don't equal his alone.

Of course, most importantly, Lao Cao only spent four years of university in Ninghai.

While representing Nanzhou Province is somewhat plausible, it's nowhere near as legitimate as Lin Xiao, a native of Nanzhou Province who is currently working in a grassroots township...

Faced with Lao Cao's reasons one after another, and that tone of voice that seemed to want to laugh but couldn't,

Lin Xiao was extremely upset.

He wrote a song to serve his hometown, but ended up getting himself into trouble?
This is truly a case of lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!
Now that things have come to this, there's no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it, since he was the one who single-handedly created the "New Rural" brand.

It just so happens to be the weekend.

Lin Xiaoxi also needs to receive a new vaccine.

Lin Xiao and his wife then packed their belongings and returned to Ninghai with their family for a short stay.

I took a short rest that evening.

On Saturday morning, Xixi took her daughter to the health center to get vaccinated, while Lin Xiao went to Xinxiangtu Company to record "Little Apple".

The company is located in a low-key office building in Ninghai High-tech Zone.

The company currently has only 12 employees.

Among them, several professional musicians were brought by Cao Yuanzhi from Haicheng, while the others who did administrative work were newly recruited locally after the company was established.

They are all young people under 30, which is completely out of place with the name "New Rural Life".

Calling it "New Bagua" would be more appropriate.

Lin Xiao's arrival ignited the gossip spirit of these young people. Many of those who didn't need to work overtime volunteered to work overtime this weekend, just to catch a glimpse of Lin Xiao, the top internet celebrity, husband of superstar Han Xixi, genius musician, and one of the regular guests on the new season of "Rebirth".

The company, which had been established for less than a month, had its most lively and energetic day yet.

It's still a weekend.

The boss, Cao Yuanzhi, was deeply grateful, but the thought of having to pay a large sum of overtime pay made him cry even harder.

Lin Xiao, however, was already used to this.

After all, he had been exposed for several months, and even though he was staying in a remote mountain town like Xingguang Town, he was recognized almost every day.

There were even elderly farmers in their fifties and sixties who asked him for his autograph.

That situation was incredibly awkward; I didn't know whether to sign or not.

He was already used to being at the top of the charts again, and remained calm. He smiled and nodded throughout the enthusiasm of the young people, much like a masked celebrity.

Old Cao reacted even more strongly to the employees' reactions than Lin Xiao did.

"No, I was a celebrity too, and I have some breakout works... so why aren't you all so enthusiastic towards me?"

Old Cao was very depressed.

His frustration was relieved by the uniform eye-rolls from his employees.

Then he became even more depressed.

After a lively time, we finally arrived at the recording studio, and the recording officially began.

Once everyone got into work mode, they all became serious and focused.

Lin Xiao hadn't sung formally in a long time, so his voice and emotions weren't quite right, and the first two recordings didn't go very smoothly.

Fortunately, I still have a solid professional foundation and the experience from the previous project, "Thousands of Mountains and Rivers".

He quickly got into the zone.

Especially when he thought of his adorable little chubby girl, a bright and joyful voice welled up from the bottom of his heart.

He sang "Little Apple" with a catchy melody, yet he managed to make it sound sunny and bright.

Cao Yuanzhi stood outside the recording studio, wearing headphones.

Until the eve of recording, he still had no confidence in this catchy pop song and even felt that it was a major challenge in his career.

But as Lin Xiao's singing improved, it became more and more enjoyable.

Old Cao's expression gradually changed from a furrowed brow to one of sudden enlightenment.

"Ok?"

A certain switch in his heart was turned on by this playful and passionate singing.

"This song... seems pretty good?!"

(End of this chapter)