Huayu 1995

Chapter 7 Making a living, bro!

"Who taught you that? You're so glib and smooth-talking!"

Thor glared at Su Chao, and knew that this kid wasn't so honest.

Honest people wouldn't dare look her in the eye.

"Sis, don't you know a lot of people? Can you help me ask if any karaoke bars need resident singers?"

Little Red Riding Hood often comes into contact with so-called musicians, who play so-called original songs in the shop, but most of them are unbearable to listen to.

All that's left are complaints about being talented but not appreciated.

Look at this guy named Su Chao!

He's handsome, has a great personality, and a positive attitude.

“I don’t know anyone from karaoke bars. What good people can karaoke bars have?” Thor turned to Su Chao and continued, “What if no karaoke bar wants you?”

"I have hands and feet, I can still earn 500 yuan a month. At worst, I can help people move goods during the day and wash dishes at night, or sing in the subway station to earn some money..."

Su Chao deliberately made himself sound pitiful.

Moving goods...washing dishes...underground singer...

Little Red Riding Hood's eyes welled up with tears, and she couldn't help but sniffle.

"Don't try to play the victim in front of me, I don't fall for that," Thor frowned as well. "All I can say is that being a bar singer isn't as simple and enjoyable as you think. If you really want to go, you can try Casablanca."

Casablanca? The one near Princess Tomb?

Su Chao's eyes lit up. The karaoke bars that Lü Bu frequently worked at were Casablanca and Peace House.

He was a temporary worker, paid by the hour.

“Yes, this karaoke bar is a bit more artsy, which suits your musical style better.” Thor seemed a little regretful, and added, “Don’t say I recommended you there. If you die in there, it’s none of my business.”

"I understand, I understand!"

Su Chao's original plan was to set up a trap together with Lü Bu.

This was actually a last resort, as there were far too many variables involved.

For example, the manager simply doesn't believe what a junior security guard says.

He couldn't be bothered to watch a street performer's show.

Even if this homeless singer is right near the karaoke bar.

For example, the manager went to see Su Chao's singing and playing, but he was a complete idiot and couldn't understand what made Su Chao so amazing.

If this path doesn't work, Su Chao will have no choice but to bite the bullet and actively promote himself.

Now that someone is helping, that would be wonderful.

It's entirely possible that people like them, who run music stores, have connections to nightclubs.

As for not saying that Thor introduced it,

Isn't this similar to what Bodhi Patriarch and the monkey said?
What are you talking about repaying a debt of gratitude!
If you cause trouble in the future, just don't mention your teacher.

"Whether you can make money or not depends on your own ability. You can leave now, I'm closing down."

Thor found Su Chao's smile irritating.

I shouldn't have bothered with this mess.

"Ahem, you've done me such a great favor, and I still don't know your names."

If you're going to a job interview and you're going to try to impress someone with a big name, you should at least know whose name you're using.

Just knowing "Kobayashi Musical Instruments" isn't enough.

"My name is Lin Zhiqing, and my sister's name is Lin Zhimeng... You can call me Qingqing, and my sister Mengmeng."

Little Red Riding Hood eagerly answered the question from the side.

"Sister Mengmeng..."

Su Chao obediently called her "sister".

Although he lived to be over thirty in his previous life.

Unfortunately, he's still too young.

"Lin Zhiqing, if you keep nagging, you're going inside. Have you finished your homework? Do you even want to go to college?"

Thor Lin Zhimeng was somewhat annoyed.

She used to suspect that her younger sister's brain was full of mush, but now she's starting to think that maybe it's not even mush.

"Sister Mengmeng, don't scold her. We need to sign an installment payment agreement. We'll find out her name sooner or later."

Qing'er, having such a fierce older sister must be exhausting for you. I understand.

Your sister wouldn't actually beat you up normally, would she?

Unlike me, all I feel is heartache...

"Wait a moment, I'll write the contract. It'll be five thousand yuan in ten installments, with the copyright revenue from the songs I created as collateral. If I breach the contract..."

Lin Zhimeng was not polite at all.

This Su Chao is too strange; he's almost driven his sister crazy.

"Sister Mengmeng, write whatever you want. If you breach the contract, I will compensate you double."

In the face of poverty, all consequences are insignificant.

Lin Zhimeng paused, then asked while writing, "Who taught you to play the guitar?"

"I learned it from my neighbor."

These are skills from a past life, so it's really hard to pinpoint their origins, but fortunately, there's no need to go into too much detail.

"The older sister next door..."

Rebellious girls understand cheap, mass-produced literature, and Lin Zhiqing immediately thought of the things she had to talk about with the older girl next door.

Lin Zhimeng glared at her sister and continued to say to Su Chao, "You should practice more. Your skill level is too amateurish. You don't deserve to use such a good instrument."

"Can I come and learn from you, sister? I'll treat you to a meal when I start making money."

What does it mean to take advantage of someone's kindness?

Su Chao perfectly embodied this concept.

"My fees aren't low!" Lin Zhimeng had unknowingly accepted the title of "sister".

"It's okay, as long as I can learn real skills, that's all that matters. I know you're a good person because you're willing to let me pay in installments."

You're a good person, give me more freebies later.

"Tch, good guy... I might not have time, let's talk about it later. Have you recorded your backing track?"

It's kind of like having a dog or cat. You buy a kitten, and you're always thinking about buying it a litter box, canned food, a cat tree...

Lin Zhimeng made an exception and allowed Su Chao to pay in installments for this guitar, which retails for at least five thousand yuan. Unconsciously, she began to enter this state that Su Chao was deliberately guiding.

Of course, this is on the premise that Lin Zhimeng is cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

If your face is cold, your heart is cold too.

That trick won't work then, so you'll have to try another company to fool.

"I just recorded it quickly, and it's done. Do you have a recorder here, sis? I'll make a copy for you."

The fact that the system rewards players with physical items gave Su Chao a loophole to exploit.

Lyrics, sheet music, backing tracks, and music demos are all readily available.

Of course, truly high-quality finished products are not provided.

If you want to release an album, you still need to go to the recording studio.

The one provided by the system is slightly better in quality than the simple demo.

It also includes some basic mixing.

For the current Su Chao league, it's at least barely enough.

If you were to actually go to those recording studios deep in the Hundred Flowers Valley, even if you were just recording on tape, containing only vocals and simple MIDI accompaniment, the price would be at least five hundred.

A single of medium quality like the one Su Chao has would cost over two thousand even if introduced by an acquaintance.

Su Chao has no intention of integrating into the local music scene.

Especially in the rock music scene.

He is truly talented, but he is also surrounded by poisonous insects, and one can easily fall victim to them.

Once he has money, we can harvest a bunch of attributes and experience points.

“What would I need you to do with the tape? You need to be more careful when you’re out and about…” Lin Zhimeng couldn’t help but remind him, “If I have connections at the copyright bureau, I can get them to reject your copyright application, and then I can apply for the copyright myself with your tape.”

These days, even the leader of the Black Society is a singer.

If it really falls into his hands, your copyright registration won't help.

"Don't worry, sister. I'm only willing to give it to you because it's for you."

Su Chao made a witty remark.

The sense of proportion was excellent.

If you said that when you first met someone, you'd be a lecher. But now that you're calling me "sister," it's affectionate.

"..."

Lin Zhimeng gripped the pen tightly, wanting to write something for Su Chao.

She actually got flirted with by a little kid who hadn't even grown any hair yet.

"Su Chao, once you release your album, I'll play it on repeat in the store!"

Little Red Riding Hood was also very happy.

"Is it playing a pirated cassette tape?"

Su Chao feigned curiosity.

"Hey, you released an album, but you didn't send any tapes to your friends!"

Little Red Riding Hood does have some chest puffs out.

Grandma is still here...

Seeing that there was no more benefit to be gained, Su Chao had no choice but to leave.

I missed the last bus at midnight.

These days, buses aren't always on time, otherwise minibuses wouldn't be so popular.

However, Su Chao did not take the unscrupulous minibus.

He simply ran.

When he left home, his grandfather gave him a task.

This is to prevent him from neglecting his martial arts training.

It's okay to be mentally unstable, but you must be physically healthy.

When they arrived at the small park near their residence, Su Chao stopped and, taking advantage of the dark night and the absence of people, practiced a few sets of punches that the original owner of the body often did.

He used the method of having a gun in his mind but no gun in his hand, vaguely holding a non-existent large gun, and fiercely exhausted his remaining energy under the moonlight.

"Why are you only just getting back? I thought you'd been ambushed by Duan Ming and his men."

They encountered Lu Bu, who looked anxious, just as they arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.

Since Su Chao hadn't returned, Lü Bu hadn't dared to sleep and almost went to the police.

"I took care of some things..."

Su Chao patted this kind-hearted guy on the shoulder, never expecting that someone would care about him in a strange city.

"went well?"

"It didn't go very smoothly. The security in the capital is too good. I even took a quiet, secluded path, but I didn't encounter a single kind person."

"Uh, that's not what I was asking..."

"Smooth sailing. The temporary residence permit is done, the copyright registration is complete, and I've also got the license and health permit for our training center sorted out. I also ordered a guitar while I was at it..."

"Holy crap, you did all this in one afternoon? Are you an animal? Aren't you tired?"

"Tired? Just trying to make a living, brother! This world is full of money and women. Whoever can make up their mind can win, and whoever can seize the opportunity can rise above others!"
Although I can't write the script for "Kung Fu Hustle," I can still come up with some lines on the spot.

(End of this chapter)