In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming had just finished dealing with interviews from various media outlets over the past week and was finally able to relax when he received a call from Yan Pingsheng, the president of Asia Records, from Hong Kong Island.

On the other end of the phone, Yan Pingsheng's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Young Master Ming, the preliminary preparations for the record are almost complete. We've started stocking cassette tapes, and the stocking plans for CDs and vinyl records are also in the process of being finalized. Distribution negotiations in various regions are underway, and in addition to the mainland, the major markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia are all showing very positive interest."

Yang Guangming leaned back in his chair in the study and smiled: "Mr. Yan, you've worked hard. You're very efficient."

“It’s not hard work at all.” Yan Pingsheng said earnestly, “Young Master Ming, I have to tell you the truth. I’ve listened to this album many times, and the more I listen, the more amazing it is. Every song is very popular, and many of them are also very professional. This is definitely an album that has both high sales and good reputation.”

He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "Most importantly, it's your voice, Young Master Ming. Your voice is so special. I've tested it with the staff at the company, and everyone who heard it had a very strong desire to buy it, wishing they could play it on repeat all day long. I can't quite put my finger on what that voice is all about, but it just makes you want to keep listening."

Yang Guangming smiled. He knew what was going on. Since his rebirth, his voice had been constantly being strengthened; it wasn't just that the tone was pleasant, but more importantly, it possessed a natural allure. Even those who didn't understand the lyrics would be drawn to the sound itself.

"Mr. Yan, how much do you think the sales volume will be?" Yang Guangming asked.

Yan Pingsheng was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Young Master Ming, I've been in the record industry for so many years and have seen countless singers and albums. But I've never seen anyone like you. I conservatively estimate that your record sales across Asia are at least five million."

After he finished speaking, he added, "This number sounds exaggerated, but I'm not blindly optimistic. I've conducted multiple rounds of testing and consulted with people in the industry, and the feedback has been very positive. So I hope to stock up based on this projected sales volume. Although I have the authority to make the decision, this number is too bold, and I would like to get your approval."

Yang Guangming smiled: "President Yan, I agree."

He paused, then continued, "And I think five million might be a conservative estimate. This album might sell over ten million copies."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Yan Pingsheng's gasp.

"Young Master Ming, are you that confident?"

Yang Guangming said confidently, "President Yan, you just said that my voice is very special, which is indeed my biggest advantage. Moreover, every song we have selected is a masterpiece. With all these factors combined, tens of millions in sales is not a dream."

Yan Pingsheng took a deep breath: "Alright! Since Young Master Ming says so, then I feel even more confident. Let's prepare the goods and promote it according to the expectation of ten million. Even if we don't reach that goal in the end, we should still strive towards it."

The two then discussed the album's name.

Yang Guangming thought for a moment and said, "Let's call it '18'. I'm eighteen this year, and this album is a memento for myself. The main reason is that the style of this album is inconsistent, so it's not easy to come up with a name."

“18.” Yan Pingsheng read it aloud and smiled. “A good name! Concise, easy to remember, and meaningful. I’ll have the design department make a few cover designs for you to look at later.”

"Okay." Yang Guangming nodded.

Yan Pingsheng brought up the music video issue again: "Young Master Ming, I still want to suggest that you record all the songs as music videos. With your popularity and the quality of these songs, the effect would definitely be better if there were complete music videos to accompany the promotion."

Yang Guangming thought for a moment, but still insisted on his own idea: "President Yan, I understand your point of view. But I really have limited time right now. Recording the music videos for six main songs for promotion should be enough. I don't want to waste too much time on this."

Although Yan Pingsheng was somewhat disappointed, he understood: "Alright, let's do it according to Young Master Ming's wishes. Let's focus on making the music videos for these main songs well."

The two then discussed the publicity plan.

"At Least I Still Have You" was chosen as the first promotional song. The music video for this song was edited together with clips from the movie "Love," featuring Yang Guangming singing, thus promoting both the album and the movie—a win-win situation.

With the film "Love" set to be released soon, this song will naturally enter its promotional period immediately. Yan Pingsheng has already contacted major television and radio stations, and large-scale promotion will begin in the next few days.

Before hanging up the phone, Yan Pingsheng added, "Young Master Ming, you need to hurry up with those two music videos. It would be best to finish filming 'Wild Geese' and 'Night in Ulaanbaatar' as soon as possible, so that we'll have all the promotional materials for later."

Yang Guangming agreed: "Don't worry, I'll arrange it in the next couple of days."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Guangming leaned back in his chair and looked out the window at the persimmon tree.

In May in Beijing, spring is almost over, and the persimmon trees are lush and green.

He originally wanted to rest for a couple more days, but it seems that's not going to be possible now.

The music videos for "Wild Geese" and "Night in Ulaanbaatar" must be prepared immediately.

He picked up the phone and called Zuo Xiaoqing first.

The phone rang twice before being answered, and Zuo Xiaoqing's voice came through the receiver: "Brother Guangming?"

"Xiaoqing, do you have class this afternoon?"

"No, I don't have classes this afternoon." Zuo Xiaoqing's voice was tinged with laughter. "Did Brother Guangming need something from me?"

Yang Guangming briefly explained the music video: "The song 'Wild Geese' will be filmed on the grasslands, which will take about three or four days. If things go smoothly, we can leave tomorrow. Is that convenient for you?"

Zuo Xiaoqing's excited voice came from the other end of the phone: "Really, Brother Guangming? I've been waiting for this moment so long, we can finally get back to work!"

“Of course it’s true.” Yang Guangming smiled. “Then you should prepare to ask for leave, set a time, and I’ll let you know right away.”

Zuo Xiaoqing's voice was full of excitement as she said repeatedly, "Going out with you to shoot a music video is no problem. Since we're leaving soon, I'll ask for leave this afternoon."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Don't rush, it's still in the preparation stage. I'll let you know when it's finalized. You can start preparing first, think about the feeling of the song, and then we'll set off."

"Okay!" Zuo Xiaoqing agreed emphatically, then asked softly, "Brother Guangming, is Sister Chen Hong sure she's not going?"

Yang Guangming paused for a moment, then said, "Chen Hong has been busy with work lately and can't come back. Let's go this time."

Zuo Xiaoqing said "Oh," her voice devoid of emotion, but Yang Guangming could sense that she seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Guangming dialed Gao Yuanyuan's number again.

The person who answered the phone was Gao Yuanyuan's mother. When she heard that she was looking for Gao Yuanyuan, she was very enthusiastic and quickly called her daughter over.

"Director Yang?" Gao Yuanyuan's voice was filled with surprise and joy.

"Yuanyuan, it's me," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "How's your studying going lately?"

"It's great," Gao Yuanyuan said. "I'm doing practice problems every day, and I feel like I've improved a lot."

Yang Guangming nodded: "That's good. Yuanyuan, there's something I want to ask you."

"Please speak."

Yang Guangming explained the filming plan for the music video of "Night in Ulaanbaatar": "We need to film on the grasslands, which will take about three or four days. You're busy with your studies right now, so if you feel it's a waste of time, I'll find someone else. If it's convenient for you, I'd like to ask you to play the female lead."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Yang Guangming thought she was hesitating and was about to speak when he heard Gao Yuanyuan's voice, which was tinged with excitement and a sob: "Director Yang, I'm willing, of course I'm willing."

"Why are you crying again?" Yang Guangming smiled.

Gao Yuanyuan sniffed: "I'm just so happy. I didn't expect you to ask me to work with you again so soon. And I especially love the song 'Night in Ulaanbaatar,' it makes me want to cry when I listen to it. I'm so happy to be able to shoot the music video for this song."

Yang Guangming's heart softened: "Then it's settled. You should focus on your studies. We'll hear from you in the next day or two. Once you're all ready, I'll send a car to pick you up."

"Okay, Director Yang, I'll wait for your message." Gao Yuanyuan's voice was full of joy.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Guangming contacted Han Sanping again and told him about going to the grasslands to shoot a music video.

Han Sanping agreed without hesitation: "No problem! The filming team has been waiting for your call, they are ready to go at any time. Don't worry about the location scouting, they have already gone to the grasslands in advance and found the best filming locations for you. As soon as you make the decision, we can set off immediately."

"Thank you, Director Han."

"No need to thank me, it's my duty," Han Sanping said with a smile. "I'll definitely take care of such a small matter for you."

Next, preparations proceeded intensively.

Huo Tingxiao led his art team to Hulunbuir ahead of schedule, where they were guided by local guides.

After communicating with Huo Tingxiao, Yang Guangming finalized several key filming locations and asked him to contact the local authorities in advance to ensure a smooth filming process.

Duan Yunfeng was also busy, arranging local transportation, accommodation, and meals, and even hiring a guide familiar with the grasslands, just in case.

When Zhang Yadong heard that Yang Guangming was going to the grasslands to shoot a music video, he was very enthusiastic and volunteered to go with him.

"Director Yang, I'm most familiar with the arrangements of these two songs. If I go with you, I can explain the feel of the music to the actors on set, and if there's anything that needs adjusting, I can handle it promptly."

Yang Guangming thought about it and agreed.

Zuo Xiaoqing and Gao Yuanyuan were also prepared. Both of them took leave from school; Zuo Xiaoqing took a few days off, and Gao Yuanyuan also told her family that she would temporarily put aside her studies and focus on filming.

The night before departure, Yang Guangming gathered everyone together for a brief pre-departure meeting.

The filming team remained the same, with cinematographer Gu Changwei leading the team, and lighting, art direction, costumes, and makeup all provided. Including Zuo Xiaoqing, Gao Yuanyuan, Zhang Yadong, Duan Yunfeng, and several other staff members, there were more than twenty people in total.

Yang Guangming briefly explained the filming plan: "This time we're going to Hulunbuir to shoot two music videos. 'Wild Geese' should be expansive and affectionate, with the desolation of the grasslands and the warmth of a traveler longing for home. 'Night in Ulaanbaatar' should be tranquil and serene, with the stillness of the night and the sorrow of longing."

He looked at everyone and said, "I want to make these two music videos with a cinematic quality. They're not just simple scenery and people, but something with a story and emotions. Let's try to finish filming in three or four days, so as not to take up too much of everyone's time."

Everyone nodded, indicating that they understood.

After the meeting, Zuo Xiaoqing and Gao Yuanyuan stayed behind.

The two sat in the brightly lit study, the atmosphere somewhat subtle.

Zuo Xiaoqing wore a light pink knitted sweater, her hair tied in a ponytail, looking youthful and vibrant. Gao Yuanyuan, on the other hand, wore a white dress, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, exuding a quiet and gentle aura.

Yang Guangming said, "The environment on the grasslands will be quite harsh this time, so you need to be prepared. The food and lodging will definitely not be as good as in the city, but the scenery will absolutely be worth it."

Both of them nodded.

Zuo Xiaoqing looked at Gao Yuanyuan, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Yuanyuan, how's your review going? Won't missing these few days affect your college entrance exam?"

Gao Yuanyuan shook her head: "No, it won't happen. My foundation is still good. I can catch up on what I missed these past few days when I get back. Besides, Director Yang gave me this opportunity, and I cherish it very much."

Zuo Xiaoqing smiled and said, "That's good."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Looking at them, Yang Guangming felt a pang of emotion. A year ago, when they filmed "Love Letter," the two were still young and inexperienced girls; now they were both slowly growing up.

"Alright, Yuanyuan, go back and rest early." Yang Guangming stood up. "We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. It'll be a long flight, and we'll have to transfer buses when we get there. Save your energy."

Gao Yuanyuan acknowledged, stood up, and said softly, "Goodbye, Director Yang."

Yang Guangming nodded: "See you tomorrow." The next morning at six o'clock, everyone gathered at the airport on time.

Yang Guangming was dressed casually, wearing a baseball cap, and looked like an ordinary college student. Zuo Xiaoqing and Gao Yuanyuan had also changed into light clothing, with no makeup, but their youthful energy was still undeniable.

Zhang Yadong dragged a large suitcase, while Gu Changwei carried the most equipment, three large suitcases in total, which took a lot of effort to check in.

The plane took off at 8:00 AM and landed at Hailar Airport at 10:30 AM.

Stepping out of the airport, a breath of fresh air greeted me. The grasslands in May weren't at their most beautiful yet, but they were already teeming with life. The distant mountains were faintly visible, and the sky was a clear, transparent blue.

It was still too early to film on the grasslands, which severely limited the shooting opportunities. Despite careful selection, Yang Guangming still had to choose some footage from domestic film archives to insert as compensation.

Huo Tingxiao was already waiting at the exit. He had arrived a day earlier than everyone else, visited all the filming locations, and arranged local transportation and guides.

"Director Yang!" He quickly came to greet him. "Was the journey smooth?"

Yang Guangming nodded: "Everything went smoothly. Thank you for your hard work these past two days."

"It's not hard work at all," Huo Tingxiao said with a smile. "The grassland is so beautiful that it's worth it no matter how many times we make the trip."

The group got into two off-road vehicles and drove along the road into the depths of the grassland.

Along the way, the scenery outside the window kept changing. From towns to villages, from farmland to grasslands, the view became wider and wider, and the sky seemed to drop lower and lower.

Zuo Xiaoqing leaned against the car window, her eyes sparkling: "Brother Guangming, this place is so beautiful! Even more beautiful than in the photos!"

Gao Yuanyuan also looked out the window, her eyes filled with amazement.

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "It will be even more beautiful when we get there."

After driving for more than two hours, we finally arrived at the first filming location.

It was a vast grassland with rolling hills in the distance. A small river meandered through it, its water shimmering silver in the sunlight. Several horses grazed leisurely by the riverbank, occasionally glancing up at them before lowering their heads again.

As the sun shines brightly, I get out of the car, take a deep breath, and feel the wind on the grassland.

“This is it.” He nodded in satisfaction. “Brother Huo, you found a great place.”

Huo Tingxiao smiled: "As long as Director Yang is satisfied."

Zhang Yadong also got out of the car. Looking at the scenery in front of him, he couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so perfect for 'Wild Geese'! This sense of vastness and desolation is simply tailor-made for this song."

Yang Guangming called on everyone to start preparing.

Gu Changwei led the photography crew to set up the equipment, the lighting crew to adjust the equipment, and the art department to inspect the location. Zuo Xiaoqing was taken to get her makeup done and change clothes.

Yang Guangming stood aside, watching the busy crowd, feeling very calm.

He had been conceiving the music video for "Wild Geese" for a long time.

This song was originally a folk song of Urat. In its original time, it became more widely known because of the TV series "The Return of the Heroes". The desolate melody and the affectionate lyrics fully express the longing of the wanderer for his hometown.

The feeling he wanted was solitude amidst vastness, and restraint within deep affection.

A girl stood on the grassland, gazing into the distance, as if waiting, or perhaps reminiscing. Wild geese flew by, and her thoughts drifted away with them. Those past events, those unspoken words, all transformed into silent sighs in this vast天地 (heaven and earth).

Zuo Xiaoqing came out after changing her clothes.

She wore a gorgeous Mongolian dress and light makeup. Standing there, the wind blowing her skirt and hair, she looked like a flower that had grown out of the grassland.

Yang Guangming walked over and explained the play to her.

"Xiaoqing, this song has very complex emotions. There is homesickness, nostalgia, and an indescribable melancholy. You don't need to act too much, just stand there and look into the distance. Empty your mind and let your emotions flow naturally."

Zuo Xiaoqing listened attentively and nodded: "I understand, Brother Guangming."

The first scene has begun filming.

Zuo Xiaoqing stood on the grassland, the wind blowing through her hair and skirt. She gazed into the distance, her eyes empty, yet seemingly filled with many emotions.

Yang Guangming watched from behind the monitor and nodded slightly.

She was in good spirits. That loneliness in the emptiness, that silent expression, all came through.

"Pass!" he shouted.

Zuo Xiaoqing breathed a sigh of relief and ran over to watch the playback. Seeing herself on screen, she felt a little insecure: "Brother Guangming, did I act well?"

“Very good,” Yang Guangming said earnestly. “That’s the feeling. Keep it up.”

The subsequent filming went smoothly. Zuo Xiaoqing's performance improved, sometimes finishing in one take. Yang Guangming occasionally offered some pointers, which she quickly grasped and adjusted to get right.

As evening fell, they moved to another filming location.

As the sun sets, golden sunlight bathes the grassland, painting everything in warm hues. Smoke rises from the distant yurts as herders drive their flocks home.

Gao Yuanyuan changed her clothes and stood in the sunset.

She was wearing traditional Mongolian clothing, a long red robe, and a headdress, making her look like someone who had stepped out of a painting.

Yang Guangming explained the play to her: "The song 'Night in Ulaanbaatar' is about longing, about missing someone far away, and about remembering the past. You walk in the night, looking at the starry sky, thinking about that person. You don't need many movements; the emotions are all in your eyes."

Gao Yuanyuan nodded seriously: "I understand, Director Yang."

As night fell, filming began.

The night on the grassland is so quiet you can hear the wind. Above, the sky is filled with countless stars, densely packed like scattered diamonds.

Gao Yuanyuan stood under the starry sky, looking up at the heavens. Her eyes held longing, sorrow, and an indescribable tenderness. The wind ruffled the hem of her dress, but she remained motionless, standing there quietly.

Yang Guangming looked at the monitor and felt very satisfied.

This girl has a natural flair for the camera. She doesn't need to act; she just needs to put herself in the situation, and the emotions will flow naturally.

That quiet power, that restrained deep affection, is exactly what this song needs.

"Pass!" he shouted.

Gao Yuanyuan breathed a sigh of relief, walked over, and asked softly, "Director Yang, are you alright?"

“Very good.” Yang Guangming said earnestly, “Yuanyuan, you are very talented.”

Gao Yuanyuan blushed, lowered her head, but couldn't help but smile.

The filming proceeded as planned over the next few days.

During the day, I filmed various shots of "Wild Geese," in the evening I filmed the sunset of "Night in Ulaanbaatar," and at night I filmed the night scene. The footage from the two songs accumulated little by little, and every frame was as beautiful as a painting.

Zuo Xiaoqing and Gao Yuanyuan are getting along better and better. Their relationship has improved significantly due to their extended time together, and they get along quite well on set, occasionally even sitting together to chat.

Yang Guangming could sense that Zuo Xiaoqing's attitude towards Gao Yuanyuan was much more natural than it had been in Beijing. Perhaps the beautiful scenery of the grassland was relaxing, or perhaps the time they had spent together these past few days had allowed her to let go of something.

The filming ended relatively early in the evening.

Yang Guangming sat outside the yurt, gazing at the starry sky. The night on the grassland was cold; he was wrapped in a coat and held a cup of hot tea in his hands.

Zuo Xiaoqing walked over and sat down next to him.

"Brother Guangming, aren't you asleep yet?"

"Let's look at the stars a little longer," Yang Guangming said with a smile. "It would be a shame not to admire such a beautiful starry sky."

Zuo Xiaoqing leaned on his shoulder and looked up at the sky.

After a moment of silence, she said softly, "Brother Guangming, I've been thinking a lot these past two days. I used to be afraid that someone would take you away from me, afraid that you would meet someone better and leave me behind. But now I understand, as long as I'm good enough, I have nothing to be afraid of."

Yang Guangming looked down at her, feeling a little touched.

"Xiaoqing, you've grown up."

Zuo Xiaoqing smiled, a very sweet smile.

"Do you like it when I grow up?"

"I like it." Yang Guangming gently kissed her forehead. "But I like it even better when you're happy."

Zuo Xiaoqing leaned against him and remained silent for a long time.

On the afternoon of the fourth day, filming was completed.

As Yang Guangming watched the footage playing back on the monitor, every frame was breathtakingly beautiful. The vastness of the grassland, the warmth of the sunset, the depth of the starry sky, and the pure eyes and heartfelt performances of the two girls.

"That's enough." He nodded in satisfaction. "That's it."

The crowd cheered.

Gu Changwei walked over, his tone full of praise: "Director Yang, the footage this time is excellent. The picture quality is superb; we only need to do some color grading when we get back. The two actresses also performed exceptionally well; they have a strong presence on camera."

Zhang Yadong also joined in the fun: "Director Yang, after watching these visuals and then listening to those two songs, I feel completely different. With the visuals, the emotions in the music are much richer."

Yang Guangming smiled: "That's good. Get back and get to the post-production done quickly; the record company is pressuring me every day."

In the evening, the local herders prepared a bonfire party for them.

A bonfire was lit, illuminating the night sky. The herders sang Mongolian folk songs and danced, warmly inviting them to join in.

Zuo Xiaoqing and Gao Yuanyuan were pulled into a dance; they were a little clumsy, but laughed happily. Yang Guangming sat to the side, watching them with a smile on his lips. (End of Chapter)