This director is so innocent.

Chapter 92 Moral Blackmail

The two took their seats.

Su Jin handed the song manuscript to Zhong Li.

Zhong Li looked at the five songs and was slightly surprised. Five songs a month? Wasn't this just a perfunctory gesture?

Before she came here, she had already prepared for Su Jin to write one or two songs.

After all, songwriting isn't like eating or drinking; you can't just think about it and write it down.

Five or six minutes later, Zhong Li finished listening to the five songs, looked at Su Jin, and had a complicated expression.

It wasn't that the song was bad, but rather that it was too good, so good that she couldn't believe that Su Jin had written it all by herself.

"Su Jin, how did you manage to finish five songs in a month?"

"I just wrote it down after thinking about it casually," Su Jin said casually, not even bothering to make an excuse.

"Just thinking about it?"

"right."

Zhong Li looked at Su Jin with a deep frown. After thinking for a while, she asked, "Su Jin, I have a question for you, and I hope you can answer me truthfully."

Su Jin was slightly taken aback. He raised his head and met Zhong Li's gaze. He saw a hint of seriousness and earnestness in her eyes.

Finally, he nodded slightly, indicating that he could.

Seeing this, Zhong Li slowly spoke up, "These songs—did you write them all by yourself?"

Su Jin's face instantly darkened when he heard the question. Although he had borrowed these songs, if he didn't say anything, who would know?

Zhong Li's immediate accusation that he hired a gunman demonstrates a lack of trust in him and is an insult to him.

Looking back now, it's laughable that I thought of hiring Chung Lai as the head of my film company last year. She was such a naive and simple-minded person.

"Mr. Zhong, it seems that you have no trust in me at all during these six months of cooperation."

"I can tell you definitively that I wrote this all by myself; I didn't hire any ghostwriters." Su Jin paused, then changed the subject, saying, "But I feel there's no need for us to continue working together. Let's part ways amicably!"

When Su Jin said these words, her face was very calm, without a trace of anger or sarcasm.

However, Zhong Li was a little confused when she heard this. How did it turn out like this?

She just wanted to confirm whether Su Jin had hired a hitman and whether she had cleaned up the mess.

Zhong Li snapped out of her daze and quickly said, "Su Jin, it's not what you think, I—"

Su Jin raised her hand to interrupt Zhong Li, saying, "President Zhong, there's no need to say anything more. I understand what you mean, but I cannot tolerate my agent questioning me and not trusting me from the very first word."

"No, I'm not questioning you, nor do I distrust you. I just want to confirm."

Su Jin didn't want to say anything more, it didn't mean anything, and reached out to take the manuscript back from Zhong Li's hand, but Zhong Li held on tightly.

"Mr. Zhong, there's no need for that, this is mine."

"I'll give it back to you after you hear my explanation."

Su Jin glanced at her, then released her grip, called Xiao Ying over, and said, "Take my manuscript back from President Zhong."

"Ah!" Xiaoying looked at Zhong Li, then at Su Jin, a little confused.

"What do you mean 'huh'? Hurry up and go." Su Jin said, then turned and left.

Xiaoying glanced at Su Jin's retreating figure, took a deep breath, walked up to Zhong Li, and timidly asked, "President Zhong, that manuscript paper?"

Zhong Li glanced at Xiao Ying, said nothing, got up and chased after Su Jin.

"Mr. Zhong—" Xiao Ying saw this and quickly chased after him.

Zhong Li walked quickly with a sullen face. Had Su Jin taken a tantrum today? She didn't even give him a chance to explain.

Within seconds, she caught up with Su Jin, and without saying a word, she grabbed Su Jin's neck like a female hooligan.

Holy crap.

Caught off guard, Su Jin blurted out a curse.

Who the hell is that?!

They actually dared to lock his neck.

While thinking, Su Jin grabbed the other person's wrist, pulled it away forcefully, and then performed a counter-grappling to lock the other person's wrist.

"what!"

When Su Jin saw the figure locked up, she was startled and quickly released Zhong Lilao's arm.

Why would you, the CEO of a large corporation, try to strangle someone like those young girls?

Zhong Lilao rubbed her wrist, ignoring the pain, and said, "Su Jin, let's sit down and have a good talk."

"There's no need. I've already said what I needed to say."

"Is it really necessary to make it like this?"

"Mr. Zhong, I need to correct you here. It wasn't me who made it this way; you did it first."

"Then I apologize to you. I shouldn't have distrusted you. I'm sorry."

After speaking, Zhong Lilao bowed slightly to Su Jin before she could react.

Su Jin looked at her and sighed. For a CEO of a large corporation to be so hunched over, that's already quite something.

"Sister Fang, I hope this will only happen once, and that there will be no next time."

Upon hearing the name "Sister Fang," Zhong Lilao breathed a sigh of relief, her face regaining its smile, and quickly said, "OK."

Her persistence stemmed from two reasons. Firstly, the matter was indeed her fault; she had become accustomed to being a leader and hadn't considered Su Jin's feelings.

If she had to do it again, she would definitely double-check, but she wouldn't be so direct.

Secondly, it was confirmed that Su Jin was such a talented person that as long as one befriended him, there would definitely be many benefits in the future.

As for saving face, it's worthless in the face of huge profits.

For example, you could kowtow and call someone "Dad" for a thousand yuan.

You might hesitate, but if the price is raised to ten thousand, you'd probably kowtow immediately.

Once you've done 100 prostrations, who will laugh at you?

During the conversation, preparations for the next scene were completed. This was the last scene of the day, and there would be no night shoots.

After filming this scene and finishing her work for the day, Su Jin went out for a meal with Zhong Li.

"Su Jin, why are the five songs you wrote all different in style?"

During the meal, Zhong Li asked cautiously, still feeling lingering fear about what had happened before.

"I also want to write in a consistent style, but this is just how my inspiration comes to me, and there's nothing I can do about it."

"In that case, your style is too scattered, which makes it difficult to label you."

"It's fine, it's just a hobby anyway. My main job is still making TV dramas," Su Jin replied nonchalantly.

Generally speaking, singers have their own unique labels.

For example, when you talk about the prince of love songs, you might think of Zhang Xinzhe.

When you think of Chinese style, you might think of Zhou Naicha (a famous Chinese milk tea brand).

When you think of a queen of love songs, you think of Fish Leong.

To put it simply, this is a persona, designed to help the audience remember you quickly.

For example, the current "tooth flower girl" is using the guise of a pure and innocent girl.

Sister Xia's "Little Liu Yifei" is probably coming out soon.

Half of the negative information about Ya Hua Zi online is released by Tang Ren. Once Ya Hua Zi and Hua Yi have a falling out, it won't just be Tang Ren who gets involved.

Instead, all the companies behind the young actress will now step in.

Who told you to be the most popular guy? If we don't take you down, how will others rise to the top?

Among the "Four Dan and Two Bing" actresses, Ya Hua Zi's popularity is in a league of its own; no other young actress can compare to her popularity.

Even with two ice-cold balls facing off, it's not that bad.

Let me analyze this for you so you can understand why the "Four Dan and Two Bing" (referring to four top actresses and two top actresses in Chinese opera) are so amazing.

Forget it, I'll skip the analysis. It's too long; I'd probably have to write five or six hundred words.

Chung Lai thought for a moment and said, "How about I label you a 'creative prodigy'?"

"A creative prodigy?"

"That's right! Look, you can write books, screenplays, direct, and now you can even write songs. You've crossed over into four industries. The label of creative talent suits you very well."

"I think I'd better not!" Su Jin was a little reluctant, mainly because family members knew their own situation; he was just a fraud.

If someone asked him to compose a song on the spot, he'd be doomed.

Of course, to say that he doesn't want it would be nonsense.

Who doesn't have a little vanity?

"Su Jin, listen to me, I will definitely make you the creative genius," Zhong Lilao said earnestly.

"Alright then! Do whatever you want," Su Jin said readily.

When Zhong Lilao saw that Su Jin had agreed, his face was full of fighting spirit, and he couldn't wait to go back and get it done.

Have you considered who to use as the producer?

"I hadn't considered it. I was originally planning to ask Zhou Xiaoou."

"Zhou Xiaoou is a no-go, his level is too low. I'll find you Zhang Yadong instead."

Su Jin thought for a moment and said, "Can you convince Dou Wei to be my producer?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Li immediately wanted to say, "You're dreaming," but after thinking about it, she decided it was better not to say it, as it would make her, as the manager, seem useless.

"I can give it a try, but I can't guarantee it will work."

"fine."

Su Jin ate a piece of fish, took out the lyrics to "Welcome to Beijing," handed them to Zhong Lifang, and said, "Sister Fang, this is a song I wrote for next year's Olympics. Can you ask Xiao Ke to see if he can help compose the music?"

The lyrics for the song "Welcome to Beijing" were written by the great lyricist Lin Xi, while the music was composed by Xiao Ke.

This song will be written by Lin Xi when the Olympic Organizing Committee solicits submissions for the Olympic theme song next March, so releasing it now will not result in any overlap with other songs.

Zhong Li listened to the song written for the Olympics and began to read it carefully.

Since 03, the Organizing Committee has been soliciting Olympic songs from around the world, selecting ten each year, until this year.

Then, one song was finally chosen as the theme song for the Olympics.

If this song gets selected, Su Jin will rise to the top overnight.

A few minutes later, Zhong Li finished reading and looked excited. Although "Welcome to Beijing" was not as profound as the previous five songs, it was catchy and easy to understand, so it had a high probability of being selected.

Seeing that she had finished reading, Su Jin asked, "Finished reading? What did you think?"

"Very good." After praising her, Zhong Lilao added, "Did you suddenly come up with this idea?"

"Yeah, when I saw the Fifth Ring Road, inspiration just kept pouring into my head like it was free," Su Jin said exaggeratedly.

"Hahaha————" Zhong Li couldn't stop laughing at Su Jin's antics.

A little while later, Su Jin said, "Sister Fang, once Xiao Ke finishes composing the music, you can take this song and register it as the Olympic theme song."

OK.

"Also, this song isn't sung by me alone; it needs seventy or eighty singers to sing it together to create a powerful effect."

"————" Zhong Li was speechless.

"Su Jin, you really think highly of me. Your sister Fang is just the head of a film and television company, not a big shot in the mainland entertainment industry. Where am I supposed to find seventy or eighty singers for you?"

"You can use moral blackmail!"

"Moral blackmail?"

"That's right! Once you've finished composing the music, you should find top musicians like Han Hong and Liu Huan, convince them first, and then it will be easier to get those smaller singers."

"9

"Will this work?"

"It will work. If you appeal to their emotions and reason with them, put them on a moral high ground, and say things like it's for the honor of the motherland, they will definitely come."

Actually, these singers are easy to get, but getting them to come and record music videos in Beijing is very difficult.

So, you should talk to the people in charge of the Olympic song selection office and talk about how all the big-name singers in the country will come to sing this song. Just imagine the amazing scene that would be. They will definitely be interested.

Once they agree, you can have them invite these top singers; that will make things much easier.

At the time, the organizing committee personally invited the famous singers. Faced with the greater national interest, what could they do? Of course, they agreed.

Then, the recording of the song and the shooting of the music video were completed in two weeks.

Therefore, once the state apparatus gets serious, its efficiency is phenomenal.

"Su Jin, you're really smart! You even know how to use someone else's strength against them," Zhong Li said in surprise.

"My brain's always been pretty sharp, okay!" Su Jin rolled her eyes at her and continued, "By the way, the first line of the lyrics, 'Welcoming another sunrise, bringing fresh air,' you should get Chen Tianjia to sing that line."

Who is Chen Tianjia?

"The little girl who sang 'Jasmine Flower' during the Beijing 8-minute segment at the Athens Olympics."

"Why let her sing? Wouldn't it be better to let Afro sing? He has a high international profile, many people know him, and it would be beneficial for the song's promotion."

"It's different. Having Chen Tianjia sing can play a role in passing on the torch from the past to the future. Moreover, starting with a child's voice represents the hope of our country and the future of our nation, and it also reflects our emphasis on cultivating the next generation."

Zhong Li stared blankly at Su Jin, she really didn't expect Su Jin to say such profound and insightful things.

But thinking about it carefully, using that young girl is indeed more sophisticated than using Fang Shilong.

"Okay, once I've contacted Xiao Ke, I'll contact that girl."

Su Jin nodded, then suddenly said, "Remember to save four seats for me."

It would be a shame not to take advantage of such a great opportunity to show off.

Anyway, with seventy or eighty singers, adding three more wouldn't be a problem at all.

"Four? Besides you, who are the other three?"

"Shishi and two artists from my company."

"Didn't your company only have one artist? When did you find another one?"

"I just found him, he's my classmate."

"Are they good singers?"

"At an average level, they can sing a line together."

"Okay then."

Around 9:40, after dinner, Su Jin returned to the hotel, and Zhong Li went home.

The next afternoon, Su Jin received a call from Zhong Lifang, who said that Xiao Ke really liked "Welcome to Beijing" and had agreed to compose the music for it, without charging her any money.

As for Dou Wei becoming the producer, that didn't happen.

However, after seeing the songs he wrote, Xiao Ke was amazed and wanted to meet him. She volunteered to be his producer, and after thinking about it, he agreed.

After all, Xiao Ke is a top-notch producer in mainland China, no less than Zhang Yadong, and he is more than qualified to be a producer for her.