Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 108: Fifty million is too low.

However, when faced with the almost exasperated questioning from the Taiwanese reporter, Zheng Donghan showed no anger whatsoever, but instead nodded in agreement.

"That's an excellent question from our Taiwanese media friend. Indeed, that possibility cannot be ruled out. 'Floating Life' might be a collection of his manuscripts from many years ago."

Zheng Donghan frankly admitted this: "Therefore, when the company was preparing this budget of 50 million, some of the directors of our Global had different opinions and concerns about my decision."

They, like you, think it's too risky, that I'm playing with Universal's future.

"That was at the beginning of last month, when I was facing a lot of internal pressure and opposition."

But I still overruled everyone's objections, swearing on my reputation, and approved the 50 million, presenting the full contract to Ahui.

"I'm willing to take the gamble because I trust my judgment of people."

Zheng Donghan abruptly changed the subject, his tone suddenly becoming relaxed and even somewhat playful.

"But soon, to my surprise, it didn't take long for the company directors who had initially opposed me to completely accept my decision regarding the 50 million."

"Why?" Zheng Donghan looked at the reporters craning their necks below the stage and said with a smile, "Because just last month, right after this full contract was finalized, Ah Hui came to my office to see me."

He said he was planning to prepare his third album.

"At that time, he even ran up to me and pretended to chew (act).

Zheng Donghan deliberately imitated Zheng Hui's helpless expression at the time: "He complained to me that he has too many inspirations now, with dozens of songs in his head, and he doesn't know which style to choose to write them."

The reporters in the audience were stunned. Others worry about not being able to write songs, but this kid went to his boss and complained about having too much inspiration? Is that something a human being should say?

"I was so angry at him that I laughed," Zheng Donghan continued. "I told him that since you didn't know what to write, you should play it safe. I told him to write a love song album that would appeal to the market. After all, love songs sell the best, and the risk is the lowest."

"And guess what this kid's answer was?"

Zheng Donghan pointed at Zheng Hui and said loudly, "He actually had the audacity to tell me that writing love songs was too easy for him! It was no challenge at all!"

He said the love songs he wrote with his eyes closed were simply not worth the 50 million yuan signing bonus I offered him!

A buzz of discussion immediately arose from the audience. This is too arrogant! In a music scene where love songs dominate, he actually said that love songs have no difficulty?

"I didn't believe him at all back then."

Zheng Donghan slapped his thigh: "In the end, this kid didn't even have any accompaniment, and just casually sang two lines of a love song he had in mind."

"Having nothing to say is more agonizing than arguing. Let's just break up and leave me to live alone—"

Zheng Donghan recited those two nonsensical lyrics from memory, and the vivid imagery and catchy melody, even without Zheng Hui singing them himself, gave the veteran entertainment reporters and music critics present a jolt.

Great words! They definitely have the potential to become a viral sensation!

"I'm serious, everyone." Zheng Donghan clutched his chest, feigning heartbreak, "Those two lines alone are absolutely enough to make this a hit song that will sweep the nation!"

I'm still itching to hear that melody again, and I'm eagerly waiting for Ah Hui to finish the whole song so I can finally enjoy it.

"Ahem, we've gone off on a tangent."

Zheng Donghan cleared his throat and brought the topic back.

"After Ahui sang those two lines, I knew he wasn't bragging; he genuinely thought it was easy."

I thought about it for a moment. Since he was so arrogant and thought it was easy, I decided to give him an absolutely difficult problem!

Zheng Donghan's expression instantly turned serious: "I told him, stop writing love songs. Go write an album specifically for adults, for middle-aged men struggling in society!"

Upon hearing this, the knowledgeable music critics and veteran journalists below all gasped in shock.

Targeting middle-aged men? That's practically suicide!

We're all in this together, and everyone knows that it's hardest to make money off middle-aged men.

They are burdened with mortgages and car loans, have elderly parents to support and young children to raise, and are exhausted every day. They even have to calculate for a long time before buying a pack of cigarettes. How can they have the leisure to go to a music store to buy any genuine CDs?

They would never make impulsive purchases because of any idol or emotion!

An album that completely abandons young people and the love market, and is purely written for middle-aged men, would be a disastrous sales flop if it is bland and uninteresting!

"I originally wanted to use this impossible task to deflate his arrogance, make him back down, and obediently go back to writing his love songs." Zheng Donghan shrugged, looking helpless.

"result--"

"It only took him four days to get back, just four days."

"Four days later, he handed me a disc containing eleven demos."

Four days?! Eleven songs?! And a middle-aged theme album that's hard to handle?!

"After I finished listening to those eleven songs in my office and Ah Hui left, I immediately called all the directors who opposed me to my office. I made them listen to that demo tape from beginning to end."

After hearing this, no one dared to say a word against it.

One of the board members, a man in his fifties, immediately teared up in the conference room.

Zheng Donghan turned to look at Zheng Hui beside him and solemnly said, "Because after listening to the demo of that new album that will be released simultaneously across Asia on May 8th, we all had only one thought in our minds," "Giving Zheng Hui a signing bonus of 50 million is too low for Universal Music!!!"

Click!Click!

All the reporters were frantically pressing the shutter, and many were even trembling with excitement.

Fifty million is too low?!

Eleven songs delivered in two days brought the old man on the board to tears?!

What kind of terrifying talent, what kind of music, could possibly earn such an incredible evaluation from this industry giant?!

At this moment, everyone had only one crazy thought in their minds: what kind of album could be so good!

Just as the atmosphere was pushed to its climax by Zheng Donghan, and all the reporters were excited, their curiosity and desire for the album were completely ignited.

Zheng Hui, who was standing next to him, suddenly picked up the microphone: "Mr. Zheng, since your higher-ups think that 50 million is too low, can you make up the difference for me now?"

Zheng Hui shrugged and said seriously, "I don't mind."

The entire banquet hall froze for half a second.

Immediately afterwards—

"Hahahaha!"

The audience burst into laughter.

Zheng Hui's offer to make up the price difference easily eased the tension on the scene, and also provided a perfect emotional buffer for the shocking atmosphere that Zheng Donghan had deliberately created.

Next came the core part of the press conference—the signing ceremony.

Under the enthusiastic guidance of the emcee, two tall etiquette ladies gracefully walked onto the stage carrying trays covered with red velvet.

On the tray were two contract folders and two pens that looked quite expensive.

Zheng Hui and Zheng Donghan walked to the signing table in the center of the stage and each picked up a pen.

The flashes from the audience instantly filled the hall, and the rapid clicking of camera shutters echoed throughout the banquet hall.

All the reporters were frantically recording this moment: HK$150 million, a record-breaking signing fee that would go down in history.

However, when Zheng Hui, standing at the very center of the spotlight, opened the contract folder, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly involuntarily.

This is not a long, formal business contract at all.

On the A4 paper, only one line of text was printed: "Both Party A and Party B agree to sign an entertainment contract that includes five music records."

In addition, there are large blank spaces, no specific rights and obligations clauses, no complicated method for calculating liquidated damages, and not even a decent company seal or a reserved fingerprinting box.

This is purely a prop contract.

The actual full contract was signed a few days ago in the president's office, under the watchful eye of the legal team.

The whole thing on stage today was just to satisfy the media's filming needs; it was all just for show.

Zheng Hui removed the cap from his pen and signed his name in the lower right corner of the white paper. After signing, the two exchanged contract folders and signed again.

"Congratulations to Mr. Zheng Hui on officially becoming a member of the Universal Music family!"

The emcee's voice echoed in the banquet hall. Zheng Hui and Zheng Donghan held hands tightly, facing hundreds of cameras below the stage, and showed business smiles.

After completing this formalistic procedure, the hostesses removed the signing table, and staff quickly brought over two bar stools.

The real highlight, and the part that the media reporters in the audience had been most looking forward to—the group interview—officially began.

Zheng Hui and Zheng Donghan sat down side by side, and the emcee held the microphone to maintain order: "Dear media friends, the next twenty minutes are for open questions. Please raise your hands. Due to time constraints, please keep your questions brief."

As soon as he finished speaking, a large number of arms were raised in the audience, a scene comparable to a flock of ducks eagerly waiting to be fed.

The emcee glanced around and pointed to a female reporter wearing black-rimmed glasses in an inconspicuous corner.

"Lady, third from the left in the first row, please ask your question."

The female reporter stood up and said in a gentle tone, "Hello Mr. Zheng Hui, I am a reporter from Sing Tao Daily."

President Zheng just mentioned that your new album is specifically targeted at adults and middle-aged men, which is similar to your previous album, "Stubborn."

Their audiences are completely different.

What is the name of this album? What theme do you want to convey through this album?

This question sounded like a pre-arranged PR move by Universal Music. It was a bait-and-switch tactic, steer the conversation towards the promotion of the new album.

Zheng Hui picked up the microphone and answered, "The name of this new album is 'Half a Lifetime'."

"Half a lifetime?" Many reporters in the audience repeated the word in hushed tones, savoring it.

"Yes, half a lifetime."

Zheng Hui nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room: "In this society, there is a group of people. They may be thirty or forty years old, and they have already passed the halfway mark of their lives."

They are no longer young, no longer have the luxury of wasting time; every day they wake up, they face mortgage payments, car loan payments, supporting their parents, and raising their children.

"They are employees who dare not resign easily in the company, and the pillars of their families who silently bear all the pressure."

They once dreamed of changing the world when they were young, but in the end, the harsh realities of daily life wore them down.

They are the most solid foundation of this society, yet also the group most easily overlooked by popular culture.

"The album 'Half a Lifetime' was written for them."

The theme is simple: a tribute to every ordinary person who struggles in the mire of life but never gives up moving forward.

I want to use music to tell them that someone understands their hardships.

These words were so moving that even the middle-aged cameramen in the front row, carrying cameras, couldn't help but look at each other for a moment.

Then, the emcee called over two more reporters from Hong Kong local entertainment weekly magazines, who were again allies arranged by Universal.

"Mr. Zheng Hui, is the songwriting for this album, 'Half a Lifetime,' also entirely your own?"

"Yes, all eleven songs, all of which I wrote independently," Zheng Hui answered crisply.

"Mr. Zheng Hui, what are your sales expectations for this album? Are you confident that it will break the record of 1.4 million copies sold across Asia set by 'Floating Life'?"

"The value of music cannot be simply measured by numbers, but I believe that as long as the singing is sincere enough and can touch people's hearts, the market will naturally give the fairest feedback."

As for whether it can break the record, everyone will see the answer after it goes on sale on May 8th.” Zheng Hui’s answer was watertight.

A series of mild questions were posed, creating a pleasant atmosphere that made the reporters who came with the intention of finding fault unable to contain themselves.

Especially those reporters from Taiwan in the back row, they came with a mission from their supervisor. Zheng Hui was deliberately ignored by the organizers at the Golden Melody Awards yesterday, but today he stole the show in Hong Kong, taking home a 50 million signing bonus. How could they possibly accept that?

"The gentleman in the blue suit, please ask your question." The emcee originally wanted to call on a familiar reporter next to him, but the Taiwanese reporter stood up and beat him to it.

The Taiwanese reporter grabbed a staff member and tried to get past his microphone, skipping even a self-introduction, and went straight to the point: "Mr. Zheng Hui! I'm a reporter from Taiwan's Liberty Times! You were just praising your new album to the skies, seemingly having absolute confidence in your creative talent!"

"But!" he raised his voice, his eyes gleaming with provocation, "At the 9th Golden Melody Awards ceremony held in Taipei last night, your song 'Floating Life,' although nominated for five major awards, ultimately only won a minor award for Best Lyricist!"

"Best Mandarin Male Vocalist, Best Album, Song of the Year—these are the major awards that truly measure the musicality of a singer and an album, and you've lost them all!"

"Mr. Zheng Hui, what is your personal opinion on the fact that the Golden Melody Awards judges only recognized your lyrics but not your music and singing skills, and only gave you this small consolation prize?"

Does this prove that, in the eyes of professional judges, your music is merely so-called "pop songs," lacking genuine musical depth and artistry?

The moment this question was raised, the atmosphere in the entire banquet hall instantly plummeted to freezing point.

This wasn't asking a question at all; it was bringing up the embarrassing results of the Golden Melody Awards in front of all the Asian media, slapping Zheng Hui hard across the face!

Didn't you say you were a genius? Didn't you get a 50 million signing bonus? Didn't you say you wrote a masterpiece in four days?

Why did the highest-level awards ceremony in the Chinese music scene only give you a lyricist award? Since your music is so great, why didn't the judges give you a big prize?

If you don't get the grand prize, does that mean Universal Music was ripped off with those 50 million dollars?

All eyes of reporters from Hong Kong and the mainland were fixed on Zheng Hui's face, eager to see how this genius would respond to such a humiliating question.

Zheng Donghan, who was standing next to him, frowned sharply and was about to pick up the microphone to shield Zheng Hui from the question.

Universal Music executives were well aware of the political pressure and behind-the-scenes manipulations involved in the Golden Melody Awards, but this was something that absolutely could not be revealed at a public press conference.

However, before Zheng Donghan could speak, Zheng Hui had already raised his hand to stop President Zheng from trying to smooth things over.

Faced with the provocation from the Taiwanese reporter, Zheng Hui showed no anger, panic, or even surprise.

"My friend from the Taiwanese media, your question is very interesting," Zheng Hui said in a relaxed tone.

"Regarding last night's Golden Melody Awards, I would first like to thank the judging panel for awarding me the Best Lyricist award."

This shows that they at least carefully read the lyrics I wrote and confirmed that the punctuation and Chinese characters I used were accurate.

"Pfft—" Several mainland reporters in the audience, lacking composure, couldn't help but burst out laughing. The words sounded like a thank you, but they also sounded like a mockery of the judges for only being literate.

The Taiwanese reporter's face stiffened: "Mr. Zheng, please answer my question directly! Why was it only the lyricist award? What are your thoughts on missing out on the grand prize?"

"Don't rush, I'm answering you now, aren't I?" Zheng Hui maintained his smile.

"You ask me what I think? My opinion is very simple."

"I, Zheng Hui, didn't write songs on the first day for the purpose of going to the exam hall. I don't write songs to cater to a few so-called professional judges sitting in a room with a score sheet in their hand."

I write songs for my fans to listen to.

"Music is a very subjective thing. The standards that people who evaluate it and the people who actually write and listen to it may be completely different."

"Judges have their own standards. They like highbrow music, complex arrangements, and avant-garde art that people can't understand, which is normal."

"But I have my standards. My standard is—as long as the students who buy my tapes feel that the song gives them strength, as long as the urban men and women who listen to my CDs feel that the song heals their heartbreak, as long as the fans like it, that's enough."

"A trophy is just a mold. It can be put in a cabinet, but it can't make a sound."

"I don't care how many awards I've won. I only care that ten years from now, when the names of those judges have been forgotten, my songs will still be playing in record stores on every street corner; and people will still be singing my melodies in karaoke rooms."

"If we must define a singer's musicality by the number of trophies they have won, then I think that's not a tragedy for music, but a tragedy for the awards ceremony itself."

This response, which was both deft and forceful, and subtly sharp, instantly ignited the entire audience!

Instead of angry outbursts, it cleverly pitted the judges' evaluation system against the public's evaluation system!

You're using the judges' standards to belittle me? Well, let me just tell you, I don't care about those judges at all!

I write songs for the general public! By belittling me, you are belittling the taste of the millions of fans across Asia who buy my records!

The mainland and Hong Kong reporters in the audience applauded generously. The Taiwanese reporter who asked the question blushed deeply, opened his mouth as if to retort, but the emcee quickly cut off his microphone.

"Okay, thank you Mr. Zheng Hui for your excellent answer. Due to time constraints, we will now ask two more questions from our media friends." The emcee quickly stepped in to steer the conversation back to a safer direction.

Next, they called in two or three very friendly media people from the Global Network.

"Mr. Zheng Hui, are you surprised by such a large signing amount of 50 million? What are your specific prospects for Global Times in the future?"

"Fifty million is indeed a heart-pounding number." Zheng Hui shrugged humorously: "To be honest, the moment I saw the number, I was thinking, could this money be spread out into a bed for me to sleep on?"

As for the future outlook, it's simple: complete these five albums with high quality and quantity, making Universal's shareholders feel that the 50 million dollars spent was well worth it, ideally making them laugh in their sleep.

Another burst of relaxed laughter followed, and after a brief period of tension, Zheng Hui once again brought the atmosphere of the press conference back to a relaxed and composed rhythm.