Business Closed Loop: Starting with Ringback Tones to Take Down Giants

"Senior Sister Yao, I've rented a recording studio in Chaoyang District for half a month. Come quickly, it's urgent."

Believe it or not, the recording studios in Yanjing in 2005 were quite cost-effective.

It has everything: soundproof room, mixing console, and musical instruments.

It saved a lot more than expected.

There's no way around it, it's a music craze, just like the saying goes, "the more oil there is, the less oil there is."

On the other end of the phone, Yao Beina replied crisply, "Urgent job? It hasn't even been three days yet, what's the rush?"

"It's urgent. You'll find out when you get here. Anyway, you don't have any classes in your senior year."

Yao Beina thought for a moment, "That makes sense, send me the address."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Song smiled kindly. "Vice President Jiang, keep an eye on the studio. I'll be right back."

Jiang Yilei nodded, and just as he was about to speak, "Boss, the video that was sent out..."

Then they saw Wang Song stride out, leaving only the air with his presence.

"Not much reaction..."

In the recording studio, Wang Song was negotiating with the recording engineer.

Yao Bei then arrived carrying her violin case.

Just then, Yao Beina arrived carrying her violin case: "You sounded quite urgent on the phone, what's going on?"

"Sit down." Wang Song raised his hand.

He then handed Yao Beina a proposal for a series of public welfare projects titled "Caring for Empty Nest Elderly".

"Senior sister, please take a look at this first."

She took it and began to browse through it quickly.

It depicts a woman's journey from youth to old age, initially running forward with her child, following along the way.

As children grow taller and faster, they go from needing to look up at their mothers to walking alongside them, and eventually leaving their mothers far behind.

In the end, all that could be done was leave her there, waiting patiently.

The story is short, but the message it conveys is profound.

It was long enough for Yao Beina to feel from just a few lines of text that it conveyed a silent yet lifelong protection.

"This idea... is great." She looked up.

"So, 'Where Has the Time Gone?' and 'When You Are Old'... are for this?"

"Yes." Wang Song nodded. "So, 'The Wind Rises' will have to be put on hold for now."

Yao Beina took a deep breath and gently placed the proposal on the mixing console. "Okay, I'll officially take on this song."

She deftly unpacked her violin case and took out a sheet of lyrics filled with notes.

"However, let's make it clear that since this is a theme, the music can't be shoddy; I have to stick to my standards."

"Don't worry, senior sister. I'll leave the professional matters to you and won't meddle."

Wang Song joked, "Is the three-day agreement still valid? A thirty-second demo will do."

"You really dare to mention that? At least seven days," Yao Beina raised her voice.

"Deal!" Wang Song reached out his hand in a flash. "Perfect timing, the application period for university student entrepreneurship support hasn't ended yet."

Yao Beina was speechless. "Then you'll have to pay more."

"Okay, okay, okay."

Yao Beina snorted, but her fingers were already on the piano keys as she tested a note. "That's more like it."

Seeing that she was getting into the zone, Wang Song didn't linger any longer.

He took out a bag of washed apples, several bottles of mineral water, and a box of throat lozenges from his bag and placed them next to the mixing console.

"Senior sister, I'm going back to the studio now. Call me anytime if you have any questions."

Yao Bei didn't even look up, her fingertips tapping out a light melody on the piano keys as a response.

Back in his studio, Jiang Yilei was still fretting over his computer.

The video titled "papi Jiang's Top Ten Details of Kung Fu" on Tudou.com has only double-digit views and zero comments.

"Stop staring." Wang Song patted her shoulder.

"Tudou.com is just starting out, with few users and slow internet speed. Our videos are long and dry, so it's good if even a few people watch them."

"What should we do then? Just let it die like this?" Jiang Yilei asked, somewhat unwilling.

"Let's look at it another way: video is the end point, but not the beginning."

Wang Song pulled out a chair, sat down, opened his browser, and skillfully logged into Tianya Forum, Tieba, and the campus BBS.

"Here, you're also papi ginger."

Jiang Yilei leaned closer, looking at the scrolling posts on the screen.

"Take screenshots of the details you mention in the video, add movie stills and text explanations, and create a picture and text post."

This was Wang Song's oversight; he forgot that in this era, images and text are the mainstream.

Jiang Yilei's eyes lit up: "That's right! And the pictures and text are interactive, you can argue... no, you can discuss!"

"This child is teachable."

Wang Song laughed, "This is simple. Just post the first one, let me see it, and we'll follow this method from now on."

Proposal for "Mother's Waiting".

"Fine, one trick is all you need. Time waits for no one; this is necessary during the initial capital accumulation phase!!"

Wang Song drew a timeline on the whiteboard.

Professor Ding Ruru's office.

After presenting a map of the Yan Kingdom regarding the "Pilot Case of Industry-University-Research Integration at the Central Academy of Drama," Wang Song finally revealed his true intentions.

"So, Professor Ding, could you perhaps introduce me to Professor Chang Li, the acting coach?"

"Oh?"

Ding Ruru looked at Wang Song with a half-smile, "Do you know what her importance is?"

"Of course I know, and that's precisely why she's the only one who can play this role."

Wang Song pushed the proposal forward a bit, "Furthermore, I also hope to invite two students from her class to participate."

"You've thought of everything quite thoroughly." Ding Ruru took the report.

"Wouldn't the school also need to provide support in terms of equipment and facilities?"

"It's a deal!"

Wang Song immediately chimed in, "This can greatly enhance the professionalism of the project, which is exactly the concept we were just discussing and putting into practice."

"I submit a report, and you approve it."

Ding Ruru waved her hand as she looked at the students who were always making a big deal out of nothing.

"Alright, alright, just tell me what you need next time. You don't have to give me this fancy report every time."

He paused, then added.

"Your two short videos have been selected for broadcast on children's channels, and there will be additional bonuses."

"I'll put in a good word with Professor Chang Li. I'll go after the script is finished."

"However, whether you can persuade her in the end depends on whether your project is really that attractive."

"You should have said so earlier."

The formulaic enthusiasm on Wang Song's face instantly transformed into a genuine smile.

"I hate writing reports the most."

Why aren't you leaving yet?

Ding Ruru looked at Wang Song, who was still standing in the same spot after finishing his report.

Wang Song placed several bound pages of manuscript on his desk.

"Teacher Ding, this is the first draft of the screenplay for the movie 'Gone Girl,' which our screenwriting team is currently working on."

"I provided the framework, and screenwriter Chen Shu is currently fleshing it out. If you have some free time, could you give us your feedback?"

Ding Ruru was somewhat surprised.

He picked up the manuscript and flipped through it, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "You've already got a rough draft? Looks like your audition process wasn't a waste of time."

"I have some free time, let me see, there are cups over there, I'll make myself some tea."

"Understood."

A While Later

"Is this what you thought of?" Ding Ruru asked incredulously. The concept was quite advanced and came from a female perspective.

Wang Song shrugged. "I just provided Chen Shu with a rough outline of a story I saw on an overseas forum."

"As a result, her answer exceeded my expectations."

Ding Ruru nodded.

"If you need the school's support, just say so. Let me reiterate, don't use such high-sounding reports."

Seeing that his teacher was in a good mood, Wang Song immediately seized the opportunity to flatter him.

"My studio has hired three new screenwriters."

"Now everyone's crammed into internet cafes to work, and I have to reimburse them for their internet fees. It's embarrassing to even talk about it."

He paused, then cautiously probed:

"Does the school have any old computers that are going out of service recently? Could you spare three for the studio? They just need to be able to turn on and type!"

Ding Ruru was amused and annoyed by him: "You're like an abacus bead that's jumped into my face! I just gave you the project, and now you want a computer?"

Wang Song immediately responded, speaking with righteous indignation.

"Doesn't this demonstrate the robust infrastructure we have for industry-academia-research collaboration?"

Ding Ruru looked at him, who seemed so focused on his career, and helplessly rubbed her temples.

"Alright, I'll go ask the equipment department. If they have any old machines that have been cleared out, I'll get you two."

"But this is only because of the project, and because they put so much effort into writing the paper!"

"Understood! Thank you for the organization's support. We will ensure the production of high-quality content!"

Wang Song beamed with joy upon achieving his goal.

"Hurry up and leave, just looking at you makes me angry," Ding Ruru said with a laugh.

"Okay!"

Wang Song responded loudly and left the office satisfied.