Huayu: From the Era of Ringtones to Becoming a Legend

It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when I came out of the recording studio.

Lu Jiuge put the copied MP3 into her pocket, her headphones looping the DJ version of "Walking In The Sun" repeatedly, pondering the next step in her unconventional plan.

He made a brief appearance back at the film set, but Wu Ziming was busy directing the filming of group scenes and didn't have time to pay attention to him.

After looking around, Lu Jiuge didn't see Wang Guangjun, so she took out her mobile phone and sent a text message:

"Where is it? How's the inquiry going?"

Five minutes later, Wang Guangjun replied:

"A barbecue stall downstairs from the hotel."

When Lu Jiuge went over, Wang Guangjun was sitting alone on a plastic stool with two skewers of grilled chives and a bottle of beer in front of him.

"Ninth Brother!"

Upon seeing Lu Jiuge, he quickly waved:

"I was just looking for you!"

Lu Jiuge sat down, and the boss brought over another bottle of beer.

"Have you found out?"

Lu Jiuge cut to the chase and asked.

"Don't you trust me to handle things?"

Wang Guangjun poured himself a full glass of wine, clinked glasses with Lu Jiuge, and then took out a small notebook:

"Within the film and television city, there are three areas where non-mainstream groups like to gather. After visiting and analyzing these areas, I found that the one with the highest overlap and the largest flow of people is the Qingfeng Ice Rink on the pedestrian street!"

"That place is full of non-mainstream people after 8 pm; it's definitely their base, their headquarters!"

"Hey, I never knew you could be serious!"

Lu Jiuge was somewhat surprised to receive the notebook from Wang Guangjun, but she was even more confident in bringing him into her team.

"You really think I'm an unreliable scoundrel? That's all an act, just to mislead the enemy!"

Seeing Wang Guangjun's smug look, Lu Jiuge gave him the middle finger and then asked:

"Anything planned for tonight? Come with me to Qingfeng Ice Rink for a real look!"

Wang Guangjun took a swig of beer and explained with a bitter face:

"Tonight is really impossible, Ninth Brother. The crew has scheduled a night scene, and I have to be in the background, playing a night watchman, filming from 10 PM to 2 AM!"

"Then tomorrow."

Lu Jiuge did not insist:

"Anyway, this isn't urgent tonight."

After speaking, Lu Jiuge thought for a moment and handed the MP3 player to Wang Guangjun:

"Old Wang, here's a new song I recorded. Let others listen to it when you have time, especially those from the non-mainstream demographic!"

Wang Guangjun paused for a moment, didn't ask any further questions, took the MP3 player, and drank with Lu Jiuge for over an hour before standing up:

"I have to go, I'll get docked pay if I'm late!"

"Go."

Lu Jiuge waved her hand.

After Wang Guangjun left, Lu Jiuge returned to her hotel room.

Turn on your computer, connect to the internet, and open the 12530 ringback tone website.

Find the personal DIY section, register an account, fill in the information, upload the audio file of the song "Walking In The Sun", and submit it for review.

This was the best way for Lu Jiuge to make money while earning both positive and negative faith points, which she had already planned out.

After completing the process, Lu Jiuge glanced at the revenue sharing instructions:

For personal uploads, the download revenue share is only 30%.

"That's really dark!"

Muttering to herself, Lu Jiuge closed the page.

Although he was unhappy, he knew that these were things he couldn't change.

In the ringtone market of 2005, individual creators were at the very bottom of the food chain.

If you want a bigger share of the pie, you either have to affiliate with SPs or, like now, rely on 12530CP channels for distribution and exploitation.

I lit a cigarette, extinguishing those distant thoughts about SP ringback tone service provider licenses and future blockbuster products.

Thinking about such abstract concepts now is like planning a Manchu Han Imperial Feast on an empty stomach—it's utterly useless.

Pulling back from unrealistic thoughts, a clear action plan took shape in Lu Jiuge's mind:

Starting with Qingfeng Ice Rink, they used free promotion to build a good reputation, and then used that reputation to drive downloads.

While achieving your goals, you'll gain more positive and negative faith points, enhance your physical strength, and redeem more hit songs.

Only by possessing classic songs can one act with composure!

Having sorted out her thoughts, Lu Jiuge stopped worrying and opened the script file for "The Song of Zhenguan," beginning to revise and review the parts that had been pulled according to her memories from her previous life.

Lu Jiuge kept revising until dawn.

After confirming twice that the document had been saved, Lu Jiuge breathed a long sigh of relief.

He got up, splashed some cold water on his face to clear his head, and then went straight to the film set with his laptop.

Wu Ziming was eating breakfast when he saw Lu Jiuge's appearance and was stunned for a moment:

"Stayed up all night again?"

"It's finished, take a look."

Lu Jiuge pushed the computer over, her voice hoarse from staying up all night:

"I stayed up all night, but my train of thought is getting smoother with each revision!"

"Director Wu, take a look. This is the revised script. If there are no problems, send it directly to the higher-ups."

Wu Ziming put down the fried dough sticks, wiped his hands, and took the computer to start reading seriously.

He stared at it for a full half hour before finally looking up, his eyes shining.

"Xiao Lu, are you really done revising?"

"The revisions are complete, but I don't know if they'll suit the higher-ups' tastes or pass the review!"

Wu Ziming patted him heavily on the shoulder:

"Okay! I'll contact the production company right now and have them submit it through internal channels!"

"Don't go too far today. If there's any feedback from above, I'll need to find you immediately."

"it is good."

After saying that, Wu Ziming hurriedly left with his computer, leaving Lu Jiuge alone on the spot.

Seeing that Wu Ziming hadn't finished his breakfast, Lu Jiuge didn't stand on ceremony and casually picked up a fried dough stick, dipped it in soy milk, and ate it.

After breakfast, I found a corner and took a nap in a recliner.

I slept until the afternoon.

He was woken up by Wu Ziming.

"Xiao Lu! Xiao Lu!"

Wu Ziming's voice was tinged with excitement:

"It's approved! The higher-ups replied, it passed on the first try! They didn't even suggest any revisions!"

Lu Jiuge rubbed her eyes, still not fully awake:

"what?"

"The script has been approved!"

Wu Ziming laughed heartily, as if he had eaten bee droppings.

"You little rascal, you really have connections, huh? Your pulse diagnosis is incredibly accurate!"

Lu Jiuge smiled but didn't respond to that question:

"As long as it passes the review, I'm happy to be of help!"

While giving Wu Ziming a perfunctory answer, Lu Jiuge's consciousness had already sunk into the system in her mind, looking at the Faith Value System:

[Negative Faith Value 1200+ (Added some random people calling me "tacky"), Positive Faith Value 80+

Seeing the increasing negative faith value, Lu Jiuge knew that Wang Guangjun's side must have been pushing for propaganda, and her resolve strengthened:

"The script approval is just a prelude. My main battlefield is the music scene. Once 'Walking In The Sun' becomes a hit, I'll start signing new artists, mass-producing hit songs, and reaping even more criticism."

Seeing Lu Jiuge's stunned expression, Wu Ziming assumed he wanted a reward and pulled an envelope from his pocket:

"Two thousand, the bonus. I was thinking of treating you to dinner tonight to celebrate, but looking at you, you should probably go back and catch up on your sleep, right?"

Lu Jiuge remembered the idea of ​​going to Qingfeng Ice Rink and nodded in refusal:

"I'm really too tired, Director Wu. Let's eat another day, but please accept this!"

Lu Jiuge unceremoniously accepted the envelope:

"Director Wu, may I borrow something from you?"

"Borrow what?"

"A portable DV camcorder! While I was working on the script, I suddenly became interested in making television shows and wanted to film something myself. I'd like to ask Director Wu for guidance to see if I have any talent in this area!"

Lu Jiuge thought for a moment and gave a reason.

"Want to film something? That's a good thing, an ambitious young man, I like that!"

Wu Ziming appreciated Lu Jiuge's initiative and turned to his assistant to instruct:

"Go tell Lao Li from the equipment team to get a spare Sony DV camera for Assistant Lu, along with a tripod!"

After giving his instructions, he patted Lu Jiuge on the shoulder and encouraged her:

"Xiao Lu, you can use the equipment. Bring the film back when you're done, and I'll see if you have any talent for directing!"

"However, one thing must be done: cherish public property and return it intact."

"All the equipment on set is registered, so don't break it!"