Returning to Taiwan in 2000 as a patriotic artist

"Hello, who is it?"

Gu Bei pressed the answer button on the blue-screened Nokia phone, his voice tinged with impatience and a grumpy morning grumpiness.

"Are you still sleeping?" Yang Wanqing's voice was filled with inexplicable excitement: "The data for 'Lovely Woman' has exploded."

"The official website of Suibian Studio received over 5 visits in 24 hours."

"Downloads of the MP3 version of 'Lovely Woman' increased by over 90% compared to the same period last year."

"This song is being discussed on various forums now; it has gone viral."

"Come to the company quickly."

"Okay, Sister Yang, I'll be right there." After hanging up the phone, Gu Bei glanced at his watch.

Last night, I closed my eyes and opened them again, and when I woke up it was already past 9 o'clock.

Gu Bei quickly washed up, changed into a clean short-sleeved shirt and dress pants, and went out.

In the taxi, the radio was playing "Lovely Woman".

The driver, a fat man in his fifties, hummed along for a couple of lines, but then realized he couldn't sing the tune and looked somewhat disgusted.

"Young man, have you heard this song? It's called 'Lovely Woman'."

"My daughter was home all day yesterday, she was so noisy."

Gu Bei's lips curled up slightly: "I've heard of it. Young people should really like it."

"Sigh, the singing is so muffled, I can't even understand it," the driver shook his head.

After paying the fare, Gu Bei stepped into the Eagle King Treasure Island office.

"Good morning, Sister Yang and Sister Zhou."

"You've finally arrived." Yang Wanqing placed the six documents on the table one by one.

Today she has her hair up and is wearing a deep red dress; she's fully prepared for battle.

"Six companies contacted me last night, and they sent people over with the contracts this morning."

Gu Bei looked at them one by one. The highest offer was from Holiday KTV at NT$25, and the lowest offer was from Cashbox at NT$10. He wanted a one-year commercial license for all of them.

The combined offers from the six companies amounted to NT$100 million.

If converted to RMB, it's about 24.

The total cost of 2 CDs and website setup for "Lovely Woman" was less than 10 RMB.

In other words, if a contract is signed, the costs can be recovered on the first day.

This is not the most important.

Most importantly, Gu Bei's business model is very successful.

"Sis, once we sign the contract, we can definitely make a quick buck." Gu Bei put the contract away and placed it in a file folder.

"But I want more."

Yang Wanqing raised an eyebrow, a smile appearing on her lips, waiting to hear more.

"Once they get the authorization, they'll treat 'Lovely Woman' as a regular song." Gu Bei paused, "This song will soon be buried under a flood of other songs."

"Goodbye Kiss," "Too Softhearted," "Friends," "Love Like a Tide," "Forgetful Water," "Red Bean," "Gentleness," "The Promise." Yang Wanqing shook her head.

There are too many popular songs.

This is just the domestic phenomenon. This year, Lee Jung-hyun's song "Wa" became a hit across Asia, signaling the rise of the Korean Wave.

"Investing in 'Lovely Woman' will only be a flash in the pan."

"Yeah," Gu Bei nodded, "Nobody's going to bother to dig up a new song by a new artist."

The two engaged in a question-and-answer session.

Gu Bei's thoughts became clearer and clearer.

Yang Wanqing leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought: "What are you planning to do?"

"Free license for one year, featured for two weeks." Gu Bei tapped his fingers lightly on the table and continued, "Give us time to fill in the gap after the second song comes out."

"Once the whole album is released, all the losses from before will be made back in one go."

Yang Wanqing stared at Gu Bei for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

This kid has a lot of guts.

"You're even more ruthless in business than I am."

"That's not too harsh," Gu Bei said confidently. "Sis, you can also tell them some news."

"What news?"

"'Lovely Woman' is just the first song. There are three more free singles coming up, and they are all of similar quality."

Yang Wanqing threw the contract directly into the trash can: "These contracts are now just pieces of waste paper."

"I believe they won't give up this sure-fire way to make money."

"Wanqing, can we go now?" Zhou Huimin walked over and nodded to Gu Bei.

Today she wore a beige pencil skirt with a white shirt, and her hair was also styled in an updo.

"Okay, let's go."

The two walked out hand in hand.

Without turning her head, Yang Wanqing said, "I'm going out with Minmin to clear her head."

"It's nothing serious, just call Xiaoyun."

"Huh?" Gu Bei was almost speechless.

He saw the two of them with their hair tied up and assumed they were about to go into battle.

I didn't expect it to be a trip out.

Alone and isolated, Gu Bei had no choice but to go find Zhou Jielun and the others.

Anyway, it wasn't far, the temporary studio was right next door, and Sister Yang paid for some basic soundproofing.

When Gu Bei pushed open the door and went in, he was almost amused by the scene inside.

Jay Chou sat in front of the electronic keyboard, his fingers randomly pressing the keys.

Fang Wenshan would occasionally stick out his finger and insert a note or two.

"That's not how it is, Wenshan, don't mess around."

"I'm trying to help you. If you don't hurry, there are still three songs left and you won't make it."

The two of them were in a state as if they had gone mad.

"Hey, Gu Bei's here." Zhou Jielun stopped what he was doing and greeted him in a muffled voice.

"What are you busy with?" Gu Bei picked up the draft paper on the table.

The top part reads: "Black Humor"

His hand paused slightly.

This song is so familiar.

I practiced countless times in my past life and sang countless times in karaoke bars. It is a touchstone for countless people to verify their singing skills.

There are always some handsome guys who confidently request songs, but after less than five lines, they grumble and walk away.

However, the lyrics and music in front of us differ quite a bit from the versions we hear in later generations.

The arrangement is too dense.

Piano, guitar, bass, drums—all the instruments are vying for attention.

It's like a big hodgepodge.

Who arranged this song again...?

Chung Hsing-ming?

It seems like he's constantly switching between the background music and his own studio.

Gu Bei felt that it would be very difficult to recruit them!

Looks like I'll have to do it myself.

"Let's revise it again." Fang Wenshan pushed up his glasses, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Where exactly is the problem?"

"Something just doesn't feel right."

"I'll give it a try." Gu Bei picked up the sheet music, made a few minor changes, and began conducting on the spot. "Jie Lun, you're in charge of the drums, and Wen Shan, you're in charge of the guitar."

"I'll take care of the piano; leave the bass for now."

The arrangement of the song "Black Humor" mainly features the piano part.

If Gu Bei remembered correctly, the prelude, with its single notes and chord progressions, was entirely a piano solo.

The verse is also piano-led, consisting of bass block chords and high-pitched melodies, ending with a gentle foundation.

The chords become denser before the chorus, building up the emotional intensity.

Then the piano, strings, and drums all come in together.

The interlude is a piano solo, reiterating the motif and adding a cadenza.

The coda ends with a gradual decrease in volume.

The three of them played a piece together.

Jay Chou immediately pumped his fist excitedly: "Yes, yes, that's the feeling!"

"Wow... Gu Bei, you're amazing!"

Jay Chou originally wanted to call him "Ah Bei," but then realized that "Bei" and "Dad" sound the same in Taiwan, so he immediately changed his address.

He almost called "Abei" as "Aba".

Fang Wenshan also came over and gave Gu Bei a big hug: "Gu Bei, thank you."

The problem that had been troubling them for many days was finally solved.

He can finally polish the lyrics of "Niangzi".

"How about we include Gu Bei's name in the composition?" Fang Wenshan suggested.

Just then, a system notification sounded in Gu Bei's mind:

[Beep beep beep...]

Jay Chou composed a complete song: "Black Humor"

[Random song selection in progress.......]

Congratulations on winning: "I Can't Help Falling in Love"

The system is registering your copyright...

[The system is currently recording the full version of the song into your DNA...]

Can't help but love it?

Gu Bei admitted that "Black Humor" is indeed very strong.

Unfortunately, "I Have to Love You" won the China Song Chart and Music Radio TOP champion, and topped the KTV duet song request chart for two consecutive years.

There's a reason why Jay Chou always comes in second place.

His songs were too ahead of their time, making them too difficult to sing along to.