Huayu98: Starting with mentoring pop divas

Li Jin was a little confused by the boy's sudden closeness... and could only stammer in response.

"A new drama series from Hong Kong's Asia Television, 'My Date with a Vampire'."

Holy crap! This is an amazing show!

This drama was an unprecedented attempt at a new subject matter and a wildly imaginative plot in 1998.

It opened up a new field for zombie films in Hong Kong.

After its broadcast, the series spread throughout Asia, and even sparked a "zombie craze" in Hong Kong and mainland China.

It earned ATV unprecedented high ratings and became a classic drama in the hearts of a generation!

If he could get on board with the song invited by this drama, his status would surely rise considerably.

There's no other way; we have to seize every opportunity at this stage, all for the sake of getting better rewards from the "good karma" female star bound to the system in the future.

Thinking of this, Li Shuo quickly looked at Zheng Xiuwen.

"Sammi, can I also submit my theme song for the TV series 'My Date with a Vampire'?"

Hearing his request, Li Jin, standing to the side, sneered.

"Brother, I'm not trying to discourage zombie movies, but the copycat films that have appeared on the market in recent years have all flopped one after another. Audiences are already tired of them. And with Uncle Ying leaving last year, this genre has lost its soul."

Zheng Xiuwen also hesitated.

"Li Shuo, you promised to put a good job on those two songs for the album. And Jin-ge is right, the zombie genre was popular years ago. My first drama after my debut was also this genre, and it didn't get much popularity. Besides, this one adds a romance element... I'm not very optimistic about it."

Li Shuo recalled that it was because of "Uncle Ying's" departure that everyone felt this era had come to an end.

ATV, however, was determined to continue with this theme and even took a different approach by creating a modern romantic zombie drama called "My Date with a Vampire." I remember that when this show aired, the opening credits specifically paid tribute to "Uncle Ying."

Little did they know that Asia Market had actually seized a huge opportunity this time... and the show became an instant hit!

Seeing that the two weren't very interested, Li Shuo had no choice but to continue arguing.

"I've loved watching zombie movies since I was a kid, and I've always wanted to have the opportunity to make songs in this genre. I've thought about it before, and I've even made some similar attempts in my self-composed collection."

"Don't worry, I'll do my job well for Sammi and guarantee the album's progress and quality. Besides, the song I want to submit is already available, so it won't take up much of our time."

Seeing his hurried manner and hearing him mention "his own collection", Zheng Xiuwen couldn't help but wonder.

How many songs did this handsome guy write in his self-composed album? It feels like he could pull one out anytime, anywhere.

"You really have one ready-made?"

"It really is! I'll sing it for you right now if you don't believe me."

He then headed towards the audio workstation.

At that moment, the recording studio door was pushed open again.

A somewhat unexpected figure appeared.

Sun Yanzi?

She seemed a little embarrassed by her sudden appearance and explained softly.

"I...I came to see Teacher Li Weisong about something. I heard you were here, so I came to check on you."

However, while explaining, her gaze quickly swept over Li Shuo, and her ears turned slightly red.

Lin Junjie, who arrived late, squeezed in behind her, carrying a large cardboard box.

"Li Shuo, I'm sorry. Boss Xu Huanliang had an urgent matter and asked me to bring some Singaporean specialties over. I also bought some water and snacks as a small token of my appreciation."

Lin Junjie added, "By the way, Mr. Xu has given instructions about buying the songs. Your aunt told him to discuss all the details with your lawyer, Mr. Chen. Ocean Butterflies is very sincere."

Li Shuo didn't exchange many pleasantries. While responding, he began fiddling with the synthesizer on the audio workstation and checking the materials on the computer.

"Senior brother, you've come at the perfect time."

His hands didn't stop, and he turned to Zheng Xiuwen and said, "Sammi! I originally asked Brother Lin to help out and do the visual and makeup concept design for your new album. He studied art and can help me present my ideas. But let him do me a small favor first, and let you listen to two ready-made songs that I plan to submit to the ATV drama."

Next... Zheng Xiuwen, Li Jin, and Sun Yanzi all stared in astonishment as Li Shuo started talking to himself.

Without even looking up, he quickly whispered a few words to Lin Junjie, who had come over curiously, then grabbed a stack of blank paper and a pen and began writing sheet music and lyrics.

The pen tip rubs against the paper very quickly, as if no thought is required.

After writing it, I gave it to Zheng Xiuwen and started working on the accompaniment.

He touched the controller of the Roland JV-1080 audio source module next to him.

My eyes glanced at the screen of the audio workstation computer monitor, and after selecting the timbre, I started typing on the synthesizer, and a series of drum beats and rhythms appeared on the track.

Sigh... MIDI music production was too troublesome back then, unlike later... when AI came out, we could just make do with what we had.

Li Shuo felt disgusted...

Lin Junjie was stunned and couldn't help but move closer during the break.

"Hey, isn't that... way too much? Didn't you even think about it?"

Li Shuo smiled and casually replied, "The arrangement framework has already taken shape in my mind; now I'm just 'taking it out'."

Then I saw him playing the connected electric piano to the rhythm he had edited, and he was humming softly, and I could hear that the lyrics were in Mandarin.

Li Jin, the bald man, laughed again upon hearing this.

"Little brother, this is a Cantonese drama... why are you using Mandarin words?"

"Brother Jin~!"

Zheng Xiuwen interrupted his sarcasm.

It's true that Hong Kong TV dramas usually use Cantonese songs, but from a professional perspective, looking at the sheet music and Li Shuo's humming, she found this song quite interesting!

Listen first, then speak...

Before long, Li Shuo briefly glanced at the audio track on the workstation computer screen and muttered to himself.

"It's usable enough, it's just a sample to show you."

Finally, as everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, Li Shuo finished setting up the accompaniment.

After arranging for Lin Junjie to sit in front of the workstation control panel, we found him.

Li Shuo had already turned around and walked quickly toward the instrument display case on one side of the recording studio.

His gaze quickly found the antique erhu that he had noticed at the beginning.

"You can do this too?" Zheng Xiuwen was genuinely surprised this time.

"A family tradition of learning." Li Shuo took down the erhu, tested the sound, and a nostalgic smile appeared on his lips.

"I've been tinkering with these things since I was little, following my grandfather around. It just so happens that I can put them to use today."

Ugh, I really want to go home soon...

He gestured for Lin Junjie to wait for his instructions, then took the erhu and went to the small recording booth on the side.

I did some debugging and got everything ready.

He pressed the string with his left hand and drew the bow with his right.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath.

After a moment of hesitation, he opened his eyes and gave Lin Junjie across the soundproof glass a look.

The other person saw this and started gesturing with their fingers: 3, 2, 1. *Snap*—pressed the space bar on the audio workstation keyboard.

A mournful and plaintive erhu prelude suddenly pierced the air in the recording studio!

The sound was extremely penetrating, carrying the mystery and sorrow of the ancient East, instantly captivating everyone's hearing.

Then, accompanied by a hastily composed MIDI track…

Li Shuo's singing style is no longer the clear, youthful voice he used before, nor is it the imitation of A-Du's singing style when he sang "It's Getting Dark".

Instead, it infuses a powerful, piercing male voice that evokes the vicissitudes of time from the perspective of a bystander, full of stories.

Meanwhile, images from the movie "My Date with a Zombie" were already flashing through Li Shuo's mind.

"At first I only believed"

伟大的是感情

Finally, I was powerless to see clearly.

What's powerful is fate...

It was Kuang Tianyou and Ma Xiaoling's first encounter in a convenience store late at night. The modern descendant of the exorcist dragon clan and the zombie struggling for eternal life met for the first time.

"It turns out that love is a kind of capriciousness, and shouldn't be considered too much."

Love isn't about being smart or not, it's about being willing or not.

She is the gentle and pure Wang Zhenzhen, whose unreserved trust and devotion to Kuang Tianyou is so pure that it breaks your heart.

The loneliest feeling is wanting to stay but not being able to.

The tender words were left unspoken, only a farewell song remained.

The second before heartbreak

They embraced tightly in silence.

Sending you a bittersweet farewell song with my heartbeat.

It was Ma Xiaoling who shed tears in the rain, her family motto "Don't cry, you won't be pretty if you cry" clashing fiercely with her overwhelming emotions!

The chorus features a series of high notes that reach the pinnacle, each powerful and tearing out of the vocals, conveying an emotion so intense it almost overflows the recording studio.

Finally, the image in Li Shuo's mind was Kuang Tianyou carrying the dying Ma Xiaoling and running wildly, shouting, "If I beg you to bite me, will you agree?"

The poignant beauty of the erhu intertwines with the imagery of modern rock music, and he perfectly captures the resolute farewell and helplessness of fate in the lyrics.

The song ended.

Li Shuo slowly put down the erhu, his chest rising and falling slightly, and even a layer of fine sweat appeared on his forehead.

The people next door who had overheard this were completely stunned!

Zheng Xiuwen raised her thin eyebrows again... Lin Junjie opened his mouth in an O shape... Li Jin touched his bald head.

Sun Yanzi's arm hairs stood up again.

The entire recording studio fell into a brief, deathly silence.

Now, starting over again, and with the addition of Zheng Xiuwen's "Queen of Pop Singing Skills Card" from the first system reward, Li Shuo easily masters the feeling of singing so exhilaratingly—it's so satisfying!

Looking at their expressions on the other side of the glass…

Li Shuo was secretly pleased and said something into the microphone.

Do you think it has that zombie romance feel to it?