Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

President Wang picked up the teapot and refilled Zheng Hui's cup with water: "We've finalized the tape production."

As soon as the funds are in place, the factory in Panyu will start production immediately, working three shifts, and within half a month, a million boxes of goods will fill the warehouse. Next, we need to talk about how to market it.”

Zheng Hui reached for the teacup and took a sip: "President, you're the expert. I'll listen to you."

President Wang stared at Zheng Hui and said, "I have a decent relationship with the provincial and municipal radio stations, and I can also pass on messages to CCTV."

For mainstream media, I plan to primarily promote "I Believe" and "Proud Youth." Especially "I Believe," this song is grand, and the lyrics don't focus on romance; they're all inspirational and positive, which TV producers will definitely love.

Whether it's appearing on radio news segments or performing on television galas, it's presentable. As long as mainstream media gives it a nod and awards it as an outstanding youth song, the path is paved.

Zheng Hui nodded. Regardless of the era, mainstream media tend to favor this kind of uplifting and inspiring style. These two songs are the key to getting in touch with official propaganda.

President Wang asked Zheng Hui, "What are your thoughts on the business side?"

Zheng Hui took the black-and-white silhouette cover design from his bag and placed it on the table.

"President, I have no objection to the mainstream media promoting those two songs. But in record stores, at school gates, and in places where posters are put up, I hope you can promote 'Stubborn' and 'The Brightest Star in the Night Sky'."

President Wang picked up the design draft and frowned slightly: "Isn't this picture too plain? It doesn't even show a face."

These days, aren't posters and album covers all printed with the singer's headshot? You're so handsome, putting your picture on there will definitely attract attention.

Zheng Hui pointed to the backlit figure: "Su Cai stands out. Nowadays, the walls of record stores are covered with colorful headshots, which can make your eyes dizzy. My black and white photo stands out by being pasted there."

After listening, President Wang picked up the design draft, looked at it against the light, nodded, and put it down again.

Seeing that President Wang agreed, Zheng Hui continued, "As for why we promoted 'Stubborn' and 'The Brightest Star in the Night Sky,' it's because the people who paid for the cassette tapes were students, young people."

"I Believe" is good, but it's meant for teachers, leaders, and parents.

At eighteen or nineteen, who doesn't harbor some resentment? Who doesn't want to argue with their teacher? Who doesn't want to be different?

The song "Stubborn" is an outlet for them to vent. The lyrics, "Me and my last bit of stubbornness, holding hands tightly and never letting go," make them feel good and like the song is about themselves.

As for "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky," the melody is pleasant and not too loud, making it suitable for a wider range of people and ages.

"Not everyone likes rock music, and not everyone likes shouting. Some girls, or people with quiet personalities, prefer these kinds of heartfelt songs."

"This song can expand its audience from passionate teenagers to artistic youths, and even ordinary office workers."

President Wang uttered a professional term: "Segmented marketing. For official channels, we'll use 'I Believe,' for campuses, 'Stubborn,' and for the general public, 'The Brightest Star in the Night Sky.' A three-pronged approach, works! Let's go with this strategy!" (I don't know when the concept of segmented marketing was first proposed, but let's assume it exists now.)

"I immediately contacted the radio station and asked them to prioritize 'The Brightest Star in the Night Sky' on the request section, and 'I Believe' on the news and special programs."

"As for 'Stubborn,' we'll rely on the campus radio station to bombard it."

With the general direction set, President Wang was in a great mood and poured Zheng Hui another cup of tea.

"There's another thing, which is also part of the publicity. Your identity as a Macao compatriot is a golden brand."

What time is it now? It's time to make a comeback. The higher-ups are making this a top priority in their publicity efforts.

I'll contact the *Yangcheng Evening News*, *Southern Daily*, and several top programs on Guangdong Radio. They'll do an exclusive interview with you once the cassette tape is released.

"When the time comes, the focus of the interview will be not only on your songs, but also on your experiences."

Your parents worked hard in Macau, but their hearts were always with their motherland. Although you grew up in Macau, you were a wanderer there. Now you're returning to the mainland with your work; this is homecoming.

If your parents could also say a few words expressing their support for their child's return to the mainland for development, the news material would be even richer.

After listening to President Wang's words, Zheng Hui said with a heavy expression, "President Wang, my parents have just passed away."

"Just...just passed away?" President Wang's voice was a little tight, and his eyes were full of astonishment.

He had always assumed Zheng Hui was the kind of rich second-generation heir who came to the mainland to dabble in business, with the millions of dollars his parents had given him. After all, Zheng Hui was generous and had a calm demeanor, not at all like someone who had just suffered a major disaster.

Zheng Hui explained, "It happened last month. He got infected from eating seafood and passed away very quickly."

President Wang stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray, crushing it forcefully. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and his expression became solemn.

President Wang bowed slightly: "Mr. Zheng, please accept my condolences. I truly didn't know... I apologize for what I said earlier."

"It's alright, everything's taken care of. They went to Macau in the early 1980s and worked there their whole lives. Before they left, their biggest wish was to return to their roots."

"Last month, I took their ashes and buried them in their hometown in Fujian."

"These songs were written during that period. They were kind of... a form of self-motivation. After all, I'll be all alone from now on."

President Wang sat back on the sofa, looking at the eighteen-year-old in front of him. Before, he only thought the young man was talented and had great potential. Now, he saw something else in him.

That was a sign of respect for a young person who was shouldering the burden of life all by himself.

"No wonder..."

President Wang sighed: "No wonder there's a certain energy in your songs."

"This story..." President Wang hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words.

From a commercial perspective, this is excellent material. Orphaned at a young age, a boy escorts his parents' ashes back to his hometown, channeling his grief into inspiration and writing a powerful song.

If this story were released, it would definitely grab attention and bring tears to many eyes.

But looking at Zheng Hui's calm face, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Seeing President Wang's expression, Zheng Hui took the initiative and said, "President Wang, could we please not publicize this?"

President Wang asked, "Why? This is..."

"I know." Zheng Hui sat up straight. "But I'm making inspirational songs, songs like 'Stubborn' and 'Proud Youth.' If I package myself as a pathetic wretch begging for sympathy, then I'll be contradicting the songs I sing."

Zheng Hui pointed to the cassette tape: "The audience bought the cassette tape because the song was good, because the lyrics gave them strength. Not because the singer's parents died, and they felt sorry for him, so they gave him eight dollars."

Sales figures gained through playing the victim are illusory. Once their sympathy wears off, the cassette tape becomes worthless.

Zheng Hui paused for a moment: "Besides, my parents just passed away, and I can't bring myself to use this to hype things up and make money. If the media digs this up themselves later, that's their problem. But I will absolutely not bring it up myself."

President Wang has been in this industry for half his life. He has seen people who will do anything to become famous, people who make up stories to make people cry, and people who use their family scandals to create hype.

But this was the first time he had ever seen someone like Zheng Hui, who possessed such a large tear gas nuclear weapon, voluntarily requesting its storage.

President Wang nodded emphatically: "Good, that's the spirit. Since you've made up your mind, let's just talk about music, not background. I'll talk to the media and ask them to focus on Macao's youth and inspirational music."

He didn't try to persuade them; there really was no way to persuade them about this. They had just lost their parents; to suggest they use it for publicity would seem too cold-blooded and inhumane.

President Wang glanced at the clock on the wall, stood up, and said, "It's almost time. Now that the publicity plan is finalized, let's go and I'll take you to meet those few wealthy people."

With my media blitz and your product's strength, as long as you win them over, you won't have to worry about finding a market for your 800,000 boxes of goods.