Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

In late August in Guangzhou, a Jinbei Haishi van was driving on Huanshi East Road. Lin Dashan was holding the steering wheel steadily, while Chen Jianguo sat in the passenger seat, checking a list of newly purchased supplies in a notebook.

Zheng Hui sat in the back row, holding a freshly opened bottle of Jianlibao in his hand.

"Sizzle..."

The car radio signal was slightly disrupted by tall buildings, but then became clear again.

"What you just heard was 'My Hair is Messy' by Zhang Xueyou. Xueyou's falsetto skills are truly superb. Okay, next up is our 'New Chinese Song Recommendation' segment."

This week, a new force has been rampaging through the charts, not from Hong Kong or Taiwan's superstars, but from a completely new name.

The following song is dedicated to all those who felt lost this summer but still refused to give up. It's from Zheng Hui's "Stubborn."

Immediately afterwards, the familiar sound of guitar strumming came from the rather thin car speaker.

"If I'm different from the world, then let me be different..."

Lin Dashan, sitting in the front row, glanced at Zheng Hui through the rearview mirror and said, "Boss, your song is really good. I've heard it twice on the way here."

Lingnan Voice is currently the most authoritative radio station in South China, covering the Pearl River Delta, radiating to western and northern Guangdong, and even reaching Guangxi and southern Hunan. In this era without the internet, it was a trendsetter for popular music.

The Mandarin/Cantonese Pop Chart, released every Saturday, is a fiercely contested battleground for major record companies. For Hong Kong and Taiwanese singers releasing albums, this is usually their first stop for promotion in mainland China.

The fact that you can hear your own song on this radio station shows that President Wang has indeed put in the effort to release it.

As the car turned into the courtyard of the Swan Publishing House, before it had even come to a complete stop, Zheng Hui saw President Wang, who was standing at the window upstairs, waving from a distance.

When Zheng Hui pushed open the door to the president's office, President Wang was looking at a report with great enthusiasm.

"Xiao Zheng! Come and see!"

President Wang handed over the paper in his hand: "This is the data for this week's 'New Song Chart' that was just faxed over by Lingnan Voice."

Zheng Hui leaned over to take a look. The list was divided into many details, including the number of plays, listener letters and votes, etc.

The song ranked first is Richie Jen's new song.

Second: "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky" - Zheng Hui.

The third place goes to Eason Chan.

Fourth place: "Stubborn" - Zheng Hui.

Fifth place: "I Believe" - ​​Zheng Hui

Of the top five, Zheng Hui occupied three spots.

Looking at the rankings, Zheng Hui saw that "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky" had a beautiful melody and high popularity, so its high ranking was normal. "Stubborn" needed emotional resonance, so its current fourth-place position was also expected.

President Wang's face was flushed: "Unexpected, really unexpected. I originally thought it would be good enough to make it into the top ten, after all, you're a new face, no TV exposure, no scandals or hype."

Unexpectedly, they managed to defeat those Hong Kong and Taiwanese singers solely based on the quality of their songs.

Zheng Hui remained calm: "President, this is the new song chart, not the popular song chart, right?"

President Wang laughed and said, "You have good self-control; you didn't let yourself get carried away. That's right, this is the New Song Chart. As the name suggests, only songs released less than a month ago can be included."

While this list is authoritative, its prestige is still somewhat lacking compared to the overall "Mandarin/Cantonese Pop Music Chart."

"The pop charts are a true battleground. Top singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as veteran singers from the mainland, all fight it out in that pool."

That chart doesn't just look at how good the songs are; it also considers sales, listener loyalty, and the resources invested by record companies.

"The current top ten on the pop charts are basically dominated by Hong Kong and Taiwanese singers. Jacky Cheung, Faye Wong, A-mei, Richie Jen..."

For mainland singers to break into the industry, it's incredibly difficult. Even for artists of Na Ying's and Tian Zhen's caliber, success depends on luck.

Zheng Hui looked at President Wang: "So, what you mean is?"

President Wang's eyes gleamed: "Strike while the iron is hot! The new song chart is just a stepping stone. We need to ride this momentum and break into the pop charts, and we want to be in the top twenty!"

"Only when your song enters the top 20 of the pop charts will it be broadcast by radio stations throughout the province and even the country."

Back then, it wasn't just people in Guangdong who heard it; people in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu could hear it too. That's what true popularity was.

President Wang walked to his desk, picked up the calendar, and tore off a page.

"School starts next Tuesday, September 1st."

"This is our opportunity. Your song's audience is mainly students. During the summer vacation, students are scattered at home, and their strength has not yet been gathered."

Once school starts, dozens of students will be gathered in one class, and thousands of students will be gathered in one school. If just one person buys a cassette tape and brings it to school to play, it will spread from person to person.

"I've already made arrangements with Lingnan Voice. They originally offered me a midnight interview, but I turned it down. I even swallowed my pride and had a big drinking session with their station director."

In return, they secured a prime-time slot this Saturday at 8 PM for "Lingnan Music Wind." This is their highest-rated program, covering the entire province.

"At this time, students are all at home and school hasn't started yet, so it's peak listening time."

"If this interview goes well, the radio station promised that they would use your song as background music during prime time for the following week, both during the morning and evening rush hours, and even play a chorus before the hourly chime."

President Wang stared at Zheng Hui: "Whether we can jump from the new song chart to the popular chart, and whether we can distribute those one million cassette tapes, depends on this wave."

……

Saturday night, 7:30 pm.

The Guangdong Broadcasting Center Building, Renmin North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou.

Zheng Hui stood in the corridor outside the live broadcast room, looking at the equipment inside through the soundproof glass.

The mixing console was covered with faders and knobs, a red ON AIR indicator light, and a presenter wearing headphones and speaking into a microphone.

The host's name is Chen Sir, a pillar of Lingnan Voice. In Guangdong's broadcasting industry, his voice is a trademark; it's said that even taxi drivers slow down when they hear his voice.

President Wang stood next to Zheng Hui, holding a bottle of water, looking even more nervous than Zheng Hui.

"Xiao Zheng, have you memorized the script?" President Wang asked in a low voice.

"I didn't carry it." Zheng Hui straightened his shirt cuffs.

President Wang's eyes widened: "You didn't memorize it? The questions written on it..."

"I read it once and memorized the general direction. Reciting a prepared script sounds too stiff, and the audience can tell. Since it's a conversation, I need to be more natural."

President Wang opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he patted Zheng Hui on the shoulder and said, "Okay, you have a good mentality. I won't give you bad advice. Don't be nervous."

At that moment, the door to the live broadcast room opened, and a director poked his head out and waved to Zheng Hui.

"Mr. Zheng, come in for the sound check in five minutes."

Zheng Hui walked into the live broadcast room. The carpet under his feet absorbed the sound of his footsteps, and the room became very quiet.

Inspector Chen took off his headphones, stood up, and shook hands with Zheng Hui.

"Zheng Hui? He's younger than I expected. Sit down, put on your headphones, and try out the microphone."

Zheng Hui put on his headphones and adjusted the microphone position.

"Sound check, one, two, three."

The sound is processed through the microphone and then transmitted back to the headphones, becoming clearer and more three-dimensional.

Mr. Chen gave the control room an OK sign.

The digital clock on the wall ticked red numbers.

19:59:50.

Ten seconds left in the countdown.

Inspector Chen put his headphones back on, turned on the clippers, and the background music started playing.

"Good evening, listeners. This is Lingnan Voice, and I'm Mr. Chen. Welcome to today's 'Lingnan Music Wind'."

"This week, a voice swept through our ears like a storm. Some called him a genius, some called him a dark horse. But in my opinion, he is more like a wanderer returning with a story."

Inspector Chen glanced at Zheng Hui, giving him a meaningful look.

"Tonight, we have invited Zheng Hui, the champion of the New Song Chart. Zheng Hui, please say hello to our listeners."

Zheng Hui leaned closer to the microphone: "Hello Mr. Chen, good evening everyone, listeners of Lingnan Voice. This is Zheng Hui."

Inspector Chen laughed and said, "Zheng Hui, do you know? Ever since your song 'I Believe' went viral, our station's hotline hasn't stopped ringing. Many listeners are asking, 'Who sings this song? How can it have such a powerful impact?'"

"Some people say that listening to this song feels like taking a big gulp of ice-cold soda, refreshing from head to toe. What do you think?"

Zheng Hui smiled and said, "Actually, when I wrote this song, I didn't think that much. I just thought that we young people, or we Chinese people, should have a kind of spirit in our bones."

"What's wrong?" Inspector Chen pressed.

"A spirit of never giving up, a spirit of striving for improvement." Zheng Hui's voice, transmitted through the airwaves, reached every corner of the Pearl River Delta.

"Our generation has been fortunate to live in a good era, but we also face great challenges. Next year, Macau will return to China. As a Chinese person who grew up in Macau, I have witnessed the changes in our motherland and felt its vibrant power."

"I want to sing out this power, not the kind of weak, affected moaning, but to shout out the breath I'm holding in my chest."

Inspector Chen nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Well said, you should let out that feeling in your chest."

I noticed that there's a song on your album called "Stubborn." It ranked very high on the new song charts, and it's especially popular among students. There's a line in the lyrics that really stuck with me: "Me and my last bit of stubbornness, holding hands tightly, never letting go."

"Does this phrase have any special meaning?"

Zheng Hui said, "The meaning is simple; this is my stance."

"In this world, we will encounter many difficulties, be misunderstood, and be looked down upon. Some people will tell you that you should be compliant, you should be tactful, and you should go with the flow."

"But I want to say, no! If you believe you are right, then stick to it. Even if you hit a wall and knock it down, keep going."

"This song is dedicated to everyone who is persevering for their dreams, their studies, and their lives. Especially to the students who are about to start school, no matter what lies ahead, don't be afraid, hold hands tightly, and don't let go."

Outside the live broadcast room, President Wang looked at the telephone indicator light in the control room.

What were initially just a few scattered red lights began to illuminate one after another. The director frantically answered the phone, put it down, and picked up another.

President Wang looked through the glass at the composed young man inside and forcefully clenched his fist.

Mr. Chan noticed the director's gesture, and his smile widened.

"It seems our listeners really resonate with this; the director told me the hotline is overflowing. Zheng Hui, since everyone is so enthusiastic, could you sing a few lines for us live?"

This was a segment not in the script; Inspector Chen was testing the newcomer's abilities. If he messed up, or if he was a studio singer, this would immediately expose his shortcomings.

Zheng Hui didn't hesitate. He adjusted his posture and cleared his throat. There was no accompaniment, only the quiet of the live broadcast room.

"If I'm different from the world, then let me be different..."

Steady, accurate, and insightful.

That penetrating power traveled along the microphone and the electric current, penetrating into the speakers of countless radios.

It drilled into the ears of students doing their homework, drivers working late into the night, and factory workers working overtime on the assembly line.

"For me, perseverance means using strength to overcome strength."

"If I compromise with myself, if I lie to myself."

Even if others forgive me, I cannot forgive them.

Inspector Chen closed his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly to the beat.

After finishing the song, Inspector Chen opened his eyes and gave a thumbs-up into the microphone.

"What a perfect example of overcoming strength with strength! This is Zheng Hui, this is 'Stubbornness'."

"Dear listeners, if you were also moved by this song, please remember this name. Next Monday, Zheng Hui's debut self-titled album, 'Stubborn,' will be available simultaneously in major Xinhua bookstores and audio-visual stores throughout the province."

Suggested retail price: eight yuan.

Inspector Chen emphasized the pronunciation of the words "eight yuan".

"Support genuine products and good music. After GG, we will continue to play Zheng Hui's other hit song - 'The Brightest Star in the Night Sky'."

The clipper was pulled down, and the "GG" sound rang out.

Zheng Hui took off his headphones, and Chen Sir stood up, this time holding Zheng Hui's hands with both of his.

"Young man, you're amazing. Those few lines you sang a cappella were even better than the cassette tape. Your voice is just natural for this."

President Wang burst through the door, his face beaming with joy.

"It's exploded! It's exploded! The director said that in the last ten minutes, we've received hundreds of calls! All asking where to buy the cassette tapes!"

"Just now, the owner of a record store called to ask if I could order this tape right now! He said several students had come to the store asking if they had it!"

Zheng Hui took the water that President Wang handed him and took a big gulp.

"President, this is just the beginning. The real test will begin when school starts."