Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

The car turned into the courtyard of the Swan Publishing House and parked down in front of the office building.

Zheng Hui got out of the car, picked up his briefcase, and said to the two people inside, "Wait in the car, I'll be right back."

He strode into the building and went up to the third floor as if he knew the way well. The door to the president's office was ajar, and Zheng Hui knocked twice.

"Enter."

Zheng Hui pushed open the door and entered. President Wang was standing by the window smoking. When he saw Zheng Hui, he immediately stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the windowsill and strode over to greet him.

"Is it all taken care of?" President Wang pointed to the bag in Zheng Hui's hand.

Zheng Hui placed his briefcase on the coffee table, unzipped it, took out a copy of the bank deposit receipt, and pushed it across the table: "Six million, all deposited. This time, thanks to the president's help, the bank gave us the green light all the way, we didn't even have to wait in line."

President Wang picked up the receipt, glanced at it, and shook his head with a smile: "It's because you're such a big shot, the God of Wealth. Which bank isn't short of deposits these days? Six million in cash, the bank manager has to treat you like royalty."

He put down the receipt, turned around and walked behind his desk, picked up a document and waved it around: "Put the money aside, there's something more important than money."

Zheng Hui sat down on the sofa and leaned forward: "Any news from CCTV?"

President Wang handed the document to Zheng Hui: "It's not just news, it's an invitation. Take a look for yourself."

Zheng Hui took the document; it was a fax, addressed to the Arts and Literature Department of CCTV.

The content is simple: We cordially invite singer Mr. Zheng Hui to attend the recording of the "Variety Show" program at Studio 1 of Beijing Central Television next Tuesday.

This episode is a special production for the Asian Games. Mr. Zheng Hui will be performing "I Believe" live, and the program will be shown in conjunction with the Asian Games promotional video.

The signature is stamped with the official seal of the Arts and Literature Department of CCTV.

Zheng Hui stared at the words: "Variety Show".

In 1998, this name carried more weight than any program except for "Xinwen Lianbo" (the nightly news program on CCTV). It was CCTV's trump card, the ratings champion of Saturday primetime.

In this era of entertainment scarcity, people all over China would sit in front of their televisions on Saturday nights to watch this program.

Ni Ping and Zhao Zhongxiang—these names are all associated with this program. Being able to appear on this show means that one's fame in the country will skyrocket overnight.

"How about it? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. CCTV said that this episode is a warm-up for the Bangkok Asian Games, so it's a very high-profile one."

The sports channel submitted your four music videos, and the arts and culture department thought "I Believe" had the best message.

Zheng Hui put down the documents and said, "The recording will be next Tuesday, which means there are still four or five days left."

"Yes, time is tight. You need to get ready quickly, and you need to take good care of your voice."

Zheng Hui nodded: "Don't worry, boss, I'm fine on my end, I can sing anytime."

President Wang took out a contract from the drawer: "Since you're going to Beijing, let's clean up the mess here."

Here are the production contracts for the two million cassette tapes you requested, and the two hundred thousand CDs. I've drafted them all. Take a look, and if there are no problems, sign them.

Zheng Hui took the contract and quickly glanced through the terms.

The price for the two million cassette tapes will remain the same as the previous agreement. The cost of the two hundred thousand CDs, being a trial run and featuring attractive packaging, will be set at five yuan per CD.

The company hasn't paid the extra million boxes they ordered last time.

In total, this amounts to another several million in expenses.

Zheng Hui took out a pen from his bag, uncapped it, and signed his name at the end of the contract.

"President, I'll transfer this money to the company right now."

Zheng Hui handed back the signed contract: "I just deposited the money, so I have some funds in my account and I'm not worried. Let's settle the previous and this additional production fees first, so the factory doesn't have to advance funds for too long."

President Wang took the contract, glanced at the signature, and a satisfied look appeared on his face: "Good, you're a straightforward guy. I like working with people like you, no beating around the bush."

He picked up the phone and dialed the finance department: "Old Zhang, take the company seal and documents to the bank. Yes, Zheng Hui needs to transfer four million. You handle it personally."

After hanging up the phone, President Wang said to Zheng Hui, "Let's go. I've arranged things with the finance department. Go to the bank with them and complete the corporate transfer. Once that's done, you can go to Beijing without worry."

Zheng Hui stood up: "Then I won't delay any longer. President, let's have a celebration drink when I get back from Beijing."

"Go for it! Sing your best in Beijing and bring honor to the Guangdong music scene!"

……

It was already getting dark when I came out of the bank.

Four million was transferred out, and in return, a bank transfer receipt and a contract stamped with a red seal were received.

Zheng Hui sat in the car, looking at the streetlights outside the window and sighing.

The money was earned quickly, but spent just as quickly. Six million came in, and four million went out in the blink of an eye. The remaining two million had to be kept as operating capital for the company, as well as for various expenses that might arise in the future.

"Let's go back to the company," Zheng Hui said to Lin Dashan.

The so-called company was actually just the office of the shell company he registered in Zhuhai. For convenience, he rented an office floor in Guangzhou, in Tianhe District, not far from the publishing house.

Back in the office, I pushed open the door, and the smell of tobacco wafted out.

Li Zongming was sitting on the sofa, looking at a stack of documents in his hand, with two cigarette butts already in the ashtray in front of him.

Hearing the door open, Li Zongming looked up and saw Zheng Hui. He immediately put down the documents in his hand and stood up.

"You're back?" Li Zongming pushed up his glasses. "I heard it was a bumper harvest today? Six million?"

Zheng Hui tossed his briefcase onto the sofa, walked over, and poured himself a glass of water. "Yeah, I just went to the bank and transferred four million to the publishing house. That settles all the payments. From now on, it's pure profit."

He took a sip of water to moisten his throat: "There's something I need to tell you. I'm going to Beijing next week."

Li Zongming's eyes lit up: "CCTV?"

"Yes, 'Variety Show'." Zheng Hui sat down on the sofa. "I just received the invitation. We'll be recording next Tuesday. It's an Asian Games themed show. We'll be singing 'I Believe'."

Li Zongming said happily, "That's great! I was just about to tell you about this!"

He pulled out an itinerary from the stack of documents and handed it to Zheng Hui: "What a coincidence! Wahaha just called me. Their 'Very Cola' movie is going to be broadcast on CCTV, and the filming team is also from Beijing."

They originally planned to film next month, but I spoke with them and explained that I might have a big project coming up soon and my schedule was tight. They coordinated and said filming could also be done next week, at the film and television base in Huairou and near the Temple of Heaven.

Zheng Hui took the itinerary and looked at it: "So, if I go to Beijing, I can take care of both things?"

"Yes! That's efficiency! This time, we'll go to CCTV to record a program first. That's a political task, and it's also a way to gain prestige."

After recording the program, taking advantage of the buzz from CCTV, I went straight to the set to film GG.

"By the time you come back from Beijing, the show will have aired, and filming for 'GG' will be finished. Then, with the massive publicity, the show will really take off."

Zheng Hui nodded; this was indeed the optimal solution. It saved time spent traveling back and forth and maximized the buzz.

"Okay, it's settled then." Zheng Hui put down his water glass. "Go book the tickets, preferably for tomorrow or the day after. Let's get there early and get used to the venue and facilities there."

"No problem, I'll arrange it right away." Li Zongming picked up his bag and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute," Zheng Hui called out to him, "Dashan is coming with me to Beijing this time. Jianguo has to stay behind."

Li Zongming was taken aback: "Jianguo, stay? Can you manage without someone to manage the accounts?"

"There's still a ton of stuff going on at the company, especially the tax stuff." Zheng Hui pointed to the finance office next door. "How's Jianguo doing with that old accountant lately? I need to ask him."

Li Zongming nodded: "Okay, you go ahead and do your work, I'll go book the tickets."