Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Once inside the van, the door closed, shutting out the outside noise.

"Manager Chen," Zheng Hui said.

"exist."

"Emperor Entertainment is about to make its move. They contacted me yesterday, wanting to sign me, but I refused. Today, Cha Siu-yan made her move. This is no coincidence."

Manager Chen was taken aback: "Emperor Entertainment contacted you?"

"Huo Wenxi stopped me in the lobby yesterday afternoon," Zheng Hui briefly explained the situation.

Manager Chen's expression changed; his performance now depended entirely on Zheng Hui.

If Zheng Hui had really been lured away and then produced another hugely successful album, it wouldn't have been a success for him, but rather a failure. So why wasn't a contract for another album signed with Zheng Hui?

Manager Chen took out his phone to reassure Zheng Hui: "I'll check right away and see if there's any news these days. I'll come to the hotel tonight to find you."

He planned to finish this matter and then quickly discuss with the higher-ups what conditions to offer in order to sign a few more albums with Zheng Hui.

……

As night fell, Manager Chen pushed open the door to the hotel room, holding a stack of newly published evening newspapers and weekly magazines. His face was grim.

"Mr. Zheng, you're right."

He spread the newspaper out on the coffee table.

The newspapers include The New Paper, Sing Tao Evening Post, and several gossip weekly magazines.

The headlines were increasingly sensational.

"Slogans without soul? Zheng Hui criticized for empty lyrics"

"Mainland China's Heavenly King? He's nothing but a loudspeaker."

Nicholas Tse bluntly states: Music should have substance and life, not just empty rhetoric.

The content of the articles is largely the same.

They are all quoting so-called senior music critics, criticizing Zheng Hui's lyrics as straightforward and simplistic, lacking artistry, and purely catering to the low-end market.

Then, the tone shifts abruptly, praising Nicholas Tse extensively and comparing him to Tse's upcoming albums, "The Cry of the End of the Century" and "Love Without Borders."

To say that Nicholas Tse's songs contain anger and genuine emotion is to say that they reflect the true nature of young people and are a vivid and authentic expression of their feelings.

Zheng Hui, on the other hand, was portrayed as a perfect gentleman, a plastic mannequin.

Zheng Hui turned to the next newspaper.

This one is even worse, directly using language as a pretext.

"They came to Hong Kong with a Mandarin album to make money, but they don't even have a single Cantonese song."

"Look at Nicholas Tse. Although he grew up abroad, his song 'The Cry of the End of the Century' expresses the feelings of Hong Kong people."

One tabloid even had a passage in the corner:

"In all his interviews, Zheng Hui has never mentioned his family or loved ones."

Even when it comes to striving, they only talk about themselves.

How can someone who is so indifferent to even family and romantic love sing truly moving songs?

Perhaps in his world, there is truly nothing else besides sales and money.

Zheng Hui picked up the newspaper, his gaze lingering on those few lines of text.

Zheng Hui's face darkened. The original owner's parents had just passed away a few months ago, and in his previous life, his parents had also left him after he came of age.

This tabloid, by sheer luck, struck at the very point of their deepest anger: an attack on their family.

After a long while, he let go and threw the newspaper back onto the table.

"Manager Chen," Zheng Hui's voice was cold.

"exist."

"What are they trying to do?"

Manager Chen saw that Zheng Hui's face was so dark, and he assumed that Zheng Hui was angry because he was being attacked and compared.

He pointed to the photos in the newspaper; on the left was a photo of Zheng Hui smiling, and on the right was a photo of Nicholas Tse displaying a rebellious attitude.

"Emperor Entertainment Group wants to replicate the rivalry between Alan Tam and Leslie Cheung from back then, or the Four Heavenly Kings model."

Manager Chen analyzed, "In the entertainment industry, it's not the criticism that's scary, it's the lack of attention. Controversy generates traffic and sales."

They are clever; they mold you into a righteous idol, a hypocrite.

They portrayed Nicholas Tse as a rebellious top star with a genuine personality.

This is an excellent adversarial relationship.

He looked at Zheng Hui and said, "With you as a negative example for comparison, Nicholas Tse's badness and rebellion will appear more distinct and more attractive."

Young people these days, especially in Hong Kong, are generally averse to being lectured.

Emperor Entertainment's move will help Nicholas Tse attract a large number of young fans eager to express their individuality.

Li Zongming frowned and asked, "Then what do we do? Just let them curse us?"

Manager Chen sighed: "This situation is a sure win for Emperor Entertainment."

If we retaliate, we'll fall right into their trap. If the two sides start fighting, the hype will build up, and Nicholas Tse's fame will grow even greater.

If we ignore it, we'll be firmly labeled as hypocritical, empty, and cold-blooded.

Even if they are slightly at a disadvantage, they can still portray Nicholas Tse as a local tough guy who dares to challenge authority, thus winning the sympathy of Hong Kong citizens.

Risks are manageable, returns are extremely high.

This is an open strategy. Zheng Hui sat on the sofa, looking at the pile of newspapers on the coffee table.

Emperor Entertainment is using him as a whetstone, trying to step on him to elevate Nicholas Tse to god-like status.

Now, no matter how he responds, it seems to be within the other party's calculations.

To offer an explanation? That would make him seem guilty.

Engaging in verbal sparring? That's just uncivilized.

Playing the victim? That doesn't fit his public image.

Unless… Zheng Hui’s eyes narrowed.

Unless he can break free from this binary opposition framework.

Unless he can produce something that silences everyone and completely shatters the label of being pretentious and empty.

He made everyone feel that comparing Nicholas Tse to him was an insult to him.

A crushing victory, a complete and utter domination.

It's not just about sales volume, but also about quality.

And then there's what they call depth and emotion.

Zheng Hui had an idea; he didn't want to play the game of responding to each move anymore.

Since Yinghuang wants to play, let's play a big game with them.

"Is Nicholas Tse's new EP also going to be released in December?" Zheng Hui asked.

"Yes, I heard it's scheduled for mid-December, and it's called 'The Cry of the End of the Century'," Manager Chen replied.

"Alright, perfect for a duel."

Zheng Hui took out his phone and dialed Liu Huan's number.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

"Hey, Zheng Hui, what's up?" Liu Huan's voice came through.

"Teacher Liu, I'd like to confirm if the date for the first rehearsal of the Spring Festival Gala has been changed?"

"No, it's still mid-December. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I was just confirming the itinerary. Thank you, Teacher Liu."

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Hui looked at Manager Chen: "Manager Chen, could you please apply for the next album contract with PolyGram?"

Manager Chen was taken aback: "The next one? This album was just released."

"I'm going to release a new album in mid-December. I want to go head-to-head with Nicholas Tse and crush him."

"Is...is there enough time?" Manager Chen glanced at the calendar. "It's already mid-November. We only have one month to record, produce, press, and distribute the album. Time is too tight."

"There's still time. I'll go to Guangzhou to record the song. I'm familiar with the area, so it'll be quick."

"I can make a new album in just one week, so I can squeeze out the time."

Manager Chen and Li Zongming were both dumbfounded.

"One week? To make an album?"

Li Zongming exclaimed in shock, "Zheng Hui, are you crazy? How can you possibly finish arranging, recording, and mixing in just one week?"

Zheng Hui pointed to his head: "I said it's enough, and it's enough. The songs are all here, and I've already thought of the arrangement. As long as the musicians are in place, we can record it immediately."

He looked at Manager Chen: "Tell PolyGram that I'll be back in Hong Kong in a week. I'll bring back a master tape for them to listen to."

I can keep the contract the same as this time, but I have one requirement: the promotional resources for this album must be top-notch.

I want my voice to be heard on every street and in every record store in Hong Kong.

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Manager Chen gritted his teeth as he looked at Zheng Hui's murderous expression: "I'll talk to the company. Since Emperor Entertainment wants to fight, we also want to see if we can make you a true superstar."

After Manager Chen left, Zheng Hui sat back down in his chair, took out a piece of paper, and uncapped his pen.

He intends to block Nicholas Tse's future path within this week.

Do you want to publish "The Cry of the End of the Century"?

Then I'll release "Thank You for Your Love 1999".

This song was originally intended to be Nicholas Tse's comeback hit, scheduled for release next year, and was a divine song that would allow him to firmly establish himself in the Chinese music scene.

Now, it's mine.

And Eason Chan, since they're both under Emperor Entertainment, let's take advantage of them together.