Sometimes you really can't talk to Grandpa Li about certain things. When you're in a rush to make money, he wants the album to take its time and be meticulously crafted?
Do the songs I choose really need meticulous polishing? They're songs that have stood the test of the market and time; that's how classics are made.
Just sing it and that's it. Why are you dragging your feet? You have absolutely no idea what investors are thinking!
The market waits for no one! Only when you've made money and have enough confidence can you slowly refine your skills.
Xing Baohua said to Grandpa Li, "No need for all that trouble. Just gather enough songs for an album and we'll record it. Don't listen to it anymore, come on, let's get to work. Let's sing 'No Distant Place'."
Grandpa Li's beard almost stood on end.
During a break in the band's play, Xing Baohua ran over to Zhao Dechuan and asked, "Teacher Zhao, is this piece ready?"
"It's still a bit lacking, what's wrong?" Zhao Dechuan asked.
"I'd like to move on to the next piece. Do you think it would be better to transcribe the sheet music?"
“Young people are just too impatient, that’s not good. Music is meant to be calm and peaceful, especially symphonies, which require a calm and focused mind to listen to. If you’re in a hurry for the next piece, it means you’re anxious, and the piece you produce will be lacking in quality. Don’t worry, I’ll find you again once I’ve settled things on my end.” Zhao Dechuan reassured Xing Baohua as if trying to calm him down.
These words made Xing Baohua a little anxious. These old guys are really calm! Not one of them is worried for him.
Then Zhao Dechuan said, "Actually, we don't need to help with the setup! We've already got one person free, haven't we?"
After saying that, he nodded towards Grandpa Li.
I wonder what Grandpa Li will think when he hears this, but he certainly has a lot of work to do.
One or two pop songs were enough to make Grandpa Li resist, so adding a symphony would probably make him complain that he was being treated like a donkey.
There are too many things to worry about, and I also have to coordinate.
I returned to Grandpa Li's side and just sat down.
Grandpa Li asked, "What did that old guy say? And why was he shaking his head in my direction?"
"It's nothing, it's just that the music still needs to be refined and polished. He doesn't have time to work on the score of a single piece. He just saw that you were pretty free, so he let you work on the score," Xing Baohua truthfully relayed the information.
"This old man, he's not just looking out for me because I'm free, he's practically making things difficult for me. How can I possibly manage? And you, are you trying to work me to death by giving me so much extra work?" Grandpa Li said with even more dissatisfaction.
"How could I possibly exhaust you? Here's the deal: once the album comes out, I'll give you a long vacation. You can go wherever you want, and I'll reimburse you for everything. You can even take your aunt along for a trip; I'll cover all the expenses," Xing Baohua said generously.
Actually, these words were a benefit or motivation for Grandpa Li.
Grandpa Li's displeasure finally softened a bit, and he pointed at Xing Baohua, saying, "You said it! I'll go to Glin after I'm done."
“Okay, as long as the album is finished and sold, I’ll arrange for you to go, really. Next year, when things are a bit better at the factory, I might even arrange for you to go abroad to see what different musical styles are like.”
Xing Baohua is making empty promises again. Anyway, with the craze for going abroad, many people yearn for the grass on the other side. Despite Grandpa Li's frequent complaints, he's actually quite dedicated to his work.
If there's a chance to go out and relax, let him go with us. Who knows, he might create his own work?
Grandpa Li waved his hand and said, "I won't go. I'll give the opportunity to the younger generation. I've been to Hungary and Moscow before. It wasn't very interesting."
Who would have thought that Grandpa Li had such an experience! How come he's doing so badly now?
This is something that cannot be mentioned or asked.
To everyone's surprise, Grandpa Li suddenly said, "If you're really sincere, then give me the cash!"
These words caught Xing Baohua off guard. If I had known you liked money, things would have been much easier, and I wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble.
"Teacher Li, here's what we'll do. Your salary will remain the same, but if you help me compose another piece of music, I'll give you an extra hundred yuan. How about that?"
"Including the previous ones?" Grandpa Li wasn't going to lose out at all. He'd already gotten several songs, costing several hundred yuan! He couldn't just let it go like that.
Xing Baohua smiled and nodded in agreement, "Yes, one cassette tape has twelve tracks, so it's 1,200 yuan. But this money will only be paid to you after the first wave of payments from the tape's sale." Xing Baohua also had conditions.
He could come up with over a thousand yuan right now, but it would be too much of a loss for him.
Besides, over a thousand yuan is a huge sum of money, a number I wouldn't even dare to dream of normally.
Grandpa Li's face was flushed, and he said excitedly, "It's settled then. You write something for me, so you don't deny it later."
Having traveled abroad, Mr. Li possessed a relatively strong ability to protect himself. He even knew that words alone were insufficient proof and sought written evidence.
Xing Baohua nodded in agreement. In short, he just wanted to get the album out as soon as possible so he could make money.
The album's return on investment and Mr. Li's meager earnings are simply insignificant.
With Grandpa Li settled, I could focus on composing the music. Grandpa Li's enthusiasm for his work picked up. If it weren't for the financial incentive, who would have imagined Grandpa Li would be so passionate about his work?
At noon, Xing Baohua treated the two teachers to lunch. Perhaps because Grandpa Li was in a good mood, he didn't hold a grudge about Zhao Dechuan adding to his workload.
Grandpa Li even happily took a couple of sips of wine.
Xing Baohua sighed inwardly, "Money really has a powerful magic!"
Li Wengang arrived at the band's location just that afternoon.
He said happily to Xing Baohua, "Everything you asked for is ready. Come with me."
I was hoping to take advantage of Grandpa Li's good mood this afternoon to compose another song, but it seems that won't be possible.
The cultural troupe had too many favors to offer.
Left with no other choice, Xing Baohua had to go with Li Wengang to the place he had mentioned.
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