17th Floor, Wanxia Building, Artists Department.
The office environment on this floor is much quieter than the composition department on the 18th floor.
The fundamental reason is that singers, unlike songwriters, cannot stay in the office all day, attend events from time to time, or take on various commercial performances.
Moreover, the artist department's office environment is very spacious, and the view becomes more open after crossing the corridor.
"Director." The head of the artist department, a middle-aged man, ran over to greet Song Yuqin as she came down, saying, "Why did you come in person?"
The music department has four directors, corresponding to the four sub-departments: composition, artist, contract, and publicity. However, the larger department only has one director.
Within this large musical category, Song Yuqin is the most prominent.
She usually appears in the artist department, either to personally come downstairs for an event or to scout for singers herself.
“I’ll pick the singers to record the songs. Call all the male singers over,” Song Yuqin said quickly.
"All of them?" Manager Bian paused for a second, then turned around and clapped his hands vigorously: "All male artists, put down your work, the director is here to select people to record the new song!"
The person who can get the director to personally select someone must be one of the four top lyricists and composers in the composition department who has created high-quality works.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to make Director Song make this trip.
"Director Song personally came to select people? It must be because those four top teachers wrote a high-quality new song!"
"Hurry up, hurry up!"
"Oh, you're only picking men? Can't you have women too?"
"Yes, I have a wide vocal range; I can sing songs that male singers sing too!"
"..."
The male singers all put down their work and immediately gathered in the rest area outside the office area.
The female singer stood there, feeling intimidated and regretful.
Supervisor Bian looked at the assembled group and then turned to Song Yuqin: "Director, most of the male singers in the department are here. Some are either attending events in other places, or they are currently filming variety shows or participating in competitions."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Supervisor Bian changed the subject, asking tentatively, "Director, you've come all this way personally, may I ask which top-notch artist composed this new song?"
“He’s not the ace, you all know him, Li Zhaoyang.”
"Who?" Manager Bian almost choked on his saliva. "Zhaoyang? Is it someone with the same name?"
"No, it's Zhaoyang from the Artists Department. She's been transferred to the Composition Department now." Song Yuqin's voice was calm, but to Supervisor Bian and the group of male singers, it sounded like a booming bell.
"Zhaoyang writes songs? He's transitioned into a songwriter?" a male singer who is 180cm tall said.
"Director, didn't we hear that the board of directors decided to blacklist Zhaoyang? Why is it still...?"
"Is it your identity as a singer that's being blacklisted? You can use a stage name to transition into songwriting."
"He did that kind of thing to someone... why hasn't the company fired him yet?"
"That doesn't seem right. Even if it's a new song written by Zhaoyang, is it worth the director making a personal trip?"
Song Yuqin interrupted their conversation: "Whoever has a gentle, steady voice can just go to the recording studio."
She made the trip herself mainly to support Zhaoyang.
If this were just a random phone call or someone else coming down to inform them, and they heard it was written by Zhao Yang, they probably wouldn't accept it, and I doubt any singer would even bother to record it.
Several popular male singers breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the director's words.
After they heard that the song was written by Zhaoyang, they were still thinking about what excuse to use to refuse the director.
Although I am colleagues with Zhaoyang, that is based on our shared identity as singers.
You say you suddenly started writing songs? Who would dare to sing them?
Especially popular male singers with a good reputation value their reputation above all else. They have their own set of standards for recording songs and will not record bad songs or vulgar pop songs.
"Nobody here?" Song Yuqin raised an eyebrow.
Supervisor Bian yelled, "Zhang Feng, isn't your style all about being gentle and calm? Get out here right now!"
Zhang Feng looked conflicted, and only after noticing the director's gaze did he reluctantly step forward.
"And you, Qin San, your style fits too." Supervisor Bian didn't dare keep the director waiting too long and started calling out names directly: "And you, all of you, come here too."
Towards the end, some singers were secretly pleased to find that the manager hadn't called their names. At the same time, they apologized to Zhaoyang in their hearts, saying it wasn't that they looked down on him, but it was just about time to leave work.
"Manager, I also have this style." At this moment, a male singer in his early twenties asked in a very low voice, with a somewhat obsequious tone.
"You?" After seeing the person who spoke, Manager Bian didn't answer him, but instead looked at Song Yuqin: "As for the little singer..."
“If the style matches, just go to the recording studio and find Li Zhaoyang,” Song Yuqin said.
"Alright." Manager Bian then looked at the obsequious young singer: "Xian Guang, you can go too."
"Thank you, supervisor." Lin Xianguang ran to the back of the line and followed into the elevator.
The rest were all not a good fit in style, so Song Yuqin didn't need to send them over.
Moreover, she listened to "Sorrow" several times and realized that only someone with this style could bring out the best effect.
"Director, it's time to leave work. I... I'm going home to make dinner for my girlfriend." Several male singers said this.
"Okay, everyone can go home now."
...
20th floor, recording area.
Li Zhaoyang, who had already printed out the lyrics to "Sorrow," sat quietly on a row of seats outside the recording studio, waiting.
He only printed two copies of the lyrics, one for himself and one for the singer to familiarize himself with later.
The original plan was to print one copy for each person, but we didn't know how many singers would be coming, so we didn't.
Ding-dong—
As the elevator doors opened, Li Zhaoyang looked around and saw a total of six singers walking out.
There are several people I know very well.
Zhang Feng and Qin San were both popular singers at Wanxia, just like him. However, because he had received almost all the resources when he was in the artist department, the two of them had been quite disappointed.
"Hello Zhaoyang." Zhang Feng was the first to greet him, walking over to strike up a conversation: "I didn't expect you to switch to songwriting, it's really quite a surprise."
"You kid, you must be the hottest star in the Evening Glow Artists Department now, right?" Li Zhaoyang's smile widened when he saw an acquaintance.
"I have to thank Zhaoyang for making way for me."
He thought there would be some mutual flattery, but Zhang Feng changed the subject, patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's already time to get off work, Zhaoyang, how about we record it tomorrow?"
“No, it’s almost the end of July, time is tight.” Li Zhaoyang’s purpose was very clear.
Zhao Shanshan has already won the Silver Chart Monthly Champion title twice in a row. If she wins the July Chart title again, she will be firmly in the position of Queen of Pop.
For Li Zhaoyang, time is money, and he must kill Zhao Shanshan in July.
Zhang Feng's smile froze for a moment: "Zhaoyang, look, everyone's thinking about getting off work early to go home and be with their girlfriends or wives, and it's Zhao Zai's girlfriend's birthday today."
“Yes, Zhaoyang, it’s my girlfriend’s birthday today, and I promised to take her to ride the Ferris wheel.” Zhao Zai walked over, his smile slightly gloomy.
Li Zhaoyang understood; these people had even come up with a reason.
I'm not a top-notch lyricist or composer, so I don't want to use my off-get off work time for my own sake.
I understand.
"Okay, those who don't want to record can leave early. We've all worked in the same department before, so there's no need to be so formal." Li Zhaoyang found a way to back down gracefully.
It seems that it's difficult to find singers for newcomers, especially someone like him who's caught up in public opinion.
He thought that with the director personally involved, the singer's participation would most likely be a done deal.
"Zhaoyang, we'll be going now." Zhang Feng patted his shoulder and said goodbye before heading towards the elevator.
Qin San, Zhao Zai, and two other singers glanced at Zhao Yang before leaving.
"Xianguang, aren't you leaving?" Zhang Feng called out to him from behind.
Lin Xianguang was somewhat at a loss: "I... I've been signed with Sunset Glow for almost a year, and I haven't recorded a single song yet..."
"Understood. You can stay and accompany Zhaoyang during the recording then." Zhang Feng pressed the elevator button and left work!
As the elevator doors closed, Zhang Feng chuckled and shook his head: "That kid Zhao Yang thinks he's the top guy in the artist department. He actually dares to take up our time after get off work. He should have some self-awareness."
Qin San sighed, "He writes and releases songs without fear of being torn apart by Zhao Shanshan's fans."
"Forget it, let them be. It's just a pity for that kid Xian Guang. If his new song is released, he'll be torn to shreds by public opinion."
"Zhao Shanshan is clearly aiming for the Best Female Singer award. Zhao Yang has become a sacrifice. Why is Xian Guang, a newcomer, getting involved? He has no sense of propriety. No wonder he hasn't recorded a new song in over a year."
"..."
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