hollywood billionaire

Chapter 245 Enlightenment and Harvest

"NO WAY!"

Hayley Williams was half-slumped on the carpet in front of the sofa, holding the remains of unknown amounts of alcohol mixed in her arms, and let out a series of naive muffled laughs.

"Have you really...been listening to my songs since elementary school?"

It's the same apartment, the same people, but the atmosphere of the conversation is completely different.

It was already 2000:[-] in the night, and as the last song "Don't Leave Me This Way" played on the CDJ-[-] came to an end with the chorus led by Rihanna, Han Music spent half a month carefully planning the grand celebration. It also came to a successful conclusion.

The externally invited guests left one after another, and the behind-the-scenes team shook hands or hugged the boss goodbye, dragging their exhausted bodies to the Park Hyatt Hotel downstairs to catch up on sleep, while the DJs and Rappers, whose energy seemed to be inexhaustible, were Led by Diplo and Quavo, they staggered out of the apartment arm-in-arm, looking for another place to have fun.

Where can they go to continue partying in a city where nightclubs are not allowed to serve alcohol after four in the morning?
This is not a question that Han Yi, who is extremely tired, wants to think about.

He gets up early in the morning to get ready, and he is working around the clock. He is very eager to be like Snoop Dogg, drinking wine and smoking grass. When he is sleepy, he wanders to One57#79, which is specially prepared for the aloof temple label manager. In the guest bedroom, wash up and fall asleep.

But he can't do that just yet.

Because this party, which has ended, has just entered the most important part.

The artists who were as tired as Han Yi walked around the display in the reception area, poured some drinks into cups and sat together.Some people were lying on the sofa half asleep, such as Billie Eilish who drank a little too much.Some sat on the carpet cuddling each other, like a tipsy Madison Beer and Dua Lipa.There are also monks who sit cross-legged on the coffee table and learn to meditate, such as Hayley Williams, who is not a contracted artist managed by Han Music or Renyu, but went to the banquet alone and was so excited that she didn't want to leave.

The backbone of Paramore, this time Han Yi and Zhao Youzhen most hope to reach the contract signing target at the VMA awards ceremony.

She is a tough-headed and extremely familiar person. She is the only "outsider" in this small circle who chats with everyone all night long.

"Yeah, I started listening to the first album when it came out."

Han Yi was the only one who sat on the sofa with a normal posture and was conscious. If he said he didn't drink, he didn't drink. No matter what the occasion, Han Yi would never break the rule.He responded with a smile and a slight nod.

"Before Misery Business."

"Wow."

Hayley Williams held her chin up and shook her mid-shoulder hair, which has been switching back and forth between blonde, green and blue in recent years, and recently returned to its fiery red factory setting.

"It's unbelievable."

"Why?" Han Yi shrugged and asked, "There are also many people who started to like Paramore before that song. Your first album is definitely not less amazing than the second one, don't you think?"

"It's not because of this..." Hailey swung her right index finger from side to side, and put another mouthful of alcohol into her mouth with her left hand, "I was thinking about how young you are, or how old I am. I released my first album When , you were still in elementary school? Oh my God, aren't you only... 16 years old this year? Wait, that's not right. 2016, minus 4, then minus..."

"12 years old? Fuck, that's not right. Why is it getting younger and younger?"

Just from this confusing mathematical calculation, Han Yi could roughly estimate how much Haili, who was scratching her head, drank tonight.

"When did you release your first album?"

Anne-Marie, who was also drunk and hazy, raised her hands and asked loudly, startling Post Malone who was about to fall asleep next to her.Although the latter looks like a gangster, he is actually very soft and cute.

Boz Malone, who is sensible, polite, always has words of praise on his lips, and has a panda personality, has quickly become the favorite new friend of all the female artists of Han Music.

"Sorry, Austin." Anne-Marie quickly touched Post Malone's head, "Did I wake you up?"

"No, no." Post Malone smashed his mouth and showed a Buddhist-like lazy smile, "I'm listening to you... please continue."

"95."

Hailey blinked her eyes hard, which were dry and stinging after wearing contact lenses all day, and spoke seriously about an outrageous year.

In 1995, seven-year-old Hayley Williams was playing in the mud in Mississippi.

The correct answer should be 2005. Hayley Williams, 17, along with Josh Farrow and Zach Farrow, whom she met in her adopted hometown of Franklin, Tenn., were hired by Warner Music Group's Atlantic Records, a so-called independent music label. Signed to the label Fueled by Ramen, opening a colorful chapter in the history of pop punk music.

Paramore.

A legend that seems to have been abandoned in the [-]s, but still lives in the hearts of countless people.

"In 95, the boss would have been..."

She went to stage school at the age of five, and there are still two pounds of tequila fermenting in her stomach. Even with the protection of the British education system, Anne-Marie cannot show any mathematical ability that is better than that of Americans.

"43 years old, or 46 years old, it depends on whether you want to round up."

"If you round up, it should be fifty."

Ellie Goulding, who is also from the UK and took four A-Level courses in high school, including English, politics, drama and music, none of which had anything to do with mathematics, stared straight at the ice cubes in her hands, which had long since melted, and the color was gone. Aperol, which has faded a lot, seems to be talking to a magic mirror invisible to others in the cup.

As a typical British person who started working at the age of 12 and was shunned by the law-abiding residents of Hereford City at an early age. He wears heavy goth makeup, listens to heavy metal rock, wears tongue patches, or has powder on the tip of his nose. As a teenager, Ellie Goulding's life became much more regular and healthier after she became famous.After all, as a public figure, it is difficult for her to smoke and drink as much as she did when she was studying at the University of Kent.

But this does not mean that she has lost the ability to have fun. In the absolutely safe and private environment of One57, once the disguise is taken off, Ellie Goulding definitely plays crazier than anyone else.

Mainly in the various chemicals she consumes.

In Ellie Goulding's eyes, every skyscraper outside the window, and even the Han music artists sitting next to her, have all turned into cute ooze monsters with tentacles, twisting and turning in place. .

As for the Aperol in her hand, he had already grown three eyes and five noses, making faces with her in the cup, making her laugh.

A good trip.

"yes……"

Anne-Marie was lost in thought.

"It does seem like it should be fifty."

"What the hell? How did you figure it out...forget it, it doesn't matter, let's not talk about it."

Anne-Marie and Ellie Goulding's wild derivation results made Han Yi dumbfounded, but the latter knew very well that trying to reason with drunkards and medicine jars was a futile attempt that would never see hope.

Save some energy and subtly instill some effective information into Haili when she is most relaxed and unguarded is the key right now.

"Anyway, from 2005 until now, Paramore has always been my favorite band, bar none. The first physical album I bought in my life was your "Brand New Days". I will always remember it. The moment I put the CD into my mom’s car stereo and heard ‘Ignorance’ for the first time.”

"To this day, I haven't changed my opinion. This song is the greatest pop-punk single of all time."

"Ignorance is your new best friend, ignorence is your new best friend."

Zhao Youzhen, who was sitting opposite Han Yi, hummed softly. As one of the main organizers of the party and responsible for important social tasks, she was very cautious about alcohol intake. She would only clink glasses with new guests, or if she was really thirsty. Only when I want to take a sip.But the night was long, and in four or five hours, even if he was carefully digesting it bit by bit, Yuzhen still drank four glasses of cocktails.

She had already developed her drinking tolerance in her hometown. Although she was not drunk, she was still inevitably affected by alcohol and became a little tipsy.

At this moment, Yuzhen threw the high heels that had tortured her all night on the carpet, hid her legs in Oscar de la Renta's evening dress, curled up on the sofa, pressed her hot face against her knees, no matter what Anyone who spoke could elicit a burst of silvery laughter from her.

It was the most relaxed and content she had been in a long time.

Sitting across from the boy he likes in his penthouse with a view of Central Park, surrounded by a large group of artists, they are all the result of their joint efforts.

For Zhao Youzhen, there is no more ideal picture than this.

"I also like Paramore very much." You Zhen has not forgotten her mission today. "It turns out that after being bullied at school, I came home, locked the door, put on headphones, and listened to "Misery Business" under the quilt alone. It’s a very stress-relieving thing.”

"No way, there are still people bullying... you?!"

Hayley Williams, who was highly praised by Han Yi and Zhao Youzhen, wanted to say a few words of humility, but was distracted by the second half of the manager's words.Hailey's eyes widened and she laughed twice in disbelief, dragging out the word "you" for a very long time.

"When did this happen?"

"high school."

"Where?" "South Korea, Seoul."

"...Do all the high school boys in Seoul have eyes?" Hailey shook her head and marveled, "Or are they just trying to attract your attention this way?"

"I was very fat at that time, probably as fat as the two of me now."

Zhao Youzhen made a semicircle with her hands and placed them on both sides of her cheeks, playfully restoring the face shape of Hayley Williams to her chubby girl days.

People will only fear and avoid things they cannot change. Zhao Youzhen, who has already crossed the threshold of body shape, can calmly reveal the scars of the past to outsiders.

There is no doubt that the impact of school bullying will never disappear so easily, but at least she is no longer afraid to face it.

You Zhen, who always maintains a strong aura in front of others, still feels inferior and timid from time to time in private, especially in career. A girl who has just turned 21 and is not much older than Madison or Billie needs to stand in her place. The artists they manage protect them from the huge waves coming from Hollywood. Even adults with a strong mind will become hesitant in some extremely fragile moments in the dead of night.

This is especially true for Leos who tend to think about things at night.Leo girls look domineering and energetic during the day, as if there is no peak in the world that they cannot conquer, but once they finish washing and lie on the bed, they recall everything they have experienced in the day, even if it is a trivial problem. , enough to make them cover their heads with pillows and cry secretly.

Zhao Youzhen is no exception.

Especially during the period when Billie just released "Ocean Eyes" and when Madison's "Cold Water" was released, Yuzhen was under the greatest pressure from life, studies and career, and the critical point was also the lowest.For at least two or three days in a week, after finishing all the notes and closing the Macbook, Zhao Youzhen had to hug himself and cry for ten minutes before his depressed mood eased.

But in the past month or two, her nighttime state has visibly improved.Billie, Khalid, Anne-Marie, and Madison, the first batch of artists she handled directly developed rapidly, and each of them achieved considerable breakthroughs in their respective niches, especially Madison Beale. Being the Billboard champion for three consecutive weeks not only increased her net worth sharply, but also gave Zhao Youzhen some reassurance.

At the age of 21, she has a 17-year-old champion singer in her hand. Although this achievement is not enough for Zhao Youzhen to rest on her laurels for the rest of her life, it is enough to keep her away from anxiety for at least the next six months to a year.Because after Madison Bill topped the list, the rising performance income and other business interests brought Zhao Youzhen manager commissions, which can already repay a considerable part of the tuition loan from Han Yi.

No longer owing Han Yi, it meant that she could finally stand on the same starting line as Xu Yiru and compete fairly.

This alone could make Zhao Youzhen laugh while hiding in bed late at night, leaving the rest of his worries behind.

"I know it sounds reckless to say this...but I don't believe it." Hayley Williams glanced up and down Zhao Youzhenzhou, "You look like the kind of person who has been thin all his life and goes to the gym every day, even if The kind of person who already has a good figure and wants to be even more perfect.”

"You can ask them."

Zhao Youzhen nuzzled his lips in the direction of Bi Li and Madison and said with a slight smile.On weekdays, she has the closest contact with these two girls, and naturally has the most opportunities to talk to each other.

"You really didn't lie."

His eyes intersected with the manager's. He was silent at first, staring at Zhao Youzhen in rapt attention. Madison Beal, who seemed to be out of his mind, shuddered, subconsciously straightened his body, and licked his lips that still had the taste of cocktails. , nodded in response.

"She showed us...evidence before."

"Where is the evidence?" Hailey spread her right hand and asked carelessly.Like Anne-Marie, she has a tomboy personality and is straightforward and forthright. Coupled with the catalytic effect of alcohol, the sense of boundaries when talking to others becomes even more unclear.However, this kind of straightforward question, which may sound like an invasion of privacy to others, does not sound cute when asked by a very drunk Hailey.

"it's here."

She had no intention of hiding it as a secret. In addition, a few people within Han Music, including Han Yi, had already seen it. Hayley Williams was also someone she needed to win over for development. Faced with this problem, Zhao Youzhen behaved Extremely calm.She pulled up the photo album on her phone, swiped up for a few seconds, and pinpointed one of the few images from when she was obese.

This is a photo she took in Bernigan, Interlaken, when she was on vacation with her parents in Switzerland.

In the frame, Zhao Youzhen, who is half a head taller than his father, interlocks his fingers with a nervous look on his face, clasping his hands in front of himself, and timidly glances at the camera.At first glance, no one would think that the chubby girl in the photo had anything to do with the incomparable young manager in front of her.Only by observing carefully and trying your best to identify can you catch a trace of similarity between the eyebrows and eyes.

"Wow, I have to applaud you, Yuzhen!"

After staring at the screen with squinted eyes for a while, Hayley Williams put down her phone and clapped her hands vigorously.

"Not because of how charming you have become, but because of... the unwavering determination and resilience you have displayed."

"Can I take a look too?" After hearing Hailey's high praise, Anne-Marie raised her hands itchingly and asked.She may seem like a tough-minded, fast-moving person, but she is actually very delicate in her thoughts. Under her straightforward appearance, she has a very good sense of proportion and scale.

"Be my guest."

Zhao Youzhen raised his hand and gave Anne-Marie the green light.

"Damn!"

Anne-Marie and Khalid, who leaned over, simultaneously exclaimed with intense tones and cast apologetic looks at their shared manager.

"That came out wrong...but it was so...too scary, Yuzhen, how did you do it?"

"Eliminate all foods that can make humans feel happy, and then...do a lot, a lot of exercise." You Zhen explained while peeking at Han Yi with a smile. Among this small group of people, he was the only one People who have seen the original image of Korean girls as pure and stoic.

"You really remind me of Russell Brand." Lana Del Rey, who was leisurely admiring the last touch of night before sunrise, also joined the discussion, "He also gained weight in his teenage years and finally managed to lose weight. "

"He's completely different from our Yoo-jin, okay!" Billie Eilish, who has always been particularly clingy to Zhao Yoo-zhen, climbed onto the sofa along the lines of the carpet on her hands and knees, shrank into her sister's arms, and cried out for her, "La That Searle Brand thing is fucking scary, the most grotesque British guy I've ever seen... No offense, Ellie."

"None taken." Ellie Goulding shrugged, "I think he's scary too."

"Russell Brand, hee hee." Dua Lipa, who was most nervous about walking on the red carpet, in order to relieve her anxiety, drank herself one cup after another of Laurent Perrier since putting on makeup in the afternoon. Chardonnay, so everyone saw the most natural look of this Albanian girl who was always tight after she completely relaxed.

No matter what he heard was a statement, question, rhetorical question, or the name of a person, place or street, Dua would repeat it in a murmur, and then he would giggle as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

"I haven't heard this name for a long time, hehe."

"Yeah, yeah, I remember the last time I saw that name, I was on tour with the band. 'Greek,' 'Arthur,' 'Despicable Me,' God, I mean, he Basically..."

Post Malone happily fell into memories and said whatever came to his mind, but soon he realized how inappropriate the second half of what he was about to blurt out was.He quickly looked away from Hayley Williams, cleared his throat unnaturally, and buried his face in the whiskey glass.

"You can actually say it directly, it's okay." How could Hayley Williams not know what Post Malone wanted to express? In the past few years, too many people have said it to her either explicitly or implicitly. He once expressed a similar sigh, "He and Paramore are from the same era."

"I don't mean anything else, Hailey." Post Malone stretched out his arms and defended very seriously, "Whether it's Russell or... or Paramore, they are all hot topics that are still active on the stage. You have never become 'past tense'... What I want to express is that during a certain period of time, you published some works that were deeply linked to popular culture, thus directly defining that era."

"I agree with Austin." Han Yi quickly jumped out to help smooth things over, "We call some artists 'yesteryear', some artists we call 'legend' or 'icon', and Paramore is undoubtedly the latter... I dare say that among the musicians present, there should be no one who can escape your influence. The glorious [-]s became so memorable because of bands like Paramore."

"I have attended your concert." Khalid echoed, proving that what Han Yi said was true, "September 2006, 9, Tower Records record store, the one on Peachtree Street. That was the most beautiful record store I have ever seen. One of the most wonderful live performances... I still have your autographed copy of "Riot" at home."

“I’ve seen it too,” Madison Beal thought for a moment and said, “But I’ll do it a little later, the Jingle Ball in New York in 2010. At that time, I was just an avid Belieber, but even at that time, I felt, You guys are doing much better than... than anyone else." She originally wanted to name Justin Bieber directly, but Madison ultimately chose to omit the name of her former idol.

"I'm in London."

Dua Lipa jumped into the conversation.

"Reading Music Festival was also in 2010... I was really into pop punk at that time, so I saved money for two weeks and bought scalper tickets with my friends just to see you and Blink-182."

"I also……"

"Wait, wait." Hayley Williams pressed her hands down, and stopped Lana Del Rey who was about to speak in a funny way, "I can understand these kids...but you, Lana .When I released my first album, you should also have entered this industry, right?"

"At that time, I was still Liz Grant...who the hell cares about who I am." Lana Del Rey curled her lips and looked calm, "Besides, who said that I can't be inspired by you when I enter the industry? At that time, Paramore is someone that all singer-songwriters who want to be successful should learn from and emulate."

"Yes, this is the consensus of everyone. You are really one of the very important driving forces why I chose to study at the University of Southern California and the United States. I want to see what kind of industrial system it is. To be able to bring a top band with a sound that is so unique and at the same time resonates with so many fans around the world to the mainstream market.”

Seeing that the atmosphere was finally heightened to this level under the careful guidance of him and Zhao Youzhen, Han Yi took over the conversation without hesitation, seized the opportunity, and struck while the iron was hot.

"I am convinced that I can say this on behalf of all Han Music artists here - our career ideals and career goals were gradually shaped by the influence of Paramore's music."

"I don't want to turn this pleasant conversation we had before sunrise into a lengthy Ted speech... But, Hailey, if you can share some of your insights and gains from being the soul of Paramore and getting to where you are today, I believe everyone will appreciate it. Benefited a lot.”

"Enlightenment and...gain."

These two words were like stones thrown by naughty children at passing cars from both sides of the highway, instantly causing dozens of cracks in Hayley Williams' seemingly solid car window.She crossed her legs and opened her eyes half-closed. She didn't know whether she was thinking or meditating.

After a long while, she looked at Han Yi's expectant eyes, sneered a few times in a scattered rhythm, breathed a long sigh of relief, and said quietly.

"My biggest reward? Money, maybe."

"The biggest insight..."

"If you really like music, don't get into this circle."

(End of this chapter)