A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 39 Richie Jen

There will be a celebration party tonight.

Despite the news that Duan announced at the press conference not seeming particularly exciting to the reporters, the real headlines in the Chinese entertainment industry for the next two days will undoubtedly be about "Cold to the End" surpassing 10 million global sales, no matter how impressed they are with Lin Jianlu's demeanor when answering reporters' questions!
This is a major event for the entire Chinese music industry.

Compared to such a bombshell announcement, a few glib stand-up routines simply can't compare!
At best, it'll be a "headline bomb".

Therefore, not only should we hold a press conference, but we should also invite colleagues from the record industry to come and celebrate!
This includes not only record companies and singers of all sizes on Taiwan Island, but also record companies outside the island, mainly those on Hong Kong Island, as well as Rock Records' partner companies, distributors, and dealers in various markets.

They frequently raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Two old men and two agents, four people in total, escorted him.

This is even more outrageous than the previous three guardians escorting the sect's prodigy to Hong Kong.

Lin Jianlu only needed to stand still; his main task was to clink glasses with congratulatory guests and say "thank you" when someone offered their congratulations. Meanwhile, the Four Heavenly Kings would leave intermittently, bringing people over with them.

Even UFO, Rolling Stones' old rival, sent someone to congratulate them.

Clearly, when it comes to expanding the entire Chinese-language record market, no one can compete with us.

The other party even indicated that they intend to send personnel to the mainland to open a branch company, and if necessary, they will also create a sub-brand similar to Moyan, hoping that Lin Jianlu will provide more assistance at that time.

Well, according to the data Lao Duan reported, out of the tens of millions of genuine copies sold, more than four million were sold in mainland China—such a huge market, who wouldn't be envious? If Lin Jianlu can do it, of course I can too!
They just stood there for almost two hours!

It felt like I was entertaining guests.

If Lin Jianlu hadn't just been discharged from the military six months ago and hadn't yet lost the physical memory of standing at attention, her legs would probably have gone weak.

After finally smashing the golden egg, cutting the cake, and standing at attention, he felt unusually tired. But before he could even slip away to find something to eat, Zhang Aijia came over and whispered something to him.

Among the guests who came to congratulate us earlier, there was a man named Zhou Linggang. Lin Jianlu remembered him because he had learned from Zhang Aijia's introduction that Mr. Zhou, one of the four major producers in Taiwan, was a patriotic businessman who was friendly to the mainland.

When Zhang Aijia introduced the place, she also mentioned that Lin Jianlu had visited the Huairou Feiteng Film and Television Center, where he filmed music videos, twice. It was invested and built by Mr. Zhou Linggang, and it was said to be quite large in scale and involved a huge investment.

Moreover, it is said that he is also quite close to the media tycoon behind Ge Fuhong.

"Here's the thing, Mr. Zhou intends to invite you to guest star in a few episodes of his drama series. It's an urban life drama, easy to film and act in, but the pay is definitely not going to be too high. It's purely to support him. Whether you go or not is up to you. It just depends on whether you're willing to give him face."

"What's your suggestion?"

"Five or eight days? I think it's worth it to make a cameo appearance. We collaborate frequently on movies, TV series, and music. Mr. Chou has a lot of influence in Taiwan and has also done many co-productions in mainland China in recent years. He has a wide network of connections. Let's make a good connection! It won't take up much time."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Jianlu nodded, "Okay!"

Aside from being a bit lazy and always wanting to retire, he is very dedicated to his work and doesn't have the diva-like attitude that comes with fame. In professional matters, he has always trusted and respected his two agents.

Then go ahead and do it. Like Zhang Aijia said, it'll only take a few days.

The world of martial arts is just a matter of human relationships and social customs!

Many singers from UFO came tonight. I had already met them and received their congratulations, but after secretly stuffing something into my stomach, Lin Jianlu still took the initiative to go over to them again.

Regardless of his own thoughts, he will obviously be categorized as a pure Rolling Stones supporter, but so what? Who says Rolling Stones members can't be friends with UFOs members?

He quite liked Zhang Yusheng.

Qi Qin, Zhang Yusheng, and the Little Tigers all came.

Wang Jie didn't come. Hmm.

Zhang Yusheng also brought along a somewhat shy young girl named Zhang Huimei. He said he was working on an album for her, which was expected to be officially released at the end of the year or the beginning of the next.

It seems he's going to try his hand at being a behind-the-scenes producer.

The Little Tigers disbanded at the end of 91 because Chen Zhipeng had to serve in the military. However, they reunited in 93. Although their popularity was not as high as before, they were still undoubtedly the most popular group in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

However, after chatting for a while, I heard them say that Wu Qilong would also be going to serve in the military next year...

I saw Zhang Xinzhe.

I'd heard Lao Li and others mention before that Zhang Xinzhe debuted and rose to fame at Giant Stone Records, which was then a subsidiary of Rock Records. Lao Li produced many of his songs, essentially making him a star. However, in 92, Giant Stone Records withdrew from the Rock Records system, and recently, it seems to have been acquired by BMG, which is Bertelsmann, a major international label. Of course, before Giant Stone was acquired last year, Zhang Xinzhe had already moved to EMI, also a major label.

Hong Kong media have recently been reporting that Faye Wong's contract is about to expire, and Sony Music and EMI are vying for her next contract.

Yes, Lin Jianlu knew the inside story. He even knew that Wang Fei preferred to go to EMI Records.

He even knew that if Wang Fei chose to sign, it would be an extremely high signing fee, high enough to shock the entire Chinese music and entertainment industry!

Because she is highly regarded by various companies!

She mainly sang Cantonese songs before, which limited her market, but she has already risen to the top tier, proving her strength. After changing companies, she will definitely switch to singing Mandarin songs, which will undoubtedly expand her market. In the current Chinese music scene, she is almost unique among female singers!

She has an excellent personal image, a great voice, superb singing skills, and a strong personality. She is also very creative in music! Moreover, she is very trendy, and to some extent, she could easily be transformed into a fashion icon.

Therefore, the prospects are viewed with almost boundless optimism by experts!

I also saw Zhang Yu.

He was a pillar of Kolin Records and a prized student of Taiwanese music mogul Tsai Tsung-cheng. His second album, "Bitter Heart," released in 93, was a huge hit, propelling him to the ranks of top-tier singers.

In Taiwan, selling 30 copies is already considered very impressive, and is generally recognized as entering the top tier. Selling more than 50 copies, then without a doubt, you've firmly secured your place in the top tier.

As for Lin Jianlu, Zhou Huajian, and Chen Shuhua, they are considered top-tier artists, often referred to as "Kings and Queens of Pop."

Hey, Shiyilang is quite pretty!

She exudes a strong wifely charm!

After wandering around for a while, I suddenly saw a guy drinking alone with a glass in his hand.

"Brother Qi!"

He walked over, put his arm around the man, and raised his glass, "Come on!"

Richie Jen was somewhat surprised. Their relationship hadn't been particularly close before. He was at the bottom of the company, while Lin Chien-lu was a breakout star right from the start. He usually chatted and interacted with established superstars like Lo Ta-yu, Jonathan Lee, his producer Hsiao Chung, or established superstars like Chen Shu-hua, Lin Yi-lien, Hsin Hsiao-chi, Zhao Chuan, and Chou Hua-chien.

He is not qualified.

When the boss invites everyone to his home for a small gathering, he will even take the initiative to help the chef he hired grill meat, because standing on the side would only make him feel awkward as he wouldn't be able to join the conversation.

Although Lin Jianlu was very polite and respectful, always calling him Brother Xiao Qi, he himself dared not refer to himself as "brother," saying, "Just call me Xiao Qi!"

With a clink of glasses, Lin Jianlu drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Richie Jen also drank it all in one gulp.

Since joining Rock Records, he has actually been struggling financially. However, he was unwilling to give up, and Jonathan Lee was also reluctant to give up on him. However, his first album since joining Rock Records, "Rely On," which was released not long ago, only sold so-so.

Lin Jianlu had no intention of pleasing anyone, but at the right time, he was quite willing to do so.

He had heard the story of "Too Softhearted" on a variety show in his past life. Of course, whether it was true or not, record companies are also in business, and storytelling is one of the inevitable packaging methods.

However, it doesn't matter whether the story is true or not. He has now basically figured out the production process and basic operation of Hong Kong and Taiwan record companies. In mainland China, there may be a saying that a song has been written for N years and has not been sold. But in Hong Kong and Taiwan, sorry, that doesn't exist. These big-name producers, songwriters, composers and lyricists simply don't have any inventory!

The record industry is too mature, and the record market is too developed, but the overall market is not big, and sales are not enough. Therefore, as long as it sells well, singers wish they could make five records a year!

These creators all say they're constantly being pressured to submit their work, so where would they get any unfinished material?
Even because of their own lack of creativity and output, the Hong Kong and Taiwan music scene prefers to buy the Chinese cover rights to other people's famous works all over the world!
Come on then!

Although Lin Jianlu personally doesn't particularly like "Too Softhearted," as a host who loves old songs, he is aware that Richie Jen became a huge star because of this song.

Let's hitch a ride!

I wrote a song for you, I'll bring it to the company for you tomorrow! Keep it up! You'll be famous!

After saying that, Lin Jianlu patted him on the shoulder, turned around and walked away.

Richie Jen stood there, stunned.

(End of this chapter)