HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 44 [044] A Million-Dollar Celebration Banquet, A Time of Great Success

"The song at the end of the film was really good. It was powerful and spirited. It made me want to drink a few bowls of wine."

"Nonsense, that's Liu Huan singing, how could it not be powerful?"

"Liu Huan is the singer, and the song was written by someone named Qi Yuan. That name sounds familiar."

"Qi Yuan is a very popular singer recently, the one who sings 'Because of Love, I Love You.' My daughter loves him so much that she dragged me to buy her an original CD and poster. The newspapers are all praising how talented he is. At first, I was indifferent to him because I didn't appreciate his songs. I never expected that he actually wrote 'Heroes' Song.' This young man is really something."

……

The customers in the restaurant were talking about the TV series and the song "Heroes' Song".

These days, internet access is still very expensive, and for many people, it's a luxury.

Watching TV and listening to music are the main forms of entertainment for most people.

Therefore, discussing TV dramas and music is also a part of everyone's daily life.

"Qi Yuan is such a good liar. He secretly pulled off something big without telling us. I'd never heard of him writing a song for 'Water Margin' before." Even Huang Xiaoming, his friend and roommate, was surprised.

“Xiaoming, Azu, you two are closest to Qi Yuan. Why don’t you give him a call and ask when he can return to Beijing? If he can come back before the New Year, we can stay a few more days and get together again when he gets back,” Zhao Yanzi said.

Qi Yuan was the most popular person in their class, and she found it very valuable to befriend him.

Huang Xiaoming didn't want to call, but when he thought that if Qi Yuan could come back sooner, he would have another chance to spend time with Zhao Yanzi, he decided to call after much consideration.

"Hey, A-Yuan, the classmates are having a get-together tonight. We all watched Water Margin together. Did you write the song 'Heroes'?"

You're really good at hiding, buddy, we only found out now... Actually, it's nothing... Everyone wanted to ask if you can come back to Beijing before the Lunar New Year? If you can, we can all get together before going home for the holidays.

"Xiaoming, you don't understand the troubles of being too famous. I'm so busy right now. I just finished recording the theme song for 'Princess Pearl' and then immediately wrote a new song."

Over the next few days, I'll be recording a song and filming a music video with Richie Jen, and I'll also be a judge on a talent show in Taiwan.

I heard that Warner Music's CEO, Mr. Zhou, is planning to throw me a grand celebration banquet..."

Over the phone, Qi Yuan poured out her daily troubles after becoming famous, summarizing them in one word: busy.

This is the workload that Qi Yuan only had after signing a record deal.

Previously, Qi Yuan only signed a record deal with Wheatfield Records, and this contract remained unchanged after he transferred to Warner Music.

Appearing on variety shows and collaborating with Rock Records are not included in the record contract. Qi Yuan always discusses these matters with Zhang Hao, and Zhang Hao only accepts them after Qi Yuan agrees to them.

If it were a singer with a full contract, they would be completely drained, running around doing gigs until their legs give out and still not finishing.

"Who are you talking about filming a music video with? Richie Jen? The one who sang 'Too Softhearted'?"

"Besides him, is there another singer named Richie Jen? You'll find out in the second half of the year. He and I will sing two songs together, which will be included in our respective new albums."

Huang Xiaoming's tone became a bit excited: "Damn, you're really awesome. Richie Jen, a king-level singer that even the old men in Beijing know, and you actually recorded a song with him."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Qi Yuan received a new call, so Huang Xiaoming ended the conversation, spreading his hands helplessly: "Sigh, there's nothing I can do. Judging from Qi Yuan's tone, he probably won't be able to come back before the New Year."

Even if Huang Xiaoming didn't say it, everyone heard the conversation clearly.

Qi Yuan's development in Taiwan is better than everyone imagined.

Richie Jen, the new Asian superstar, sold 26 million copies of his album "Too Softhearted" across Asia.

Whether it's true or false, they don't know; that's what the media reports anyway.

At the beginning of this year, authoritative media listed the ten most influential events in China in 1997.

Richie Jen's "Too Softhearted" became an instant hit in China and was included in the list of the top ten events at the same time as Hong Kong's return to China.

Everyone knows that Richie Jen was the most popular star in China last year, without a doubt.

His songs can be heard everywhere in the country, and even the Four Heavenly Kings have to avoid his brilliance.

They wouldn't have believed that Qi Yuan would want to cooperate with someone like that if he hadn't said it himself.

Unbeknownst to them, Qi Yuan also had a nickname as a rising star in Taiwan. In those days, the internet wasn't as developed, and news from traditional media was often delayed, so it didn't reach the mainland quickly.

……

Taiwan.

A high-end hotel in Taipei.

The luxury vehicles arranged by Warner were parked smoothly next to the red carpet.

The rear door opened, and the moment Qi Yuan stepped out, flashes and camera shutters went off one after another.

Fortunately, Qi Yuan was prepared and wore sunglasses, otherwise he would have been blinded by the light.

As Qi Yuan walked the red carpet, she didn't forget to wave and greet the media reporters and guests.

Standing before a 150 million yuan ice sculpture, Warner Bros. General Manager Zhou Jian waved a small wooden hammer over: "A-Yuan, let's smash it together. This is your glory, and it's also Warner Bros.' glory."

Song Ke flew in from the capital to attend this grand celebration banquet: "A Yuan, congratulations! I didn't misjudge you. The moment I saw you, I knew you would become famous."

Warner originally planned to make an ice sculpture worth 100 million, but then they found that Qi Yuan's record was selling so well that they redid the ice sculpture for 150 million.

Qi Yuan, Zhou Jianhui, and Song Ke got ready, and once the media reporters were ready, they swung their hammers and smashed the 150 million yuan ice sculpture, successfully breaking the ice.

Reporters pressed the shutter, capturing this very meaningful moment.

The moment the ice sculpture shattered, enthusiastic applause erupted from the surrounding area.

Almost everyone's eyes were on Qi Yuan, their gazes filled with envy, admiration, appreciation, and reverence.

Today's grand celebration banquet at Warner Music is prepared solely for Qi Yuan; Qi Yuan is the focus of the entire event.

Zhou Jianhui began to introduce the guests attending the celebration banquet to Qi Yuan: "A Yuan, this is Xu Meijing from Shanghua Records."

Qi Yuan shook hands with the other party in a friendly manner: "Sister Meijing, your song 'The Sun Always Shines After the Rain' is so popular in mainland China. Countless schools are playing this song on their radios."

Xu Meijing: "You flatter me, you flatter me. Compared to you, Ayuan, I'm afraid I'm not famous at all."

Many people may not recognize the name Xu Meijing.

But the influence of her song "Sunshine Always Comes After the Storm" is truly immense, and Qi Yuan is not exaggerating.

This song has influenced not only those born in the 80s and 90s, but also those born in the 00s.

This song was the wake-up call for many people during their school days.

Many people, when they hear this song by chance after growing up, will recall their innocent and youthful days on campus.

"Chang Hui-mei, a very popular singer in Taiwan, you can call her Ah-mei."

"Foreign Music, Wang Lihong, also known as Taiwan's Little Zhang Xueyou."

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly. Wang Lihong was one of the leading figures in the Chinese music scene after the millennium, but also an unlucky guy who married the wrong woman.

Wang Lihong is not as confident now as he was later.

He had no say at Linfair Records.

The company packaged him as Xiao Zhang, and he had to be Xiao Zhang; there was no room for maneuver whatsoever.

However, his contract with Linfair Records is about to expire, and Sony Music, which wants to expand into the Chinese music market, has extended an olive branch to him, promising that as long as he signs with Sony, Sony will give him the production control of his albums, allowing him to freely create his own music.

"Ah Yuan, I'm a fan of yours. I love all the songs on your albums; I've listened to each one at least twenty times. My favorite is 'Still Love You,' it's really great. May I ask you a few questions?" Wang Lihong brought a notebook with him, and his attitude was very sincere.

"???"

Qi Yuan was a little stunned.

"Reversing the Heavenly Gang, right?" Wang Lihong asked him for advice on how to make music.

(End of this chapter)