Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 78 Concert Tickets Are Hard to Come By

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Hui put his phone on the table, picked up the hotel phone, and dialed Li Zongming's room number.

"Zongming, come here for a moment."

Less than two minutes later, Li Zongming pushed the door open and came in.

"Boss, have you finished talking with Mr. Zheng?"

"We've finished talking. I've agreed with Mr. Zheng that I'll be returning to Hong Kong in the next couple of days. He'll arrange the plane tickets."

Li Zongming nodded: "Okay, then I'll make some preparations on my side and wrap up the remaining media relations in Beijing."

Zheng Hui continued, "Before returning to Hong Kong, I have to go to Guangzhou first."

"Going to Guangzhou?" Li Zongming was somewhat surprised. "Is there something else going on there?"

"About the tapes," Zheng Hui explained, "I'll be traveling between Hong Kong and Taiwan for the next month after I go back this time."

After finishing all this, I'll be coming to Beijing for the Spring Festival Gala. I won't have time to manage things there for the next few months, so I need to go and explain things to President Wang.

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Li Zongming immediately understood: "Are you worried that sales will surge again after the Spring Festival Gala airs, and then there won't be enough time to produce more?"

Zheng Hui said, "Yes, production takes time, and the stall owners need someone to come and negotiate with them when they want the goods. Since I'm not here, I need to find someone trustworthy to keep an eye on things for me."

"President Wang is indeed the best candidate." Li Zongming agreed: "He can keep those stall owners in check and has the authority to place tape orders for you. You are now his biggest asset in moving up the ranks, so he definitely won't mess things up for you."

Zheng Hui stood up: "So, please book me the earliest flight to Guangzhou for tomorrow. After I finish talking with President Wang in person, I'll take the train directly from Guangzhou to Hong Kong that same day."

"Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

The next morning, Zheng Hui and Lin Dashan boarded a plane to Guangzhou.

Li Zongming remained in Beijing to handle subsequent media thank-yous and social obligations.

The plane landed at Baiyun Airport, and Zheng Hui didn't delay. He took a taxi directly to Baiyun Audio-Visual Publishing House.

President Wang was brewing Kung Fu tea in his office when he saw Zheng Hui enter. Curious, he asked, "Hey kid, weren't you in Beijing preparing for the Spring Festival Gala? What brings you back?"

Zheng Hui walked over and poured himself a cup of tea without ceremony: "The first rehearsal for the Spring Festival Gala has passed, but there's a gap in between. I need to go back to Hong Kong during this time, so I came to say goodbye before I left."

"Is the matter with PolyGram in Hong Kong?"

Zheng Hui took a sip of tea to moisten his throat: "Yes, they need to coordinate with the promotion of the new album, as well as hold fan meetings and concerts."

President Wang nodded in understanding.

"I've come here mainly to ask you for a favor," Zheng Hui said, putting down his teacup and becoming serious.

"you say."

"I expect to be traveling between Hong Kong and Beijing for the next period of time, so I probably won't have time to keep an eye on things in Guangzhou."

Zheng Hui looked at President Wang and said, "I'll have to trouble you to put in more effort regarding the cassette tape sales. I reckon sales will increase again after the Spring Festival Gala airs."

"If the owners of those four major stalls need to restock and require additional printing, you can simply place an order directly with the factory, depending on the market situation."

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President Wang waved his hand: "It's nothing, don't worry about it. I'll take care of things here in Guangzhou, nothing will go wrong."

"Regarding the funds, you can advance the money first, or have them place the order directly. I will take a day in January to fly back and settle all the payments in one go."

"No need for that," President Wang said. "Didn't you leave Chen Jianguo in Guangzhou?"

"From now on, if the owners of the four major stalls need goods, they can contact me directly, and I will help you coordinate the distribution. As for the money, let Chen Jianguo collect it and deposit it directly into your company's account."

"This way, the accounts will be clear, and you won't have to run around to both places."

After hearing this, Zheng Hui felt much more at ease, as President Wang had considered everything for him.

"Thank you so much, President Wang."

"Don't be so polite with me." President Wang picked up his teacup. "You're the face of our publishing house now; your business is my business."

"Go to Hong Kong or Beijing, make as much noise as you want. I'll protect Guangzhou, your base."

After explaining the matter, Zheng Hui and President Wang chatted for a while about the upcoming market forecasts before Zheng Hui got up to take his leave.

After leaving the publishing house, Zheng Hui did not linger in Guangzhou and took Lin Dashan directly onto the train to Hong Kong.

When the train arrived at Hong Station, people were already waiting on the platform holding signs.

It was Manager Chen from PolyGram, and he was accompanied by two colleagues from the company.

"Mr. Zheng, you must be tired from your journey." Manager Chen greeted him with a big smile and took the luggage from Lin Dashan's hands.

"Manager Chen, you're too kind."

"The car is waiting outside. Let's go back to the company first. Mr. Zheng and Director Feng are waiting for you."

Inside the van, Manager Chen handed over an itinerary.

"Mr. Zheng, this is the company's preliminary publicity plan. Please take a look."

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Zheng Hui took it and glanced at it; it was densely packed, leaving almost no free time.

Radio interviews, television recordings, magazine cover shoots, newspaper interviews—

"So full?"

Manager Chen rubbed his hands and said, "There's nothing we can do, you're just too famous now. All the media in Hong Kong want to interview you, and this is after we turned down most of them."

He pointed to one of the lines: "The highlight is this: on Christmas Eve, December 25th, the company has arranged a Christmas carnival for you at the Elizabeth Stadium."

"What about the tickets?" Zheng Hui asked.

"Tickets went on sale yesterday at noon," Manager Chen said excitedly. "All 1,200 tickets sold out today!"

This result was within Zheng Hui's expectations, but it also made him realize the terrifying popularity of the album "Floating Life" in Hong Kong.

Manager Chen continued, "When Mr. Zheng saw this sales speed, he immediately made the decision to get the Taiwan branch moving as well."

"Have arrangements been made in Taiwan as well?"

"It's arranged! On New Year's Day, January 1st, we'll be holding a small solo concert for you at the Taipei International Convention Center."

"The planning department originally estimated that selling 1,800 tickets would be a success. In the end, 2,000 tickets were sold out in one day. Because the venue can accommodate 3,000 people, Mr. Zheng made a special approval to release an additional 200 tickets, which also sold out very quickly."

The car soon arrived at PolyGram's office building in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Zheng Donghan and Marketing Director Feng, along with a group of senior executives, were already waiting in the conference room.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

Zheng Donghan looked at Zheng Hui with admiration in his eyes.

"Hui, you've really won a great victory for PolyGram this time."

He picked up a sales report: "Our album 'Floating Life' is selling like hotcakes not only in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but throughout Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, even bootleggers have started reprinting our original CDs."

Director Feng added, "Our marketing department conducted research and found that a large portion of your album buyers are middle-aged men between 30 and 50 years old. These people don't usually buy pop music records. You've brought them back to the record stores."

Jung Dong-han said, "Therefore, we need to press our advantage in the upcoming promotions. Fan meetings and concerts are just the first step."

"Hui, get ready, the next month is going to be very tough."

Zheng Hui nodded: "I understand."

In the days that followed, Zheng Hui was like a spinning top.

From morning till night, I'm either being interviewed or on my way to be interviewed.

He appeared in the live broadcast studios of various radio stations, in the recording studio of TVB's "Jade Solid Gold", and in the photo studios of various fashion magazines.

Christmas Eve, Elizabeth Stadium.

The venue, which can hold 1,200 people, was packed to capacity, and glow sticks formed a sea of ​​stars.

Zheng Hui sat quietly on a high stool, holding his guitar. There was no glamorous stage, no backup dancers, only a spotlight shining on him.

He sang "Next Year Today", "King of Karaoke", and "Ten Years".

Every song sparked a massive sing-along from the entire audience.

Those middle-aged men who were disheartened by the financial crisis and struggling in life found resonance in the song. They waved their arms and shed tears as they followed the melody.

The concert was a great success.

The following day, the entertainment sections of major Hong Kong newspapers were filled with reports about this small concert.

"Zheng Hui's Christmas Eve concert moved Hong Kong with a thousand people singing along."

"A guitar conquered the Hong Kong Coliseum; the title of Rising Star in the music scene is well-deserved."

After finishing his promotional activities in Hong Kong, Zheng Hui flew directly to Taipei.

January 1st, New Year's Day.

A large number of fans gathered outside the Taipei International Convention Center starting in the afternoon.

Many people, without tickets, held up signs asking for tickets, hoping for a miracle.

Tickets in the hands of scalpers have been inflated from the original average price of NT$1,200 to an average price of NT$5,000, and there is no market for them even though they are available.

Upon seeing this, the head of PolyGram's Taiwan branch immediately called a reporter he knew.

"Quick, take pictures! Quick, take pictures! This is news! See that little girl holding the sign? Give her more shots!"

Local reporters also sprang into action, their flashes going off incessantly.

The next day, Zheng Hui's name once again appeared on the pages of major newspapers.

"Tickets for Zheng Hui's Taipei concert were extremely difficult to obtain, with fans holding up signs and kneeling outside the venue begging for entry."

"The dragon crossing the river fiercely suppresses the local snake; the Mandarin king sweeps across the island."

On the same night that Cheng Fai performed in Taipei, the "Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation" organized by Commercial Radio Hong Kong was also held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Zheng Hui was unable to attend due to a concert.

That evening, Andy Lau was absent due to a schedule in Taiwan. Jacky Cheung, who has been focusing on music in recent years and has reduced his attendance at various award ceremonies, was also unsurprisingly absent.

Backstage, Li Zongming maintained communication with the other side, keeping a close eye on the news from Hong Kong.

During the concert intermission, as soon as Zheng Hui stepped off the stage, Li Zongming came up to him with a towel and water.

"Boss, the results from Hong Kong are in."

Zheng Hui took the water and drank a sip: "How is it?"

"Next Year Today" came in fourth place in the Top Ten Professional Recommendations. Li Zongming reported, "This award is very prestigious; it was chosen by radio DJs through voting."

"Then, in the Ultimate Male Singer competition, you were shortlisted for the top ten, but you didn't win the award in the end."

"The gold award goes to Aaron Kwok, the silver award to Leon Lai, and the bronze award to Andy Lau."

Zheng Hui listened without showing any expression. He had expected this outcome.

Such a prestigious award is usually won by a few top stars taking turns, so for a newcomer like him to be shortlisted is already a great achievement.

Seeing his calm expression, Li Zongming continued, "However, we got something even more important."

"The Gold Award for Best New Male Singer in the Music Industry is yours!"

The "Newcomer Award" is for rising stars. The "Gold Award" is for the "King of Newcomers."

This award is the highest recognition of a newcomer's year-end performance.

"Not bad." Zheng Hui nodded. In his previous life, he wasn't around, so this award wasn't given out. Instead, a Gold Award for Best New Female Singer was given to Candy Lo.

Li Zongming added, "People in the industry say that Commercial Radio's awards have always been suspected of being bought and won, and that they're not very clean."

Zheng Hui tossed the towel aside: "Whether it's clean or not, winning an award is a good thing. Something is better than nothing."

"When I get back to Hong Kong, I'll arrange to do an interview with Commercial Radio Hong Kong to thank them for the award. I need to make the right gesture."

"clear."

After his concert in Taiwan, Zheng Hui spent a few more days there doing promotional work before returning to Hong Kong.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, he immediately fulfilled his promise and participated in an exclusive interview with Commercial Radio Hong Kong.

During the live broadcast, the host asked him what he thought about winning the Rookie of the Year award.

Zheng Hui spoke into the microphone with a sincere tone.

"Thank you so much to Commercial Radio and all the DJs. This award is a huge encouragement to me."

"As a newcomer, I'm very happy to receive this recognition. I will continue to work hard and write more great songs to repay everyone's support."

His attitude expressed gratitude without excessive flattery, giving the other party ample face.

These words, transmitted through the radio, caused many people who were originally indifferent to him to develop some goodwill towards him.

For the next two weeks, he practically became a frequent flyer, shuttling between Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur to attend various autograph sessions and fan meetings.

With the boost from his popularity, the sales of his album "Floating Life" continued to soar, and by mid-January, it had officially surpassed the one million mark.

Within PolyGram, he has become their lifeline in the face of layoffs following the Universal acquisition, and all resources are being directed towards him.

Days passed by, and before we knew it, it was late January.

Zheng Hui has completed all his promotional activities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, and has won several newcomer awards.

After that, all that's left is the TVB Top Ten Golden Songs Awards and the Golden Melody Awards held in Taiwan in the middle of the year. If he wins either of those, he will be the true Newcomer of the Year in 98.

The success of the two mini-concerts boosted the confidence of PolyGram executives, who have already begun preparations for his official solo concerts at the Taipei Arena and the Hong Kong Coliseum in the second half of the year.

On January 20th, at Hong Kong International Airport, Cheng Tung-han personally drove Cheng Fai to the airport.

The car was parked at the entrance of the VIP lane.

"I've already spoken to TVB. They'll reserve your Best Newcomer Award for you. They'll have the company accept it on your behalf later."

"As for the Mandarin Golden Melody Awards, your song 'Stubborn' is the most popular, and they wouldn't dare to do anything too bad, so they should give it to you."

Zheng Hui was somewhat surprised: "You spoke with Mr. Shao?"

Zheng Donghan said with a smile, "I talked to Universal and TVB together on the phone. We are all businessmen, and there is no need to fall out over such a small matter."

"After Universal acquired PolyGram, it became the largest record company in all of Asia, and TVB had to give us some face."

Zheng Hui understood; this was the power of capital.

"Thank you, Mr. Zheng. Please also thank the company for me."

"We're family, no need for formalities." Zheng Donghan patted him on the shoulder.

Lin Dashan finished checking in and came over.

"Boss, Mr. Zheng, you may board now."

Zheng Hui stood up and shook hands with Zheng Donghan.

"Mr. Zheng, I'll be going now."

"Go ahead," Zheng Donghan said, looking at him. "I'll be waiting for your good news from the capital."

Zheng Hui turned around and led Lin Dashan into the boarding gate.

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