Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

On Monday morning, the atmosphere in the conference room at PolyGram's Hong Kong headquarters was lively.

The sales director held a report in his hand, speaking in a loud voice.

"The statistics are in."

"In Taiwan, the total sales from the autograph session on Saturday and the two-day weekend across record stores across the island amounted to 9,200 copies."

"In Hong Kong, including yesterday's autograph session, we sold a total of 1,100 copies."

"Two days, more than 10,000."

There was thunderous applause.

In an era where the market is shrinking due to rampant piracy, what does it mean for a newcomer's Mandarin album to sell over 10,000 copies in its first weekend?

This is truly the king of newcomers.

Manager Chen leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief; his position was secure.

"Notify the tablet compression plant to place an additional order for 50,000 tablets. Send 40,000 to Taiwan and keep 10,000 in Hong Kong."

……

On Monday afternoon, Zheng Hui had just returned to the hotel when the phone in his room rang.

It was Manager Chen calling.

"Zheng Sheng, you're famous now."

"I just received news that TVB's 'Entertainment Big Search' wants to conduct an exclusive interview, and Commercial Radio's Cha Siu-yan has also extended an invitation."

"Several magazines also want to book photoshoots with me."

Manager Chen's tone was pleading: "Mr. Zheng, this momentum is too good. The media is very interested in you right now. If you leave now, the hype will quickly die down."

"Stay for two more days, just two more days, and finish these interviews with the mainstream media. This will only benefit your future development in Hong Kong and Taiwan."

Zheng Hui thought it would be fine to stay for two more days. He could go to the commercial performance after the Spring Festival. Since the record was selling so well, it wouldn't hurt to stay a few more days, as long as it didn't interfere with the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal.

Zheng Hui said into the microphone, "Okay, stay for two more days."

……

Meanwhile, in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, at the Ying Wong Group Centre.

In the conference room, at the head of the conference table sat Yang Shoucheng, Chairman of Yinghuang Group.

To his left sat several high-ranking executives from the group. To his right sat his agent, Huo Wenxi, and the young man beside her, Nicholas Tse.

On the large screen in the conference room, news footage of Zheng Hui's autograph session in Taiwan was being played.

An executive analyzed, "This Zheng Hui is coming on strong. His path is very similar to that of Tingfeng; they are both young idols and both play music."

"But his advantage over Nicholas Tse is that his image is so positive. Look at his songs, 'I Believe,' 'Stubborn,' and 'Proud Youth,' they are all positive and uplifting, and very popular with students and parents."

"Moreover, he has a sunny and upright appearance, which is very popular among housewives. Although Nicholas Tse's rebellious image can attract some young people who pursue individuality, his audience is narrower."

Another executive added, "Not only that, Zheng Hui's songs also have a rebellious side, like 'Stubborn.' The lyrics, 'I'm different from the world, so let me be different,' resonate with the 'bad student' group as well."

He's essentially playing both sides: on one hand, the mainstream's positive and uplifting image, and on the other hand, the individualistic and principled style that young people appreciate.

"Most importantly, he has the talent. His live singing was very stable during the TVB Jade Solid Gold Awards, and the arrangement of his song 'The Brightest Star in the Night Sky' was also top-notch."

As soon as he finished speaking, Nicholas Tse snorted coldly.

"Fake."

All eyes were on him.

Nicholas Tse's eyes were full of disdain: "From head to toe, from the songs to the person, it all reeks of hypocrisy. Just sing, why spout all that high-sounding philosophy? Isn't it just to please others? It's boring."

Huo Wenxi gently nudged him under the table, signaling him to say less.

Yang Shoucheng remained silent, smoking a cigar and watching the young man surrounded by a crowd on the screen.

This year, he made a big bet on Nicholas Tse, casting him in the movie "Young and Dangerous: The Prequel" and investing heavily in his album.

The plan is to mold Nicholas Tse into a leading figure among the new generation of youth idols.

Now that Zheng Hui has suddenly emerged, Nicholas Tse's future has become uncertain.

After a long while, Yang Shoucheng exhaled a smoke ring and looked at Huo Wenxi.

"Mani, go and make contact with this Zheng Hui."

Huo Wenxi paused for a moment, then asked, "What does the boss mean?"

"Go and find out what's going on with him, see if there's any chance he can sign with Yinghuang."

"If we can sign them, that would be the best. One will take the mainstream idol route, and the other will take the rebellious rock route. They will complement each other and capture the entire youth market."

"At that time, the company will allocate internal resources to them to create healthy competition, so that the profits can be maximized."

Huo Wenxi nodded, closed his notebook, and stood up: "Understood, boss. I'll arrange it right away."

……

The following afternoon, Zheng Hui returned to the hotel lobby after finishing an interview with a weekly magazine.

He sat down at a coffee table in the lobby, wanting to have a drink of water and take a breather.

"Mr. Zheng Hui?" a female voice asked.

Zheng Hui looked up and a woman handed him a business card. The card read "Huo Wenxi, Artist Manager of Fitto Records".

"Mr. Zheng, I apologize for disturbing you. I am here on behalf of Mr. Yang Shoucheng."

Zheng Hui accepted the business card: Fitto Records, the predecessor of Yinghuang Entertainment.

"What brings you here, Mr. Yang?" Zheng Hui asked.

Huo Wenxi sat down opposite him: "Mr. Yang greatly admires Mr. Zheng's talent. He believes that you will be overlooked at PolyGram."

"PolyGram has now been acquired by Universal, there are changes in senior management and personnel chaos, so they can't give you a long-term plan."

But we're different; Mr. Yang hopes to sign you.

"We are very sincere and are willing to offer a signing fee of five million Hong Kong dollars."

After joining, the company promises that you will receive the same treatment as Tingfeng, and enjoy the same level of resources and promotion.

Whether it's records or movies, the company will tailor a development path specifically for you.

"Although Fitto Records is only a second-tier company now, with the support of the group, it will soon return to the first tier."

"As long as Mr. Zheng is confident enough in his abilities, I believe the position of Fitto's number one player will be yours."

Zheng Hui remained calm: "Miss Huo, the conditions you've mentioned sound very tempting."

"However, I would like to confirm a few things."

"Please speak."

"This five million signing fee should be considered an advance payment from the company, right? It will still be deducted from my record sales revenue bit by bit later, right?"

Huo Wenxi was taken aback; she hadn't expected the other party to ask so directly.

"It's standard practice," she admitted.

"Secondly, on equal footing? Mr. Xie and I have completely different paths, how can we be on equal footing? If the company has a big-budget movie with only one male lead, should it be given to him or given to me?"

Zheng Hui's questions were increasingly pointed.

"As for Fitto's top artist... Ms. Huo, if I may be frank, I am very satisfied with my current cooperation model with PolyGram. They are only responsible for distribution, and I am in charge of my music."

"Why should I sign a contract that sells me into servitude, tie myself to a company, and compete with others for the empty title of so-called number one?"

He leaned back on the sofa and spread his hands: "I have no interest in acting right now, and I don't want to be forced by the company to participate in various activities that I don't like. I just want to write songs and sing quietly."

"So, I appreciate your kindness."

Huo Wenxi frowned and said, "Mr. Zheng, you can't go far in this industry by going it alone. You need a strong backer."

"Your achievements in mainland China are undeniable, but the rules of the game are completely different in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Without the resources of a large company, you wouldn't even have the chance to stand on the stage of a major awards ceremony."

Zheng Hui reiterated, "Sorry, I'm not selling."

Huo Wenxi's professional smile gradually faded. She had anticipated a bargaining session, but she hadn't expected the other party to refuse so thoroughly, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Mr. Zheng, won't you reconsider? Mr. Yang rarely takes such initiative to invite an artist."

Zheng Hui stood up: "Please thank Mr. Yang for me. Even if the deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. I hope we'll have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and walked towards Li Zongming, who had just finished his business.

Huo Wenxi watched Zheng Hui's departing figure, took out his phone from his handbag, and dialed Yang Shoucheng's number.

"Yang Sheng, he refused."

"His attitude was very firm, and even a five million signing fee couldn't sway him."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"That's interesting." Yang Shoucheng's voice sounded intrigued. "Since he won't listen to reason, let's see how high he can jump under the ceiling of Hong Kong."