Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 66 The World's Number One Artist

After resolving the copyright issue, Zheng Donghan took a document out of his desk drawer.

"Now that we've finished discussing the album, let's talk business."

It was the second contract that Director Feng had prepared earlier.

Instead of directly handing the contract to Zheng Hui, Zheng Donghan removed the cap from a fountain pen.

He flipped to a page of the contract, crossed out a few words, and then wrote them down in a flamboyant style next to it.

Zheng Hui, with his sharp eyes, noticed that he had changed the original signing fee of "ten million" to "twenty million".

After making the revisions, Zheng Donghan flipped to the royalty sharing section and raised a few points there as well.

Only after doing all this did he push the contract in front of Zheng Hui.

"Hui, look, this should be the first gift given to newlyweds in all of Hong Kong."

Zheng Hui's gaze fell on the contract, but he didn't reach out to take it.

He looked at Zheng Donghan and said, "Mr. Zheng, I don't need to look at this contract."

Zheng Donghan's smile faded slightly, and he looked at Zheng Hui with some surprise.

"I trust you," Zheng Hui continued. "I know without even looking at this contract that it must be the most generous contract in all of Hong Kong."

"Just now, you personally raised the price in front of me, increasing the signing fee to 20 million. That's a top-tier price."

"This is not just a contract; it's your confidence in me."

Zheng Hui's words were perfectly worded, both praising Zheng Donghan and highlighting that he had already seen through the value of the contract.

Zheng Donghan's smile returned: "Then why didn't you sign it, or even look at it?"

"Because I am more confident in myself."

"You have a lot of confidence in me, but I have more confidence in myself than you do."

"I believe I deserve better."

He said it calmly, yet with an air of arrogance.

"Of course, anyone can talk big. Mr. Zheng, you are a man of great importance, and you value rules and regulations the most."

"So, I have a suggestion."

"We won't sign this exorbitant contract yet."

"We'll sign the same simple distribution contract as the last album. PolyGram has the right of first refusal for my next album, how about that?"

Zheng Donghan frowned slightly, unable to figure out what Zheng Hui was up to.

"I heard that PolyGram was acquired by Universal Music and should be officially renamed next year, right?"

"Instead of signing a last-minute PolyGram contract now, let's save it for next year."

O

"I'll sign this first contract once the company is renamed Universal."

"I was the first artist signed by Universal Music."

"Then we'll sit down and discuss the terms properly."

"Mr. Zheng, what do you think of this jackpot?"

Zheng Donghan stared at Zheng Hui for a good ten seconds.

His expression shifted from surprise to scrutiny, and finally to undisguised admiration.

"Hahahaha!"

Zheng Donghan leaned back on the sofa and let out the loudest, most hearty laugh he had heard since entering the office.

"Excellent! What a remarkable first person to achieve this!"

He pointed at Zheng Hui: "I admire your ambition!"

"That's what we'll do!" he decided.

"For this album, 'Floating Life,' we'll sign a distribution contract. We'll discuss your next one later!"

He picked up the newly revised, exorbitantly priced contract, tore it in half in front of Zheng Hui, and threw it into the trash can.

Zheng Donghan called over Director Feng and revised the distribution contract. After Director Feng finished writing it, Zheng Donghan reviewed it and then pushed the contract in front of Zheng Hui.

"Hui, take a look. This distribution contract stipulates that the distribution rights in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas, as well as the recording rights for this album, belong to us for five years. The mainland rights are still yours."

"I'll give you a royalty split of 18%."

Zheng Donghan looked at Zheng Hui and said, "I have confidence in this album. I don't believe it won't sell 300,000 copies."

"I'll prepay you five million as a signing fee, consider it a guaranteed share of the album's profits."

Zheng Hui looked at the contract; the terms were clear and the contract showed great sincerity.

He picked up the pen and signed his name at the end of the contract.

Two copies are made, and the two parties exchange them.

Zheng Donghan carefully put away the contract, his face beaming with smiles.

After everything was done, Zheng Donghan looked at the clock on the wall and then at Zheng Hui.

Are you tired?

Zheng Hui shook his head: "Not tired."

Zheng Donghan patted him on the shoulder: "Young people are just so healthy."

"If we're not tired, let's not rest. Let's finalize the music video today."

Zheng Hui was somewhat surprised: "So fast?"

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war."

Zheng Donghan stood up, walked to his desk, and pressed the internal phone button.

"Have Marketing Director Wang come up here."

He put down the phone and said to Zheng Hui, "A few days ago, I went to the marketing department and told them to change the marketing strategy for your first album."

"The marketing team previously positioned you as a handsome idol who sells his looks, but this approach doesn't fit with the songs on your first album."

"But it goes very well with two songs from your new album: 'Thank You for Your Love 1999' and 'Because of Love, I Love'."

"These two songs are all about showing off your looks and being cool. They're about making all the girls in Hong Kong scream when they see your face."

There was a knock on the office door, and Director Wang from the Marketing Department walked in.

"Mr. Zheng, you were looking for me."

"Ah Wang, this is Zheng Hui," Zheng Donghan introduced.

"Mr. Zheng Hui, I've long admired your name." Director Wang extended his hand.

Zheng Hui shook hands with him.

Zheng Donghan got straight to the point: "Zheng Hui's new album will be released on December 1st, and we need to start filming the music video immediately."

"

"The songs 'Thank You for Your Love 1999' and 'Because of Love, I Love' are all about being stylish and cool."

"Go find the best music video director in Hong Kong right now who can shoot handsome men, and hire him no matter how much it costs."

Director Wang nodded immediately: "Understood, I'll contact them right away."

After Director Wang left, and seeing that there was nothing else to do for the time being, Zheng Hui pulled Li Zongming aside.

"Brother Zongming, buy a ticket back to Guangzhou now."

Li Zongming was taken aback: "Now? You're not filming a music video anymore?"

"I'll take the filming, but you have something more important to do. After you get back, go to the Swan Publishing House immediately and find President Wang."

"Have him help you apply for a license number for this new album in the provincial capital."

"Once the license number is approved, you will immediately represent me to sign the contract, directly for the reproduction of three million cassette tapes."

Li Zongming gasped: "Three million boxes?"

The first album only sold about five million copies in total.

This second album hasn't even been released yet, but it's already sold three million copies.

Zheng Hui nodded: "Yes, three million boxes."

"After you sign the contract and wait for the approval, call me. I'll make time to come and pay."

"After you finish this matter, go back to Hong Kong."

Li Zongming looked at Zheng Hui and nodded: "Okay, I'll go buy the tickets right away."

In the days that followed, Zheng Hui spent almost all his time at various filming locations.

By November 25th, all the music video shoots were completed, and the project entered the intense post-production stage, just waiting for the album to be released and broadcast on radio and television music shows.

Besides "Thank You for Your Love 1999" and "Because of Love, So I Love".

The director certainly didn't disappoint Jung Dong-han.

He used almost every element that makes a man look handsome.

Convertible sports car, night view of Victoria Harbour, neon lights of Central, deserted streets late at night.

In the footage, Zheng Hui sometimes leans against the car door, gazing into the distance with a melancholy look.

Sometimes he would wear a black leather jacket and stroll in the rain.

The film spares no expense in giving close-up shots: eyes, profile, Adam's apple, fingers.

Every shot is like a meticulously filmed fashion editorial.

Zheng Hui only needed to make various expressions and poses according to the director's requirements.

He doesn't need acting skills; he only needs to show off his face and physique.

In other music videos, Zheng Hui appears more as a singer and an observer.

Especially the music videos for the songs "Red Rose" and "White Rose".

Zheng Donghan personally made the decision to invite a middle-aged male and female actor, both around forty years old.

The male actor is refined and elegant, while the female actor retains her charm.

The music video tells two versions of the story, but uses the same set of scenes and the same cast.

When filming "White Rose," the scene was set in a cozy home.

The lighting was a soft, warm yellow. The actress, dressed in an elegant dress, cooked for the actor and ironed his shirt, her eyes filled with tenderness and dependence.

They didn't talk much, just had some daily interactions, a glance, a smile, all of which conveyed a sense of peaceful tranquility.

Zheng Hui sat in the corner of the room and lip-synced to the song.

His presence was like a background element; no one paid attention to him, and he didn't bother the couple.

When filming "Red Rose", the scene was changed to a dimly lit bar.

The lights changed to a warm red and blue, and the actress changed into a sexy slip dress, wore heavy makeup, and held a cigarette in her hand.

She flirted with the male actor at the bar, sometimes laughing loudly, sometimes shedding tears, creating a dramatic tension.

Zheng Hui was still singing this song in the corner.

The music videos for the other songs also largely continued this style.

Zheng Hui is no longer the protagonist of the story; he has become a narrator and a recorder.

His songs connect the love, hate, and grudges of urban men and women.