Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 68 Changes

Zheng Hui and Wang Dashan turned the corner, and a car stopped in front of them.

Manager Chen leaned out of the driver's seat: "Mr. Zheng, get in the car."

Zheng Hui opened the car door and got in with Wang Dashan.

"Manager Chen, how did you know we were here?"

Manager Chen started the car and merged into the traffic: "I guess you might want to take a walk around the neighborhood, just slowly circling around these streets."

You're PolyGram's darling now, I wouldn't dare let you wander around the streets like that. What if some paparazzi take pictures and write something ridiculous?

Zheng Hui smiled but didn't say anything.

Manager Chen glanced at him in the rearview mirror: "Starting tomorrow, are you ready to enter the battlefield?"

"It's all ready." Zheng Hui leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The neon lights outside the window cast flowing shadows on his face.

On November 27th, Zheng Hui's promotional period officially began.

The first stop is TVB City.

It's still that familiar "Top Hits" recording studio.

The car had just stopped in the parking lot when Manager Chen's phone rang.

He answered the phone, and after listening to only two sentences, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"The producer is coming down to pick us up personally? Great, we'll be right there."

Manager Chen hung up the phone and turned to look at Zheng Hui: "Hui, the producer is coming down to pick us up in person."

Last time they came, they only met a stagehand, who led them inside.

The producer kept a straight face the whole time and didn't say more than three sentences.

Zheng Hui stepped inside: "Let's go."

The three of them entered the building, and just as they reached the elevator, they saw a familiar figure walking quickly towards them.

It was the same producer from last time who had a lukewarm attitude.

"Oh, Mr. Zheng! I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

The producer strode up to Zheng Hui, extended both hands, and enthusiastically shook Zheng Hui's hands up and down.

Standing behind Zheng Hui, Li Zongming looked at the producer's beaming face and felt a sense of relief.

"Hello, producer," Zheng Hui replied politely.

"Don't call me producer, just call me Brother Chao."

The producer's hand still wouldn't loosen: "Mr. Cheng, I've heard your songs, they're incredible, absolutely incredible! That 'Next Year Today,' I listened to it on repeat all night last night!"

He turned to his assistant and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Dreaming? Quickly take Zheng Sheng to the best dressing room! Get the makeup artist and hairstylist ready!"

The assistant quickly stepped forward and gestured, "Mr. Zheng, this way please."

The producer then released his hand and said to Zheng Hui, "Mr. Zheng, you go and prepare. There's no rush with the recording. We'll wait for you."

I'll make sure you get a really cool shot today, so all the viewers in Hong Kong can see what our new king of pop looks like!

Zheng Hui was ushered into a private dressing room, and Li Zongming followed him in. After closing the door, he could no longer hide the smile on his face.

"Ahui, did you see that? Last time we came, he didn't even bother to lift his eyelids."

Zheng Hui sat in front of the mirror, looking at himself: "Brother Zongming, you'll get used to it."

The makeup artist and hairstylist quickly arrived and began working on Zheng Hui's face and hair.

The producer came in again halfway through, carrying two bottles of iced cola.

"Mr. Zheng, have something to drink. We'll have you sing two songs during the recording later, 'Thank You for Your Love 1999' and 'Next Year Today,' what do you think?"

Li Zongming replied from the side, "No problem, thank you for the arrangement, Brother Chao."

The producer rubbed his hands together: "Um, are there any special requirements regarding the lighting? Just let us know, and we'll adjust it right away."

"Just do as the director says, we'll cooperate." Zheng Hui opened his eyes and looked at the producer through the mirror.

"Good! Good! I like Mr. Cheng's straightforwardness!" The producer exchanged a few more pleasantries before leaving.

The atmosphere of the entire production team was completely different this time.

The director personally came over to discuss camera positions with Zheng Hui, and the lighting technician repeatedly adjusted the angles to ensure that every line on his face was clearly and three-dimensionally illuminated.

Zheng Hui stood in the center of the stage, waiting for the order to start filming.

In the audience, the producer and director stood together, watching the footage on the monitor.

The producer stroked his chin and said, "Look at this kid, he's simply blessed with natural talent. Just standing there quietly, without making any expression, every frame is so handsome."

The director nodded, pointing to the close-up on the screen and exclaiming, "That's what you call good bone structure; there's no bad angle from any angle. Once this airs, those housewives and young women will be hooked. This face is destined for superstardom."

Recording continued, and for the next two songs, Zheng Hui maintained an extremely high standard, once again getting it right in one take.

At the end, the producer led the applause, and the surrounding staff joined in.

After leaving TVB, the car drove directly to the airport.

"We'll only be recording this one program in Hong Kong. We'll dedicate the rest of the time to Taiwan," Manager Chen said in the car.

"We received so many invitations from Taiwan this time, so I've selected a few with the highest viewership for you."

The plane landed at Taoyuan Airport in the darkness of night.

Over the next few days, Zheng Hui appeared on almost every well-known variety show in Taiwan.

From CTV's "Guess Guess Guess" to TTV's "Taiwan Red Never Gives Up" and then to CTS's "Love Lessons".

On the show, Wu Zongxian put his arm around his shoulder and shouted into the camera: "Dear viewers, did you see that!"

What defines a young hero? He writes great songs, is handsome, and most importantly, he's talented and incredibly hardworking!

Hsu Nai-lin pulled him aside backstage for a chat, asking him what the mainland was really like.

On the show, Chang Hsiao-yen held up the cover of his album "Floating Life" and exclaimed, "The design of this album is very interesting. It's a face, half in the light and half in the shadow."

Just like his songs, they contain the impulsiveness of youth as well as the helplessness of adulthood.

Aside from recording the program, Zheng Hui spends the rest of his time in the hotel.

It wasn't a break, but rather an interview with various newspapers and magazines.

From the United Daily News to the Liberty Times, from FHM to ELLE magazine.

The reporters' questions were varied, ranging from musical ideas to love life, childhood experiences, and future plans.

Zheng Hui's answer was impeccable, and Li Zongming occasionally added a few words from the side, maintaining Zheng Hui's perfect image.

On December 2nd, Zheng Hui finished recording his last announcement.

His new album, "Floating Life," has officially begun its run on various radio charts.

PolyGram has spent a fortune this time, practically buying out prime-time slots on all radio stations.

For a time, whether you were in a taxi, shopping at a convenience store, or even eating at a noodle stall on the roadside, you could hear Zheng Hui's singing.

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"When saying goodbye, don't say forever, because goodbye won't be forever—"

"Find someone you love most, someone you deeply love, someone you share a love with, someone dear to you, to say goodbye to being single—"

Ten years ago, I didn't know you, and you didn't belong to me—

Love songs have a very wide audience.

The students found "Thank You for Your Love 1999" both cool and touching.

Office workers listened to "Ten Years" and silently shed tears in the midnight commute.

Heartbroken people scream "Single Love Song" in karaoke bars, clinging to the microphone as their last lifeline.

Radio stations in Taiwan and Hong Kong are simultaneously ranking the songs.

In Hong Kong, as soon as the Jade Solid Gold program aired, Zheng Hui's face appeared clearly in front of the entire Hong Kong audience.

The previous debate about whether he was good-looking or not was instantly resolved.

"Wow! He's so handsome!"

"With looks like that, she could easily star in a movie, right?"

"No wonder PolyGram was keeping things under wraps; they were saving up for something big!"

That evening, the Jade Solid Gold hotline was inundated with calls, all inquiring about when Zheng Hui's new album would be released.

The following day, the charts on major Hong Kong radio stations began to be updated.

According to Chizha 903's professional recommendation, Zheng Hui's "Thank You for Your Love 1999" has suddenly dropped to fifth place.

On the Chinese Song Chart, "Next Year Today" broke into the top three.

On various radio station charts, Zheng Hui's songs dominated the top ten spots, almost like a runaway success.

"Single Love Song" and "Ten Years" followed closely behind, also making it into the top ten.

It's rare for a singer to have four or five songs on the charts at the same time, a situation that only occurred during the peak of the Four Heavenly Kings' career.