Chapter 184 – Unconvinced
When Lin Zhijie received the call from Chen Fei’er, Lu Chen had just entered the art park in his Zhonghua X7.
Chen Fei’er was sitting in the copilot’s seat.
She didn’t board the million-dollar Mercedes-Benz business car that was lagging behind them. She seemed to have a special fondness for Lu Chen’s locally made car, which cost no more than 200,000 yuan.
The area of the New Age Art Park couldn’t be said to be very large, but in the thousand-year-old imperial capital, it was already very rare. If it was built into commercial and residential real estate or office buildings, the value would certainly be astronomical.
Because it was Haidian Park in the southwest, Capital University in the northeast, and ruins of the Yuanmingyuan in the north. Its geography, culture and surrounding environment couldn’t be replicated.[1]
The layout of the New Age Art Park was also completely different from that of ordinary business district. There were no high-rise buildings, but rows of trees, flower garden and meadows. Many distinctive low-rise buildings were hidden in the thick greenery. It felt more like coming to a large forest park.
This was the first time that Lu Chen came to the New Age Art Park.
Following the instructions of the car navigation, he stopped in front of a gray building.
The building has only three stories. The eye-catching yellow-and-black Flying Stone Records logo hanging from the wall, with its metal material splendidly shining in the sun, told Lu Chen that he has not come to the wrong place.
And Lu Chen also saw Lin Zhijie and others standing at the gate.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei’er got out of the car together, and the people from Flying Stone Records welcomed them, giving them a warm greeting.
“Miss Chen Fei’er!”
Although Chen Fei’er has cooperated with Flying Stone Records for many years, the relationship between the two sides has been good, and the former has been to Flying Stone Records many times, the courtesy of Flying Stone Records was still very thoughtful.
“Lu Chen…”
After welcoming Chen Fei’er, Lin Zhijie turned his attention to Lu Chen: “Welcome.”
Lu Chen shook hands with him and said with a smile, “Thank you, Director Lin. Please give me a lot more advice.”
Lin Zhijie said with a hearty smile, “I don’t dare to give you advice. Your achievements in music have surpassed mine. Let me introduce you to some colleagues in the company first.”
Through his introduction. Lu Chen met Yi Xiangjun, deputy general manager of Flying Stone Records, and Lu Tai, manager of the brokerage department.
And Fan Jun, the chief composer and arranger.
He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but Lu Chen felt that the chief composer was not very friendly towards him. There was a fake smile on his face when they shake hands, and there seemed to be some kind of sharp words hidden in his polite words.
Two people in the same profession never agree?[2]
Lu Chen didn’t care too much. Accompanied by Lin Zhijie and others, he followed Chen Fei’er into the Flying Stone Records.
This record company, which has enjoyed a good reputation in China for 30 years and was once second to none in scale and strength, has exclusively occupied this three-story building, so there was plenty of space inside, showing a rare atmosphere in the style of decoration.
Rows of transparent floor-to-ceiling glass brought in the outdoor sun and scenery. The simplicity and clever layout made working in it a pleasure.
On the walls of the hallway, there were also large portraits, all of which were photos of star artists who have been or were still under Flying Stone Records. To Lu Chen, their names were like thunder reverberating in his ears. Their names were known far and wide!
The quality of the staff of Flying Stone Records were very high. Perhaps because they were used to seeing big stars, no one surrounded Chen Fei’er, and they all greeted them politely.
Such an atmosphere made Lu Chen couldn’t help but sigh secretly, the depth of Flying Stone Records’ heritage!
The group sat down in the spacious and bright VIP reception room. After the tea and coffee were served, Lin Zhijie asked, “Fei’er, have you really decided on the title song of your new album?”
To be honest, when he heard Chen Fei’er say on the phone that it has been determined, and that it was Lu Chen who wrote the title song for her new album, the music director of Flying Stone Records still couldn’t believe it.
As early as more than a month ago, Chen Fei’er began to request songs for her album. Lin Zhijie helped recommend several new works by well-known songwriters in the circle, but she was not very satisfied with them.
Chen Fei’er has very high requirements for this album, beginning with the change in style.
As everyone knew, it was not easy for famous singers to change his or her style, because his or her fan group has long been established, and everyone was used to and liked the singer’s original style.
So once the work, after the change in style, couldn’t satisfy people, the result would inevitably lead to the loss of original fans, and it would not be able to attract new fans. The popularity and brand value would be greatly reduced.
In the pop music world, there have been countless singers who have been eliminated from the market due to the failure of transformation!
It was even more difficult for Chen Fei’er.
She has been the Queen of Sweet Song for more than a decade. Her singing and image have long been deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Although she was now facing the problem of shrinking market[3], she could still live her whole life by depending on her past achievements.
But Lin Zhijie also knew very well that what Chen Fei’er was pursuing now was not fame and wealth. She has already earned enough money, her fame has reached its peak, and she has won countless awards.
What she pursues was undoubtedly another breakthrough in her career!
And to achieve her goal with a new album was a great challenge for any songwriter.
Could Lu Chen do it?
Lin Zhijie didn’t doubt Lu Chen’s strength and talent, otherwise, he wouldn’t have insisted that Lu Chen supervise the production of MSN’s debut album, but Chen Fei’er’s situation was completely different.
Her fans were mainly the post-70s and post-80s generations, while MSN focuses on the post-90s and post-00s generation!
This determines the great difference in song type and style.
Lu Chen’s creative talent was basically focused on folk songs and light rock. He wouldn’t let Chen Fei’er switch to folk songs or rock and roll songs, would he?
Picturing that scene in his head, Lin Zhijie could faint.
Chen Fei’er said with a smile, “Brother Lin, you’ll know after listening to it. I’m sure Lu Chen’s new work won’t disappoint you. My album will revolve around these two songs!”
Her voice was soft and melodious, but with unshakable firmness.
Yi Xiangjun and Fan Jun and others looked at each other. They didn’t expect Chen Fei’er to have such great confidence in Lu Chen.
Was Lu Chen’s new work really good?
Yi Xiangjun was a bit regretful. Her previous opposition to Lin Zhijie seemed to be a bad decision.
And Fan Jun clenched his fist secretly. He was more unconvinced in his heart.
In fact, this unconvinced senior, who had made a name for himself, was vigilant, fearful, and even disgusted with this newcomer in the younger generation.
But in front of Chen Fei’er, Fan Jun didn’t dare to expose his inner feelings directly.
He needed to wait for a more suitable opportunity.
Lin Zhijie said with a smile, “Then I really need to listen to it!”
After a pause, he said, “Fei’er, our Flying Stone Records have just formed up a female group called MSN Beautiful Girl Group. I want them to meet you. Please give them some advice.”
Lin Zhijie and Chen Fei’er have known each other for many years and have also produced the latter’s album. The two have a very good relationship.
So taking advantage of this opportunity, he wanted to recommend MSN to Chen Fei’er. If this Heavenly Queen was willing to guide them, it would be a great help for MSN!
“MSN Beautiful Girl Group?”
Chen Fei’er was stunned at first, then said with a smile, “This name is a little interesting. Let them come over.”
MSN?
Lu Chen’s face was a little strange. He knew that M.S.N was the first letters of the names of the members of the girl group combined, but the name reminded him of a chat software in the dream world.
Half a minute later, the three members of the MSN Beautiful Girl Group appeared in the VIP reception room.
The three people wore white dresses of the same style, but the colors of their skirts were divided into red, yellow and purple. They were about the same height, and they were beautiful and lovely, showing a youthful atmosphere.
Their faces were full of excitement. When they came in, they all greeted Chen Fei’er: “Hello, Sister Fei!”
Chen Feier nodded and smiled: “Hello… Xiaochu?”
She was surprised that one of the members of MSN was Mu Xiaochu.
Mu Xiaochu smiled shyly: “Hello Sister Fei. Hello senior.”
The last two words were for Lu Chen.
Lu Chen was equally surprised: “Un… Hello Xiaochu.”
He didn’t expect Mu Xiaochu to become a member of a girl group after signing with Flying Stone Records.
Lin Zhijie said with a smile, “Let me introduce you…”
Mu Xiaochu, 19, from Beijing Foreign Language Institute, was one of the top five singers of “Singing China”.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei’er were already familiar with her, so no special introduction was needed.
Mu Xiaochu was the M member of MSN.
Su Jiajia, the S member, was also a 19-year-old. She was originally a trainee of Flying Stone Records.
She has a sweet appearance, with a goose-egg shaped face and willow-leaf eyebrows, red lips and white teeth, and a cheerful personality, with canine teeth exposed when she smiles.
The last one was Ning Tian, 20 years old from the Northern Conservatory of Music. She could be considered to have received professional training.
Ning Tian was the oldest of the three, and has the best figure and also the most beautiful.
She has charming eyes[4], and she seemed to be able to talk with her smile. People couldn’t help but be attracted to her.
MSN Beautiful Girl Group was really worthy of the name!
Chen Fei’er shook hands with them one by one and exclaimed, “They are all really beautiful. Brother Lin, your vision is so good. I’m sure their group will be a success!”
Lin Zhijie said: “That depends on everyone’s support…”
As he said this, he looked at Lu Chen meaningfully: “Lu Chen, I’m going to invite you for a song. You and Xiaochu could be regarded as siblings. You must help with this!”
Lu Chen said with a smile, “Brother Lin, since you have said that, then I must come up with good works.”
Wasn’t it all the same who he’s selling his song to? Not to mention he also needed help from Flying Stone Records.
The production and distribution of CD records and posters of “You Who Sat Next To Me” all need to be completed through Flying Stone Records.
Lin Zhijie laughed. He didn’t continue on this topic.
Otherwise, the faces of Yi Xiangjun and Fan Jun would be lost.
He said, “Let’s listen to your new work first.”
Somehow, the music director of Flying Stone Records was full of confidence in Lu Chen’s new work.
He couldn’t wait to hear it!
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[1] In other words, unique. There is only one such place in the country.
[2] 同行相忌 – I don’t really get this. Lu Chen thought that since both of them have the same profession (songwriters) and don’t work together or not in the same company, it was natural for Fan Jun to have this kind of attitude.
[3] Shrinking market – the demand for sweet songs is dropping. Or the popularity of sweet songs is dropping.
[4] Original translation was “Her eyes were very moving/touching”. It didn’t sound right to me, so I changed it to charming eyes. Anyway, I think what the author wants to convey was her eyes/gaze could move/touch people. Whenever I think I didn’t translate something right or i couldn’t translate it very well, I will put a TN of it.
TN: If you like my translations support me in ko-fi: Here.
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