Chapter 187 – A Meal Worth A Million Yuan
When Chen Fei’er left Flying Stone Records, she still rode Lu Chen’s car.
On this trip to Flying Stone Records, Lu Chen’s harvest wasn’t small.
First of all, Lu Chen has reached an agreement with Flying Stone Records. The other party will spare enough time producing the CDs of his album “You Who Sat Next To Me”, posters, USB disks and other peripheral products.
And in terms of price, Flying Stone Records also gave Lu Chen a special discount of 5%.
Don’t underestimate the discount of only 5%. It should be known that the profits from the ordering and distribution of Flying Stone Records was not high.
Especially the distribution of this work, they cooperate with Xinhua Book Company.
The money from this channel would basically be taken away by Xinhua Book Company.
In addition, Lin Zhijie asked Lu Chen to write two songs for MSN’s album, and asked him to co-produce[1] it.
The meaning of producing an album is different from that of asking to write songs. The latter only needs to write a work, deliver the finished product, and get paid. At most, he would give advice on the melody and singing style, and he wouldn’t need to worry about anything else.
A producer in the music industry was mainly responsible for the music production of records.
A music producer must have excellent music accomplishment and practical operation ability, rely on professional technology and experience to create the best sound effect for the record. This role was similar to a film director!
The task of a producer was to correct the mistakes made by musicians and singers in the early recording of the record in the recording studio, and guide the recording engineer in the later mixing of the record.
Therefore, a producer has a very important responsibility. The producer is responsible for the whole album and has a high voice and decision-making power in the recording process of the singer’s album.
Even if it was to lend a helping hand, it was rare for a big company like Flying Stone Records.
Because Lu Chen wasn’t a member of Flying Stone Records, and Flying Stone Records itself has many talents in this field, such as Lin Zhijie himself. He has produced at least hundreds of records and has a lot of experience.
This undoubtedly reflects the importance that Flying Stone Records or, more accurately, Lin Zhijie attaches to Lu Chen.
Even Lu Chen didn’t expect that the Music Director of Flying Stone Records would invite him to co-produce MSN’s debut album. After all, he didn’t have much qualification and experience in this respect.
If it was about experience, that is, Lu Chen himself just completed the album “You Who Sat Next To Me” not long ago.
Of course, working as a producer was not for nothing. Two songs plus assisting with the production, Flying Stone Records’ opening offer was 1 million!
This kind of price could invite the best songwriters in the industry.
Of course, Lu Chen agreed.
In addition to the generous remuneration, it was also important for him to accumulate relevant experience in this field.
In fact, Lu Chen didn’t know that if he had not shocked Lin Zhijie’s opponents with the song “Woman Flower” that he wrote to Chen Fei’er, perhaps he might not have gotten this contract.
The stubbornness and pride of big companies wasn’t something that could be shaken casually by any newcomer!
“Sister Fei…”
While driving, Lu Chen asked, “what’s the problem with Hu Xu just now?”
Previously in the monitoring room, when Lu Chen talked to Hu Xu, Chen Fei’er gave him a look.
Lu Chen understood the look, but he didn’t understand the reason why Chen Fei’er hinted at him.
Hu Xu’s reputation seemed to have been very good, he also looked like a very good person, and his speech and behavior were very good.
Chen Feier said with a smile, “Hu Xu is a person… How to say, it’s hard to tell what’s really going on in his mind, and he has a very strong sense of purpose, but he hides it so well that most people can’t see it.”
“Just now, I was worried that you would be confused by his praise and that you might promised him if he asked something from you.”
A utilitarian[2] and a hypocrite!
This was Chen Fei’er’s evaluation of Hu Xu.
Lu Chen understood and said, “Thank you for reminding me, Sister Fei. I will pay attention.”
Compared with Hu Xu, Lu Chen certainly believes in Chen Fei’er.
Chen Fei’er, if not out of concern for him, didn’t need to say these things to him. She wanted to specially remind him.
Chen Fei’er couldn’t deliberately slander Hu Xu behind his back. What she said must be true.
To people like Hu Xu, maintaining a respectable distance and staying away from them was the most correct choice.
Chen Fei’er sighed gently and said, “The entertainment industry is too complex. It’s difficult to tell what’s in people’s heart. Some people smile in front of you and will only stab you in the back. If you are not careful, you may be taken advantage of…”
She has been in the circle for more than ten years. She has encountered both good and bad things, and has a deep understanding of human nature.
“No more of that!”
She shook her head and smiled and said, “Look, I’ve even said bad things behind other’s back for you. How are you going to thank me?”
The Queen of Sweet Song smiled a little craftily.
Lu Chen smiled wryly: “Sister Fei, if you want my thanks, then I’ll do whatever you propose!”
Chen Fei’er asked with a smile, “Are you free tonight?”
“Tonight?”
Lu Chen was depressed: “I really don’t have time tonight. I’m going to a bachelor party.”
“A bachelor party?”
Chen Fei’er was surprised: “Your friend is getting married tomorrow?”
The so-called bachelor party is a kind of pre-marriage custom spread from abroad. Friends hold a party for the bridegroom who is going to say goodbye to his single life, and it usually has all kinds of joyous programs.
Of course, in the domestic environment, there must be no strippers at bachelor parties.
Lu Chen explained: “The bridegroom is the owner of the bar owner I used to work at. His name is Chen Jianhao. Now he is a friend. The bride is Zhang Nana from the Wandering Band. I call her Sister Na.”
“Chen Jianhao? Zhang Nana?”
Chen Fei’er thought for a moment and said, “Chen jianhao’s name is a little familiar to me. He used to be in the circle. I saw Zhang Nana some time ago. The song she sang was also written by you, right?”
Lu Chen nodded.
Chen Fei’er immediately became interested: “Can you tell me your story?”
Lu Chen scratched his head a little: “Actually, there is nothing to tell. Sister Fei, if you want to know, let’s find a place to sit down and chat while eating. It’s my treat this lunch.”
Chen Fei’er smiled radiantly[3]: “Good…”
She thought for a moment and said, “Your sister won’t eat your meal for free. I will also place the CD record of my new album and its peripheral products on your crowdfunding website. I think it’s very interesting.”
“Sister Fei, are you serious?”
Lu Chen was so moved that he couldn’t believe his ears.
This was a big pie falling from the sky!
His album has been a success on crowdfunding. But for the online crowdfunding to really take off and attract more people’s attention, it obviously needed a lot of publicity and investment.
If Chen Fei’er’s transformational works could also be placed on the crowdfunding website, the number of fans attracted will definitely be much greater than of Lu Chen. And when she tell this on her blog by that time, that would be more effective than any advertisement!
In addition, not to mention the income of the crowdfunding website.
In fact, Lu Chen was willing to help Chen Fei’er run this album even if he didn’t earn a penny.
Once the fame and brand were out, venture capital was bound to come to their door, and when he sells some of his shares, it would be enough to pay off the rest of his family’s debt.
This was really a great thing!
This meal must be worth at least a million, right?
Chen Fei’er glanced at the dumbfounded Lu Chen and said, “Of course I’m serious. Would I lie to you?”
Lu Chen smiled: “Thank you, Sister Fei!”
He quickly turned on the car navigation, searched a highly rated western restaurant and took Chen Fei’er to have a meal.
This meal must be treated well!
It was not easy for a big star to eat outside. When they got to the place, Chen Fei’er has to go to the nanny car that followed behind them, look for a hat and sunglasses to cover her beautiful appearance, so as not to be recognized.
The place that Lu Chen selected was good. The environment was quite elegant, and the service and dishes were very high-grade.
The two had a very pleasant meal.
Lu Chen told her about working and singing in the Forget Worries Bar.
Chen Fei’er just felt that it was regrettable that if it wasn’t for the bachelor party, she could have gone with Lu Chen in the evening.
After lunch, Lu Chen sent Chen Fei’er back to her studio and then drove to the Forget Worries Bar.
Marriage was such a big matter. Lu Chen originally wanted to help, but was rejected by Chen Jianhao.
According to him, Lu Chen’s time was precious now, and there was no need to waste it on these silly things.
Although Lu Chen didn’t find it silly.
On the front door of the Forget Worries Bar, there was a sign saying “The owner has a happy event and business is temporarily suspended”. When Lu Chen entered, the waiter inside was arranging the scene of the party.
David, the bartender, was surprised to see Lu Chen: “Oh, look who’s here. Our big star!”
Lu Chen smiled and gave the other party a light punch[4], and then hurriedly went to the backstage.
Everything inside was so familiar. The scenes of the past sprang up in his heart, which made him feel moved.
In the afternoon, Lu Chen helped with the arrangement in the bar.
There was no need for Lu Chen to do these things, but he just used this way to say goodbye to Forget Worries Bar!
This place carried a lot of memories.
When night fell, Chen Jianhao’s friends arrived one after another.
The Wandering Band came. The temperament of the leader of the band, Qin Hanyang, has changed a lot from before.
It was a bit star-like.
Chang Wei, the boss of Blue Lotus Bar, also came and brought the North Needle Band.
It was worth mentioning that although the North Needle Band took two works of Lu Chen, their new album has not yet been released. Although they were also signed under Light Rain Media, but the scenery has all been taken up by the Wandering Band.
However, Gan Lang, the lead singer of the North Needle Band, was still in high spirits. When he saw Lu Chen, he took the initiative to say hello, thanked him warmly for the songs he wrote, and said that the band’s new album would be released soon.
As time went on, more and more people showed up in the bar.
Lu Chen didn’t recognize most of the people. It was estimated that they were not the same friends in the previous circle. Many of them were singers and musicians. Actually, many of them recognized Lu Chen and have come to try to get close to him.
Now in the circle of Houhai, Lu Chen was a legend in every sense of the word!
Many bar singers regard him as their idol.
At 8 p.m., the big boss finally appeared – to say goodbye to his single life, boss Chen Jianhao!
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[1] I’m not sure if it’s a co-supervise or co-produce. Either way, his role was described in the chapter. And as far as what I’ve have read, a music supervisor and a music producer has almost the same job description. Comment if you think I’m wrong and I’ll edit it later.
[2] Utilitarian – People who are too focus on the pursuit of merit and fame. A Person who will do anything in order get the maximum benefit for himself. This is a derogatory term.
[3] Original text was she smiled until her eyes turned crescent-shape.
[4] This light punch is like greeting a friend. It wasn’t stated where he punched him. Like fistbump, a light punch/tapped with his fist on his chest or shoulder.
TN: If you like my translations support me in ko-fi: Here.
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