Chapter 106: Mainland China’s Music Scene’s Summer Miracle, Yuan Yuan Gives a Pen
Pan Xiaoshuai’s upcoming album, Turn Around the Earth, is actually quite impressive, but it paled in comparison to Zhang Liangying’s “Dancing Girl,” losing its luster.
The media’s attention towards it clearly dropped a notch.
Many mainland newspapers and websites only gave it a symbolic section without much follow-up reporting; even the media on the island didn’t give it many headlines.
Warner Music had to pay for articles.
This was another significant expense…
It was heartbreaking.
On June 13th, Pan Weibai came to Beijing alone to attend Zhang Liangying’s celebration banquet. He walked the red carpet with Jay Chou and Zhang Yimou, and Gong Li, finally making a headline on Sina.
【Pan Weibai Postpones New Album Release to Support Zhang Liangying’s Celebration Banquet! The cast of Curse of the Golden Flower crowded the red carpet to offer congratulations, netizens mocked: Pan Xiaoshuai is a heat-chasing king! 】
…
Beijing Hotel.
A magnificent stage was erected overnight.
Zhang Liangying stood on stage in a black haute couture evening gown, the spotlight surrounding her, dazzling and radiant, as if hosting a grand concert.
Shen Qing, Song Ke, and Zhang Lu stood on either side of her.
At this moment, Liangying, like a princess surrounded by stars, proudly announced to everyone present tonight: The era of music belonging to me, Zhang Liangying, has arrived!
Tonight is destined to be etched in the history of the Chinese Music Scene.
Perhaps years from now, today’s grandeur will not be seen again. This is not just Zhang Liangying’s glory, but also belongs to all singers from the mainland.
She was the first to defeat those musicians from Hong Kong and Taiwan and stand at the pinnacle of album sales in the Chinese Music Scene.
All musicians from the mainland share in this honor!
From now on, when they attend events with musicians from Hong Kong and Taiwan and discuss album sales, their chests will involuntarily puff out a little more.
For this reason, Taihe Rye Music sent out invitations far and wide for tonight’s celebration banquet. Over 300 musicians from various circles attended, a scale unprecedented in the mainland in recent years.
Taihe Rye Music wanted to tell the mainland Chinese Music Scene: From this day forward, the number one position will be held by our alliance of ‘Taihe Rye Music + Qingying Studio,’ who dares to object!?
In fact, such a grand celebration was a clear invitation to all singers – hurry up and sign up if you want to switch companies. The top ten will have a chance to be mentored by Shen Qing, and the top three can even request songs!
Which singer wouldn’t be tempted!
Almost all singers who had collaborated with or were associated with Taihe Rye Music attended.
Especially those “niche singers” who had been stuck in the second tier for years and couldn’t break through, they desperately wanted to surpass themselves and improve like Zhang Liangying.
…
Banquet hall.
Dozens of tables were packed full. Record company bosses, behind-the-scenes producers, music academy professors, veteran artists, and music critics – these were not the main focus…
It was the singers and actors who received special attention from the media reporters.
Director Zhang, Huang Xiaoming, Han Hong, Sun Nan, Xu Wei, Na Ying, Qi Qin, Cui Jian, Huang Zheng, Pu Shu, Sha Baoliang, Phoenix Legend… and Gao Yuanyuan!
Each one more famous than the last.
The audience was familiar with everyone sitting at the front banquet tables.
Multiple media outlets, including Sina, Sohu, Beijing Daily, Entertainment Star World, CNR Radio, and Beijing TV, were interviewing them with their cameras and microphones.
The most attention was on the table of Chow Yun-fat, Jay Chou, Zhang Yimou, and Gong Li, the cast of Curse of the Golden Flower.
Director Zhang also wanted to ride this wave of popularity.
After all, his Golden Flower only received significant attention when filming began; it had been a long time since it last made headlines, and Director Zhang was anxious.
Taking advantage of Jaylen celebrating Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying, he called Song Ke and said he wanted to come and celebrate too!
Song Ke naturally wouldn’t refuse.
The entertainment circle is a place where you give face and I give face; everyone is happy to do things that add to the glory.
Earlier, during the red carpet walk, a reporter asked Zhang Yimou: “Director Zhang, it’s rumored that you are attending Zhang Liangying’s celebration banquet to invite her to sing the theme song for Golden Flower?”
Zhang Yimou first smiled, then his brow furrowed, and he said sternly:
“Yes, that’s right!”
“I really like Liangying’s songs. I listened to her new album repeatedly, the 10 new songs plus the 3 songs she sang in the competition, I listened to them all the way through without stopping.”
“After listening, I was stunned! My goodness, how can there be such beautiful songs? Each one is a masterpiece, and I almost immediately decided that this was the voice I wanted!”
“I couldn’t wait, so I immediately called Jaylen （laughing）, because Jaylen is quite familiar with Shen Qing and Liangying, so I called him.”
“At three in the morning, I told Jaylen: Let Shen Qing write our theme song, and you and Liangying can sing it together, it will definitely have an unexpected effect!”
“Jaylen was also stunned at the time, he said: Wow, this suggestion is brilliant! A duet sounds pretty cool, then I’ll contact Shen Qing tomorrow to request a song.”
“I said okay, make sure to request it in advance, giving Shen Qing ample creative space.”
…
…
On stage.
Zhang Liangying, Shen Qing, and others took turns speaking, first thanking their friends present, and then recounting the pleasant process of creating the album.
Music producers: Brother, stop talking, stop talking~
Singers: Envious of Liangying, but loyal to Shen Qing!
Although Liangying’s singing skills are strong, who among the singers present isn’t a powerhouse? They could still distinguish who was the big and small king~
At this moment.
The speeches concluded.
It was time for the reporter Q&A session—
Beijing Satellite TV reporter: “Many media friends call Liangying a ‘Little Heavenly Queen,’ what do you think, Shen Qing?”
Shen Qing: “This is a result recognized by everyone. I personally like it very much. It shows that Liangying’s singing skills have not only been recognized by the audience but also by her peers. This is a form of encouragement, and I hope Liangying will continue to work hard.”
Sina reporter: “Taiwanese and Hong Kong media say you chose May 12th to release the album to target Jolin Tsai, allowing Liangying to rise by stepping on her. Shen Qing, as Liangying’s manager, what is your response to this?”
Shen Qing: “As everyone knows, we first confirmed the release date of May 12th! Miss Jolin Tsai chose her date later! This time, Miss Jolin Tsai’s album sales have reached nearly 2 million, setting a new personal record for her, and she should be very happy. The idea of stepping on her to rise is purely baseless gossip from tabloid newspapers.”
NetEase reporter: “Tonight I see Mr. Shen, the general manager of Sprite’s marketing department, is also here. Is Zhang Liangying going to endorse Sprite?”
Zhang Liangying: “Thank you all for your concern. I am indeed in contact with Sprite company, and the specific arrangements will be known in a few days.”
CNR Radio: “Director Zhang Yimou brought the cast of Golden Flower to the banquet tonight. It’s rumored he invited you to write the theme song for the movie. Can you reveal the progress?”
Shen Qing: “I am very grateful for Director Zhang’s appreciation. I have already had some inspiration, but I still need to visit the film set. This song should be released to everyone soon.”
Entertainment Star World: “Phoenix Legend is also here today, does this mean you have started recording another theme song for Come On! Boys?”
Shen Qing: “Soon, it will be recorded and announced at an appropriate time.”
…
The celebration banquet lasted until eleven o’clock at night. Many people didn’t want to leave early, as it was an opportunity to meet industry bigwigs.
After Shen Qing saw off wave after wave of guests, only Gao Yuanyuan was left standing alone by the marble pillar. He walked over: “Waiting for someone?”
Gao Yuanyuan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly: “Waiting for you. I wanted to give you a fountain pen. I’m really sorry for disturbing you so late last time.”
As she spoke, she took out a small black box with gold patterns from her bag and handed it to Shen Qing. “I saw this black fountain pen last month while shopping in Hong Kong. I think it perfectly suits your temperament as a music genius, and I hope it can help you write songs!”
Shen Qing asked doubtfully: “Giving a pen?”
She nodded eagerly: “Yes, yes!”
Only when you like a man will you give him a pen… no, a pen, right?
Yuanyuan, what are you doing!?
Don’t you know my relationship with Liangying? You don’t just simply think that Liangying is a singer I, Shen Qing, brought up, do you!?
Uh…
It seems that can also be considered.
Because Shen Qing’s public statement has always been: “Liangying and I are not a couple; you could say we are a swift horse and a discerning judge.”
Of course, people outside didn’t believe it.
Including the vast number of Liangfen fans, and Chen Liang, who was about to join, they all thought Shen Qing and Liangying were a couple.
Never mind…
It’s just giving a pen, after all. One more pen won’t make much of a difference, it will just use a bit more ink.
…
Not long after.
Yuanyuan waved goodbye and drove off in her small car.
Shen Qing also went to Zhang Liangying and Na Ying. Sister Ying had been very close to Liangying tonight, affectionately calling her “little sister.”
“Little Ying, if you encounter any problems in the future, you can always tell Sister Na. I can’t guarantee anything else, but in Beijing or my territory in the Northeast, Sister Na will find a way to help you resolve it.”
“Haha, Shen Qing is here. Oh my, I’m truly envious of Liangying, having such a talented and handsome guy behind her.”
“Shen Qing, tell Sister Na, how do you write your songs? Sister Na isn’t very educated; I only admire cultured people like you.”
“What? You only graduated from high school!? That’s still more educated than me; I only graduated from primary school…”
“I won’t disturb you tonight. Sister Na will treat you to a meal another day, you must attend. I’ll invite some good friends for you to meet.”
Indeed, after becoming famous, one encounters only good people.
Shen Qing and Liangying exchanged a smile, held hands, and walked towards the parking lot, then drove back to their 120-square-meter cozy home.
They had a playful encounter in the bathroom, then sat on the lazy sofa on the balcony, enjoying the night view. Their mood was completely different from before.
Having money is awesome!
If the album sales reach 3.5 million copies by the end of the year, as predicted by the outside world, it will be second only to Jay Chou’s Qi Li Xiang, which sold 4 million copies.
For an album, the channel distributors usually take 30%, the record company takes over 37%, value-added tax is 8%, and the remaining less than 25% is divided among the lyricists, composers, singers, and the artist themselves.
However, Shen Qing established his own studio and released albums through a cooperative model, eliminating the record company.
Therefore, after deducting the 30% for the channel and 20% for the partner （Taihe Rye Music）, Qingying Studio can actually account for about 50%.
Assuming an album price of 60 yuan, 3.5 million copies would bring in 100 million yuan.
After deducting taxes and production costs, it would still bring in 90 million yuan.
Singers in this era indeed earn more than actors.
Actors, after working themselves to death for half a year on a drama, can only earn a million or so, right?
And this is just from physical album sales; subsequent revenue will be even greater, such as ringtones, copyright fees, endorsement fees, appearance fees, and concerts, with income flowing in continuously!
If this were in my previous life, how many hairs would I have to lose to earn this much?
Never seen so much money…
Shen Qing instantly felt his back straighten, pinched Liangying’s cheek, and said with a smile: “My good darling, you are too good at making money.”
Zhang Liangying smiled sweetly: “It’s all because Officer, your songs are amazing. Even if someone else sang them, they could still earn this much.”
Shen Qing: “I like you because you know how to talk and you’re obedient!”
…
Once the album revenue is deposited into the account, Shen Qing can use the power of ‘capital + talent’ to tear open the fig leaf of the entertainment circle and see what the scenery inside is truly like.
