Chapter 140: The Little Heavenly Queen and the King of Skits’ God-Tier Performance; Your Little Heavenly Queen is Here!
The influence of this song seemed to be greater than Shen Qing had anticipated; by the time the chorus finished for the second time, the applause in the venue lasted for over ten seconds.
Because the singing conveyed a strong atmosphere of love and harmony.
A rare element.
This kind of element is scarce in both the Chinese and Western music scenes.
While there are many pleasant-sounding songs, most are just that – pleasant-sounding. Truly emotional works are few and far between.
Taking the Spring Festival Gala stage as an example, the only songs tonight that reach the level of classics are Love Each Other, David Tao and Jolin Tsai’s Marry Me Today, and Angela Chang’s Invisible Wings.
Other works either have subpar lyrics or are held back by their composition, resulting in a slight deficiency in emotional delivery.
Once the ’emotion,’ the soul of a song, is lost, it also loses its value for ‘legacy,’ and it will soon be forgotten as popular trends change with the times.
For instance, “Mouse Loves Rice” and “Lilac Flower” were incredibly popular when they first came out, but no one listens to them anymore after a few years because they were just catchy melodies. Once listeners get tired of them, they naturally discard them.
Classic masterpieces do not suffer this fate.
Take the theme song of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, “Hand In Hand,” the theme song of Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On,” and China’s “Yellow River Cantata,” “Song of the Motherland,” “Farewell,” “Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,” and even the curry-flavored “A Kiki Kuli Hou Ya Hou Ben”… No matter when you listen to them, they can touch your heart.
They are not only melodious but also resonate emotionally.
In Shen Qing’s opinion, only songs like these can withstand the test of time and the people.
However, a thousand pieces of gold are easy to find, but a classic is hard to replicate. Being able to write a currently popular song to earn money and fame is already great.
As for classics, that’s up to fate.
Looking at “Love Each Other” again, it was a tune Shen Qing thought of by chance, and he impulsively brought it to the Spring Festival Gala stage, making it a major highlight of this year’s gala.
It seems like an unintentional effort yielded great results.
At this moment, the audience in front of their televisions is unlikely to be feeling sleepy.
Shen Qing could almost guarantee that this was the least sleep-inducing program, aside from the skits.
The reality was as he expected.
The audience loved this song very much.
And it appealed to all ages, from those in their sixties and seventies to those as young as ten.
Shen Qing’s parents and grandparents, as well as his aunts, uncles, and cousins, were all gathered for dinner on this New Year’s Eve. Upon hearing Zhang Liangying sing “Love Each Other,” they all loved it.
Of course, this liking was from the heart, not because Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying were close.
Scenes like this, where the entire family, young and old, liked “Love Each Other,” were happening all over the country, especially in the northern regions with higher Spring Festival Gala viewership, where more people liked it.
Back then, this song became a massive hit at the opening ceremony of the National Games in SD Province, earning 300 million yuan in ringtone download fees within two years, precisely because it sounded: warm, reassuring, exciting, happy, peaceful, and friendly…
With all these elements combined, becoming a classic was inevitable.
To be honest.
If the lyrics were slightly altered, it could even become an Olympic theme song. Isn’t that better than the nonsensical “You and Me”? From this, one can see that Zhang Yimou’s musical taste is really not great. “You and Me,” a song composed in a children’s song style, was actually made into the opening ceremony theme song by him!!
…
At this moment, the hosts waiting backstage were also quite cheerful.
They were all moving their bodies to the music.
Moreover, almost all of them had the same thought in their minds – this song was going to be a hit!
Dong Qing: “First place for singing acts on the Spring Festival Gala, no doubt.”
Li Yong: “Absolutely, I really like this song.”
Zhou Tao: “Shen Qing is truly talented at writing songs. I feel like there isn’t a song he writes that I don’t like.”
Dong Qing: “Haha, I think you just like the handsome young man~”
Zhou Tao: “How could that be? I could be his mother.”
…
Inside the studio, in the first row.
Feng Xiaogang, Ge You, and Ning Hao nodded incessantly. Director Feng even led the applause and cheers, putting in considerable effort. Under his lead, the guests at several surrounding tables became quite lively.
Shen Qing took a sip of hot drink and glanced back at the Spring Festival Gala director, Jin Yue. He saw him clapping behind the control desk, clearly satisfied with the performances of Liangying and Jaylen.
Jin Yue turned his head and met Shen Qing’s gaze. He casually gave Shen Qing a thumbs-up.
This scene was noticed by Zhang Liangying on stage.
Liangying couldn’t help but laugh heartily; her radiant smile was very infectious. The director immediately gave her a close-up shot, inadvertently creating a classic image.
“Wow, Liangying is singing so happily, it’s like returning to the Super Girl stage. Oh my, Ying Bao is amazing, her second time on the Spring Festival Gala!”
“So cute, Ying Bao.”
“Liangying is smiling at me, haha, so beautiful…”
“Tonight’s Spring Festival Gala is very exciting. Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan are coming up soon. I wonder what they’ll bring this year. It would be great if it could be as classic as ‘Selling Crutches’.”
Not long after, “Love Each Other” entered its final 30 seconds, and the atmosphere at the scene had been ignited to its peak. Zhao Benshan, preparing to go on stage backstage, laughed and said, “Good, the audience’s emotions are up now. We’ll explode as soon as we get on!”
Zhang Liangying and Jay Chou stood on opposite sides, both singing passionately.
“All people are kind and loving”
“Traveling a thousand miles, hearts are one”
“Tonight, when myriad homes are lit”
“Perhaps looking through the window, the dream destination is near”
“La la la…”
“La la la la…”
At this moment.
Most of the audience in the studio hummed along to the ‘la la la’ for about 15 seconds before Liangying and Jaylen bowed deeply and ran off the stage.
Simultaneously.
Li Yong and Dong Qing stood at the edge of the stage to announce the next act.
During the camera cut, staff members were moving props onto the stage. Bai Yun and Niu, the planner, had already walked to the edge of the stage, ready to go on at any moment.
As the announcement was nearing its end, Bai Yun and Niu, carrying the camera, began to move. The two walked onto the stage just as the camera switched, and the audience watching on television instantly erupted.
After waiting for so long, many people were here just to see Zhao Benshan’s skit~
Moreover, they had just heard a very nice “Love Each Other,” and their emotions were running high. Both the audience in the venue and those watching on television were applauding and cheering enthusiastically.
The brilliance of this skit was no less than the ‘Selling Crutches trilogy’; people were laughing uncontrollably.
Shen Qing happily munched on sunflower seeds.
Feng Pants, Ge You, and Ning Hao were also laughing heartily.
It must be said that the performance skills of the king of comedy, Zhao Benshan, are truly strong.
He is perfectly suited for short-stage comedy performances; television dramas and movies actually limit his talent.
…
After Zhao Benshan’s “Plan” ended, Shen Qing also left the studio without waiting for the Spring Festival Gala to conclude.
As he exited, Zhang Liangying and Jay Chou were chatting with Angela Chang.
The six performers of “My People, My Country,” who had performed an hour earlier, had each returned home. After all, it was New Year’s Eve, and returning early allowed them to reunite with their families.
At this moment.
Seeing Shen Qing, the “Great Demon King” she had long admired, Angela Chang called him “Teacher Shen” repeatedly: “Teacher Shen, do you know? I’ve dreamt of you writing songs for me so many times in Taipei. Ah… I’m so envious of Liangying!”
Zhang Liangying pulled Angela Chang and giggled, “I’ll have Shen Qing write a few songs for you then.”
Jay Chou: “Brother Qing, don’t forget about my movie theme song!”
Shen Qing: “I remember, I remember. I’ll send it to you at your production launch conference.”
Jay Chou: “Good brother, you’re too kind!”
The status of a great music producer in front of singers is indeed very high, much like the status of a great director in front of celebrities.
This is because singers’ works primarily come from music producers. Talents like Jay Chou, Wang Leehom, JJ Lin, and David Tao who write their own songs… are not many.
Angela Chang’s album “Pandora” released last year was produced by music producers like Paul Wong and Chen Wei. Although the sales weren’t explosive, the influence was significant.
This album only sold 81,000 copies in Taiwan, barely making it into the top ten, and didn’t even compare to the sales of mainland singer Zhang Liangying in Taiwan.
Total Asian sales were barely 1 million copies.
These figures were released by Forward Music, and their authenticity is questionable.
The actual situation might not have reached 1 million.
According to industry conventions, if the actual sales exceeded 1 million, the exact number would likely be announced. Only when sales were below 1 million would they announce sales of one million copies.
However.
Whether it was 1 million or 2 million, it was no match for Zhang Liangying’s two albums.
But Angela Chang’s influence should not be underestimated. Her title song “Invisible Wings” often competed with Zhang Liangying for the top spots on various charts. Although she ultimately didn’t win, the song’s name could always be seen on the charts.
Since they met tonight, and Angela Chang was also eager to get to know Zhang Liangying and himself, Shen Qing decided to treat them to a New Year’s Eve dinner, along with Jay Chou.
Not long after they left, they ran into Zhao Benshan.
Old Zhao saw Shen Qing and walked over with a laugh: “Oh, young man, the songs you write are very good. I have a song I’d like you to write, can I have your phone number?”
The popularity of “Country Love 1” last summer caught Zhao Benshan by surprise. The second installment is already in the planning stages, but it lacks a theme song, which is bothering Old Zhao.
They say a good horse needs a good saddle~
But Zhao Benshan felt the opening theme song “Old Place” was a bit too sad and didn’t fit the cheerful theme of “Country Love.”
After hearing Shen Qing’s composition “Love Each Other” live, Ben Shan’s mind was made up – if Shen Qing were to tailor a song for “Country Love,” perhaps “Country Love 2” would be even more popular?
The first song that popped into Shen Qing’s mind was a folk song from the Northeast, allegedly sung secretly by Andy Lau – “People in Our Village.”
“My old village （ my old home ）”
“Is located in this village （ lives in this village ）”
“I am from this village （ I am from this village ）”
“Born and raised sheep （ born and raised people ）”
“Don’t look at the village being small （ don’t look at the village being small ）”
“There are mountains, water, and trees （ there are mountains, water, and trees ）”
“Neighbors are very harmonious （ neighbors are very harmonious ）”
This song is very interesting.
It’s catchy, novel, funny, and flavorful!
Its charm lies in its absurdity and down-to-earth nature.
The absurdity comes from ‘Andy Lau.’ The first time Shen Qing heard this song in his previous life, he was very surprised, “What, Andy Lau sang the theme song for Country Love?! King Andy is too down-to-earth!”
Later, he found out it was Luo Kainan imitating Andy Lau’s voice~
But even knowing it was an imitation, every time he hears it, he still finds it very absurd and funny – you would unconsciously associate “Country Love” with Andy Lau, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, creating natural conflict and humor.
As for being down-to-earth, everyone understands.
The arrangement of this song uses the erhu and incorporates the melody of a large folk dance, immediately bringing to mind the people of the black soil of Northeast China.
Shen Qing and Zhao Benshan only chatted for 2 minutes before agreeing to write a song for “Country Love 2.”
Zhao Benshan: “Little Shen, you must come to the Northeast when ‘Country Love 2’ starts filming. Uncle will host you well!”
Shen Qing: “Uncle Ben Shan, I will definitely come! I also want to visit the Northeast.”
Zhao Benshan: “Haha, it’s right to come to the Northeast to play. Call Uncle as soon as you pass Shanhaiguan, and I can ask friends to look after you wherever you are.”
…
The next day was the Lunar New Year.
However, the major media outlets did not rest; they continued to publish all sorts of news, further enticing the fans of various celebrities and most of the onlookers.
【 “Love Each Other” Explodes in Popularity, Exceeding 1 Million Downloads on Ringtone Launch Day 】
【 Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan’s Skit “Plan” Delivers Another Catchphrase: Rooster Laying Eggs, Laying Egg Rooster, Fighter Among Roosters, Oh Yeah! 】
【 Skit King Zhao Benshan Requests a Song from Shen Qing Backstage at the Spring Festival Gala; “Country Love 2” May Get Its Most Classic Theme Song 】
【 Zhang Liangying’s National Tour Concert to Launch at the End of March, Tentatively Scheduled for Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Guangzhou 】
【 Shen Qing Reveals to CCTV Reporter That His New Year Work Focus Will Remain on Albums and Concerts; Three Singers Signed by the Studio Will Debut Soon, Challenging the Geniuses of the Chinese Music Scene 】
【 … 】
As for Shen Qing, he wasn’t in a hurry to get back to work.
After waking up on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, he drove the Mercedes-Benz GLS he bought last year and secretly took Zhang Liangying back to his hometown.
Shen Qing’s parents were overjoyed.
They thought their son had brought his daughter-in-law back.
When Zhang Liangying took off her mask and hat, the couple was stunned: “??? Our daughter-in-law is the Little Heavenly Queen Zhang Liangying? Ahhh… Son, when did you become so amazing!?”
Shen Qing: Heh, she’s just my Second Class Private~
Zhang Liangying: “Dad, Mom, please rest. I’ll make you authentic Chengdu cuisine, the kind that’s guaranteed to be delicious. Shen Qing loves my cooking.”
Shen Qing: ???
What the heck!
What promises did she make on the way back?
Back then, in the car, Zhang Liangying patted her chest and repeatedly assured, “Don’t worry, Officer, I am your loyal Second Class Private! Hehe, I definitely won’t say anything out of line in front of Mom and Dad, ah no, in front of Aunt and Uncle!”
Shen Qing: “You keep your word, don’t talk nonsense!”
Liangying: “Yes, sir!”
And then, it turned out like this!!!
You good-for-nothing Zhang Liangying, you planned this all along to solidify your title as daughter-in-law, didn’t you? Let’s see how I’ll teach you a lesson tonight, so you can’t even call out （ Walls have ears ）.
When Liangying went to the kitchen to cook, his parents were laughing heartily, constantly praising Zhang Liangying to Shen Qing, saying how wonderful she was and that marrying her would bring eight lifetimes of good fortune to the Shen family.
Don’t you two know anything about your son’s abilities?
I am a genius music producer!!!
Who in the music scene doesn’t call me Teacher Shen…
In your eyes, your son has become a kept man living off Zhang Liangying.
Look at this mess.
But Shen Qing didn’t explain much; they wouldn’t understand anyway… In their generation’s perception, directors and producers are not as esteemed as glamorous superstars.
If Shen Qing were to say: “Zhang Liangying was made famous by me!”
His parents would probably think he was an idiot.
Don’t they know their own son’s capabilities?
He couldn’t even play the harmonica well in elementary school, and his off-key performance at the middle school New Year’s party became a school joke. Now, to suddenly become the most powerful music producer, they find it hard to accept.
All along, the old couple thought Shen Qing gained fame by charming Zhang Liangying with his inherited good looks, and they didn’t fully believe he wrote songs.
Enough said~
Anyway, they wouldn’t understand what a ‘music producer’ is. As media exposure increases, they will naturally understand later.
…
On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, the studio officially resumed work.
Chen Liang brought two Zhejiang University classmates, a male and a female. The female student majored in accounting, and the male student majored in law, being familiar with copyright law.
Of course.
The studio’s employees couldn’t all be from Zhejiang University to prevent them from forming cliques.
Therefore, Shen Qing recruited one person each from Beijing Normal University, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Suzhou University, and Nanjing Arts Institute, forming a ‘Qingying Studio’ with a total of 7 employees.
This marked the studio’s development entering the next stage.
From now on.
Finance will be handled by two accountants （ one from Zhejiang University and one from Nanjing University of Finance and Economics ）.
Copyright operations will be handled by Chen Liang’s classmate and the new employee who graduated from Suzhou University.
Copyright business is particularly important, as the studio’s current profit-generating projects are all in this area. Any business decision must be finally approved and signed by Shen Qing.
No carelessness is allowed.
Additionally, publicity, public relations, external liaison, and even Liangying’s assistant will be assigned to the two employees who graduated from Beijing Normal University and Nanjing Arts Institute, with each responsible for two areas.
All set~
In the following days, Shen Qing finalized the ten songs for Deng Ziqi’s debut album and then handed the complete scores to the band to begin recording demo tracks.
Once the demos are done, Deng Ziqi will need to come from Hong Kong to practice the songs, and the music videos also need to be prepared; ten music videos will take at least 1-2 months to shoot.
The entire process is expected to be completed by the end of March.
By then, Liangying’s concert will also have started, and Deng Ziqi’s debut can be announced during the concert.
In the future, Qingying Studio will have two formidable forces. If other music scene gods want to challenge Zhang Liangying, they will face a situation: “You call yourself a Little Heavenly Queen? Come on, let’s fight one-on-one!”
Zhang Liangying will step back: “Get past Little Deng first!”
Deng Ziqi: “That’s right, please call me the Little Little Heavenly Queen!!”
Music Scene Gods: “Ah!?”
The start of 2007 will see Deng Ziqi awaken the music scene gods who are still immersed in the New Year’s joy: Your Little Little Heavenly Queen is here!
