Chapter 67: 《sunlight In The Crack》
Chi Ye did not understand Teacher You’s thoughts.
The two “teamed up” and returned to the Purple Circulation film crew. Director Zhang, who was well-informed, had already heard about the trouble at the neighboring Purple Deep Sea set and kept asking Teacher You, concerned if his body could handle it…
“It’s fine, it’s fine. The director said he’s going to call the producer, and everyone calmed down.”
Teacher You waved his hand cheerfully, observing the orderly Purple Circulation film crew, and said with feeling, “Your film crew is much better, with fewer annoying things.”
“What are you saying?”
Director Zhang let out a laugh, “As directors, it’s all the same. TV series directors are especially miserable. If I have a chance in the future, I definitely want to break into the movie circle.”
“Haha, you.”
After chatting with his beloved disciple for a while and soothing his depressed mood, Teacher You started talking about Chi Ye, whom he had met on the road.
“This kid’s appearance is indeed impeccable… Hmm, no, he’s still a bit too striking. If he’s really going to audition, we’ll have to tone it down.”
Teacher You shook his head, “But honestly, I don’t want to use traffic stars anymore.”
Director Zhang heard this and felt a bit regretful, “My fault… I originally thought I could share some of your worries… but if you’re worried about his acting skills, I think you can take a look. He’s not as bad as people say.”
Director Zhang gestured to Chi Ye, who was currently rehearsing with Ran Qiao.
Teacher You watched seriously for a moment, then withdrew his gaze, “It’s indeed quite good, but not enough.”
At this point, Director Zhang didn’t say any more.
He truly felt sorry for Chi Ye in his heart.
He had read the script that Teacher You had been working on for several years, and it was truly good.
Although the spy war genre is in decline now, with the help of the teacher’s good friend, that spy war great director, as long as there are no accidents, that story will definitely be a hit and win awards.
“Let’s not talk about this. Speaking of which, I’ve read your script…”
The two changed the subject.
…
After Chi Ye returned to the crew, he continued filming. The Purple Circulation filming progress was not slow, and during this time, he also began contacting the recording team recommended by Empress Dowager.
Releasing an EP is not as complicated as an album, but it still takes time and effort.
Fortunately, Chi Ye had started preparing a long time ago.
His first EP, its name and theme had already been decided: it would be called Purple Reboot.
It would include 5 to 6 songs, focusing on the most popular pop music on the market.
Moreover, because he already had songs in his mind and could play basic musical instruments, the two most difficult and time-consuming steps, arrangement and creation, were greatly reduced.
In other words, as soon as he scheduled the recording time, the complete EP would be released soon.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to “boast” at the New Year’s Eve Gala, saying that he would release an EP in the first month of the new year.
Three days later.
Chi Ye took a leave of absence from the film crew and, as agreed, arrived at a high-end recording studio in Beijing.
It was said that this recording studio was one of the top recording studios in the country. The previous owner was a big shot in the music scene, but in December last year, it was acquired by Hong Kong’s “Little Thousand Years” company.
From this, it could be seen that Jin Sui’s company had encountered repeated setbacks and had already thought of a backup plan before those setbacks.
Because their company’s records had once reached first place in Hong Kong, if film and television didn’t work out, they would start with the weaker music industry.
Coincidentally, Cantonese songs from Hong Kong had a large market in the mainland, and their company had signed quite a few gold medal singers.
Chi Ye came here alone. Today was the recording of the last few episodes of Purple Jian Ni. Empress Dowager originally wanted to come, but Chi Ye felt he had to consider her reputation in the industry. After much persuasion, the young girl reluctantly agreed not to come.
However, she didn’t come, but her “will” was present.
Chi Ye came to record songs with Empress Dowager’s “will,” and the person in charge of the recording studio personally came out to greet him.
After a round of pleasantries and greetings, they immediately started preparing the team.
“Teacher Chi, don’t worry. This time we’ve hired the best voice tuning master in Hong Kong. You can sing with confidence. No matter how you sing, we can fix it for you.”
Perhaps due to some “internal” news, the person in charge was exceptionally enthusiastic, patting his chest and assuring, “If it’s really not working, we’ll fix it word by word! We’ve encountered such… clients before!”
Chi Ye looked at him, “It’s not necessary to go to such lengths.”
The person in charge was surprised, “Oh?”
“Just find me a ‘voice double,’ and then we’ll save a lot of money.”
Chi Ye’s old habit resurfaced, making the person in charge awkward.
“Alright, let’s not waste time once we’re ready. Let’s begin.”
Chi Ye was actually very efficient when it came to work. Once the recording team was ready, he immediately got into character.
The person in charge glanced at his back, muttering to himself, “With this demeanor, if people didn’t know better, they’d think you were a Heavenly King of the music scene.”
Chi Ye ignored his gaze. After entering the recording studio, he briefly communicated with the recording, mixing, and mastering engineers, then sat in a chair and asked, “No problem?”
The few of them looked at each other, and their prepared psychological defenses gradually crumbled.
“This Chi Ye doesn’t seem as ‘ignorant’ as the rumors say.”
After all, he’s someone who’s been exposed to music; idols are different.
As they thought this, they nodded, “No problem, Teacher Chi. Please wait a moment, we’ll start once we’re ready… Let’s do a run-through first to get a feel for it.”
“Okay.”
Chi Ye nodded, closed his eyes, and adjusted his emotions.
Half an hour later, the team gave an OK gesture. Chi Ye opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and the initial accompaniment he had communicated with the team began to play through his headset.
His voice was magnetic and delicate, with subtle handling of the low notes and steady, even breathing.
It was as if he was softly recounting the pain in his heart:
“How many traumas are stuck in the throat”
“How many tears have dampened the pillow”
“How much you feel you can’t”
“The pain of not being understood, only silence~”
Directly entering the chorus climax, the low notes suddenly turned into high notes, with a bright and textured timbre.
It was like a cry breaking through the darkness, fully expressing the song’s longing for hope:
“When the night turns over, a new day will come”
“When the tsunami recedes, it’s just the ebb and flow of the tide”
“Don’t realize at the end that the beast in your heart”
“Has given up before the final battle”
Chi Ye stopped singing, feeling it was still missing something.
JJ’s song “Purple Sunlight in the Crack” almost perfectly matched “his” past experiences, the injustices suffered, and the unyielding spirit he displayed after his rebirth to fight against Yue Na.
Singing isn’t just about technique and style; emotion is more important.
Like acting, a song without emotional resonance is not a good song.
In Chi Ye’s heart, with “his” state of mind and everything “he” had suffered, writing such a song was completely understandable. At the same time, it was imperative to convey that sense of impact and outcry, of breaking through darkness, of unyielding defiance even in despair.
This was the soul of “Purple Sunlight in the Crack.”
“Hmm… let me adjust my emotions and recall the feeling of being bullied before…”
Chi Ye decided to empathize with “himself.”
Around him, there was silence.
Chi Ye looked up in confusion.
He saw that at this moment, all the members of the top Hong Kong music team, including the producer, recording, mixing, mastering, art director, and creative planner… were all looking at him, dumbfounded.
Their eyes were surprised, even a little disbelieving.
This…
Did I sing that well, buddy?!
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Chi Ye picked up a guitar and signaled to the arrangement team, “Arrange this song as well. Listen first.”
“Purple When You” full version played.
The recording studio remained dumbfounded.
Then came the third song, “Purple Smiling Eyes.”
The fourth song, the fifth song…
The recording studio was completely stunned!
“Ahem, is everything going smoothly?”
At some point, as the sky grew dark, the person in charge of the recording studio “cautiously” knocked on the door. Upon entering, he found the atmosphere inside unusually strange.
The top recording team was busy working with great enthusiasm, and while working, they couldn’t help but look at the young man who was still humming occasionally, searching for feeling and emotion.
The young man was too handsome, with a face that could be called the pinnacle of beauty, with excellent bone structure and skin. But in their eyes, they completely ignored his face, only hearing his voice.
“Hmm… it’s okay.”
The team leader snapped back to attention. Seeing the person in charge, he paused before saying, “It just feels like today’s work has been surprisingly smooth.”
How could it not be smooth?
Ready-made melodies, ready-made music, ready-made singing skills…
What else could they do besides handle the professional work that Chi Ye didn’t yet understand, and use the recording equipment?
—Who said the son-in-law wasn’t strong? The son-in-law is too powerful!
“Oh…”
The person in charge looked at everyone suspiciously. After a moment of hesitation, he pulled the team leader aside, “There’s something a bit troublesome…”
“Teacher Huang Yixiao from Sui Zong’s company booked the recording studio. He wants to record the last song for his album next week. Can you finish it next week?”
Team leader: “?”
“Next week? We’ll be done in two or three days.”
“Ah?”
The person in charge was dumbfounded.
The team leader shook his head, feeling a sense of defeat inside.
Because before they came, they had specifically researched Chi Ye, knowing he was a “waste” who didn’t understand music at all, but they had to complete the task given by their superiors.
So, they had to “accompany the prince to study,” and couldn’t be perfunctory. They tried their best to come up with various ingenious methods, even thinking of outrageous ones like fixing it word by word.
But now you’re telling me… all the plans we prepared for days and nights are useless?
Although it was a happy situation, why was there an inexplicable sense of annoyance and loss?
“Alright… anyway, we can’t delay Mr. Huang’s session. He’s the most popular singer among the younger generation in the company. Please hurry.”
The person in charge didn’t dare to say it to Chi Ye, but he dared to instruct the team leader.
The team leader remained silent, only sighing sadly.
“Alas… this young lady is really something. If she likes a horse, she has to get it the best saddle in the world. Sui Zong really dotes on her…”
The person in charge mumbled and left.
No one paid attention to him.
“That’s it for now, these five songs first. I’ll be here for the accompaniment, arrangement, and mixing in the next few days. The demos need to be made as soon as possible.”
Eight o’clock in the evening.
Chi Ye finished a day of recording, his throat was dry, and he truly felt a pain from singing.
It was more tiring than that time he messed around with Empress Dowager at KTV.
But he was mentally energized.
The team members exchanged glances and nodded one after another, “Don’t worry, Teacher Chi, there will definitely be no problem!”
It was still “Teacher Chi,” but this time it was called out much more naturally.
Chi Ye didn’t say anything more. He had a night scene to film today, a scene where Xiao Heyun and Li Shiqing’s feelings first heated up. Xiao Heyun was taking a lot of melatonin…
So, after saying goodbye and high-fiving them, he returned to the film crew with his new assistant, Xiao Liu.
…
Meanwhile.
In the office of the recording studio person in charge.
The person in charge dialed Jin Sui’s number, “Hello? Sui Zong.”
“Mm… it’s about that matter again. I think I should still tell you… it’s about Teacher Huang Yixiao using the recording studio…”
“He heard that the company bought this studio and wants to try it out. He hasn’t had the chance to use it before… Yes, I understand.”
The person in charge paused and probed, “Then I’ll reserve three days for them? If that doesn’t work… Okay, okay, then you can arrange another place for Chi Ye, alright, that’s all, bye bye.”
After hanging up the phone, he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like he had finally “gotten rid of” a hot potato.
…
Hong Kong.
Guang Ying Shi Meng Entertainment Company.
Jin Sui hung up the phone, thought for a moment, and beckoned Zhang Jie to come in.
“Sui Zong.”
Zhang Jie walked in carrying a stack of documents.
“Huang Yixiao wants to use that studio in Beijing. You find another studio for Chi Ye tomorrow…”
“Mm, also… what’s the list of releases for January?”
Zhang Jie put down the documents and said clearly, “The competition in January isn’t too fierce. Those who have announced releases so far are Yue Na’s Hua Yichen, and Shi Jinwei… and finally us.”
“That’s good… Yu Yan hasn’t made an official announcement, right?”
Jin Sui still couldn’t forget the defeat in the mainland.
Feeling unwilling.
“No,” Zhang Jie shook her head. “Yu Yan’s next album release is in mid-year, during the most competitive months.”
“He has too many fans. However… even though he’s not releasing a song this time, as long as Hua Yichen does, they’ll create data. It should still be number one.”
“Mm.”
Jin Sui nodded.
The Chinese music scene, at this point, had gradually declined.
In the entertainment industry, apart from a few music variety shows, the music scene could no longer stir up much of a storm.
Ultimately, one reason is definitely the lack of good works, and the other is the arrival of the short video era, which has fragmented too much.
Of course, no matter how it declines, the competition that should exist still exists, and it may even be more intense than before.
In today’s Chinese music scene, although Hua Yichen is often criticized, in terms of album sales and popularity, he can indeed be considered a “Top Streamer.”
Besides Hua Yichen, there are many other singers who don’t do much marketing, aren’t as popular, but are stronger in skill and have more loyal fans.
Shi Jinwei is in between. As one of the “Four Little Ones,” her traffic is even more exaggerated than Hua Yichen’s.
In comparison, Huang Yixiao, the “Hong Kong’s Number One Little King of Singers” among their company’s younger generation, is somewhat weaker.
“Fortunately, Little Huang also has many fans in the Mainland and a good reputation…”
Jin Sui thought for a moment and regretted, “It would have been great if we had signed Yu Yan.”
“…Sui Zong, I don’t think we need to be pessimistic.”
Zhang Jie comforted her, and also spoke truthfully, “Currently, few young singers in the Mainland can beat Yixiao. I actually think our strategy of focusing on the singer route, achieving victory through indirect means, is the right one.”
“Although the music and film industry is stronger than the music industry, there are many established powers. Sometimes, this kind of operation is needed to achieve unexpected gains.”
Two updates today
