RAAS ## Chapter 14: "Those Flowers"
## Chapter 14: "Those Flowers"
“Now that legal awareness is gradually increasing in the country, those pirate merchants won't be rampant for long. You shouldn't focus your energy on this; making good music is what's important,” Ma Xujing advised.
"Yes, this kind of thing, the government will eventually manage. With such a big loophole and profit, the government will eventually crack down on it," Bao Yunyun said earnestly, like a patriotic and righteous young woman.
Li Qing didn't argue; he just nodded weakly. Based on his previous life's experience, the pirate merchants indeed wouldn't be rampant for long because the internet era was about to arrive. Even more harmful online pirates like BAT were about to rise, and practice had proven that physical pirate merchants couldn't compete with online pirates...
"However, there's a recent piece of news that's been quite encouraging for people in the industry," Ma Xujing said with a smile. "As people's lives improve, the profit channels of the emerging mobile phone industry are gradually being developed."
Li Qing thought for a moment and said, "Ringtone business?"
Ma Xujing looked at Li Qing in surprise and nodded with a smile. "Yes, it's ringtones. They're similar to radio song requests but even more convenient. And as more people own mobile phones, the profit potential grows. More importantly, unlike radio stations, the ringtone business is exclusively controlled by mobile operators. Since these are state-owned enterprises, they won't hide the profits. Therefore, when copyrighted songs are requested by users, part of the revenue will naturally go to the copyright holders..."
Li Qing felt somewhat excited. This was indeed a good profit channel. In his previous life, before mobile phones entered the wireless era, setting favorite songs as ringtones was a must for everyone—it was trendy and fashionable. There were many singers who earned over a billion just from ringtone requests.
“Ma Xujing, let's not talk about these things now. Don’t forget the main purpose,” Jiang Zhongnan reminded.
Ma Xujing smiled, “I know, there's still time, no rush.”
"What do you mean no rush? Do you think I'm worried about you? I'm worried about our Qingzi. Qingzi is now in the top ten of the national radio song request chart. Do you understand the significance of the top ten? Do you think just anyone can get into the top ten?" Jiang Zhongnan chuckled. "And Qingzi has to participate in the recording of 'Music Star' tomorrow. So, let's skip the small talk and get to the point. But some things must be said..."
Jiang Zhongnan hinted mysteriously at Li Qing.
Li Qing was puzzled.
Ma Xujing sighed and then spoke to Li Qing, "Qingzi, I'm here specifically for you and Yunyun."
Li Qing nodded, showing he was all ears.
Ma Xujing continued, "As you may know, I'm an agent and producer. Since the disbandment of the Windmill Band, I've been unemployed..."
Li Qing perked up, sensing the critical part was coming.
"Yunyun's singing skills have been honed through her years as an underground singer. To be honest, her voice is very soulful and can easily move people when she sings folk songs. Her only flaw is that her style is too fixed—she's only suitable for folk music. So, people who like her will be very devoted, while those who don't might not even give her a second glance," Ma Xujing commented.
Li Qing looked at the silent Bao Yunyun and quickly said, "I really like Yunyun-jie's voice..."
Bao Yunyun laughed and glanced charmingly at Li Qing, "Kid, am I that scary? No need to flatter me; I know my own situation."
Li Qing looked awkward.
Jiang Zhongnan laughed heartily from the side.
Ma Xujing shook his head, "Although we've already talked, and I've decided to bring Yunyun out soon, preparing for her packaging and promotion, and we're all set to start recording an album, I still feel she lacks a spark, a true fire to ignite her."
“What do you mean?” Li Qing pondered.
Ma Xujing smiled and glanced at Jiang Zhongnan before saying, "Qingzi, I listened to Yunyun sing your song 'Suddenly Myself' on the way here. She sang it well, with a burning passion..."
At this moment, Jiang Zhongnan stood up, looking angry, "Ma Xujing, what do you mean? You want to take this song for Yunyun, then what will Qingzi sing?"
He then added, looking slightly changed, "Aren't you planning to take Qingzi?"
Bao Yunyun was also stunned.
Li Qing watched all this in silence.
Ma Xujing took a sip of wine and waited for Jiang Zhongnan to finish before speaking, "Jiang, Qingzi is indeed a good talent, but after careful consideration and understanding, it's not appropriate to sign him now."
"What's inappropriate? What are you talking about? Didn't you say you'd do it? Now you're going back on your word? If you don't want to help, just say so. Don't give me those excuses," Jiang Zhongnan said angrily.
Bao Yunyun also pleaded, "Brother Ma, can't you bring Qingzi too? His song is already in the top ten of the national radio song request chart. He has more potential than I do..."
"It's precisely because he's in the top ten that I say it's not appropriate," Ma Xujing said, getting a bit angry himself. "Do you know how much it would cost to sign Qingzi now? Signing him would mean not just producing an album for you, but I'd have to drink northwest wind!"
"What do you mean?" Jiang Zhongnan was taken aback. He knew Ma Xujing's worth, and a couple of million in liquidated damages shouldn't be an issue.
"I just got the news that Qingzi's contract with Yuan Zheng Media is an A-level contract, only one grade below S-level. This is a contract for top-tier artists. Yuan Zheng Media trained Qingzi as a top-tier artist, and the liquidated damages for an A-level contract are no less than ten million yuan."
"Ten million..." Jiang Zhongnan was shocked.
Bao Yunyun was also stunned. Ten million...that number seemed distant. Her current savings were only a couple of tens of thousands...
Hearing this amount, Li Qing was also a bit stunned. He didn't doubt Ma Xujing's source, because he knew that his predecessor's contract was indeed an A-level artist contract. However, he never thought the artist's liquidated damages would be so high! This was 1997! Ten million was equivalent to over a billion in later years!
Li Qing felt a bit parched. After a moment of silence, he said, "Brother Ma, it's okay. If I were you, I wouldn't sign me either."
"Glad you understand." Ma Xujing sighed. "Actually, if you hadn't participated in 'Music Star' and hadn't sung 'Angel's Wings', Yuan Zheng Media's director might have done me a favor and let you go for a couple of million..."
He paused. If Li Qing hadn't participated in 'Music Star' and hadn't sung 'Angel's Wings', would he even be sitting here calmly discussing this? The answer was clearly no. So he changed his tone and comforted, "Actually, you shouldn't be disheartened. You've already shown your talent and value. As long as Yuan Zheng Media isn't stupid, they'll definitely promote you again. Even if you're unhappy there, it's no problem. Your contract has only two years left. You're still young; you have plenty of opportunities."
Li Qing nodded without saying anything more.
Jiang Zhongnan and Bao Yunyun both fell silent.
Seeing this, Ma Xujing awkwardly said, "Qingzi, about that song..."
"Brother Ma, although 'Suddenly Myself' is a good song, I don't think it suits Yunyun-jie," Li Qing said seriously after organizing his thoughts.
Ma Xujing's face changed.
Jiang Zhongnan looked at Li Qing, sighed, and decided not to interfere with the young man's choice, right or wrong.
Bao Yunyun glanced at Li Qing and then at Ma Xujing, whose face looked bad, and suddenly laughed, "Hey, I also think Qingzi's song doesn't suit me..."
"No, Yunyun-jie." Realizing the tension, Li Qing quickly added, "Although 'Suddenly Myself' doesn't suit you, I have other songs. Aren't you good at folk songs?"
"Are you saying...you have more folk songs?" Ma Xujing couldn't believe it.
"Folk and rock are just two paths to the same destination!" Li Qing smiled and said to Bao Yunyun, "Yunyun-jie, please get me a guitar."
Bao Yunyun quickly got up to fetch a guitar.
Soon, a wooden guitar appeared in Li Qing's hands.
Under the watchful eyes of Ma Xujing and the others, Li Qing cleared his throat, sat quietly on the sofa, and started tuning the guitar.
Moments later, a smooth, flowing melody played, and Li Qing's slightly hoarse yet clear voice began to sing:
"The laughter from that time
Reminds me of those flowers
They quietly bloomed
In every corner of my life
I once thought
I would always stay by their side
Today we've parted ways
In the vast sea of people
They must be old now
Where are they now?
Fortunately
I once accompanied them in bloom..."
Listening to Li Qing's gentle and melodious voice, Ma Xujing and Jiang Zhongnan felt as if an electric current had swept through them. They both sat up, their eyes revealing a trace of shock.
Meanwhile, Bao Yunyun's eyes sparkled as she looked at Li Qing playing and singing
. She was unknowingly moved by the tender melody and soft singing.