RAAS ## Chapter 15: Selling the Song
## Chapter 15: Selling the Song
"How was it?"
After finishing the song, Li Qing looked up and asked.
Ma Xujing licked his lips, his eyes filled with a voracious desire as he looked at Li Qing. "Did you write this yourself? Both the lyrics and the music? What's it called?"
"'Those Flowers'," Li Qing replied.
Ma Xujing stared at Li Qing, somewhat dazed. "I regret what I just said..."
"What?" Li Qing was confused.
Ma Xujing didn't answer but turned to Jiang Zhongnan and said, "Old Jiang, if I ever can't resist spending over ten million to buy Qingzi, make sure you slap me awake and remind me I'm dreaming."
Jiang Zhongnan rubbed his temples, looking disdainful. "Who cares about you."
Li Qing shrugged, looking helpless.
Would Ma Xujing spend ten million to poach a singer who's practically a newbie? Either Ma Xujing had gone mad, or the world had.
Since hearing the breach of contract figure, Li Qing had given up on the idea of switching companies before his contract expired. He took Ma Xujing’s words as a compliment.
Bao Yunyun had been unusually quiet, but now she suddenly raised her voice. "Brother Ma, can I sing this song?"
Ma Xujing smiled. "As long as Qingzi is willing to sell, I'll buy it for any price."
"That's great!" Bao Yunyun clapped her hands, smiling like a little girl.
"This campus folk song, both in melody and lyrics, is top-notch. Qingzi, I want this song. It’s perfect as the title track for Yunyun's album. Name your price," Ma Xujing said seriously.
"I'm not sure about the market rates. You decide," Li Qing replied casually.
Ma Xujing thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "By the way, Qingzi, do you have any other songs?"
Li Qing was taken aback. "Uh, I have a few more."
A few?
If Ma Xujing saw Li Qing's notebook filled with lyrics and music, he’d be shocked. Just a few?
"How do they compare to 'Those Flowers'?" Ma Xujing asked.
Li Qing paused. "They should be about the same."
Brother Ma's question was a bit naive. Who would say their own songs are bad?
Ma Xujing's face showed a hint of joy. Judging by the different styles of "Angel's Wings," "Suddenly Myself," and "Those Flowers," Li Qing’s strengths were evident. He excelled in rock, campus folk, and sentimental love songs. While many artists were versatile in multiple genres, producing consistently excellent songs in each style was rare.
So, it seemed that Li Qing’s other works wouldn't be much worse than these three songs.
After a brief consideration, Ma Xujing spoke. "How about this: 'Those Flowers' is indeed a top-notch folk song. I'll buy the lyrics and music for fifty thousand yuan. If you have other songs, I'll buy them for twenty thousand each. If they're on par with 'Those Flowers,' I'll pay fifty thousand. How does that sound?"
Li Qing frowned. He knew the potential of "Those Flowers." Honestly, he wasn't too willing to sell it for fifty thousand, but he was still a newcomer with a low status. It was unrealistic to expect a higher offer.
"Qingzi, let me explain the market rates. You can analyze them and decide whether you want to sell or not," Jiang Zhongnan explained, seeing Li Qing's hesitation.
"For new artists, the price per song ranges from three to eight thousand yuan. Exceptional songs can sell for ten thousand or even twenty thousand, which is the rate for third-tier songwriters. Second-tier songwriters, with some recognition, typically get between ten and thirty thousand per song. Exceptional works can fetch a bit more, one or two thousand extra. Brother Ma's offer to you is at the top of the second-tier rate.
First-tier songwriters cherish their reputation and rarely release songs, but when they do, they’re usually excellent. Their prices start at thirty thousand and have no ceiling. The highest recorded price for a first-tier songwriter's song is eighty thousand.
Super first-tier songwriters, who are as famous as top stars and can drive sales, have even higher prices, reaching ten or twenty thousand yuan per song. They also earn royalties from record and tape sales. However, these are typically one-time high-price buyouts."
Li Qing understood. But knowing was one thing; he didn’t plan to sell all his songs at once. He would leverage Bao Yunyun's album to boost his own fame first.
Eventually, "Those Flowers" was sold to Ma Xujing for fifty thousand yuan.
Though Li Qing didn’t consider it a high price, he accepted it reluctantly due to Bao Yunyun and Jiang Zhongnan's kindness towards him.
If outsiders saw Li Qing’s attitude, they'd likely scold him for being ungrateful. A newcomer aiming for second-tier songwriter rates would normally take years. Here he was, given top second-tier prices, and he wasn’t satisfied?
What a character!
After chatting a bit more and confirming the signing date for the buyout contract, Li Qing prepared to leave. He had to participate in "Music Star" at Beijing Satellite TV the next day and needed to be fully rested for the upcoming round.
"Wait, Qingzi."
As Li Qing was being sent off, Bao Yunyun re-entered the bar under the surprised gazes of Jiang Zhongnan and Ma Xujing. She returned with the guitar Li Qing had just played.
"Qingzi, thank you for 'Those Flowers.' I will do it justice. Since you have a competition tomorrow, take this guitar. It's called Zebra. I've had it for many years. I believe it won't be wasted in your hands," Bao Yunyun said seriously, putting the guitar into its case and handing it to Li Qing.
Li Qing found Bao Yunyun’s unusual seriousness strange, not matching her usual bold demeanor. Nonetheless, he accepted the guitar, knowing he’d need it for his performance. Slinging it over his shoulder, he smiled and said, "Thanks, Yunyun-jie."
"Qingzi, this guitar is custom-made. Yunyun always keeps it close. Take good care of it," Jiang Zhongnan joked.