RAAS Chapter 32: I'm Really Not Bragging
Chapter 32: I'm Really Not Bragging
"Don’t be so formal; I'm younger than you. Everyone calls me Qingzi, so feel free to call me that, Sister Song," Li Qing said, standing up and personally pouring a cup of cold tea for Song Xueqi. He continued, "Let's just have a calm conversation today. You can ask, and I'll answer. It's our first meeting, and I don't have much to offer. I'm just a small figure, and I doubt you'd be impressed with anything I have. When you leave, I'll have my assistant give you some postcards. I hear they're quite popular these days."
Seeing Li Qing's casual and approachable demeanor, which was completely different from the rumors online, Song Xueqi felt pleased. Hearing him mention giving her postcards, her impression of Li Qing improved even more. She joked, "Then I want your autograph on those postcards. When you become famous nationwide, those postcards will be worth a lot!"
Han Han, who was sitting nearby, breathed a sigh of relief, noticing Song Xueqi’s genuine demeanor.
This situation had its complexities. Both Song Xueqi and Li Qing, as well as Han Han, who was more anxious than Li Qing, understood the intricacies involved. Journalists, often referred to as kings without crowns, weren’t easily dealt with. Regardless of your status, it was customary to slip them an envelope of money after each interview—this was an industry norm and a gray area of income for journalists. Usually, unless it was major news, a few hundred yuan would suffice, and the report they wrote about you would be more positive.
However, Li Qing seemed entirely dismissive of this custom, suggesting giving postcards, which could lead to disdain from media insiders. Disregarding these unwritten rules could result in severe negative coverage.
Luckily, Song Xueqi had a good impression of Li Qing and didn't mind this oversight. Had it been someone else, regardless of being the first exclusive interview, they would have labeled him as stingy right away. Knowing you're tight-fisted, they might exaggerate any negative news about you or sell the information to your rivals for a higher price.
Han Han, who had been in the industry for a year or two, understood these dynamics. Hearing that someone wanted to interview Li Qing, she had prepared a hefty red envelope of 1,000 yuan, which was a substantial amount, equivalent to half of Song Xueqi’s monthly salary. Despite knowing that this reporter was the same Ms. Song who had posted in support of Li Qing online, Han Han had her reservations. People could be unpredictable, and it was better to be prepared.
Now, seeing the situation, Han Han realized she had worried too much and felt happy that Li Qing had such supportive fans.
Song Xueqi had brought two assistants who started taking pictures in the recording studio after getting Li Qing's permission. According to Song Xueqi, many people online were interested in Li Qing’s life after leaving “Music Star.” Since there was audience interest, it was necessary to cover this as part of their reporting.
The interview officially began.
Song Xueqi turned on her recorder and asked eagerly, "Both of your released songs have made it into the top ten of the national radio request chart. One is a love song, and the other is rock. Many listeners are curious: In what state did you compose ‘Angel Wings’ and ‘Fly Higher,’ two songs with such different styles?"
Li Qing was momentarily stumped but quickly recovered, saying calmly, "Well, feeling is very important, um, it's about inspiration..."
"So, Qingzi, you’re an inspiration-driven songwriter?" Song Xueqi asked.
"Possibly. When inspiration strikes, I think I could write ten songs in a day," Li Qing said seriously.
Song Xueqi and her assistants exchanged glances, a sense of awkwardness spreading.
Even Han Han, sitting nearby, blushed with embarrassment. Qingzi had changed a lot, but he hadn’t stopped bragging...
But Li Qing knew he wasn’t bragging. In his previous life and this one, he firmly believed that as long as a person was shameless enough, they could write dozens of modern poems in a day. And as a time traveler, he believed that if he really pushed himself, writing ten songs in a day was quite possible.
The interview continued.
"Regarding ‘Fly Higher’ entering the national radio request chart at number eight and ‘Song of Dreams’ being ranked beyond seventy, what would you like to say to the four judges of 'Music Star' and the queen Cold Ling?"
Li Qing thought for a moment and asked, "Can I swear?"
The atmosphere became tense.
Han Han’s face turned pale with fright.
Song Xueqi hesitated and said uncertainly, "I don't think so..."
Li Qing relaxed and said, "Then I have nothing to say..."
Song Xueqi: "..."
Finally, after a few more innocuous questions, Song Xueqi asked seriously, "There's a rumor online that you once turned down a million-yuan endorsement deal. Is that true?"
Li Qing smiled, knowing the main topic had arrived.
He knew about this rumor. Initially, Han Han was indignant, saying it was a setup by Far Trek. But after thinking it over, Li Qing realized it might actually be true. He hadn’t seen any endorsement deals, let alone a million-yuan one, indicating that Far Trek must have turned them down.
Far Trek's PR department wouldn’t be foolish enough to publicize turning down a million-yuan deal, as the truth coming out would benefit them nothing. So, it was likely true that these endorsement offers existed, though some of the noise might be from people stirring things up.
But the post from Qilun Clothing was definitely real—the boss even provided his contact information, showing genuine anger towards Li Qing’s perceived arrogance.
"Of course not!" Han Han interjected angrily before Li Qing could speak. "It was Far Trek acting on their own. Qingzi has been shelved by Far Trek for over a year, without even a manager. Where would he get endorsement deals?"
Acting on their own? Shelved? Without a manager?
Song Xueqi’s eyes brightened. "So Far Trek turned down a million-yuan deal without Li Qing’s knowledge..."
"That's right," Li Qing explained, smiling. "You might know that I debuted at 16 as part of an idol group. The group disbanded for some unknown reason, and I fell into a slump, losing contact with the company. During that time, I didn’t receive any offers. If there had been one, I’d have taken it, as long as it didn't violate my principles. A million-yuan deal is a fortune for a newcomer."
Just as I thought! Song Xueqi, excited, exclaimed to her assistants, "See, I knew it! Far Trek shelved Li Qing, suppressing him. That Xie Sixie, Zhao Wendi, and the queen Cold Ling are all from Far Trek. They’re collaborating to suppress him!"
An assistant, noticing Song Xueqi's escalating enthusiasm, warned, "Boss, don't get too excited. Far Trek is a big company; they wouldn't suppress an artist..."
Though aware of Far Trek's power, Song Xueqi’s disdainful look didn’t waver. After a brief pause, she turned back to Li Qing, "Let’s move on."
"Without Far Trek’s support, what’s your plan?" Song Xueqi asked.
Li Qing gestured to the recording studio around them. "As you can see, my plans are all here."
"Preparing new songs?" Song Xueqi asked.
"Yes, but not for me. I'm writing for a new artist signed by Ma Xulian. She's a good friend of mine and gave me this guitar."
Li Qing picked up the fiery red guitar, "This is Zebra. I wrote a folk song named ‘Zebra, Zebra’ for this guitar, which will be in her new album."
Song Xueqi immediately recognized the guitar from Li Qing’s performance of "Fly Higher" on "Music Star" and grew curious about his friend, especially since she was a newly signed artist of the renowned platinum producer Ma Xulian. Song Xueqi sensed the news value here.
After the interview, Li Qing signed a few postcards. At Song Xueqi's request, to prove his inspiration wasn't just talk, he wrote a short poem on one of them:
"You see or do not see me, I am here, not sad, not happy.
You miss or do not miss me, the feeling is here, not coming, not going.
You love or do not love me, love is here, not increasing, not decreasing.
You follow or do not follow me, my hand is in yours, not leaving, not abandoning.
Come into my arms, or let me reside in your heart.
Silently loving, quietly enjoying."