Chapter 98

On the way home, Taomeng first talked to Yang Jingxing about 306. She said it was her first time watching 306 perform, and she found it quite fresh: "I thought they were all about old traditions and outdated stuff, but I didn't expect... Who has the best skills among them?"

Yang Jingxing replied, "They're all good. In terms of innovation, Chai Litian and Liu Siwan are great, and Wang Rui is also good."

Taomeng said, "I have a good impression of Chai Litian."

Yang Jingxing smiled, "I like her too."

Taomeng was skeptical, "Is Gao Pianpian a bit of an outsider?"

Yang Jingxing said, "That's her personality."

Taomeng asked, "Do you know her well?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Just a first impression."

Taomeng asked, "What was your first impression of Qi Qingnuo?"

Yang Jingxing smiled, "I thought she was very loyal to her friends."

Taomeng laughed and asked, "Is it true that many boys in school like her?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Probably, I haven't counted."

Taomeng said, "They exaggerate so much... I don't think she's as pretty as He Peiyuan."

Yang Jingxing thought for a moment and said, "They're about the same, each with their own charm."

Taomeng said, "But sometimes men and women have different tastes..."

Yang Jingxing said, "No argument there."

Taomeng, not caring, asked, "Do they like to gossip behind people's backs?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Women do, you'll learn too."

Taomeng was unhappy, "I won't."

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Okay, I'll forget what I said before."

Taomeng was even more upset, "You're annoying!"

Yang Jingxing pretended to be confused, "What's wrong?"

So Taomeng got to the point, about Fu Feirong. She said, "I heard your conversation... I think you lack negotiation skills."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Okay, teach me."

Taomeng was serious, "I think you should focus on your music and not go astray."

Yang Jingxing said, "Thanks for the reminder."

Taomeng continued, "You don't like the life of chasing fame and fortune, right?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "I don't... but sometimes you need fame and fortune to get things done."

Taomeng said, "As long as your work is appreciated, what else do you need... Anyway, I don't want you to be a manager or anything like that."

Yang Jingxing said, "I won't... So, what do you want me to do?"

Taomeng smiled, "Be a low-key, down-to-earth, and noble musician."

Yang Jingxing said, "That's too high a standard."

Taomeng encouraged, "It's all about what you want. Where there's a will, there's a way... So, my point is, with Fu Feirong, just focus on your music."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Okay, you have good negotiation skills. I also hope Fu Feirong can be a low-key, down-to-earth, and noble singer."

Taomeng said, "I understand your point, but many things are beyond our control. You think one way, but she might not want to."

Yang Jingxing said, "If she doesn't want to, that's fine. I can at least try."

Taomeng conceded, "Okay... Actually, I don't want just anyone to sing your songs. I especially dislike Cheng Yaoyao..."

Before getting out of the car, Taomeng asked, "Where are we going tomorrow?"

Yang Jingxing didn't know, "Where do you want to go?"

Taomeng said, "I'll decide today."

Yang Jingxing said, "Okay, I'll plan it tonight."

Taomeng smiled, "I'll go then, drive carefully."

On Sunday morning, after picking up Taomeng, Yang Jingxing drove to the park. He was excited, "I'll take some photos for you today." The sky wasn't particularly sunny, but it wasn't gloomy either.

No wonder he brought his own camera. Taomeng put the camera aside, "You wish."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's not a swimsuit shoot. I studied photography all night."

"What can you learn in one night!" Taomeng was dismissive; Yang Jingxing had trouble using her camera before.

Yang Jingxing said, "Technical skills aren't as important as good material."

Taomeng glanced at herself in the rearview mirror, "I didn't bring moisturizer, my skin is dry... I shouldn't have worn this earring, you should have told me!"

The park was full of red flowers and green leaves, not at all like winter. Yang Jingxing mostly took candid shots with his camera, occasionally posing. He didn't let Taomeng see the results, saying he needed to make an album first.

After getting a bit more familiar with the professional camera, Yang Jingxing became more demanding, "Be more natural, don't think about the camera."

Taomeng complained, "Who told you to act like a paparazzi... Is this okay?"

They took many photos, filling up the memory card, and Yang Jingxing deleted some to take more. Taomeng often complained, "You're focusing on my nose... What's so good about my shoes... Let me fix my hair first..."

In short, Yang Jingxing didn't act very professional, not like a portrait photographer.

By around eleven, they had finished touring the park, and Yang Jingxing was satisfied with the photos. They went for lunch. Taomeng asked, "Can I see them?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "No way!"

Taomeng pleaded, "Just a quick look."

Yang Jingxing was firm, "Not even a glance."

Taomeng was angry, "If you deliberately make me look bad, I'll..."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "I can't make you look bad, and I won't make you look good. I've done my best."

After lunch, they went to the movies. Some Christmas releases were still showing, and they watched two. Then Yang Jingxing dropped Taomeng off at home, leaving the camera behind.

Taomeng got out of the car and turned back, "Saturday, okay?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Definitely, go on."

Taomeng entered her neighborhood, and Yang Jingxing took a stealth photo from behind.

On Monday morning, Yang Jingxing received a call from Gan Kaicheng, "Do you have time? Bring Fu Feirong over this afternoon, our boss wants to see her."

So Yang Jingxing called Fu Feirong, and they rushed to Hongxing without having lunch. Fu Feirong had heard some rumors from Aunt Ran, but she still couldn't believe it when faced with the reality.

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Don't be nervous, and don't get too excited. Signing a contract isn't easy, be cautious."

Fu Feirong was still in a daze, "I'll follow your lead."

At Hongxing, they first met Gan Kaicheng. During the hour they waited for the boss, Gan Kaicheng didn't say much important. He chatted with Fu Feirong, but she was so nervous that she spoke sparingly. Then he chatted with Yang Jingxing about his new song, mostly praising it.

At two o'clock, the big boss of Hongxing finally had time to see Yang Jingxing and Fu Feirong. Gan Kaicheng led them into the chairman's office. Yang Jingxing extended his hand to the man in his fifties walking toward him, "Chairman Zhang, hello." Zhang Yanhao, the chairman of Hongxing, was dressed casually, hiding his slightly plump figure.

"Yang Jingxing!" Zhang Yanhao's face, which had a touch of elegance, was full of smiles, and his handshake was firm.

Yang Jingxing introduced, "This is Fu Feirong."

Fu Feirong was still as nervous and cold as when she met Gan Kaicheng, "Hello."

Zhang Yanhao quickly looked Fu Feirong up and down, pointing to the sofa, "Sit down, what would you like to drink?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Two cups of tea, please."

Zhang Yanhao sat opposite them and started chatting with Yang Jingxing, "I've heard a lot about you. David and I are old friends, and Old Ganma and Old Duan also appreciate you."

Yang Jingxing was modest, "Thank you for the support and guidance from the seniors."

Zhang Yanhao laughed, "The younger generation is always pushing the older. I've seen your new song, have you recorded a demo yet?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Sorry, we haven't had the chance yet."

Zhang Yanhao nodded and looked at Fu Feirong, "What school did you graduate from?"

Fu Feirong placed her hands on her knees, not looking up, "I graduated from junior high school."

Zhang Yanhao said, "Oh, and how long have you been singing? Where have you performed?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Chairman Zhang, after graduating from junior high school, Feifei came to Puhai with her brother and sister-in-law and opened a small restaurant. She likes singing, but she hasn't performed much. We met by chance, and I introduced her to David's bar, not long ago."

Zhang Yanhao chuckled, "That's quite a coincidence... She looks like she's in her teens?"

Fu Feirong said, "I'm almost nineteen."

Zhang Yanhao said, "These questions might seem inappropriate, but please don't mind... Have you had a boyfriend before?"

Fu Feirong shook her head.

Zhang Yanhao said, "Have some tea." After the secretary left, he asked, "Are you still a virgin?"

Yang Jingxing interjected, "Is that important?"

Gan Kaicheng quickly explained, "We need to know the singer's background in detail, don't be shy."

Fu Feirong nodded slightly, her head hanging lower.

Zhang Yanhao asked, "Are you in good health? Any congenital defects? Scars and birthmarks don't count, they can be fixed."

Fu Feirong shook her head again.

Zhang Yanhao continued, "Have any family members or close relatives been in prison? Anything that could affect a public figure's reputation, think carefully."

Fu Feirong glanced at Yang Jingxing before answering, "No, my father died a long time ago, and my relatives are farmers from a small place..."

Zhang Yanhao nodded, "If she enters a talent show, that could be a selling point."

Yang Jingxing put down his cup, placed a hand on Fu Feirong's shoulder, and said to Zhang Yanhao, "Chairman Zhang, I understand your procedures, but I think our goals are different. I'm sorry..."

Zhang Yanhao didn't seem to mind Yang Jingxing's tone, "What do you think?"

Yang Jingxing said to Fu Feirong, "You can go out for a moment."

Fu Feirong stood up immediately and fiddled with the doorknob a few times before opening it.

Yang Jingxing then said to Zhang Yanhao, "Fu Feirong can be a good singer, regardless of her background. She's only eighteen, naive, and just loves singing. I'm willing to write songs for her... But from your questions, it's clear our starting points are different. If you want to create a sensation, there are plenty of pretty and willing girls. You don't need to waste time on Fu Feirong."

Zhang Yanhao's face darkened, "What's your relationship with her?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Friends. She could have lived a quiet life running a restaurant with her family, but I changed her path. From that day on, I felt responsible for protecting her! I think your questions are already a form of harm to her! So, Chairman Zhang, I'm sorry for wasting your time."

Zhang Yanhao looked at Yang Jingxing's calm face and his sincere tone, "Who taught you to manage people?"

Yang Jingxing said, "No one. I understand your procedures, but we can't adapt. Thank you for your time, I'll take my leave."

Zhang Yanhao smiled, pressing his hand down, "Don't rush, stay a bit longer, or I'll be seen as a poor host."

Gan Kaicheng also said to Yang Jingxing, "Don't rush, let's talk it out."

Zhang Yanhao looked at Yang Jingxing, "You might not understand now, but ask around. How does Hongxing protect its artists? I've been with Duan Liying since 1992, over ten years. Ask her if I ever made her do something she didn't want to do." He became more agitated as he spoke, pointing outside, "Young man, times have changed. In the past three years, we've signed fourteen artists, none of them as good as her. We've released eighteen albums, and apart from Cheng Yaoyao, have you heard of any of them? They can't even create a sensation! You're not famous, who will listen to your songs? It's not the era where good wine doesn't need a deep alley!"

Yang Jingxing said, "I've done my research and know your company's reputation, which is why I brought her here. But I didn't expect your questions to be so direct."

Zhang Yanhao said, "Young man, is beating around the bush useful? Privately, we can be friends, but here, I have to be responsible to the company. Look at those young girls and boys from art schools, what won't they do for fame? If I don't ask, and something bad from her past comes out after she releases an album, she'll go from a heartthrob to a public enemy. How can I protect her if I don't know her?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, admitting his mistake, "You're right, I was too impulsive."

Zhang Yanhao said, "I understand your feelings, but these questions shouldn't be asked by me. Someone is responsible for the investigation... I'm asking personally to show respect to you and to build trust."

Yang Jingxing still said, "But she's just a young girl, naive, like me."

Zhang Yanhao smiled, "Then how well do you know her?"

Yang Jingxing said, "We haven't known each other long, and I don't know much, but I can tell she's a hardworking and diligent girl who is willing to learn. She had no musical foundation, but she's almost mastered music theory and can read sheet music."

Zhang Yanhao asked, "What kind of restaurant does her family run? Let me see her hands."

Yang Jingxing explained that Fu Feirong's hometown was in the suburbs of a county, a semi-agricultural area. Her father died early, and neither she nor her brother had a proper education. Her brother went to a technical school to learn cooking, and she dropped out after junior high to work. The restaurant was bought from a fellow villager with her sister-in-law's money and is doing well now.

Zhang Yanhao asked, "What are your plans for her future development?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I don't know much about that, but I'll leave it to the professionals... My hope is for her to be a low-key, down-to-earth singer who can touch people with her music."

Zhang Yanhao asked, "What's the first step?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I thought about self-funding an album, but I need a professional company to help with distribution."

Zhang Yanhao laughed coldly, "Even if you release it, who will buy it? In the end, it's all about creating a sensation, whether it's a light stir-fry or a heavy one! Otherwise, she'll be a nobody forever!"

Yang Jingxing said, "We're already nobodies, so we have nothing to lose."

Zhang Yanhao said, "You're not a nobody anymore. Several agents want your songs for their artists. Hasn't anyone approached you?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "No, just one song, it doesn't mean much."

Zhang Yanhao asked, "Old Ganma said you only want Fu Feirong to sing your new song?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It was written for her."

Zhang Yanhao said, "Record a demo first, let's hear how it sounds."