Chapter 11

In the afternoon, there are only two classes. After finishing, those who have club activities can participate, and Wang Ou is a member of the school's sports club. Those who do not participate in club activities can go home. Many third-year high school students attend off-campus college entrance exam tutoring classes to strengthen their practice and prepare for the exams, especially those in science classes, who tend to sign up for tutoring classes more often.

Su Yuxi has to go to the headquarters of Shanghe Records in Lujiazui after school. The headquarters is located in the SH landmark financial building. Su Yuxi is one of the trainees for Shanghe Records' upcoming idol project, the National Teenage Girl.

In this timeline, South Korea is far less developed than in the previous life. The economy, culture, and entertainment are deeply influenced by China, and K-POP lacks the environment to develop. The entire East Asia is dominated by Chinese culture, and the popular TV shows and movies in neighboring countries like South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia are Chinese martial arts dramas, palace intrigue dramas, and crime dramas. Chinese TV and movie stars, as well as pop singers, are popular idols across Asia.

At this time, Chinese pop music is almost dominated by established artists, and idol singers generally can only advance to second-tier status at best, so they are not highly valued. Recently, Japan launched a beauty pageant show called AKB48, which unexpectedly sparked a viewing craze in Asia. Following this, King Records in Japan released the AKB48 album, which caused a huge sensation. Major record companies began to study idol groups.

Shanghe Records also started to prepare its own idol group and conducted nationwide auditions. In this timeline, there is no complete idol group training program, nor the professional system from trainee to debut that existed in the previous life in South Korea. Therefore, the selection criteria only focus on whether the candidates have a sweet appearance, with no requirements for singing skills or dance foundation. After all, for record companies, idol groups might just be a trendy way to make quick money.

With Su Yuxi's participation, Shanghe Records' idol project is given extra attention, but the resources invested are still quite limited. Shanghe Records is a famous base for divas, with three of the four major Chinese divas signed to the label. Of course, these matters have nothing to do with Cheng Xiaoyu at the moment. Even if he has many talents, he is still the heir of Shanghe Records, and in the Chinese entertainment industry, which places great emphasis on seniority and experience, no one would take him seriously.

While in the hospital, Cheng Xiaoyu studied the popular music of this timeline's China. It is very similar to the peak of Hong Kong's popular music in the 1980s and 1990s in another timeline, but it is much more amplified and enduring. In this timeline, due to the existence of China, the number of African Americans in the United States is much smaller than in the previous life, so black music in the United States has not developed as fully, and its influence on world popular music is not as significant.

R&B (Rhythm and Blues, including Hip-Hop and Rap) is still a niche genre in the United States, and Rap is only spread in a few black ghettos. Cheng Xiaoyu lived in the Hunters Point area of San Francisco before returning to China, which is a black ghetto. At this time, racial discrimination in the United States is not as severe, and due to the smaller number of black people, large-scale civil rights movements have not erupted. On the contrary, racial discrimination in China is the most severe. Due to low political and social status, black people have held large-scale demonstrations. African Chinese Ma Dejin, a graduate of Tsinghua University, delivered a powerful speech titled "I Have a Dream" during the civil rights movement "Plum Blossom and Dream" in the 1980s at Tiananmen Square, but was brutally suppressed. Since then, the status of black people in China has improved somewhat, and China has even passed anti-racial discrimination laws. However, black people still live at the bottom of society, and a large amount of manual labor is carried out by black people. Black music is closely related to the status of black people and the civil rights movement.

However, this is not good news for Cheng Xiaoyu. A music genre from its inception to maturity and becoming popular takes a long time. Taking Jay Chou as an example, his early songs were often rejected by big stars and considered to have strange styles. Even Wu Zongxian, who promoted his debut, was initially unwilling to sing his songs. At that time, the world's cultural hegemon, the United States, was already dominated by R&B. The Chinese music industry, which prided itself as the cultural center, was even more conservative, and the music industry in Hong Kong and Taiwan was also insular.

Cheng Xiaoyu has carefully considered what he can do next, and the conclusion is that the best path is to study hard and prepare for the college entrance exam.

穿越者看到这里估计要骂人了，艹，还不抄歌、抄书、拍电影泡几个大明星玩玩你穿个毛线啊！Cheng Xiaoyu is also a bit helpless at this point. The R&B he is good at hasn't appeared in China yet. Play rock? At this time, Chinese rock is still underground and not mainstream. Copy songs for money? In this era, classic pop songs are already well-established, and even if he copied a few songs, what would be the point? How much money could he make? Besides, Cheng Xiaoyu's current living conditions are not lacking in money, and this is not an era for singer-songwriters! To become a famous singer-songwriter is not as simple as copying a few songs.

Copying books might be the easiest way to succeed, but for him, it would be more straightforward to inherit the family business. Besides, he hasn't read many novels.

As for making movies, forget it. Do you really think that after watching dozens of movies, you can make a movie? Don't be ridiculous. Not to mention funding, do you know how to write a storyboard? Do you know how to shoot? Do you know how to light? Do you know how to record sound and complete post-production editing?

For any successful person, learning is a must, and there are no shortcuts. Cheng Xiaoyu's plan is to get into the Shanghai Theatre Academy, graduate, and then intern at Shanghe Records, starting from the bottom to become a successful CEO and a great musician. This is the perfect life script for him. For now, the most important thing is the college entrance exam, and the key step is to practice the piano well.

After school, Wang Huasheng picked up Su Yuxi to go to the Shanghe Records headquarters, while Cheng Xiaoyu called Wang Huasheng, saying he had something to do and would take a taxi home later. Then he went to find music teacher Ji Xin to borrow a practice room.

Cheng Xiaoyu went to the grade office and only saw his homeroom teacher, a history teacher named Wang Wei, who is nearly sixty and a pedantic scholar. Before Cheng Xiaoyu could ask about Ji Xin's whereabouts, he was lectured for a while. By the time he got Ji Xin's phone number, the sun had already set.

At the school's small auditorium, Cheng Xiaoyu found Ji Xin, who was directing the school choir singing "Yellow River Ode."

When Ji Xin had some free time, Cheng Xiaoyu walked over and said, "Teacher Ji, I'm Cheng Xiaoyu, the one who called you earlier. I came to see if I could borrow the school's practice room to practice the piano."

Ji Xin is a typical Jiangnan beauty, with willow-like eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and cherry lips. She has an elegant low bun and wears a light apricot long-sleeved lace blouse with a black pencil skirt. Though not particularly tall, her well-proportioned figure with a curvy figure makes her look especially elegant and serene. She looks young, in her early twenties, but is actually in her thirties with a child in elementary school. She is at the peak of her maturity, and her every move exudes natural charm and infinite grace.

Ji Xin found it strange. Cheng Xiaoyu transferred to the school as a music talent student. Even with good grades, it would be difficult to get into Fudan High School without some background, especially since he drives a Ferrari and claims to have no piano at home, which no one would believe. She asked, "You don't have a piano at home?"

Fortunately, Cheng Xiaoyu is a seasoned veteran and can lie convincingly. After a brief hesitation, he replied, "My family opposes my studying music. They want me to study economics and management, but I want nothing but the piano. After my mother passed away, music has been the driving force in my life! I must get into the Shanghai Theatre Academy!" He said this with a determined tone and a look of suppressed sadness.

Ji Xin, who has lived in an ivory tower, graduated from the music education program at East China Normal University. She once had a dream of getting into the Shanghai Theatre Academy but failed due to her limited skills. After graduating and completing her master's degree, she became a music teacher at Fudan High School, almost never entering the real world. She also enjoys reading melodramatic romance novels. Ji Xin immediately imagined a conflict between a wealthy family and a cruel stepmother, completely ignoring the fact that Cheng Xiaoyu's plump and fair appearance does not match the image of someone being abused. A maternal instinct arose, and she felt a deep affection for this dedicated child. She said gently, "I understand, I understand. But the school only has one practice room, and it's used by the classical music club. I can't lend it to you."

Cheng Xiaoyu did not show disappointment. He knew there would be more to come. Ji Xin took out her phone and said, "Wait a moment, I'll call my teacher to see if there's a solution." She then walked to the other side to make the call.

During this time, the choir members chattered incessantly, and Cheng Xiaoyu heard laughter directed at him more than once. He was not embarrassed and took the opportunity to look at the choir members while Ji Xin was away. After a quick scan, he found nothing worth looking at and gave up. Soon, Ji Xin returned with a smile and said, "You're lucky. My teacher just transferred to the Fudan Arts Department, and they have just opened piano and dance classes. The practice rooms are relatively empty right now!" Cheng Xiaoyu was overjoyed. This meant he had a place to practice before his own practice room was ready, and he had no intention of using Su Yuxi's practice room.

Cheng Xiaoyu immediately bowed to Ji Xin and said, "Thank you, Teacher Ji! I will practice hard and not let you down."

Ji Xin smiled, thinking that this child was quite sensible and not like a spoiled rich kid. She added, "But the practice room is rented. If you have financial difficulties, I can help you!"

Cheng Xiaoyu, unaware that Aunt Zhou had already been equated with a cruel stepmother in Ji Xin's mind, smiled brightly and said, "No problem, I still have a piggy bank! It's from my mother."

Ji Xin, thinking of her own first-grader, was even more moved. She felt that this chubby boy was adorable, even his acne. She saved Cheng Xiaoyu's phone number and said, "If you have any trouble, call Teacher Ji, and I'll help you. If it doesn't work, I'll talk to your parents."

Cheng Xiaoyu quickly waved his hands and said, "Please don't, I'm afraid it will make it harder for me to achieve my dream." Ji Xin sighed.

Ji Xin originally planned to give Cheng Xiaoyu her teacher's phone number and let him contact her, but her maternal instinct made her take a special interest in him. She instructed the choir leader to continue practicing and personally took Cheng Xiaoyu to the Fudan Music Department to find her teacher.

At this time, the urban planning of SH is very good, and Fudan High School is right next to Fudan University. From the back gate of Fudan High School, it's just a small road to the north gate of Fudan University.

Cheng Xiaoyu followed Ji Xin to the Fudan Music Department and found her mentor, Professor Hu Weilan, with silver hair. Cheng Xiaoyu waited outside the professor's office, not knowing what Ji Xin said to Professor Hu. He only saw Professor Hu, full of kindness, pat his shoulder and encourage him to practice well, and told him to come to her if he had any questions. Then Professor Hu called a middle-aged man to rent a practice room to Cheng Xiaoyu. Cheng Xiaoyu politely said goodbye to Professor Hu and Teacher Ji and followed the middle-aged man out of the office.

Generally, university practice rooms are not rented to students from other schools, and there are free practice rooms for students of the university, but the paid ones are better, though not by much. Although Cheng Xiaoyu can be considered a half-Fudan person, he cannot use the free ones, and he doesn't care about the money.

The Fudan Arts Department has not yet been upgraded to a college, but the arts major is currently popular, and they are planning to upgrade. The practice rooms are newly built and in good condition. Cheng Xiaoyu chose the most expensive one, which costs 35 yuan per hour. The room is not large, and there is no grand piano for him to practice on. Yesterday, he experienced a Steinway, but today he had to use a domestic Pearl River upright piano, model UH130A.

Cheng Xiaoyu tried the piano and found it better than expected. Although the touch is heavier and the sound is deeper and less bright, for a piano at this price, it is not much to ask. Cheng Xiaoyu used to play a Yamaha U5, and in terms of acoustic quality, it is not much better than this Pearl River. As for the touch and responsiveness of the keys, it is a matter of personal preference. For example, in China, a heavier touch is preferred, while in the United States, a lighter touch is more common.

Cheng Xiaoyu first played 20 minutes of Hanon, then an hour of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, and finally did finger dexterity exercises, playing Czerny 840. Piano practice is not as passionate as people imagine; the monotony and tedium are only known to those who have experienced it. Most things in the world are like this. For example, you might think playing computer games is fun, but if you had to play the same game for at least three to four hours a day without a break, how long could you last?

All success in the world is not accidental. We only see the glory of the successful and marvel at their luck, but we never see how long they have been in the shadows, how long they have endured, and how long they have persisted.