Chapter 91

On December 31, 1995, the last day of the year.

Since noon, the sky had been overcast, looking as if it might start snowing at any moment.

After school, Li Qian packed his things and rode his bike back to Shengshi Garden for dinner.

For the Chinese, New Year's Day is a bit of a headache.

Although the country had been open to reform for many years, with the economy and culture increasingly aligning with international standards, the average citizen didn't place much importance on this Western holiday. In China, the most traditional festivals were New Year's Eve, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. In recent years, Qingming Festival, Ghost Festival, and Double Ninth Festival had also been given a day off, gradually becoming more significant.

However, with the times progressing and deeper integration, the government had started to grant a holiday for New Year's Day since 1988. Although it was just one day, it was still a holiday. As a result, not only did the younger generation start clamoring for Christmas and New Year's, but even the older generation began to recognize New Year's Day as a holiday.

For Li Qian's parents, celebrating a holiday meant the whole family sitting together to eat dumplings and watch the New Year's Eve gala.

Of course, there was still the issue that the New Year's Eve gala on Dongfang Star TV was essentially a grand musical performance, mostly featuring songs popular among the young, which wasn't really Li Dad's cup of tea. In previous years, he would at most watch for ten minutes with Li Mom, then retreat to his room to read a book.

However, in the past half year, Li Dad had become much more interested in this area.

Even though he didn't like some of the tunes at first, he would still listen to the tapes Li Qian brought home, over and over again, in the small study. He also watched the Mid-Autumn Festival gala from start to finish, and whenever his son came over for dinner, they could have serious discussions about various topics.

Melodies and tunes weren't something that could be learned easily, nor would Li Dad, a meticulous old literary youth, casually criticize them. At most, he would complain that his son's recent bouncy songs were a bit too numerous. But lyrics were within Li Dad's professional domain.

So far, Li Qian's works, through Liao Liao, He Runqing, and the Wu Xing Wu Su group, had produced fourteen songs. This wasn't a large number, but concentrated over half a year, it was quite impressive. And Li Dad knew there were more than just these fourteen songs.

In his eyes, Li Qian's best works were probably "Dark Fragrance," "Facing the Sea, Spring Warm and Flowers Bloom," "My Passionate Hometown," and "Farewell," which was sung by the daughter of the neighbor, Old Wang, on the tape Li Qian brought home a few days ago.

In terms of lyrics alone, especially "Farewell" and "Facing the Sea, Spring Warm and Flowers Bloom," one was rich in ancient charm and melancholy, the other simple and pure, clean and sad. Both deeply resonated with him.

Of course, as a parent and a teacher, Li Dad also greatly appreciated songs like "Let's Row Our Boats" that praised parents and were suitable for children of all ages to learn and sing.

When Li Qian arrived downstairs, Li Dad had just turned the corner to pick up Li Mom. Li Mom went upstairs to start making dumplings, while he took out the new bike cover he had bought and started putting it on his beloved bike.

When Li Qian arrived, the two of them quickly covered the bike. After Li Qian locked his bicycle, they walked upstairs together, chatting. Li Dad said it looked like it would snow tonight, so he suggested Li Qian stay. Li Qian thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

When they got home, Li Mom was just finishing chopping the filling in the kitchen. Seeing her son come in, she put down the seasonings, carried the bowl out, and sat down next to Li Qian with a smile, saying mysteriously, "Son, guess who came to our house yesterday?"

Li Qian looked at her and shook his head.

Before Li Mom could reveal her news, Li Dad frowned and said, "What's the big deal? They just came over to visit. I'm telling you, don't get so excited. Just talk normally. There's nothing to it, but you make it sound like something else!"

Li Mom glared at him, displeased, "What's wrong with what I said? I'm just saying! Normally, we don't talk about other things. They do business, they have money, and their daughter is a pop star. Look at how they act next door! Do they really think they're rich ladies? Well, no matter how big a pop star she is, she still had to come to our house with gifts to thank my son. I just want to vent, and I'm not telling anyone else. I'm just talking to my own son. What's wrong with that?"

Li Dad sighed, "They're not putting on airs. That's just their demeanor. You, I'm telling you, don't deny it, you're just petty and small-minded!"

Li Mom immediately flared up, "I'm petty? I'm small-minded? Ha... Li Shuwen, are you thinking about her because she's pretty? Well, I haven't said anything, but you're already taking her side. You greeted them, but they just nodded at you. You were so angry that night, and now you're saying I'm petty?"

Li Dad was speechless, too angry to respond, "You... you, you're just being unreasonable! In front of your son, what are you saying? What do you mean by thinking she's pretty? What am I thinking?"

Li Qian, who had been sitting upright, had already figured out what was going on. From the perspective of a man in his thirties, he found it quite amusing to listen to his parents bicker, so he didn't rush to mediate. But when he heard his mother start to bring up other women, he knew it was time to intervene. Once the topic of other women came up, it would only make things worse, turning a small issue into a big one!

So, before Li Mom could speak, he said sternly, "Mom, what are you talking about? The neighbor Aunt Tao? Is she even pretty? Okay, maybe she's a bit pretty compared to others, but compared to you... Mom, you're really lacking in confidence. I have to seriously criticize you. Don't you know you've always been a beauty? How can she compare to you? You're so jealous that it's embarrassing even for me!"

Li Mom turned to glare at her son, but couldn't hold back a laugh, and playfully punched his arm, even though her hands were still greasy from the meat.

"You're so smooth-talking! Your mouth! I must have been cursed to be with your family for life!" After saying this, Li Mom stood up, triumphant, still holding the bowl of meat filling, and pointed at Li Dad, "Look at my son. Hmph, you, you're siding with them!" She then went back to the kitchen, not sure whether she was angry or happy.

Li Dad sighed, looking helpless.

Li Qian then asked, "Dad, what really happened?"

Li Dad rubbed his forehead and said earnestly, "It's like this. Your neighbors, Uncle Wang and Aunt Tao, are both capable people. Our family... you know, Dad is just a poor teacher, and Mom is a small accountant. Usually, their attitude is a bit higher, and Mom gets a bit upset about it. But they haven't done anything wrong! People are different, and that's fine. Recently, you've been writing a lot of songs for their daughter, Xiao Xue. Over the past two months, Mom and I have noticed that Aunt Tao's attitude has become much more friendly. While you were away, Mom mentioned it many times. Yesterday, Aunt Tao and Uncle Wang came over with some gifts. I don't know if Xiao Xue called or what, but they were very polite, kept thanking us, and even invited you to visit their house. Mom felt very vindicated! We were supposed to just talk about it last night, but when you came, she still... you see... sigh!"

Hearing this, Li Qian smiled and said, "It's okay, Mom is just like that. If she has grievances, let her vent. We're not worse off than them, so why should she hold it in? Besides, I trust Mom. She may be straightforward, but she's very smart. At home, she might act like this, but outside, she's sharper than anyone and won't act rashly!"

As soon as Li Qian finished speaking, Li Mom poked her head out of the kitchen with a smile, pointing at Li Dad, "Mr. Li, listen, listen, you don't know me as well as your son does!"

Li Dad shrugged, "Just keep making your dumplings! It's been all afternoon, and we're all hungry, waiting for your dumplings!"

Li Mom "tsk"ed and went back to making dumplings.

Li Qian, being considerate, immediately stood up and said, "I'll help Mom make dumplings!" This made Li Mom immediately say, "No need, no need, Xiao Qian, you've had a long day at school and need to write songs. Mom and Dad can handle it!"

Then she poked her head out of the kitchen again, "Old Li, go wash your hands and help make dumplings!"

Li Dad sighed and obediently went to wash his hands.

...

With both of them working together, the dumplings were made quickly. While Li Dad watched the pot, Li Mom quickly prepared two dishes. When the dumplings were ready, her dishes were done too. Li Mom carried the dumplings, Li Qian carried the dishes, and Li Dad went to his small study to get a bottle of wine.

"Look, this is Xinghuacun, from 1986. I bought it at a writers' conference in Taiyuan many years ago and kept it for almost ten years, never daring to drink it! Come, son, let's celebrate today. You can have a drink with Dad!"

Li Mom wanted to object, as Li Qian was still a high school student and shouldn't drink, but seeing how happy Li Dad was and that Li Qian didn't refuse, she decided to let it go and went to the kitchen to get two cups.

When she brought the cups, Li Dad glared at her, "Why only two cups? What about yours?"

Li Mom was a bit surprised, "I'm drinking too?"

Li Dad waved his hand generously, "Yes, you should have a drink too! It's New Year's Day, after all. This year has been smooth and lucky for our family. We should celebrate with a drink!"

Li Mom didn't say anything, just got up to get a cup.

Three cups were filled. Li Dad poured himself a bit more than an ounce, and gave Li Qian and Li Mom just a sip each. Then he raised his cup and looked at Li Qian, "Son, people say, 'In the first thirty years, the father respects the son; in the next thirty years, the son respects the father.' It's true! Dad doesn't usually praise people, but today, I want to praise you. Your mom and I are fortunate. We didn't even wait thirty years, and we already have someone respecting us! Come, let's raise our cups!"

Li Qian and Li Mom raised their cups, and the three cups clinked together with a "ding." Li Dad took a big sip, swallowing half an ounce in one go!

Li Mom had just taken a small sip and, seeing this, immediately stopped him, "Slow down! Even if you're happy, you don't need to drink like that!"

Li Dad smiled, ignoring her, and turned to Li Qian, "I heard from your neighbors, Uncle Wang and Aunt Tao, that Xiao Xue will be singing three songs at the New Year's Eve gala tonight? Did you write all of them?"

Li Qian ate a dumpling, chewed, and nodded, "Yes, I wrote all of them."

Li Dad nodded, ate a dumpling, chewed, and swallowed. Then he took a sip of wine and asked, "And... I've been listening to the album Xiao Xue and her group released a few days ago. I saw the lyrics book. Out of ten songs, eight are yours. How much did their company pay you?"

At this, Li Mom also looked up, even putting her half-eaten dumpling on the plate, and asked, "Eight songs at once. Even if it's a bit cheaper than what you sold to Liao Liao, it shouldn't be too much less. It must be a few hundred thousand, right?"

Li Qian smiled, ate another dumpling, and said, "No, I haven't received any money yet! But when it's actually sold, I'll get a percentage. I estimate... at least a million or two?"

In fact, Li Qian had already received calls from Xie Bing and Li Jinlong in mid-month, informing him that Huachang Records' promotional strategy for the Wu Xing Wu Su album was to focus on the New Year's Eve gala, aiming for a big hit.

After the final recording in Songjiang the day before, Li Qian received another call from Xie Bing, saying that the gala had been recorded, and not only did the two originally scheduled songs get better time slots, but the director's team liked "Farewell" so much that they added it and even placed it at the beginning of the gala.

When Li Qian learned that Huachang Records had arranged for Wu Xing Wu Su to participate in the New Year's Eve gala, he couldn't help but applaud their promotional strategy. When he received Xie Bing's call and learned that "Farewell" had been placed at the beginning, he was even more confident that the album would sell well.

Honestly, daring to use "Farewell" at the beginning of a gala showed the boldness of the Dongfang Star TV New Year's Eve gala director's team. But Li Qian knew that in terms of quality and standard, "Farewell" was more than qualified, not just for the beginning of a New Year's Eve gala, but even for the Spring Festival Gala, whether at the beginning or the end.

Moreover, according to Xie Bing, after the second rehearsal, the audience gave a warm applause, proving that the song had a powerful presence that could dominate the entire gala.

When a song has such a powerful presence, its name being a bit ominous is no longer so important!

With three songs at the gala, a mix of fast and slow, classic and popular, if they didn't become a hit, it would mean the New Year's Eve gala had no truly popular songs.

With Huachang Records' promotional capabilities, the five girls' looks and figures, and the substantial capital behind the album, if they didn't become a hit, it would be a surprise. But once they did, it would be a big hit.

Because, according to Li Qian's judgment, the era of idols was about to begin!

And Wu Xing Wu Su were not just idols for teenagers but also for young adults!

Once they became idols in the hearts of so many consumers, the enthusiasm of fans would be undeniable!

Besides, they didn't even need to be that popular. According to the contract, as long as the Wu Xing Wu Su album sold three million copies, he would get a ten percent commission, which would amount to around three million.

Of course, when this figure of one or two million was mentioned... Li Dad and Li Mom were directly shocked.

Li Mom looked at Li Qian excitedly and asked, "Is that true?"

Seeing Li Qian nod and say calmly, "Based on my estimate, with their current momentum, one or two million is just the starting point, and it shouldn't be a problem."

Li Mom was so surprised that she put down her chopsticks with a slap, "So, even if I don't work, I won't have to worry about money?"

Li Dad sighed, looking dazed, "Ah, good, good! Ha, even if we don't think too far ahead, even last year at this time, your mom and I never imagined that in just half a year, you would... you would..."

Li Mom added, "Earn more than what your dad and I have earned in our entire lives combined!"

Li Dad nodded, raised his hand, and took another sip of wine.

Putting down his wine glass, he picked up his chopsticks, tapped the bowl edge twice, and, in a poetic mood, half-hummed, half-sang, "A father's kindness, a son's filial piety, a brother's friendship, a younger brother's respect. A family is well-provided for, the times are peaceful and prosperous. The body is healthy, the neighbors are happy. A gentleman drinks, and the joy is endless."

***

I know some of you might think I'm padding the story after reading this chapter, so I want to reiterate: this is an urban life novel. It's about people, life, and relationships. Writing songs, singing, and making movies are just part of the work, and work is just a part of life, not the whole!

And you guys are really awesome! (To be continued)

PS: I know some of you might think I'm padding the story after reading this chapter, so I want to reiterate: this is an urban life novel. It's about people, life, and relationships. Writing songs, singing, and making movies are just part of the work, and work is just a part of life, not the whole!

And you guys are really awesome!