Chapter 99

Li Qian thought for a moment and said, "Last time I gave you a folk song, and the response was pretty good. However, I still think that even though folk songs might remain popular in the short term, they won't last long. With the development of the times and the economy, and the influx of foreign cultures, the tastes of domestic music fans are gradually changing. Everyone is increasingly favoring new things, like the fast songs I made for Wu Xing Wu Su. It won't be long, probably in 1996, that they will suddenly explode in the market. For example, hip-hop, which is very popular abroad but is still in its infancy in China, and R&B, or rhythm and blues. I believe these styles will have a broader path in the future. But for the next two years, I think folk songs still have a market. So... how about another folk song?"

Liao Liao's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward instinctively. Although her chest wasn't particularly full, the thin sweater couldn't hide the natural, droplet-shaped curve as she leaned forward.

Li Qian glanced at it subconsciously, his heart pounding. He sighed helplessly, knowing that he would likely have those dreams that require washing his underwear tonight. Being a virgin was really tough!

After sighing, he quickly shifted his attention by speaking, "I do have a song, but you don't need to be so anxious, right? I'll give it to you later!"

Liao Liao nodded, satisfied, and sat back down, unaware that her casual movement had stirred the heart of a repressed virgin.

Since Li Qian said he had a song, Liao Liao wasn't worried about the quality at all.

So she asked, "What else?"

Li Qian thought for a moment and said, "From the reactions to 'Unfinished Love' and 'Half a Pot of Silk,' I think the Chinese style will gradually heat up in the market next year. So, how about another Chinese style song?"

Liao Liao nodded eagerly, "That's great! It must be included!"

Li Qian hummed, paused for a moment, and then said, "I have some light rock songs. We can add one to the new album!"

Liao Liao nodded again. "Great!"

Li Qian laughed, "You just say 'great' to everything I suggest. Is this your album or mine?"

Liao Liao was taken aback for a moment, then spread her hands frankly, "With you helping me and considering everything, what else do I need to say? I trust you more than I trust myself!"

Li Qian shook his head and smiled, thought for a moment, and said, "Your voice is a bit of a waste if you don't sing folk songs, and I think you should sing more. So, how about two folk songs?"

Liao Liao nodded, "No problem!"

She paused, as if afraid Li Qian would think she wasn't serious, and added, "I love folk songs!"

Li Qian hummed and said, "That makes five songs, right? I'll add a more popular one, and you can collect four songs you like or use the ones you've recently written."

Liao Liao waved her hands, "No, no! Compared to my own songs, I trust your two big notebooks more! Master, teacher, can you give me a few more?"

Li Qian shook his head and smiled, "The whole album can't be my songs, right? Don't you want to invite a couple of songs from others or use your own? Didn't you say you just wrote two good songs recently?"

Liao Liao waved her hands, "No! I want yours!"

She paused and added, "The ones I wrote... I'll save them. I'll save them. When I keep asking you for songs, you might get annoyed. Then I'll use my own songs!"

Li Qian chuckled, thought for a moment, and said, "Alright! Since you want them, I'll give you the whole package. How about another folk song? That makes six... Do you want to try some rock? Your voice, when fully unleashed, would be great for rock!"

Liao Liao's eyes lit up even more!

"You like rock? Can you do rock?"

Li Qian smirked, "Of course! 'Persistence' and 'Wildflowers' are light rock, a bit more pop, but they're still rooted in rock. Why can't I do rock?"

Liao Liao clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling, and leaned forward again. Li Qian's eyes were forced to see the droplet-shaped curve again, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

"Then give me two rock songs?"

Basically, rock is something that every musician loves, even to the point of being passionate about it! Music is an outward expression of art, a way to directly convey emotions to the audience through sound, instruments, melodies, and lyrics. When it comes to emotional expression, nothing is more intense than rock!

So Li Qian smiled, casually crossed his legs to cover something, and said, "Alright, two rock songs!"

Clap!

Liao Liao, excited and unable to contain herself, clapped her hands.

"That's settled!"

She extended her hand, counting on her fingers, "Two rock songs, one folk song, two folk songs, one light rock, one Chinese style, and... oh, right, one pop song? That's only eight! What about the other two?"

Li Qian thought for a moment and said, "We can't have an imbalance! We already have three rock songs... You should know that while light rock is fine, heavier rock can affect the perception of young people and their enthusiasm for buying the album. So... let's add another folk song! And one more pop song. Pop is still the most popular genre!"

Liao Liao thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, let's do it! When you give me the songs, I'll go back to Shuntian and practice!"

Li Qian nodded and said, "Alright."

At this point, Qi Jie, who had been watching silently, looked at them and said, "So you've settled it? An entire album just like that?"

Liao Liao smiled, "Surprised? I'm telling you, this is only with him. With anyone else, do you think an album is so easy to make? Before I came to Jinan and met him, it took me half a year to make only half of the album, and I wasn't even satisfied with it."

Qi Jie nodded, somewhat understanding, and said, "Oh."

But a moment later, she turned to Liao Liao and said, "Hey, Liao, we've taken the whole album. You need to talk to your company. The price can't be low!"

Liao Liao was taken aback, staring at her dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.

Qi Jie shrugged, "Don't look at me like that. I'm just doing my job!"

...

They laughed and chatted, losing track of time. By the time Qi Jie looked at her watch, it was already past one in the morning. Snow was falling heavily outside, and the world was silent.

During this time, Liao Liao and Qi Jie had already negotiated the price for Li Qian's help with the album: a profit-sharing agreement. For sales under 3 million, Li Qian would get 8%; for sales between 3 million and 5 million, 10%; and for sales over 5 million, 12%.

Compared to the previous contract with Wu Xing Wu Su, this price was almost a friendly rate. However, considering Liao Liao's current fame, which was far from the struggling Wu Xing Wu Su, this price was beneficial and acceptable to both parties.

Of course, if combined with the profit-sharing agreement Liao Liao had with Changsheng Records, if her next album sold over 5 million copies, Li Qian and Liao Liao would take over 24% of the sales. This would be a significant loss for any record company, so negotiations with Changsheng Records would be tough.

Li Qian understood this. Despite Liao Liao's repeated assurances that she would help convince the company, and that she would even reduce her own share to make up the difference, Li Qian insisted that this was a negotiation price. If Changsheng Records refused to budge, they would gradually reduce the share, even by 2%, which he could accept. After all, they were old friends, and the goal was to make good music, not to haggle over money.

Of course... if Changsheng Records still refused, the verbal agreement would be nullified, and they could collaborate on her next album after her contract with Changsheng Records expired.

It was late, and the new album's collaboration was almost finalized. Qi Jie and Liao Liao took Liao Liao's things and got up to leave.

Li Qian thought Liao Liao would ask for a couple of songs before leaving to satisfy her curiosity. In fact, while the two women were arguing, Li Qian had been considering which specific songs to choose. Surprisingly, until they left, Liao Liao didn't mention it at all.

After they left, Li Qian closed the door and sighed.

This was Liao Liao!

The more he interacted with her, the more Li Qian realized that despite her cheerful and carefree demeanor, she was actually very thoughtful.

From offering 400,000 for five songs, which both impressed him and pressured Changsheng Records to use the songs, to now, even though they had a verbal agreement for the new album and mutual trust, she didn't ask for the songbook before the contract was signed...

Even Li Qian, an experienced veteran, had to admit that Liao Liao's attention to detail and mature handling of situations were truly commendable.

So, a person's success in an industry is not just about opportunity. Even without opportunity, those who are destined to succeed will still succeed!

Success is never accidental!

Li Qian sighed, preparing to wind down and go to bed, when there was a knock on the door.

He went to open it, somewhat puzzled, and found Liao Liao.

"Did you forget something?" Li Qian asked.

Liao Liao looked hesitant and conflicted, hesitating for a long time before finally saying, "I... I can't hold it in anymore. I know it's not good, but... can you at least give me one song to look at? Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep all night!"

Li Qian was surprised, his mouth slightly open.

Well, I praised you too soon! (To be continued)