Chapter 42

This was the second time Luchen had mentioned this matter.

It seemed he was really serious about starting a record company.

At the wedding banquet, Luchen, after drinking too much, said he wanted to invest one or two million to start a label. Lin Zai Shan didn't take it too seriously at the time, but he did think about it afterward.

Compared to selling classic songs cheaply to other record companies for their singers to perform, if they had their own record company, they could write songs and release albums for their own singers, which would be more flexible and valuable.

Just like the new band Xinmin, if they were nurtured and released albums through their own company's channels, they might become cash cows in the future.

Lin Zai Shan himself was the same. If he signed with another record company, he would be restricted by many clauses, and many things he wanted to do would be impossible, and he might not even be able to sing the songs he wanted.

But if they had their own company, and he was both the boss and the singer, he would have the choice, and everything would be much more flexible.

However, a newly established company would definitely be very small.

Compared to the big companies, their distribution channels for releasing records would be much narrower.

But this wasn't an insurmountable problem.

Initially, they could specialize in music labels—just producing records, branding them with their own label, but outsourcing the promotion and distribution to large record companies. This way, they could expand their platform.

But the biggest issue was whether any large record company or entertainment company would be willing to cooperate with them.

Lin Zai Shan knew his own situation well. The old man had offended too many people in the industry. If the companies found out that he was one of the core bosses of Beyond, would they be willing to cooperate?

These were all things they needed to think deeply about.

But being able to start their own label, and eventually develop it into a large record company or entertainment company, would definitely be more beneficial than not.

After all, he wasn't young anymore. He couldn't act recklessly like a young person. He needed to have a sense of career. Otherwise, in a few years, if he wanted to achieve something in the commercial music industry, it might be too late.

"Brother Shan, what do you think? Our Beyond band can't be revived, but we can carry on the spirit of Beyond! We can start a label, and in the future, if you want to release an album, we can do it ourselves, without being exploited by those big record companies. They are too profit-driven, they would eat you alive without even spitting out the bones." Luchen was still harboring resentment over some past events.

Lin Zai Shan explained calmly, "Big record companies have their advantages. After all, they have a large platform and strong promotional power."

"We can do it ourselves, as long as we put our hearts into it, we can gradually grow. Just like our Qilixiang."

"Making records is different from delivering food."

"What's the difference? As long as you put your heart into it, you can do it well." Luchen was quite confident about this. "I've calculated it. I have about 2 million yuan in private savings. My wife doesn't even know about it, and I can use it freely. If you want to start a label, I'll put in all 2 million yuan, and it will be our joint venture. You can have 80% of the shares, and I'll have 20%. What do you think?"

"Did your math teacher teach you sports? — You put in 2 million yuan, and I don't put in a cent, and I get 80% of the shares?"

"Your talent is worth much more than 2 million yuan! As long as you're willing to do it, the company can be all yours. I still have Qilixiang. I just want to fulfill our Beyond music dream. Brother Shan, I hope you can surpass yourself and truly reach the peak we once promised to stand on!" Having grown up with Lin Zai Shan, Luchen had deeply witnessed his outstanding abilities and had always admired this big brother.

"We can do this. But 2 million yuan is not a small amount, and it could all be lost. I'll think about it carefully. You should also think more about how to do this well."

"Great! As long as you want to do it, I'll follow your lead."

"Don't just follow my lead. You've been in business for so many years, and you're definitely more experienced in negotiations and running a company. If we really start this company, you should treat it as your own, not mine. Don't push everything onto me. Don't be like when we were kids, where you just followed me around and I had to fight for you when you got into trouble."

"Hehe, don't worry, Brother Shan. I don't need to worry too much about Qilixiang, as Yangzi is handling it. If we really start Beyond Records, I'll put my heart into it. This is what I truly want to do." The passion in Luchen's red eyes was immense, like a young man seeing a girl he liked. Music-related work was what this Mr. Luchen truly dreamed of doing, as music had given him so much honor and emotion.

Back then, Luchen was also a somewhat disrespected delinquent. Lin Zai Shan, who was left to his own devices, dropped out of school to pursue music. Luchen was beaten by his father with a rolling pin and couldn't drop out, but his school performance was no better, and he often skipped classes to play music with Lin Zai Shan.

Luchen graduated from junior high school勉强地, and then dropped out of high school halfway through and never went back to school again.

At 17, Luchen started touring the country as a drummer with Lin Zai Shan.

Music played the most important role in his youth.

He had no formal education or cultural background, and the only thing he could be proud of was his musical experience.

At one time, making music was his proudest achievement.

But unfortunately, Lin Zai Shan, the "big devil," crushed his music dreams and pushed him into the food industry.

He had achieved some success in the food industry, but deep down, Luchen still wanted to do music, as it was his true youth and dream.

If he could revive his dreams and continue the legacy of Beyond, and start a label with Lin Zai Shan, Luchen felt his life would become very fulfilling and happy.

This kind of dream-related work made Luchen happy even if he did it for free, as doing it itself brought him the greatest joy.

He wasn't short of money. Under Luyang's leadership, Qilixiang had grown larger and larger, and the dividends from Qilixiang alone were more than enough for him to spend, so he didn't need to make money through a record company. He was never the type to be obsessed with money.

"Your share distribution is ridiculous. Even if you're willing to give me 80% of the shares, I wouldn't be comfortable taking them. Let's split it 50-50. If we really start this company, I'll provide the music, and you'll provide the capital. We'll each have 50% of the shares."

Knowing that Lin Zai Shan was the type who didn't like to accept others' charity, Luchen was very excited to hear that Lin Zai Shan was willing to split it 50-50 and work with him. "Okay! I'll follow your lead, as long as you're willing to do it."

"Ring ring ring..."

Lin Zai Shan's phone rang.

Waving at Luchen, Lin Zai Shan indicated that he needed to take the call. It was a call from Sun Yuzhen.

"Hello? Zhenzi."

"Uncle, I'm off work. Have you eaten dinner? Our company just provided a night snack, which is a Qilixiang pork chop set. Our group ordered two extra sets. Do you want to eat? If you do, I can bring it back for you. It's still hot."

"Sure! Qilixiang's pork chop rice is one of my favorites!" Lin Zai Shan smiled and glanced at Luchen.

"Okay, I'll ride back now. I'll be at your place in 15 minutes."

"I'm at Shuichuan Stone, the coffee shop in the basement of Building E."

"Are you drinking coffee? Alone?"

"No, with an old friend."

"Is it okay for me to come over? Will I be a bother?"

"No, come over. Shuichuan Stone has a jazz night tonight. One of the female owners, the one with short hair, is singing jazz. Come and listen, it's quite interesting."

"Okay, I'll come to Shuichuan Stone to find you."

"Ride slowly, don't rush. The food will still be good even if it cools down."

"Hehe, I know."

As soon as Lin Zai Shan hung up, Luchen immediately asked with interest, "Who was that? A girl, Brother Shan? You sounded so gentle!"

Luchen had never heard Lin Zai Shan speak so softly to a girl before. In the past, Lin Zai Shan treated women like clothes, rarely being gentle with them.

But the Lin Zai Shan in front of him had already undergone a noticeable change in demeanor, and Luchen still felt there was a story behind this.

"Don't overthink it. She's just a neighbor, also living in Huaxin Apartments."

"Your relationship isn't just that of neighbors, right? It's so late, and she's willing to bring us food. Which neighbor is that good? I've never encountered one like that, hehe." Luchen gave a knowing smile.

"Are you asking for another head tap?"

Lin Zai Shan made a gesture as if to tap Luchen's head.

"Brother Shan, don't tap me again. I've always wondered—why is my IQ lower than my brother's? We have the same parents, so why is there such a big difference? Later, I figured it out: my IQ is lower than my brother's because I've been tapped on the head by you so many times, and you've tapped all my IQ away! To be honest, your right middle finger is like a small hammer. Each tap feels like a blow to the head, making me see stars. Now, just seeing your fingers gives me a psychological fear, hehe."

Luchen was half-joking, but he was also half-serious. He was genuinely afraid of Lin Zai Shan tapping his head, even if it was just for fun. This big brother was an angel to him in one way and a devil in another, a feeling that couldn't be erased.

"Whoa—whoa—!"

While Lin Zai Shan and Luchen were joking, the man and three women at the next table started cheering for Hao Yuan again.

Hao Yuan had just made a mistake, and the man and three women caught it.

Hao Yuan had been singing for over half an hour, and the man and three women had been heckling her for over half an hour, showing no signs of tiring.

Hao Yuan, with her straightforward personality, was getting increasingly angry, her temper almost boiling over.

Lu Shishi, dressed in a white princess gown with her shoulders slightly exposed, was holding a cat. She had dressed up for the carefully prepared jazz night, but someone was disrupting it, and she was also getting annoyed.

She had looked back at the man and three women several times and even glanced at Lin Zai Shan.

Lu Shishi was a very patient woman, but her patience had limits. If those people continued to disrupt, she would have to intervene. Otherwise, Hao Yuan would definitely lose her temper, and their jazz night would be ruined.