In the recording studio, four middle-aged men were gathered, casually chatting while munching on melon seeds and picking their feet.
Led by Gong Liangguang, the others included He Guan, Mao Xiaorun, and Ye Zhou, each of whom was a well-known veteran in the industry. Although the appearance of these men picking their feet hid their artistic demeanor, they were only so relaxed in front of familiar faces.
"I'm so annoyed," Mao Xiaorun looked up at the ceiling, "I don't like coming to formal buildings like this. It would be better to practice singing at my studio. Smoking and drinking are both prohibited here, what's with all these restrictions? I really don't understand how anyone can work here every day. It's like being in prison, isn't it?"
"Not everyone is like you and needs to drink," He Guan glanced at his watch, his leg shaking vigorously as he crossed one leg over the other, "Hey, Lao Guang, when did you meet this kid? Last time I saw him at your party, there was no news about him. How come he's suddenly here now?"
"It was at the party last time that I met him," Gong Liangguang couldn't explain the speed of Luo Ding's rise to fame, "But his talent, it's really impressive."
"Ha," everyone scoffed at this, knowing well that talent was abundant in the industry. People who had worked with various stars privately assessed their individual abilities. However, making it in the entertainment industry was tough, and many factors besides talent mattered.
The old men were as gossipy as anyone else in the industry, freely discussing headlines and scandals that couldn't be voiced publicly. Starting from the discussion on talent and fame, it led to a string of discussions about various artists that met the criteria for discussion.
It wasn't clear who first mentioned Cao Dingkun, but by the time everyone came back to their senses, the topic had shifted to the deceased.
"It's a pity, really," even the most outspoken Mao Xiaorun showed some regret, "Cao Dingkun, I don't even know what to say about him. He was so stubborn."
"Yeah, once he set a goal, he put all his effort into it, unable to see anything else besides that goal. That's how he was with singing. My senior brother was in this industry early on, and he had worked with him before he became famous. He once told me that someone like him, if he couldn't make it big, he must have offended someone. He spent eighteen hours a day in the practice room dancing without speaking, eating plain food, drinking egg whites to protect his voice. Look at the artists now, how many of them can control themselves like that? He was only in his twenties back then."
"He really didn't have much room for improvement in singing," He Guan sighed, "It's a shame he switched to TV and movies midway, which delayed his singing career."
Ye Zhou chimed in, "Let's not take the music industry too seriously. If Cao Dingkun had just kept singing and dancing, now that would have been a waste."
The men exchanged glances, their expressions turning sour. Though the words were unpleasant, they were indeed true. The music industry in China had been declining, and the glorious days were long gone. Cao Dingkun's departure was indeed wise. The current music scene was not just about singing skills anymore. While the situation in Hong Kong and Taiwan was relatively better, the mainland lacked a mature music market mechanism. The neglect of arts in education meant there were few outstanding singers who could compete internationally. Singers also needed time to learn and grow. Someone who couldn't even read sheet music before their debut would need a long time to sing classics.
However, with piracy, the influence of Japanese and Korean trends, and the influx of Western culture, many young people's album purchases were diverted to foreign stars. With the prevalence of online music, few were willing to spend money on an artist's work. If a company couldn't sell albums or make a profit, it was a loss. Consequently, companies were more inclined to push artists into the profitable film and television industry, resulting in fewer opportunities for talented singers. The supply and demand market were balanced, but not in a way that pleased everyone.
So Cao Dingkun's decision to cross over into other fields was timely and indeed wise.
The men felt uneasy, Mao Xiaorun shook his head, "You're right, among domestic artists, he was already at the top. Why would he risk his life street racing? Sigh..."
No one answered his question. After Cao Dingkun's death was confirmed, many in the entertainment industry found it hard to believe. His image and demeanor were so good that it was unthinkable that he would lose his life in a street racing accident.
Outside the door, Luo Ding stood still, his hand still in the position to knock. Gu Yaxing couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Luo Ding smiled and lightly knocked, "Nothing."
The four men inside the room immediately straightened up, resuming their serious demeanor: "Please come in."
Luo Ding slowly opened the door, seeing the men inside whom he had talked to at Gong Liangguang's banquet. His smile carried just the right amount of warmth: "Hello, Teacher Gong, Teacher Mao, Teacher Ye, Teacher He. Sorry for being a little late."
Mao Xiaorun finally understood why Gong Liangguang liked Luo Ding. Being stared at by this child's smiling clear eyes and hearing that respectful address, after witnessing too much darkness in the entertainment industry, they found it hard to resist this long-lost touch of spring breeze. Mao Xiaorun remembered the scene of Luo Ding sitting quietly with a guitar and Pan Yiming, singing at Gong Liangguang's banquet. From the first meeting to now, although so much time had passed, the features of the other party had never been erased from his mind. It was a matter of recognition. An artist could be ugly, but they absolutely could not be forgettable. Someone who could be lost in a crowd all day long, who could recognize him from the colorful screens? However, his agreement to cooperate with Gu Yaxing wasn't solely because of his appearance and Gong Liangguang's influence. He was a musician, with a unique and sensitive sense of music. The song Luo Ding sang at Gong Liangguang's banquet, from the first word to the last note, was so ethereal and incredible. This was a talent worth nurturing, even if he was just a newcomer in the music industry, he deserved a chance.
He Guan was a well-known composer in the industry, who had also formed a band that had won numerous awards both domestically and internationally. Ye Zhou collaborated with him on lyrics, and the two of them were a unique combination highly sought after in the music industry. Now they mostly worked for those few remaining top-tier artists, as it was rare to find a singer who met their standards.
Luo Ding had not expected Gu Yaxing to persuade them to join. Upon seeing Gong Liangguang, he immediately understood that this must have been his doing.
"...So, shall we begin?"
Ye Zhou was someone who quickly got into work mode. Just a short while after Luo Ding sat down, he spoke up, "You haven't released any albums before, right?"
"No."
"Can you read music scores?"
"Yes."
"That's good enough," Ye Zhou said, "I heard your song at the banquet the other day. Your vocal range is broad, and your pitch is accurate. Later, go to the practice room and sing a song seriously for Mao Laoshi to see if there's anything that needs fixing."
Although Mi Rui was about the same height as Duan Xiubo, his legs were shorter by a notch. When Duan Xiubo took a step, Mi Rui had to quicken his pace to keep up, carrying a stack of documents behind him. He looked quite miserable.
But at least he wasn't the only one suffering.
Walking side by side with Duan Xiubo was Yu Shaotian, the chairman of Victory Media. To maintain his dignified image, he frowned as he walked, looking serious. His lips moved, overflowing with complaints: "What good will it do if you walk slower?"
"I'm used to it," Duan Xiubo's hands were in his pockets, and he smiled as he strode along, still doing his own thing. He wasn't particularly fond of interacting with Yu Shaotian, but he had gotten used to not refusing anyone or anything. So even if he didn't like it, he still showed warmth and politeness.
Yu Shaotian kept pressing, "You've had enough. It's been so many years since you went home, haven't you seen how much your father has aged? Some things should be forgiven."
"I haven't blamed him."
"Yeah, you haven't said you blamed him, who do you think you're fooling?" Yu Shaotian saw that Duan Xiubo wasn't responding and sighed, closing his mouth. He knew that his father was a bit of a playboy, and after his parents separated, he followed his mother, never really knowing what Duan Xiubo had experienced since childhood. The brothers rarely saw each other when they were young, sometimes not even once a year. The relationship wasn't close, and Yu Shaotian only learned about Duan Xiubo entering the entertainment industry after he became famous. The young man in his twenties was as shrewd and slippery as the others he had heard about, and thinking about his father's reputation of playing around, he sometimes felt a subtle sense of apology towards his brother.
Duan Xiubo always responded with a smile and a gentle demeanor, making it impossible for Yu Shaotian to see what was really going on in his mind. After trying for a while to get closer to him and failing, Yu Shaotian gradually gave up on this unlikely task. Seeing that Duan Xiubo had been alone for so many years without anyone worth relying on, he always felt a sense of emptiness.
"I just don't want to go back for his fifteenth or sixteenth wedding." Duan Xiubo succinctly cut off everything Yu Shaotian hadn't said yet, then asked Mi Rui, "Where did Carmen say he was?"
"On the forty-fifth floor," Mi Rui glanced at the pale-faced Yu Shaotian, pushed his glasses, and quickly replied. Rule number one for a qualified agent and assistant: never meddle in the boss's family affairs.
Yu Shaotian immediately asked, "Carmen? Isn't that Carmen Clove, the director of 'Blade Warrior'? Isn't the forty-fifth floor for music? What's he doing there?"
"At the forty-fifth floor, there's also a martial arts club. The martial arts director of 'Blade Warrior' teaches there in his spare time, probably because of his connections." Mi Rui quickly absorbed all the news within his scope of work, never leaving any questions from his superiors unanswered.
Yu Shaotian looked at Mi Rui appreciatively. "You're a good agent."
Duan Xiubo casually pressed the elevator button. "Not bad. How many agents under you earn a yearly salary of two million?"
Mi Rui pushed his glasses and calmly, proudly nodded in acknowledgment to Yu Shaotian.
"..." Yu Shaotian thought to himself, I really should shut my big mouth.
The forty-fifth floor was spacious, with traces of various clubs and training centers for dining, music, fitness, and dance. Today, the forty-fifth floor seemed particularly lively. Just as they stepped out of the elevator, Duan Xiubo immediately put on an emergency mask. He glanced at Mi Rui with surprise, who shrugged and pointed his thumb to the music club on the right. The club, with only transparent windows for cover, had its open audition room brightly lit, and staff were adjusting equipment inside.
"There are many big shots in this club, and the instructors have great backgrounds," Mi Rui listened to some nearby discussions and suddenly realized, raising his eyebrows. "Oh? They said that the shareholder, Mao Xiaorun, is here today. No wonder it's so crowded. Not everyone can go to his own studio."
Duan Xiubo wasn't interested. Open auditions like this were just a gimmick. Occasionally, the club would let students show their faces to demonstrate their abilities. It didn't appeal to him. Worried about being recognized, he tugged at his mask and hurried away. The music on the forty-fifth floor gradually stopped, and the equipment emitted a few popping noises. Then a gentle female voice, filled with excitement, said, "Zhengse Music Studio's live broadcast is back after a long time. Today, Teacher Mao Xiaorun brought his proud student here. The audition results backstage were simply incredible. The open room, which hasn't been open for a long time, is lit up again. Thanks to Teacher Mao and Mr. Luo for accepting our invitation. Thank you."
After a moment, a clear and warm voice with a smile said, "Originally, I was practicing in the backstage audition room. I didn't expect to have the opportunity to come into the open room. If I don't sing well later, please forgive me."
Duan Xiubo's steps were suddenly halted by this voice. He couldn't take the next step and just stood there dumbfounded.
Luo Ding?
He turned around, heard the vague cheers and screams coming from the elevator entrance, paused for a moment, tightened his mask, and turned back.
"... Huh?" Yu Shaotian stood in place inexplicably, watching his figure as he walked away. "Hey! Where are you going? The studio is this way."
Duan Xiubo didn't even pay attention to him, taking a few quick steps and eventually starting to run. Mi Rui quickly came to his senses and caught up, while Yu Shaotian stood foolishly for a moment before following suit.
Luo Ding had almost forgotten how long it had been since he had used such professional recording equipment. Just now in the backstage, he had sung with great enjoyment. The noise-canceling headphones were still as large and heavy as ever, and he held the edge of the headphones, as if he had returned to those youthful years of pursuing music and madness.
He actually didn't want to enter this open room. It was just that under the strong invitation of the shareholder, Mao Xiaorun, he had to compromise. Since he accepted the invitation, he saw it as work. The casual attitude during the first audition was now completely restrained, replaced by a serious and dedicated attitude.
Although it was lively outside the window, there weren't many people in his view. The prelude to the music began, and he smiled slightly at the crowd outside the window, putting on his headphones.
The difference between good and bad sound equipment was really obvious. With prices ranging from hundreds to millions, different devices had vastly different tolerances for vocal quality. The same song, the effect of a singer coming out of the recording studio, performing live, and singing in a karaoke room, were completely different.
Luo Ding last sang at Gong Liangguang's banquet, using ordinary equipment. Although his excellent musical sense made him sound amazing enough to astonish many people, as soon as he switched to the audition room, the previous effect was instantly turned to rubbish.
The young voice was bright and pure, with a sigh-like tone when lowered, and the transition between real and false voice was seamless. In an instant, he suppressed the somewhat restless crowd outside the window into silence.
"I came to your city, walked the path you once took..."
He gently began, the slow and sad melody flowing like a stream, his singing seemed to contain an infinite sense of suppressed emotion, every word uttered carried a profound and resonant tone.
"Imagining the days without me, how lonely you must be..."
The entire forty-third floor was surrounded by this serene atmosphere, as if one could really see a man carrying his luggage, walking aimlessly on the street, bearing the joy, sorrow, and laughter of the world. Luo Ding pressed his hands on the headphones, closed his eyes, furrowed his brows slightly, and sang with seriousness and emotion, his handsome features, illuminated by professional lighting, becoming even more unbelievably attractive.
The people outside the window stared dumbfoundedly at him, then hurriedly took out their phones to start recording. However, most of their attention was still drawn to his singing. Fortunately, everyone around had quieted down, and the audio recorded alongside the video wasn't disturbed by noise.
It's actually quite difficult to perform slow songs, without the rhythmic sense that instantly captivates the audience. Especially for songs like this, where eighty percent of the background was filled by the singer's voice, to grab the audience's ears, the emotional investment during the performance had to be profound and tense. Just one note out of place, one pitch off, or even a slight tremor at the end of a note, was enough to significantly reduce the infectiousness of a performance.
Mao Xiaorun frowned outside the audition room, standing next to Gong Liangguang, looking dissatisfied.
Gong Liangguang sighed and struggled to pull himself out of the mood of the song, turning to him. "What's wrong? Was there something wrong with the singing? I thought it was very good."
"No, he sang very well," Mao Xiaorun shook his head, somewhat helpless. "It's just that he sang too well, his skills are unbelievably proficient. I really don't know where to start criticizing him. I probably won't be able to participate in the production of this album. I can't find anywhere I can guide him anymore."
Gong Liangguang widened his eyes in surprise. "That's impossible... He's only in his twenties..."
Mao Xiaorun furrowed his brow and stared tightly at the young man in the window who sang with an aura that could be felt even from his back. He smiled bitterly. "So, there are geniuses in this world after all."
"Wow, such a floating feeling..." He Guan and Ye Zhou, at this moment, were too engrossed to comfort him. Since Luo Ding finished his first song in the backstage audition room, they had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, brainstorming for ideas. Ye Zhou, somewhat absent-minded, held his notebook and listened attentively to Luo Ding's singing, supporting his head as if intoxicated, writing quickly.
It had been so long since they felt this fountain-like burst of inspiration. Luo Ding's way of singing was really special, giving people a feeling of being sucked into another world by his voice. He was so suitable for emotional music, the ability to express sadness in the sharp and concise lyrics was not something everyone possessed. The integration of spiritual and softness was so soothing that it made people drowsy but reluctant to fall asleep. Ye Zhou felt that he probably could write the songs needed for Luo Ding's next album before the production of the album even began.
Luo Ding had already settled into a state where all his emotions were settled, with only the melody and lyrics of the song left in his mind.
With the last note falling gently, as light as a sigh, with a faint trace of crying tone, it drifted away. The music gradually stopped, and the entire forty-fifth floor returned to the quiet before the song started.
It was really quiet, even the sound of people talking disappeared. Luo Ding took a deep breath and slowly took off his earphones, opening his eyes.
What met his eyes was a crowd outside the window that had increased by at least twice before he started singing. Everyone was staring at him, and through the clear glass, Luo Ding could vaguely distinguish the clear tear marks on some people's faces.
After three silent seconds, many people realized that the performance had ended. They pressed the stop button on their recordings and then started to burst into applause.
Luo Ding smiled slightly, not showing any timidity, and bowed to the crowd outside the window before leaving.
The staff began to enter the audition room to check and clean the equipment. After the crimson curtains were drawn over the windows, everyone realized that there wouldn't be a second song. Reluctantly, they dispersed.
But most people's focus was still clear. They poured into the club and asked every staff member they could find about the singer who had just performed and tried to gather as much information as possible about him. As for the few who had heard of Luo Ding's name before, they quickly started posting on Weibo, either posting photos or videos they took live, or simply spreading information about Luo Ding to the onlookers. After just a few words, many people who didn't know each other became familiar, building quite a few bridges of friendship.
As for Weibo, it had already been stirred up into a turmoil by these new messages, and the reposts and discussions of the audio and video were skyrocketing. Luo Ding's name once again sparked a new round of fervor.
It wasn't until Luo Ding walked up to them that Wu Fangyuan and Gu Yaxing came back to their senses. The two of them supported each other, looking at Luo Ding with a gaze as if they were looking at an alien.
Luo Ding was a singer, and he debuted in AsiaStar Studio. They were undoubtedly the people who knew Luo Ding's strength the best. Although Luo Ding had fewer opportunities to perform in the group before, even if they didn't pay attention, they could still tell the difference between Luo Ding's current strength and his past.
"You..." Wu Fangyuan's voice was somewhat hoarse, not knowing how to phrase his words, so he could only stutter, "When did you... become like this..."
"After the dissolution," Luo Ding lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face, his gaze deep and profound, "I also couldn't accept it."
Wu Fangyuan looked at his expression, feeling a pang of heartache. Wu Fangyuan had seen how good Luo Ding had been to Su Shengbai. He couldn't understand Su Shengbai's choice of stepping on Luo Ding's kindness like that. After all, Luo Ding was also a man with self-respect. How could he not care? Thinking of the time when Luo Ding's emotions were collapsing and he kept increasing the dosage of his antidepressants, Wu Fangyuan clenched his fists. It turned out that he had been quietly honing his singing skills like this in secret? Their agent was really inadequate. He didn't even notice, let alone offer any comfort.
From this conversation, Gu Yaxing also vaguely understood something. He sighed, stepped forward, and patted Luo Ding's shoulder. "Don't hold grudges. Your future must be even broader and greater than his. With today's achievements, you should also thank him for his past indifference."
The doubts that still lingered about his sudden improvement in strength naturally vanished at this moment. The self-esteem of men was so wonderful, it was enough to prompt a person to make changes they had never dreamed of before. Combined with Luo Ding's past experiences, after a brief silence, he reappeared with a dazzling brilliance. This result was very inspiring and not without possibility.
Dealing with someone who was good at imagining was too simple. Luo Ding smiled faintly, and his gaze fell on He Guan and Ye Zhou, who were sitting on the ground and writing furiously. Their distracted appearances made him pause.
Gong Liangguang kindly explained, "They're inspired. Artists sometimes go a little crazy. With your current state and strength, making an album is absolutely more than enough. I fully support it. But I have a suggestion."
"What?" Luo Ding asked.
"The album's production cycle is too long. I think it's better for you to release an EP before making the album. It allows you to test the market's response and establish a fan base for yourself. After all, you don't have much status in the domestic music industry yet, and you can't focus solely on overseas markets. What do you think?"
"EP?"
Luo Ding didn't hesitate much. At present, he hadn't made much of a splash in the mainstream, and with the recent rush of drama schedules, making a short album was indeed the best choice.
Gu Yaxing had no objections to this either, and the group of people stood in the lobby of the club to finalize the next steps of their work. With the major issue resolved, Luo Ding's suppressed exhaustion and weariness finally surged up. He covered his forehead, intending to bid farewell to everyone and find a place to rest.
After verifying his identity, Duan Xiubo was permitted to enter the club. As soon as he entered the lobby, he saw the young man leaning against the table, looking tired and lost in thought. A smile appeared on his face.
"Luo Xiaoding, how come I can see you wherever I go?" He adopted a somewhat familiar and friendly attitude, quickening his pace to walk towards Luo Ding, causing Yu Shaotian, who was following behind, to be slightly stunned.
Luo Ding turned his head, showing surprise in his eyes.
Duan Xiubo stole his lines, didn't he? The person who seems to be everywhere, no matter where you go, is clearly him!
