Chapter 184 - Unconvinced
When LinZhijie received the call from Chen Fei'er, Lu Chen had just entered the artpark in his Zhonghua X7.
Chen Fei'er wassitting in the copilot’s seat.
She didn’t boardthe million-dollar Mercedes-Benz business car that was lagging behind them. Sheseemed to have a special fondness for Lu Chen's locally made car, which cost nomore than 200,000 yuan.
The area of the New Age Art Park couldn't be said to be very large, but in the thousand-year-old imperial capital, it was already very rare. If it was built into commercial and residential real estate or office buildings, the value would certainly be astronomical.
Because it was Haidian Park in the southwest, Capital University in the northeast, and ruins of the Yuanmingyuan in the north. Its geography, culture and surrounding environment couldn't be replicated.[1]
The layoutof the New Age Art Park was also completely different from that of ordinarybusiness district. There were no high-rise buildings, but rows of trees, flowergarden and meadows. Many distinctive low-rise buildings were hidden in thethick greenery. It felt more like coming to a large forest park.
This was thefirst time that Lu Chen came to the New Age Art Park.
Followingthe instructions of the car navigation, he stopped in front of a gray building.
The buildinghas only three stories. The eye-catching yellow-and-black Flying Stone Records logohanging from the wall, with its metal material splendidly shining in the sun, toldLu Chen that he has not come to the wrong place.
And Lu Chenalso saw Lin Zhijie and others standing at the gate.
Lu Chen andChen Fei'er got out of the car together, and the people from Flying StoneRecords welcomed them, giving them a warm greeting.
“MissChen Fei'er!”
AlthoughChen Fei'er has cooperated with Flying Stone Records for many years, therelationship between the two sides has been good, and the former has been toFlying Stone Records many times, the courtesy of Flying Stone Records was stillvery thoughtful.
“LuChen…"
Afterwelcoming Chen Fei'er, Lin Zhijie turned his attention to Lu Chen:“Welcome.”
Lu Chenshook hands with him and said with a smile, “Thank you, Director Lin. Pleasegive me a lot more advice.”
Lin Zhijiesaid with a hearty smile, “I don't dare to give you advice. Yourachievements in music have surpassed mine. Let me introduce you to somecolleagues in the company first.”
Through hisintroduction. Lu Chen met Yi Xiangjun, deputy general manager of Flying StoneRecords, and Lu Tai, manager of the brokerage department.
And Fan Jun,the chief composer and arranger.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Lu Chen felt that the chief composer was not very friendly towards him. There was a fake smile on his face when they shake hands, and there seemed to be some kind of sharp words hidden in his polite words.
Two people in the same profession never agree?[2]
Lu Chen didn'tcare too much. Accompanied by Lin Zhijie and others, he followed Chen Fei'erinto the Flying Stone Records.
This recordcompany, which has enjoyed a good reputation in China for 30 years and was oncesecond to none in scale and strength, has exclusively occupied this three-storybuilding, so there was plenty of space inside, showing a rare atmosphere in thestyle of decoration.
Rows oftransparent floor-to-ceiling glass brought in the outdoor sun and scenery. Thesimplicity and clever layout made working in it a pleasure.
On the wallsof the hallway, there were also large portraits, all of which were photos ofstar artists who have been or were still under Flying Stone Records. To LuChen, their names were like thunder reverberating in his ears. Their names wereknown far and wide!
The qualityof the staff of Flying Stone Records were very high. Perhaps because they wereused to seeing big stars, no one surrounded Chen Fei'er, and they all greeted thempolitely.
Such anatmosphere made Lu Chen couldn't help but sigh secretly, the depth of FlyingStone Records' heritage!
The groupsat down in the spacious and bright VIP reception room. After the tea andcoffee were served, Lin Zhijie asked, “Fei'er, have you really decided onthe title song of your new album?”
To be honest,when he heard Chen Fei'er say on the phone that it has been determined, and thatit was Lu Chen who wrote the title song for her new album, the music directorof Flying Stone Records still couldn't believe it.
As early asmore than a month ago, Chen Fei'er began to request songs for her album. LinZhijie helped recommend several new works by well-known songwriters in thecircle, but she was not very satisfied with them.
Chen Fei'erhas very high requirements for this album, beginning with the change in style.
As everyone knew,it was not easy for famous singers to change his or her style, because his or herfan group has long been established, and everyone was used to and liked thesinger’s original style.
So once the work,after the change in style, couldn't satisfy people, the result would inevitablylead to the loss of original fans, and it would not be able to attract newfans. The popularity and brand value would be greatly reduced.
In the pop musicworld, there have been countless singers who have been eliminated from themarket due to the failure of transformation!
It was even more difficult for Chen Fei'er.
She has been the Queen of Sweet Song for more than a decade. Her singing and image have long been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Although she was now facing the problem of shrinking market[3], she could still live her whole life by depending on her past achievements.
But LinZhijie also knew very well that what Chen Fei'er was pursuing now was not fameand wealth. She has already earned enough money, her fame has reached its peak,and she has won countless awards.
What shepursues was undoubtedly another breakthrough in her career!
And toachieve her goal with a new album was a great challenge for any songwriter.
Could LuChen do it?
Lin Zhijie didn'tdoubt Lu Chen’s strength and talent, otherwise, he wouldn't have insisted thatLu Chen supervise the production of MSN’s debut album, but Chen Fei'er’ssituation was completely different.
Her fans weremainly the post-70s and post-80s generations, while MSN focuses on the post-90sand post-00s generation!
Thisdetermines the great difference in song type and style.
Lu Chen’screative talent was basically focused on folk songs and light rock. He wouldn'tlet Chen Fei'er switch to folk songs or rock and roll songs, would he?
Picturingthat scene in his head, Lin Zhijie could faint.
Chen Fei'ersaid with a smile, “Brother Lin, you’ll know after listening to it. I’m sureLu Chen’s new work won’t disappoint you. My album will revolve around these twosongs!”
Her voicewas soft and melodious, but with unshakable firmness.
Yi Xiangjunand Fan Jun and others looked at each other. They didn't expect Chen Fei'er tohave such great confidence in Lu Chen.
Was LuChen’s new work really good?
Yi Xiangjun wasa bit regretful. Her previous opposition to Lin Zhijie seemed to be a baddecision.
And Fan Junclenched his fist secretly. He was more unconvinced in his heart.
In fact,this unconvinced senior, who had made a name for himself, was vigilant,fearful, and even disgusted with this newcomer in the younger generation.
But in frontof Chen Fei'er, Fan Jun didn't dare to expose his inner feelings directly.
He needed towait for a more suitable opportunity.
Lin Zhijiesaid with a smile, “Then I really need to listen to it!”
After apause, he said, “Fei'er, our Flying Stone Records have just formed up afemale group called MSN Beautiful Girl Group. I want them to meet you. Pleasegive them some advice.”
Lin Zhijieand Chen Fei'er have known each other for many years and have also produced thelatter’s album. The two have a very good relationship.
So takingadvantage of this opportunity, he wanted to recommend MSN to Chen Fei'er. If thisHeavenly Queen was willing to guide them, it would be a great help for MSN!
“MSN BeautifulGirl Group?”
Chen Fei'erwas stunned at first, then said with a smile, “This name is a littleinteresting. Let them come over.”
MSN?
Lu Chen'sface was a little strange. He knew that M.S.N was the first letters of the namesof the members of the girl group combined, but the name reminded him of a chat softwarein the dream world.
Half aminute later, the three members of the MSN Beautiful Girl Group appeared in theVIP reception room.
The threepeople wore white dresses of the same style, but the colors of their skirtswere divided into red, yellow and purple. They were about the same height, and theywere beautiful and lovely, showing a youthful atmosphere.
Their faceswere full of excitement. When they came in, they all greeted Chen Fei'er:“Hello, Sister Fei!”
Chen Feiernodded and smiled: “Hello… Xiaochu?”
She wassurprised that one of the members of MSN was Mu Xiaochu.
Mu Xiaochusmiled shyly: “Hello Sister Fei. Hello senior.”
The last twowords were for Lu Chen.
Lu Chen wasequally surprised: “Un… Hello Xiaochu.”
He didn'texpect Mu Xiaochu to become a member of a girl group after signing with FlyingStone Records.
Lin Zhijiesaid with a smile, “Let me introduce you…”
Mu Xiaochu,19, from Beijing Foreign Language Institute, was one of the top five singers of“Singing China”.
Lu Chen andChen Fei'er were already familiar with her, so no special introduction wasneeded.
Mu Xiaochu wasthe M member of MSN.
Su Jiajia, theS member, was also a 19-year-old. She was originally a trainee of Flying StoneRecords.
She has asweet appearance, with a goose-egg shaped face and willow-leaf eyebrows, redlips and white teeth, and a cheerful personality, with canine teeth exposedwhen she smiles.
The last onewas Ning Tian, 20 years old from the Northern Conservatory of Music. She could beconsidered to have received professional training.
Ning Tian was the oldest of the three, and has the best figure and also the most beautiful.
She has charming eyes[4], and she seemed to be able to talk with her smile. People couldn't help but be attracted to her.
MSN BeautifulGirl Group was really worthy of the name!
Chen Fei'ershook hands with them one by one and exclaimed, “They are all reallybeautiful. Brother Lin, your vision is so good. I’m sure their group will be asuccess!”
Lin Zhijiesaid: “That depends on everyone’s support…”
As he said this,he looked at Lu Chen meaningfully: “Lu Chen, I’m going to invite you for asong. You and Xiaochu could be regarded as siblings. You must help withthis!”
Lu Chen saidwith a smile, “Brother Lin, since you have said that, then I must come upwith good works.”
Wasn't itall the same who he's selling his song to? Not to mention he also needed helpfrom Flying Stone Records.
Theproduction and distribution of CD records and posters of “You Who Sat NextTo Me” all need to be completed through Flying Stone Records.
Lin Zhijie laughed.He didn't continue on this topic.
Otherwise,the faces of Yi Xiangjun and Fan Jun would be lost.
He said,“Let’s listen to your new work first.”
Somehow, themusic director of Flying Stone Records was full of confidence in Lu Chen’s newwork.
He couldn'twait to hear it!
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[1] In other words, unique. There is only one such place in the country.
[2] 同行相忌 – I don't really get this. Lu Chen thought that since both of them have the same profession (songwriters) and don't work together or not in the same company, it was natural for Fan Jun to have this kind of attitude.
[3] Shrinking market - the demand for sweet songs is dropping. Or the popularity of sweet songs is dropping.
[4] Original translation was "Her eyes were very moving/touching". It didn't sound right to me, so I changed it to charming eyes. Anyway, I think what the author wants to convey was her eyes/gaze could move/touch people. Whenever I think I didn't translate something right or i couldn’t translate it very well, I will put a TN of it.
TN: If you like my translations support me in ko-fi: .