Chapter 43: PS-Chapter 42 Chang Wei’s Invitation
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"You're going to be famous!"
Sister Na said confidently, "A hundred percent!"
Next to her, Qin Hanyang nodded vigorously, agreeing with Sister Na's assertion.
'My Old Classmate', 'Cinderella', 'In Spring', and 'Blue Lotus Flower'— with four original masterpieces, Lu Chen has already demonstrated his incredible talent and gift. Coupled with his singing ability and looks, there's no way he won't become famous!
Oh, and let's not forget the song he wrote for Sister Na; that makes five original works that qualify as classics!
Lu Chen smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Na!"
However, he wasn't feeling that optimistic.
During this time, aside from sorting through the songs in his memory, Lu Chen had been searching online for a lot of information related to the entertainment industry. He didn't overlook public information, insider leaks, or even whispers of rumors, trying to deepen his understanding of the mainstream circle he was about to step into.
The current era is no longer the '80s and '90s; even the changes over the past decade have been monumental.
In the past, a vagabond singer could rise to fame with a single outstanding piece, earning a living for years, sometimes even decades, raking in enviable profits.
But in the new century, with the explosive growth of the entertainment industry and the rise of the online world, such good fortune has become increasingly rare. People's horizons have broadened, their appreciation levels have greatly increased, and their demands for audio-visual enjoyment have also skyrocketed.
For traditional vagabond singers to achieve fame with one song now requires tremendous effort in promotion. Meanwhile, a new generation of online vagabond singers has quickly risen to prominence, leveraging the advantages of new media.
A good song can quickly go viral through online platforms; even without selling albums, singers can still profit handsomely through various channels like ringtone downloads.
Now, however, becoming famous has become a hellishly difficult task. It's not just about looking good, singing well, or being original; massive amounts of promotion and hype are still necessary.
Some people resort to all sorts of lowbrow publicity stunts in their quest for fame, casting a bizarre shadow over the entertainment industry. Many talented and gifted individuals get caught up in this and vanish without a trace.
If Lu Chen wants to become a widely acclaimed star through his original works, the best approach would be to sign with an entertainment or media company, allowing professionals to package and promote him, thus taking the fastest route.
But that's precisely what Lu Chen is unwilling to do— nothing can stop his yearning for freedom!
He has begun to form preliminary ideas about his future.
"Eh?"
Of course, Lu Chen wouldn't voice his thoughts at this moment, fearing it would dampen the mood. He glanced around the backer and curiously asked, "Where did Big Brother Gan go?"
It wasn't that Lu Chen was intentionally trying to embarrass him; after he finished his performance and stepped down, it was Gan Lang and the Compass Band's turn to perform.
However, Gan Lang had given up and left, leaving his teammates in despair, unable to stay any longer!
Qin Hanyang cleared his throat a couple of times and said, "Big Brother Gan had something come up. Sister Na, let's go on stage!"
If they didn't go on soon, the performance would be interrupted.
Lu Chen understood and didn't pursue the topic further, smiling as he said, "Then I'll be here to cheer Sister Na on!"
Sister Na replied, "I won't be singing a new song tonight."
Her reason for not singing a new song was entirely different from Gan Lang's; the latter had lost the courage to perform after being overshadowed by Lu Chen, while Sister Na didn't want to diminish Lu Chen's glory.
The sound of cheers still echoed from the audience outside.
Tonight, during this light blue music carnival, there should only be one shining star—Lu Chen!
Qin Hanyang understood her intention and said, "Then let's collaborate on two old songs!"
The two took the stage with the Wandering Band.
Lu Chen, like the original Qin Hanyang and Sister Na, stood at the backer entrance, preparing to enjoy their performance.
Although Lu Chen had worked at Daylily for over half a year, he had rarely seen the two perform together.
Most of the time, he was rushing home on the subway after work during the Wandering Band's performances.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Lu Chen?"
At that moment, a waiter hurried over and politely inquired.
Lu Chen was taken aback and replied, "Yes, that's me. Is there something I can help you with?"
The waiter showed a relieved smile and respectfully said, "Our Boss Chang would like to invite you over. He has important matters to discuss with you. I'm not sure if this is a good time for you?"
It had come after all!
Lu Chen knew very well what Chang Wei wanted to discuss with him. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "It's not really convenient right now. Once Big Brother Qing and Sister Na finish their performance, I'll come over right away. Please apologize to Boss Chang on my behalf."
It wasn't that Lu Chen was intentionally trying to play hard to get; it was just that Qin Hanyang and Sister Na had come early to support him, and now it was their turn to perform. Regardless of how useful it might be, Lu Chen felt he should be there to show his support.
Moreover, stalling a bit could undoubtedly give him some leverage in the subsequent negotiations.
Compared to Chang Wei, who was a big boss, Lu Chen was undoubtedly in a weaker position.
Upon hearing Lu Chen's response, the waiter nearly knelt down in surprise. He hadn't expected Lu Chen to have such an attitude.
In the Houhai circle, who didn't know the reputation of the Blue Lotus Flower's owner? With Boss Chang personally extending the invitation, shouldn't a small vagabond singer like Lu Chen rush over immediately?
This youngster was too arrogant!
The waiter secretly scoffed in his mind, but he didn't forget Chang Wei's instructions. Therefore, maintaining his composure, he hesitated a moment before saying, "Alright then, I'll report back to the boss."
Lu Chen nodded and shifted his attention back to the stage.
The first song Sister Na performed in collaboration with the Wandering Band was 'Don't Look Down', the famous song by American country star, Jennifer. This song was also the theme for a blockbuster Hollywood film of the same name, which had once grossed over 1 billion at the box office in China.
As a result, 'Don't Look Down' was well-known, and although Sister Na's cover couldn't be called flawless, she skillfully utilized her wide vocal range and adept vocal techniques, managing it with ease.
Many audience members were knowledgeable about music, and when Sister Na reached the climax of the song, they clapped and cheered!
The atmosphere, which had cooled down after Lu Chen left the stage, became heated once again.
The second song was 'Little Lover', a duet by Sister Na and Qin Hanyang. This song had recently become quite popular, and the two worked together seamlessly, delivering the humor in the lyrics and melody perfectly, complemented by charming little gestures that drew waves of applause.
The final song, 'City Sky', saw Qin Hanyang as the undeniable protagonist. He used his unique voice and powerful singing to create a small shock in the audience, garnering resounding applause!
Although Lu Chen had set a high standard, the two seasoned performers still managed to win the love and recognition of over two thousand audience members with their outstanding performance.
When it was time to take their bows, the enthusiastic applause lasted a full half minute.
Lu Chen also applauded vigorously, cheering loudly for them. When they returned to the backer, he offered his congratulations, a thumbs-up, and an enthusiastic hug for Sister Na.
Sister Na smiled and said, "I had such a great time today!"
Though her appearance was quite ordinary, even slightly unattractive, her joyous smile at that moment was truly captivating.
Qin Hanyang expressed, "I haven't performed live in a long time; it feels amazing!"
Singing in front of a hundred customers in a bar was entirely different from performing for over two thousand audience members. Standing on a big stage heightened adrenaline levels, making one feel excited and nervous to the point of losing control.
Fortunately, both of them were experienced enough to hold their ground.
"Brother Qin, Sister Na, Mr. Lu Chen!"
The waiter appeared once again, lowering his head and saying, "Boss Chang invites the three of you over."
His attitude was even more respectful than before.
Qin Hanyang and Sister Na exchanged puzzled glances, surprised and unsure.
They didn't understand why Chang Wei wanted both them and Lu Chen to go together.
Lu Chen's thoughts were clear; he said, "Big Brother Qing, Sister Na, since Boss Chang has invited us, let's go together. Our boss is probably up there too."
Qin Hanyang and Sister Na felt relieved, assuming it was due to Chen Jianhao's presence.
'(End of Chapter)'
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