Chapter 23: Dance of Fish and Dragon

Chapter 23: Dance of Fish and Dragon

God knows how long it took Zhao Jue to understand the meaning behind Lin Yuan’s words before he left. For a moment, she felt both amused and touched.

The amusement came from wondering if Lin Yuan truly understood what level of song she was missing.

The touching part was that Lin Yuan must have wanted to help her because he didn’t want to see her so troubled.

Years of ups and downs in the industry had made Zhao Jue accustomed to the fickleness of human relationships, so she knew what was truly precious.

Regardless of whether it was a representative work, a composer would cherish each of their songs like their own child, fearing that their work would be treated lightly.

Who would treat such a work as a simple meal of gratitude?

Lin Yuan dared to say it, but Zhao Jue couldn’t possibly take it that way.

At this point, whether it was a representative work or not was no longer important.

Even if Lin Yuan’s song couldn’t help her, so what?

Just his intention, just his support, was worth treasuring.

Her smile warmed quietly.

Zhao Jue opened her email, put on her headphones, and listened to the song titled “Flammable and Explosive.”

“Haha.”

The familiar electronic synth sound at the beginning of the song made Zhao Jue smile knowingly.

The last time Lin Yuan sent her “Life Like Summer Flowers,” he also used this special electronic synth sound.

The three-minute and twenty-second song quickly played through.

But after listening, Zhao Jue’s expression changed slightly.

She instinctively played the song again.

It was still three minutes and twenty seconds, but this time, the duration seemed longer.

After listening, Zhao Jue stood up, almost wanting to chase after Lin Yuan, who had long since left.

But her steps paused slightly, and she suddenly stopped, looking down at Lin Yuan’s half-eaten lunch, murmuring, “You call this a meal of gratitude…”

“Hey, Xiao Zhao, what are you thinking about, so lost in thought?”

Old Zhou also came to the cafeteria and immediately noticed Zhao Jue, who was wearing headphones with a complex expression.

“Ah.”

Old Zhou suddenly thought of something: “Are you still worried about signing the champion of ‘Bloom’ this year? Don’t worry, I’ll help you find a few more songs. The composition department is full of talent; there will always be a way.”

“I think it’s no longer necessary.”

Zhao Jue tilted her head and took off her headphones.

Old Zhou was taken aback: “Why?”

Zhao Jue smiled slightly: “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Old Zhou chuckled: “Still keeping me in suspense, huh? Well, let me tell you some good news! Lin Yuan is truly a genius. He just joined the composition department and completed a five-million-dollar order! Wow, even a dozen gold medal composers couldn’t secure this order, but he did it! And the quality of the song he wrote is absolutely amazing. With my years of experience, I can tell this song has a very high chance of becoming a hit! You brought me a good seedling, and Brother Zhou owes you a favor!”

Zhao Jue’s mouth opened slightly.

The only thought in her mind at that moment was: What kind of monster did I sign back then?

…

Three o’clock in the afternoon.

In a hotel in Qinzhou.

This year’s “Bloom” champion, Zhao Yingge, looked frustrated: “Why haven’t any of the songs sent by the three major entertainment companies satisfied me?”

“Didn’t you say ‘Mountains and Seas’ was good?”

Zhao Yingge’s cousin, Zhou Xiaoli, spoke up. After becoming this year’s “Bloom” champion, many companies contacted Zhao Yingge, so Zhou Xiaoli temporarily acted as her agent to handle external relations. Fortunately, there weren’t many activities, so Zhou Xiaoli mostly just made phone calls.

As for “Mountains and Seas,” it was a song sent by Brilliant Silver Light.

Zhao Yingge shook her head: “‘Mountains and Seas’ is good, but it’s only good. It’s not at the level where I must sing it. I want a representative work because I hope my first officially released single will become my signature song. When people mention this song, they should immediately think, ‘This is sung by Zhao Yingge!’”

Zhou Xiaoli whispered, “Your expectations are a bit high…”

Zhao Yingge sighed: “That’s because you don’t understand this industry. My vocal skills are indeed quite good, but my goal is to become the future diva of the music world. Without the help of a good song, even the best voice is useless. Don’t be fooled by how eager the companies are to sign me now. Once I’m signed, they probably won’t be as attentive. After all, I’m currently enjoying the champion benefits of the ‘Bloom’ program. Once I join a company, every company has a bunch of song kings and queens.”

“That’s true.”

Zhou Xiaoli advised, “But you don’t have to become successful overnight. Good songs take time, and song kings and queens didn’t become famous overnight either. It’s not like you can just ask someone to write a song, and they’ll immediately come up with one. Besides, the songs sent by the three major companies recently were all created by well-known senior composers in the industry. Their attention already shows the sincerity of these companies, right? I say go with Brilliant Silver Light’s song. After all, you said ‘Mountains and Seas’ is still okay.”

“Let’s see.”

Zhao Yingge was a bit unwilling.

Just then, Zhou Xiaoli’s phone rang again. She took a look and smiled: “In such a short time, the three major companies have sent a few more new songs.”

Zhao Yingge asked listlessly, “Whose songs are they?”

Zhou Xiaoli glanced at the phone and said, “The composer of Brilliant Silver Light’s song is Yang Shan, Sand Sea’s song is by Jiang Yi, and Starlight’s song is by Xian Yu.”

Yang Shan?

Jiang Yi?

Xian Yu?

Zhao Yingge raised an eyebrow, recalling information about these people: “Yang Shan and Jiang Yi are both ace composers in the industry. As for Xian Yu, he’s a newcomer. Last month’s Newcomer Chart champion song ‘Life Like Summer Flowers’ was his first work. But that song isn’t my style. I didn’t expect Starlight to send a newcomer’s song this time. Previously, regardless of the song’s quality, the works they sent were at least from the ace composers of each company…”

“A newcomer?”

Zhou Xiaoli was a bit worried: “It seems the three major companies are losing patience with you. Starlight even sent a newcomer’s song. Maybe we should hurry and choose one. Listen to these songs first.”

“Forget it.”

Zhao Yingge had been repeatedly disappointed in recent days: “I’ll wait until more songs accumulate before listening. I’ll consider it the final assessment. No matter the result, I’ll choose a company to sign with. Dragging it out isn’t a solution.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Xiaoli smiled: “In that case, I’ll treat you to a movie. Next Tuesday, there’s an animated film called ‘Dance of Fish and Dragon’ coming out. You love watching animated films, right? Buying tickets now means we can choose a good seat.”

“You buy it.”

Zhao Yingge also wanted to watch a movie to clear her mind. Recently, listening to the songs sent by various companies had almost made her head explode. If it didn’t work out, she could only consider choosing Brilliant Silver Light’s “Mountains and Seas.”