Chapter 1230: Born Singer (Part 10)
Lisa is someone Chuzheng somehow managed to dig up. Although she’s a woman, her execution ability is top-notch, and she can multitask across various roles.
Under her supervision, the studio quickly got on track.
The teachers Chuzheng hired also arrived one after another. It was then that Sheng Yan and the others realized just how loaded the person who signed them was.
These teachers are all renowned and can be considered big shots in the industry.
The three of them were too scared to daydream in class.
It’s a mixture of pain and pleasure.
After tossing them here, Chuzheng seldom shows up, leaving everything to Lisa.
"Lisa, are you our manager?"
Mu Sheng took the opportunity to ask while Lisa was discussing matters with them.
"No. I’m only in charge of the studio’s operations. Miss Meng is the manager." Lisa had previously suggested hiring a professional manager, but Chuzheng outright rejected it and said she’d be their manager herself.
Sheng Yan looked up, a hint of delight in his tone: "She’s going to be our manager?"
Lisa nodded: "You’ve been training hard lately. The teachers say you’ve improved a lot. Keep it up!"
-
There wasn’t much happening at the studio. Everyone at their posts could only kill time by chatting, apart from sweeping the ground and watering flowers daily.
"Is there only one band in our studio?"
"This is just the beginning. We haven’t signed other artists yet..."
"But I heard the studio isn’t planning to sign any other artists."
"Who did you hear that from?"
"Lisa. Someone asked Lisa if we’re signing any artists, and Lisa said there’s no such plan for now."
"...Don’t you think Sheng Yan is really handsome?"
"I’d say he’s cute, right?"
"It’s a pity they’re always in class and don’t come out often..."
Lisa clattered out of the meeting room in her high heels, bumping into a few gossiping employees: "You all seem quite idle?"
The gossiping employees nodded like chickens pecking at rice.
Lisa: "..."
"Wipe the floor again!"
Everyone: "..."
-
Chuzheng carried a late-night snack and pushed open the practice room door. The music poured out as she looked at the person in the center.
The practice room’s light shone on him like a dazzling brilliance.
When he sang, Sheng Yan gave off an impression that lived up to his name, like a flame in the middle of the stage.
Mu Sheng noticed Chuzheng first, lagging behind the tempo. Qu Jiangxiao and Sheng Yan both stopped to see the person at the door.
Sheng Yan’s eyes lit up slightly: "Why are you here?"
"Just passing by." Chuzheng brought the snacks inside: "Come and eat something."
"Boss, you are so kind." Although Mu Sheng is married, he has the most unstable personality.
Qu Jiangxiao dragged Sheng Yan over: "Boss, we can’t repay you, so we’ll use Xiao Yan as a token of our appreciation."
Qu Jiangxiao purposely pushed Sheng Yan towards Chuzheng. Sheng Yan hurriedly distanced himself, angrily glaring at Qu Jiangxiao: "What nonsense are you talking about! Don’t listen to his nonsense; he just likes to joke around..."
The last sentence was an explanation to Chuzheng.
Chuzheng nodded expressionlessly.
Sheng Yan discreetly stepped on Qu Jiangxiao’s foot, then lowered his head to grab something to eat, masking the awkwardness on his face.
"There’s a singing contest program next month. I signed you up," Chuzheng said, getting down to business: "Do you have any objections?"
This is the best way for a singer to debut. They’ve improved a lot recently, so Chuzheng thought it was a good opportunity for them to give it a try.
Whether they can win or not isn’t important, but they can gain stage experience.
Sheng Yan didn’t have any objections, so Chuzheng told them to prepare well.
The show is called "Sounds of Nature," a pre-recorded program.
Sheng Yan and the others followed Chuzheng inside. The backstage was crowded with people, both groups and solo artists.
Most didn’t have a manager.
People join this program hoping to get signed by a company.
Currently, there are sixty contestants (teams count as one contestant), and the first round is a ranking match, where the audience and judges score them together.
Finally, based on the scores, the top six are determined.
Then they are divided into six teams, with the top six serving as captains, selecting members one by one to form a group.
This is the first ranking competition.
Chuzheng handed them their stage numbers: "Don’t be nervous."
"I’ve never participated in such a big competition." Mu Sheng nervously tugged at his hair, with a few strands of blue subtly shining through.
Qu Jiangxiao appeared much calmer. He talked to Sheng Yan, and his hair also had hints of vibrant blue.
Mu Sheng and Qu Jiangxiao, at some point, dyed a few strands of their hair blue.
According to Mu Sheng, it’s their band’s symbol.
—Although Chuzheng doesn’t quite understand what’s special about this symbol.
"You’ll get used to it." Chuzheng leaned against the side, speaking in a flat tone: "There’ll be bigger stages for you in the future."
This small scene is nothing.
Sheng Yan cradled his guitar, his fingers resting on its edge, hesitantly asking: "Can we really make it big?"
Chuzheng replied, "Have some confidence in yourself."
"Xiao Meng."
Someone called her from behind; the voice was very familiar to Chuzheng.
Chuzheng’s brow twitched, not again with Hua Huai, that damn nuisance! Why does he keep showing up everywhere, like a Ghost Spirit!
Hua Huai made his way through the crowd to stand in front of Chuzheng: "Xiao Meng, why are you here?"
Hua Huai clearly came for the competition too, all decked out in flashy attire, which would likely reflect light under the spotlight.
Hua Huai wore heavy makeup; it might look good on camera, but up close, it was a bit awkward.
Chuzheng’s face was cold: "What does it have to do with you?"
Mu Sheng was curious: "Who is he?"
Sheng Yan shook his head, stared at Hua Huai for a few seconds, then lowered his head to strum his guitar again.
Everything Hua Huai said to Chuzheng was nonchalantly shut down by her. If there weren’t so many people around, Hua Huai might’ve gotten beaten up by now.
Somehow, Hua Huai focused his attention on the three behind Chuzheng: "Are they... your new artists?"
What else can you do here but bring artists to compete?
"Mr. Hua, have you eaten too much salt by the sea?" Busybody!
Who am I bringing to the competition?
Even if I bring a dog, it wouldn’t be your concern!
Hua Huai’s face stiffened for a moment: "Xiao Meng, do you have to talk to me like this? I really know I was wrong. Listen to me explain..."
"Sure, go sleep with that guy named Liang, and then I’ll listen to your explanation." Damn, trying to fool me!!
Hua Huai: "..."
"Xiao Meng, do you really have to speak like that?"
"That’s how I speak." Go on, hit me! I dare you!
Hua Huai clenched his hand by his side, shot a glance at Sheng Yan and the others, with a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
As for what exactly he was unwilling about, probably only he knows.
"Xiao Meng, you’ll regret this!"
Hua Huai left this sentence and walked away.
Regret?
I regret not being... a good person!
*
The mentioned characters have no relation to reality.