Chapter 517: Wen Ming 7
Old Yan: "I’ve realized Teacher Wen is seriously loaded. She speaks with so much confidence."
Tan You waved dismissively. "Enough about me. I’m planning to head to Ye Se in a bit. You guys in?"
Jiang Hua was the first to agree. "Definitely. I want to see Aze, too. You know, I really admire him. It’s just a shame he’s not a good fit for my songs."
Tan You: "Let’s see how he is in person before we decide anything."
She was very discerning. She wouldn’t just grab the first person she saw and offer to produce their album. They had to be exceptionally talented and hardworking. Besides, desperation doesn’t make for good business, and Tan You had more self-respect than to chase someone down.
As for her songs, she would rather let them gather dust than just hand them over to anyone.
「Ye Se.」
By the time Tan You, Old Yan, and the others walked in, the bar was already starting to fill up. Ye Li, sitting in his usual spot by the counter, was the first to wave when he saw her. "Wen Ming, you’re here! Feel like going up and singing a couple of songs?"
Tan You: "No rush. If I go up there to sing, things will get out of hand and I’ll never get away."
"True enough," Ye Li chuckled. "People have been trying to sing your songs lately, but almost no one can make it through them. Most of them have to drop the key."
"But once they drop the key, it loses that ethereal quality."
"Aze is over there. He sings here every Thursday." Knowing what Tan You was interested in, Ye Li made a bit more small talk before pointing to the stage. A slender figure was talking with the band members.
Tan You’s gaze swept over the musicians. "This house band of yours... they’re pretty good."
Ye Li smiled. "Took a liking to them? Thinking of trying a rock-and-roll style?"
Tan You: "Not at all. I can’t sing rock. Rock is about expressing and releasing inner emotions; it’s more about singing an entire attitude toward life. My emotions are too placid. I can’t sing rock."
Tan You knew which path suited her. She was made for pop music; she could even do upbeat dance tracks. But to go for pure rock... Tan You didn’t have that in her. She was a very private person.
Old Mo: "Then why ask about the band?"
Tan You: "Just curious. I’m a rookie who just debuted, and they’re veterans in the music scene. I’d rather not set myself up for embarrassment."
Old Yan gave a knowing smile. "Several of the songs in that little notebook of yours could be adapted for a full band. Playing modest now, are we?"
Tan You: "We’ll see when the time comes. Our target today is Aze. Let’s not get sidetracked."
’Actually, putting together a rock band wouldn’t be a bad idea,’ she thought. ’Too bad I don’t have an ounce of the spirit rock requires. Could you really expect someone who’s always so calm and self-possessed to one day bare her soul to the world?’
’It’s just impossible. Not unless the world was ending.’
After they sat down at the counter, Tan You found herself surrounded by a group of large men. Even if someone had wanted to try and hit on her, one look at Old Huang’s tattooed sleeve and Old Mo’s bulging, knotted muscles was enough for them to wisely beat a retreat.
Tan You was happy for the peace and quiet. Just as she was about to order another juice, Liuu Yize took the stage. A cheer immediately rose from the audience; it was clear he was popular at Ye Se.
Tan You pushed her glass toward the bartender and let out a lazy yawn, her eyes half-lidded with a hint of weariness.
But the moment Liuu Yize opened his mouth to sing, Tan You’s eyes flew wide open, and she sat bolt upright.
"Aze is skilled and audacious, daring to sing ’Siren’ in the original key." Old Yan’s interest was piqued. "I wonder what a male version of ’Siren’ will sound like."
Tan You remained silent, but her eyes grew brighter and brighter as she watched Liuu Yize. She had rarely heard a voice so clear and high-pitched, yet without a trace of shrillness. If she had to describe it in one word, it would be ’beautiful’.
"Check him for any skeletons in his closet," Tan You ordered, not forgetting to put the Beauty System to work even as she listened to Liuu Yize’s song.
"On it!" The little system’s voice was thrilled, having been entrusted with a rare and important task by Tan You. It vanished from her sight in a flash.
Liuu Yize’s voice was truly exquisite. Even during the final, chanting part of the song, he didn’t falter in the slightest. Compared to Tan You’s ethereal quality, his performance felt more vast and unrestrained.
Jiang Hua: "’Siren’ actually suits him quite well."
Tan You’s lips curved into a smile. "I think so, too. How can a voice be so beautiful? Just listening to it gives me an endless stream of inspiration."
Old Yan, Old Mo, and the others exchanged a look. They knew she was hooked.
Tan You had no time for their glances. The moment Liuu Yize finished his song, she was the first on her feet, applauding. "Bravo!"
Liuu Yize’s eyes focused on the source of the shout. He froze for a second when he recognized Tan You’s face, but then he quickly broke into a smile before walking off the stage.
Old Yan prodded, "Not going to go up and sing a couple yourself?"
Tan You: "What’s the rush? I’ll decide after I talk to Aze."
Qi Ying sat in a corner of the bar, watching his ex-wife laugh and chat with her friends. The smile on her face grew even wider, especially after Liuu Yize joined their table.
’How is it that she was a complete unknown when she was with me, but the moment we divorced, she’s completely transformed?’ He’d listened to Tan You’s album the moment it was released. Honestly, Qi Ying never knew she possessed such talent.
"You... really shouldn’t have divorced your ex-wife," a producer beside him said, shaking his head. "She can write, she can sing... I’m curious. She’s far more qualified than Ah Rong. Why did you end up producing Ah Rong’s album?"
Qi Ying shook his head. "Ah Rong... she has powerful backing. It’s not that I didn’t know about Wen Ming’s dream, but I... I couldn’t stand against that pressure..."
"Well, it’s too late for all that now."
The producer sighed. "Isn’t it, though? You’re divorced. What’s done is done."
"Just from the songs your ex-wife wrote, you can tell she’s a resolute person. She’s not coming back."
"I mean, you were dealt a perfect hand, and you ended up playing it this badly. Is there anyone in the industry now who doesn’t know how brilliant your ex-wife is?"
Qi Ying downed another glass of wine. "I’m going to the restroom."
Watching Qi Ying’s staggering figure, his friend shook his head. This is why you should never burn your bridges. You never know when it’ll come back to bite you.
Qi Ying had really met his match this time, hadn’t he? He’d only been crowing about his spot on the new music charts for a few days before his ex-wife dropped a bombshell that blew him completely out of the water. That’s why you should never cross a woman—especially a talented woman who holds a grudge.
Tan You had already received Liuu Yize’s file from the Beauty System. At the very least, there were no messy scandals.
So Tan You got straight to the point. "Are you interested in signing with a label?"
Liuu Yize froze, and Old Yan jumped in, exasperated with his hesitation. "She wants to produce an album for you. Completely tailor-made."
Jiang Hua chimed in, "The moment she heard you, her eyes lit up like a wolf that’s spotted its prey."
Old Mo: "An endless stream of inspiration."
Her friends had said everything she wanted to say, so Tan You didn’t mince words. "I am serious about this. I understand if you have reservations. I’m a complete rookie, so for me to just come out and say I’ll produce an album for you must sound a bit unrealistic..."