Chapter 520: Wen Ming 10
Tan You snapped her fingers. "Let’s just consider this year as testing the waters. We can go at it again next year. Haven’t I said it before? As long as I see Aze, my head fills with endless inspiration."
Liuu Yize smiled. "I’m deeply honored."
Old Yan said, "Your plate will be full next year. Your album, Aze’s album, and Old Mo’s... if Old Mo can still sing, that’s already three albums."
"And what about the other singers at the company? Is there really no one who catches your eye?"
Tan You thought for a moment. "It’s not that there’s no one. It’s just that they’re big, established singers. Would they really listen to me?"
"You really have no idea how popular you are, do you?" Old Huang laughed heartily. "Just go outside and listen. The streets are filled with your and Aze’s songs. Especially Aze’s songs, I hear them everywhere I go now."
"If you so much as announced you were writing a song for someone, they’d be jumping for joy. It’d be like a gift from the heavens landing right in their lap."
Tan You quickly waved her hands. "You’re exaggerating, really."
"Exaggerating?" Old Yan rolled his eyes. "If you ask me, releasing Aze’s album after the new year would be best for maximizing profits. But you two... one is talented and headstrong, and the other just agrees to whatever she says."
"We’re just not that calculating," Tan You said with a smile. "We started making music out of our love for it. Winning awards is secondary. Of course, if people decide to give us awards, we won’t be so high and mighty as to refuse them."
Old Mo pushed the door open and came in. "That’s why I think you’re talented and willful, and Aze, emboldened by your support and his own excellent qualities, doesn’t take these things too seriously either."
Tan You shrugged. "Mr. Mo, you’re back? How did the MV shoot go?"
Old Mo took the bottled water she handed him, twisted it open, and took a couple of sips. "It was fine. Just sitting there singing while holding a guitar. But this outfit you put together for me today is really great."
Tan You gave Old Mo’s face a critical look. "I really can’t stand your guys’ sense of aesthetics. Your hair is so long it’s covering your eyes. I don’t see any ’bohemian artist’ vibe, just sloppiness."
"Melancholy and world-weariness—those are things you can express through your eyes and your lyrics. A man should still look clean and tidy."
Old Yan said, "Since you’re so good at styling, why don’t you try your hand with the singers at our company? Every one of them... I’m embarrassed to even say it. Their hair is dyed like feather dusters."
Tan You burst out laughing. "I’ve seen it too. It’s not that they can’t dye their hair if they really want to, but it has to match their image."
"Wait a minute, Teacher Yan, you’re trying every trick in the book to make me work, aren’t you? Mr. Mo’s album isn’t even finished yet. Even a communal workhorse isn’t used this much, right?"
"Ahem," Old Yan coughed, trying to cover it up. "Isn’t it because Teacher Wen is so multi-talented? The look you put together for Old Mo today... I wanted to fire the stylist on the spot. What kind of garbage was he doing?"
Tan You wasn’t falling for it this time. "I’m busy. How could I have the time to worry about all that?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Old Mo. "So, Mr. Mo’s album is being pushed to after the new year?"
Old Yan huffed. "It has to be. You and Aze are the bold and the talented. Old Mo’s style is different from you two. His album will rely on its staying power; it won’t be that popular right at the start."
Tan You understood his point. "Alright, you guys decide. I’m staying out of it."
She had accepted the position of Music Director, but she’d been busy running around for Liuu Yize’s and Old Mo’s albums this whole time. To this day, she couldn’t even put a face to all the company’s singers, even though she had already memorized their files.
「The next day」 a company-wide meeting was held. Old Yan talked at length about the album sales for Tan You and Aze, then brought up Old Mo. "The company plans to push Old Mo’s album to after the new year. Teacher Wen, do you have any plans for the near future?"
Tan You twirled her pen, her eyes sweeping over the few "hidden gems" in the conference room. They were the ones who had truly been sifted from the sand, having survived several rounds of accusations and even a pass under the Beauty System, confirming they had no scandalous history.
"I’ve looked over the career paths the company has planned for everyone. Aside from Teacher Li, the rest of you haven’t released a record in almost two years." Tan You thought for a moment. "I have two plans. Hear me out."
"I’m not worried about Teacher Li’s vocal skills, but as for the rest of you..." Tan You’s gaze swept over them, and the remaining three singers immediately shrank back. ’How could they not know their own skill level?’
"My first plan is for you to go and hone your vocal skills. I’ll give you half a year. Once your skills reach the required standard, I will personally tailor an album for each of you."
"The second plan is for the company to produce albums for you as usual. But with your current vocal skills..." Tan You shook her head. "I can give you two songs at the absolute most, no more. The choice is yours."
The few of them exchanged glances and chose the first path almost simultaneously. After all, what was half a year? It wasn’t time they couldn’t afford to spend. Besides, an album personally helmed by Tan You versus a mere two songs—anyone would know which was the better choice, right?
Seeing this result, Tan You wasn’t very surprised. "Then it’s settled. As for vocal skills, feel free to ask Aze for help. Aze is extremely demanding when it comes to vocals. You won’t go wrong learning from him."
A girl with an oval face was a bit bolder. "Director, can’t we learn from you?"
Tan You shrugged. "If I’m at the company and not busy, you can of course find me. But I’m going to be busy with Teacher Li’s album soon, so I won’t have that much time to spare."
As she spoke, she glanced at the girl’s figure. "You could try out for Teacher Li’s MV later on."
Teacher Li smiled. "That’s great. Best to keep it in the family."
He was in an excellent mood. Director Tan You had finally thought of the company’s singers. It was also a good thing he had been careful to protect his reputation over the years and had basically no scandalous history. Otherwise, he’d be just like those other former singers, who were now all red-eyed with envy.
After the meeting, the younger singers went off to learn from Liuu Yize, while Li Junfei followed Tan You and the others to her office. On the way, Li Junfei asked curiously, "Why do you have such high personal standards for singers? I’ve never seen anyone make such demands."
Tan You replied, "It’s a personal preference. I don’t like associating with people who are covered in filth. They’d dirty my space."
Li Junfei glanced at Jiang Hua, his meaning clear. "And what do you mean by ’covered in filth’?"
Tan You thought for a moment. "Cheating, two-timing, gambling, drugs, and so on. All of that counts. We’re all adults; we should know basic decency. Do you really think it’s fine as long as it’s not illegal? Upholding your morals is what’s most important."
Jiang Hua’s face twitched. "Now that you’ve said that, Teacher Wen, I don’t even feel worthy of standing in front of you."
Tan You said lightly, "You’re not one of my singers. How you live your life has nothing to do with me. Besides, if you want to live a playboy lifestyle, that’s your business. While I may not approve, I won’t force you to accept my views."