sovbooks Chapter 54 always gives me the illusion of being a kept man.
Chapter 54 always gives me the illusion of being a kept man.
Zhou Tao's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement as he rattled off a string of names.
"Besides inviting you, we have also extended invitations to Liu Huan, Li Na, Mao Amin, Han Lei, and Li Guyi, among other senior and top singers. We hope that this 'Echoes of Golden Melodies' series can become a record of the strongest voices in the current Chinese music scene."
This list is indeed impressive, encompassing almost all the most prominent names in the fields of folk, pop, and film and television songs from the early 1990s—a truly star-studded lineup.
Lin Hanjiang put down his chopsticks and went straight to the most crucial question: "It sounds like a very strong lineup, Sister Tao, are all these people confirmed to be invited?"
Zhou Tao shook his head sincerely: "Not yet."
He paused, then continued:
"To be honest, we're still in the active contact and coordination stage. As you know, these teachers are all very busy people; their schedules, remuneration, and program format all need to be finalized. Our production team has made a big commitment, and the recording date is set for the end of this month, with a concentrated recording session on the 27th. I wonder if this timing is convenient for you, Lin?"
No. 27?
Lin Hanjiang began to think.
The General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe's evening performance is on the 15th.
I have to go to the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe for rehearsals in a few days.
He didn't mention joining the group, he only said he was going to perform.
This is a reality we have to face.
He could choose not to go in, but he couldn't turn down the invitation to perform at the gala, which was personally extended to him by Teacher Li Shuangjiang.
Even if you don't care about the monks, you should at least care about the Buddha, and even more so, you should consider the authority above you.
In the arts and entertainment industry, some things can be done with individuality, but not to excess; one must know when to give others a way out at crucial moments.
Li Shuangjiang was able to nod and leave in the end, without making any definitive statements, probably because he had at least secured the song, his performance at the gala was secured, and he could at least give himself an explanation when he returned.
If things really fall apart, and some big shot thinks you're ungrateful, your future path might become narrower.
It's also possible that they'll be banned.
He also has to sing at the school's graduation party on the 25th.
I must leave Beijing at the end of the month and head south to Guangzhou to prepare for the Guangdong New Song Chart.
Time is like tightly meshed gears; the 27th was just a tiny gap between the graduation party and the journey south.
It's possible to squeeze it out, but it will be very rushed.
However, he was more concerned about another core issue than time.
"I should be able to make arrangements by the end of the month."
Lin Hanjiang gave a preliminary affirmative answer, then changed the subject and looked calmly at Zhou Tao.
"What about compensation? What are the station's standards for this kind of program?"
When the topic turned to specific amounts of money, Zhou Tao's expression became more serious and formal.
She sat up slightly, lowering her voice:
"According to the standard practice in our Kyoto TV station and the industry, the appearance fee for new singers or artists participating in this type of special program for the first time is 200 yuan."
200 yuan?
Lin Hanjiang frowned slightly.
Zhou Tao paused for a moment, observing Lin Hanjiang's reaction.
He immediately explained, "However, our station's leaders, especially the program director, after watching your competition, unanimously agreed that your works 'The Story of Spring' and 'Entering the New Era' far surpass the scope of ordinary newcomers in terms of artistic value, ideological depth, and the current level of attention they have garnered. Therefore, with special approval, we can offer a more sincere price this time: 500 yuan for the appearance fee. Lin, what do you think of this offer?"
A notice fee of 500 yuan.
Lin Hanjiang pondered to himself.
This price is very reasonable, and it could even be said to be slightly higher than the current market rate in Kyoto's singing scene.
He knew the rules here.
Even if a music academy student has the halo of breaking records in the CCTV Young Singers Competition, in the eyes of producers and directors on TV who are used to seeing big stars, they are still newcomers.
For this first time recording a special program, this price has already hit the ceiling of the unspoken rules.
The 5,000 yuan from Guangdong TV last time was an exceptional case. It wasn't just an interview fee; it included the needs of regional publicity, the relevance of the topic, Lin Hanjiang's own advice and strategies, and the premium for seizing the opportunity. It was a different matter altogether.
This 500 yuan is a clear performance fee, a hard currency in the industry.
He recalled a casual chat his senior, Zhang Ye, had a few days ago while practicing her voice in the vocal room.
Zhang Ye had just finished recording a large-scale CCTV gala at that time, and said, "After singing a song and finishing the recording, I only received 300 yuan. But fortunately, the exposure was high, so it was worth it."
In comparison, the price offered by Kyoto Television for "Golden Melody Echoes" undoubtedly demonstrates considerable sincerity and recognition of his value.
He quickly weighed the options in his mind.
Given the considerable influence of Kyoto Television and the potential for further exposure, Lin Hanjiang did not hesitate for long.
He needs money; 500 yuan is several months' salary for most people.
Lin Hanjiang needs sustained high-quality exposure to maintain his popularity after the CCTV Young Singers Competition and to build up attention for his trip south.
He also needs to establish good working relationships with important local media outlets like Kyoto Television, to broaden his network and make more friends.
"Sure." Lin Hanjiang nodded. "I have no problem with the price and recording time."
"Very good."
A bright smile instantly bloomed on Zhou Tao's face.
Besides the joy of reaching a cooperation agreement, that smile also seemed to relieve some of the pressure of the task on his shoulders.
"Then I'll go back and report to my supervisor, and prepare the detailed recording script, specific procedures, and time confirmation letter as soon as possible, and then contact you to finalize it."
Lin Hanjiang said, "Okay, I'll wait for your instructions regarding the specific details."
With the collaboration finalized, even eating noodles became much more enjoyable.
Zhou Tao stood up first and went to the counter to pay.
Before Lin Hanjiang could speak, she smiled and waved her hand, "Work meals are reimbursed by the station, so please don't be shy, Lin. I'm the one who came to talk to you about work, so it's only right that I do it."
Lin Hanjiang didn't insist and thanked him.
There's always this feeling that I'm living off a woman.
As the two walked out of the noodle shop, the midday sun poured down without any obstruction, a blinding white light that made it hard to open their eyes.
The noise was temporarily shut out behind us. The sound of bicycle bells jingled on the street, and the faint strains of Li Zongsheng's "Bewitched" drifted from afar. I wondered which music store was trying to attract customers.
I once truly believed that this was how life would be.
A calm heart refuses to be stirred again.
[The threads of love, though severed a thousand times, cannot be broken.]
It has surrounded me through countless twists and turns.
……
Zhou Tao stretched out her fair little hand.
"Lin, it's settled then. Let's keep in touch, and we look forward to your hit songs resonating on our show."
"Definitely, Sister Tao, take care." Lin Hanjiang also shook hands firmly.
It has a unique flavor that lingers in my heart; it's very gentle.
Watching Zhou Tao's light-footed figure merge into the crowd on the street, Lin Hanjiang stood still, squinting to adjust to the bright light.
He took the note out of his pocket and walked toward the phone booth not far away.
This is the phone number his senior sister gave him.
The phone number for Ms. Li Guyi's home.