Jing Xiuran lowered his head in thought. Should he take the two songs directly to a record company?
Firstly, the process is complicated, and the review period is long. Completing the 30,000 yuan task reward within a week? Unlikely.
Secondly, he currently has no background, no connections, and no fame! Manuscripts submitted would most likely sink without a trace.
No! He must find another way!
Jing Xiuran's mind raced.
The internet!
Yes! The internet!
This era was the golden age of the internet's rise in China!
Original Base, Leyin Net!
These music websites had a mixed bag of quality, but they were also fertile ground for overnight fame!
The prerequisite was a high-quality demo!
The problem was, where to record a high-quality demo?
The school's recording studio? It would definitely be locked during the summer vacation!
Outside professional recording studios? Hundreds or even thousands per hour! He couldn't afford it at all.
Money! Again, money!
Jing Xiuran's brows furrowed.
Suddenly! A chubby figure popped out of his memory!
Fatty! Wang Tao!
His good buddy from the art exam training class!
He was generous and a typical rough northern man!
And Wang Tao had also been admitted to Beijing Film Academy's Recording Department!
Jing Xiuran remembered Wang Tao mentioning that his family had set up a small recording studio! Although the equipment wasn't top-notch, it was more than enough for recording a demo!
He no longer hesitated, immediately pulled out his old Nokia, and dialed.
“Beep… beep… beep…”
“Who is it? So early in the morning! Can't a guy get some sleep?!”
A strong, resonant voice came through.
“Fatty, it's me, Jing Xiuran.”
“Holy crap! Ran Zi!”
“You're something else! Finally remembered to call Fatty? You're amazing, getting first place in your major and into the Director Department! What do you say, treat your brother to a meal?”
Wang Tao was as enthusiastic as ever.
Jing Xiuran said with a wry smile, “I ran into a problem and wanted your help.”
He briefly explained the situation about recording songs.
“So I wanted to borrow your recording studio to record demos for two songs. As for the price, I definitely won't shortchange you once I sell the songs!”
“Hey! I thought it was a big deal!” Wang Tao exclaimed nonchalantly after listening.
“Who are we to each other! Why talk about money? For you to think highly enough of my humble place is giving Fatty face! Hurry up, when are you coming over?”
Jing Xiuran felt a warmth in his heart and said, “Is it convenient for me to come over now?”
“Convenient! Very convenient! I'm just watching the shop! Get your butt over here! I'll text you the address!”
“Thanks, Fatty!”
“Thanks for nothing! Hurry up!”
After hanging up, Jing Xiuran immediately processed the complete information of the two songs in his mind.
He grabbed paper and pen, quickly wrote down the simplified musical notation and lyrics, tucked his last few bills into his pocket, and set off immediately!
…
More than half an hour later.
In front of the 'Still Waters Music Instrument Store', Jing Xiuran met Wang Tao.
“You're doing well, kid. Haven't seen you in two months, and you seem even more handsome?”
“Come in, my humble abode is in the back.”
Passing through a corridor filled with various musical instruments, there was a small cubicle of about ten square meters at the back.
Soundproofing foam covered the walls, and a mixing console, computer, monitor speakers, and other equipment were placed in the corner.
Although slightly cluttered, the equipment appeared to be well-maintained.
“How is it? Not bad, right?”
Wang Tao patted the mixing console with a hint of pride.
“Hmm… very good!”
Wang Tao took the two sheets of paper with simplified musical notation and lyrics that Jing Xiuran handed him.
“'this life unchanging'? 'preference'? These names… tsk tsk, quite interesting.”
Wang Tao hummed an out-of-tune melody, looking at the lyrics, his eyebrows gradually raised:
“These lyrics… they're quite captivating, and the melody feels… not bad either?”
Jing Xiuran smiled humbly, walked to the wall, and picked up a guitar.
“Suddenly got some inspiration.”
His fingers touched the strings, and several chords were played with incredible fluidity.
“You're good, kid, your guitar skills have improved!”
Jing Xiuran smiled, didn't explain, hugged the guitar, walked to the microphone, and nodded to Wang Tao:
“Fatty, I'm ready. Let's record 'this life unchanging' first.”
“Alright!”
Wang Tao made an OK gesture, put on his professional monitor headphones, expertly operated the mixing console with his fingers, and pressed the record button.
The recording studio instantly fell silent.
Jing Xiuran closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The next second, his fingertips moved lightly, and the clear guitar intro began.
Then, he opened his mouth.
“Time cannot be broken, flowing in the past…”
The moment the voice sounded!
Wang Tao, sitting in front of the mixing console, his eyes instantly widened!
The voice coming from the monitor headphones…
Clear, clean, yet full of a sense of story!
Is this… still the Jing Xiuran he knew?
The singing continued, emotions building layer by layer.
“Looking back, never far away…”
“Lingering gaze, this life unchanging…”
As the last note fell, Wang Tao remained in a dumbfounded posture in the recording studio. It was a full ten seconds later before he abruptly took off his headphones!
“Holy crap! Ran Zi! You… you better tell me honestly! Were you possessed by a god of song? Damn, it's amazing!”
“And these lyrics and music are simply divine! They're definitely going to be a hit!”
Facing Wang Tao's exaggerated reaction, Jing Xiuran merely smiled faintly: “Just lucky to have some inspiration.”
“This is just lucky?”
“If you're just lucky, then ninety percent of those so-called singers nowadays would have to go home and farm!”
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Wang Tao sat back down in front of the mixing console:
“No! This song is too good! Fatty has to do a really good job on the accompaniment for you!”
With 'this life unchanging' as a brilliant precedent, Wang Tao's expectations for 'preference' were directly maxed out.
When Jing Xiuran sang again, Wang Tao was once again shocked!
If 'this life unchanging' was deeply affectionate and melodious, then 'preference' was fierce and passionate!
After recording the two songs, Wang Tao's gaze towards Jing Xiuran had completely changed.
“Ran Zi… buddy, I'm completely convinced!”
For the rest of the time, Wang Tao displayed his professional expertise, meticulously mixing and accompanying the two songs.
In one afternoon, two exquisite demos were freshly produced!
“Done!” Wang Tao wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face full of excitement, “The effect is even better than I imagined! Mainly because you sang so incredibly well!”
Jing Xiuran listened once and was also very satisfied. He said to Wang Tao, “Fatty, thanks to you. Name your price.”
“Get lost!” Wang Tao waved his hand.
“No, that won't do,” Jing Xiuran insisted, “How about this, I'll owe you the recording fee for now, and the moment these two songs make money, I'll give it to you immediately!”
Seeing Jing Xiuran's firm attitude, Wang Tao didn't think much of it: “Alright! But… are you really planning to just throw such good songs online?”
“Yes, I'll test the waters first.”
No sooner said than done!
Jing Xiuran borrowed Wang Tao's computer, skillfully registered an account, and uploaded the two demos separately.
When filling in the song information, he solemnly typed three characters in the lyricist, composer, and singer fields—Jing Xiuran!
After all this was done, the sky outside had already darkened.
Jing Xiuran, dragging his somewhat tired body, returned to his cramped rental room. He lay down on the bed board.
His consciousness entered the system.
Looking at the dazzling colorful treasure chest floating in the space, he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The next day, Jing Xiuran was woken up by a rapid phone ring!
“Hello…”
“Holy crap! Ran Zi! Your songs are a hit!”