PS-Chapter 137 Deeply Moved but Still Refused

On August 28th, the national finals of "Singing China" came to a close.

The first season of Capital City TV's inaugural reality show was a resounding success, with the program's ratings hitting 6.87% that night. 

While it fell short of breaking the 7% mark, Capital City TV was more than pleased with its current result. They not only began planning for a second season next year but also announced an exciting piece of news on their official blog.

The champion of the first season would join the judging panel for the second season, establishing a new tradition!

The winner of the first season of "Singing China" was Lu Chen.

This announcement led to a significant increase in Lu Chen's followers on Wave Blog, bringing him tangible benefits. His workshop received inquiries from two performance companies and one advertising firm. 

A talent agency that had previously reached out also returned, eager to purchase songs. Additionally, WeChat Music requested an interview with Lu Chen!

As a result, Lu Chen found himself busier than ever following the conclusion of "Singing China."

However, before diving into these new opportunities, Lu Chen had to welcome a very important guest.

Lin Zhijie, a renowned musician and the music director of Flying Stone Record, was there to meet him. He was also one of the four judges on "Singing China."

At the Lanting Café on the top floor of Jinghua Great Restaurant, near the Blue Sky Entrepreneurship Park, Lu Chen and his sister, Lu Xi, greeted Lin Zhijie and his two assistants.

"Lu Chen, are you really not going to reconsider?" Lin Zhijie asked earnestly, his demeanor serious. "Such an opportunity would be a shame to pass up!"

In his forties, Lin Zhijie was tall and lean, with a stern appearance and a reserved nature. While he might not be a household name outside the industry, he was well-known within the show business community. 

Once a talented singer, he transitioned behind the scenes to join Flying Stone Record, where he produced numerous best-selling albums for various stars, earning a reputation for his exceptional skills and meticulous work ethic.

Lu Chen had come to know Lin Zhijie through "Singing China," and Lin Zhijie held Lu Chen's creative talent in high regard, which is why he personally came to invite him to join his company.

In Lin Zhijie's eyes, signing with Flying Stone Record would be mutually beneficial for Lu Chen.

However, Lu Chen politely declined.

He also turned down a new star development fund worth 4 Million!

The champion's prize for "Singing China" was a substantial amount of 5 Million Yuan, divided into 1 Million in cash and 4 Million in new star development fund. 

The 1 Million post-tax bonus was provided by Capital City TV, along with additional rewards from six PK matches and a bonus from the Capital City division chief, bringing Lu Chen's total earnings from the talent show to 1.4 Million— all post-tax!

While Capital City TV made a significant investment, it was merely a drop in the bucket compared to its advertising revenue.

The 4 Million New Star Development fund was even more impressive, but it wasn't cash that could be directly received; it was a package covering artist training, packaging, and promotion, contingent upon signing an artist contract with Flying Stone Record.

Flying Stone Record was a partner of Capital City TV's "Singing China," and this stipulation had been clearly stated during the program's promotion, so there was no question of deception.

For an ordinary newcomer, signing with Flying Stone Records would be a dream come true! It was one of the most prestigious record companies in the country, having dominated the industry at its peak. 

In the 80s and 90s, at least one-third of the best-selling albums were produced by Flying Stone Record, and its logo— a golden stone with white wings— was recognized by countless fans.

However, as the new century dawned, the rise of new media, the maturation of digital music, and the rampant issue of online piracy led to the decline of the record industry. 

Starting in 2003, Flying Stone Record faced unprecedented operational challenges, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. It wasn't until 2007, when Superstar Culture Media invested in the company, replaced its conservative management, and adapted to the changing landscape, that Flying Stone Record began to recover.

Today, while its influence in the industry has diminished from its peak, it remains a top-tier player. The collaboration with Capital City TV reflects Flying Stone Record's ambitious aspirations, having successfully signed several prominent singers, including Mu Xiaochu, who had a good rapport with Lu Chen.

Yet, Lin Zhijie believed that none of those signed singers could compare to Lu Chen's talent!

So he made one last appeal.

Lu Chen was genuinely touched by Lin Zhijie's sincere approach, recognizing that the other's status in the industry was far beyond what a newcomer like him could hope to achieve. 

Both Capital City TV and Flying Stone Record had not imposed any hidden barriers during the "Singing China" competition, allowing him to win the championship fairly.

Many talent shows involve entertainment agencies that seek to train and discover new talents. When a promising contestant emerges, agencies often rush to sign them. If a contestant is already signed or chooses not to sign, standing out in the competition becomes nearly impossible for them!

Xiangnan TV had employed such tactics frequently, ensnaring many talented contestants until they were exposed for their practices.

Despite being moved, Lu Chen's plan to remain an independent artist remained steadfast.

His career was just beginning, and this was a time for growth for him. Returning to Flying Stone Record, even with the enticing 4 Million Yuan New Star Development Fund, would ultimately be more of a setback than a step forward.

"Director Lin, I have thought this through very carefully," Lu Chen said apologetically. "I truly do not wish to sign with any record label or talent agency. I'm really sorry."

"That is truly a pity," Lin Zhijie replied, his disappointment evident and he looked like a master craftsman who saw a fine material slip through his fingers.

However, Lin Zhijie did not react with anger or frustration; he was not that narrow-minded. His two assistants, on the other hand, exchanged glances, clearly unimpressed with Lu Chen.

'Are you serious? You don't want such a fantastic opportunity? What are you thinking?'

'Countless newcomers outside would jump at the chance, especially with Lin Zhijie's strong backing.'

'If Lin Zhijie hadn't made his position clear, the assistants would have been tempted to lecture Lu Chen on how to behave as a newcomer!'

'These days, it seemed many newcomers simply didn't understand their own worth.'

"I'm really sorry!" Lu Chen clasped his hands together, offering another apology.

Lin Zhijie smiled graciously, waving his hand dismissively. "It's alright; there will be opportunities for collaboration in the future."

Of course, he was merely being polite. After saying this, he prepared to leave.

But Lu Chen's eyes brightened at those words, and he quickly added, "Director Lin, I actually have a business proposal I'd like to discuss with your company. Could we talk a bit more?"

Lin Zhijie, who had just begun to stand, paused and sat back down. "What business? I'm listening."

The two assistants exchanged glances, sighing at Lin Zhijie's genuine kindness and appreciation for talent. Did Flying Stone Record really need Lu Chen's business?

After being turned down twice, Lin Zhijie not only remained calm but also offered another opportunity. It was truly remarkable.

"Director Lin, it's like this," Lu Chen began, and it was Lu Xi's turn to step in and explain the key business proposal from the Lu Chen Workshop.

After listening intently, Lin Zhijie was taken aback. "You want to entrust Lu Chen's first album to Flying Stone Record for production and distribution?"

Lu Xi smiled and replied, "Yes, because in this regard, Flying Stone Record is the best in the country, and we feel fortunate that Lu Chen had the chance to meet Director Lin."

Though Lu Xi could be a bit stubborn and cold, she had a way with words, and she expressed herself well.

The significance of this album for Lu Chen was immense. In the pop music scene, if a budding artist wanted to release a record, Flying Stone Record was undoubtedly the best channel available.

In terms of industry influence and networking resources, it was second to none.

While the entertainment industry has shifted towards idol culture, and many artists now rely on online sales, there remains a nostalgic demand for physical records. Many fans from the 80s and 90s still cherish the idea of buying a CD from their favorite artist, often listening to it in their leisure time.

Thus, Flying Stone Record continued to engage in record production and distribution, even if on a smaller scale than before.

In other words, the business Lu Chen Workshop sought to collaborate on was relatively modest.

However, Lin Zhijie was curious. "Why do you want to release a record? Isn't online distribution more advantageous? The costs would be significantly lower, and you wouldn't have to worry about unsold inventory. Nowadays, nine out of ten CDs released end up losing money."

In the past, independent artists could profit from record sales, but now, the fan economy reigns supreme. Relying solely on record sales could lead to financial ruin!

Lu Xi responded confidently, "We plan to release the album both online and on CD, primarily targeting our fan base. If possible, I would like to visit your company's production department to discuss the details."

"We just need your help with an introduction."

Compared to Flying Stone Record, the Lu Chen Workshop was relatively small and lacked influence. If they approached directly without an introduction, they might not be taken seriously, leading to potential complications.

Lu Chen had already prepared a sales plan for the album, having discussed it thoroughly with Lu Xi beforehand.

Lu Xi was quite impressed with her brother's ideas.

The confidence of the two siblings made Lin Zhijie secretly admire their ambition.

Still, he was more than willing to assist with this small favor and instructed his assistant to provide Lu Xi with a business card.

"Take my business card and reach out to our marketing manager, Yin Hao. He will assist you."

Lu Chen and Lu Xi exchanged glances and said in unison, "Thank you, Director Lin!"

(End of chapter)

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