Chapter 14: The Price

Song Ya knew very well that it wasn't so much that Pablo was impressed, but rather that after Old Joe took over the chorus, the "extra" song was finally unveiled.

In other words, it wasn't that the song "Secondhand Store" suited Old Joe, but that Old Joe's unique style and voice helped Song Ya discover the so-called "epiphany." Old Joe was the cause, and the "Secondhand Store" was the effect. He was the perfect person for the song's chorus at this moment, whereas Little Lowry's rap still had a long way to go before it could match the original. As soon as Old Joe sang, the flavor of the song was immediately established.

However, since it was their first time working together and Old Joe was older, he stumbled on some of the more complicated parts of the lyrics in the second half. When the song ended, he spread his arms, asking for feedback. Song Ya immediately gave two thumbs up through the glass, showing his praise. Old Joe was clearly pleased and bowed with a classic theatrical gesture.

"I can't do it anymore, I'm exhausted. I need a drink and a break." Old Morgan wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and left the recording booth.

"Hey!"

Old Joe was just getting into the groove and didn't want to be interrupted. He followed Morgan out. "Old man, don't spoil the mood. I haven't even warmed up yet!"

"You should practice the lyrics first. Did you bite your tongue just now?" Morgan quipped, then opened a small liquor cabinet next to the sofa, rummaging inside before pulling out a bottle of Chivas. He poured himself a half-glass and downed it in one go, letting out a satisfied sigh as he collapsed on the sofa. "You should stock up your liquor cabinet, Old Joe..."

"Shut your mouth and drink your piss!"

Old Joe was getting irritated. "I haven't made a profit here in ages..."

Pablo cleared his throat.

Just then, Eric walked in, with Tony following behind, laughing and shouting, "He got dumped by that chick!" He then pointed at the side of Eric's face. "Look at this!" There was a faint white handprint on his cheek.

Eric ignored him and quietly walked to the mixing desk, put on his headphones, and shut himself off.

"The pizza's here." AK's voice came from outside the door.

"Let's eat something first and take a break." Pablo gave Old Joe a glance and pointed at Song Ya. "You come with me."

He led Song Ya out, took a slice from one of the pizza boxes, and handed some change to the "muffler" guy. "You idiot, keep the change." They made their way down the corridor and entered the innermost office.

"Sit."

He placed the pizza on the boss's desk, pointed to the chair opposite it, and sat down next to it.

Once Song Ya sat down, Pablo wasted no time. "Let's cut the crap." He asked directly, "What's your plan?"

"Uh..."

Song Ya gathered his focus. "I'm not quite sure... What kind of plan are you talking about?"

"Copyright, lyrics, management contracts... everything." Pablo took out a cigarette holder and began to roll a cigarette. "This song is good, really good. I'm confident about you. What you need now is someone to guide you into the industry."

"Yes."

Song Ya felt like he was being led by the nose. Earlier, in the car, Pablo had talked about solving the issue of lyrics first, but now he was skipping over that and hinting at management contracts instead.

"But didn't you say we should solve the lyrics' copyright first?" Song Ya decided to play a bit dumb.

"Of course, let's talk about that first."

Pablo gestured with his hand. "You don't understand the industry. You might think I'm being domineering at first, but trust me, this is absolutely necessary. Little Lowry must appear as a lyricist, or else he won't be able to survive in the industry. Any rapper would be the same. The industry's entry barriers are low, and if anyone finds your weakness, there will be countless small players looking to diss you to make a name for themselves. DJs will also enjoy stirring up trouble, it attracts listeners. So, I can offer Little Lowry a lump sum buyout fee. You name the price."

He stood up, walked to the window, and lit a cigarette, taking slow drags.

"How the hell do I know what price is right?" Song Ya cursed inwardly.

To ask a newbie to set the price? Looking at Pablo's back, Song Ya grew more cautious about the man. "Uh... Can I consult a lawyer first?"

"Goddamn it!"

Pablo cursed. "The fewer people who know about this, the better, got it? NGer." He turned around and walked toward Song Ya, staring down at him. "I've already explained this twice. Don't make me say it a third time."

It seemed like a negotiation tactic to put pressure on him. If it had been the old Alexander Song, he might have fallen for it, but the current Song Ya was much sharper and knew how to respond with softness. "As far as I know, lawyers have something called confidentiality agreements..." 

Pablo's expression darkened.

"They... they have some kind of... confidentiality rights or something..." Song Ya felt the tension rise. This time, Pablo truly looked menacing. His experience in the black neighborhood made him a figure with potential gang ties, and his Mexican heritage made him even more dangerous. The fierceness of Latin American gangs was on another level.

In the black community, losing a couple of people isn't a big deal.

Maybe... maybe I should back off. After all, money is nothing if you don't have your life to spend it...

Just then, Old Joe hummed his way in, singing *"I wear your granddad's clothes, I look incredible..."* 

Thank God! Just when Song Ya was battling his inner demons, Old Joe entered the room.

"Why aren't you eating the pizza?" He took off his pink suit and hung it up, then opened the pizza box and grabbed a slice, munching on it while still glancing at the sheet music in his other hand. "Hey! APLUS, how do you think I did on that part? Any feedback?"

"Uh..."

Song Ya looked at Pablo, who had sat back down, closed his eyes, and recalled the original song. "I think you could be a bit more playful."

"Playful? What do you mean?"

"Like... well..." Song Ya stood up, imitating the MV's moves where the person shakes their suit while holding the collar, and performed a short act. "Something like that."

"I get it, I get it..."

Old Joe finished his pizza in a few bites, then started singing again, stopping occasionally to chat with Song Ya, clearly enjoying himself.

Pablo shot a glance at Song Ya, who responded with an innocent look.

"Joe."

After a while, Pablo couldn't take it anymore and finally stopped Old Joe, telling him directly about the disagreement between the two. "What do you think?" he asked.

"Uh..." Old Joe sat behind the boss's desk, thinking for a moment before turning to Song Ya. "Get a lawyer you trust, OK?"

"Oh! Damn!" Pablo jumped up, holding his head in disbelief. "Did this kid bribe you!?"

"Don't make this more complicated than it needs to be." Old Joe replied. "I already placed the order with the tape factory. The only reason it's still waiting is because you wanted to add another song. We can't delay any longer, we have to get the master tape back to the factory, or else I'll be liable for the penalty fees."

"You didn't have to say all that in front of APLUS. We haven't even reached any agreements with him yet..." Pablo, ignoring Song Ya, shouted at Old Joe. "Saying this will make us look weak in front of his lawyer!"

"I don't care."

Old Joe spread his hands. "I don't care anymore. I've supported your Little Lowry and El for two years, and I've run out of patience. I just want to finish this. Whether it's going to succeed or not, the time to flip the card has come, understand?"

"FXXX!"

Pablo was so angry that he stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

"Forget about him. Now, where were we? What else do we need to tweak besides making it more playful?"

"Uh... Can you make the breathy sounds more controlled?" 

"Sure, sure, no problem... I'm a pro, don't underestimate me. I used to be popular too. Just remind me to pay attention when the time comes..."

"Got it."

"And then? Where else should we pay attention..."