"Huh?"
This was the second time Shen Lang had been surprised that day. He immediately grew serious and asked, "Brother Qian, does the plot feel off? Or is it the actors' performances? Or is there something else wrong?"
Unexpectedly, Qian Guosheng removed his sunglasses, pointed to his red-rimmed eyes, and said with a grin, "You made my eyes like this, and you're asking if it's good?"
Shen Lang chuckled in relief. So Qian Guosheng had simply been moved by the music video. He let out a long breath and said, "Brother Qian, you scared me half to death! I thought we'd have to reshoot."
Qian Guosheng laughed heartily. "It's perfect! No reshoots needed." His smile faded, and he said sincerely, "Thank you."
Shen Lang sighed. "You're being too polite... I don't even know what to say."
Qian Guosheng put his arm around Shen Lang's shoulder. "Come on, let's have a couple of drinks."
This time, they really did just have two drinks.
Qian Guosheng had a dinner engagement later that evening and couldn't drink too much.
Shen Lang was also relieved he wouldn't have to carry him back to his room again.
"If you ever release an album or hold a concert and need funding, just ask me, Brother."
"With you saying that, I won't hold back."
"Holding back means you don't consider me a friend."
The two chatted over dinner, feeling like kindred spirits.
In the entertainment circle, connections and capital were just as important as talent.
Having a patron meant more options and more paths to success.
Shen Lang returned to the basement in the evening.
He began pondering which song to choose for Sun Yanzi.
It wasn't that good songs were hard to find; there were simply too many to pick from.
"I'll start with one of her songs," he decided, opting for an unreleased track by Sun Yanzi.
Might as well use it.
Zhou Jianhui: "So, you're using our songs to make money off us, huh?"
Isn't that exactly what transmigrators do?
"Some of her more famous ones include 'The Happiness I Want,' 'Against the Light,' and 'Green Light'..."
Shen Lang ultimately settled on "Encounter."
This song served as the theme song for the film Turn Left, Turn Right and was included on Sun Yanzi's album The Moment, released by Warner Music on August 22, 2003.
The track topped Hitfm's list of the 100 best singles of 2003 and won gold awards for Most Popular Hong Kong and Taiwan Song and Asia's Most Streamed Song at the 11th China Song Chart in 2004.
Its quality was beyond question.
Shen Lang searched his memories, writing down the lyrics, melody, and music arrangement.
The next day, he registered the copyright.
On the third day, he faxed the song to Zhou Jianhui.
"Didn't you say it could be done by the end of the month?" Zhou Jianhui frowned. "Why is it ready in just three days? Could this be a rushed job?"
The young man appeared composed, neither arrogant nor impatient, and remarkably well-mannered. How could he be so unreliable when it came to work?
Shen Lang's reputation plummeted in Zhou Jianhui's eyes.
Encounter
Lyrics: Shen Lang
Composition: Shen Lang
Music Arrangement: Shen Lang
"Wait a minute..."
Zhou Jianhui glanced at the fax paper, his expression shifting instantly. The more he read, the more excited he became.
"This is a great song!"
Zhou Jianhui had been too hasty, jumping to conclusions without even reading the lyrics. He wanted to slap himself.
"Hey, Si Song, come to my office right away."
"Hey, Stefanie, come to my office immediately."
Zhou Jianhui called Lee Si Song and Stefanie Sun separately, eager to share the song with them. But would Lee Si Song lose his temper? After all, he was the producer of Stefanie Sun's The Happiness I Want album and the composer of its title track.
No time for that now.
Shen Lang's Encounter had to be the album's lead single.
"President Zhou."
"President Zhou."
The mentor and apprentice met at the door and entered together. They had exchanged a few words outside, neither knowing why Zhou Jianhui had summoned them. They guessed it might be related to the new album.
"Have a seat and let's talk." Zhou Jianhui, flushed with excitement, gestured for them to sit down, then asked his secretary to bring coffee. "Do you know Shen Lang?"
Lee Si Song spoke first. "That ridiculously talented newcomer from Mainland China?"
Zhou Jianhui nodded.
Sun Yanzi added, "I bought his album."
"Give me your thoughts," Zhou Jianhui said.
Lee Si Song replied without hesitation, "He's incredible. Whether it's his singing or songwriting, he bursts onto the Chinese music scene like a tiger descending from the mountain, a wild wind unleashed, leaving everyone breathless."
Sun Yanzi offered a more objective assessment: "His voice is unique—both catchy and deeply moving. His songs span diverse styles, each telling a story that evokes vivid memories and draws listeners into its world."
Both reviews were glowing, their words brimming with admiration. Zhou Jianhui nodded slightly, pleased. "I went to Yanjing a few days ago and met with Shen Lang. I commissioned him to write a song specifically for Stefanie."
Lee Si Song and Sun Yanzi understood immediately.
Zhou Jianhui handed them a copy of the sheet music, saying kindly, "Take a look and see if you like this song. If not, I'll give it to someone else."
He didn't immediately insist on using the song as the album's lead single.
Of course, as the President CEO, he had the authority to do so.
But he valued Lee Si Song and Sun Yanzi too much to risk a disagreement over this.
He was confident that after reading the song, both of them would wholeheartedly approve his decision.
Lee Si Song nodded repeatedly as he read.
Shen Lang had crafted simple lyrics with a bright, straightforward style, tinged with a hint of resignation.
The melody and music arrangement carried a touch of melancholy, yet radiated resilience.
Through its poignant reflection on life's frustrations, the song effortlessly evoked personal memories, immersing listeners in a wistful atmosphere of romantic longing.
Excellent, he thought. No less impressive than his own "Cloudy Day," and perfectly tailored to showcase Stefanie Sun's unique vocal strengths.
After reading it three times, Stefanie Sun began humming softly:
"Hearing winter's departure, I'll awaken in some distant month, I'll wait, I'll anticipate..."
As she sang, she found herself drawn into the song's narrative.
Was this song written specifically for me? she wondered. Could it be about our encounter?
The lyrics seemed too pointed to be coincidental: "Who will I meet, and what will we say?" "How far in the future does the one I await reside?" And lines like "The path to my dreams seems narrow, but meeting you was the most beautiful accident" and "One day my mysteries will unravel" made it impossible for her not to draw such conclusions.
"So?" Zhou Jianhui, growing anxious at their silence, couldn't help but ask.
Stefanie Sun looked up, her face radiant with delight. "I want to sing this song," she declared.
Lee Si Song remarked, "Such rare musical talent. He's only 22. If he can maintain this level, his future is limitless."
Though he didn't explicitly state it, his words revealed his admiration. Zhou Jianhui smiled contentedly and pressed further, "What I mean is, Si Song, let's hold off on releasing your song 'The Happiness I Want' for now. We'll use it as the lead single for Stefanie's next album."
Sun Yanzi was about to speak up for her teacher, but Lee Si Song cut her off. "I have no objections. This song suits her better."
By 1996, the music school he and his brother Lee Wei Song had founded had already enrolled two classes of students.
Sun Yanzi, fresh out of university, had enrolled with a playful interest in music and achieved impressive results.
Back then, the pure, unadulterated passion for music radiating from this young girl had deeply moved him.
Later, Zhou Jianhui signed Sun Yanzi to Warner Music and hired the Lee brothers to produce her album.
He genuinely hoped his protégé would achieve stardom, carving out a significant place for herself in the Chinese music scene.
Whether or not his song became the album's lead single didn't matter.
After all, he would still earn every penny he deserved.
And so, the recording of "Encounter" and the filming of its music video proceeded smoothly and efficiently.