At this time, the recording studio was quiet. All of them focused their attention on Ling Ming.
Just as Zhang Xiaohua and Yuan Datong were tensing up, Ling Ming completely relaxed. She took a deep breath and adjusted her mood. When she felt she was ready, she raised a thumbs-up to Yuan Datong and said that he could start at any time.
The next second, under the actions of Yuan Datong, the music sounded slowly.
As the music progressed, Ling Ming also slowly followed up on the melody, and when she finished the first verse, everyone in the studio felt like their hearts had been grasped.
It was different from Wang Jingwen's voice.
If Wang Jingwen's voice was ethereal, then Ling Ming's was just the opposite.
Ling Ming's voice was slightly husky and deep, but she still managed to catch every note. She didn't need any technique, singing in a simple—natural way. Unconsciously, she completely mastered this tender song.
At this moment, everyone understood what Zhang Xiaohua meant before.
In Zhang Xiaohua's words, each singer must have a song of his own style, and this song "Can I hold you?" was entirely tailored for Ling Ming. They were made for each other. Besides Ling Ming, they believed no one else could sing and invoke this much emotion and feelings in the listeners using the song.
The music kept going, and as the song reached the chorus, Ming'er seemed to be too entrenched in the song. Ling Ming began to recall the bits and pieces of her past and her eyes began to gradually redden, she was overcome with the impulse to cry.
However, she continued to sing, without decreasing the quality of the song in the slightest. In fact, her tears added even more emotion and depth to the song. Emma's eyes became blurred, and even Yuan Datong's was also brought into the emotional world of Ling Ming, their respective feelings constantly changed with her emotions.
"Wow she truly instills strong sense of substitution, you can put yourself in her place so easily!" Zhang Xiaohua carefully listened to every lyrics he sang from Ling Ming's lips, and at the same time was relieved!
He didn't mistake this Ling Ming as a good seedling after all. Regardless of the bass, she could grasp very accurately the type of tone required, she had a very comprehensive range. She would develop into a versatile singer.
"Can I hold you, my lover?
Let me cry on your shoulder
If we are going to separate today
Let me burst into tears
Can I hold you baby?
Let me call your name one last time
You must feel the same
I will leave with a smile
You must feel the same...
I must smile and laugh... one last time..."
.....
Time passed like a rush of water.
After 4 minutes, with the gradual disappearance of the instrumental, a classic masterpiece was born!
Maybe it was because the singers didn't care and the listeners weren't interested. So far, Yuan Datong and Emma had not yet come out of Ling Ming's emotional world. Everyone is absorbed in their own worlds as if Ling Ming sang a secret that was hidden in their hearts. The emotion behind the song had evoked many of their memories, taking them out of reality for a time and into a quiet world of their own.
"Good, very good!"
Zhang Xiaohua could not help but praise and take the lead in applauding Ling Ming.
Hearing the applause, Yuan Datong and several others suddenly swayed, and immediately they stood up. After wiping away some moist eyes, they gave a warm applause for Ling Ming.
Ling Ming small face was completely red, silently bowing her head, her cute nature was soul-grasping.
Yuan Datong and Zhang Xiaohua stood side by side. Both of them looked at the shyly-grinning Ling Ming. Yuan Datong was full of gratification: "Xiao-Hua, your vision really is amazing. I dare say Ming'er is not one bit inferior to Wang Jingwen at all. Especially her vocal range, it is a lot more comprehensive than that of Wang Jingwen. She can be developed into an all-round singer. No matter if it is a slow or fast song, there is absolutely no problem for Ming'er."
"Yeah, I also think so, so I decided to try her." Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile, but was also a little grateful to Cao Dequan, if it wasn't that old b****** deducting his dividends, he would not have encountered Ling Ming.
Perhaps this was the legendary action of fate!
"Boss, where did you find the girl, ah, she was born to sing, such talent is so rare!" Emma then came to Zhang Xiaohua's side while rubbing her red eyes, excitedly commenting as well.
"Actually, I sang it well too, how come none of you praised me?" Zhang Xiaohua was dissatisfied.
He was known as the Karaoke King in the last life, changing voice, perfect pitch, he won awards and praise. That was what had driven him to attempt to go pro, but sadly, he failed and never got the chance to make it to the big stage. But since coming to this world, he had actually not been praised, it was really backwards!
Hearing that, Emma and Yuan Datong spontaneously cast a contemptuous look at him. The middle finger was just around the corner for him if he spoke again begging for praise.
Seeing the two people looking at him in disdain, Zhang Xiaohua's heart felt wronged.
He had to vent his frustration.
"Everyone has worked hard. To celebrate this success, we are invited by our general manager to a meal tonight. I propose that we go to the Xinglong Hotel. What do you all think?" Xiao-Hua smirked.
"Lets go!" Everyone responded with enthusiasm.
When he heard the words "Xinglong Hotel", Yuan Datong, who was originally enjoying the feeling of mugging off Xiao-Hua became petrified. Although this hotel wasn't comparable to Star Hotel, it was also a five-star hotel, if you wanted to enjoy a meal there you had to be ready to spend a huge amount of money, not to mention that these people were like pigs, they would eat him to bankruptcy!
"Emma, contact Zhou Yi and Manager Xu and tell them to meet us there." Zhang Xiaohua spoke.
"On it," said Emma, taking out her cell phone, immediately calling Zhou Yi's phone and asking him to bring Manager Xu as well to meet at Xinglong Hotel later.
...
7 o'clock in the evening.
Located in a luxurious private room in Xinglong Hotel, all the company's members were in attendance. Of course, although technically Zhou Yi was not a colleague, they saw him as one of the group. At present, everyone was talking and chatting.
After waiting for the enthusiastic attendants to serve up the dishes, Zhang Xiaohua took the lead and raised his glass smiling: "We've all worked hard recently. Especially, Manager Xu, I've heard that you have been extremely busy while working with Sparrow Records. For this reason, I propose that everybody share a cup with him!"
Zhang Xiaohua's remarks fell, everyone stood upright, holding a champagne cup, all of them looked at the manager Xu with eyes filled with respect, and said, "Manager Xu is working hard. We respect you!"
They all drank the champagne in the glass and expressed their respect for Xu Fengnian.
Looking closer, Xu Fengnian was indeed looking a tad bit knackered. Obviously he had suffered a lot, however, at this moment, his slightly pale sunken face was filled with a happy smile. Among these young fellows, he felt years younger. He immediately took a swig off his glass.
"Everybody, eat casually, don't be too polite." Zhang Xiaohua again took up the big boss posture, and graciously invited everyone to eat, Datong turned a blind eye to his comment trying to hold his grimace. This kid was too shameless, he actually stole his lines, trying to act big man with his money!
"Oh yes, today we are here thanks to general manager Yuan's grace, so next I propose..." Zhang Xiaohua once again stood up raising his high-end glass. At the same time, Yuan Datong finally smiled, and he raised his cup in kind waiting for Zhang Xiaohua to toast to him, but unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaohua took a sharp turn and looked at Ling Ming: "Next I propose that we toast Ming'er, she has worked superbly today. Come on, cheers!"
"Cheers!" Everyone responded positively, emptying the wine in the cup once again. After that, they began to eat. Only Yuan Datong stood there silently, like a lost soul.
"Zhou Yi, how is the equipment upgrade?" Zhang Xiaohua suddenly asked.
"Oh, the equipment has been updated. Under the guidance of Mr. Xu, the employees have already made a general concept of the workflow, and have also effectively increased the average output of the record production." reported Zhou Yi.
"Very good." Zhang Xiaohua felt very happy. Then, he told Zhou Yi: "When you go back, please prepare for tomorrow, our company will help shoot a music video for Ling Ming. We will require the same equipment and staff as last time."
"Okay, I'll get it ready when I get back." Zhou Yi readily agreed.
Manager Xu was puzzled and asked, "Shouldn't we be getting ready for Miss Wang Jingwen new album release? Has something changed during my absence? What's the matter?"
Since Sparrow Records was located in a remote area, it was difficult to obtain outside news. Therefore, Manager Xu and Zhou Yi didn't know about Wang Jingwen quitting.
Speaking of Wang Jingwen, Yuan Datong's and co were are all overwhelmed by frustration. After drinking, their emotional restraints were slightly eroded.
"Wang Jingwen has officially split ways with us. She is now considered a person of New Century." Zhang Xiaohua explained.
Suddenly learning that Wang Jingwen jumped ship, Xu Fengnian and Zhou Yi could not help but be stunned, their faces revealed hints of fear. Without Wang Jingwen, who would the company depend on to develop?
Pondering this, Xu Fengnian then looked to Ling Ming. In his eyes emerged a questioning look, because in his view, this Ling Ming was simply not comparable with Wang Jingwen. Regardless of temperament or image, between the two there was a significant contrast. The intentions of Zhang Xiaohua were obvious. He wanted this girl to take over as the new lead singer. As far as he was concerned, this could lead to a disaster.