AG RECORDS, RECORDING STUDIO
In the brightly lit recording studio, Lai Zhiqiang was seated next to the sound engineer in the control room. His assistant Luo Lei was seated next to him.
Lai Zhiqiang sat back on his seat, legs stretched out and crossed at his ankle, His head resting by the wall while he tapped his fingers rapidly on the table.
He looked very bored at least to anyone unfamiliar with him but not Luo Lei who had been his assistant for close to five years.
He could tell that Lai Zhiqiang was very displeased with everything. They had been seated in the studio for close to two hours watching through the viewing mirror as Xiao Mei screeched like a banshee in the studio room.
About an hour in Lai Zhiqiang clicked on the audio button tunning off the speakers. After a wasted effort at making some suggestions that just fell to deaf ears.
He had gotten tired of hearing Xiao Mei murder his song all in the name of having a "unique music style"
When she lacked a basic understanding of music notes. He was getting a migraine listening to her unrefined voice.
An awkward silence quickly spread across the rooms as soon as he shut down the speaker.
Everyone was on edge, Lai Zhiqiang was a man known for his terrible temper. He was a man known to be a harsh critique.
Xiao Mei had made a terrible mistake getting on Lai Zhiqiang's bad side. Even a novice could tell that she was cut out to be a musician. To make matters worse she wasn't willing to listen to any corrections
Talking to her was like talking to a brick wall. This wasn't surprising since she and a brick wall had an equal level of intelligence.
Lai Zhiqiang never would've agreed to work with such a mediocre artist like her if Director Meng one of the top-level Directors of AG records hadn't called in favor just for his little girlfriend.
He hated women like Xiao Mei who didn't work hard for anything but instead depended on their beauty to move forward in life.
Xiao Mei was about going into a new verse when she was rudely interrupted by Lai Zhiqiang.
H couldn't stand any more of the torture. He had held back for as long as he could.
"that is enough out of you. Miss Xiao"
"What, how can that be? I still have a few verses to go" she asked shocked.
"No, you don't"
"uh yes, I do. it says here on the script"
"Not anymore"
"What?"
"You aren't suitable to sing my song hell you aren't suitable to sing anything, not even nursery rhymes"
"Wha what!"
"Excuse me, Everyone, I need to get going," Lai Zhiqiang said to the sound engineer and other members of the team and walked out of the room with Lou Lei following him closely.
"Hah! how dare he do this to me who does he think he is?" she said a few seconds later.
when she failed to get any response from the staff she stomped her foot and walked out of the room.
This was the first time a man ever talked to her this way and in public no less. It had been so embarrassing.
* * * *
Lai Zhiqiang left AG records and got into the company car and headed to Vibe entertainment for his next recording session.
When his phone began to ring, he picked up his phone and checked the caller. The call was from Lu Lanying his manager. He had come straight from the airport to AG records.
After a Four hours flight and all for nothing. it had been a waste of time coming. He had a slight headache so he laid back on his seat and shut his eyes to take a nap.
A few minutes later Liu Lei's phone began to ring. He was about to answer the call when Lai Zhiqiang said from behind
"Don't even think about it"
"huh?! sorry to disturb you brother Zhiqiang but it's sister Lanying that is calling. It might be an emergency, I have to answer this"
"You and I both know this isn't an emergency call. Well at the list, not the type you need to answer urgently"
"but_ but"
"don't even think about answering that call not if you like your job. Think about it who do you think will make your life a lot more miserable I or Lanying"
He didn't even have to think about that twice. He quickly shut down his phone and put it back in his bag.
Lu Lanying was a scary woman to make us an enemy but she was a saint compared to Lai Zhiqiang.
He had never met anyone as sadistic and ruthless as Lai Zhiqiang. Lai Zhiqiang and Lu Lanying were a toxic combination.
One was harsh and cold while the other one was heartless. He had never met a pair that enjoyed messing with people as much as these two.
Lu Lanying has been Lai Zhiqiang's manager since he had gone solo over a decade ago. They made a great team, Lu Lanying was legendary in the industry for being able to put up with Lai Zhiqiang's bad temper.
Forty minutes later they arrived at Vibe Records and was led up to the recording studio by an assistant.
Vibe Records was a newly established record company established by Jiang Xiang a former director at AG Records.
The company had just started a few years back and was about to debut their first girl group.
He had been contracted by the Studio to write and produce the title song of the company's girl group NSK Girls.
The members of the Girl group and their manager were already present when they walked into the studio. Together with a few higher-ups and the CEO Jiang Xiang.
"Welcome to Vibe Records Zhiqiang. I trust that your journey here went smoothly" Jiang Xiang said giving him a firm handshake.
She was an average height woman in her forties with delicate features. She was dressed in a dark blue fitted A-line gown paired with a 4inch pencil heel. Her hair was cut in her signature pixie cut.
She looked very much like the confident strong CEO she was. Lai Zhiqiang had worked a few times with her during her time on AG Records so they were familiar with each other.
"My trip went very smoothly, sorry for coming in late. Hope I didn't keep you waiting" Lai Zhiqiang replied
"It's alright no need to worry about that"
"We should get started, I have to get back to B city first thing tomorrow.
"Oh yes, Lanying already informed me of that. I'll introduce you to the members and we can get started"
"okay"
This was his first meeting with the group so after a brief introduction of the members. They began the voice test.
He wanted to get familiar with the artist's voice range before writing the title song. This was their debut album so he planned to write a song that compliments the member's voice
After the season he lodged into a hotel for the night. After washing up he changed into casual clothes and ordered room services.
While waiting for room service he began to check and respond to his emails and text messages.
Now that he was now relaxed he was ready to speak with a Lu Lanying. There was no point leaving her off not when he would have to meet her in a few hours.
Some conversations were best had a good distance away. Where he was safe from any provocative attack.
He was about dialing her number when he got a call from Director Meng.
"Hello"
"he Producer Lai Hello. Sorry to disturb you" the Director said nervously.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, he continued.
"eh, Producer Lai I am calling about the song for Xiao Mei's debut album. I understand that she annoyed you. I am sorry about that, please give her another chance.
"Xiao Mei doesn't mean to make you angry. She was spoiled by me so she's a little silly. How about giving her another chance for old times sake
What do you say Producer Lai will you give her another chance"
"No, I won't. Like I said Xiao Mei isn't worthy to sing my songs"
"Producer Lai Please give her another chance. Do it for me okay, Xiao Mei is really sad. She's locked herself back home Producer Lai please give her a chance okay. Do it for old times sake"
"Director Meng I haven't forgotten how good you were to me in the past. However, this is one thing I just can't do for you.
"I can't put my name behind that. Xiao Mei has absolutely no talent in music. I suggest you rethink your decision to debut her"
"Xiao Mei is just a little green, With your guidance, she will improve"
"I doubt that Director. You of all people should be aware that when it comes to music you either have the talent or you don't. There's no way around that"
"Please give her another chance, she's very pitiful right now. She's locked herself up at her apartment to cry"
Just then the doorbell rang. Lai Zhiqiang stood to answer the doorbell, he didn't bother sending the call since he assumed it was room service.