"Little Lu has talent!" An editor from a certain website said.
"Little Lu sings well!" Exclaimed the owner of a well-known bar.
"Little Lu is quite handsome!" A female radio host remarked.
"Little Lu."
In the VIP area on the top floor of the Blue Lotus Flower bar, it suddenly felt like a deer farm, with enthusiastic calls of "Little Lu! Little Lu!" ringing out continuously.
With the introduction from bosses Chang Wei and Chen Jianhao, Lu Chen got to know several figures from the show business community present, all invited by Qingyu Media and Blue Lotus Flower, each with their own reputation and status in the industry.
Regardless of whether their feelings were genuine or feigned, these senior figures from the show business community expressed considerable admiration and friendliness toward Lu Chen.
It was rare for a newcomer just entering a new circle to receive such treatment!
Moreover, Lu Chen's performance was impressive; regardless of the identities of those around him, his etiquette was impeccable. He engaged in social interactions with calmness and confidence, which left Chang Wei secretly astonished.
From Chen Jianhao, Chang Wei learned that Lu Chen came from a humble background, yet observing Lu Chen's demeanor now, he certainly didn't seem like he hailed from an ordinary family. After all, temperament was not something easily disguised.
As someone who had been in the show business community for many years, Chang Wei had a sharp eye, yet he found it difficult to gauge Lu Chen's depth. This left him somewhat anxious about the upcoming negotiations.
"This is Director Dong, the general manager of Qingyu Media!"
The last person introduced was a woman dressed in Prada summer attire. Her appearance and the black-framed glasses she wore made Lu Chen immediately think of the phrase "glasses girl" in big, shining letters.
"Hello, Director Dong."
Lu Chen politely shook her slender hand and said, "Thank you!"
Director Dong looked at the handsome young man standing in front of her with interest, smiling lightly as she replied, "You're welcome."
Lu Chen was thanking her for the music night organized by Qingyu Media, which allowed him to stand on a big stage and sing his dreams to thousands of audience members.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Su Qingmei sitting not far away, pretending to be indifferent.
Chang Wei wisely suggested, "Let's go inside to talk."
The performance outside was still ongoing, and the noise made it difficult to discuss matters, so everyone moved inside the bar.
They chose the largest table, and besides Lu Chen, the attendees included Director Dong, Chang Wei, Chen Jianhao, Gan Kai, Qin Hanyang, Sister Na, and Su Qingmei.
Both Qin Hanyang and Sister Na knew well that if it weren't for Lu Chen's influence, they probably wouldn't have qualified to sit here, so they each ordered a cocktail and slowly sipped, taking on the role of bystanders.
As soon as the drinks were served, Chang Wei got straight to the point, asking, "Lu Chen, Director Dong and I are very interested in the two original songs you performed tonight. Would you be willing to part with the rights?"
He hadn't intended to appear so eager, but Lu Chen's calmness made him abandon some of his earlier thoughts.
Why not be direct?
Lu Chen's eyes sparkled as he smiled, "Since it's Mr. Chang and Director Dong who like them, I'd be happy to help you out. But I wonder how much you two are willing to pay for the rights?"
Chang Wei and Director Dong exchanged glances, both surprised by what they saw in each other's eyes.
Lu Chen didn't seem like a rookie at all; his composure exceeded everyone's expectations!
After pondering for a moment, Director Dong raised two long, fair fingers and said, "For both songs, 200,000!"
That's 100,000 per song! Even factoring in the lyrics and composition, it was a respectable offer, showing genuine intent.
Director Dong had initially planned to propose a lower price, but Lu Chen's attitude made her change her mind, opting to reveal her bottom line in hopes of achieving a quick victory.
For a newcomer, such a price not only represented real profits but also elevated his standing!
If Lu Chen signed this copyright transfer contract, he would be qualified to enter the ranks of renowned artists.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was a leap to the top!
However, Lu Chen didn't show a hint of excitement, as if he had already anticipated this price. His calm expression made Director Dong feel as though she had just struck an empty blow.
The atmosphere at the table suddenly turned subtle.
After a moment, Lu Chen said, "200,000 for Blue Lotus Flower, all rights transferred except for the right to credit!"
200,000 per song!
Lu Chen had actually doubled the price directly!
"200,000?"
Unable to hold back any longer, Su Qingmei, sitting beside Director Dong, exclaimed, "Do you think you're Xuan Qingyi?"
Xuan Qingyi is a big name in the domestic industry, a top-tier songwriter and composer. He has worked on albums for numerous Heavenly Queen and King-level vagabond singers over the years, producing many classic works.
Getting him to work for 200,000 Yuan isn't easy, but with some personal connections, it might be possible.
Perhaps because she had previously clashed with Lu Chen, Su Qingmei found everything about him irritating now. And 200,000 Yuan was exactly ten times the price she had offered to buy a song from Lu Chen earlier— it was like a slap in the face!
Was Miss Su someone who could be easily bullied?
Lu Chen merely smiled and remained silent, as if he hadn't heard Director Su's outburst.
Whether it was "Blue Lotus Flower" or "In Spring", Lu Chen had brought them tonight with the intention of selling them.
Lu Chen was in desperate need of money— very desperate. The heavy debt that weighed on him and his family felt like a mountain, suffocating them all.
He wanted his mother, sister, and little sister to live a happy, carefree life. The quickest, most convenient, and simplest way to achieve that was to sell part of the wealth he had gained from the dream world.
However, how he sold it was crucial. If Lu Chen went around with a thick stack of sheet music, looking for buyers or entertainment companies, it would be like selling gold as if it were scrap metal. No one would offer him a fortune for it.
Lu Chen wasn't that foolish.
What he was doing was first proving the value of his work to everyone, then waiting for the right offer.
If someone wanted to buy, they had to pay the price!
Looking for a bargain? Dream on!
Lu Chen had the confidence now. Even if Qingyu Media didn't want it, someone else would.
For instance, Gan Kai, sitting beside Chang Wei, was showing clear signs of nervousness.
Although Lu Chen didn't know that the leader of the Compass Band had been so shaken by his performance that he had lost the courage to take the stage, Lu Chen was sure that Gan Kai would be willing to spend his savings to buy a truly good song.
As for Chang Wei, "Blue Lotus Flower" was a perfect fit for Blue Lotus Flower Bar!
Director Dong gently patted Su Qingmei's arm and, without batting an eye, asked, "What about the other song? Are you planning to sing it yourself?"
In her view, "In Spring" was more valuable than "Blue Lotus Flower."
"No!"
To everyone's surprise, Lu Chen shook his head and said, "'In Spring' isn't suitable for me to sing, so I'm planning to sell it to my own boss. I think this song is a perfect fit for Big Brother Qing's Wanderer Band."
He smiled warmly at Chen Jianhao, who looked completely stunned.
What?!
Qin Hanyang never expected that Lu Chen would sell "In Spring" to the Daylily Bar, so they could perform it themselves!
He almost choked on the mouthful of wine he had just sipped, his face flushing red.
Chen Jianhao, being a seasoned veteran, quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "I'll buy it!"
If he missed this opportunity, there'd be no point in continuing to stay in Houhai!
The price didn't even need to be discussed.
With "In Spring" spoken for, the pressure on Director Dong and Chang Wei increased dramatically, and Gan Kai almost stood up.
The Wanderer Band securing "In Spring" would easily crush the Compass Band!
He was seriously considering buying "Blue Lotus Flower" himself.
Meanwhile, Su Qingmei fixed her gaze on Lu Chen and asked, "If it's not suitable for you, then how did you manage to write it?"
Though a bit aggressive, this was probably a question on everyone's mind.
"In Spring" didn't seem like something a young person could create. Without enough life experience or the weight of time, how could one express such a sense of melancholy?
Moreover, the lyrics didn't seem to fit Lu Chen's personal experiences.
But the song was undeniably an original, and since Lu Chen dared to offer it for sale at a high price, there was clearly no issue with its copyright. Everyone present was sharp-eyed and wouldn't be fooled easily.
All eyes were now on Lu Chen.
With a light smile, Lu Chen began speaking, "Not long ago, by chance, I met a vagabond singer. He had once walked on foot along the borders of Tibet and had wandered around aimlessly."
"He was tired, worn out, but also incredibly resilient."
"He told me many things and taught me a lot."
"He was my teacher!"
After listening to Lu Chen's story, everyone fell silent.
After a long pause, Director Dong asked, "Lu Chen, can you tell me his name?"
"Xu Bo."
Lu Chen replied earnestly, "His name was Xu Bo!"
Though I can't reveal the full truth, I can let your name become a legend in this world!
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(End of Chapter)
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