December 31st, the last day of 1995.

  Since noon, the sky has been gloomy and overcast, looking as if it might snow at any moment.

  After school in the afternoon, Li Qian packed up and rode his bike back to Shengshi Garden for dinner.

  For Chinese people, New Year's Day is a bit of an awkward holiday.

  Although China has been open to reform for many years, the domestic economy and culture have begun to integrate with the international community. However, when it comes to traditional Chinese festivals, the general public does not place much importance on Western holidays like Christmas. In China, the most widely recognized traditional festivals are the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. In recent years, Qingming Festival, Yu Lan Jie (Hungry Ghost Festival), and Double Ninth Festival have also become more important with a one-day holiday each.

  But then again, times are progressing and catching up. Starting from 1988, the government designated New Year's Day as a holiday too, although it was only one day off, but still, it was a holiday. As a result, not to mention young people who started arguing about how to celebrate Christmas and New Year's, even older generations gradually began to accept New Year's Day as a holiday.

  For Li's father and mother, spending the festival is about sitting together as a family eating dumplings and watching the evening gala.

  Of course, it's still the same problem, the New Year's Eve concert organized by Dongfang Xing Shi Wei has a style that is just a big song medley, and most of the songs are popular among young people, which really isn't Li Dad's cup of tea. In previous years, he would at most accompany Li Mom to watch for ten or twenty minutes before running back to his room to read books.

  It's just that in the past six months or so, Li Dad's attention to this aspect has been much stronger than before.

  Li Qian brought back those tapes, even if he didn't like some of the tunes at first, but still carefully hid in his study to listen repeatedly. The Mid-Autumn Festival party was also watched from start to finish with great care. Every time his son came over for dinner, the two of them could discuss some issues in a very serious manner.

  The melody and all that. It's not something you can learn just by saying so, nor would Mr. Li, a meticulous old cultural enthusiast, casually express his opinions about it. At most, he might complain that the songs his son has been writing lately are too playful and jumping around, but the lyrics are within Mr. Li's area of expertise.

  Up to now, Li Qian's works have been released through Liao Liao, He Runqing and Wuxingwusu combination, a total of 14 songs. This output is not large, but concentrated in half a year's time. The output is also quite impressive, and Li Dad knows that it's not just these 14 songs.

  In his eyes, Li Qian's most impressive works are probably "Dark Fragrance", "Facing the Sea with Spring Blooms", "My Hometown in Hot Love", and the song "Farewell" sung by the daughter of Old Wang next door on that cassette tape Li Qian brought back a few days ago.

  Yes, purely in terms of song quality, especially "Farewell" and "Facing the Sea with Spring Blooming". One is full of ancient charm, sorrowful and desolate, while the other is simple and pure, clean yet melancholic, both are closest to his heart.

  Of course, as a parent and in accordance with the principle of teaching and educating people, Li's father also highly appreciates "Let's Row Together", a work that praises parents and is suitable for children of all ages to learn and sing.

  Li Qian arrived downstairs just as Li Dad had turned the corner and picked up Li Mom, who went upstairs to wrap dumplings. He took out the car cover he had bought a few days ago and busied himself putting clothes on his beloved car.

  Wait until Li Qian arrives. The two of them stretched out their hands together and quickly put on the car clothes, then waited for Li Qian to lock up his bicycle before going upstairs together while chatting. Li's father said it looks like there will be snow tonight, so don't go back tonight, Li Qian thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

  As soon as he arrived home, his mother was in the kitchen and had just finished chopping the filling. Seeing her son come in, she put down the seasonings and carried a basin out, with a smile on her face, sat beside Li Qian and said mysteriously: "Son, guess who came to our house yesterday?"

  Li Qian looked at her and shook his head.

  At this time, Li's mother had not yet spoken when Li's father furrowed his brow and said: "It's just a small matter, they came over to chat, I'm telling you, don't get so excited, speak properly. Originally there was nothing wrong, but after it comes out of your mouth, the meaning changes!"

  "Hey, what's wrong with me? I'm just saying! You see how they normally act, we don't mention others, but their family does business and has money, and the daughter became a singer. Look at that attitude of hers, thinking she's some kind of rich lady? And yet, this big star still has to personally bring things over to our house to thank my son? I have the right to say what I want, I just wanted to vent, I'm not telling outsiders, I'm just muttering to myself and my own son. What law am I breaking?"

  Mr. Li frowned and said, "It's not that they're putting on airs, it's just their temperament. You, on the other hand, are narrow-minded! You have a small belly and a petty attitude!"

  Li's mother immediately got angry upon hearing this. If she had a rolling pin in her hand, she would have picked it up right away. "Am I narrow-minded? Am I petty? Ha... Li Shuwen, are you always thinking about people who look good? This is great! I haven't even said anything yet, and your butt has already turned to their side, huh? You greeted them, but they just nodded at you, so you're angry and saying that I'm the one who's narrow-minded?"

  Li's father was tongue-tied with rage, unable to string a sentence together. "You... you... you're talking nonsense! In front of your son, what are you spouting?! What do you mean I think others are pretty, what am I supposed to be infatuated with?!"

  Li Qian was originally sitting upright and serious, but as soon as the conversation started, he understood what was going on. However, from the perspective of a thirty-something man, he found it quite interesting to hear his parents bickering, so he didn't rush to mediate. By this point, he realized that things were about to take a turn for the worse - when couples quarrel, they're not afraid of anything else, but they are afraid of bringing up other women, and once that happens, it's bound to escalate into something big!

  So, without waiting for his mother to speak, he immediately said sternly: "Mom, what are you talking about! The Tao auntie next door? Is she considered beautiful? Okay, maybe compared to others, she's a little pretty, but compared to you... Mom, you're not confident enough! I must seriously criticize you, don't you know that you've always been a great beauty? What can she compare to you with? You're so jealous that even I feel embarrassed for you!"

  Mrs. Li turned her head and glared at her son, her face could no longer hold back, and she burst out laughing, not caring if there were any meat scraps on her hand, she raised her hand and punched her son's arm with a fist.

  "You can talk! This mouth of yours! I'm doomed to be unlucky all my life. Entangled with the Li family for a lifetime!" After finishing, Mrs. Li stood up triumphantly, still holding the bowl full of meat filling, and pointed at Old Man Li, saying: "Look at my son, humph, you're stretching your elbows outwards!" After that, she went back to the kitchen, either in a huff or with a flourish.

  Mr. Li sighed on this side, with a helpless expression.

  Li Qiancai asked: "Dad, what's going on?"

  "Your uncle and aunt next door, they're indeed capable people. We... well, you know, your dad is just a poor teacher and your mom is just an accountant. Normally, their attitude towards us is a bit condescending. But actually, they didn't do anything wrong! It's just that everyone has different personalities. Lately, since you've been helping little Xue write songs, I feel like Aunt Tao's attitude has changed a lot over the past two months. Your mom has mentioned it many times. And yesterday, Aunt Tao and Uncle Wang came over with some gifts and were very polite. They kept thanking us and inviting you to visit them when you have time. Your mom felt really relieved! Originally, we had planned to talk about something last night, but as soon as you arrived, she... well, you see..."

  Li Qian smiled and said, "It's okay, my mom has always been like this. If she has grievances in her heart, let her vent them out. Our family is not worse than theirs, why should my mom hold back? Besides, I believe in my mom. Although she seems straightforward, she's actually very clever. At home, she may be like that in front of us, but outside, she's more careful than anyone else and will never do anything reckless!"

  As soon as Li Qian's words fell, Mrs. Li immediately poked her head out of the kitchen with a smile on her face, pointing at Old Comrade Li and saying, "Mr. Li, listen to this! You're not even as understanding of me as my son is!"

  Li's father helplessly curled his lips, "You wrap your dumplings and go! It's already afternoon, everyone is hungry, just waiting for your dumplings!"

  Li's mother let out a snort and turned back to wrapping dumplings.

  Li Qian immediately stood up and said, "I'll help my mom wrap dumplings!" As soon as he spoke, Li's mother said, "No need, no need, Xiao Qian has class tomorrow and still needs to write songs, your dad and I can handle it!"

  While talking, he poked his head out of the kitchen again, "Old Li, go wash your hands and come help wrap dumplings!"

  Mr. Li sighed helplessly and got up to wash his hands honestly.

  …………

  The two of them worked together, wrapping the dumplings quickly. By the time they finished wrapping the dumplings, Li's father was watching the pot while Li's mother swiftly prepared two dishes. When the dumplings were cooked, her dishes were also done. Li's mother carried the dumplings, Li Jian carried the dishes, and Li's father ran to his small study and brought out a bottle of wine.

  "Look, Xinghua Village, 86-year-old wine, this was bought back when I went to Taiyuan Prefecture to attend a pen meeting that year, and it's been put away for almost ten years, never dared to drink! Come on, son, today is a happy day, you accompany Dad to have two cups!"

  Mrs. Li wanted to advise, after all, Li Qian was still a high school student, how could he drink? But seeing Comrade Lao Li's excitement, and looking at Li Qian not refusing, she decisively endured it, running to the kitchen to wash two cups for the father-son pair.

  As soon as she brought over the cups, Li's father glared at her: "Why are there only two cups? Where's yours?"

  "Mom Li was taken aback, 'Me too?'"

  "Come on! You have a couple of drinks too! Although it's the solar calendar, it's still the New Year after all. This year is smooth sailing and very auspicious for our family, so we should drink two cups!"

  Li's mother didn't say anything either and got up to wash the cup.

  Three cups of wine, Li Dad poured himself a little more, and for Li Qian and Li Mom, each just a cup bottom. Then Li Dad raised his cup, looked at Li Qian, and said: "Son, people all say that in the first thirty years, one looks up to their father with respect, and in the next thirty years, one looks up to their son with respect. This saying is true! I don't usually like to praise people, but today, I want to praise you a couple of sentences. Your mom and I are considered fortunate people. We didn't even wait for thirty years, and already someone is showing us respect! Come on, let's raise our cups!"

  Li Qian and Li Ma both raised their cups, the three cups lightly touched each other. A "ding" sound was heard, and Li Dad immediately downed half a cup of wine!

  Li's mother took a small sip and immediately stopped him. "Slow down! Even if you're happy, you don't drink like that!"

  Li's father smiled and ignored her, saying to Li Qian: "I heard your uncle Wang from next door say that at tonight's party, Xiaoxue and the others will sing three songs, all written by you?"

  Li Qian ate a dumpling, chewing and nodding his head, "Mmm, I wrote them all."

  Li's father nodded, took a dumpling and put it in his mouth, chewed for a few mouthfuls and swallowed, then picked up the cup and sipped a mouthful of wine with relish. He asked again: "That... these past two days I've been listening to that album you brought back, Snow's album, I looked at the lyrics book, out of the ten songs on this album, eight are yours? How much did their company pay?"

  As soon as she heard this topic, Li's mother also looked up with concern, and even the dumplings that were being eaten halfway were temporarily put down on the small plate. She asked: "That is to say, eight songs at once, even if it's cheaper than selling to Liao Liao, can't be too cheap, right? How many tens of millions?"

  Li Qian smiled and continued eating his dumplings, mumbling with a mouthful: "Nope, I haven't gotten a single cent yet! But in the future when it's officially on sale, I'll be taking a commission! I reckon... at least one or two million?"

  Actually, as early as mid-month, Li Qian had already received separate calls from Xie Bing and Li Jindong, and had learned that the promotional strategy for Wu Xing's album was to focus on the New Year's Eve concert, aiming to make a big splash.

  Yesterday, after the final formal recording in Songjiang District, Li Qian received a call from Xie Bing again. He said that the evening party had been recorded, and the two songs originally scheduled got better time slots, not to mention that the director's team liked the song "See You Off" so much that they added it on purpose and specially arranged it at the beginning of the evening party.

  Actually, when he learned that Huage had arranged for Wu Yusuo to attend the New Year's Eve concert, Li Qian couldn't help but praise their promotional strategy. When he received a call from Xie Bing and found out that the director had also put "Song of Farewell" at the beginning, he was even more convinced that this album would definitely sell well!

  To be honest, daring to use "Farewell" as the opening song for a New Year's Eve concert shows the boldness of the Oriental Star Satellite TV Spring Festival Gala director team. But Li Qian knows that if we only talk about the quality and standard of the songs, not just the opening of a New Year's Eve concert, but even if it were to be used as the finale for the Spring Festival Gala, "Farewell" would still be absolutely qualified!

  Moreover, according to Xie Bing, after they finished singing this song in the second rehearsal, there was a warm applause from under the stage, which undoubtedly proved that this song had an overwhelming and stunning atmosphere that dominated the entire evening!

  When a song's atmosphere is so strong, whether its name has some bad implications or not is no longer that important!

  And a party in the evening with three songs, fast and slow, classic and popular. If these don't work, I'm afraid this New Year's Eve concert won't be able to produce truly great works!

  And with the strong packaging and promotion of Huaying Music, combined with the five girls' appearance, figure, plus this album's rich resources, it can be said that if they don't become popular, then so be it, but once they do, they will definitely be a huge hit!

  According to Li Qian's judgment, the era of idols is about to come!

  And Wu Xian is not only an idol for young boys and girls but also an idol for young men and women!

  Once they become idols in the hearts of so many consumer groups, then...the frenzy of star chasers has never been in doubt!

  Besides, they don't need to be too popular. According to the contract signed at the beginning, as long as this album "Wu Xing Wu Su" can sell 3 million copies, he will get a commission of 10% and earn around 300 million.

  Of course, as soon as this number of one or two hundred million was mentioned... Li's father and mother were shocked.

  Li's mother looked at Li Qian with an excited face and asked: "Really or fake?"

  Li Qian nodded and said calmly: "According to my estimate, at the current pace of theirs, one or two hundred million is just a starting point, it should be no big deal."

  Mrs. Li slapped her chopsticks down excitedly, "So that means I don't have to worry about having no money to spend even if I don't go to work?"

  Li's father sighed, with a look of being in a trance, "Alas, okay, okay! Hehe, no need to say too much, even just last year at this time, I and your mom absolutely didn't expect that with just half a year's effort, you actually... actually..."

  "More than your father and I have earned in our entire lives combined!"

  Mr. Li nodded, raised his hand, and with a "clink", he downed another mouthful of wine.

  He put down his wine cup, picked up his chopsticks and tapped them against the side of his bowl twice. With a look of great poetic inspiration, he narrowed his eyes slightly and hummed, sang and chanted: "A father's kindness, a son's filial piety; brotherly love, fraternal respect. Family harmony, prosperity in all seasons. Strong body, joyful spirit. A gentleman's pleasure in wine is boundless."

  ***

  I know that after reading this chapter, I'm sure many people will say that I'm flooding again, so I'd like to reiterate: This is a book about urban life, it's about people, it's about life, and the relationships between people. Writing songs, singing songs, making movies and such are just work, and work is only one part of life, not all of it!

  Moreover - you guys are awesome! (^.^)

  PS: I know that after reading this chapter, many people will say that I'm flooding the story again. So I'd like to reiterate here: This is a novel about urban life, it's about people, life and relationships between people. Writing songs, singing songs, making movies and so on are just work, and work is only part of life, not all of it!

  Moreover - you guys are awesome!