Perhaps many years later, when Li Qian's reputation has grown to the point where he doesn't need deliberate publicity, and many people are eager to know who he is and are willing to pay attention to all the information related to him, some media will start to recount from scratch the glory that Li Qian created at the age of 17 or 18. But at least for now, even though his nine works simultaneously topped the top ten of China's Golden Melody Chart, it doesn't seem to be the case.

  The media will not give him extra attention and reports just because of this, and fans will not notice that their favorite singer actually became popular with the help of a person named Li Qian's work.

  Isn't it unfair?

  It's really unfair!

  But that's just the way it is.

  And this is not just a rule in the music industry or entertainment circle, but a universal principle that applies to everything.

  For example, in the time and space where Li Qian used to live, the most talked-about among later song fans are probably the combination of Jay Chou + Vincent Fang, as well as Faye Wong + Lin Xi, and in fact, the latter two are indeed the most well-known industry lyricists in the development history of Chinese music for three or four decades.

  But they are just an example.

  Moreover, even for the two of them, when they were truly understood and gradually gained popularity among the public, they had already written many works over the years and had many popular works before gradually appearing in front of the public - for example, there are many fans who like Jay Chou's works, and many people know Vincent Fang, but how many people know that the lyricist of "In Father's Name" and "The Seventh Chapter of Night" is?

  For example, JJ Lin's "Jiang Nan" was a hit all over the country, and at that time, its influence was no less than Jay Chou's Chinese style. The media also reported on it extensively. At that time, many fans must have been amazed by the ancient-style lyrics of "Jiang Nan" after listening to it. But how many people knew that the lyricist was Lin Xiao Lei? It goes without saying that the media would chase after JJ Lin, but at that time, would they report on the lyricist Lin Xiao Lei and seriously evaluate the song's popularity which is closely related to Lin Xiao Lei's ancient-style lyrics?

  Nothing.

  For example, even in the early 2000s, domestic film enthusiasts were already very familiar with names and faces such as Ge You, Tony Leung, Jiang Wen, Gong Li, etc. Even for a batch of big directors like Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang, Ang Lee, they all knew their faces. But do you know who the screenwriter of "Hero" is? What about "Farewell My Concubine"? Or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"?

  Obviously, no one will pay attention to this.

  The media is definitely around those few big directors and famous actors all day, they would rather report on the scandals of the stars than pay attention to who wrote a certain famous film.

  And ordinary audiences...please. When watching a movie, after the main film has finished playing, how many people will seriously read through the list of cast and crew names in the ending credits?

  It's just like a concert, where the spotlight will only follow one person.

  As for other staff, you director, you accompanist, you dancer, sorry, you are all just green leaves. Just to set off the big red flower in the center of the stage more perfectly. Take the money, do a good job, and then leave! Want to be the protagonist of the concert? No way!

  The simplest principle is that very few concerts choose to be held during the day. Because only at night, when it's pitch black everywhere, and all the lights are focused on one person, will he truly shine brightly.

  So, we say stars live under spotlights.

  It's very cruel. But this is reality.

  Fortunately, it's okay that ordinary music fans don't know who Lin Qiuli is, but almost all the insiders in the pop music industry know that "Jiangnan" is a big work of Lin Qiuli.

  It's just like Li Qian now, even if all the fans who like Liao Liao, plus all the fans who like Wu Xing Wu Su combination, and add all the fans who like the song "Half a Cup of Silk", no one knows who Li Qian is, it doesn't matter at all. Because the bosses, general managers, music directors of major record companies, as well as many singers and producers, they will absolutely not ignore the shock brought by Li Qian's nine songs on the chart at the same time, and they will absolutely not ignore the immeasurable musical energy possessed by this 17 or 18-year-old boy!

  Is the era of female singers coming?

  Stop it!

  Do you think changing to a male singer will make "Dedication of Love" unpopular?

  Do you think that with Liu Mingliang's singing skills, the song "See You Again" would be sung worse by him than those girls from Wuyi Musu?

  As for "Evenings in a Village Near Moscow"... Please, that style is simply Zhao Xin Fu's favorite!

  The so-called "era of female singers has arrived" is a statement that the media analyzes in depth, but fans look at it with a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. However, when put under the scrutiny of industry insiders, this statement is nothing more than a joke.

  This is just the most normal achievement for a singer!

  So, if Li Xian chose to debut at this time, he really had paved the way for himself in all aspects, whether as a producer, director or even singer. As long as he was willing, almost all domestic record companies, including Sony, Huaguo and Shengda, would welcome him with open arms!

  To put it bluntly, as long as he is willing, if he works behind the scenes, even in one of the three major music companies, he will at least be a deputy director of music level, and if he goes to another company, he may even directly parachute into the position of music director. And even if he chooses to be a singer, he can absolutely get the most generous artist contract that any company can offer.

  Every industry is filled with the most intense competition for resources, and as of now, Li Qian has become the most precious and sought-after resource in the domestic music scene.

  But...

  Obviously, so far, through various companies' repeated attempts, he has never shown any intention of coming out.

  Although Liao Liao became popular, Changsheng Records had invited him again and again through Liao Liao, but he didn't even attend Liao Liao's million sales celebration party. After the new album of Wu Xing Wu Su sold well, Li Jinlong from Huage Records called to invite him to Shuntianfu immediately, representing the company. The high-level executives at Huage were eager to meet him, but in the face of such attention... Li Qian still politely declined with a nonchalant attitude.

  "I still have school, and the final exams are coming up soon. I don't dare to fall behind in class!"

  He said so.

  The news spread, and everyone knew that this guy was indeed preparing to study hard, at least for the next six months. Don't expect him to really come to Shuntian Prefecture and join the popular music industry's operation program.

  Some people are disappointed. Some are dissatisfied, and some even have opinions about Li Qian because of this. Some mock, some despise, but there are also those who secretly let out a sigh of relief...

  All major record companies are eager to have someone like Li Qian, after all, he has made three moves, each of which is stunning and impressive! His achievements are already strong enough to make even the most arrogant musicians take him seriously, but he doesn't want to debut. Or rather, even if he wanted to debut, only one company could get him, so what about the other record companies?

  Obviously not.

  It's always been said that no matter when, where or what time and space, there has never been a situation where someone can't function without a certain person.

  The domestic music scene has experienced 20 years of great development, whether it's because people love music or because they like fame and fortune. Countless musical talents have joined the industry one after another, and it won't be affected in any way just because there is no Li Qian anymore.

  With the success of Li-style Chinese flavor in "Unfinished Love", "Half a Jar of Silk" and "Rock Sugar Gourd", all major record companies knew that this approach was not bad, so if Li Qian didn't make a move, could other musicians play with Chinese flavor?

  With the popularity of "Dedication", "Wildflower" and "Cheers, Friends", some people may exclaim that the spring of rock music has arrived. Of course, there will also be those who disdainfully think that this so-called light rock is not worthy of being called rock at all. However, true insiders can quickly judge whether it's really the spring of rock music or not?

  Wrong!

  It's the spring of urban love songs!

  What is called rock, what is called light rock, are just the external forms of expression of those few songs. Their true core, the things that truly move people, are actually the love views and life views of contemporary urban men and women being sung out.

  So, can light rock music be used? Can other styles be used too?

  Perhaps the big-name singers will test the waters, and be as cautious as He Rongqing trying out Chinese style, but among newcomers and those second- and third-tier singers who are eager to make a name for themselves, there are some people who have no qualms at all, as long as the record company dares to produce it, they can immediately charge forward, hoping to ride this wave to overnight fame!

  Moreover, many people, even if they didn't believe it at first, with the huge success of songs like "Happy Baby", "Sisters and Brothers Stand Up" and "Heartbreak Frontline Alliance", just like their judgment on urban love songs, how could the big shots in the industry not see the arrival of the fast song era? Even more so, there are many people with broad vision who only need a few short days to start understanding: what's coming is not just the fast song era, but possibly also an idol era where you have to sell your face!

  That's just how things are sometimes!

  A circle, a country, a nation, without external stimulation, will always move forward slowly and steadily according to its own established pace. Even if it discovers a new direction, it will try tentatively and hesitantly. But once you inflict pain on it, when the stimulus is so strong that it cannot accept it at all, then an explosion begins.

  Now, it is obvious that Li Qian's nine songs simultaneously on the chart have played such a role.

  A 17-year-old boy, in just half a year, has successively made previously unknown Liao Liao and Wu Xing Wu Su popular, and to a large extent saved He Runqing's declining trend. This is not bad, but it's nothing yet.

  But at the same time, nine songs topped the charts!

  Is it that all those songwriters, composers, producers and big-name singers who dominated the music scene for many years can only add up to occupy one spot in the top ten of the Golden Melody Awards?

  How can one bear this?

  So, no one needs to mobilize anyone, and in fact, there won't be any fool who will shout out silly slogans like "Down with Li Qian" or "Refuse Li Qian's entry into the music scene". For Li Qian, a young genius who suddenly emerged in the second half of 1995, the entire pop music scene is roughly a feeling of surprise mixed with some resentment. However, for Li Qian himself, everyone is not rejecting him, but rather resentful that he has stolen the spotlight and the market.

  Then, at the beginning of 1996 in the Western calendar, before the Lunar New Year, with the continued hot sales of Wu Yue Ti's second album, the entire domestic music scene seemed to be extremely prosperous. Suddenly, it fell into a very quiet atmosphere, so quiet that it was unsettling, yet somehow giving rise to expectations.

  Compared with only a small number of people studying Li Qian's light rock and Chinese style before, now almost the entire domestic music scene is working hard to study his previously released 14 songs.

  Put aside the two works "Farewell" and "Moscow Suburbs in the Evening", which are either perfectly natural or full of exotic flavors, and it is easy for everyone to analyze that Li Qian's current works on the market can be roughly divided into four categories.

  One category is urban love songs, including Liao Liao's three songs and Wu Xusuo's "Love Bird".

  One category is fast-paced youth songs, mainly the three works of "Wu Su" from the Five Rings.

  One type is Chinese style, Liao Liao has one, He Runqing has one, and Wu Xing Wusu also has one.

  The last one is folk song, which includes the rural ballad represented by "My Hometown" and the children's song "Let's Row the Boat" - after all, they are all classified as folk songs.

  So, you see, the result is out now?

  Folk songs are not worth mentioning, and there are too many masters in the domestic music scene who are good at this. In fact, Li Qian's two folk song works, whether it is "My Hometown" or "Let's Row Together", are all excellent works, but they can't be said to be innovative.

  Although not anyone can write works of that level, but based on past works, the entire music scene is enough to qualify for a wrist-wrestling match with him in folk songs. At least two digits can be gathered.

  Then, Chinese style. To put it bluntly, it's nothing special, but the same principle applies - those who dare to say they can write well may not necessarily be able to, but as long as you work hard and make an effort... You have to know that this is China!

  In addition, urban love songs are even more numerous. It's worth noting that in the past decade, there have been many producers and singers trying to make a name for themselves in this genre. Although they may not have dominated the mainstream music scene, they still constitute a significant branch of the industry, having produced successful female artists like Zhou Fen.

  In short, there are also talented people in this category on China's music scene!

  Finally, yes, youth is fleeting.

  Okay, this has to be admitted, although the domestic music scene has been around for twenty years, but fast songs, truly successful examples, are really rare. Before "Sisters and Sisters Stand Up" became a huge hit, many people looked down on such works with rhythms that were too fast. The traditional idea was that classical composition methods had more flavor and atmosphere... because at that time, the mainstream of this market was folk songs!

  But it's not like there's no way out!

  Not even available domestically, can it still be unavailable internationally?

  The domestic pop music scene started late, but the popular music on the European and American side has been developed for decades, especially in the United States, which is simply a paradise for fast songs. We are not yet able to grasp the secrets of fast songs, but with so many talented people and so many big-name fast songs in the US, can't we learn from them?

  If all else fails, why don't we just buy someone else's composition and fill it with Chinese lyrics?

  …………

  In mid-January 1996, what ordinary people saw was the hot sales of the album "Sisters Who Daub Each Other", but what industry insiders with a keen eye saw was that in the entire Shuntian Prefecture and even the entire Chinese music circle, there were undercurrents surging, and various record companies large and small were making frequent moves.

  Meetings, all sorts of big and small meetings with various record companies, seem to have suddenly increased overnight.

  Before the Spring Festival, record companies began to frequently gather musicians who usually maintain a close cooperative relationship. They sat together and talked, although they couldn't speak freely. The top musicians and top managers in this circle sat together, and when the best music and brains collided, Li Qian's work was basically dissected, revealing its skin, bones, flesh, and heart!

  Then... goodbye!

  Before the Spring Festival, it was already a time for people in the industry to move around. It's just that this year, the actions of various companies have become much larger than before. According to small rumors circulating within the circle, some well-known musicians received a large number of song invitations with high prices - the only difference from the past is that many musicians who were not highly valued in the past but are good at writing ancient-style lyrics or urban love songs have received more attention and higher invitation fees!

  Unnoticed by the outside world, the wind direction is slowly changing.

  The entire Chinese music scene is abuzz with excitement!

  Of course, no one would think that this is targeting Li Qian or anything, it's really too much to lift Li Qian up, he's just a big boy who has only appeared for half a year and has only done a dozen songs! However, with the new album of Wu Xing Wu Su selling well, everyone understands one thing - this market seems to be heating up!

  Everyone is sharpening their knives. The goal is only one, that is to hurry in and follow the few paths opened up by Li Qian and make a big profit!

  And it was under such circumstances——

  In the general manager's office of Sony (China) Music Entertainment, Xie Mingyuan nodded slowly.

  "Are you sure that Wu Su's next album has already started planning?" He asked, holding the phone.

  On the phone, a voice said: "Confirmed! Absolutely confirmed! Mr. Xie, this is information that I got from an old friend with great difficulty, it's absolutely reliable! And according to my friend, currently even within Huage Records, there are no more than five people who know about this news! They probably don't want the girls from Wu Suo Wu to have conflicts with the company, after all they are now the cash cows of Huage. It is said that the price for their commercial performances has already been quoted at 300,000 yuan per show. And it's also said that during the recording of their album in Jinan, their relationship with Li Qian was quite good! So, it's said that within Huage Records, the proposal for their next album is being made under the name of collecting songs for new singers in the company.

  Xie Ming nodded, "From the current momentum, they have sold over 5 million copies of this album, it should be no problem! ... Fifteen percent, anyone would feel the pain! I estimate that Lao Huang and others also think that since the road has been paved, even if Li Qian is gone, their next album may not be as good as this one, but as long as they follow this path, the standard won't be too far off, and with their current momentum, they can still sell a few million copies, there's no need to continue giving Li Qian such a large share!"

  On the other end of the phone, the person chuckled and said: "He Runkui took a 'Half Jar of Silk' from that side and succeeded. Hasn't he been collecting Chinese style in the circle recently? To put it bluntly, as long as there is an alternative, no one will be stupid enough to deliver themselves to be slaughtered!"

  Xie Mingyuan laughed upon hearing this and nodded his head. He said: "Alright then, I understand now, thank you!"

  He hung up the phone after a couple of pleasantries and immediately furrowed his brow in deep thought.

  A few minutes later, he got up and walked slowly in his office, looking very worried and indecisive. During this time, his assistant came in to ask him to sign some documents, and although he signed them, he still looked distracted.

  It wasn't until several dozen minutes later that he finally let out a dejected sigh.

  He lightly tapped the paper with his name, address and phone number on the office desk and muttered to himself: "Forget it, let's bear it a little longer! It's not time yet!"

  He paused, raised his hand to smooth out his hair, and suddenly burst out laughing. He continued to mutter to himself: "Young man, although I'm anxious in my heart and would like to pull you over right now, but with your personality... I at least have to wait until you realize that you're not indispensable or irreplaceable before I can talk to you!"

  After finishing speaking, he glanced at the information on the card again and smiled: "However, I believe it won't take long, half a year? Or a year?"

  He smiled and stood up, instantly regaining his usual dignified demeanor.

  He pressed the intercom button and slowly said to his assistant, "Get in touch with Zou Wenhuai's side and tell him that if it's convenient for him, I'd like to meet Zhou Niang this afternoon. Also, don't forget to tell him that I said this - the domestic music scene is so chaotic right now, those two iron-clad partners can't be idle anymore!"

  P.S: Ah, you didn't read wrong, this is indeed a 6,000-word long chapter! In order to make it enjoyable and smooth for everyone to read, I've split the chapter into several parts!

  Oh, right, I didn't say that this would be split into two chapters, although the word count is enough for two chapters. However, today's three updates, this is just the first one!

  Isn't it sincere enough? Can't you vote for it?