When Zhou Chen arrived at Lin Hongfei's studio, he was met with intense, unmistakable stares from the staff.
Are top-tier studios really this idle?
They actually had time to gawk at him?
Though, come to think of it, if they were actually busy, Lin Hongfei wouldn't have called him in to record a song today.
"Producer Lin."
"Mr. Zhou."
The two of them exchanged greetings.
Lin Hongfei wore his trademark deadpan expression, completely devoid of emotion.
Zhou Chen offered a friendly smile. With the boss pulling a face like that, was this studio about to go out of business?
Restrain yourself! Restrain yourself! You must restrain yourself!
Lin Hongfei silently reminded himself in his heart, before slowly saying, "That song of yours, Ten Years, isn't bad. It's even better that you could come to my studio to record it."
No—
It wasn't just "not bad"!
It was simply amazing!!
A masterpiece handed down through the ages was nothing less than this!!!
Being able to record it in his studio was practically the icing on the cake for the place!!!!
"Not bad at all, not bad at all," Zhou Chen chuckled dryly, keeping up polite appearances.
How thick-skinned could this guy be? He summed up Ten Years in just two words: "not bad"?
Why, this was an absolute must-sing track for everyone on Earth when they went to karaoke!
Sure enough, titles like "top-tier recording studio producer" that were hyped up by the industry still needed to be scrutinized carefully.
Should he just find an excuse and slip away?
While Zhou Chen was having second thoughts, Lin Hongfei was already growing impatient.
He couldn't wait another second!
"We can go record the song right now."
"There's really no rush—whoa!"
Before Zhou Chen could even finish his refusal, he was already shoved straight into the recording booth.
Just catching sight of the brand logos exposed on the equipment was enough to make Zhou Chen feel dazzled. Gear that looked utterly ordinary to an ordinary person burst forth with waves of golden light in Zhou Chen's eyes!
How should one describe this room?
It was like stepping into a house of gold!
Everything right in front of him was cold, hard cash!
If he as much as accidentally bumped into anything, it would cost five or six figures just to repair it!
This equipment truly lived up to its top-tier reputation.
Lin Hongfei sat inside the control room, pointing toward the recording booth within: "Let's begin."
He had absolute confidence: as long as Zhou Chen could deliver a steady performance, he could produce the complete song at lightning speed!
Was he really going to be this fast?!
Zhou Chen was startled by the sheer urgency.
He wanted to say something, but upon seeing Lin Hongfei wearing that stern, deadpan expression and glaring at him with reproachful eyes—as if silently asking what time he was wasting here—he instantly clamped his mouth shut, stepped into the recording booth, and picked up the headphones to put them on.
Following a cue to start in his headphones, Zhou Chen slowly closed his eyes.
"If those two words didn't tremble—"
A cappella was an extreme test of a singer's fundamental skills and vocal cords.
Lin Hongfei had initially worried that Zhou Chen's performance would be unstable if he sang right off the bat, but he simply couldn't wait any longer.
If worst came to worst, they could just sing it a few more times.
Yet the moment Zhou Chen opened his mouth, Lin Hongfei was instantly pulled right into the music.
He saw a pair of lovers who found it impossible to part, and he also saw the unyielding, decisive departure of one of them, followed by the eventual sense of release from the one left behind...
An unspeakable bitterness, a tangled mess of emotions.
The voice carried emotions even deeper than during the live stream.
He certainly hadn't misjudged him!
This song was bound to become a classic passed down through the generations!
And Zhou Chen's name would undoubtedly become an indelible presence deep within everyone's hearts!
"—wasn't shed for you, but for someone else."
With the final line sung, Zhou Chen waited inside the recording booth for Lin Hongfei's feedback.
Yet he waited and waited, but there was still not a sound from the control room.
Unable to help himself, he spoke up to prompt him: "Do you need me to sing it again?"
Having previously recorded everything alongside Zhao Min, he had grown accustomed to re-recording over and over again due to Zhao Min's minor mistakes in order to achieve the best possible result.
"You're done?" Lin Hongfei realized he had actually been drawn in and captivated by Zhou Chen's singing! He hadn't approached it with the objective attitude and professional detachment he usually used to pick apart and scrutinize someone else's vocals!
He had seen far too many singers, and it wasn't as if he had never heard top-tier vocal techniques; yet Zhou Chen was the only one who could completely immerse him in the entire song from start to finish!
It was utterly impossible to judge it with a professional eye.
"Wait for me just a moment."
He needed to listen to the recording once.
Facing a gold-medal producer like Lin Hongfei, Zhou Chen naturally had no objections. He stepped out of the recording booth and began to look around the studio, which he hadn't properly examined earlier.
This studio possessed a strong personal atmosphere, filled with various musical instruments that bore the traces of frequent use, and there was even a piano tucked away in the corner.
The intro to Ten Years had been played on that very piano.
At that moment, Lin Hongfei was still listening to the recording.
Driven by an impulse he couldn't control, Zhou Chen walked over to the piano, sat down, and gently tested a few notes.
As if operating under its own volition, a cascading string of notes flowed out.
Lin Hongfei listened to the vocals coming through his headset.
First-class voice.
First-class technique as well.
What was most extraordinary was the emotion woven into the song, which was all the more moving.
Even if he wanted to find fault, he couldn't pick out a single flaw.
Producing a song sung by someone with this level of genuine skill wasn't work; it was an absolute, thorough enjoyment.
Especially that piano accompaniment...
Wait, wasn't there only vocals in the headphones just a moment ago?
Where on earth was that piano music coming from?
Lin Hongfei removed his headphones and followed the sound with his eyes.
To his shock, there was Zhou Chen, sitting properly right in front of the piano, playing none other than Ten Years.
Tap! Tap tap!
His feet unconsciously began to keep time with the rhythm.
Indeed.
Compared to the sound of the guitar, the piano was a much better fit for Ten Years.
Lin Hongfei could no longer hold back his highest praise for Zhou Chen, and he started to applaud.
"It's a wonderful fit."
Of course it was.
This was the original work, after all.
Zhou Chen poured out his vision for the accompaniment he wanted to Lin Hongfei, drawing one exclamation of admiration after another from the producer.
He had heard of Wind and Moon Legend; Zhao Min, the one who was popular, had decent singing skills, and Zhou Chen's harmonies were good, but he completely lacked any presence.
Yet now, he discovered that Zhou Chen was simply a bright pearl covered in dust.
His vocal foundation was rock-solid.
Weren't people saying Zhou Chen was a parasite and a drag on the group?
Yet in Lin Hongfei's eyes right now, Zhou Chen—exhibiting his true strength—was completely a cut above Zhao Min, and didn't lose out in the least to those long-established veteran singers.
Not to mention, he was also a singer-songwriter who excelled in both writing and performing.
Such an all-around musician was truly too rare to find.
Without holding back, Lin Hongfei expressed his appreciation for him. Thinking of Zhou Chen's statement trending on social media, he asked, "You mentioned you're releasing a new album? How many tracks are you planning to arrange in total?"
"Twelve."
An album usually consisted of ten to twenty-five songs, and Zhou Chen's preparation of twelve fell right into the normal range.
"Have you picked out all the songs?" Many singers didn't write all their own tracks; instead, they purchased copyright licenses from their agency or music websites before completing the recording.
Zhou Chen shook his head. "I haven't finished writing them yet."
"You haven't—finished writing them?" Lin Hongfei's pitch shot up. "You're planning to write all twelve songs yourself?"
"That's right. Is that strange? Besides, I intend to finish writing them this month, record them next month, and release them as soon as the production is wrapped up."
After all, did he only have twelve songs in his head?
Lin Hongfei: "..."
Twelve songs!
And he was going to finish writing them this month?!
Record them and release them right away?
Which musician's album didn't take a year or two from preparation to release?
Yet Zhou Chen wanted to release one in the span of just a few short months!
If Zhou Chen could make every single song reach the heights of Ten Years, the music industry would definitely go crazy for him.
If the rest could maintain an excellent standard, he would carve out a solid place for himself in the industry.
Even if they only met a passing standard, a single Ten Years could still bring him endless popularity and hype.
Either way, Zhou Chen was going to make a killing.
And judging by Zhou Chen's confident demeanor, it was clear he truly believed he could make every single track a masterpiece!
"I'll produce it for you! My studio will handle this entire album for you."
Lin Hongfei made up his mind: if Zhou Chen could genuinely pull off making every track a masterpiece, then his studio would become the creator of a myth!
He was about to make history!
Lin Hongfei made a direct promise to Zhou Chen:
"As long as you record your album here with me, my studio will serve you wholeheartedly for these next three months! You can do whatever you want—you can even eat instant noodles right inside the recording booth! Just let me record your songs, and let me be the very first person to hear the music you create!"
"...Huh?"
Why on earth would he randomly eat instant noodles in a recording booth!
Wait, wasn't Lin Hongfei pulling a deadpan face just a moment ago? It was way too bizarre for him to suddenly get all warm and clingy like this!
Why was he starting to feel even more strongly that this studio was about to go under, hey?!
"I can record here, but I'll have to sell a house first."
A hint of helplessness crossed Zhou Chen's expression. He had originally planned to work and record his songs bit by bit, but hearing Lin Hongfei put it that way sparked an urge to knock out all the recordings here in one go.
Alas, his wallet didn't allow for it.
Three million.
It sounded like a lot.
But to hire a major producer like Lin Hongfei, would three million even come close?
Not to mention the daily studio rental fees and all the rest.
Selling his large apartment wouldn't even be enough, would it?
"...Huh?"
This time, the one left utterly dumbfounded was Lin Hongfei.
You have to sell a house just to record a song?
Even though Wind and Moon Legend was only a second-tier act, they were still very popular at the moment. Their earnings might not hit nine figures, but recording a song certainly shouldn't require selling a house!
Could it be...
Thinking of how a certain movie emperor's wife and manager in the entertainment circle had teamed up to hollow out the actor's finances, Lin Hongfei looked at Zhou Chen's deadpan face with a few traces of sympathy welling up.
Zhou Chen: "..."
He really didn't need to look at him like that, hey!
"It's fine, I can record this album for you for free." Out of a cherish for talent, Lin Hongfei thought for a moment and added, "But you have to promise that you won't write your songs carelessly. Don't try to fob me off with bubble-gum pop, or I'll block you and throw you out on your ear!"
For free!
Zhou Chen felt that Lin Hongfei must want something from him, but upon closer reflection, he had just divorced Zhao Min and only walked away with a tiny sliver of property. Given Lin Hongfei's net worth, the man wouldn't even deign to look at that little bit.
He was completely broke and unencumbered—what could Lin Hongfei possibly want from him?
Even if he wanted something, Zhou Chen didn't have anything to give!
As for Lin Hongfei's subsequent warning about not writing bubble-gum pop?
That was even more out of the question.
With so many great songs stored in his brain, what person in their right mind would write bubble-gum pop?
With that thought, Zhou Chen's mood instantly cleared up.
Only a fool passes up a freebie!
He immediately accepted Lin Hongfei's arrangement with a clear conscience.
With a top-tier producer like Lin Hongfei on board, the quality of his album would be able to ascend to even greater heights!
The two of them finalized the post-production details for Ten Years.
Seeing that the time was getting late and matters had already been arranged, Zhou Chen rubbed the space between his eyebrows, said goodbye to Lin Hongfei, and prepared to head back.
Even though Lin Hongfei was producing his album for free, a star had plenty of other expenses to worry about, and three million could only sustain his spending for a short while longer.
Before the new album was released, he needed to earn some money from other avenues.
Truly, a penny can beat a hero.
Zhou Chen left Feihong Studio with a heavy expression on his face, completely unaware of the various gazes the staff behind him were casting his way.
"Another star chewed out and sent packing, huh?"
"Tsk, and here I thought he had some real talent. Turns out he couldn't even last three hours under President Lin before leaving."
"Sigh, after all, this Zhou Chen only managed to get some fame because of his wife. That Zhao Min actually has a bit of genuine skill."
"Yeah, being able to coast and still pocket half the money—when it's that easy to earn, who bothers improving their own abilities?"
"President Lin must be deeply disappointed. Everyone behave yourselves in a bit and don't tick President Lin off."
"Understood!"
"..."
Amidst the chorus of discussion, Lin Hongfei walked out of the recording room.
He stood in the doorway and clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention:
"Put what you have in your hands on hold for now. Our main priority is to work on the post-production for this song, Ten Years."
"Have it done within five days, maintaining both quality and quantity!"
What?!
For a moment, everyone in the studio exchanged bewildered glances.
Zhou Chen wasn't kicked out after all? Instead, he had already finished recording his vocals!
Even for a powerhouse vocal talent like Heavenly King Liu, recording the vocals for a new song here would take three to five days, let alone someone like Zhou Chen!
Yet judging by Lin Hongfei's words, Zhou Chen had knocked out his vocals in three hours?
They had no idea that Zhou Chen had actually only sung it once, and the rest of the time was entirely wasted because Lin Hongfei had grabbed onto him and refused to let him leave!
Shock rippled through everyone's hearts, but constrained by Lin Hongfei's long-standing authority, they could only push those thoughts deep down inside.
However, when they saw Lin Hongfei's Weibo post, they completely lost their composure.
Lin Hongfei:
Discovered a treasure of a musician. It's truly hard to imagine how there could be someone in this world whose sensibilities match mine so perfectly.
Oh!
He is my muse! He is my god!
The staff: "..."
Save me!!!
Could you ever imagine a cold, frigid deadpan face—one that made you feel like he was about to curse you out just by looking at it—praising someone online?
And writing it like a glowing, rainbow-fart essay, no less!!!
Was this still their Boss Lin, the one whose sharp tongue had once driven a Queen of Pop to tears?!
Could he have had his soul swapped or something?!