Chapter 137 - 10 Moving Refusals

On August 28, the “Singing China” National Finals Competition ended.

The first season of Beijing Satellite TV’s first reality show program was a complete success, with a rating of 6.87% that night.

Although not able to break the 7% record, Beijing Satellite TV has been very satisfied. It is not only scheduled to produce the second season next year, but they also revealed a surprising news on their official blog.

That is, the champion of the first season will serve as a judge of the second season, and this will become a customary rule!

And the champion of the first season of “Singing China” is Lu Chen.

The news has made Lu Chen’s number of fans in Inspur Blog soar, and brought him substantial benefits.

Lu Chen Studio received two performance business and an advertising agency inquiry, and a brokerage company that had previously contacted once again came to buy songs.

In addition, there was an interview request with Lu Chen from QQ Music!

Therefore, Lu Chen not only didn’t become idle because “Singing China” has ended, instead he became busier.

But before dealing with these businesses, Lu Chen must first receive a very important guest.

Lin Zhijie, a famous musician, and Flying Stone Records’ music director.

He is also one of the four judges of “Singing China”.

And he came on behalf of Flying Stone Records.

In the Blue Court Café on the top floor of Jinghua Hotel, adjacent to the Blue Sky Business Park, Lu Chen and Lu Xi received the distinguished guest, along with two of his assistants.

“Lu Chen, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider it again?”

Lin Zhijie asked seriously, his attitude is very serious: “Such an opportunity, it would be a pity to miss it!”

The music director of Flying Stone Records is in his forties. He is tall, thin and has a solemn face and does not like to talk much.

In the domestic pop music world, Lin Zhijie is not famous outside the circle, but almost everyone inside the circle knows him.

He used to be an excellent singer-songwriter. Later, he secretly joined Flying Stone Records, producing several big-selling albums for a number of stars. He is known for his high ability and rigorous working attitude.

Lu Chen got acquainted with Lin Zhijie because of “Singing China”. Lin Zhijie appreciated Lu Chen’s creative talent very much, so he personally invited Lu Chen to join his company.

In Lin Zhijie’s view, Lu Chen signing with Flying Stone Records is an excellent thing for both parties.

However, Lu Chen politely refused.

With Lu Chen’s refusal, he has also refused the new star training fund worth 4 million!

The prize for the Champion of “Singing China” is 5 million, but it is divided into 1 million cash and 4 million new star training fund.

1 million after-tax bonuses were provided by Beijing Satellite TV, plus the winning bonuses from six competitions and the chief bonus from Beijing Singing area. Lu Chen has won a total of 1.4 million throughout the whole competition. (TN: 6 competitions from 6 singing areas)

And it’s all after tax!

Beijing Satellite TV could be said to have spent a lot of money, but compared to their advertising revenue, that is only a drop in the bucket.

The champion’s 4 million new star training fund was even more amazing, and the one that provided it was not Beijing Satellite TV, but Flying Stone Records!

But this is not a fund that can be directly obtained. It belongs to a whole set of artist training, packaging, promotion costs. And first of all, one has to sign an artist contract with Flying Stone Records.

Flying Stone Records is the partner of Beijing Satellite TV’s “Singing China”. This clause was made clear when the program was publicized, so there was no issue with deception.

If it were any other ordinary newcomer, this would be nothing serious. It is a dream to be able to sign up with Flying Stone Records!

Flying Stone Records is one of the most famous record companies in China. In its most glorious period, it can be regarded as the leader of the record industry.

At that time, the company had a number of Heavenly Kings and Queens. At least one-third of the big-selling albums sold in the 1980s and 1990s were produced by Flying Stone Records.

Its logo – a golden stone with white wings, was familiar to countless people.

However, after entering the new century, with the rise of a large number of new media, the maturity and wide spread of digital music, coupled with the huge impact of online piracy, the golden age of the recording industry is gone forever!

Since 2003, the management of Flying Stone Records has encountered unprecedented difficulties, once faced with the verge of bankruptcy.

Until 2007, when Superstar Culture Media invested in Flying Stone Records, replaced their conservative and complacent senior managers, and followed the trend of the times to expand various business, the famous company was finally pulled back from the edge of the cliff.

Nowadays, Flying Stone Records’ influence in the industry is far less than in its glorious period, but it is still a first-class company.

This cooperation with Beijing Satellite TV shows the ambition of Flying Stone Records.

It has successfully signed a number of strong singers, including Mu Xiaochu, who has a good relationship with Lu Chen.

But Lin Zhijie believes that those signed singers can’t be compared to one Lu Chen!

So, he came to make a final effort.

Lu Chen was really moved by Lin Zhijie’s sincere attitude. It must be known that the other party’s position in the circle is not comparable to that of a small newcomer. Moreover, neither Beijing Satellite TV nor Flying Stone Records has not set a hidden rule threshold in the “Singing China” competition, which made him won the championship smoothly.

Many talent shows are co participated by entertainment agencies to train and discover new talent. Once they find a good seedling, they will right away ask them to sign contracts. If the contestant does not sign the contract or has already signed another company, then wanting to stand out in the competition is just a fool’s dream.

In the past, Xiangnan Satellite TV would play this trick most, and many excellent contestants were poached. It was only after this was disclosed a number of times that this was restrain.

He was just merely moved with emotion, Lu Chen’s determination to be an independent artist remained unchanged.

His career is in its infancy and is about to vigorously develop. It’s not worth it to start again with Flying Stone Record. Even with the so-called 4 million new star training fund as the foundation, it’s not worth the loss.

“Director Lin, I have already considered it very clearly…”

Lu Chen said with embarrassment: “I don’t want to sign up with any record company or agency. I’m really sorry.”

“That’s really regrettable.”

Lin Zhijie felt that it was really a pity, just like a master craftsman who sees good quality materials but could not afford it.

However, the music director of Flying Stone Records was not angry or upset. He is not so narrow-minded.

But Lin Zhijie’s two assistants were more or less disapproving.

Have you made a mistake? Such a good opportunity but you didn’t want it. What’s going on in your head?

It is unknown how many newcomers outside want to break their heads and get in, let alon Lin Zhijie’s admiration.

If it weren’t for Lin Zhijie not saying anything, both assistants would like to teach Lu Chen how to be a qualified newcomer!

Newcomers nowadays really don’t know the complexity of things. (TN: Like immensity of heaven and earth.)

“I’m really sorry!”

Lu Chen apologized again with his hands together.

Lin Zhijie smiled magnanimously, waved his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. There will be opportunities for cooperation in the future.”

Of course, he just said a polite word and was ready to leave.

But Lu Chen’s eyes lit up as soon as he heard this, and immediately said, “Director Lin, I really have a business that I want to work with your company. Can I have a few more words with you?”

Lin Zhijie was about to get up. Hearing Lu Chen’s words, he sat down again: “Let’s hear about the business.”

The two assistants looked at each other and could only sigh that Lin Zhijie was really generous.

Is Flying Stone Records still short of Lu Chen’s business?

Having been rejected twice before, Lin Zhijie not only did not get angry, but also gave him a chance.

This really makes one speechless.

“Director Lin, it’s like this…”

At this time, it was the elder sister’s turn to tell Lin Zhijie the most important business of Lu Chen Studio.

After listening carefully, Lin Zhijie was surprised: “Do you want to give Lu Chen’s first album to us, Flying Stone Records, for production and distribution?”

Lu Xi said with a smile, “Yes, because in this respect, Flying Stone Records is the best in China. It’s also our luck for Lu Chen to get to know Director Lin.”

Although his sister’s personality is a little stubborn and cold, she can also say words that are pleasant to hear, and she says them very well.

The importance of this album to Lu Chen was self-evident.

In the pop music scene, if a singer wants to produce a record, Flying Stone Records is undoubtedly the best channel, there is no one else.

Whether it is industry influence or network resources, they are considered as the leader.

Although it is said that today’s entertainment industry is taking the idol route, that a record is only to improve the demand, and it can also take the channel of online sales, and does not necessarily need to rely on professional record companies such as Flying Stone Records.

However, there is still a demand in this area. Many people in the 80s and 90s have nostalgic complex. If they encounter their favorite singer releasing an album, they will buy a CD as a commemoration and listen to it in their spare time.

As a result, Flying Stone Records has always been engaged in record production and distribution, but on a much smaller scale than it used to be.

In other words, what Lu Chen Studios wants to cooperate with was only a small business.

Lin Zhijie was very curious: “Why do you want records? Is it not good to go online? That way, the cost will be much lower, and you don’t have to worry about not being able to sell and lose money. Now, nine out of ten, CDs will make you lose money.”

Singers used to make money selling records. Now, it’s fans’ economy. If they rely on records, they will starve to death!

Lu Xi said with confidence: “We are going to release through online and CD at the same time. It is mainly for sale in the fan circle. If possible, I would like to visit your production department to face-to-face discussion.”

“I just need your help with the introduction.”

Compared with Flying Stone Records, Lu Chen Studio is simply weak. If no one is to recommend them to come directly to the door, perhaps the other party will not take them seriously, and who knows how much trouble there will be.

Lu Chen has already made an album sales plan, and has discussed it many times with Lu Xi beforehand.

Regarding her brother’s idea, Lu Xi very much admired it.

Seeing the brother and sister so confident made Lin Zhijie secretly sigh.

However, he was still willing to help with this small favor, so he asked his assistant to take out a business and give it to Lu Xi.

“Take my card and go directly to Manager Yin Haoyin in the marketing department of our company. He will help you.”

Lu Chen and Lu Xi looked at each other and said in unison, “Thank you, Director Lin!”