Director Lu's face stiffened slightly, and he said,
"Alright, give Xiaoyan as much screen time as possible, and arrange a better ranking for her."
Sun Xuan nodded, "No problem."
Even if Sun Xuan was upright, he couldn't completely disregard the sponsor's wishes.
A predetermined champion was definitely out of the question. Hundred Praise Singer was scheduled to record ten episodes with dozens of singers, and there was no way Xiaoyan would be the champion.
The champion had to be credible, otherwise, wouldn't his reputation, Sun Xuan's golden signboard, be affected? He still wanted to aim for CCTV, of course he wouldn't joke with his own future.
Xiaoyan, arm in arm with Director Lu, left. Before leaving, she glanced contemptuously at Lin Chudong.
Big Fei had been quite famous lately, but even with fame, what good was it if he didn't cozy up to capital? He still wouldn't have a future.
Sun Xuan said, "Alright, Big Fei, hurry up and take a photo. We'll produce the poster tonight and record tomorrow."
"Okay!"
After the poster was shot, Magic City TV Station began to announce the program that evening.
"The Hundred Praise Singer will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The first episode's guest lineup is as follows."
"Cool Music Band, Flower Without Fruit Band, Xiaoyan, Yang Han…"
"A total of eight contestants, each with an original song. They will be scored by the Hundred Praise Group, and the highest score wins. The new song will be promoted on all platforms!"
After the official announcement was released, it immediately caused quite a stir.
"Another music show to watch! And there are even online singers this time? Aren't they going to get crushed by the professional singers?"
"Not necessarily. The Hundred Praise group this time are all bloggers or producers from various short video platforms. They prefer popular online songs, so the professional singers might not win."
"Big Fei is in it this time! It's Big Fei's first time on a variety show, I'm so looking forward to it!"
"Second time, you forgot about the Nine-Turn Intestines last time?"
"That was just a passerby, this is the real deal. Big Fei is known as a musical genius. With this lineup, there's no doubt he'll win the first season, right?"
"Don't overestimate Big Fei. He might not be able to beat these online singers."
"Xiaoyan has a higher chance of winning. Xiaoyan, she can be salty and sweet!"
"..."
Xiaoyan bought a lot of internet trolls, and the online buzz was high.
And Big Fei's fans were also numerous now, with many people anticipating his new song.
The momentum from "Loyalty to the Nation" hadn't faded yet, and they were curious about what kind of classic songs Big Fei could create next.
From "Chengdu," to "Guest," to "Loyalty to the Nation," each song was a classic. The more you listened, the more you got hooked, genuinely feeling the power and emotion of the music. This was the kind of songs a musician should write.
Under the official Weibo account of "Hundred Praise Singer," the highest calls for support were for Xiaoyan, who paid for internet trolls, followed by Big Fei.
After all, there was a hot topic before, 'Big Fei to the Spring Festival Gala.' The audience was hoping for Big Fei to perform at the Spring Festival Gala, so wouldn't he win the championship in this small music show? …
Back at the company, as soon as Lin Chudong entered, Chen Jianguo quickly walked over and said.
"Big Fei, I interviewed a young man. Do you want to take a look?"
Lin Chudong asked, "What's the situation?"
Chen Jianguo said, "He's competent. He's a professional, from Kyoto Music Academy. His technique is fine, but..."
Chen Jianguo pointed to his temple. "Something doesn't seem right up here."
Lin Chudong was taken aback. "Huh? Bring him out and let's see."
"Okay."
Chen Jianguo went to the gym room and waved his hand.
A young man in his early twenties walked out. He had a neat, short haircut, delicate features, was about 1.75 meters tall, and was slender. Overall, he looked a size smaller than Big Fei and was quite handsome.
The young man saw Big Fei and immediately greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, Big Fei! My name is Guo Xiaoliang."
"As the saying goes,
Mountains and rivers are beautiful in the morning sun,
A cool breeze caresses the face, and the heart is cool.
Playing the zither, drinking tea, wandering the rivers and lakes, Only I, Guo Xiaoliang of the Capital!"
"Greetings, everyone!"
Liang Yin: …
Chen Jianguo: …
Lin Chudong: …
Chen Jianguo turned and glanced at Lin Chudong, raising an eyebrow. Now he understood what was meant by "brain problems," right?
Lin Chudong said, "Ahem, well, the poem was pretty good. Let me test you out. Have you heard my songs?"
Guo Xiaoliang said, "Of course I have. Should I do 'Chengdu'? My 'Chengdu' is super good."
"'Chengdu' is too simple. How about 'Preference'? You'll have to figure out the chords on the spot."
"Preference" had just been released yesterday, and the guitar tabs weren't out yet, so this was a good chance for Guo Xiaoliang to show off his chord-figuring skills.
Old Chen was good at figuring out the main melody, while Guo Xiaoliang was applying for the rhythm guitarist position, which required a good ear for harmonies.
Guo Xiaoliang opened his phone and started playing "Preference," picked up a guitar, and began improvising the accompaniment.
His left hand switched chords very quickly, using some very advanced and difficult chords. His right hand also used many strumming techniques. As Old Chen said, his skill level was sufficient.
Lin Chudong also nodded in satisfaction. The sight-reading and ear training of the rhythm guitarist were more important than for the others.
Their guitar skills didn't necessarily need to be that high, they didn't need to study the fingerboard scales so intensely like Old Chen.
But rhythm guitarists had high demands on their hearing. Not everyone was born with perfect pitch, but many people could train their perfect pitch through sight-reading and ear training.
At the very least, you needed to be able to instantly recognize the several harmonies in a certain key.
"Okay, what are your salary requirements?"
Guo Xiaoliang said, "Hehe, I require five insurances and one housing fund, a basic salary of five thousand, and a performance fee of two hundred or more per performance."
Lin Chudong nodded, "Okay, boss lady, sign the contract. Implement the five insurances and one housing fund as soon as possible."
"Mm!"
Liang Yin got to work quickly. Guo Xiaoliang's price was probably the lowest, but that's how it was for rhythm guitarists. The competition was fierce, leading to industry involution and low wages.
Many people learned to sing and play, wanting to be lead vocalists. But in the end, their vocal cords weren't up to par, so they switched to being rhythm guitarists. There were tons of musicians like that.
If he was good enough, Liang Yin wouldn't mistreat him when it came to performance fees.
Besides, he had just graduated, what more could he ask for!
"Old Chen, give him the music sheet. Have him practice; he'll be on the show tomorrow."
Seeing several "strokes" written on Guo Xiaoliang's guitar, Lin Chudong asked.
"What do these strokes mean?"
Guo Xiaoliang was a bit embarrassed and chuckled, "Big Fei, I use these to confess to girls while playing guitar. I make a mark every time I get rejected."
Lin Chudong: …
Wow, more than a dozen "yeses," and he's been rejected dozens of times? This guy is a persistent loser, a real never-say-die type.
"Sing a bit for me to hear."
Guo Xiaoliang cleared his throat, looked at Jia Lu with adoration in his eyes, and began strumming his guitar with his right hand. His singing then began.
"Throw yesterday away, now you're in front of me..."
Those two lines immediately changed Jia Lu's expression.
"I beg you, stop singing! Don't ruin Big Fei's song!"
Liang Yin's lips twitched. She had heard people sing badly before, but never this badly.
It's not uncommon for musicians to be tone-deaf; singing talent primarily relies on natural ability, and even those with perfect pitch can be terrible singers.
Jia Lu covered her ears and scurried back to the office, as if her ears had been contaminated by something vile.
Guo Xiaoliang sighed deeply, dragging his pick across the guitar strings again.
"My handsomeness, they'll never understand."
"Heaven didn't give birth to me, Guo Yingjun,
The world's handsome men lack a suitable match.
Beauties abound, yet lack sight,
How can they know the universe within my heart!"
Wang Zhi stepped forward and patted Guo Xiaoliang's shoulder, saying.
"Great poem!"
"I get it. I'm the same way. Clearly a handsome man, but not appreciated by the ladies. I understand you."
Guo Xiaoliang was stunned. "As a bassist, you really don't deserve a girlfriend."
Wang Zhi: …
Can we still have fun playing together?
So, the bassist is at the bottom of the food chain, huh?
-----------------------
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