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We are entering the final arc! I can’t believe this series will be ending soon…
When they terminated the contract, it was Wang Meican who handled it. The two parties reached an agreement and there was no dispute, so it was handled quickly and without any trouble.
After Wang Meican was done, she stopped by to visit Fu Jinxiao, who had filming activities in other places. “Suisui’s contract has been terminated, and Hu Kaiyue is very straightforward, and he didn’t ask for any compensation.”
Fu Jinxiao sat in the lounge with closed eyes. Despite looking like that, Wang Meican knew that the actor paid full attention to her.
The little assistant Feifei came over and handed him a cup of coffee, and the man lazily responded after sipping it a bit, “He is very generous indeed.”
Everyone in the entertainment circle knew that Hu Kaiyue was a very unyielding, stubborn man. Normally, he wouldn’t even have an agreement before he decisively terminated contracts with people he didn’t like. He also had a high pride, and wouldn’t take any embarrassment without a severe retaliation.
Wang Meican chuckled and said, “Isn’t that right? What’s stranger is that he even gave up his exclusive recording studios in Hengtong Building, saying that we can use them later.” Fu Jinxiao paused.
His lazy aura immediately dissipated, sharpened to a point of danger. He took his time to reply, “We have our own recording studio, when is it his turn to send favors?”
Wang Meican hesitated, but decided to tell the truth: “Isn’t this related to Zhang Chi? Maybe it’s because he wants to compensate for that mess.”
“–But I heard…” Wang Meican glanced at him quietly, coughed lightly and gossiped, “I think, he had some… favorability to Suisui. When terminating the contract, he kept saying that he hoped they will have future cooperation, and Suisui can come to him anytime should he face any musical difficulties.”
Fu Jinxiao snorted in disdain.
The room’s temperature dropped according to his now-chilly mood.
Wang Meican realized that he was upset. She asked, “It seems that Suisui didn’t tell you these things, so you don’t need to be angry. This child definitely doesn’t care about Hu Kaiyue at all.”
It’s still an uncomfortable truth, but thinking about Fu Jinxiao’s age and status, she hoped that the actor wouldn’t mind too much…
“What? Do you think I’m angry?” A kind smile appeared on Fu Jinxiao’s face, but it was incongruous with his freezing eyes. He put the deformed coffee cup on the table, his smile still uncomfortably wide. “Do you think I look angry?”
Little assistant Feifei: “…”
‘I dare not reply to that.’
The next day, Shen Xingsui prepared his new song. He didn’t use Hu Kaiyue’s recording studio in Hengtong Building. Wang Meican found him a new recording studio, which was dedicated to Fu Jinxiao before, and all the equipment in it was top-notch.
Shen Xingsui once asked: “Wang-jie, I heard that Mr. Fu’s recording studio is exclusive for his use alone. Is it okay for me to use it?”
To which Wang Meican reply with a long sigh: “Suisui, you’re too young to understand.”
Shen Xingsui: “…”
‘Okay then…?’
Although Shen Xingsui was good at composing and writing lyrics, he didn’t know how to record songs or produce them. He often had to learn from the music director on another floor and study together.
The lyrics and composition of this song were very bold, not a part of the mainstream of the market. So from the beginning, he didn’t have the mentality that it would become a popular song. He just hoped that this song could be released to a positive reception.
The production went as well as it could be. Shen Xingsui was the composer, so he knew how to sing it according to his vision. It was clean and powerful, although rather clumsy. Thankfully, it was very emotionally infectious, easily bringing the listeners to the intended mood.
The first part was depressing and sad, like withering branches blooming in grief. In the second part, the desolate soil seemed to sprout hope, breaking out of the ground with the dawning sun. It’s a very simple song, but it made the whole recording studio very quiet.
The music producer smiled and said, “Young people these days… truly are good.”
“As expected of a lyricist who has worked with two kings in the Chinese music scene,” The music director shook his head and said, “He does have talents.”
When Shen Xingsui left the recording studio, he was followed by a man who looked very ordinary. He had a mushroom cut and looked a little shy. “Hello.”
Shen Xingsui looked at him suspiciously.
“Oh, my name is Zhang Sansan, and I’m a film director,” Mr. Mushroom Head handed him his business card, saying, “I just happened to hear your new song in the recording studio. I really like it, so I think…”
Watching quietly, Shen Xingsui took him seriously, despite him not being well-known and looking more like a fresh college graduate. The director’s words were quite messy, full of stumbles, but very sincere, “I am preparing an indie movie. I think your song is really suitable for our story. If possible, can I buy the copyright of this song? Although I don’t have a lot of money…”
Shen Xingsui asked, “What movie?”
With this question, Zhang Sansan’s shy gaze gained boldness – it shimmered as his lips curled up in a smile, “The movie is called “Lonely City”. It is a script I wrote myself. Here you go, you can read it.”
Shen Xingsui got the script and only read the first two pages. Reading it, he was a little surprised, “This is… a romantic same-sex story?”
Zhang Sansan nodded shyly, “Yes, this is an ancient-setting movie. It’s my own creation.”
Shen Xingsui hesitated, “But I haven’t heard anything about a same-sex romance film lately. Even if it is broadcast, the ratings and popularity may not necessarily be good. Do you really want to film it?”
“I want to at least try it,” Zhang Sansan’s answer was very firm, “And I’m very confident in my own story.”
Shen Xingsui smiled lightly. Love, the most fundamental thing in life, became something that was judged as “improper” when it came to the same-sex variant. With a movie like “Lonely City”, this felt like two underdogs trying to support each other.
“Okay, I’ll go back and have a look,” Shen Xingsui agreed to give him a chance, “I’ll give you an answer later.”
Zhang Sansan was overjoyed. He didn’t expect Shen Xingsui to agree to his request, and immediately stretched out his trembling hand. “Okay, okay. Yes, I look forward to your reply, and I hope we can cooperate.”
At this time, Zhang Sansan still wasn’t the great director who reached “God” status because of the success of the “Lonely City”.
He was still immature and shy.
–But everyone had to start somewhere.
Shen Xingsui also smiled in return. “You are welcome, I am also very interested in this script.”
On the way back, Shen Xingsui never thought that he would be attracted by the story of a script, let alone be obsessed by it. The story wrangled a bucket of tears from him.
The plot of “Lonely City” was wonderfully written. The two male protagonists’ love was palpable even through subtle means. The repressed and firm feelings in the troubled times tightly hold Shen Xingsui’s heartstrings. He finished reading the script in one night… and gave him insomnia.
Early in the morning, Zhang Sansan received a call.
“Hello?”
“Director Zhang?” Shen Xingsui said in a hoarse voice, “I agree to donate my song “Broken Earth” to “Lonely City”.”
Zhang Sansan was very happy. “Really?”
Shen Xingsui hesitated a moment before replying, “But… I have a request.”
Zhang Sansan was a bit confused and suspicious. “W-what is it?”
“Can I audition for the role in your film?” Shen Xingsui liked the script very much, to the point he wanted to experience it first-hand, “Although I have no experience in acting, I really want to immerse myself in this story…”
Zhang Sansan was ecstatic. He hurriedly replied, “Of course it is possible! To be honest, no one is willing to audition for this, so it would be great if you want to try!”
Shen Xingsui said with a smile, “Okay, then we will discuss the details with my agent. Can we make an appointment?”
Zhang Sansan hastily agreed, but he remembered something vital. After thinking for a short moment, he decided it’s better to be honest now. “Actually, there is no problem on my side… In order to film this, I sold my house and my car, and then rented the venue and equipment, and uh… the total cost was…”
It didn’t take a genius to understand what Zhang Sansan meant. Shen Xingsui hesitated, but still said, “It’s okay, my agent is easy to talk to, you can just pay a normal salary.”
“Ahem” Zhang Sansan tried to hide his embarrassment, “What I’m afraid of is… that… even a normal salary is… not possible.”
Shen Xingsui fell into deep thought, he was silent for a moment, and said softly, “Then you should say the number first, so I’m mentally prepared to see if Wang-jie can accept it.”
Zhang Sansan held back for a long time, and finally spoke, “3000 yuan1about 420 USD… a month. Do you think it’s acceptable?”
“…”
Now it’s Shen Xingsui’s turn to be silent.
1about 420 USD…