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After the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, companies big and small in Capital City were back in business.
Flying Stone Records was no exception. However, red banners reading "Happy Spring Festival" still hung in the entrance hallway on the ground floor, and a long row of bright red lanterns added a festive vibe. Remnants of red firecracker fragments littered the floor.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er arrived together, greeted personally at the door by Lin Zhijie and a vice president from Flying Stone Records.
This kind of reception made Lu Chen quietly suspicious.
He and Chen Fei'er were friends with Lin Zhijie, often in contact and very familiar with Flying Stone Records. This wasn't their first visit. Even with Lu Chen's rising status, did it really warrant such a formal and grand welcome?
"Where there's courtesy, there must be a request," Lu Chen thought, smiling as he said, "Brother Lin, why are you treating us so formally? If this keeps up, I'll be embarrassed to visit next time!"
Chen Fei'er laughed too, "Yeah, Brother Lin, you're way too polite."
Lin Zhijie chuckled, "Not at all, not at all. You two are our first distinguished guests of the year, so of course we have to be a bit grand. I haven't congratulated Lu Chen yet for winning Best Newcomer and Best Composer, missing that at the awards last night was really a pity!"
As the music director at Flying Stone Records, Lin Zhijie was qualified to attend the Asian Chinese Music Awards ceremony, but he had just returned from abroad yesterday and couldn't make it.
Of course, congratulations were still timely.
Lu Chen smiled, "Thank you."
The group chatted and laughed as they entered the conference room at Flying Stone.
Because Chen Fei'er had given prior notice, Flying Stone had prepared in advance. The room was already filled with core members of the record company, and on the wall-mounted LCD screen were the words: "Chen Fei'er New Album 'Flower Woman' Production Meeting."
When Lu Chen, Chen Fei'er, and the others came in, the Flying Stone elites all stood up to greet them warmly.
Flying Stone took Chen Fei'er's transformation album very seriously. They aimed to make a strong start in 2016, so they assembled a lean, efficient team led by Lin Zhijie to handle the album's production and distribution.
Flower Woman was the album's title track, tailor-made by Lu Chen for Chen Fei'er, and was planned to begin MV shooting and pre-release promotion next week.
Today's meeting focused on discussing the album's production, promotion, and other logistics. Since Chen Fei'er had her own independent workshop and had outsourced the album to Flying Stone, many coordination issues were expected.
Plus, with Lu Chen joining, all aspects required careful alignment.
Attending the meeting besides Lu Chen, Chen Fei'er, and Lin Zhijie were producers, songwriters, composers, studio staff, promotion teams, and others from Flying Stone.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours with a friendly, lively atmosphere.
Lu Chen didn't say much, but no one dared to ignore him. He was responsible for composing half of the album's songs and was also co-composer and co-producer. His role was even more significant than Lin Zhijie's.
After the meeting, Lin Zhijie took Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er to his office.
The Flying Stone music director personally brewed coffee for them.
The coffee was excellent, rich and aromatic, curiously lacking bitterness, and remarkably smooth.
Though not a coffee connoisseur, Lu Chen could tell it was exceptional.
Chen Fei'er, more experienced in such things, was moved after a few sips: "Brother Lin, this is authentic Blue Mountain coffee, right?"
Lin Zhijie smiled, "That's right. I just brought it back from Japan, only two pounds. If you like it, take a pound with you when you leave."
Blue Mountain coffee is one of the world's finest coffees but also one of the most faked brands. In China, it's been cheapened to the point of being like bubble tea, any city coffee shop will offer "Blue Mountain" coffee for a few dozen yuan.
In reality, genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee's annual output is less than a hundred tons, mostly shipped to Europe and America, with very little imported into China.
Because the Japanese have invested heavily in the Blue Mountain coffee supply chain, they hold a significant market share. So, in Japan, you can still buy authentic Blue Mountain coffee, though it's marked up heavily.
"One pound?" Chen Fei'er smiled, "Brother Lin, you're too kind. If you have something to ask, just say it."
She was smart and could clearly tell Lin Zhijie had a favor to ask, hence the extra politeness.
"You can't hide it from Fei'er," Lin Zhijie said, embarrassed but smiling, "Actually, it's not really about me. I just wanted to ask Lu Chen if you have plans to shoot a new TV drama this year?"
Lu Chen instantly understood, Flying Stone Records had their eyes on his new drama project as well.
"Autumn in My Heart"'s massive success catapulted Lu Chen into one of the hottest stars in the film and TV industry within just a few months. This 20-episode urban romance drama premiered on Haijin Satellite TV and set the highest ratings record in recent years for similar TV plays, launching the careers of several newcomers, including Lu Chen himself.
For example, actors like Hu Yang, who played the first male supporting role Han Taixi, and Zhang Liwei, who portrayed the first female supporting role Cui Xinai, had both been in the industry for a while, but before 'Autumn in My Heart' aired, who had even heard of them?
Now, Hu Yang's commercial performances start at 200,000 yuan per show, brand endorsements bring in at least 3 million, and his market value has skyrocketed by dozens of times. He's constantly booked, making countless peers green with envy.
Child actors Zhang Junzhi and Ye Mingmei, who played young Junxi and Enxi respectively, also became overnight sensations at a young age.
As for the Qian De Brothers Film Studio, who invested in Autumn in My Heart, they've been thriving ever since.
The drama's success truly is a miracle, with significant influence both inside and outside the industry. When the first episode was rebroadcast simultaneously on Capital City TV and Zhedong Satellite TV, both channels' ratings surpassed 1%, proving the show's enduring popularity.
Given this situation, Lu Chen's new drama this year quickly became one of the hottest topics in show business circles. Many industry insiders believe it's very likely that Lu Chen will film a sequel to Autumn in My Heart.
After the New Year, Lu Xi and Lu Chen's workshop were overwhelmed with phone calls, requests for cooperation and artist recommendations poured in non-stop. Even many stars were inquiring about news through various channels.
Chen Fei'er also suffered her share of harassment, her relationship with Lu Chen was no secret in show business.
Flying Stone Records joining the buzz was nothing unusual.
Lu Chen joked, "Brother Lin, if you're going to ask me, shouldn't this coffee be a gift for me?"
Of course, Lu Chen was just teasing.
Lin Zhijie gave him a mocking glance, "Is there any difference between giving it to you or to Chen Fei'er? Really?"
Alright, no difference at all!
Lu Chen sighed, "The plan is to start preparations next month. If everything goes smoothly, filming will officially begin around April."
Lin Zhijie's eyes lit up, "Is it the sequel to 'Autumn in My Heart'?"
Lu Chen shook his head, "No, I'm not going to make a sequel. I'm working on a new drama."
Chen Fei'er immediately showed interest, "What's the story about?"
Lu Chen had told her he was going to film a new drama but hadn't shared any details or plot summaries.
Lu Chen smiled, "That's a secret for now. But this won't be a tragedy anymore, you'll still be the heroine."
Chen Fei'er rolled her eyes at him playfully but felt a sweet joy inside.
Because of concerns about unpredictable consequences, Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er hadn't publicly confirmed their relationship yet, nor did they plan to hide it forever. The best approach was to let their fans gradually accept their romance through subtle influence.
After 'Autumn in My Heart' aired, many fans already saw them as the perfect on-screen couple.
"Your career is growing bigger and bigger," Lin Zhijie sincerely remarked. As one of the original four judges on Singing China, he had watched Lu Chen rise to fame step by step.
The Flying Stone music director continued, "Your sister told me you're thinking of relocating the workshop?"
Lu Chen answered candidly, "Yes, I've merged with another music workshop and plan to build a high-spec recording studio. The current place is too small. If there's a suitable location nearby, that would be perfect."
"A man who makes music should definitely have his own recording room!"
Lin Zhijie laughed, "That's what my mentor once told me. I really envy you."
"You're lucky. I have a friend who runs a large art workshop here and is looking to transfer half the space. The sublease fee isn't cheap, but it's big enough for your new workshop."
"Is that good news?"
Lu Chen was pleasantly surprised, "Really?"
He hadn't expected to establish roots in the arts park here, the properties were extremely competitive, and there was almost no available space. Even sharing with someone else would be lucky.
Lin Zhijie was a professional, and if he said it would be enough, then it definitely was.
Lin Zhijie nodded, "Of course it's real. Coincidentally, my friend needs money now; otherwise, he wouldn't part with half his space."
"Better to strike while the iron's hot. Since you're here today, I'll take you there now to talk."
Lu Chen was grateful, "Thank you, Brother Lin. I really appreciate this."
He admired Lin Zhijie's tact, after asking if Lu Chen had plans to shoot a new drama, Lin Zhijie didn't immediately push ideas but instead offered help first.
If this deal went through, the favor would be owed.
Lin Zhijie's approach was subtle but effective, something Lu Chen felt was worth learning.
Of course, Lu Chen was very happy and deeply aware of how important networking was.
Without Lin Zhijie, he wouldn't have even heard about the space available for sublease, let alone had the chance to negotiate it.
(End of chapter)