Chарtеr 20: Sоng Рорular but Not thе Singеr? Stаr Роwer Value Вrеaks 150,000
“Xiаo Kui, whу аm I nоt thаt hарpу? I сlеarlу won. In mу imaginatiоn, I shоuld be lаughing triumphаntlу tо the skу аnd thorоughlу lооking dоwn оn Вai Хinyао.”
Under the witness of thе trust cоmpаnу аgеnt, Luo Qingxu rеtrieved “Моuntаin’s Тhoughts аnd Longings” аnd also gаinеd thе Вi Luо Xing Сhen jade nесklасе, yet she didn’t fееl аs eхcitеd as she hаd imаginеd.
Тhis isn’t right!
“It must be beсаuse Bаi Xinyао саlled mе а big fool!”
Yes! That must be it! I clеarlу wоn, уеt I still gоt insulted. Whо could stand thаt?
Alright, bеing cоaхed by Bai Xuanlu into joining the program does make me feel a bit guilty.
But it does seem like I might have wronged Bai Xinyao a little.
Forget about the process—the result is that I, Luo Qingxu, won! Bai Xinyao placing fourth just proves she isn’t strong enough!
No need to pity the enemy; the more miserable they are, the happier we are!
Xiao Kui: …
I don’t even need to comfort her; Luo Luo has already cheered herself up.
Working with an artist like this is truly a blessing I earned in my past life ().
“Luo Luo is the universe’s invincible wind-fire wheel, the best in the world!”
“Hahahahaha…”
The abstract, exaggerated praise made Luo Qingxu clutch her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
Once Luo Qingxu’s emotions settled, Xiao Kui got down to business.
“Luo Luo, there’s a meeting tomorrow you need to attend. Sister Jun, Manager Han from the Creative Department, and Manager Qu from the Artist Management Department will be there.”
“Now that sounds like a real grind. What’s the meeting about?”
“Mainly to discuss your department transfer and contract terms.”
Xiao Kui flipped through the meeting notice and reported clearly.
“Oh right, according to my contract, I’m actually a singer! If I transfer to the Creative Department, what level could I reach?”
Lately, she’d been so busy with the National Style Grand Prize that Luo Qingxu had almost forgotten she was a “singer.”
“According to company regulations, it should be the Silver level.” Xiao Kui thought for a moment before answering.
“What’s the internal promotion system like at Luo Shen?”
Luo Qingxu had never really understood it, mainly because she hadn’t cared before—she was just having fun!
Xiao Kui then explained the promotion levels and conditions within Luo Shen Media.
Bronze level, known as the rookie level, is where you start upon joining.
Silver level requires creating and having 5 repertoires adopted. There are exceptions—if even one song becomes a hit, you can advance.
Gold level requires creating and releasing 30 songs. (Note: The singer can be anyone.)
Platinum-Diamond level requires creating and having 80 repertoires adopted by singers at the second-tier or above. At this level, you can start accepting song requests from singers outside the company; before this, you can only supply songs internally.
King level, also known as the Hall of Honor level, is mainly determined by the influence of your work. Some people never reach this level in their entire lives.
The biggest difference between each level is the salary and the creative revenue share. Of course, the higher the level, the higher the salary and the larger the share.
“Ugh~ So complicated. I suddenly don’t feel like striving anymore. I just want to lie flat~”
Even though it’s her own family’s company, Luo Qingxu didn’t hold back with her complaints.
“Can I skip it tomorrow?”
“Probably not. If you don’t go, Sister Jun’s 40-meter-long blade will come slashing over immediately.”
Xiao Kui naturally felt a bit intimidated by her direct superior, let alone when Fei Jiajun was angry.”You can’t fight city hall. Whatever~ time for some gaming~~”
Leave tomorrow’s worries for tomorrow, today just enjoy the moment.
Immediately started calling up friends on WeChat.
“Bai Lin, you there? You there? Let’s rank up.”
“Lai Lai, let’s rank up, today I’m hitting King.”
Luo Qingxu had recently become obsessed with the mobile game “Glory Battlefield,” often teaming up with Bai Lin and one of the twin younger cousins, Luo Yuan, for trio matches.
His mid-lane mage skills were off the charts, climbing stars all the way to Star Glory I.
Today’s match was the promotion game. Random teams could be unreliable sometimes, so it was safer to stick with his regular gaming buddies.
That evening, after successfully reaching King rank, Luo Qingxu was satisfied and ready to sleep.
“Xiao Bi, Xiao Bi, check my Star Power Value.”
“Sure thing, Master. Your current Star Power Value is 159,376. Congratulations on breaking through the 100,000 mark.”
“With ‘Dragon Script’ being so popular, why is it only a little over 150,000? I already had 90,000 before. Xiao Bi, tell me, did you steal my Star Power Value?”
“Master, Xiao Bi doesn’t need to eat. Star Power Value mainly comes from your popularity…”
Blah blah, after Xiao Bi’s explanation.
Luo Qingxu finally understood that Star Power Value mainly depended on his own fame and such, and wasn’t directly related to how popular a song was.
Take “Dragon Script” for example—most listeners were there for Xie Jiayin. They knew the song was sung by Xie Jiayin, but didn’t pay much attention to the lyricist and composer, Luo Qingxu.
Wasn’t this a classic case of the song being a hit, but the person behind it not?
“As a music industry behind-the-scenes person, aren’t these conditions a bit too harsh for me?”
“Your feedback is very important to me. I’m sorry, Xiao Bi couldn’t solve your problem.”
That’s the familiar flavor! Still the same old recipe! I thought Xiao Bi had gotten a bit smarter lately, but it was just an illusion.
How difficult would it be to move from behind the scenes to the spotlight?
Lyricists and composers often remain unknown. The audience’s attention mostly focuses on the singers on stage, while rarely noticing the creative souls behind the scenes who meticulously craft the works.
So, how exactly should lyricists and composers break through this invisible barrier, making their names shine alongside their works under the spotlight?
…
“Compared to the ordinary Silver level, the salary and commission are 5% higher. These are the terms offered by the Creative Department.”
Han Changsheng, head of the Creative Department, pushed the documents in front of Fei Jiajun and Luo Qingxu, signaling them to take a look.
“Manager Han, I haven’t agreed yet to let Qingxu transfer to your Creative Department.”
Qu Xue, head of the Artist Management Department, tapped the table and said slowly, clearly opposing Han Changsheng.
“Manager Qu, I see Qingxu’s talent. Keeping him tied down in your department is a waste.” They were both old foxes—why play games?
“Our Qingxu’s singing is truly unique, how can you call it a waste? Besides, in my Artist Management Department, he can sing whenever he wants, with little pressure. Not like your Creative Department, where the workload is overwhelming—your hairpiece can barely cover that bald spot anymore.”
Han Changsheng: …
So annoying. Stick to the topic, why resort to personal attacks?
Oh wow! Manager Han’s hair looks so thick, turns out he’s cheating. Luo Qingxu curiously sized up Han Changsheng, almost trying to see through it.
“Qingxu, let’s ignore her. I promise, if you come to our Creative Department, the conditions at the same level will absolutely be the best.”Han Changsheng pulled Luo Qingxu aside, putting on an immature act of “we’re close, don’t take her seriously.”
“But I really, really, really love singing!”
Luo Qingxu’s tone was somewhat innocent, and that sincere voice instantly pierced Han Changsheng’s heart like a sharp blade.
“I’m really hurt! Sister Jun, you have to say something for me.” Han Changsheng pretended to be injured with a pitiful expression, clutching his chest. It was quite comical to see a grown man making such exaggerated gestures.
Fei Jiajun waved her hand, indicating she couldn’t help.
After a few rounds of back-and-forth between Han Changsheng and Luo Qingxu, with Qu Xue chiming in to lighten the mood and Fei Jiajun watching from the sidelines, Han Changsheng gritted his teeth and laid down his final offer.
“Loving to sing is no big deal. You can still sing in the creative department. How about this—I have good connections with the distribution department and can help release your new songs, the versions you sing yourself. But the condition is that you must consistently provide me with two new songs every month, and the quality absolutely cannot fall below the standard you showed during the Program.”
“Deal!” Having achieved her goal smoothly, Luo Qingxu agreed without hesitation, clean and decisive.
Fei Jiajun and Qu Xue exchanged a glance, both wearing knowing smiles on their faces.
By then, Han Changsheng understood perfectly well—he had clearly been set up by these three. Words spoken are like water spilled; it was too late to take them back now.
And so, singer-songwriter Luo Qingxu officially took up her post!