Chapter 119 - 76: The "Forbidden Area" of the Past Life

Zhang Ning said today it was Chen Cang who called him over.

He mentioned finding a few pieces of music for Fang Huai’s reference.

Unexpectedly, while Zhang Ning and the others were resting, Chen Cang brought up wanting to buy songs.

The offer far exceeded Fang Huai’s expectations.

"Desert River Dance Hall," eight thousand.

Renminbi.

A song that in a previous life exploded with more than 2 billion clicks on Douyin, to think it would be traded for two 2007 iPhones, and still require an additional six hundred yuan.

"Too low," Fang Huai said, frowning as he stood up.

After thinking for half a day, he named his price at last, "One hundred thousand."

Originally, he had intended to sell a few songs, make a few million, and then let his old man start a business as he wished.

After all, making money from investments was his forte; he knew which companies would soar, when they would, and how they would—all too clearly.

With an entry ticket, making money wasn’t hard.

But then...

Eight thousand, he wouldn’t even make a few million from song selling by the time he was discharged.

Chen Cang, hearing Fang Huai’s words, had disbelief written all over his face.

"Brother, do you not understand the market, or is it me?

Let me put it this way, your artsy kind of song, the most expensive one sold in the provincial city this year, fifty-six thousand, and that was written by a well-known teacher. You, a fledgling in the industry, how much do you expect to sell yours for?

Your song, even if it has potential, if it sells for more than twenty thousand, I’ll be blind!"

Fang Huai was also dumbfounded.

"Is songwriting not profitable?"

"Of course songwriting makes money, but your song—its lyrics aren’t easy to remember, and the melody lacks memorable hooks! It won’t catch on!

It’s nice, sure... but can you say that a beef steak in a western restaurant will sell more overall than fried chicken sticks on the main street?

Of course not, right?"

"What kind of songs are popular then?" Fang Huai was at a loss.

"’Loved to Death Yesterday,’ heard of it? It’s playing in all the clothes shops on the streets and alleys now!

Also, ’Wait a Minute’! ’That Night’!

These are the perfect songs for newly debuted singers! Many companies like to buy this type of song to promote new talent! And they make money!

These, you can’t write! I’ve listened, your songs are just not this style!"

Ah... damn.

Fang Huai came back to his senses.

So I’m out of touch.

These days, they don’t go for that, right?

Don’t get too sentimental with the lyrics, got to have a strong rhythm.

"I got it, I have one! Get me an electric guitar, I’ll create a hit for you!"

...

Ten minutes later.

"Ah... my lady!"

"Aha!"

"you will not get hurt."

"I really want to sing love songs! Seeing the most beautiful fireworks!"

...

"It’s the happiness given by my man! I’ve dried out the loneliness!"

"In the joyous sky, you’re all I have!"

In a small practice room, Fang Huai strummed the guitar keeping the beat, capturing both male and female vocals, belting the song with original flavor.

Chen Cang was stunned.

This style... how did it come so suddenly?

A long while.

"Great!!"

Fang Huai looked up to see Chen Cang, like a baboon, clapping for him excitedly.

Sorry, Phoenix Legend.

Fang Huai directly asked, "Brother Cang, give me a straight price. How much per song?"

Chen Cang swallowed, looking at Fang Huai with glistening eyes, "Brother, how many songs like this have you written? To be honest, I’ve got a complete plan now! I can definitely make this song popular! Can we collaborate?"

Fang Huai’s mouth twitched.

I want a money-making assembly line, and you want to do meticulous crafting?

Is this song suitable for that?

"You have a complete idea for the arrangement. Maybe I, as the creator, have some too, right?"

Damn it, just add a "beat drop," who can’t think of that!

Seeing Fang Huai’s expression, Chen Cang realized he seemed uninterested in long-term development and frowned, "Brother, your vision is too narrow. You don’t understand this industry, and I really don’t want to trick you.

I think it’s an opportunity, but I truly cannot meet your price, not even one hundred thousand. I don’t have that much money on me.

Here’s what we can do: I’ll help you apply for copyright, and work out the details.

I know a company that specializes in color rings. They have a lot of singers. If there are good songs, we can collaborate with them through authorization. The profit will be split fifty-fifty, and from my share, we’ll split it fifty-fifty again. How about that?"

Hearing the words color rings, Fang Huai’s eyes finally showed some interest.

Right, I’ve been thinking too narrowly.

He had always thought from the perspective that he couldn’t sing or become popular, disregarding many plans to make big money.

Others can sing it, too!

Fang Huai remained composed, "Brother Cang, I have considered the plan you mentioned, I know color rings make money, but I am a soldier, and there are some lines I cannot cross..."

"I’ll go halves!" Chen Cang said bluntly.

"Cough, that’s not what I mean. I’m saying I definitely can’t do business."

"You six, me four! If the song becomes a hit, the copyright is still yours!"

"My family can do business, I’ll let them handle it."

...

Half an hour later, Fang Huai and Chen Cang had hammered out the details of their responsibilities. As they chatted while walking out, Fang Huai finally revealed his hand.

"Actually, I have another song that’s likely even more suitable for the color ring business. Once my dad comes and the contract is signed, we’ll record the song!"

"Okay! From the looks of it, I knew you had more to offer!" Chen Cang slapped Fang Huai’s back, somewhat excited.

"Cough." When Fang Huai saw the two secretaries sitting and chatting in the lobby, he immediately moved a bit to the side.

"What? Done so soon?" Zhang Ning’s already round eyes grew even rounder.

"It’s just a few songs, once they’re selected, it’s all set," Fang Huai said with a smile:

"Secretary Zhang, the songs might be completely arranged within two days, and the choir and MV actors selected. Do you have any leads on that?"

Hearing this, Zhong Ling stood up and teased:

"You’re in such a hurry to finish, don’t you want to hang out for a couple more days? For the new recruit group, such chances are rare!

When I was a new recruit, I’d wake up laughing from dreams about getting to play like this!"

But Fang Huai just smiled and shook his head: "This pace is already quite slow. If we don’t finish it before the New Year, by the time we come back from the studio’s holiday, we will already be assigned to the squadrons!

The New Year is on the 6th of next month, and I estimate this place will take a holiday at the beginning of the month. At best, we only have two weeks, which is really tight on time!"

There was something he didn’t say.

If it dragged on until they were assigned to the squadrons, and the Detachment gave him leave to deal with this matter, it might cause dissatisfaction among the Squadron.

After all, the new recruit group is a temporary unit, and some matters are not seen by everyone as having a significant impact, especially with Hao Chengbin, the sole squad leader, covering for them.

But once assigned to the squadrons, if it affected the mindset of other new recruits or squad leaders, the officers in charge of the squadrons might have opinions.

Hearing this, Zhang Ning, too, began to frown.

The timing indeed seemed a bit optimistic.

"You’re right, it is a bit tight. Looking internally for people... might not be easy to arrange, so... how about asking your friend to come over? But the reimbursement for expenses... might be limited."

Such activities are generally sponsored by social organizations, which are willing to give a lot, so there’s no need to worry about the cost of equipment. Just spend whatever needs to be spent and report that.

Like this recording studio, they provided the best equipment and personnel, without charging a penny.

Afterward, a plaque will be exchanged to show appreciation.

Civil-military cooperation is like family.

However, the remuneration for personnel from outside the Base, including expenses for food and lodging, had to be considered, as there were standards for that.

So, when Zhang Ning and Zhong Ling went out for a meal, even the fuel cost was considered too much hassle to claim, with too much paperwork involved.

Fang Huai was well aware of the reasons behind this.

"Forget it, we won’t ask for money, nor claim any reimbursements. The main thing is her willingness; I’ll ask her," Fang Huai said.

...

"Hello, Uncle."

"Hmm... It’s almost evening. Are you still out to record songs? You didn’t sneak out to have fun, did you?" Zhang Zhongting seemed to know Fang Huai well.

"I’m already back, at the entrance of the Base. I have something to tell you. I sold the rights to the song I wrote, but it’s for a long-term income. Can you let aunt handle it and help me sign a contract?"

"Sign what contract?"

"Copyright and authorization! Now that I’m a soldier, I can’t sign these things, and it’s too much trouble for my dad to come from far away, so I can only ask you!"

Zhang Zhongting was silent for a while, then said somewhat impatiently:

"What contract to sign, how much money is it for?

Ah, what a hassle!

For just a few thousand or ten thousand yuan, you could sign it yourself and keep it. Why be so cautious?

You haven’t sold out the interests of the troops. Soldiers aren’t allowed to engage in commerce to prevent corruption and maintain the image of the military! What’s there to fear from a little side business? You’re selling talent!

In cases like this, unless the public takes action, officials won’t investigate!

You’re a little new recruit. As long as you keep a low profile after earning the money, who has the interest to monitor you every day?"

A few thousand, ten thousand yuan?

Heh.

You couldn’t make that much for your entire career, even with severance pay!

Fang Huai said speechlessly: "No... this song could make big money! Since I don’t have any family to handle it, could you let aunt take the trouble to help me out?"

"Bring over the girl you like, I’ll help you make her your family!"

Fang Huai said through gritted teeth: "Fine, I’ll call her right now! Remember what you said about reimbursing the plane ticket!"

"All talk!"

The call ended.

Fang Huai was lost in thought when a text message arrived.

Old Zhang: Send over the time and address for signing the contract.

Fang Huai smiled, put away his mobile phone, and walked proudly towards the New Training Building.

I’m going to have money!

Old Zhang! If you want to buy a house in a big city after you’re discharged, wait to borrow money from me!

...

"23 minutes 16 seconds!"

Hao Chengbin seemed quite satisfied with Fang Huai’s result and patted him on the back:

"Not bad, but you slowed down in the last two laps. Otherwise, your time could have been even better!

This result is better than three kilometers, and you’re already fast enough to meet the true squadron qualification standard!"

Fang Huai knew this was the result of improved cardiorespiratory recovery ability. He shook his sore thighs and couldn’t help but complain:

"Ah, at this rate, who knows when I can get under 20 minutes."

"What’s so difficult about 20 minutes?" Hao Chengbin patted Fang Huai’s shoulder and said:

"As long as you’re willing to train, you’ll definitely get under 20 minutes in the second year!

Once you’re in the squadron, there are many more methods available, and more training time!"

It was another encouraging yet merciless blow.

Fang Huai shook his head: "Ah, it’s tough! Squad leader, I want to take advantage of the new recruit group to train more. I hope to reach 20 minutes before being assigned to a squadron!"

Hao Chengbin must have woken up not fully alert that morning, since he had been too lazy to comment. Now, hearing Fang Huai talk about leg training again, he started lecturing with hands behind his back:

"Let me tell you, nothing good comes from being in a hurry!

Why do you aim for 20 minutes?

Just to be excellent?

In the troops, there are plenty of excellent people! Your goal should be to excel!

If you want to reach 20 minutes, you must aim for 18 minutes! Even then, achieving 18 minutes doesn’t mean you’ve reached excellence!

He Zhijun can finish five kilometers in under 17 minutes with an oxygen tank on his back! That’s the goal you should look at!

Moreover, his main training focus is on team maneuvers, scoring points for the team!

You can’t even imagine the situations he has seen! When you’ve participated in the whole corps smelting competition or even represented the province in national competitions, you’ll understand how insignificant your current goals are!

To achieve a target, you must set an even higher one! Only then, when facing your original goal, can you easily leap over it!

Looking back at your former self by that time, you will have a whole different sentiment!"

Hearing this, Fang Huai felt quite moved and for once did not argue in his mind.

Ever since entering these walls, he always thought he was an old soldier, knowing everything, but what Hao Chengbin talked about were "Forbidden Areas" he had never approached before.

In this life, he wanted to test those boundaries and experience the world of spearhead soldiers that Zhao Bing had long dreamed of.

"Yes, Squad leader!"

As Fang Huai stood at attention and shouted, he felt a much calmer spirit within him.