Chapter 195

"Teacher Su is here."

"Teacher Su, do you have a moment to give me some pointers?"

Once he entered the rehearsal hall, even more students took the initiative to greet Su Meng.

A few of them were already numb to it all. Sigh… let things be however they want to be.

I'm already exhausted; I don't want to be shocked anymore.

Su Meng walked into the rehearsal hall as if it were his own home, heading straight inside.

At the very back was a hall partitioned off on its own.

Su Meng didn't even knock on the door, just pushed it open and walked right in.

Inside the hall sat three clusters of people, each with various musical instruments laid out before them.

However, at this moment they weren't rehearsing, but were being critiqued by Hu Zhengyuan.

Seeing Su Meng push the door and come in, quite a few people stood up at once and called out loudly.

"Hello, Teacher Su!"

That single shout made the crowd following behind Su Meng stumble so badly they nearly fell flat on their faces.

"Th-this… aren't those the three heads of the three major folk orchestras?"

Once they clearly saw the people in front of them, they were utterly shocked.

Boss Yang pointed at the three people ahead, her hand trembling a little.

They had seen the three heads at the airport earlier and recognized them at a glance.

Su Meng paid her no attention, just walked over on his own.

"How is everyone's practice going?"

Hu Zhengyuan nodded, his face full of satisfaction.

"Don't worry, it's already perfect."

Su Meng nodded, then suddenly had an idea.

"Alright then, have everyone get ready. These next few days we'll hold a public performance — consider it the official release."

"Great! I'll go along with whatever you arrange!" Hu Zhengyuan didn't even ask how he planned to do it, agreeing right away.

Su Meng smiled at the group, then suddenly said loudly.

"I'm planning to record a suona album later — pieces specifically for funerals."

"Any of you artists willing to help out?"

Holy crap!

Boss Yang and the others' faces all turned green.

Aren't you being way too blunt?

Asking it out in the open like this in front of everyone — who would agree? Who could keep face?

Even if you want to recruit people, at least pull them aside somewhere private, throw in a bit more incentive — then they might actually consider it.

But what they didn't expect was that these elegant, refined artists all suddenly stood up at once.

And roared in unison.

"I'll go!"

Immediately afterward, the way they looked at the people beside them changed, as if close colleagues had instantly become rivals.

Everyone on-site and in the livestream was nearly numb.

Guys, you're artists!

This is asking you to do funeral pieces!

To perform at gravesides — not at the Golden Hall!

Do any of you really need to go this far?

Su Meng, however, wasn't surprised in the slightest. He just shook his head and said calmly.

"I don't need that many people — just suona, sheng, gongs, drums, clappers, and cymbals."

"Who can play these?"

"Me!" everyone roared in unison at the same time.

Anyone who studies folk music isn't a multi-instrumentalist? It's just a matter of how proficient you are.

But suona and sheng require a bit of technical skill; gongs, drums, clappers, cymbals… for these artists, is that even a thing?

The most crucial point is that being able to collaborate with Teacher Su is an immense honor!

What? You say funeral work is inauspicious?

So what? Lately we've been so full of joy every day we almost thought we were the bride and groom.

Doing some funeral work just balances things out.

Su Meng shook his head, feeling quite helpless about these people.

"Alright then, the suona principal, sheng principal, and percussion principal from each group — come with me."

"Sigh…" a tremendous wave of sighs erupted from the crowd.

Those whose names weren't called were heartbroken, as if they'd lost five million.

But those whose names were called stood tall and proud, faces full of pride, as if they'd just won a great victory.

Finally a chance to do something for Teacher Su — so happy!

……

In the livestream, almost none of the netizens could believe what they were seeing.

"Wait… I'm not seeing things, right? People are fighting to take this kind of job? Are these really the three major folk orchestras?"

"I just checked their official website. Even though I can't believe it, that's really how it is."

"Pfft~~~ Why do I suddenly feel like I'm picking a Princess at a KTV?"

"Laugh? You can still laugh? My nose is tingling, I'm almost about to cry."

"

……That instrument shop owner was right, people doing folk music are really too poor, they even have to fight for this kind of work……

"These artists are so pitiful……if this keeps up, won't they have to join the Gai Gang?"

"Bizarre, anyway I think it's extremely bizarre!"

"Ever since Su Meng joined this show, have there been few bizarre things?"

In the office of the Imperial Capital National Music Orchestra, the secretary left behind hung up the phone with a blank look.

What happened?

Suddenly over a dozen calls came in, wanting to donate to the Imperial Capital National Music Orchestra……?

……

"Xiaomeng, you're finally here!"

Seeing Su Meng arrive with a group of people, Liu Huan, who had been waiting anxiously at the door, rushed over directly and hugged him tightly.

"I have already sung and prepared it, just about to record the official version."

"Good timing that you're here too, help me listen to it."

The group of people behind stared blankly at all this, their hearts already like still water.

What? You say a stoic domineering CEO is very familiar with a big shot in the music scene, and this is fantastical?

Heh, you're too young.

What could be more shocking than a group of great artists willing to lower themselves to record funeral music?

We have already crossed Mount Everest, would a small mound still be worth our shock?

Ridiculous!

It's just……

Liu Huan let go and casually said.

"You don't know, the Yangshi 'Water Margin' crew calls three times a day to urge."

"For this theme song, their entire crew is almost going crazy."

"Oh right, has your manager settled the price with the crew?"

"Let me tell you, the crew is extremely satisfied with this song, tell your manager not to be polite with them."

"After all, this song was written by you, and the copyright is in your hands."

What?