Chapter 67: Xiangjiang Good Voice

At two in the morning, the lights in the Wing Shing Film Company office were still on.

Xiang Fei leaned back in his leather chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk; the proposal before him had already been revised seven times.

"A talent show... it needs high ratings yet must guarantee the quality of new talent..." He rubbed his temples, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "China Good Voice!"

He sat up straight abruptly, grabbed a fountain pen, and scribbled wildly on the paper: "Xiangjiang Good Voice"—blind auditions with rotating chairs, mentors fighting for contestants, arena battles..."

The next morning, Xiang Fei looked at the freshly printed proposal, a cunning smile curling his lips. He picked up the phone and dialed Xiang Sheng's number.

"Hello~ Uncle Sheng~~" he deliberately drawled, his voice sounding mischievously slick.

On the other end of the line came Xiang Sheng's roar: "You brat! What devilish scheme are you plotting now?"

"Are you free this afternoon? I have a small project I'd like you, esteemed elder, to review~"

"Cut the act! Last time you said 'small project,' you ended up sending me to negotiate with Sun City's top female star!"

Xiang Fei suppressed a laugh: "This time it's truly a small project, right in your office; I'll come personally to explain it~"

Xiang Sheng remained half-believing, half-doubting: "...Come over at two. If you're late, I'll send the photo of you wetting the bed at age two to Ah Min!"

At exactly two in the afternoon, Xiang Fei arrived punctually at the door of Xiang Sheng's office. He straightened his suit and tie, but as he knocked, he heard thunderous snoring from within.

Pushing the door open, he saw Xiang Sheng leaning back in his boss's chair, feet propped on the desk, a copy of Playboy covering his face as he slept soundly.

Xiang Fei crept quietly to the desk, then suddenly shouted: "My dad is here to inspect!"

"What?!" Xiang Sheng jolted upright in a fright, the magazine slapping onto the floor to reveal a sexy woman in a swimsuit.

Upon realizing it was only Xiang Fei, Xiang Sheng grabbed his cigar box and hurled it: "You little bastard! You scared the life out of me!"

Xiang Fei nimbly dodged, then grinned as he handed over the proposal: "Uncle Sheng, calm your anger; take a look at this?"

Grumbling curses, Xiang Sheng flipped open the document, but after just two pages his eyes widened: "Blind auditions? Rotating chairs? How does your brain even work, kid?"

"We'll use imported German audio equipment and modify the mentors' chairs to rotate." Xiang Fei pointed at the blueprint. "But the most crucial part is—"

"The voice! Listen only to the voice!" Xiang Sheng slapped the desk excitedly. "This idea is brilliant! Even those who look like crooked melons and cracked dates can become singing stars!"

Xiang Fei's mouth twitched: "...Uncle Sheng, your summary is truly unique."

Xiang Sheng was already immersed: "Four mentors... Zhang Zhang Guorong must be invited; Teresa Teng is recovering in America... Sam Hui? No, no, too expensive..."

"How about Anita Mui?" Xiang Fei suggested. "And Roman Tam; they're both powerhouses."

Xiang Sheng's eyes lit up: "Brilliant! The old guard holds the fort, while the new generation draws attention!" He suddenly frowned. "Wait, what about the production costs..."

"Advertising sponsorship, of course," Xiang Fei said with full confidence.

Xiang Sheng lit a cigar and took a deep drag: "Spit it out, what do you need your uncle to do?"

"Three things." Xiang Fei held up his fingers. "First, secure the prime time slot on the TV station; second, assemble the production team; third..."

He deliberately drew out his tone, causing Xiang Sheng to lean back alertly: "Trying to screw me over again?"

"As for the third~" Xiang Fei winked, "I want you to serve as the chief producer~"

"What?!" Xiang Sheng was so startled his cigar fell out. "I still have to manage Infernal Affairs!"

Xiang Fei had come prepared; he pulled a bottle of 1982 Lafite from his briefcase. "I heard someone's collection is missing just this one bottle..."

Xiang Sheng's eyes went straight; after struggling for three seconds, he snatched the wine bottle. "Deal! But you're responsible for getting Eric Tsang to host!"

Just as the uncle and nephew were sealing their alliance with a high-five, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Chen Lan burst in like a whirlwind: "What are you two plotting in secret?"

Xiang Sheng fumbled to hide the wine, while Xiang Fei obediently handed over the proposal: "Auntie arrived just in time; take a look at this?"

After quickly scanning it, Chen Lan suddenly clapped her hands: "I want to be a judge on this show!"

"Huh?" The uncle and nephew were dumbfounded.

Chen Lan tossed her curly hair proudly: "What's wrong? Back in the day, I was the runner-up in the RTV singing competition!"

Xiang Sheng muttered under his breath: "...It was only because the judge wanted to pursue you."

Chen Lan shot him a sharp glare, and Xiang Sheng immediately changed his tune: "With Sister-in-Law taking charge, the ratings will double!"

Three hours later, the Wing Shing executive conference room was packed.

Standing before the projector, Xiang Fei explained: "Preliminary selections start next week, the competition lasts three months, and the finals will be held at the Hung Hom Coliseum."

The production director asked: "What about the mechanical apparatus for the rotating chairs..."

"German engineers have already been contacted." Xiang Fei switched the slide. "Here is the stage design; all LED screens will adopt..."

The marketing director raised his hand: "And the advertising sponsorship plan..."

With a cigar dangling from his mouth, Xiang Sheng interjected: "Tomorrow I have meetings with six sponsors; the starting price is thirty million!"

Amidst the murmurs of astonishment from the crowd, Chen Lan suddenly cut in: "Add me to the panel of judges; I guarantee it will generate buzz!"