Chapter 15: New Album and Nominations

At the end of December, Huang Bai's new album "For Love" was officially released. This album only had five songs, which could be considered an enhanced EP.

The five songs were:

"Ten Thousand Reasons"

"There Is A Kind Of Love Called Letting Go"

"Don't Say My Tears Don't Matter To You"

"Wait A Minute"

"Seeking Buddha"

These songs were among the few viral ringtone hits in Wei Jin's memory, and they did not require high vocal skill.

Moreover, they belonged to the typical category where the song makes the person; you would find that the vast majority of people could hum a few lines of these songs, but very few knew who sang them.

As for the original singers, they would disappear from the scene within two years.

According to Wei Jin's plan, he would scan the market for a few more songs to fill out an album, as he couldn't keep writing songs for Huang Bai forever.

However, Huang Bai's Agent, Zhang Xu, after seeing the songs provided by Wei Jin, stated that quality is better than quantity; rather than finding some mediocre works to make up the numbers, it was better to strive for excellence to ensure a good reputation.

After Zhang Xu officially became Huang Bai's Agent, he was very active, truly wishing Huang Bai could transform into a commercial performance expert who didn't rest for 24 hours.

He was also the most concerned about Huang Bai's new album.

In order to expand Huang Bai's influence, Zhang Xu specifically hired people to produce exquisite MVs, letting him show his face to increase exposure.

After the album was released, he ran to Tianyu Records every day, annoying the few second-generation wealthy management staff to no end.

However, the effect was obvious; once "For Love" was released, it caused an unprecedented response in the market and quickly occupied the top spots on major song charts.

At the same time, major radio stations played them in rotation, and the brainwashing effect was better than imagined.

All of a sudden, Huang Bai became the most prominent Singer of this winter.

Because the songs almost all expressed the theme of love that could not be attained, Huang Bai was hailed by various media as the "Bitter Love Song King".

And don't even mention it; paired with Huang Bai's appearance, fans generally believed that what was sung in the songs were all his personal experiences.

For a time, he really attracted quite a few "lick-dog fans" who had similar experiences.

There were also wealthy women who thought Huang Bai was deeply infatuated, unable to attain his love, and wounded by love, which made people feel sorry for him; they even made bold claims that they wanted to keep Huang Bai as a kept man.

Hearing this news, Huang Bai was left between laughter and tears, while Wei Jin was gloating.

After New Year's Day, time entered 2004.

On this day, Huang Bai, having finished his continuous commercial performances, was persuaded by his girlfriend Xiao Ou to invite his mentor and benefactor, Wei Jin, to dinner to express his gratitude.

Wei Jin readily accepted the invitation and brought Ceng Li along.

The place for dinner was set at an old Beijing mutton hot pot restaurant.

It was winter, after all; who could refuse mutton hot pot? Upon entering the private room, Wei Jin saw Huang Bai fully armed and couldn't help but smile: "Old Huang, are you acting here?"

It was no wonder Wei Jin laughed; Huang Bai was wearing a black wool coat, a wide-brimmed hat, a scarf around his neck, and a pair of sunglasses on his face, looking exactly like a version of Xu Wenqiang played by a mob boss.

"This isn't my fault; you don't know how crazy the paparazzi are; they chased me until I had to move."

Huang Bai complained while taking off his hat and scarf, then immediately introduced:

"Old Wei, this is my wife, Xiao Ou."

"Xiao Ou, this is our boss, and also my brother, Wei Jin."

"Hello, Boss Wei. I often hear Huang Bai mention you. Thank you for your support of him."

Xiao Ou was a quiet and delicate woman with a petite figure; being with Huang Bai, she really looked a bit like a bird relying on a person.

"Hello, sister-in-law. Just call me Wei Jin or Little Wei; Old Huang and I are iron-clad brothers."

Wei Jin didn't want to be rude, so he immediately introduced Ceng Li to the two of them:

"Old Huang, this is my Li Jie, Ceng Li."

"Li Jie, this is our employee, and also my brother, Huang Bai."

After saying this, everyone laughed; Wei Jin's introduction was clearly plagiarized from Huang Bai.

"Hello, Huang Bai, Xiao Ou, I am Ceng Li, an actress."

It was Ceng Li's first time meeting Wei Jin's friends, and she acted in a generous and natural manner.

After the pleasantries were finished and they were officially seated, Ceng Li asked with some curiosity: "Brother Bai, you just said you were forced to move, what happened?" Huang Bai then explained that ever since his new album became a hit, entertainment reporters had often followed him and camped out near his rented house, hoping to dig up big news.

Having no other choice, Huang Bai brought Xiao Ou to Beijing and bought a house in the process.

At this time, housing prices in Beijing were still not high, with the average price being less than 5,000, and even in good locations, it did not exceed 8,000; it was a good time to buy.

"I told you earlier not to appear in the MV; when people become famous, they have to bear these things."

Wei Jin was noncommittal about Huang Bai's complaints, and Ceng Li was also unfazed.

"By the way, the price for commercial performances has increased a lot recently, right? Hurry up and do more before the year ends; your boss wants to buy a house too."

"Do you have any humanity? Your sister-in-law just arrived in Beijing; shouldn't I spend more time with her?"

Hearing Wei Jin's teasing, Huang Bai did not show weakness and then added excitedly.

"Brother is now red-hot; the appearance fee for one commercial performance is 200,000."

"Whoa, good fellow, this is catching up to Sun Nan? That popular?"

In 03-04, Sun Nan's appearance fee was less than 200,000, and the big shot Liu Huan was only 300,000.

This price for Huang Bai was truly a bit exaggerated; it was equivalent to soaring to the sky with one album.

"You haven't been paying attention to these things yourself; now the streets and alleys are full of Brother Bai's songs."

Ceng Li usually loved listening to music and had a natural female curiosity for gossip, so she knew more about these things and chimed in.

"It's all because Old Wei writes good songs; I'm just basking in the glory. Miss Ceng is overpraising me."

Huang Bai said modestly, "It's just that the album is currently hot; I estimate that once the heat dies down, the price will have to be adjusted back."

I don't know if it's a common trait of men, but whether it's Wei Jin or Huang Bai, when facing a brother's woman, they are much more polite.

"Mm, then you should take advantage of this wave of popularity and run a few more errands."

Wei Jin said, looking at Xiao Ou, and added, "Just run around the outskirts of Beijing will do; I'll have a word with Zhang Xu later."

"Then thank you, Boss, for your mercy."

Huang Bai started his wisecracking again.

"I'm just afraid you'll curse me behind my back as 'Wei the Skinflint'."

Wei Jin laughed and scolded.

The few of them talked and laughed, and before long, the two women were chatting away together.

Hearing that Xiao Ou and Huang Bai had been in a relationship for nearly 10 years, Ceng Li humbly sought advice from Xiao Ou.

Xiao Ou was also generous in sharing, and the two women whispered to each other, discussing how to keep a man firmly in their grasp.

"There is a kind of love called letting go, for love giving up forever and ever~~"

Wei Jin's cell phone rang.

"Hello, Teacher Jiang, yes, go ahead, really? Congratulations to you too, thank you for the school's strong support, okay, I will notify them immediately, alright, then see you after the New Year, yes, goodbye Teacher Jiang."

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin was slightly excited; seeing the others staring at him in unison, he spoke up:

"The film has officially been shortlisted for the Berlin International Film Festival, and the organizers notified me to attend the opening ceremony in February."

"Congratulations, Old Wei."

"Congratulations, President Wei."

"Xiao Jin, you're amazing."

Huang Bai and his wife hurriedly offered their congratulations, and Ceng Li, looking excited, kissed him.

A person feels refreshed when happy events occur; Wei Jin's film was shortlisted, Huang Bai's album was a massive hit, what could be more worth celebrating than this?

The two men toasted each other, and the two women were all smiles; for a time, both host and guests were delighted.

After the meal, a slightly tipsy Wei Jin called Qin Hao to inform him about the shortlist and reminded him to set off from Beijing together after the New Year.

Upon hearing the news, Qin Hao was as happy as if he had won the lottery, becoming incoherent with joy.

On the way home, Ceng Li drove, and Wei Jin opened the window a crack; the biting cold wind made Wei Jin a bit more sober, and he knew that the first shot in his campaign in the entertainment industry had been fired.

Thank you all for your support, the contract has been signed, three chapters today.

(End of this chapter)