Chapter 2746

Ma Xiaotong looked toward the marketing department manager, a middle-aged man, whom Huang Jamin had poached from Jiayue: "Old Chen, I'm allocating 500,000 to you—dig up Song Hui's dirt as soon as possible."

"Okay!" Chen Zhongxian responded: "Give me half a month."

Zhou Andong then looked at Luo Lin: "Luo Lin, your voice is very distinctive—hoarse yet magnetic, hoarse with a hint of clarity, possessing a unique granular texture and penetrating power. If there's a suitable song, you will definitely become a huge hit."

Jiang Yuyue said with a smile: "I prefer Lao Luo's song 'Drifting Memories in the Rain.' Yesterday, I discussed with Xiaotong and Jamin, and we decided to release this song as a single first to test the waters."

Upon hearing Jiang Yuyue's words, Luo Lin was stunned. He had joined Future Culture as deputy music director, feeling grateful yet also somewhat anxious, fearing he might not perform well and thus betray Zhou Andong's kindness in recognizing his talent.

Now, Jiang Zong wants to release a single for him again, and he truly doesn't know what to say. No matter how talented he is, he cannot express his current emotions.

Releasing a single and an album has been his goal for many years, but he truly sees no hope, so he chose to leave the city he had struggled in for years and return to Xinjiang with his girlfriend.

On the day before his departure, hearing that Yu Gong Group was holding a music festival, he very much wanted to come to Jiangzhou to see it, but his train ticket to Xinjiang had already been bought.

Still, his girlfriend noticed his worries and, that very night, refunded the ticket. The next day, without his knowledge, she dragged him onto the train to Jingcheng, and then in Jingcheng, transferred to a train to Jiangzhou.

That was his first time attending a music festival, and he greatly enjoyed the passionate atmosphere. What he didn't expect was to run into Zhou Andong at the festival, who not only let him sing two songs on stage but also invited him to join Future Culture.

At that moment, he felt as if a huge pancake had smashed into his head, leaving him dazed and his mind blank. If it weren't for his girlfriend beside him, secretly pinching him, he would have thought he was dreaming.

What shocked him even more was that after the music festival ended, he came to Jingcheng to sign with Future Culture—and the contract was not an artist contract, but for the position of deputy music director.

Ma Xiaotong told him that the chairman highly valued his talent, hence the invitation to serve as Future Culture's deputy music director. Of course, if he had a suitable song for an album, the company would prioritize arranging it.

At that time, he was dazed again: "The chairman appreciates my talent? We seemed to have met for the first time at the music festival—how does the chairman know I have talent?"

Moreover, he himself didn't even know what talent he possessed; otherwise, having struggled in Shencheng for so many years, how could he not have released even a single?

But no matter what, he deeply remembered Ma Zong's recognition and the chairman's kindness in knowing him.

Now, Jiang Zong wants to release a single for him again—still that song he wrote at seventeen for his classmate Xiao Yu. Although this song has undergone several revisions and become more mature, many who have heard it say it won't become a hit.

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "I've heard Luo Lin has written many songs over the years—he can take them out for everyone to see. If there's a suitable song, we can select several more and directly release an album."

Luo Lin's brain crashed again—releasing a single nearly made him faint from happiness, and now the chairman's one sentence wants to give him an album. He trembled with his lips, wanting to speak, but his voice wouldn't come out.

"Sure!" Ma Xiaotong readily agreed: "I've also heard Lao Luo has many songs in his possession—let's release an album for him. If there are other songs, we'll see if any are suitable and assign them to other company singers."

"Sure!" Zhou Andong said: "Whether the copyright is bought out or shared, we must respect Luo Lin's opinion."

Before the release of 'The First Snow of 2002,' most of Luo Lin's songs hadn't become hits, including 'Drifting Memories in the Rain.' Even during Luo Lin's later peak fame, these songs didn't catch on—at best, they had some recognition.

As for why Zhou Andong still wants to release an album for Luo Lin despite knowing the songs won't become hits—of course, it's to win people's hearts. Releasing an album for a singer is psychologically the same as a publisher releasing a physical book for a writer.

A singer who doesn't release an album isn't considered a true singer; a writer who hasn't published a physical book isn't truly a writer. For example, Twelve is merely a small-time typist who never dares to call himself a writer.

Jiang Yuyue looked at Zhou Andong, smiling, and said: "I said we should release a single first, but you want to go straight to an album—if I oppose, wouldn't that be a bit unreasonable?"

Luo Lin's excited face turned slightly red. Not being a talkative person, he just kept expressing thanks: "Thank you, chairman, thank you Jiang Zong, thank you Ma Zong, thank you Huang Zong..."

"Alright, no more thanks." Zhou Andong also laughed: "Just focus on writing and singing songs well. Of course, you are Future Culture's deputy music director—your main duties must not be neglected."

Luo Lin assured: "I will definitely not neglect my main duties."

Regarding Luo Lin's recruitment to Future Culture—those future hit songs he hasn't yet written—Zhou Andong isn't worried at all. For a truly talented person, no matter where placed, they won't be buried.

Perhaps due to the change in work environment, Luo Lin can't write those songs anymore, but he will surely be able to write other songs. Besides, if Luo Lin can't write them, Zhou Andong can write them himself and have Luo Lin sing them.

"Boss!" Ma Xiaotong said: "When exactly will you have time? If the MV for Wanjiang isn't filmed soon, we really won't make it."

Zhou Andong said helplessly: "I truly can't free up time—I won't participate in the MV filming. Before you go to Jiangzhou, first greet Fang Qiao, head of the group's publicity department. She's already arranged everything—once you arrive in Jiangzhou, you can start filming directly, which will also save considerable time."

Jiang Yuyue's eyes flashed with disappointment, but her face showed nothing: "You're not participating in the filming—will Lao Si participate?"

"Lao Si must participate." Zhou Andong thought and said: "I'll give her leave—go for one day, film for one day, return for one day. Three days should be enough."

Actually, Zhou Andong also had another idea: to let Su Su participate in this MV filming, to leave this little girl a beautiful childhood memory. If it weren't for Xiao Yu Mao being too small, Zhou Andong would definitely let Xiao Yu Mao participate too.

But this matter needs to be discussed with his wife first—only with her consent can it proceed. If his wife disagrees, he won't insist.

"Alright, you guys continue the meeting." The matter was mostly settled, Zhou Andong stood up and said to Jiang Yuyue: "I'll go wait in your office; other matters, we'll talk after you finish the meeting."

That deputy station chief of CCTV's Mother Channel, since he was jumping around in front of him, he certainly wouldn't indulge him—he must break his leg so that every jump hurts, and thereafter he wouldn't dare jump again.

But he doesn't understand that deputy station chief, so he needs to first ask Ma Xiaotong about the other party. As the saying goes: know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles.