Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Hello, My Name Is Sun Yanzi

A week later, the news that Peking University would soon produce a future superstar spread like wildfire, rapidly sweeping across the entire campus and growing more exaggerated with every retelling.

For Peking University students of this era, having a classmate who was supposedly a celebrity was still a hot topic—just like Sa Beining appearing on CCTV as a host.

Even though Zhou Yi had not yet released a single album and had nothing to do with being a star, that didn’t stop them from discussing him in vivid, detailed detail behind his back.

Zhou Yi, who had already frequently received love letters from bold girls, now became even more famous; his close roommates and classmates eagerly grabbed photos and autographs from him, proudly calling it their “first encounter with a future superstar.”

Even students from other art schools in the capital—Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and Central Conservatory of Music—had heard the rumors.

Especially the Central Conservatory of Music.

As the number one music school in the country, without exaggeration, it gathered the most elite young musicians in the nation.

That’s why, when the news broke that “Warner Music General Manager Zhou Jianhui had traveled thousands of miles to Peking University to sign Zhou Yi,” some students’ first reaction was a slow, floating question mark above their heads.

If Warner wanted to sign someone, shouldn’t they be scouting talent at places like the Central Conservatory of Music? Why did they come to Peking University? Doesn’t that make our conservatory look stupid?

If the company that signed Zhou Yi had been a mainland music label—like Maitian Music, which had singers like Lao Lang and Pu Shu—this wouldn’t have stirred much of a ripple among those who heard the news.

But Pianpian , the company that signed Zhou Yi was Warner Records, once a symbol of industry giants—this was a bombshell.

Even though many now saw Warner as past its prime, waiting for Guo Fucheng and Zheng Xiuwen to eventually terminate their contracts so it could officially shut down and surrender its last sliver of the Chinese-language music market,

as long as it still existed, it remained one of the most historically prestigious names in the Hong Kong and Taiwan music scenes.

After all, in 2000, mainland entertainment trends still revered Hong Kong and Taiwan as superior. Whether in music or film, Hong Kong and Taiwan stars were top-tier; mainland artists automatically ranked lower.

The clearest examples: Naiying, now firmly established as the mainland’s top female singer, and Sun Nan, who was challenging for the title of top peer.

Naiying had once been a minor figure on the mainland, but after gritting her teeth and heading to Baodao, she seized the opportunity and transformed into a diva; after her performance of “Meeting in 1998” on the Spring Festival Gala, she solidified her throne as the mainland’s top female singer.

Sun Nan’s situation was similar to Naiying’s—he too had started as a junior.

Seizing the same opportunity, Sun Nan joined a Hong Kong music company and exploded in popularity; after making a name for himself in Hong Kong, he officially debuted as an artist on the mainland in 1996.

To Zhou Yi, a later arrival, their rise seemed slightly absurd—but in 2000, to people of this era, it made perfect sense.

Still, Zhou Yi’s parents, who had traveled thousands of miles from their hometown, were somewhat worried about their son possibly becoming a superstar—especially his mother, Zhao Ping.

As a former textile worker turned owner of a small local supermarket, Zhao Ping had never dreamed her son could even get into Peking University.

When her son received his Peking University acceptance letter and the county government scholarship, she was so delighted she ate an extra bowl of rice every meal. Now, suddenly, she received a phone call from him saying his final year at university might have a few minor bumps.

“Yi-yi, are you really not reconsidering?”

In a hotel room in the capital.

Zhao Ping, calling her son by his childhood nickname, wore a worried expression, dressed plainly, wrinkles etched across her brow from years of toil: “Being a star isn’t easy—it’s far more practical to focus on your studies. You’re already in your third year; next semester you’ll be in your fourth. Finish school, then you’ll have an easier time finding a job.”

Although she knew her son had always been fiercely independent, she still wanted to try to persuade him one more time.

This was gambling with his future.

So many people want to be stars—how many actually become famous?

As she spoke, she subtly shot a glance at her husband, sitting silently on the bed: “Zhou, say something! Don’t just sit there like a mute.”

Zhou Yi, who had softened his usual brashness in front of his parents, couldn’t help but grin—but the moment his mother saw it, his smile vanished instantly. He sat quietly beside her, picking at his fingers, face solemn.

“What’s the point of saying anything? This kid’s always been stubborn since he was little. Now that he’s grown, how can we possibly control him?”

Seeing the fire finally turn toward him, the plain-spoken man with a crew cut could only mutter this unamused reply.

“Mom, Dad, you’re overthinking it—I’m not dropping out. I’ll still take my exams.”

“We may not have had much education, but we know human energy is limited. Being a star is so busy—you won’t have time to study or attend class. How will you pass your exams?”

“Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. Warner has already arranged everything with the school. As long as I pass my exams normally, there’s no problem. And honestly, fourth year doesn’t have many classes—mostly just preparing for graduation.”

Zhou Yi’s face lit up as he raised his right hand, pointing to his temple: “As for classes, if I’m not busy, I’ll come back to attend. And I’m not planning to permanently relocate to Hong Kong or Baodao.”

“If I’m busy, I can ask Warner to arrange private tutors for me.”

“You know how smart I am—how could a simple exam possibly stump me? I’ll pass for sure.”

Zhao Ping: “...”

Zhou Yaoguo: “...”

Their child’s unshakable confidence had never changed since childhood—on the contrary, it had grown even stronger.

Can university be compared to elementary or high school?

Sigh.

Looking at their son’s expression of “Exams? What’s the big deal?” the two elders felt a crushing sense of aging—unable to understand the contract, unable to make sense of the conversation.

On the negotiation table, their son acted like someone already hardened by society, handling everything smoothly.

Now that everything was settled, what could they do?

Their son had grown up—he had to go out into the world. But the direction he chose… was just a little different from what they’d imagined.

Looking at their son’s bright, confident smile, the two elders felt a complex mix of emotions.

……………………………………………………………………

A week later, on Baodao, in the building of the former Warner Fly Records, now Warner International Music Co., Ltd. (Baodao Warner Records).

Zhou Yi, arriving light and unburdened, soon met Zhou Jianhui, who had returned ahead of him to prepare for the official signing—a man who had decided on the spot to sign him after hearing him sing a few songs on the Tsinghua campus.

Dressed in a tailored suit, wearing glasses, a middle-aged man who looked refined and scholarly.

On my word, he’d only wandered over to Tsinghua to visit his sister. After all, Peking University had grown too familiar; other campuses had a certain unique allure.

“Hello, General Manager Zhou.”

“Welcome to Warner Records, Zhou Yi. I look forward to our collaboration over the next four years.”

Facing the young man he had bet on, Zhou Jianhui smiled and shook his hand: “Good news—we’ve reached a cooperation agreement with Maitian Music on the mainland.”

“Starting next month, Maitian Music on the mainland will officially become part of Warner, renamed Warner Maitian.”

“Considering you’re about to enter your fourth year, I think this should be good news for you.”

With Warner Maitian already established on the mainland, whether recording songs or producing an album, Zhou Yi could complete most of his work there—except for promotional tours.

“Congratulations, General Manager Zhou.”

Zhou Yi, unsurprised by Maitian Music’s alliance with Warner, smiled and offered his congratulations.

For him, this was genuinely a pleasant surprise.

He knew Maitian would be renamed Warner Maitian—but he hadn’t known the exact date.

But now, his fourth year would be much easier; since Warner had acquired Maitian to break into the mainland market, and since Warner Maitian was now in place, he’d soon have more money, less work, and be close to home.

“Later, I’ll take you to meet the company’s two top producers. About your debut album—feel free to share your ideas with them.”

In his work, Zhou Jianhui was decisive and efficient—he understood that professional tasks must be entrusted to professionals.

Album production was no exception.

Though he greatly admired the original songs Zhou Yi had sung on campus, live performances and studio albums were fundamentally different.

Whether in arrangement or recording, a studio album required expert oversight to ensure quality.

“Oh, by the way, there’s also a female singer in the company, around your age—a college student too, newly signed. She’s probably in the recording studio right now…”

As he led Zhou Yi toward the recording studio, Zhou Jianhui briefly outlined the company’s current album resource allocation for this promising rising star.

One sentence: If I dared to sign you, I won’t let you down. Once your album’s theme and style are set, the company will immediately match your voice with suitable songs.

Zhou Yi, who had his own plans in mind, didn’t care much about this—he was far more interested in the female college student Zhou Jianhui had mentioned.

Soon, he met the legendary female singer of the Chinese music scene—still half a month away from her official debut—

Standing just over 160 cm tall, with neat, cropped hair, a slender frame, and a fresh, lively face radiating the energy of her age.

“Hello, I’m Sun Yanzi.”

The yet-to-debut Sun Yanzi extended her hand toward the handsome junior, her smile brimming with vitality.