Chapter 58: Zhou Yi, Your Budget Is Unlimited

"Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi! Are you the producer of the albums for Sun Yanzi, Xiao Yaxuan, and Zhang Shaohan?!"

"Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi, could you share the progress of your new album?"

"Zhou Yi, recently a new singer named Zhou Jielun has stirred up a wave in the music scene. So far, his popularity this year ranks second only to yours—what do you think of him…?"

"Zhou Yi…"

Zhou Yi, invited to an event, was ultimately intercepted at the interview podium—had he not dodged quickly, those enthusiastic microphones would have nearly poked his face.

With the help of Warner staff, Zhou Yi finally arranged the interview order and accepted the interviews, clutching a pile of microphones he didn't even know whose they were.

"First, I am not the producer of Yanzi's albums. They are my friends—I merely wrote two songs for them, which isn't even news."

"Second, my personal new album is indeed in preparation, and I will certainly not disappoint my fans."

"Third, I've known Jielun personally for a long time; our relationship is excellent, and I think it's perfectly normal that his new album is selling well."

At the end of November, Zhou Yi, wearing a wine-red wool coat and a cream-colored turtleneck underneath, appeared even more slender in the lenses of major media, perfectly blending warmth and fashion.

Facing the cameras, when mentioned Zhou Jielun, Zhou Yi did not show any hostility as the media expected; instead, he generously offered his blessings.

As Taiwan's new discovery of November, Zhou Jielun suddenly erupted onto the scene with two songs, "Xing Qing" and "Long Juan Feng," sparking a wave no one in Taiwan's music industry had anticipated except Zhou Yi.

"Long Juan Feng" even surged into the top thirty of the quarterly charts.

Keep in mind it was already year-end—most major artists had already fought for their positions. Yet Zhou Jielun still carved out a bloody path, and his fierce momentum inevitably led the media to link him with Zhou Yi.

After all, Zhou Yi himself had emerged just as suddenly in July, then crushed all the big names one after another to reach number one.

Some media, eager for drama, after seeing Zhou Jielun's album sales soar, shouted the slogan: "Let's support Taiwan's local singer Zhou Jielun!"

Other media even hoped Zhou Jielun could replicate Zhou Yi's myth—and surpass him on the charts—to complete a late-year overtaking by the end of the millennium.

Loyal to his principles, Zhou Jielun immediately called Zhou Yi after seeing the news, insisting it wasn't his or his company's doing—it was just the media spreading nonsense.

Wu Zongxian's Alpha was never a major company and lacked the media control power of Warner. Even though Zhou Yi repeatedly said it was fine, Zhou Jielun was still furious from the outside rumors.

"This sales growth rate… if not for you, this year's most popular male singer in Taiwan would probably be Zhou Jielun."

Inside Zhou Yi's "company dormitory," holding the market analysis data from Warner, the chubby agent Qian Jiang couldn't help but whistle.

It's terrifying.

What's going on with Taiwan's music scene this year?

One powerhouse after another—according to historical descriptions, this is the sign of chaos, with heroes vying for dominance.

"No wonder Taiwan's local media are hyping Zhou Jielun so much—you were too dominant, making them feel suffocated."

"Now that another male singer has suddenly emerged, equally unexpected, they naturally channel their pent-up frustration into supporting him, hoping Zhou Jielun can suppress you."

Qian Jiang, who had spent years crisscrossing the three regions, rubbed his stubbly chin and quickly figured out why the media were doing this, a sneer forming on his face.

"Zhou Jielun can't possibly surpass me—it's just Taiwanese media's wishful thinking."

Zhou Yi paid no mind to the outside noise.

Though the data analysis looked impressive, he still led Zhou Jielun by a wide margin, let alone the fact that Zhou Jielun's album was only popular within Taiwan.

Zhou Jielun wouldn't truly become a national sensation until after 2005; before that, he was merely a minor king.

Before 2005, even holding concerts on the mainland, he worried about unsold tickets and partnered with China Mobile—recharge three or four hundred yuan in phone credit, get a free ticket.

Zhou Yi's first time seeing Zhou Jielun's concert ticket in his past life was one his family got by recharging phone credit.

"Whether or not it's wishful thinking, all this external hype isn't without benefit to you. Your popularity has rebounded, and with Zhou Jianhui's approval, the company has granted you tremendous creative freedom."

When it came to profits, Qian Jiang grinned like a Maitreya Buddha: "According to what I've heard, because your first album was such a huge success, Warner now values your second album more than Sun Yanzi's."

"In fact, Zhou Jianhui may even secure for you the right to an unlimited album production budget."

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow: "Unlimited? Really? I've never heard of that."

"Saying 'unlimited' is just a euphemism for 'extremely expensive.' No matter how much you spend, you won't burn hundreds of millions of RMB on one album."

Qian Jiang, still used to Hong Kong's exaggerated phrasing, slapped his forehead and explained the meaning of "unlimited": "You've surely heard the news about past Hong Kong superstars spending millions or tens of millions to produce an album?"

"So I can just use filming MVs as an excuse to travel everywhere?"

"Theoretically, yes—company expenses cover meals and drinks; it's an unofficial industry perk. If you want inspiration, tell me where you want to go, and I'll buy your ticket."

Here, Qian Jiang flipped open his notebook, the pen tip resting on a date: "From Wu Zongxian's side, your special feature has been fully produced and will air in two parts."

"If you're not in a hurry to go home for New Year's, you could stay in Taiwan and see how the audience reacts after the broadcast."

"Also, Rock Records is throwing a celebration for Liu Ruoying—we've been invited. Are you going?"

Zhou Yi nodded immediately: "Of course I'm going. After all, they came to support us before—I understand the principle of mutual courtesy."

Qian Jiang was about to nod when the ringtone from Zhou Yi's pocket rang out—

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

Seeing the caller ID read "Zhou Jianhui," Zhou Yi smiled and pressed answer: "Hello? Boss Zhou?"

"Zhou Yi, your new album's preliminary budget is set at two million RMB. If needed, it can be increased further."

After speaking, Zhou Jianhui paused, then added: "Unlimited."

………………………………………………

"What did you say? Really?"

"Of course it's real. Do you think I'd lie to you? Anyway, thanks a lot—next time I'll treat you to dinner."

In Taiwan, Fan Bingbin, who had rushed here after finishing a TV drama shoot on the mainland, hung up the phone and exhaled deeply.

She flopped backward onto the hotel bed in a starfish pose, staring at her phone screen displaying her friend's number, her expression solemn.

This was her last chance.

If this failed, she'd truly have to bow to that group just to get decent acting roles.

Damn it!

Just thinking about it made Fan Bingbin furious.

She and the other two had come out of the same "My Fair Princess," yet they became superstars while she got nothing—every big production, she still played maids, nothing but maids.

To be honest, she didn't know if playing the female lead in an MV could win her a new round of attention, but this was the last straw she could fight for on her own.

In this era, gaining fame through an MV was still an option.