Chapter 155: Be His Cat (Asking for monthly votes at the end of the month!)

Luo Mo's words left Chen Shanqi completely stunned.

What do you mean... just aiming for First-line?

But Luo Mo clearly had no intention of delving deeper; after waving goodbye to her, he walked out of the recording booth on his own.

Leaving Chen Shanqi alone in the recording booth, feeling a sense of loss.

"You could at least keep talking," she said, feeling a bit frantic.

My interest was just piqued by you, how could you just walk out like that?

In reality, from Luo Mo's perspective, as long as the songs are good and the exposure is sufficient, hitting the First-line throne is not difficult.

On the contrary, reaching Super First-line and Top Traffic—those things that require achieving the absolute extreme—are rather mysterious.

Luck, fate, audience affinity... there are too many factors.

Some Singers are very strong and have many good songs, but just because their audience affinity is poor, it is destined that they cannot become Super First-line.

"But if it's just aiming for First-line, then I'm in a bit of a bind."

There is a vast difference in quality even among First-line Singers; if you only want to be a First-line gatekeeper, I find it hard to gauge the right size of song to give you.

——So annoying, there are too many good songs!

"I'm really looking forward to the fourth episode," Luo Mo thought to himself.

*Losing You* plus *I Am Not Sad* already have plenty of highlights.

As for what Luo Mo himself has prepared, it is a song of equally high quality.

At the same time, he has been using Yueqi since the first episode.

The piano and guitar have already been used.

"Let's switch to the violin this time," he said in his heart.

After all, ever since the violin piece *Confession Night* became a massive hit, the calls on the internet for Luo Mo to perform the violin again have been exceptionally high.

There's no helping it, some Yueqi are just cool when played.

Of course, the prerequisite is that you must have a handsome face.

"Playing the violin while Singing is a bit impractical, and it affects the feeling," Luo Mo said in his heart.

Singing with your head tilted is a bit odd, to say the least.

So, the song he chose this time has a particularly wonderful violin melody in the interlude.

For him personally, the part of the whole song he likes the most is actually this violin interlude.

In his view, this interlude elevates the entire song.

After leaving the Xin Yu building, Luo Mo got into the nanny van.

Inside the car were Tong Shu and Li Junyi, who had just finished recording the variety show and returned to Shanghai.

The three had arranged to have dinner together; it had been a long time since Luo Mo had seen these two younger brothers.

After venturing out on their own, both of them looked a bit more mature.

Upon seeing Brother Mo, both were clearly a bit excited. Everyone chatted in the car about the interesting things that had happened during this period, and then they went to Luo Mo's place to eat hot pot together.

Luo Mo was also very happy to see them.

"Ha! Someone to wash the dishes tonight!" he laughed wildly in his heart.

……..

……..

During the hot pot meal, Luo Mo received a WeChat message from Director Ke Ming.

"Luo Mo, after internal discussion by our production team, the theme for the fifth episode has been decided. I am notifying you in advance now," Ke Ming said.

The production team was still playing the same old game, informing the Singers of the show's theme a week in advance so that everyone could prepare more thoroughly.

"Go ahead, Director Ke. I want to see what kind of theme the production team came up with after holding a special meeting," Luo Mo said.

"This theme is quite something," Ke Ming sent the message: "It's called 【No Love Involved】."

Luo Mo looked at his phone and thought it was quite interesting.

The first episode, 【Special Love Songs】, was actually quite broad, but everyone's first reaction was definitely to Sing about Romance.

Like the second and third episodes, which were 【You Are the Joy of Youth】 and 【The Stench of Love】, these were clearly standard love songs.

The fourth episode, 【Losing You】, was the same, only it changed from sweet to bitter.

The constant changing of themes is actually to prevent the audience from experiencing aesthetic fatigue.

This time, coming straight out with 【No Love Involved】 can be considered breaking new ground.

"Fine, let me think about how to handle this," Luo Mo sent a thumbs-up emoji to Ke Ming.

While swishing beef tripe, he thought in his heart: "【No Love Involved】, actually this theme can be approached in two ways."

"The first approach is to still talk about Romance, but it could be something like 【Friend Above Lover Below】."

"But it's very clear that the production team's original intention shouldn't be that."

"The second approach is that the essence of a love song lies in the word 'emotion,' and things like friendship, family affection, gratitude... these are all emotions."

"Since the show is titled *King of Love Songs*, if it only talks about Romance, it is indeed too limited."

Although the subject of Romance is quite popular, it's not bad to change the flavor occasionally.

For most of the competing Singers, hearing this news would be very uncomfortable.

Mainstream love songs are mostly about Romance, so this is equivalent to suddenly increasing the restrictions.

Luo Mo, however, was quite indifferent. His song library had far too many songs; having the production team do the first round of filtering actually made it easier for him to pick.

Just at this moment, the sound of WeChat rang again.

"There is one more thing I need to notify you all about: the production team is preparing to adopt a Live Broadcast format starting from the fifth episode," Ke Ming said.

This actually made Luo Mo pause, and he said in his heart: "Director Ke, you're quite brave!"

Under normal circumstances, singing-based variety shows do not dare to easily attempt a Live Broadcast.

One reason is that singers need pitch correction, and another is that a Live Broadcast cannot be edited, making it very easy for broadcast accidents to occur.

The reason Ke Ming did this was, first, because he had confidence in the singers of "King of Love Songs"; each one was a powerful vocalist, so why not use a gimmick similar to an "Online Concert" to produce the show?

Since they are the King of Love Songs, how could they lack the true ability to command a live stage?

Secondly, it was because he was making the scale larger and larger, with substitute singers held to the standard of quasi-first-line and First-line Singers; with so many big names gathered together, it was difficult to arrange schedules, and they could not spare two days to film.

Recording takes two days, which is also more expensive...

Luo Mo was quite indifferent; he had great confidence in his own full-mic singing.

He had studied traditional opera since he was a child, so there was no such thing as lip-syncing or half-mic singing.

Up until now, he has persisted in practicing his singing skills every day, and his Basic Skills are also practiced daily, without missing a single day.

What we are playing is the live experience!

Ke Ming continued to send a message on WeChat: "There is one more point, which is that after the fifth episode ends, it will be the Semi-finals."

"The Semi-finals will adopt the format of Guest Singers, and every singer can invite one Guest Singer."

"If you do not invite anyone yourselves, the production team can also help with contacting and arranging them."

Luo Mo looked at his phone, swished another piece of tripe in the hotpot, and then typed with his left hand, asking a question that struck at the soul.

"Does the production team pay for the Guest Singer?"

On Ke Ming's end, it immediately displayed 【Typing...】, and then he began deleting and revising.

After a long while, he seemed too lazy to exchange pleasantries with Luo Mo, and ultimately replied with only a few words, which looked exceptionally cruel.

—"No money."

Luo Mo cursed in his heart: "Then what the hell is the point of a guest singer!"

The industry has its own rules; even if many people covet the stage of "King of Love Songs," if there is no money, that is bad practice.

Those without much fame would certainly come to guest sing eagerly, even if they had to pay out of their own pockets.

But if they have status, it is different.

Since it is a guest singing segment, who wouldn't want to invite someone with higher status, higher popularity, and stronger ability?

This depends on each singer's own Connections, or the strength of the company behind the singer.

It might involve personal favors or the exchange of resources.

The reason the production team notified them early was simply due to scheduling issues. If you invite someone to help, they have to be available, and it is best to make a Reservation in advance.

And the Semi-finals are undoubtedly very important; as long as one survives the Semi-finals, one possesses the qualifications to compete for the championship, and everyone wants the crown of the "King of Love Songs."

As the Music Director of Xinyu, the simplest method for Luo Mo was to invite someone from within Xinyu.

But Xinyu only has First-line Singers, and not many of them, and there are no Super First-line Heavenly King or Heavenly Queen level artists.

With Zhao Xueqin's status, and Pineapple as one of the four major companies with its solid strength, even if they invite someone from within their own company, and another Super First-line artist comes, that is not a difficult problem.

This combination together would be a trump card!

"Speaking of which, didn't Heavenly Queen Xu say she wanted to talk to me about some serious business during the National Day Gala rehearsals?" Luo Mo thought to himself.

Among First-line Singers, there are distinctions in rank; could there not be any among Heavenly Queens?

One must know that Xu Chujing is not only a Heavenly Queen of the music scene, but after she crossed over to film television dramas, she also won "Best Actress," and her popularity is heaven-defying.

This is a woman standing at the top of the entertainment industry's food chain, looking down on a crowd of female singers.

"You have serious business to find me for, hey! Isn't this a coincidence? I also happen to have some serious business," Luo Mo said in his heart.

Now, there is less than two weeks left until the National Day Gala.

The Live Broadcast location for the National Day Gala is in Kyoto, so everyone must head to Kyoto for rehearsals.

Fortunately, travel expenses will be reimbursed, otherwise, one would have to pay out of pocket.

This rehearsal is actually the third rehearsal for the National Day Gala.

For such a large-scale gala, it is naturally impossible to only rehearse once. Moreover, many people are kicked out halfway through the rehearsals.

If you can't control the stage, get out!

If serious negative news appears, get out!

The reason Luo Mo was able to participate was because that previous second-line male singer had serious negative news.

Since tomorrow is the day of the rehearsal, Xu Chujing flew back to her home in Kyoto early.

As mentioned before, that female Psychologist who loves wearing Gold-rimmed Glasses lives in the same residential complex as Xu Chujing; just by doing business within the complex, she can earn enough in a year to make her hands go soft.

Xu Chujing made an appointment with her for the evening and then arrived at her home.

She lay down on a bed in a familiar manner, and the female doctor came to give her a head massage.

Her ten fingers pressed down, and she couldn't help but say: "I have said it so many times, although my head massage technique is very brilliant, and I know this can help people relax, please respect my profession. I am a Psychologist; this is just a means of auxiliary treatment."

"Don't just come here for a massage whenever you have nothing to do; this makes me feel like I am just a technician."

The female technician said this with her mouth, but the movements of her hands never stopped.

Xu Chujing let out a comfortable, soft hum, and the fatigue of her whole body was effectively relieved.

She closed her beautiful eyes and said: "I do indeed have something to consult you about today."

Upon hearing this, the female technician pushed up the Gold-rimmed Glasses on the bridge of her nose, sat up straight, and said: "Speak."

"I am going to attend the gala rehearsal tomorrow, and Luo Mo is going too," Xu Chujing said.

"Then just avoid him; the gala venue is so big," the Psychologist said casually.

Xu Chujing still did not open her eyes, saying in a calm voice: "I intend to ask him for a song, to have him write a movie theme song for 'Cat Demon'."

The Psychologist's hands pressing on her head paused for only a few seconds, then she continued pressing and said: "My Heavenly Queen, once you have made up your mind about something, even five Oxen couldn't pull you back; I certainly can't stop you."

Xu Chujing did not speak.

The Psychologist continued, "I'll stick to what I said: either keep your distance, or get to know him deeply; don't keep hovering in between like this."

It's just like how some people have a crush on someone, but when they truly get to know that person, they find they don't like them anymore.

Looking from afar and looking up close are two different things.

To Xu Chujing, Luo Mo is like a nightmare; perhaps once she makes contact, the medicine will cure the illness, and she'll realize there's nothing special about him.

The female doctor chuckled and said, "By the way, isn't dating younger men very popular in your circle? I see many female celebrities finding boyfriends younger than themselves; do you want to try it?"

Hearing this, Xu Chujing frowned and opened her eyes.

Meeting her gaze, the female doctor coughed a few times.

The aura of the Heavenly Queen remains powerful; she cannot handle it.

Xu Chujing closed her eyes again, enjoying the head massage, and said, "Didn't you tell me to respect your profession? What if my condition worsens after I have frequent contact with him?"

"That depends on whether you find joy in it or suffer through it," the female doctor lowered her head and whispered into the Heavenly Queen's ear.

Many people have their own little quirks; they don't necessarily all need to be eradicated.

Including the female doctor herself, who extremely dislikes a certain type of chest restraint; wearing it is exceptionally uncomfortable, even agonizing.

She feels it constricts her, even though she isn't very large.

She feels her arm movements become inflexible because of it, just like some pets that can't walk once they are dressed in clothes, so she only uses two adhesive patches in her daily life.

Many psychological problems cannot be eradicated, but they can be guided positively.

Just as Xu Chujing said, when filming on set, when Luo Mo strokes her head like a Cat, she has the urge to lick his fingers or bite his fingers.

In an ordinary relationship, that is a bit perverted and shameful. But if it is an extraordinary relationship, then isn't this just a little bit of romantic fun between a man and a woman?

You see, the problem becomes simple all at once, and the severity is lowered all at once.

Moreover, these so-called problems of Xu Chujing seem to only be effective toward Luo Mo alone.

Is there a problem?

There is a problem.

Is the problem big?

The problem is not big.

Anyway, I'm just a technician; what do I know about psychological problems?

My Heavenly Queen, if this doesn't affect your life and work, and can make you feel happy, then why not...

—Be his Cat.

(PS: First update, 4000 words, last day of the month, asking for double monthly tickets!)

(End of chapter)