Chapter 44: A Song for the Flourishing Era (New Work Seeking Votes)

The June Wind and Cloud Rankings lost their luster thanks to the unscrupulous tactics of "Foam," leaving little anticipation for what was to come.

"Taking the top spot feels rather tasteless," Jiang Qi remarked, smacking her lips.

There wasn't a single worthy rival.

Well, that's something.

"Sister Qi, you're getting cocky. The month isn't over yet, there's still ten days left," her assistant said with an odd tone.

When did Sister Qi become like this? She wasn't like this before.

Ever since she met Teacher Gabe, Sister Qi had changed. She was no longer the Jiang Qi she used to be.

"You know nothing. With lyrics and music composed by Teacher Gabe, winning the top spot is just like playing games. What difference does it make whether it's the end of the month or not?"

Jiang Qi scoffed.

As a seasoned devotee, Jiang Qi had long believed Teacher Gabe was invincible.

Unlike the delighted Jiang Qi, Liu Kang, the manager of the singer division at Prosperity Entertainment, was in a foul mood.

In Liu Kang's office.

Liu Kang, whose looks were still quite handsome, stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, sighing endlessly, weighed down by worry.

There were five others in the office, all equally troubled.

"My top lyricists and composers each wrote a song, but Director Wen Shan is still not satisfied. I've run out of options," said one woman, sharp and efficient, with glasses.

She was one of the heads of the lyrics and composition division at Prosperity Entertainment, second only to Liu Kang.

An older man lamented, "Same here. Our top lyricists and senior composers have all contributed, practically writing their entire year's worth of songs, but Director Wen Shan remains unsatisfied."

The other three nodded in agreement; clearly, they were all facing the same predicament.

They simply couldn't understand it: even with songs written by top lyricists and composers, performed by king-level singers, Director Wen Shan was still not pleased.

What did he actually want?

Liu Kang slowly turned, leaning against his desk, and said gloomily, "‘Guardian’ is our key to entering the film industry. Whether it succeeds or fails will affect the company's future plans. It's not unreasonable for Director Wen Shan to demand high standards."

"Is it just high standards?" someone complained. "With Director Wen Shan's requirements, we’d have to invite the legendary composer and lyricist masters. He rejects every song from the rest."

The top composers were all busy; finding time to write for the "Guardian" crew was already a feat, and yet not a single piece was accepted.

It was like going grocery shopping, comparing three vendors, only to find that all their goods were subpar and tossing them aside.

This left the songwriting division quite frustrated—they were busy too.

Of course, this film was important for Prosperity, and their department should cooperate.

Liu Kang sighed, "There are only ten days left before July, and ‘Guardian’ is set to premiere on July 7th. Time is running out. Have the top lyricists compose another song."

They had been preparing songs for "Guardian" since April; in three months, more than ten high-quality songs had been produced—an impressive pace.

If not for Director Wen Shan’s constant dissatisfaction, this issue would have been resolved long ago.

The efficient female manager smiled wryly, "Our top lyricists also have limited energy. They all have long-term collaborators, and sometimes take custom commissions outside. Finding time to write one song for ‘Guardian’ is already quite good."

"Asking them for another isn’t impossible, but quality can’t be guaranteed."

Another manager from the songwriting division chimed in, "Lyricists and composers are talented, but their classics often take two, three, even four years to craft a single masterpiece."

"Director Wen Shan’s timeframe is too short. To produce a classic in three months is nearly impossible."

Now there were less than ten days left.

"No matter how talented, lyricists and composers need inspiration. Without it, their songs are just assembly-line products, no different from those of ordinary writers—certainly not up to Director Wen Shan’s standards."

A middle-aged manager sighed, "Even the legendary masters need inspiration to write songs."

The more accomplished the songwriter, the more they value inspiration.

Of course, they could jot down a song on a whim, probably not bad in quality, but nobody would do that—it’s tantamount to ruining their own reputation.

"I know," Liu Kang said helplessly, but there was nothing else to be done.

The film "Guardian" was just too important for Prosperity Entertainment.

At that moment, a short-haired female manager who had remained silent spoke up, "Why not try asking Gabe for a song? Maybe he can write one."

Everyone turned to look at her.

The attention made the short-haired manager uneasy—did she say something wrong?

Liu Kang praised, "Tang Hui, you’re truly talented."

The efficient manager shook her head, "Tang Hui, you’re brilliant."

The middle-aged manager quietly smacked his leg, thinking, Why didn’t I think of Gabe? That was a mistake.

Tang Hui, with her refined features, was bewildered.

What’s going on?

Is there a problem recommending Gabe? Surely not.

Why is everyone reacting like this?

Liu Kang said, "Tang Hui, I’ll leave the task of contacting Gabe to you."

The others gave her encouraging looks.

Tang Hui was pleased at first—her suggestion was clearly the right one—then she felt bitter.

"I’ve sent countless private messages to Gabe, but he hasn’t replied to a single one. I doubt he’s even looked at them."

Tang Hui was helpless.

She wanted to reach Gabe too, but after more than two months, she still hadn’t found any contact information.

The middle-aged manager understood, "I’ve sent quite a few private messages myself. All have sunk without a trace, no response whatsoever."

The others nodded in agreement.

The efficient manager’s expression was unusual, "It seems that, so far, only Jiang Qi has Gabe’s contact information."

Liu Kang’s eyes lit up and he smiled, "I’ll have Jiang Qi handle this."

After a pause, he continued, "But we can’t put all our hopes on Gabe. Have the company’s top lyricists try their best to write another song."

Everyone was resigned, but there was no better solution.

Once the five had left, Liu Kang immediately called in Deng Qin.

"Have Jiang Qi contact Gabe and tell him Prosperity wants to commission a song," Liu Kang said directly.

To commission a song.

Deng Qin instantly realized something, asking, "Is it for ‘Guardian’s’ ending theme?"

"Yes," Liu Kang sighed. "Time is short—we need to try everything."

If their in-house lyricists could write a suitable song, who would want to look elsewhere?

Deng Qin said earnestly, "I’ll have Qi call Gabe right away and ask if he has a suitable song."

Liu Kang considered, then shook his head, "A phone call isn’t enough—make it a video call. No, have Jiang Qi go directly to Spring City and ask him in person."

Deng Qin was taken aback.

"The June Rankings are already clinched by Jiang Qi; she really ought to thank Gabe properly. Face-to-face gratitude shows sincerity."

Liu Kang said seriously, "Have Jiang Qi mention that Prosperity would like to sign him, and that all terms are negotiable."

That last sentence was the real priority... Deng Qin agreed.

Signing Gabe would be a great boon for Prosperity.

Liu Kang didn’t know that Deng Qin had squeezed quite a few tidbits out of Jiang Qi.

Namely, if they could sign Gabe, He Luoluo would very likely join as well.

Killing two birds with one stone.

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(Posted first, will revise later)