blueteamnovel Chapter 6: A Voice from Another World
Chapter 6: A Voice from Another World
Zhou Yuji closed the handbook and looked at Wang Bo seriously: "Wang Bo, let me ask you, if I told you right now that the company won't close down, and we'll work hard to go public within three years—would you believe me?"
Wang Bo shook his head honestly.
"I don't believe it either." Zhou Yuji laughed. "That's why it's important to know your own limitations. I'm not cut out for this. Forcing myself to stay will only waste more money and hinder the development of you artists. It's better to let go early and let the right people do the right things."
She stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to Wang Bo: "Xiaoxiao called me yesterday and told me about your piano playing and singing. She said you surprised her and even made her wonder if you've become a different person."
Wang Bo's expression remained normal.
"But I told her that people change." Zhou Yuji turned around and leaned against the window. "Especially after experiencing setbacks, you were dumped by your ex-girlfriend and your career hasn't taken off. At this time, you either sink into despair or transform yourself. It seems you chose the latter."
Wang Bo said, "Thank you for your understanding, Sister Zhou."
"But speaking of which," Zhou Yuji walked back to her desk and picked up the copy of the cooperation agreement from beside the wine bottle—only then did Wang Bo notice it was on the table—"Have you read the terms Xiaoxiao gave you?"
"I've only glanced at it," Wang Bo said. "It's better than the current contract... and they've even promised to invest promotional resources."
"That's fine then." Zhou Yuji put down the document. "If you decide to sign, the company won't put up any obstacles. Don't even mention the penalty for breach of contract. Anyway, I'm leaving soon, so consider it a favor to you."
Wang Bo was deeply moved: "Sister Zhou, you've gone to such lengths..."
"Stop, stop getting sentimental." Zhou Yuji made a stop gesture. "I can't stand this kind of thing. If you really want to thank me, then do your best at the provincial university's centennial celebration and make a name for yourself. When the media asks, remember to mention 'thank you for nurturing Yuji Entertainment,' to save face for my soon-to-be-closed company. That will make me very happy."
"Definitely," Wang Bo solemnly promised.
"Alright, that's enough about the business." Zhou Yuji became lazy again, picked up the box of chocolates, broke off a piece and put it in her mouth. "The recording studio is on the basement level. Old Chen should have it almost ready. Do you need money? Producing songs always requires some expenses..."
"Not for now," Wang Bo said. "I'll use the existing equipment to make a demo first. If it's a high-quality production, it might require some budget."
"Let me know when the time comes." Zhou Yuji waved her hand. "I can still come up with tens of thousands of yuan. Consider it an investment for you. If you really become famous, remember to pay me back double."
Wang Bo laughed: "Sister Zhou, you think so highly of me?"
"What I admire about Xiaoxiao is her eye for talent." Zhou Yuji blinked. "That girl has always been particularly sensitive to making money since she was little. The fact that she's willing to invest in you shows that you really have potential."
Suddenly remembering something, she pulled a bank card from her wallet: "Here, the PIN is six eights, and there's 50,000 yuan in it. Take it. Rent equipment, hire musicians, or even just buy a few decent stage costumes. Spend what you need to spend; consider it an investment on my behalf."
Wang Bo looked at the card but didn't take it: "Sister Zhou, this..."
"Take it." Zhou Yuji shoved the card into his hand. "Consider it compensation for your hard work and dedication at the company over the past three years. To be honest, Wang Bo, you're the most worry-free artist I've ever signed. You don't cause trouble, you don't make excessive demands, and you sing whatever I ask you to sing—even though those songs aren't really that great."
She sighed, "Looking back now, I realize I wasted a lot of your time. If I had let go sooner and allowed you to develop in a more suitable place, you might be quite famous by now."
"Please don't say that," Wang Bo said sincerely. "In the three years I've been with Yuji Entertainment, I've at least had a platform. Although I haven't become famous, I've accumulated some experience."
"You're just too honest." Zhou Yuji shook her head. "Alright, let's hurry up and go to the recording studio. Time is tight; half a month will pass in the blink of an eye."
Wang Bo stood up, and as he walked to the door, he suddenly turned back: "Sister Zhou, if... I mean, if I really became a sensation at the provincial university's centennial celebration and became a cash cow, would you change your mind and continue running the company?"
Zhou Yuji paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Wang Bo, Wang Bo, your idea is very creative, but..."
She stopped laughing, a rare seriousness flashing in her eyes: "It's too late. My heart is already on its way. Even if you become a superstar, I'll only send you a postcard from some corner of the world with the words: Congratulations, remember to pay your taxes."
Wang Bo smiled and said, "Then I'll try my best to get you to send me postcards from all over the world."
"Great ambition!" Zhou Yuji gave a thumbs up. "Go for it, young man. The world belongs to you, and to us, but ultimately it belongs to those who can just pack up and go."
Wang Bo left the office and headed for the elevator.
The receptionist, Xiaoling, called out to him, "Wang Bo, Uncle Chen is waiting for you on the basement level. He said the recording studio is all set up."
"Thank you." Wang Bo pressed the elevator button.
As the elevator slowly descended, he gripped his bank card and the recording studio key tightly.
Zhou Yuji's carefree attitude surprised him and also moved him.
In this industry, it's incredibly lucky to encounter a boss who doesn't play by the rules.
Unfortunately, he was too late.
We've arrived at the basement level, and the elevator doors have opened.
A gray-haired man stood at the door, holding a bunch of keys in his hand.
"Is this... Xiao Wang? Mr. Zhou asked me to set up the recording studio for you." Old Chen led Wang Bo through the dimly lit corridor. "The equipment is a bit old, but the basic functions are still working. Do you know how to use it?"
"I know a little," Wang Bo said.
Old Chen opened a heavy, soundproof door, revealing a room of about thirty square meters.
The console, microphone, monitor speakers, and various cables... although they are indeed quite old, they are well-maintained.
"This is the control room, and the recording studio is inside," Old Chen explained. "Do you need any help? I know a little about recording techniques."
"Not for now, Uncle Chen." Wang Bo walked into the control room, touching the familiar equipment. "I'll figure it out myself first. If I need help, I'll come to you."
"Okay, then you go ahead with your work." Old Chen left the key behind. "I'll be upstairs. Call me if you need anything."
The door closed, leaving Wang Bo alone in the recording studio.
He turned on the console power, and the indicator lights lit up one by one. He put on the monitoring headphones, tested the microphone, and found that the sound quality was better than he had expected.
Sitting in front of the control panel, Wang Bo closed his eyes, and the melody of "Encounter" flowed slowly through his mind.
Piano, strings, drums, bass... each part gradually became clear in his mind.
"Alright, let's begin."
He opened his eyes, opened the recording software on his computer, and pressed the first chord on the MIDI keyboard.
His musical journey truly began at this moment.
Upstairs in her office, Zhou Yuji was eating chocolate while browsing travel websites.
My phone rang. It was a WeChat message from Su Xiaoxiao: "Yuji, did Wang Bo come to see you today?"
Zhou Yuji replied with a smile: "I just left. I went to the recording studio. I gave him 50,000 NTD for production fees, which I consider a 'breakup fee'."
A few seconds later, Su Xiaoxiao replied: "You really are... generous."
"Since we're closing down anyway, leaving him some money for music is better than paying rent at the end," Zhou Yuji typed. "Oh, and if he really becomes famous, remember to ask him to sponsor my round-the-world trip."
"You wish," Su Xiaoxiao replied with an eye-roll emoji.
Zhou Yuji put down her phone and looked out at the city skyline.
Three years have passed, and the company she started on a whim is finally coming to an end.
"Wang Bo, keep it up," she whispered to herself. "Let everyone see that the only right thing I, Zhou Yuji, did was sign you, you silly boy."
At this moment, in the recording studio on the basement floor, Wang Bo has finished recording the piano part of "Encounter".
The clear piano music flowed from the monitor speakers, echoing in the small space.
That was a voice from another world.