Chapter 48: Inviting the Children's Choir for a Recording (Please Follow Along)

After leaving Tong Fei’s office, Fang Xing followed the director to the mentors’ lounge at the training camp, where he met Liang Yusong.

Liang Yusong owned a company in Donghai. He and an old friend had co-founded a record label called Pine Stone Records. Pine Stone Records couldn’t compare in scale to a big company like WaveSound Culture, but it was still fairly well-known in Donghai. Moreover, Pine Stone Records focused mainly on music, whereas WaveSound Culture operated in the idol industry; the two weren’t even in the same lane.

Liang Yusong was a veteran music producer. In his early years, he served as music director at Asia Pacific Records. After leaving Asia Pacific, he partnered with others to establish Pine Stone Records. Thanks to Liang Yusong’s reputation, Pine Stone had a few first-tier and near-first-tier singers under its wing. Pine Stone Records and Feifan Entertainment had always collaborated. This time, Liang Yusong was doing Tong Fei a favor by overseeing the musical content for “Rising Star.”

...

After Fang Xing explained his purpose, Liang Yusong immediately agreed, “This isn’t difficult. I know the person in charge of the Haining Children’s Choir.

“But, elementary school kids have classes, so a live performance isn’t possible. We can only invite them over for recording.”

“As long as we can record, that’s fine. I can handle the rest myself,” Fang Xing replied quickly.

“Although the fee isn’t much, hiring a choir for a recording still requires some expenses. Are you planning to pay yourself, or does the show have a budget?” Liang Yusong clarified in advance.

Inviting a children’s choir for a recording was certainly cheaper than hiring a celebrity, but it would still cost a couple thousand. Fang Xing, just a trainee, might not be able to afford it. Liang Yusong said this as he looked at the director standing nearby. The message was clear: he was helping Fang Xing push the bill to the program team.

The director was used to situations like this and replied, “I’ll apply for a budget from the program group. This should be covered under the stage budget.”

While speaking, the director phoned the stage budget manager and soon secured the necessary funds.

Liang Yusong then asked, “When do you plan to record? This can’t be done at the show’s studio—you’ll need to use mine.”

“Is tomorrow okay? A single day might not be enough.”

With only five days of rehearsal, the sooner, the better.

“Tomorrow’s a bit rushed, but I’ll try to arrange it. Do you have sheet music or a demo? Send it to me first, so I can let the choir director listen. If it can be arranged tomorrow, I’ll call you,” Liang Yusong didn’t make any promises.

After all, inviting a children’s choir on such short notice might not be feasible.

“I’ll finish it today and send it to you before tonight. By the way, what about the studio usage fee?” Fang Xing asked.

Liang Yusong laughed heartily, “This time, consider it me helping you out. Just remember you owe me a favor.”

“Of course. If you need anything in the future, I’ll definitely help,” Fang Xing promised.

...

At four o’clock the next afternoon, Fang Xing received Liang Yusong’s call.

“The Haining Choir really likes your song, but time’s tight. The kids only have two hours today. Come over now—we’ll record part of it today, and finish the rest tomorrow.”

“Alright, I’m on my way,” Fang Xing responded eagerly.

He hung up and immediately took a cab to Liang Yusong’s company.

When he arrived at Pine Stone Records, the Haining Children’s Choir’s bus had just pulled up as well.

A swarm of elementary students poured out of the bus, chattering and laughing. True to their reputation as a children’s choir, even their noisy voices sounded pleasant, like a flock of orioles.

A little girl spotted Fang Xing, ran over, and looked up, saying, “I know you. I saw you on TV. My mom really likes you.”

“Thank you.” Fang Xing reached out and patted her head. With four hit songs to his name, he had gained some recognition.

The girl quickly ducked her head, pouting, “Don’t touch my head. If I don’t grow tall, it’s your fault.”

Liang Yusong personally came down to greet them. Since time was tight, there were few formalities, and they headed straight into the recording studio.

After more than two hours of work, at half past six, it was time for the choir students to go home. They left with their teacher, boarding the bus.

Fang Xing remained in the studio, working on post-production mixing and adjustments.

Liang Yusong stood nearby, watching Fang Xing operate the equipment, his eyes full of surprise.

Originally, Liang Yusong intended to handle the mixing himself, but Fang Xing had taken over the job.

...

The Haining Children’s Choir kids were quick learners, but even a full day wasn’t enough to finish the recording.

The next day, Fang Xing returned to Pine Stone Records, spent another afternoon recording with the choir, and finally completed the recording.

However, the post-production mixing was even more complicated.

Fang Xing worked until after eight in the evening and was still not finished, though most of it was done.

Seeing that the post-production was nearly complete, Liang Yusong said, “You can leave the rest to the mixing engineer. It’s late—you haven’t eaten, have you?”

“Isn’t that too much trouble for you?”

Fang Xing felt guilty about using the studio for free. He preferred to finish what he could himself.

Liang Yusong patted his shoulder, saying, “Come on, let’s grab a drink. Tomorrow I’ll have someone send you the finished master.”

Seeing Liang Yusong insist, Fang Xing felt it would be rude to refuse.

So the two went to a quiet bar called Blues, ordered some fruit and drinks, and chatted leisurely.

The atmosphere at Blues was calm, perfect for passing time.

Liang Yusong picked up his glass, clinked it against Fang Xing’s, and said, “I’ll have a little alcohol, you stick to water. We’re both musicians; we know the rules—no need for formalities.”

Alcohol is bad for the voice, so singers who care about their vocals usually don’t drink.

After some wine, Liang Yusong became even more talkative. He asked, “I originally thought you wanted to be a singer on stage, but watching you record today, I feel you’d do well behind the scenes too. Do you prefer the stage or working backstage?”

Fang Xing thought for a moment, “I’d like to do both. There’s no conflict between the two, is there?”

Liang Yusong chuckled, “Young people aren’t always honest. How many people who work backstage originally wanted to do so? Most went backstage because they couldn’t make it in front.

“But your situation is different. You’re good both onstage and behind the scenes, which is why I asked.”

Fang Xing smiled, “I like singing, and I like working behind the scenes. Making music backstage lets me record my emotions. Performing on stage lets me sing those emotions to the world.”

Liang Yusong nodded, “Now I understand—you’re an all-around musician. No wonder you don’t want to sign with WaveSound Culture. Your talents can’t be fully utilized there.”

WaveSound Culture runs on idol management, relying on fan economics, and outsources all their music production. Their artists are essentially products on an assembly line—quick to rise, quick to fade.

So companies like WaveSound Culture are always searching for new faces, constantly pushing fresh idols to their fans.

Most people thought Fang Xing’s reluctance to sign with WaveSound Culture was due to contract negotiations.

Only Liang Yusong saw the real reason.

Fang Xing raised his glass and clinked it against Liang Yusong’s, “I’ll toast you—water instead of wine.”

“Right? I nailed it, didn’t I?” Liang Yusong laughed heartily, taking a sip.

Fang Xing set down his glass and glanced at the veteran musician.

After setting down his own glass, Liang Yusong glanced back at Fang Xing.

Both, young and old, had guessed what was on the other's mind.

It was as if they had finally found a kindred spirit—a mutual appreciation between musicians, but neither was willing to break the delicate silence first.