Chapter 83: The Days of the Past

Chapter 83

[ps: Many thanks to brothers A Jian = Wolf, Tang Monk Riding a Black Pig, Hi Haizhu, Ri Cangmang, Tian Jueshang, Chi Le Shui, Fei, and others for their long-standing recommendation votes and support! There are many more whose names I can't see in the list—thank you all! And to those brothers who have given rewards, and those supporting me in the book review section—thank you!!! This is my first time writing a novel, and I didn't expect to encounter so many problems. I won't say much about the quality of the book itself—my skills as a rookie writer still need much honing, and I hope more friends can point out my shortcomings. Now I finally understand what it means to court disaster! Who would've thought even a single chapter could be reported! I was almost hit with a 404! The backend was blocked for a day, and after negotiating with the editor, I had no choice but to compromise and substitute the surname with a similar-looking character—Jiang Lun. Sigh, why does it sound so awkward! I'm sharing these words here also to notify brothers on Tencent QQ Book City, since you can't see single chapter posts there. The character is still the same, but the emotions and ideas I pour into him have changed. I'll keep writing as long as I can... If I can't go on—well, let's not talk about it, it's just too frustrating!]

...

Back on set, Zhao Liying and Guo Biting immediately crowded around him. "Well? Well? What did you find out?"

Jiang Lun shook his head. "Not sure yet. Sister Fu went to ask for me. Are you sure you didn't misread it? Is my scene really confirmed to be in the final cut?"

The two exchanged a glance. Zhao Liying pouted, "Now that you mention it, I'm not so sure anymore!"

Jiang Lun, both exasperated and amused, said, "Come on, Ying, at least give me a straight answer first!"

But Guo Biting said, "I think it should be. It was written there—the final edit includes your scene in the main ad!"

"'Should be'? What does that mean?" Jiang Lun couldn't help but laugh. "Forget it! I'll just wait for Sister Fu's news."

Not long after, Fu Chunli called and asked him to step outside to talk.

Jiang Lun had no choice but to leave the set once more.

Outside, beneath the same willow tree.

Fu Chunli stood with arms folded, back to Jiang Lun, her expression frosty.

"Sister Fu!" Jiang Lun walked over. "What's going on?"

"I asked about it!" Fu Chunli turned toward him. "Originally, that scene was indeed part of the main advertisement, but since you were cast in it, they cut it!"

"Oh," Jiang Lun nodded. "So that's how it is."

"Zhao Liying and the others probably saw the first draft. They might not know about the revision, hence the misunderstanding," Fu Chunli explained. "Ah, Lun, I'm terribly sorry about this mess..."

"It's fine, really! I didn't take it to heart," Jiang Lun laughed cheerfully. The best news he'd heard all day was Cai Yuehua's criminal detention; this commercial was nothing by comparison.

He'd have more opportunities in the future. One day, Wanshi would come begging for his help!

No need to rush; time was on his side.

Before leaving, Jiang Lun added, "Sister, let me give you some advice—there's no need to stay in a backstabbing company like this."

Fu Chunli smiled bitterly. "It's not that I haven't thought about quitting. In fact, many other companies have approached me. But after so many years at Wanshi, I've built up my network and gotten used to the work. If I switch somewhere else, I'd have to start from scratch. Even if the salary is higher, I just can't bring myself to make that decision!"

"Sister, what do you think of Yida?" Jiang Lun, face suddenly serious, asked.

Fu Chunli looked at him, smiled at first, but seeing he wasn't joking, replied, "Why so serious? Even if Yida is good, that's Liu Xiahui's company, not yours!"

Jiang Lun smiled. "Sister, you should know, Yida is moving into the music industry—they've just started Rainy Day Music, but they don't have a general manager. If you join, I believe in the future, an eight-figure annual salary won't be out of reach!"

"Why are you talking up Liu Xiahui for? Be honest—how much is he paying you?" Fu Chunli squinted at him, folding her hands behind her back; her slightly plump figure exuded a calm authority.

"Sister, to tell you the truth, I own shares in Rainy Day Music," Jiang Lun said, holding up a fist. "Ten percent."

"Wow, that's a hefty chunk!" Fu Chunli's eyes widened. "No wonder you don't care about the endorsement fee—turns out you're the real boss!"

"Not at all," Jiang Lun replied with a smile. "I have my ideas, but no one to work with. Liu Xiayu holds the largest share, but she's focused on her own music and doesn't manage the company. Uncle Li used to be a schoolteacher—he can handle internal affairs but isn't suited for external relations. At best, a deputy. The company has been established for a while, but there's no core figure. The music market is so competitive now, but they're still following the old paths trodden by other companies—it's hard to stand out!"

As Jiang Lun spoke, Fu Chunli was visibly surprised. This young man had ambition, but for now, he couldn't realize it.

Then again, looking at the current music industry landscape, which company has truly broken new ground?

She couldn't help but smile wryly. "You're quite ambitious, but with everything going digital, every music company is losing money. How can you be sure you'll earn a profit?"

"Why not?" Jiang Lun grinned. "Everyone knows we're in a digital era, and the music industry is the most outdated when it comes to integrating with the internet. But where there's backwardness, there's opportunity for reform!"

"What opportunity?" Fu Chunli asked instinctively.

"You've heard of EasyPay, right?"

"Who hasn't! Yida's third-party online payment platform..." Fu Chunli began, then suddenly paused. "You're suggesting... that online music will be sold for a fee in the future?"

Jiang Lun smiled. This model of purchasing digital music through third-party payment was something he'd seen in that QQ Music app on his second-hand laptop.

It involved a vast library of licensed songs, user experience, and site retention.

He was only outlining the model; how to operate it, and whether it could be successfully transplanted, would require experts to analyze.

And standing before him was one such expert—Fu Chunli, a senior vice president at Wanshi, with extensive experience in marketing and finance. If she joined, many things would be much easier.

"Sister, want to be the first to test uncharted waters?" Jiang Lun tempted her.

"I..." Fu Chunli fell into deep thought. At Wanshi Cola, she'd already reached the pinnacle. Was this where her career would end in retirement? Or should she dare to try something new—risk falling into the abyss, or perhaps create an even greater legacy?

"Sister," Jiang Lun said one last time, "as a musician, I'm deeply troubled by the current state of the music industry. Even though the country is cracking down hard on online piracy, the digital music market isn't profitable. Worse still, the major legitimate platforms are monopolized by IT giants, leaving no soil for nurturing outstanding original music. It's a tragedy for the art of music, and for the nation's spiritual culture. Think it over!"

Fu Chunli was left speechless by his words.

A dozen years ago, the rise of the internet led to rampant piracy, destroying the market for legitimate albums. Many music companies went bankrupt, and countless musicians were forced to change careers.

In recent years, with the government's crackdown on piracy, the online music market had become much more regulated, but the streaming rights had fallen into the hands of a few IT giants.

Of course, Yida was among them. Like the others, all their music was offered free to stream—no one had yet found a viable profit model.

Thinking more deeply, Fu Chunli sensed the brilliance in Jiang Lun's idea. With the keen intuition of a businesswoman, she could imagine the shockwaves this would send through the market if successfully implemented.

And with Yida's resources, entering the market wouldn't be hard; the challenge lay in finding a profitable model. Clearly, Jiang Lun had his own ideas, hence his words.

"Let me go home and think it over," Fu Chunli said. "Your proposal is very tempting, but it needs market testing. I'll study its feasibility first, and then we can talk."

"Alright," Jiang Lun said. "I'll await your good news."

Fu Chunli gave him a curious look. "Aren't you afraid I'll leak your idea?"

"Not at all," Jiang Lun replied with a smile. "A healthy market for legitimate music needs fair competition to create more possibilities, while malicious destruction from piracy will only drag digital music further down."

"Ha, well said!" Fu Chunli couldn't help but praise him. "I have a feeling you have more ideas up your sleeve. Someday you might just pull off something even more astonishing!"

"Then let's leave it here for now," Jiang Lun said, knowing it wasn't the time to say more. The moment wasn't ripe.

The commercial's microfilm shoot finally wrapped up at seven that evening.

That night, Wanshi hosted a banquet to thank the celebrity endorsers and guest stars.

Jiang Lun declined and didn't attend.

Ordinarily, an event with so many stars would be a great opportunity for a newcomer to network and make connections, but for Jiang Lun, he had more important things to do.

Night fell.

Jiang Lun took a taxi alone back to his old apartment complex.

He got out, went upstairs, and knocked on the door.

Bang!

The door opened, revealing Wang Qilin's head. Seeing Jiang Lun, he couldn't help but curse, "Damn! Thought you went missing! Your room looks like you've moved out!"

"Is that Ah Lun?" From inside, Cai Fei's voice rang out before he appeared.

Jiang Lun entered with a cheerful grin, glancing at the living room, surprised. "Whoa! Did a battle just happen here?"

"What battle? With you off living your 'honeymoon,' and neither of us around, this place turned into a dust bowl—like no one's lived here for eight hundred years! A clean freak like me had to clean all night!" Wang Qilin complained, sounding like a grumbling housewife.

"Hey, don't blame me!" Jiang Lun protested quickly. "I cleaned everything before I left. Sofa, coffee table—all the furniture covered with white sheets. Wasn't that enough?"

"Not blaming you!" Cai Fei came out, drying his hands with a towel. "The smog in the capital is terrible—everyone knows that!"

"Now that's what I call reasonable!" Jiang Lun laughed, raising the plastic bag in his hand. "I bought a lamb leg on the way here. Who's going to get the beer?"

"I'll go!" Cai Fei tossed aside the towel, patting Wang Qilin on the shoulder. "Housework's all on you now. Make sure you clear some space before I get back—tonight, the brothers are drinking till we drop!"

"Hey—" Wang Qilin was about to protest, but Cai Fei had already grabbed his jacket and dashed out the door.

Watching his departing figure, Wang Qilin couldn't help but curse, "Damn! It's just cleaning—does he really need to run away?"

"Enough," Jiang Lun laughed. "I'll help you."

Wang Qilin rolled his eyes. "Now that's what a real brother says!"

Half an hour later, Cai Fei returned, carrying a case of beer and a bag of takeout from the restaurant across the street. Jiang Lun and Wang Qilin had finished cleaning.

The three of them cleared off the coffee table, sat around together, raising their glasses—just like the old days, when they had first moved in together.