Chapter 82: Five Songs

Five songs!

So, Su Chen hasn’t forgotten the requirements for advancing to a Gold Composer? Even in these circumstances, he has decided to release five songs to contend for the October Wind and Cloud Chart. What confidence that is!

Since the Newcomer King incident, Star Orange Entertainment has practically been venerating Su Chen. Everyone is aware of his talent. Yet, hearing him say he’ll produce five songs at once, they still find it unbelievable. No one has ever played the game this way before. Is he about to create yet another history?

Thinking of this, everyone’s gaze toward Su Chen burns with anticipation.

“Su Chen, there’s less than half a month left until October. Isn’t time a bit tight?” Wang Yan, based on Su Chen’s past achievements, has some confidence in him, but as the general manager, he must remain rational. “I know these songs aren’t much for you, but composing does take time, doesn’t it?” His tone is gentle, his words tactful, but the meaning is clear: with only half a month, producing five songs at once isn’t easy. No need to rush—go at your own pace!

Everyone, hearing Wang Yan’s words, finally comes back to their senses. Indeed! Five songs, all to enter the charts simultaneously—what a challenge! Especially in October, the so-called death month. It’s a hellish difficulty.

“Su Chen…” Kong Qi Shui is about to add his own words of persuasion, but before he can speak, Su Chen’s voice rings out.

“No worries. I’ve already written the five songs.”

…

Everyone in the meeting room holds their breath.

Written…already? Are you composing or copying? How can you speak of it as easily as drinking water?

Seeing their reaction, Su Chen does not elaborate. Instead, he reaches into his pocket, pulls out several sheets of paper—crumpled and creased. He smooths them out with his hands until they’re somewhat presentable.

“Take a look first,” he says, handing the sheets to Wang Yan, who glances at Su Chen with some doubt. Seeing Su Chen has nothing more to say, Wang Yan buries himself in study.

Wang Yan had once been the head of the composition department. Though he hasn’t worked professionally in years, his foundation remains. Judging a song’s merits comes easily to him. Five sheets—he doesn’t read quickly, about two or three minutes per sheet. The others sit in their seats, waiting silently, watching his every move. Only the sound of shallow breathing fills the room.

A long while later—

“Whew!” Wang Yan exhales deeply. “All five songs are female vocals?” he asks, suppressing his excitement. At this moment, he is utterly astonished. In his professional opinion, these songs possess immense potential to become hits. The lyrics and melodies are excellent, rich with popular elements, satisfying the criteria for a breakout song. With some promotion, he is sure they could ignite a craze.

Su Chen, unaware of Wang Yan’s inner thoughts, replies calmly, “Yes, all are female vocal songs.”

Qin Pei, listening nearby, feels her heart skip a beat. Five songs, all female vocals! How many will I get? Her gaze toward Su Chen is complicated; after all, these are five songs. Wang Yan may seem calm on the surface, but she just caught a subtle movement—his left hand trembled slightly, revealing the turbulence within. She concludes these songs are likely all masterpieces.

Wang Yan nods at Su Chen’s answer, picks up the sheets, and passes them to Kong Qi Shui.

“Let’s circulate them,” he says.

Kong Qi Shui, curious, eagerly takes the sheets. Liu Wenxiong leans in as well.

“Sunset and evening wind,
Embracing tenderly,
The crossroads where we once met,
Memories swirling for so long…”

Hmm? Nice melody! They quickly finish reading the first sheet and pass it across the table to Fang Xiao, moving on to the next.

“Someone crosses the southern mist and rain, locked in melancholy,
Listening to the paddle gently row, lost in thought,
On the painted boat, the flute and drum sing sorrowful tunes…”

The lyrics are obscure, and the two almost lose interest, but they persist.

“A fleeting firework in the world, you once bloomed,
Carved into hearts, living in solitude ever since…”

Reading this line, a sudden chill runs through them—a wave of sadness spreads. Another good song!

One song after another, they continue reading, passing each sheet along as they finish.

“You say youth is best paired with first love,
Like light snow falling on the coastline,
The fifth season plays out one day,
We have a time to meet…”

“You are the wind I cannot touch,
The dream I cannot wake,
The paradise I cannot find,
The pain I cannot heal…”

“Don’t pile up nostalgia, making the plot melodramatic,
After loving for years, why ruin the classics?
We’re adults now, no debts, no delays,
Wasting time—because I’m willing…”

In the room, besides the sound of shuffling paper, whispers arise. As more people finish reading, excitement blooms on every face.

Except for Fang Xiao and Guan Mei, everyone present is either a singer or composer. Interpreting a song is easy for them. As more people grow exhilarated, Fang Xiao and Guan Mei suddenly understand: these are masterpieces yet again!

Su Chen’s creative inspiration seems inexhaustible. Whenever he wishes, he simply creates. Absolute genius!

Everyone’s mind, without exception, arrives at the same thought.

“Now that everyone’s finished reading, what do you think of these five songs?” Wang Yan asks, seated at the head, smiling broadly now, no longer feigning calmness but openly delighted.

“These five songs are masterpieces!”

“These are the best I’ve seen lately—except for Su Chen’s other works, of course!”

“The quality of these songs absolutely qualifies for the Wind and Cloud Chart!”

“Incredible! Absolutely incredible!”

…

Everyone voices their opinions, one after another. Eventually, they all quiet down, their eyes fixed on Su Chen.

Su Chen meets their gaze, nodding. “You’ve all seen the songs. I plan to use these five for the October Wind and Cloud Chart. There should be hope, right?”

Though he asks, anyone can sense the certainty in his tone.

“There’s plenty of hope!” someone calls out.

The rest nod in agreement.

…

pS: "Worldly Fireworks" original singer: Cheng Xiang; lyrics: Ning Que; music: Ning Que.
"Sunset and Evening Wind" original singers: IN-K, Wang Xinchen, Su Xingjie; lyrics: Zhao Tangzhou; music: IN-K.
"Dream That Cannot Wake" original singer: Hui Xiaoxian; lyrics: Cao Moqian; music: Qin Feiqiong.
"Birds and Cicadas" original singer: Ren Ran; lyrics: Geng Geng; music: Kent Wang Jian.
"Dignity" original singer: Yu Wenwen; lyrics: Tang Tian; music: Yu Wenwen.