Chapter 10: A Perfect Show Paired with the Perfect Song—Ratings Soar!
Vina Hotel.
As soon as Lin Yi entered the lobby, he glanced around but saw no sign of Director Li Xue. Perhaps he was on another floor.
With that thought, Lin Yi took out his phone and dialed a number. “Hello, I’ve arrived.”
“Wait for me, I’m coming down right now.”
Shortly after the call ended, Lin Yi saw a middle-aged man with short hair rush out of the elevator, sprinting outside and looking around anxiously.
“Director Li Xue, I’m here,” Lin Yi called out, watching helplessly as Li Xue passed right before him, waving his hand in refusal.
“Hm?”
Li Xue turned his head to look at Lin Yi, suspicion darkening his expression.
“You… you’re Lin Yi?” Li Xue frowned and asked.
“Yes, I’m Lin Yi. You called me before.”
Li Xue gasped in disbelief as he studied Lin Yi closely. The author of “When the Wind Rises” and “Old Beauty” was actually such a young man!
So young, yet with such profound literary talent!
Truly admirable!
“What happened to your leg?” Li Xue’s gaze fell on Lin Yi’s thigh.
“I had a car accident on my way to the college entrance exam,” Lin Yi answered, his mind recalling Li Xue’s impressive record.
Li Xue had been nominated four times for the Magnolia Best Director Award, winning twice—once at the 19th and again at the 21st awards.
The awards alone might not impress much, but when you mention the TV dramas he directed, you understand just how extraordinary he was!
“Crossing the Northeast,” “No War in Beiping,” “The Disguiser,” “Nirvana in Fire,” and “Nirvana in Fire: The Wind Blows in Changlin.”
To be honest, Lin Yi had never imagined his song would catch the attention of the renowned Director Li Xue.
At best, he thought Li Xue would take his song, pay him the agreed fee, and he’d continue on his own path quietly.
College entrance exam?
And he was still a student?
A storm of emotions surged within Li Xue. A student taking the college entrance exam could write such excellent lyrics?
A genius!
He had truly encountered a prodigy!
“So... how did the exam go?” Li Xue hesitated for a moment before asking.
“Pretty well, I believe I scored over 700 points,” Lin Yi replied confidently.
Over 700 points?
Li Xue thought of his own daughter, who was also taking the exam this year, but… her level…
It was disheartening!
“That’s excellent! Beida Qinghua is within reach.” Li Xue brushed away his worries and smiled warmly, then looked around and said, “Let’s go inside and talk.”
“Sure.”
They took the elevator to the third floor.
“Look at the menu. Order whatever you want—I’m treating!” Li Xue said generously.
Having solved the major dilemma of the main theme for “Nirvana in Fire,” Li Xue was in high spirits.
He had originally considered using Lin Xi’s “Smoke Rises” if he couldn’t find a suitable song.
But now, with substantial investment, quality songs had indeed appeared!
After a rigorous selection process, a pleasant surprise had come—two outstanding songs!
Both perfectly matched the storyline and his requirements!
A great drama deserves great music; the ratings would soar!
“Well, then, I’ll have the signature braised beef bone and pan-fried glutinous rice cake,” Lin Yi chose casually, not wanting to spoil Li Xue’s enthusiasm.
“Oh, here’s a card for you—payment for the two songs. The password is 123456,” Li Xue suddenly remembered something and pulled a card from his pocket, handing it to Lin Yi.
“Thanks,” Lin Yi accepted the bank card without hesitation. This was the fruit of his labor. He needed to reflect seriously and then write; this was hard-earned.
Besides, his father’s medical treatment required funds.
This money just eased his immediate worries.
“No need to thank me. It’s what you deserve,” Li Xue waved his hand.
The dishes arrived quickly.
Li Xue ate the beef bone, sipped his wine, and muttered to himself, “I was thinking, if I couldn’t find a song that suited me, I’d just give up. The TV station and company kept pressuring me—it was stressful.”
“Nirvana in Fire” had been scheduled to air during summer vacation but was delayed several days due to the lack of a fitting theme song.
“Which network will it air on? I’ll watch,” Lin Yi smiled.
“Hunan Mango TV.”
Hunan Mango TV?
Normally, “Nirvana in Fire” premiered on Beijing Satellite TV and Dragon TV.
Ah, whatever—this world is already chaotic; why expect logic?
“Well then, here’s to ‘Nirvana in Fire’ becoming a huge hit and its ratings soaring,” Lin Yi raised his glass sincerely.
“Thanks!”
Clink!
Their glasses met.
After a deep conversation, Li Xue developed a strong interest in Lin Yi.
Talented and unpretentious—that was his impression.
He had come looking for Lin Yi out of excitement and curiosity, wanting to see which prodigy could write such lyrics.
Also, he discovered the submitter was from Haiyuan City, Hunan Province, not far from where he was staying.
By a strange twist of fate, they met.
The phone rang.
Li Xue put down his glass, frowned at the caller ID, and answered, “Hello.”
“What are you doing? Where have you been? You can’t just leave me alone here to handle everything! Hurry up and come!” The voice on the other end was gruff and impatient.
“Alright, alright, I’m coming. Can’t even have a meal in peace. Old Kong, I’ll remember this—I’ll be calling you at three in the morning.”
“Damn! That’s harsh! You’re such an old turtle!”
Li Xue: ...
“I have to go now. You eat at your leisure. I’ll pay the bill. Let’s chat next time when we have more time,” Li Xue said apologetically as he stood and downed a hearty gulp of wine.
“Okay, goodbye!” Lin Yi got up with a smile.
After Li Xue left, Lin Yi sat down slowly and savored the hotel meal. He didn’t take the director’s polite words too seriously.
This time, it was just his luck.
The hotel food was decent but a bit pricey, Lin Yi thought contentedly as he set down his utensils and burped.
Chinese food was like that.
He got up, leaning on his crutch, and left Vina Hotel.
Haiyuan Hospital.
“Mom, haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Lin Yi handed a lunchbox to his mother.
“Why waste money like that?” Wang Xin rolled her eyes, scolding.
“Hehe, Mom, just eat it,” he coaxed.
“Okay.”
After she finished eating, Lin Yi took his mother to a quiet corner. Seeing no one watching, he pulled a card from his pocket and placed it in her hand.
“Mom, there’s one million yuan on this card. We can finally afford Dad’s treatment.” The card was the one Li Xue had given him. He had just checked at the bank—there was indeed one million yuan!
He had to admit, Director Li Xue was truly generous.
“Where… where did you get this money?” Wang Xin asked anxiously.
“Mom, I wrote songs for the director. This is my payment.” To reassure her, Lin Yi showed her the message on his phone confirming his submission had been accepted and the call for theme songs for “Nirvana in Fire.”
Wang Xin stared at the screen for a while, realizing it was true, and her anxious heart gradually settled.
Still, she was shocked.
One million yuan for two songs!
It was equivalent to a lifetime of hard work for them.
“Just for two songs? Money is too easy to make! Knowledge really is wealth,” Wang Xin said, handing back the phone and sighing.
“Mom, it depends. I was just lucky that the director picked my songs,” Lin Yi smiled helplessly. Such things were too complicated to explain.
Some singers make a living from one song their entire life; others struggle in poverty.
Lyricists even more so—different levels, different prices. Unknown lyricists get ignored by agents and singers alike.
“Well, as long as it makes money, that’s good enough,” Wang Xin waved her hand, her heavy heart lifted.
With this money plus their savings, Dad’s treatment was hopeful!
She no longer had to borrow from relatives.
As dusk fell, Lin Yi was sent back home by his mother.
Back home, he cooked a bowl of noodles with two fried eggs. After finishing, he took a warm shower, applied medicine, and then sat at the table, gazing at the neatly arranged books, pondering his summer plans.
His leg was fractured—though mildly—but still broken. It would take time to heal.
He couldn’t waste the summer idly; he needed to find a job to earn some money.
Writing songs?
That was a good choice. After all, he had a treasure trove of classic songs in his mind.
He decided to write a few.
With that thought, Lin Yi immediately picked up his phone and searched for the songs in his head, finding none. He began jotting down the titles: “Bubble,” “No More Meetings,” “Counterattack”...
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