1990: Starting from Baojia Street

When Zhou Yan just returned to school, he met his teacher Shi Wanchun first. After all, he was appointed as assistant to the dean of the department. Although he didn't have much to do, he still had to follow the required procedures.

When Shi Wanchun saw Zhou Yan, he looked up and down, and the first sentence mentioned his hair.

My hair has grown long recently and it's time to trim it.

This opening immediately confused Zhou Yan. His hair had not been cut for a while, but it had not grown to an exaggerated degree. His hair was not even as long as that of his teacher Shi Wanchun.

Zhou Yan smiled and handed the teacher a cigarette, Why did the teacher suddenly pay attention to my hair?

After a while, you are going to receive an award. Get a haircut and be more energetic.

Zhou Yan became more and more confused as he listened, What prize?

Shi Wanchun lit the cigarette and said with a smile, Don't you remember that you filled out the application form for outstanding teachers in Xicheng District?

Oh, that's what happened.

Zhou Yan did fill it out before, but that time many people filled it out, it was more like a formality, so he didn't take it seriously.

You have been selected. The district will organize an organization to receive the award. On the 10th, you will go to the district education committee to get the certificate.

Zhou Yan was very surprised when he heard that he had been evaluated, I only have two classes in one semester, can I still be evaluated?

He wondered if the school had manipulated him.

Shi Wanchun rolled his eyes, Everyone is very happy when they hear my comments, but it's you who doesn't look too happy.

It's not that I'm unhappy, I'm just worried that I won't be convinced.

Excellent teachers at the district level are of little use to Zhou Yan. If others say that there is a secret operation because of this, the gain will outweigh the loss.

Shi Wanchun waved his hand, I'm just an outstanding teacher at the district level. You deserve the award. Although you only have two classes a week, your teaching quality is high, student satisfaction is high, and you are in charge of the Piano Youth Orchestra. Let's do it, this orchestra has made outstanding contributions to cultivating young musicians, and the district also took this into consideration before selecting you.

Oh, that's right. Zhou Yan nodded. If the performance of the Piano Youth Orchestra is also included, then it is indeed enough.

Seeing that Zhou Yan did not respond much to the outstanding teachers at the district level, Shi Wanchun said, Don't underestimate this outstanding teacher at the district level. If you want to evaluate the key teachers in Yanjing City later, it is necessary to obtain the outstanding teachers at the district level or above within five years. condition.

Within five years, you will be awarded the title of associate professor, and then you can be evaluated for the Fok Yingdong Education Foundation's Outstanding Teacher Award and Yanjing City's Outstanding Backbone Teachers.

When Zhou Yan heard the path arranged by his teacher, he suddenly felt familiar. Isn't this the path of advancement for his senior brother Yu Feng?

Yu Feng was an associate professor who was evaluated in the previous year. He won the first prize of the National Young Teacher Award of the Huo Yingdong Foundation that year, and was evaluated as an outstanding backbone of universities in Yanjing City the following year.

Sure enough, even at Shi Wanchun's position, he still wanted to compete with others. As Shi Wanchun's most proud student, Zhou Yan naturally had to compare with Yu Feng.

Speaking of which, he does look a bit like Yu Feng.

Yu Feng doesn't have any teaching duties at school. In the past two years, he has been leading orchestras abroad to perform, or going to foreign schools for further studies. He has not taken as many classes at Yangyin as Zhou Yan.

Yu Feng was able to obtain these titles of outstanding teachers because of his achievements in training youth symphony orchestras.

In fact, Wan Chun still had something to say, and the road he planned for Zhou Yan was even further than this.

He hopes that after Zhou Yanping becomes associate professor, he can serve as deputy director of the composition department, and then directly be promoted to director of the composition department in three or four years.

It's just that he can't say these things directly. If word gets out, others will say that their composition department is going to be hereditary.

Although Zhou Yan was not focused on promotion, he was still very grateful to his teacher.

Shi Wanchun probably won't be promoted anymore. At this time, he has no idea of ​​cultivating zz resources. Paving the way for Zhou Yan is purely for Zhou Yan's benefit.

Zhou Yan nodded and smiled, I'll get a haircut when I get back.

Well, there's nothing else to do, but your band will have two performances at the New Year's Eve party later, so you can take care of this.

No problem, I'll talk to them soon.

…

After leaving Shi Wanchun's office, Zhou Yan went to the command department's office again and asked Che Yongqiang, a teacher in the command department.

Che Yongqiang’s teacher Yang Hongnian formed the Yanjing Philharmonic Chorus, a children’s choir whose members are basically from primary and secondary schools in Yanjing.

Although the choir only has a history of ten years, it is developing very well. Zhou Yan came to Che Yongqiang this time to ask about the actors.

Brother Che, I'm busy.

Che Yongqiang was preparing music. When he heard Zhou Yan's voice, he looked up and said with some surprise, A rare visitor, Junior Brother Zhou, what brought you to our department today?

I want to trouble you with something.

Che Yongqiang asked with a smile, What's the matter?

I have a movie here and I need some boys who can sing.

Che Yongqiang understood immediately, Want to find it from our group?

My enemy, that's what you mean. Isn't it convenient?

It's not inconvenient, but I have to ask my teacher for advice on this matter.

Do you want me to go find Teacher Yang?

Che Yongqiang waved his hand, No, I'll just go and tell him myself. How big of a child do you want?

About eleven or twelve years old.

How many?

It's got to be dozens.

Che Yongqiang was startled, You are trying to hollow out our group. How can there be so many children for you? You don't know the size of our group.

I'm not just recruiting from your group, I'm going to look at all the major choirs. The main reason is that your group's level is not high, so I'll ask you first.

The reason why Zhou Yan found Che Yongqiang first was mainly because it was easy. In fact, he was not very optimistic about Yang Hongnian and his group.

Yang Tuan is famous for his strict discipline, and anyone who disobeys will basically not be allowed in.

What Zhou Yan is looking for is a naughty and talented little boy.

Okay, I will tell the teacher. Che Yongqiang said.

Then I'll bother you, senior brother. I'll treat you to dinner later.

I remember it.

Don't worry, there will definitely be a feast.

After agreeing with Che Yongqiang, Zhou Yan went to find Zhao Zhang again.

This guy stayed in Yinchuan for two months and actually gained weight.

Zhou Yan joked, You are easy to feed, you can grow meat in Zhenbeibao, and you don't harm the sheep of my fellow villagers, right?

How can you do that? I can't afford it. The main reason is that you bought so many things that time and everyone was addicted to it. Later, Brother Mengfei went to the market to buy things when he had nothing to do. In the following period, we will eat more every day.

How will the situation be after I leave?

Zhao Lao took out a stack of notebooks from the drawer and said, I wrote them all down.

Zhou Yan took the notebook, flipped through it briefly, and then said, Let's go to the studio and read it.

Hearing that he was going to the studio, Zhao Lao was very happy, I was about to go too. I heard that two Steinway's came?

That's what happened, let's go.

When Zhou Yan and the others arrived at the studio, there were many people in the large recording studio, all of whom were members of the Piano Youth Band.

Usually when no one is working in the recording studio, the orchestra likes to rehearse here because it is larger and has a better sound structure. The key is that there is a Steinway here.

Zhou Yan asked Zhao Zhang to play with the band members, while he returned to the office with the things Zhao Zhang had written.

After watching it for a while, Zhou Yan couldn't help but sigh. This guy Zhao really treated the team's diary as a diary. In addition to the filming situation of the crew, he even wrote down a few gossips about the crew, such as so-and-so and so-and-so. Who was quarreling, and so-and-so made a mistake again.

Even the gossips about Zhu Yin, Zhou Xingchi and Karen Mok were written by Zhao Zhang.

Although the description is not detailed, it will be mentioned.

This guy is probably really bored on the set, otherwise he wouldn't even write these things.

If this diary of Zhao Xiu were seen by an entertainment reporter, he would probably go crazy with joy.

Because before the filming of Westward Journey, Zhou Yan had talked with Zhao Xi about using erhu and other musical instruments as the main instruments for this soundtrack, so Zhao Xi also mentioned the use of these instruments in different shots many times in his diary. .

Zhou Yan had just finished reading two books and was about to open the third one when there was a knock on the office door.

He looked up and saw Wang Feng standing at the door.

Do you have a problem with me? Zhou Yan asked.

Wang Feng chuckled and said, Senior brother, you are still hiding from us.

Zhou Yan was confused by his words, What do you mean?

Senior brother, you wrote a rock song, and I already know it.

Zhou Yan immediately understood that Wang Feng should be talking about yellow.

Where did you hear about it? Zhou Yan asked.

We have a guest in our studio.

A guest is here? Who is it, Zhao Jiran?

Wang Feng shook his head, It's Xu Wei.

Zhou Yan said unexpectedly, Xu Wei is here.

Well, I'm in the practice room right now. He also showed us the song you wrote. Do you want to go and have a look?

Zhou Yan looked at Zhao Zhang's diary and said, Wait for me for a while. I'll be there in half an hour.

Okay, then we'll wait for you.

After saying that, Wang Feng left.

Zhou Yan continued to read the diaries. After about twenty minutes, Zhou Yan finished reading several diaries, then got up and walked towards the practice room where Wang Feng and the others usually stayed.

Pushing the door open and entering the practice room, Xu Wei was chatting and laughing with a few people at No. 43 Baojia Street.

Long Long was the first to see Zhou Yan and shouted excitedly, Senior brother is here.

Xu Wei also turned around and greeted Zhou Yan, Teacher Zhou.

Zhou Yan nodded and said with a smile, Welcome to our studio. Are you the only one? Where are the other members of your band?

He casually asked the other members of Fei's band. After hearing this, Xu Wei's expression became a little disappointed, Our band has broken up.

Dispersed?

Zhou Yan was very surprised. In his impression, Fei Band did not exist for a long time, but he did not expect it to break up so quickly. He only met Fei Band more than a month ago. At that time, everything was fine and everyone was very ambitious.

What happened this month? Can a band that was originally full of energy be disbanded?

There were some difficulties and we overestimated ourselves.

Xu Wei didn't go into details, but nowadays bands usually break up for a few reasons, and those reasons can be boiled down to one reason, which is lack of money.

Playing in a band is a very luxurious thing for most people. Equipment, venues, food, drinks and lodging for the members are all free of charge.

Younger members may still be able to persevere with their passion, but older members will face a sharp increase in social pressure, making it difficult to persevere.

Xu Wei didn't elaborate, and Zhou Yan naturally wouldn't ask in detail. He nodded and asked about Xu Wei's personal situation, Are you planning to visit Yanjing for a few days this time, or do you have other plans?

Long Long continued Zhou Yan's words and said, Xu Wei, why don't you come to our band? I'll give you my lead guitar and I'll play the keyboard or rhythm guitar.

Zhou Yan looked at Long Long. This boy was still too inexperienced and spoke incoherently.

Xu Wei played the guitar well, so Long Long thought he was sincere in giving up the lead guitar, but there was one thing he couldn't understand: Xu Wei was in a band, the lead singer first, and the guitarist second.

If you want to get Xu Wei to come to No. 43 Baojia Street, you can only take Wang Feng's place, which is simply impossible.

Sure enough, when he heard Long Long's words, Xu Wei just smiled and didn't say anything.

Zhou Yan said, Long Long, don't make arbitrary arrangements for others. Xu Wei should have his own plans.

Xu Wei also said at this time, I am not planning to join the band for the time being.

Wang Feng also changed the subject, Brother, let's talk about your song first. Xu Wei only knows part of it, and we can't even enjoy it.

Zhou Yan nodded, Okay, let's talk about singing first.

Then Zhou Yan led them to play the song Yellow again. Before he came, Xu Wei had already told Wang Feng and the others the chord arrangement and melody of the first half. Now Zhou Yan used the piano and violin to They demonstrated it once and briefly talked about the idea of ​​​​the song.

After he finished speaking, Zhao Muyang asked, Isn't this song just a melody but no words?

Zhou Yan nodded, Well, not yet.

Zhao Muyang said with regret, That's a pity. If the lyrics were written out and turned into a complete song, it would definitely be very popular.

Let's talk about this later. I don't have this idea at the moment.

After chatting with Wang Feng and others for a while, Zhou Yan called Xu Wei to the office alone.

When he arrived at the office, Zhou Yan asked Xu Wei, What are your plans next? Have you contacted the record company?

Xu Wei didn't think much about it and replied, I have indeed contacted two companies, and we are talking now. I don't know what the final situation will be.

Hearing that he had not confirmed the company yet, Zhou Yan said directly, Have you considered signing with our company?

Sign with your studio?

Didn't Wang Feng and the others tell you? They are all signed by the Zhou family. In fact, they are separate from the studio.

Although Zhou Yan didn't say what happened to the Zhou family, Xu Wei knew from the name that the Zhou family was inseparable from Zhou Yan.

Xu Wei thought for a while and said, Actually, I made two songs myself. The focus of my discussion with the two companies now is whether they can produce my two songs quickly.

Can you give us these two songs? Zhou Yuan asked.

I made a tape but didn't bring it over.

Bring it here tomorrow. I'll be here at the studio tomorrow too.

Xu Wei flipped his hair and said, Teacher Zhou, I would like to ask one more question. If I really sign with Zhou, how are you going to release these two songs? Will they be released together with the song of No. 43 Baojia Street? , or release it together with the songs of other singers you signed?

Other than No. 43 Baojia Street, Zhou has only signed a contract with the Piano Youth Band. If you sign, you will be Zhou's first solo singer, so no other singer's songs will be released with you.

Then this song...

Nowadays, the operating mode of many record companies is to put together an album for their singers, so Xu Wei asked this question. If Zhou only has one singer, then this road will not work.

Zhou Yan smiled and said, Don't be anxious. Bring those two songs over tomorrow. After I listen to them, we can discuss the rest. What do you think?

Xu Wei was still confused, but since Zhou Yan said so, he nodded, Then I'll come back tomorrow.

Well, I won't keep you for dinner today. I'll save a game tomorrow and have a meal together.

OK.

…

In the afternoon of the next day, Zhou Yan was sorting out the score of Spring of the Cowherd Class in the office when the phone on the table suddenly rang.

He picked up the phone casually and said, Hello, hello.

No one spoke on the other end of the phone, so he spoke again, Hello, who are you looking for?

At this time, Xu Wei's voice came from the opposite side, Teacher Zhou, it's me, Xu Wei.

Hearing Xu Wei's voice, Zhou Yan smiled and said, Xu Wei, when will you come over?

I... Xu Wei was silent for a few more seconds, and finally said, I'm sorry, Teacher Zhou, I'm afraid I can't go to your place.

Zhou Yan raised his eyebrows and asked, What do you mean?

Red Star Production Company contacted me again this morning, and they agreed to all my previous conditions, so...

Xu Wei didn't say anything else, but Zhou Yan understood what it meant. Xu Wei had already decided to sign with Red Star Production Company. In this case, he would definitely not bring the songs to the studio again.

Zhou Yan pondered, Do you want to think about it again? Come to my side to hear our conditions?

I'm really sorry, Teacher Zhou. Xu Wei apologized to Zhou Yan again.

After hearing what Xu Wei said, Zhou Yan knew that it would be difficult to change his mind.

Zhou Yan understood Xu Wei's decision. After all, in the rock circle, Red Star Production Company was indeed more attractive than Zhou.

Red Star Production Co., Ltd. was established not long ago, only two years ago, but their boss is Chen Jiantian, the former manager of the band Beyong.

Previously, Faye Wong and Black Panther were able to enter the Hong Kong Orchestra only because of Chen Jiantian's operation.

After establishing Red Star Production Co., the first person Chen Jiantian signed was Zheng Jun. In May this year, Zheng Jun's debut album Naked received a very good response, giving their company the first shot.

With a successful example like Zheng Jun, Red Star Production Company is very attractive to young rock singers. The key is that Chen Jiantian has a wide network of contacts in the rock circle and a strong production team. Nowadays, many well-known figures in the Yanjing rock circle are following There is a connection with Red Star Production Co., Ltd.

In this case, Zhou Yan did not try to persuade her anymore, but just said, No need to apologize, it's a matter of mutual consent.

The main thing is that I promised you yesterday that I would give you the song, but I broke my promise.

Don't take it to heart. Although we haven't signed a contract with our company, we are still friends. If you have time in the future, you can come to the studio to play at any time. I also wish you can achieve great success with Red Star. We will cooperate again if there are other opportunities in the future.

The more generous Zhou Yan was, the more ashamed Xu Wei felt. He wished that Zhou Yan could scold him, which would make him feel better.

Teacher Zhou, it's really...

Seeing that he wanted to apologize, Zhou Yan quickly interrupted, There's really no need to apologize anymore. Big man, why bother being so coy. That's it. You just signed a contract with Red Star, so you should be quite busy. I'm I still have something to do, so let’s not talk about it for now. Let’s move around more in the future. We originally agreed to eat today, but we’ll eat later when we have the opportunity.”

Okay, Teacher Zhou, goodbye.

See you.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yan sighed slightly. In the end, he was stopped by Red Star Production Co., Ltd. He hoped that Xu Wei's development in Red Star Production Co. would be good.

In fact, it was quite unfortunate that Red Star Production Co. called Xu Wei this morning. After learning that Xu Wei had been in contact with Zhou Yan, they took action quickly.

It's not that they had any beef with Zhou Yan and wanted to steal people, but Zhou Yan was interested in Xu Wei, which became an advantage for Xu Wei.

After all, Zhou Yan is now so famous in the music industry. If he likes a certain musician, he will naturally increase the value of the musician.

When things didn't work out, Zhou Yan didn't think about it anymore and could only sigh that his fate with Xu Wei was not enough.

However, this incident also reminded Zhou Yan that in the music circle, if he wants to steal people, he may not have an advantage. Zhou's reputation in the music circle is too small now, and his scale is not enough.

It is impossible for people to defect to him alone.

Zhou Yan thought that he still needed to sign some more singers to make the company stronger.

…

On September 17, the day before the celebration of The Sixth Sense, Xu Feng went to Zhou Yan's studio.

This is the first time Xu Feng has come here since the studio opened.

After walking around and returning to Zhou Yan's office, Xu Feng sighed, You are really cheap. This place has cost you millions. When will you be able to earn back the money?

If it was just to make money, I wouldn't build this studio. I build this studio mainly for my own convenience. Then Zhou Yanyou joked, Besides, it's only a few million, so I'll make money soon. .”

Xu Feng curled his lips and said, You don't sound too petty. Although you say that a few million is not a big problem for you and you can make it back with just one movie, but it's not earned by the studio. It's all yours alone. Production results.”

Several million is indeed not a lot for Zhou Yan now. Xu Feng roughly estimated that Zhou Yan's final income will probably exceed 10 million yuan from the movie The Sixth Sense alone.

This does not include the money earned from the soundtrack of The Sixth Sense. If the remake rights of The Sixth Sense can be sold later like The Piano Boy Who Wants to Fly, Zhou Yan can earn a large amount of income.

Actually, the studio has taken on a lot of work now, and I will no longer need to put money into it. It will get better and better in the future.

Logically speaking, part of the money earned by the Piano Youth Orchestra should also be attributed to the studio. After all, the orchestra now spends most of its time rehearsing here, eliminating venue fees.

In the same way, part of the money earned by Wang Feng and others in the later period must be counted here.

Zhou Yan is already considering asking the company to pay the space fee for his studio on a regular basis. After all, brothers also have to settle accounts.

Xu Feng had no intention of discussing with Zhou Yan whether the studio was profitable. After sitting down on the sofa, she couldn't wait to say, Where is your new script? Come and show it to me. (End of Chapter)