enjoyebooks Chapter 37 No. 1 is you
Chapter 37 No. 1 is you
"Because music requires real life experience." Wang Bo turned to her and smiled. "Sitting in the recording studio and just imagining things, the songs you write may be technically perfect, but they lack soul."
Su Xiaoxiao was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly raised her teacup: "A toast to authentic life experiences."
Wang Bo and Su Yiyi also raised their teacups.
The three cups gently clinked together.
The dishes were served, and the aroma filled the air.
Wang Bo was indeed hungry, so he stopped being polite and started eating heartily.
Su Xiaoxiao ate elegantly, but quickly, clearly she was also hungry.
Su Yiyi ate slowly and deliberately, every movement revealing her good upbringing.
"Oh, right," Su Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered something, "Starlight Media contacted me again today."
Wang Bo paused, his hand still holding the food in his chopsticks: "They haven't given up yet?"
"Chen Liming called personally, saying that although it was a pity we couldn't collaborate, he hoped we could consider it if there were opportunities for a single collaboration or appearing on a variety show together in the future." Su Xiaoxiao smiled. "He also emphasized that Zhang Lei's team would coordinate everything and would absolutely not let personal feelings affect their work."
Wang Bo shook his head: "This President Chen is really... persistent."
"He's a smart man," Su Xiaoxiao analyzed. "The explosive popularity of the song 'Once Upon a Time' wasn't accidental; it's a perfect combination of your songwriting ability, singing skills, and emotional expression. This kind of talent is rare and hard to come by. The fact that he's willing to try again and again shows that he has a keen eye."
She paused, then looked at Wang Bo: "But you're ruthless enough to fabricate a ten million yuan termination fee."
Wang Bo smiled sheepishly: "I just said it casually, hoping to discourage him, but I didn't expect him to actually accept."
"I'm willing to pay eight million," Su Yiyi said softly. "Wang Bo, you're really worth a lot of money now."
"What's valuable is the music," Wang Bo said earnestly, "not me as a person."
Su Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow: "Is there a difference? You are the vessel of music."
"There is a difference," Wang Bo said. "If one day I can no longer write good songs or sing them, I will be worthless. But good music itself has eternal value."
Su Yiyi nodded in agreement: "Just like those classic pieces of classical music, they are still being played hundreds of years later. The people who created them are long gone, but the music lives on."
The three chatted over a meal, talking about everything from music to life, from work to their dreams.
Wang Bo discovered that, beneath her business elite exterior, Su Xiaoxiao was actually a very interesting person with broad knowledge, quick thinking, and occasional sharp-tongued comments that always managed to make people laugh.
Su Yiyi, beneath her gentle appearance, possesses a profound understanding and dedication to music, and her eyes light up when she talks about famous musicians.
"I'm full." Wang Bo put down his chopsticks and sighed contentedly.
Su Xiaoxiao checked the time: "It's only nine o'clock. How about we go downstairs for a coffee? Their hand-drip coffee is pretty good."
Wang Bo hesitated for a moment: "I have to go back early, I have two more commercial performances tomorrow."
"Okay, then I won't keep you from resting." Su Xiaoxiao called the waiter to settle the bill.
As I stepped out of the restaurant, the night breeze was slightly cool.
Su Xiaoxiao went to get the car, while Wang Bo and Su Yiyi waited at the door.
"Wang Bo," Su Yiyi suddenly said softly, "thank you."
Wang Bo was taken aback: "Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for showing me the truest form of music." Su Yiyi looked at him, her eyes reflecting the light of the streetlamp. "And thank you for adding a different kind of color to my and Xiaoxiao's lives."
In the night breeze, Su Yiyi's long hair swayed gently, and her light pink knitted sweater made her skin look as white as porcelain. In her gentle eyes, there was sincere appreciation, as well as some emotions that he could not understand.
"Teacher Su," Wang Bo said with a smile, "I'm the one who should be thanking you. Without you all, I'd probably still be worrying about next month's rent."
Su Yiyi smiled, a smile so pure it was captivating.
Su Xiaoxiao's car pulled up, and she rolled down the window: "Get in, I'll take you home."
……
When the notification sounded that the last payment for the commercial performance had arrived, Wang Bo was squatting in his apartment bathroom scrubbing the toilet.
He stared at the reassuring number on his phone screen, then let out a long breath, as if to expel all the stale air from his lungs.
Eight days, 148,642.53 yuan.
After paying back Su Xiaoxiao's 100,000 yuan, there is still 48,642.53 yuan left.
After paying the next quarter's rent, prepaying for phone bills, water, electricity, and gas... I'll still have 41,642.53 yuan left.
"That's enough." Wang Bo stuffed his phone back into his pocket. "If you spend it sparingly, it'll be enough to keep you doing nothing for half a year."
As a fledgling star, I can't compare myself to ordinary people who can live on a few hundred yuan a month, and I certainly can't compare myself to the wealthy who spend hundreds of thousands or even millions a month on beauty and skincare alone.
After cleaning the toilet, he slumped onto the sofa, opened WeChat, and sent a message: "Debt cleared. Thank you, Mr. Su, for saving my life. I'll work like a slave to pay off my debts by writing songs."
Almost instantly, Su Xiaoxiao replied: "No need for cattle or horses, just write more songs. Also, I've turned down all commercial performance invitations, so you should just focus on reflecting, creating, and making music."
Wang Bo typed: "President Su is awesome!"
Su Xiaoxiao sent another message: "Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, at the company's recording studio, there's a producer meet-and-greet arranged for you. Don't be late, and dress presentably."
At 8:30 a.m. the next morning, Wang Bo appeared on time downstairs at the building where Xiaoyi Culture Media was located.
Today he was wearing a light blue Oxford shirt, black casual pants, and his hair was carefully styled; he even sprayed on some of the woody perfume that Su Yiyi had given him last time.
The receptionist's eyes lit up when she saw him: "Good morning, Mr. Wang! President Su instructed that you can go directly to the recording studio; the producer is already waiting for you."
"Thank you." Wang Bo smiled and nodded.
He walked forward, and after reaching the end and turning the corner, the scene before him made him pause for a second.
Unlike open-plan office spaces, this is clearly a specially planned art creation space.
Music-related artworks and photographs are displayed on both sides of the corridor, and warm yellow lighting creates a comfortable atmosphere.
The most attractive feature is the heavy, soundproof door at the very back, with a metal sign hanging on it that reads "Recording and Creation Center".
Pushing open the door, Wang Bo was stunned once again.
This isn't a recording studio; it's a mini music factory!
The spacious, high-ceilinged space is divided into several areas by glass partitions: a control room, a recording studio, an instrument storage area, and a rest and discussion area. The equipment is all professional-grade, including mixing consoles, monitor speakers, microphone arrays, and more.
What Wang Bo recognized most was the old-fashioned Neve mixing console next to the control panel—it was the prized possession of Zhou Yuji's recording studio. She had bought it secondhand from some closed-down recording studio back then, and its sound was as warm as hot cocoa in winter.
"Wang Bo?" a gentle male voice rang out.
Wang Bo turned his head and saw a man in his thirties walking out of the control room.