Talent

On the morning of December 10th, at Thunder Music Studio.

Huang Ting, now 67 years old, had thinning hair and wore thick glasses, but he appeared remarkably vigorous.

Huang Ting's son, Huang Lei, now managed the studio. Since a senior vice president from Penguin Video had personally come to visit, Huang Lei obediently took on the role of serving tea and water in the reception room.

Dai Ying stated her purpose, and Huang Ting did not refuse.

Penguin Video and Penguin Music both belonged to Penguin Group. Although the senior vice president of Penguin Video was in charge of film and television business, their connections were enough to exert significant influence on the music industry.

Huang Ting was old, his ambitions no longer burning, but his son was still young, and the studio needed to continue operating. Therefore, he couldn't afford to slight the senior vice president of Penguin Video.

"What is the theme of this TV series, and what is the main storyline?" Huang Ting asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

Dai Ying took out a few sheets of paper from her bag and handed them to Huang Ting, smiling. "During the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a minister named Bao Zheng, courtesy name Xiren, from Luzhou. He was known throughout the world for his incorruptibility and justice. He passed the imperial examination during the reign of Emperor Renzong's Tiansheng era. He was successively promoted to Surveillance Censor and advised on training troops and selecting generals to strengthen border defenses."

"He served as an official in the Three Judicial Offices, the Ministry of Revenue, and as Transport Commissioner for Jingdong, Shaanxi, and Hebei circuits. Because he enforced the law impartially, he was known as 'Bao Qingtian,' 'Bao Heizhi,' and 'Bao Heitan.'"

"Specifically for this Young Bao Qingtian, it tells the story of the young Bao Zheng, who was a divine judge, repeatedly solved major cases, feared no power or wealth, cared for the common people, was upright and incorruptible, and cracked one cold case after another."

Huang Ting looked at the information in his hand, pondered it carefully for a moment, then looked up and asked, "How much time do I have?"

Dai Ying replied, "Within half a month. Within about half a month, all the post-production for Young Bao Qingtian can be completed, and it can be released anytime."

Huang Ting nodded slowly and said, "President Dai, please rest assured. I will compose the two songs within half a month. It's just that I'm getting older these past two years, and my mind isn't as sharp as it used to be. The quality of the work might not be as good as my previous pieces, so I hope you'll be understanding, President Dai."

Dai Ying smiled. "Mr. Huang, you are too kind. Who in the industry doesn't know that almost every one of your works is a rare classic? You've been cultivating yourself these past few years and haven't produced much. I shouldn't have disturbed you, but this Young Bao Qingtian is too important to us, so I had no choice but to shamelessly ask for your help."

Huang Ting chuckled. "It is my honor that President Dai thinks so highly of this old man."

Before leaving, Dai Ying remembered the material Li Xun had sent her. After some hesitation, she decided to show it to Mr. Huang.

She didn't understand music, composition, or lyrics, but for some reason, she felt that the lyrics Li Xun sent her were indeed quite interesting.

"Mr. Huang, the screenwriter for this TV series sent me two sets of lyrics yesterday. I've looked into his background; he has no connection to music at all, so I didn't pay much attention. Would you mind taking a look?"

As she spoke, Dai Ying took out her phone and opened her WeChat chat history with Li Xun.

Huang Ting took the phone and looked at it for a few moments before exclaiming, "Oh?"

Dai Ying asked, "Mr. Huang, how is it?"

Huang Ting sat back in his chair, savoring each line, occasionally reading them aloud.

"A clear sky above my head, a single belief in my heart."

"Not young and ignorant, just unafraid of challenges."

"Seeking clarity in all matters, it's my ingrained nature."

"If I can bring you justice, why wouldn't I?"

Huang Lei leaned behind his father and, like his father, frowned as he looked at the lyrics on the phone.

"Interesting, quite interesting!" Huang Ting said slowly.

"Mr. Huang, do you think his lyrics are okay? From what I understand, he has no prior experience in music," Dai Ying asked.

Huang Ting smiled. "Just because someone hasn't studied doesn't mean they don't have the talent! Otherwise, what's the saying, 'Heaven bestows the gift'?"

Dai Ying thought for a moment. "If you think his lyrics are somewhat interesting, Mr. Huang, do you think you could revise them based on his original words and compose a melody?"

Huang Ting looked at the content on his phone. "Didn't he mention in his message that he had a melody in his mind? What did you think of it, President Dai?"

Dai Ying said awkwardly, "I haven't listened to the voice message he sent yet. It's somewhat normal for someone who has never studied music to be able to write lyrics, but composing at least requires recognizing sheet music, right?"

Huang Ting asked, "President Dai, may I listen to the voice message he sent?"

Dai Ying nodded.

Huang Ting pressed the play button.

Although Li Xun's singing was somewhat weakened and distorted by the WeChat voice transmission, in Huang Ting's ears, it evoked a sense of regret, as if the young man had chosen the wrong path.

If he were properly mentored, the young man could make a name for himself in the music industry.

Listening to the singing in the WeChat voice message, Dai Ying was also somewhat surprised.

It sounded quite convincing and gave a very pleasant feeling.

Could it be that he had borrowed melodies from other songs?

Could someone who had never studied music really hum a complete tune so casually?

The singing continued.

The voice message was 4 minutes and 28 seconds long.

Huang Ting nodded as he listened, his fingers occasionally tapping lightly on the tabletop. Towards the end, the old man even closed his eyes.

"Every move you make, I pay close attention to."

"As long as the truth is revealed, my conscience will be clear."

The voice message finally finished playing, and the reception room fell into silence.

It was Dai Ying who broke the silence.

"Elder Huang, what do you think of his singing?"

Huang Ting tilted his head back, lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "The song is very complete. Some notes aren't quite accurate, and some parts need refinement and adjustment, but overall it's already very good. What's rare is that it also fits the theme of your TV series very well. With my experience, I can't hear any traces of it borrowing from other famous songs."

Dai Ying took a deep breath: What kind of brain does this Li Xun have!

Huang Ting also became interested in Li Xun. He briefly asked Dai Ying for some information about him, then seriously looked at the second set of lyrics.

"As Long As There Is You"

"(Female) Who can tell me If there's a pen like this That can draw pairs of eyes that don't shed tears That can hold onto the fleeting moments of this world That can make all beauty never fade again (Male) If that's the case I can comfort myself On nights without you I can draw a ray of light Hold onto happiness And give it all to you The bitter taste turns sweet ..."

The old man nodded frequently as he read the lyrics, sometimes closing his eyes to ponder for a while after reading a section, as if thinking about something.

A few minutes later, he finished reading the lyrics for the second song and directly clicked on the second voice recording.

"Who can tell me, if there's a pen like this..."

The three people in the reception room were stunned.

The singing in the audio was clearly a female voice!

Dai Ying couldn't help but think: Right, this is a duet. Did he find a girl to sing this song for him?

"If that's the case, I can comfort myself, on nights without you, I can draw a ray of light..."

Singing this line, the voice finally returned to Li Xun's own.

Four minutes later, the voice recording finished playing.

Dai Ying became confused. The lyrics mentioned a duet part, so why wasn't it in the audio?

Huang Ting handed the phone back to Dai Ying and smiled, "Interesting, the kid is interesting. He's truly blessed by heaven. With such vocal conditions, if he receives professional guidance and is properly trained, his future is boundless!"

"Especially his voice, which can sound both male and female – rare, so rare!"

Dai Ying's eyes widened abruptly, and she asked, "Elder Huang means, that female voice was also sung by him?"