Lu Chen and Mu Xiaochu first met while participating in Singing China. At the time, both of them were essentially grassroots newcomers. One was a drifter from the capital struggling to make a name for himself in Capital City, while the other was a first-year university student. Neither had fame, influential connections, nor a powerful background.
In the end, both of them made it into the nation's Top Ten singers. Many of Lu Chen's fans, especially members of the Lu Family Army, came to know and like the young girl who was always seen by Lu Chen's side during that period.
Everyone affectionately called her "Little Sister Xiaochu."
Later, when Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er started dating, it did not affect their friendship in the slightest. Mu Xiaochu could openly act close to Lu Chen without reservation. Even if reporters happened to photograph them together, there was no need to worry about scandalous rumors.
It was precisely because of this relationship that MSN became the object of envy for countless artists struggling at the bottom of the entertainment industry.
Within show business, Lu Chen had earned the nickname "Golden Hand." According to industry legend, any unknown singer who received his guidance was destined to become famous. His works were regarded as a guarantee of commercial success.
Nowadays, however, it was virtually impossible for an ordinary singer or performer to receive Lu Chen's personal guidance. Even those willing to pay an astonishing price were not necessarily able to secure a place on the waiting list of artists hoping to obtain songs from him.
That was why Su Jiajia and Ning Tian greatly envied Mu Xiaochu's friendship with Lu Chen, but they never felt jealous or resentful. They knew very well that MSN's success could not have happened without Lu Chen, but it also could not have happened without Mu Xiaochu.
"Let's do a trial recording first. I want to hear how it sounds."
Flying Stone Records had its own recording studios, along with numerous experienced sound engineers and a large team of highly skilled professionals. Yet MSN's new song was still being recorded at Lu Chen Workshop.
On one hand, it allowed Lu Chen to provide guidance on-site. On the other hand, it represented Flying Stone Records' attitude and support.
Not only that, Flying Stone Records had also assigned a sound engineer to join Lu Chen Workshop and help Wang Hui manage the recording studio. Wang Hui was already so busy that he barely had time to breathe, and without additional help many projects simply could not be completed on schedule.
The engineer's surname was Hao. In his thirties, tall and lean, with long hair and a somewhat aloof personality, he was well known in the industry. Yet in front of Lu Chen, he remained extremely respectful and never dared to put on airs.
The recording of MSN's new song was being handled by him.
The three girls entered the recording booth one after another and put on their oversized monitoring headphones.
After a brief moment of preparation, the instrumental introduction quietly flowed through the high-quality sound system into the control room.
Mu Xiaochu, Su Jiajia, and Ning Tian all became noticeably serious. As the music swelled, they began to sing.
Because we cannot fly,
Our voyage toward happiness is a long one,
And storms inevitably lie in wait ahead,
Trying to pry apart the hands we hold so tightly.
If you're not afraid and you don't falter, then neither will I.
When we cross the 'Ocean of Love',
We'll be glad we never gave up or backed down.
On the prosperous shore,
The tears shed along the journey
Will all be buried as treasures.
...
The song was titled "'Ocean of Love'." It had been specially created by Lu Chen as the title track for MSN's second album, and among the three new songs, it was the most important one.
Unlike the youthful innocence of "Not Yet Lovers," 'Ocean of Love' carried a more mature style. Beneath its melancholy lay an unwavering determination and yearning for love. As a result, it was considerably more demanding to perform.
Compared with the period when they recorded Not Yet Lovers, MSN's growth was obvious. Their coordination had become remarkably seamless. A single glance was enough to communicate volumes. Their grasp of the song's emotional nuances was far more refined, making the performance a genuine pleasure to listen to.
Each of the three girls possessed an excellent vocal tone, yet none sounded alike. Mu Xiaochu's sweetness, Su Jiajia's warm and rounded voice, and Ning Tian's crystal-clear purity combined to form the unique charm of the girl group.
Through 'Ocean of Love', that charm was displayed to the fullest.
...
Love is this turbulent ocean,
Filled with countless waves of heartbreak.
Let's not become like that; let's leave no regrets behind.
We'll cross this ocean together,
And reach the other shore together!
...
When they reached the climactic chorus, the way the three of them shifted their vocal presence and connected their parts was virtually flawless. Such perfection could never have been achieved without long hours of practice. Even though this was only the first trial take of the day, the result had already reached the standard of an official recording.
In the control room, a knowing smile appeared on Lu Chen's face as he listened.
The girls had been preparing a surprise for him.
He had written the score for 'Ocean of Love' shortly after arriving in Hong Kong. Yet in just over half a month, MSN had delivered what could only be described as a perfect answer sheet. Certainly, the professional guidance and supervision provided by Flying Stone Records had played a role, but the efforts of the three girls themselves were equally indispensable.
Whether in life or in singing, doing something wholeheartedly and merely going through the motions were two completely different things.
Their dedication alone deserved praise.
When 'Ocean of Love' came to an end, the three girls opened their eyes simultaneously.
Applause erupted in the control room. Through the thick glass, they could see Lu Chen, the recording engineer, and several other studio staff members clapping enthusiastically.
The three exchanged smiles, their faces glowing with genuine happiness.
Performing a good song does not only bring enjoyment to the audience; for the singers themselves, it is also a joyful and deeply rewarding experience.
Although the first take had already been excellent, Mu Xiaochu and the others recorded several additional takes in accordance with standard studio procedures. During the process, Lu Chen offered guidance on certain details, striving to make the title track as perfect as possible.
By the time everyone emerged from the recording studio, it was already noon.
Mu Xiaochu grabbed Lu Chen's arm and said,
"Brother Lu Chen, shall we have lunch together?"
Lu Chen smiled.
"Are you girls treating me?"
The three girls had been hoping he would agree and immediately nodded in unison.
Putting on a serious expression, Lu Chen said, "You can treat me, but I insist on paying the bill. Otherwise, I'm not going."
Su Jiajia and Ning Tian were momentarily confused, but Mu Xiaochu burst into laughter.
"Then we're treating you to a big feast!"
Lu Chen was obviously joking.
Amid laughter and cheerful conversation, they had lunch together at a nearby restaurant before returning in the afternoon to record the other two songs.
That evening, at exactly eight o'clock, the official microblogs of Lu Chen Workshop and Chen Fei'er Workshop simultaneously published an identical post.
The announcement stated that the two workshops had acquired the adaptation rights to The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, a new-style wuxia novel written by the author "Recalling Ancient Times." The novel would be officially published later that month, with plans to begin production of a television drama adaptation in the second half of the following year.
The news immediately caused a sensation.
It was the first time the two workshops had released identical announcements simultaneously, and since the content involved a brand-new television drama project, it naturally attracted enormous attention from both fans and industry insiders.
The revelation that Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er's next television drama would be a wuxia production surprised many people. At the same time, it sparked widespread curiosity about The Smiling, Proud Wanderer itself.
What kind of wuxia novel could prompt two television stars, whose works had repeatedly set domestic and international ratings records, to promote it so enthusiastically?
For a time, searches for "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" surged dramatically across all major search engines.
(End of Chapter)
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