Chapter 224: The Music God (Part 1)

Zhao Qingfeng didn’t know who Qiao’er was. Immersed in the scene of doting on Shen Lingyao, he was startled by the thunderous applause from the hundreds around him.

I’m dizzy! So many people! But it was just a casual song, was such a passionate response really necessary?

At that moment, urgent cries and shouts erupted from the crowd.

“Young man, sing another one!” “What’s the name of that song? We want to hear it again!” “It’s too good! Once is not enough; we’ve already learned the chorus: ‘I love you, loving you, just like mice love rice!'”

Someone took the lead, and soon, a group of people began singing together. Nanluoguxiang is frequented mostly by young people who naturally pursue love with zeal. Many wanted to claim the song as their own, to sing it to their beloved.

The shopkeeper named Qiao’er was also taken aback. Her thoughts differed from the rest; she believed if marketed properly, this song could ignite a craze across the nation!

“Fourth Brother, he’s not my friend!” Qiao’er, real name Liu Qiao, referred to their former band’s agent and her good friend as “Fourth Brother.” They often gathered to discuss music.

“Oh!” Fourth Brother looked disappointed, but his expression quickly changed as he handed Zhao Qingfeng a business card, “Young man, so you’re an original singer, not bad at all. I think this song has great commercial value. If you’re willing, we could find a place to talk in detail.”

Zhao Qingfeng glanced at the card. It read Zhao Yuzhuo, Executive Director of Sihai Music Company. “Just call me Fourth Brother; that’s what everyone does.”

Zhao Yuzhuo, eager to have Zhao Qingfeng join their company, had Qiao’er serve two more bowls of bean milk. Zhao Qingfeng quickly waved his hands in refusal. Drinking more bean milk was out of the question, and joining a company was not his goal. He aimed to be a controlling businessman, not a singer, “Fourth Brother, let’s not talk about being a singer. I mean, if there’s an opportunity, we could discuss other music industry businesses, like copyrights, for example.”

“Ah?” Zhao Yuzhuo was taken aback, “Did I hear you right, copyrights? Are you looking to sell the rights to this song, or what exactly?”

Copyrights might seem a light topic, but they carry significant potential. Zhao Qingfeng didn’t intend to monopolize the future wealth of others, like the singer with the surname Yang, out of decency and lack of need.

“Let’s skip the rights for this song; I can’t claim it as original. My interest is in acquiring the copyrights for other songs. I’m not worried about quantity; the more, the better.”

It sounded easy to say. But to Zhao Yuzhuo, Zhao Qingfeng, still a youth, seemed to be boasting unrealistically. Do you know how much copyrights cost? The price of song copyrights depends on the popularity of the song and the attitude of the copyright holder. The more popular, the higher the price. Songs like “The Ordinary Road” popular twenty years later could cost millions.

Even unknown artists’ songs could cost thousands. It sounded so simple, but did he have the money?

Zhao Yuzhuo, initially pleased, now looked disdainful and angry, “Young man, that’s too big a joke. The song’s good, but not the person!”

With that, he turned and went back into the shop, paying no further attention.

Zhao Qingfeng smiled. This man was quite straightforward and decisive.

“Fourth Brother!” Zhao Qingfeng waved at his retreating figure, “Let’s put the copyright issue aside for now. I’m busy recently. When I’m free, I’ll call you, and we can discuss it in detail!”

Regardless of what Zhao Qingfeng said, Fourth Brother ignored him. Qiao’er cleaned up, frowning slightly and shaking her head without speaking, then returned to her busy shop.

Zhao Qingfeng pocketed the business card, but the onlookers weren’t satisfied yet.

“Sing another one!” “We don’t understand copyrights, but the song was truly beautiful. Sing it again!” “Music star, music god, don’t go!” “I want to learn ‘Mice Love Rice.’ Just sing it one more time, or any other song will do!”

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