After the recording incident of Ning Yufei was exposed, the many companies that had signed endorsement deals with him immediately suspended the contracts. This had a huge impact on the reputation and earnings of Yifan Entertainment in many aspects.
Especially after he was put on file, his original fans redirected their disappointment and anger towards Yifan Entertainment, verbally abusing Yifan Entertainment on major websites for their inaction and allowing infighting among artists.
It even affected the careers of the company’s other artists.
Facing this headwind, the company had to push out more powerful new artists to divert the public’s attention and regain the company’s losses.
And Qi Feng, the victim in Yufei’s incident, became the primary candidate.
The black-red reversal made Qi Feng gain a lot of sympathy, plus his ancient music live broadcasts recently let more netizens see his strength.
So, under the push of his increasing popularity, his reputation also got better and better. Yifan seized the opportunity to immediately start heavily promoting Qi Feng.
Tang Jun called Qi Feng to the company and held a meeting with several executives.
Seeing Qi Feng’s state was not very good, he thought Qi Feng was feeling down because of Ning Yufei’s incident. He patted Qi Feng on the shoulder and said, “It’s not a bad thing for a young man to go through some ups and downs. Besides, this matter has been reversed now, and the current situation is very good for you.”
“Cheer up. The most important thing is to use the current situation to build yourself, which is also why I called you here today.”
Qi Feng neither agreed nor disagreed and asked him, “What does the company want to build me into, participating in variety shows again?”
Tang Jun asked, “What ideas do you have?”
Qi Feng: “I want to shift towards ancient-style music.”
Tang Jun: “Be more specific.”
For artists debuting in music, they either debut as singers, form bands or put together singing and dancing groups. But none of these were what Qi Feng wanted.
He wanted to play ancient musical instruments, spread the musical charm of classical instruments that were gradually being forgotten in this era dominated by modern instruments, and pass it on to later generations.
But currently, among the audience, there weren’t many who liked ancient-style music, which was equivalent to not making money. To take this path, one would have to be a mega celebrity with tens of millions of fans to spark some interest.
With his current personal influence, it was far from enough. The company wouldn’t agree to his idea either.
Qi Feng told them his thoughts with a try-it-out mentality: “I want to form an ancient-style band, with members who only play instruments but don’t sing. Using only exquisite playing skills and the timbre of each instrument to express the art of music.”
Just like the performances of Western symphony orchestras centered around Western instruments.
Sure enough, frowns appeared on the faces of the people at the conference table as soon as he said this.
Tang Jun pointed to the few people sitting in the conference room and said, “In fact, the people I invited today are music producers. Their thinking is to first participate in a few music variety shows to see the market reaction, and then formulate your future development path.”
“As for the idea you mentioned of forming a classical orchestra, to be honest, there are many such orchestras, but do you know their names?”
There were indeed many classical music orchestras, mostly belonging to a theater or organization. Their way of making a profit was mostly by providing soundtracks for shows etc., belonging to behind-the-scenes work.
No one who wanted to make it big as a top celebrity would choose to take this path.
Qi Feng knew it would be difficult.
A producer wearing glasses said, “If you want to take the path of ancient-style instruments, it’s not impossible. My suggestion is to participate in a large-scale music variety show. If you make a stunning performance on the show that makes everyone who watches the show unforgettable of you and your music, then the path you mentioned may not be impractical.”
“As long as your reputation is established, how to package you is something we have to do.”
Just as Qi Feng thought, he still had to have enough charisma to lead people to like classical instruments.
Qi Feng looked at them earnestly and said, “I can try.”
Tang Jun said, “Then it’s simple. I’ll go find a program team for you. Your current popularity in the market is very high, variety show teams will probably want you. But what will you prepare to perform on the show? Just play the guzheng and guqin?”
Tang Jun shook his head with a grimace, “Then probably only your fans will be interested.”
The bespectacled music producer just now smiled and said, “So we have to play some tricks in the show, either using music to interpret a memorable scene or story that stays in people’s hearts or combine it with current hot topics and use the guqin and guzheng to perform a popular piece of music known to everyone.”
Qi Feng knew as soon as he heard it that he had ideas and asked him, “Teacher, what are your suggestions?”
The producer asked him, “What instruments can you play, and what pieces can you play?”
“I can play guzheng, guqin, and pipa. As for the pieces, as long as they are ancient pieces handed down, I can play them. Even if there are ones I can’t play, I can get familiar after practicing them a few times.”
Qi Feng was actually quite modest. He could play more and could also write large-scale orchestral pieces.
The great celebration of the Empress Dowager’s 80th birthday, the orchestral music performed at the banquet was single-handedly arranged by him.
Tang Jun banged the table in excitement: “You know such classical and elegant stuff. Why didn’t you bring them out earlier?! It would have been so good to develop you in the ancient style direction from the beginning. Your artist image is almost set now.”
The producer said, “Actually it’s not too late now either. After his debut, Qi Feng has only participated in variety shows, walking the idol path. Fortunately, he doesn’t have a fixed idol image in the eyes of his fans yet. It’s not a bad thing. He has great flexibility in the future.”
“And the recent live broadcast of ancient-style music has also given him a label of an ancient-style handsome guy. So, shifting directions now is not abrupt.”
The others all nodded at his words.
The producer added, “But you have to remember one thing, the most important thing is still building your own personality, and during this period, absolutely no negative news can appear. By the way, are you dating anyone?”
Qi Feng was stunned for a moment and looked hesitantly at Tang Jun.
Tang Jun: “Whether you have someone or not, you can’t have anyone!”
The producer: “Yes, before your transformed artist image is established, a relationship exposure would definitely affect your fanbase.”
“I understand.”
Qi Feng nodded earnestly: “Thank you teachers for your advice.”
The few producers smiled at each other, the atmosphere harmonious.
Tang Jun: “Then let’s end today’s meeting here. Qi Feng, I’ll go find a variety show team to sign you up. You exchange contact information with the teachers to discuss the content of the program.”
“When the content is decided, practice more with the teachers in the music studio, don’t keep staying at home without going out!”
After the meeting ended.
Fang Cheng whispered the news he had received to Qi Feng.: “Xiao Feng, our lawyer just notified me that the evidence of Ning Yufei drugging you twice is conclusive. He has been ordered to be arrested on suspicion of intentional injury, sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of three years.”
He felt very emotional: “Ning Yufei has completely ruined his life this time.”
Qi Feng: “He brought it upon himself.”
“Yes, he brought it upon himself.”
Fang Cheng also said in a low voice: “In fact, similar things have happened before. But in the end, the company mediated to protect its reputation, and it was left unsettled.”
“If it wasn’t for Mr. Pei pressuring the company this time, this matter would have been left unsettled again.”
Upon hearing this name, Qi Feng pursed his lips and continued walking forward.
Fang Cheng cautiously tried sounding him out: “You two still haven’t made up?”
Qi Feng: “Don’t mention him. From now on, no one can know about my relationship with him.”
Fang Cheng thought Qi Feng was worried about affecting his future career, “I understand, don’t worry. The people who know about you two now wouldn’t dare leak a word.”
Just as he was speaking, Pei Yan’s phone call came in.
Qi Feng had never saved Pei Yan’s number, so the name displayed on the screen was a string of digits.
With one look at the number, Fang Cheng very tactfully went to get the car.
Qi Feng held the buzzing phone and waited several seconds before picking it up right before it was about to hang up: “What’s the matter?”
“Where are you?”
Pei Yan’s voice was a little hoarse, “Why haven’t you come back yet?”
Qi Feng: “…I’m at the company, I’ll go back now.”
“There’s food at home…. I,” Pei Yan’s tone was unstable: “I’m waiting for you to come back and eat.”
After saying that, he immediately hung up.
Qi Feng listened to the ‘beep beep beep’ sound and looked at Fang Cheng waiting for him in front of the car. He thought he was still living at Pei Yan’s place now. Once he got in the car, Fang Cheng would send him to Pei Yan’s place without him needing to say anything.
Should he really continue like this?
At Pei Yan’s home.
Pei Wenwen had been doing exam questions the whole day and was starving, her stomach growling. When she came out and saw the two servings of fragrant and appetizing pan-fried steaks on the table, her mouth started watering.
The little girl impatiently sat down at the table, picked up her knife and fork, and happily shouted, “Ge, did you call the chef home?” It smells so good, I’m starving to death.”
“Don’t touch it.”
Before she could steady her knife and fork, Pei Yan picked her up by the collar.
Pei Wenwen was about to get angry when she turned her head and saw her brother wearing an apron, still holding a ladle in one hand, looking like a househusband.
She forgot about being hungry and exclaimed in surprise, “Ge, you personally cooked? You made all this?!”
On the table there was a salmon salad, a small pot of steaming mushroom soup, two steaks, and the oven in the kitchen was still humming, smelling like pizza.
Her brother could actually make such a large table of dishes by himself.
Pei Wenwen was very touched. “Ge, did you cook all this for your sister?”
Pei Yan didn’t even look at her as he set two soup bowls on the dining table: “It’s not for you to eat. Stay in your room later, and don’t come out to cause trouble.”
Pei Wenwen: ???
Upon closer inspection, there were tall candlesticks, a bouquet of white roses, a bottle of red wine, and two wine glasses arranged on the table, clearly set up for a romantic candlelight dinner.
Pei Wenwen: ….
The little girl was pitiful: “Brother, what should I do?”
Pei Yan threw a takeout order to the young girl: “Here, go back to your room and eat this.”
From the direction of the thick door to the living room came the “beep beep beep” sounds of someone entering the passcode.
Qi Feng was back?!
Pei Yan’s stern face suddenly displayed panic. He pulled Pei Wenwen hurriedly towards the bedroom, saying sharply, “I need to talk to Qi Feng about something. Stay put in your room. If you dare come out, I’ll kick you out right away!”
Pei Wenwen glared at him: “Don’t pull me, I’ll go myself.”
With a ‘click’ the door lock opened. Pei Yan instantly put away his fierce look, turned around, and stood facing the entrance hall, his hands hanging on both sides slightly awkwardly clenching and unclenching.
He saw the boy walk in, casting an indifferent, calm gaze towards him. The two made eye contact.
“You….”
As Pei Yan started speaking, he found his voice a little strange.
He coughed and took a deep breath, saying, “You, you’re back?”
In his fluster, he forgot he was still wearing an apron.
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