Chapter Seventy-two Live Songwriting

  When people talk about the Golden Melody Awards, they generally refer to one of the most influential music awards in Chinese music. However, twenty years before the establishment of the Golden Melody Awards, the term "Golden Melody" had already emerged! At that time, however, the Golden Melody was not as well-known as it is today, nor was it an award. Initially, the term "Golden Melody" appeared in front of everyone as the name of a TV program.

  As a result, when people mention the Golden Melody Awards, they often associate it with this program. However, these two Golden Melody Awards have no connection whatsoever. The former was a purely singing competition program co-organized by Jonson Entertainment and China Television Company (CTV), while the latter is organized by the Government Information Office of the Executive Yuan every May or June as an award for Mandarin music.

  Not to mention that the two are of different nature, but from a time perspective, they do not match. The former was held in 1971 and stopped after eighteen months, or three years, while the latter was only proposed in 1990, nearly twenty years later. It's ridiculous to try to link the two together. Of course, it is possible that there is some connection between them, perhaps the organizer of this award happened to think of that long-defunct program when thinking about this award. However, we can't know the truth.

  Let's get back on track.

  Since that day, Wang Wei and Hong Xiaoqiao had an office 'romance', Wang Wei has been carrying his heart every day waiting for Miss Hong's review.

  No sooner had Hong said a word than Wang Wei hurriedly ran to the recording scene of the Golden Melody Awards.

  "I just heard Xiao Qiao say that this episode's guest is someone I know, and I thought it was some music industry big shot. Turns out it's Director Wang!" said Gu Yingde with a smile as he shook hands with Wang Wei. As the producer of this show, Gu Yingde is a renowned TV producer in Taiwan and is known for pioneering supernatural-themed shows.

  "Jin Shi Company", founded by Gu Yingde, produced a ghost-themed TV series called "China is Touching" in 1982. The show was broadcast on TTV and was praised as the first Chinese supernatural TV series. Due to its content being filled with superstition, it received criticism from the Taiwan News Agency, and later stopped broadcasting after Gu Yingde's death.

  At that time, Gu Yingde was about 40 years old and worked as a producer. He had met Wang Wei at the premiere of "Ying Lie Qian Qiu", but they only exchanged a few words at the time. After all, there were so many big shots in the film industry then, and it was impossible for Wang Wei to chat with Gu Yingde nonstop. So, the two could only be considered as acquaintances, not close friends. However, at this moment, Gu Yingde's enthusiastic expression made outsiders think that they were old friends who had known each other for many years.

  "Director Gu is being too polite! I'm just a newcomer director who has only shot two films." Wang Wei smiled and waved his hand. Since the other party was showing goodwill, if Wang Wei didn't accept it, that would be unforgivable, so he directly addressed him as "Big Brother".

  Seeing Wang Wei's youthful fame, yet being neither arrogant nor impatient, Gu Yingde nodded in secret approval. Someone like Wang Wei, with talent bestowed by heaven, achieving fame at a young age, yet managing not to be flashy or proud, will undoubtedly become even more successful in the future, and is therefore worth befriending. Thinking this way, Gu Yingde's desire to befriend him grew stronger.

  Although the two men were vastly different in age, with Wang Wei being roughly the same age as Gu Yingde's son, Gu Yingde did not feel even a hint of discomfort when Wang Wei addressed him as "older brother", and instead felt a subtle sense of closeness.

  Director Huang Sheng sees the two talking and rushes over from one side. Gu Yingde smiles and introduces Wang Wei to him, saying: "Ah Wei, although you are a director, but tonight you can only let Old Huang direct you haha."

  Huang Sheng smiled and shook hands with Wang Wei, saying: "Hello, I'm Huang Sheng, the director of the Golden Melody Awards."

  "The Golden Melody Awards have been very popular lately, and Huang's efforts have not been in vain." Wang Wei said with a smile.

  "This is just a small matter, compared to Wang Dao's 'Epic Hero' it's nothing." Huang Sheng replied with a smile. This sentence of Huang Sheng was indeed the truth, like the Golden Melody Awards, there's no way to compare with "Epic Hero", one is at most a scene of dozens of people, while the other is a scene of hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands of people, can they be mentioned in the same breath?

  As for Huang Sheng's praise, Wang Wei didn't show excessive modesty, but just smiled and said: "Thanks for the compliment, Big Brother Huang."

  Huang Sheng also felt the same way as Gu Yingde, and after chatting with Wang Wei for a few sentences, he developed some goodwill towards this young man who had gained fame at a young age and yet called him "big brother" as soon as he opened his mouth.

  Huang Sheng laughed and said to Wang Wei: "Wang Dao, since you're here tonight, don't be stingy, give us some guidance."

  "Huang Dage was just joking, didn't Gu Dage say so earlier? Tonight I'm going to listen to your orders, Commander!" Wang Wei knew that Huang Sheng's words were just a casual courtesy, and if he really "didn't know what was good for him" and stepped forward to intervene, he would definitely be resented by the other party.

  Actually, Wang Wei didn't know that Huang Sheng's words at this time, apart from half of the polite phrases, also had a real intention to ask for advice. However, when Huang Sheng heard Wang Wei's tactful refusal of his request, he felt regret and at the same time, more admiration for Wang Wei.

  "Huang, let's talk here, but don't delay other staff members. If that happens, I, Wang Wei, will be in big trouble." Wang Wei knew that recording a show was similar to filming a movie, sometimes the recording wouldn't finish on time and would be delayed indefinitely until it was completed. That's why you often hear many artists say that when they were recording a certain show, they recorded for several hours, even into the early morning.

  Wang Wei's words made the two burst out laughing.

  Huang Sheng led Wang Wei to the recording hall.

  Hong Xiaoqiao was already there, wearing a white wide-brimmed hat and holding a wooden guitar, waiting. Upon hearing Wang Wei's voice, Hong Xiaoqiao slightly lifted the brim of his hat, revealing a pair of clear eyes with a hint of delight staring at Wang Wei.

  Wang Wei turned his head and saw Hong Xiaoqiao staring at him with her eyes, looking at Hong Xiaoqiao's icy face, Wang Wei's old face flushed red, and he couldn't help but think of the embarrassing scene in the office that day.

  Wang Wei walked up to Hong Xiaoqiao and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Little Qiao sister, I'm really sorry about what happened that day."

  Wang Wei did not expect that Hong Xiaoqiao's face would not change at all, as if what happened that day had nothing to do with her. Hong Xiaoqiao slightly opened her mouth and said: "I've already forgotten it, let's hurry up and record the show." Seeing Hong Xiaoqiao's nonchalant attitude, Wang Wei felt a twinge of regret in his heart for some reason. However, this regret quickly disappeared. What Wang Wei didn't know was that at this moment, Hong Xiaoqiao had already been itching to bite him. But due to the presence of many people on the scene, she managed to restrain herself and did not rush forward to tear into Wang Wei.

  Recording started soon. Wang Wei sat beside Hong Xiaoqiao as a guest.

  "Hello everyone, this is the Golden Melody Awards, and I'm someone you all know, an old friend of yours, Miss Golden Melody."

  ····

  "Alright, let's take a look at the previous episode, audience mail and good manuscripts. Our program team has always adhered to the principle of fairness and will not miss any excellent contestants."

  Then as usual, Hong Xiaoqiao tore up several drafts in front of everyone, then revised the lyrics and melody on the spot, and sang them.

  Wang Wei, sitting on one side, quietly watched Hong Xiaoqiao's performance and thought to himself in amazement, "I had only heard that some people can compose music on the spot, but I never expected to see a real-life show like this." At the same time, he was amazed by Hong Xiaoqiao's musical talent.

  After the previous link was finished, Hong Xiaoqiao said to the audience: "In the last issue, we mentioned that this issue would invite a mysterious guest. Who is this guest? Everyone guess."

  ······

  "He is the lyricist of Deng Lijun's sweet song 'Moon Represents My Heart', Wang Wei." Hong Xiaoqiao smiled and said: "Here, I'll reveal a secret to everyone. He is also a director. What movie did he direct?"

  "Has everyone heard of "The Big Brother of Tangshan"? Has everyone heard of "Eternal Glory"? Right, he is the director of these two films, Wang Wei. At the same time, the theme songs of both films were also created by him."

  "Oh, I was wrong. The song 'Tangshan Big Brother' was composed by Teacher Gu, and the lyrics were written by him." As he said this, Hong Xiaoqiao couldn't resist making a joke with everyone.

  "Alright, let's give a warm welcome with applause to the great director and musician, Mr. Wang!" said Hong Xiaoqiao.

  Listening to Hong Xiaoqiao's unconventional and painful introduction, Wang Wei could only smile wryly. With an introduction like this, what hat can I wear? However, the program team on the side was delighted with Hong Xiaoqiao's move, because as a director, Wang Wei had already piqued people's curiosity, and adding a musician's identity to that, how could the ratings of the Golden Melody Awards not be high?

  "Mr. Wang, have you brought any new songs today?"

  "Nothing?" Wang Wei spread out his hands.

  "None?" Hong Xiaoqiao had already informed Wang Wei in advance to prepare, but unexpectedly, Wang Wei said there was none at this time. This left Hong Xiaoqiao somewhat at a loss, wondering if this kid was just pretending.

  But just as Hong Xiaoqiao was at a loss for what to do.

  "But I can compose a song on the spot!"

  "Compose a song on the spot?" Hong Xiaoqiao was shocked by Wang Wei's words! To know that her own musical talent is already considered one of the best, but she only dared to say improvising songs on the spot, because improvising songs only tests musical knowledge and cultivation, while composing songs requires not only musical knowledge, but also experience, inspiration, and many complex elements. So, although composing and improvising are only one word apart, the difference between them is like heaven and earth.