An hour remained until the show's broadcast.
Su Yu and Lin Yanyu had already arrived at the "Treasures of China" program team.
They didn't sit in the lounge for long.
Shen Lingyun, the president of the Calligraphy Association, walked in with his son, Shen Chun.
Behind them followed Liu Qingfeng, the program's chief director, and some staff members.
"President Shen," Su Yu stood up and greeted him upon seeing them.
Lin Yanyu also stood and greeted the group.
"Haha, sit down and chat," Shen Lingyun nodded with a smile.
After everyone sat down,
Shen Lingyun began to introduce, "This is Mr. Liu Qingfeng, the chief director of the 'Treasures of China' program. Director Liu is also the chief director for all major official programs; he directed the Spring Festival Gala every year."
Liu Qingfeng was a prominent figure in the variety show industry.
As an official director, he had participated in the recording of many major official programs.
"Old Shen, you're not being honest. You've revealed all my background the moment we met," Liu Qingfeng said with a hint of reproach.
He then looked at Su Yu and nodded with a smile, "Old Shen and I have been old friends for many years. You are his son-in-law, so it's only fitting that I call you 'Xiao Yu,' wouldn't you agree?"
"Of course, you are an elder, so it's appropriate," Su Yu chuckled.
This Liu Qingfeng was likely a top-tier program director. Directing the Spring Festival Gala was no small feat, unlike anything a local station could compare to.
Such a person was connected to Lin Chaoyang.
It was undeniable that his father-in-law's connections in the Chinese entertainment industry were also top-tier.
"Uncle Liu, it's been a while since you visited our home. My dad was talking about you recently," Lin Yanyu said obediently from the side.
"Haha, I'll visit when I have time. Yanyu, I must say, your taste is as sharp as your father's. You and Su Yu are now recognized as the best couple in the entertainment industry. Even my own daughter says you and Su Yu are the perfect match," Liu Qingfeng said with amusement.
His daughter, Liu Qingxue, was in her twenties and had already gained considerable fame in China with her exceptional guqin skills.
Among the new generation, she was the most accomplished guqin player, bar none.
Liu Qingfeng was immensely proud of this.
After all, the guqin was a cultural treasure of China and one of the ancient musical instruments with the highest cultural status.
His daughter had loved the guqin since childhood, enjoyed playing it, and possessed the talent for it, which led to her current achievements. Liu Qingfeng's favorite pastime was to praise his daughter.
"Has Qingxue sister returned?" Lin Yanyu felt pleased to be praised.
As their parents were friends, she and Liu Qingxue naturally knew each other.
They were considered good friends. Liu Qingxue's wish was to promote Chinese guqin culture to the world, which was why she studied abroad and would play the guqin on the streets during her breaks, also participating in various performances to promote guqin culture.
In recent years, Liu Qingxue had gained some renown overseas.
"Not yet, but soon," Liu Qingfeng said with a smile.
After speaking, he looked at Su Yu.
"Uncle Liu, please speak your mind," Su Yu, sensing his hesitation, said directly.
Liu Qingfeng was surprised by Su Yu's perceptiveness. After a moment of thought, he said, "The reason we invited you here this time is twofold: first, to perform a live song, and second, we'd like you to write a song for our program."
He then looked at Su Yu, awaiting his response.
"Write a song?" Su Yu was taken aback.
"Do you have any research into classical instruments, Xiao Yu?" Liu Qingfeng probed.
"A little bit..."
He currently possessed only a master-level suona.
However, with an ample supply of elixirs now, he could custom-order anything he wanted at any time.
"'Treasures of China' has been running for three seasons, and the program team wants to change the opening music, so I thought of you. Our program is purely instrumental and intends to use traditional Chinese musical instruments for the performance. Do you think you can do it?" Liu Qingfeng immediately smiled.
He had heard that Su Yu liked to keep a low profile, always claiming to know "a little."
But what he displayed was far from "a little."
Anything he claimed to "know a little" about, when revealed, was always astonishing.
"Classical instruments, instrumental music..." Su Yu pondered, his mind racing.
There were quite a few instrumental pieces.
However, for something that promoted traditional culture, using only classical ethnic instruments, there were few with satisfactory quality.
"Given the nature of Uncle Liu's program, surely they wouldn't refuse if you approached a composing deity?" Su Yu asked curiously as he thought.
After all, this was an official program. Even if they approached the composing deities of the Chinese music scene, no one would refuse; they would likely vie for the opportunity.
This was an official program, and Director Liu Qingfeng's influence...
"We approached that old fellow Mo Yan before, but he had already accepted another program's piece. We needed it urgently, so we didn't pursue him further..." Liu Qingfeng explained.
He paused and continued, "This time, the authorities have given us a budget of fifty million. If your work is outstanding, I can apply for an eighty-million production fee for you."
Su Yu's eyebrows rose. He looked at Liu Qingfeng and said with a smile, "I can do the song, but I can't guarantee it will satisfy you. And eighty million isn't necessary. You are an elder and a friend of Uncle Lin; how could I possibly accept your money?"
Su Yu genuinely didn't intend to accept payment. Just like last time when Chen Rong asked him to write a song for the Opera Association, he hadn't planned to charge. However, Chen Rong had negotiated with the Opera Association for him, which was why he accepted.
He wasn't foolish; he knew that some favors were more valuable than money.
"We have our official duties, and you have your personal matters. Since you call me Uncle, how could I let you suffer a loss? I'll take your agreement as is. You'll get the full fifty million," Liu Qingfeng said, beaming.
As he spoke, he stood up and patted Su Yu's shoulder, "Relax. I'm not the one footing the bill. We gain without losing anything, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Whenever you finish writing it, just give it to me."
"The show is about to start. You and Yanyu should prepare yourselves. We need to get ready too."
After saying that, he winked at Su Yu.
Su Yu could only nod with a wry smile.
There it was.
Another such situation.
It was impossible to refuse the money. Who could he complain to?
But it made sense. "Treasures of China" was an official program, and Liu Qingfeng was the director, not the producer, so it wasn't his place to pay.
However, his words seemed contradictory. He had just said they needed it urgently, which was why they didn't ask Mo Yan to write the song, but now he was saying it wasn't urgent.
Thinking of this, Su Yu formed a guess.
A director of this caliber wouldn't seek him out for a song commission, no matter how impressive he might appear now.
The higher one's status, the more important personal connections become. This was a universal rule.
With that thought, Su Yu looked at Lin Yanyu, who blinked back, looking confused.
"Hurry up and change your clothes; you'll be performing soon," Su Yu said, reaching out and pinching her cheek.
"Ah? Oh..." Lin Yanyu quickly nodded and walked towards the dressing room.
Watching her retreating figure, Su Yu took out his phone, opened WeChat, and sent a message to Lin Chaoyang.
"Thanks, Dad."
Indeed, there was only one reason: Lin Chaoyang had paved the official path for him.