Chen Yong moved in a series of actions.
What followed left Zhang Li dumbfounded.
Who was the boss, really?
Faced with this bizarre scene, he began to doubt his own existence.
"Director Zhang, please have a seat. I'll play you some music."
Su Yu walked over to Zhao Yuan's computer and inserted his USB drive.
Then, he started searching for files within it.
His actions startled Zhang Li once more.
Zhang Li clearly remembered that this was the office of the Director of the Composition Department.
In other words, this was Su Yu's superior's office.
Su Yu, without even asking for permission, was casually using his superior's computer.
He looked up at Zhao Yuan.
This must be the Director of Xinghui's Composition Department.
When she saw Su Yu using her computer, not only was she not displeased, but a smile played on her lips.
Even a top producer wouldn't have this kind of treatment, would they?
"Director Zhang, when I said you were lucky before, I wasn't joking. That's because your film's theme is 'Father,' and this song I have is also called 'Father'."
As Su Yu spoke, he clicked open the audio software.
"The demo for the song isn't recorded yet; there's only the accompaniment and a vocal hum. You can come over and look at the lyrics."
As the prelude began, Su Yu continued to speak to Zhang Li.
"Oh, alright!"
Zhang Li finally snapped back to reality. He shook his bewildered head and quickly walked over.
The lyrics of the song "Father" were simple and unpretentious, without any complex writing. They directly expressed the emotions involved.
It was precisely these simple and direct lyrics that made the song more thought-provoking and more tear-jerking.
Fatherly love was different from motherly love. Fatherly love was often silent.
By the time one realized it, they had usually reached adulthood.
It was only then that they could truly feel that there had been a father in their lives, one who had shielded them from storms and carried all burdens.
As the song played,
Two more people suddenly appeared in front of the computer screen.
It was Zhao Yuan and Chen Yong.
Upon hearing the theme of "Father," they were filled with curiosity.
Both of them came over to look at the lyrics.
After the first playthrough,
The music transitioned into an interlude.
Zhang Li's hands trembled with excitement.
"Teacher Tingyu, I want it! It's this one! I want this one!"
He stared intently at the lyrics on the screen, repeatedly telling Su Yu.
Normally, when one commissioned a song, they would find some flaws in it.
Even if there were no flaws, they would deliberately find some.
This way, they could negotiate a better price.
However, Zhang Li's actions completely eliminated any room for negotiation.
Anyone with a bit of sense would know to demand an exorbitant price when they saw such enthusiasm.
But after hearing this song, he couldn't suppress his inner excitement.
No wonder Teacher Tingyu said his song perfectly fit his movie.
This was tailor-made for his film!
No, that's underestimating it!
His film was made specifically for this song!
Could it be that he was truly the chosen one?
Otherwise, why would Tingyu always have such fitting songs for every film?
"Heh, don't get too excited. Let's talk after we finish listening."
Su Yu felt a bit awkward. Zhang Li was a renowned director, yet he was acting like someone who had never seen the world.
"Alright! We'll talk after we finish listening!"
Zhang Li took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement.
After a brief hum, the song entered the second verse.
In this part, the accompaniment was richer, and the emotions were more intense.
Looking at the lyrics,
Zhao Yuan's eyes welled up with tears unconsciously.
She felt that every word of the lyrics struck a chord, and the melody was incredibly moving, making her think of her parents without her even realizing it.
Even though she only saw them during the New Year holidays, the expressions on their faces when they saw her off were still vivid in her memory.
Finally,
The song finished playing.
Su Yu unplugged the USB drive from the computer.
"Director Zhang, let's talk about the price."
The song had been heard, and now it was time to discuss the price.
He was currently short on money. The songs for his mother-in-law cost money, and the songs for the martial arts association also required payment.
Moreover, he needed to save some money. After all, his girlfriend was a little rich, and they were about to move in together.
He didn't want to lower the "little fairy's" living standards after they started cohabiting.
"Okay, Teacher Tingyu, how much are you selling this song for?"
Zhang Li finally came back to his senses upon hearing Su Yu's words.
He loved the song so much that he had a premonition that if this song were included in his film, he would make a fortune from the box office gamble!
Su Yu smiled lightly, "I don't like haggling, so just tell me what you think this song is worth."
Zhang Li nodded at this.
He remained silent, frowning in thought.
The value of this song to him was immeasurable.
Because it could potentially allow him to turn his career around completely.
He had signed a gamble agreement with Guangnian Entertainment.
As long as the film's box office profits exceeded three hundred million, everything beyond that would be his.
With this song, he was confident he could surpass that box office target.
Therefore, he had to get his hands on it!
However, his current available funds were only thirty million. At entertainment companies in Kyoto, this amount probably wouldn't even be enough to buy a song from a top producer.
If he stated the price, he feared Tingyu might be displeased, and then the song wouldn't be sold to him, which would be disastrous.
As he agonized over the decision,
He suddenly thought of a good solution.
"Teacher Tingyu, I only have a budget of thirty million."
After he said this, seeing Su Yu frown, his heart sank, and he quickly added, "However, I'm willing to give you thirty percent of this film's box office profits."
After speaking, he looked at Su Yu, waiting for his reply.
"Box office revenue?"
Su Yu was stunned.
He hadn't expected Zhang Li to have such an idea.
He had always focused on music and didn't have much understanding of box office figures, so he couldn't estimate the exact amount.
"That's right. I consider you a friend, so I won't hide anything. I've signed a gamble agreement with the company for this film. The money earned, the company only takes three hundred million; anything beyond that is mine."
"After the box office is divided among the cinemas and distributors, we can get about 30%. The calculation is very complex, involving multiple parties. However, I can give you a rough estimate. As long as the film reaches around one billion at the box office, the profit will be enough to cover the gamble money. After that, after splitting with the cinemas and distributors, I can take 30% of the remaining money, and I can give you three of those percent."
Zhang Li patiently explained to Su Yu.
Of course, this was just a rough estimate. He tried to make his language easy to understand so that Su Yu could comprehend it.
"So, if the box office is twenty billion, I only get ninety million?"
Su Yu frowned. He didn't think this theme had the potential for a twenty billion box office.
After all, this theme was already overused.
If it were released on its own, even one billion would be uncertain.
"Ahem... that's right, but I'm truly at my wit's end. So, I implore you, Teacher Tingyu, to sell me the song."
Zhang Li's plea was very sincere.
He had impulsively signed this unfavorable gamble agreement earlier.
Now, there was nothing he could do.
Therefore, Su Yu's song was his last lifeline, and he had to cling to it no matter what.
Su Yu remained silent.
He was weighing the pros and cons.
After all, this song, "Father," was obtained through a prestige lottery, so the initial cost wasn't much. Moreover, no matter how poor the film performed, it wouldn't affect the reputation of his song; instead, it would enhance it.
If his songs had a good reputation, his future income would increase.
In the long run, it was still quite good.
Most importantly, Zhang Li's luck was indeed good, and the film happened to perfectly match his song.
It would be a shame to give it up.
Finally, he looked at Zhang Li and nodded, "Alright, but I get to choose the singer."
"No problem!"
Zhang Li's face lit up with joy.