Chapter Fifty-Six: Filming the Pilot Episode

Half a month later, despite his meteoric rise and now being able to live comfortably on the royalties from his songs, Chen Nian still resided in that rented room costing a mere thousand yuan a month.

On his desk, after receiving a call from Ye Hao, Chen Nian closed the notebook he was holding.

On its cover, the words "Sorrow, Silent as the Sea" stood out prominently.

“Ha, Teacher Chen Nian, why haven’t we seen any news from you lately? If I hadn’t called, I’d have thought you’d left the industry,” Ye Hao joked.

“Nothing much happening here, I’m planning to write a script,” Chen Nian replied with a smile.

“A script? What kind of script? Is it the sort from Sakura Country? Didn’t expect you to be interested in that sort of thing,” Ye Hao perked up instantly, intrigued.

“You, a renowned investor of Huaxia, what’s going on in that head of yours?” Chen Nian chuckled helplessly. “It’s a film script.”

Hearing it was a film script, Ye Hao’s interest quickly waned. As a qualified investor, he’d spent plenty in the film industry. But a script written by a musician, and a newcomer at that, held little appeal for him.

“We’re filming a pilot episode for a show tonight—do you have time to come over?”

Chen Nian nodded, “No problem, just send me the address.”

“Alright, see you tonight.” The conversation between the two men was brisk, and ended within minutes.

Later that evening, after finishing dinner and seeing it was getting late, Chen Nian messaged Luo Xiaoyi.

Love Rises with the Wind: “Are you free? Come pick me up, Ye Hao wants me to record a show.”

I’m Bear, You’re Free: “Hey! Chen, aren’t you going overboard? I’m a first-tier singer—are you really treating me like your chauffeur?”

Seeing Luo Xiaoyi’s reply, Chen Nian couldn’t help but smile.

Love Rises with the Wind: “You’re not busy anyway, so come help out, superstar~~~”

I’m Bear, You’re Free: “Isn’t this all because of you! If not for you, would I be an unemployed drifter?”

I’m Bear, You’re Free: “Wait at home!”

Ever since Luo Xiaoyi had sided with Chen Nian in the struggle against Heart Trace Entertainment, she’d been completely sidelined by the company.

Now, she was in a state of total inactivity, with no announcements or work—a true drifter without employment.

But Luo Xiaoyi wasn’t worried; after all, her father was Luo Youdao. With that name alone, she could live comfortably in Rong City.

And once her contract with Heart Trace Entertainment expired, Chen Nian would sign her to Dawn Media.

Soon, Luo Xiaoyi sent word for him to come downstairs.

Chen Nian left his room, glancing at the door across the hall, still firmly shut, and frowned slightly.

For some reason, since Chen Nian won “The New Voice,” Wei Xi had returned to the capital without a word.

More than half a month had passed, yet she hadn’t even greeted her mentor, Chen Nian.

Descending the stairs, he saw the familiar Lamborghini parked by the roadside.

He opened the car door—Luo Xiaoyi sat in the driver’s seat, as sharp and tidy as ever.

“What’s that?” Luo Xiaoyi asked, curious about the notebook in Chen Nian’s hand.

“Nothing, just a script,” Chen Nian replied casually, pretending it was nothing.

“How long until your contract with Heart Trace Entertainment ends?”

Chen Nian nodded.

He began to consider how Luo Xiaoyi would transition once she joined Dawn Media.

The script he’d recently written, “Sorrow, Silent as the Sea,” was created especially for her.

Chen Nian believed that with Luo Xiaoyi’s outstanding physical presence and his own unparalleled foundation, this film was destined to be a hit!

As for the funds needed to shoot the movie, he already had a suitable partner in mind.

When they arrived at the filming location, Ye Hao, as the show’s investor, was already waiting by the roadside.

When Chen Nian got out of the car, Ye Hao hurried over.

“Ah, Teacher Chen Nian, long time no see.”

“Long time no see, Mr. Ye,” Chen Nian replied, shaking his hand with a smile.

As Chen Nian and Ye Hao entered the recording site, Luo Xiaoyi stayed in the car, immersed in her game.

“This time, we’re recording an interview,” Ye Hao explained as they walked.

“Since your identity hasn’t been made public yet, today we’ll only film your silhouette.”

“Alright.” After hearing the gist, Chen Nian nodded.

Soon, the recording began.

Chen Nian sat at the bar, his back to the camera.

“As the vocal mentor for this season’s ‘Talent Camp,’ do you have anything you’d like to say to the trainees?”

“No,” Chen Nian replied without hesitation.

“Uh…” The staff member asking questions was momentarily stunned, looking helplessly at Ye Hao.

Ye Hao covered his face and chuckled, waving that it was fine.

The staff member continued, “Then, in your opinion, which is more important in vocal performance—talent or effort?”

“Talent!” Once again, Chen Nian answered without a pause.

“Ah?” The staff member was taken aback.

Other mentors would at least hesitate a bit when asked this question.

“Could you tell us why?”

“Vocal performance is different from dance—it’s all about talent.”

“Dance can be mastered through training, but when it comes to vocals, if you don’t have the skill, no matter how hard you train, it’s a waste. If you have time to spare, you’re better off switching tracks early.”

“I know you may think I’m being too blunt, but that’s the reality.”

“If you’re not good, change careers sooner. Behind you are countless talented people waiting to make a living from this.”

“To blindly toil in a field where you have no talent is simply wasting your time…”

In just a few words, Chen Nian pierced the heart of what makes the entertainment industry so agonizing.

His words were harsh, but true.

After the recording ended, Chen Nian and Ye Hao found a place to have a drink together.

“Haha, a friend brought this wine back from abroad—supposedly an ’82 Lafite. I’ve never tried it, so I don’t know how it tastes,” Ye Hao said, pulling a bottle of wine from the cabinet.

Chen Nian smiled slightly, “When it comes to alcohol, nothing beats ours from Huaxia.”

“So, tell me, what brings you here tonight?” Ye Hao poured Chen Nian a glass and asked.

“Haha, as expected of you, Mr. Ye—nothing gets past you.” Chen Nian didn’t hide anything, pulling out the script he’d just finished and handing it to Ye Hao across the table.