Chapter Forty-Eight: My Composition Department Is About to Rise!

Liu Zhengwen originally thought that "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scale" only had a single musical score.

But when he saw the sheet music, arrangement, and electronic demo in his inbox, his pupils contracted and he couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

"This was premeditated, wasn't it?"

He thought to himself.

After all, to prepare such a complete song, even for Wang Mo alone, would have taken at least half a month.

Didn't this mean that Wang Mo had known about CCTV's call for theme songs at least half a month ago, and had started composing back then?

He even finished the arrangement and made the electronic demo.

But he never said a word about it.

Only today did he mention he wanted to submit a song.

Couldn't you have come sooner? Given me some mental preparation?

Rebellious!

Far too rebellious!

And just how much confidence do you have in your own song?

Everything was already created, only the singer's recording was missing.

While inwardly complaining, Liu Zhengwen opened the sheet music.

He first saw the lyrics.

"Hmm?"

Just reading the first line, Liu Zhengwen raised his eyebrows.

Some songs have lyrics that dazzle you at first glance.

"No Matter" was not one of them.

Neither was "Invisible Wings."

But the lyrics of "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scale" gave him an immediate, powerful visual impact. He could almost feel a surge of heroic spirit rushing toward him.

He read a few lines further.

Liu Zhengwen found it hard to sit still, his heart racing uncontrollably.

"These lyrics..."

His brow twitched violently.

But soon, he relaxed.

If he had seen these lyrics before yesterday, his jaw would have dropped.

But ever since he learned about Wang Mo's literary prowess last night, it now seemed only natural.

With Wang Mo's literary foundation, it made perfect sense that he could write such lyrics.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Zhengwen clicked on the electronic demo, unable to wait any longer.

The melody began.

It was as if a tremendous, upright spirit suddenly surged between heaven and earth.

Even before the vocals started, goosebumps prickled all over his skin.

His whole body tingled as if struck by an electric current.

When the singing finally entered his ears, Liu Zhengwen could no longer control his expression. He simply sat there, dazed, until the song ended.

Then he hit repeat.

A second time.

A third time.

Only after a long while did Liu Zhengwen set the mouse down, staring blankly at the music on his computer.

An electronic demo!

This was what an electronic demo should be!

Liu Zhengwen had never imagined that a song's demo could shake him so deeply.

Of the two songs Wang Mo had written before, both had become huge hits.

But he hadn't been able to appreciate "No Matter."

He'd only thought "Invisible Wings" was decent.

But this "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scale" truly resonated with him, making his blood boil.

"Heh."

"Hehehe."

"Hehehehe, burning bright, dazed and dizzy, goose goose goose goose goose."

Once again, Liu Zhengwen laughed like a goose.

...

The office area.

All the colleagues glanced toward Liu Zhengwen's office in unspoken agreement, exchanging puzzled looks.

"Did Mr. Liu get some good news?"

"Maybe his mistress gave birth?"

"Maybe his wife went back to her mother's house."

...

Wang Mo was puzzled, wondering how Mr. Liu could laugh like that.

Then he saw a message pop up from Liu Zhengwen: "Wang Mo, come in."

"Okay."

When Wang Mo entered Liu Zhengwen's office, he found Liu Zhengwen staring at him, eyes gleaming green.

That look was so intense, Wang Mo almost wanted to turn and flee.

With a beaming smile, Liu Zhengwen said, "Don't be afraid, I'm just in a good mood."

Wang Mo replied, "Well, since you're so happy, could you pay back the tens of thousands you owe me?"

...

Liu Zhengwen took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Wang Mo, keep your distance from Yuan Xiong from now on."

Such a good kid, and look how he's turned out.

After a pause, he continued, "I just looked over your song—it's great. I'll send it to CCTV right away."

"Alright."

Wang Mo nodded.

After a moment's thought, he asked, "Mr. Liu, if this song is selected, how does the contract with CCTV work? Like, who signs, the copyright fee, composer royalties, and so on?"

Liu Zhengwen replied, "For all external contracts, the company signs on your behalf, so you don't need to worry. Also, for these kinds of outside commissions, the company's cut is lower, only thirty percent. The remaining seventy percent goes to the lyricist and composer.

"But CCTV probably won't buy the full copyright, just the broadcast rights for the program. So the copyright fee will be lower, generally between 100,000 and 200,000 yuan. As for other royalties, that's up to the lyricist, composer, and singer to negotiate among themselves. Of course, you can have the company handle it for you if you prefer."

Wang Mo asked, "Does CCTV have any strict requirements for the singer?"

Liu Zhengwen said, "Of course they do, and the standards are high. Usually, their program theme songs are performed by members of the national team. But if we have a better singer to recommend, they're open to considering it—they're not rigid."

Wang Mo grunted, "Got it."

In short, CCTV's requirements could be summed up as: aiming for perfection.

He looked a little tense. "Looks like I need to hurry and select a singer from the company's roster."

Liu Zhengwen was taken aback. "What are you up to?"

Wang Mo replied, "Keep the fat in the family."

That was only part of the reason.

The other part was this:

If he didn't quickly select a suitable singer, and CCTV made the choice themselves, it would be a hassle later.

The national team was excellent, no doubt.

But Wang Mo didn't want them.

Because if the national team sang this song, the composer's influence—under the pseudonym "Speechless"—would be minimized. Most listeners' attention would focus on the national team's prowess.

But what he wanted was to use this third song to secure "Speechless" a commanding voice in the music world.

So unless he had no other choice, he didn't want the national team singing this song.

Liu Zhengwen's expression grew odd as he heard Wang Mo's reasoning. The corners of his mouth twitched.

In today's China, even the top composers dreamed of collaborating with the national team.

After all, any singer from the national team, in terms of skill, presence, and demeanor, could easily outshine ninety-nine percent of the pop world.

And yet Wang Mo was turning up his nose at them.

But after a moment's reflection, Liu Zhengwen understood Wang Mo's intentions and smiled. "It's a bit early to talk about all this—let's wait until CCTV confirms the song."

"Alright."

Wang Mo agreed, but inwardly resolved to go find a singer to record as soon as possible.

In all things, it's better to act early than late.

...

After Wang Mo left the office,

Liu Zhengwen listened to the electronic demo of "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scale" once more, then clenched his fist tightly: "My composition department is really going to rise this time!"

Only after his excitement subsided

did he carefully compose a new email and sent the song to CCTV.