Chapter 18: Astonishing

Feeling full after a good meal, Lin Yuan was content. As he prepared to return to his department for work, his boss, Old Zhou, suddenly said, "Let me tell you some good news. I plan to send your song to Qi Prefecture!"

"Great," Lin Yuan nodded.

Old Zhou thought Lin Yuan would be excited, but to his disappointment, Lin Yuan's expression remained largely unchanged, and his tone remained as calm as ever.

At this moment, Old Zhou could understand how Zhao Jue had felt before. He felt a bit reluctant and said, "So, you don't have anything to say about this?"

"I do," Lin Yuan replied seriously. "In the arrangement of 'Big Fish,' I played the piano part myself. So, I hope the company can also include the compensation for this part."

Huh? Is that all?

Old Zhou was momentarily surprised, but he nodded in agreement a few seconds later. On the same day, he sent the approved "Big Fish" to Qi Prefecture.

...

At the Qi Prefecture.

In a meeting room at the post-production department of the animated movie "Dance of the Fish Dragon," the female director, Zheng Li, was tapping the table with a sense of urgency. "Our movie is about to be released. How long will it take to finalize the theme song?"

"Director Zheng."

The producer shook his head. "This can't be blamed on me. Starlight Entertainment from Qin Prefecture sent us a total of fourteen theme songs, all composed by their top-notch musicians, and you didn't approve a single one."

"That's not the point."

Zheng Li was displeased. "You should know the kind of story 'Dance of the Fish Dragon' is. The music they provided doesn't quite match the story. Do you think I'm being too demanding?"

People in the room coughed, avoiding eye contact.

Zheng Li's anger flared up. It seemed like they all believed I'm asking for too much!

She said with irritation, "Fine, if you all think that way, I won't be the sole decision-maker anymore. After all, we are all key creators of the film. From now on, let's decide which song to use collectively. Please, Mr. Producer, play the previous fourteen songs now. If any of you find a suitable theme song among them, I won't object."

"That is not necessary."

The producer chuckled. "The theme song is crucial for the project, and it should be your call, Director. I'll remind them... Huh?"

The producer suddenly paused.

Zheng Li asked, "What's wrong?"

The producer glanced at his email inbox on his phone and said with a wry smile, "No need to remind them. They just sent another one. Please listen to it later, director."

"Later?"

Zheng Li snorted, "No later! Play it now while all the key creators are here. Let's see if you are satisfied with it or not. You should all take a good listen and see if I'm setting the bar too high."

The producer whispered, "Is it appropriate?"

Zheng Li declared loudly, "There's nothing inappropriate about it."

The producer, with a sigh, turned on the projector and the room's speakers. He played the newly received song.

The projector was used to display the lyrics. Whether the song was suitable or not was one matter, but Starlight Entertainment provided excellent support regarding various aspects of the song.

The music began to play. A hauntingly beautiful melody filled the room, and an ethereal voice began to sing:

"The silent waves engulf the depths of night,

They sweep across the farthest reaches of the sky.

A big fish glides through the crevices of dreams,

Gazing upon the contours of your tranquil slumber..."

As the song played, the people in the room looked at Zheng Li with perplexed expressions.

Uncomfortably, Zheng Li shifted in her seat and involuntarily pricked up her ears, feeling her heart slightly stir. This song seemed somewhat different from the ones they sent before.

Was it just a coincidence?

"As I behold the boundless sea and sky, and listen to the wind and rain,

I hold your hand, dispersing the vast expanse of mist.

The wings of the big fish have grown too wide,

So, I release the tether of time...."

The singing continued, but as the chorus began, everyone had forgotten to look at the director.

The director, Zheng Li, couldn't care less about the on-site face-slapping anymore. She was eagerly awaiting the continuation of the chorus:

"I'm afraid you'll soar far away, afraid you'll leave my side,

But more than that, I fear you'll linger here forever.

Every teardrop flows toward you,

Reversing its course into the depths of the sky and the sea...."

When the fish leaped over the Dragon Gate, he was now was dressed in pure white, but the little girl could no longer be seen.

"If you didn't cross the Dragon Gate, you could have stayed with me."

"But, if I didn't strive to cross the Dragon Gate, how could I protect you?"

"It turns out that reunion is the beginning of the end."

As the song ended, Zheng Li found herself recalling the script for "Dance of the Fish Dragon" and several scenes she had envisioned for the movie.

Her eyes were slightly reddened.

At that moment, the piano paused, and a whistle-like sound abruptly rang out.

Like the sound of a dolphin, clear and penetrating.

Everyone in the room seemed to forget to breathe.

Immersed in it.

They all seemed to sense the vastness of the ocean, the deep blue of the sky above the sea, and the powerful crashing of the waves...

When the song concluded, everyone sat in their chairs, in a daze.

It took a while.

The producer mumbled, "So... Qin Prefecture... really is the 'Land of Music'... This song is simply extraordinary..."

"What's the name of this song?"

Everyone came back to their senses, talking all at once.

The producer said, "The song is called 'Big Fish.'"

People felt relieved but also had some concerns, "Big Fish? Shouldn't we change the title of the song? Our movie is called 'Big Fish,' but it's really about the story of a little girl and a white dragon..."

"No need to change it."

Zheng Li stood up, resolute and assertive, "I'm the director, and I have the final say!"

Everyone looked at her with strange looks.

Zheng Li clenched her teeth, "Don't look at me like that! It's not that I'm too demanding! The previous fourteen songs just weren't good enough."

Everyone chuckled.

But they all believed that statement. No matter how good the previous fourteen songs were, "Big Fish" was simply incomparable. They found it amusing to see the director in a tough spot.

"So, is this song acceptable?"

The producer had a teasing look on his face.

Zheng Li said somewhat exasperatedly, "If this song isn't good enough for you, can you find a better one for me? Do you have a budget for hiring a Music Dad? Furthermore, even if we were to bring in a Music Dad, they still couldn't surpass this level because, for this composer..."

"Xianyu."

The producer looked at the composer.

Zheng Li nodded, "Xianyu, the composer, is the kindred spirit of our film. He surely understands the emotions I want to convey!"

This was the theme song they had purchased for five million from the company.

According to industry standards, the production team for "Dance of the Fish Dragon" could make changes to the purchased song, including the title, lyrics, and arrangements, and even have the right to replace the singer for a re-recorded version. This was well within the rights of a film production team, and Starlight Entertainment would have no objections, at most providing some suggestions.

But for Zheng Li...

This "Big Fish" was perfect!

So perfect that Zheng Li didn't want to make any changes to this song, including the singer, the arrangement, the lyrics, and even the proposed change to the title of "Big Fish"!

"Perhaps it's because her first impression was so beautiful?" Zheng Li silently thought. Her goosebumps from listening to the song hadn't subsided yet.

However, the reason didn't matter anymore.

In her view, "Big Fish" was a masterpiece, a perfect match for her upcoming movie.

In the music scene of Qin Prefecture, there are indeed hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

Xianyu, she would remember that name.