FYN Chapter 83 There's something I want to discuss with you.
Chapter 83 There's something I want to discuss with you.
Lin Wan's words sounded considerate, but Su Xiaoxiao understood the subtext: You're short of money, stop pretending and just agree.
"Senior Sister Lin, Wang Bo's match is very important." Su Xiaoxiao put down her teacup, her tone calm. "He needs to focus right now."
"Participating in cultural interviews won't damage his image; on the contrary, it will elevate his style," Lin Wan smiled. "Besides, our recording schedule can be coordinated, falling between his competitions. Xiao Xiao, I genuinely believe in Wang Bo—he's not just a singer; he possesses the air of a cultured person, which is rare in the entertainment industry."
Su Xiaoxiao didn't say anything.
Lin Wan continued, "So, in addition to the 300,000 yuan appearance fee, after the show airs, we'll use all our resources to promote him and ensure Wang Bo establishes his cultured persona. Do you know what that means? It means he'll no longer be just an 'idol with a good singing voice,' but a 'musician with depth,' which will benefit his long-term development..."
"Senior Sister Lin," Su Xiaoxiao suddenly interrupted her, "Can I take a look at the program plan and interview outline first?"
Lin Wan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Of course, I've already brought it."
She took a folder out of her bag and pushed it in front of Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao opened the book and quickly browsed through it.
The theme of the fifth issue of "The Implied Meaning" is: The collision of Chinese and Western cultures and the cultural identity of modern youth.
Invited guests: Wang Bo (musician), Professor Chen (renowned cultural scholar, author of "The Advantages of Western Civilization and the Limitations of Eastern Culture"), Dr. Li (overseas returned sociology expert), and Editor-in-Chief Zhang (editor-in-chief of the Chinese edition of an international cultural magazine).
The interview outline covers the following questions...
Su Xiaoxiao frowned more and more as she looked at it.
"Is traditional Chinese culture no longer suitable for modern society? Is Western individualism superior to Eastern collectivism? How should we view the cultural inferiority complex behind the rise of the 'Guochao' (national trend) in recent years?" Su Xiaoxiao read out a few questions, then looked up at Lin Wan, "Senior Sister Lin, aren't the biases in these topics a bit obvious?"
Lin Wan's smile remained unchanged: "When making a TV show, there always needs to be some controversial points to spark discussion. Besides, the guests we've invited are all authoritative experts, and their views represent the opinions of a segment of the elite. As a young musician, Wang Bo can share his feelings from his perspective—doesn't that perfectly fit his image as a thoughtful person?"
Su Xiaoxiao closed the folder and remained silent for a few seconds.
"I need to discuss this with Wang Bo," she finally said.
Lin Wan raised an eyebrow: "Xiaoxiao, this kind of opportunity is rare. Three hundred thousand yuan, plus it can improve your image, you don't need to..."
"Wang Bo is my artist, and also my..." Su Xiaoxiao said, "He's my business partner, and I need to respect his wishes."
Lin Wan stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled: "Okay, then give me an answer as soon as possible. But Xiao Xiao, I have to remind you, a lot of people are eyeing this position. If I wait too long, they might have to replace me."
Su Xiaoxiao stood up: "I'll give you an answer tomorrow."
After leaving Yunweizhai, Su Xiaoxiao did not return to the company immediately, but went to a nearby park and sat down on a bench.
The early autumn sunlight filtered through the leaves of the sycamore trees, casting dappled shadows on her.
She took out her phone and opened Wang Bo's WeChat chat.
My finger hovered over the screen for a long time.
Tell him? Or not tell him?
Tell him the reason: 300,000 yuan is a timely help for both the company and Wang Bo, and Lin Wan is right, this kind of high-end cultural interview can indeed enhance Wang Bo's style.
The reason for not telling him: the interview outline was too biased, and those experts were notoriously "Western ideas are always better." Wang Bo, a young singer, would be in trouble if he said something wrong while being attacked by them. Besides, it's a crucial period in the competition, and he shouldn't be distracted.
Su Xiaoxiao sighed and put her phone away.
Or... I should discuss it with my sister first.
She dialed Su Yiyi's number.
"Xiaoxiao," Su Yiyi's voice was gentle as water, "What's wrong? Didn't you rest at noon?"
"Sister, I have something I'd like to ask for your opinion on." Su Xiaoxiao briefly explained Lin Wan's invitation and interview outline.
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.
"Xiaoxiao," Su Yiyi finally spoke, her voice very soft, "I think... we shouldn't tell Wang Bo."
"Why?" Su Xiaoxiao was surprised; she thought her sister would support her.
"I've heard of those experts," Su Yiyi said seriously. "Professor Chen said in a public lecture last year that 'Peking Opera should go into museums and give way to musicals'; Dr. Li wrote in his thesis that 'traditional Chinese family values are a shackle that hinders social progress'; not to mention Editor Zhang, the cover story of his magazine is always about Western artists, with less than a tenth of the content on traditional Chinese culture."
She was somewhat angry: "Sending Wang Bo to this kind of event is not an interview, it's sending him to be criticized."
Su Xiaoxiao gripped her phone tightly: "But it's 300,000..."
"Money can be earned slowly, but once Wang Bo's confidence and image are damaged, it's hard to recover," Su Yiyi said softly. "And Xiaoxiao, have you forgotten? Wang Bo said at the provincial university's anniversary celebration that he wanted to make music that promotes Chinese culture. What would he think if you asked him to go on a program that denigrates Chinese culture?"
Su Xiaoxiao was stunned.
She recalled Wang Bo's focus when writing songs in the recording studio, his words that "music must first be sincere," and his singing in "Blue Lotus" about "the free world in my heart, so clear and lofty."
Would someone with such strong principles be willing to go to an event that might negate their cultural foundation for 300,000 yuan?
"Sister, you're right," Su Xiaoxiao said. "I'll refuse Lin Wan."
"Hmm," Su Yiyi said softly, "What Wang Bo needs isn't empty fame, but a truly supportive environment for him to create. As for the money... we'll figure something out later."
After hanging up the phone, Su Xiaoxiao sat on the bench for a while longer.
The sun was warm, and the wind rustled through the leaves.
She suddenly remembered the old guitar in Wang Bo's apartment, the jeans he had worn for several years, his lack of pickiness when eating, and his saying, "Instant noodles are fine."
Would someone with such low material needs really care about 300,000?
Su Xiaoxiao stood up, patted the fallen leaves off her skirt, and prepared to return to the company.
I had only taken two steps when my phone vibrated.
It was a WeChat message from Wang Bo: "President Su, I'm going to the company this afternoon. The demo of the new song is finished. Would you like to listen to it?"
Su Xiaoxiao looked at the message and suddenly made a decision.
She typed back, "Okay, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."
2 PM, Xiaoyi Culture Media, Su Xiaoxiao's office.
When Wang Bo pushed open the door carrying his guitar case, Su Xiaoxiao was looking at the financial statements—the red numbers were alarming.
"President Su." Wang Bo sat down opposite her.
Su Xiaoxiao closed the folder and rubbed her temples: "Did you bring the demo of the new song?"
"I brought it." Wang Bo took a USB drive out of his guitar case. "But before that, you said you had something to discuss?"