Chapter 14 – The Ending Theme of a Palace Drama

Guan Lan handed Zhuang Lin a sheet of music.

Zhuang Lin glanced at the song titled “Ode to the River”: “What is this… Did you write this for me?”

Guan Lan: “I didn’t write it. Take a look first.”

Zhuang Lin examined it carefully and then commented: “It sounds like the ending theme of a prime-time TV drama.”

Guan Lan: “You guessed right, it is a TV drama’s ending song.”

Zhuang Lin frowned: “You want me to sing this?”

Guan Lan: “You know ‘Autumn in the Han Palace,’ right? Starring Li Yan and Huang Yue, it’s set to premiere next month on three major TV stations. The production and promotion costs total over a hundred million. This isn’t just hype; it’s a solid investment. The producers have made it clear internally that if the drama’s ratings don’t surpass 5%, it’s considered a failure, and the producer will take the blame. You can check how many TV dramas nowadays even break 3%.”

Guan Lan: “Got it? This song is a guaranteed hit for whoever sings it. It’s already a fierce competition in the industry.”

Zhuang Lin: “Then let them fight over it.”

Guan Lan: “The audition is tomorrow afternoon. I’ve pulled some strings to get you a spot. Make sure you show up.”

Zhuang Lin: “I’m not singing the ending theme for a palace drama.”

Guan Lan: “I’m not discussing this with you. You don’t get a say in this matter.”

Zhuang Lin: “Shouldn’t I at least have a vote?”

Guan Lan: “Sure, you, me, and your agent can vote on it.”

…Zhuang Lin felt frustrated. Even with his toes, he could guess which side Qi Fei would take.

Guan Lan: “Go back and practice. I’ll have your agent keep an eye on you.”

Zhuang Lin: “What about my album?”

Guan Lan: “Take it one step at a time. First, secure this song.”

Zhuang Lin: “And then I can release an album?”

Guan Lan: “It depends. Maybe another single or an EP with three to five songs, released online. Then you’ll go on a couple of variety shows and attend some events. It’ll be at least half a year from now.”

Zhuang Lin: “Why is it so complicated?”

Guan Lan: “Times have changed. The era of debuting with a hit album is over. You need to gain popularity first, get familiar with the audience, and then you can sustain your career. Look at how many people have hit songs but remain unknown. They end up joining talent shows alongside amateurs.”

Zhuang Lin was reluctantly convinced.

Before leaving, he asked Guan Lan: “How are you so sure I’ll get it tomorrow? Is there some insider deal?”

Guan Lan: “Why would I need to pull strings for you? What’s in it for me?”

For a moment, Zhuang Lin thought that the (long-awaited) moment had finally arrived—Guan Lan was about to make an indecent proposal.

But Guan Lan’s next words didn’t go in the direction Zhuang Lin had imagined: “You said it yourself—it’s just the ending theme of a palace drama. If you need me to rig it for you, you should consider changing careers while you’re still young.”

The competition for the audition was fierce, and Guan Lan’s words were undeniably arrogant.

But Zhuang Lin wasn’t exactly humble either.

Zhuang Lin: “You’re right. Singing it won’t kill me.”

——————————————————————

The next day’s audition went pretty much as Guan Lan had anticipated.

As soon as Guan Lan had received the song, he felt that Zhuang Lin was the perfect fit—from his voice to his aura, no one could sing it better.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhuang Lin opened his mouth and sang a couple of lines, the director and screenwriter immediately declared they didn’t want to hear anyone else—he was the one.

The problem lay with the producer.

The producer was adamant about having a female voice and refused to consider any male singer. He favored a female singer named Hu Qianqian.

Hu Qianqian’s performance was also good, but in Guan Lan’s opinion, it still lacked the feeling Zhuang Lin brought.

In a TV drama production, the producer holds the ultimate authority, but the opinions of the director and screenwriter couldn’t be ignored either. The situation reached a stalemate.

In the end, Guan Lan stepped in and suggested that they record two versions—one male and one female—and if necessary, a duet version. They could decide which one to use based on the final result.

With no other options, both sides had to compromise and follow this plan.

The next day, Zhuang Lin and Hu Qianqian entered the studio to record the song.

For a TV drama’s ending theme, no matter how big the production, it didn’t require Guan Lan’s personal supervision. Guan Lan stayed in the studio for a while, saw that everything was proceeding as planned, and then left.

As soon as he stepped out, Ren Xiaofei intercepted him: “Director Guan, Director Guan, Director Yang wants to see you now.”

This Director Yang wasn’t Yang Peiqing but the big boss of Tianlong, Yang Peining.

Within the company, to distinguish between the two, Yang Peiqing was privately referred to as “Little Boss Yang.” Moreover, Yang Peiqing was on the same level as Guan Lan. If he needed to discuss something, he would at least call Guan Lan personally, not send someone to fetch him like this.

Guan Lan felt a chill run down his spine.

He had been working for many years, but being summoned alone by the boss still felt like being called to the principal’s office back in school.

Guan Lan hadn’t expected that Yang Peining wanted to see him about the ending theme.

Yang Peining: “This Zhuang Lin—where’s he from?”

Guan Lan: “I just signed him.”

Yang Peining: “Hmm, the record contract is with us. What about the management contract?”

Guan Lan’s heart sank. He already had a rough idea of where this was going.

Guan Lan: “The management contract is with Huixin.”

Yang Peining spoke slowly: “Since this ending theme project has been handed to us, my opinion is that we should focus on our own artists. What do you think?”

Hu Qianqian was with Tianlong, her management contract signed with the company.

Guan Lan: “Ultimately, it’s up to the production team to decide who gets it. My opinion doesn’t carry much weight.”

Yang Peining: “Don’t give me that kind of talk. It’s not hard to influence the production team’s decision, is it?”

Indeed. A TV drama’s ending theme wasn’t a live performance; the quality of post-production was crucial. And post-production was handled by Guan Lan’s team.

Guan Lan: “Director Yang, I’ll be honest with you. I have high hopes for Zhuang Lin. I plan to invest a lot of effort into promoting him.”

Yang Peining looked up: “If you have high hopes for him, then it’s even more of a reason not to. If we make him popular, aren’t we just doing the work for someone else?”

In essence, if Guan Lan spent resources to make Zhuang Lin popular, the profits they’d earn would be limited to song sales and record sales. The big money from his subsequent gigs, endorsements, and performances would all go to Zhuang Lin’s company.

From Yang Peining’s perspective, this was obviously not a good deal.

Fortunately, the big boss left him a way out.

Yang Peining: “If you really believe in him, I’ll have Peiqing arrange for someone to approach him.”

This meant they were planning to poach Zhuang Lin entirely.

Yang Peining: “Peiqing is out of town today. Talk to him tomorrow. I’ll give him a heads-up.”

Guan Lan internally cursed.

No, boss! Please talk to him for me, boss! I have a grudge with him, boss! It’s a case of stealing his lover, boss!

If you do bad things and lie, you really do get punished!

——————————————————————

Guan Lan couldn’t tell his boss, “Your brother broke up with his boyfriend, and now he sees me as his love rival.” So he had no choice but to brace himself and go talk to Yang Peiqing.

He used to think that Yang Peiqing, no matter what, had basic professional ethics and wouldn’t let personal issues affect his work. But after learning that Yang Peiqing had bad-mouthed him to Chen Jin, Guan Lan lost confidence in his character.

Therefore, before approaching Yang Peiqing, Guan Lan first went to see Chen Jin.

Guan Lan: “You have to take responsibility for me.”

Chen Jin was startled: “When did I sleep with you?”

Guan Lan: “I’ve fallen into your ex-husband’s hands now. Go sell yourself to smooth things over for me.”

Chen Jin: “He may be a scumbag, but he won’t let personal vendettas interfere with work. He won’t retaliate against you professionally.”

Guan Lan: “That’s for ordinary grudges. This is a case of stealing his lover. Who knows what he’ll do?”

Chen Jin: “If I were in a normal relationship with him, cheated on him with you, slapped a big green hat on his head, and then dumped him, that would be stealing his lover. But since I broke up with him and then met someone new, that’s just the freedom to love. How can that be called stealing his lover?”

Guan Lan: “…If I really dared to play the role of Ximen Qing, he wouldn’t be Wu Dalang. He’d chop me up on the spot.”

Chen Jin: “…I could reluctantly break up with you.”

Guan Lan: “What would that solve? I’ve been an innocent bystander all along, okay? Can’t the two of you just sit down and talk calmly—no fighting, no sleeping together—and clear up all the historical baggage? Either make a clean break or start fresh, but stop this messy, entangled nonsense. That way, everyone wins, and the whole world breathes a sigh of relief.”

Chen Jin: “If you had a relationship, you wouldn’t be so naive. Not everything can be talked through.”

Guan Lan: “If it turns out like yours, it’s better not to have one at all.”

Chen Jin: “I get it. Our issues are ours and we shouldn’t drag you into it. I’ll tell him we’re fake.”

Seeing Chen Jin suddenly being so reasonable, Guan Lan felt a little embarrassed: “Forget it. That would make both of us lose face. Just tell him we broke up—amicably and on good terms.”

The next day, Director Guan had a meeting with Little Boss Yang.

Just by looking at Yang Peiqing’s demeanor and mental state, Guan Lan immediately knew two things:

First, Chen Jin had already told Yang Peiqing they had broken up.

Second, Chen Jin had slept with Yang Peiqing again.

These two drama queens—Guan Lan decided he would never get involved in their affairs again.

Yang Peiqing: “I’ve already heard the general situation. What do you need from me now?”

Guan Lan: “According to Director Peining’s instructions, he wants you to arrange for someone to approach Zhuang Lin and discuss the management contract.”

Yang Peiqing: “In your opinion, which of our managers would be suitable?”

Guan Lan, who always knew his boundaries, never interfered in other departments’ affairs: “It’s up to you. All of Tianlong’s managers are excellent, of course.”

Yang Peiqing: “To be honest, I’m not as good as you at spotting talent. Since you say he’ll be a hit, I’ll go ahead and poach him. What I’m more interested in is his manager, Qi Fei.”

Guan Lan: “You mean…”

Yang Peiqing: “I’ve had my eye on her for a long time. This time, since we’re pulling up the radish, we might as well take the roots too.”

Guan Lan hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly this time, likely thanks to Yang Peiqing being in a good mood due to recent events.

When their assistants had left, and only the two of them remained in the office, Yang Peiqing suddenly asked Guan Lan: “This Zhuang Lin—is he the one who stayed overnight with you in the meeting room?”

Guan Lan: “…It wasn’t overnight.”

Yang Peiqing: “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we get him for you.”

Guan Lan: “…You really have the wrong idea.”

Yang Peiqing: “Then why did you and Chen Jin break up?”

Guan Lan: “He dumped me. Why don’t you ask him?”

Yang Peiqing gave him a look that said, “We’re both in the same boat.”

Guan Lan felt like the misunderstanding had just gotten worse.