Mr. Wang from Starlight Entertainment led Lin Chen to an elegantly styled cafe within the creative park. Unlike the noisy, sweltering atmosphere of the audition venue outside, this place was cool with ample air conditioning, softly lit, and filled with the rich aroma of coffee beans and the mellow sounds of jazz music. The highly polished table surface reflected Lin Chen's somewhat uncertain expression.
"A latte, please," Mr. Wang said to the waiter, then turned to Lin Chen with a genial smile. "What would you like, Lin? Please, don't be shy."
"I... just water is fine," Lin Chen replied, instinctively tightening his grip on the old guitar case resting on his knees.
"One lemon water," Mr. Wang smoothly instructed the waiter. After the server left, he leaned forward slightly, folding his hands on the table in a gesture of professional warmth. "First, on behalf of Starlight Entertainment, I want to express my admiration for you once again. Your performance on stage was truly stunning."
"Thank you," Lin Chen said softly, not entirely letting his guard down. Judge Zhang Zhe's comment about his performance being "too personal, too artistic" still echoed in his ears.
"You shouldn't pay too much mind to Teacher Zhang Zhe's words," Mr. Wang said, as if reading his thoughts, offering a relaxed smile. "Judges have their own perspectives. They need to make quick decisions, so their standards are inevitably strict, even... somewhat utilitarian. But what our company values is your potential and your uniqueness."
He pulled out a tablet and called up some information. "Your song 'The Mountain's Question,' while simply arranged, has a very complete melodic structure and emotional expression. More importantly, the quality of your voice—that raw, natural texture—is extremely rare in the current market. We believe that with professional vocal training and packaging by a top-tier production team, it has the potential to be developed into a hit that balances artistic value with market appeal."
*A hit?* The term felt foreign to Lin Chen. When he created music, his only thought was expression; he never considered crafting a "hit."
"Our resources at Starlight Entertainment are top-tier in the industry," Mr. Wang continued, showcasing the company's strengths. "We not only have our own music production center and film/TV production department but also powerful promotional channels and business cooperation platforms. If you join us, we will create a customized development plan for you. This includes systematic training in vocals, dance, physique, and diction. We'll invite award-winning producers to create your album, arrange appearances on top national variety shows to increase your exposure, and in the future, there might even be opportunities to act in films or TV series funded by the company, achieving cross-disciplinary development."
Mr. Wang's words were smooth and enticing, painting a dazzling picture of the future for Lin Chen. It was a vast stage he couldn't have even dared to imagine while holed up in his small mountain room, fantasizing with his old tapes.
"Of course," Mr. Wang's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious, "all this is predicated on you signing a contract with the company and officially becoming one of our artists. We will invest significant resources to train and promote you. Accordingly, we would also sign a legally binding management contract. These are the industry norms, which I'm sure you can understand."
The waiter arrived with their drinks. Lin Chen looked at the clear lemon water before him, fresh lemon slices suspended within, tiny bubbles rising steadily. His inner turmoil mirrored the water—seemingly calm on the surface, but bubbling underneath. The opportunity was right there, within reach. It seemed like everything he had ever dreamed of. So why did he feel a faint, persistent unease deep down?
"I... I need to think about it," Lin Chen said, looking up and mustering his courage. "Also, I'm still waiting for the final audition results..."
"Audition results?" Mr. Wang smiled, a knowing, composed smile. "The meaning of 'pending' is often a matter of weighing options. Let me just say, with your performance, direct advancement wasn't out of the question. But sometimes, a little setback helps young people see reality more clearly and appreciate opportunities." He looked meaningfully at Lin Chen. "I believe that, regardless of the final audition outcome, partnering with Starlight is the fastest and most secure path for you to realize your dreams. This contract," he gently nudged the exquisitely prepared draft contract on the table, "represents professionalism and security."