Chapter 145: It seems you two were having quite a pleasant conversation.-I'm a Hit Songwriter—Isn't It Only Natural to Have Rumors with a Pop Diva?(A fine kitchen knife)

Celebrity Chat Group.

【Luo Zhe: Ahhh! Su Chen, are you releasing a new song? For whom? Why wasn't I included?】

【Jiang Jing: You should just forget it. With your mediocre skills, if Su Chen gave you such a great song and you ended up ruining it, it wouldn't be worth the effort!】

【Luo Zhe: How can you say that? With Su Chen’s songs, even a dog could become a hit. Surely I’m at least better than that?】

【Jiang Yan: Hmm?】

【Luo Zhe: ......】

【Luo Zhe: Jiang Yan, let me explain...】

Su Chen had just updated his Weibo when Luo Zhe caught the news and started clamoring in the chat group. Luo Zhe was endlessly curious about what kind of song Su Chen was releasing and who it was for. However, while trying to be funny, he accidentally provoked Jiang Yan, leading to another round of chaos.

Su Chen looked at the messages on his phone, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness. Still, appreciating their concern, he replied to the group.

【Su Chen: @Luo Zhe, put your business aside for now. This time I’m writing for someone else, mainly to return a favor.】

【Su Chen: As for who it is, you’ll find out on January 15th.】

【Su Chen: Actually, there should be an official announcement in the next two days. Just wait and see.】

【Luo Zhe: Is it for the person who helped you film the full version of the Golden Melody Awards video? That definitely deserves a thank you!】

【Jiang Jing: Oh, has your brain finally cleared up? You actually managed to figure that out!】

【Luo Zhe: ......】

Su Chen was used to the two of them bickering, but he was indeed surprised that Luo Zhe had managed to connect the dots. Seeing that Su Chen wasn't responding further, Luo Zhe stopped dwelling on the subject and instead brought up the incident where Li Kang had tried to smear Su Chen at the Golden Melody Awards.

【Luo Zhe: I really didn't expect Li Kang to be that kind of person. I crossed paths with him at an event before, and I didn't sense anything off about him at the time!】

【Jiang Jing: Is this your first day in the entertainment industry? Why are you still sighing about it?】

【Luo Zhe: No, it’s just that I didn't think anyone could be so blatant!】

【Jiang Jing: ......】

【Jiang Jing: Fortunately, this matter has passed, and they have brought this upon themselves. They probably won't be appearing in public for a while.】

【Jiang Jing: Given their industry status, it'll likely be tough for them from here on out!】

Su Chen read Jiang Jing’s analysis and nodded silently. As she said, it would be very difficult for Li Kang and his group to find opportunities in the public eye again. In such situations, the best strategy was usually to lie low for a while and wait for the public outcry to fade before attempting a comeback. But that required the company to invest significant resources to mitigate the damage; given the current situation, these people probably weren't worth that kind of investment from their company.

*Ding!*

Just then, Su Chen received a private message on WeChat.

【Jiang Yan: Who is your new song for?】

Su Chen pondered for a moment, then picked up his phone and typed.

【Su Chen: Xu Shuang. She’s the one who sent me that video I posted.】

Su Chen didn't hide anything and answered Jiang Yan directly.

【Jiang Yan: Oh? Was the time you asked me about her just so you could write her a song?】

【Su Chen: You could say that. I had to understand what kind of person she is, didn't I?】

On the other end, Jiang Yan bit her lip.

【Jiang Yan: And what did you find out? What kind of person is she?】

Su Chen hesitated, then carefully phrased his reply.

【Su Chen: At least from what I’ve gathered, she’s not the kind of person I dislike!】

After sending the message, several minutes passed before Jiang Yan replied.

【Jiang Yan: Sounds like you two had a very pleasant chat!】

It sounded a bit sarcastic. Before Su Chen could reply, Jiang Yan changed the subject.

【Jiang Yan: By the way, when are you going to write me another song?】

Su Chen shook his head helplessly. Jiang Yan brought up the topic of writing a song for her every chance she got, which gave him a headache.

【Su Chen: You don't need one right now!】

【Jiang Yan: Who said I don't?】

The two went back and forth for quite a while before Su Chen finally managed to extract himself from the conversation.

***

Star Orange Entertainment, Recording Studio.

After several rounds of adjustments, Xu Shuang’s recording of "Courage" was finally complete. Su Chen sat in the seat outside the recording booth, listened to the full track through his headphones, and gave Xu Shuang a thumbs-up.

Xu Shuang let out a long sigh of relief, took off her headphones, and stepped out.

"How was it?" Xu Shuang asked with anticipation.

"Fantastic!" Su Chen praised her without reservation.

"I’ve recorded many songs in this studio at Star Orange Entertainment, but you are the first person to achieve perfection in under three attempts!" the recording engineer added, echoing Su Chen’s sentiment.

"Thank you!" Xu Shuang smiled gently.

"Alright, the recording is finished here. Could you please help package the source files?" Su Chen turned to the recording engineer, who responded with a sense of humility.

"You're too kind. It’s my honor to record with you!"

After finishing up at the studio, Su Chen and Xu Shuang found a private conference room to sit down.

"The song is recorded, but the preparation work has only just begun!"

"What are your thoughts on the follow-up promotion and distribution resources?"

"As I mentioned before, we can leverage the buzz from the Golden Melody Awards, but that can only be supplementary!"

"Promotion resources are still absolutely necessary!"

As soon as he sat down, Su Chen got straight to the point. He had used Star Orange Entertainment’s facilities to help Xu Shuang record her song, but he truly couldn't help with the promotional side of things. Recording a song was simple enough—one could do it in a private studio—but promotion required utilizing the company's established systems and strategies.

"I... currently don't have access to promotional resources," Xu Shuang said with a self-deprecating smile.

"Back when I was popular, I certainly had plenty of those resources."

"But you know, I was shelved for several years, and many of those connections have since been severed!"

"How about... we just release it as is?" Xu Shuang asked tentatively.

"No!" Su Chen refused firmly.

"To be immodest, this song is a rare masterpiece!"

"If we fail to get good results simply because of a lack of promotional resources, that would be a huge loss for both of us!"

Xu Shuang nodded in agreement, though her brow remained furrowed with worry. Seeing her like this, Su Chen shook his head and pulled out his phone.

"Let me see what I can do!"