After failing the college entrance examination, he became a big star

Chapter 172 Repeated Rejection
on Tuesday.

Parents didn't rest, at noon, Li Kai took his younger sister to have a hot pot meal, then under the little girl's reluctant gaze, he boarded a taxi, and an hour later, he boarded the train bound for Shenzhen.

Originally, he wanted to leave on Thursday, but Shan Weidong's reminder reminded him of the agreement with Ning Lan, so he had to advance one day, and then the phone call with Mr. Ren made him advance one day again.

President Ren invited him to dinner tonight.

The general manager personally called to invite him, and he had to give face. Li Kai still has this basic quality in the workplace. Even if he just learned that his Spring Festival Gala quota was blocked by the company, he was actually upset.
After more than four hours of driving, at the beginning of five o'clock, Li opened his eyes at the train station, took a taxi and went directly to the hotel.

Hilde Hotel, a five-star restaurant with a revolving restaurant on the top floor.

The appointment was made at 06:30, and Li Kai was half an hour early, but he didn't expect that Mr. Ren was already there.

After being led to a table by the window by the waiter, Mr. Ren put down the magazine in his hand, and without getting up, he raised his head with a gentle smile and pointed to the seat opposite: "Come on, sit down."

After Li Kai sat down, Mr. Ren said again: "The steak here is pretty good. I ordered two standard set meals and a bottle of Lafayette red wine. Let's see what else I can add."

The waiter took the initiative to hand over the menu, Li opened his hand and waved: "No need."

The waiter poured Li Kai a glass of soda water, then asked if the food would be served now, and got permission from Mr. Ren before leaving.

"The past few weeks of publicity, running around in the southeast and northwest, it's quite hard."

"I don't work hard, it's the team around me that work hard."

"Hehe, the company has canceled the collective celebration banquet since last year. However, the performance of your album has greatly exceeded the company's internal estimates. It has been on the market for two and a half weeks, and the sales volume has exceeded 73. Less than 70 copies, this meal tonight will be my personal celebration for you."

While Mr. Ren was talking, the red wine was brought up, and the waiter poured a third of a glass for each of them. Mr. Ren raised his glass and said, "Come on, let's have one."

Ding!
The wine glasses collided and made a crisp sound, Mr. Ren drank it all in one gulp, Li Kai said thank you, and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, starters, soup, side dishes, and staple food were served one by one.

Having dinner alone with the general manager, Li Kai was not too casual and didn't talk too much. He basically said what Mr. Ren said, and he responded twice. The atmosphere was not discordant, but a little dull.

"A few days ago, Qiao Li approached me once and talked about her ideas, including your contract issue. I won't shy away from it. As usual, the company will consider renewing the singer's contract when there is half a year left in the contract period. , your situation is quite special, after this album, you have crossed from a rookie to a first-tier in one step, and your original contract is only close to the second-tier standard."

Mr. Ren cut the steak, and said in his mouth: "I have thought about it, otherwise, the contract standard will be raised to the first-tier mid-range, and the contract period will be extended for two years. What do you think?"

Li Kai didn't trust the boss to invite him to dinner alone, just to celebrate his success, he used to talk about irrelevant topics until now, when the issue of the contract was brought up, Li Kai knew that he was finally getting to the point.

"Mr. Ren, let's follow the rules. When I joined the company, the contract was out of bounds. There is no way to do something out of the way."

Li Kai would refuse, but Mr. Ren was not surprised, and smiled: "Are you not satisfied with the terms of the contract?"

Li Kai didn't want to go around, so he said: "I have only joined the company for half a year, and it is still early before the contract expires. I don't want to think about the contract issue for the time being."

Mr. Ren took a deep look at him, didn't stare at him, and said instead: "There is something, I am also quite embarrassed, a few friends called me these days and talked about your album , although the first main theme is Chinese style, but eight of the ten songs in the album are lyrical slow songs, and the album as a whole is characterized as lyrical slow songs, and it seems that there is nothing wrong with it.”

Speaking of this, there was a questioning look in his eyes.

"At the record conference, the producer, Teacher Ni, announced in public that this album of mine is an attempt to integrate three styles of music. I personally think so. If I have to define it, it should be a series of love songs, not a series of lyrical slow songs. .”

Hearing Li Kai's stern correction, Mr. Ren frowned slightly, and didn't answer immediately. He put a piece of steak into his mouth, chewed and swallowed it, and then took another sip of red wine, and then slowly said: "Li Kai, recently For a while, you should have read some media reports. There was a heated debate on the direction of the music world, and your album was used as a basis. In a sense, you were used by some people. Well, it’s best to clarify this matter.”

After finishing speaking, he quickly said: "The few friends who called me are very important seniors in the circle, and they are also very optimistic about you. I think it's better for you to come forward and express your opinion. The definition of lyrical slow song department , and there is nothing wrong with that.”

It seems that there is nothing wrong with it, and there is nothing wrong with it. The meanings seem to be similar, but they are completely different.

It was a discussion before, but now it is a provocative attitude. In addition, I specially selected a few friends who are important seniors in the circle, as if to force Li Kai to submit.

"I don't want to participate in the current battle of music trends."

But Li Kai's attitude was simple and clear, and he refused without a trace, and a look of annoyance flashed in Mr. Ren's eyes. For other people in the company, he would definitely be stern.

However, regarding Li Kai, he still maintained restraint, and said ambiguously: "I know you have some concerns, um, you should think about it."

This topic was brought up, and a few other things were casually chatted, and another topic was brought up: "By the way, I want to communicate with you about songwriters. You value autonomy. I know this, and I don't force it. , but, after all, you are a member of the company. If you have a good work, you must first take care of the company's singers. You can see if this works. In the future, if you have a work, give it priority to the company. The standard of big coffee."

It doesn't sound harsh, but it is not. As long as Li Kai agrees, it will be difficult for his works to be supplied to singers outside the company. Even if the works that flow out, the company will pick the rest.

Working with songwriters and labels in the industry is no different!
"Mr. Ren, when Mr. Qiao asked me to discuss the contract, I emphasized two points. The deadline for the first singer's contract and the autonomy of the second songwriter. These two points are my bottom line. I'm sorry."

Rejected by Li Kai again, he was still sealed. Mr. Ren's face darkened slightly, but he didn't change his color. He was silent for a while, and suddenly laughed: "Li Kai, you keep saying this over and over again. Rejection, isn't it a bit..."

Without going on, he just looked at Li Kai with a smile.

The meaning is very clear, you, Li Kai, are popular now, but no matter how famous you are, you are also a singer under the company, and I am the general manager. Is it a bit too much for you to refuse again and again?
Li Kai didn't answer, an apologetic smile melted on his face.

"Just kidding, don't take it to heart, hurry up, the taste of the steak will change when it's cold." They looked at each other in silence for ten seconds, Mr. Ren waved with a smile, and then pointed to the steak in front of Li Kai. Not at all unhappy.

Li Kai's heart sank slowly, he knew that his repeated refusal had offended Mr. Ren.

(PS: My son made up lessons in the afternoon and didn’t arrive home until [-]:[-]pm. The number of words in this chapter is small, and the chapter in the evening will exceed [-] words)
(End of this chapter)