I became a music industry godfather by writing confidantes.

Chapter 42: Fresh Rice Cake Soup

Friday, January 6th.

For the newly established Qiuniu Studio, this was definitely a day of double celebration.

At 3 p.m., Yang Du had just stepped into the studio when his agent, Yuan Xiuqing, followed him back.

There was an undeniable weariness in her eyes, but her whole being exuded a triumphant and triumphant air, as if she had won a great victory.

"Boss, did you get it sorted out on your end?"

"All done!" Yang Du leaned back on the sofa and gave an OK sign. "The master tape of 'Painting Heart' passed the production company's inspection an hour ago and has been delivered. According to the procedure, the remaining 20 yuan will be transferred to the studio's account at the earliest this afternoon and at the latest next Monday."

Yang Du then asked, "How about you? Judging from your expression, you've won a battle."

"I have accomplished my mission." Yuan Xiuqing took out a contract from her bag. "The revenue-sharing agreement is secured."

"You've had a tough time, Qing-jie."

Yang Du knew the true value of this contract and was also aware of the heated debates that would follow.

The shift from net profit sharing to revenue sharing is undoubtedly bleeding music companies dry.

"It's not so much hard work, it's just a lot of talking."

Yuan Xiuqing couldn't help but laugh as she recalled the commotion in the Jinshi Music Conference Room over the past two days.

"You didn't see Director Fang's expression when he finally signed the document; his face turned almost green with pain. Oh, by the way, when he was signing, Director Fang specifically asked me to pass on a message to you."

"What did you say?"

"Director Fang said that you should find some time to go to the Industry and Commerce Bureau to change the name of your studio. Don't call it Qiuniu anymore, just call it Pixiu instead."

Yuan Xiuqing mimicked Fang Lei's gritted teeth tone: "Only taking in and never giving out, swallowing gold and silver, a true Pixiu!"

"Hahaha." Yang Du couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Pixiu, an auspicious beast in ancient Chinese mythology, is said to swallow wealth from all directions, only taking in and never giving out.

It's clear that Director Fang harbors deep resentment.

After laughing, Yang Du began to arrange the next steps: "Now that the contract for 'Red Rose' is settled, we can contact Lin Xu. Tell him to take care of his voice these few days, and we'll go to the studio when I get back from my vacation."

"Understood, leave it to me. I'll call Sister Hong later. Boss, how long are you planning to rest?"

"About a week, I'll go back to my hometown to see my parents."

Others only see Yang Du's rising fame and making a fortune in the past half month, but in fact, since he started arranging "Flammable and Explosive" in mid-May, Yang Du has not had a proper rest.

During this period, he took on the role of "Painting Heart" to deal with online public opinion, and also took the opportunity to send "Singing and Smiling" to CCTV's Children's Day Gala.

Now that everything is finally settled, it's time to relax.

……

The next morning, Yang Du boarded a plane that flew directly from Beijing to Hangzhou.

It was almost noon when I got back to my neighborhood.

Yang Du took out his key and skillfully turned the switch to open the security door.

Inside the house, Yang's mother, Weng Shuying, was sitting on the sofa watching TV, while Yang's father, Yang Zhao, was carrying a fishing bag and preparing to go fishing.

"Oh my, Dudu?" Weng Shuying was the first to react, her face beaming with surprise as she greeted her. "You silly child, why did you come back without saying a word? You didn't even call so we could have picked you up from the airport!"

"Come in quickly, come in quickly."

Hearing his long-unheard nickname, Yang Du reluctantly put down his suitcase: "Mom, I'm so old now, can you please stop calling me Dudu?"

"No matter how old he is, he's still my son." Weng Shuying not only didn't change her address, but also gave Yang Du a smiling, slightly smug look. "When you were little, if we didn't call you by your nickname, you'd cry. Right, Old Yang?"

Yang Zhao nodded happily in agreement: "That's right, back then you wouldn't respond to anyone calling you by your full name, you only agreed when they called you Dudu."

As Weng Shuying laughed, she looked Yang Du up and down, her brows quickly furrowing slightly: "Why have you lost so much weight? You've lost all the fat on your face! Did you not like the food in Beijing? It was all steamed buns, wasn't it?"

"No, I've always been this weight, and I look slim in clothes."

"Nonsense, you've definitely lost weight, I can tell at a glance. What do you want for lunch? Mom will make it for you."

"Three-delicacy soup with rice cakes, it's been so long since I've had rice cakes."

"Alright, alright, then let's have three-delicacy soup with rice cakes." Weng Shuying turned to Yang Zhao and said, "Old Yang, hurry up and buy some fresh shrimp, clams, and squid. Dudu wants to eat rice cakes."

Half an hour later, a steaming bowl of three-delicacy soup with rice cakes was served on the table.

The snow-white rice cakes are cut into thin, even slices, topped with bright red shrimp, tender squid tentacles, and plump clams, and garnished with vibrant green vegetables. The aroma is irresistible and makes one's mouth water.

Yang Du thoroughly enjoyed the long-missed taste of his hometown.

Weng Shuying sat opposite him with a smile, watching her son eat rice cakes, her heart and eyes filled with love.

"Eat slowly, there's more in the pot if you're not full," Weng Shuying said again. "Your dad and I watched the Children's Day gala on TV the other day, and your name was written under the song 'Singing and Smiling.' You've really become a musician now?"

"I wouldn't call myself a musician, I'm just a music producer," Yang Du explained, swallowing a rice cake. "I'm responsible for turning a song from lyrics and music into the version that everyone hears on their phones and TVs."

"That's quite an achievement." Weng Shuying beamed with joy. "Your aunt called the other day to ask if Yang Du on CCTV's Children's Day Gala was really Dudu. I said yes, he is your nephew."

"By the way, how long are you planning to stay home this time? Summer vacation hasn't even started yet, has it?"

"I'll be there for a week. I've now set up my own studio, so the school's involvement is just a formality; I'm free to arrange my own schedule most of the time."

"Great, great, a personal studio is good."

After eating rice cakes, Yang Du chatted with Weng Shuying at home for a while, and then went fishing with Yang Zhao.

Unsurprisingly, they returned empty-handed.

The day after returning home, on Sunday, Yang Du changed into his gear and went fishing at a reservoir in the suburbs with Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao said confidently, "Yesterday's pond was shallow and there weren't many fish. The reservoir has a lot of fish, so we can have an extra meal tonight."

Yang Du recalled that Yang Zhao did not have any other hobbies, but his addiction to fishing started when he was still in elementary school.

His fishing gear was quite luxurious, with everything from various types of fishing rods to complex baits, just like a poor student with a lot of stationery.

The father and son set up a parasol by the reservoir, enjoying the gentle breeze and chatting occasionally, which was quite pleasant.

However, for some reason, none of the fish in the reservoir were willing to take the bait.

"Dad, are we just going back like this?" Yang Du asked as the sun began to set.

Yang Zhao casually reeled in his line and coughed lightly, "Let's go to the market and buy a crucian carp. We'll have crucian carp stew with tofu for dinner."

"it is good."

"Don't tell your mother."

"Yes, I understand."