Future Pet Shop

Chapter 196: Sun Qian, Come With Me

"Director Kong, you’re too kind," Shen Yibin said with a smile. "When would be a good time for you? I can bring the singer over for an audition." He wanted to strike while the iron was hot and settle this quickly.

"Go back and get her right now. I’ll wait here and listen to her sing. As long as she’s as good as what I just heard... no, even if she’s only half as good, the theme song for this promotional video is hers," Director Kong made the decision on the spot. Sun Qian’s voice could perfectly fill the last remaining gap in this promotional video. This time, he was certain he could create a sensational masterpiece.

However, after the initial surprise, Director Kong couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. While it was fortunate to find such a talented singer, his plan to do Shen Yibin a favor had fallen through. If anything, by finding such an incredible singer to join the team, Director Kong now owed Shen Yibin a favor instead.

"Uh, don’t we have to continue filming in a bit?" Shen Yibin was a little surprised. ’There’s no need to be in such a rush, is there?’

"The morning shoot is already over, and the afternoon shoot isn’t for a few more hours. That’s more than enough time for you to make a round trip. Finalizing this is more important than the afternoon shoot," Director Kong said impatiently. After speaking, he seemed to remember something and quickly added, "You can take Hah’Er with you. We’ll continue filming when you get back. It’s okay if there’s a delay. At worst, we can just shoot tomorrow after the sun comes up."

Their progress was already far ahead of schedule, so Director Kong didn’t mind wasting another day. On the contrary, Hah’Er hadn’t left Shen Yibin’s sight since the shoot began, so he guessed this might be the source of Shen Yibin’s hesitation. ’If it were me, I probably wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving a national treasure here alone either, right?’

"Alright then, I’ll be quick." What else could Shen Yibin say when Director Kong had put it like that? He waved Hah’Er over, got into his Wuling Hongguang, and disappeared from Director Kong’s view with a step on the gas.

Truly worthy of its reputation as a godly van with a top speed of 518 km/h. By the time Shen Yibin parked in front of the pet store, he saw Sakai Kaori coming downstairs with lunch.

’She probably can’t sing well on an empty stomach, right?’ With this in mind, Shen Yibin didn’t rush Sun Qian. Instead, he and Hah’Er sat down next to her and started eating as well. He only reminded her gently, "Sun Qian, eat up. You’re coming out with me in a little bit. I’ll have to trouble the two of you with the store this afternoon."

"What is it?" Sun Qian’s voice trembled slightly. Connecting it with what happened last night, she seemed to have guessed something. Cheeky also stopped eating its Jabuticaba fruit and tilted its head, looking at Shen Yibin.

"Oh, I played your recording for Director Kong. He was very impressed and specifically sent me to invite you for an audition. If you can meet the standard you set last night, the theme song for this promotional video is yours," Shen Yibin said, feigning nonchalance, as if he had just done something trivial.

"Wow, is Sun going to be a big star soon? Congratulations!" Sakai Kaori was the first to congratulate her. Having lived with Sun Qian in the same house for so long, she naturally knew about her dream.

"Don’t be nervous. Even if this doesn’t work out, I can still introduce you to the European music scene," Sylvie said, helping to ease Sun Qian’s pressure.

"Thank you, thank you all so much." Sun Qian felt her nose tingle. Before leaving her small hometown county, she had anticipated how difficult this path would be. She never expected to meet so many kind people after coming to Yunzhong City. In just a few months, Shen Yibin had already opened a door for her music career.

"Enough talk. Let’s hurry up and eat. Director Kong is still waiting," Shen Yibin urged, a little uncomfortable with such a sentimental scene. He buried his head in his food and began to eat quickly.

But deep down, he actually felt quite reluctant. He had already realized that once the song was recorded and the promotional video was released, Sun Qian would become an overnight sensation, just like Cheeky had before. When that happened, she probably wouldn’t stay at his little store anymore. The thought made him a bit sad.

After quickly grabbing a bite, Sun Qian got into the car with Shen Yibin and Hah’Er, and they sped off toward Shilin. When they arrived at Shilin, the sun was at its best. So, despite his impatience, Director Kong could only direct the crew to continue with the shoot. They would only have time to listen to Sun Qian’s singing during a break.

Director Kong hadn’t been idle during that time. He had already arranged for a background track, so there was no need to trouble Cheeky this time. Although Sun Qian had seemed a bit emotional just moments ago, the second she picked up the microphone, her entire focus shifted to the music. Her long stint as a resident singer at the bar hadn’t been for nothing; that training had taught her to sing with complete concentration no matter the environment.

Sun Qian’s voice once again captivated Director Kong and the entire crew. When the song ended, everyone, starting with Director Kong, couldn’t help but burst into applause.

"Excellent, excellent! The theme song for this promotional video is yours. Miss Sun, do you have an agent? If so, you can have them come sign the contract now," Director Kong decided on the spot.

"I’m sorry, I don’t have one yet," Sun Qian said apologetically.

’It’s fine, this is just a small contract anyway,’ Shen Yibin thought. ’I happen to know a lawyer who can review it for her. Right, I’ll call Zhang Danxuan immediately.’

After the shoot wrapped up, Shen Yibin took Sun Qian to meet with Director Kong. Lawyer Zhang came over, gave the contract a simple review, and Sun Qian signed her name on it.

"Get yourself prepared over the next two days. We’ll start recording the theme song the day after tomorrow. Tonight, Bin and I have to report to Mayor Wang, so we’ll have to save the celebration drinks for another time," Director Kong said with a touch of regret.

When they arrived at Mayor Wang’s office, it was already past eight in the evening, but Mayor Wang, ever striving for Yunzhong City’s GDP, was still at work.

The first thing Director Kong did was play the theme song sung by Sun Qian for Mayor Wang. This version was recorded with the crew’s professional equipment and sounded much better than the one Shen Yibin had recorded on his phone.

Mayor Wang was also full of praise. Upon learning that Sun Qian was a Yunzhong City local, he made an immediate decision. "Excellent. We’ll have Sun Qian sing the opening song for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival race."

Of course, Shen Yibin had no objections, and so Sun Qian landed another job.