1990: Starting from Baojia Street

When Zhou Yan took Fumio Otsubo to the studio, he happened to meet Shizuka Kudo coming out of the recording studio.

Zhou Yan, you are back. Shizuka Kudo greeted Zhou Yan happily.

Seeing Kudo Shizuka, Otsubo Fumio was stunned for a moment. Although he usually pays little attention to the entertainment industry, Kudo Shizuka has been so popular in Neon in recent years, so he also knows Kudo Shizuka.

Is this, Miss Kudo?

Hearing Otsubo Fumio speak neon language, Kudo Shizuka was also a little surprised, Are you a neon person?

Kudo Shizuka said this sentence in Chinese, so Otsubo Fumio couldn't understand it at all. It was only after Otsubo Fumio's accompanying translator translated this sentence into neon language that Otsubo Fumio understood it.

Hello, Ms. Kudo, I am Fumio Otsubo from Panasonic. Fumio Otsubo introduced himself.

Although Shizuka Kudo didn't understand why someone from Panasonic appeared here, she still responded with a smile, Hello, Mr. Fumio Otsubo.

This time she used neon language.

After saying hello to Otsubo Fumio, Kudo Shizuka said to Zhou Yan in Chinese, I will record First Dream this afternoon, will you go and watch it?

Zhou Yan thought for a while and said, I'll go take a look later.

Shizuka Kudo was very happy to hear that Zhou Yan would go and see her, Then I'll wait for you.

After saying that, she nodded to Otsubo Fumio again, and then left.

Watching Kudo Shizuka's leaving figure, Otsubo Fumio's eyes were filled with surprise.

He was not surprised that Shizuka Kudo would appear here. After all, he had also studied Zhou Yan's resume and knew that Shizuka Kudo had covered songs written by Zhou Yan.

What surprised him was that Shizuka Kudo spoke Chinese so well that she was able to communicate normally with Zhou Yan.

He couldn't help but sigh, Miss Kudo's Chinese is so good.

I have made a lot of progress recently. Zhou Yan smiled, and then invited Fumio Otsubo to his office.

After arriving at the office, Zhou Yan found a CD from the cabinet and said, I have recorded a total of two versions of this song, both of which are on this CD.

Zhou Yan's office has a set of speakers that he spent tens of thousands of dollars on. It's not top-notch, but it's enough. He usually plays some music when he works here.

Sometimes Yu Hua and the others would come over and listen to music. Although Yu Hua kept clamoring to buy a better set of speakers, in the end he still couldn't bear to spend the money. After all, it was really not cheap.

Although Yu Hua's financial situation is much better now, things worth tens of thousands of yuan can't be bought on the fly.

In fact, you could spend thousands or even hundreds to get a decent set, but Yu Hua's ears were spoiled by Zhou Yan, and he couldn't get used to listening to those speakers with poor sound quality.

Now he even thinks that Zhou Yan's tens of thousands of yuan speakers are not good enough.

After pressing the play button, before the music started, Zhou Yan gave a brief introduction, The first version has two instruments: piano and cello. It may sound a little softer.

As soon as the accompanying translator translated this sentence to Fumio Otsubo, the sound of piano came from the speakers, and several people began to listen to the music seriously.

As Zhou Yan said, this version of Yellow is indeed softer. The piano and cello complement each other and are very elegant.

Listening to this version, Otsubo Fumio couldn't relate this song to rock at all. It was completely different from the rock he understood.

But he doesn't care at all if it's rock or roll. As long as it sounds good, it doesn't matter what type of music it is, it doesn't make any difference to them.

This piece of music is very listenable. Otsubo Fumio feels it is even more catchy than The Street Where the Wind Lives. It is the kind of piece that you will find very pleasant when you listen to it for the first time.

This is something that Fumio Otsubo attaches great importance to. As an advertising song, it needs to attract the audience in a short time, preferably the first time.

After listening to the song, Fumio Otsubo couldn't help but nod. He was personally very satisfied with this song. There was no doubt about Zhou Yan's level.

He couldn't help but applaud, but he stopped after just two claps because the second version had already started playing.

As soon as this version started playing, Otsubo Fumio's eyes lit up.

It's obviously the same song, but the feeling is completely different.

No, it can’t be said to be exactly the same song, because there is an obvious difference in the first verse.

This version uses only one instrument, the acoustic guitar, and the strumming in the first section is even more ear-catching than the first version.

And this version also made Otsubo Fumio feel the rock style, but unlike those more restless rock songs, this song sounds fresher.

Compared with the first version, this version lacks a bit of elegance, but is more positive, with guitar strums and a stronger rhythm.

Otsubo Fumio couldn't help but glance at Zhou Yan. No wonder so many neon music fans love Zhou Yan so much. With such a talent, how many people can not love him?

Zhou Yan's music is really suitable for both refined and popular tastes, including very elegant and difficult music, as well as some seemingly simple but hidden mysteries.

The most important thing is that the audience buys Zhou Yan's music.

After the second version ended, Fumio Otsubo clapped again. This time he drummed harder, and the applause was full of excitement.

If inviting Zhou Yan to be Panasonic's global image spokesperson was just a choice before, now Fumio Otsubo feels that this time it has to be Zhou Yan.

He couldn't accept that such a good piece of music had passed by.

Shiseido's success story is right in front of them, and they are eager to have an advertising song that is accepted by the public.

Zhou Yan stood up, took out the CD, and then asked, Mr. Fumio Otsubo, how do you feel?

Fumio Otsubo said excitedly, It's very good. Both versions sound great.

If your company is interested, you can consider using this song as your advertising song.

Of course we are interested, Mr. Zhou Yan, please put forward the conditions and we will try our best to meet them.

Zhou Yan was a little skeptical about Otsubo Fumio's words. After all, Otsubo Fumio was just the director of the TV department. Could he have the final say on this matter?

However, Zhou Yan did not express his doubts, but said with a smile, For the specific details, you should talk to Zhang Youan, he can fully represent me.

Fumio Otsubo nodded and said, I understand, we will discuss it in detail with Mr. Zhang Youan. Please rest assured, Mr. Zhou Yan, we are very sincere in this cooperation, and the conditions we offer will definitely be higher than those from Shiseido.

Zhou Yan did not go further on this topic, but asked about Daping Fumio's itinerary, How long will Mr. Daping stay in Yanjing?

There are other matters here in Yanjing, and it will take about a week to complete them.

Mr. Daping is not very familiar with Yanjing. If you need any help, you can tell us. When you have nothing to do, you can also come and sit here in my studio. You are always welcome here.

Thank you very much. Fumio Otsubo nodded gratefully, and then asked about Shizuka Kudo, Ms. Kudo, have you been here for a while?

Well, she is recording a new album here and has been here recently.

Otsubo Fumio asked unexpectedly, Why was Kudo-san's new album recorded here?

Because what she is recording is a Chinese album.

Hearing this, Fumio Otsubo immediately understood. No wonder Shizuka Kudo’s Chinese is so good. It turned out that she was going to record a Chinese album.

It seems that Shizuka Kudo is recording a Chinese album this time, and Zhou Yan is also participating.

Miss Kudo, are you going to enter the Chinese market?

Of course I have this idea and that's why I recorded a Chinese album.

I believe that with the help of Mr. Zhou Yan, Ms. Kudo's development in China will definitely be very smooth.

My help is insignificant. Ultimately it's up to her.

Of course, Ms. Kudo is also very good in her own right.

…

Otsubo Fumio didn't stay in the studio for too long. He chatted with Zhou Yan for more than half an hour and then got up and left. He was quite busy in Yanjing this time.

After Fumio Otsubo left, Zhou Yan went to the recording studio to watch Shizuka Kudo record First Dream.

First Dream was originally the last song. After this song was recorded, the recording of this new album was over. However, because Little Hands Holding Big Hands was temporarily added, Little Hands Holding Big Hands was added after this song was recorded. Hold your hand.

Zhou Yan stayed in the recording studio for a long time this time. During the recording process, if he encountered some problems, he would also ask them.

But before Shizuka Kudo finished recording, Zhou Yan left early.

During dinner in the evening, the two met in the cafeteria. Kudo Shizuka was eating a bowl of mixed noodles.

Because Kudo Shizuka likes to eat mixed noodles, now the cafeteria has mixed noodles basically every day, and this girl never gets tired of eating them. As long as they are available in the cafeteria, she will definitely eat them.

If Nangong Songzi was around, she would probably remind Kudo Shizuka not to eat too much. They have strict body control, and Kudo Shizuka has indeed gained some weight recently.

Zhou Yan finished his meal and sat in front of Nangong Songzi. Seeing that she was eating deliciously, he smiled and said, Eat more if you like.

Shizuka Kudo wiped her mouth, shook her head and said, After finishing a bowl, the pine nuts will complain about me. If I eat more after that, she will be very angry.

She pinched her arm again, I've gained weight recently.

It would be nice to gain some muscle.

Too fat to be photogenic, she muttered.

You are only over eighty pounds, which has nothing to do with being fat.

Kudo Shizuka smiled and looked at Zhou Yan's dinner plate, You are also very thin, but you eat so much.

Zhou Yan's appetite is indeed very large. He used to eat quite well when he weighed 130 kilograms. Now his weight has increased to 150 kilograms, and his appetite has also increased a lot.

He now ensures a certain amount of anaerobic exercise every week. If he has time, he will even play health ball with Yu Hua and the others.

However, his calorie consumption does not rely on these, but on high-intensity work. Some seemingly low-intensity actions actually consume quite a lot of energy, such as playing the piano. If you encounter a difficult piece of music, after an hour, the person will lose energy. It will be very tiring.

The reason why Shizuka Kudo said Zhou Yan was thin was because his body fat was not high and now remains at about 15% all year round.

I have been storing energy recently, so I eat more. Zhou Yan explained, and then started to cook seriously.

Kudo Shizuka had already finished eating, holding her chin and looking at him quietly. After a while, she said, How are the preparations for your new movie going?

Casting is underway. Zhou Yan replied casually.

When can it be turned on?

Probably until next spring.

It should be very different when you become a director.

Nothing different.

Kudo Shizuka was silent for a moment and then said, I will be leaving in a few days. Can you take me around Yanjing?

Zhou Yan was a little hesitant. He probably didn't have time to take Kudo Shizuka out to play recently.

Seeing Zhou Yan's hesitation, Kudo Shizuka added, You can go wherever you want. I've always been there, in hotels and studios. I've never gone out.

Seeing Kudo Shizuka's pitiful look, Zhou Yan thought for a while and said, How about I take you out for a walk later. Do you have time tonight?

Yes. Kudo said crisply, and then asked, Where are you taking me?

Where do you want to go?

Do you have an izakaya here?

Hardly. If you want to drink, you can go to the bar.

There are not many bars in Yanjing now, and the bar culture in Shichahai has not yet been formed. Most bars are still in Sanlitun.

Is there a good bar?

I rarely go to bars, but if you want to go, I can ask.

Um.

…

After eating, Zhou Yan went to find some people from the band No. 43 on Baojia Street. They recommended several bars to Zhou Yan. In the end, Zhou Yan chose Yunsheng Bar because Wang Feng said that his audio equipment was very good. It is more in line with Zhou Yan's requirements.

Zhou Yan and Kudo Shizuka arrived at the bar at around seven o'clock. There were not many people in the bar at this time, but the music was already playing, and they were all rock songs, mostly Cui Jian and Black Panther.

As for the audio equipment in the bar, it can only be said to be just okay.

Zhou Yan rarely goes to bars, so he doesn't know much about the audio equipment in general bars. If compared with the audio equipment that Zhou Yan usually comes into contact with, the set in the bar will definitely not pass the test.

The two ordered some beers and found a booth to sit down.

There are many foreigners in the bar.

The bars in Sanlitun were originally prepared for foreign guests, so it is normal for foreigners to appear here.

The environment in the bar was a little noisy, but Shizuka Kudo was very relaxed at the moment. She sat lazily on the sofa chair in the booth and looked at the stage not far away, Will there be a performance here today?

Probably so.

Under normal circumstances, such a bar has performances every day.

This bar seems to have a rock and roll theme.

possible.

Zhou Yan was not sure whether it was a rock bar or not. Most bars now play rock songs.

In places like bars, rock music is more popular, especially in the current Chinese music environment, rock music is also more popular.

Will Wang Feng and the others come to the bar to perform?

Yes, but rarely.

Wang Feng and others have companies contacting some commercial performers, so they rarely come to the bar.