Huayu: Starting by piggybacking on the fame of "Fairy Mom"

Chapter 113 The Smell of Gunpowder

Before Zhou Wenqiong could speak...

A little girl's clear voice broke the silence: "Auntie, I like that little boy." Zhou Xiaobai in the video had an aura about him; he was pleasing to the eye, and the girl became a fan at first sight.

"Auntie, I like that little boy too," a little girl with snotty nose chimed in her childish voice.

"He's much cuter than my brother," another little girl said, glancing disdainfully at her younger brother sitting right next to her.

"I really like the fairy boy..." A long-haired, devilish little boy made a strange sound.

……

"A fairy godmother?"

"I've got another headline in mind!" a reporter exclaimed, grabbing his pen to write it down—"Believe it or not—The composer is actually a fairy godmother!"

The media personnel in the audience lit up and began frantically taking notes.

This time, Zhou Wenqiong reacted quickly enough, not letting anyone ask questions. She smiled and gave the answer: "The composer of all the songs on the album is that little... cough, little fairy boy in the video—"

She suppressed a laugh and quickened her pace, "That is, my younger brother, Zhou Xiaobai. The lyrics were written by Zhou Xiaobai and Liu Yifei. Here, I must especially thank their music mentor, Ms. Wang Shuzhen, who served as the composition director for the entire album, laying a solid foundation for these works."

"Wow!"

The entire audience erupted in uproar!

If Liu Qianqian's singing is a road to the soul, then the composer is the one who built the road.

Aside from the young fans, most of the audience members were knowledgeable musicians who had received a preview version with the beginning and end cut off before the press conference.

Even though it's just a preview, they couldn't possibly fail to recognize the quality of the music.

Every song has the potential to become a classic; they are not only suitable for children to sing, but also perform admirably by established singers.

This is precisely why today's children's song launch event has attracted so many industry media outlets—the songs are well-sung, and the lyrics are even better. Uncovering the stories behind them is precisely where the value of their profession lies.

Zhou Wenqiong's answer still exceeded everyone's expectations.

Everyone initially guessed that the lyrics and music might have been written by some big shot using an alias. Who would have thought that the composer was actually a child?

This left them no choice but to be shocked.

These days, patriotic songs still dominate the mainstream music scene in mainland China, and popular music is almost entirely dominated by songs from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Occasionally, a few popular songs will break out of the mainstream, but they are mostly the work of established musicians.

But now, this "anomaly" has suddenly appeared...

Is the landscape of pop music really about to change?

Everyone's thoughts raced, but there were also quite a few clever ones. A lucky reporter seized the key point: "Ms. Zhou, Qianqian calls Zhou Xiaobai her brother, and you are Qianqian's aunt, but Zhou Xiaobai is also your brother. What exactly is the relationship?"

He looked confused, spoke incoherently, and asked even more incoherent questions.

"what?"

Other media professionals were initially taken aback, but then realized that this seemed to be an even more sensational topic than the composer himself.

Zhou Wenqiong felt somewhat helpless: Is this press conference even going to happen? I get interrupted every few sentences. Can't I just speak straight through it all?

She looked at the executives of Era Records in the audience, but Mr. Wang and Chen Minghua responded with encouraging smiles—"You handle it. Anyway, today's press conference is already a hit, and the album will only be a hit. Just go with the flow, say whatever everyone wants to hear."

What's the purpose of a press conference? Isn't it just to create hype, generate buzz, and boost sales?

Our record label must keep pace with the times.

Zhou Wenqiong understood, showing no embarrassment whatsoever, and instead laughed first: "Hehe, this reporter asked a good question. The relationship in our family is something that sometimes even I am confused about."

She pulled Liu Xiaoli aside and explained, "Zhou Xiaobai is indeed Liu Yifei's cousin by seniority, but he's actually a tiny bit younger than Qianqian!"

She pinched a slit between her thumb and forefinger and compared them. "Besides, kids all want to be the leader. Sisi is a bit naughty and bossy; she absolutely refuses to acknowledge this little cousin."

Many people in the audience nodded in agreement, especially parents with children who deeply resonated with the sentiment: "It's the same in my family! They fight every day over who should be the older brother or sister..."

Zhou Wenqiong laughed even more easily: "So she beat my brother into her brother, and she really beat him! From the head of the bed to the foot of the bed." She recalled the "Uncle Bloodbath" where the two little brats fought from the head of the bed to the foot of the bed, which ended with Zhou Xiaobai signing a "sibling alliance".

"You mean, the two of them were fighting while sleeping? And the fairy won in the end?" The reporter from Hong Kong Island Gossip Weekly's eyes lit up, quickly digging a hole.

"Kids often share a room and a bed, so when they start playing, they can easily run from one end of the bed to the other." Zhou Wenqiong, who has lived in Guangdong Province for more than ten years, understands this and affirms it without changing her expression.

The Hong Kong Island reporter burst into laughter and quickly drafted a headline: "For Liu Yifei, niece and cousin go to sleep."

A reporter from a mainland tabloid nearby was taken aback, then immediately impressed: "I've learned something. No wonder you're from Hong Kong; you dare to write headlines like that." He quickly raised his hand, this time looking at Liu Xiaoli: "Ms. Liu, Qianqian hit your cousin. This is insubordination. As an elder, how do you usually handle this?"

Thinking of Zhou Wenqiong's betrayal earlier, Liu Xiaoli thought, "Since we've already lost face, what's a little beating of a child? My little cousin is really naughty, and he gets punished a lot at home. Not only does Qianqian beat him, but Wenqiong and I also discipline him until he's completely obedient."

"So you mean you also hit your younger cousin?"

"She was hit, but her own sister hit her even harder."

Liu Xiaoli looked at Zhou Wenqiong and smiled wickedly: Since the bad reputation has spread, then let's drag you down with us—it seems like you're the one who hits the child harder.

Zhou Wenqiong turned pale, while Yang Yuying blushed with embarrassment. This family was hilarious.

"Thank you!" The tabloid reporter said contentedly, then buried himself in writing—"The Lack of Ethics: The Story a Sister and Brother Have to Tell."

The other reporters panicked when they saw this: We can't let you steal the spotlight, we have to dig up some juicy scoops too!

At this moment, music critic Niu Leide grabbed the microphone. His questions were professional, but also highly provocative: "Ms. Zhou, if I may be so bold, these songs are so good that it's hard to believe an eight-year-old could have written them. There are precedents in the music industry these days of ghostwriting or parental involvement. These songs are stylistically diverse. Does Zhou Xiaobai, at her age, have such life insights? Is there a master craftsman behind the scenes? How can you prove it?"

This question is too tricky, and it's a trap.

Well answered, the possibilities are endless.

If you answer incorrectly, you lose everything.

There are many child prodigies in the media these days, but we rarely see them actually monetize their talents.

Although most of the people present today are entertainment reporters, they still have professional qualities.

Besides, with such readily available material right in front of them, isn't the specialty of entertainment reporters to dig deep and find fun?

At this moment, everyone—the media, the agents, and the lucky audience—fell silent, their eyes all focused on Zhou Wenqiong and Liu Xiaoli.