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

Chapter 78 We're all about money

One week later, at the rehearsal room of Era Records.

Several vibrant young women, dressed in red knee-length skirts and white sneakers, were warming up with a lively rhythm.

The dance steps are very simple, just thirty-two steps, repeated back and forth, and there's nothing particularly artistic about them.

But it's precisely these simple steps, paired with that music, that make it so addictive to dance.

As a professional dancer, Liu Xiaoli's previous approach was always high-end, pursuing art that was too sophisticated for the masses and promoting tradition.

But when highbrow art meets the wildly popular rhythms, her original beliefs suddenly lose their effectiveness.

Originally, Chen Minghua wanted to modify the dance based on his professional perspective, and he didn't object.

After a few days of experimentation, I found that once the movements were changed and music was added, it looked awkward no matter how I looked at it.

The energy and spirit of the original song couldn't be captured.

It was only then that she truly understood the weight of the saying that art originates from the people.

She was quite frank about it. Since the money was practically free, and the dance couldn't be changed, she would change the costume instead.

And so, the bright red knee-length skirt was decided.

Now that things have come to this, there's nothing left to carry.

Besides, "Chu Rhyme" is already a sure thing to win the award, so dancing the "Apple Dance" won't stop her from accepting the award. So she might as well put aside her pride and be a young person for once.

Moreover, thanks to my younger cousin Zhou Xiaobai's continuous care over the past six months, my face is so smooth and supple that it looks like you could pinch water out of it, and my legs are straighter and taller than those of the girls on stage. My cousin Zhou Wenqiong is no less stunning.

When Zhou Wenqiong and I lead the dance on stage, we're guaranteed to dazzle everyone, but this dress seems to be lacking something—

Thinking of this, she secretly touched her thigh and couldn't help but think of the miniskirt in the storyboard.

"Sis, this dance is getting more and more exciting!"

Zhou Wenqiong walked over from the photography team with a big smile, her tone full of joy.

She was just discussing the filming plan with Li Jun and others.

As a former actress, Zhou Wenqiong has seen it all, even if she hasn't actually worked in the industry. She's a professional in this area, and in some ways, she's even more experienced than the photographer.

The artistry of a film and the brevity and speed of a music video are two completely different things.

Typical music videos aim for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, ideally recording in one day and releasing the final product in two days.

Even though the dance has already been arranged, who wouldn't want to take a better picture of themselves?

Furthermore, the photographer sent by Era Records seemed to be a novice, with only a superficial understanding of camera language. He could only throw a few beams of light, put the camera in front of him, and then prepare to start recording.

Zhou Wenqiong looked at it and thought, "How can this be allowed?"

With her professional eye and critical spirit immediately on display, she pulled the photographer aside and patiently explained how to film the dance to highlight its sweetness, cuteness, and energy.

The photographers nodded repeatedly, not only because they could learn something, but also because if the dance became popular, they could benefit from it.

"Teacher Liu, your professionalism is unparalleled," Chen Minghua and Li Jun, who came with him, also flattered him. "The actors in your troupe are really professional. If you were to look outside, you might not be able to gather so many beautiful girls."

These words were ostensibly praising the dancers on stage, but were actually a veiled compliment to Liu Xiaoli and Zhou Wenqiong.

The two of them, dressed in stage costumes, were so beautiful it was almost unfair.

Chen Minghua and Li Jun were momentarily dazed by what they saw.

They've seen plenty of beautiful women; after years in the entertainment industry, they've seen all sorts of beauties, but few can compare to this family.

"Mr. Chen, you flatter me. If it weren't for you giving us this opportunity, these girls in the group would still be gathering dust in the corner. With your vision, Times Records will definitely become more and more successful."

Liu Xiaoli's pearly teeth were slightly visible; who doesn't know how to flatter someone? She was told to accept compliments about her youth and beauty.

"That's different, Teacher Liu. Seeing is believing. You're a true icon of Jiangcheng. I even came to see your performance last year." Li Jun chuckled and said the lie. He looked at Zhou Wenqiong and said, "Wenqiong, I really regret it now. If I had persisted a little longer, I might have actually won her heart." They were so familiar with each other that joking around wasn't awkward at all. Besides, it's not unreasonable to say a few sour grapes when you can't have something, right?

"Hehe, with someone like you, it's your good fortune that your sister-in-law took a liking to you," Zhou Wenqiong retorted with a laugh.

After some mutual flattery, the conversation returned to the main topic.

"Mr. Chen, I think these outfits... are still a bit lacking." Liu Xiaoli pointed to the girls who were resting on the stage.

"What do you mean?" Li Jun asked, inwardly wondering: Didn't you order this outfit? Why are you saying it's not suitable? Do you think it's too hot and affects your image? But you yourself look amazing in this outfit...

"The song is called 'Little Apple.' Before, I only thought of making the dress the color of an apple. It looks nice, but it doesn't have that apple vibe!" Liu Xiaoli admitted her mistake and corrected it. Since she had taken the money, she should let her legs relax.

"Sis? I think it's great!"

Zhou Wenqiong asked doubtfully. She genuinely thought the outfit was good; it was suitable for both stage performances and everyday wear.

Chen Minghua was also puzzled. On Zhou Xiaobai's storyboard, the costumes were just a few simple strokes, and it was impossible to tell whether they were good or bad.

Previously, Liu Xiaoli complained that the skirt was too short and specially asked it to be lengthened to cover her thighs. Now that the clothes are all made, does she want to change it into a long skirt to cover her calves?

How much of the essence of this dance remains?

"It's not that it doesn't look good. I was thinking, if the skirt were shorter and more voluminous, wouldn't it look more like an apple? And if the T-shirt showed a bit more of my belly button, wouldn't it be more attractive?" Liu Xiaoli explained.

She doesn't care anymore and isn't afraid of being embarrassed if she wears it.

The dancers will be even more beautiful then, and with this double whammy, we certainly won't let you lose money—taking money to do a service is a traditional Chinese virtue.

"Well……"

Zhou Wenqiong swallowed hard—is this really my cousin? Is this the same Liu Xiaoli who's so conservative, acting like showing her bare thighs is a death sentence?

Chen Minghua was internally cursing – who was it that thought swaying their hips and twisting their waist was shameful, said the skirt was too revealing, and insisted on making it longer? Now, they're doing the exact opposite?

Li Jun's eyes widened even more—he was in charge of publicity and knew all too well what kind of stage costumes were most eye-catching. Was this deliberately pushing for a sensational moment?

Thinking of this, Li Jun rubbed his hands together and said, "Okay, let's change it according to Teacher Liu's suggestion."

Chen Minghua was overjoyed.

Zhou Wenqiong smiled and said, "Beauty should be shown off confidently. We're young, so we're not afraid."

"And—" Liu Xiaoli added, "I think besides indoor scenes, we could shoot in several different locations. Parks, shopping malls, squares…we could use whichever looks best, or we could edit together clips. This dance is simple; if we perform it a few times during filming, people will definitely want to join in, and that will be a selling point when it's recorded…"

Since you're so generous with the money, let's be even more relaxed and offer you some suggestions.

Everyone was completely dumbfounded when they heard this.

You've completely let loose, haven't you?

Is she still the same Liu Xiaoli who always talks about art being above all else?

Zhou Wenqiong even reached out to feel her forehead: "Sister, you don't have a fever, do you?"

Liu Xiaoli slapped the hand off her forehead.

He thought to himself, "It's not that we can't show skin, it's that we're after money."