Chapter 116: The Great Artist Gu Yun

As the two of them once again left the café fully armed, Jin Xishan seized the opportunity to ask, "Shanzi, about the wager you mentioned—how much do you think you could actually earn?"

"If Huayi accepts my final plan, the amount I stand to receive after taxes is roughly fifteen million yuan from three million in sales."

Jin Xishan was astonished, mouth agape: "Let me do the math—if it sells ten million copies, wouldn't you be earning at least a hundred million?"

"Haha, that’s about right. But why don’t you ask if I’m confident about the sales?"

"Hmph! From what I know of you, you’d never take on something you weren’t sure of. Be honest with me—are you proposing this wager because you’re confident enough?"

Liu Qingshan thought to himself, confidence isn’t even the right word. Sales in the tens of millions are inevitable, and that’s before any improvements to the work. Now, with the enhanced version refined by the system, it’s bound to surpass all previous records.

"It seems you really know your man well. Not bad. I believe my work will definitely hit several million sales. If I estimate six million copies, the royalties should already exceed a hundred million yuan!"

Jin Xishan’s smile blossomed like a flower. "Hahaha, the man I have my eye on truly has extraordinary talent!"

Though Jin Xishan was over five years older—now twenty-six—her demeanor off-screen was more like that of a young girl.

For instance, right now in the car, she was animatedly excited, dancing in her seat. "Shanzi, maybe you should buy another apartment? Choose a seaside city. When we have time in the future, we could vacation there!"

Liu Qingshan promptly poured cold water on her enthusiasm. "I’m confident about high sales, but whether that happens in a few months or over one or two years, I can’t predict that accurately."

Jin Xishan didn’t seem bothered. "It doesn’t matter how long it takes; you’re not short of money anyway."

"Not short of money? I’m in urgent need. Xueyu Studio is about to open, and the special effects production for 'Kung Fu' is about to begin. All of that requires funds. Right now, I have less than two million left."

The apartment in Phoenix City was purchased with Jin Xishan’s money, which allowed Liu Qingshan to keep that much on hand.

"That’s okay. I’ve got it. I won’t say how much, but I can definitely cover ten million yuan."

"Ten million isn’t enough to fill the hole that is Xueyu Studio’s expenses. Luckily, I had the foresight to rope in Kram—the local tycoon. With his help, we don’t have to buy new equipment just yet."

"Calling him a local tycoon? He’s a bona fide billionaire!"

"No matter how much money he has, I still think he’s uncultured. He eats with his hands!"

"Heh heh, that’s a traditional custom from India. When you meet him, don’t say nonsense about it!"

The two bantered happily as they returned home. The car was borrowed from Park Hyun-hee and Park Hye-jin, and it would stay with Liu Qingshan for the time being.

They didn’t plan to go out; having just grown close, the two were intimate as honey and oil, with no mind for anything else.

Yet, even if they didn’t want to be seen, someone was still keeping tabs on them. No sooner had Jin Xishan hung up her call with Park Hyun-hee than her phone rang again.

The caller caught Liu Qingshan by surprise—it was the female host he had first met, Xu Danni.

While conducting interviews in Hengdian, Xu Danni had stayed behind for a few days to finish the final edits. Somehow, she and Jin Xishan had developed a personal friendship.

Liu Qingshan could sense from their conversation that the two women were growing quite close, on the verge of becoming best friends.

Laughing as she ended the call, Jin Xishan coquettishly clung to Liu Qingshan’s arm. "Heehee, Xu Nizi is coming over to mooch a meal, and she’s counting on you to show off your skills!"

"Who is this person? Don’t they know we’re on our honeymoon?" His displeasure was genuine.

Jin Xishan clearly understood his feelings but twisted the flesh around his waist playfully. "What honeymoon? Shameless!"

Sensing his intent to take advantage, she quickly withdrew with a shy smile. "Stop it. Xu Nizi’s coming on official business. Don’t you want to hear what it is?"

Liu Qingshan feigned indifference. "I don’t care. Right now, I just want to eat you up!"

Having only recently tasted such intimacy, his appetite in one particular area was insatiable, leaving no energy for anything else.

Thankfully, Jin Xishan could still maintain some reason. Blushing, she tapped her foot. "Shanzi, don’t be such a greedy child. Isn’t that embarrassing?"

Seeing the melancholy on his face, she hurriedly kissed him. "How about tonight? Didn’t you want me to seriously study some vocal techniques?"

"So you asked her to help?" Liu Qingshan immediately grasped Xu Danni’s purpose.

"Yes. I told her while we were in Hengdian. She arranged for me to meet a very prestigious senior artist—Teacher Gu Yun. Do you know her?"

Liu Qingshan was stunned, straightening up. "Wow, Xu Danni really has connections. She managed to get Teacher Gu Yun? That’s a true master of the arts, with no fewer than a thousand songs written!"

Jin Xishan was equally amazed. "A thousand songs? That impressive? Which are the most famous? Can you sing some for me?"

"Teacher Gu’s songs are mostly patriotic classics. Her newer works are often theme songs or inserts for TV dramas—you might not have heard them! But she has many famous disciples, including several music royalty. That tells you how impressive she is."

"Mm, she’s really awesome!"

"Awesome? Who did she learn from?"

"Yu Yi, of course. He taught Kunale, and Kunale taught me! By the way, I know a few music royalty—tell me who among them are Teacher Gu’s disciples."

"You know Na Ying, right? She sang 'Conquer.' Also Liu Huan, another music heavyweight."

Gu Yun is a renowned Chinese musician, dedicating her life to music composition, promotion, and education, with nearly a thousand compositions to her name.

Many of her widely beloved works have become classics in contemporary Chinese music, with a series of pieces gaining popularity since the early 1980s, warmly embraced by audiences.

She has taught countless students, many of whom have become big names in the music world, including superstars like Liu Huan, Sun Dong, Na Ying, Chen Fangyuan, Amin, Su Hong, Qian Shan Hong, and others—each a celebrated figure.

Her prolific output includes not only songs but also the theme songs for recent TV series like "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," which have had widespread influence.

For Jin Xishan to become her disciple would be more than a blessing—it would mean aligning with the greatest pillar in China’s music industry.

Even Liu Qingshan, with his countless future works, could only admire her from afar, for she possesses true talent and scholarship, unlike his borrowed achievements.

After learning more, Jin Xishan’s eyes sparkled. "Na Ying is also Teacher Gu’s disciple? If she noticed me, would my singing improve greatly?"

"Absolutely! But Teacher Gu mostly accepts professional singers as students. Honestly, your current singing isn’t quite at a professional level."

"No, I want to become Teacher Gu’s disciple. Can you help me with that?"

Jin Xishan was no fool; she shared Liu Qingshan’s feelings. Besides, as a newcomer, being noticed by Gu Yun would hugely boost her future prospects in China.