Chapter 10: He’s Absolutely Shameless!

Time passed slowly. In the blink of an eye, a week had gone by. During this week, Li Can and Lin Feng had been busy with music production, preparing for Chen Meijing’s upcoming vocal training and subsequent recording sessions.

Throughout this period, Wang Yongchang, the General Manager of the music department at the entertainment company, had been sending his secretary to quietly monitor Li Can’s progress. Although Li Can’s resume was impressive, Wang was still deeply concerned. It was common knowledge that any classically trained musician, regardless of their major or chosen style, started with a foundation in classical music. However, this rigorous training often cultivated a taste and set of standards that were far too high. Many musicians looked down on overtly commercial music, yet were often forced to compromise for the sake of making a living. The more talented the musician, the higher their demands. Wang was worried that Li Can would similarly disdain commercialization, leading to conflict or dissatisfaction. This was the fundamental reason he had paired the classically trained Chen Meijing with Li Can.

"If it’s these two, they’re bound to spark some artistic brilliance, right?" For some reason, Wang felt a lingering sense of apprehension. He had even prepared several contingency plans. For instance, if Li Can proved dissatisfied, he would shift him toward serious music and film scoring. If things went well, he would explore a high-end route. If the results were poor, he would have to find a time to sit Li Can down and advise him not to pursue overly obscure art, encouraging him to lean toward the mainstream instead. After all, Li Can was a student of Professor Xu Qing—a master who had once scored for *The Monkey King* and had mentored countless musicians across the industry. Li Can had the talent, and in the music business, success was often a matter of volume; you throw enough at the wall until something sticks.

Wang Yongchang believed he had considered every possibility. But not in a million years could he have imagined that Li Can wasn't thinking about classical pretension at all; his mind was entirely occupied with making money. Wang would have been even more shocked to know that if Li Can heard his concerns, he would likely retort, "You’re turning down easy money? How noble of you!" Since when did classical music fill an empty stomach? Was he unaware that "only the starving call it art"? Li Can could do art, but he would never let go of the profit.

"Li Can..." Wang was lost in thought.

Just then, his secretary burst through the door, looking flustered and urgent. "Mr. Wang, it’s bad! Li Can and Lin Feng are arguing in the studio!"

Wang jumped to his feet. The thing he feared most had happened! But... "Why are Li Can and Lin Feng arguing?"

The secretary wore a look of pure distress. "I can’t explain it, Mr. Wang, you have to go see for yourself..."

"Let’s go!" Wang hurried off. "I knew it! I was worried about whether Li Can could adapt to commercial demands, and sure enough, there’s trouble."

"Commercial demands?" The secretary’s reply was filled with a strange, resentful tone that left Wang stunned. "He’s way too market-oriented! I’ve never seen anyone understand it this well!"

Wang stared at the secretary, bewildered. "What on earth is going on?"

"I can't put it into words, sir, you just have to see it..." The secretary struggled to find the right adjective, finally settling on one. "It’s just... explosive."

Wang didn't dare hesitate and rushed downstairs. While there was indeed a commotion in the music studio, the nature of the argument was lightyears away from what Wang had imagined.

"No! Li Can! What about your artistic integrity?!" Lin Feng’s face was beet red, completely unable to contain his frustration. "How can you put out something like this?! You call this a song?!"

"You don't understand, it's postmodern abstract art."

Clearly, Li Can’s words failed to convince Lin Feng. In fact, they only made him angrier. Because in the credits for the arrangement, Li Can had "thoughtfully" included his brother's name. If Han Jiayin were to hear this song and see his name on the arrangement...

"Understand my foot!" Lin Feng snapped. "If you don't explain this to me right now, I’m going to shove a microphone down your exhaust pipe!"

"Wow, you're vicious," Li Can said, shuddering. "Don't you think this song is full of vitality? It has a sense of rustic aesthetic, and it's quite cute."

"Rustic aesthetic, my foot!" Lin Feng laughed in disbelief. "This song has an alien-like level of sophistication. No extraterrestrial life form within two and a half million light-years of Earth would be able to appreciate such a 'sophisticated' song!"

"That’s exactly the point! If you think that, don't you think it’ll be a hit?"

Under Lin Feng’s incredulous gaze, Li Can coughed twice and switched on the speakers. A burst of chicken clucking erupted from the sound system. It was the infamous viral sensation, *Little Chicken Little Chicken*. It was a masterpiece of early-Internet absurdity, designed to be as catchy and maddening as possible. As the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures. If this couldn't save Chen Meijing, nothing could.

Li Can stood up and began to shake his head violently, his hair flying in rhythm with the beat.

"Gou! Gou! Dai!"

"Wu-gou-wu-gou-dai!"

Meanwhile, the duo outside the studio froze, struck dumb by what they were hearing. Wang Yongchang finally understood what the secretary meant by "he’s too market-oriented." This was no longer a question of classical versus commercial; this was a case for a psychiatrist.

"Look, I took the clucking of a hen, turned it into a syncopated beat, and added a gasping, choking rhythm—tell me that isn't explosive!" Li Can slammed the table excitedly.

Lin Feng was so red in the face he couldn't even argue.

"I used crowing, cat meows, dog barks, and cow moos for the harmonies! Tell me, isn't that creative genius?!"

Wang Yongchang had never, in his entire life, imagined he would ever hear such a song. He glanced at the secretary, who merely offered an "I told you so" expression. Wang’s eye twitched, and he managed to choke out one word:

"...Heaven-defying."