Chapter 6: Could Grandfather Really Be by My Side?
Lin Feng nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it in.
The expressions of the other interviewees around subtly shifted, each showing something different. Yet most seemed to convey the same thought: “No way, man, you actually said that during an interview? What kind of fool is this?!”
“That’s exactly it! It’s a mutually beneficial employment relationship.”
Facing the astonished gazes of the others, Li Can nodded with complete confidence.
“If the work doesn’t match the pay, that’s the musician’s problem. If the pay doesn’t match the work, that’s the company’s problem. Isn’t that common sense? Why are you all so surprised?”
Noticing the interviewer slightly furrowing his brow, a bit annoyed, Li Can couldn’t help but add, “You don’t really believe a stranger who says they’ll dedicate their youth to the company, do you?”
“?”
The interviewer nodded thoughtfully, his expression serious, as if pondering something, but it was hard to tell what emotion he was feeling.
“So, you’re applying to be a music producer?”
The next moment, the interviewer spoke again, eyeing Li Can with keen interest.
“You have outstanding looks—born to rely on your appearance. Even as a mere figurehead, you’d get by quite well. You’re not aiming to be a star idol yet came to interview as a music producer. That’s a bit surprising.”
“?”
Li Can looked bewildered.
Wow! So that’s what the interviewer cared about?!
Alright, alright. If you say so, then I like your company even more.
I’m ready to dedicate my youth to such a visionary firm!
“Hmm... just a moment.”
The interviewer began flipping through the resumes.
“Hmm... Li Can, Li Can... where’s Li Can’s resume?”
“...”
It was confirmed!
Li Can’s mouth twitched as he exchanged a glance with Lin Feng.
Lin Feng’s face was equally blank, as if saying, “I knew this would happen.”
...I really came to the wrong place!
“Forget it.”
If it can’t be found, then don’t bother.
After a brief exchange among the interviewers, the lead interviewer smiled warmly and looked at Li Can.
“Please give us a brief self-introduction.”
“Uh... sure.”
Li Can didn’t refuse—after all, why not take advantage of such an opportunity?
Several young men nearby seemed a bit dissatisfied and needed a lesson in humility.
Just as Li Can suspected, the reactions of the other interviewees were off.
***
“???”
What? Really?
I understand the reasoning, but people are just different, right?!
If it were anyone else, they would have been kicked out long ago. How could there be such tolerance? Even showing interest, almost like wanting to hire him?
Just because he’s handsome?!
Many interviewees glared at Li Can, their hearts burning with envy.
A few confident ones looked at him with sharp eyes, eager to test his true caliber and see if he really deserved this special treatment.
Brothers, I’m not giving up!
“Li Can, male, 20 years old, currently a master's student in composition at the National Conservatory of Music...”
Well, that settles it.
Just by saying that, the previously disgruntled interviewees immediately cleared their expressions.
National Conservatory, my friend!
The composition program at the National Conservatory is firmly in the top two nationwide, rivaling the Shanghai Conservatory for first place.
Moreover, this guy is only 20 and already a master’s student.
What does that mean?
He’s probably a fast-track prodigy.
In the arts, once you enter a top-tier institution, you find many extraordinary people—various degrees, rapid progress, and masters of different techniques abound. This guy is likely one of them.
But none of the other interviewees knew this.
That was just the beginning.
Li Can’s self-introduction that followed truly blew everyone away.
“During my undergraduate years, my work ‘The Little Bird at the Border’ was selected as supplementary material and received unanimous praise from border troops during morale-boosting tours, recognized as a fresh new military-themed song with the spirit of the new era.”
“During my undergraduate years, my piano composition ‘Fantasy Impromptu’ was also selected as supplementary material and gained considerable acclaim within the piano community, especially in Europe. The European piano circle dubbed me ‘The Prince of New Romanticism.’ The title sounds a bit corny, but I like it.”
“During my master’s studies, I spent a year as an exchange student at the Yiying Royal Music Academy, where my works were performed at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to full houses. ‘Requiem Mass’ and ‘June Boat Song’ received much attention and, along with ‘Fantasy Impromptu,’ were selected globally for inclusion in the ‘New Century Classical Masterpieces’ album, gaining initial recognition in the industry.”
With each sentence, everyone’s eyes widened.
The interviewers even involuntarily dropped their jaws.
The few guys who were upset moments ago had even more spectacular expressions.
This isn’t a fast-track player...
This is a master executing a flawless performance!
Among everyone present, only Lin Feng, who often played with Li Can, remained unfazed; the rest completely lost control of their expressions.
“No way, bro!”
“Ah?!”
“Damn, this is that guy’s dad?!”
“What have you brought us into?”
Li Can had barely paused when exclamations broke out around him.
Everyone in the music circle recognized the names of his works, even if they didn’t know the man himself.
Though the focus of promotion wasn’t always on the artist, these pieces were undeniably famous.
***
Especially ‘Fantasy Impromptu.’
Its exquisite melodies and the devilish polyrhythms left a deep impression.
For piano students, it was almost a sacred piece to listen to.
Among the interviewees, quite a few had heard of Li Can’s compositions.
Unexpectedly, the big boss was right here beside me.
The music world really is too small!
“Ah... I...”
As an interviewer for a top entertainment company, he had met many so-called “big shots.”
But this was the first time he felt completely overwhelmed by an interviewee.
He grew tense and instinctively sat up straighter, as if facing a teacher.
After all, meeting a big shot and interviewing one were two very different things.
Those strong enough to avoid interviews usually didn’t have to go through this process.
“Well... Mr. Li Can, you’re here to interview... this...”
“Ah, I might have come to the wrong place. I wasn’t supposed to interview—I was supposed to get in through the back door and start as a music producer here. But there must have been a misunderstanding that brought me here. I only just realized it myself.”
Li Can laughed heartily.
“Sorry for wasting your time, but since the atmosphere is already like this, I might as well play along a bit.”
“...”
“Hahaha!”
His words eased the tension, and the previously nervous interviewers relaxed and laughed along.
The big boss has a great sense of humor.
This isn’t a backdoor deal; it’s just no nonsense.
“Mr. Li, you jest.”
The interviewer stood, smiling as he walked over to shake Li Can’s hand.
“We’re honored to have you join our company. I hope you have a pleasant future with us.”
“Yes, yes, no delay, no delay.”
“Exactly, how could Mr. Li Can’s matter be called a delay?!”
The other interviewees also had no objections, smiling and nodding in agreement.
The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Only Lin Feng, who knew Li Can well, felt his eyelids twitch uncontrollably.
He didn’t know what to say.
Li Can’s act was just too ridiculous and abstract.
But damn, it was all true. How could he not be annoyed?
Really wanted to give him a jab.