This business card was given to him by an uncle he met by chance after finishing a performance at Lin Tian Restaurant a couple of days ago.
To his surprise, Gan Yanyu, who was standing nearby, read out the name on the card.
"SYC?"
"You know them?"
"A music agency, very famous in Qingzhou, they've signed a lot of talented musicians," said Gan Yanyu. "Last year's violin national competition had participants who were signed by their agency."
"They are really capable then."
At that time, the uncle had been overly enthusiastic in front of Lin Tian, which made Lin Tian skeptical about the company's standards.
That's just human nature.
The easier it is to obtain, the less impressive it seems.
Wait until you want to get in, and they will put you through a three-round interview to humble you.
"But how did you get this business card?" asked Gan Yanyu.
"Added them while playing the piano in the restaurant."
Lin Tian mentioned it casually, but it made Gan Yanyu a bit surprised.
To be recognized by SYC, you must play exceptionally well.
"What's the difference between a music agency and the typical star agency we usually see?"
Recalling that Gan Yanyu had also signed with a music agency, Lin Tian asked.
Although both are agencies, Lin Tian thought that,
signing musicians must be a bit more prestigious than signing stars.
Just like how the term 'actress' plainly means a female actor, but many people elevate it to refer to something more sacred like a film actress, since everyone defaults to recognizing a higher stature.
"It's about the difference in job focus."
Seeing Lin Tian genuinely interested in this topic, Gan Yanyu raised her forefinger and began to explain earnestly.
"In public perception, star agencies mainly handle packaging, operation, publicity, collaboration, etc., of the stars."
"Music agencies, though they also have these roles, focus more on music creation, production, distribution, promotion, along with managing recording, music production, competitions and performances of performers."
"I see."
Lin Tian summarized.
The former mainly focuses on marketing and capitalizing on popularity.
The latter is seriously involved in music, because they truly rely on music for their livelihood.
Then approaching them is definitely the right choice!
Lin Tian dialed the number on the business card.
...
"Who is this?"
"Lin Tian, we met at SWING restaurant the day before yesterday."
"It's you."
Hearing Lin Tian's introduction, Zhong Weian's voice suddenly became excited,
"What's up, Mr. Lin Tian? Are you planning to become a professional pianist?"
"Not yet, I just wanted to ask if your company's recording studio can be rented? I am willing to pay."
"May I ask what it will be used for?"
"To record productions, to shoot short videos."
When he said this, Lin Tian was a bit embarrassed.
After all, their company's recording equipment is used for releasing music.
You're shooting a lousy Douyin, isn't a smartphone enough! What's the fuss!
It's like spending a lot of money to hire a photographer, saying you'd edit it yourself, then using their high-end camera to take photos and opening them up in beauty editing apps on your phone...
"Sure."
Zhong Weian agreed readily.
"Really?" Lin Tian was somewhat surprised.
"In this case, since you are shooting short videos, renting our recording studio can be quite costly. How about, on a personal note, I send you a set of recording equipment? This way you can record at home, and it's sufficient for short videos."
"Considering you're still a student, I won't charge you. You just need to mention our supplied equipment briefly in the video descriptions. When you can afford new equipment later, just send the setup back to us. Does that sound good?"
After Zhong Weian finished, Lin Tian was stunned.
What?
Can students really get freebies?!
Actually, the uncle's rationale was simple: he provides Lin Tian with equipment, and Lin Tian promotes them in his video.
It seems fairly balanced, but clearly, the uncle is at a loss.
Record equipment worth tens of thousands, in exchange for a minor text ad in Lin Tian's video description? It's definitely a loss.
Lin Tian was well aware that Zhong Weian was intentionally trying to win him over.
But he was willing to engage in such a transaction.
"Deal!"
"Okay, add me on WeChat and send me your address."
"Mm..."
The call ended.
Gan Yanyu looked at Lin Tian cautiously, anxiously asking,
"How did it go?"
"Got it, the recording device."
"How much did it cost?"
"Didn't cost anything."
"Wow!"
Gan Yanyu shook her little fists, suddenly excited.
Then, the next second.
"Cough cough—"
Gan Yanyu coughed twice, covering her mouth to the side.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing this, Lin Tian immediately leaned in with concern.
"It's nothing, just a bit of a throat inflammation recently, I'll be fine with some medicine."
Gan Yanyu said, returning to the sofa.
The girl opened her cello bag, reached into the smallest compartment, and felt a red plastic bag.
Perhaps out of haste, or not wanting Lin Tian to see something, Gan Yanyu's hand in the cello bag tore the plastic bag open too forcefully.
The bag tore apart, and numerous boxes of medicine flew out, landing on the sofa and the floor.
"Ah!"
Gan Yanyu hurriedly started to pick them up.
"It's okay, let me do it."
Lin Tian came over but stopped short in shock.
Apart from common cough medicines like Compound Licorice Tablets and Su Huang, there were antidepressants like Fluoxetine and Paroxetine, numerous such medications for treating asthma, various hormones and regulators.
And, many other medicines that Lin Tian didn't know the use for, nor could he name.
They were plentiful.
Just looking at them was unnerving.
Lin Tian knew that some people who were usually in poor health or who had sudden illnesses might carry some common medicines in their bags.
But he had never seen such an exaggerated amount stashed in the compartment of a cello bag.
"Are all these meant for you?"
Lin Tian picked up a box of antidepressants, his expression serious.
"No...actually, I haven't taken antidepressants since yesterday."
Gan Yanyu pinched her pinky and continued packing up the boxes, avoiding Lin Tian's eyes.
"What about the other medicines?"
"They're just backup medicines, stockpiled in case I get sick again and need to buy them."
"Who stockpiles so much medicine at home, what are you, a pharmacy god?! Do you know it's illegal to sell medicine privately?!"
Lin Tian couldn't help it; he admitted he was panicking.
Seeing a girl having to take so many medicines every day would make anyone anxious.
He tried to adjust his mindset and asked again,
"So, when are you returning to school?"
"The administrative office said, they need a medical report from the hospital confirming I'm fit before I can return..." Gan Yanyu said guiltily.
"As expected..."
Lin Tian rested his hand on his forehead. In fact, with his system-like God's perspective, he had already anticipated such a situation.
He patted Gan Yanyu's shoulder firmly.
"Gan Yanyu!"
"Ah...ah?"
Gan Yanyu straightened up again, flustered as if being called on by a drill instructor.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll join me, and we'll focus on nutritious diet and physical exercise!"