While Zhou You was visiting the zoo, Miao Xia and Li Ronghao were working overtime. Damn exploiters. Yet the exploited had no complaints; instead, they were excited and grateful, especially after Li Tong arrived. Zhou You had sent Li Tong's number to Li Ronghao, telling him to reach out proactively. The group gathered to discuss funding conditions.
There were too many music genres, so they needed to focus. Niche ones could be skipped, but pop, folk, and rock were essential—these were the mainstream trends. The three of them were familiar with these genres. Behind-the-scenes roles also needed support; otherwise, how would they record songs later? By the time Zhou You returned, they had drafted a proposal, perfect for a group discussion.
First, a quick look at the funding conditions: 1. Full-time or part-time engagement in music-related work, including but not limited to songwriting, singing, instrumental performance, arranging, and sound mixing. 2. Financial hardship, no stable income, no bad habits. 3. Chinese nationality.
Funding process: 1. Self-recommendation or referral via email. 2. Preliminary review by a panel of at least five senior industry peers. 3. Individual interviews with foundation directors and candidates.
Funding method: 1. 3,000 RMB per person per month. 2. No fixed duration; based on personal development, it may stop anytime once their career takes off, with no repayment required for funds already given. 3. No repayment expected now or in the future, but recipients are encouraged to help others or contribute back to the foundation's operations when able.
Nice, really nice. Having reliable helpers was indeed dependable. Zhou You couldn't help but praise, "You all are truly seasoned industry insiders. The conditions are great, but you'll need to oversee the specifics. Loosen up a bit early on—the main goal is to scout talent."
Li Tong felt a bit embarrassed. "I drank too much that day and thought you were joking. I didn't expect you'd actually go through with it. It's an honor to be part of this." The conditions were very lenient, almost like giving away money. As long as basic needs were met, it would surely spark musicians' creative passion. Besides, it wasn't set in stone; adjustments could be made anytime if issues arose. That was the beauty of private funding—high flexibility.
"Teacher Miao, is the place where your organization is located rented or bought?" Zhou You asked. "Rented. Why?" "I want to set up a recording studio for everyone to use for free. If it's rented, investing in it and then losing the lease would be a huge loss," Zhou You thought aloud. "Buying commercial property is too expensive. Many people just do it at home," Miao Xia shared what she knew.
Beijing villas were too pricey. He could afford one, but when he asked Yu Qian at the zoo, the starting price was at least 30 million. He wouldn't stay there long, and maintenance would be a hassle. Sun Li living alone in such a big house would also be scared. It would be better to buy several connected units—convenient to live in and quiet for a recording studio without disturbing others. But this couldn't be rushed; either buy a new development or slowly search within the same neighborhood.
"Is there a limit on the number of recipients?" Li Ronghao asked after thinking for a while. Though the amount per person seemed small, it could add up with a crowd. In a big forest, all kinds of birds exist. Every industry had its bad apples, and the entertainment world had even lower standards. Forget it, take it step by step—nothing was perfect. As for gossip, it probably wouldn't reach Zhou You's ears, and if it did, it'd be positive. Judge actions, not intentions; judging intentions leaves no perfect person. Judge intentions, not actions; judging actions leaves no filial child in humble homes. Once Ah Ming rose to prominence, anyone who dared speak out of turn would be blacklisted—at least they had some influence.
"No limit for now. Let's support first. One person costs 36,000 a year, ten is 360,000, a hundred is 3.6 million. That many might vanish in a wave. Let's see the results in the first year," Zhou You said casually, preferring to cast a wide net. "I'll trouble you all to keep an eye on things. You'll all be directors. Sun Li will also join in to build her credentials. Please look out for her."
Sun Li didn't know what to do. She couldn't handle reviews—she didn't understand it. Though she knew Zhou You was paving the way for her to gain experience, she still lacked confidence. "Brother You, I'm not qualified. I won't even understand what they're saying." "That's why you need to learn. Besides, this is about funding people, not documentary projects—it's different. Interacting with people will benefit you. You're giving money, not asking for it," Zhou You chuckled. Back then, it wasn't like later times where debtors acted like kings. This was private funding; if they encountered ingrates or scammers, they'd just cut off support. Even if something nastier came up, there were ways to handle it. No need to fear.
Zhou You had already handled enough; the rest was for Sun Li. Others would beg for such an opportunity. It brought fame, fortune, and good connections. The Black Treasure Band had been coasting on past glories, with no hit songs in years. Lead singers changed repeatedly, relying solely on seniority. Without something new, their future was uncertain. Now, getting involved in this fit their image of mentoring newcomers. They had nothing better to do anyway.
Li Ronghao was the most uneasy, staying mostly silent with occasional comments. He was even less confident than Sun Li. Sun Li was close to Zhou You, and since Zhou You was funding it, having his own person oversee things made sense. Li Ronghao hadn't even broken through yet—he'd only written a few songs with no public recognition. How could he count as a seasoned insider? He blinked hard to stay alert, then mustered courage: "Brother You, I don't think I'm suitable. Teacher Miao has professional background, Teacher Li has deep experience, but I have nothing. I can't command respect."
Zhou You felt a surge of frustration. Why were all these people so nice, avoiding easy gains and being overly polite? Still young—look at the old hands, quietly making money. "You're perfect. We'll list you as the first recipient. Haha, if your album takes off, it'll be a great招牌. Besides, we need people from all ages. If everyone's an expert, they won't understand the struggles at the bottom. That's settled—stop hesitating. Once you're famous, just help the foundation more." Seeing Li Ronghao about to argue, Zhou You shut it down to avoid endless back-and-forth.
For now, Zhou You wasn't planning to set up a formal organization. The regular venue would be at Miao Xia's place. The money would be with Sun Li, who'd manage it. It was supposed to be a good thing, but Zhou You felt uneasy. Getting things done was tough—too many factors to consider.