Chapter 88: 《circulation》 Wrap-up
What a blockhead!
This is the agent’s only evaluation of Shi Daifu as a person.
After speaking, she completely gave up, just sitting nearby watching Shi Daifu cook and stir-fry… secretly saving two extra bowls of rice for a late-night snack…
Continued nagging.
But she didn’t leave.
Because she was just a small agent with no connections or relationships, Shi Daifu was the most “popular” artist in her hands, and their fates were actually tightly linked.
If Shi Daifu “gave up,” then she would have no future either.
Just like that, one was neurotically nagging over there, while the other silently cooked.
Half an hour later.
Shi Daifu’s brother and sister-in-law came home. Big Brother saw the agent at home and immediately became awkward, scratching his head nonstop: “Ah… Sister Wang is here… I’ll go out and buy some more meat…”
“No need, no need.”
The agent quickly stood up, and surprisingly didn’t mind Big Brother and sister-in-law’s “simple” clothing.
“How can that be? You’re a guest, and you’ve always taken such good care of Xiao Ni’er… You must stay for dinner tonight.”
Big Brother’s face flushed red as he waved his hands, insisting on going out to buy more things.
Sister-in-law also persuaded from the side.
“It’s fine, she can eat it.”
Seeing this, Shi Daifu said softly: “No need to go out and buy.”
Agent: “…”
But Big Brother and sister-in-law were also awkward around Shi Daifu, nodding hesitantly. Sister-in-law came over to help, while Big Brother went to the inner room to take care of the old lady.
“A family of honest folks, sigh.”
The agent sighed inwardly, staring at Shi Daifu: “You… you, I’m done with you.”
Shi Daifu kept her head down working. During dinner, everyone passed the time in silence.
Until after dinner, when Shi Daifu proactively washed the dishes, Big Brother hesitantly walked over, looking at Shi Daifu as if he wanted to say something but stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Shi Daifu knew her brother was even more taciturn than her and asked proactively.
“Xiao Ni’er… Your brother and sister-in-law discussed it, and we still think we should go back to our hometown. Mom has finished seeing the doctor too. Your brother and sister-in-law will take Mom back to care for her, so we don’t cause you trouble.”
Big Brother secretly glanced at the agent who hadn’t left and was standing on the balcony looking out the window, lowering his voice: “She hasn’t made things hard for you, has she?”
Shi Daifu was stunned and shook her head.
Big Brother sighed, wanting to say something but not good with words, stammering: “Don’t feel too much pressure. If it really doesn’t work… we’ll just go back to our hometown, no more putting up with this. Brother didn’t study much, but I know that entertainment industry isn’t a good place. If we don’t stay, we don’t stay!”
Shi Daifu kept her head down and didn’t speak.
Big Brother became even more silent, sighing as he walked out.
The agent had walked in at some point, glancing sideways at Shi Daifu: “Your little nephew is going back to his hometown?”
Shi Daifu quickly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye but still didn’t speak.
“Oh my, I originally thought joining Voice of Nature would slowly get better, help your mom see a doctor, let Big Brother and sister-in-law benefit a bit. Now it’s great, you continue not to cause trouble, and we’ll both not cause trouble, okay.”
The agent said this, but she also felt her eyes getting a bit sore.
Flap.
Shi Daifu suddenly stood up, took her mobile phone, and walked outside.
The agent was delighted: “You figured it out?! Going to make a phone call?”
Shi Daifu paused, her voice thick with nasal tone: “I’m going outside to listen to music… and do a set of punches!”
Agent: “???”
You better “die” quickly!
Don’t mix in the entertainment industry next life, sister, it’s not suitable!
……
“Hasn’t Voice of Nature been running for five or six years? Reputation has always been good, and this time’s performance is so strong. Would the program team actively target guests?”
Second Day.
Chi Ye returned to Circulation film crew and began filming the final role.
At lunch break, he sat in the RV, looking at announcements for several music variety shows, while asking Keke.
Voice of Nature is a hit product music variety show on Tomato TV. This program is different from other music variety shows, always speaking with “strength.” In recent years, it has made popular again quite a few previously faded singers.
Being in the entertainment industry, Chi Ye of course knew there was no absolute fairness, but Voice of Nature had a good reputation in the industry, so he really didn’t know what exactly happened to Shi Daifu.
“It’s not the program team’s reason.”
Keke explained: “It’s the competing singers and big stars targeting her, using the competition format, in song selection, usual interviews with insinuations, off-site negative press releases, and other conventional means…”
After listening to Keke’s brief explanation, Chi Ye understood.
Voice of Nature’s competition format is simple: inviting the top music industry big stars from both sides of the strait and three places to PK. During this, as the competition progresses, there are grouping, Guest Performance, song selection, scoring, and other stages.
Shi Daifu’s previous company had strong connections in the music industry. Just among the King of Singers and Heavenly Queen participants in this Voice of Nature, there were three.
Plus Hua Yichen and Yue Na’s hatred toward him—Yue Na also had two strong singers participating.
Now Voice of Nature has a total of seven singers, and this side directly occupies five. So during usual song selection, just pick songs Shi Daifu isn’t good at or doesn’t know—easy peasy.
Additionally, there’s the most important scoring stage. On-site is okay, all audiences screened by the program team with few fans, but this year Voice of Nature added off-site voting.
Not a high proportion, but still useful.
This is also why Yue Na is confident in operating Hua Yichen to King of Singers.
Constantly “backstabbed” by teammates on-site + off-site flooded with negative press releases. With Shi Daifu’s already poor reputation, it would be a miracle if she could advance.
“This old son really knows how to bounce around.”
Chi Ye now gets teeth-sour just hearing news about his “son,” because Hua Yichen is really treating him like dad now, always chasing and biting.
Industry secret: Hua Yichen must cast a spell on Chi Ye before bed every night, or he can’t sleep soundly!
Damn, a son is always a son, still wants to patricide?
He pulled out the Voice of Nature invitation from the pile of announcements: “This one. The schedule gap during preparing the next film is perfect to keep popularity.”
Keke wasn’t surprised by Chi Ye’s choice.
Because among all music variety shows, Voice of Nature’s popularity and reputation are crushing. It’s a mega-hit variety show not inferior to Jian Ni.
And music variety shows are different from Jian Ni-type variety shows—this is a place where you can really become famous with strength in one battle—and most importantly, it can strike at Yue Na and beat Hua Yichen!
“According to the rules, there are two ways to join. First is direct kick-out resident, second is Guest Performance flying guest.”
Keke explained: “The program team is quite sincere. Reboot already has influence in the music industry. They said to choose based on schedule. For the next episode, guest performance; if schedule doesn’t work, then the episode after, directly go kick-out.”
Chi Ye remembered his own schedule pretty clearly—because he actually didn’t have much schedule now.
Why say the music industry is down now?
Look at him and you’d know. Reboot’s popularity wave is pretty good, right?
But no quality endorsements, announcements only music variety shows and internet celebrity song collabs…
Really hard to hold it together.
“Not available recently. Circulation still has half a month left, need to finish filming before free for variety shows.”
Chi Ye thought and said: “Continue negotiating. Hasn’t this variety show just started?”
“Yeah, that’s what I think too.”
Keke nodded.
Voice of Nature exploded right on airing, truly rare, but it indeed attracted many old monsters who had long “retired to the mountains.”
So this time, it really is the Chinese Music Scene’s long-awaited “Huashan sword debate.”
After discussing work matters, they finished dinner, and Chi Ye continued immersing in filming.
Circulation’s filming was nearing the end. For his “first” film and television drama, Chi Ye had always attached great importance.
……
Haibao Street, No. 45 bus.
The muggy air seemed to solidify due to the tense atmosphere.
Li Shiqing and Xiao Heyun’s action to save everyone on the bus directly clashed with Tao Yinghong’s resolute obstruction. The conflict exploded instantly like a lit powder keg.
In the cramped aisle, Li Shiqing took the lead, rushing desperately at Tao Yinghong who tightly clutched the pressure cooker, trying to snatch this deadly “time bomb.” The bus interior instantly turned into chaos.
Xiao Heyun’s abdomen was stabbed by Tao Yinghong. He furrowed his brows tightly, clenched his teeth, sweat beads the size of beans rolling down from his forehead, sliding along his face contorted in pain.
Director Zhang behind the camera stared at the close-up of Chi Ye in the lens, mouth slightly agape: “Damn, did this kid take drugs? Acting this well?”
The people around held their breath in concentration.
—This was Circulation’s final scene, one previously filmed but the director wasn’t satisfied and needed reshoots.
Once this scene ended, Circulation’s three-month filming would declare wrap-up.
No one dared speak, afraid to disturb the immersed Chi Ye and Ran Qiao, and the veteran actor playing Pot Aunt.
……
In the director’s monitor.
Chi Ye raised his head. He saw the crazed Tao Yinghong pouncing at Li Shiqing again, a flash of determination in his eyes—that was a determination that could pierce through the screen instantly, to protect his companion and save everyone on the bus.
“Can’t let her continue anymore!”
His trembling hand fumbled in the chaos to the fruit knife in his pocket. His breathing was rapid, chest heaving violently, eyes reddening with fear and anger.
“Can’t continue anymore, or everyone will die…”
Like hyping himself up, blood surged, body leaning forward with exertion, using all his strength, “puchi,” stabbing the fruit knife into Tao Yinghong’s belly.
“Ah!” The veteran actor playing Pot Aunt let out a scream, body shaking a few times, slowly collapsing to the ground.
The other actors in the bus were also immersed.
Some widened their eyes in terror, covering their mouths; some huddled in their seats, hands gripping the armrests tightly, knuckles white; others stood dumbstruck, as if frozen by the sudden change.
Xiao Heyun’s hand gripping the knife trembled violently, shaking his head as he retreated, eyes vacant and bewildered, muttering: “I… I… I killed someone?”
His voice carried a tremble and choke.
“…”
Director Zhang waited a long time behind the monitor. Seeing Chi Ye still in that state, he immediately roared: “Cut!!!”
“I declare, Circulation—Wrap-up!!”
Clap clap clap.
The previously tense bus interior came alive, various noisy sounds rising instantly.
“Woo~!!”
“Wrap-up, wrap-up!”
“Gonna miss everyone.”
“Don’t know if our drama will be a hit.”
“Teacher Chi acted so well just now.”
“No film crew recruiting Teacher Chi would be ridiculous.”
Director Zhang also stood up, walked to Chi Ye, patted his shoulder: “Buddy, your eye acting and lines are too awesome. I didn’t even think we could get this effect, but you pulled it off. I was tense following you…”
Chi Ye had already recovered, helping up Ran Qiao who was on the ground, waving his hand: “Don’t get chummy. Still need to add pay where it’s due.”
“Tsk, look at you, always talking about money. Vulgar, too vulgar!”
Director Zhang shook his head but didn’t forget to ask about business: “When will Circulation’s song be written? Money’s settled, so the song needs upgrading, right?”
Chi Ye: “Yes yes, you edit first. Definitely done before the drama airs.”
Director Zhang was suspicious, feeling like Chi Ye was painting him a big pie.
“I heard you’re going to Voice of Nature… See if you can sing our theme song on the show? That’d be another strong promotion wave for our drama!”
Director Zhang rubbed his hands slyly: “Free promotion, can’t buy that effect no matter the cost!”
Chi Ye: “…”
Glancing sideways: “You’re too cunning. Better keep our distance.”
Director Zhang: “?”
Cold laugh: “Don’t think I don’t know your intentions. Aren’t you also promoting your new album? Still pretending with your buddy?”
Chi Ye waved his hand, greeted the veteran actor playing Pot Aunt, then got off the bus: “Part of it is that reason, but not entirely.”
Director Zhang: “?”
Chi Ye didn’t chat more with him, took group photos with a few familiar actors from the crew, then after a big group photo, slipped aside to call Teacher Shi whom he hadn’t contacted in a while.
The other side seemed busy, connecting after a moment.
“Hello? Teacher Shi?”
“Mm.”
A voice with heavy nasal tone came from the phone.
Mm?
Chi Ye was stunned, then laughed: “Teacher Shi, your Ye is here.”
“Ah?”
Shi Daifu, who had just finished recording the program, was stunned and didn’t react, asking blankly: “What… came?”
“Mm… cough cough…” Chi Ye thought Teacher Shi was still the same as before, couldn’t take jokes!
He smiled: “I’m going to Voice of Nature. Didn’t the program team tell you?”
Shi Daifu was silent: “No.”
Chi Ye: “Now you know?”
“Got it.”
“Anything you want to say? I chose Guest Performance. Shall we communicate on song selection and theme?”
“Okay.”
Chi Ye: “…”
How’d it go standby again?
He paused, recalling the nasal tone, probed: “Did something happen?”
“No… mm… hold on.” Shi Daifu seemed to have other matters, faint arguing voices audible.
“What do you mean by sneakily insinuating us in the post-interview? Several times already. Hua Yichen is a junior, treating my Teacher Shi like this?”
“What elimination? I tell you, don’t bully people too much!”
“Hey, hey, what are you doing… you gonna hit?!”
Noisy over there for a bit, then Chi Ye heard a clear “crack” sound, like a stick or something being snapped.
The scene instantly fell silent.
After a while, Shi Daifu’s voice rang again, still so gentle: “Mm… continue.”
Chi Ye: “…”
Holy crap!
My old son wasn’t taken out on the spot by you, was he?!
Two updates today.
