Chapter 189: Guess Who Didn’t Get An Invitation
“Dad, I report that An An is writing a book!”
Qi Yuan originally didn’t want to be a tattletale, but his little sister bullied him too much, knowing his manuscript wouldn’t pass yet sending him novel data every day.
What is this if not rubbing it in his face? This is intolerable…
“Oh.”
Seeing Dad’s reply, Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment. He almost forgot he was a slacker. Writing a novel isn’t immoral or illegal, so he really couldn’t be bothered to care, nor was there any need.
He should have told Mom instead. She would definitely care about this, but she’s been busy with music festival preparation lately, so better not trouble her with such a small matter.
Qi Yuan still wouldn’t give up and continued tattling.
“Dad, An An seems to have someone she likes…”
“Oh.”
You’re “oh” about this too?
Qi Yuan saw the reply and was dumbfounded. This is his daughter’s lifelong event! Isn’t slacking off a bit too much?
He doesn’t even ask who the guy is, what he does, or his character, just replies with “oh.” Is this right?
What’s there to ask about? Qi Yunming isn’t unaware. He even wanted to ask, “You only just found out?”
They knew about this long ago. They didn’t expect their silly son to still treat it as a secret. With him like this, he’d probably not even notice if An An ran off with Yu Wei.
“Dad, she seems to have her eye on Yu Wei. That eagerness, sigh!”
He didn’t believe Dad could stay calm hearing Yu Wei’s name. If he doesn’t do something, Yu Wei might really get messed up by Qi Luo An…
This time, Qi Yunming didn’t reply “oh” but directly changed the subject to ask if he’d come home for dinner during the National Day holiday.
What attitude is this? It’s his daughter’s lifelong event at least. Is it not as important as dinner? He was exasperated by his salted fish dad.
“Not coming. I haven’t been back at the company long. We’ll talk later.”
Seeing his son’s reply, Qi Yunming was momentarily puzzled. Doesn’t he know Yu Wei is coming home for dinner during National Day?
Fine, not coming then not coming.
……
“Concert?”
Yu Wei used to not take any commercial performances since his song reserves were insufficient before, but now it’s different. His songs are enough to fill a concert opener.
More importantly, this concert is different. It’s not an ordinary commercial performance but one jointly hosted by CCTV, local cultural institutions, and the satellite TV station.
Timed just before National Day, its importance goes without saying. With reunion and patriotic sentiment as the theme, it’s also an international cultural display window.
To put it bluntly, a performance of this level—being qualified to take the stage says something in itself. No matter how big a star you are, you’re just a supporting role here. Seize the opportunity, and you can soar.
Without a doubt, he now has the qualifications. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have specifically contacted the company to invite him.
“Full microphone concert. You shouldn’t worry about that.”
Full microphone might be stressful for others, but Yu Wei’s on-site stability is very high. This live broadcast with full microphone is practically tailored for him.
Song Yiwen rarely gossiped a bit with Yu Wei. This stage has a huge impact on an artist’s career. Many singers who go off-key still have to go even if they embarrass themselves.
“That intense?”
Even those who can’t sing take the stage, and it’s live? Doesn’t that mean exposing weaknesses for everyone to mock and criticize…
They go despite mass mockery, so this concert must be very important.
Song Yiwen seemed to have her gossip interest piqued and simply shared a classic case from last year’s music festival.
A popular young fresh meat had always relied on auto-tune marketing for his singing skill, but he bombed live and stayed on trending searches for three days.
The issue isn’t exposing poor singing skill and getting mocked, but staying on the hot search for three days without dropping. Normally, when an artist gets negative trending searches, the company and fans would try to suppress them.
Hanging for three days without suppression—thinking about it shows whose intention it was…
“Can I skip it?”
“What do you think?” Song Yiwen gave him a look to figure it out himself. They named him specifically to participate—how could he not go?
Yu Wei’s influence has been too great lately. Not only did he defeat the former number one person, but he also gained some fame overseas. At this time, they clearly need him to headline.
Only with him there is this concert a well-deserved international cultural display window.
“You don’t need the music festival to boost yourself, but the music festival needs you to prove its gold content.”
“Don’t say that casually, Sister Wen.”
Song Yiwen has gotten much closer to Yu Wei now, even teasing and joking with him.
The music festival is in a week and requires 2-3 days of core rehearsal beforehand, but Yu Wei has to record episode ten of Music Blind Box tomorrow.
This is making him a special forces soldier—finish the next episode recording and fly straight to Beijing without time to rest his feet.
“After that, there’s a music awards ceremony on the 4th. Join that too while you’re at it.”
Actually, Song Yiwen had already arranged these. Running through the process wouldn’t take much extra time—just a bit busy.
Busy is good. Artists need to be busy; the busier, the hotter.
“What’s this music awards ceremony?”
He thought recording the show and then the music festival was busy enough, but there’s more after. This is real special forces stuff. Outsiders might think he’s a model worker.
“Unrelated to the music festival, just close in timing.” Song Yiwen paused, patiently explaining, “You have plenty of representative works, but no awards yet. Time to stock up.”
Though the music awards ceremony started just a few years ago, some awards have real gold content. For Yu Wei, it’s effortless.
Don’t think the schedule is tight—she’s genuinely doing this for Yu Wei’s good. Bigger stages, important awards—these are all what Yu Wei needs.
Truth be told, Yu Wei was quite curious. He’s never participated in either type of event before. Joining for the buzz wouldn’t hurt.
After all, he’s going to Beijing for National Day to mooch a meal at Qi Luo An’s house. Bringing back a few trophies wouldn’t be a wasted trip—his home shelf still has a big empty space.
Hard to imagine, all his current awards are movie-related. He needs to get some music awards, or they’ll really be hollow trophies.
Yu Wei just agreed when he realized another thing. After returning from the music awards ceremony, won’t he catch the next show recording?
Damn, is this any way to live? He thought only web novel authors work year-round without rest, but turns out stars don’t get breaks either.
During the long holiday, only he’s running around. The most workaholic episode…
He didn’t even watch episode eight that aired that night. Better catch up on sleep first—things will be busy soon.
Of course, the main reason was episode eight had no highlights. Besides Meng Han and Su Xinnan, he didn’t know the other two guests at all.
This episode was so boring that even Qi Luo An didn’t bother asking Yu Wei to watch it. She’s waiting to write Yu Wei’s new song plot in her novel, so she needs to give him time to create.
Yu Wei used to write songs pretty fast. Why is he dragging his feet this time she needs it? Intentional, huh?
No help for their anxiety. They can only hope no new challenge succeeders appear soon, or Shen Yutong will be on edge again.
“Go to work, go to work.”
The next morning heading to record the show, Yu Wei felt depressed for the first time. No time to slack off in the coming days.
By the way, does the north get cold in October? Better pack extra clothes just in case.
Also, for mooching a meal at Qi Luo An’s house, he can’t go empty-handed as a guest. What to bring?
So many things that Yu Wei felt a bit down. If all else fails, gift each elder a keyboard. When idle, Aunt can make Old Qi kneel on it for fun. If it wears out, there are spares…
Yu Wei arrived at the broadcast hall lost in wild thoughts. He was a bit late today; Meng Han and Su Xinnan were already there.
“Younger brother, did the music festival invite you?”
Meng Han seemed to have guessed the result, looking at him with a hint of amusement. With his recent spectacle, not inviting him would be weird.
Exaggerating a bit, this year’s music festival would be pointless without Yu Wei.
“They did. You too?”
“Of course.”
Meng Han patted his thigh, seeming eager. Thinking of performing on the same stage with so many musicians fired up his competitive desire again.
He thought he was the only one insanely busy, but hearing Yu Wei had the same schedule put him at ease.
Yu Wei eyed Meng Han’s strong battle lust speechlessly. He thought he’d changed, but he’s still so competitive.
That’s really strange—why did his own battle lust suddenly vanish?
Still, having company improved his mood a lot. Misery loves company; suffering alone feels unbalanced.
“What about the music awards ceremony? You going?”
“Not that one. Got the major award the year before last. No point going again. Brother Yu, you’re going to stock up?”
Yu Wei’s songs in half a year match other singers’ lifetimes. He should win until his hands cramp.
Feels like he’d sweep everything except best female singer…
Thinking Yu Wei was busier than him, Meng Han felt a bit schadenfreude. Young people need to hustle more.
Now Yu Wei felt unbalanced. Same as stars, why is he so much busier?
While Meng Han explained the music festival process, this episode’s guest performer arrived.
Chi Leying in an apricot-colored long dress brought lightness and serenity, silencing the entire broadcast hall upon her arrival.
Looking spirited from happy events, it seemed. Since their last meeting, Yu Wei felt she was much brighter overall.
Her popularity has stayed high these days from winning the competition and song selection. Hard not to be bright; just not grinning ear-to-ear was already restrained.
The program team inviting her was within Yu Wei’s expectations. One has heat, the other needs the stage to maintain heat—a perfect match.
Plus, among the former roommates, only she and Meng Lei hadn’t been on the show. Meng Lei had no need with his dad around, so it was her turn.
“Long time no see, great pianist.”
Since last time, Chi Leying has been much more lively with Yu Wei. Being formal with him isn’t good.
He was the boss in the competition, but in life, they’re friends. Seven days as guests, lifelong roommate bond.
“Long time no see, human-machine master.”
Chi Leying tsked at that. Why does this nickname sound so odd? As if she’s the one bullying the human-machine?
“By the way, did you get a concert invite?”
Yu Wei really wanted to hear others had to work overtime too, or he’d feel unbalanced.
The concert would invite talented people for sure, plus some popular idols. Chi Leying’s on a roll lately, backed by veteran artists—high chance of invitation.
Chi Leying nodded, seeming a bit nervous. This was her first time on such a big stage; she hoped to seize the opportunity.
“Great, company.”
Yu Wei nodded contentedly. This positive energy, main melody stage was perfect. He could help her rearrange “Youth” on the side.
With the four guests ready, recording was about to start. Yu Wei suddenly realized something and suspiciously eyed Su Xinnan beside him.
Sister Nan was unusually quiet today. They talked music festival twice earlier, and she didn’t chime in.
She’s the only one without an invite, right?
