Chapter 227: The Organizer Wants To Screw Me Over?
“I’m sitting so close to the front?”
Yu Wei really hadn’t asked in advance where he would be sitting beforehand. Normally, someone with his lack of seniority, no matter how popular, could only start from the second row.
Seniority-based seating is not ideal, but it does objectively exist. Positions climbed to after half a lifetime naturally won’t be easily given up.
This phenomenon basically exists in all walks of life. Ask, and the answer is “Don’t rush, this seat will be yours sooner or later”…
Shen Yutong’s strength is universally recognized as strong, her popularity is not bad, and she has representative works in hand, but she can only sit in the third row.
Directly letting him sit in the first row, right? Sure it’s not a backhanded compliment?
At the Music Awards Ceremony, those sitting in the first row are usually three types of people. One type is music scene seniors and industry benchmarks. He clearly isn’t.
The second type is organizers and industry figures, arranging some platform executives and famous producers, record company persons in charge, and other core organizers of the event. It has nothing to do with him.
Finally, the third type: heavyweight award winners, recipients of important awards that evening, arranged in the first row for easy access to the stage…
Looking at it this way, it seems it can only be the last type. The organizer’s arrangement clearly doesn’t want him to leave empty-handed.
Too straightforward. What more is there to say?
“Let’s go in first. There will probably be quite a few people wanting to get to know you.”
Liu Ning patted Qi Luo An’s arm, signaling her to follow. Agents have their own dedicated lounges, still watching the on-site live broadcast on screens.
In such occasions, agents are generally not needed. Their task is to market the artist as much as possible during the time the artist participates in the event.
“You can’t just take the part-time job without doing anything. Arrange thirty trending searches for me later.”
Facing Shen Yutong’s teasing, Qi Luo An didn’t mind at all and grinned mischievously: “Then you do an interlude on-site. Make it a big one. Thirty is too few…”
Yu Wei couldn’t hold it together hearing this. Is this suggestion from a human? Artist assistant, from entering the industry to entering the ceremony.
Now he knows why these two are best friends. They really have no class when joking around. If they don’t trash-talk each other a couple times, they feel uncomfortable all over.
The three of them are fine, but Liu Ning is older and can’t stand this. Her gaze toward Qi Luo An changed, filters shattered all over the ground.
This girl is a bit wild.
After noticing Sister Liu’s change, Qi Luo An instantly realized the severity of the problem. She forgot there were elders present, still an elder equivalent to Yu Wei’s guide.
Regretful. Anyway, very regretful.
“Teacher Yu Wei, your seat is in Section A, first row, seat 3.” The staff smiled and pointed the direction for him. “Do you need me to take you there?”
“No need.”
Yu Wei politely nodded in thanks. Following the direction pointed by the staff, he spotted the deep blue velvet seats right next to the stage at a glance.
First row is one thing, but seat three? Are the organizers crazy or is he crazy?
The inner area’s lights were already adjusted to the warm yellow before the performance, enough to see the environment clearly without losing atmosphere.
Yu Wei noticed that, unlike the lively lookouts area, the conversation in the inner area was kept extremely low, as if everyone had their own little circles.
They are called colleagues, but most artists don’t know each other and basically only interact with acquaintances or popular ones.
No socializing and not popular? Then just sit quietly and strike a pose.
However, Yu Wei’s arrival still drew quite a bit of attention. He’s been too popular lately, slipping onto the trending search list from time to time. It’s hard not to know him.
The concert just ended a few days ago. Given respect for his two songs sung there, they all have to greet him.
“Hello, hello.”
Formulaic greetings and responses. Yu Wei greeted while walking and soon noticed Qi Yuan sitting in the middle, lost in thought.
This is the type that strikes a pose without socializing.
If it were the previous Qi Yuan, he could still barely sit in the first five rows. But severe unfollowing hurt his core fanbase, and his seat keeps dropping.
But he can definitely still come. After all, he sang Chen Ping’s posthumous work. That song’s quality is very high, not to the point of zero nominations.
“Isn’t this Yuan Shen?”
Few people called him that since the team disbanded. Qi Yuan stood up and gave Yu Wei a simple hug, leaving others stunned.
This is what real brothers are like. Their relationship remains tight despite two fan wars making fans irreconcilable. Compared to those who disband and never speak again, it’s leagues better.
This counts as entertainment industry event socializing etiquette: greet strangers, shake hands with acquaintances, hug friends.
It might sound ridiculous, but at times like this, fans specifically stalk. A slow greeting immediately becomes a “suspected falling out” post.
Yu Wei spotted quite a few acquaintances. Jiang Li, the guest performer from the first episode of Music Blind Box. He even wrote about his song in the book.
There’s another acquaintance: Wu Qi, the guest performer from the seventh episode. Though he wasn’t there that episode, his readers fanned the flames, saying on the show that others’ songs weren’t as good as his…
Wu Qi isn’t an industry benchmark, but he’s still a pillar of the mid-tier, even a bit ahead of Shen Yutong.
“Yu Wei, here, here.”
Yu Wei looked toward the voice and found a bunch of acquaintances gathered in the right rear: not only Zhou Mumu, but also Tong Yulu and her six teammates.
Their seats were quite far back. Without this greeting, Yu Wei might not have noticed.
Zhou Mumu is an actor, but her recent song The Answer had impressive data, counting as a representative work.
However, Fei Hong, as the guest singer, wasn’t announced, so naturally didn’t receive an invitation.
“Call him Teacher Yu.”
Tong Yulu’s twin-tailed teammate was still reminding her, but got the response: “Who are we to each other? We’re friends.”
She said it so boldly. Others really couldn’t envy that. When Tong Yulu met him, Yu Wei hadn’t risen to prominence yet. This colleague bond naturally isn’t comparable to those now flocking to his fame.
“About to disband, coming for the execution meal?”
Though their seats were far back, the whole group of seven coming meant Yu Wei didn’t believe there wasn’t major company backing.
Probably Starry Night Entertainment sees them disbanding and plans to squeeze the last bit of value from the girl group. Idol groups are like that: half-dead usually, all lively when dying.
Yu Wei can’t remember most management company names in the entertainment industry, but theirs had that ridiculous competition statement back then. Hard to forget.
His casual chat hit Tong Yulu’s sore spot. Their group never had it this good before: not only attending but performing too. Quite a grand funeral.
“Big award winner, how many performances today?”
“None.”
The Music Awards Ceremony isn’t just awards; it arranges performances in between to liven the atmosphere and add highlights to the ceremony.
Such interlude performances are definitely communicated in advance and need simple rehearsals. If Yu Wei doesn’t know, then there are none.
“For real?”
A popular award contender like Yu Wei has no performance? Does the organizer dislike too much traffic?
Yu Wei’s performances aren’t just for online audience; on-site colleagues definitely love watching too. Organizer not making money with money—isn’t that stupid?
“Really none.”
Yu Wei trusts his agent’s and company’s business capability. No performance, maybe the organizer has other considerations.
After simple catch-up, Yu Wei headed straight to his seat. The pressure from front-row seats at such events is still strong.
A few unremarkable-looking ones are clearly platform executives, suited up sitting there like spectators.
But seeing Yu Wei, they were very polite, standing to shake hands, and their smiles didn’t seem fake.
Does he have such a big face?
He still underestimated the influence of those concert songs. The music scene ranks by seniority, sure, but to real big shots, that’s no issue.
The closer to the top, the clearer the higher-ups’ attitude toward Yu Wei. Being proactive isn’t bad.
After sitting, Yu Wei realized he knew the one on his left too: Zhong Qing, Teacher Zhong. They’d met once, and recently she was Chi Leying’s guest singer, indirectly joining the competition.
Veteran Zhong in second, him in third. Is this right?
Yu Wei glanced right: mostly old Dengs in Chinese tunics. This seat looks hotter and hotter on the butt. Organizers aren’t trying to sabotage him!
“Teacher Zhong, thank you for taking care of me before.”
Though puzzled, he wouldn’t make a fuss. He’s here, so sit. If the sky falls, tall ones will hold it. A big spray mushroom like him fears nothing.
Zhong Qing nodded slightly, just quietly looking at him, as if recalling the past.
Here we go again…
Not that Yu Wei gossips, but this one probably had unrequited love when young and is still stuck in it.
“Hey, finally seeing a live one.”
The old man beside him wore a neatly ironed light gray Chinese top, silver hair combed neatly back. “I’m Li Bing Wen.”
“Hello, senior. Long admired your name.”
Yu Wei really knows this one: true score master. As a behind-the-scenes worker, he created many classic scores, many still reused in film and television works.
He’s evaluated Yu Wei’s songs several times, analyzing from the arrangement level. Professionalism is top-notch.
Score master in fourth, him in third? How was he unaware he’s this awesome?
Organizers really aren’t trying to sabotage him…
After the concert, Yu Wei’s influence is at most national level, but far from national treasure veteran artist. The gap isn’t just one level.
Yu Wei greeted the few behind him too: Gong Yi Rou, Hou Chuan. They’ve all evaluated his songs, familiar faces.
Old Hou is the one who gave Zhang Lingye the trash song, also a known original singer, though works are hit-or-miss.
He’s more confused the more he recognizes. What’s the organizer’s basis for this seating? Can’t be random, right?
Yu Wei instinctively looked at the empty seat farthest left. What big shot is this top gifter…
Ten minutes until the Grand Ceremony starts. A gentle reminder bell sounded in the venue. Yu Wei composed himself, then sat upright, ready.
Wonder what online audience will think seeing him here. Like a kid stealing adult clothes, kinda funny.
Just as Yu Wei accepted reality, the top gifter strode in: gray-white hair combed neatly back, deep gray suit perfectly tailored, making his posture ramrod straight.
Yu Wei rarely calls an old man handsome, but this one is truly handsome. Not just imposing, his state is excellent, vigor much stronger than other veteran artists.
“Fine talent.”
The other’s gaze never left Yu Wei, came over and patted his shoulder. Clearly fond of him for a long time.
“Hello…”
“Ye Shengyu.” The handsome old man gripped Yu Wei’s hand firmly. “Heroes come from youth. No wonder you beat Chen Dog.”
First time Yu Wei heard someone call Chen Ping “Chen Dog” directly. Daring to say it publicly means either status not below Chen Ping’s or good relationship.
Or both.
“Long admired your name.”
Ye Shengyu smiled and nodded. “An An must mention me often. I’ve spoiled that child since young. She surely doesn’t skimp on praising me.”
Yu Wei hadn’t expected this. Calling so intimately, plus the surname—this must be Qi Luo An’s great uncle.
Though… seems she’s never mentioned him.
