Chapter 103: Rise’s Third Team Building! Lao Peng And Teacher Chi’s Nightmare
Since the New Year’s Eve ended, from the beginning of the year, Peng Chen’s career and mood could be summed up in one sentence—riding the wave of success with swift hooves, seeing all the top streamers in a single day.
Ever since Shen Qing Yu’s persona collapsed, Chi Ye released Reboot, Lao Peng was like rebooting his life, advancing to top streamer in his career, and in love… his old partner lived another year.
So, very happy, very delighted.
This time, the reason he came to Voice of Nature was no different from Shi Jinwei’s purpose—to promote the new drama he shot with Sheng Ning.
This was his first time partnering with the head of the Four Little Flowers in a major production, and both he and his team valued it highly.
After getting off the airplane, Lao Peng stepped on stilts, calmly and low-key waving to the large group of fans who came to pick him up, then slipped into the RV amid a frenzy of “Brother” screams.
Just before closing the door, he heard a certain fan shouting loudly: “Peng Ge, stay away from Chi Ye, he brings bad luck!!”
Peng Chen’s arm paused slightly, corners of his mouth √, then slammed the car door shut.
As the car started moving, he leaned back in the rear seat, casually took off his stilt shoes, and sighed: “Every time putting on and taking off these shoes is like going up and down stairs, sigh.”
Everyone in the car stayed silent, not daring to comment on the little giant’s height issue.
Peng Chen didn’t mind, opened his mobile phone, and casually asked: “Chi Ye still has the mind to sing now? Half the music industry is blacking him, isn’t he afraid of low ranking this time and getting crushed to the bottom?”
The assistant nearby shook his head: “I heard he’s not affected much, and has been preparing the work he will perform in the next program.”
“Heh, putting on a show.”
As his former roommate and teammate, if anyone knew the old Chi Ye best, it was Lao Peng.
He sneered: “It might fool others, but he wants to fool me? Who doesn’t know who? Back then in music class together, the teacher asked how many basic notes music has, I said eight, he said nine.”
The assistant was surprised: “So what’s the correct answer?”
“Nonsense, seven, do re mi fa so la ti, you don’t even know that?”
Assistant: “…”
Peng Chen reacted, subconsciously clenched his crotch: “Shit, don’t mention diarrhea… bad luck!”
“…”
He paused, then continued sighing: “So, from that day on, I was determined to become an all-around strength idol who can sing, dance, and rap, leading the Chinese music scene to the world.”
“Never thought this time I’d finally achieve that dream.”
The assistant lowered his head, again thinking of the classic “For the stage, I can give up my life.”
Peng Ge was great in every way, just too fond of giving up his life!
“Let’s go… remember to tell the program team, later avoid Chi Ye’s rehearsal room… the master said this guy somewhat counters me, better to be cautious!”
“Got it, I’ll contact them now.”
…
The newly added Peng Chen arrived at the program team; the singer he was guest performing for was Teacher Yang, who was partnered last period but left.
After learning this news, Chi Ye didn’t have much emotional fluctuation, because he really had things to do now: rehearsing songs + squeezing in time to think about the script.
At the same time, the system favorability value, after the impact of Rose in the Palm from the previous period, and the recent Confession Balloon, had risen again to over thirty million; he had money again, pondering where to shear some wool.
But the outside world had exploded over this official announcement.
Chi Ye + Peng Chen, what does that equal?
Equals Rise!!
Rise reuniting again?!
Many marketing accounts turned their eyes to this explosively popular topic, starting to market and hype it up.
Rise “members” were also getting a bit restless.
In a certain small county town, inside Ji Zhua Zhang’s warehouse.
“People’s Entrepreneur” Jiang Yi paced with hands behind his back, sporting a slicked-back hairstyle, directing the temporarily hired employees: “Our chicken feet must have the most additives; only then can we beat Xianming chicken feet in shelf life and be flavorful enough!”
“Also, didn’t I say to change this batch of packaging bags? Redo them, change ‘Chi Ye’s favorite chicken feet’ to ‘Peng Chen’s favorite’!”
The manager was puzzled: “Why?”
Jiang Mou was speechless: “Do I need to explain? Peng Chen has higher popularity than Chi Ye now!”
Manager: “…”
“Then Peng Chen… we can’t use the name directly, it involves infringing on name rights.”
Jiang Mou was exasperated: “Are you dumb? Can’t use Peng Chen, can’t use Rise, then change to R1se Lao Pen chicken feet, homophone, don’t you get it?”
The manager hesitated: “But… Lao Pen chicken feet… isn’t that name a bit… disgusting?”
“No problem.” Jiang Mou smiled slightly: “The part that finds it disgusting will go buy my povidone-iodine instead.”
Everyone: “…”
At that moment, a burly secretary walked over and handed him a ticket: “President Jiang, got the ticket, cost quite a bit.”
Jiang Yi took the latest period’s Voice of Nature ticket, felt a bit heartbroken, but then became utterly determined: “Rise can’t be without me!”
He asked again: “Just one?”
Secretary: “Huh? What else?”
“No, you still don’t get my meaning.”
Jiang Mou shook his head, hinting: “Invite Rise’s sisters-in-law too; we need to cheer for Lao Peng and Lao Chi live on site!”
Secretary: “…”
“Go on.”
Jiang Mou paced with hands behind his back, but in his mind, he was thinking how to exactly ride this wave of popularity…
Rise girl group was recently “starting their own business,” live broadcasts with edge content skyrocketing popularity; he’d always wanted to sign this sister-in-law group… selling them such a big favor this time should give him a chance, right?
He glanced at this dirty and cramped little warehouse… due to reputation issues, his chicken feet sales were crushed by Xianming chicken feet… his live broadcast business also not as big as Zhang Ji Zhua’s.
If this continued… he’d have to run away!
No, this time he must sign the sisters-in-law—and also stay vigilant against “competitors.”
“Any news from Zhang Ji Zhua’s side?”
“Yes, we bribed the gatekeeper old man at his company, and while he was fitness training, we watered and killed their company’s money tree.”
Jiang Mou: “?”
Greatly pleased, but also displeased: “I asked about the person! He probably isn’t planning to go to Voice of Nature this time, right?”
“‘Spy’ hasn’t sent a message… probably not.” The secretary shook his head.
“Good, that’s good.” Jiang Mou sneered: “He’s just a blockhead, all that muscle from protein powder, no brains!”
“Right, just a fool.” The secretary nodded along.
…
Meanwhile.
Ji Zhua Zhang, whom Jiang Mou saw as all brawn no brains, was now standing outside Tomato TV building, wearing “Chi Ye is the handsomest” fan support clothing, but the C-position on the support clothing subtly printed with “Xianming chicken feet” pattern.
“That idiot Jiang Mou probably hasn’t reacted yet; have their company security keep secretly filming his warehouse’s tech chicken feet, keep marketing!”
“Rise can’t be without me; find me a hotel nearby, I’ll wait for the program to start!”
He withdrew his gaze, corners of his mouth √.
…
Chi Ye and Peng Chen’s good brothers were impatient; Voice of Nature’s rehearsal rooms were gradually getting lively.
Hua Yichen returned to the program team on the third day after the storm, starting to prepare his new period’s work.
Shi Jinwei was even earlier, no need to say more.
The remaining Teacher Na, Teacher Yang, Teacher Han and others also returned one after another in these few days.
Perhaps because of the current online public opinion and popularity drawing attention to Voice of Nature, this time everyone skipped polite chit-chat; Teacher Na and Teacher Yang, the two seniors, were full of energy this time, wanting to crush Chi Ye.
Teacher Han and Teacher Sun didn’t have such intentions, but similarly didn’t want to lose to the “younger generation” again.
Shi Jinwei, after the recent awkward incident of being caught red-handed by Chi Ye, was also full of energy.
Plus Hua Yichen wanting to salvage his previous reputation.
It could be said that all guests in this period’s Voice of Nature had unprecedentedly high competitive spirit, consciously creating a “competition” atmosphere that didn’t exist before.
The day before Voice of Nature aired.
In Teacher Yang’s group’s rehearsal room.
Teacher Yang had her legs crossed, looking relaxed; the day before airing, their group had already finished rehearsing, the effect… could only say that when seniors get serious, the effect explodes far beyond the last period.
Full of confidence.
At this moment, she smiled at Peng Chen: “Didn’t expect your high notes to be so strong too, Xiao Peng… really a pity you didn’t join the talent show back then.”
Peng Chen had a modest smile on his face, but sneered inwardly: talent show? What the hell is a talent show, I debuted from a boy group, okay.
“Eh, actually I’ve always been curious.”
Teacher Na sitting on the other side looked at Peng Chen, probing: “Was Chi Ye always this… this… able to sing before?”
She felt she couldn’t say Chi Ye was great, because she just looked down on this person.
“Great?” Peng Chen smiled slightly, enigmatic: “He got possessed.”
“?!”
Everyone was shocked.
Hua Yichen glanced at him sideways; in the past, he definitely would have retorted a few sentences, but now… even Teacher Na and Teacher Yang were unconsciously fawning over Peng Chen chatting… treatment similar to Shi Jinwei’s; though Lao Peng’s star power still wasn’t up to Sister Qianzi’s, it was no longer comparable.
“You watch too many masters, huh? Believe that stuff?”
Teacher Yang finally spoke up.
Peng Chen smiled without replying, thinking this was calculated by a Hong Kong master his old partner knew… um… though he didn’t really believe it either.
“You were right before, he definitely has a ghostwriter, I guarantee it.”
Peng Chen gave his word: “I know him too well.”
“I see… that’s what I thought.”
The crowd, who had been somewhat shaken after the last period’s Confession Balloon, exchanged glances and all breathed a sigh of relief.
“Heard this time it’s still his ‘original’ work… but the song choice was from last period; assuming last period’s Rose in the Palm was prepared early based on Shi Daifu’s experience, then this time, even with a ghostwriter, impossible to write a really good song in such short time.”
Teacher Na laughed, looking at Hua Yichen: “You guys can go all out; after this program ends, Young President Liu should be very satisfied with his performance.”
Hua Yichen didn’t speak.
Young President Liu satisfied, could it salvage his now very poor reputation?
What he wanted was to directly crush Chi Ye this time and get the ranking on his head!
Of course, the necessary smearing of rivals couldn’t stop either.
…
That night, the music industry’s attacks grew even more “fierce”; videos by major net UP masters analyzing Chi Ye’s singing skill started fermenting across the web, with no fewer than fourteen or fifteen videos on B-site alone hitting over a million plays.
Under mobilization by Yue Na and ally Harmony Image, nearly half the music industry’s music critics joined in.
Tech analysis tactics were passé; they no longer stuck to text, but posted videos directly stating: 【Chi Ye was never acknowledged as good by the music industry, right? Who in mainstream circles recognizes him?】
And not forgetting to whitewash the two music industry big shots, Teacher Na and Teacher Yang.
【Teacher Na and Teacher Yang never said he lip synced; that video was netizens’ malicious speculation, AI-generated lip movements; one video to smear two teachers, I didn’t expect that.】
Chi Ye, waking up the next day, didn’t care much.
Because he never intended to dive deep into this nearly dead circle.
—The Chinese entertainment industry is fine, but with Chi Ye’s personality and mouth, he couldn’t kneel.
On his first day at Voice of Nature, Teacher Na crossed her legs, waiting for him to “pay respects,” to kowtow and recognize her as big sis…
He didn’t go, so naturally no recognition; if he did… might not get it either.
But why would I need your recognition? Who are you?
On the broadcast day, he and Shi Daifu had nearly sung Light Years Away to death, only simply rehearsed twice to keep in form, then stopped singing and switched to WeChatting with the Empress Dowager.
Six o’clock.
Audience started entering; Chi Ye and Shi Daifu had arrived at the backstage studio, exchanging simple greetings with the many guest singers; Shi Jinwei’s gaze landed on him and Peng Chen, eager for drama.
Lao Peng didn’t greet Chi Ye, but when Chi Ye saw Lao Peng and the half-person-tall cello he was holding, he couldn’t help being shocked: “Why bring your own ladder this time? Stilts not enough for you anymore?”
Peng Chen: “?”
Shi Jinwei’s mouth twitched, withdrew her gaze.
Chi Ye said no more, went with Shi Daifu to their seats, sat down to adjust state.
…
On the other side.
The program team’s chief director hurried to backstage, looking at the assistant director: “What did you say?!”
“That Zhang Xianming and Jiang Yi, and Rise… sister-in-law group, seem to have all come in.”
Chief director confirmed, eyes went dark: “All came in?! Who let them in? You want Voice of Nature to die?!”
Assistant director helpless too: “They have tickets, they’re audience… can’t just kick them out, right?”
Chief director silent: “But we can’t just die unclear like this either…”
Assistant director: “…”
He paused, hesitantly adding: “And… that’s not the worst news; the worst is… Yang Zi came too.”
Chief director: “?!”
Panicking: “The grim reaper came?!”
…
Ji Zhua Zhang and Jia Jiu Jiang never imagined there’d be other experts.
The two met in the front row inner field area, both stunned, then smiled knowingly, but turning their heads, saw two other familiar figures…
Lin Ze Yu, Su Ran.
The two honest guys with little screen time in Rise, wearing their own streetwear brands, walked over.
“You two came too?!”
Zhang and Jiang were astonished.
Lin and Su looked behind them, surprised: “You… you came too?!”
Everyone turned back together.
Saw Yang Zi now wearing a suit embroidered full of red roses, headband saying “Chi Ye Chi Ye, unify the world,” one hand holding a banner reading: Chi Ye my brother, matters in the heart!
Other hand clutching a small balloon in Chi Ye’s fan support color, still “rehearsing” in his mouth: “Confession Balloon blows to the opposite street, smile flies in the sky…”
Everyone collectively shocked, speechless.
“Hm?”
Yang Zi noticed the gazes, turned back, stunned, then crooked smile: “Brothers all came to mooch too, huh.”
The back row Rise sister-in-law group led by Qing Sister-in-law raised Peng Chen fan support items: “Certain Ye fans don’t come near, we stan Peng Chen brother!”
Yang Zi surprised: “Why?”
“Do I need to explain? Peng Chen is redder now!”
