Chapter 153: Rampant Slaying, Pure Show-off! Jin Family: Nice Young Man
“Xia Xia, why do I feel like you’re particularly enthusiastic about this matter… why?”
Jin Sui got more nervous the closer she got to the doorway, her usual poised demeanor gone, and seeing her little niece’s smiling face, a sense of vigilance subconsciously rose in her heart: “You’re not plotting against Aunt, are you?”
“Aunt, what are you saying? I’m not that kind of person.”
Jin Xia was slightly unhappy: “I’m your caring little padded jacket.”
Jin Sui: “…”
That remains to be seen.
Whether you’re a padded jacket or a drafty one now is hard to say.
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
She pushed Jin Sui.
Jin Sui took a deep breath, finally calming her mood, and pressed the doorbell.
Two seconds later.
The courtyard gate opened, Jin Ming walked out in formal attire, glanced at his sister and little niece, and a smile appeared on his face: “Please come in, may all go as you wish.”
The aunt and niece: “?!”
…
CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, backstage.
7 p.m.
Stars gathered, music industry big shots, industry top streamers and young actors, various movie emperors and film empresses, even low-key national team members, all congregated backstage.
Those preparing programs were preparing, those chatting were chatting.
Chi Ye and Sister Qianzi blended in without standing out.
Of course, Shi Jinwei still drew attention on her own, as one of the Four Little Flowers, after briefly greeting a few familiar friends, she returned to her seat, quite nervously saying: “Why am I so nervous this time?”
“You wouldn’t be nervous if Sheng Ning came.” Chi Ye comforted: “Isn’t she at the Shanghai Mid-Autumn Gala this time? Why don’t you open the live broadcast now and see, they should be streaming backstage there.”
Shi Jinwei: “?!”
She straightened her back, sneered: “I was just kidding, I’m not nervous at all.”
Chi Ye: “Please call me the reborn Hua Tuo.”
“…”
While the two were bantering, a commotion suddenly came from the backstage entrance, followed by Yu Yan striding in, surrounded by team members.
His attitude was very humble; upon entering, he went to greet several seniors, and when chatting with others, he always had a smile, greeting everyone thoroughly.
“I heard Yu Yan is the grand finale this time.”
Sister Qianzi looked at Chi Ye gloatingly: “What do you say?”
Chi Ye oddly: “Isn’t it normal for him to be the grand finale? You don’t really think Peng Chen can outdo him, do you?”
“Achoo.”
On the other side, Peng Chen, who had just been about to come over to say hi, sneezed, glanced at Chi Ye, paused, then suddenly turned and walked away.
“What’s wrong?”
The assistant nearby was surprised: “Weren’t you going to say hi?”
“Forget it, better stay away, I have a really bad feeling.”
Lao Peng clutched his crotch, waving his hands repeatedly.
In the corner.
“Shi Shi has been busy lately, right? I listened to your new song, it’s so good, when’s the new album coming out? I’ll help promote it then.”
“Thanks, Teacher Huang.”
“Hey, no problem, you got the invitation for Mango TV’s Singer too, right? See you on the program.”
“Mm.”
“…”
Shi Daifu exchanged a few words with a former senior, who then turned and left; she sat back down sweating profusely, her delicate body tense, wanting to escape the scene immediately.
Sister Wang peeked around nearby: “Shi Shi, go say hi over there, President Chi is right in front.”
“Too many people, he’s preparing to sing, don’t disturb him.”
Teacher Shi glanced at the vast crowd and shook her head.
“…” Sister Wang gave her a sideways look: “You said the same thing ten days ago.”
Teacher Shi: “…”
“If I didn’t tell you, are you planning not to say hi even after this Mid-Autumn Gala ends? Because President Chi is too busy, busy with this then that… just won’t go, just won’t disturb?”
Hearing this, Teacher Shi rarely retorted: “I’m not afraid.”
“Fine fine, I’m the afraid one.”
Sister Wang looked at Chi Ye “warmly chatting” with Shi Jinwei, resentfully saying: “These Four Little Flowers are different, huh, so much popularity, President Chi is really enthusiastic.”
Teacher Shi glanced at her: “Sour.”
Sister Wang: “?!”
“Come on, everyone, final briefing for all departments.”
At that moment, the chief director’s voice rang out; time was 7:30 p.m. The audience ahead had entered.
The many big shots backstage mentally calculated the time, until the hour hand reached 8 p.m. sharp.
The 2025 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala live broadcast officially began.
…
Inside the villa.
“This first program is nothing to watch.”
Jin Xia sat in the main living room, back straight, posture elegant, but her muttering spoiled the mood a bit.
Jin Sui sat right beside her, also sitting upright, but her eyes kept glancing toward the upstairs staircase, a bit restless.
“Aiya, Aunt, don’t be anxious, Grandfather will come down in a bit.”
Jin Xia saw her aunt’s unease, quickly soothing her, while glancing at Jin Ming beside them who was even more “upright”: “Little Uncle, what’s wrong with your eyes, why are they bruised?”
Jin Ming glanced faintly at her, said nothing.
“Your little aunt punched you twice, how could they not be bruised?”
An elegant woman in her forties or fifties walked over, gently set down the fruit platter, and teased.
Jin Ming’s face instantly turned red, but a bit afraid of this woman, he could only stammer: “Sister-in-law… you… that’s not ladylike.”
The woman shook her head with a smile: “Then you stay ladylike forever.”
She then said to Jin Sui: “The old man is just stubborn, he’s actually the happiest that you came back this time, no worries, later I’ll help you ‘vent’ properly.”
“Sister-in-law.” Jin Sui was a bit moved.
“Mommy~ look at me, I’ve been here half a day, you haven’t said a word to me!”
Jin Xia affectionately hugged the woman: “Where did I upset you?”
Jin Mu glanced faintly at her: “You’d better think about how to explain things properly to your dad later, I wouldn’t dare meddle in your life’s big matters.”
Hearing this, Jin Xia inexplicably tensed up, guiltily acting cute: “I… I really didn’t do anything.”
While they were talking, two more people came down from the staircase.
Leading was an old man whose age was indeterminable, but with full white hair.
He wore a very ordinary Zhongshan suit, though full white hair, he was spirited and hale, especially a pair of thick eyebrows, black and dense against the white hair, eyes sharp and bright.
Supporting him was a square-faced middle-aged handsome man, handsome features, but steady temperament, tall build.
The two walked down the stairs together; the Empress Dowager, seeing them, had already “rushed” over first, without any of her previous “pretend elegance,” sweetly calling: “Grandfather!”
“Oh yo, my beloved granddaughter is back.”
The old man beamed instantly upon seeing Jin Xia, but upon spotting Jin Sui, he retracted his smile, faintly humming, turning to ask the middle-aged handsome man: “Old Three and Old Four aren’t coming?”
The middle-aged handsome man glanced at Jin Xia, who subconsciously straightened her chest and back, looking every bit the proper lady.
He smiled: “They have work, didn’t know little sister would come back this time…”
“Alright alright, work work, all day long it’s work.”
The old man impatiently waved: “If they’re not coming, fine, as long as my beloved granddaughter is back.”
He pointed at the middle-aged handsome man: “Jin Zhao, cut the empty talk, Xia Xia can do as she likes, why make the child sit so straight all the time? Learn from you to be a fake person?”
“Today I’m here, Xia Xia does whatever’s comfortable, you say less!”
Jin Fu, scolded, didn’t dare speak, nodding: “Yes, you call the shots.”
“Grandfather is good to me.”
Jin Xia cheekily squeezed past her old father, supporting the old man, mouth sweet as honey: “Grandfather, the Mid-Autumn Gala has started, let’s go watch.”
“Mm.” The old man nodded, then oddly: “You little girl, kept clamoring for me to watch this Mid-Autumn Gala, what’s your scheme?”
“None, I just know you used to like these galas, I’m being filial.”
“That was before.” The old man waved: “Now these kids doing galas, what tricks can they pull? Not good.”
“It’s good, it’s good.”
Jin Xia pulled Grandfather to the sofa, with Jin Sui sitting beside.
The aunt widened her eyes, mouth agape.
Jin Xia turned back and playfully winked at her: Aunt, you just stay put, with you here, I’m at ease!
“Mm… you watch this program, what’s good about it? Sings like a mosquito buzzing.”
The old man glanced at Yu Yan currently singing, shaking his head.
“Isn’t this the hottest star lately?”
Jin Mu sat aside, glanced at Jin Fu, who looked at Jin Xia still coaxing the old man, speechless for a while, shaking his head at his wife.
No use, the family’s “Empress Dowager” was coaxed, whatever they said was pointless.
“This guy is no good, this guy won’t do, this guy sings terribly.”
Jin Xia just glanced at Yu Yan on TV and shook her head with sharp critique.
But her critique clearly couldn’t represent the on-site “audience” or the fans online.
Yu Yan had two programs at this Mid-Autumn Gala: one to warm up and pull ratings right after the start, the second the grand finale at 10 p.m. sharp, CCTV’s grand finale slot this year.
He would sing two songs from his new album in the two programs.
—He really cared about his long-prepared new album; for this “debut performance,” he went all out, singing the first song from his new album live with full open mic.
A theme of red and cultural heritage, right after finishing, he got full house cheers.
Weibo hot searches immediately featured #Yu Yan Full Open Mic# #Yu Yan New Album So Moving# #Yu Yan Talent# and related hot words.
No need for the team to operate much; fans and Yu Yan’s terrifying popularity made these terms dominate the list, each one exploding on release.
Chi Ye, who had been watching Yu Yan closely, immediately released matching hot searches.
#Chi Ye Talent#
#Looking Forward to Chi Ye Full Open Mic#
Peng Chen’s side, seeing this, followed suit.
#Peng Chen Full Open Mic#
#Peng Chen Full Firepower#
Yu Yan’s Fans furious!
「Two freeloaders who can’t make it, Captain personally leading the team to ride, huh?」
「Yeah ride, just ride.」
「Did you two sing? Void full open mic?」
「Can’t take it, Rise stay far away! Unpopular stars don’t dream of moon landing ride the coattails!」
「Shocked, Yu Yan new album debut, now any tomcat or dog can ride the coattails?」
The two-sided brawl instantly turned three-sided.
Yu Yan’s team “guarded against everything,” but still couldn’t guard against Rise’s twin stars’ ride the coattails, mainly because Chi Ye and Peng Chen played professionally, punching right when Yu Yan was shitting.
Forcing Yu Yan’s side to “strike back.”
In fact, Yu Yan’s full open mic this time was just average, no accident, but definitely not sung that well.
After all, when does he have time to practice singing usually?
His singing skill talent was average to begin with.
Purely relying on many fans, high popularity, forced hype.
…
Gala site.
Front row audience seats.
Global Warming unsurprisingly got into the “VIP” movie viewing seats via personal connections.
At the moment, she held her mobile phone, feuding with the massive number of “Yu Yan’s Fans” online.
But outnumbered, after a few rounds, she found she couldn’t win.
Furious, she immediately wanted to use some “money power” buff to continue the “battle.”
Actually, she used to stan Yu Yan too, since he’s truly the “dream guy” in every girl’s heart now, but after Jin Xia emerged, she fell for that indescribable vibe on him.
Later, she stanned Chi Ye.
And with Reboot and Circulation’s two small hits, a subtle “training” pleasure grew in her heart.
Watching Chi Ye step by step to the top was far more satisfying and achievement-filled than directly stanning Yu Yan.
After this, she was starting to dislike Yu Yan; you don’t lack those endorsements, why snatch my bro’s?
Thinking this, she was just about to contact her “girlfriend” to buy some paid commenters.
At that moment, stage lights dimmed, and the host’s announcement voice came.
——”Dear audience friends, on this Mid-Autumn Festival, moon round and people gathered, this reunion night full of warmth and poetry; in this beautiful moment, music will take us into a unique time and space.”
“The next song is a bridge of fate built by melody, coming from the depths of history, carrying the vicissitudes of Qin moon and Han passes, wrapped in the tragedy and perseverance of the ten-thousand-li Long March.”
The host spoke emotionally, voice rich: “Now, let us quietly listen, follow Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei’s singing, step onto this bridge of fate, feel that power transcending time and piercing the soul.”
Applause.
The site erupted in applause, Global Warming sharply looked up—Chi Ye’s new album debut, here.
Lights brightened again.
Lights like twinkling stars in the night sky, or silver-white moonlight spilling on Mid-Autumn night.
The entire stage enveloped in a dreamlike atmosphere.
An ancient frontier scroll slowly unfolded on stage.
Majestic Great Wall winding under moonlight, beacon towers faintly visible, distant desert loess extending hazily, telling China’s thousand-year stories and cultural heritage.
The “celebrity audience seats” who had just sat down, Yu Yan expressionlessly glanced at the stage.
He had just gotten the news: Chi Ye rubbed again, and brought Peng Chen.
A bit annoying.
Applause.
“Robot”-style applause around again—this was CCTV’s exclusive “AI fake applause,” Spring Festival Gala same atmosphere group.
Without this atmosphere group, 90% of performers would die awkwardly.
Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei appeared hand in hand on stage.
He wore a black Chinese-style long robe, embroidered with golden dragon pattern, shining under lights, accentuating his near-perfect appearance face, extremely eye-catching.
Sister Qianzi wore a red ancient costume long skirt, explosive figure, skirt swaying like burning flames.
—The two’s stage makeup and styling, clothing, exuded strong Chinese style, perfectly matching CCTV Mid-Autumn Gala’s stage.
“So pretty.”
“Handsome.”
Ordinary audience speaking.
Real “fans” speaking too.
“Grandfather, handsome or not?!”
Jin Xia saw Chi Ye take the stage, her peach blossom eyes lit up instantly, tugging the old man’s sleeve asking.
The old man: “Ah?”
“That handsome guy in the Chinese long robe, handsome or not?”
The old man carefully looked twice, nodding approval: “Handsome, this Chinese long robe is good, guy looks spirited, better than that effeminate kid earlier.”
Jin Xia nodded satisfied, humming: “I think so too.”
“Mm… cough cough.”
Nearby Jin Mu lightly coughed twice, giving Jin Zhao an eye signal.
Jin Zhao stared at Chi Ye on TV, scrutinized a few times, then looked at Jin Xia chattering with the old man, helplessly shook his head.
“Mm?”
The old man seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, turning with raised brow: “What’s that?”
Jin Zhao stunned: “Ah?”
“You think he’s not handsome? My good granddaughter says handsome, you say not?”
Jin Zhao speechless, stared at Chi Ye on TV a few more times, gritted teeth: “Handsome… indeed good-looking.”
Good-looking won’t do!!
My family’s cabbage!
Jin Xia beamed inwardly, pretending dissatisfaction: “Aiya, actually just okay… Grandfather is the handsomest, mm…”
She turned to her silent aunt, wildly winking to hint.
Jin Sui: “?!”
She was speechless for a while, nodded: “Yes, so damn handsome.”
“Mm?!”
The whole family’s gazes instantly turned, the old man who had been all smiles instantly sobered, coldly humming: “Out so long, no upbringing left.”
Jin Sui lowered her head, feeling both wronged and angry.
“Aiya, alright alright, let’s watch the program, they’re about to sing.”
Jin Mu chimed in, then carefully looked at Chi Ye on TV a few times, quite satisfied with her daughter’s aesthetics, but…
Arranging this “meeting,” what use could it have?
What special thing could he have?
Puzzled, on stage, Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei walked to center stage, a melodious ancient prelude rang out.
Like clashing armies, like ancient Great Wall alleys.
TV showed the song’s name and lyricist composer.
—Bridge of Fate
—Composition: Chi Ye, Lyric Writing: Chi Ye.
—Singing: Chi Ye, Shi Jinwei.
His own song.
Jin Mu had sung in her youth, national team too, so slightly surprised at the subtitles.
She checked on Chi Ye, he specialized in lovey-dovey songs, this one too?
Didn’t match Mid-Autumn or this stage at all.
Thinking this, Chi Ye on TV already opened first.
As the pleasing intense prelude ended, he slowly sang, voice not the unclear enunciation everyone heard before, but clean and bright:
“Qin Shi Ming Yue Han Shi Guan”
“Wan Li Chang Zheng Ren Wei Huan”
“But Shi Long Cheng Fei Jiang Zai”
“Bu Jiao Hu Ma Du Yin Shan”
Everyone stunned.
Some just thought it sounded good, but insiders heard a different flavor.
Just these few lyrics, Chi Ye’s voice bright and clear, breath propulsion steady unbelievably.
Not overly rushed, not too slow, perfectly balanced.
The last line “Bu Jiao Hu Ma Du Yin Shan” perfect register connection and pitch control.
Short four lines, chest resonance, throat sound, head mixed voice, breath propulsion…
Almost pure show-off.
Opening kill!
Jin Mu slightly surprised, Yu Yan below stage and music industry big shots all jolted.
What’s the situation??
This new song feels off.
Next moment, Shi Jinwei facing Chi Ye, opened with king bomb:
“Lang Yan Qian Li Luan Zang Gang”
“Luan Shi Gu Hun Wu Ren Fang”
“Wu Yan Cang Tian Bi Mo Han”
“Bi Dao~ Chun Qiu Yi Xue Chang”
The stage below, originally a bit casual, audience looked up, stars agape.
This… this singing?!
Qinqiang Opera singing method?!
That last line went how high?
Chi Ye following up?
Answer: yes!
Chi Ye stared at Sister Qianzi, inwardly cursing her peak condition today, while the earlier extracted Sister Qianzi’s angry sound talent finally came into play.
He wasn’t intimidated, following her tune, straight into chorus opening:
“Talk love hate, can’t be sloppy”
“War drums beat beat”
“With trust, vows I endure”
Sister Qianzi’s sapphire eyes flashed surprise, then instantly relaxed, full firepower:
“This fate, like a bridge”
“Banners flutter flutter”
“You wanna go, draw knife now”
“Love one stroke cancel”
Stage beacons shifted, wolf smoke rose, ancient Great Wall stood, armored generals looked back at the moon.
“Talk love hate, can’t be sloppy”
“Mortal dust burns burns”
“With life death, prove guiltless who’s vital”
“…”
“Damn.”
Below stage, Peng Chen mouth agape, feeling his ears numbed—this song live was really numbing.
More numbing, his heart.
Because he heard it: Chi Ye full open mic!
Not Captain, said we’d both be slackers, you playing like this?!
On the other side, Teacher Na, Teacher Yang, and Teacher Shi here for the gala today, equally shocked and stunned.
But shocked differently from Peng Chen.
They were stunned at the song’s singing difficulty.
Truth be told, Bridge of Fate singing difficulty very high, truly performed, live version power terrifying.
See the originally “AI” applause suddenly intensify.
On stage.
Passionate chorus ended, Chi Ye sidestepped, following live melody, ramped up intensity.
“Flesh builds city ten thousand arrows pierce”
“Armor blood-dyed reflects moonlight”
“Distant hu horn urges broken guts”
“Wolf howl~ sudden shocks frontier”
This segment he sang solo!
Sister Qianzi didn’t sing!
Voice like nightingale warbling in night sky, second half instantly more vigorous powerful, carrying loess plateau’s rugged heroism.
Final close, mixed voice transition technique, voice freely shuttling between real voice solidity and falsetto ethereality.
How many techniques used?
Ethnic opera voice + ethnic singing style + head mixed voice + metalcore advanced tone + seamless Qinqiang connect + rock angry sound + mixed voice transition…
Buddy stacking buffs here?!
“Damn, too strong!”
Below, any industry insiders with basic music knowledge stunned a second, then full house uproar.
Female “Bi Dao” thunderous, male “wolf howl” even more heart-shaking.
Female singers naturally have better pitch than males, Chi Ye purely using technique for this effect instantly dispelled all past doubts on his singing skill.
—If this isn’t singing skill, what is?!
One line N techniques, pure show-off, pure op show!
Everyone stunned, even ordinary audience who couldn’t tell notes, now felt: this song badass, this song damn good!
“Good! Good!”
Home.
The old man originally uninterested, but perked up at Great Wall theme, when Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei went full firepower wild showing off, this ageless old man clapped and cheered like a kid.
“Good good good, sings great, this is how a young lad should be, really good!”
Not professional, couldn’t tell the song’s difficulty.
But just the heroism and clashing armies passion made him instantly recall youth, rarely showing such emotion.
Jin Xia seeing Grandfather’s reaction, inwardly pumped her little fist.
Grandfather indeed likes this; knowing Teacher Chi to sing this at Mid-Autumn Gala, she vaguely planned.
Now see, effect great.
Firmly controlled!
“…Indeed not bad.”
Jin Zhao rarely showed “forced” emotion, nodded, but seeing his daughter’s thrilled sneaky joy, heart ached again.
Not bad won’t do!!
Jin Mu seriously: “This kid’s singing skill is good, mm… female partner not bad either.”
“That female is just his singing partner.”
Jin Xia hearing, quickly explained.
Jin Mu glanced: “I didn’t say anything, why so anxious?”
“Am I anxious?!”
“See, anxious again.”
“…”
Family “chatting” here, nanny aunt already brought dishes.
Meanwhile.
On stage.
Bridge of Fate performance nearing end.
Full moon hung, black wolf smoke dissipated in air, silver-white moonlight shone on ancient Great Wall.
Bonfires sparked like guiding distant warriors home.
Mid-Autumn homecoming path.
“This fate, like a bridge”
“Story take a look”
“Wander world, you I shed armor”
“Dream back Great Wall ballad”
Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei faced audience hand in hand, finished singing, deeply bowed.
Site silent two seconds, then deafening applause.
—”AI” audience alive.
After so many years eating CCTV’s scraps, finally ate good this time!
Below stage, Yu Yan’s agent frowned at her mobile phone.
“What’s up?”
Yu Yan, “symbolically” clapping, frowned.
“Done for, gonna get dragged, he’s on right after you first.”
“This contrast effect, too obvious…”
