Chapter 194: Shanghai City Spokesperson Chi Ye
January 15th.
2026 Spring Festival Gala third rehearsal.
Unlike the previous two rehearsals, the Spring Festival Gala generally conducts five rehearsals. The first two are earlier in time. Starting from the third, that is, from the 15th, the time density will greatly increase, with rehearsals every few days, and all participating guests and staff must be present.
Chi Ye had previously missed one rehearsal due to publicity and distribution for Xing Ni. Now Xing Ni has aired to episode 11, so he finally made time and arrived at the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal site with the Empress Dowager—they had no choice but to come.
Because the leaders above spoke up, they must see the two of them… Xing Ni is indeed too popular, so popular that the Spring Festival Gala director group, even the leaders above, are a bit confused.
Now all of Southeast Asia is begging “Professor Chi and Big Star” to go to their country/city.
Just in time, Xing Ni airs before the Spring Festival, so if you’re not Chinese, that’s one thing, but since you are Chinese and in the Capital City… there’s no reason not to come!
Their own “precious darling” must quickly take the Spring Festival Gala stage to show global Chinese!
CCTV: Oh my oh my, all mine!
“Chi Ge, Director Liu and Ku Ying are urging again, asking when you and Xia Xia Jie will do offline sweep the building business…”
Xiao Liu carried a bag, following behind Chi Ye and Jin Xia, with Sister Mi beside them, but now Sister Mi doesn’t dare to meet Chi Ye’s eyes much… because she’s afraid Chi Ye will bring up how she sarcastically mocked when Jin Xia took on Xing Ni.
So embarrassing… Looking now, if they had really missed Xing Ni back then, it would have been the biggest stain on her career—regret for life.
“Huh, business?”
Jin Xia blinked her peach blossom eyes, tilting her head to look at Chi Ye: “Can we do business?”
Chi Ye looked serious: “Yes, but be prepared to get scolded.”
“I think so too.”
The Empress Dowager nodded.
Xiao Liu and Sister Mi: “…”
“No preparations done for offline, can’t show up now. Last time just showing face at the building, local police were called to maintain order. Doing this too much isn’t good.”
Chi Ye now has a natural “fear” of the four words “offline business”.
Logically, with Xing Ni aired to 11 episodes, halfway through, popularity completely burning across Southeast Asia, Chi Ye and Jin Xia really should appear together for business—but they really don’t dare to now.
One person is fine, but once they appear together, the airport was blocked a few days ago, just showing face, the building elevator, stairs, doorway, all crowded with people, too dangerous.
If not careful, both would end up on the legal channel, so Chi Ye thinks before the event side prepares well, offline business is basically off— of course, platforms like Weibo and Douyin going crazy wanting them have already started preparing, and once ready, they can show up.
Before that, business can only be online first, live broadcast business.
“Live is set for tomorrow afternoon, then we’ll live from the Weibo building…”
“You sure there won’t be problems?”
“……They say it’s foolproof.”
“Alright then.”
As they talked, they arrived at the rehearsal backstage, encountering many people who, upon seeing the two, proactively stopped to smile and greet.
“Chi Ye’s here.”
“Xia Xia looks even prettier.”
“Dinner together later? Wanted to invite you last time, but you were too busy…”
“Next time, definitely next time.”
To say the biggest feeling after Chi Ye became popular is that “friends” increased, various industry insiders he never knew before, only heard names of, whenever encountering, all think to come chat and build relationship.
And Chi Ye’s mouth is quite loose, though his star power and status are different now, sometimes he really can’t hold back.
For example—
“Qianzi, what are you sneaking peeking at over there?”
Chi Ye arrived at the rehearsal site doorway and spotted Shi Jinwei sneaking around at a glance.
Sister Qianzi: “?”
She glanced at Jin Xia beside Chi Ye, snorted, turned, and walked into the venue.
“I just like people whose attitude hasn’t changed, otherwise too boring.”
Chi Ye praised: “Qianzi lives up to being Qianzi, clamping since young.”
Jin Xia was puzzled: “Why did she snort at me? Who is she to snort at me?!”
Chi Ye: “……Probably feeling unbalanced inside.”
“Unbalanced about what…”
The Empress Dowager paused, glanced at Chi Ye, realized, raised her snow-white little chin, smug: “Then let her stay unbalanced!”
Ahead.
Shi Jinwei, who could still faintly hear their exchange, stumbled in her steps, grinding her teeth cursing: “Little man got his way!”
“Sister Shi… let’s go this way.”
Her little assistant had already noticed Sheng Ning’s figure by the round table C position in the venue.
Decisively pulled Shi Jinwei to the completely opposite side.
……
Rehearsal venue center, near the center C position round table, Sheng Ning was very politely chatting with a poised and elegant middle-aged woman: “Sister Xu, thanks for last time, without your recommendation, Director Zhang wouldn’t have given me the role.”
“Psh, all family, what are you saying.”
Sister Xu sat beside, smiling at her: “You’re in the circle now, brothers and sisters, will take care of where needed, all our own, no need to be so polite.”
“Yeah… still gotta thank Sister Xu for that, lots of competition for that drama, didn’t expect Director Zhang to really pick me.”
“Not bad, I actually have another project here…”
The woman Sheng Ning called “Sister Xu” is a Beijing Circle Big Flower, former Four Little Flowers one, now one of the Four Great Flowers, Xu Yingying.
Before the Four Little Flowers led by Sheng Ning rose, Internal Entertainment Circle’s “traffic” market, “popular or not”, was completely controlled by them, of course… back then there was no “traffic” concept yet.
Anyway, very popular, and the former Four Little Flowers is already past, back then two of the four were out of favor, couldn’t “break through”, the remaining two, plus two other even stronger first-tier flowers, have now all grown into film circle backbones, top big stars.
The so-called Four Little became Four Great Flowers.
—Drama circle little flowers, film circle big flowers.
This has always been the career plan all industry little flowers and green robes crave most, step by step, higher and higher.
But unfortunately, entertainment industry competition too fierce, few can make it to the end as true top big flowers.
Xu Yingying is a top big flower who fought her way out of thousands of troops, alongside Teacher Zhang, Ling Bingbing, Ning Mo, known as Four Great Flowers, and at the same time, she’s one of Beijing Circle core members.
And these four above are all currently red-hot first-tier in film circle, high prestige, each backed by capital, usually don’t “descend to mortals”.
—Sheng Ning has always yearned for, worked hard toward the “big flower” position.
So, she’s unusually polite to Xu Yingying.
Because her “entry to circle” thanks to Xu Yingying’s introduction, this kind of resource, other little flowers break heads can’t get.
“You, with enough seniority, enough strength, will rise.”
Xu Yingying smiled and nodded, Peng Chen who was a bit stiff beside saw this, sharp-eyed refilled Xu Yingying’s water.
“Xiao Peng, you’re releasing a movie in Spring Festival slot, right? Brushed Douyin yesterday and saw your official account.”
Xu Yingying not as aloof as outsiders imagine, teasing tone: “If we meet then, give sis face, don’t exceed box office too much.”
“……Mine’s small scale, brothers gave chance, don’t dare think box office, don’t dare.”
Lao Peng felt his current smile must look like a dog.
“Too modest, now it’s traffic’s world, your development so good now…”
Xu Yingying was still speaking.
Rustling sounds.
Sudden noise around.
Immediately after, Xu Yingying, Sheng Ning and others saw Chi Ye and Jin Xia greeting people along the way, heading this direction.
“……Captain… Chi Ye came this time too.”
Peng Chen’s gaze complex.
“Heh, even brought ‘family’ ha.”
Sheng Ning saw the scene and subconsciously sarcasticked.
“That’s Chi Ye huh.”
Xu Yingying glanced at Chi Ye from afar, restrained her smile, faintly commented: “Looks alright, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ji got done by him?”
Sheng and Peng duo: “…”
While they were “evaluating” Chi Ye, saw Chi Ye already came from the other side, passed their position, sat by the truly empty C position, the round table right center stage.
Jin Xia followed, lifting her skirt to sit.
Several people: “???”
Xu Yingying looked at her own position half a body behind Chi Ye, suddenly laughed: “Too popular ha.”
Sheng Ning’s face a bit ugly—any activity or gala’s ranking seating is very particular.
In entertainment industry, position represents star power level.
Not long ago, she remembered Chi Ye’s seat was some edge round table in second row, but now…
He directly went in front of her.
Definitely not Chi Ye intentional, no one dares “blatantly” make trouble at Spring Festival Gala, so that means…
Spring Festival Gala changed it, “first time in history”, gave a traffic precedent, position from previous second table edge directly moved to core C position.
Thinking of this, Sheng Ning felt a sudden block in her heart, then looking at Jin Xia chattering beside Chi Ye, the block turned to heart-piercing pain.
Are you deliberately “showing off” in front of me?!
So ruthless.
Her chest heaved twice, turned head away not looking.
Precisely, Xu Yingying insistently brought up Chi Ye: “Little Ning, you know Chi Ye well?”
“Hm?”
Sheng Ning turned back, puzzled: “Not really, why?”
“Nothing.” Xu Yingying smiled looking another direction: “Just a few directors asked me to check his schedule, want to find him for movie.”
Sheng Ning stunned, Peng Chen heart stirred, probed: “Wh… which directors?”
“Just Director Feng Director Lu and a few, all circle acquaintances, he’s popular now…” Xu Yingying paused, seeing Chi Ye never came to “pay respects”, added: “Popular a bit floating.”
The two: “…”
Peng Chen changed topic: “Right, heard Qian Rui side recently running movie publicity and distribution too…”
……
Three hours later.
Chi Ye and Jin Xia took stage to rehearse their program, then Chi Ye was called to the office by this year’s Spring Festival Gala chief director.
But when he entered the office, found the chief director not there.
A middle-aged man looking fifty or sixty sat in the chair, saw him come in, kindly smiled: “Chi Ye, right? Come in quick, long wanted to meet you, never found time.”
Chi Ye startled, looked closely at the middle-aged man a few times, suddenly realized he looked familiar, like some propaganda department leader.
He paused, closed the door properly, puzzled with some oddity, greeted: “Hello leader.”
“Sit, sit, you sit, don’t be reserved.”
Chi Ye blinked, thought I wasn’t reserved, um… hold back, control mouth.
But leader saw his thought at a glance, laughing pointed at him: “Long heard you’re a chatty kid, no need to be polite with me, I’m old war comrade with your old Jin.”
Hearing this, Chi Ye instantly straightened: “Then I’ll speak freely leader.”
Leader amused: “Hahaha, speak, go ahead, ‘Alien Professor Chi’ coming to see me, if outsiders know, won’t they envy me to death? Afraid you’ll talk?”
Chi Ye: “Aliens are people too, better not.”
Leader looked at him surprised, couldn’t hide smile at corner of mouth: “Good, good…”
Chi Ye didn’t know what exactly was good.
But he now full of questions, didn’t understand why leader meeting him here.
Logically, this level, normal artists can’t meet… of course, at Spring Festival Gala, yes.
“Um, it’s like this.”
After a few simple words, distance closed, leader didn’t sell it, clearly decisive type, straight said: “First reason calling you is last Singer thing, your performance very good, I personally really like your music style…”
“Second, related to music style, but… also to your current development.”
Chi Ye stunned: “Development?”
Leader looked at him, actually very satisfied even surprised inside—because Xing Ni’s results and now in Asia, even whole Southeast Asia region’s influence, spread power, he as one of supervising leaders… only understandable, unspeakable.
More importantly—this complete accident joy.
“Um, development.” Leader nodded, looking at him: “You should know how explosive Xing Ni is now in Southeast Asia region, pulled quite a bit local revenue, domestic cities where Xing Ni filmed now all have tourism boom, even boosted GDP.”
Chi Ye silent: “Don’t know specific data really, I’m just an artist…”
“No tension, this topic can chat.” Leader open-minded waved hand, then said: “Xing Ni pulling their local revenue small matter, far less important than ‘promoting’ our domestic culture cuisine.”
Chi Ye startled.
Leader softly said: “‘Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes’ originally only Shanghai locals loved, few outsiders knew, but now, many of our country’s gourmet food stores appeared in Southeast Asia range.”
“Not just Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes, other domestic gourmet snacks in your drama… open one hot one… open one hot one… Chi Ye, you’re really promoting motherland’s culture.”
Chi Ye heart paused, vaguely understood this meeting’s “meaning”.
Leader emotions high, clearly very open-minded, straight said: “Always only South Korea, Taipei, even Western works ‘invade influence’ us, when did our idol drama get this level influence?!”
Chi Ye silent.
Leader looked at him: “Shanghai city government wants you as city spokesperson, endorse city image, culture, features, this your reward.”
Chi Ye surprised: “Shanghai city spokesperson?”
“Yes, but don’t get happy too quick.” Leader turned: “Fried Chicken in Xing Ni also hot, so South Korea side always wants to invite you over…… you might get a few city tourism endorsements, remember, be tough, you represent outside not just yourself.”
Chi Ye opened mouth.
Leader spoke again: “So, Spring Festival Gala program change, this song no good… doesn’t show our culture, doesn’t show what you represent now… change song, if really can’t write, suggest, I’ll find people, top lyricist and composer, arrangement team…”
He paused, explained: “Know time tight now, but this really important, opportunity… personally, hope you grasp this chance, now global Chinese probably all heard of you, words said on Singer, can cash in?”
“…”
Chi Ye looked at leader’s expectant gaze, paused, nodded: “Can.”
“Good.”
Leader clapped: “You go prepare, I’ll coordinate, this Spring Festival Gala perform well, I’ll pour you ‘victory wine’.”
……
Chi Ye left office, honestly, head a bit dizzy.
He thought of Xing Ni’s influence, since Earth originally like this, but… he still overlooked country, culture, environment factors.
Now Shanghai areas snacks, “Chinese gourmet food culture” exploding in Southeast Asia, what that means for country?
Once fried chicken stores due to Xing Ni opened across Southeast Asia, now switched to Chinese gourmet… right on Spring Festival Gala this global Chinese watched grand gala… he now really represents a lot.
Then since so…
Change song then.
Change to what?
Both represent “China cultural heritage”, not red song… because he now “reverse invaded” out, definitely not diss or praise merits, must let everyone truly understand, like China culture.
Seems, only one song.
Chi Ye had an idea in heart.
