Chapter 53

Although Sun, the director, was somewhat impatient with the first two, Ye Ming was very respectful to the crew of the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, and what he said was not out of line.

He had nothing much to say about the agent Zhao Wei and the makeup artist Lin Xinru. After all, agents and makeup artists were common for most stars, and there was nothing particularly significant about them.

However, a young girl who looked like a middle school student—what was she all about?

Even big-name stars couldn't have such a grand entourage, could they?

Pointing at Fan Binbin, he asked, "Who is this person? She wants to go in too? The backstage area isn't that easy to manage with too many people."

At this point, Ye Ming took off his hat and said, "I'm sorry, Teacher Sun. I'm currently rehearsing a Qing Dynasty drama, and my head is shaved, so I look a bit out of place. This young girl is here to bring me wigs. I brought over twenty wigs, all imported from abroad, and the company helped me borrow them. To manage them better and avoid losing them, they sent a dedicated person to take care of them. I was hoping the director could take a look and decide which wig would be most suitable. Would you like to take a look, Teacher Sun?"

Director Sun waved his hand and said, "Forget it, forget it. I'll have someone issue you a temporary pass. Follow me."

It was a joke to think that he, as an assistant director, could make such decisions. The director would decide, and he still wanted to stay in the industry, didn't he?

If he dared to do such a thing, even if Director Yuan Dewang didn't say anything, his peers would certainly push him out of the industry.

After registering and taking photos, they were issued a temporary pass for the gala, which meant that Ye Ming and his team could enter and exit the Tianchao TV station freely until the Mid-Autumn Festival, without needing additional procedures.

After meeting the director, Yuan Dewang didn't say much about the three people Ye Ming brought. He looked at Ye Min's makeup, nodded, and decided that the short wig was more suitable for the style of "The Moon's Fault," so he settled on the short wig.

There were many things for Director Yuan Dewang to handle for the entire gala, so after deciding on the wig, he went off to attend to other matters.

At this time, Fan Binbin was sitting in the makeup room, a huge space that could accommodate twenty people. Generally, actors participating in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala would get their makeup done here.

Only those who were performing on stage would have such a makeup room. Dancers and others would find a corridor or even a bathroom to do their makeup.

Ye Ming, at this point, was treated like a first-line star.

While Ye Ming was getting his makeup done, Fan Binbin suddenly burst in, excitedly saying, "Brother Ming, guess who I met? Teachers Liu Huan and Song Zuying. I didn't expect them to be participating in this year's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala too."

Liu Huan and Song Zuying, evergreen trees in the music industry, were top-tier stars, among the best singers in the industry.

At this moment, five young girls chattered as they walked in. One of them huffed and said, "What's so great about that? Teachers Liu and Song are regulars here. Appearing in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala is just a warm-up for them. Their real goal is the Spring Festival Gala. You're making a fuss over nothing."

A short-haired girl said, "Xin Xin, don't talk nonsense. Remember what Teacher Chen said—mind your own business."

Xin Xin huffed and found a makeup station to sit down. "What's there to be afraid of? It's the truth. This is just a gathering of stars, but the Spring Festival Gala is the real top-tier event. This is just a prelude."

The Youthful Beauty Girls, this year, were at the peak of their fame. Unfortunately, due to contract issues, the group fell apart after just two years.

If they had persisted, they could have become a legendary group like Little Tigers or SHE.

Unfortunately, the Youthful Beauty Girls were like fireworks, fleeting and brilliant.

After the Spring Festival Gala in 1997, the Youthful Beauty Girls became more mature and experienced. However, beneath their maturity and experience, there was a restless youthful impulse.

Just as Fan Binbin was about to retort, Director Sun walked in with a script and said to the Youthful Beauty Girls, "Today's rehearsal is arranged like this: Jiang Zhongyi will sing 'Wishing to the Moon' first, then the Youthful Beauty Girls will perform as a group. Remember the order, don't get it wrong."

Jiang Zhongyi, busy with her makeup, said, "Don't worry, Brother Sun. We won't have any problems."

Director Sun nodded and then said to Ye Ming, "Ye Ming, you'll perform after the Youthful Beauty Girls. There's a dance program before you. Did you bring the instrumental track for your song? Hand it in right away."

Ye Ming nodded, indicating no problem. Zhao Wei, being very responsible, took the instrumental track out. As an agent, it was her job to handle such matters.

Actually, Ye Ming didn't need much makeup. A bit of powder to avoid affecting the camera was enough.

After Director Sun left, the scene calmed down.

One of the Youthful Beauty Girls quickly ran back and said, "Harlin Yu Qing is here. Let's go get his autograph."

Although the Youthful Beauty Girls were stars themselves, they also had their idols. For a handsome idol like Harlin Yu Qing, the young girls were still very infatuated.

The rehearsal went very smoothly, with everyone giving their all, which made Director Yuan Dewang very satisfied. He praised everyone and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

Then, Yuan Dewang said, "This year's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala will be different. After the rehearsal, we'll have a press conference to announce the details. Liu Huan, Harlin Yu Qing, Liang Yanling, and Ye Ming, you four will represent the gala and attend with me. Behave well."

Immediately, everyone started talking. Liu Huan and Harlin Yu Qing represented the mainland and Taiwan, while Liang Yanling represented Hong Kong. These three were naturally not envied, as they had such status. But who was Ye Ming? They had never heard of him before.

However, since the director had decided, there was no changing it.

The Youthful Beauty Girls, however, were very不服气 (unconvinced). Why should Ye Ming go? Who was he to take a spot at the press conference? Everyone wanted to appear at the press conference; it was a great opportunity for publicity.

Director Yuan Dewang looked at the murmuring crowd and huffed, "Alright, everyone, stop thinking too much. The decision is made. I have my reasons for choosing Ye Ming as a representative of the new generation."

This planted seeds of jealousy in the hearts of the crew. Who wouldn't want to attend the press conference? But Ye Ming had such an opportunity, which was quite surprising.

Seeing the unfriendly gazes, Sun Yue and Luo Zhongxu also felt a bit酸酸的 (sour). These were all very capable singers in the music industry.

At this moment, Ye Ming thought to himself, the director was setting him up for some trouble.

Meanwhile, the reporters waiting at the door had already heard the news and, after verifying it through various channels, rushed to the press conference at the Media Center.

The fact that the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala was having a press conference was very unusual. Even Lao Bai found it strange, as the gala had never had a press conference before.

However, Yu Guo from the Entertainment Morning News, looking like he had seen a ghost, stared wide-eyed at the person next to Liu Huan. The name on the card read "Ye Ming," and he had seen him at the entrance earlier.

At the time, Lao Bai had said he was just a dancer or an extra, but now, sitting at the press conference with Liu Huan, he was clearly a main performer.

He nudged Lao Bai and said, "Lao Bai, look at the stage. Is that the dancer and extra you mentioned?"

Lao Bai had just adjusted his position and hadn't had a chance to look at the stage. After Yu Guo's reminder, he realized that one of the four young people they had met at the entrance was now sitting confidently with the director, indicating that this young man had a significant performance at the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

Lao Bai was embarrassed. How could this happen? In the blink of an eye, a sparrow had turned into a phoenix.

Lao Bai awkwardly replied, "It's just luck. The Youthful Beauty Girls were even younger when they appeared on the Spring Festival Gala. If the Tianchao TV station operates well, it's not surprising. Maybe this young man's company is powerful."

He didn't want to continue this topic but started to pay more attention to Ye Ming.

Lao Bai, relying on his strength and experience, secured the best position. When it was his turn to ask a question, he immediately said, "Director Yuan, it seems you've used a lot of new talent this year, like the Youthful Beauty Girls and Ye Ming. Does this indicate a reform for the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala?"

Ye Ming's presence at the press conference, sitting next to Liu Huan, was a significant news point.

Director Yuan Dewang introduced, "This year's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala will be unique. The leadership is very supportive, and I've been looking for good programs to offer a delightful feast for the audience.

"Ye Ming is a young and talented singer recommended by the Beijing TV station. His works are very suitable for the overall atmosphere of the gala, so we decided to use him.

"Ye Ming is a pleasant surprise for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. As for his performance, you'll find out on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Please continue to support our gala. Thank you."

Yu Guo from the Entertainment Morning News, with the boldness of a newcomer, stood up second and said, "I'm a reporter from the Entertainment Morning News. I have a question for Teacher Liu Huan. Will you sing 'The Hero's Song' at the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala?"

'The Hero's Song,' with the broadcast of the epic series 'Water Margin' on Tianchao TV, quickly became a hit, spreading across the country and even to Southeast Asia.

Everywhere, people were singing, "When injustice is seen, a roar is heard; when the time is right, action is taken."

Despite the moral decline in Nanjing years later, 'The Hero's Song' had a lasting impact, spanning generations.

Even today, over a decade later, 'The Hero's Song' still resonates.

This was a very risky question, one that only a newcomer like Yu Guo would ask.

Directly asking about the program's name was impossible, as the program list was confidential. It was likely that Xiao Wang and the Entertainment Morning News would be blacklisted by Tianchao TV.

However, with so many media present, Liu Huan couldn't refuse to answer.

This was where the skills of a top-tier star shone. Liu Huan calmly said, "We perform to serve the people. As for what we perform, that's up to the director."

He deftly passed the ball to the director.

Director Yuan Dewang, an experienced media handler, said without hesitation, "You'll find out what we perform when the time comes. I believe Liu Huan's performance will not disappoint you."

At this point, someone realized that Yu Guo was offending the gala crew and subtly hinted for him to sit down.

Lao Bai seized the opportunity to ask another question, "I'd like to ask Mr. Ye Ming. To participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, one must be among the best in the industry. Do you think you are the best among young singers, or how else could you stand on this stage?"

This question was quite malicious, designed to trap Ye Ming. Lao Bai didn't like Ye Ming and thus asked this question.

If Ye Ming said he was the best among young singers, he would offend many peers. But if he admitted he wasn't the best, he would be saying he didn't deserve to be on the stage.

This was a very tricky question, and Lao Bai clearly wanted to trap Ye Ming.

PS: The extra 1,000 words are to make up for yesterday. There will be another chapter today.