Chapter 64

When she heard the words "Spring Festival Gala," Yue Mei was momentarily stunned.

It was like a thunderclap, for the Spring Festival Gala on Tianchao TV was incredibly famous. One could say that only artists who appeared on the Gala could confidently call themselves top-tier, and they could demand higher fees with a straight face.

But then she calmed down and said with a cold laugh, "Spring Festival Gala? What do you think it is? You can just go whenever you want? Is the Gala your family business? Every year, countless artists go to great lengths to get on the Gala stage."

No domestic artist didn't try every means to get on the Gala. As for artists from Taiwan and Hong Kong, almost no one could resist the allure of the Gala. If they said they didn't want to go, it was only because they didn't have the right opportunity. Who wouldn't want to go if they had the chance?

Ye Ming said with great confidence, "The director of this year's Gala is Meng Xin, a good friend of Director Yuan Dewang, who is also the director of the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. I appeared on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala because Director Yuan specially approved it. Tell me, what are my chances of getting on the Spring Festival Gala?"

Media giants like Tianchao TV valued tradition. If an artist appeared on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and their performance wasn't terrible, their chances of appearing on the Spring Festival Gala were very high. Yue Mei was well aware of this.

In fact, they considered Ye Ming because he, a newcomer, had appeared on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and was the current box office champion with "A and B." Signing him at a reasonable price was in line with Jiankang Bao's needs.

Of course, this was on the condition that Zhen Zhidan refused Jiankang Bao's invitation. Zhen Zhidan was still the best choice for their spokesperson.

After some thought, Yue Mei said, "All of this is what you say. Before the Spring Festival Gala starts, no one can be sure they'll be on it. Therefore, your reason is hard to convince me. Unless after the Gala."

Ye Ming shrugged. "Once the Gala is over, do you think I'll still be at the current price?"

After all, caution was necessary. Yue Mei hesitated before saying, "There's not much time left before the Gala. I don't want to take a risk. If Zhen Zhidan can't agree to our terms and you make it to the Gala, I'll reconsider your conditions. Of course, the price will be adjusted appropriately at that time."

Yue Mei didn't dare to take a risk. She knew very well what would happen if Ye Ming made it to the Gala—his value would skyrocket. But she couldn't afford to take the risk, as getting on the Gala was incredibly difficult.

On the way back, Ye Ming was somewhat dejected. Fang Fang, seeing his mood, comforted him, "Forget it, it's not a big deal. That's how the entertainment industry works. If you're not famous enough, people will look down on you. I didn't expect that the other artist they chose was Zhen Zhidan. For now, you need to work harder. By the way, are you really confident about getting on the Gala? If so, the company will consider booking some commercial performances for you, of course, in addition to your acting work."

Ye Ming was now standing at the base of the newcomer wall, and he had the qualifications to challenge it. At this moment, he was quietly waiting for the opportunity to soar to the top.

Artists of different levels had different privileges, and he was very clear about this. For instance, at Yonghua Company, Ye Ming didn't have a dedicated agent at first, but after the success of "A and B," he immediately got one to manage everything for him.

This was the same throughout the entertainment industry.

Ye Ming looked up at the gloomy sky, the surroundings cold and covered in snow, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere in the ancient city during the cold winter.

After a long while, he said, "Sister Fang Fang, you don't need to say anything. I understand. One day, I will stand at the top and look down on this city. I've already received an invitation from Director Yuan Dewang to prepare for the Gala. I'm going to the Gala's home for a casting tomorrow."

This was a privilege of appearing on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. In a sense, once an artist appeared on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, Tianchao TV would consider them one of their own, making it easier for them to get on the Spring Festival Gala.

Ye Ming's words almost made Fang Fang jump. She pointed at him and scolded, "Such important news, and you dared to hide it from me, your agent? Do you know what this means? If I knew you had this card, I wouldn't have cared about Beijing Beer and the others. By then, they would be begging you to be their spokesperson. With your performance, if you get on the Gala, you'll definitely become a second-tier singer, and if you release another hit, becoming a top-tier singer isn't impossible. This would also be very beneficial for your development in the film and television industry."

For a second-tier singer, or even a top-tier singer, the price for large performances and commercial appearances was around 200,000 to 300,000 yuan. But for a singer who had appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, the price was at least 500,000 yuan, and you couldn't haggle.

If a song from the Gala became the year's hit, the price would be at least 800,000 yuan, a high price for a top-tier singer.

Of course, such large commercial performances were rare, maybe once or twice a year. Smaller performances, like opening ceremonies or local galas, had lower prices.

But the benefits of appearing on the Spring Festival Gala were undeniable. Once you were on the Gala, you were a star.

Director Yuan Dewang called in the evening, inviting Ye Ming to meet at a coffee shop near Wangfujing Street.

It had to be said that Director Yuan was quite fashionable. Seeing Ye Ming, he said, "There's some traffic in Beijing, let's go inside and talk."

Inside, Ye Ming ordered two coffees. After the server left, Director Yuan said, "Actually, I called you here today to tell you two things so you don't get into trouble on the set. One is about the curtain call. No matter who you are, no matter how big a star, if you're on the Gala, you must participate in the curtain call. After your performance, no one is allowed to leave. Everyone must wait for the final curtain call. Be careful; a big star once left early and was banned by Tianchao TV and hasn't been unbanned yet. As a newcomer, you especially need to be cautious."

Ye Ming didn't ask who it was; this was a rule, and some things were better not to inquire about. He understood this very well.

Director Yuan continued, "The second point is about the program. Don't ask around; confidentiality is the most important. Anyone who violates this rule will be banned and won't be allowed on any Tianchao TV programs. Watch your words."

Ye Ming nodded, understanding the strict and sometimes rigid rules of the Gala. "Director Yuan, rest assured, I'll be careful. I'm just excited to hear about the Gala. I've watched it for years and have often imagined myself on the Gala stage. I never thought my dream would come true so soon."

Rules are necessary, especially for a nationally watched event like the Spring Festival Gala.

To Ye Ming, it felt like a dream to have the opportunity to step onto this nationally watched stage.

Director Yuan said calmly, "The final review is coming up. After the final review, there will be a dress rehearsal. Don't think you're guaranteed a spot on the Gala just because I recommended you. My recommendation is just a start; the final decision is up to Director Meng Xin.

Even if Director Meng Xin approves, the Gala might still drop a program at the last minute.

Anything is possible. People say the Gala director has the power to make or break an artist's career, but that's nonsense. The Gala director isn't as powerful as it seems. There are many leaders above, and they have to satisfy both the leaders and the public. It's not easy, and some programs are destined not to make it to the Gala. I'm just giving you a chance. The Gala needs new talent, and I hope you don't disappoint me."

In the distance, the sound of firecrackers could be heard. Ye Ming could clearly feel the care of an experienced TV worker for a junior.

The next day, at the Gala's home, Director Meng Xin personally oversaw the process because this year's Gala was particularly significant and had to be done well.

Director Meng Xin had taken on this responsibility in a time of crisis.

She took Director Yuan Dewang's recommendation very seriously.

Of course, Director Yuan Dewang couldn't come in person; that was a rule in the industry, not to interfere with each other's work.

Just like the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, Director Meng Xin wouldn't interfere, though she could recommend good programs but wouldn't get involved.

The same logic applied to Director Yuan Dewang. He could recommend good programs to Director Meng Xin but wouldn't come in person to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Director Meng Xin had a round face, liked to tie her hair in a ponytail, and was known for her energetic and innovative approach. Her philosophy of hosting galas was very similar to Director Yuan Dewang's, which is why they were good friends.

Director Meng Xin was very approachable, like a high school teacher, with no airs about her.

However, when she spoke, she was very direct and to the point. In the industry, she didn't need to meet a newcomer like Ye Ming directly, but because of Director Yuan Dewang's recommendation and her own interest in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and "A and B," she saw potential in Ye Ming.

Therefore, she made an exception and met Ye Ming personally. Normally, a deputy director or even a production assistant would suffice for a newcomer, and it had happened before.

Director Meng Xin looked at Ye Ming and said, "Director Yuan recommended you, so I'll give you a chance. We are three people, and your program must satisfy all three of us to have a chance of making it to the Gala. You should understand the rules. The Gala must cater to all aspects and be appropriate for the occasion. This year, we need a program that fits the theme. Tell me the name of your program."

Although Director Meng Xin said they needed to be satisfied, the two people behind her clearly followed her lead. They were the deputy directors of the Gala. For ensemble performances, they might have some say, but for solo performances, they had to follow Director Meng Xin's decision.

Ye Ming nodded calmly and said, "My program is a song called 'Blue and White Porcelain,' a song with a Chinese classical flavor."

He took out a tape recorder, which he had brought himself. At this stage, he was just starting to enter the Gala's radar and had no chance of performing on stage. First, he needed to impress the three people in front of him.

The music started, and the melody flowed gently.

The lyrics described a scene of a blue and white porcelain vase, with intricate designs and a touch of Chinese classical beauty.

The song slowly unfolded in the air, presenting a touching and beautiful story to Director Meng Xin and the others.

A thousand years of waiting, the misty rain of Jiangnan.

The beauty of the song drifted away in the misty rain of Jiangnan.

The lyrics were elegant, the melody moving, and very touching.

When the song ended, Director Meng Xin led the applause and said, "Very good, very good. Director Yuan has indeed recommended a good talent. This song is another beautiful Chinese-style song I've heard since 'Tao Sheng Yi Jiu.' It has a strong classical flavor and fits the theme of this year's Gala. 'Blue and White Porcelain'—the same roots and culture across the strait. I like it. The final review is the day after tomorrow. Will you come?"

Although she didn't directly say he was accepted, allowing him to participate in the final review was a significant endorsement.

The first and second reviews of the Gala were not very important, but the final review was crucial. After the final review, programs were rarely dropped unless there was a special reason. The final review was essentially to finalize the dress rehearsal and the program list.

Making it to the final review meant a chance to be on the Gala. If you didn't make it to the final review, you had no chance of being on the Gala.

When Fang Fang received the news, she jumped up, like a Popeye who had just eaten spinach. She grabbed Ye Ming's arm and said, "Let's go, this definitely needs to be celebrated. Once you become a big star, my commission will depend on you. We must celebrate. I'll treat you to Peking duck."

At the Peking duck restaurant, it was packed. Nowadays, people weren't short of money, and eating Peking duck was a regular expense. With the Spring Festival approaching, many people who had been away for a year were returning home, and eating authentic Peking duck in Beijing was a treat.

After half an hour, Fang Fang finally managed to secure a table. Then her phone rang, and she smiled slyly when she saw the number.

She answered, and Yue Mei's voice came through, "Fang Fang, do you have time? We can discuss the endorsement."

Originally, the endorsement was something Fang Fang would have begged Yue Mei for, and it started that way. But now, with Ye Ming's chance to be on the Gala, he had a golden opportunity to rise to fame and establish his position in the entertainment industry.

With the Gala's prestige, Ye Ming would no longer be a newcomer or a small fish but a pillar of Yonghua.

Fang Fang smiled and said, "Sister Yue Mei, I'm really sorry, but Ye Ming might not have much free time recently. He has received an invitation from the Gala production team to participate in the final review, and he won't have time for other things before the Spring Festival. We can only discuss this after the Spring Festival."

This news stunned Yue Mei, and her phone almost slipped from her hand. Getting on the Gala, which seemed like a fairy tale, was almost impossible for a newcomer.

Although Ye Ming had been very confident the day before, Yue Mei hadn't taken it seriously. Who had the right to be on the Gala? It was impossible.

Therefore, Yue Mei hadn't taken it seriously. But today, she received news that Zhen Zhidan's schedule was full, and he expressed regret and hoped to collaborate next time.

In other words, he looked down on Jiankang Bao.

Big stars had the right to be picky. They could say no and not play along.

At this point, Yue Mei thought of Ye Ming and decided to call Fang Fang to see if they could discuss a collaboration. But she didn't expect to hear that Ye Ming was going to be on the Gala.

This completely changed Yue Mei's perception of the Gala.

Therefore, Yue Mei said seriously, "Fang Fang, this is no time for jokes. I won't forgive you if you're lying."

Fang Fang wasn't intimidated and said, "Sister Yue Mei, don't worry. I've never joked with you. Ye Ming's appearance on the Gala is personally approved by Director Meng Xin, but he's only going to the final review. Who knows if he'll make it?"

This response made Yue Mei on the other end of the phone want to hit her.

Making it to the final review meant a high chance of being on the Gala, especially with a program personally approved by the director.

Yue Mei immediately saw an opportunity and said, "Where are you? I'll come over right away."

The ad campaign was under tight pressure from the leadership, and they wanted to complete it as soon as possible. Finding a suitable spokesperson was difficult, which was why they had considered someone from Hong Kong.

Ye Ming, with his potential to be a dark horse on the Gala, was a valuable asset, and Yue Mei knew she needed to secure him.