I.R.A.S 286-

Zhang Ye got out of his car in a very tired state. He continuously yawned as he tried to stifle it with his hand. He slowly stumbled into the apartment's corridor and proceeded to head upstairs. On the way up, he took his cell phone out to check on the latest news. Since he did not see any interesting headlines, he entered his own name using one hand and made a search. When the search results were displayed, he saw a headline in the news section which matched what he was searching for. It wasn't an eye-catching news headline but was posted on a web portal three hours earlier. It was possible that the number of people who read it didn't number that many either as the news content wasn't too interesting.

—"Zhang Ye Appears at Beijing Television Station"

Some of the pictures posted in the article were taken in the television station's lobby.

The content of the article was nothing more than the usual gossip as it recounted the feud between Zhang Ye and Beijing Television Station. One by one, examples were listed, and at the end of the article, it also expressed doubts and speculated unreliably about Zhang Ye's appearance at the Beijing Television Station's lobby.

Although this news article did not attract much attention, Zhang Ye still felt quite happy when he saw it. The reason was very simple. He had become more aware now that his popularity was no longer the same as before. Back when he had debuted, even if Zhang Ye had some amazing accomplishments, he couldn't get onto the headlines. Later on, he managed to get onto the headlines more whenever he caused trouble. However, those were still limited to the times when he caused a big enough incident to be mentioned. But now, even when Zhang Ye did not do anything for the past two days and only showed his face at Beijing Television Station, he still caught the media's attention and they reported on this news. Disregarding the fact of whether anyone would read this news or not, the simple fact that they even bothered to report it showed that his popularity had risen by a lot!

If someone could only get onto the news after causing big trouble, then they could only be considered a common celebrity. However, if you could even get onto the news without doing anything, then you would be considered as a successful celebrity, and that was exactly what Zhang Ye was right now!

At home.

His mother was at home today as it was her day off.

"Why didn't you come all of last night?" His mother stared at him.

Zhang Ye said, "Hai, I was helping a friend with something and had to work overtime."

His mother reminded him, "Next time remember to give us a call if you are not coming back. Don't make us stay up for nothing. We wanted to call you but were afraid you might be busy."

"I know, Mom, it's my fault." Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Don't say anymore. I have to catch up on sleep. Wake me when it's 12."

His mother glanced at him. "What do you want for lunch?"

Zhang Ye sweet-talked her, "I like any food you cook."

"Go to sleep. Don't always work overnight in the future," his mother said.

When he got to his room, Zhang Ye removed only his shoes and pants. He didn't even take his shirt but immediately dropped onto the bed instead and fell into a deep sleep. Zhang Ye was very obviously worn out.

......

In the afternoon.

Warm rays of sunlight shone through the window.

Zhang Ye was sound asleep and even smacked his lips in satisfaction as he slept, rolling around in bed comfortably. Then someone suddenly knocked on the bedroom door and he heard his mother's voice.

"Son!"

"...Mmm."

"Time for lunch."

"...Mmm."

"Wake up quickly."

"Uh, I'm coming."

Obviously, Zhang Ye hadn't had enough rest yet but he still climbed out of bed to eat lunch. When he came out, he immediately switched on the television and tuned in to BTV-1. He definitely wanted to check out the results of the production that he worked so hard on for 24 hours without rest. It could also be considered attending the "premiere" of his PSA.

His mother noticed and asked, "What news are you waiting for?"

Zhang Ye smiled. "A public service announcement. Just wait and see."

His mother asked, "The one you did?"

"Yeah, this is the ad I am most satisfied with so far, hurhur." Zhang Ye laughed as he ate and said, "However, others might not like it."

His mother was a bit speechless. "Then why are you so happy?"

Zhang Ye laughed wickedly. "Well, it's supposed to make them dislike it after watching. This is a quit smoking public service announcement. If people do not feel scared after watching it, then what is the purpose of having this PSA? Just watch. I can't say that it will scare everyone, but I can guarantee that at least half of those who watch the PSA will have their hearts shiver!

His mother also looked forward to watching it after hearing her son say that. She picked up the landline and made some calls to a few relatives. "Hello, Little Ye's Third Aunt...are you at home? Hur hur, Little Ye has released another work. It's a PSA on BTV-1. I just wanted to tell you...Right, starting soon....OK."

Whenever Zhang Ye had new achievements or works, as long as they weren't scolding people or fighting sorts of things, his mother would always inform her friends and family.

......

On the internet.

Since it was "World No Tobacco Day" today, there was definitely no lack of this topic online. This topic was also the trend of news reports and discussions as many media outlets published information on the dangers of smoking.

But the netizens were not interested in such things.

"Hai, I am sick of watching all these."

"It's the same old meaningless stuff every year."

"Yeah, every year, they show nothing more than the usual crap. Who doesn't know smoking is harmful to the health? Those who wanted to quit have already quit. Even if you talk till someone's head falls off, those hardcore smokers still won't be able to quit. This has always been my point of view. These public service announcements are not effective at all. Who would quit smoking after watching a PSA? This is bullshit. If my smoking addiction strikes, even if you keep showing these lousy ads for 24 hours, I'll still want to smoke."

"The main reason is still because there is lack of quality with all these quit smoking PSAs.

"You're quite right. The current quit smoking PSAs have already reached a saturation point. Any practical idea had already been used up some years ago. Now, they can only keep on reusing the ideas and maybe just change the way it's presented. But it'll eventually becomes useless."

"Unless there is innovation."

"It can't get any more innovative."

"Who can still innovate? This is the only approach."

"Besides, if we want creativity, we must look abroad first. The public service announcements from overseas are really so much better than our local ones, but their PSAs are also more or less following the same ideas, so how can you still expect our local advertisement producers to have any new ideas? It's not like I'm worshiping all things foreign, but it's the truth. The quality is not the same, so don't expect too much from the PSAs in this country."

"The constant broadcast of quit smoking PSAs in these few day is too intense. It's the same on every channel and it's already making me numb to them. I don't feel any pressure to quit at all when I watch such advertisements while smoking."

"Me too."

"Haha, I feel the same."

......

A bit past noon.

After a news broadcast, the staff lined up the ads to be broadcast. First up was a shampoo advertisement, then a mineral water advertisement, and finally Zhang Ye's Quit Smoking PSA!

At this moment, quite a lot of viewers sat in front of their televisions, Most of them had just finished watching the news. They were not really bothered by the advertisements playing or too concerned with them.

Some were eating.

Some were cooking.

Some were preparing to change channels.

There were also some who had probably just finished watching the local news on the satellite channels and had just switched channels to BTV-1 when the other channel went to a commercial break.

The satellite channel had nationwide broadcasting signals. Although not every location could receive the signal as the coverage was not 100% yet, it still had most areas covered. So compared to the previous time when the Save Electricity public service announcement was broadcast on the BTV-Arts Channel, this quit smoking public service announcement that was broadcast over the satellite channel had a viewership that was countless times higher. It was similar to the "Brain Gold" advertisement that was broadcast throughout the country!

Suddenly, on screen, this year's Beijing Television Station quit smoking PSA, unified across all their channels, was broadcast!

Cigarettes!

Densely packed cigarettes!

As the music played, consecutive deep breathing sounds could be heard. On the television, a ghastly looking replica of a pair of human lungs made out of cigarettes could be seen burning along with the rhythm of breathing and cigarette inhalation, while the "lungs" could be seen going through a shocking transformation.

Inhale!

Exhale!

Inhale again!

The sound of breathing from the television became intolerable to the ears!

Towards the end, the only words of the advertisements appeared: "Please quit smoking. Give life a chance, make a new choice"!

At the very end.

In the bottom right corner.

Produced by Zhang Ye.

After the PSA ended, a milk advertisement seamlessly followed.

......

At a public housing apartment in Beijing.

A young man was looking at Weibo with his head down, discussing with his internet friends how the recent Quit Smoking PSAs were utter rubbish. Suddenly he looked up and called out to his mother, laughing and saying, "Mom, I'm hungry!"

His mother smiled and said, "What do you want to eat?"

Her son said, "Anything will do. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"

His father, who was smoking a cigarette, said, "I'm also hungry, I have to work overtime tonight, so I must eat more this afternoon. Do we still have any of the preserved meat left over that Old Zhang brought from his hometown? Let's have that."

Beside him, BTV-1's PSA appeared on the television.

The young man looked over and was shocked into a daze.

The father saw the PSA as well. As the PSA played out, a fascinating number of facial expressions appeared on his face. The cigarette between his fingers, his hand started trembling and he threw the cigarette onto the floor all of a sudden and stamped on it. He couldn't help letting out a curse, "F**k your grandfather! Who made this ad!"

Their son who was also a smoker took a few breaths and for a moment felt he could not breathe naturally. His rhythm of breathing was all messed up. "Mom, I-I'm suddenly not hungry anymore!"

His mother said, "Ah?"

His father said, "I also...don't want to eat anymore."

......

In the northeast.

In a hairdressing salon.

"Holy shit, it's those PSAs again!"

"Today is World No Tobacco Day. We can't avoid it."

"I'm tired of seeing all these PSAs. There's nothing new at all."

As there was hardly any business today, a few of the hairdressers were smoking and chattering away with jovial moods. Then, with every passing second the PSA played, their voices suddenly got softer and softer, and eventually everyone went silent. They were staring at the new LCD television which was installed a few days ago with their eyes and mouths wide open, rooted to their spots.

A skinny man stamped out the cigarette butt and said, "I-I'm going out to get some fresh air."

"Wait for me. I'll go together with you!" The moment he stepped out, another, slightly fatter youth was panic-stricken and held his chest tightly while flicking the cigarette butt in his hand onto the road, not daring to take another puff. Looking at his facial expression, it was obvious that he was very shocked. He said in disbelief, "Who the hell is so wicked! Making such an ad! Curse him and his eighteen generations of ancestors! I nearly could not catch my breath!"

The skinny man, now pale-faced, said, "I need to quit smoking!"

The fatty touched the cigarette pack in his pocket and felt that he had lost the desire to smoke for at least the next two hours!

......

Meanwhile.

Similar scenes throughout the country played out!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 582: Why is it Zhang Ye again!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

The PSA was broadcast to millions of homes!

It felt like, at this moment, the whole country had fallen silent!

When Beijing Television's quit smoking PSA was broadcast, everyone in the whole country was seemingly shocked all at once. Not only the citizens, even the countless media persons and professionals, as well as some of the quit smoking organizations, were all left sitting quietly in front of their television screens, staring at the frightening quit smoking PSA that left them totally dumbfounded!

The internet was abuzz with commotion!

Countless links to the PSA flooded the forums, while on Weibo, the topic of "World No Tobacco Day" was suddenly filled with countless of netizens!

"Heavens!"

"Who has seen BTV-1's public service announcement?"

"I saw it! Oh my dear lord! It was too damn scary!"

"What the heck was that! It nearly scared the shit out of me!"

"I'm still shivering from watching it! Even a horror film isn't as scary as that!"

"How could it have only lasted for 15 seconds! That made me break out into a cold sweat! In fact, it made me downright sick! It feels like my lungs are burning at every moment!"

"Is this what a quit smoking PSA is like?"

"Beijing Television Station, f**k your sister!"

"BTV-1, why are you so cruel! I'm gonna pass out soon because of it! Can we not have something so frightening next time? It's just an PSA! It looks like you're not giving a chance to so many of us smokers!"

A Weibo user named Hao Pengyao who saw that the discussions were getting livelier could not wrap his head around what was going on. He had seen many quit smoking PSAs on many of the television channels over the past few days, but there was no particular PSA that stood out for being scary at all. Quit smoking PSAs had been shown for so many years now, so how could there still be any that could scare people?

So Hao Pengyao asked out of curiosity: "What are you all talking about? What PSA?"

Another Weibo user explained to him: "Does the person above not know? Go check out BTV-1 and play back from a minute ago. After you have watched it, you will understand! Don't blame me for not warning you first! Be careful when. It's best you not smoke while watching it, otherwise, the consequences can't even be imagined!"

Hao Pengyao answered disbelievingly: "I believe I've already watched it. The quit smoking PSAs that were shown in these few days were really quite meaningless. I will still smoke whenever I want to. They don't affect me."

"Hehe, I'm sure you haven't watch it before."

"Right, go ahead and watch it then, my friend."

Hao Pengyao replied: "Alright, let me take a look then."

Then, about two minutes later, Hao Pengyao appeared on Weibo once more. The first thing he said was: "F**k! Who f**king made me go watch that! Who was it? Who was it just now! You better come out! Stand up! I promise I won't beat you up!"

"Pfft!"

"Hahaha!"

"Another one bites the dust!"

"Aiyo, I'm laughing so badly now!"

Hao Pengyao, who had still been very confident before he watched the PSA, was now in tears, "Holy shit! How could that PSA affect me so much! My heart, spleen, and kidneys are already trembling with fear! I suddenly feel like I should quit smoking!"

There were also doubters.

"The PSA doesn't seem that scary?"

"It's a little scary, but surely it's not that frightening?"

"I don't get what's so scary about it either."

Hao Pengyao came on to say: "I don't suppose you few are smokers?" Only after he had their confirmation did he continue, "The frightening part of this PSA lies in that breathing sound, the psychological pressure, and that sense of despair. It somehow captures our attention and gets into our heads. These are things only a real smoker can experience! This is a type of fear that strikes us and then envelopes us from within. I'm not good at expressing myself, nor am I able to describe it clearly!"

When this group of people started the commotion, many others who didn't watch Beijing Television or did not notice the PSA earlier could not sit still any longer. All of them went to look for the PSA themselves!

"I won't believe this shit"

"Is it really that good?"

"Let me go take a look as well!"

"Where is it at? Send me a link! I'm too lazy to play it back on TV!"

"You guys are not viral marketeers hired by BTV right? There are already so many quit smoking PSAs around, how likely is it that they could come up with something new? Send me a link. I want to see it too!"

Before long, those who went to watch the PSA were left unable to say anything more!

Since the afternoon, more and more people had searched for the PSA out of curiosity. As a result, large wave after large wave of people all over the country were shocked by what they watched! Was it scary? There was no blood and gore and it only had a very gentle reminder that was written as "Give life a chance, make a new choice". The pace of the PSA was also not intense. In place of a real organ was a prop replacement. By these factors, there shouldn't be any reason to be frightened. If all these were presented one by one to you, you wouldn't even feel a thing when you watched them. However, when all of them were combined with the background music and sound effects, it was surprisingly viewed with a different perspective altogether. Only when everyone saw it did they realize that even a gentle and soothing PSA message presented with a prop which had no blood or gore could leave everyone feeling such incredulous fear!

"This PSA is too godly!"

"This has to be my favorite public service announcement this year!"

"+1!"

"The PSA's message is such a classic as well. "Give life a chance, make a new choice"? It's put so elegantly and beautifully. It's so much better than those other existing quit smoking PSAs!"

"I like the PSA's message too!"

......

At home.

Zhang Ye, in his bedroom lying down, was just about to surf the internet before going to sleep. He was also very curious about what the netizens' thoughts were regarding the public service announcement.

Yo, seems like the response is rather good?

Even though this fell within his expectations, it still left him in a good mood knowing it.

The praises for this PSA back in his previous world were also excellent and countless people had Liked it. So in this world where the development of public service announcements was not as advanced as his previous world, it went without saying how well received it was. With the slightly lowered standards of this world's advertising industry as a background, Zhang Ye had brought out a top-notch quit smoking PSA from his world to show to them. With a lead of several years compared to the PSAs of this world, it would definitely create a much bigger sensation!

There were endless comments.

In just a short time, there were already more than 10,000 comments!

Zhang Ye read through them with gusto.

"Didn't Beijing Television Station's PSA get affected by the new policies just yesterday? I would've thought that they couldn't come up with a new one by today, but who knew that BTV-1 would be so capable? In just a day, they have come up with such a perfect quit smoking PSA? It's truly worthy of its name as a traditional powerhouse. They are capable of showing their experience when push comes to shove! How formidable."

"Yea, it was really wonderful! They should've created such quit smoking PSAs a long ago. It should just scare smokers to death! I hate them the most, harming themselves and people around them. There's nothing good about them at all!"

"A Like for Beijing Television Station!"

"BTV-1! Well done!"

"Hahahaha! My dad has been a hardcore smoker for over 30 years, but after watching this PSA, he actually said that he would be quitting smoking! Thank you, Beijing Television Station! Thank you!"

"Since when did we have such an awesome standard for the public service announcements in our country? Even if compared to overseas productions, this PSA's creativity and design is way ahead of them! It feels like it has surpassed the overseas production by at least a few years. From the audio to the visuals to the oppressing feeling of watching it, every detail was simply perfect. It's really great! So there's really an advertising team in our country that has such a world class standard?"

"A person who could come up with such a concept of a PSA must be a crazy! Not only crazy, he is definitely the craziest among the crazies! How could he be so wicked!"

"It's indeed really wicked!"

"Whenever I pick up my cigarettes now, I don't even feel like lighting up!"

"I have been mentally affected by it! Who was it! Who was it! I swear to god that your child will be born without an ass! That was too damaging! You're totally wicked, I tell you!"

At this moment, someone posted a screenshot.

It was an image of the tail end of the quit smoking PSA.

The female Weibo user who posted it said: "Didn't you all notice the words at the end of the PSA? Could I be the only one who noticed it?"

"What words?"

"Ah?"

Many of these people had not discovered it yet, first, because they paid attention to the PSA's content and were focused on it, and second, because the words at the ending were placed at the bottom in a small font. Besides, when the typical viewer watches an ad, their attention does not usually focus onto this textual information. It's the same when a movie screening ends; the majority of the audience just leaves without bothering to watch the end credits.

The female Weibo user said, "Look in the bottom right corner."

At this time, an untold number finally spotted the words!

"What!?"

"Produced by Zhang Ye?"

"Oh my god! It's a Zhang Ye production!"

"So it was that guy!"

"Damn! I was still wondering who was so wicked! The only person who could come up with such a wicked advertisement would be that wicked wretch, Zhang Ye! Only he would do something like that!"

"Why is Teacher Zhang everywhere!"

"Aiyo, I nearly forgot. I read a news article online this morning and I think it was reporting on a matter that happened yesterday. It mentioned that Zhang Ye had appeared at the lobby of Beijing Television Station! He actually...he actually went to help Beijing Television Station put out the fire! He actually helped BTV-1 produce the PSA!"

"That can't be? Didn't Zhang Ye and Beijing Television Station have a feud?"

"What's not possible? No matter how deep their feud, it was still Beijing Television Station that groomed Teacher Zhang. Teacher Zhang had also helped Beijing Television Station create a legendary story for its local provincial channel by getting very high viewership ratings. Even if he had been fired at the end, neither party burned any bridges. We all know that Teacher Zhang is a sentimental person who is a Beijing local. Even if the bones are broken, the nerves still join them together!"

"Unbelievable! Teacher Zhang had actually made a move!"

"Yeah, this is really surprising! I didn't expect that Beijing Television Station would invite Teacher Zhang to help them out at this critical juncture! And this completed PSA of Teacher Zhang's is really done too beautifully! In my opinion, this is no ordinary public service announcement. It is actually a form of art! Alright, I admit it. I am actually a braindead fan of Teacher Zhang Ye. As long as they're Teacher Zhang's works, I'll think they're all masterpieces!"

"You're not the only one who sees it as a masterpiece, even I see it that way! No matter what award this PSA wins, I say that it will be well-deserved! It's too awesome! Teacher Zhang is still the best!"

"Awesome!"

"Zhang Ye is a god!"

"I'm convinced too! He's truly the legend that made the Brain Gold advertisement as well. His grasp of the market is well beyond the entirety of the advertising world in our country! To increase sales and raise a brand name, Zhang Ye made a super brainwashing ad. To promote his own program, Zhang Ye made a simple but passionate and inspiring ad. This time, when public awareness was needed to promote the quitting of smoking, Zhang Ye even captured the essence of the market and applied it keenly into that 'horror' of an artistic PSA! This is what a master is! A real master of advertising! It seems that everything was just so simple for him, so casually and handily created by him!"

Rate Translation QualityChapter 583: The Darling of the Advertising World!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In his room.

Afternoon, just past 1 PM.

After checking on Weibo for a while more, Zhang Ye covered himself with his blanket in satisfaction and fell asleep. Snoring, he felt safe and stable as he dreamed a wonderful dream. However, for the outside world and the internet, his legend was still spreading at this moment. Public service announcements—a genre that wasn't usually considered eye-catching, a simple quit smoking PSA that wouldn't have captured the attention of people in normal times—had today created quite a stir throughout the country. This was not a scene that was usually witnessed in the history of China. It created heated debates and shock as it wrote itself into the annals of the advertising world!

His mother was in the living room making some calls.

"You saw it?" His mother was grinning from ear to ear.

On the other end was a neighbor who said: "I watched it. Little Ye has really brought glory to your family. When the old man in my house saw this PSA, his usual habit of smoking 3-4 cigs in an hour was reduced to none in the past hour. Little Cao, if my partner manages to quit smoking, then I really will have your son to thank for it."

His mother laughed. "What are you being so courteous for, Grandma Cui?"

Grandma Cui said: "Let me bring some braised pork with pine nuts over to you tonight."

"No need for that, I still have a lot of food at home," his mother politely rejected.

Grandma Cui did not let her explain and just said: "I bought too much ingredients yesterday, so I insist on bringing some over to you later. When Little Ye was young, he loved eating braised pork. Hur hur, my grandson has just entered university and is majoring in advertising. Who knows? After his graduation, I might still need to trouble your Little Ye to help him find a job. It's really difficult to get a job these days. With Little Ye's reputation in the advertising field now, maybe when he is free, he could teach and advise my grandson a little. Even if a small part of your son's teachings rub off him, I'm sure it will be enough to let him have a chance in this industry."

His mother was enjoying the praises, but said: "Hai, my kid has no talents to speak off. Grandma Cui, if you're coming over, just come. There's no need to bring anything. We've been neighbors for so many years now. There's no need to stand on ceremony. In the future, when Little Yan has graduated from college, just let me know and I will get my son to help him find a job."

Grandma Cui quickly said: "Then I will thank you in advance, Little Cao. It won't trouble you, right?"

His mother said: "Why would that be troublesome? My son might not have a good relationship with many people, but he still commands some respect in the industry. Don't worry about it, leave it to me."

Soon after, Zhang Ye's first uncle also called.

First uncle: "Big Sis, where's Little Ye?"

"He's sleeping. What's the matter?" his mother asked.

First uncle was a little lost for words: "I need to tell him off! He made such an utterly disgusting PSA! It made me lose my appetite during lunch. I didn't even eat more than a few mouthfuls. Make him find another job quickly, so that he doesn't have to advance any further in the field of public service announcements. Smoking is the only thing that I enjoy, and it was nearly taken away from me by him!"

His mother was already laughing about this: "Hur hur, stop it then. Smoking less is good for you. This PSA of Little Ye's was made exactly to help smokers like you kick the habit."

First uncle replied in annoyance: "Feels more like causing trouble for us."

......

Online, there were also praises and curses.

"Teacher Zhang, I hate you!"

"I thought that after the mass criticism over the Peking University incident, there would be quite some peace and quiet. But who could have expected that just after a few days, Teacher Zhang has already sprung out again and is back to 'doing evil'. Last time, he declared war on Japan, but this time, Zhang Ye has pointed the guns at a bunch of pitiable smokers like us! I'm tearing up! Flipping tables! Do you think it's easy for us!? I am going to boycott Zhang Ye this time! And boycott the quit smoking PSA!"

"Pfft!"

"Boycotting as well!"

"Quickly take down the PSA! @BeijingTelevisionStation!"

"Yeah, I will thank you all if the PSA gets taken down quickly. Compared to this PSA, I prefer the PSA that featured blood and gore with the blackened lungs! This new policy is also too disruptive. Why do they want to take down the PSAs that had blood and gore in them! Why? Are the people who approved this public service announcement blind too? Don't you all think that this PSA by Zhang Ye is even bloodier and gorier than the previous blackened lungs PSA!?"

"Watching this Zhang Ye PSA on BTV once is enough. I never want to watch it a second time!"

"Zhang Ye has even created something new again in the production of this PSA!"

Although there were scoldings online, these "scoldings" had to be put into quotes since they weren't really scolding at all. It was closer to banter. You could even say that it was in response to the quality of Zhang Ye's PSA production. If it were any other normal quit smoking PSA, these smokers would have just watched and forgotten about it. Even if they didn't like it, they would have just chosen to ignore it after watching. Earning a collective response of protest from a bunch of smokers ensured it was definitely not a normal PSA. It clearly showed that everyone were unable to ignore this ad and just how scary it was. It was so scary that it had planted itself deep into their consciousnesses! If it were other types of advertisements, being scolded might present a problem to the advertisers. But a public service announcement getting scolded in this way highlighted just how much of a breakthrough this PSA was!

It was effective!

This was the ultimate objective of a public service announcement!

......

During the evening news, quite a number of newspapers across the country reported on Beijing Television Station's PSA that had shocked many and set a new precedent for quit smoking public service announcements.

"A New Age for Public Service Announcements?"

"Shock! The Most Frightening 'Quit Smoking' Commercial in History!"

"Beijing Television Station Joins Forces with Zhang Ye Once More!"

"An Ambiguous Cooperation Between Ex-Employee and Employer!"

"Just How Many Years Ahead Is Zhang Ye's Advertisement Production Standard?"

"A Historical Breakthrough in Quit Smoking PSAs!"

"Zhang Ye: The Darling of the Advertising World!"

Because public service announcements were not a mainstream source of news, the number of reports on it were not that many either. However, this limited coverage had also attracted the attention of society at large, especially since it was on the day of the World No Tobacco Day. Some newspapers had given this news a very good place on their publications.

At 8 PM in the evening, an internet news article about plagiarism appeared online suddenly!

A large web portal was the first to report this on the homepage of its news section. In the article, there was an image that was impressively similar looking to BTV-1's public service announcement, but instead of a pair of lungs made out of cigarettes, it was a stomach. It was a stomach which was burning. It wasn't a video PSA but a still image PSA. The news pointed out that this image was put up on a Dutch television station's website for the World No Tobacco Day. Other than the difference of the prop, the core of the PSA had copied China's BTV-1's Quit Smoking PSA!

The netizens were not having any of it.

"That is obvious plagiarism!"

"Those people from the Dutch television station must have seen Zhang Ye's work!"

"I believe it counts as a reference."

"Reference my ass! This is as good as plagiarizing!"

"Sue them!"

"@BeijingTelevisionStation the foreigners are copying our ideas!"

"This is a first. It's the first time I've seen any foreigners copying our public service announcements. In the past, it has always been our Chinese advertising world learning from their advanced advertising knowledge!"

"Although I'm not too happy about that plagiarism, I have to say that Zhang Ye has really given our countrymen something to be proud of. Even the foreigners are copying us now, attracted by our work. This goes to show that our Chinese advertising standards are no longer behind the world's standards anymore!"

"However we say it, it is still Zhang Ye who is great."

"Yeah, there are always people scolding Zhang Ye this and Zhang Ye that, but take a look. It's still Teacher Zhang who can save the situation even at the critical moment, so it's still because of Teacher Zhang that our country can rise with such posterity! Although I know that Teacher Zhang has some shortcomings, like his character or his temper, but so what? No one is perfect! A genius is called a genius precisely because he is different from all other people!"

"Forever supporting Teacher Zhang Ye!"

"Right, no matter how others see you or criticize you, in my eyes, you're always the pride of China!"

At this moment, a Weibo verified professional sociology academic came forward to say something. He posted on Weibo: "A few days ago, I had criticized Zhang Ye after the Peking University incident as I felt that he had some problems. However, I must admit that after watching this quit smoking PSA, I now have a greater admiration for Zhang Ye. I am no advertising professional, but even so, I can still see just how much value and excellence this PSA brings to the table. I have always looked and judged matters on their own, not on who does it, so with regards to this PSA, I must definitely give Zhang Ye a Like!"

This time, Zhang Ye's work was no longer attracting mass controversy like his previous ones anymore. Everyone seemed to agree on it and mainly only had positive things to say about it as it was a public service announcement. Besides, this PSA that Zhang Ye had picked from his previous world really did not have many shortfalls and was close to perfect. Just as a netizen had mentioned, even if it were not done for the sake of its quit smoking message, this PSA was still very artistic. It was a very high level piece of art that could be appreciated from many perspectives!

......

On this night.

Many of the advertising companies or related television station's advertising departments were working overtime.

Everyone sat in their meetings, as instructed by their leaders, to go through the details of BTV-1's Quit Smoking PSA. 10 times, 15 times, 20 times. Everyone patiently watched!

"How great is this!"

"This music is totally well-suited for it!"

"The finishing touch should be the breathing track. I really don't understand how Zhang Ye thinks. If we remove the breathing track from it, then this ad would definitely not have that much of an impact!"

"Right. When I watched it for the first time, I only thought that it was scary, that this ad had been so good because of the pair of lungs made out of cigarettes. However, after watching it more than 10 times, I find that it's not that simple anymore. From the start, that few seconds of 'meaningless' introduction that feel excessive, to the music and the breathing tracks, and to the lighting, it is too uncompromising and is an advertising artform that had every step planned out! This Zhang Ye...is truly formidable! Are you all sure that he was just a broadcasting major?"

"Hai, we're really incomparable."

"A Dutch television station even copied Zhang Ye's PSA. That incident alone is already a wonder. I don't think there is another case like this in the history of our advertising industry? Those Dutch people are really quick to react!"

"They know a good thing when they see one. Just based on the value of this ad, it was worth it."

Analyze!

Study!

Analyze again!

Some of these advertising agencies who did not dabble in public service announcements were also holding meetings to discuss and study all the details and core of the PSA, not because they were planning to go into this area of advertisements, but because all ads were the same. Just like how they used to study Zhang Ye's Brain Gold advertisement, it was not so they could follow its style but because they had to know why it was as successful as it was. They needed to understand why it managed to attract people, so that they could absorb and learn from it, to raise their own level in the field to break through the bottleneck of the advertising industry! If they did not improve, they would be eliminated!

The past few advertisements that Zhang Ye produced had no doubt helped to open up a new door for the Chinese advertising industry!venly Queen Comes to Visit!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

The next day.

8 AM in the morning.

The sky turned dusky and started to drizzle. This should be the first spring rain of the year. Although it did not rain heavily, the rain still pattered against the glass of the window.

Zhang Ye was still lying in bed under his blanket, not fully asleep but just alternating between consciousness and slumber. Because he had been sleeping a lot since yesterday night, he had recovered his tiptop shape after having had about 20 hours of sleep even though he had stayed up for a day and a night previously.

Ring, ring, ring.

The phone rang.

He opened his eyes and searched for a long time before he found his cell phone in the space between the pillow and the headboard. Looking at the caller ID, it displayed an unfamiliar number.

Zhang Ye picked it up. "Hello, who's this?"

It was an acquaintance. "Teacher Zhang, I'm Sun Han from Beijing Television Station."

Zhang Ye said, "Hello."

"Have you seen the response to our public service announcement?" Sun Han spoke with a very grateful tone, "Thank you very much. There are so many media outlets discussing our quit smoking PSA now. Since yesterday afternoon, the topic on this PSA has been surging all over the internet and newspapers. Many of the station leaders had not expected us to get through this crisis, but thanks to your great help, not only did we get through it, the ad even helped to increase the station's brand awareness and popularity by a lot.

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "You have thanked me enough yesterday. It was nothing."

Sun Han said, "Oh right, the reason that I'm calling you is because ten minutes ago, the station was notified about our quit smoking PSA getting acknowledged by the authorities and has been shortlisted for this year's best public service announcement award. Getting shortlisted on the same day of its premiere is a first in the industry. Needless to say, this shows just how much expectations the authorities have for this PSA. Congratulations to you."

Best public service award?

It would definitely be a good thing to win the prize!

"This is a shared credit stemming from everyone's hard work and participation." Zhang Ye did not claim credit for himself as his initial intention when taking up this project was just to do it as a favor for his ex-leader, Hu Fei. He never had any other concerns or motivations so this came as an unexpected surprise.

The call ended and he stretched his himself languidly. Everything in the past few days seemed to have gone quite smoothly. The only thing left now was finding a proper job. The fallout from the Peking University incident had almost passed, but even if it had not, it did die down by quite a bit. Having contributed to a public service work which had earned him quite a bit of moral praise, there was nothing else he could do if no one came forward to contact and offer him a job. He could only wait for now.

Filming movies?

Acting in television dramas?

Or doing variety shows?

A long-term TV guest on a show?

The situation was quite bad for him now since the entire entertainment industry knew about his bad temper. Any television station or film group that wanted to use him would have to think twice. That was why Zhang Ye would accept any job right now as long as he felt the offer was suitable. The competition within the entertainment industry was considered very fierce. If one did not get enough exposure, their popularity would decline with each passing day and soon be forgotten in the public eye. If this non-exposure was only for a short period of time, it wouldn't matter much, but if it happened over a long period of time, it would prove fatal to a celebrity. This was also why the harshest punishment meted out by many entertainment companies to disobedient celebrities in their agencies was putting them in cold storage. It followed the same principle and no matter how great one's fame and popularity, even an A-list celebrity would be banished to oblivion if he or she did not appear for some time.

Zhang Ye naturally understood this, so at the moment he wasn't too demanding either. All along, he never pursued or had any expectations of turning famous overnight. Zhang Ye was always down-to-earth and worked earnestly, no matter how popular or unpopular he was—this had always been the way Zhang Ye behaved.

As of now, the urgency was in finding a suitable employer first. Certainly, the best outcome he was hoping for was still securing something at a television station as it was the most familiar thing he was comfortable with. It was his original profession and line of work. Zhang Ye believed that if he were given an opportunity to fully display his talents by letting him do a variety show, he would surely be able to overcome the hurdle and move into the B-list celebrity rankings. Right now, he was only two rankings away from becoming a B-list celebrity. If he could get past this barrier, then what awaited him would be a whole new level. His circumstances would be very different as there was a clear distinction between being a B-list or C-list celebrity!

If he could become a B-list celebrity?

There would be endless opportunities all over the place!

As the level was not the same, the opportunities were also different!

"Dad?"

"Mom?"

While lying in bed, he shouted out twice to the living room. No one answered. He looked at his watch and guessed that his parents had already gone to work. Zhang Ye continued to lie in his bed, a hand behind his head and thinking about his future career plans.

B-list...

He had to get there quickly!

Suddenly, the phone rang again.

An unexpected call came in.

Zhang Ye had a look at the caller ID. Eh? It's the Heavenly Queen?

He thought for a while before accepting the call: "Hello?"

A woman's voice on the other end said casually: "What took you so long to pick up?"

"Hai, I was still sleeping. What's the matter, Sister Zhang?" Zhang Ye spoke in a rather unfriendly manner. Whenever Old Zhang took the initiative to call him, it was nothing good.

Sure enough, he heard her say: "Come out for a drink."

Zhang Ye nearly fainted when he heard that. He chuckled and said: "What are you drinking so early in the morning for?"

She calmly said: "Find a place that is not so crowded and where no one will disturb us."

"Where do you expect me to find a place to drink at this hour? The bars are closed and the hotels are not open for business yet." Zhang Ye was a bit speechless: "Did you just throw aside your job and skip work?"

There was suddenly no response on the other end.

"Hello? Sister Zhang?" Zhang Ye said again.

Then, he heard some distant voices over the call. It sounded like there were several men and women. One of the voices sounded quite familiar and seemed like it belonged to Zhang Yuanqi's manager, Fang Weihong.

"Where is Sister Zhang?"

"I don't know."

"Liu'er, have you seen Sister Zhang?"

"No, Sister Weihong. Did Sister Zhang go missing again?"

"There will be a crew lunch at noon! This time, the leaders of the film company will be attending as well! Where did Sister Zhang disappear to again this time! She always disappears at such times. How should I explain it to the leaders of the company?! Hurry up and search for her! We must find Sister Zhang! She's the lead today!"

"Alright then!"

"I will ask get more people to look for her as well."

"Everyone is envious that I'm the Heavenly Queen's manager, but tell me, does it look like I am having an easy life!"

"Sister Weihong, please calm down. Sister Zhang has never been interested in such social events. Besides, this is not the first time it's happened. It's not...easy for Sister Zhang either."

"So what? She still has to attend it! The film's investors are going to be there as well! All of you continue searching here. I will go to her house to find her!"

Slowly, the voices got quieter.

A minute later, Zhang Yuanqi starting speaking again: "What did you say earlier?"

Zhang Ye said embarrassed: "Nothing."

Zhang Ye already understood what was going on.

She went on: "You are at home?"

Zhang Ye said: "I'm not at Jiaomen. I'm at my parents' home."

She said: "Only you?"

Zhang Ye replied: "Ah, yes. My parents have gone to work."

Without explaining, she said "Send me the address, I will buy some wine and meet you at your place."

Zhang Ye quickly said: "Eh, never mind that, why don't..."

She said: "That's it then!"

Du du. The call was cut short by the other party.

Whatever.

Hai, just come, whatever.

Zhang Ye smacked his lips, thinking that since his parents would only get off work around 5 or 6 PM there was no harm in sending his home address to Zhang Yuanqi. He yawned and got off the bed, then went to the living room to take a look. His parents were indeed not around and there was no breakfast on the table. He would have go hungry for now. He went to the bathroom. He turned on the water heater and took a shower. After his shower, he came out while drying his hair and only realized that it was raining when he looked out of the window.

The rain continued to drizzle.

The mist shrouded the surroundings.

It was a very beautiful scenery.

Since Old Zhang would be coming, Zhang Ye started to tidy up the house. He made sure that the house would be in a clean condition so he folded the blankets, put away the clothes, and also tidied up the living room while he was at it.

Rate Translation QualityChapter 585: The scenery is better over here!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

A while later.

Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.

The doorbell rang continuously four or five times.

If your own family members forgot to bring their keys and came home, they would usually just press the doorbell once, all casual like. If they were guests or relatives who had come to visit, they would usually press the doorbell twice, so they would appear a little more modest as visitors. Sometimes, some people who were more careless might press it three times. That was still fine and within accepted norms. However, someone who was visiting another person's house for the first time and pressing the doorbell continuously four to five times made it needless to ask who it was. Just from hearing that, it could only be that Heavenly Queen who was always cool and kind in front of the media but had a terrible character in private!

"Coming, coming!" Zhang Ye shouted.

Ding dong. Ding dong. He was still taking his time to get there when the doorbell rang twice more.

Zhang Ye could do nothing about it. He went to the door and pulled it open. Sure enough, the woman standing outside "armed to the tooth" was indeed Zhang Yuanqi.

"What took you you so long?" She lifted a leg and stepped in.

Zhang Ye closed the door. "You have to at least let me walk to the door."

She asked, "No one is around?"

"No one. Don't worry," Zhang Ye said.

She put the zipped and locked bag in her hands down onto the ground and said, "The alcohol is inside. There's red wine and beer. Take your pick."

Since it had come to this, Zhang Ye could only play along. "What will you have?"

"Red wine." She sat on the sofa in the living room.

Zhang Ye bent over and opened the bag to take out the red wine. He realized that underneath the red wine bottles was some red and white clothing. As they stacked together, he did not know what type of clothes they were. He asked, "Why did you bring so many things? Where do you intend to go? I heard over the phone that your manager was looking for you."

She lay tiredly on the sofa with her eyes closed, napping for the moment. "The suburbs in Beijing, at the movie studios. I'm filming a movie during these next few days and will be staying around that area." She opened her eyes and looked over. "Where's the wine?"

"I'm opening it right now." Zhang Ye had a wine bottle opener at home that apparently came as a free gift when his mother had bought a new rice cooker some time back. However, as he was not too familiar with how to use it, it took him a very long time before he got the bottle opened. He found two glasses and poured the wine into each, one for the both of them.

Right when he finished pouring the wine, Zhang Yuanqi immediately picked it up and raised her glass.

Zhang Ye helplessly clinked glasses with her and said, "Don't drink so much. It's bad for the stomach to drink so early in the morning."

Before he could finish saying that, Old Zhang had already finished hers in one gulp and then took a look at his glass.

Zhang Ye couldn't do anything except accompany her and finish his glass as well.

Old Zhang picked up the bottle and poured half a glass of wine for herself before pouring some for Zhang Ye. "Come." This red wine did not look cheap at all, but the way they were drinking it was as good as pouring it down the drain.

They drank two glasses in quick succession.

The wrinkles on Zhang Yuanqi's beautiful forehead finally loosened.

Zhang Ye smiled and asked, "How many days have you been holding back your urge to drink?"

"2 months," she said.

Zhang Ye said, "Heh, if you really want to drink, you can come look for me." Although he spoke as though he was annoyed with her, however, if Old Zhang actually came over, Zhang Ye would definitely still be very welcoming to her. In the past, whenever the Heavenly Queen wanted a break from her work, she would always end up going to Zhang Ye's place. First, because when she was at his place, no one else would be able to find her as even Fang Weihong did not know about the close relationship between Zhang Ye and Zhang Yuanqi. Second, in this world, other than Zhang Yuanqi's parents, probably only Zhang Ye knew about her aloof personality. Every time she was here at Zhang Ye's place, Old Zhang never had to put up a false front and could act like her own natural self.

She looked up at and said, "You'd still have to make time to drink with me. In just the past two months, all I've seen on TV is the news of you relentlessly causing trouble everywhere."

When he heard this, Zhang Ye laughed in ridicule. "Listen to what you're saying. What do you mean relentlessly causing trouble? I was serving the people alright? Did you watch the public service announcement I produced? How is it?"

She said, "It's whatever."

Zhang Ye just laughed it off and did not bother her anymore.

At this time, when Zhang Yuanqi had taken off her sunglasses and jacket, Zhang Ye suddenly noticed that her clothes were all wet. Old Zhang was dressed very normally today and had her hair in a ponytail, a look that kept her low profile. She wore a long-sleeved shirt paired with track pants and a pair of white canvas shoes, though they were stained with quite a few muddy spots. Her shirt was wet from the rain at the shoulders and sleeves areas. Walking outside in this getup, even if someone got beaten up and told that this was the famous celebrity, Zhang Yuanqi, they wouldn't have expected or believed it.

Zhang Ye said, "You didn't bring an umbrella?"

"What do you think?" she said.

"Didn't you bring some clothes here? Why don't you go and get dried. Change so that you don't catch a cold." Zhang Ye said hospitably, "If not, you can also take a shower here."

She agreed and said, "OK."

Zhang Ye blinked and asked, "You're really going to shower here?"

She looked over. "What, do you think I am going to take a fake shower then?"

"Hai, that's not what I meant." Zhang Ye was thinking to himself that he was just trying to appear as a hospitable host by saying that. "Then go ahead and wash up. I will turn the water heater on for you, but I have to warn you that my house's bathroom is a little messy, so make do with it."

She stood up and said, "Drink by yourself first."

"It's alright. I will wait for you here." Zhang Ye also found a towel for her. "This towel is mine, but my mom has already washed it, so it's clean."

She said, "I have my own in the bag."

"Oh, alright then," Zhang Ye said.

At last, after Zhang Yuanqi sneezed and sniffed, she finally took her bag with her and went into the bathroom. Peng, the bathroom door closed and then all was silent.

Out in the living room, since Zhang Ye had nothing to do, he started chatting with her across the bathroom door. "You have no filming schedule today?"

From inside the bathroom, a woman's voice sounded, "It's raining."

Zhang Ye acknowledged and asked, "What movie are you busy with these days?"

"Grandmasters."

"Oh, wuxia genre?"

"It's a martial arts type."[1.]

"Hey, you even know martial arts?"

"There's a martial arts director."

"What kind of martial arts are we talking about?"

"Eight Trigram Palm, Xingyi Fist, and Taiji Fist."

"Taiji Fist?" Zhang Ye was stunned. "I've heard of it. Isn't it a lost form of martial arts? There are even people in the production team who know it?

"It's just a movie. Why do you think they need to really know about it?"

"Oh, I see. I was still thinking how anyone living on Earth now could know Taiji Fist."Zhang Ye mumbled softly, like he was talking to himself.

The woman's voice sounded, "What did you say?"

Zhang Ye quickly said, "Nothing."

In the bathroom, the sound of the slippers on the wet floor could be heard shuffling and squelching. Old Zhang had probably already undressed. Sure enough, the sound of the running water could be heard next.

Zhang Ye knew that even if he talked now, it wouldn't be heard from the inside. So he went back out to the living room and sat down. It seemed that Old Zhang had also showered very quickly and was probably only washing off the rain from her body. After around 10 or 15 minutes, the door to the bathroom opened, and a whiff of hot air and the fragrance of her shampoo wafted out into the living room.

"You're done showering?"

"Yes."

"I've poured some wine for you."

"OK."

Old Zhang had not come out from the bathroom yet.

So Zhang Ye went over and saw Zhang Yuanqi in a white bathrobe, obviously her own since Zhang Ye's house did not have any. Zhang Yuanqi was looking into the mirror and applying something on her face. A bottle of moisturizing water, some face cream, and even skincare and cosmetic products were all fitted into her bag. She was so well equipped that it made Zhang Ye wonder if she was going to stay at his house and intended not to leave.

He asked, "What time will you be leaving?"

Old Zhang did not look at him and just answered, "Noon or sometime in the afternoon."

"Alright then, my parents usually get off work at 5 or 6PM. Just leave before that." Zhang Ye reminded and then asked, "Oh Sister Zhang, do you shed much hair?"

Zhang Yuanqi did not bother answering him.

Zhang Ye was already long on familiar terms with Old Zhang. They knew each other quite well and could speak whatever was on their minds. Zhang Ye said, "My mom's hair isn't as long as yours. If it dropped all over the bathroom floor and they see it, my parents will surely think I brought someone home." In the past, when he was at the rented apartment in Jiaomen, it was still alright since he stayed by himself. But since this was his parents' place, he felt that he needed to be more careful.

After applying the skincare products, Old Zhang did not blow dry her hair but just walked out with that scent following her. She sat back onto the sofa and picked up her glass to have a drink by herself.

Zhang Ye also sat down and accompanied her in drinking.

"This wine's quite good."

"It's not bad."

"Heh, drink slowly. Wait for me."

"Hurry up."

"How could I drink any faster? You're the only one around here who drinks so early in the morning."

The two had nothing serious to talk about, but the atmosphere blended together extremely well.

This had been the kind of relationship between Zhang Ye and the Heavenly Queen all along. If it was said they shared commonalities being celebrities in the entertainment circle, there wasn't actually much in common between the two of them since their personalities were very different. Old Zhang was not a person who liked to talk much in private and was even considered a little stiff, unlike her bright and cheerful persona in front of the cameras. These factors had created such a situation between the two of them. They didn't have much to talk about. But somehow, these two persons who seemingly came from different worlds and were not expected to cross each other's paths much had a friendship that wasn't shallow.

They had spent a night together at an express motel. Zhang Ye had also helped Old Zhang when she had encountered a problem during the Spring Festival Gala. When Zhang Ye met with his own problems, Old Zhang had helped him to the best of her efforts as well, prompting her fans on Weibo to help pressure the police station to release him. She had also prevented him from being discovered by the other female celebrities in the changing room during the Spring Festival Gala. They both hid and ran away from reporters by escaping through a window and scaling a wall together. The two of them had many secrets that could never be spoken to anyone else, only shared between them. This had also created a very special relationship in which they were friends even though they did not seem like friends. Speaking of, it might also be one of the more bizarre things that happened.

Zhang Ye treated Old Zhang as a friend.

Old Zhang did not put up much defense around him either.

Just like now. He didn't know if the Heavenly Queen had brought extra clothes or not. She just sat there with most of her legs showing, deep cleavage visible at the neckline of her bathrobe. As her hair was not blowdried, even if she did dry her hair with a towel, it was still wet. Occasionally, droplets of water would slide and fall from her hair onto her bathrobe at the shoulders or directly onto her neck and bosom, slowly gathering before becoming too heavy to cling onto the skin and sliding down from her neck to her collarbone and then finally down her cleavage and disappearing, unknown whether absorbed by the fabric in there or just continuing down to her belly.

The scenery outside was beautiful.

But compared to the person in the house, this scenery in here was much better.

[1.Wushu]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 586: You guys are touring my house!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Approaching 9 AM.

It was pouring heavily outside.

On the coffee table in the living room, the bottle of red wine was almost empty. The two of them had finished it very quickly and had about enough as well. They were a little tipsy after having so much, but was still alright. Zhang Ye had not intended to drink so much at all. Although he did not say it, he cared quite a lot for Old Zhang and was afraid that she would drink without restraint, so he drank a little more himself to lessen her drinking. He was actually also a little scared that Old Zhang would again become so drunk that she'd vomit all over the place like the first time he met her. That time was enough to keep Zhang Ye busy for the whole night just taking care of Old Zhang.

"Finished drinking?" said Zhang Ye with a smile.

Breathing normally, Zhang Yuanqi said, "Yes."

Zhang Ye said, "If there's no one to accompany you to drink in the future, feel free to come over. I might have been up to a fair share of things recently, but drinking is still something I can spare time for. As long as you, Sister Zhang says so, who am I to refuse?"

Zhang Ye knew she was busy with work recently, and mind you, it was not busy in the sense of a normal white-collared worker type of busy. It was a totally different concept altogether. Being at the level of an S-list celebrity, Old Zhang's schedule was basically packed with activities throughout the year. Today, she might be flying off to Shanghai to film a music video, then in the afternoon, she would have to fly to the south again to do some outdoor shoots before flying back to Beijing at night to shoot a scene at the movie studios in the suburbs. A full day might mean anything up to 16 or 17 different activities all lined up one after the other, so the stress level and work intensity was surely imaginable. But of course, there must be a time to relax, a point where she could just drop everything and disappear to release all that pent-up stress, otherwise, she might really die from overwork.

She looked at Zhang Ye and said, "You're really something."

"Of course. I always treat friends well," Zhang Ye said. "Not to mention that you and I have even fought through the enemy lines together, making us revolutionary comrades."

She said, "That joke is lame."

Zhang Ye: "..."

She put down her wine glass and said, "Alright, I'm done drinking."

"Good, don't drink too much." Zhang Ye pointed to his own bedroom and said, "You have such dark circles under your eyes. Did you film late into the night yesterday? Do you want to take a short nap? I will go in and clean up a little."

Old Zhang had come to Zhang Ye's house today probably because she wanted to have a little to drink and also rest up, so she did not turn down his suggestion. "Alright, I will nap for an hour."

Zhang Ye said, "How is an hour enough? You just need to be up before 4:30 PM since my parents do not eat lunch at home. Rest assured. You can sleep well."

She asked, "No one visits your house, right?"

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "What visitors? Don't worry, no one will come."

Just as he finished saying that, a sound that struck terror into Zhang Ye's heart came from behind him!

Ding dong.

It was the doorbell!

Someone was pressing the doorbell!

Zhang Yuanqi shot a glance at Zhang Ye while he was already breaking out into a cold sweat. He did not know who it was, so he kept quiet and pretended that there was no one home.

Then, his mother's voice rang out from the door, "Little Ye, open up. I just went the market and I don't want to find my keys since I am carry all these grocery bags."

It was his mother!

Ding dong. The doorbell rang again.

Then his father's voice also rang out, "Little Ye."

Zhang Ye knew this spelled trouble. If they were just visitors, he could still have avoided them by pretending that no one was around, but since his parents had the keys with them, even if he didn't open the door for them, they would still be able to get in. He didn't know what else he could do anymore. Didn't the two of them go to work? How did it end up with them having the day off and going to the market to buy groceries instead? Hai, he was still wondering why his mother and father did not leave any breakfast for him. Turned out it was because they had the day off, so they had gone out to get the groceries for breakfast!

Old Zhang looked at him and asked, "Didn't you say there'd be nobody?"

Zhang Ye said worriedly, "I didn't expect this either."

"Think of a way," she said as she pushed all responsibility onto him.

Dong dong.

They were still knocking on the door.

When Zhang Ye looked at Zhang Yuanqi's outfit, he thought of how he wouldn't be able to explain this no matter how hard he tried. If she were dressed normally, like earlier, it would still be easy to explain, but she was in a bathrobe right now and had obviously just come out of the shower. Even if he had a hundred mouths, he wouldn't be able to clear this up!

"Little Ye? Are you awake yet?" His mother finally asked, and then said, "Forget it, I will open the door myself."

Zhang Ye knew that he couldn't delay opening the door anymore, so he shouted loudly at the door, "Mom, don't! Let me open the door, let me do it instead. I will open it soon, wait a moment." At least that delayed it a little more.

His mother acknowledged and said, "Hurry up then. Change into your clothes."

Zhang Ye turned to Zhang Yuanqi to tell her to go into the bedroom. "Hide in my bedroom for now. Close the door."

Old Zhang said, "My bag."

"I will get it for you. Go in." Zhang Ye speedily went into the bathroom and took all of Old Zhang's cosmetics and threw them into her bag. He carried the bag out and dumped it in his bedroom, then quickly cleared the red wine bottle and wine glasses from the coffee table. But at this time, he heard the sound of keys clattering outside the door. Unsure if his parents were getting impatient of waiting and were intending to open the door on their own, Zhang Ye panicked and ran to his bedroom to close the door.

But just before the door shut, Old Zhang muttered, "The wet clothes are in the bathroom."

The door closed.

Zhang Ye knew that there was no time to get the clothes anymore, so he ignored that for the moment as his parents would probably not be using the bathroom anytime soon. He would have to think of another way to retrieve the clothes later. Since it was just his parents coming home, he would have to handle them first. When there was a good opportunity, he would go and put away Old Zhang's clothes before suggesting to them that he wanted something difficult to prepare for breakfast and let his parents busy themselves in the kitchen with it. Zhang Ye would then close the kitchen door and smuggle Zhang Yuanqi out of his house.

Whew.

That seemed like a good plan and it shouldn't be a problem to execute.

In this short moment, Zhang Ye had already formulated a plan in his head. After being sure that he had left nothing to chance, his worries subsided as he regained his calm somewhat. He smiled and walked towards the door to welcome his parents home. He would just adapt his plans as the situation played out. It was no big deal. He was sure he could handle it.

The door swung open.

Then, Zhang Ye saw a scene that left him with his mouth wide open in shock!

His father was carrying two bags of vegetables as he walked into the house and said, "You're awake?"

Behind him, his mother did not walk in yet but instead stood at the door and said to Zhang Ye, "Don't sleep anymore. We have guests. They're all our old neighbors. It has been so long since we had a gathering, so I called everyone over today." She turned around and said, "Grandma Cui, come in quickly. Little Yan, are you an advertising major in university? It's a good opportunity to chat with your Brother Zhang Ye."

Grandma Cui stepped into the house and smiled. "Little Ye."

Dumbfounded, Zhang Ye said, "Granny Cui.

Little Yan said a little stiffly, "Brother Zhang Ye."

Zhang Ye continued to be dumbfounded. "Hey."

Behind, another middle-aged man entered the house. "Little Ye, ha ha, I haven't seen you around the district in over half a year now. Terrific, how terrific. You're already a big celebrity now!"

Zhang Ye was still dumbfounded. "...Uncle Hu."

Outside, another woman arrived. "Little Ye, still remember me? Back when you were in middle school, I always came over to your house here to play mahjong. "

Zhang Ye kept staying dumbfounded. "...Auntie Yu."

Then, behind her, a middle-aged man followed. "Ah, I haven't seen you two in over 2 years now, Brother Zhang, Sister Cao. Your son is growing up and looking handsomer and handsomer now. Hmm, he takes after my Sister Cao!"

Zhang Ye: "...Uncle Wu."

His mother laughed and said, "That's true. If he took after our Old Zhang, no one would want him."

The door of the neighbor opposite opened. "Yo, Old Cao, what's going on here?"

His mother smiled and greeted her. "Sister Wang, hai, my husband and I went out to buy some groceries and we saw many of our old neighbors. We were just starting to do some catching up when it suddenly rained, so with the market a mess, we invited everyone up to our house for a chat. Is Brother Wang at home?"

Sister Wang said, "Yeah, he's here."

His mother insisted on inviting them as well. "Come over then, come to my place. We'll have lunch together later. It won't be awkward since we're neighbors and know each other so well already."

Grandma Cui also knew her. "Little Wang, come and join us."

Sister Wang laughed. "Alrighty then, let me grab my husband."

At this moment, it was as if many black lines had appeared on Zhang Ye's forehead as he just stood there, dumbfounded and silly while looking at them!

But just at this moment, another of his neighbors' doors also swung open and an old man between 60 and 70 years of age walked over while holding a cane. "Little Cao, you're treating everyone to a meal here?"

His mother laughed. "Grandpa Liu, I was just about to go over and ask you to join us. Yes, we're preparing lunch for everyone today, so of course you have to join us as well. Come in, quickly, come in. Let's talk first."

Grandpa Liu did not reject either as they had been neighbors for many decades now. With such a long running relationship, he definitely did not need to appear to be polite by rejecting the invitation. He said, "Sure. Then I shall respectfully obey. Oh right, my son's puppy is also at my place."

His mother said, "Flowers, right? Bring her along as well. I still have some leftover meat from yesterday that I can heat up for Flowers to eat."

Grandpa Liu: "That's great then. You're saving me a lot of work here."

His father greeted, "Come in quick. Take a seat, take a seat. I'll go and get more chairs."

His mother asked, "What tea would you like?"

"Water is fine."

"Haha, do you have green tea?"

"Yes, yes, we have everything!"

"Then I'll have a cup of green tea too."

"I'd like a soda, please!"

The group of old neighbors were all gathered at Zhang Ye's house!

A total of 12 people!

Yup. Oh, add a dog to that number as well!

This tactical formation simply looked too spectacular as the 70 to 80 square meter house was fully filled with people. The volume and chatter of everyone made it sound even busier than the marketplace!

As Zhang Ye witnessed these people slowly packing his house, his chest seemingly burned as he nearly spit out a mouthful of blood that would have spewed 3 feet away, feeling like he would be better off if he just fainted there and then. No wonder his parents had kept knocking on the door even though they had their keys with them. It wasn't just because they had a lot of things on their hands, but were instead actually worried that Zhang Ye might not have been properly dressed or in the bathroom. So in order to not inconvenience their guests with seeing what they should not see, they had knocked on the door to give a warning to Zhang Ye first!

Stay calm!

Zhang Ye, you need to stay calm!

Isn't it just a few more people than you had previously planned for? This shouldn't be a big deal at all. Just follow the plan accordingly and say that you want to get some breakfast. Call mom and dad into the kitchen and get them to prepare it for you. Then, go out into the living room and invite some of the neighbors into their room to talk before going back out to ask the other neighbors to stand by the window to enjoy the view outside while making sure they don't turn around. Oh, right. There was also that dog that must be controlled. Maybe adding some sleeping pills into its food would let it...let it...

Let it, my ass!

Stay calm, your sister!

Whatever the plan, it was useless!

With so many people and so many pairs of eyes, even if I stuffed Zhang Yuanqi into my pants pocket, I couldn't sneak her out! What the hell are you guys doing here? What special occasion is it today? Why did you all have to come here today of all days? Did all of you organize a sightseeing tour to come to my house! To come as a group to set me up!?

Rate Translation QualityChapter 587: Pandemonium!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the living room.

It was very crowded and chaotic.

"Here, have some tea."

"Little Liu, come and sit over here."

"There's not enough space on the sofa. There's a chair here for you."

"Here, have some fruits. I just bought them at the market."

"Find a spot and have a seat. If it's too crowded, go to my bedroom."

The guests were divided into three groups: some women were talking in his parents' bedroom, Grandma Cui and some of the elderly people were sitting on the sofa chattering away, and there were some relatively middle-aged and younger people sitting on chairs and stools. Somehow, they had managed to fit all the guests in the house as everyone settled down.

People were chatting away.

The dog was barking away.

The liveliness of the place didn't even need to be mentioned!

His mother said, "Little Ye, why are you standing there like an idiot? Everyone is concerned about you. Come over quickly and talk with your uncles and aunties."

Zhang Ye wondered how he could be in any mood to chat, as there was an entire living person who was barely wearing anything in his bedroom right now!

Grandma Cui laughed. "There is no need to chat with us. Little Ye is now a busy man who can host, give lectures, and produce commercials. Let him busy himself with work."

Grandpa Liu said, "Heh, Little Ye is really that capable."

"That's right. When I saw Little Ye back then, I knew he was no ordinary person," Auntie Yu praised. "He had the potential ever since he was young and always did things low-key without showing off. One look and I knew he would be a very capable person when he grew up. Just look at how he's doing now. I was right, wasn't I?!"

His mother beamed. "Not really. This kid only got a little lucky. Little Ye, take your Brother Little Yan and the others to your room for a conversation. It's too crowded out here."

Ah?

Why my room!

Zhang Ye hurriedly said, "No, I have not made the bed yet and my bedroom is a mess."

His mother pursed her lips and said, "What would that matter?"

Zhang Ye was, of course, afraid. If he opened the door right then, it would give everyone a fright!

Little Yan also came over to consult him. "Brother Zhang Ye, your Quit Smoking PSA is really good. How did you come up with this idea?"

Zhang Ye knew Little Yan since childhood, living in the same district and playing together several times before. But after they grew up and went to university, they did not hang out or play together anymore. "Hai, it was just a moment of inspiration."

After chatting for a while, his mother suddenly stood up. "You all continue talking. I need to use the restroom."

Zhang Ye was still chatting with Little Yan until his mother walked pass. He suddenly recalled that Zhang Yuanqi's clothes were still in the bathroom! He immediately called out, "Mom! I need to go first!" He walked over quickly and intercepted her.

His mother stared at him. "You, after me!"

"I really can't wait any longer!" Zhang Ye pretended that he needed to use the bathroom very urgently, which in fact, was the truth. "Could you make some breakfast first? I just woke up and have not eaten yet."

His mother pushed him aside. "Let me use the bathroom first!"

"I got here first!" Zhang Ye had already entered the bathroom and shut the door.

His mother stared angrily and scolded him, "You damned kid."

......

In the bathroom.

The chaotic chattering noises outside had nothing to do with him anymore.

Zhang Ye took the opportunity to take a breather and clear his mind. Then he looked around and found Old Zhang's clothes on a small stool under the shower head. He went over to pick up the clothes which were damp from the rain. He intended to go back to his room after retrieving the clothes when something dropped onto the floor. Upon closer inspection, it was Old Zhang's black panties made of real silk. The material was very thin. The right side of the front was embroidered with dark black flowers and exuded a mature air.

He bent down and picked up the panties quickly. Because they was worn underneath, they did not get wet from the rain. But after dropping it on the floor, one side of them became a bit wet.

At this moment, he realized there would be a problem. How would he bring out so many clothes without being noticed? He couldn't possibly leave them in here as anyone who came to use the bathroom would surely see them. If he brought the clothes out, it would be obvious that they were not his. If parents saw them, they especially would ask. This was why the clothes must stay hidden!

How should he hide them?

F**k! He decided to hide it on himself instead!

Zhang Ye folded Old Zhang's track pants and found a good spot on himself to hide it. He pulled up his clothes and stuffed it in the back between his pants and waist. Then he folded Old Zhang's long-sleeved shirt and stuffed into the front of his pants, which were secured with an elastic band. There were still two stockings, the sort of ankle-high nude hosiery. Although Zhang Ye's pants did not have any pockets, this was still easy to handle. Zhang Ye took off his slippers and stuffed them into his left slipper and then put it back on. The slipper suddenly became tighter fitting but he had to make do with this for now. Then Zhang Ye stared at the panties for a long time before deciding to use the same technique. He stuffed them into his right slipper before putting it back on.

In the end, only the bra was left.

That lacy black floral bra!

The material was thin, but because of it shape, it was not easy to hide. He held the bra and tried to stuff it on himself. However, because it still protruded out under his clothes, it would easily be discovered by people with just a glance.

Dong dong.

"Are you done yet?" his mother called out.

Zhang Ye immediately replied, "I'm coming. I'm almost done."

His mother said, "I've already heated up the food for you. Hurry up."

Zhang Ye sucked his stomach in and stuffed the bra under his clothes, the rough, lacy material rubbing against his belly, making him feel slightly ticklish. He opened the door with one hand while the other clutched his stomach, pretending to have the runs and not feeling well. "Huu, I'm done."

When the door opened, his mother looked at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Ye held onto his clothes tightly and said, "I probably didn't eat well last night."

"I thought that you didn't eat dinner last night? You were only sleeping. Alright, stand aside." His mother quickly went into the bathroom without noticing anything.

When Zhang Ye dodged this crisis, he immediately dragged his feet, shuffling forward with his left foot which was stepping on the stockings while the other was stepping on the panties, hobbling back to his room.

He was almost there.

But the more he was anxious, the more mistakes he would make!

As the slippers were not tight fitting, and had something stuffed in them, Zhang Ye's heels were not fully on the slippers at this moment. When he was about to reach his bedroom door, he sped up and missed a step, making him lose his balance. His feet slid out from the right slipper and even tumbled across the floor. The compressed lump of Old Zhang's panties rolled out as the slipper tumbled along and landed beside it.

"What happened, Little Ye?"

"Be careful."

As a group, Little Yan, Grandma Cui, and the rest all looked over at once.

Zhang Ye's face turned green as he hastily put his slippers back on and said, "Nothing, nothing."

Little Yan said concerned, "Brother Zhang Ye, why are you sweating so much? Does your stomach not feel well?" Suddenly, he looked down slightly at the floor. "Eh? Brother Zhang Ye, you dropped something. What is it?"

Zhang Ye was terrified. He tugged on the bra underneath his shirt with one hand while the other hand quickly picked up the clump of black panties and calmly held it in his hand. He raised up that hand to wipe off the sweat on his forehead and smiled. "Yes, my stomach doesn't feel good. Maybe I'm just hungry. It's nothing. I'll be fine after I eat something."

Grandma Cui looked at him and reminded, "There is sweat on your sideburns as well."

"Oh, I can wipe it off. It's fine." Zhang Ye held onto that lump of black fabric while wiping off the sweat from his sideburns and neck and then smiled. "All of you please continue chatting. I will go back to my room first."

Holding the black panties in his hand, he grabbed the doorknob to his bedroom and twisted it. After opening the door, he went in quickly as he was afraid that the guests would see the view of the bedroom. He immediately closed the door. Still feeling uneasy, he locked the door from inside. He rubbed his forehead and neck while panting, the lingering scent of the black panties on his face. He nearly cried and thought to himself, wondering what he had done to deserve this and why he was so unlucky!

In his room.

Old Zhang was lying on the bed burrowed beneath blankets. She was holding Zhang Ye's Legend of Wukong in her hands, which had originally been placed on the windowsill, and was currently reading it.

Zhang Ye was speechless. "What are you doing?"

She replied, "Reading a book."

"I'm over here working myself to death yet you're amazingly laid back." Zhang Ye whispered, "Why are you even all wrapped up in bed? If someone comes in, how can I explain it!"

She said deadpan, "What else can I do? It's impossible to leave since there are so many people around and I also can't help it if they enter the room. Is there any difference between standing or lying down in the room?"

Indeed, there was no difference at all. It would be on the headlines if it were made public that the Heavenly Queen was wearing pajamas in his bedroom! One of them was an S-list celebrity while the other was a C-list celebrity. If they were caught in a scandal, neither of them could handle the consequences. Besides, Zhang Ye already had a girlfriend now.

Zhang Ye unbuttoned the shirt, took off her slippers, took out her clothes one by one and helped put them back into her bag.

But he heard Old Zhang say, "Your house is really crowded today."

Zhang Ye said gloomily, "Who could've guessed that my parents would invite so many people in such a short span?"

Old Zhang added, "And a dog."

"That's right. There's a dog too." Zhang Ye rolled his eyes and said, "I've gotta hand it to them. They can invite enough people to even make up a soccer team with subs."

She said, "You think of a way," and continued reading her book.

Zhang Ye said, "There's no way out, we can only hang around for a while. Let's wait and see. Alright, I'll stop talking now. I'm going out for my breakfast."

She casually remarked, "I also have not eaten breakfast."

Zhang Ye muttered, "I understand."

He opened the door, walked out of his room, and quickly closed the door, all done with lightning speed.

Having used the bathroom, his mother was now busying herself in the kitchen. When Zhang Ye went over, breakfast had just been prepared. He suddenly said, "I'll take this then, Mom."

His mother asked, "Where are you taking it?"

"There are too many people out there. I'm going to eat in my room." Zhang Ye came up with an excuse. "Please give me some more."

"Can you finish all that?" His mother flicked another egg and two leavened pancakes from the night before onto the plates and asked, "Do you want pickled vegetables?"

"There's no need." Zhang Ye took it and walked away.

He closed the door very quickly per usual and put down the plates. Then Zhang Ye handed the chopsticks to Old Zhang who was on the bed and said softly, "You use the chopsticks. I'll use my hands to eat."

Old Zhang put down the book and started to eat when then she frowned. "The pancake is salty."

Zhang Ye said, "Please make do. My mom's cooking is just this way. We should be thinking of a way to smuggle you out of here. If anyone sees you, with so many of them and so many mouths, we won't even know how quickly or crazily the rumors will spread. If something really happens, your fans will surely kill me and your manager will chop me into pieces." If we were spotted at a hotel together, we might still have a way to explain things and give a reasonable explanation. But in our current situation, there's totally no way to explain things clearly. Even an idiot would not believe!

Silently eating breakfast.

Old Zhang was probably feeling sleepy again, so she leaned against the headboard and closed her eyes.

Zhang Ye sat by his bedside and listened to the noisy chatter outside his room. At this moment, he felt rather screwed!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 588: Soaking wet bush lily!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Outside the bedroom.

He opened the door and closed it behind him.

Zhang Ye took the plate out from his room.

"You've finished eating, Little Ye?" His mother looked over at him.

"Yeah," Zhang Ye said.

His mother looked at the plate in his hand. "Woah, you actually finished all that?"

Zhang Ye placed the plate in the kitchen sink and came out, saying, "I was really hungry since I didn't eat much the whole of yesterday."

His mother asked, "Your stomach is OK? If it's no problem, then quickly come here and have a chat with your aunties and uncles. We were just discussing your quit smoking PSA. After your Grandpa Sun here watched it, he did not smoke for the entire day. He has been grumbling about you for a while now, saying that the PSA was so scary and how only someone like you would be able to produce something like that."

Grandpa Sun who was playing with the dog, laughed loudly and said, "But smoking less is a good thing. Little Ye's really good. This PSA has a very effective cautionary message, and that puts it at the pinnacle of public service announcements!"

Zhang Ye gave a wave of his hands. "Grandpa Sun, you're too flattering."

"Continue your conversation first." His mother stood up unable to do anything. "I'll go make Little Ye's bed so that the young ones may go into his bedroom to talk."

Zhang Ye started in surprise and quickly stopped her. "Mom, don't make yourself busy with such things. Just sit down and rest up. It's more lively with more people around to talk with, and anyways, my room is too small."

At this moment, his cell phone rang in his pocket.

Zhang Ye took it out and had a look. It was from Hu Fei, so he answered the call as he stood beside his bedroom door: "Hello, Brother Hu?"

Hurriedly said laughed a little and said: "Little Zhang, are you busy?"

Zhang Ye said: "Ah, yes."

Hu Fei: "Do you have time in the afternoon? Come out for a meal?"

Zhang Ye answered without even considering: "Today? It's not possible today."

"Oh, like that?" Hu Fei said. "Hur hur, actually, I'm not the only one who wants to meet you for a meal. I am also doing this as a favor to the television station's leaders as they've organized a meal today and would like to invite you along."

But how would Zhang Ye have any mood and thoughts about this at the moment, so he just rejected and said: "Forget it, Brother Hu. I really cannot make it, help me decline them but thank them for the invitation."

Hu Fei coughed and said: "But the station might be looking for you for a reason."

"It's not that I am not giving you face, Brother Hu, but today is really not convenient. Besides, you also know about my relationship with Beijing Television Station. This time, I helped out because it was for you, but if it's a luncheon with many people sitting around, I'm afraid there isn't much I could talk to them about, so it's better I don't go." Zhang Ye explained and then hung up after that.

Luncheon?

Even if the sky was about to collapse over there, I couldn't go help!

If I went now, then my side of the sky would collapse!

His father looked at him and asked, "Something the matter? Go if there's something that needs your attention."

Zhang Ye said, "It's nothing, nothing. It's just a luncheon that I can miss without any issues." He did not put much thought into the reason for this call from Hu Fei since his mind was currently on another matter.

Auntie Yu was smiling widely and said, "Little Ye, you take a seat too."

Zhang Ye said, "Sure, let me find a chair."

Grandma Cui stood up and said, "You can sit on the sofa. Go ahead."

"I can't do that. Please sit down. I will find a stool or something." Zhang Ye casually took a nearby stool and sat down at an area near the bedroom door, as though he were "guarding" the room.

Little Yan also moved quickly to give up his seat. "Brother Zhang Ye, this chair is more comfortable. It has a cushion."

"It's alright, I can make do with this." Zhang Ye waved his hands.

Auntie Yu said, feeling a little moved, "Look at our Little Ye, he's already such an important member of society, yet he puts on no airs and has always been so polite. How nice."

His mother said, "How could he ever put on airs with everyone here? All of you watched him grow up."

Beside them, another auntie sighed, "Yes, who would have thought that little kid back then has already grown up to be this tall and even became a big star. He even worked together with the Heavenly Queen of the entertainment circle, Zhang Yuanqi. You see, this shows that everything in this world is very unpredictable and no one can know the future."

When her daughter who was seated beside heard that, she asked, "Brother Ye, I love Sister Zhang. Have you really seen her before?"

Zhang Ye simply grunted in confirmation.

Auntie Yu said happily, "Little Ye had written two songs for Zhang Yuanqi before. How could he not have seen her?"

The girl asked excitedly, "Then what is your relationship with Sister Zhang like?"

Zhang Ye equivocally said, "Hai, we've only cooperated twice and that was about it. We don't know each other too well nor have we exchanged more than a few words." He distanced himself.

"Is Sister Zhang's temper as good in her daily life? Is she also especially friendly to everyone? I have never seen her putting on any airs before!" Little Yan also said with great interest.

Friendly?

Good temperament?

I will gift you all two words now: HUR HUR!

But Zhang Ye still guiltily said, "Yes, she is very even-tempered and a very nice person!" Then, his eyes couldn't resist sweeping towards the direction of his bedroom door as he wondered if Old Zhang was asleep and whether she could hear what he just said.

Little Yan said in admiration, "Sister Zhang is my goddess. If I could just see her once, even from afar, then I would die a happy man."

Zhang Ye thought to himself that Little Yan did not actually have to wait for another day. If he just opened the door to Zhang Ye's bedroom, not only would he be able to see her, he would even be able to see her in resting!

"I heard that Zhang Yuanqi is filming a new movie."

"Yes, I think it's a martial arts film."

"Brother Little Ye, could you get an autograph from Sister Zhang if you get the chance? I really like her so much and I've watched every one of her movies!"

Somehow, the topic of discussion had turned to Zhang Yuanqi, possibly because she was quite popular in the singing and acting fields. No matter man or woman, old or young, everyone still liked her. Even the older generation like Grandma Cui and Grandpa Sun who might not be too familiar with other celebrities could say comment on the Heavenly Queen Zhang Yuanqi when she was mentioned, for instance "10 years ago when Zhang Yuanqi swept the charts" and the like.

The discussion was becoming livelier and livelier.

His mother looked at her watch and went to start preparing lunch. Three other aunties also went along to help her out, otherwise, a meal for so many people would really be a headache to prepare.

Di di, a text message arrived.

Zhang Ye held up his phone and saw Zhang Yuanqi's number on the display. She had earlier switched off her phone as she was avoiding her manager and the meal schedule, but for some reason, she turned it on again.

Old Zhang: "Back into the room, now."

Zhang Ye replied: "What's wrong?"

A few seconds later, he received a reply again: "I need to go to the bathroom."

When he saw these few words, Zhang Ye got so frightened that all his hair stood on end. Why must you go to the bathroom now? Right now, when there were so many people out here, and every one of them would know you for sure. One of them even wanted me to get your signature for her. If you came out right now, then it would definitely save me a lot of trouble since you could directly give her your autograph!

Zhang Ye suddenly said, "Everyone, please carry on talking, I need to go back into my room to make a call."

"Go busy yourself then, Little Ye."

"Yes, don't bother with us."

"Work is more important."

Said Grandma Cui, Auntie Yu, and all the others.

Zhang Ye immediately opened his bedroom door and went in, naturally being very careful by only opening it enough to let himself in, since he did not anyone outside to be able to see what was inside.

Click.

The door closed and was locked.

Zhang Ye saw that Zhang Yuanqi who was on the bed earlier was already on the floor now.

Old Zhang didn't look too good and simply said, "When are they leaving?"

Zhang Ye thought to himself, remembering how he had already warned her to not drink so much red wine in the morning. Just look, just look at this situation now, so he said anxiously, "No matter what, they won't leave before lunch. I don't even know when they will finish lunch, so I really have no idea. Just bear it for now, Sister Zhang, hold it! I will try to make them leave soon after lunch and then urge my parents to take their nap! Then you will be free to go."

Old Zhang said, "I can't wait that long."

Zhang Ye said nervously, "But you still have to wait."

Old Zhang did not bother him. She caught her breath then walked to the door, looking like she wanted to go out immediately.

Zhang Ye grabbed her arm and said, "Are you crazy? In this getup, you will never be able to explain yourself. This would cause a meltdown. Do you really wish to get onto the headlines for this?" If she really went outside now, not only would it not be as simple as getting on the headlines, the media outlets all over the country would probably be sent into a frenzy!

Old Zhang said in a cold manner, "Let go."

Zhang Ye was almost in tears. "You can't do this. Just bear with it. It will surely be OK. If you really can't hold it in...you...why don't you find a place instead?" He suggested so even though there was no toilet in his room!

Old Zhang looked at him with a dark expression.

Zhang Ye coughed and said, "You can't blame me for what's happening here now, don't you think? It was just a coincidence. Who could have known that my house would suddenly be filled with so many people plus a dog? In fact, I could even say it was your fault. If you didn't shower, then it might have been easier to explain. If you came up a little later, none of this would even have happened." He was already looking to push the blame off himself. "Anyways, since it has already happened, we will need to think of a way no matter what. Do you remember last time at the express motel where we had to pick locks and jump over walls to get out of the building to evade the reporters? That was even more serious than this and we got through that together. This time, it's not as serious, so we will surely get through this as well. Yes, so then, in any case, just do whatever you need to inside this room. Wherever looks good to you, settle there, as long as you don't go outside and let everyone see you."

Old Zhang aimed a glance at him and said, "Is that all?"

"No." Zhang Ye was also looking around for a long time and eventually he laid his eyes upon the corner of the bay window. He pointed to the bush lily on the bay window ledge and said, "Why not use that flower pot?"

Old Zhang did not say a word.

Zhang Ye did not utter another word.

Silence fell upon the room and remained that way for a long time.

Zhang Yuanqi sat on the bedside like everything was normal. She did not put her legs close together or any of those movements and just sat there. But on that beautiful face of hers that could ruin cities and topple nations, her expression increasingly got worse.

Zhang Ye knew that she was still holding it in. Actually, having had so much red wine and eating the porridge from breakfast, Zhang Ye was also unable to hold it anymore. "I will leave you here for now, Sister Zhang. I also need to go to the toilet right now." Hearing himself say that, even Zhang Ye felt like beating himself up. So he coughed and cleared his throat without daring to look at Old Zhang, simply hoping that Sister Zhang could bear it, that she would really be able to hold it in! Then, he hastily went out of his room. When he went out, the delicious fragrance of the food being prepared drifted out of the kitchen as he rushed for the toilet.

"Little Ye."

"Yes, I'm in the restroom."

"Lunch is almost ready. Get ready to eat."

"Alright, I got it."

When he left the bathroom, Zhang Ye went to the kitchen and said a few things before clenching his teeth. He then slowly opened his bedroom door to check if Old Zhang had already passed out from holding in her pee for too long.

One read "Zhang Yuanqi and Zhang Ye Living Under the Same Roof"!

Another said, "Heavenly Queen Hospitalized in Emergency Over Holding in Urine for Too Long"!

Zhang Ye could not decide which of these two headlines were more likely, but he was sure that even if either one got published, it would startle the universe and make the spirits cry!

In the room.

Everything seemed normal.

He didn't know when Zhang Yuanqi had crawled into bed again, but she was under the blankets with her eyes closed and had a peaceful looking expression on her face!

Eh?

What happened?

Did she really manage to hold it in??

Just as he was feeling surprised by this outcome, Zhang Ye shifted his eyes to the bay window in his bedroom. That flower pot with the bush lily had disappeared! No, it didn't disappear, as Zhang Ye soon realized. The bush lily had been shifted from the bedroom to the ledge just outside the window. The windows were closed and it wasn't raining outside anymore. Even if it was scattered rain, there were only a few droplets. It couldn't reach the ledge, but the lily outside was drenched, with water on more than a dozen of its leaves and still dripping from the tips. When he looked at the soil in the pot, Zhang Ye, who knew he hadn't watered it for the past few days since bush lilies did not require much water to survive, saw that the soil was waterlogged now!

Zhang Ye immediately understood when he saw this!

His poor bush lily would surely die soon!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 589: Return to the television station?

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

The rain outside had stopped.

The fragrance of the home-cooked dishes flowed throughout the house.

"It's time for lunch."

"Oh, it's been hard on you, Little Cao."

"Yeah, we've really troubled you today."

"It's fine. I'm very happy that everyone agreed to come. Quick, take a seat."

"Oh, there's so many dishes? I know it's good just from the smell."

"Old Zhang, shall we have some to drink?"

"Sure, let's drink together. I have some here, it's Yùyè."

"Yùyè is top-quality wine and really expensive."

"Little Ye brought it back home. Someone gave it to him."

This brand, Yùyè, is a world-famous wine with a great aroma.

In the living room, two tables were set up and was somewhat able to fit everyone. Zhang Ye also came out but did not sit around it. Rather, he kept to his usual position near his bedroom. He pulled a chair to the side and sat on the outside. Everyone even praised him thinking that Zhang Ye was being polite.

During lunch, Zhang Ye was kept extremely busy as he constantly gave food to everyone at the table. "Here, Grandma Cui, have some of this. Auntie Yu, try this one here, my mom's fish-flavored pork slices are the best. Little Yan, you too. Don't stand on ceremony, we're all family here, there's no need to feel shy. Have a taste of this dish."

Grandma Cui quickly said, "Little Ye, you have some for yourself too."

"Yeah, don't keep giving food to us. Have some yourself too," Auntie Yu said with a smile.

Little Yan felt overwhelmed by the treatment he was getting and hurriedly gave some food to Zhang Ye too. "Thanks, Brother Zhang Ye."

Zhang Ye gave some more food to him in return. "What's there to thank me for? Here, there's still some of this."

Grandpa Sun nodded and said, "Look at our Little Ye, how sensible he is."

The whole table had Zhang Ye taking care of them as he busied himself here and there by giving food to everyone. Soon, the 3 closest dishes to him were already empty and in the bowls of everyone. Zhang Ye took this chance to remove the empty plates from the table and pulled the dishes that were still full closer to him and continued to distribute the food to everyone.

It wasn't that he was being hospitable.

This person was just intending for everyone to finish up as soon as possible so they could quickly go back home!

With Zhang Ye working hard, the results were striking. A meal for a dozen people only took slightly more than 30 minutes as the plates were emptied.

"I'm so full, so full."

"How delicious."

"I can't eat anymore."

Everyone put their chopsticks down.

His mother stood up and said, "I will go make some tea."

Grandpa Sun said graciously, "Don't trouble yourself, Little Cao. We won't be drinking anymore. We have already been troubling you the whole morning and it's time we go off as well. I still have to take a nap when I get home."

With someone taking the lead, the others followed suit and said their goodbyes.

"Yeah, go and rest now."

"We will come by to visit again next time."

"Yes, I have to get going too."

"Little Ye, come over to my place and visit when you are free."

Zhang Ye said cheerfully as he stood up to send them off, "That's for sure, that's for sure."

His mother said, "Why don't you all stay awhile longer. There's no rush since we've just finished lunch. Yu, I planted two pots of flowers a while ago and was intending to show them to you."

Auntie laughed and said, "The one in your living room, right? I saw it; it's really nice. It's different when you have some greenery in the house. I was still saying that I'd buy a pot some day."

His mother smiled and said, "Why would you need to buy it? There's no need. Oh right, there's a bush lily in my son's room. He has always been complaining about how these plants attract flying insects all the time. He doesn't seem like he's interested in keeping them, so why don't you take it with you instead!"

Ah?

The bush lily!?

Zhang Ye's sweat glands nearly exploded. This was the umpteenth time he felt like he was about to faint. All of you, this is just unbelievable!

Auntie Yu said embarrassed, "Is that alright?"

"It's fine, it's fine. Little Ye, go and get the bush lily for Auntie Yu," his mother said to him.

Get it? Why would I get it? Zhang Ye said hastily, "Not the bush lily!"

His mother stared at him, "Why not? Didn't you say you didn't like keeping it?"

Zhang Ye explained, "That plant of mine isn't doing too well and the leaves don't look good either. If you want to give one to Auntie Yu, use yours instead. The one that you have been nurturing looks quite good."

He thought to himself, Auntie Yu, it's not that I don't want to give it to you, I'm just afraid that the smell would be too musky for you!

His mother immediately said, "That's right, take my pot then. That one is well nurtured. Come, I will get it for you."

Auntie Yu said, "It doesn't need to be good. I'm not really good at gardening. The bush lily will do."

Zhang Ye quickly said, "No, no, the bush lily is really hard to care for!"

A few minutes later.

The neighbors gradually had left. Grandpa Sun also took his dog away on its leash.

His mother, looking invigorated, said, "Heh, I had such a good time chatting and catching up with the neighbors today."

"All you know is boasting." His father said in criticism, "Look at that impetuous look on your face. When our son has shown some results, it is because he is capable. Must you be so cocky?

His mother did not like listening to this, so she said, "I was the one who raised him, so if my son is capable, can't I feel happy for him? Can't I boast a little?"

His father said, "You have to be more low-key."

His mother apathetically said, "I've been low-key for over 50 years."

"Just wash the dishes. Huu, I've had too much too drink. I need to go lie in bed for a while." His father savored and sipped a mouthful of tea and then strolled back to his room in a laid-back manner.

His mother followed up sarcastically, "You're low-key, especially when it comes to chores like washing the dishes, you're low-key as well! I have never seen you helping out with such things before!"

When he heard this, Zhang Ye immediately said, "Mom! Let me!"

His mother immediately smiled. "My son is still the best, hur hur. Don't worry about it."

"No, let me do it, Mom. Go take a nap with Dad. You've been working tirelessly the whole morning. I will handle the chores today." Saying so, Zhang Ye was already clearing the dishes off the table.

His mother did not want her son to trouble himself, so she came to try to clear the dishes instead. "Don't do anything."

But Zhang Ye did not listen and said, "Give me a chance to do something for you. Leave it to me!"

"Your main task right now is to find a job. That is more important." His mother was also rather worried about this as the matter was always on her mind. By right, her son was already a celebrity of such a level, yet he still had to look for a job? Using the word "look" was seriously a joke. Didn't people on the same level as her son have all sorts of persons trying to snatch their attention, having no end to their movie role offers, or having all sorts of programs and not having the headache of being unemployed? But her son? He did not have a management agency, he did not have an employer. He was either fired or suspended by them and the key was that no one dared to employ him! This was a C-lister who would soon become a B-list celebrity. This special case was also the only one of its kind in the whole of the entertainment circle!

It was truly an oddity!

Zhang Ye nudged his mother back to her room. "Don't worry. I will ask around in the next few days to see which television stations still require a host or have a new program lined up."

"Make the best of it."

"I know."

"Alright then, I will go and rest."

His mother went back to her room.

Zhang Ye closed the door carefully and heaved a sigh of relief. He cleared the table and brought the dishes into the kitchen half-heartedly as he waited for his parents to fall asleep. When he thought it was about time, he finally turned to walk out of the kitchen and headed back to his bedroom.

Old Zhang was still asleep in his bed.

"Sister Zhang, wake up," Zhang Ye said in a low whisper to wake her up.

Zhang Yuanqi, having been roused, did not respond in a friendly manner. "What?"

"Everyone has left and my parents are also asleep," Zhang Ye said.

Old Zhang acknowledged him, and then slowly rubbed her eyes before sitting up.

Zhang Ye went out into the living room to avoid any suspicions.

About 5 minutes later, the bedroom door opened. Zhang Yuanqi had already changed into a new set of clothes. She took every step lightly as she walked out, scanning the living room carefully with her eyes.

Zhang Ye put his index finger to his lips and pointed to the main door.

Zhang Yuanqi nodded, then followed him and walked toward the outside.

One step.

Three steps.

Five steps.

Finally, they were there.

Zhang Ye's heart was already in his throat. When he saw they had already reached the front door, he finally heaved a sigh of relief. The front door was blocked by a wall. Even if his parents suddenly came out at this time, he didn't need to be afraid of them seeing anything. And so, Zhang Ye opened the door and looked to Zhang Yuanqi, saying, "You had enough rest?"

Old Zhang replied without much of an expression, "Enough."

Zhang Ye said with lingering fear, "Next time if you're coming again, call me earlier to inform me. I will be able to arrange it better, otherwise, if something like today happens again, we might get into big trouble."

"Go back in," Old Zhang said.

Zhang Ye nodded. "Take care then."

"OK." Old Zhang had already put her sunglasses and face mask on. "Prepare more wine at home so you can save me the trouble of getting it next time."

Zhang Ye said in a speechless manner, "Then you'll reimburse me?"

Old Zhang looked at him. "Buy a 100,000 RMB worth, and I'll reimburse you."

"Woah, so generous?" Zhang Ye said happily.

Only to hear her add on, "But you must write a song for me first."

Zhang Ye said, "A song of mine only costs 100,000 RMB? Don't even think about it."

"I'm leaving," Zhang Yuanqi said as she adjusted her sunglasses and walked out the door with her bag. She headed down the stairs where she gradually disappeared from view.

Zhang Ye smiled. He had already gotten used to the Heavenly Queen's lukewarm treatment of him. As he was closing the door, he heard Zhang Yuanqi's footsteps suddenly stopping, and the sound of another pair of shoes getting closer, like someone else was coming up the stairs. His heart almost stopped there and then!

Holy shit!

Old Zhang, you better not be recognized!

Only to hear the person saying in a voice that sounded like it belonged to a middle-aged man: "Hello."

Shit!

Did she get recognized?

Zhang Ye's heart pounded hard against his chest!

"Yes?" Old Zhang's voice sounded.

The middle-aged man said, "I would like to ask if Teacher Zhang Ye stays upstairs?"

Old Zhang: "Upstairs."

The middle-aged man: "Alright, thank you."

The footsteps thudded again, with one getting softer and the other getting louder.

Several seconds later, Zhang Ye looked through the security door and saw a man in his forties who might have looked rather familiar but yet had no impression of.

Seeing that the house door was left open, the man was also slightly taken aback. "Teacher Zhang? What's the matter?"

Zhang Ye said, "I was just about to go downstairs to throw out the trash and had just opened the door. You are?" Out of courtesy, he opened the security door as well. Upon checking his expression, Zhang Ye was pretty sure that he had not recognized Zhang Yuanqi.

The middle-aged man put out his hand and said, "We met last year at Beijing Television Station during a meeting but did not have the chance to speak together. Let me introduce myself again. I am the deputy director of the HR Department of Beijing Television Station. My name is Wang Huayuan. You may also address me as Old Wang."

Oh?

Beijing Television Station?

Zhang Ye shook his hand and asked, "Director Wang, you're looking for me for?"

The middle-aged man spoke directly, "Earlier, I had asked Old Hu to invite you to the luncheon but Old Hu said that you were busy, so when the luncheon was over, I invited myself over here. I hope that I did not bother you?" Since Zhang Ye had worked at the television station before, they could definitely check for his home address easily. Moreover, even the media had gotten their hands on both his house and his rented apartment's address, so it was no longer a secret too.

Zhang Ye had only just gathered his thoughts a moment ago and recalled Hu Fei's call in the morning. The station had a luncheon and they had invited him as well? In his mind, he could guess what the matter was, and since this person who was paying him a visit now was from the HR department, it made it even more obvious to him. However, he wasn't exactly sure either, so he suggested, "How about this, Director Wang, I just had a lot of guests over at my house and they just left a short while ago. My house is not cleaned up yet, and is still a bit of a mess now. Why don't we go to a coffeehouse and talk?"

The middle-aged man said, "Sure, I'll wait for you to get changed then."

Zhang Ye took only the keys from inside the house and directly stepped out. He closed the door and security door of his house, and then said, "It's not necessary. I'm fine being dressed like this since I'm not an idol anyway."

The middle-aged man laughed. "That's not necessarily true. My niece likes you a lot and is a hardcore fan of yours. When we were having dinner at home once, she even said that you were handsome."

Zhang Ye said at once, "Oho, then I better get a change of clothes."

"Haha!"

"Just kidding. Director Wang, this way."

They went downstairs and chatted as they walked.

Rate Translation QualityChapter 590: Beijing Television Station's three visits to the thatched cottage!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Downstairs.

At the entrance to the district, in Meiyun coffeehouse.

"Ah, you...you are Zhang Ye!"

"Hello, how are you?"

"So you really do stay here!"

"That's right. I've been living here for more than twenty years now."

"Welcome, please come this way. Our place is small and there aren't any private rooms, so let me bring you to a corner table. It's quieter over there."

"OK, thanks a lot."

"Order whatever you like! It's on the house!"

"That won't do. Please charge us accordingly, I appreciate it."

This was a small business where the shop was not big and did not have many customers, so it seemed rather quiet.

Today, Zhang Ye was dressed casually and did not wear his sunglasses. When he and Wang Huayuan stepped into the coffee house, the owner recognized him immediately. Without getting the staff to come over and serve them, the friendly proprietress personally led them to their seats. The staff at the other end saw them, and except for one who did not recognize Zhang Ye, the other two were staring with their eyes wide open. They hid a distance away, talking about them and even secretly using their cell phones to take photos and posting them onto Weibo immediately. Two customers in the shop were also looking wonderstruck in the direction where Zhang Ye was seated. A young male customer looked like he wanted to go over and get an autograph and take pictures together. He stood up a few times but eventually did not gather enough courage to approach them.

The coffee was served quickly.

The proprietress excitedly exchanged some words with Zhang Ye, telling him that he must visit them often, before walking away and leaving them to discuss their matters.

Wang Huayuan was not surprised at this as he knew that the current popularity of Zhang Ye was already not the same as the time when he was still at Beijing Television Station Arts Channel.

"Director Wang, why are you looking for me?" Zhang Ye was not exactly asking the obvious as he was still unsure what this meeting was about. After all he and Beijing Television Station had their squabbles before.

Wang Huayuan took a sip of coffee, looked at him, and then said, "It's like this, the station asked me to come over to discuss with you, we were wondering if you have any intentions of returning to the station."

Zhang Ye acknowledged and asked, "Why me?

Wang Huayuan replied rhetorically, "Why not you? We've worked together before and are considered old friends. Even if we did not have deep bonds, we are still familiar with each other. I do not know if there are any other television stations who approached or discussed with you before this, but since I did not see any news on the media or related news from the entertainment circle, I suppose that you have yet to sign any contract. If that's the case, why can't we look for you? Although our satellite channel's program ratings are not bad, it still not ranked as the top few among other provinces' satellite channels. We lack a good program and even a top-rated host. You have fame, ability, and are a professional host and program planner. You even have a group of diehard fans who are more loyal than Hallyu fans. I believe it will be a win-win situation for us if we work together again."

Zhang Ye shook his head and said, "To be honest, I've never thought of going back since the day I left BTV-Arts Channel."

Wang Huayuan immediately said, "BTV-Arts Channel was a relatively independent provincial channel which is different from us. This time it's BTV-1 you will be working with."

"It's the same," Zhang Ye said with a mild tone.

Wang Huayuan said, "A satellite channel is different from a provincial channel." He paused and then said, "I know that something happened back then. The station had a direct responsibility for Wang Shuixin's wrongdoings in the Arts Channel. After discovering that, the station also swiftly punished him, although it was a little too late and had caused some irredeemable losses, like the case of Old Wei. We also felt grief over it, but if you noticed, the station handled Wang Shuixin's matter along with the related people who were involved very decisively and severely for them. As for the case of firing you..."

Zhang Ye waved his hand and interrupted him, "I do not blame the station at all. After all, I had caused too much trouble during the live broadcast. I know that even if it were any other television station, they would punish me as well."

"But we are also very sorry." Wang Huayuan said sincerely, "It was due to our negligence that led to all that happening. If the station had discovered the problem of Wang Shuixin earlier, then it wouldn't have been necessary for you to come forward using another way to seek justice for Old Wei. It should be handled by the station instead, so regarding this matter, some of our leaders discussed in private and felt that we haven't been fair to you. If we were a little more proactive and took action promptly, it wouldn't have caused all the matters later on and we wouldn't have lost an outstanding domestic host like you."

Zhang Ye said, "Let bygones be bygones."

"It's already the past, so we also should have a new beginning." Wang Huayuan said seriously, "I hope that we can cooperate strongly together again. This was also the station leader's idea."

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "I'm also not afraid to reveal to you that there has been no television stations contacting me in these few days. You are the first and also the one I least expected."

Wang Huayuan said, "I know why are the others television station are hesitating. If we were to only talk about hosting experience, ability, popularity, you have everything we all are looking for. Even though you haven't hosted on a satellite channel which has nationwide coverage, no one will doubt your ability. Those television stations did not come looking for you because they are worried about when your temper will suddenly explode again. They don't dare take such a risk."

Zhang Ye asked, "And you do?"

"We also don't." Wang Huayuan said, "But since we were colleagues and worked together before, we consider you an old friend. Compared to the other television stations, we know what your temper is like. We are the ones who understand you the most as well. The station is confident that we won't let you get a chance to flare up." The last statement was almost a joke. "Besides, people are like this—there are good and bad sides. As they say, nobody's perfect. Since the station is willing to invite you to work together again, it shows that after considering all the pros and cons, we feel that your strong points surpass your weaknesses. That is why the station made this decision.

Zhang Ye said, "Don't say it that way; you are putting pressure on me. After I was unbanned and wanted to make a comeback, I considered a list of television stations. But I never thought of going back to my past experiences. Besides, after I left the Arts Channel, many television stations also did not want me. In the end it was an online television station that invited me to join them instead. I heard it was because of one of your station leaders communicated this with his contacts in the entertainment industry?"

When Wang Huayuan heard that, he shook his head vigorously and said, "That can't be true, Teacher Zhang. You think too highly of our Beijing Television Station. If it were other matters, I would believe, but of this matter, it is absolutely impossible. I give you my word that our station leaders don't take such underhanded moves or that kind of stuff. The relationship between our station with other provincial television stations is not that harmonious. Competing for higher program ratings by snatching program producers and hosts have had all the television stations in the country nearly coming to blows. So the rest of the television stations wouldn't have reciprocated just because of something a leader in Beijing Television Station said. The station does not command such respect yet. If any of our station leaders really said those words, then our competitors would have in turn gotten even more interested in you and would have attempted to sign you over to compete with us, don't you agree?"

Right, that sounds logical.

Zhang Ye did not say anything to this as he had also known about this through rumors in the first place.

"If you use this kind of an excuse to reject us, I can't accept it." Wang Huayuan said, "Please believe me, this matter is definitely not the way you think it is."

After talking for a while.

Wang Huayuan said, "Teacher Zhang, we can discuss it further if you agree to our proposal. As for the salary offer and contract, we would certainly not disappoint you."

Zhang Ye shook his head. "Let me consider for now."

Wang Huayuan looked at him and did not speak anymore. He had said all that he wanted to as the discussion came to an end. "Alright then, I will give you my card. Let's stay in contact."

Taking it from him, Zhang Ye nodded and said, "Alright."

......

When they came out of the coffeehouse, Wang Huayuan drove off in his car.

Zhang Ye was pondering while he took a stroll around the neighborhood. He was not in a hurry to go home as he felt that the atmosphere after the rain was refreshing. There were the scents of nature everywhere.

Suddenly, Hu Fei called.

Zhang Ye put his cell phone to his ear and said: "Brother Hu."

"Where are you?"

"Taking a stroll in the neighborhood."

"That's good. Let's meet at the entrance of the neighborhood."

"Oh? When?

"I'm already here."

Zhang Ye hung up and walked towards the outside of the neighborhood. The moment he arrived, he saw Hu Fei get out of a taxi and waved to him.

Hu Fei smiled and said, "Let's find a quiet place to have a chat."

Sure. Zhang Ye brought Hu Fei back to the entrance of that coffeehouse.

The proprietress saw them and smiled enthusiastically. "Teacher Zhang is really interesting. I'd only just mentioned to you to come often, but just twenty minutes have passed and you are back again."

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "We'll sit at the same spot."

"OK." The proprietress led the way.

Hu Fei sat down and said directly, "Deputy Wang of the HR Department told me that you didn't look interested in his offer, so he wanted me to do some persuasion based on our relationship. So let's cut the chase? Let me tell you, the station is really sincere in asking you back. If you still have any concerns or requests, you can tell me."

Zhang Ye smacked his lips, "I do not have any concerns or requests."

"Then why didn't you agree?" Hu Fei asked, "No television stations have contacted you yet, right? Besides, when you go back, it won't be anywhere unfamiliar since I've also transferred to the satellite channel. Xiao Lu, Dafei, and the rest of your old colleagues are there too. We are doing a new program and are waiting for you to join us!"

Zhang Ye was stunned. "Join your team?"

"Yes, I've already made a request of the station. If you are coming back, then our old team will continue to work together." Hu Fei said, "If not, what do you think I'm so busy with? It's because I need you. Besides, the program we will be doing is going to be a primetime slot at 9 PM every Friday. If you join any other satellite channels, can they give you such a good slot since you are still a newbie at their place? Besides, let alone the primetime slot, those television stations probably wouldn't dare employ you either, so what is there still to choose from? Come over quickly! Come and help me!"

Zhang Ye said, "Give me some time to consider it."

"Don't think anymore, I am the executive producer, which you shouldn't even be thinking about taking, but I have already reserved the position of executive director for you. All I'm doing is just waiting for you to join us!" Hu Fei said very firmly.

Rate Translation QualityChapter 591: Dong Shanshan has resigned!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Later in the afternoon.

Around 3 PM.

With the jingling of keys opening the door, Zhang Ye pushed it open from the outside and walked into his house. The moment he stepped in, he could hear a singing program currently playing on television and knew his parents were already awake from their nap.

"Little Ye?" His mother stepped out to take a look.

"It's me." Zhang Ye bent down to remove his shoes. "Did I wake you?"

His mother said, "I just woke up. Where did you go?"

Zhang Ye took the newspaper from the mailbox and passed it to his mother. "Nowhere important. Someone came to look for me from Beijing Television Station, so I went out for a short meeting."

"They were looking for you?" His father also looked over and asked.

His mother also guessed what was going on and said, "They're meaning to ask you to go back?"

Zhang Ye nodded and said, "They want me to go back to help them with a primetime slot on Friday nights. It's a program handled by my ex-leader, Hu Fei."

His mother asked, "What did you tell him then?"

"I said I needed some time to consider and will only let him know tomorrow," Zhang Ye said as he sat down.

His father gave him a look and said, "If you are willing to go back, then go. Don't be bothered by any other things. It's the satellite channel? A Friday primetime slot is quite good; it's one of the best already. Since they came over to find you to discuss this, it can be seen just how sincere they are. I suppose the salary is quite good too?"

Zhang Ye looked a little unexcited and said, "I didn't talk about that with them, but I don't suppose it is low paying."

His father nodded and said, "Alright then."

His mother was strongly opposed to Zhang Ye going back to help out Beijing Television Station last time, but this time she kept silent for a while before saying, "If you really wish to go back, I won't stop you. It's already been so many days now and there hasn't even been a television station that contacted you. I guess there is no point in waiting any further."

Zhang Ye shook his head.

"Just what are you thinking?" his mother asked.

Zhang Ye threw up his hands and said, "I've already made up my mind. I have no plans of returning to Beijing Television Station yet."

His mother wondered, "Then why did you go and help them?"

"I helped because I was returning a favor to my ex-leader. I did not take a fee for it either, so that is different from working." Zhang Ye was also struggling over his decision. He said, "But right now, I am also undecided, because first off, being able to sign with a satellite channel is really tempting. Although many people are calling me a famous host and what not, those in the industry all know that I'm not one yet. I've only hosted at a radio station, a provincial channel, and an online television station before. I have never done any work at a satellite channel before. No matter how well known I am, I would only be considered a host who is not too bad and would not yet qualify to be called a famous host yet, so of course I hope to go on and become a host at a satellite channel next. Second, Beijing Television Station has freed up a Friday primetime slot now. That's really tempting as well. Third, because Hu Fei was the person who brought me into the television industry and Dafei, Xiao Lu, Hou Ge, and Hou Di are also considered good friends, it would definitely be easier working with them, since I've grown accustomed to their work habits. Finally, it's also as you have said, there are no other television stations that have approached me yet."

His mother said, "Then go."

"A good horse would never turn round to graze on an old pasture." Zhang Ye shook his head.

His mother remarked snidely, "It's still a better choice than having no job. You might not even get such a good chance at all in the future. If you really pass up this opportunity, you could even end up staying home for the next few months?"

Zhang Ye did not say anything.

His father advised, "When they fired you back then, it was difficult to pinpoint who was supposed to be blamed and the matter was already in the past anyway. Well, forget it. I won't say more. You should decide on your own."

"I'm going back to my room to lie down for a while," Zhang Ye said.

His mother said, "I will wake you up when it's time for dinner."

"Sure." Zhang Ye went back into his room, took off his slippers and crawled into bed.

The decision this time was really difficult for Zhang Ye to make in his current situation. It was an unimaginably difficult choice to make that no one else would understand. He knew that under his circumstances right now, Beijing Television Station should have been his first choice. It was his old employer and this time he would be signing with a program on the satellite channel. It was even a primetime slot and he would be working with his old team. Right now, when no one else wanted him, it would appear to others that this would be Zhang Ye's big break in recent times, and perhaps the only break he'd get. If it were anyone else, they would probably take the offer, since in the entertainment industry, leaving and rejoining a company was very common. No one would find it strange. Besides, when Zhang Ye was helping Beijing Television Station in the urgent public service announcement incident, many of the media outlets had already speculated that Zhang Ye might be joining hands with his old employer once again as everything seemed to have played out according to script. In his meeting in the afternoon, Hu Fei even questioned him on more than one occasion about why he was hesitating, why he would even have to consider when given such a good opportunity had fallen from the heavens for him?

Yes, so why was it like this?

Zhang Ye did not seem to know the answer either. He had done a lot of things and was very different from most people. There were many other incidents that happened to him that also did not seem to have a reason for its occurrence.

He just did not wish to go!

At least for now, he did not wish to go!

He took out his cell phone, checking for someone to call and talk with.

Wu Zeqing? No, Old Wu was working at the moment.

Zhang Yuanqi? Forget it, she probably did not even switch on her cell phone.

Rao Aimin? Come on, if he called her, he would probably be listening to all her derogatory comments about him.

Then, Zhang Ye thought of Dong Shanshan. His old classmate who was also a broadcast host like himself. And so, he made the call to her.

Du...

"Sorry, the number you have just called is currently busy."

Only after two rings, the call was cut off.

Zhang Ye was speechless for a long time. How dare she hang up on me? Could it be that she was busy with a new program? He had promised Dong Shanshan in the past that if she was lined up to do a new program, he would help contribute some ideas to her. And so, he called her again, but like earlier, was hung up on again. Zhang Ye keenly realized that this was a little odd. After some hesitation, he made a call to his old workplace at the online television station. He called the WebTV department straight on its direct line.

It got through.

"Hello, Weiwo Online television station." A man answered.

Zhang Ye said, "I am Zhang Ye, may I know who I am speaking with?"

When the person heard this, he laughed and said, "Ah? Teacher Zhang? It's me, Ah Qian!"

"Ah Qian, no wonder I thought it was a familiar voice. Why is it you answering the phone?" Zhang Ye was not exactly close to him but had come into contact quite frequently before when he was working there.

Ah Qian said, "It's a little busy at the department today, so there's only a few of us at our desks. Why did you call here?"

Zhang Ye still knew quite a number of people at the online television station, like Director Wang who had a pretty good relationship with him. But Zhang Ye did not call him because his goal was no longer at the online television station. He was instead aiming to join a satellite channel. He was afraid that if he called Wang Xiong, he might attempt to invite him back to the online television station and it would be difficult to reject him. So for this reason, he might as well have just called the department directly instead. He said, "Hai, it's nothing much. I just wanted to call to ask how everyone is. I am still at Beijing and can't go over to Shanghai. Oh yes, where's Teacher Shanshan? Is she at the office? Is she busy with a new program?"

Ah Qian was a little taken aback and said, "Oh, you didn't know?"

Zhang Ye was also taken aback by this and said, "Know about what?"

Ah Qian sighed and said, "Teacher Shanshan has already resigned."

Zhang Ye said in surprise, "When was this? That can't be. I saw her posting on Weibo just some time ago to ask her fans to support her new program!"

Ah Qian said, "It happened just yesterday. Teacher Shanshan and the staff of our program planning team had come up with a few proposals for the new segment but they were all rejected by the management. They felt that it wouldn't work. A solution was then proposed by the leader instead for her to continue doing her original program for a second season as the program itself had pretty acceptable results before. The station didn't want to take this risk. However, Shanshan wanted to take up something new for her development with a new program and a consensus could not be reached. Teacher Shanshan and the leader eventually fell out over this and she decided to resign."

Zhang Ye said, "Then where is she now?"

"I don't know, but I heard that she went back to her own home," Ah Qian said.

Zhang Ye frowned, "Then does she not plan on working as a host anymore?"

Ah Qian said, "It might be that she hasn't found another place to work at yet. After all, a host at our online television station is not as accepted by the traditional media as it isn't as mainstream. So it also reflects as not too popular or stable for a host yet. This is how it is, but of course, you're an exception."

Zhang Ye said, "I understand. Thank you, Ah Qian."

"It's nothing," said Ah Qian.

After hanging up, Zhang Ye finally understood why Dong Shanshan had hung up on him twice. He also knew that she was caught in a very unfavorable situation at the moment.

After pondering about this for a few minutes.

Zhang Ye sent a message over to her: "Answer the phone! (I'm not looking for a loan!)"

A moment later, Dong Shanshan returned his call and the first thing she said was: "You should have said so earlier. I thought you wanted to borrow money from me, so I did not dare answer your call."

Zhang Ye was a little speechless at this but said: "Why are you so stingy?"

Dong Shanshan said girlishly: "Did you only just know that?"

"Don't try to change the topic. What are you doing now?" Zhang Ye asked immediately.

"Me? I am busy with my new program. Didn't you see my Weibo?"

"What program?"

"I'm still planning it. It hasn't been confirmed yet."

"How's it going then?"

"Pretty good."

"Oh, where are you now?"

"At the site having a meeting, that's why I did not answer your call."

"Oh. Which site?"

"Weiwo television station of course, where else? Alright, if there's nothing, I have to hang up. I heard that you might be going back to your old employer? It must be a satellite channel this time, right? Let me congratulate you in advance then. When I go to Beijing next time, the first thing you must do is treat me to a Beijing restaurant, hur hur. That's it then, I have to go now."

After only talking for half a minute, the phone call ended.

Zhang Ye put down his phone and did not feel too good. This old classmate of his really never spoke a word of truth. He had always known this and was used to it, usually just smiling at what she said, but today when he heard Dong Shanshan's lies, Zhang Ye could no longer smile at them.

Busy with a new program?

Even having a meeting at the online television station?

If Zhang Ye had not given a call to Weiwo Television Station, he would really have been fooled by Dong Shanshan. He understood that she did not say the truth so that he wouldn't have to be worried for her. Even though Dong Shanshan was a woman, and a very sexy and feminine woman at that, she was also a very strongly independent person. She had mentioned that she still did not wish to get married early—something that could possibly be one of the few truths she had spoken before. So naturally, her focus and goals in life would definitely be on her work. Leaving her job this time would surely have messed up her plans. The fact that she did not tell this to anyone was understandable to Zhang Ye as he also thought the same as her. This was the reason why Zhang Ye did not expose her.

Rate Translation QualityChapter 592: A Singing Program?

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Later in the afternoon.

Around 3 PM.

"Little Ye?" His mother stepped out to take a look.

"It's me." Zhang Ye bent down to remove his shoes. "Did I wake you?"

His mother said, "I just woke up. Where did you go?"

Zhang Ye took the newspaper from the mailbox and passed it to his mother. "Nowhere important. Someone came to look for me from Beijing Television Station, so I went out for a short meeting."

"They were looking for you?" His father also looked over and asked.

His mother also guessed what was going on and said, "They're meaning to ask you to go back?"

Zhang Ye nodded and said, "They want me to go back to help them with a primetime slot on Friday nights. It's a program handled by my ex-leader, Hu Fei."

His mother asked, "What did you tell him then?"

"I said I needed some time to consider and will only let him know tomorrow," Zhang Ye said as he sat down.

Zhang Ye looked a little unexcited and said, "I didn't talk about that with them, but I don't suppose it is low paying."

His father nodded and said, "Alright then."

Zhang Ye shook his head.

"Just what are you thinking?" his mother asked.

Zhang Ye threw up his hands and said, "I've already made up my mind. I have no plans of returning to Beijing Television Station yet."

His mother wondered, "Then why did you go and help them?"

His mother said, "Then go."

"A good horse would never turn round to graze on an old pasture." Zhang Ye shook his head.

Zhang Ye did not say anything.

"I'm going back to my room to lie down for a while," Zhang Ye said.

His mother said, "I will wake you up when it's time for dinner."

"Sure." Zhang Ye went back into his room, took off his slippers and crawled into bed.

Yes, so why was it like this?

He just did not wish to go!

At least for now, he did not wish to go!

He took out his cell phone, checking for someone to call and talk with.

Wu Zeqing? No, Old Wu was working at the moment.

Zhang Yuanqi? Forget it, she probably did not even switch on her cell phone.

Rao Aimin? Come on, if he called her, he would probably be listening to all her derogatory comments about him.

Then, Zhang Ye thought of Dong Shanshan. His old classmate who was also a broadcast host like himself. And so, he made the call to her.

Du...

"Sorry, the number you have just called is currently busy."

Only after two rings, the call was cut off.

It got through.

"Hello, Weiwo Online television station." A man answered.

Zhang Ye said, "I am Zhang Ye, may I know who I am speaking with?"

When the person heard this, he laughed and said, "Ah? Teacher Zhang? It's me, Ah Qian!"

Ah Qian said, "It's a little busy at the department today, so there's only a few of us at our desks. Why did you call here?"

Ah Qian was a little taken aback and said, "Oh, you didn't know?"

Zhang Ye was also taken aback by this and said, "Know about what?"

Ah Qian sighed and said, "Teacher Shanshan has already resigned."

Zhang Ye said in surprise, "When was this? That can't be. I saw her posting on Weibo just some time ago to ask her fans to support her new program!"

Zhang Ye said, "Then where is she now?"

"I don't know, but I heard that she went back to her own home," Ah Qian said.

Zhang Ye frowned, "Then does she not plan on working as a host anymore?"

Zhang Ye said, "I understand. Thank you, Ah Qian."

"It's nothing," said Ah Qian.

After hanging up, Zhang Ye finally understood why Dong Shanshan had hung up on him twice. He also knew that she was caught in a very unfavorable situation at the moment.

After pondering about this for a few minutes.

Zhang Ye sent a message over to her: "Answer the phone! (I'm not looking for a loan!)"

A moment later, Dong Shanshan returned his call and the first thing she said was: "You should have said so earlier. I thought you wanted to borrow money from me, so I did not dare answer your call."

Zhang Ye was a little speechless at this but said: "Why are you so stingy?"

Dong Shanshan said girlishly: "Did you only just know that?"

"Don't try to change the topic. What are you doing now?" Zhang Ye asked immediately.

"Me? I am busy with my new program. Didn't you see my Weibo?"

"What program?"

"I'm still planning it. It hasn't been confirmed yet."

"How's it going then?"

"Pretty good."

"Oh, where are you now?"

"At the site having a meeting, that's why I did not answer your call."

"Oh. Which site?"

After only talking for half a minute, the phone call ended.

Busy with a new program?

Even having a meeting at the online television station?

Rate Translation QualityChapter 592: A Singing Program?

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the evening.

His mother called for him from the living room.

"Son."

"Yes?"

"Time for dinner."

"OK, I'm coming."

Zhang Ye came out of his room feeling more refreshed than before. His face did not show any signs of struggle or hesitation, like he had already made up his mind.

His father was already eating when he asked him, "Did you manage to sleep?"

"I did sleep for a while." Zhang Ye also started to eat.

His mother looked at his expression and said, "Have you decided?"

Zhang Ye gobbled up his food and said, "Yes, I have. I'll make a trip to Beijing Television Station tomorrow."

His mother said, "Do you intend to go back?"

Zhang Ye calmly said, "No, I will go and discuss something."

......

The next day.

Early morning.

As it had rained last night, the temperature was cooler by four or five degrees today. Before Zhang Ye left the house, his mother reminded him to put on additional layers. He drove to Beijing Television Station, having arranged a meeting with Hu Fei. However, when he reached the television station, he was welcomed not only by Hu Fei but also a few others who he knew very well.

Xiao Lu screamed from a distance away, "Teacher Zhang!"

Zhang Ye waved and greeted, "Xiao Lu, long time no see. You've become prettier again."

The first person to come forward was Dafei. Without saying anything, he gave Zhang Ye a bear hug and then said, "I really missed you a lot, Teacher Zhang!"

Zhang Ye laughed. "Me too."

Hou Ge also came. He pulled Dafei away before giving Zhang Ye a bear hug as well.

When Xiao Lu saw this, she also hugged Zhang Ye happily and said, "Come back quickly, Teacher Zhang. We don't have any motivation to do programs without you."

Hu Fei asked, "Have you decided yet?"

Zhang Ye nodded and replied, "Yes I have. Let's go in and talk."

"I hope it will be a positive answer," Hu Fei said.

Zhang Ye followed them and entered the new office of the new program team at the satellite channel. Upon entering, he said, "I'm sorry, Brother Hu. I may have to disappoint you."

When everyone heard that, they could only muster an "ah." Suddenly, all their happiness and hopes disappeared without a trace.

Xiao Lu said anxiously, "You're not coming back?"

Dafei asked, "Why?"

Hou Ge said, "Please reconsider again. Don't rush to answer."

Hu Fei did not say anything and waited for Zhang Ye to explain.

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "I'd already decided yesterday, no, to be honest, I had already decided on this matter a very long time ago. After I left Beijing Television Station, I did not plan on coming back again, at least not now when the time is not yet ripe. Everyone, don't try to persuade me anymore. You all know how stubborn I can be. Since I've already made up my mind, it will not change. I have my own way of persisting."

Hu Fei looked at him deeply and said, "When you agreed to come back to help with the public service announcement, I knew that you still had deep feelings for Beijing Television Station. But your decision now leaves me confused. Since you do not have any better place to go to for now, with such a good contract offer, why are you still refusing to come back?"

Zhang Ye organized his thoughts and said, "I do have feelings for this place but it is not like how Brother Hu put it. If I must describe it, I think that these feelings are from my memories and the blood running through me. From childhood, I've grown up watching Beijing Television and other local Beijing stations. Those cartoons, soccer matches on BTV-Sports, BTV's Spring Festival Gala, BTV-Entertainment news and programs on Beijing's street and food culture. Those emotions are all engraved into my memories and are very difficult to describe with words. I love Beijing Television Station and that is not something anyone can change, because I'm from Beijing and it's that simple."

Hu Fei said, "Then you ought to come back."

Xiao Lu said, "That's right, that's right."

Zhang Ye said from the bottom of his heart, "I am confident to say and guarantee that some day from now, I will surely give my best and most excellent television program to Beijing Television Station, my hometown television station. But for now, I can't come back. It's not the right time either."

Hu Fei sighed lightly, "It's useless to say anything more then?"

"Yes. I've already made up my mind," Zhang Ye said.

Hu Fei smiled bitterly and said, "Alright, then I also will not say any more. I know some people in the industry. After this, I will call up some old friends and ask them to help link you up with the other television stations."

Zhang Ye said, "No need, Brother Hu. If they'd wanted to contact me, they would have already done so, it's not something that can be forced. I will just wait at home and take whatever comes."

Xiao Lu turned around and walked over to the other side of the room and slumped into a chair, wiping away her tears.

Zhang Ye was shocked and said, "Woah, what are you doing and why are you crying?"

Xiao Lu ignored him.

Hu Fei sighed, "The station has added to our burden during this period of time. We have such a good broadcasting time slot, but the new program is still not ready, so everyone is very stressed. We were hoping that if you came back to join us, you would be put in charge of program planning and become the executive director. Forget it, there will be a solution somehow."

Zhang Ye asked, "What kind of program did the station request?"

Hu Fei smiled helplessly, "A singing program."

Hu Fei was promoted, together along with his team in Beijing Television, and even secured the critical spot of Friday's primetime slot. Because of that, there were many voices of doubt at the station. Everyone held their breaths and tried to produce a good result, but the outcome did not meet their expectations, the reason being simply because were too many singing programs on the market. They found out that, in the short span of half a month after they had decided to do a singing program, six or seven other satellite channels had also launched their singing programs at the same primetime slots from Friday to Sunday.

One or two were still acceptable.

But five or six? Seven or eight?

Moreover, this situation was not a recent occurrence as there were already signs of such a trend beginning since a year ago.

No matter how high a saturation level the market could accept, it still couldn't have so many similar programs together at once. Even the most hardcore singing show lover would be bored to death!

Hu Fei explained to Zhang Ye and said, "A singing program is easy to do, the template is simple to follow and even if the program ratings are not considered high, the worst it would do is still acceptable. It makes for a very safe choice. That's why many television stations love to do these kinds of programs. But as it coincidentally turned out this time, all those television stations had the same ideas, leading to so many similar programs flooding the market. We were one step too late and didn't seize the opportunity. If we just broadcast like this, our program ratings would surely be very poor. That's why I had been enduring the pressure from the station and did not start on the recording of the program even though the equipment and stage settings were ready."

Zhang Ye took out a tissue and handed it to Xiao Lu.

Xiao Lu took it and wiped away her tears.

"Hur hur, don't cry anymore." Zhang Ye patted her shoulder and said, "Earlier, as everyone kept on asking me about my reason, I could not finish what I had to say." Since he had come to the station today, he was of course not intending to only reject their offer in person, because if that were the case, he would not have needed to come in person. A call would have sufficed since a face-to-face conversation would have made it even more awkward. Since Zhang Ye chose to come to the television station, he naturally had his own plans. He said, "I only said that I wouldn't be coming back, but I never said that I wouldn't help everyone plan a new program, right?"

Hu Fei looked at him.

Xiao Lu also stopped crying and turned her head with teary eyes.

"Teacher Zhang, what's the meaning of all this?"

Hou Ge also added, "If you are not coming back to work, how are you going to help us do a program?"

Zhang Ye said, "Since there are professional program production companies that sell their programs to television stations, I can do the same. Hur hur, but I won't be selling a program. Instead, I will help everyone plan a program and be fully responsible for the initial stage. If it is acceptable and everyone goes along with my program plan, I can guarantee that the program ratings will not be poor. I also do not need any payment in return, except for my most basic copyright fees."

Actually, the reason why Beijing Television Station was so desperate to sign Zhang Ye was not because of his hosting ability. That was a secondary priority. The more important factor was because of his program production skills. The station wanted Zhang Ye to come back to help them make a signature program that could compete with the other satellite channels! If the program was bad, even if one had strong hosting abilities, it would be useless. But if the program was well produced, no matter who the host was, as long as he or she was not too bad at it, the host might even become popular as a result of the primetime program. This was why it also showed the quality and the indispensable side of Zhang Ye. It was not for his hosting ability but for his production strength.

"Ah?"

"How can that be?"

"Is this...is this a good idea?"

Everyone was hard pressed for ideas on how to make this singing program into a good one. And with the current program it was replacing slated to end soon, they were getting anxious. Although they were nervous, they were still rational. If Teacher Zhang Ye really signed with television station and came back, they would surely accept it as his program production skills were top-notch in the industry. If he did not make an effort, then the others would definitely not agree to it. But now that Zhang Ye had rejected the contract with the station, even if he wanted to help out as a friend by giving a free program structure and plan, Hu Fei would absolutely not accept it. Zhang Ye was a friend indeed, so he could not be ungrateful either.

"This will not do." Hu Fei rejected directly and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but..."

"Brother Hu, please let me finish." Zhang Ye coughed and said, "I do not have any demands for the monetary side of things except for the copyright fees. As for the other aspects, I have a request that might be very unacceptable to the station, and that would be my one and only request for helping the station plan a program."

"Oh?" Hu Fei blinked. "Let's hear it."

Zhang Ye pondered for a while and said, "I would like to appoint my choice of host for this primetime program. The station must sign her and let her be the host. That is my one and only condition."

Hu Fei asked, "Who is it?"

Zhang Ye said, "You all may not know her, but her name is Dong Shanshan."

"Dong Shanshan?" Hu Fei repeated after him.

Xiao Lu exclaimed, "I know her! Back when you were hosting the talk show, you mentioned her several times. She was your old classmate and was also a host at the online television station!"

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "That's right, it's her."

Hou Ge exclaimed, "I also know Dong Shanshan! She is very beautiful and goes down the path of sexiness. But isn't she not exactly well-known in the hosting industry? About that..."

In the small community on the internet, the number of Dong Shanshan's fans was not too bad at all and she had many diehard fans as well. But on a large platform like the provincial satellite channels, Dong Shanshan was obviously a nobody and most people would not be able to recognize her.

Hu Fei said, "No wonder you say the station will find it very hard to accept. A satellite channel that broadcasts nationwide on a Friday primetime slot letting an inexperienced and average rookie host such a heavily invested, top-rated program—I believe that there are no satellite television station that would have such courage!" Saying that, Hu Fei also delightfully remarked, "Unless the station is mad."

Zhang Ye said, "That's right."

Almost immediately, Hu Fei's tone changed and he said, "But I believe for your program plans, the station is willing to be mad for once!"

Zhang Ye said, "What do you mean?"

"I do not have any problems on my side, but I need to seek approval from the upper management. I can't make that decision alone." Hu Fei turned to leave just like that as he said, "Wait for my news."

Zhang Ye nodded and said, "Alright!"

Rate Translation QualityChapter 593: Do You Remember

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

After waiting for half an hour.

"Teacher Zhang, what exactly is this program about?"

"I'll share it in a while."

"Aiyah, please just tell us first."

"Hehe, I have to wait until the station accepts my request."

"You already have a program?"

"Of course, it's all in my brain."

From outside the office, many people started streaming in.

Hu Fei returned with seven or eight men and women. There were station leaders, the bosses of the relevant departments and some program approval board staff members, and others. It seemed that the station highly valued this new program. After all, this was a primetime slot program.

One of the bosses walking ahead of the rest said immediately after coming into the office, "Teacher Little Zhang, we've already heard from Old Hu. Actually, we still hope that you can join us back at Beijing Television Station, but if you don't wish to come back, we will of course find it regretful. Old Hu said you have a very good proposal for the new program?"

"Yes." Zhang Ye smiled.

A person behind said, "But for the appointment of a designated host, there has never such a precedent. Moreover, the host is a little-known rookie. Why not change your condition instead? If this program really does as well as expected and can outperform all the other singing programs, then the station will give you a bonus on top of your copyright and production fees, it will certainly be a satisfactory offer."

Everyone sat down to discuss.

Zhang Ye shook his head and said, "That won't do. I've already said I only have this one small request."

That boss said, "That was not a small request. Besides, you should also know that the station does not have any worries about our own hosts as all of them are very outstanding. Once the new program is out, we can use our most familiar and outstanding hosts for it. Purposely headhunting for a rookie to join us...there really has been no such precedent? Why don't you tell everyone about the program proposal and we'll decide if the program will make it or not, then we can discuss that issue later."

"Right, let's hear about what the program is like."

"That's right, Teacher Zhang, tell us first."

The other two people also said the same.

However, Zhang Ye flatly refused and said, "No, that won't do."

Just as the situation was in a stalemate, another four people suddenly entered the office. Among them walking in the middle was an old granny who was also the station head of Beijing Television Station, Xu Yuhong.

"Station Head?"

"Why are you here?"

"Station Head Xu!"

"Station Head!"

Everyone stood up.

Xu Yuhong calmly said, "I heard about the matter. I'm also very interested in Little Zhang's suggestion, so I came over to take a look. What have you all discussed so far?"

That boss explained it once over.

Zhang Ye had quite a good impression of this old granny. On the day when he did the advertisement, he kept calling her Aunty and even ordered her around to do this and that. Even so, that old granny did not even get angry, showing that she had a very good temper.

When Xu Yuhong heard everything, she looked at Zhang Ye and said, "There has really not been a precedent of not using our own station's hosts before. But, Little Zhang, I can promise you. Tell us first about the concept of the program. If it is feasible and not similar to the templated concepts of the singing programs of the other stations, and our professionals judge it as a marketable segment, then we might still be agreeable to your condition of hiring the rookie."

That was as good as an agreement.

When Zhang Ye heard that, he said, "Station Head is indeed large-hearted."

Xu Yuhong laughed and said, "Don't praise me yet. Let's hear about your plans. Since singing talent show programs are already being overdone, how can you be so sure that your program will work?"

Zhang Ye said, "I have to correct myself. I didn't say that it would be a talent show."

"Eh?" Several of the station's staff were dumbfounded.

Hu Fei also never thought of that and said, "Not a talent show? Then how can it be called a singing program?"

One of the bosses said, "Then where is your selling point?"

The singing programs of this world had only created a stir in these past few years. These programs were more or less the same, with hardly any more creativity and had already developed into a bottleneck. As a person living in this world, they would be naturally restricted with their ideas. But Zhang Ye was different from the rest. In his previous world, although some of its variety show programs were not comparable to this world, but for singing programs, they were many years ahead in development than this world.

Zhang Ye looked at them and said, "The name of this program is: Do You Remember. We will allow all citizens to sing karaoke songs, with no entry barriers, with the aim to create a national coalition of karaoke singers. The rules are simple and there's only one condition: Who can sing the lyrics correctly. This is not a competition of vocals nor stage performances, it is competing on who has the best memory. As long as you can sing the song correctly with the designated lyrics, you will win—this is the core of the program and its selling point."

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

They were not shocked but instead felt like they were struck by lightning!

Lyrics?

Remembering lyrics?

How could this be called a f**king television program!?

Xiao Lu was shocked and said, "Surely you can't be serious, Teacher Zhang?"

The boss said, "Little Zhang, you better not be joking."

Hu Fei also had doubts and asked, "Remembering lyrics shouldn't be considered a selling point, right? I can't see anything in that which would attract an audience to such a program."

One of the program approval board staff members who looked like he had his brain shaken by huge waves even thought to himself: "Remembering lyrics, your sister! How idiotic!"

Hou Ge laughed and said, "Teacher Zhang must be doing his crosstalk and teasing us."

Zhang Ye said helplessly, "I'm not joking, I'm being serious here."

Hou Ge: "..."

"Let Little Zhang finish talking," Xu Yuhong said.

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "Actually, as long as this program is not done up, just my explanation alone will not make everyone fully understand it. I can only use a general overview to explain simply in words about why I want to design such a program. If you just listen to it, a competition-styled program that emphasizes remembering lyrics might sound terrible, alright, maybe even atrocious, but this atrociousness might just be from you personal point of view that is based on your mindset. However, if you think about it in a different way, you'd know that such a program might not have the competitiveness and tension of a reality television singing program, with not as many handsome men and pretty women and even without powerful vocals. When we compare it in this way, it would be edged out on more than a dozen avenues by those other singing programs, yet Do You Remember has something too that would beat them by a dozen avenues, and that is the fact that it is simple. In fact, it is so simple that anyone can join in!"

Hu Fei was deep in thought.

The rest were also thinking hard.

Zhang Ye said, "What you all think of as lame, simple, low class are in fact not the flaws of this program. Instead, they are the most competitive factors and advantages of Do You Remember. The other singing programs all either have handsome guys or pretty ladies who can hit high pitches with their singing voices or have good dancing skills. The audience can't participate in them because they don't have the qualifications to do so, but is there anyone who can't remember lyrics? Even a three year old can memorize some songs. Anyone can join, participate, or even sing along with the lyrics in front of their televisions. Is there anything more marvelous than having all the citizens participate in an event?"

Hu Fei finally understood and said, "This really could be another way to do it!"

Dafei said, "Will...that work?"

Zhang Ye said, "All the other singing competitions are comparing who is better looking, who can sing the best, or who has a good backstory. I call that as walking the 'path of talent'. But in this new program of mine, I want it to walk on the path of the common people. Just as I said earlier, anyone can participate in it and even register to participate in the live competition. There are no entry barriers, no complicated procedures. As long as you want to participate, anyone can have a high chance of being shown on the live broadcast on television, even if you are tone-deaf!"

Xiao Lu was shocked, "What? People who are tone-deaf can also join?"

"Of course they can. The program is about remembering lyrics. That is all that will be competed on. Even if you sing very badly, you can still participate and win." Zhang Ye said, "Let me add something right here. I intend for some tone-deaf people to participate so that they can create a topic and have a common touch with the citizens. The audience watching at home on their televisions might laugh at or scold those tone-deaf people, thinking 'how they could even get on TV? I'm better than him!' This is also a selling point that would encourage audience participation and improve program ratings. All of you are industry professionals, so I don't think I need to get into the details on how to manage it."

Xu Yuhong said, "Are those the only selling points?"

"Of course not." Zhang Ye looked around, then walked towards a whiteboard and picked up a marker and started to write on the board. He explained, "This program needs two hosts, a man and woman who will be responsible for the humour and help regulate the atmosphere and involve the audience in the show. The hosts do not be too experienced nor need to constantly make witty remarks. On the contrary, the more affable they are, the better it will be due to the style of this program. We will also need a lead singer as that is also one of the key factors of this program, so how do we choose the lead singer? Let me go through it all one by one..."

From the stage to the lighting.

From the lead singer to the audience selection.

And even the critical scenes to be shown on the screen were described in detail.

Finally, he said, "The template is like such because it is the most basic structure to the program. As you all had mentioned earlier, because this program is not a talent show, there might be a less receptive mood for it. So to make up for this, at every month's end, we will implement a countrywide 'mic-dominator' contest, dividing the cities into north, south, east, west, and central regions and pitting them against each other. We will spread this battle fervor across the country, which will later lead to a city versus city tournament. Since the audience will naturally support their own cities, this will up the atmosphere and competitiveness naturally as it happens. In the end, there will be a final showdown where only one city would be declared the winner. As for how to select, and how to plan the PK competition, let me explain further in detail..."

They discussed for another twenty minutes.

Those people from the television station were totally stunned and could not say anything at all. They thought of bringing up some misgivings, but when Zhang Ye was explaining, they realized that he had already thought of all the problems of the entire process. Their doubts were answered by Zhang Ye even before they could bring it up. Even the concerns of how the audience would feel when the concept lost its novelty were addressed by Zhang Ye who had already thought out the necessary adjustments from the hosting style to adding new rounds to the program to maintain its program ratings.

When other program planners made a proposal, their initial ideas would just be an idea or a concept, which would then be discussed further upon. It would slowly be edited bit by bit, making changes here and there before the final proposal would be set. Then when the program was broadcast on television, the audience reaction and program ratings would be considered and changes would be made as necessary. A strategy made today could be changed again the following week, but as for Zhang Ye? He had submitted a proposal which extended six or seven years into the future. He even thought of every single detail and the physiological changes of the audience. It was really flawless!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 594: Launch of a new program!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the morning.

10 AM.

Zhang Ye's throat was dry from all the talking. He asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you have a drink?"

"Yes, of course." Xiao Lu immediately ran to get a bottle of mineral water. "Here, Teacher Zhang."

"Thanks." Zhang Ye took it and chugged half the bottle immediately. When he saw the others in a state of pondering, he said, "That is the general concept of it. If I did not forget anything, that should be all of it, so if there's any questions, you may bring them up now and I will address them."

The manager of Hu Fei's program asked a critical question that would be put across to all new programs, "What is your estimation of the viewership ratings?"

Zhang Ye laughed, "Which type of viewership rating?"

There were many types of ratings, like the 50 cities viewership ratings, the local viewership ratings, as well as nationwide viewership ratings.

Local viewership ratings only measured the total viewership of a single city. For example, when Zhang Ye was hosting Lecture Room at BTV-Arts Channel, the ratings of 7% or 8% were all local viewership ratings and only reported on the statistics within Beijing city itself. As BTV-Arts Channel only broadcasted in the region of Beijing, that was the reason why such ratings were used, and because it was a locally broadcasted channel dedicated to an audience who belonged to the same area, the viewership ratings for a local channel would definitely be high.

For the 50 cities viewership rating, it basically meant the top 50 cities' viewership rating, not including the rural areas. This was the most commonly used statistic.

The most objective statistic would be the nationwide viewership ratings as this had the largest sample size and so would give a smaller percentage rating. But if a program could hit 1% viewership ratings nationwide, then it would still be considered a very popular program since 1% would mean that one out of a hundred persons in the country were watching the program. With the total population of China, one could only imagine the total viewership numbers!

The manager said, "The nationwide viewership ratings."

One of the others also looked at Zhang Ye, waiting for his response to the question.

Zhang Ye thought about it for a moment, and then answered, "I can't give you an estimation for the first episode as it depends on the promotions and other factors and that would leave too much to chance. If we're talking about the average ratings after enough episodes, then my estimate for Do You Remember would be at least 0.6% for the nationwide viewership ratings to 1% tops."

An employee immediately said, "That's impossible!"

Xiao Lu's jaw had dropped. She said, "It would be that high?"

Hou Ge said in surprise, "Reality television singing programs these days at other television stations have at most ratings of 0.5%. If it's low, it can even be around 0.3%. This is because these programs' broadcasts have cannibalized each others' viewership ratings as there isn't any particularly outstanding one. If Do You Remember can really hit 1% viewership ratings nationally, then it would be too awesome!"

Zhang Ye categorically stated, "It would only be more and not less than what I said, but of course, that is based on my point of view. Since it is just an estimation, everyone has their own opinions on this."

Do You Remember was a very popular program some years back in Zhang Ye's previous world. It was not the type of program that experienced overnight success but one that slowly climbed up to become a popular one. At that time, Zhang Ye was just like them and could not understand how a program that used remembering lyrics as its selling point and felt so inadequate could have a viewership rating that wasn't too bad. Only after he had watched a few episodes of it did he finally understand that every program that was successful would have its own reasons. Yes, even though this evergreen program had suffered a viewership ratings drop in its later years, at the beginning, Do You Remember had still done brilliantly, although its viewership ratings weren't exactly that outstanding or mind-blowing. But it could still be considered successful. In the nationwide viewership ratings for the same time slots, it was a common occurrence to be placed first or second. This was an extremely worthy and valuable program.

Why did he choose it?

Because Zhang Ye had his own considerations as well.

First, Do You Remember had very good viewership ratings.

Second, this program was of no use to Zhang Ye. Not only did the style of the program not fit Zhang Ye's development path, even if the others felt that its viewership ratings were good, Zhang Ye was still not too interested in it. What Zhang Ye needed was not just success, but to be the best in the industry. And so, these were the reasons why this program did not matter much to him since he had no intentions of hosting it. If he wanted to host a similar program, there were much more and much better programs for him to choose from. But if he just left this program unused, it would really be a waste. The originality and style of this program was still very worthwhile, especially at a time when reality television singing programs were at a developmental bottleneck.

He had already explained all that he could. Zhang Ye was only waiting for their reply now

The manager, along with Hu Fei and a few of the program planners, began discussing, at times whispering, at times nodding and shaking their heads. They were discussing intensely about the whole proposal.

A while later.

Zhang Ye could not wait any longer and said, "The program rundown is as what I have explained. I have already given the proposal to you all, with in-depth details up to a few years ahead in the program's lifespan. If all of you think that it is OK, use it. But like I've said, I only have a small request and that is for Dong Shanshan to be the designated female host. I don't care who the male host is."

The manager fell silent.

Another station leader made no sound.

Zhang Ye continued to say, "If you think that it would not be good or the viewership ratings might not hit everyone's estimates, then just take it like I hadn't said anything. I'll be leaving then?" He stood up and prepared to leave.

When the satellite channel's manager heard this, he quickly stopped him. "Hey, hey, hey, Little Zhang, don't go yet. Aren't we all discussing right now? It's not that we think the program is not good!"

"Don't go, don't go. Take a seat first. We did not say we did not want it," another deputy director said.

The manager looked at Xu Yuhong and said, "Station Head, what's your opinion?"

Xu Yuhong waved him off and said, "I won't interfere with your department's matters. Make the decision on your own." She did not say much since the beginning and was more of an observer.

The manager understood and then looked over to Hu Fei. "Old Hu?"

Hu Fei revealed a wide smile and said, "I feel that it is a very good proposal and different from the rest of the programs out there recently, so it should definitely stand out from the rest. For us, I do not think that there will be any better programs. We can save a lot of money this way since we no longer have to invite any big name celebrities as guests. With this out of the budget, we can use the money in other ways to raise the overall standard of the program." The reality television singing programs these days were all about inviting big names or S-list singers which sometimes could command appearance fees of up to tens of millions. Compared to all the other required costs, this was the main bulk of it!

But this requirement was not needed for Do You Remember! All that money would be saved!

It was good since there wasn't really much of a budget for their program!

The manager nodded and laughed. "I feel the same as you. This program is really fitting for our satellite channel's Friday primetime slot. I have finally seen for myself just how good Teacher Little Zhang's program planning abilities are. Whether it is Lecture Room or Zhang Ye's Talk Show, your reputation is fully justified. So many of the program planners and staff in our television station had been meeting for many days and still could not come up with something, but just a short while with you has already provided us with such a perfect program proposal. You've really helped us out when we needed it the most."

Behind him, one of the program planners was also utterly convinced and said, "Teacher Zhang, why don't you come back? If this program is hosted by you as well, then it would be perfect!"

The manager immediately said, "Yes, Little Zhang, come back and join us."

Zhang Ye said, "Let's talk again in the future when we get a chance."

The manager said regretfully, "Alright then, we won't ask any further. Let's just settle this program first. Teacher Little Zhang, we are going to go ahead and take this Do You Remember. As for the price...Are you OK with 3 million RMB?"

Zhang Ye shrugged and said, "I've already said that I have no requests for the price."

The manager hesitated a little and then turned to a staff member behind him and said, "Tell Old Wang from the HR Department to contact Teacher Dong Shanshan. He must definitely get her to join us! We will pay for her contract to be voided as well!"

Zhang Ye interrupted and said, "There's no need to pay the compensation since Teacher Shanshan is currently without a job. She is not contracted to any television station currently as she left her last job two days ago."

The manager said, "Then that's even more convenient."

Zhang Ye sincerely said, "Thank you very much."

The manager raised a hand and just said, "Don't say that. If there's any thanking to be done here, it should be us thanking you."

A good program was much more valuable than a good host. With his proposed program, Zhang Ye had already completely impressed all of Beijing Television Station!

At some point in time, Xu Yuhong had disappeared and left the meeting.

With the station head gone, the atmosphere had also become much more relaxed.

The manager and Hu Fei continued raising quite a few more questions and program details. Since Zhang Ye had already accepted the role of the program planner for this, he would surely have to do his part. But he probably only had to do this today, for once the program begins production, Zhang Ye would no longer need to do much more. All of the issues should be handled by Hu Fei's team from there and because Zhang Ye had no plans of returning to Beijing Television Station to work, he could only do the program planning without joining in the actual production work.

Soon after, the manager left with his team.

Hu Fei then started delegating the tasks. The new program team no longer only consisted of Xiao Lu and the others; it had expanded to include quite a number of other employees as well. He said, "Starting from today, the program for Do You Remember is officially launched. Xiao Lu, go and mock up a promotion proposal. Dafei, the stage layout will need to undergo some changes. A lot it will need to be modified to follow Teacher Little Zhang's design for the stage, so please go and coordinate this with the recording studios..."

Rate Translation QualityChapter 595: Dong Shanshan and her family are shocked!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

At this moment.

In a county that was neither big nor small.

It was just past 11 AM when Dong Shanshan, who was now back at her family home, was still lying in bed in her rather cramped room. On the wall were some old and dog-eared posters which looked pretty aged with a yellowish tint. The layout of the room was also from the time when Dong Shanshan was still in middle school. It was clear that this was where she was born and stayed at but also a place she hadn't come back to often in many years.

Dong dong.

The bedroom door was being knocked on very lightly.

Dong Shanshan raised her head and said, "The door's not locked."

Mother Dong opened the door and looked in, asking, "Why are you still not up yet?"

"I've been working too hard on my shows recently, so I'm a little tired." Dong Shanshan smiled and stretched herself in bed, moving her feet like a spoiled child. She said to her mother, "Mom, help me massage my legs please?"

Mother Dong sat down on her small bed and started lightly massaging her daughter.

"How comfortable, my mom is the best in the world," Dong Shanshan said with a big smile.

Mother Dong looked at her and said, "Tell me honestly, did you come back this time because something happened at work?"

"No, work is going very smoothly and the leader also takes very good care of me. I came back because I was worried about you and Dad, and wanted to come home to visit the both of you. I will be going back in some days when I start working on my new program. Right now, I have a break since my old show has already finished its broadcast. Don't worry about me, I'm fine," Dong Shanshan explained.

Mother Dong shook her head and said, "I gave birth to you and raised you. Wouldn't I know if you were really fine? Everytime I ask, you always say that everything is good and that you are safe. The more you say it like that, the more worried your dad and I become, because we don't know which of your words are the truth and how you are really doing. Compared to hearing that, we prefer to listen to you tell us what is really going on. So tell Mom now, did you meet with some trouble this time?"

Father Dong also came into the room from the outside. "If you are really having some problems, you can always come home. Don't go away anymore. Just because you majored in broadcast doesn't mean that you must be a host. Of all your classmates, how many really ended up becoming hosts? This industry is too murky with its unspoken rules. Our family are just ordinary people. We can't compare to those who can pull strings with their relatives."

Dong Shanshan said, "But I want to develop my career as a host. This has always been my ambition and my thoughts have never wavered. Besides, I am not doing too bad either now. My career has just taken off. Even though an online television station is still not as influential or has as many audiences as a traditional television station and can even be considered several levels lower as a platform, but one can't accomplish great things with just one single effort, can they? We have to do it step by step. I have just made some results for myself and you want me to give up now? Hur hur, that's not going to happen."

Father Dong said, "Then why did you come back this time?"

Mother Dong also said in worry, "Shanshan, can you just be honest with us for once?"

After a brief silence, Dong Shanshan stroked her ponytail and said, "Alright, I'll tell you both. I had a quarrel with the online television station and submitted my resignation this time. I've also sent out quite a number of résumés to the television stations in the country who were looking to recruit television hosts. But the larger television stations and satellite channels totally ignored a minor thing like me, like my résumé was simply thrown into the ocean. They all think that my qualifications are too little and that I am not popular enough. The smaller local television stations I submitted my résumés to did consider me for a position, but after communicating for a while, it all came to nothing. As they are all small local television stations that do not attract much viewership, they did not and also could not plan for a variety program, so they definitely did not require a host like me. This is why I came back. The rental for the apartment in Shanghai was too expensive at several thousand a month. I could no longer afford to stay there. So, I decided to come home to work things out." After explaining the situation, Dong Shanshan laughed a little. "Well, that is the truth that you both insisted on hearing."

Father Dong said angrily, "Why did they not want you? Didn't you do quite well when you were still working at the local channel back then?"

"They didn't think they had a suitable show for me." Dong Shanshan shrugged and continued, "Although I've already said that I was very willing to try out any new shows even if it wasn't a variety-based one. It could be a cooking program; I would still be willing to give it a shot. But then, they still maintained their stance and told me that they had their own considerations as well and did not want to take the risk."

Mother Dong said scornfully, "Employing you would be a risk? It's their loss that they didn't get to employ you!"

Dong Shanshan laughed gently and said, "Well, that is...what I think too."

"How can you still laugh like that now." Mother Dong who was already feeling very anxious for her daughter, asked her, "Then what will you do now? Are you going to continue sending out your résumé?"

Dong Shanshan nodded and said, "I've sent them out to whichever places have put up hiring notices for hosts. I've even tried for other online television stations as well. Right now, all I can hope for is to get a good program that I can work on since it hasn't been easy to get to the popularity that I have now. I can't just let it go to waste like this. I must get a long-term contract as a host, otherwise when this popularity declines, I will have to start all over again in the future. That is just how cruel the entertainment industry can get."

Father Dong immediately said, "It's OK, your mom and I will take care of you, so just stay at home."

"Thanks Dad, but I have no problem taking care of myself. At most, I would take up more commercial hosting to feed myself even if the pay is unstable." Dong Shanshan rolled across the bed to her mother's lap and said, "But that won't be my long-term plan, right now..." She yawned and continued, "I just hope to find a good enough hosting job."

Mother Dong stood up.

"Where are you going?" Dong Shanshan's head slid off her mother's lap back onto the bed.

Mother Dong said, "I will go and burn some incense to pray for you."

Dong Shanshan smiled and said, "Sure, then I am going to depend on Mom for this."

Father Dong was almost at a loss for words. He remarked, "Such blind superstitions!"

Mother Dong turned a deaf ear to it and just walked out to the altar and lit the incense, and then started chanting almost inaudibly with a muttering of words.

Father Dong said to his daughter, "You should have stopped her. All she knows is to burn incense every time until the house is full of the smell of sandalwood."

"That's all that my mother likes to do, so just let her be. If you don't allow her to burn the incense, she would definitely take it up with you," said Dong Shanshan when her cell phone suddenly rang.

The phone was ringing and vibrating!

She had a look at the caller ID. It was an unknown number calling.

Dong Shanshan flipped over and sat up against the headboard wondering who could be calling. She accepted the call and said: "Hello, who is this?"

On the other end was the voice of a young man who sounded like he was in his twenties, but of course he could be thirty or so as well. "Hello, may I know if this is Teacher Dong Shanshan's number?"

Looking for me?

There was a response to my application?

Dong Shanshan immediately said: "Yes, that's me. Who is this?"

Father Dong was also listening closely beside her.

The youth said cheerfully: "I am from the HR Department of Beijing Television Station. You can call me Liu."

When she heard his introduction, Dong Shanshan was slightly taken aback. Beijing Television Station? She did not remember sending in her résumé to them.

Then the young man continued: "It's like this, Teacher Shanshan. Beforehand, I would like to ask if you are currently contracted to any television station?"

Dong Shanshan said honestly: "No, I've already left my previous job."

The young man said: "Then your management agency..."

Dong Shanshan said: "I don't have one either."

The young man said: "Alright, that makes things much simpler then."

Dong Shanshan was still clueless as to what was going on, so she asked: "Tell me about it."

"Sure, as long as there's no contract involved, I will just speak directly. Our Beijing Television Station's satellite channel, also known as BTV-1, would like to invite you to join us!" said the young man, whose words surprised her!

Beijing Television Station?

And it was even the satellite channel??

How could this be possible!?

Dong Shanshan hesitated for a bit, wondering if the other party was making a scam phone call to her. "Mr. Liu, if I remember correctly, I don't think I submitted my résumé to your station?"

"Résumé?" The young man said: "I don't know about that, Teacher Shanshan. We did not contact you due to any résumé, and as the overall situation is a little complex, I'm not too sure either. All I know is that the program team from the satellite channel got us to contact and inform you regarding their intent to work together with you. As for what kind of program and its details, perhaps you can discuss it directly with the program team's manager or the related personnel. I don't have all the information with me since I am just handling the contract."

Dong Shanshan asked in disbelief: "Beijing Television?"

The young man said: "Yes."

Dong Shanshan asked again: "Could you tell me in general what kind of program we are talking about?"

The youth: "It's a large-scale variety singing program."

Dong Shanshan: "What time slot?"

"Friday..." The young man said: "...Friday's primetime slot at around 9 PM."

Friday?

Satellite channel?

Large-scale variety program?

And it's even at a primetime slot?

How could something so good be true!

Dong Shanshan was a little befuddled by this and was beginning to feel that this really was a scam phone call. She made up her mind that as long as the person started asking for money or to make a credit transfer to them, she would hang up immediately!

"Then what do you need me to do?" Dong Shanshan asked.

The young man answered: "You...you don't need to do anything. I would like to understand if you have any requests before I proceed to let you know about the details."

"I have no requests whatsoever!" Dong Shanshan said.

The young man laughed and said: "Alrighty then, it should be easy to discuss. The general situation right now is that we have a new program segment that urgently needs to take over a current program slot, so the recording schedule is also quite urgent because of that. The team has already started prepping today and will start with the production tomorrow. So if you are fine with it, it's best we have a face-to-face meeting today to settle the contractual agreements. If it's convenient, could you make a trip to the television station today?"

"To Beijing Television Station?"

"Yes."

When she heard this, Dong Shanshan was pretty sure that this was not a scam phone call.

Dong Shanshan immediately replied: "I am out of Beijing at the moment, but if I set out immediately, I should be able to get to Beijing by the afternoon."

The young man said: "That would be great. Since we're on this issue, let me give you the details about the contract. We are preparing a 1+1 contract for you, with an annual salary of 200,000 RMB excluding bonuses, welfare, and other standard payments. This contract will offer whatever is expected, yes, so you can make your decision on the way here. If there are any parts of this offer you're not satisfied with or have any special requests, we can talk about them when we meet later. As long as it is related to the contract, I am in charge of it and we can negotiate. As for any program-related requests that you might have, the program team will go through the details with you later as well."

Free to negotiate?

Everything can be discussed?

Aren't they being too polite!?

Dong Shanshan finally asked, "How many hosts will there be?"

"Two, a man and a woman."

"The other person is?"

"It has not been confirmed yet. At the launch of this program, only two things has been confirmed. One, the program's name will be called Do You Remember, and the other is the choice of the female host!"

The program details were still being worked on!

Yet the designated female host is me??

Rate Translation QualityChapter 596: The host who never needed a script

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

After the call ended.

The room was in complete silence!

Although Father Dong who was beside her could not clearly hear every word that was said, he could still grasp some of the details he heard from the faint voice on the phone. He was also stunned at that moment.

After Mother Dong had finished burning incense in the living room, she returned to the room and asked, "Eh, what happened?"

Father Dong grabbed onto his spouse and said, "Shanshan has found a job!"

"Ah? So fast?" Mother Dong said in surprise. "What kind of job?"

Dong Shanshan was a bit stunned as she subconsciously blurted out, "Beijing Television invited me to be the female host of a large-scale variety show that will air every Friday at the primetime slot of 9 PM."

Mother Dong was pleasantly surprised and asked, "Really?"

Dong Shanshan said, "It sounded real, not fake."

"Aiyo, that's great, that's so great!" Mother Dong was so excited she didn't know what else to say. "That is a one of the country's more reputable satellite channel stations, the highest-rated television station in the north and it's even a Friday primetime slot? Shanshan, looks like there are still some people with foresight. Who says there are no television stations who want you!" Mother Dong paused for a moment and then claimed credit by saying, "Old man, see that? That's why I said we must always burn incense and pray to the gods! And you still say that I'm superstitious!"

Father Dong said, "...What has all this got to do with burning incense!"

Dong Shanshan sat down, stood up, and sat down again. She could not calm her mind down and said, "But it can't be, why would they look for me? They could have looked for anyone else, it shouldn't even be my turn yet, is this sis' reputation that great? I could even alert a big station like Beijing Television?" She was still quite aware of the weight she could pull. So she was becoming even more perplexed at all that was going on. She then said, "They had only just confirmed the name of the program and the female host has already been designated as me? From the way they offered me the job, it seemed like it had to be none other than me?"

Mother Dong smiled and said, "That shows just how much they admire you!"

"It's too ridiculous," Dong Shanshan said. She had already begun packing her luggage. "But...I must still go no matter how ridiculous it sounds. If I miss this opportunity, I will jump off a building!"

Mother Dong went to help with the packing and said, "I'll help you pack."

Dong Shanshan said, "Dad, Mom, I will go to Beijing to discuss with them. If it is a fake offer, I will come back again. The distance between Inner Mongolia to Beijing is not that far anyway!"

Father Dong kindly smiled and said, "Go on, just do what you need to do and don't worry about the matters at home."

In a short while, Dong Shanshan was done packing her luggage. Actually, most of her stuff was still inside since she hadn't taken them out when she had returned home.

"I'm leaving!" Dong Shanshan left quickly as she was the type of person who got things done very quickly.

"Be careful on the way."

"I'll call back if the job is confirmed."

......

Later in the afternoon.

At Beijing Television Station.

At noon, Zhang Ye scrounged a meal from the station before leaving. Hu Fei and his team started to get busy as they were racing against time to speed up the preparations for the program. No one from the program team lazed around.

"Do we have any candidates for the male host?"

"What about Teacher Li?"

"I thought Little Li went abroad for training?"

"How about Teacher Yu?"

"Teacher Yu still has a program so he's not available. Besides, Old Yu's getting up there in years and won't suit this program."

Hu Fei, Xiao Lu, and a few people were discussing, when suddenly, someone came in from outside. It was Little Liu from the station's HR Department. Beside him stood a long-legged beauty.

When Hou Ge saw her, his eyes shone brightly and he said, "This is?"

Hou Di and Dafei also stopped what they were doing and looked over together.

In fact, all of the male colleagues in the office area appeared to suddenly focus their attention onto the figure of this long-legged beauty...or her legs.

This was Teacher Zhang Ye's old classmate?

She was even prettier in person than on television!

Especially that pair of long legs. How could they be so long! Did you connect another joint on it by yourself!? Is this the legendary "nine-heads-tall figure"?

That HR Department young man gestured to his side with a smile and said, "Let me introduce her to everyone. This is Teacher Dong Shanshan. Her contract has already been signed and the joining formalities are being processed at the moment. From today onwards, Teacher Dong Shanshan will be a staff member of Beijing Television. Brother Hu, I brought her over already and I will hand her over to you now."

Hu Fei led the applause.

Dafei, Xiao Lu, and the rest also applauded in unison!

"Welcome, our new colleague!"

"Teacher Shanshan, we were all waiting for you."

"We warmly welcome you!"

The atmosphere of Hu Fei's new program team was excellent. This was the kind of style that he built up in any of his teams. He didn't allow or condone any of his program team colleagues to have friction or conflicts between them. Hu Fei set a good example for others. He was always dedicated to all of his subordinates. At the same time, he also requested that they should build a good relationship between themselves. No matter how famous or highly experienced you were, you could not put on airs or be lazy. He felt that only a relatively harmonious team could be the best soil to grow a good program upon.

Zhang Ye also started out in this sort of culture in Hu Fei's team. This was also imbued deep in him. Although Zhang Ye had worked at many places and offended many leaders and units, even to the point of not seeing each other anymore, after he left Beijing Arts Channel, he still maintained a close relationship with Hu Fei and his team that just a call was enough for him to come back and help out.

Dong Shanshan was not at all affected by all the eyes staring at her now. Judging from her demeanor and aura, she was totally unlike a rookie who had only debuted for a year. She greeted, "Hello everyone, it's my first day today, so please take care of me."

Hou Ge immediately said, "Sure, sure!"

As expected from brothers, Hou Di also said in unison with his brother, "Sure, sure."

The HR Department young man laughed heartily. "Brother Hu, the task that was passed to me has already been completed with all the necessary work. When the program starts broadcasting, I'll be waiting to join in your celebratory feast."

Hu Fei patted his shoulder like a close friend and said, "Alright, thanks, Liu'er."

"You're welcome. I'll leave now as I still have some matters to attend to." The young man turned around and walked away.

Hu Fei looked at Dong Shanshan and finally put out his hand for a handshake and said, "Welcome, I'm Hu Fei, the executive producer and executive director of Do You Remember."

Dong Shanshan smiled and shook his hand, saying, "Hello, Executive."

Hu Fei smiled and said, "Don't address me like that. Just calling me Brother Hu or Old Hu will do. Come, let me introduce the team to you. This is Xiao Lu, this is Dafei..."

She was getting to know the team members in quick succession.

Finally, Hu Fei said, "Teacher Shanshan, we will be officially starting the production of the program tomorrow, but I have not planned your hosting script nor is there a draft yet as the program concept had only been fixed this morning. For the matter of the hosting script...let's talk about it later. I need to find someone to write it on an ad-hoc basis for now."

Dong Shanshan immediately got into gear and was ready to start working. She asked, "Will it be ready on time if it gets written at the last minute? Why don't you give me the program outline and requirements for the hosts and I will try to write it instead."

Hu Fei acknowledged and said, "Alright, then we'll trouble you to put in some hard work first until I manage to borrow a screenwriter from the other program teams to write up hosting script for you. We will discuss again with you and the unconfirmed male host once this is settled."

Dong Shanshan blinked and said, "Borrow someone? Did our program team's screenwriter resign?"

Xiao Lu who was at the other side smiled and said, "It's not like that. It's just that we never had a professional screenwriter for the hosting script in our program team since the Arts Channel."

How could that be?

No script?

How could a program be done without having a script then?

Realizing Dong Shanshan was unable to comprehend the situation, Xiao Lu laughed, "Because we have never needed one before as we once had a host who didn't have a need for any script!"

Rate Translation QualityChapter 597: The Appointed Host!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Dong Shanshan was a little taken aback. "No need for a script? Were the scripts prepared ahead before recording the program then?"

Hou Ge laughed and said, "They weren't prepared ahead of time, but he never, ever needed a script when he did a program recording. Even if it's a live broadcast, he just goes up and does his hosting without any script. There are 12 urban legends in the internal departments within Beijing Television Station that are being spread around and this is one of them. Why these are called urban legends is because even if we tell anyone outside the station about it, no one would believe them. Only our own internal staff knows that these are, in fact, truths and not urban legends."

Hu Fei patted him on the back and said, "Don't be talking about those useless things anymore. Discuss the program concept and hosting details with Shanshan. Everyone else is starting to get busy, so don't just stand around!"

"Yes."

"OK."

"As you command!"

Everyone dispersed as the party was dismissed.

Hou Ge and Dong Shanshan walked to a workstation in the corner where he took out a stack of documents and place them one by one onto the table, and started explaining the program to Dong Shanshan.

As a professional host who had graduated from the most prestigious broadcasting college in the country, Dong Shanshan naturally had her own judgement of programs. While she was on the way to Beijing, Dong Shanshan had considered many things. She repeatedly considered the possible reasons Beijing Television had for signing her, a half-rookie with not much of a name carved out in the industry, as a host for such an important program segment. All her considerations only pointed to one thing, that the program needed someone like her who could be a "vase" to attract the viewers. Dong Shanshan's mission was probably just to stand on stage and occasionally make some remarks or say a few words and then let the show continue on its own. For this program, the hosts were simply there to be eye-candy and not much else. Dong Shanshan thought this was the only possibility, but she still came and signed the contract after just listening to the offer without a second thought. This was because, even if she were going to be a host who could be disregarded and ignored on stage, this was still the "Northern Big Brother" Beijing Television's variety program in a primetime slot. Even if she only had a bit part to play every week, she was willing to do it as this platform was too good!

But when Hou Ge had finished explaining the whole concept of the program and the role of the host, Dong Shanshan discovered that what she had initially concluded couldn't be further from the truth!

Vase?

Not much screen time?

A bit part host?

Bullshit! The responsibilities of the host in this program turned out to be much more important than she had imagined! Although the program's main focus was still on the contestants, city PK, or the leading singer, the host was also a key part of the whole setup and couldn't be ignored. The host was extremely important and would have a lot of screen time since they would be needed to string together the entire show by appearing on screen and leading and setting the atmosphere of the live audience!

It wasn't a group of them!

It wasn't a partnership of a main host with four or five co-hosts!

It was just two hosts, a man and a woman, and that female host was Dong Shanshan. As she would be the only female host as well, there was basically no one else to share the screen with her at all!

Hou Ge looked at her and said, "Teacher Shanshan, that's generally how it is."

Dong Shanshan came back to her senses and said, "Ah? OK."

"It wasn't clear? That's fine. If you did not understand any of that, just ask," Hou Ge explained patiently. When it came to how he treated a pretty woman, he was always quite meticulous.

Dong Shanshan laughed and said, "It's not that, I understood it all. But I'm wondering about how very heavy the responsibility of the host is. That makes me feel very pressured. Since the station and the program team value me so much, have put such an important task on me, and given such a good program and time slot to me, I will definitely do it well."

Hou Ge said kindly, "Don't worry about that. Just relax and do your job."

Dong Shanshan said, "But how do I relax? Honestly speaking, this is my first time hosting such a large-scale variety program and it's even one on a satellite channel at a primetime slot. I don't know what the program teams sees in me to have invited me to join you all and given me such preferential treatment. So I'm afraid I won't be able to do well and end up getting withdrawn from the role." She spoke about how pressured she was feeling and what not, but somehow it felt more like she was trying to lead the conversation to something else.

When Hou Ge heard this, he smiled and said, "Listen to me, Teacher Shanshan. Don't worry and rest assured. There's no need to fret about anything else. Let me tell you something. The program Do You Remember could fire me or fire anyone else on the team, but they would never fire you for sure."

What?

Fire you and I would still be here?

Did I hear wrong?

Dong Shanshan was taken aback and could only say, "Huh?"

Hou Ge said, "Anyhow, just relax."

"What did you mean by that?" Dong Shanshan looked at him.

Hou Ge mumbled a few words, knowing he had said too much in the presence of the pretty woman in front of him, and recovered his composure. He coughed and said, "I don't mean anything, it's nothing. I was just randomly saying a few things, so in any case, just don't feel too pressured and you'll be alright."

Dong Shanshan said, "Hou Ge, since this is what everyone calls you, I will address you like this as well."

"Sure, you can call me whatever you like," Hou Ge said with a smile.

Dong Shanshan, weaving some lies into truths, said, "You look especially like a cousin of mine. That's why I feel comfortable being around you. I've always been quite sociable, so I won't take you as an outsider."

Hou Ge said happily, "You mustn't take me as an outsider. Don't stand on ceremony with me. If there's anything you need, just come to Hou Ge. Hou Ge will definitely answer to your calls without any hesitation!"

Dong Shanshan's eyes had been filled with perplexity since this morning. She could not figure it out while she was on the way here, but her female intuition told her that a meat pie dropping out of the sky into her lap like this was definitely not without a reason, so she asked, "Alright then, the thing I need to know is: why is it that anyone else can be fired, but not me? And there's something else I can't understand all this while here. Why did the station look for me to assume the important role of the female host for such a large-scale production?"

Hou Ge glanced left and right, before saying, "About this..."

Dong Shanshan said, "Don't forget you promised that you wouldn't hesitate to help me out."

Hou Ge laughed bitterly and then whispered, "It's not that I don't wish to say it, but that I am not allowed to say it."

"Is it Zhang Ye?" Dong Shanshan was very clever and just brought up the name directly.

Hou Ge hesitated. "Erm, I did not say that."

Dong Shanshan observed his expression and said, "It must be him then. Didn't you all just say that there was a host who did not need to use any scripts? That was Zhang Ye, wasn't it? He and I were old classmates and also colleagues who have worked together before. About his ability to go off script and even doing that for a live broadcast, it was something that I witnessed with my own eyes as well. Zhang Ye is the only person I know so far who is crazy enough to dare to do a live broadcast without a script. Other than him, there couldn't be anyone else who was brave enough to attempt that. So that would mean that our program team was previously the team for the Arts Channel's Lecture Room program, right?"

Hou Ge knew that he could no longer keep this under wraps, so he confessed, "Correct."

Dong Shanshan asked, "Did Zhang Ye recommend me to the station?"

"What Teacher Little Zhang did was definitely not a recommendation." When he said this, Hou Ge also had a strange smile on his face. "Let me tell you this, but don't say that I was the one who said it."

Dong Shanshan nodded. "Naturally."

Hou Ge said, "Originally, the station had intended to ask Teacher Little Zhang to come back by offering him a long-term contract so that he could help plan a few programs for the station and to help bring up the viewership ratings as well. But as you should also know, Little Zhang used to have disagreements with the station on certain matters before and wasn't exactly on good terms either until recently. But even so, Little Zhang still did not have any intent of returning to the station, at least he claimed not for the time being. By rights, up until this point, there should no longer be anything to explain, but Teacher Little Zhang suddenly offered to do a program proposal for the satellite channel by selling it to the station. He did not request any monetary recompense and was fine with any offer, but he did make a request, and that was also his one and only condition for the station. It was..."

Hou Ge did not finish.

Dong Shanshan had already put his words together. She took a light breath and continued, "...was to let me be the female host for this program!"

"That's right." Hou Ge smiled and said, "As you can see, the station has agreed to this in the end. It was something that had not happened before as well. First, this was because the station's bosses and the relevant teams had judged that Do You Remember was a variety singing program that could stand out from all the other singing programs and make a name for itself. This program was something they had to get from Teacher Zhang no matter what, so that it wouldn't be sold to another television station either. Second, since everyone knew of Teacher Zhang's hosting reputation, the station leaders also trusted that Teacher Zhang's classmate which he had strongly pushed to be appointed would definitely not be a wrong choice. So rather than saying that this was a recommendation, it might be better to say that you were the designated host by the station and program team. This was effected by the station leader, and so anyone else can be fired, but not you!"

Dong Shanshan, "..."

From the other side, someone called out to Hou Ge, "Old Hou, we need your help over here."

"OK, I'll go over right now," Hou Ge responded to them and then turned to Dong Shanshan again and said, "I've already shared with you all that I can. Our team and Teacher Zhang enjoy a very good relationship. Since you're Teacher Zhang's classmate, you are naturally our friend and a part of us as well. As all of us used to watch Teacher Zhang's talk show very frequently, we've also heard of him teasing you before. Haha. So we aren't that unfamiliar with you. In the future, let's get to know each other well and communicate more often."

Hou Ge walked off.

Dong Shanshan was still digesting what he had told her.

Plainly speaking, this program only existed after having an appointed host. If Dong Shanshan was not the female host, then this program would also cease to exist! At this time, all the doubts and mysteries in Dong Shanshan's mind finally disappeared. She finally understood why a large-scale production like this primetime program on the satellite channel would approach her in the first place. This was all due to her old classmate helping her sneakily behind her back and not telling her anything about it!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 598: An old classmate's appreciation!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

At night.

It was already dark.

At his parents' house, Zhang Ye reclined on the sofa with his legs crossed and lit a cigarette with one hand while holding a porcelain tea cup in the other. With every puff, he had a few sips of tea and was feeling laid back and relaxed. There were no signs at all that he was an unemployed person who was unable to find a job after so many days.

Next to him, her mother rolled her eyes. "I've never ever seen anyone with such a big heart."

Zhang Ye took exception. "There's no urgency regarding the job. I will wait another few more days."

"I'm talking about Beijing Television's new program." His mother said, "If you've even planned out all the details for them and taken every step into consideration, why didn't you just do it by yourself?"

Zhang Ye snickered and said, "That program did not suit me."

The amount of variety programs in his head were too many that even if he were to randomly pick one, he would get a program that would do quite well in the ratings. But as his energy was limited, together with the other objectives and personal requirements, he would definitely not want to do all of them. If there was one that he would choose, of course he wouldn't choose one that would just do quite well. Given the choice, he would only choose the best of the best, an irreplaceable program that would leave all the other television stations in the dust with its success!

His father was less critical of his son's employment issue and instead pointed out to him, "Smoke less."

"Understood." Zhang Ye sat up straight and extinguished the cigarette butt.

His mother suddenly pointed at the television and said, "Son, is that the program that you planned? Oh, you had only just submitted your proposal this afternoon and it's already starting to get promoted by the evening?"

Zhang Ye looked over as well and said, "They're really quite efficient, but it's really not too many days away till they air when the other program ends. Brother Hu and the others must be getting worried too."

...

At Beijing Television.

The logo with large font depicting Do You Remember flashed impressively on screen before a public call for everyone in the country to register as contestants or lead singers. It was done in the very standard publicity technique and style. This publicity campaign was all done in-house by Beijing Television with no input from Zhang Ye at all. As he wasn't a part of the television station anymore, he was only in charge of the program format while everything else had nothing to do with him. He did not wish to concern himself with too much of these issues and couldn't do it even if he wanted to. As they say, don't meddle in affairs that aren't part of your position.

—This was the promotion the television aired.

On the internet, Beijing Television Station's BTV-1 website was also promoting the upcoming segment slated to replace the current program in the primetime slot. The promotion was much more detailed and gave a lot of details. At the end, there was even a tentative list of staff on the program team. For the positions that had not been filled yet, they were just left blank. [1.]

Do You Remember

Executive Producer: Hu Fei

Executive Director: Hu Fei

Program Planner: Zhang Ye

Assistant Director: Hou Liang

Host (Female): Dong Shanshan

Host (Male): T.B.C.

...

On Weibo, discussions about the topic began.

"Is Big Bird, Big Bird ending already?"

"Ai, that program's quality started to become really bad towards the end. It wasn't too bad at the beginning."

"Beijing Television's standards have been dropping of late. There's nothing creative about their programs anymore. I heard that the program next in line is even going to be a singing program? Haven't such programs already been overdone already? Are they not sick of it yet!? Ever since Teacher Zhang Ye left BTV-Arts Channel, I hardly watch Beijing Television Station's channels anymore since the programs are all somewhat similar to each other and have nothing special to look forward to. How I miss those days when Teacher Zhang Ye was still at the Arts Channel. Lecture Room opened up a new style of programming format and those episodes in which Zhang Ye talked about the Three Kingdoms set a new local viewership ratings record for education style type programs which are unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon!"

"There are rumors that Zhang Ye will be returning to Beijing Television Station?"

"Is that true?"

"I've heard so too, but I don't know how true those rumors are."

"The rumors were already refuted today at noon. Didn't you all read the Weibo of an official from Beijing Television Station? Didn't that person post something about something being regretful and a pity? That must have been referring to Teacher Zhang Ye."

"Ah? Zhang Ye's not going back?"

"Yeah, Beijing Television had invited him to rejoin them, but Zhang Ye did not accept the offer."

"Then doesn't that mean Teacher Zhang will still be unemployed?"

When it started, only a small number of people, about a dozen, were discussing this topic, but at one point, a lot of people suddenly joined in to talk about it as well.

"Quick, take a look!"

"Zhang Ye has a new program! Do You Remember!"

"Ah? I just saw the promotions for this program on Beijing Television too, but didn't Zhang Ye decline the offer to join Beijing Television Station?"

"He's not the host, but he created this new program for Beijing Television. Here's the link, just go and take a look at the program team listing! Please don't ask if this could be a coincidence where it's just someone with the same name. This was his old team and old employer, and besides he is the program planner, so this Zhang Ye can't possibly be anyone else!"

"It's really true!"

"Teacher Zhang has done it again. Even though he's not going to be the host, nor taking part as the director or producer of the show, I am still very hyped about it!"

"What is this program really about?"

"Remembering the lyrics? What's so interesting about that?"

"Yeah, I don't understand it either. Is that really something Zhang Ye would do? It doesn't feel like it, it just doesn't feel like him at all. A program that sounds so terrible, how could it have a good viewership rating?"

"Did Zhang Ye get water into his brains? There's are so many singing programs in the market now. At least 5 or 6 of them can be easily seen whenever you switch on the television. The audience is long sick and tired of this. I'm sure everyone will be tired soon by all of these. At this time, what we need is a innovative new program, but still, you can't just innovate senselessly. Remember the lyrics? How can there be any watchability in something like remembering the lyrics? Do you think the audience is crazy to want to watch you remembering lyrics? Beijing Television is also getting dumber and dumber. If Zhang Ye wants to do something as stupid as this, then did you all have to follow along and do it as well? Why would you guys even allow such a pointless program to take the primetime slot? I'm speechless!!"

"And who is that person called Dong Shanshan? A newbie? I don't think there's any host by that name at Beijing Television Station, right?"

"I haven't heard of her before either. They're even so daring in using people."

"I know who she is. She's Zhang Ye's old classmate and also the host of Online Talents."

"Just knowing that it's about remembering lyrics already sounds uninteresting to me."

"Uh, no comment."

"It might really be possible that this new program team has someone else by the name of Zhang Ye."

"That's right, this shouldn't be the standard that Zhang Ye would come up with. Whether it was Lecture Room or Zhang Ye's Talk Show, they were all all unprecedented examples of television programs in the industry. But what is this about remembering lyrics? Competing on how good someone's memory is? Why don't you make them compete on remembering punctuation or character strokes instead. This program sounds so odd and terrible! Just the name of the program alone gives people a sense of powerlessness and makes them feel sleepy!"

"Zhang Ye, what happened to you?"

"Did he lose his touch already?"

"Looks like Beijing Television has made a very wrong move this time!"

"Do You Remember? If this program can get any viewership at all, I will twist my head off!"

"Hahahaha, this program is such a joke! How can anyone even take memorizing lyrics and make it into a show?"

The netizens were also having their doubts.

Fellow peers were also ridiculing such a program.

People from the media were criticizing.

All kinds of interesting opinions were raised!

This was Zhang Ye. No only was he a controversial person whenever he spoke or did something, even the programs he did were full of controversy!

It was the same reaction as when Zhang Ye had presented this idea for the program to Beijing Television Station's staff. All of the netizens could not understand and barely any of them had any expectations for this program. Moreover, they did not even understand what this program would be about and what the selling point was. However, Zhang Ye knew exactly what this program would be about, just like how Beijing Television had also understood after Zhang Ye explained it to them. As such, all of these voices of doubt that were spreading around online did not disrupt their confidence in the program. Instead, after reading all those comments online, it even stirred the fighting spirit of Hu Fei's team as they all looked forward to giving everyone a surprise on the day the program premiered!

...

It was already pretty late.

His parents were asleep.

Zhang Ye went back into his bedroom and laid down on his bed. He switched off the lights and got ready to sleep, when suddenly, his cell phone rang. It was from Dong Shanshan.

Zhang Ye smiled as he answered the call: "Hello, old classmate. Did you call me so late at night because you missed me?"

On the other end, a feminine voice laughed: "Since my job issue has been solved, of course I must give you a call to give my thanks. A satellite channel's primetime slot, how generous!"

"Ah? What job?" Zhang Ye played dumb.

"What do you think?" Dong Shanshan said.

Zhang Ye said: "What are you talking about?"

Dong Shanshan: "Alright, don't pretend anymore, I know everything already." Saying that, she laughed and continued: "You're even keeping it from me because you were afraid that my pride would not be able to handle it? When you called me yesterday, did you already know about my departure from Weiwo Online television station? You even tried to keep it a secret by making the Beijing Television Station's staff not mention a word about this to me? Let me tell you, my ego is not as big as you made it out to be. In fact, it's rather small. If I had known that you had such connections, I would've already gone to your house to stop you at your front door and make you pull some strings for me."

Zhang Ye knew that Dong Shanshan was just spouting nonsense to him. Having been classmates for so many years already, how didn't he know that Dong Shanshan had a huge ego? Otherwise, would Zhang Ye have to go through all that trouble just to hide it from her? Would Dong Shanshan have needed to make all those excuses over the phone, saying that she was still working and not mentioning anything about her resignation? But Zhang Ye still smiled and said: "Hai, then you should have just said so earlier. Alright, alright, it was I who helped you. Tell me then, how are you going to thank your Big Brother Zhang?"

Dong Shanshan said: "You're really not holding back, are you? You've even become Big Brother Zhang now?"

"Yes, of course," Zhang Ye said.

"Shouldn't it be natural to help out an old classmate of yours? You're even putting on airs now, hur hur," Dong Shanshan said belittling his deed. "Tell me then, how can I thank you?"

Zhang Ye said in rare, serious tone to her: "Just host the program well and I will guarantee this will bring you places."

Dong Shanshan said: "Don't worry, we're both from Media College and besides, did you forget that I did better than you in school?"

Zhang Ye said: That's true, that's true, School Belle Dong was so famous in school back then. Actually, with your capabilities, it's more than enough for you to join a satellite channel station. I was just being a busybody by offering to help. Actually I didn't do this for you. I did a program proposal for Beijing Television because first, I wanted to help Brother Hu and the others. Second, I haven't been doing too well recently, so it was good that I had this chance to earn some spare money. Third, I intended to use Do You Remember to further my potential for program planning so that those television stations which can't make up their minds about me yet would quickly decide and contact me to join them. Since I am jobless now, I really need to find another employer as soon as possible. I am not one to turn round to graze on an old pasture like Beijing Television Station, so Do You Remember was also a step that I had to take before I could make my next move. It was to help increase my chances of attracting a better television station and offer, but somehow the timing was just right and you had just left your previous job as well, so I just helped to recommend you to them since it was just a by-the-by thing."

Dong Shanshan said: "Was it just a recommendation?"

Zhang Ye pretended: "Yeah, what else would it be?"

Dong Shanshan laughed: "That couldn't have been just a recommendation. I heard that...you specified me? That you said if they did not agree to using me as the host, you would not even sell the program proposal to them, which would mean that this was a host-bound program?"

When Zhang Ye heard this, he cursed and said: "Heh, those bunch of people. I had already reminded them over and over before I left to not say a word of this, but they still let the cat out of the bag? Who told you about it, Shanshan? Who was the one who had such loose lips? I am so hurt by this! What's trust even worth these days? The most basic trust between two human beings!"

Dong Shanshan was amused by this and said: "Of course I won't tell you who told me about it. But I already know all that I need to know now, so Classmate Zhang, I owe you one."

"Come on, don't be so polite with me." Zhang Ye said: "I find it hard to get used to you if you speak in this way. Besides, didn't I promise you before that when you had a new program, I would definitely help you with it? Now that I've fulfilled my promise, do we still need to be so courteous with each other?"

Dong Shanshan said: "That's true."

Zhang Ye changed the subject and asked: "What do you think of the program?"

"If I simply just hear about it, it isn't much. But when I found out about all the details of each segment of the program, I believe that the viewership ratings shouldn't be bad at all. On top of that, there's no other program that's more suitable for me than this. I had left the online television station precisely because I did not want my progress to stall. I knew I needed to seek something that would allow me to progress and transform myself, so this new role in a satellite channel station and even hosting a program in the primetime slot is good enough for at least 2 years of my development." Dong Shanshan sounded very satisfied and continued: "I must say that this old classmate of mine is really very thoughtful by thinking out every aspect for me. You're a true friend."

"But of course. When we're out in the working world, we can surely depend on our classmates." Zhang Ye asked again: "Are you fitting in well with the program team? Brother Hu, Brother Hou, and the others are all my old friends and good people. I'm pretty sure you'd like this sort of a work environment."

Dong Shanshan acknowledged: "Everyone's quite nice and the environment is good too."

Zhang Ye warned: "Yes, but there's also a lot of single guys, so watch out for yourself." He predicted that there would be quite a number of people who would want to go after Dong Shanshan, as it would be the same anywhere else.

"That's a valid point. I came here in a rush today and only wore a very plain skirt that probably reached down to my knees. Even so, my legs were viciously attacked by wave after wave of stares from the new colleagues."

"F**k, could you exaggerate more?"

"It's not overstated."

"Those bunch of people are really too direct then."

"I've always wondered. Doesn't your old classmate, I, have good looks too? So why is it that every time you men see me, the first thing you look at are my legs? I'm very curious about it, but where do you usually look first when you see me?"

"Me? I'm different from them."

"You look at my face first? Or the way I'm dressed? My hair?"

"I notice your eyes first!"

"Woah, that's so pure of you!"

"Yeah, of course. If your eyes did not notice me, then I look at your legs!"

Dong Shanshan: "..."

[1. Beijing Television, which is also the satellite channel of Beijing Television Station is commonly referred to as BTV-1; refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Media_Network]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 599: The Upgraded Effects of the Lucky Halo!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the warmth of spring, flowers were blooming.

Another brand new day had begun.

On this morning, Zhang Ye was awoken by a phone call. When he answered the call, there was no response from the other end even after he said hello for many times. Then, it got disconnected, probably due to a bad signal. On the second call, it eventually connected.

"Is this Zhang Ye?"

"Yes, may I know who is this?"

"I'm from Qinghai Television Station's Channel 5."

"Oh, hello."

"I heard that you're still out of a contract for a hosting job, so we would like to see if you'd be interested in working together with us."

"I'm sorry, maybe next time."

"Please do reconsider. Although we are just a local television station and our coverage is only within Qinghai, we can work together on a program first. If you get a better offer next time, you can still go at any time since we are fine if you do not want to sign an annual contract. We can have a program-based contract instead."

"Never mind, thank you."

After hanging up, Zhang Ye went to wash up.

Actually, it was not that he had no job offers in the past few days. There were some people who had found out his contact information and called him directly, while others got Zhang Ye's friends to contact him for them. These were mostly commercial performance related work, for example, ribbon cutting at a company's opening ceremony, being the host at company dinners or some company leader's wedding, etc. Zhang Ye never took up these offers as they were often meaningless to him since it would not raise his popularity. There were some more invitations from smaller scale television stations such as local channels, city channels which could only cover up to a province area and were unable to broadcast to the entire country. With Zhang Ye's current popularity, even if he accepted their offers, it wouldn't mean anything to him. He couldn't possibly keep living in the past.

And so he rejected them and did not accept their offers. Zhang Ye was only waiting for the effects from the broadcast of Do You Remember, to let those satellite channels or Central TV re-evaluate and judge his ability in program production. His target right now was only at those television channels with a nationwide broadcast coverage. As for the rest, he would not even consider them.

But since Do You Remember had only just started its production, there would still be a period of time before it could be broadcast. Zhang Ye did not wish to sit idly at home for these remaining days while waiting for things to happen, so he took the initiative to contact some platforms or asked his friends to inquire about any television station gala night events, celebrity guest appearances on variety shows, or film crews to see if there was any position he could take. If there were any suitable job offers, he would accept them for the time being since such opportunities were never considered too much. But from the looks of it, there was no such luck for the time being.

It'd already been a few days now, so he could only stay at home for now.

After heating up his breakfast, Zhang Ye just took a few mouthfuls of it before losing his appetite. Because his job progress was not smooth, he could no longer bear the waiting anymore.

He decided he was not going to wait around any longer!

He had to think of another way!

It's not like this bro only had this path to take, he also had other unorthodox methods he could depend on.

He put down his chopsticks and went over to sit on the sofa. With his legs crossed, he activated the game ring on his left pinky, opened up the virtual game screen and went straight into the merchant shop. The first thing he looked for was the upgraded version of the Lucky Halo. Ever since Zhang Ye had received this item from the lottery draw, he had not used it at all as the usage of the item was too expensive, even for him. The old version of the Lucky Halo only cost 10,000 reputation points per second, which he was still able to accept. After it got upgraded, though the effects of the Lucky Halo increased manyfold it came at the cost of greater consumption of reputation points. Enabling the effect of the upgraded Lucky Halo would cost him 100,000 reputation points per second now. Even at the rate that Zhang Ye was earning his reputation points with his current popularity level, it was still too much for him to handle.

As for Difficulty Adjustment Die, it was also an option, but since he was only trying to find a temporary job, there was no need to use it. Zhang Ye only had one Difficulty Adjustment Die left now. If he used it here, there would be none left. Although this item only cost a hundred thousand reputation points to get from the lottery draw, its value was naturally much higher because of its unique ability. This was Zhang Ye's trump card. If he was not at his wits' end, he would never resort to using it.

Considering it all, the most suitable item to use right now was still the Lucky Halo. He couldn't worry too much anymore, so he would just use it this once. At such a time, he could no longer afford to be so stingy. As he has not been getting any media exposure for many days, if it continued on like this, his popularity would also start to decline and his fans' passion would be reduced. That would be the most fatal outcome!

Purchase!

Activating the Lucky Halo!

Zhang Ye activated the Lucky Halo a little unwillingly and it came into effect almost immediately. A white halo hovered over his forehead and emitted a bright glow that rippled out towards the walls and windows, as though Zhang Ye was at the center of the universe spreading a warm pulse outwards. The radiating glow was also very rhythmic as it rippled outwards constantly at every second.

The activated Lucky Halo looked very beautiful!

His reputation points also decreased at the speed of running water.

-100,000!

His reputation points decreased by 100,000 with every second which Zhang Ye shudder with fear when he saw this. He could only clench his teeth and bear with it as he couldn't possibly deactivate the Lucky Halo after only a few seconds. Based on his past experiences, the Lucky Halo would require some time to accumulate its effects. For example, the first time when Zhang Ye was at the Golden Microphone Awards, the Lucky Bread was activated for five minutes. If it had only stayed activated for a few seconds, then just the trophy would have been broken, and when the effects of the Lucky Bread ended, Zhang Ye's and Zhāng Yě's names would not have been mistakenly swapped by the award presenters!

He had to bear the pain of seeing his reputation points dropping so quickly!

At the very least, he had to keep the Lucky Halo activated for the next three to five minutes!

-100,000!

......

At the same time.

In Shanghai, in a villa.

"Brother Shui, how is your new movie going?"

"We wrapped up the filming yesterday."

"It must have been hard on you for this period of time."

"That's right. I have injuries all over my body and my arm is still in pain now. Come, brothers, we have not gathered together for more than two months already. The purpose that I asked everyone over today is so that we all could have some fun."

"Are you suggesting that we're going to...take a sniff?"

"Yeah, I have it all prepared."

"Heh, Brother Shui is truly loyal to friends."

"It's my treat today, come on, come on!"

A short while later, the sound of police sirens wailing echoed as two police cars surrounded the villa!

......

On the other side.

At Zhang Ye's parents' place.

60 seconds!

120 seconds!

150 seconds!

300 seconds!

Zhang Ye deactivated the upgraded Lucky Halo and the countdown timer immediately stopped. Looking at his almost vanished reputation points, Zhang Ye was close to tears. In just five minutes, it had already cost him 30 million reputation points. It had almost wiped out all the accumulated reputation points he had earned from the Peking University and public service announcement incidents since upgrading the game ring system and using the upgraded lottery draw.

It was too expensive!

This was too f**king expensive!

However, just what kind of effects would there be? If there was a great surprise waiting for him, then it would be worth it no matter how many reputation points were spent. After all, wasn't the reputation points he earned and accumulated meant to be used in precisely such situations? As long as they could help to increase his popularity, it wouldn't matter to him how many reputation points were spent!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 600: Invitation from the crew of Grandmasters!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

At home.

He kept waiting and waiting for the Lucky Halo's effect to happen. But from the morning until afternoon, then evening, after god knows how many hours had passed, he still did not experience any changes at all!

Phone call? There weren't any!

News? He didn't get reported about either!

The doorbell? It stayed quiet!

Everything was just as it was before!

There wasn't even a message on his phone telling him he had won a prize to offset his cell phone bill!

With 30 million reputation points spent, of course Zhang Ye would have some expectations. But after waiting left and right for something to happen, he could no longer just sit around waiting anymore. So many reputation points had already been used up, so how could it be that he did not even see a hint of its effects? What's happened? Could it have been a scam? Zhang Ye, who had been waiting in front of the television, felt that the news on television might be too limited and so decided to return to his room to check the internet instead. He wanted to see if there were any news related to himself as he wasn't convinced that the Lucky Halo did not have any effect at all. It must have caused something to happen, somewhere, just that he wasn't aware of it yet.

There were no updates on Weibo.

There was also nothing on the forums.

Any news of him was still related to Do You Remember since the past few days Zhang Ye had not had much of a presence in public except for his new program. As Zhang Ye was not the only person in this crowded entertainment circle, the media couldn't possibly only revolve around him alone. There were many others who were much more popular and well-known, as well as more newsworthy than him. News about whoever was having an affair, involved in a scandal, switching agencies, committing suicide, and what not, there was no lack of news going on around the entertainment circle. Every day, there were all kinds of celebrities getting involved in all kinds of incidents. Zhang Ye was just a small part of these very common incidents of the entertainment circle. Like right now, the biggest news today was about a celebrity who was caught in a drug crackdown operation.

"Shocking! 'Brother Shui' caught in a drug crackdown!"

"Chang Chishui was arrested in his house!"

"The eighth case of the year. Is drug use becoming fashionable among celebrities?"

"Grandmasters wraps up filming, Brother Shui gets arrested. Grandmasters' film crew gets dealt a heavy blow!"

Zhang Ye wasn't exactly interested in such news, but was slightly taken aback when he caught mention of Grandmasters. So he clicked on the link. Old Zhang had mentioned to him that she had taken part in its filming. Production was wrapping up, the post-production stages already taking place. The film crew had also announced at its celebratory feast that a premiere would happen soon, with a date seemingly set as well.

The news stated very clearly that this was not a rumor. The police had also verified that the arrest had been made. Even the urine test results had been exposed by the media, and coincidentally, Chang Chishui who had previously won a best supporting actor award for his role as a junkie was now arrested for drug abuse. He had been doing quite well in the film industry and was cast as an important supporting role in the film Grandmasters, so it could be said that he was irreplaceable. If the media reports were true, then according to the SARFT's Decree #43, if the Grandmasters film did not delete the scenes in which Brother Shui appeared, then it would surely be faced with the danger of being unable to get released in theaters.

The netizens also reacted chaotically.

"Impossible! How could Brother Shui be abusing drugs too?"

"Are there any good people left in the entertainment circle?"

"Hai, what a pity, another star has fallen!"

"I don't care what happens to Brother Shui, I'm more worried about Grandmasters. I've been waiting for this movie for a year already, for my Sister Zhang and Dalong. It shouldn't affect the premiere right?"

"It's done for unless they delete all the scenes that Brother Shui appears in."

"He's the third male lead? How could they delete anything then!"

"If they delete his scenes, then this movie would become unwatchable and the whole story would become incomplete!"

"How exasperating! Damn this Chang Chishui, causing so much trouble for everyone!"

"I heard that the Grandmasters film crew is already studying the possibility of that. Sister Zhang had flown to the south yesterday after finishing all her scenes to attend several television program recordings to do promotions for the movie. But I understand that she was recalled this afternoon to the set. The director is really anxious and furious about the whole incident! Hai, to have this kind of an incident happening, who wouldn't be frantic with worry? It was already so close to the premiere, but somehow, it might not even make it to the big screen now!"

"What can be done?"

"I was really looking forward to watching Grandmasters!"

"This movie had an investment of 50 million RMB, right? If it really gets pulled, then it would be such a pity with all that money going down the drain. I don't think the actors would be able to bear such a loss too!"

After reading a little, Zhang Ye already understood what was going on. He got off the internet as he really couldn't be worried about others now. He was only thinking about where the effect of the Lucky Halo had gone too now. With so many of his reputation points spent, there surely had to be an answer!

His parents were still not home from work yet, so Zhang Ye paced around the house with his hands behind his back.

Where was the luck?

Where did my job go?

Suddenly, his cellphone rang.

When Zhang Ye saw the caller ID, he was a little surprised, because the person calling was none other than Zhang Yuanqi. Zhang Ye wondered why she would call him now in the midst of all that was going on, instead of focusing on her own problem.

Oh well, just answer it.

Zhang Ye thought that Old Zhang was looking for him to drink with her again, and since he didn't have anything to take his mind off his worries, he was ready to have a drink as well. He answered the call: "Hello, Sister Zhang, are you refusing to take part in some social event again? I've already read the news. No worries, just come and we'll have a drink together, but it's not convenient at my place today, so why don't you suggest another location instead?"

However, Zhang Yuanqi stiffly rebuked him: "Why are you always thinking about drinking?"

"Ah?" Zhang Ye almost fainted, remembering how it was her who forced him to drink with her the previous time!

The next moment, she said: "There's a temporary job that just came up. Do you want to take it?"

Zhang Ye wondered what it was about, so he asked: "What job?"

She simply said: "The film crew for Grandmasters has decided to cut all of Chang Chishui's scenes from the movie after some discussions. They need to reshoot all those scenes and need a replacement actor. Do you think you can do it?"

When he heard this, Zhang Ye nearly died from happiness: "I can! Of course I can! What role is it? Is it an important character in the movie? It's not a bit part, right?"

She coldly replied: "If it's not an important character, they'd have just deleted the scenes and that would be it. Would they still need to find someone to be a replacement? This character places fourth overall in terms of importance and screen time in the whole movie. It is the third male lead, and also the antagonist in the movie!"

"Third male lead? Antagonist?"

"Do you want to take the role or not?"

"Yes! I will take the role!"

"Alright then, I will recommend you to the director. Come over tomorrow for an audition."

"Sure then, thanks so much, Sister Zhang. You're really something!"

"The crew has called a few other professional actors to try out for the role, so you might not even get the job. I can only recommend you. I don't care about the outcome."

"Alright."

"I'm hanging up now. My manager will send you the details about the timing and location."

After hanging up, Zhang Ye laughed loudly. He quickly went online to check out the overall situation and information for Grandmasters. As expected, this was a big production; production had started in the middle of last year, with the filming taking up a good six months of the schedule. The amount invested into this movie was 50 million RMB and seemingly needed an additional 20 million RMB in additional funding later on, coming up to a total of 70 million RMB. As for how much it really cost to make this movie, no one really knew the exact figures as every industry insider would know that these numbers were generally exaggerated. However, it was still safe to say that it was a big production, since the director was also quite well-known, having helmed two movies that had box office earnings of at least a few hundred million RMB before. Together with the Heavenly Queen Zhang Yuanqi and popular movie star, "Dalong," "Brother Shui," and many others, it helped to garner even more attention to the movie prior to its release. It could be called as one of the few big productions in recent times.

Large investment.

Big name director.

An impeccably assembled cast.

Even if the movie did not turn out to be as good as expected, or even if it turned out terrible, under the commercial business decisions and appeal to the market, the box office earnings would definitely not do worse than 100 million RMB. With Zhang Yuanqi holding the fort, it was as good as guaranteeing a good box office earning!

For such a big production, actors would definitely fight for their right to get cast. Zhang Ye, being an outsider to the film industry, had actually gotten a chance to fight for this right to be the third male lead? He had a chance now to formally step into the film industry? For Zhang Ye, this carried a great significance! Yes, although it was just an audition tomorrow in which his chances to secure the role were still not guaranteed, he had to grab this opportunity at all costs!

This was just too rare of an opportunity!

It looked like his decision not to accept those small commercial performances were correct. Just look at this, look at it! Didn't he finally get a great surprise by waiting patiently?

Eh? Surprise?

Wait, could it be?

Zhang Ye was suddenly stunned as he seemed to remember something. He went online to check the news and purposely clicked on the link to a news report about Brother Shui's arrest. He found out the exact time that Brother Shui had been arrested at home.

In the morning at 8:25 AM?

Wasn't that the same time as when he had activated the Lucky Halo?!

Zhang Ye suddenly understood what was going on. It was the damned Lucky Halo's effect that had gotten this chance for him. He was still wondering why the old version of the Lucky Halo's effect had been so obvious, while there was seemingly no effect from this upgraded version.

When he made a comparison.

It was truly worth every reputation point spent!

In the past, whether it had been the Lucky Bread or the old version of the Lucky Halo, the effects had all been quite useful and helped Zhang Ye through many situations before. For example, like how the wrong name was announced for the Silver Microphone Awards, the time when "Woman Flower" was played in error at Lee Anson's concert which helped to further smack his face, and also all the times when he activated the Lucky Halo during his lottery draws to get the items that he really needed, and many others. But now that Zhang Ye's reputation had become much greater, he was also on a different level from before. If he continued using those items for their minor effects of good luck, then it would surely not be enough to satisfy Zhang Ye's requirements now. Play a song in error to smack someone's face? That was nothing. Gaining a better chance at the lottery draw? Because it did fail him a few times before, Zhang Ye was especially looking forward to using this upgraded version of the Lucky Halo. Looking at the effects of using it today, he was totally not disappointed!

It might be expensive to use!

But its effects are vastly different from the old version!

Zhang Ye was only a host, and at times also considered a poet or a mathematician, so even though he had done some acting before in The Great Pugilistic World, that was only considered the most trivial of trivial roles. It wouldn't be too far to even consider him just an extra in the crowd. Strictly speaking, it could not be considered his movie debut as his name didn't even appear on the main cast list. Logically, a big production like this should not possibly have even let him try for the audition as there were surely many more candidates out there who were better qualified for the role. Yet a cast member had gotten into some trouble thus giving Zhang Ye a chance to audition for the role. This already explained the effect the upgraded version of the Lucky Halo had and how it was well suited to his current work environment level!

Unfortunately, though, the reputation points it consumed were really too high. Otherwise, Zhang Ye would have used it a few more times to enable to him to get a role in a big production every now and then or even become a lead actor for a movie that could have a box office earning of hundreds of millions of RMB. A film was considered a top distributed mass media in the entertainment industry, so if that happened, wouldn't Zhang Ye's popularity shoot through the roof??

Chapter 601: Acting audition?

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

The next morning.

At the largest movie production studio in the suburbs of Beijing.

Previously, Zhang Ye, who had also played a bit part in the movie The Great Pugilistic World on the recommendation of Zhang Yuanqi, had been here when he was still not well-known. Today, he was driving here again with much more familiarity. Zhang Ye's reputation was no longer the same as before. He was here for an audition for a major supporting role this time. His task today was to land the acting role so that he could start paving a way for himself in the film industry and to ease the embarrassment of not having a job recently while also attempting to use it to push his advance into the B-list celebrity rankings.

He reached his destination.

"Teacher Zhang."

"Yes?"

"You've arrived? Please follow with me."

"OK."

After he got out from his car, a film crew staff member met him and led Zhang Ye inside. After many twists and turns, they finally came to a filming location inside the studio. The soundstage was decorated in a modern setting and it seemed like there was an explosion scene planned as the props for it were all ready and kept at the side, so it was not likely they would be doing that shoot elsewhere. This scene could only be shot at the movie studios. The place appeared to be bustling with activity. There were many extras who were being briefed by the film crew staff who looked very nervous, probably because they would have to confirm the replacement actor by today and start the reshooting of the scenes again immediately after that.

In the workshop on set.

Someone was already being auditioned.

When Zhang Ye walked in, he saw the director, Wang Chengpeng, and the assistant director together with some of the film crew staff at the innermost part of the set. A male actor was having his audition as Zhang Yuanqi, Dalong, and the rest of the main cast stood around watching the proceedings.

That staff member whispered, "Teacher Zhang, please wait for a while."

"Alright." Zhang Ye nodded.

Zhang Yuanqi looked over, then smiled and said, "Little Zhang?"

Zhang Ye quickly walked over and greeted, "Sister Zhang."

"Long time no see." Zhang Yuanqi candidly reached out her hand.

Zhang Ye held her pretentious hand and thought to himself, What do you mean by long time no see? Didn't you just come to my place two days ago? And you still haven't paid me for the bush lily either!

Zhang Yuanqi smiled and asked, "How have you been recently?"

Zhang Ye also smiled back and replied, "Not too bad. I've been resting at home."

The two of them chatted for awhile and seemed very polite with each other. If anyone saw this, they would surely think that they didn't have too close a relationship. Since many people already knew that Zhang Ye had written some songs for Zhang Yuanqi before, it wasn't surprising to them that they knew each other. However, in reality, Zhang Ye's and Zhang Yuanqi's relationship was the type that surely no one could have expected. Zhang Ye was in fact not used to seeing a kind and gentle smile on Old Zhang, as she was the type who would act one way in public and another in private.

From the other side, the second male lead also came over and greeted, "Zhang Ye."

Zhang Ye looked at him, then shook his hands and said, "Hello."

The second male lead smiled and said, " I've heard so much about you."

"I'm the one who has heard more about you," Zhang Ye replied politely.

Zhang Ye had read up on the cast list and knew that he was Tian Xuetao. He was very young, probably only older than Zhang Ye by a few years. He only had a sudden burst of fame in the past two years and had probably debuted for many years already, usually acting in bit or supporting roles in the past. He just started getting better roles in these two years and was considered a late-bloomer in the film industry. He was very handsome, the pretty boy kind of attractiveness, with a slim physique and had the standard celebrity looks.

As for popularity, Tian Xuetao was likely on par with Zhang Ye but would lose out a bit on the overall popularity rankings since Zhang Ye was more versatile, able to host, produce advertisements, and teach. However, if they were compared in terms of popularity in the film industry, Tian Xuetao was obviously much more popular than Zhang Ye. Zhang Ye wasn't even considered a rookie in the film industry whereas Tian Xuetao, having lurked around for so many years in the industry, would already have a certain box office appeal. Although his acting skills were not fantastic, his fan base was quite loyal and strong, otherwise, he wouldn't even be acting as the second male lead in such a big production.

Tian Xuetao asked curiously, "You also came for the audition?"

"That's right." Zhang Ye smiled and said, "I came to try to see if I could cross over into the film industry since I have been lounging around at home without any work anyway."

Beside him, a staff member walked over and handed Zhang Ye a script. "Teacher Zhang, please take a look at this first."

"Alright." Zhang Ye took it and read.

Beside them, Zhang Yuanqi had already walked off. Dalong had a glance at Zhang Ye from where he was standing. He did not come over but simply continued observing the actor's audition in the center of the area. As the first male lead, although Dalong was not on the same level with Zhang Yuanqi, and even though not yet considered a heavenly king, he was the real deal as an A-list celebrity. He was an established actor who had already been famous for many years in the film industry and was from the same agency as Zhang Yuanqi. He was about the same age as her, but because he debuted much later, Dalong was considered junior to Old Zhang. Whether in terms of seniority, popularity, or experience, whenever Dalong saw Zhang Yuanqi in person, he would still have to greet her politely.

The director said, "Little Yu, can you try to look more ruthless?"

The actor auditioning immediately nodded, changed his expression, and repeated the same lines that he said earlier, "Don't try to bullshit me! In this era, who still dares to claim they are grandmasters? Your master can't claim such, so you...are even less deserving to claim so!"

The director nodded and said, "Alright, that's enough."

That actor reverted back to his own expression and asked, "Director Wang?"

Director Wang Chengpeng shook his head and said, "Little Yu, this role is not too suitable for you since you don't look ruthless enough to bring out the spirit of the antagonist."

The assistant director added, "Little Yu is more suited playing the roles of protagonists with a good image and will do very in any of those roles he plays." He said this with the intent to politely reject the actor for the role.

That actor said with a smile, "It's alright, I understand."

Wang Chengpeng said, "You go back first. I still have another movie this year with a role that I have already reserved for you. It's a good role too, so let's keep in contact."

"Sure, thank you Director Wang for taking care for me." That actor turned around, greeted Dalong, and then cheerfully greeted Zhang Yuanqi as well. He did not leave, but instead remained behind to observe the next one up.

Wang Chengpeng shouted for the next person, "Little Qu."

A man who was standing in the corner went up and asked, "It's my turn, Director Wang?"

"It's your turn." Wang Chengpeng said, "Let's have you throw some punches first."

The martial arts director of the film crew went forward a few steps and demonstrated some moves.

Director Wang Chengpeng said, "Just do the same as what you were shown and we'll see how it turns out."

That actor did accordingly and immediately imitated what he saw from the martial arts director's movements. He threw a punch, did a roundhouse kick, and spun around to give a palm strike. The movements were not difficult but he still managed to do it quite choppily.

He continued trying out for a few more scenes.

Ten minutes later, the director called for a break. "Little Qu, take a rest first." He did not give any indication of whether it was good enough or not, but from the looks of it, he was not too satisfied, but no one knew exactly either. Wang Chengpeng had a big mustache with a goatee, and was reserved, a man of few words. Whether because of the ongoing production crisis or his character was like that, Wang Chengpeng's expression did not look good and his eyes were filled with a sense of urgency.

The director asked, "Are there anymore auditionees?"

The assistant director said, "There's one more person. It's Zhang Ye."

The director looked around and asked, "Has Teacher Zhang arrived?"

"I'm here, Director Wang." Upon seeing that it was his turn, Zhang Ye went forward immediately.

All of the working staff at the set turned to look at Zhang Ye at that instant.

Earlier, Wang Chengpeng called the first auditionee Little Yu, and the second one Little Qu, both of which were quite casual ways to address them. Even when he addressed the male lead actor, he called him as Dalong directly and was not too formal about it. Logically speaking, there was little difference in the popularity of Zhang Ye with the two auditionees, and all of them could not compare to Dalong as an A-list celebrity. Even if the director called Zhang Ye Little Zhang, it would still be acceptable and appropriate, yet he addressed him as "Teacher Zhang."

A staff member of the film crew who was not familiar with Zhang Ye was stunned by this and turned his head to ask the person beside him, "Who is he? Why is the director being so polite to him?"

That man asked back, "You don't know him?"

"I do know him. He's a host, right? But why did the director address him as teacher? Even for the type of S-list celebrity like Sister Zhang, Director Wang does not address her as teacher?" The person was very concerned and said, "Does he even call for such a respectful tone?"

That person smiled and said, "The circumstances are different as his identity is rather special."

"Special? How special can it be?" He did not understand what was going on at all.

"It is because he's also a professor at Peking University."

There was a explanation to this.

Zhang Ye was not the same as the others celebrities. With Wang Chengpeng's status and experience, it wouldn't matter how he addressed those celebrities who acted in movies or shows, but Zhang Ye was different. Not only was he a host, he was also a famous literary scholar, world-renowned mathematician, as well as an associate professor in Peking University's Math Department. Even though he was suspended now, he was not stripped of his position, and an associate professor was still an associate professor. With the title of professor in a top educational institute in the country, it was not wrong for the director and assistant director who did not know him well to address him as Teacher Zhang in such circumstances. Anyone who knew the details would not find it strange either.

But the other celebrities?

Of course they would not be addressed this way.

The assistant director asked, "Have you read through the script yet?"

Zhang Ye nodded and said, "I've read it. I'd simply just scanned through it a bit."

The assistant director said, "Then let's try out some lines and get you into the feel of the character's role..."

"Let's try out the acting skills first," Wang Chengpeng interrupted.

The assistant director acknowledged and then said to Zhang Ye, "Let's try out your acting skills first."

As for the rest of the actors, they were already very familiar with them as everyone had already worked in the film industry for such a long time. Some of these actors had worked with them before, and for those who they did not work with before, the film crew had mostly watched their movies or performances before too. Whether they had any acting skills or not, everyone knew from the bottom of their hearts. Only when it came to rookies would they have an audition for acting skills, while for most celebrities who were already well-known, they would be asked to act out the character's role directly.

For Zhang Ye, they only knew about his achievements in other industries, but as for his work in the film industry? His acting chops? Since no one knew what Zhang Ye's standard was, when it came to the auditions, he would naturally be treated like a rookie. They had to see whether his acting skills were passable, and if he couldn't even clear this hurdle, then there was no need to go on for the rest of the audition as the movie wouldn't be using him anyway. This was why it was so rare for celebrities to cross over from other industries. There were some things which were not determined by popularity and fame alone as there were still thresholds to meet to be able to get into the different industries. If someone wanted to succeed in this industry, then they had to abide by the standards of the industry.

Rate Translation QualityChapter 602: Are you, like, a professional actor?

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the studio.

The first round of auditions for Zhang Ye began.

Zhang Yuanqi, Dalong, Tian Xuetao, and the rest stood around and observed the audition quietly. The film crew was also looking curiously at Zhang Ye. Some of them had doubts in their eyes, especially the actor who was auditioning just before him and another pending candidate for the role. They were both wondering why the film crew would find an amateur actor, or rather a layman who in his daily life and work had totally nothing to do with movies and acting!

Some people were whispering quietly among themselves.

"Can Zhang Ye do this?"

"No idea."

"Who invited him to join the audition?"

"I think it was arranged by the assistant director, but I'm not sure on whose recommendation."

"He's only a host, or at most you can consider him to be someone who also deals with literature and mathematical work, so for this urgent and important role, why would they get Teacher Zhang to audition for it? If it's just a normal comedy movie, it's understandable since those do not require too much acting skill from a person, but Grandmasters is not the same as those."

"It's even an antagonist's role which makes it more difficult."

"Shh, it's starting, let's watch."

Zhang Ye heard a little of these scattered conversations from the people around him, but was not bothered by it at all. He was also not feeling a shred of nervousness. He might not be so confident at other things, but acting? When he had gotten those Higher Mathematics Skill Experience Books back then, he had also received 141 Acting Skills Experience Books along with them. These experience books were all "eaten" by him at that time and digested as knowledge and experience into his mind. However, he had not had a chance to use it until now. When Zhang Yuanqi called him to ask if he wanted to be recommended for the audition, this was the reason why he agreed to her offer without any hesitation, because he already knew what he could do.

What kind of concept was 141 books?

Even if he could not reach the top level like Zhang Yuanqi, Zhang Ye's acting skills would certainly not be worse than those other actors!

The assistant director said, "Set yourself free, become a tiger!"

Zhang Ye did not even hesitate and reflexively went down on all fours while making an explosive roar of a tiger, "Houuuu!!!!"

That was too loud!

And too sudden!

The assistant director, director, and Tian Xuetao along with the others were all caught off guard and jumped up in fright when they heard the roar. Not only were they frightened by the sound of his roar, even the fierce expression of the "downhill" tiger sent shivers through their spines! In the artistic field of painting, tigers could generally be divided into two types. One was the "uphill" tiger which depicts a tiger that was returning back to its lair after a satisfying meal, having an expression of content and serenity. However, Zhang Ye's depiction of the tiger was a "downhill" one, the look of hunger as it went out to search for it's next prey. A "downhill" tiger was one that was the fiercest and the most scary looking!

Zhang Yuanqi also looked at Zhang Ye in surprise.

Tian Xuetao and the second female lead both looked at each other.

The assistant director clapped and cheered as goosebumps broke out all over him. "What a great 'downhill' tiger impression! That's good enough, Teacher Zhang!"

Zhang Ye stood up and dusted off his hands, looking as though he didn't do much. His throat was feeling a little hoarse since the part of his vocal chords that he used to make the roaring sound was a little different from the normal speaking part. It felt very abrasive and not just anyone could come up with such a sound.

His performance had really left everyone, including the directors and actors, stunned. Usually, when an actor was asked to set themselves free, even an acting student would know how to do it, not to mention a professional actor. Even if you grabbed a random performing arts student from Beijing Film Academy or Shanghai Theater Academy, they would be able to do it quite well. But the performing arts focused more on acting—whether the expression and spirit were like that of a real tiger, the sound part was secondary. But for Zhang Ye? Not only did he perfectly portray himself like a tiger, the finishing touch was really at the point when he roared angrily in hunger. Just between all these professional actors who were present today, none of them made a sound like that!

Why were they not able to do so?

It was down to the reason of their professions!

Zhang Ye's acting chops were enhanced by his consumption of the Acting Skills Experience Books, but his broadcasting background was entirely trained with great practice. At the Media College where he graduated from, Zhang Ye had specialized in vocal performance, so what the others could not do was no problem for him. This was an advantage he had over the others based on his training, and also something that he wouldn't do poorer than others of the same profession, not to mention these laymen who only specialized in acting. Since vocalization was his specialty, the foundation techniques behind this roar was down to the hard training of three to five years. The frictional changes in the vocalization, with the adjustments of the vocal tract to how to change the frequency after a sound has been made—all of these were due to his knowledge!

The assistant director gave another topic, "Wolf. A wolf that is calling out to its pack."

Having seen the previous performance, everyone seemingly had some kind of expectation now. All of them were staring at him without blinking.

Zhang Ye did not rush this time but slowly mimicked a wolf lowering its body, looking left and right and not making a sound for a few seconds before taking a few steps to the front and looking around again. Thereafter, he stretched his neck upwards and raised his head towards the sky as his slowly let out a continuous howl, "Awoooooo..."

One second!

Ten seconds!

From low to high pitched!

This breath and this sound actually lasted a full 17 seconds!

A few of the film crew staff even got goosebumps on their arms all of a sudden. The feeling was indescribable, except maybe calling it something similar to primal fear!

Everyone was once again stunned by Zhang Ye's performance!

How similar! It was just too similar! Not only did the expression look the same, even the howl sounded like a real wolf's howl!

A female staff member from the film crew who grew up on the prairies in Inner Mongolia cursed in her mind when she heard Zhang Ye imitating the wolf's call. This was as good as the real thing and if a wolf had poorer vocalization means, it might not even be able to howl as well as you!

The other actors only acted out the form and spirit of a wolf.

But it was Zhang Ye who added on the vocalizations that had married form and spirit to display a lifelike portrayal of a wolf!

With Zhang Ye's display, many of the professional actors around were thoroughly convinced of his acting skills. They could do the same as him, except for the vocalization part!

The assistant director continued on to the next topic, "An eagle that is..."

Director Wang Chengpeng interrupted him and gave a wave of his hand. "There's no need to go further than that."

The assistant director nodded. It was true that it wasn't necessary to go on anymore. A basic acting skill like this needed no extra testing since none of those present could do any better than Zhang Ye. He knew that Zhang Ye's broadcasting foundations had given him the bonus points, so he said, "Then let's move to the second part, character portrayal."

Zhang Ye nodded and said, "Alright."

The assistant director said, "You can prepare a little to get into the mood of the character. Just follow along with the script that we gave to you earlier. You can just let me know whenever you're ready."

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "I'm ready. We can start anytime."

For any actor to get into character, as long as it wasn't a character similar to their own, they would definitely have their own methods to get into character and it was a very common thing to do. The assistant director had noticed that Zhang Ye did not do any preparation at all, but still claimed that he was ready, so he gave him a second look and said, "Alright, then start from the ninth scene for the third male lead's first line." The assistant director held his script and read from it, "The scenario is at the top floor of a skyscraper, the line is 'I don't care...'"

But Zhang Ye expression suddenly changed to a very cold look at this moment. The chill was expressed through a soft smile, yes, not a cold smile but a gentle-looking smile. He was still able to depict the lofty austerity with such an expression and it made people have a choking sense of tension when they saw it. He did not let the assistant director finish his words and directly started his portrayal by reciting the lines from the script, "I don't care where you came from, all I know is where I want to go. Even your teacher can't stop me, so who do you think you are? All that's left of Xingyi Fist now are your teacher and you. How pitiful, how regrettable, and how sad! But, heh, your teacher is still more blessed than I am. At least he has a disciple who is promiscuous, unlike me who is all alone in this world now!"

The assistant director was a little stunned, but immediately said, "The 15th scene where the lines say 'Don't try to...'"

Zhang Ye's expression changed again. This time, it showed a trademark antagonist's villainous look. He said, "Don't f**king try to bullshit me! In this era, who still dares to claim they are grandmasters? Your teacher can't claim so, and you, you are even less deserving to claim so!" The original lines of the script were not exactly like that as Zhang Ye added in a vulgarity as well as adding function words to the ending part that went "you are even less deserving to claim so." He did all of this based on his own sense of artistic portrayal of a character's performance.

The assistant director breathed in hard and said, "The 33rd scene."

Zhang Ye held his chest tightly as he took his last breaths. "When...I die...my martial arts...cough...will really be lost for good....That's good, might as well...cough. In birth...we bring nothing..." up until here, the script made no remarks of anything, but Zhang Ye suddenly increased his volume and shouted in a hoarse voice that made what he said a little inaudible, "In death, we take away nothing. Hahahaha!!"

It was loud laughter in the moments before his death!

The last bit of insolence in his life!

The second male lead, Tian Xuetao couldn't help but be moved by this!

The other staff members of the film crew were all quite dumbfounded by this!

The assistant director who was stunned, said, "Did you memorize all of the lines already?"

"Yes." Zhang Ye broke out of character very quickly as well as he immediately "walked" out of the scene. He did not have much thought about the acting he did earlier, but he understood that the 141 acting skills experience books he ate were not for nothing. It seemed like the effect was much better than he had expected. He said, "I memorized it already. Wasn't I just reading from the script just now?"

The martial arts director beside him said, "You've only gone through it once but already got it all memorized?"

Everyone could remember that Zhang Ye had only arrived at the studio a short while ago. Wasn't it just 10 minutes ago? That would just barely be enough time for him to go through the script once over! He only browsed through it and memorized every line in it?

Zhang Ye said matter-of-factly, "That's but of course. It's not like the lines are really complicated or something, so why wouldn't I be able to memorize it?" He answered in a rather impatient manner as he felt that they were all looking down on him like they were insulting his professional standards. If I couldn't even memorize these lousy lines after one look, then how the f**k could I still be a host! Are you all really taking me to be an ordinary actor? This bro is a professional host who could even do a live broadcast off-script! If I didn't have the ability, would I dare claim that I could do it! Isn't that question too degrading?

Director Wang Chengpeng, however, asked a good question. He looked at Zhang Ye and asked, "How did you think of adding that laugh at the end? It wasn't mentioned in the script, right?"

Zhang Ye said, "For a crazed martial arts master and an ambitious man, even though he was already tasting his own defeat at the end of his life, it would not fit him if he just went silently like that. I am a novel writer myself, if I may praise myself a little, and the sales of my books are doing quite well in the domestic market, so I am still quite sensitive and experienced about how the story should be set up and its character developments. In my opinion, this person would not just go away so quietly like that. It shouldn't be the case either. If he had to end it there, then surely he must make it a grand exit. A laugh and a final bit of insolence seemed to be the best way out!"

Wrote novels?

Oh yes, this person was also known as a famous author!

This person really carried too many titles on him, so if he didn't bring them up, everyone probably couldn't remember it either.

When he heard this, the screenwriter who was seated at the back, said, "When Teacher Zhang mentioned this, it really does feel better if it were done like how he acted out earlier. It feels more complete than when Brother Shui had acted out the role and could be considered as a reeling in the character and also a sublimation of the role. It also brings to point that in this movie Grandmasters not only were the male and female leads grandmasters, but even the antagonist who got his just deserts was a grandmaster in his own right, just that he had taken a different path from them."

The assistant director also nodded and said, "It was very well played out. The feeling I got was really good!"

And so, this audition of Zhang Ye's had left the whole studio stunned!

His expressions...

His acting skills...

His understanding of the characters in the movie...

F**k!

At the side, a few actors and those two celebrity actors who had come for the audition couldn't help but cry out in their minds as they felt that, when compared to them, why does it feel like Zhang Ye was the professional actor instead!!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 603: Zhang Ye's Eight Trigrams Palm!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

At the site of the audition.

The atmosphere of the audition was becoming a little difficult to perceive.

"So awesome?"

"Where did Zhang Ye learn how to act like this?"

"With that level of acting, he should already be considered a professional actor."

"It's even more than that, I think he's even more professional than a professional actor. If I didn't already know that Zhang Ye was a graduate from Media College, I would have thought that he attended Beijing Film Academy instead!"

"It would be good if he gets this role."

"Right, it shouldn't be a problem at all to age him by ten years with some makeup."

"Teacher Little Yu does not look ruthless enough and is more suited for an honest character, but Teacher Zhang clearly looked like an antagonist and it didn't feel weird when he stepped into character. It's as though he was just acting as himself."

"..."

"F**k, be quiet. Don't let anyone hear you."

"Hai, why is Zhang Ye able to do everything!"

"Yeah, why are there traces of him in every industry? Not only does he like to cross over to other industries, the key is that it even feels like he belongs right at home in whatever industry he jumps over to!"

Some of the film crew staff on set were exchanging whispers.

The first round of auditions was over.

The second round was also over.

Now, there was only the third and final round to go—martial arts scenes.

The actor who went before Zhang Ye in the previous round was put on pending status at this round. That actor did not need to go through the acting audition and instead started directly at the character portrayal audition. He did rather well, about as good as Zhang Ye. The leaders of the film crew were also quite satisfied with his performance. However, in the audition for the martial arts scenes, he did not impress at all and that led to the director hesitating to decide if he would use him as the replacement or not.

There were many actors, and a lot of them were also good actors. However, for martial arts actors or even martial arts stars, there were only a handful of people who could be called that. If this was just an ordinary movie production, it would be fine even if they just got any ordinary actor as the replacement. All they needed to do was just act out a fight scene with some fake motions, or at most use a stunt double. Most martial arts movies could always be acted out somehow, sometimes "cheating" a little by adding some special effects, all of which were fair game. But this particular production was different, as the core of the movie was focused on the title Grandmasters. It was a movie about Chinese martial arts and realism was its priority, or at least, realistic enough to the viewers. They couldn't possibly do it in a way that would leave the audience spitting in disgust when a fight scene was played out in the theaters. That would greatly impair the whole viewing experience.

The male lead, Dalong, was a professional martial arts star.

The female lead, Zhang Yuanqi, did not have many fight scenes, but Old Zhang had a dance background, so her physical conditions were all there and she only needed to act a little to make it feel real.

The second male lead, Tian Xuetao, wasn't good at acting or martial arts, but as he had a body double who looked very similar to him, his role was not a problem either.

As the third male lead, who was also an important antagonist, would have multiple fight scenes with Dalong, they couldn't just find any actor who had style and no substance in martial arts. There was no time left for them to pick a double who could fight well and also look like the actor. Even as they were faced with the possibility of not being able to wrap things before the premiere, they still could not take things so lightly, especially not when it was also such a big production film. This was the reason why the film crew was so picky with Brother Shui's replacement; not only would they have to be able to act, they also had to be able to handle martial arts scenes.

"This will be difficult."

"The martial arts have to be for real. Even acting can't fake it."

"Yeah, the foundations for such martial arts movies are the most difficult. Many of the actors started learning since they were young, training hard with every move done repeatedly. These days, it's really getting hard to find an actor who can also do fight scenes."

"What to do?"

"Yes, it's more important to find a replacement at this point in time. The candidate has to be confirmed today and we can't drag this any longer."

"Zhang Ye is an academic who works in literature and the arts. I think he wouldn't do as well as the other actors when it comes to executing the basic stances for fighting. It's still unclear who the director will choose. If he places an emphasis on the popularity, quality, and acting chops of the person, then surely Teacher Zhang Ye has an advantage over the others. But the antagonist has many important fighting scenes and those take up more than fifty percent of this character's appearances, so that is clearly the more important factor. Zhang Ye surely can't handle that."

"Let's see how it goes. I've heard that Zhang Ye frequently gets into fights with other people, like that Wang Shuixin's son, or that Korean celebrity, Lee Anson. Didn't he beat them up before? Right, there was also that plane hijacking incident. Wasn't that when Zhang Ye had to fight the terrorists to take control of the situation? I remember that was what was reported in the news!"

"That was him, but that's a different thing altogether."

"Yea, how is fighting and martial arts the same?"

"True that."

Everyone was observing the auditions and exchanging views with one another.

At the same time, a few important people of the film crew were also speaking in low whispers, exchanging their views on the audition.

Would Zhang Ye do?

Let him try it out first.

The assistant director said, "In the final round, we'll test out your punch and kicks."

At first, everyone thought that Zhang Ye would have difficulties with this round, so no one expected it when he just rolled up his sleeves and adjusted his shirt before standing there and saying, "Sure."

The assistant director said, "Take some time to get ready first."

"There's no need, I'm ready." Zhang Ye wondered to himself just how ready he had to be? Was it necessary to do some warm ups? Stretch his arms and legs? He did not need to do any of that, so he just said, "I'm ready anytime."

The assistant director nodded and then looked to the martial arts director.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the martial arts director strode over to face Zhang Ye and was about to do a set of movements for Zhang Ye to follow along with so that he could understand his foundations.

But a scene played out in front of them that no one could have expected!

Zhang Ye had actually gotten into an opening form that no one could recognize, relaxingly moving his hands and feet into a stance that no one could understand. He said, "Punches and kicks have no eyes, please be careful."

Ah?

Be careful? What?

What were you even intending to do??

The martial arts director was also taken aback. He had come across many different styles of martial arts, even those that had branched into different sects from their original styles. As an industry insider, he had many more opportunities than the average person to be in contact with martial arts. However, even with his vast knowledge, he could not make out this opening form that Zhang Ye was displaying. It was like nothing he had ever seen before!

What style of martial arts was this?

Hai, it was probably something randomly made up by him!

The martial arts director did not take this to heart and just looked at Zhang Ye in a speechless manner, saying, "What's the meaning of this?"

Zhang Ye was confused and said, "Aren't we going to spar?"

Pfft!

Everyone who was watching was wondered whether to laugh or cry when they heard this. Who were you intending to spar with? That teacher from the film crew could be considered as one of the top martial arts directors domestically, a true martial arts expert. He had real martial arts background and had been trained in Xingyi Fist, Eight Trigrams Palm, and some other styles since his childhood. He was even ranked in some national freestyle combat competitions before, having made it to the round of 32 when he was younger.

And here you are, saying things like "punches and kicks have no eyes"?

You even want to spar with him?

You're really too funny. What the assistant director meant was not for you to really spar with the martial arts director, but to follow the previous actor and imitate the martial arts moves so that they could evaluate if your physical movements are of a good enough standard!

Dalong laughed.

Tian Xuetao also couldn't help but laugh ironically at this.

"We're not going to spar." The martial arts director smiled and said, "We're just going to go through the motions of it. Ten of you wouldn't even be able to handle one of me since I am a real practitioner of martial arts. I am different from you all in that my execution and toughness of my moves can be really heavy. That is what you would truly refer to as 'punches and kicks have no eyes.' What if we sparred for real in the auditions? Then we might accidentally hurt people and if that happens, how would we be able to go on with the filming? What I need is just for you to imitate the martial arts moves."

When Zhang Ye heard this, he also laughed and said, "Then I have misunderstood."

However, on the topic of what the martial arts director had claimed earlier, he kept his reservations about it. Ten of me wouldn't be able to handle one of you? You're even afraid of hurting me? Zhang Ye could only laugh to himself about this. Don't try to boast to me. If it really came down to us sparring, I wonder who would be the one to get hurt. If this was any other situation, Zhang Ye would have seriously considered taking it up with him. But since he was only here for the audition today to try to land the role in the movie, he knew what his priorities were. As a result, did not argue with the martial arts director over it.

The martial arts director demonstrated the moves and said, "Watch carefully."

"OK." Zhang Ye kept his eye on the martial arts director's movements.

The martial arts director began. With his first move, it looked full of vigor and extremely powerful. It was like the wind followed with every move of his fist, whistling along with each movement!

He struck out his palm!

Then pulled it back!

Next was a side palm strike!

He thrust his palm upwards!

This set of palm techniques was similar to what he had shown and tested the previous actors with. It seemed like it was of the same style of martial arts, yet still felt very different as the angle of the palm movements and the translational motions were not the same as before.

After a round, the martial arts director came back to the same spot as he had started. He finished off with a closing form and said, "Teacher Zhang, did you see clearly? I know that you're more of an art person and have not dealt with martial arts before, but just do your best to imitate what I had just shown to you. Don't worry too much, it will be fine."

Zhang Ye finished observing.

Do my best?

Imitate it as much as I can?

What the heck was this? Didn't you just demonstrate the Eight Trigrams Palm!?

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Alright then, I'll give it a try?"

The martial arts director made a gesture for him to get started and then took a few steps back.

Instantly, everyone's eyes now fully focused on Zhang Ye.

The director, assistant director, Zhang Yuanqi, Dalong, Tian Xuetao, and everyone else were all waiting for Zhang Ye to start his movements. None of them thought that Zhang Ye would be able to do it like the martial arts director but were still curious at how well he could imitate the movements. When the previous actor had imitated the moves, the martial arts director had already informed Wang Chengpeng how it wasn't too bad even if there was barely any power in the movements and looked a little stiff. The movements were not standard, but were at least followed in a general sense. If not for those factors, it wouldn't have even worked out to an acceptable imitation. Now to them, Zhang Ye was unlikely to do any better than the previous actor.

Zhang Ye breathed in without showing any signs of pressure or nervousness, looking very relaxed. As he began imitating the martial arts director's movements from earlier, his feet started moving beneath him and he took the first step in the footwork of the Eight Trigrams Palm.

It was a simple step.

And also looked like a natural step.

However, this step was not noticed by everyone.

Except for the martial arts director, who, when he saw it, was a little shocked. Damn, you're just a layman, but how did you also manage to imitate the steps of the Eight Trigrams Palm? This step was too precisely executed. It was as standard as it could be and that left the martial arts director in disbelief with what he had just seen!

What was the Eight Trigrams Palm about? Everyone would think that it was about palm strikes, but they couldn't be more wrong. That would be the conclusion of a layman, but in actual fact, the core of the Eight Trigrams Palm was not down to its palm strikes but its footwork. The Eight Trigrams Palm was also known as Swimming Bagua, Linking Palms. The "swimming" portion, also know as the footwork, was actually the base of the style. For example, when the two actors were auditioning for the role earlier, they had only concentrated on the movements of the arm and copied it in form while moving around blindly. The martial arts director did not take this to heart as he knew that they were only ordinary actors and different from martial arts practitioners like himself. It would be unreasonable to apply his standards to them as actors since it was already quite a big deal that they could remember how to execute the palm techniques. [1.]

But that was not the case for Zhang Ye!

The martial arts director knew that this step made by Zhang Ye was the real thing in the Eight Trigrams Palm footwork. The direction at which his feet pointed, the control of his steps, and more importantly, the change in his center of gravity, it was all flawless. The movements were exactly the same as when he had demonstrated it. Because of what he saw, it had left him a little shocked!

This...

Is impossible!

[1. Bagua (八卦) are the Eight Trigrams important to the I Ching and Taoism (They're also what you see on South Korea's flag).]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 604: Landing the Role!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Huu!

Zhang Ye struck out with his palm, his footsteps following immediately after. Slanting his heel, he briefly held back before taking his next step. What followed was his second palm strike!

It caught everyone's attention!

That was really great!

He's following the moves as though they were really his own!

Yes, it felt a little weak. Why didn't he use more power? There wasn't enough power in it!

Eight Trigrams Palm? Zhang Ye definitely did not know the Eight Trigrams Palm personally, but there was a person close to him who knew it. Rao Aimin was the Senior Sis of the Eight Trigrams Palm style of her generation. In this word, he didn't know how many classes and sects of the Eight Trigrams Palm there were. The style of Rao Aimin's Eight Trigrams Palm was a little different from that of the martial arts director's style. However, the basic techniques and core of the martial arts style was more or less similar. Zhang Ye had seen Rao Aimin practicing countless times before and even had a taste of the landlady's Swimming Bagua, Linking Palms himself, and knew that her style of the martial arts was much more gentle and not as powerfully sharp as the martial arts director's style. However, the strength of power was definitely there as Zhang Ye could still feel the pain of it from the receiving end. This was why even though Zhang Ye did not learn this martial arts style before he could still understand it very well and manage to execute the movements with exact imitating without any pressure at all!

In the audition area.

Zhang Ye could be seen moving around and executing his palm strikes!

Pierce!

Thrust!

Chop!

Everyone was already in a trance as they never expected that Zhang Ye, as a professional in the literary and artistic fields, would be this good at it and could even execute these few techniques.

Zhang Ye continued but did not execute the moves as powerfully as the martial arts director. It was like he did not exert too much strength at all, using a graceful and gentle style of the technique with free flowing movements. Every strike of his palm was preceded by a step, and every step was taken in the most stable manner!

Uppercut!

Cross!

Ram!

Hook!

Toss!

Shove!

The rest of the film crew probably could not see it but the martial arts director was already getting more and more shocked by what he was seeing. Zhang Ye did not even make a mistake in his routine for the Eight Trigrams Palm footwork and palm techniques. The moves were all perfectly executed, whether in terms of the angle or amplitude of motion; they were all flawless. Moreover, Zhang Ye's Eight Trigrams Palm gave the martial arts director a type of different feeling, like his verve and movements.... Why did they look like the style of that person who had disappeared from the Chinese martial arts world so many years ago? Legend has it that there was a master whose Eight Trigrams Palm exercised a combination of firmness and flexibility while still maintaining a grace about it!

The martial arts director thoughts went wild.

The other staff of the film crew were all watching without knowing what was going on.

Dalong could also be considered as half a martial arts practitioner and he knew what he was looking at right now. At that moment, he was looking at Zhang Ye in a strange way, seemingly having some doubts about him yet thinking that he seemed to be quite good at it?

Zhang Ye came back to his original spot, albeit facing the opposite direction, just as he finished executing the techniques and movement. He footwork was precise to the millimeter, and after executing the movements, he relaxingly cooled down without a closing form. Closing form were usually meant as a cool down, not just for the sake of appearances. Since Zhang Ye did not actually know the breathing and energy flow techniques of the Eight Trigrams Palm and was just imitating the look of it, he naturally did not need to do a proper cool down. It was not an action that he could imitate from the martial arts director anyway and there was also no need to do so. He was well versed in the breathing and energy flow techniques for Taiji Fist, but as they were not general purpose cool down techniques for the different styles of Chinese martial arts, it would be unprofessional to apply them here.

Phew, that was still quite tiring in any case.

And why was there no applause?

Zhang Ye smiled and asked, "Was that alright?"

The assistant director did not know whether it was good enough, so he said, "It...seemed alright and you've imitated it well generally, but the only issue is that the movements did not have any power to it and thus, did not feel quite right. If we shot the movie with that kind of effect, the presentation would be quite lacking and without fervor, so that would be a problem." He said so while looking slightly disappointed.

Ah?

Fervor?

What sort of fervor?

Zhang Ye had wanted to explain it by saying that they were too layman to understand it, but as he felt that it would probably fall on deaf ears since they would not understand it even if he explained, he simply said, "I have no problems putting more power into my movements." Didn't he simply just need to use more power? Could it be any simpler?

The assistant director said, "You can do that? Give it a try then."

"Alright, no problem." Zhang Ye adjusted his arm, ready to give a demonstration once more.

In the end, the martial arts director stopped him and said, "Teacher Zhang, you don't need to do any more, it's enough." Then, he walked quickly beside of the director and assistant director and said, "I don't think we need to test him any further."

Tian Xuetao looked regretfully at Zhang Ye.

The assistant director nodded.

Wang Chengpeng looked at the martial arts director and said, "Zhang Ye couldn't make the grade too? Then we'll just have to find someone else to audition!"

The screenwriter, along with many of the film crew staff members, were now left with headaches. One couldn't make it while another was also lacking by a bit. Who else could do it? They did not have much time left!

"Hai."

"This is really troublesome."

"All three of the auditionees are unable to make the cut?"

But over at that side, the martial arts director said in a stunned manner, "What do you mean by Zhang Ye couldn't make the grade? That's not it. Teacher Zhang is good enough." When he saw the stunned director and the assistant director, the martial arts director added, "In fact, he is far too good!"

Everyone was stunned.

"Ah?"

"What do you mean?"

"Zhang Ye is good enough?"

"Surely not? Weren't those movements too lacking in power?"

"Right, even though he managed to generally imitate the moves correctly, there still wasn't enough strength or an imposing manner, so..."

The other two auditionees who still held some hope were in an even greater state of disbelief at the martial arts director's words. You call that good? Isn't that setting the bar too low! If his kind of soft and weak moves could pass, then we could do it too! Surely we did better than him, right?

The director asked, "Just what do you mean by that?"

The martial arts director explained, "What the assistant director had just brought up is not a problem at all. It's not that Zhang Ye couldn't exert any power, but my strength comes from the muscles while his strength comes from the palms, so the style of exerting power is not quite the same and just differed by a little bit. I believe if we ask Teacher Zhang to display a style or technique that looks more powerful, he would surely be able to do it. Besides, I'm not sure whether it was because of Teacher Zhang's good memory, but he could follow exactly the way I demonstrated my moves earlier. Not only the palm stance and angle, even the footwork was the same. My Eight Trigrams Palm emphasizes a lot on footwork, so even the way the feet are pointed can't be slightly off. If they are it will affect the stability and position of releasing the palm strikes. However, what Teacher Zhang had managed to do...has totally left me in disbelief!"

Everyone could only look at each other in shock!

Zhang Ye said in a low key manner, "My memory is indeed quite good."

The martial arts director praised, "Not only do you have a good memory, you're also very talented!"

The director asked, "How many marks will you give him?"

Without even thinking, the martial arts director answered, "Full marks! It was flawless! Such a talented actor with martial arts abilities is totally competent enough to be the third male lead with all those fight scenes! There will surely be no problems at all! However, based on Teacher Zhang's image and physical condition, I'd have to re-choreograph his fight scenes and not fully use Brother Shui's style for him. Some of the moves need to be slightly refined."

The assistant director slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Great, that's really great!"

Wang Chengpeng also stood up without any objections, pausing for a moment before proclaiming, "I hereby announce that Zhang Ye will officially become our replacement for the third male lead's role in Grandmasters!"

Applause started to echo in the studio.

Tian Xuetao and the others clapped to welcome their new colleague.

Zhang Ye also clasped his hands together and said, "Everyone, please take care of me."

Wang Chengpeng reached out his hand and said, "I hope we can work well together. The next few days of work will all depend on you now. Rushing the filming schedule can be quite tiring, so please feel free to let us know if you have any requests."

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "I do not have any requests. I will do my best and cooperate fully."

Tian Xuetao went up to congratulate him and gave him a thumbs up.

The assistant director had already prepared a contract and went through it simply, explaining the clause and conditions once over before Zhang Ye signed it.

He finally landed the role officially!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 605: The consciousness of a teacher of the people is higher

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

At the scene, everyone was starting to get busy.

The director and staff of the film crew were giving out their instructions for the shoot.

"Get in place, everyone, get in place!"

"Camera 1, pull back."

"Once the actors are done with their makeup, we will start immediately."

"Will the extras take note: please remember to stay behind the yellow line as there will be a explosion scene later. Although it won't be dangerous, everyone should still take note not to stray past the yellow line."

"Is Teacher Zhang ready?"

"Not yet, but he'll be ready soon."

"Alright, we will start rolling the cameras once Teacher Zhang finishes getting touched up!"

...

In the studio.

A female makeup artist quickened her work on Zhang Ye as she applied makeup on his face here and there. Very soon, Zhang Ye could see himself aging 10 years in the mirror, but perhaps due to the fact that he had only very average looks, it did not make him look too different. He would probably still be recognized by his fans immediately.

Drawing his eyebrows.

Applying some eyeliner.

He was still quite unused to all this. As a host, he never had to do such makeup to make him appear more villainous looking. At most, he needed to apply some foundation to take the shine off his face for the camera.

Zhang Ye had already changed into his costume for the role, similar to that of a Chinese tunic suit. He did not just sit there doing nothing, but was going through the script repeatedly. This time, he wasn't going through the script for his own role, he was going through the overall screenplay for the whole movie which had all the information of the characters, including their age, where they were born, their background, character developments, etc. To enable him to play his role well, he had to know the full screenplay as it would aid him to better understand the intertwined relationships and plot. With this information, he would know what emotions to portray and at which time to do it. [1.]

This was the first time that Zhang Ye had seen a full screenplay, and to be honest, it left him a little confused as there was simply too much information in it. The plot was also very rich, with many subplots happening at the same time. It even included a list of alternative plots and script lines. As the filming had actually already wrapped a few days ago, a lot of these backup plots were deleted since they were not used or cut from the final version of the movie. Because of this messy editing in the screenplay, when he saw it, it also left him unable to comprehend what was still valid or what was already invalid. It felt like a good movie, but it also felt like it might not be too good. He didn't know for sure.

Back in his previous world, Zhang Ye was a movie buff as well. Every time he had finished watching a film, he would always discuss it for a whole day with his friends. They would point out what they felt were errors, or a part of the movie that was not well shot, a part of the story that wasn't logical, or even say something as extreme as how a movie was so bad that it shouldn't even have been produced. Thinking about it now, it was really easy making those comments as an audience member. Only when he was put into the situation himself did he realize just how complicated a movie production was. Just this screenplay alone had given him a lesson on how difficult it was. As the saying goes, the insider knows the ropes, while the outsider just comes along for the ride. That couldn't be more true, as everything was always easier said than done.

The female makeup artist stepped back and adjusted her head as she observed her work, then with a sudden snap of her fingers, she said, "It's done, Teacher Zhang." She turned around and shouted, "Director, Teacher Zhang's makeup is done."

Zhang Ye put down the screenplay, stood up, and went outside.

"Alright, everyone, get into your positions," Wang Chengpeng said loudly.

The assistant director said, "Teacher Zhang, take your position over there."

Wang Chengpeng instructed him, "Remember, you need to be more expressive with your emotions later on. When Old Zhang and Dalong walk over, you need to have aggression in your eyes. Don't hold back on that."

"Sure." Zhang Ye got into position and sat in the armchair, at the center of all the extras. He held up a cup of tea and sat up straight.

Wang Chengpeng had his own style of directing. He used a megaphone and ran through the plot for this scene. Even though the actors were already very familiar with it, he did not leave out a single word and explained in detail about the entire scene. This was to help the actors relax and at the same time lead them quickly into their character roles.

"Three.

"Two.

"One.

"Action!"

Suddenly, the air was filled with the din of clashing gongs and cymbals.

Many of the extras were putting in the best efforts for this scene of celebration at a martial arts school.

Zhang Yuanqi was dressed in a long white robe, while Dalong was in his martial arts attire as they walked slowly over. The two of them were already in character. Zhang Yuanqi had an icy expression while Dalong was all smiles as he laughed and joked as he walked beside her. Soon after, a smile appeared on Zhang Yuanqi's face and she gave Dalong a look.

The three of them met.

Zhang Ye was covering his tea cup as he raised his head to meet their eyes.

Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong were both standing in front of him at this moment.

Suddenly, Zhang Ye's eyes narrowed as the tea cup lid lightly knocked against the tea cup!

"Cut!" The director called out.

Zhang Ye looked over.

Only to hear Wang Chengpeng say, "Little Zhang, that's not good enough. You need to express more with your eyes, show your aggressiveness. The way you're looking at them is correct, but it needs to be more intense because it's not enough to carry it from real life into reel life."

Zhang Ye understood and said, "Alright, I'll take note of that."

Dalong and Zhang Yuanqi both said nothing and went back to their own positions.

Wang Chengpeng shouted, "Again, action!"

And so, the second take was over and done with.

Next up was the explosion scene. Zhang Ye did not have to do much for this scene and only had a line in it. It was very simple for him as this scene had more focus on Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong. The both of them had already shot this scene before, but because a few cuts needed the third male lead, Zhang Ye, to appear together on screen with them, they had to redo this scene's shoot again. Of course, the reshoot was only done for the critical cuts. Those parts that did not have Zhang Ye appearing would use the original footage instead.

As it was a little dangerous, the preparations for this scene were also more troublesome and took a little longer. Dalong's errors led to two cuts; two extras who didn't portray the right expressions also made the director call for a cut three times. When one of Zhang Ye's lines did not communicate the mood of the scene, a cut was also called. For this whole scene, it took almost an hour before the the director was satisfied with the outcome!

When the director finally called for a stop and gave it the "pass," all the actors breathed a sigh of relief and went for their breaks. With this, some people from the film crew went ahead to settle the payouts to the extras since their work was done here.

Dalong came up and asked, "Director Wang, are there still any scenes for me?"

Wang Chengpeng considered for a while before saying, "There's nothing left for today. You and Old Zhang can go back first."

"Alright," Dalong said.

Zhang Yuanqi smiled and said, "I don't need to be around either?"

"It's fine, I just need your double to be around. The key shoots will be tomorrow." Wang Chengpeng said, "There should be some scenes tomorrow morning, but I will need to see how the shooting will turn out this afternoon first to see if we can wrap the planned scenes by today. Zhang Ye doesn't have much experience in filming, so I won't be able estimate how long it will take. This afternoon's scenes are going to be the problem."

Zhang Yuanqi laughed and said, "Little Zhang shouldn't have a problem with that."

Dalong said, "I'll be leaving first then. If there's anything, you can just give me a call. I'll keep my cell phone on." As the film crew was going through its most difficult period now, everyone certainly had to work extra hard together to ensure a successful outcome.

The two leads left while Wang Chengpeng went to find Zhang Ye. Having already known him by now, he no longer addressed him as Teacher Zhang and instead just called him Little Zhang. "Little Zhang, how's it going?"

Zhang Ye dipped his head in greeting and said, "Quite well."

"Being cast into a lead role on your debut, it is already great that you can perform this way up until now. At least, you've exceeded my expectations for a rookie actor." Wang Chengpeng praised, but reminded him and said, "This afternoon and evening, we have a few scenes planned for filming. There will be day and night scenes, so I suggest you follow and stay with the film crew for the next few days. See if you require anything like a change of clothes and let me know. I will get someone to help you out with that, or you can get someone from your family to send them over."

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "That's not necessary. I'm not particular about such things. I just need to give a call to my mother to let her know about my schedule."

Beside him, the assistant director said, "We're going to have to go into the mountains tonight. It's going to be a tough shoot."

"No worries," Zhang Ye said.

The assistant director asked, "Do you have any diet preferences for lunch and dinner? I can get someone to prepare it for you."

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "I can eat anything. A box lunch is good enough."

The assistant director said hesitantly, "We do not know what time we'll be shooting until tonight, so you..."

"I'm fine with whatever time we shoot until." Zhang Ye said with a shrug, "Even if I have work round the clock, 24 hours without sleep, I should be able to do it. No problem. Just let me know your arrangements. As long as we can complete the filming properly, I have no objections. You'll have total control of me for the next few days."

The directors asked so many questions because, these days, celebrities were putting on airs more and more often. These days, it was a market of commercial productions. A movie's attractability mostly started with an actor. If the actor was a big-time celebrity, it wouldn't be easy to get them to join the movie. Even if they did, their temperaments were difficult to handle. For example, Dalong had many requests when it came to meals. For meats, he only took mutton, and would not have any chicken or pork. He was also very picky with any other side dishes and the film crew had to specially get those individually for him. Then, for Tian Xuetao, his conditions were that he has to go home everyday to sleep and not stay with the film crew. No matter how late it got, as long as they were in the vicinity of Beijing, he must be allowed to go home. If they were out of the city or country, he would request a hotel so that he could go back to it after filming. Together with some other celebrities with thousands of strange requests and conditions, nothing was really too odd and they had almost seen it all before.

This time, since they had to find a replacement to save the situation as the matter was very urgent, leaving them with not much of a choice, they naturally placed great importance on Zhang Ye's participation in the shoot. They would have given him much better treatment and would try to satisfy him in whatever ways they could. That was the reason why they asked so many questions of him, since they did not know Zhang Ye well and what special requirements he had of the film crew.

But Zhang Ye?

He had no special requirements whatsoever!

He was fine with anything! Everything was alright with him!

This made Wang Chengpeng nod positively to no end. He waited until Zhang Ye walked away before becoming unable to contain himself and said to his assistant director, "Intellectuals and artistic people alike are indeed much better to work with."

The assistant director felt the same, so he said, "Yes, Teacher Zhang is almost a B-list celebrity now, but for a person of that status to still maintain that humility, it's really rare. I heard from a friend in the industry that Zhang Ye really gives it his all when it comes to work. He had even recorded a show for over ten hours continuously for seven or eight days straight. There was also the case where he worked 24 hours without rest to help Beijing Television Station complete their public service announcement. He had really risked his own life for that! Hai, the consciousness of a teacher of the people is much higher than most people. If only our actors were like Teacher Zhang, then the duration of our production would have sped up by at least 30%!"

The screenwriter who was behind them blinked and said, "Zhang Ye is quite...different from what the rumors say about him."

The assistant director turned around and said, "Yes, he's really quite different from them."

The Zhang Ye in the rumors had too many nicknames!

The maggot of the literary world!

The oddity of the entertainment circle!

The hooligan of the educational world!

To many of the staff on the film crew who had heard about Zhang Ye before, they felt that he was a person who had a very bad temper and was someone who would beat up or scold others without even resorting to talking things through. However, the reality now was that they saw him in an entirely different light compared to what they had heard about him. Zhang Ye was not only unlike how they imagined him to have no respect for others, he was also someone who worked very hard, was professional, and dedicated to his work. Just look at it. When the box lunches arrived, everyone else was eating their lunch and resting while Zhang Ye sat further away, reading his script for the next scene as he ate.

They did not know that Zhang Ye had always been like this. If he decided to do something, he would be determined to finish it. He would always take his work seriously and do his best, not allowing himself to make any errors or be negligent. He was the type of person who would work so hard that he would risk his own life.

[1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_suit]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 606: Authentic Taiji Fist!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Afternoon.

The box lunch was very simple. It just consisted of rice with two side dishes. It also came with a bottle of mineral water.

"It's this again?"

"Hai, just make do and eat it."

"This box lunch is hardly edible at all."

"They really need to change the caterer. This is really terrible."

"Yeah, it's not even better than what I can make. Just looking at this leaves me with no more appetite. How can you stir fry winter melon in this way? This is basically just a box of everything mixed together."

Around the area, some of the more important extras and two body doubles were together eating lunch with the film crew staff, complaining as they ate. Some of them were not even intending to eat at all.

Zhang Ye tasted a bit and felt that it was just as they had said, very average tasting, but not to the point of unpalatable yet. Even if it were unpalatable, could it compare to what they served him in the dark room at the police station? When he had been arrested back then, he didn't even pick at his food, so being here, he just finished his lunch in a few mouthfuls and then washed it all down with the mineral water. After that, he continued to read his script.

When an extra saw this, he was a little lost for words.

Similarly, the other small-time actors and extras also looked one by one at Zhang Ye. When they saw the empty lunch box, they could only look at each other for a moment before lowering their heads to finish up their own lunch. No one else complained or said a word after that. If a top-ranked C-list celebrity, a position they all knew they would never, ever reach, did not mind the food, who were they to say anything?

A double took a few more looks at Zhang Ye. This was seemingly just a small action, but reflected a lot more about how things were. This double thought to himself that it was no wonder Zhang Ye who had only debuted for about a year would achieve so much in this short time. He was someone who often got scolded by the media for this and that, a professional that was so frequently doubted by the industry insiders, but somehow still managed to be so popular among the people. He knew that there was a good reason for all of that now.

In the afternoon.

Zhang Ye called his mother on her cell phone.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"I'm at work."

"Heh, I'm just calling to let you know that I won't be home for the next few days. I have work to do."

"What work is it?"

"I got a role in a movie."

"Well done, my son."

"That's true. This is a big production and I will be following the crew around for these few days. Tell Dad about it as well. I will only be going home when the filming wraps up."

After he hung up, the martial arts director also came over and said, "Teacher Zhang, have you finished eating?"

Another double also followed behind him. One look and it was clear that he was Dalong's double. Even though his face did not look similar, his body proportions were similar. He greeted, "Teacher Zhang."

"I've already finished my lunch." Zhang Ye switched off his phone and stood up. He said to them, "Please don't call me Teacher Zhang. There's no need to be so courteous. Just call me Little Zhang or Little Ye. That's good enough."

The martial arts director smiled and said, "Alright, forgive me then."

But the double said, "It's better that I stick to calling you Teacher Zhang. You're an intellectual and an associate professor at the university. I can't possibly call you Little Zhang. Even if I wanted to, I just can't do it, so I think I'm more comfortable calling you Teacher Zhang."

Zhang Ye did not argue with this.

The martial arts director said, "Why don't you warm up a little first? We should begin our preparations for the fight scene that will be filmed this afternoon. Why don't we practice some of the movements first before finishing it with a final runthrough before the shoot."

In a martial arts movie, the most important core for attracting viewers was definitely its fight scenes. These were also the most exciting parts of the movie, so they couldn't be done sloppily. It was very troublesome to film a fight scene well, so sometimes effects would be added in post-production with modern advanced methods. However, the most basic movements of the actors exchanging punches and kicks needed to look real in the first place and nowhere at this stage should any effort be saved. They would have to practice the movements first before moving on to a fight sequence practice between the actors. One would punch, one would kick; all of these needed to be practiced and drilled into them with no room for errors.

Soon after.

The three of them went to an empty area to start their practice.

The martial arts director stood in the center and said, "You have a good memory and your physical condition is quite good as well. I could deduce that when you did your audition just now. So let's do this like we did earlier. I will give an overall demonstration of the fight scene's basic sequence and you follow after me. Hopefully, you'll remember everything."

"Sure," said Zhang Ye.

The martial arts director said, "The style of martial arts that your character uses is Taiji Fist. Watch carefully!"

Hearing this, the double showed a face of concentration, while Zhang Ye looked at the martial arts director in anticipation.

Zhang Ye had read the screenplay several times already and knew that the third male lead was the one and only descendant of the Taiji Fist school of martial arts. In this world, Zhang Ye had found out from Rao Aimin that Taiji Fist was lost many years ago. The first time and last time it appeared was already several hundred years ago. Moreover, whether this martial arts style had truly existed before was also legend in itself. Those who had even heard about it before were in the minority and treated it as a myth. However, only those who were true practitioners in the Chinese martial arts world knew that Taiji Fist was not fictional and that it had existed before. It was known to have impressed for a period of time those several hundred years ago when the descendant of Taiji Fist defeated many martial arts grandmasters, making it a renowned martial arts style.

A martial arts style that had been lost for hundreds of years now. How would you demonstrate it? Unless you knew it?

—That was what Zhang Ye was curious about ever since he saw the screenplay, curious about how the scenes involving Taiji Fist would be shot. He was full of anticipation and did not even blink his eyes as he watched patiently!

When the martial arts director said that he would demonstrate for them, he only meant that he would do a few simple movements. He raised his hands in preparation and did a horse stance at a very odd angle. It would make anyone watching feel like they understood it, even though they didn't, and also looked like it was a mysterious martial arts style of some kind.

Zhang Ye: "..."

The martial arts director showed a domineering face as he threw a punch.

Zhang Ye: "............."

The martial arts director gave a long laugh before he kicked his leg out sidewards!

Zhang Ye: ".................."

As there was no opponent to spar with in the demonstration, the moves that the martial arts director displayed were quite disconnected. Only after he had gone through the moves for a routine did he finally finish off with a closing form by clasping his hands together.

The double watched with admiration and went over to say, "I've heard before from some friends in the martial arts world telling me that this style of martial arts used to really exist. From just now, I've been meaning to ask you. Do you really know this style of martial arts?"

The martial arts director smiled a little and said, "A little bit, I guess."

The double looked at him, overjoyed, and said, "Then could you teach me a little? Oh, I am too straightforward. This is too abrupt. I understand that it is not something that can just be taught to others even if I wanted to learn it. I understand the rules."

"It's not a matter of rules at all." The martial arts director smiled and explained, "I am really unable to teach this to you since I only know it generally and only have some simple moves to show for. I heard from my teacher that the real Taiji Fist does not have any standard moves and has never been passed down before either. There are no descendants of this style anymore. It has been lost for a long time already. My teacher had learned a few moves from some master who in the past had researched Taiji Fist from the anecdotal evidence found in the martial arts world and pieced it together. That is why I only know those few moves myself, but if you really want to learn it, that was all that there is to it. As for the other moves and the core teachings behind Taiji Fist, I do not know about any of that since the real Taiji Fist had disappeared hundreds of years ago!"

The double said excitedly, "Even if it's just a few moves, it's enough for me. This is Taiji Fist that we're talking about here. So many practitioners want to learn but could never find a way to even begin learning it!"

The martial arts director felt quite good about the compliment another gave him so he said, "Alright then, I will show you the moves once more. I believe Teacher Zhang did not get a good look at it earlier, so watch and learn!"

"Thank you! How great is it!" The double's eyes brightened at this.

The martial arts director displayed the same posture as earlier and said, "Remember, this is the opening form of Taiji Fist. You will need to keep your hands up and out in front, regulate your breath, sink it down to the lower half and get into a forward leaning horse stance posture!"

The double immediately followed him and imitated his stance.

The martial arts director started to swing his arms and instructed as he did so, "Taiji Fist emphasizes on the balance and interconnectivity of yin and yang. These two energies move in a continuous cycle of endless succession. This, is yang, and it needs to be strong!"

The double tried his best to follow along with each movement.

"This is yin." The martial arts director locked his wrist and hooked his fist. "And it must be gentle!"

The double followed along closely, imitating almost perfectly.

Between the two of them, one was teaching and the other one was learning, and they spent an inordinate amount of time on it.

Finally, when they both finished with their closing forms, the double bowed deeply to the martial arts director as a form of respect. He then clasped his palms together and said, "Thank you so much. To have learned so much about the real Taiji Fist. I...I can't even come up with words to describe how I feel. Ever since I was young, I've always heard about the legendary Taiji Fist. So many people wanted to witness Taiji Fist for themselves in these several hundred years, yet died with a lifelong regret of not being able to see it at all. I can only say that I am very honored."

The martial arts director smiled and said, "Since you like it, practice it well. The knowledge of Taiji Fist runs very deep."

"Yes, I will definitely practice well!" The double had seemingly found a precious jade stone, and afraid he would forget about it, once again started to go through the movements for "Taiji Fist" in high spirits!

The martial arts director still stayed by his side to give him guidance. "Right, that's right, you need to wave your hands a little. Move them up and down. That's right, very good!"

Zhang Ye had been staring at them from where he was, looking at them moving about as they practiced. From the start until now, he did not say a word at all, because he was really at a loss as to what he should say!

Practice well?

Practice your sister!

Taiji Fist?

Taiji your grandpa!

Zhang Ye nearly vomited a mouthful a blood, wondering to himself just what sort of style of Taiji Fist the martial arts director was teaching!

Keep your hands out in front? What was the meaning of placing your hands out in front? Did you think that you were guiding the traffic!? Regulate your breath and sink it down to the lower half? Were you getting ready to fart? And what do you mean by leaning forward while doing the horse stance? This was the first f**king time I've heard that an opening form for Taiji Fist has to be a forward leaning horse stance! Why didn't you just lie down on the floor for your opening form instead? You're even mentioning waving the arms and legs? Wave your grandma! Were you turning into a butterfly? Is this what they would call the damned Urgent Peeing Fists??

Zhang Ye utterly had his hands tied by this martial arts director. If you did not know it, then you should just say it. What the heck are you boasting for? You just believe whatever anyone says when they show you some Taiji Fist moves? This is the dogshit kind of Taiji Fist! If you don't know it, don't act like you know it. Yet here you are, even teaching someone else and spreading the "glory" of the martial arts style?

The martial arts director suddenly said, "Teacher Zhang, do you still remember what I just showed? Alright, then I'll let both of you give it a try to get a feel for Taiji Fist."

Brother, please don't mention the word Taiji anymore, OK?

What the both of you did just now really was not Taiji Fist at all!

The double quickly lunged forward and clasped his hands, bowed his head, and said, "Teacher Zhang, please forgive me in advance. My fists might be a little heavy, but I will make the necessary adjustment in strength and not hit you for real. Just come at me with all you've got. Don't be afraid of hurting me, because you won't be able to anyway."

Zhang Ye: "..."

Come at you with all I've got?!

Just based on your external style of martial arts, if I used only 10% of my strength on you, you'd still end up in the hospital!

However, Zhang Ye did not say that out loud and just returned the bow. He could no longer watch just like that and was ready to teach them a small lesson today—about what authentic Taiji Fist was really like!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 607: Now this is Taiji Fist!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the movie studio, many people had their attentions caught by the movements over at the practice area.

"Eh?"

"They've already started their practice?"

"The fight sequence has already been choreographed? Have they finished learning it already?"

"It can't be that fast. Those scenes require the two actors to slowly learn and repeat until they get it right."

"Let's go over and take a look. I wonder how Teacher Zhang is handling it. Learning the movements is entirely different from practice sparring with an opponent. To be able to get the effect like they were fighting for real, they have to wear protective gear under their costumes and actually spar hand-to-hand. Otherwise, if they use quick cuts to conceal some actions in the scene, it won't look too believable anymore. How fast Teacher Zhang can pick up the fighting sequences will affect how quickly our afternoon's shoot will progress. If he's slow or can't pick it up at all, then we might not even be able to finish this afternoon's planned scene by night time, and that would roll over to the next scene as well."

Quite a number of the film crew's staff went over to where they were practicing.

When the director and assistant director saw this, they walked over there to watch as well.

Wang Chengpeng asked the martial arts director, "You've already taught them the fight sequence?"

"More or less. I'm letting them try it out first to get a feel for it," the martial arts director answered.

Very quickly, over 20 people surrounded the practice area. They were basically done with their own tasks and were just waiting for Zhang Ye's practice to finish so that they could carry on with the filming. Since they had nothing to do, they might as well join in and observe how it all was going. Everyone had surrounded the practice area and formed a circle as they pointed at them, discussing what they were seeing.

In the middle of the practice area.

Zhang Ye and the double were already in position.

Seeing that so many people had gathered around, including the director and assistant director, the double got an adrenaline rush from the attention he was receiving. Having just learned a few moves of the legendary and long-admired martial arts style, Taiji Fist, his desire to perform well in front of all them was swelling. He said, "Teacher Zhang, may the best man win. Watch out, I'll make the first move now!"

Zhang Ye calmly said, "Come on."

The martial arts director reminded, "Watch your movements. They must be standard."

When the double heard this, he immediately committed to a horse stance and followed the instructions that were taught to him earlier. His horse stance was slightly tilted to the front, making his whole body look angled while his hands were even more standardized as his hands were placed straight out in front. In giving an opening form of Taiji Fist, he felt he looked very valiant and was enjoying every moment of it.

Around them, the people's eyes all brightened up a little. Previously, the role of the descendant of Taiji Fist martial arts style was played by Brother Shui. They had already seen his acting before. But an actor was just an actor at best, especially since Brother Shui was also not a professional martial arts actor, so there was surely a difference when compared to a stunt double who had martial arts skills. From just a move, although Brother Shui's Taiji Fist opening moves were quite scary and domineering, his aura was just outwardly strong but inwardly brittle. He could only depend on post-production effects to be added, like having some music overlay, the sound of wind moving his clothes, or leaves flying around from the shockwaves whenever his feet landed on the ground, all of which could help to play up his abilities. However, the stunt double in front of them had only made a stance, which was good enough to not need any special effects and still had the oomph factor—this was what real martial arts was about.

But in contrast, when they looked at Zhang Ye?

Zhang Ye also got into a opening form, similar to the one that he showed in the studio earlier which no one knew. There wasn't much distance between his feet while his hands superficially made some movements without exerting additional strength, like someone could just break his form by tugging at his hands a little. His shoulders were also drooped and that made him look somewhat listless. All in all, his overall form looked terrible!

"What is that stance?"

"Did the martial arts director teach him that?"

"Why does it not look impressive at all?"

"A positive and negative. The difference is too great."

"Don't ask for such high standards. The stunt double is a professionally trained martial artist and has some skills while Zhang Ye's a literary and arts worker, so how can he match up to that?"

"That's true."

When the double saw Zhang Ye's form, he was dumbfounded. What the hell was this?

The martial arts director was also left absolutely speechless by what he saw. This Teacher Zhang! Didn't he already go through the moves for Taiji Fist several times? Why was he still unable to remember it? Did he forget the opening form? What kind of an opening form was he displaying now then? It looks like it's incredibly weak and full of openings. Whether it be internal style martial arts or external style martial arts, neither of them would ever have an opening form like yours. If anyone rushed over to attack, you'd be flattened in no time!

"Teacher Zhang, it's not done that way!" the martial arts director said, and thought to himself that a layman would always be a layman. It was a chore just trying to teach them. He asked him, "Where is the horse stance? Why are you not leaning forward!"

But Zhang Ye did not move.

The stunt double glanced at him and said, "That form of yours won't do. If I just attack once, you won't even be able to withstand a strike from me. That opening form is full of weakness. We won't be able to practice our sparring properly this way."

The assistant director gave them a word of caution and said, "Please be careful. Don't get hurt, especially Teacher Zhang. You have to take extreme care not to get hurt, otherwise, there won't be any more replacement actors to take your place!"

Zhang Ye casually said, "No worries, just come at me."

"I'm afraid I will hurt you," the stunt double hesitated.

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "That might not be the case."

When the stunt double heard him say that, he might just as well abide and said, "Alright then, I'm coming for you!" As his words trailed off, he attacked according to the martial arts director's teachings. He struck out a palm with a weird trajectory, with a slight feint to make the move look very beautiful. He knew that Zhang Ye would not be able to stop this attack and thus, adjusted his strength and lowered it by 60 or 70%. He put the remaining 30 to 40% of his strength into the attack at Zhang Ye!

The martial arts director praised, "Good movement! That is what they call the Taiji parry!"

Parry?

Zhang Ye could only shake his head in his mind. His arm went up, and suddenly, the form that was full of openings earlier had turned into a different form. Zhang Ye's hand had already received the attacker's arms!

Smash!

The two of them collided!

Everyone was staring with their eyes wide open, enjoying what they were seeing. However, a scene they could never have expected happened right before them and it left them all dumbfounded. After the first clash, Zhang Ye was left unmoved from the spot he was standing in while the double who had executed a very beautiful looking technique had lost his balance and stumbled to the side a few steps. He had lost his momentum there and then, and was unable to execute the next move!

The stunt double was a little confused. "This..."

Zhang Ye smiled and thought to himself that what his opponent did was not parrying, but his own move was.

The martial arts director was slightly taken aback at first when he saw this, but quickly smiled and said to the double, "Teacher Zhang still has quite a bit of strength, so you don't need to hold back too much."

Only then did the crowd understand. Oh, so it was because the attacker was not being serious.

The double reacted and said, "OK, Teacher Zhang, again!"

He came near Zhang Ye once again, but used his legs instead, this time in a different stance. The strength of the kick was even greater and felt like it would be quite a strong one!

As the kick came flying in!

Zhang Ye blocked it again!

Crash! The fist met with the kick, but no one noticed that a technique had been executed in the few milliseconds when Zhang Ye raised his wrist slightly and bent it a little, which made the double's center of gravity shift. Because he had put in a lot of power into his attack, he lost his balance greatly as he staggered a few steps away and hurriedly tried to regain his footing. He was already sweating heavily at this moment!

What happened?

What was this situation about?

The double was dumbfounded and wondered why his Taiji Fist did not seem to work. And what was that martial arts style Teacher Zhang Ye was using? Why was he able to negate half of the strength in my attack in such an odd way? Not only did he negate a part of it, it actually felt like he used that negated force against me? Otherwise, why would I have lost my balance? Only those who had experienced it for themselves would be able to understand how terrifying it was. The double was already in a daze and feeling confused. This move by Zhang Ye seemed like martial arts, yet it also did not seem like martial arts. No one had seen such a style before!

Zhang Ye smiled and asked, "Still coming?"

"One more time!" The stunt double was getting a little pissed and still not convinced that he was losing. If his opponent was also a martial arts practitioner, he would definitely be convinced, but right now, this opponent was a literary and arts worker, so it was impossible that he would have such advanced martial arts. He felt that Teacher Little Zhang had definitely just gotten lucky. Chinese martial arts really weren't as fantastic as the layman thought, since after all it was just a skill consisting of some techniques. As the saying goes, even an old master can be downed by an accidental punch. This was as true as it sounds. Consider a person who knows a little bit of martial arts and a person who doesn't know martial arts but has great strength. If these two fought, you'd never be too sure who'd win it. Who knows? If your attack was a little too light, your reaction was a little too slow, the ground was a little too rocky, or even if you were just standing in the headwind, all of that could lead to the other person winning. Nothing was absolute at all.

Whoosh!

The double came at him for the third time!

Zhang Ye calmly stood there and took on the attack at a speed that was neither too fast nor too slow. As the stunt double was ready for this, after his move had been parried, he closed in on Zhang Ye. When Zhang Ye saw this, he followed through with the momentum and went near him as well!

With a slight lean of his shoulders.

The double was pushed back four or five paces, wearing an expression of surprise!

"Again!" He was getting a little frustrated!

However, Zhang Ye just smiled and said, "Sure, as you please."

Hur hur, again? No matter how many times you try, it's useless!

The double rushed in again, using the Taiji Fist techniques he learned from the martial arts director. What he did not know was that those moves that he had picked up were in fact not Taiji Fist at all. They were not even anything close to Taiji Fist. He was facing Zhang Ye, who was a true Taiji Fist expert, perhaps not an expert if he were in his previous world, but in this world right now, Zhang Ye was the only person who knew Taiji Fist!

A counterfeit of counterfeits style of Taiji Fist coming up against an authentic style of Taiji Fist. This was a gap that couldn't even be compared!

The stunt double kept attacking!

Zhang Ye kept negating his attacks without breaking a sweat. He was only putting in 10 to 20% effort to deal with him for now as he did not wish to hurt someone or to expose his foundations in Chinese martial arts since he did not fully understand the situation of the martial arts world of this world yet. It was better not to provoke any trouble because of this situation. For now, he was just demonstrating his ability as the only person who knew Taiji Fist in this world, to show the martial arts director and stunt double that Taiji Fist was not as simple as they thought. What they were practicing could not even be called Taiji Fist at all!

Upward deflect!

Side deflect!

High parry!

Low parry!

The double felt trapped in a bog right now, and in front of him was a huge mountain or perhaps a wide river. No matter how he tried, he felt like he was a clay oxen going out into the sea, never to return. He couldn't at all muster any more strength from his own body!

Wang Chengpeng: "......"

The martial arts director: "......"

The assistant director: "......"

The film crew's staff around them were all dumbfounded by what they saw!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 608: You guys win!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

It became a bit quiet.

There was a state of confusion.

"What's going on?"

"Was the stunt double dancing? Why didn't he use any strength?"

"How did Zhang Ye manage to do that?"

"Why couldn't Dalong's double even match up to an artist like Zhang Ye?"

"This display is so beautiful that I'm afraid to look at it! What's the situation?"

"Hello, double bro, did you seriously try to fight at all? How could you still not break through after three stances? Are you afraid of hurting Teacher Zhang Ye?"

Everyone was busily chattering and discussing away!

None of them could accept this scene that played out in front of their eyes!

The stunt double was nearly in tears. I didn't fight seriously? He swore that he had really given his best and even used up all his strength for it. For some reason, even though he felt that his opponent was not strong and had a form that was was full of openings, he still could not bring him down!

Wang Chengpeng's expression was full of curiosity.

The martial arts director was also surprised.

Zhang Ye spoke at this moment, "Still want to have another go?"

"No! I'm not fighting anymore!" The double quickly admitted defeat and said, "My techniques are not good enough yet as I just learned Taiji Fist a short while ago."

Your technique? Taiji Fist?

Zhang Ye was at a loss for words. He decided that he was not going to carry on with this farce any longer.

In the end, the double quickly defended himself because he felt a loss of pride. He said, "If I had used my specialized external style of fighting, the results would not have been the same. The strength of my blows would certainly increase by thirty to forty percent and my stances would not have any openings. Then you couldn't have handled it." Actually, he was not purposely giving an excuse, as he really thought that this would be the case as well. Having just learnt Taiji Fist, he was unfamiliar with it. Besides, it would require day after day and year after year of practice to hone his skills before the effects of his training would manifest itself. Internal style martial arts were not like external style martial arts. They required patience in training and needed to be nurtured slowly. He felt that if he had used his external style of fighting against Zhang Ye, the outcome would have turned and Zhang Ye would definitely not have been able to take three stances from him!

Zhang Ye looked at him. Do you really think that if you had used an external style of fighting instead, it would've been enough? Hur hur. But he eventually did not say another word since he did not want to deal another blow to his opponent!

Wang Chengpeng and the rest of the film crew understood after hearing the explanation.

"So that's the reason!"

"That stunt double only has a superficial understanding of Taiji Fist since he had only just learnt it."

"Just like I said. If he had used his specialized martial arts, how couldn't he win against Teacher Zhang? So the reason was that he did not put in too much effort and was just doing an exchange of skill with Teacher Zhang."

"That explains it."

"That gave me a fright. I really thought that Teacher Zhang was a hidden Chinese martial arts expert but it was just an illusion and the stunt double was only messing around with him."

The martial arts director seemingly realized something at this point, nodded vigorously, and then said to the double, "Go back and train some more. That's what internal style martial arts are like. Unless you spend a few years in training, you won't see any results since it is unlike external style martial arts which can be picked up very quickly. Besides, Taiji Fist is already a lost art with the mnemonics, breathing techniques, and meditation ways missing, so this path will surely be tougher to walk down. I can only teach you up to here. As for the rest, it will have to depend on you."

Zhang Ye thought to himself, You want to continue practicing just based on this technique alone? Even if you trained until your arms fell off, you wouldn't be able to learn anything!

The double clasped his hands together and said with a smile, "Thank you!"

The martial arts director pointed out, "But for the reason of shooting the movie, we just need to show the movements of Taiji Fist and it will be good enough. Teacher Zhang, I saw your technique from earlier." Saying so, he turned to Zhang Ye and advised, "Although it looked pretty good, you need to know that it's not because the forms were good but because your opponent used a set of techniques that he wasn't good at. Even if anyone else were to spar against him, it would have been a similar outcome. Your technique is too messy and doesn't have a focus at all with no proper stances. You were only moving around clumsily in all directions with no objective, like a move that someone would pull out in a street fight. I don't know where you learned that from, but in any case, as long as it helps strengthen your body, it's fine with me. But still, we can't possibly use that in the movie. The techniques are too crass."

Crass?

His techniques were crass?

Zhang Ye nearly rolled his eyes. Your sister! This bro was kind enough to show you guys that Taiji Fist was not done that way, but you all turned it all around to teach me a lesson instead? Initially, he had thought of using the authentic Taiji Fist style to shoot the movie, but who could have expected that these bunch of people were complete amateurs. Even if the real Taiji Fist that has been lost for several hundred years were displayed before your very eyes, you would not be able to recognize it!

The martial arts director said, "I will demonstrate Taiji Fist once more, so watch carefully, Teacher Zhang. You have to remember it well this time as it will be needed for this afternoon's shoot."

The assistant director exhorted him, "Little Zhang, it will be hard on you."

Zhang Ye helplessly said, "OK."

"Observe carefully." The martial arts director demonstrated again his version of the so-called "Taiji Fist."

It looked very powerful with the large movements!

Several of the staff members of the film crew continuously sang the praises of it!

"Good one!"

"Amazing!"

"This is what real martial arts is about!"

"Taiji Fist is indeed worthy of its reputation. Earlier on, the stunt double did not do too well with it, but the martial arts teacher is truly a professional. His demonstration of Taiji Fist is too mesmerizing!"

"That's because he was ranked in a national free combat competition before."

After the demonstration, the martial arts director said, "Teacher Zhang, you try it once."

Zhang Ye imitated it without any spirit at all. This time, it was different from earlier when he imitated the Eight Trigrams Palm which he had seen before. But for this this idiotic style of "Taiji Fist" was something he had never even come across before, so how could he imitate it well? He could only roughly execute some techniques while stumbling through the moves!

The martial arts director said, "That's wrong! Taiji is classified as yin and yang and it is shown in the opening form of Taiji Fist. That is the key and no mistakes can be made at this point!"

Zhang Ye: "..."

The martial arts director continued, "The depth of Taiji Fist is so profound that you won't be able to understand it even if I explain further. Just remember my forms and follow accordingly. There's no need to know the reason."

Zhang Ye: "..."

The martial arts director said, "No, that's not it! Why are you still executing the same unorthodox moves like earlier? Taiji Fist's parry move is not done like this! You should push it outwards!"

Zhang Ye: "..."

The martial arts director said, "You're getting there, that's right, try again."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhang Ye was executing the moves one by one while learning from the martial arts director.

The moves were looking more and more alike!

The martial arts director finally praised him, "That's how it should be!"

The assistant director agreed and said, "You are a quick learner."

Wang Chengpeng also nodded and said, "It's getting more similar. If we shoot the scenes this way, it will definitely turn out well."

Upon seeing Zhang Ye's "improvement" and "growth," the film crew was delighted and the martial arts director was even happier. He felt that Zhang Ye was a promising student and worthy of being taught. If not for Zhang Ye's towering reputation, he would be interested in taking Zhang Ye as his disciple and imparting all of the Taiji Fist techniques to him so that he could do his own training.

Finally, with each stroke and movement, Zhang Ye surprisingly mastered most of them with his moves looking basically the same as the martial arts director's moves. Of course he also felt a tinge of sadness and pain as his familiarity at "Taiji Fist" improved while his intelligence was also rapidly decreasing at an alarming rate!

Whatever!

You guys win!!!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 609: Countdown to the movie's release!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

A week later.

On this afternoon.

Zhang Ye's parents were throwing a grand feast at home. Naturally, it was only a feast for their own relatives as it had been awhile since they'd had a gathering, so this was also an excuse to have a meal together.

His uncles and aunties were seated comfortably and having tea together.

His three cousins were romping about, as well as shouting and screaming.

Cao Tong asked, "Why isn't Bro back yet?"

Cao Mengmeng remarked, "I'm getting hungry."

His mother laughed and said, "Little Ye called to inform that he'll be back by noon, so it should be soon."

His father said, "Let's not wait for him if everyone is hungry. We can eat first."

"No, no." First aunt said, "Little Ye has not been home in a week already, following the film crew around all this while. We definitely have to wait for him come home before we start the meal. Sister-in-law, did our Little Ye take part in the filming of Grandmasters? Together with Zhang Yuanqi, Dalong and the rest? The news mentioned this movie before. It's a big production with a famous director and the main cast is also quite magnificent. Since Little Ye is playing an important role in the movie, his popularity will surely shoot up very quickly."

His mother answered happily, "Yes, he was filming for that movie. I don't know what the movie is about, but since he told me about it himself, it shouldn't be wrong?"

Outside, the jingling of keys opening the door could be heard.

"Ah!"

"He's back!"

"Let me get the door, I'll go get it!"

Before the three sisters could get to the door, it had already opened.

Seeing so many of his relatives in the house, Zhang Ye exclaimed, "Whoa, everyone's here? First Uncle, First Aunt, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Uncle. Why is everyone here today?" He looked a little worn out, but was still in great spirits although he did feel quite tired. It seemed like the past few days spent with the film crew had worn him out. After he came into the house and greeted all his relatives, he took off his shoes and sat down directly onto the sofa, not wanting to get up anymore. He said loudly and tiredly, "Mom, hurry up and start cooking the meal. I haven't had anything good to eat for a week already!"

His mother, feeling sorry for her son, said, "I'll go and prepare it immediately!"

His Second Aunt asked, "Was the treatment so bad over there?"

Zhang Ye sighed and said, "It wasn't that great. We had to go into the mountains, make camp, and sleep in tents. A few days ago, when we were in the south for a shoot, we were even caught in the rain and got trapped in the mountains. I couldn't sleep or eat well, and there were times when I couldn't take a bath too, so let's not mention it again!"

His eldest younger sister poured some tea for him and asked, "Bro, did you get to see Dalong?"

Zhang Ye took the tea from her and smilingly said, "How could I not have seen him? I have three scenes together with him."

"Dalong's Battle at Huangsha Port is my favorite movie!"

"Bro, did you ask for his signature?"

"I heard that Tian Xuetao is also one of the main leads in the movie. Does he look as good in person as he does in the movies? I have a few classmates who like him very much, but I find him to be just so-so."

His sisters chimed and chirped.

While his mother was preparing the dishes, he shared his experiences with the film crew to his relatives. Everyone listened with intent as he related, "...When I got there, they wanted to test my acting abilities and even taught me some moves which they claimed were 'martial arts.' I was so amused when I saw it. That kind of lousy martial arts and lousy moves, I could just close my eyes and play along with them, easy peasy. At first, I wanted to choreograph my own moves to let my character's fight scenes look more realistic, but they insisted that my techniques were too crass. Heh, those words nearly made me rage at them. They really don't know what's good for them and it seemed like what I said was falling on deaf ears, so I thought about it for a while and decided, whatever, why should I be putting in so much effort? After all, I'm not the main lead of this movie. If they insist on those moves and think that it looks better, I will just follow accordingly. It's not like I've suffered a loss anyway."

His youngest sister said with a grin, "Bro, why do I feel like you're boasting again?"

The eldest and second sisters were covering their mouths and secretly laughing at him too.

Zhang Ye said to them, "You guys just don't know how great your brother is. If you all knew about my martial arts skill, you'd surely fall to your knees and look up at me in admiration!"

The critical truth was, even if Zhang Ye didn't want to follow the film crew's choreography, he could not do so. In his previous world, everyone knew what Taiji Fist was. They liked seeing it and felt that it was a very strong set of martial arts, but only because they already had a certain understanding of it. However, in this world, no one had ever seen the real Taiji Fist or understood anything about it, so even if Zhang Ye were to show his moves, they would not accept it as they had never come across anything like it before. Subconsciously, they would immediately judge it as not good enough, but that was how it was, as appreciation for something was also down to habitual conditioning. Besides, even if Zhang Ye tried to argue his point, being a rookie actor, the third male lead, his voice wouldn't be loud enough to make any impact. The entire movie was already planned and filmed. So Zhang Ye, being the new guy, wouldn't have the clout to get the film crew to make changes as he saw fit. No one would have listened to him.

And so, being cast in his first role as one of the main roles made Zhang Ye grow a lot. He learned much about the film industry, and felt that if he had another chance in the future, he could look at developing in this area, but of course it would be best that he could be the director himself. Otherwise, he would have to listen to whatever the film crew said. That would be too constraining. If he were the director instead, he could shoot however he wanted with whatever moves he liked. On top of all that, he would surely leave the overall lead role for himself too. How awesome would that be?!

...

After the meal.

His relatives went home.

Zhang Ye went back to his room and checked on the recent Celebrity Rankings Index.

C-list Celebrities:

First: Shi Yu.

Second: Chen Fanghua.

Third: Zhang Ye.

After the Peking University incident, Zhang Ye garnered a lot of reputation from the nationalistic youths with his "idiots" scolding and jumped up in rank to second place on the C-list rankings above Chen Fanghua. But ever since then, he did not make much appearances in the public anymore, so his popularity score didn't move much and even declined a little. Together with Chen Fanghua having some new works and news coverage, she moved ahead of Zhang Ye in terms of popularity gained, again making him now one step further away from getting to the B-list.

From this, it could be deduced just how important having exposure was!

But overall, it wasn't an issue for Zhang Ye since he believed that he could bounce back in the next few days due to the impending release of Grandmasters! Of his last minute addition to the cast of the movie, Zhang Ye had rather high expectations of it. First, because he had spent almost all of his reputation points to activate the upgraded version of the Lucky Halo to get this job, he wanted to gain them back. Second, since this movie was officially his debut in the film industry, it was an important opportunity for him to expand his fan circle. He was looking forward to this movie paving a new path for him, to help to grow his fan base and expand his foray into new areas of work.

He was not like those other celebrities who only had simple goals, concerned only with their small group of fans and scrounging off of them for the rest of their lives. Zhang Ye had great ambition and an even bigger appetite. He wanted to move on to the global stage and needed fans and support from people who were not limited to his work on variety programs, Weibo followers, or poetry lovers. In the near future, he was planning to move into other areas to fight for the new achievements that no one else could accomplish.

The television industry.

The film industry.

The music industry.

The mathematics field.

The literary field.

The computer technology field and so on.

When he has gathered achievements in seven areas of work, Zhang Ye would then be able to summon Shenron! [1.]

Of course, his current short-term developmental direction was still geared towards becoming a television station's host. After all, that was his old profession and he had yet to become the best in that industry. Having not hosted on a satellite channel before, he was clearly still far from the pinnacle of the hosting world. At the very least, he was targeting hosting a few top television programs that he could list as his achievements before he would consider himself to be at the peak! Only then would he dare to proclaim that he had seen success in the field of television!

This was also Zhang Ye's reason for working hard this time. He wanted to raise his popularity rankings through his role in Grandmasters, hoping that he could break past the barrier and into the B-list. Then with Beijing Television's Do You Remember, he would showcase his potential in program planning, allowing the more elite television stations to learn about him and seek him to join them. Zhang Ye wanted to use his own capabilities and popularity to cover for what others thought of as his "character deficiency." But of course, Zhang Ye did not believe there was anything wrong with his character in the first place. Instead, he felt that it was the characters of others that sucked!

...

On the internet.

The trailer for Grandmasters was back and showing on several online video hosting websites again. The key word being "again" because this movie has already done a round of promotions, but was put on hold after Brother Shui's arrest and subsequent inclusion on the SARFT's list of banned artists. The fact that the trailer could air again also cleared any doubts that Grandmasters could not be released!

"Let me see."

"I've been waiting for this for too long!"

"There hasn't been any news for a week now. But better late than never. I'm so looking forward to this movie. Oh, anyone know what happened to the antagonist's role that Brother Shui was playing?"

"It's going to be released so soon? Did they just cut all the affected scenes? That can't be? If they did it that way, the plot would be full of holes. No matter what, Director Wang is still a renowned director, surely he wouldn't degrade his own reputation like this?"

"Ah! Quickly take a look at this!"

"This...this person is?"

"Damn it! Did I see wrong?"

"Oh my god, why is Zhang Ye in this!"

"Although he looks much older, his face still looks the same, just that he has a mustache and beard added on. This is really Teacher Zhang, no doubt about it!"

"What? Zhang Ye was the replacement?"

"Teacher Zhang, damn it, you're crossing over into other industries again?"

"What the heck, isn't this crossover too big of a jump?! He's even cast as one of the main roles?"

"What's wrong with Director Wang? Did he get so anxious that he just went with a random replacement? How would Zhang Ye know how to act? It might have been alright if you just let him do a cameo scene, but you're actually casting him as the antagonist? The main antagonist? Just how bold did they all get? He's only a host by profession, if you put him in the movie, wouldn't he just look confused?!"

From the trailer, countless viewers had now noticed the presence of Zhang Ye in the movie. Many people had already predicted earlier that the film crew of Grandmasters would definitely find a replacement to reshoot the scenes that the main antagonist appeared in and had made a list of possible replacement actors. From the most likely to the least likely, 10 names were included as everyone guessed who would be the replacement to save this production. But it ended up with no one making the correct guess at all since the replacement turned out to be the infamous Zhang Ye, that same person who had recently led a large group of Peking University students to scold and chase off a Japanese delegation!

Some people still did not quite know who he was.

"What's this antagonist actor's name?"

"He looks familiar, but I can't remember his name right now."

"Who is Zhang Ye?"

"I know him. He's always being mentioned on the news, but I've never really paid attention to him before."

Grandmasters had started its production a year ago and was highly anticipated by everyone because there was a famous director helming the film with a star-studded cast. When the news of Brother Shui's arrest was announced and subsequently, negatively affected the movie's chances of being released, all kinds of news had helped increase the attention on the movie. Because of that, many people who did not know about Zhang Ye previously were suddenly searching for his name when they saw this trailer, wanting to find out more about this actor who helped to rescue the release of Grandmasters.

The topic was being hotly discussed!

Grandmasters was being hotly discussed again, with a large part of the discussions being doubts!

"This is too unbelievable!"

"I'm totally disappointed by this movie now. Why did they find a layman as the replacement?"

"Zhang Ye was definitely a wrong choice!"

"Haha, who says that Teacher Zhang is not good enough? Teacher Zhang has always been known for his successful crossovers in the entertainment circle. Although he is a host, he is also doing very well in the mathematics world, so who can guarantee that he does not know how to act? In any case, I strongly support Teacher Zhang!"

"After reading the comment above, I am unable to make a response to it."

"Pfft, that's really quite true!"

"I still do not believe that Zhang Ye can act well!"

"I'm so irritated by Zhang Ye! Boycott him!"

"How does this person keep coming back on the news? Hasn't it only been a week since he disappeared after the incident?"

Suddenly, at around 2 PM in the afternoon, a number of actors from the cast of Grandmasters began updating their Weibo.

Zhang Yuanqi's Weibo: "Please look forward to the movie. There's a surprise in store for Grandmasters the movie."

Dalong's Weibo: "Posting the Grandmasters trailer here. You can participate in the lucky draw for a chance to get my autograph." A link was posted along with his update.

Tian Xuetao's Weibo also posted a joke to Zhang Ye: "I saw earlier that there were many people scolding Zhang Ye. @ZhangYe Teacher Zhang Ye, in the past, I heard that you have a very poor reputation but it wasn't something that I was convinced about. Now I've realized the rumors are true. It seems like you have offended quite a lot of people! Ha!"

Yao Jiancai also appeared from nowhere and replied: "What did I miss? When did Little Zhang join a cast and film a movie?"

Peking University's Teacher Su Na forwarded the post on Weibo.

Radio host Wang Xiaomei Liked the Weibo post.

Dong Shanshan also made a post on Weibo: "Wishing the crew of Grandmasters a record breaking box office earning!"

The director of Grandmasters, Wang Chengpeng, had not intended to say anything at first. The actors were all busy posting on Weibo and appearing on television station programs to promote the movie. Wang Chengpeng was also not slacking as he had more work to handle than them. However, when he saw such heated discussions regarding Zhang Ye online, he felt he had to say something to address everybody's criticisms.

A few minutes later.

Wang Chengpeng's Weibo updated: "We've already wrapped up filming and production for Grandmasters. The recent scare has left us all really shaken, and having met all these difficulties and faced with the possibility of the movie being taken down, I can only sum it all up with one phrase—the road to success is strewn with setbacks. I would like to thank one person here. Thank you Zhang Ye, for coming to our rescue when the film crew was in its most difficult period. Without any requests, demands, or conditions, you just worked as hard as we needed you to. In the past week, as we reshot the footage for your scenes, all the other actors had their chance to rest, except for you. In every scene, we needed Zhang Ye's participation and that in turned led to him only getting about four hours of rest each day. On one of the days, he even got only an hour of sleep. But what really moved me was that, from the start, no one from the film crew, including me, heard Zhang Ye complaining about being too tired to carry on. In fact, he even did his job in the most perfect and outstanding way and completed his role's scenes with utmost professionalism. For an actor like that, I can only admire and give respect to him. Those who doubt Zhang Ye's acting skills can watch Grandmasters first before commenting on it. I believe no one will be disappointed, as Teacher Zhang joining the cast of Grandmasters only served to improve the film's quality!"

With that post, he had given Zhang Ye his highest praise!

When the netizens saw this, they were left wondering in doubt.

"Is he really good?"

"I'm skeptical about it."

"If Director Wang can say that, then it must not be bad."

"I'm really anticipating the movie now. I wonder if I can attend the movie premiere!"

"It shouldn't be too many days away now?"

"It should be soon. They're promoting it as the film is getting reviewed at the censors. Once that is done, they can distribute the film to all the movie theaters. But I believe that the schedule for its release has already been arranged."

...

On websites and in forums, the promotions were overwhelming all possible channels.

There were promotions in the form of trailers as well as posters that were put up all over the major cities in the country. The posters for Grandmasters were put up at the bus stops, subways, and shopping malls. Nobody even knew if the movie has already been approved or not, since the release date was also printed on the posters. On the posters, there was a picture of Zhang Ye on the far right side, in his role as the antagonist and with a fake mustache. This was actually the first time his image was publicized in such a manner, and across all the major cities, helping him gain even more popularity.

...

On this night.

It was just past midnight. The Celebrity Rankings Index had just been updated. In the newly released rankings for the next day, Zhang Ye had once again surpassed Chen Fanghua and went up to second place out of the C-list celebrities. It was possible that their popularity scores were not that different to begin with, but the promotions for Grandmasters surely helped a lot as well.

Anyhow, Zhang Ye's popularity score was now considered to have stabilized at last.

Not only that, there was even a slight increase as he began his chase for the number one spot in the C-list rankings!

The Zhang Ye who was forever unwilling to step out of the limelight and stop in his march had made his comeback again after one week of lying low! With his new role and work, he was now charging forward for the top spot!!

[1. This is just a reference to DBZ, tongue in cheek moment by the author]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 610: Day of the Premiere!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

On the day of the premiere of Grandmasters.

Morning, around 9 AM in Beijing.

Hall 1 of Xianglong UME International Cineplex.

Backstage, a staff member was helping Zhang Ye put on makeup, while most of the other actors had already done their own makeup at home or at their companies to prepare for the red carpet walk. The scale of the premiere was clearly going to be quite large but as Zhang Ye did not have a management team or agency, and certainly no makeup team, he had to get the makeup artist from the film crew help him after he arrived. He was holding his cell phone in his right hand and talking to someone as his makeup was being done.

"Brother, we have arrived!" his third sister said.

Zhang Ye said, "Then come in. It's going to start soon."

His second sister snatched over the cell phone from her and said, "They are not letting us in because we don't have any tickets."

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "OK, I got it. How many of you are there?"

His second sister replied, "There's five of us. Me, Big Sis, Mengmeng, and two of her classmates. Brother, come out quickly to receive us, hurry up! I can't wait to see the celebrities!"

"I'm still having my makeup done now and can't go out yet. Wait a little while, I'll get someone to bring you in." After hanging up, Zhang Ye made a call. "Hello, Little Wang, it's Zhang Ye. I have some relatives coming for the premiere and they are at the entrance now. Can you help bring them in for me?"

Little Wang immediately said, "No problem, no problem!"

Zhang Ye said, "They're five young girls so it should be easy to spot them."

"Don't worry, Teacher Zhang, leave it to me," Little Wang answered promptly.

"Thank you and sorry for the trouble, Little Wang," Zhang Ye said.

For these kinds of movie premieres, most people couldn't get ahold of the tickets even if they were willing to spend money to buy them. They would still need to call in favors to purchase the tickets as they were so highly sought after. However, as one of the main cast members of Grandmasters, it was not a problem for Zhang Ye to bring some family members to attend as long as it wasn't too many people. They did not need any tickets either. And, at most, if there were no seats to accommodate them, they could just bring in some extra chairs, so it was not a big deal at all. His three sisters were crazy about chasing idols and liked to attend such activities as well. Since yesterday, they had been pestering Zhang Ye to let them come to the movie premiere. Since it was his sisters' request and not difficult to agree to, Zhang Ye naturally would not refuse them.

...

At the venue of the movie premiere.

The reporters were all in position.

The audience was also fully present. The venue was packed.

Little Wang, who was part of the organizing team, brought Zhang Ye's sisters in from the side entrance and led them directly to the seats in the 4th row, close to the front. Although the area was slightly to the right, the location was still quite good as they could see the stage in front of them quite well.

The eldest sister, Cao Dan said, "Thank you, Brother Wang."

Little Wang smiled and said, "You're welcome. Have a seat. Come and look for me if you need anything." With that, he went to busy himself with his work.

Cao Mengmeng's classmate, Little Qian exclaimed, "Wow, we even get to sit so close to the front?"

Cao Mengmeng's other classmate, Little Wen said, "Mengmeng, your brother is so marvelous! This is the first time that I'm attending a movie premiere. This feels so awesome! I'm so excited!"

Cao Mengmeng chuckled and said, "Of course, who do you think my brother is?"

His second sister was also said very excitedly, "It's starting, it's starting!"

The movie premiere began.

One by one, the actors walked down the red carpet and came into the venue. First was Zhang Yuanqi, followed by Dalong and Tian Xuetao. Finally Zhang Ye also strolled in casually. This was his first time walking the red carpet and it actually felt quite good. As he slowly walked up to the stage, he waved to the left and smiled to the right at the audience.

Applause was coming from every direction.

Especially from his three sisters who were clapping their hardest until their hands nearly turned a dark shade of red!

"Brother!"

"You are so handsome!"

"Oh!!"

On seeing so many celebrities and even the Heavenly Queen herself walking past them, Cao Mengmeng's two classmates blushed, feeling as though they were in a dream. They were furiously clapping away too!

The last person to appear was Wang Chengpeng, and as the movie's director, he received the loudest applause from the audience. As he went up on stage, he took the microphone and made an opening speech. "Thank you everyone. Thank you to our friends from the media, our dear audience and friends for attending the opening premiere of Grandmasters. After ten months of production, with an investment of..."

The proceedings of the movie premiere went on step by step.

The opening address, the actors' speeches, a media interview, an audience lucky draw, and so on.

When it came to the media interview, Zhang Yuanqi, being a Heavenly Queen, managed it with ease. She had already been through such situations dozens of times, if not at least close to a hundred times. Dalong did not like to speak much to the media as that had always been his character. He quickly ended his interview with just a few words. When Tian Xuetao and the second female lead went up on stage for their part, they looked visibly nervous. Somewhere in the middle of the questioning, Tian Xuetao said something wrong but quickly reacted and changed his answer and managed to get through the interview. The second female lead nearly fell down when her high heels gave way as she staggered some distance away, scaring many of the audience as they were worried that she would fall off the stage.

The reporters kept focusing their cameras onto them, looking for flaws or mistakes. That was what they wished to see, since if everyone were flawless and behaved perfectly like Zhang Yuanqi, would there would even be any news at all?

Tian Xuetao and the second female lead might be considered quite popular and have acted for quite a number of years already. However, since acting and life were different things, even if they did not get nervous while filming the movie, it wouldn't mean that they would not get nervous when faced with so many people from the media and audience. Moreover, as it was such a big occasion and a big production that they were taking part in for the first time, coupled with their young ages, you could say that their experience in handling this interview segment was definitely incomparable to a mature artist like Zhang Yuanqi's.

They got off the stage and returned to their seats in the front row.

Tian Xuetao was slightly embarrassed and said, "Ai, I was too nervous."

Zhang Yuanqi comforted him like an older sister would and said, "It's not a problem. I was also nervous just now when I spoke." She turned her head to look at the second female lead and asked, "Juan'er, is your ankle alright?"

The second female lead said, "It's fine, Sister Zhang. I got the wrong size shoes. They're too big."

Upon hearing that, Zhang Yuanqi said, "Hur hur, my shoes are coincidentally a little too small for me. They're size 36. Come, try wearing mine."

"How can I do that? No, no, no." The second female lead felt overwhelmed by the attention from the Heavenly Queen.

"I do not have athlete's foot, so you can wear them without worries." Saying so, Zhang Yuanqi had already took off her shoes graciously.

When the second female lead saw that, she could only exchange the shoes with her. Feeling very touched, she said, "Thank you, Sister Zhang."

This scene was captured by some of the reporters who were beside them, but no one was particularly surprised. In the entertainment circle, Zhang Yuanqi had always had good relationships and took especially good care of others. She never had any conflicts with people. Even when those celebrities with poor reputations met Zhang Yuanqi, they would still greet her politely. The reason for that was for all to see, as Sister Zhang always knew how to handle issues, conduct herself personably, and never put on airs.

However, when Zhang Ye saw that, he did not say anything at all. He knew exactly what kind of character Old Zhang had.

On the stage.

The host smiled and said, "Who's next?"

Wang Chengpeng looked to his left and called out, "Teacher Zhang, it's your turn."

"It's my turn already? Alright." Zhang Ye straightened his suit and walked up to the stage with a smile

The host handed the microphone to him.

Zhang Ye took it and said with a smile, "It's finally my turn, but before the questions start, let me first say a few words." Zhang Ye stopped a reporter who was just about to ask him something, "Actually there is a profound meaning behind Director Wang's arrangement for me to be the last one to come up on stage. Someone recently gave me a nickname, calling me the 'Speech Demon'. They say that there will be trouble the moment I hold a microphone..."

With that, the audience in the house burst out in laughter!

Wang Chengpeng laughed as he pointed to him.

The second female lead was also tickled.

Some time ago, the Peking University incident had caused an uproar and basically everyone knew of that incident. When they heard Zhang Ye self-ridiculing himself the moment he went on stage, everyone thought it was hilarious.

Zhang Ye continued on, "Actually, I do not have any confidence in myself. At this big event today, I had better not say anything wrong again, in case it brings trouble to Director Wang and the film producers. So then, for the questions that our reporters have for me, let's just make do with one question. One is enough. I'm afraid of getting in trouble if I say too much."

Everyone laughed again.

The female reporter stood up again and asked, "Alright then, Teacher Zhang, I will only ask one question. Earlier, my fellow reporters have already asked the questions about the movie and its production, so let me ask a private question instead. The character that you portray in the movie is an antagonist who leads a solitary life. What I would like to ask is, are you also like that? Do you have a girlfriend yet? Can you share with us your love life? I believe there are many people who are very concerned about this question. That is all I would like to ask."

With that, she sat back down.

The audience applauded and whistled enthusiastically, waiting for Zhang Ye to talk about his love life.

Everyone was always interested to know about celebrity gossip and scandals. But unfortunately, those were also what the celebrities were most unwilling to discuss, because it was not easy to answer, and sometimes, there was no way to answer it either. Admitting or denying also did not help, so that was why a question like that at this moment would test the professionalism of a celebrity.

Tian Xuetao looked up to the stage.

The second female lead and the rest of the actors were also waiting to see what Zhang Ye would say.

Zhang Ye smiled and looked at that female reporter before answering, "How is that one question? Your sentence consisted of three questions, and they're even such blunt questions. Do you have a grudge against me?"

The female reporter smiled and waved her hands.

Zhang Ye said, "Actually my love life is a history of blood and tears!"

Everyone's interest perked. What do you mean by a history of blood and tears? Hurry up and tell us!

Zhang Ye followed up immediately by explaining further, "I've bled! I've cried! And I've been through shit!"[1.]

When they heard that, the audience and reporters nearly vomited a mouthful of blood. Pfft! There were blood, tears...and even shit? Just how dirty was your love life!

Wang Chengpeng was also spoiled by the humor!

The second female lead even covered her mouth and laughed away heartily!

Zhang Ye stood on the stage and chewed the fat with everyone for some time. Everything he said was getting funnier and funnier and everyone was enjoying listening to him. However if anyone were to think about it, Zhang Ye had actually not said anything related to his love life at all.

After Zhang Ye got off from the stage and returned to his seat.

Dalong glanced at him.

Tian Xuetao also looked over to Zhang Ye.

As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Compared to Tian Xuetao's and the second female lead's nervous and mistake-ridden interviews, Zhang Ye's handling of the question was impeccable and of a totally different standard to them. There were no signs of nervousness, and instead, even teased the reporter and himself with ease. Every one of his words carried a little joke in it as he raised the entire atmosphere of the movie premiere. What was most critical was that he did not even answer the sensitive question and skipped over it skillfully.

This clearly showed the difference between a host and an actor. While an actor's primary job was acting, Zhang Ye was a versatile host who had skills to handle situations both inside and outside of acting!

[1.The words history and shit are both pronounced as shǐ]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 611: Grandmasters' box office earnings!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

After an hour.

The ceremony was done and the movie started playing!

The lights in the venue slowly dimmed after they were switched off before fading out. All the recording equipment was brought outside while the reporters were invited to take their seats as the invited guests and audience watched closely at the screen in Hall 1. Although the premiere and public screening were scheduled on the same day, the opening premiere was screened ahead of the public screening which was scheduled for a later timing. For the selected first batch of viewers watching, their mood was naturally different. The atmosphere in the theater had a sense of grandness to it.

The music started.

This was the melody of the movie theme song that was sung by Zhang Yuanqi. But as it was used for the opening of the movie, there was no singing and only the melody was gently playing to signal the start of the movie.

Starring: Zhang Yuanqi

Starring: Wu Feilong

Featuring: Tian Xuetao

Featuring: Zhang Ye

Zhang Ye's name was the fourth to appear, and considerably near the beginning.

In the introduction, with the flickering images and music playing, Wang Chengpeng's name and introduction as the director appeared the screen and faded out. The scene cut to a group of children who were gathered together.

"My ball! That's my ball!"

"Haha, how dumb."

"Don't give it to him."

"Give the ball back to me."

"Come and get it from us then."

"I will definitely get it back! Give it back!"

"Ah! How dare you hit us!"

The child character of Dalong's role appeared on screen.

Following that, the child form of Zhang Yuanqi's character also appeared on the bridge. It wasn't known where they found the two child actors, but they really looked quite similar to Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong.

The beginning scenes and plot moved a little slow as they were mainly used to build up the characters' story. About ten minutes into the airing of the movie, the children had grown up. This was where the first conflict in the movie appeared. With a couple of lines, the plot slowly unveiled itself but part of the main plot was still hidden from the audience at this moment.

In the first row in the theater, Zhang Ye was watching intently and enjoying the movie. As he did not follow the film crew from the beginning of production but was thrown in at the end to rescue the situation when the movie was threatened with being taken down, he had not watched the final version of the movie in full. At this premiere, it was his first time watching it and he felt that it was really quite different from what he had expected.

At the 30-minute mark of the movie, Zhang Ye's character finally appeared for the first time!

"Who are you?"

"Guess."

"Do you know my teacher?"

"It's your teacher who knows me."

......

At the 52nd minute.

"I don't care where you came from, all I know is where I want to go. Even your master can't stop me, so who do you think you are? All that's left of Xingyi Fist now are your teacher and you. How pitiful, how regrettable, and how sad!"

......

60th minute.

"In this era, who still dares to claim they are grandmasters? Your master can't claim so, and you, you are even less deserving to claim so!"

......

74th minute.

"When...I die...my martial arts...cough...will really be lost for good....That's good, might as well...cough. In birth...we bring nothing....In death, we take away nothing. Hahahaha!" His character died at this moment and even laughed as he went.

Below stage.

Cao Mengmeng was thrilled. "The main character is so evil! Why did he kill my brother!"

Cao Tong also said angrily, "That Dalong is so annoying!"

Cao Dan said in a speechless way, "It's our brother who is the villain! Sister Zhang and Dalong are the main leads instead!"

Mengmeng's two classmates said together, "Mengmeng, your brother's acting is really good!"

Around them, many reporters and film critics couldn't help looking at each other, surprised by Zhang Ye's acting quality. Having appeared in scenes together with an experienced action star like Dalong, Zhang Ye seemed to have managed to hold his own and was not put down by Dalong's acting. He portrayed his character very well. And of Zhang Ye, who was just making his debut in acting, this was a totally unbelievable performance. Everyone knew that Zhang Ye was not a student of the performing arts!

A female reporter took a deep breath and said, "His acting is really good."

"Zhang Ye's character is a bright point in the movie! He really got our attention!" a film critic praised.

Another film critic also nodded. "Honestly speaking, I'm really amazed that Zhang Ye's acting can be so good. The character's development was done so well too!

"The fight scenes were also well done."

"Yeah, the fight scenes were beautifully choreographed."

"It was really well-arranged."

"Did Zhang Ye use a stunt double?"

"It didn't look like it."

"I had thought that Zhang Ye would mess things up, but who knew that I was in for such a surprise! This person could really act well!"

With the antagonist dead, the plot was already at it conclusion. As the scenes went back to Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong's characters, the movie's ending played out. Soon, the lights in the theater were turned on and slowly lit up the entire venue.

The credits rolled just as the main theme song started.

Wang Chengpeng along with the main cast stood up and faced the audience, bowing to them once.

The audience and media reporters broke into applause!

"It was really quite good."

"This movie is more than alright."

"The box office earnings shouldn't be too bad. With such a plot, cast, and quality, it should easily get a hundred million RMB in ticket sales. It looks like it has the potential to hit several hundred million at least."

"Yeah, it's a really good watch."

"I only find it alright. There's not enough screen time for Sister Zhang and that makes her feel like she was just making a cameo, although her acting was really good. But overall, I wasn't too entertained by it."

"Tian Xuetao's acting hasn't improved at all."

"Zhang Ye's performance was quite unexpected."

"Yeah, I think Zhang Ye's acting was quite surprising."

After the movie ended, the audience was still talking in whispering voices, exchanging their views on the movie. Besides Zhang Yuanqi's and Dalong's names getting mentioned often, Zhang Ye's name was also brought up numerous times.

Everyone began streaming out of the venue.

Wang Chengpeng smiled and said to the actors, "Let's go and get ready as well. The internal team celebratory dinner has dragged on for too many days already and it's time to fulfill that today. Everyone has worked hard."

The actors were also talking with each other.

Only Zhang Ye was relatively silent. Compared to when he was acting his role out and when he was watching the movie, he had very different feelings. Overall, Zhang Ye was quite satisfied with his own performance in the movie, but while he was watching Grandmasters as an audience, he noticed some mistakes, such as his expressions and actions, which he felt could be done better. He had also always thought that the martial arts movements were flawed; those dogshit-like moves of "Taiji Fist" were too flamboyant. All in all, he knew that there were many areas in which he could improve. However, whatever! Since this was only his first time acting in a movie, and being inexperienced, to have done what he did was already his limits. He would just have to work harder in the future.

......

All over the country.

Public screenings of Grandmasters were beginning.

A big name director, a big production, and a big lineup which included Zhang Yuanqi and Dalong helming the cast. There was no lack of Grandmasters being scheduled for screening at every cinema. In just the past two days, tickets for Grandmasters were already 30% booked on the online ticketing systems. On the day itself, in every cinema, the same scenes of huge crowds lining up for tickets could seen as every movie buff turned up to watch the blockbuster title.

"Yo, Old Sun."

"Old Xu? You came too?"

"Yeah. Are you here to watch Grandmasters as well?"

"Yes. I've been waiting for it for a month already and it's finally playing now."

"The opening premiere has just ended, but I've already seen the film critics giving their reviews online. It seems like they're all recommending it, so I came to take a look for myself. I'm mainly here because I want to see Zhang Ye, since I like him better."

"Whoa, does Zhang Ye know how to act?"

"The film critics say that he's pretty good."

"Really? How can that be!"

"I don't know either. That's why I'm here."

"Let's go. It's time to go inside."

......

One by one, the screenings starting.

One by one, the screenings ended.

On this opening day, the topic regarding Grandmasters was constantly climbing in rank on Weibo. Although a large part of these topics were discussing Zhang Yuanqi or Dalong, there were still quite a number of discussions surrounding Zhang Ye. At least, compared to Grandmasters' second male lead, Tian Xuetao, he had much more attention!

"Wow, Zhang Ye did really well!"

"Teacher Zhang's acting skills are so great they blinded my eyes!"

"That final crazed laughter was really the crowning glory!"

"I never would have expected Teacher Zhang's acting to be so good!"

"@ZhangYe awesome!"

"The movie's not bad. It didn't disappoint me!"

"Initially, I had thought that the film crew were left with no choice when they selected Zhang Ye to be the replacement. Who knew that Zhang Ye's acting was actually this good! He did not screw up at all in this critical moment!"

"I like Zhang Ye's role of being the villain. From the start, he was already very hateable, I really wished that he would die quickly, but when he really died at the end, I felt somewhat at a loss. I guess it was because of Zhang Ye's acting that the character came to life for me. What's more, something worth mentioning here is that Zhang Ye seems well-suited to play such antagonistic roles as well. It felt like he was just being himself. In reality, isn't Teacher Zhang also the type of person who leaves people gnawing their teeth over him?!"

"Congratulations on your successful debut, Teacher Zhang!"

"Congratulations!"

"Zhang Ye, you're so handsome! I'll support you forever!"

Several scattered newspaper reports had also praised Zhang Ye's acting in Grandmasters while many other film critics were also full of praise for him. Only a few film critics were harsher as they pointed out the problems that Zhang Ye had in his acting. This outcome was in contrast to before the movie was released. Just a few days ago, many of the media and film critics were full of doubt and questioned Zhang Ye's joining of the film crew for this movie. However, after the movie was released, most of these criticisms were overturned as most of them had now given their approval to Zhang Ye's acting skills.

......

The next day.

Grandmasters' opening day box office earnings were tabulated: 31 million RMB.

This results were slightly lower than the predictions calculated by the film producer and film crew, but not by much and was still considered acceptable and within estimates. Besides, the reviews of the movie were pretty good. There were also enough commercial opportunities, so the box office earnings after the opening day would not be too bad and even had room to grow.

24 hours later, the second day's box office earnings were released: 38 million RMB. It was actually even higher than the opening day's numbers. Such a situation was not seen often in the market, so it was clear that Grandmasters was garnering better than expected acceptance from the viewers. It belonged to the late-bloomer type of film!

There was no doubt the final box office earnings would cross 100 million!

Crossing 200 million? That was likely too!

As for whether it could join the 300 million box office earnings club, it still remained to be seen, though it was unlikely. However, in the gloom of a market downturn in the film industry, having these results right now was already very good and the film producers had also reached their goals. On this matter, Zhang Ye's contributions were very prominent as he gave such a good performance even under the urgency of a rushed filming schedule. That credit could not be taken away from him!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 612: Premiere episode of Do You Remember!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

On this day.

In the morning.

Zhang Ye was still sleeping and lazing around at home.

In recent days, after the public release of Grandmasters and its rising box office earnings crossing the 200 million mark, the pace of earnings had slowed down by quite a bit due to the issue of piracy. It was no longer rising as fast like before but instead felt as though someone had applied hard brakes to its momentum. The box office earnings had fallen greatly. However, this situation was already expected by the film producers and also something that was unavoidable in the film industry. It had become a normal phase in the lifespan of a movie and highlighted exactly how no movie was spared by the onslaught of piracy.

The box office earnings for Grandmasters were the highest in the country for this month.

Zhang Ye's reputation was also increasing very quickly, together with the pace of the movie. This could be seen from the amount of reputation points he gained as they were being added to his game ring at a rapid pace!

+1032!

+99!

+276!

+2123!

The points were credited to his game ring!

For Zhang Ye, whose reputation points had all been used up earlier, this was truly a lifesaver, something he needed very badly.

As for Zhang Ye's placing on the Celebrity Rankings Index, there were some movements in the past few days. In the C-list rankings, after having been quiet for some time, he finally took a critical step and moved into the top spot, number one! He was so close to rising to the B-list now!

It wasn't even a step anymore.

More like just half a step away!

With just a little push more, he would surely be able to swap positions with the last ranked celebrity on the B-list rankings. He was only this close from it now!

......

Ring, ring, ring.

It was almost 11 AM when the phone started ringing!

Zhang Ye was still in dreamland when he suddenly got woken up. Sitting up on his bed, he looked to his left and right, yawning as he searched for his phone. Finally, he found it and picked it up to answer the call. "Who is this?"

It was Dong Shanshan on the other end. Shesaid, "What's up? Still sleeping?"

"Shanshan?" Zhang Ye asked sleepily. "Yeah, what time is it now?"

"It's almost 11 AM." Dong Shanshan laughed and said, "You're getting really popular these days, are you going to a lot of socializing events too? Why were you still not awake yet at this time? What time did you get home last night?"

Zhang Ye said, "How would I have any social events to attend? You know very well how my relationships with the people in the entertainment circle are, and besides, you also know that I don't take up commercial performances either. I've been staying home for the past two days, waiting and checking my popularity score. Looking at it rising bit by bit makes me feel really good. I was even dreaming about it until you called."

Dong Shanshan said, "You've almost reached the B-list rankings?"

"Yup, almost. But I don't know when." Zhang Ye said conservatively, "There's still quite a gap between me and the last place person on the B-list, so I might not be able to catch up for sure."

Dong Shanshan said, "Hur hur. Oh, by the way, I just watched Grandmasters yesterday. The story plot isn't exactly my type of show with all that fighting and killing, but I must say that your acting is really good. That makes me wonder. We were both in the same class at the same school and taking the same lessons, so why don't I remember that we were taught how to act in the broadcasting department? Where did you learn acting? You're even that good at it? Even the fight scenes were done quite well. Did you fight for real?"

Zhang Ye laughed and answered, "I was self-taught, just self-taught."

Dong Shanshan said, "It's even doing so well at the box office. You could definitely be considered a movie star now since you're already a member of the 200 million club."

Zhang Ye denied it and said, "Oh come on, I was just part of the supporting cast, it doesn't mean much at all. Besides, this movie was just so-so. I will tell you that, honestly, there are many parts I'm not too satisfied with."

To someone from this world, Grandmasters might have been a breath of fresh air to the domestic film market with its high box office earnings, but in Zhang Ye's opinion, he felt that it was still somewhat lacking. It's true that it was pretty enjoyable as a movie, but could it be considered a classic? No, it was far from that. As Zhang Ye did not know how to make movies, he decided that once he knew how to make one and had a chance to become a director, he would definitely bring those classic movies from his world over to this world and make himself the lead actor. He would just film it in the way he liked without anyone daring to correct or criticize his Taiji Fist. When that time came, Zhang Ye would let everyone know what a good movie should be like! As for now, his focus was still on television programs. He did not have any spare time to get into the film industry, at least, not for now.

"How's your program going?" Zhang Ye suddenly asked her.

Dong Shanshan laughed and said, "I actually called to tell you about it. I've already recorded 3 episodes of the program. The first episode will be airing tonight at 9 PM. We've managed to get the next two days of the 9 PM schedule as well, so that means there will be three continuous episodes aired in a row. After that, we'll plan for it to resume the normal schedule starting from next Friday and airing it once weekly."

Zhang Ye blinked and asked, "Using two days of primetime slots over the weekend as well? Looks like the station is really putting a lot of confidence and importance on this. Sure then, I'll definitely catch it tonight. I've been waiting for it for so long now!"

"Me too, but I wonder what the viewership ratings will be like?"

"They won't be bad, guaranteed."

"Hopefully."

After hanging up, Zhang Ye started to look forward to the program as well. He had really been waiting for the program to air for some time now, especially now when he was also at a critical moment of sneaking up into the B-list rankings. He knew that he needed to drum up his advance and get to the next spot quickly, or else, once the momentum has passed, and if he still could not advance up in the rankings, he would probably have to wait for another time to do it again.

His parents had gone to work and did not prepare any breakfast for him, so Zhang Ye just casually decided to cook some instant noodles, returning back to his days as the "Instant Noodles Hero." As he ate his noodles, he browsed Weibo to check on the news.

Do You Remember had been promoted for many days now, but the level of discussion among the netizens still wasn't very high. It felt like, even though there was a bit of focus and attention on the program, it still wasn't enough.

"The premiere will be tonight?"

"Yes, it's going to be three episodes broadcasted over three days."

"Has Beijing Television gone crazy? They're really putting everything on this, huh?"

"I find it strange too. How could such an odd and idiotic program get promoted so much that they're even using other primetime programs' slots to support this lyric memorization show? Do You Remember...just hearing this name alone leaves me kind of speechless. What sort of lousy show is this!"

"Don't tell me there could be something more to it?"

"The show's trailer has already been released. It's just a competition for people to remember lyrics, what more could there be? It's all mentioned clearly."

"I don't think it will be that simple, after all, this is a program made by Zhang Ye. I'm part of the television industry and Zhang Ye's program production abilities are recognized by any and all of the industry insiders."

"That is the reason why I am so disappointed with Zhang Ye this time. Your sister, remembering lyrics...I can't see what's the selling point at all. If the viewership ratings can surpass 0.1%, they had better burn some incense to thank the gods!"

"Teacher Zhang has almost reached the B-list rankings, so if this show's viewer ratings turn out well, then he might possibly ride on it together with his popularity from Grandmasters to propel himself into the B-list. But this doesn't seem like it will be happening anymore now."

"There's definitely no chance of it anymore."

"This show can't possibly be any good."

The netizens were mostly negative about the show, Do You Remember.

Following the release of Grandmasters, Zhang Ye's popularity was currently on a rise. Even though its momentum was already weakening, it was still on the rise, just increasing at a slower rate. This was the reason why Zhang Ye did not know exactly when the moment would happen. Last night, there were already media and news reports that Zhang Ye's promotion to a B-list celebrity would happen at any moment, but all of that turned out to be nothing. The birth of a new B-list celebrity was not a small matter in the entertainment circle, as after all, at this high level, any move by anyone would be greatly scrutinized. A celebrity at this stage could finally be considered a big shot. Their performance fees and worth would also be doubled from before!

More interesting was that the celebrity in the last spot of the B-list rankings was also a host, a very famous host from Central TV—Chen Ye. His career had mainly been focused around the different channels of Central TV, starting from doing documentary programs in the past, then doing interview programs before moving on to variety and large-scale gala events. He was even one of the hosts of the Spring Festival Gala for the past two years, and by that reason—if he could host the Spring Festival Gala—he was naturally very well-known in the country. In the realm of the A and B-listers, there weren't many hosts who could reach this level. The number of those who did were easily accounted for with just the fingers on one hand. Chen Ye was precisely one of them.

It was at this moment.

On Weibo, Chen Ye actually posted a reply onto the topic that was promoting Do You Remember: "A show like this would surely not get any viewers, so why would anyone actually produce such a show? What are they even thinking!"

Chen Ye opened direct fire!

Nobody knew whether he had directed this shot at Beijing Television or at Zhang Ye!

Before his reply, this promotional Weibo message was not really getting much attention, but once Chen Ye started something, a number of Weibo users immediately rushed over to observe the commotion!

"Wow, Host Chen has said something!"

"Getting the popcorn ready and watching this!"

"Chen Ye vs Zhang Ye!"

"The battle of the two hosts!"

"This is the storm and assault of the status of a B-list ranking!"

If Zhang Ye were to rise into the B-list rankings, then without question, Chen Ye would be relegated to the C-list. With such a competitive relationship between them, this was the conflict that everyone was paying great attention to right now, especially since Chen Ye had said those words at such a critical period. It definitely did not help to control the netizens appetite for drama as they were all left guessing what would happen next!

"Come and see! Quick, they're almost fighting!"

"@ZhangYe don't thank me, just call me a Red Scarf!"

"Zhang Ye is notorious for his bad temper. I wonder what he will say to this or if he'll even respond."

"@ZhangYe come and put this person in his place! It's your turn to stand up!"

"@ChenYe keep stepping on him, well done!"

"@ZhangYe someone is scolding you!"

"@ChenYe your criticism is still not strong enough!"

"Teacher Zhang, get him!"

"Teacher Chen, show him who's boss!"

Many of these Weibo users kept stirring the pot, some wanting to look at mayhem and others wanting to create trouble. It all boils down to one sentence—a spectator could never get enough of drama!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 613: Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Afternoon.

At home.

When Zhang Ye check his Weibo, he received a barrage of mentions from countless of people. He saw the comment made by that Central TV's Spring Festival Gala host, Chen Ye, and just smiled at it, not bothered at all. He continued doing what he was up to, brewing some tea and lying comfortably on the sofa as he watched a little of the news and then some video clips.

Be bothered by him?

This bro doesn't have that much free time to be bothered!

In the past, as long as anyone doubted or criticized him, Zhang Ye would return to them ten times their doubts and criticisms. But later on, having out-scolded almost everyone, he gradually stopped paying much attention to such incidents anymore. It's not that his temper had changed for the better, just that he understood that some things were meaningless to be bothered by. Back then, when he wasn't well-known or popular, if anyone tried to cast doubt on him, it was considered a big matter, so of course he had to fight against it. However, these days, with his popularity soaring and no longer still a small time celebrity, he knew that the more people who knew about him, the greater amount of criticisms he would get. If he had to reply to everyone who did that, then even if he had a hundred arms, it wouldn't be enough to fight back. There wasn't such time anyway, but most importantly, even if Zhang Ye did reply them, no one was able to out-talk him. If he won every single time, it would be meaningless, and thus he did not have the motivation to do so. So when he saw this, he just treated it as a laughing matter. This was also Zhang Ye's growth to a higher level.

The netizens were still waiting.

"Where's Zhang Ye?"

"Teacher Zhang, please come out quickly!"

"Someone is criticizing you."

"F**k, Teacher Zhang has been very quiet on Weibo recently. It's been such a long time since he's had a showdown with someone online. I'm not used to this peace at all."

"What do you know? Teacher Zhang has been longing for defeat. Having dominated for so long, he has yet to taste defeat but there aren't many worthy opponents that can make Teacher Zhang Ye appear anymore these days."

"That's sounds right when you put it like that."

"Haha, the mighty Teacher Zhang."

"You can't put it that way. Chen Ye is a Central TV host and has hosted the Spring Festival Gala before. In these past few years, he could be considered one of the most popular celebrities of the hosting world. He was also a graduate from the Media College and would be considered as Zhang Ye's senior. Let's not bring in the topic of other industries. Just putting it into context within the hosting world, Chen Ye's experience and capabilities are way ahead of Zhang Ye's. No matter how good Zhang Ye is, he still lacks the experience of hosting at Central TV or a satellite channel. I'll admit that Zhang Ye is a very witty talker and has a great competitive streak, but I still feel that compared to Teacher Chen Ye, he still lags behind by a bit."

"That's right, it's not possible to compare at all."

"Chen Ye's also Central TV's star host!"

"Yeah, I've seen many episodes of Chen Ye's interview show before. That mouth of his is really quick. If Zhang Ye really went at it with him, it would be difficult to predict who would win."

"Zhang Ye would definitely win. That's already been proven countless times."

"I think the victor will be Chen Ye."

"I have my money on Teacher Chen as well. Many of you think that Zhang Ye is formidable, but that's because he has never come up against anyone strong enough or another famous host who depends on their mouths for a livelihood. Teacher Chen is Central TV's star host and that title alone makes him someone to be feared."

"Why isn't Zhang Ye taking the challenge?"

"Is he getting scared?"

The netizens were coming up with all sorts of theories.

Someone even took the effort to set up a Weibo poll to pose the question of who would be able to outtalk the other if Chen Ye and Zhang Ye really did come up against one another. Those who craved nothing short of seeing the world burn immediately cast their votes. Vote by vote, in the end, the results between the two were almost the same. 49% had voted in favor of Chen Ye, while another 49% were rooting for Zhang Ye. 2% of the users had voted for an evenly matched outcome.

Later in the afternoon.

Zhang Ye did not surface amid all these commotions.

However, Chen Ye's fans did not let up on their barrage because of Zhang Ye's non-appearance. Since Chen Ye had already fired the first shot, as fans, they would not while the time away.

"What a lousy program! Remember your sister's lyrics!"

"Zhang Ye has already lost his touch!"

"Why are we even comparing Zhang Ye to Teacher Chen? How laughable!"

"Everyone, go to the search engines and search for Teacher Chen's name, that will help increase his popularity score. Let's not let that Zhang guy chase up!"

"Right, forwarding Teacher Chen's Weibo to increase his exposure!"

Suddenly, Chen Ye's Weibo updated again. With Zhang Ye ignoring him, he continued firing shots and pointed out: "These days, there are so many singing shows around on the market. It's understandable that you would try to innovate in this area, and we should also support it, but innovation doesn't mean that we should go against the conformity of a regular television show. I really don't know who came up with a lousy program such as the one that focuses on remembering lyrics. Is this done so that they can bring down all the other singing shows together with them?"

Chen Ye's fans echoed his sentiments widely.

"Ha, it was Zhang Ye who came up with the idea!"

"Teacher Chen has hit the nail on the head with his observations!"

"Zhang Ye's too full of himself, becoming cocky just because he achieved some results elsewhere!"

"Look, he doesn't even dare show himself anymore!"

At this moment, a hardcore fan of Chen Ye's appeared. It was a woman and she had a photo of herself on her Weibo. She wasn't fat or thin, but her looks were really terrible. With slanted teeth, a pointed chin and barely any eyebrows, her Weibo username was contrastingly named IAmGorgeous77. This person was a very active member of Chen Ye's fan club and all the other fan club members knew her as Gorgeous.

IAmGorgeous77 said: "I don't believe that Zhang Ye won't come out! Teacher Chen Ye, hehehe, could you back me up with some support? I know that you're very talented, much more so than Zhang Ye." After those words, there was no more activity from her and no one was sure whether she was communicating in private with Chen Ye.

About ten minutes later.

IAmGorgeous77 suddenly made a surprising move. She publicly posted a picture of herself with her lips puckered up, looking ready to give a kiss, but those thick and twisted lips were really terrible to look at. What followed were some words that left everyone dumbfounded: "@ZhangYe, you're the skin to my flesh; I am the buttons to your suit; you're coffee and I am the beans, loving you with all my life is not enough! When I hear you, it moves my heart; When I see you, I lose myself; When I don't see you, my whole body hurts; Even as I wash my feet, I long for you to be mine! Zhang Ye, come and marry me quicklyyyyy!"

Many people burst out laughing at this on Weibo!

It's a proposal!

Someone has proposed to Zhang Ye!

It's even such an ugly woman!

Chen Ye's fans were all cramping up from their laughs.

"Hahahaha!"

"Gorgeous is so awesome!"

"Gorgeous77, well done! Disgust that Zhang Ye to his death!"

"This doggerel is so well written! Could it be the work of Teacher Chen Ye? It must be! I've always heard that Teacher Chen Ye's poems are very good! Who says that only Zhang Ye knows how to write poems?"

"Zhang Ye, hurry up and come forward, someone has proposed to you! Hehehehe!"

Somehow, due to some reason, this Weibo post was getting a lot of attention and constantly being forwarded. Many others who did not pay attention to this before were now joining in on the commotion and watching the fun!

At the same moment, Zhang Ye also saw the post. His first reaction was to think that the person must be an idiot, right? Because Zhang Ye had always had ordinary looks since childhood, he never had biased opinions about others who didn't look too good themselves. He even did not like it when others started harping about appearances, but this fan of Chen Ye right now was really quite interesting. She was willing to stand out to let others make fun of her and to be Chen Ye's cannon fodder? It might look like Chen Ye's fans were supporting her, but they were actually just making fun of her. Could she be any sillier than that and not understand the situation, and even "jump" around so happily? There are all kinds of people in this world, some with thoughts that you would never understand in your lifetime.

Seeing the ugly girl's proposal to Zhang Ye getting forwarded with increasing pace, Zhang Ye's fans could no longer bear to watch. They were all jumping up and down in anger!

"This is numbing. We did not care about your words, but you're taking advantage of our silence?"

"Who is this disgusting person!?"

"Proposing? You ****?"

"Chen Ye, a person like you can even be a Spring Festival Gala host? Not only did you not control your fans, you're even helping them cause trouble? Helping your fan compose doggerel to disgust Teacher Zhang? How crass! With your standard of doggerel, you even dare to think of competing with Teacher Zhang? Just because Teacher Zhang did not bother with your antics, you're all biting even harder!?"

"It's just a fight for a B-list spot, does it have to come to this!"

"Chen Ye is a sore loser?"

But it had to be said that Chen Ye's fans had really achieved their objective. Many people had been riled up by Chen Ye's ugly fangirl's proposal to Zhang Ye. Many of them even started asking Chen Ye to help matchmake for them, but of course, most of them were Chen Ye's fan troll army.

"Zhang Ye, come out quickly."

"Our Gorgeous77 is a great beauty, lucky you, hahaha!"

There were a few fans who were really behaving with no class, as the calls for a conflict were flaring up.

Chen Ye did not say a single thing all this time. Nobody knew if he was condoning his fans' actions or just observing the situation, neither did he answer the question of whether he was the one who wrote the doggerel for IAmGorgeous77. Of course, those in the fan club who knew IAmGorgeous77 also knew that she did not have such a flair for writing.

As the excitement mounted.

Zhang Ye browsed through Weibo while shaking his head. He was increasingly despising the behavior of Chen Ye and his fans. He really did not want to bother them at the beginning, but they kept trying to stir up trouble. Isn't it just a matter of trying to gross someone out? You're too damn funny, did you think that only you know how to gross people out? Proposal?

On Tieba.

Zhang Ye's fan club had already set up camp and were all asking for permission to start battle!

"Teacher Zhang, we have to hit back at them!"

"I'm a girl, let me do it, f**k, I can propose too! I've just taken an even more disgusting picture, so let me go and gross out that Chen Ye and his fans!"

"I'll do it!"

"Don't argue with me, let me do it instead!"

"Which of you guys could possibly be uglier than me? Let me do it instead!"

"Is Teacher Zhang around?"

Suddenly, Zhang Ye appeared in Tieba and said: "I'm here. I've already read everything. As everyone here should know, we only abide by one principle—we will not attack unless we are attacked, if we are attacked...we will return the favor tenfold! Comrades, it's not only them who can come up with poems!"

"Teacher Zhang is finally here!"

"They were really too much! We have to f**k them up!"

Zhang Ye announced: "I just happen to have a poem ready here."

......

A few minutes later.

Just when countless other Weibo users were attracted to this commotion between Chen Ye's fan club's "attacks" on Zhang Ye, as those fans of Chen Ye were celebrating and enjoying the fruits of their victory, a poem surfaced online. Following that, the poem appeared again when another Weibo user posted it, followed by the third, and so forth. These were all the same poem being posted by Zhang Ye's fans. Soon enough, a few hundred posts of the same poem had been "dedicated" to Chen Ye!

When Chen Ye saw it, his face turned green!

When Chen Ye's fans saw it, they were all so grossed out that they nearly vomited blood!

......

This was the contents of the Weibo post:

@ChenYe !

Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You

Actually, me sleeping with you and you sleeping with me is basically the same, not much difference.

It's just the slapping of two bodies, nothing more than the forced blooming of flowers.

Simply through the illusion of spring created by these flowers we mistakenly believe that life has begun anew.

Across half of China, everything is happening: volcanoes erupt, rivers run dry,

political prisoners and refugees abandoned,

elks and red-crowned cranes held at gunpoint.

I braved the hail of bullets to sleep with you,

I pressed endless nights into a single dawn to sleep with you,

countless parts of me ran together and became I to sleep with you.

Of course, there are times when the butterflies lead me astray,

confusing praise for spring.

Yet these

are all the more reason I must sleep with you!

......

The key to this poem was that it was delivered to Chen Ye by all sorts of people, both men and women. There was even a male fan that went by the name of ZhangYe'sGayGoodFriend who copied IAmGorgeous77's style and sent a picture of himself giving a kiss. He even edited this picture and composited Chen Ye's photo into it and posted it together with the poem Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You. That impact and nauseating effect that rushed at anyone who saw this Weibo post immediately made them to vomit all over their floors!

Chen Ye's fans were all angered and confused!

"Holy shit!"

"That's such a dick move!"

"What the f**k did it mean by 'the slapping of two bodies'??"

"I can't take it anymore, I'm going to vomit!"

"Why is there even a guy in there!"

"Those bastards! They're so disgusting, those people!"

IAmGorgeous77: "......."

Initially, they had wanted to gross out Zhang Ye and his fans to achieve their objective, but who could have expected that they would be grossed out by them instead!?

Many of the netizens who saw this were cheering happily at the turn of events!

"This poem is too brainwashing to read!"

"Godly poem!"

"It's indeed Zhang Ye! This poem must have been drafted by him!"

"Chen Ye's fan club have stubbed their toe this time by kicking an iron plate! It's definite now that Zhang Ye and his fan club's battle powers on Weibo are indeed more powerful!"

"This incident was actually quite boring to begin with. We can only blame Chen Ye alone for letting water seep into his brains. Look at how it turned out, they got grossed out instead! Well done!"

"This poem's too damn teasing!"

"Chen Ye, with so many people out there wanting to sleep with you, do you feel pressured?"

"No, if you all read it carefully, f**king hell, this poem does not look like it was just written hastily for fun. It might look pretty retarded, but if you really read and think about it, you'd see that there's a lot of depth to it!"

"You're right! This poem really has quite a feel to it!"

"I've realized that I'm beginning to fall for this poem!"

"Zhang Ye really knows how to composes all kinds of poems. They're all really meaningful as well and full of profundity. Compared to him, Chen Ye's lousy doggerel is truly just a dog fart!"

At this moment, no one on Weibo was focusing on some ugly girl making a proposal anymore. Everyone was swept away by this Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You. It was such a quick turn of events! When Zhang Ye's fan club posted this poem, it immediately got the attention of countless others and was forwarded by them as well, going viral. Almost instantly, it spread all over Weibo, Tieba, and the other large-scale forums!

"Chen Ye bit off more than he could chew!"

"How did this poem spread so quickly? Oh my God!"

"This would surely deal a blow to Chen Ye's popularity!"

"Dammit, not even Teacher Chen could do it? He lost as well? There's already no one left in this country who can stand against Zhang Ye's march to the top!"

"In a scolding battle, Zhang Ye and his fans are invincible!"

"Yeah, no one can stop them!"

"Chen Ye's fans were asking for it anyway. Of all the people to offend, they had to do it to Zhang Ye!"

Only Zhang Ye knew about the origin of this poem. It was by a poet named Yu Xiuhua from his previous world, a farm woman who was given the title of "poet with cerebral palsy." Because of Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You, Yu Xiuhua became famous throughout China. For a month or two in his previous world, the poem spread all over the internet. Its spread and popularity was known to all!

As for Yu Xiuhua, she was caught in a mire of controversy.

Some people emphasized her disability.

Others claimed that she was a rare breed of poet.

Of these matters, Zhang Ye did not have much of an opinion nor any views about it. The reason he brought out this poem was because he had been incredibly pissed off and disgusted by those people and felt that it just wouldn't be him if he did not retort. Just on Chen Ye's lousy doggerel that wasn't much of a doggerel, a limerick that wasn't a limerick, even flattery would not make it comparable to Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You! How could they compare??

Rate Translation QualityChapter 614: Becoming a B-list celebrity!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

From afternoon until night.

The modern poem was spreading virally across the internet!

Although Chen Ye and his management team made an emergency PR response to condemn Zhang Ye, it did nothing to help at all. Countless people were tirelessly forwarding the poem Crossing Half of China to Sleep with You and making a joke out of Chen Ye.

"Hahaha!"

"Teacher Chen is becoming even more well-known now!"

"Chen Ye will become the catchphrase for our gay comrades in the future!"

"That Zhang Ye is so mean!"

"You only know that now? When has Teacher Zhang never been mean before?"

"Why did you all have to provoke him? It's not like you guys don't know what kind of person Zhang Ye is!"

"We can't put the blame on Zhang Ye for this matter. It was Chen Ye who was asking for it, so he deserves what he's getting now. Chen Ye and his fans were being low class to begin with anyway!"

"Right, Teacher Zhang is still the classy one!"

"Hehe, why do I like Zhang Ye so much!"

"Comparing Chen Ye to Zhang Ye? So what if he's a Central TV host! So what if he has hosted the Spring Festival Gala before? If you want to say that Chen Ye has more fans than Zhang Ye, I'd believe it! If you claim that Chen Ye has more experience than Zhang Ye in the hosting world, I'd believe it too! But if you want to compare them on their bickering abilities, then two of Chen Ye would still not out-talk Teacher Zhang! I kept wondering why anyone would even think that Chen Ye had a chance at out-talking Zhang Ye in the first place, why would the votes be so equally split at 49% each? What a bunch of morons!"

"That's totally true, if you look back at the poll results now, there shouldn't even have been any doubts as to who'd win it."

"Yeah, the difference in power is too great."

"Chen Ye and his fans deliberately tried to mock Zhang Ye, doubting him publicly, and someone even sarcastically proposed to him, coming up with all sorts of trick all day. But Teacher Zhang Ye just randomly came up with a poem and wiped them out just like that! This feels just like one of the phrases in Zhang Ye's poem from the past: 'With humor, he helped see to that the masts and sculls of Wei's navy go up in smoke and ashes turn into'!"

"Just now, someone even mentioned that Chen Ye's literary standards were comparable to Zhang Ye's? I totally laughed at that. Just who gave such confidence to these people! Just look at the lousy stuff that Chen Ye came up with, then have another look at the poem that Teacher Zhang wrote. I am a student in a Literature Department at my school and this poem might feel very vulgar on the first read, not looking like a proper modern poem, but let me tell you all something, that is what a layman would see it as. Read it with care, line by line and word by word. In my opinion, this 'sleep with you' is just like a coat, and an artistic convergent for the whole poem. This poem really expresses something on another level of understanding. Volcanoes are erupting, rivers are running dry, political prisoners and refugees are abandoned, elk and cranes held at gunpoint; just looking at those phrases makes it very clear that there's an element of societal reflection, and even an environmental message, and to sum it all up, it uses 'sleep with you' to draw it all in. This is such an artistic and high-level modern poem. Teacher Zhang Ye's literary standards are not something that people like you all, who only know how to use doggerel and limericks, could understand. Teacher Zhang could just randomly throw out a poem and the depth and profundity in it would all be lost on you all!"

Zhang Ye's fans were gaining strong momentum!

Because of the viral spreading of this poem, Zhang Ye's popularity was rising again, pulling the gap between him and Chen Ye even closer than before.

Chen Ye's fan club dispersed quickly as their morale took a serious blow, however a number of them still continued to refuse to back down.

"What are you all showing off for!"

"So what if he can write poems? Is that a big deal?"

"Wait and see about the lyrics memorization program! Beijing Television will surely pay a heavy price for believing in Zhang Ye's program plan! They will definitely lose their claim as the big brother of satellite channels in the north!"

"Right!"

"Wait for the great reveal of the downfall tonight!"

"If that lousy show's viewership ratings can pass 0.2%, then I will twist my head off!"

"Hur hur, I'm guessing even if you set it at 0.1%, you still would not need to twist your head off! So don't set it at 0.2%!"

In the end, the focus was back to the program Do You Remember. This round of scolding battles had started because of it, so naturally it must end with it as well. Everyone was waiting for a conclusion as to whether Chen Ye could safeguard his ranking or if Zhang Ye would usurp his position and rise up into the B-list rankings. The outcome hung on this show's performance.

...

After dinner.

His mother was picking her teeth with a toothpick when she asked, "Son, did you get into a war of words with others again this afternoon?"

Zhang Ye who volunteered to do the dishes today said from the kitchen, "Whoa, you even know about that?"

"I heard people talking on the bus when I was on the way home. What happened?" his mother asked.

Zhang Ye sighed and said, "It's about the program that I planned for Beijing Television. It's premiering tonight but no one believes that it will be good, so there were a bunch of people who came to insult me."

His father who was reading the newspapers said, "It's airing today?"

"Yeah, at 9 PM," Zhang Ye said.

His mother said, "Actually, when I saw the show's trailer, I didn't feel that it would be interesting either. Remembering lyrics? There's no requirement of skill in that at all."

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "Just wait and watch it tonight then."

At 8:50 PM.

Zhang Ye's parents were both seated in front of the television and waiting for the show to start.

At the same time, all over the country, many viewers were also waiting in front of their TVs and tuned in to Beijing Television. Before this, there was hardly any attention given to this program, but after the scolding battle in the afternoon, the news surrounding Do You Remember was stirred up a little as well. It attracted many curious viewers, most of whom were not exactly expecting the show to be any good, but just watched anyway because they wanted to know what the program was about, to see it in its true form. Even Chen Ye, along with his fans and those "foes" of Zhang Ye were waiting to watch the program. People like crosstalk actor Tang Dazhang and the Beijing Writer's Association's Meng Dongguo were also watching Do You Remember simply for the reason of seeing how bad it would turn out. They were all watching with the hopes of laughing at the quality!

Counting down.

Three minutes...

Two minutes...

One minute...

The music played first then the program officially began broadcasting!

On screen, the lights in the studio flashed and the outstanding stage effects began. In the large studio, more than a hundred live audience members had turned up and were cheering in unison. With the dynamic music and opening dance, the atmosphere in the venue had been charged up and lighted up the whole stage as two hosts, a man and a woman, walked on!

"Good evening everyone!" The male host who was dressed in a suit was called Gao Ge.

Meanwhile, Dong Shanshan was dressed in a evening gown, not the type of evening gown one would wear for a red carpet event, just a modest one that was more suited for a lesser occasion. Her thighs were rather exposed and it made her look very sexy. However, possibly due the the male host's height, she did not wear high heels of eight centimeters but only an orange pair of high heels around five or six centimeters.

Dong Shanshan smiled very charmingly as she said, "Friends who are with us in the live audience and those of you who are at home in front of your television, good evening to all of you!"

Gao Ge was also in high spirits as he did the introduction. "Welcome, everyone, to the newly minted variety program brought to you by our sponsors, Hua Mei Shampoo and proudly produced by Beijing Television: Do You Remember!"

Dong Shanshan continued his lines, "This is a program where the entry barriers are the lowest in the country, with the simplest of rules, which only stands at one: whoever can sing the lyrics correctly. We're not looking for good voices or stage presence, we don't care if you're pretty or handsome, or neither, all we want to know is who has a better memory. As long as you can correctly sing the designated lyrics, you'll win! So what are you all still waiting for? Quickly come and sign up to take part now!"

Gao Ge said, "I am your host, Gao Ge!"

"And I am also your host, Dong Shanshan!" It was obvious that Dong Shanshan had more lines than Gao Ge and was probably something that was arranged by Hu Fei and Beijing Television, giving special care to Dong Shanshan.

...

At home.

His mother's eyes brightened. "Is that your classmate?"

Zhang Ye nodded. "Yes."

His father looked at the television and said, "I think I saw her before—when we attended your graduation ceremony."

"Yeah, she was one of the graduate representatives and made a speech too," Zhang Ye said.

His mother looked a little odd, as she kept staring at Dong Shanshan on screen and did not blink at all. Then, she said, "This girl looks quite good, she's really pretty. Son, does she have a boyfriend yet?"

Zhang Ye said, "Whoa, what are you thinking about?"

His mother said, "I'm not thinking about anything, I'm just asking."

"Probably not." Zhang Ye said, "At least that's what she said. But to be honest, her words are not very trustworthy and I don't think most of what she says is true either."

His mother immediately asked, "There are no developments between the two of you?"

Zhang Ye rolled his eyes and could not be bothered with her anymore.

His father commented, "Don't keep trying to mess around. Our son will know what to do."

His mother did not like hearing that, so she said, "What do you mean by 'messing around'? Look at our neighbor Little Wang. He has only just graduated from university and he's already going to get married soon."

His father rebuked, "Why don't you talk about the other neighboring unit's Little Sun. He's about to get a divorce."

"Old Zhang! Are you bent on singing a different tune from me?" his mother said angrily.

Zhang Ye laughed and said, "Keep it down, you two. Can we just watch the show now?"

On TV.

The core segment of the program had started!

A very normal looking male lead singer was standing on stage and singing a classic oldie while Dong Shanshan was among the audience, moving around. When the lead singer stopped singing, she would point the microphone to a seemingly random audience member to let them pick up from where the lead singer left off at. If they got the lyrics correctly, they would win the right to take part in the competition.

The song's title was Just Yesterday.

This was a song by an old singer who had already passed away. It was a classic folk song.

"Just yesterday, you were on the horizon, walking to me with a smile."

"Just yesterday, you were facing me, your eyes looking sweet."

"Just yesterday, you were beside me, gently leaning on my shoulders."

"Just yesterday, you were behind me, slowly caressing my face."

His mother was already humming along to the song, "Just yesterday, you were on the horizon..." singing with a slightly out-of-tune melody.

His father sighed emotionally. "This is a very old song, I could still sing it when I was younger, but I have totally forgotten the lyrics now."

"Don't lie." His mother belittled and stepped on his claims, "You were tone-deaf since childhood, how would you be able to sing it?"

After the song ended and six contestants were chosen, they were all invited onto stage by Gao Ge and Dong Shanshan to officially begin the competition round.

Zhang Ye was still unfamiliar with the songs from this world. He did not know any of those that were performed at all. This was the reason why he did not pay attention to it but was only observing at Dong Shanshan's performance instead. He thought it was rather good. She did not look like she was nervous due to her small-timer reputation or never having hosted at a major satellite channel before. She was indeed worthy of being one of the top graduates from Media College in their year. As her old classmate, Zhang Ye knew her quite well and had never doubted her abilities at hosting. Some people judge her to be just a "vase," but it was true that she had really good looks and a great figure, distracting others from her job abilities. So even though she had a pretty face and a nice figure to her advantage, it was also her weakness. She did not lack the ability, she just lacked a chance like this!

Dong Shanshan said, "Alright, let's begin with the first contestant."

Gao Ge said, "Are you ready?"

The first female audience said, "I'm ready!"

Gao Ge laughed and said, "The next song is going to be really great. It's an early work by the Heavenly Queen, Zhang Yuanqi, and very difficult to sing."

Dong Shanshan said, "The title of the song is 'Please Look at Me.' Over to our lead singer, Little Hai."

The music began. At the side of the stage, the second lead singer picked up the microphone. This lead singer looked very handsome and had quite a good voice as well. When he started singing, all the audience members cheered loudly.

"Please look at me. Is this the person you loved so deeply? Why, when you were in your hardest times, did she turn to go."

"Please look at me. Is this the friend you trusted so much? Why, when you were down on your luck, did he never look back."

"Please look at me. Is this the you who you liked so much?"

At this point, the lead singer, Little Hai made a gesture and the camera view switched to the contestant.

The female audience was clearly familiar with this song. She immediately continued from where it was left off, "—Why do I have nothing, even though I tried my most!" Although she did not sing it well, she had gotten the lyrics right!

"Congratulations!"

"You got it right!"

The show continued from there.

Zhang Ye looked at his mother and asked, "Mom, what do you think?"

His mother who was still focusing on the screen, humming along. She absent-mindedly asked, "What do I think about what?"

"The show of course. Didn't you say it didn't interest you?" Zhang Ye said.

His mother just nodded and said, "It wasn't interesting from the trailer and previews, but not bad when you watch it. Compared to all those singing competition programs these days, it's much more interesting!"

...

On the internet.

On Weibo, some voices also stirred.

"Did anyone watch Do You Remember?"

"I caught it. Damn, it was actually much better than I expected!"

"Is that so? I thought it was only alright."

"It's really nice. My brother and I were singing along for most of the time. Did you all hear the second contestant? He's not even half as good as me. If I joined, I'd definitely do much better! No way, I have to register for it soon!"

"This quality of this program is really high!"

"So this is how you can make a variety show out of remembering lyrics? Zhang Ye is indeed Zhang Ye! Who says that he has lost his touch? Who says that his program will be a failure?"

"How strange is this! We knew the rules of this show early on, and the content of the show was exactly the same as the promotional preview. There's no change at all to the core of the program which emphasized remembering the lyrics, so what happened? I did not look forward to this show at all before, but why do I find it so enjoyable after watching it?"

"Yeah, I was wondering about that too. Just what is so interesting about this show? There shouldn't be any at all. Only one of the lead singers was quite good looking. Although the female host is quite sexy and pretty, she's still a rookie and I've never even seen her before. The contestants on the show are also pretty bad at singing. Just look at this fourth contestant singing totally off-key. The stage equipment is not exactly the most well-equipped either and overall the whole show looks pretty low end, but...I just can't keep myself from enjoying this damn show!"

"This show's rules just needs you to remember the lyrics, but that's not its selling point! This show is not like your traditional singing competition program. It's selling point is pretty concealed, like how the show looks really low end, but is in fact really at a high standard!"

"Well done!"

"The viewership ratings will be difficult to predict!"

"Right, the viewer rating is a question mark right now. It might not really be that bad at all!"

"We'll know when we see the results tomorrow."

"I'm not gonna talk about this here for now, I have to go watch the show! It feels really relaxing to sing along while watching. After such a hard week at work, it feels kind of refreshing to be able to watch a show that can help me to relax."

Soon after.

The show finished airing and the first episode of Do You Remember ended successfully.

Zhang Ye's parents went to wash up before heading to bed, while Zhang Ye did not turn in yet. He was back in his room, checking on the internet for everyone's comments. At about 11:50 PM, when he knew that the day's viewership ratings would be released internally to the stations, he gave a call to Hu Fei.

The call connected.

Hu Fei said: "Little Zhang, I knew you'd call."

Zhang Ye laughed: "Yes, it's my program proposal, of course I'd be concerned about the results. So how did it do? Are the viewership ratings released yet?"

Hu Fei said: "They were just released."

"How much?" Zhang Ye asked.

Hu Fei said: "Hur hur, guess."

Zhang Ye thought for a moment before saying: "The first episode is surely not going to be very high. This kind of a program is the type that will get popular only after a while and will be more apparent when we hit the third episode. I guess the 50 cities' viewership rating is 0.5%?"

Hu Fei laughed heartily and said: "That's a bit short. The draft report I have for the 50 cities' viewership rating for the first episode of Do You Remember is 0.63%! It's second place for the same time period in the entire country!"

Zhang Ye smiled and said: "Good then. It surpassed the estimates by quite a bit!"

Hu Fei said: "To be honest, I didn't expect such a result either. Such an auspicious start to the first episode will surely boost the station's confidence in this program. Our team feels the same, and for the next episode, we have confidence that the ratings will be even better. Little Zhang, most of the program team is still at the office right now. We were all waiting for the viewership ratings to be released. Now that it has, we're all getting ready to go to supper to celebrate the good results. Why don't you join us too?"

"Forget about me." Zhang Ye said: "I only gave the proposal and was not involved in the production. Since I did not contribute to the show, I don't think I should join in the celebrations."

Hu Fei said: "Hur, since when did you become so modest? I'm not used to you being like this at all!"

...

The next day, the viewership ratings for the premiere episode of Do You Remember were released.

When the viewers saw the ratings, without exception, everyone was astonished!

"Ah?"

"Did they get it wrong?"

"0.63%? How did it get so high?"

"It's only their premiere episode!"

"It should be right. This show was really enjoyable to watch!"

"Second for the same time period in the entire country? Compared to another satellite channel's singing program, its viewership ratings are only 0.06% lower? Beijing Television has put out a killer program this time!"

"My eyes have been blinded!"

The people who saw these statistics were all dumbfounded.

There were also many people who did not watch the show last night and were thus left scratching their heads. A show that had been acknowledged by everyone as a rubbish program that had no hopes: how did it receive such an illogical viewer ratings figure? If this was only for the premiere episode, then wouldn't the viewership ratings for the later episodes get even higher?

"What's going on?"

"What's the matter?"

"Who can update me on what's happening here? Did Do You Remember create a miracle?"

Someone answered: "Why don't you guys just watch the show first? There's a video of yesterday's episode on Beijing Television's official website. Go take a look and you'll know why. The viewer ratings it had are really not that surprising at all!"

Zhang Ye's fans were also stirred up and getting lively with the viewership ratings released.

"@ChenYe !"

"Teacher Chen, what's your opinion on this matter?"

"Teacher Chen, please make a speech about your thoughts!"

"Who was the one who said that if Do You Remember gets a viewership ratings of more than 0.2%, he would twist off his head? Come forward now, it's time to show us your circus performance by twisting your head off."

"Waiting."

"Waiting for the head twisting performance."

"Waiting +10000!"

There's a saying that goes: "He who handles vermillion will be stained red, and he who touches ink will be stained black." Zhang Ye's character could be considered a little mean, and among his fans, there weren't many that were pushovers either. They all jumped out together to do some face-smacking, riffling out some of those who had doubts about Zhang Ye's program planning abilities from before on Weibo and mentioned those public figures one by one. [1.]

"@TangDazhang, what's your opinion on this matter?"

"@MengDongguo, what's your opinion on this matter?"

"@ChenYe'sFirstAunt, what's your opinion on this matter?"

"@ChenYe'sSecondUncle, what's your opinion on this matter?

"@ChenYe'sPrimarySchoolTeacher, what's your opinion on this matter?"

"@ChenYe'sSecondUncle'sWife'sNephew'sGrandma'sThirdAunt'sHusband'sSister, what's your opinion on this matter?"

Especially towards Chen Ye, Zhang Ye's fans were being all fanciful and invented all sorts of non-existent user handles related to Chen Ye, particularly having fun while doing so. They were all being their terrible selves!

Chen Ye's fans nearly fainted from anger in this onslaught!

They're pushing this too far!

They're totally pushing this too far!

However, in the face of the viewership ratings for Do You Remember, they could not muster up a response. This statistic was the real thing and even if there were some minor inaccuracies, it would not affect it by much!

On the same day, some online media outlets had also started reporting on this matter.

"Do You Remember—Great success on both fronts: well praised and popular with the viewers! "

"This year's big winner amongst singing competitions!"

"A singing competition program that subverts all traditional singing competition programs!"

"The legend of Zhang Ye's program planning abilities keeps going!"

"A crossing of swords between Chen Ye and Zhang Ye, who would be the victor?"

"Dong Shanshan: new star in the hosting world!"

On the second night, the second episode of Do You Remember was aired as planned.

On the third day, the viewership ratings for the second episode were published: Do You Remember's second episode's 50 cities' viewership rating—0.75%! Number one in the country for the same time period!

The next day, the third episode's viewership ratings were revealed!

Do You Remember's third episode's 50 cities' viewership rating—0.81%! It retained its number one spot in the entire country!

In just three short episodes, Beijing Television's new program segment had unexpectedly dominated Friday's primetime slot. In the current low of a market saturated with traditional singing competition programs, a show that had somehow managed to lead way ahead in the same time period ratings was something that not only the audience could not have expected, their industry peers, the media, and even Beijing Television Station itself...had not thought it was possible!

It greatly exceeded all estimates!

Seeing the viewership ratings rise like a rocket launched, it felt dreamy!

This was a proposal that was simply given out by Zhang Ye casually? These were the abilities of the television industry's legendary program planner?

...

On the night of the third episode's broadcast.

Just as the interim viewership ratings for the third episode were released, the Celebrity Rankings Index was also updated. Zhang Ye's name was no longer listed in the C-list rankings, while in his place, a new name had appeared in the first spot. That name belonged to the famous host of Central TV, Chen Ye!

In this moment, at midnight.

Zhang Ye had quietly been promoted into being a B-list celebrity!!

[1. one takes on the color of one's company]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 615: Reporters from nationwide clog the gates!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the morning.

The day had just begun and congratulatory calls were arriving one after another.

The first call came from Yao Jiancai.

Yao Jiancai said: "Old bro, are you still sleeping?"

Zhang Ye replied: "Old Yao?"

Yao Jiancai continued: "I have seen the change in your ranking!"

Zhang Ye said: "Yeah, I finally sneaked onto the B-list rankings."

Yao Jiancai said: "Finally? Don't put it like you have already put in so much effort, since you've only debuted for a year or so. In the entertainment industry, who else has can have it so smooth sailing like you. Just look at your old bro here. Including my time in the crosstalk world, I have been working in this industry for more than twenty years, but where's my popularity? I don't even have a fifth of your success!"

Zhang Ye replied: "Yup, well said."

Yao Jiancai said: "—Stop being irritating. Come out for a meal when you're free?"

Zhang Ye said: "OK, I'll go if you're treating."

Yao Jiancai said: "My treat? You're really such a miser!"

The second call came from Dong Shanshan.

Dong Shanshan said: "Hello, may I know if this is Teacher Zhang? I'm sales agent 123 from the insurance company. I've heard that you have recently become a B-list celebrity. Our company is worried that your heart is unable to take this surprise, so we've specially launched an insurance policy, going for only 998! It's only 998!"

Zhang Ye said: "Man, if I didn't see the caller ID, I would've hung up. I couldn't tell who it was on the phone at all when you were talking with a high-pitched voice."

Dong Shanshan said: "Hur hur, congrats."

Zhang Ye said: "I should congratulate you too."

Dong Shanshan said: "I don't have anything to be congratulated on."

Zhang Ye said: "Oh c'mon, I know that you are also getting really popular now."

Dong Shanshan said: "Is that so?"

Zhang Ye said: "After the third episode of Do You Remember, I saw on the internet that someone had already given you a nickname: Goddess of Otakus. You already have your own fan club now?"

Dong Shanshan said: "I guess so. It was formed by the fans themselves."

Zhang Ye lamented: "Hai, having long legs is really an advantage."

Dong Shanshan said: "I can't be compared to you when you're the one who's secretly become a B-list big shot. Although we were both from the same class, our gap is too great. From now on, I have to look up to you in admiration."

Zhang Ye said: "I'll keep a low profile."

The third caller was Tian Bin.

Tian Bin said: "You defy all logic!"

Zhang Ye laughed: "Haha."

Tian Bin said: "It's been really busy over here at Central Radio Station recently. After being busy for over a month, I only came to know about it when I watched the news in this morning. Good god, you're already a B-list celebrity? How did that happen? How did you do it so quickly? I remember that you didn't even have a proper job in recent times? So how did your popularity rise by so much?"

Zhang Ye said: "Hai, after the Peking University incident, my popularity score went up by a lot. Later, I took part in a movie and also helped Beijing Television plan a new program."

Tian Bin said: "I really don't know what I can say to that."

On the other end, Tian Bin's wife's could be heard saying: "Teacher Zhang, congratulations to you."

Zhang Ye: "Ai, thank you, sister-in-law."

Afterwards, there were calls from Hu Fei; skit actress, Ci Xiufang; Wang Xiaomei from the radio station; Zhang Yuanqi's agent, Fang Weihong; Peking University's Chinese Department's Su Na; the publishing firm's Li Mei; and even Dean Pan of the Peking University School of Mathematical Sciences; etc. The only regret was the person whom Zhang Ye wanted to hear most from did not call him. Actually, Zhang Ye could call her but he did not want to disturb Old Wu's rest as she had been very busy at work.

He got up and went to wash up.

Zhang Ye did not feel sleepy anymore after getting so many calls and was unable to fall back asleep. Thus, he went out to have the breakfast that had turned cold which his parents prepared earlier before they went to work.

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang.

Zhang Ye, feeling a little suspicious, went over to open the door.

A young man dressed in work attire was standing outside the door and holding a bouquet of flowers in his hands, said, "Hello, are you Mr. Zhang Ye? This is your...ah!" That person was stunned and continued, "You're...you're Teacher Zhang Ye? These flowers are for you. Please sign to receive them." Although there was a name indicated on the delivery order, the name of Zhang Ye was far too common. This young man never expected this Zhang Ye that he was delivering to would actually turn out to be the Zhang Ye!

Zhang Ye signed for the delivery order and asked, "Who sent this?"

The young man hurriedly said, "The delivery order indicates it was from a Madam Wu but no full name was given."

Zhang Ye knew who it was, so he said, "OK, thank you then."

The young man quickly replied, "You're welcome, too welcome, no need to thank me."

When the door closed, Zhang Ye looked at the flowers in his hands with mixed emotions. It being sent so early in the morning clearly meant it was not ordered at the last minute. His ranking update had only been released at 12 AM last night. if the flowers weren't ordered by Wu Zeqing last night, then Old Wu must have ordered in advance but did not fill in the delivery timing until the moment Zhang Ye became a B-list celebrity. Ever since Old Wu became the deputy chief of SARFT, her workload became increasingly heavy. Zhang Ye knew this as, when they were on the phone sometimes, Old Wu would still be working as she chatted with him. But even though she was so busy, Old Wu still thought about him, and this made Zhang Ye feel really touched.

Without any more hesitation, he made a call to her.

The call went through and Zhang Ye said: "Are you awake yet?"

"I just woke up." Old Wu's voice sounded very gentle and cheerful.

Zhang Ye laughed: "I got your flowers. Hai, how can I be the one receiving flowers from you first when I have never even sent you any before. I feel so embarrassed. I should have sent some to you first."

Old Wu laughed: "It doesn't matter who sends to whom first, do you have to be so clear about such things with me?" She let out a lazy yawn and then asked: "Have you eaten yet?"

"I just finished the fried breadsticks my parents left for me."

"Was it hot or did it already turn cold?"

"It had already turned cold."

"In the future, don't eat anything that has turned cold. It's bad for the stomach."

"Sure, I'll listen to you."

"Hurry up and drink some warm water to ease your stomach."

"OK, I will."

"Go and drink first. We'll talk again later."

"Alright then."

Old Wu was the kind of woman who knew just how to take good care of others. She was also very gentle and would dote on and respect others. It was probably only such a woman who could capture his heart. Zhang Ye would often lose his temper with other people, but with Old Wu, Zhang Ye felt a sense of calm whenever he was in her presence.

In the morning.

After watching the news for a while, Zhang Ye decided to go for a jog as he had not exercised in many days. He had already reached his goals ahead of time and whatever work that needed to be done was also done. Since there were no new job offers at the moment, the only thing left that he could do was training himself up and doing some self-cultivation while hoping for good news.

He met some of his old neighbors at the corridor.

"Little Ye, you're already up?"

"Yeah, Auntie."

"You've really made us proud. I heard that you already became a B-list celebrity!"

"It's all thanks to everyone's help. I'd be a nobody if not for all of you."

"Heh, look at our Little Ye, how eloquent he is!"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going for a jog, get some exercise."

"Then you have to be careful. When we were buying our groceries earlier, we saw between ten and twenty reporters in the district. There was also an interview van from the television station outside. They're blocking the path to the gate."

"Really?"

"Hur hur, be careful and don't get surrounded."

"I understand, Grandma Zhou, thanks."

Rate Translation QualityChapter 616: A short poem from Bingxin!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

That morning.

Caishikou, in the district of Zhang Ye's parents' house.

Xiaoxue was riding her scooter, a bag that was carrying her interview equipment slung over her back. She rode her scooter at lightning speed, rushing to her destination, her hair a mess from the wind. She finally spotted the gates to the district community and quickly pressed the brakes. She could see many other media colleagues carrying their cameras camped outside the gates too. There were reporters from the Beijing Times, Beijing Evening News, a correspondent reporter from a Beihe province, as well as reporters from the China Youth Daily newspaper.

Whoa, there were so many people here?

She felt done for, knowing that she would not be able to get the interview for sure!

With a bunch of people blocking the gates, would Zhang Ye even make an appearance?!

Xiaoxue got off her scooter listlessly. She didn't hold much hope in the first place when she got delegated with the task this morning at the newspaper firm, knowing that she was unlikely to get a chance to interview Zhang Ye at all. She was an entertainment news reporter, and although only a newbie with half a year under her belt, she had been through all kinds of major and minor interview experiences. She knew the the difficulties of being an entertainment news reporter. Even though it was easy to interview some celebrities because of the fact that those were the small timers, those interviews were in fact quite worthless and wouldn't make it to a good spot in the newspapers. If they wanted their interviews to be on the front or second page, then they had to interview the big shots, as only a big time celebrity would have news worth reading. However, what was the concept of a B-list celebrity? That was equivalent to celebrities who were well-known throughout the country. Scoring an interview with a celebrity that was B-list and above would be good to have but hardly ever guaranteed. You'd have to stay alert to the news, have a way, get tips, be focused, and have a strategy. It even encompassed good communications skills, sometimes needing to scale a wall or climb a building, using whatever means possible, before you might end up getting a chance to interview a big shot celebrity in unofficial circumstances. It was as difficult as climbing into the heavens.

"Xiaoxue!" A middle-aged man called out to her.

Xiaoxue locked her scooter, then ran to him and greeted, "Brother An."

Brother An, lugging a camera around, said, "Why are you so late?"

"My scooter broke down on the way, sorry about that, Brother An," Xiaoxue said apologetically.

Brother An brushed it off and just said, "Come quickly, find a spot for yourself. If Zhang Ye or his parents come out, we will take the chance to squeeze inside with the crowd. We must definitely get a good spot, so hurry up!"

Xiaoxue said helplessly, "Surely Zhang Ye won't come out, right?"

Brother An asked back, "Why not?"

"He's already a big shot now. How is it possible that he will accept an interview so casually? Besides, this address might not even be the right place. If this address was known to everyone in the media, would Zhang Ye still be staying here?" Xiaoxue questioned.

Beside them, an older man who was a cameraman for another newspaper firm laughed and said, "Miss, are you new?"

"Ah?" Xiaoxue looked over to him.

Flanking him, a female reporter who looked to be in her forties also said, "If you want to get an interview with other A- or B-list celebrities in an unofficial and unscheduled location or timing, it would practically be impossible. Even if it were a C- or D-list celebrity, that wouldn't work. But Zhang Ye is different. He has never avoided the cameras before. If we're talking about the easiest D-list and above celebrity to score an interview with, then Zhang Ye has to be the easiest. As long as we don't meet him while he's in a bad mood, or knock on his house door and disturb him from his daily life, then as long as you went to interview him, he will give you a few words at the very least."

Xiaoxue said in surprise, "It's that easy to get a word from Zhang Ye? I've seen the news reports of him having a very bad temper, frequently scolding people here and there."

The female reporter smiled and said, "As long as you don't provoke him, Zhang Ye's easier to speak with than you can imagine. He―he is really quite different from the rest of the celebrities in the entertainment circle."

Brother An added, "He is very different!"

Suddenly, someone shouted!

"He's coming!"

"He came out!"

"There's Zhang Ye!"

"Quick, quick, quick!"

"Teacher Zhang!"

As if a gust of wind had swept past, with a single sound, over 20 of those media reporters had already rushed up. Brother An was also one of them. However, Xiaoxue was a step too slow, so she had to rush up to try to squeeze into the crowd.

Zhang Ye had a white towel hanging around his neck and had appeared jogging out from the building's corridor. He had only jogged for about 20 meters before he was surrounded by a group of reporters and could not move anymore. Zhang Ye helplessly stopped there and greeted, while waving to them, "I've hardly had a chance to do morning exercises anymore, so would everyone please be so kind as to let me go for a round first?"

The female reporter from before said, "Teacher Zhang, I've been here since 5 AM and I'm almost about to fall asleep already. Why don't you spare us a few minutes of your time first instead?"

A young female reporter said, "That's right, Teacher Zhang. If I don't get to interview you today, I won't be able to go back to answer to my superiors. I would surely tick them off."

If it were other celebrities, it would have been possible to make an appointment to interview them and there wouldn't be a need to crowd around outside the gates like now. However, Zhang Ye was different in that he did not have an agent or a managing agency at all. At the moment, he did not even have a job, so that resulted in the media group having communication problems with him. On top of the fact that Zhang Ye's promotion into the B-list rankings came at an unexpected time, having shot up suddenly at the turn of the clock last night, these media reporters did not have enough time to do their preparations either. Those were the reasons for their rowdy presence this morning as everyone rushed over to this place. Besides, such interviews were better done the day of, since the matter happened on this day as well. If all interviews followed an order, time, and location, then it would only be reported on a few days later. By then, it would have been 800 years too late. Could news still be called news if it was old?! News always focused on being delivered in a timely manner.

The crowd of reporters were speaking in chattering voices.

Since Zhang Ye could do nothing about it, he simply agreed and said, "Alright then, just five minutes. Shoot."

Xiaoxue: "....." What the! Zhang Ye was really this easy to speak to?

Brother An reacted the quickest. Just as Zhang Ye finished speaking, he had already started, "Teacher Zhang, in the latest update of the Celebrity Rankings Index, you've become a B-list celebrity, so I would like to congratulate you first."

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Thank you."

Brother An went on, "There's a lot of people talking right now, saying that you're one of the fastest rising celebrities in recent times, turning from an unknown into a B-list celebrity in little more than a year. It feels like this is a route that many other public figures would not be able reach, but you've done it in just the blink of an eye."

"Blink of an eye?" Zhang Ye repeated the words.

A Huadong Daily News reporter interrupted and asked, "I wonder if you have seen it yet; there were a lot of netizens who left their comments online after the rankings were updated at midnight yesterday. Other than congratulatory comments, there were also many criticisms and doubting comments. They feel that based on your traits and your appeal to the minority groups, getting to where you are now is already a miracle. I've also seen some of your fellow peers say this about you. They all acknowledge your talents, but at the same time, they also feel that your success has more to do with your luck than your talents. Regarding this, what do you have to say?"

It was true that there were many of such voices on the internet right now.

Just randomly browsing the forums or Weibo, many of these channels were discussing Zhang Ye's promotion into the B-list rankings. This was considered quite a feat in the entertainment circle as well.

"What a miracle!"

"Zhang Ye's too lucky. If he even had a little bit of bad luck, he couldn't possibly have reached where he is right now!"

"Zhang Ye's just a very normal looking guy. How did he even become a celebrity? And he even managed to become a B-list celebrity? I could do it too then! At least, I am a teeny bit better looking than Zhang Ye!"

"There's a definite element of luck in Zhang Ye's success."

"If I had Zhang Ye's luck and talent too, how great would it be!"

"Zhang Ye is still a newcomer, without many film credits to his name and has never sang before either. Just based on a few television programs on the local channels and an online television station, with some poems and speeches, Zhang Ye has somehow amassed so much popularity. This would surely make many of the 'old-timers' in the entertainment industry quite uncomfortable! If he could become a B-list celebrity this way, then if Zhang Ye were to ever officially go into movies or singing, or do a few programs on a satellite channel with nationwide coverage, then wouldn't his popularity defy all common sense by then?"

"Not defy all common sense, more like his popularity would be out of this world at that time!"

"This person has opened up an alternative route to advancing in the entertainment circle!"

"Other celebrities all depend on themselves and work hard for many years in the industry with no assurance of anything, but Zhang Ye's achievements when he has only just debuted for about a year, when compared to them, really does feel a little unfair."

"Yes, a lot of his fellow peers are not too happy with him."

"That's right. Mathematical and literary standards do not belong in the entertainment circle at all. If he had advanced with the aid of those, then it really leaves those celebrities in the entertainment industry rather helpless."

There were many comments such as those mentioned.

When a person gets popular, gossip will fly. It was a very normal phenomenon.

Faced with such a question from the reporters, Zhang Ye also fell silent for a moment.

Xiaoxue raised her audio recorder up and asked, "Teacher Zhang, how do you feel about the comments made by these minority groups and your fellow peers from the entertainment industry?"

Unfair?

Got lucky?

Going by an alternative entertainment route that was considered as unorthodox?

Seeing all of the reporters not blinking as they awaited for his answer, Zhang Ye smiled for a moment, not feeling angry at all because of these question. He even eloquently said, "I've said this before: whoever it is or whatever kind of art form we're talking about, there is no possibility of it being liked or accepted by everyone. There are those who like me and those who dislike me. Whatever the people's comments about me are, I will accept them, but for some of my fellow peers' comments..." He paused for a moment, before suddenly getting into the mood and saying, "I have here for them, a poem—a short poem."

When everyone heard that, they felt like they were all suddenly injected with adrenaline. They became extremely excited!

"What poem?"

"Teacher Zhang, please recite it!"

"Ah, wait, wait, wait, please wait a while! My pen recorder broke! Let me quickly get another!"

"Would the person in front please squat down a little! I can't get a picture! Please, people in the middle, please squat a little!"

As long as it was anyone who knew a little of Zhang Ye's history, they would know that Zhang Ye's most outstanding talent was not mathematics, nor was it crosstalk, or his hosting abilities. It was actually his poetry composition!

Zhang Ye softly recited:

"A Successful Flower.

"We always admire only the beauty of flowers!

"but its budding in its beginnings

"were watered by tears of its struggles,

"and rained on by the blood of its sacrifices!"

The poem ended here.

Tears?

Blood?

Sacrifices?

At this moment, an old neighbor of Zhang Ye's family who was standing around the crowd spoke. When she saw the reporters here earlier, she stood where she was and listened, but finally unable to keep quiet about it any longer, she opened her mouth. "Little Ye, don't be bothered by those sarcastic remarks from your fellow peers! We neighbors have watched you grow up and know how many sacrifices you've made. You'd skip sleep every day just to finish recording your programs. For your job, you've always risked your life just to get things done, but who has seen that side of you?"

Zhang Ye clasped his hands, then smiled and said, "Grandma Cui, thank you."

Another old man said, "Little Ye, work hard. We're always supportive of you."

A woman said, "Yes, don't listen to their nonsense!"

The poem was very short and was only composed of four phrases, but the impact of this poem was strong enough to cause the hearts of those reporters to sink a little. Yes, everyone could only see Zhang Ye's success, but when it came to his hard work and sacrifices, how many had bothered to notice it? How many people even knew about it?

Xiaoxue glanced at Zhang Ye a few times. This was just her first time interviewing Zhang Ye, but when she came face to face with him now, she suddenly felt that she had some understanding of this person!

Back then, during the hijacking incident, everyone had happily talked about how Zhang Ye was so lucky to have brought the plane down by landing it safely, but did anyone think about how Zhang Ye had nearly died in a plane crash? Everyone saw Zhang Ye silencing all his detractors during the crosstalk competition, but did anyone ever care about how Zhang Ye had nearly been banned for life by the SARFT!? Luck? Fluke? Coincidental? Zhang Ye did not reach where he was now based on these factors! He had fought his way through a bloody path against overwhelming odds!

Leaders suppressing him!

Fellow peers attacking him!

In the moment between life and death!

A choice between compromising or standing his ground!

No matter when and where, Zhang Ye dared to stand up proudly to claim this: My road has not been easy or smooth. The path he chose was harder than anyone else's!

A Successful Flower.

—This was a very well-known work by famous prose author, Bingxin. Bingxin was famous for her prose works, but this short poem was one of her rarer and more outstanding works. Faced with the questions by these reporters and doubts from his fellow peers, Zhang Ye felt that this poem was the best reply as it represented his current thoughts and emotions. Back in his previous world, he also liked this poem very much, probably because of the use of the word "sacrifices" in it. Whenever he recited this short poem, Zhang Ye's expression was not one of lament or complaint, and he did not say it to tell others that he did not have it easy. Instead, he mentioned it with a smile and some pride, because the "sacrifices" in this short poem were not pain or torture to him, but symbolized his strength of character instead. It was the source of his pride to be able to puff out his chest and raise his head high when faced with anything, because that was not a sacrifice to life's unfairness, but the value and sacrifices of his uncompromising character!

......

On the same day.

This poem had been published by many publications throughout the country!

"Success and Sacrifice!"

"Zhang Ye's Voice!"

"A Successful Flower!"

"Zhang Ye: A blooming flower stained with blood! "

When this poem was published, it immediately caused an ardent discussion on the internet.

"Teacher Zhang, you're the best!"

"Don't bother with what others say, we understand you! How much you have sacrificed, we all know!"

"F**k, What's wrong with 'unorthodox, alternative paths'? So what if he went by the unconventional path? That's what we favor, the unconventional path! Because of this, let us continue harassing them! If one comes at us, we will deal with that one! If a bunch of them comes at us, we will deal with all of them!"

"Supporting Zhang Ye!"

"Teacher Zhang's totally deserving of his B-list ranking!"

"Those who don't know anything, I suggest you check out Teacher Zhang's CV first before opening your mouth!"

A Successful Flower might not carry the blood boiling passion like Zhang Ye's previous works, nor was it as excellent as them, but it did carry a very important and heavy emotion. Anyone who read it would feel their hearts sink a little, especially that phrase "were watered by tears of its struggles, / and rained on by the blood of its sacrifices." Those words had silenced many of Zhang Ye's detractors as well as those who were jealous of his achievements. Thinking of how Zhang Ye had made it so far, they did not dare to say any more.

Difficult?

There was a C-list celebrity movie star who once suffered a fracture during filming. After that, when he posted on Weibo, crying and whining for over a month, his fans all sympathetically claimed that he had suffered so much!

When a Korean singer had a few pimples growing on his face, the fans were all crying and shouting, saying things like how life was so unfair, claiming how that Korean celebrity had always suffered so many mishaps!

Was that difficult?

Compared to Zhang Ye, their difficulties might not even be considered as something!

Having been held in jail twice, forced to resign by Beijing Radio Station, sacked by Beijing Television Station, suspended by Peking University, nearly losing his life in an airplane hijacking incident, being suppressed multiple times by the Shanghai SARFT, being affected by the most stringent ban in the history of the SARFT, and now being unemployed even though he was already a B-list celebrity with nothing to do except stay at home, being bored until he could even "leisurely" go out in the morning for a jog. There was only one such person who existed in the whole of the entertainment industry. So who dared to say that they were suffering more than Zhang Ye?

No one would dare to say that!

No one had it more difficult than him!

Even so, even then, Zhang Ye had gone against all odds and managed to stand at his position in the B-list rankings. What kind of a notion was that!

In this whole wide world.

Who else could compare!?

Rate Translation QualityChapter 617: Chenchen's guardian called to school for a meeting!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the afternoon.

Zhang Ye leisurely went downstairs for a bowl of meat stew at a food stall nearby. It was rare for him to be so free these days, so he wanted to enjoy his life for now.

"Master."

"Hey, Teacher Zhang, you are here!"

"I'll have a bowl."

"Large or small?"

"A large bowl, add more garlic sauce."

"OK, please wait for a moment."

The reporters had already left and there were none of them in the district anymore. Zhang Ye had a unique way of handling reporters. Many of the other famous celebrities were always troubled by the ever-present reporters and would think that there were always some nearby at every moment, so they tended to be extra cautious wherever they went. They would hide from reporters when they were going home, when they were eating, and when they went out to meet friends, causing even more reporters to want to follow them. Zhang Ye was obviously doing the opposite. He would not hide from reporters as he would accept interviews at any time. Even if he was not free, he would still have the courtesy to answer one or two questions. He would not refuse anyone, answering any questions that were asked, without hiding or acting mysterious. When the interview was done, the reporters would leave since there was nothing more for them to do. And so, they would not follow him around every day.

As he was eating, his phone rang.

When he saw the number—what a surprise!—it was Rao Aimin who was calling him.

Zhang Ye swallowed his food and said with a mumble: "Hello, Landlady Auntie. What's the matter? I'm eating now."

She replied: "Are you busy these next few days?"

"These next few days?" Hearing this, Zhang Ye was immediately put on high alert and said: "I'm busy, really busy!"

Rao Aimin smirked: "What are you busy with? Aren't you mostly staying at home nowadays since you're without any work? From the B-list celebrities and upwards, there's no one who is as free as you are!"

Zhang Ye said: "...Then why do you ask when you already know it."

"That's why I'm entrusting you with something. I have to go on a long trip for some personal matters for a while and I must leave in a moment. But Chenchen definitely cannot be left at home by herself and I don't feel at ease letting other people watch over her. Anyway, since you're free at home, you will have to help me take care of her," Rao Aimin said.

"For how many days?" Zhang Ye asked.

She replied: "It depends. Maybe it will take a few days, maybe it'll be a month."

Zhang Ye exclaimed: "Even up to a month? Are you going up to the moon or what!?"

She said: "It'll be a month at most but I might come back after a few days. I'll not let you help for nothing. Since you haven't paid your rent for this month yet, I've decided that you do not need to pay the rent for this month."

Zhang Ye was not willing to do it and lamented: "How much would it cost to hire a nanny? Don't even think about it, absolutely not! I'm still looking for a job and I'll be busy if there is a new job offer. How can I find the time to take care of a child? That's that then. I'm going to eat now, so please ask someone else, Landlady Auntie!"

In the next second, Rao Aimin said: "You do not need to pay rent for the next three months!"

Without even thinking, Zhang Ye replied: "...Alright then, leave her to me!"

She acknowledged and said: "Be more meticulous and remember to fetch the child to and from school every day."

Zhang Ye said: "I know that, it's not like I've never taken care of her before."

Rao Aimin instructed him for a long time before hanging up. Although the landlady had a bad temper and a wicked mouth, she was still very meticulous when it came to Chenchen and took great care of her.

Hai, not only did he still not find any hosting jobs, he was now even tasked with a big errand.

After hanging up, Zhang Ye continued eating his meat stew, but just as he took a mouthful of the meat, another call came in. He did not recognize this number.

Zhang Ye picked it up and said: "Hello, who's this?"

It was a young woman's voice: "Teacher Zhang, I'm Zhao Mei, Rao Chenchen's form teacher from No. 2 Experimental Primary School. We met at last year's parents' public class, do you still remember me?"

Zhang Ye had an impression of her. It was during the time when he was not famous yet, and he had went in place of Rao Aimin to participate in Chenchen's lesson and even helped Chenchen to write "Tribute to the White Poplar" for her essay. He said, "Teacher Zhao, of course I remember you. What are you calling me for?"

Zhao Mei said: "Didn't you give me your contact number previously in case there was anything to inform you regarding Chenchen? I just tried giving her guardian, Miss Rao, a call, but couldn't get through, so I contacted you instead."

It was true that she couldn't get through to the Landlady Auntie earlier.

She had just called me a short while ago.

Zhang Ye asked immediately: "What's the matter? Please speak."

"Chenchen got into trouble again. Can you make a trip to the school?" Zhao Mei said helplessly.

Zhang Ye was a little stunned, so he asked: "Is it serious? Did Chenchen get bullied again?"

Zhao Mei laughed ironically and replied: "That's not the case. It would be fortunate if Chenchen did not bully others instead, so how would she be bullied? It's better for you to make a trip here as it's not convenient to talk over the phone."

That kid! Always getting into trouble!

"OK, OK, OK, I'll be there immediately." Zhang Ye tucked away his phone and hurriedly finished his food. After settling the bill, he returned to the district and drove directly to No. 2 Experimental Primary School. He did not contact Rao Aimin as she had other urgent matters to settle, so even if he told her, she couldn't go anyway. It was better that he just went by himself.

Zhang Ye was very concerned because it was about Chenchen, so he drove very fast.

......

In the afternoon.

A little past 1 PM.

Zhang Ye drove up to the school entrance. As the school was still having afternoon lessons, he informed the security guard in the guardroom, "I'm the guardian of a student here. Teacher Zhao Mei of the second grade asked me to come." Then he was let in and he went to park his car before proceeding upstairs to the teachers' office quickly.

At the teaching block.

In the experimental classroom of second grade, class one.

The mathematics teacher, Li Jiaxing, was a young teacher in his mid-twenties. He was standing at the rostrum, staring angrily at Chenchen who was standing at her desk. The surrounding students were all seated while only Chenchen was standing up. A lunch box given by the school was on her desk but it had already turned cold. The chopsticks were still wrapped in a plastic wrap and it was obvious that Chenchen had not eaten her meal yet. The atmosphere in the classroom was very tense as Zhao Mei and some of the other subjects' teachers stood at the side.

Zhao Mei persuaded, "Teacher Li, let's carry on with the lesson first."

The language teacher also said, "Yes, don't bear grudges on a child."

Li Jiaxing insisted firmly, "Teacher Zhao, it's not that I don't want to go on with the lesson, but this Rao Chenchen has really gone too far. She's not showing me any respect at all and this is not even the first time it has happened."

Zhao Mei said, "I've already informed Chenchen's guardian to come down to the school, we can discuss it later after the lesson if there's anything."

Li Jiaxing said angrily, "Then let's wait for her guardian to get here! We need to resolve this matter before anything else! Today, I have to demonstrate clearly. If Rao Chenchen does not apologize to me, I won't continue with this lesson!"

Zhao Mei said, "Then let the child eat her food first."

"I didn't say she couldn't eat her food, but she must be punished by standing in the class!" Li Jiaxing gritted his teeth.

The form teacher, Zhao Mei walked in front of Chenchen and said, "Eat your food first."

Chenchen said with a straight face, "I'm not eating. It has turned cold."

Zhao Mei said, "You should just apologize to Teacher Li. It was definitely wrong of you to rebuke Teacher Li earlier at lunchtime."

Chenchen stubbornly said, "I won't apologize!"

Li Jiaxing said angrily, "Look at her! Just look at her!"

The female fine arts teacher also tried to calm things down and said, "Teacher Li, calm down."

"I've always wondered!" Li Jiaxing flared up and then said, "How can a child with such low standards be in the experimental class! I suggest that you all transfer her out immediately! Otherwise, I won't ever be able to teach this subject anymore!"

Many of the other students were also persuading Chenchen in whispering voices.

"Chenchen."

"Why don't you apologize?"

"You should just say sorry to Teacher Li."

Chenchen looked at her classmates and then said, "I'm not in the wrong, why should I apologize? He doesn't know how to teach mathematics! I don't understand any of what he's teaching at all!"

Li Jiaxing furiously said, "It's a problem of your standard if you don't understand it. You are bad at learning, not serious, not hardworking, and have a lack of motivation! I don't know how to teach? I was an intern and taught in Heping High School before. Last year, I was transferred to No. 2 Experimental Primary School. If I can teach high school students, why couldn't I teach primary school students?"

Chenchen pouted, "—Hur hur!"

When he heard that, Li Jiaxing nearly died of anger. He said, "Laugh again if you dare!"

All of a sudden, a figure walked in through the door and shouted in the same tone, "Shout again if you dare!"

This loud voice made everyone in the classroom jump in fright!

The person who had entered the classroom was Zhang Ye of course. He was wearing sunglasses as he came into the classroom!

Chenchen immediately raised up her head.

Li Jiaxing was exasperated. He asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm Chenchen's guardian!" Zhang Ye looked unpleasantly at the math teacher. When he was walking to the classroom, in the corridor, he could roughly hear what was being said and knew about the situation. He said, "My child may have her own problems but there are many ways to solve a problem. There's no need for physical punishment and senseless yelling at her! Who are you trying to scare? What are you shouting for? If you want to shout, shout at me! Why are you yelling at a child!"

Li Jiaxing was wondering what kind of guardian he was and immediately said, "First, I did not punish her physically; second, I allowed her to eat her food. It's just that she does not want to eat. Finally, what is her purpose in coming to school? What's her role and responsibility? Not only did she disobey the teacher, she even openly insulted the teacher's teaching standard! However, I would like to ask you this. As Chenchen's guardian, do you know if your child is still motivated to learn?"

The commotion that occurred here had attracted many teachers who were having their free period. But the only person who knew him as Zhang Ye was the form teacher, Zhao Mei. Although Zhang Ye came last year, since he was still an unknown back then, not many people knew about him. Since the majority of second grade students did not chase after stars, why would the matter at that time be spread around? At most, some teaches would occasionally relate to the incident and bring it up in their conversations.

After listening to Li Jiaxing's words, Zhang Ye did not argue with him. With his eloquent mouth, even a hundred math teachers would not be able to out-argue him. But he knew that he had to first understand the situation before saying anything else.

Walking over, Zhang Ye asked with a deadpan expression, "What's going on?"

Chenchen said nothing.

Zhang Ye said, "Spit it out."

He knew Chenchen was not an ordinary child. She was extremely naughty and antisocial. Sometimes, even he would be vexed to death by her, let alone other people. However, Zhang Ye also knew that Chenchen was not an idiot. On the contrary, she was smarter than most of her peers, except that she was also lazy and did not like to learn. That was why when he heard the commotion from outside the classroom that Chenchen claimed that Li Jiaxing did not know how to teach and she could not understand his teaching, Zhang Ye felt puzzled. With Chenchen's intelligence, how could she not understand elementary math problems? So he wanted to understand the situation further, so as not to blindly side with the child.

Chenchen leered at him, looked down at her desk and picked up a textbook from the table and passed it to Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye took a look and saw what were obviously Li Jiaxing's class notes written during lunchtime. This math problem was rather simple for adults since they would not even need to calculate it to get the answer. But the steps to solving the problem and the train of thought....

Chenchen could not understand it?

Zhang Ye roughly understood what was going on.

Rate Translation QualityChapter 618: Wondrous math problem from the Previous World!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the classroom.

Zhang Ye put down Chenchen's workbook and patted on her shoulder before asking her, "How long have you been standing for? Sit down first, I know what is going on."

Chenchen nodded, then sat down and rubbed her legs vigorously.

Li Jiaxing who did not agree to this, said, "Sir, this is a school and I'm the teacher currently teaching this lesson. At school, students should listen to teachers, and since she did not apologize yet, I'm not going to let her to sit down!"

Zhang Ye retorted, "What if I feel that she does not need to apologize?"

Li Jiaxing stared at him and never thought that a student's guardian would speak to him in such a manner. This place was Beijing's No. 2 Experimental Primary School and one should know just what kind of a school it was to be named as such. It was one of the key focus primary schools in the city with lots of people and parents vying hard to send their children here. Which parent did not treat the teachers here with courtesy and politeness when they saw them? Even if it hadn't been a key focus primary school, in any normal school, the students' parents would never talk to a teacher in this way. Li Jiaxing shouted, "Then take your child back home! If you have the capability and ability, you can teach her yourself! There's no need for her to come to school!"

Chenchen unexpectedly replied, "My uncle can teach better than you."

"You!" Li Jiaxing was getting mad!

What a terrible child!

And what a terrible guardian!

This was exactly a case of what type of a general would lead what kind of a soldier! How the child turned out depended on what kind of a guardian you were! I was still wondering why this child was so unbearing! It's simply because the guardian was also the same!

The surrounding teachers were also speaking in whispers.

"What sort of a guardian is that?"

"He's too protective of the child."

"Right, this child has been spoiled by him."

"Why do I feel that Chenchen's guardian looks a little familiar to me?"

"I don't know, I don't recognize him at all. I've never seen him at the past parent-teacher meeting sessions either. I only remember a woman who goes by the surname, Rao, the one who is very pretty but spoke in an expressionless manner."

"Oh, I remember her."

"Ai, the parents these days really have a problem educating their children!"

"She even thinks that her uncle can teach better than Teacher Li? Hur hur, Teacher Li is our highest qualified mathematics teacher in No. 2 Experimental Primary School. If he hadn't offended someone at the high school he was teaching in, he would not have been dismissed and ended up teaching at a primary school."

Many of the teachers from the other grades also came to take a look at the commotion happening between guardian and teacher, pointing at them as they observed and talked.

It was probably only the form teacher, Zhao Mei, who knew the meaning of Chenchen's previous sentence. She has paid attention to the news of Zhang Ye before and knew about her uncle's background rather well. When Zhao Mei saw that the situation was getting a little out of control, and afraid that it would alarm the school leaders or media, leading to a bigger mess, she immediately tried to smooth over the situation by saying to Zhang Ye, "Teacher Zhang, this matter is actually..."

Li Jiaxing interrupted and asked, "Teacher Zhang? What a coincidence, you're also a teacher?"

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "You could say so."

Li Jiaxing stared at him and asked, "What subject do you teach?"

What subject did I teach? Zhang Ye replied, "In the past, I could be considered as having taught mathematics."

Once those words were said, a lot of the surrounding teachers of No. 2 Experimental Primary School were stunned. This was a conflict between people who were both on the same side? That's coincidental? You're also a math teacher? [1.]

Upon hearing that, Li Jiaxing got even angrier and said, "Since we are in the same field and teach mathematics, then as a teacher, you should understand better that a student should unconditionally listen and carry out a teacher's teachings. We won't harm the students since we are carrying out the work of teaching others. If you are also a teacher, you should be guiding the child on how to have the correct learning attitude and not spoiling the child like this!" He paused for a while and asked, "Which school do you teach at? What grade do you teach? Primary school? Junior high?"

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Let's not talk about which school I taught at first. Just now, I found what you said not to my liking, and it was the word 'unconditionally.' Perhaps we have a different understandings, but to me, other than family love, there is nothing in the world that is unconditional. If my child is in the wrong, I will criticize her. For example, like today, Chenchen's attitude towards her teacher is indeed problematic. I will go back and teach her about it. But at the same time, the reason I don't think that my child should apologize is because I feel that you have the same problem. If a teacher makes a mistake, should the students unconditionally follow and do what they're told? I don't think so, because not even a teacher has such privilege!"

Huh?

What did he say?

Li Jiaxing said, "I'm in the wrong? Where did I do wrong? During lunchtime, I was talking about yesterday's homework when I pointed to Chenchen to answer a question. After that, I explained about the question in detail, but I was wrong?"

The other teachers were all speechless looking at Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye pointed to Chenchen's textbook and said, "I've seen this math problem and its solving process. It's not wrong; the steps and the answers are correct too."

"Then you..." Before Li Jiaxing could finish, he was already rebuked by Zhang Ye's next words.

Zhang Ye said, "But when I meant that it was correct, that is in the case of the question being targeted at adults. Actually, I can ask all of the students right now." He turned around and faced the class. Waving the textbook in his hand, he asked, "Earlier during lunchtime, did you all really understand Teacher Li's calculation and the train of thought in solving this math problem?"

Actually, Li Jiaxing had also written the solution on the whiteboard.

Listening to Chenchen's guardian talking as though he knew what he was saying, all the teachers, including Zhao Mei, looked at the whiteboard, but were unable to see anything wrong with it.

"What's the problem?"

"Is there a problem in this question?"

"The final answer is nine, so it's correct."

"This problem does not even need to be calculated."

"Just separate them out, then the problem will be solved?"

All of the teachers were confused.

At this moment, a girl who was not on friendly terms with Chenchen raised her hand and said, "I understand it! Teacher Li explained it very well! I can understand all of it!"

Zhang Ye pointed to the whiteboard and asked, "Then can you explain how to do the separation for this step?"

The girl was a little stunned and blinked for a long time but did not say anything.

After that, a little boy said, "I...I also don't understand."

Then, more students gradually said the same.

"Me too."

"I don't understand it as well."

"I managed to get the final answer but I don't know why I must separate the numbers that way."

"Yes, me too."

Li Jiaxing was a little shocked by this. He said, "Didn't you all say that you understood when I finished explaining the question just now! Why is it now that all of you suddenly don't understand it? Yes, this question is quite difficult for a second grade student, but I've already explained the steps required to solve this and written out the solution very clearly, so what do you all not understand about it?"

A little boy lowered his head and explained his reason, "Earlier, when I saw all the other classmates saying they understood it, I also nodded along with them, but actually, I did not understand it."

Zhang Ye said, "See, the other children also did not understand, but only Chenchen spoke the truth."

Li Jiaxing helplessly said, "It's fine if you don't understand it, I can explain it again to everyone. This time, I hope everyone will be more serious and attentive!"

Zhang Ye interrupted, "But have you thought about it before, Teacher Li? It might not be that the children were not attentive, but that your solving process and train of thought to the question was problematic instead?"

Li Jiaxing laughed in extreme anger, "There's a problem with my explanation?"

Zhang Ye said, "Yes."

Li Jiaxing said, "Then why don't you tell me, where did I teach incorrectly?"

Suddenly, news of the commotion made its way to the school leaders and several leaders of the No. 2 Experimental Primary School had arrived at the classroom entrance, bringing two security guards along with them.

The vice-principal entered and asked, "What happened? Whose parent is causing trouble here?"

Zhao Mei hurriedly went up and explained, "It's just a misunderstanding, there's no trouble at all." Then, she explained about Zhang Ye and Li Jiaxing's reason for their disagreement.

The school leaders were left speechless for a while when they heard that. They were wondering from where in the countryside this guardian had came from. He tried to argue about a math problem with a mathematics teacher? They also saw the question on the whiteboard and wondered: what could be the problem with it since it was such a simple question? He was also a teacher? He's even a mathematics teacher? Then his standard must really be a joke. Even the two security guards, who did not seemed well-educated, after looking at the question, also looked at Chenchen's guardian despisingly.

And then Zhang Ye spoke in an indifferent tone, "Teacher Li, I don't doubt your mathematics standard, I only said that your train of thought in teaching might have some problems. You were a teacher at a high school previously?"

Li Jiaxing said, "Correct."

The vice-principal frowned and added, "Teacher Li also holds a master's and is a scholar from Tianjin Normal University, yet you are saying that Teacher Li's standard is not good enough?"

"A master's? Majored in higher mathematics? Indeed, he is very good." Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Let me put it this way, everyone might not understand if I just say it like this. Since I'm also a math teacher, then let me pose a problem now for everyone to try to solve, then there might be an answer to the problems I brought up, OK?"

Zhao Mei said, "This..."

One of the school leaders decided to speak up first, thinking that this student's guardian was trying to challenge the authority of their teachers and creating trouble. That wouldn't do, so this matter had to be solved today no matter what. He said, "Sure, since the subject for this class now is still math anyway."

Li Jiaxing could only think, You still want to set a question for me, even though I have a master's? He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Then, he said, "Fine, pose the problem. Is it calculus? Functions? Or equations?"

Zhang Ye waved his hand with a smile and said, "No, it's just a simple elementary math question."

When they heard this, the teachers went into an uproar.

"What?"

"Elementary math question?"

"Are you teasing Teacher Li?"

"Why do you even need to give an elementary math question? Even a fool could do it!"

"Teacher Li has a master's from a well-known school!"

Zhang Ye walked towards the whiteboard and said, "I heard the teachers' saying that even a fool could do it? Hur hur, that might not be so. Anyway, I'm going to pose the problem now."

Zhang Ye found a black marker and began to write out the problem on the whiteboard.

This problem of course did not exist in this world, because this world's current education and syllabus had differed slightly with Zhang Ye's previous world. In Zhang Ye's previous world, this set of problems was very famous, and had for a time, caused a commotion and heated discussions all over the internet. Essentially, this was really an elementary math question and had appeared in a elementary math topic before. But any adults who had seen it before would give it the nickname:

—The wondrous math problem!

Today, Zhang Ye would display it here as he wanted to make the people from this world widen their horizons!

[1. 大水冲了龙王庙 - The flood dashes against the Temple of the Dragon King; a two-part allegorical saying, of which the first part, always stated, is descriptive, while the second part, sometimes unstated, carries the message.]

Rate Translation QualityChapter 619: Philosophy behind the math problem!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

On the whiteboard.

Zhang Ye's wondrous math problem from his previous world had surfaced in this world!!

The problems were: Follow the rhythm and write out the multiplication formula (a set of onomatopoeic words):

1: Ding Ding Ding, Ding Ding Ding;

2: Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah;

3: Wu Wu Wu, Wu Wu Wu;

4: Miao Miao, Miao Miao, Miao Miao.

There were a total of four questions with few words. Zhang Ye finished writing them with just a few strokes before putting down the marker. He turned around and said, "I have finished setting the questions, everyone can give them a try. The students may try it as well, so just find a blank piece paper to write down your answers. Yes, let me emphasize it once more, this is a set of elementary math questions meant for primary school students. OK, you may begin now."

If the people from Zhang Ye's previous world saw these math problems, they would not be unfamiliar with them or too surprised. However, in this world, these teachers had never seen such kind of questions before, so they were all f**king stunned by it!!

Pfft!

F**k!

What kind of math questions were these!

Li Jiaxing had already intended to pick up a marker to start writing. If he could even handle university-level higher math questions, what would be so difficult about these elementary math questions. After all, he held a master's degree! But within a second of seeing the questions, Li Jiaxing felt like he was suddenly overwhelmed by a hundred thousand lines of 'f**k you'!

This...

What the f**k was this!

A second grade fine arts teacher asked in confusion, "Are these really elementary math questions? That's impossible! They are such difficult questions that I don't even understand them!"

A third grade music teacher said, "Yes, I don't even know what the meaning of these questions are."

Zhao Mei was also trying to solve the questions but was left very confused, "Onomatopoeic words? What do you mean by onomatopoeic words?"

The vice-principal also muttered softly to himself, "Follow the rhythm to write out the multiplication formula? Rhythm? What kind of rhythm? Why are the questions even related to music now? Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do? How would the children even understand it!"

One of the language teachers mumbled to himself, "Ding Ding Ding? Is this a multiplication formula?"

An English teacher who had already given up said, "It's impossible to solve this! What and what?!"

Li Jiaxing was also experiencing a headache that was hurting his brain at this moment. What did these sounds have anything to do with multiplication formulas? And also, how would these multiplication formulas be written?

However, Chenchen had already lowered her head and started to write.

Her other classmates were also writing down their own answers.

One minute passed.

Three minutes passed.

Five minutes passed.

Suddenly, Zhang Ye told everyone to stop. "OK, that's enough. The time given is already too long. Those who know the answers would have already written them. Teacher Li?"

Li Jiaxing handed over his answers with a dark expression. He had written down the answers on the blank area on the back side of his teaching materials. The answers were written as—Question one: "1×3, 1×3."; Question two: Empty, he did not write any answer for it; Question three: "1×3, 1×3."; Question four: "1×2, 1×2, 1×2."

Zhao Mei also wrote: Ding ×3, Ding ×3; Ah ×1, Ah ×1; and so on for the other questions.

The other teachers' answers were also all sorts of strange. Compared to Zhao Mei's multiplication formula which even contained the Chinese characters, the answers given by the others were much odder and weirder.

Most of the teachers did not answer at all because they could not even understand the questions.

Zhao Mei asked curiously, "What are the correct answers?"

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Teacher Zhao, can you help me collect the answers from the students?"

"Sure." Zhao Mei went to collect the answers from all of them.

After they were fully collected, Zhang Ye wrote down the right answers on the whiteboard.

The answer to the first question: 3×2

The answer to the second question: 1×4

The answer to the third question: 3×2

The answer to the fourth question: 2×3

Every teacher had answered them wrong!

When Li Jiaxing saw the answers, he was suddenly enlightened!

He finally understood what was going on once the answers were given!

"So that's how it is!" A fine arts teacher said in a speechless manner, "This was really too difficult to guess, just reading and understanding it was already too difficult!"

One of the teachers couldn't resist and said, "These are elementary math questions? Which primary student can solve these kind of questions? If they can do it, I'll eat all the answer sheets!"

Li Jiaxing nodded and said, "Even if they can get it right, it's probably only by chance."

Zhang Ye asked with great interest, "Oh, is that so?"

"How is it not so?" Li Jiaxing pointed to the whiteboard and said, "Even the adults had trouble understanding those questions, so don't even mention the children!"

Zhao Mei also nodded.

"That's right," all the teachers said.

Zhang Ye happily said, "Alright, since everyone says that, let's check the answers by the children. Teacher Zhao, could I trouble you to read out their answers?"

Zhao Mei had not looked at their answers yet, so she said, "Alright, but there are no names on the answer sheets."

"It's alright, no need for any names," Zhang Ye said.

Zhao Mei acknowledged and took the stack of answer sheets. From the first one, she read out, "3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3...." Reading up till here, Zhao Mei and the rest of the teachers were all stunned. Zhao Mei's hands shivered, she seemed to have witnessed something miraculous. She stared with her eyes wide open and continued reading, reading faster as she went on, "—3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3...empty, a student did not answer....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3....3×2; 1×4; 3×2; 2×3!"

She finished reading out all of the students' answers!

Only one student handed in an unanswered sheet and another one got it wrong but everyone else was correct. In the entire class one of the second grade, more than 90% of them had correctly answered those questions!

Zhao Mei raised her head up and asked blankly, "How could this happen?"

The vice-principal was shocked and said, "This...this is not possible!"

The fine arts teacher was stunned and asked, "Almost all of them got it right?"

Zhang Ye shrugged, then pointed at the children and said, "Everyone here saw them just now, the children did not engage in any cheating. I believe everyone saw it more clearly than me, is that right? After these questions were given, they did not copy from each other and I also gave the answers only after their answer sheets had been collected. That would have eliminated all possibility of them cheating, and so the results are for all here to judge. Teacher Li, is this what you call a lucky shot even if almost all of them had answered correctly? If one or few of them got the questions correct by chance, then how would you explain almost all of them getting it correct together at the same time?"

Li Jiaxing was at a loss for an explanation. He asked, "How—how did you do that?"

Zhang Ye waved it off and said, "It's not how I did it. You should be asking the children how they did it instead. I have mentioned and confirmed that these are only primary school elementary math questions, so perhaps the children might have a different thinking from you all. Children, do you think these questions are difficult?" He looked at them and asked.

A girl said, "It's not difficult!"

A little boy smiled and said, "It's very simple."

Another boy also smiled and said, "It's too simple."

This was probably the first time they felt they were actually smarter than the school's teachers. They had gotten the math questions correct when even the teachers could not answer them. Everyone was feeling very proud and excited, scrambling to speak up and express their thoughts about how this problem was really simple for them.

Chenchen's answer was even more exasperating.

She smirked and said, "Such childish questions."

Childish...

The elementary math questions that were labeled as childish by a child was too difficult for a group of teachers and school leaders to handle, even baffling the teacher with a master's degree, Li Jiaxing!

This was a scolding!

This was outright scolding!

Many of the teachers did not look too good anymore.

Li Jiaxing hurriedly asked, "Just what is going on here?"

Everyone did not know or understand why either!

Zhang Ye explained, "You might think that this is magic. Why did the adults find the questions to be so difficult while the children solved it without any pressure at all? Obviously this was not magic. It's just the difference of the train of thought in approaching the solving of the questions. Teacher Li, you have a master's and have taught in a high school previously, but also precisely because of that, it ended up becoming a problem when you are teaching the primary school students. They are not adults and are even the youngest among the pre-teens, so the way they view the world is also different from what adults see. Naturally, you shouldn't use an adult's train of thought to measure them by either."

After letting Zhang Ye show off a little of his skills, the teachers were silent and only waited for him to continue explaining.

Zhang Ye walked to the whiteboard and asked, "Is this question difficult? It is not difficult at all. If I change the way the question is expressed in, maybe all of you will be enlightened." Then, he wrote and drew something at the side of the 'Ding Ding Ding, Ding Ding Ding' question. Zhang Ye changed it into a set of three watermelons on one side, and another set of three watermelons on the other side, but kept the requirement of expressing the question in a multiplication formula.

When everyone saw it, they were jolted awake!

"Aiyah!

"If it was written earlier in that way, I'd have understood it!"

"Such questions already exist in the elementary math workbooks!"

"Right, it's exactly the same too!"

"Isn't it just simply a 3×2 multiplication formula!"

Li Jiaxing was left speechless as he looked at Zhang Ye with a complex expression.

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "It looks really clear now, right? This was actually the same question, but was only changed from a pictorial representation into words. Since it was only like that, then why did everyone not understand it? Why? Let me tell all of you why. This is because the thought process of an adult is too complicated. They always overthink things, such as the meaning of the words, onomatopoeic words, or the permutation and combination of words. Thus, even when the questions were essentially the same, what was affected was actually your own judgments. However, it is different for children, as in their eyes, the world is really not that complicated at all. Together with the way we have been learning and our mindsets of how questions should be, this has led to such an outcome that seemingly feels like magic here."

The form teacher, Zhao Mei, looked at Zhang Ye in admiration. Unexpectedly, just some simple elementary math questions were conveniently modified by Zhang Ye to such a level that it not only shocked the teachers, but also gave them a lively lesson to learn from!

The math problems even had a hidden philosophy behind them!

What a legendary person of the entertainment circle! He thoroughly deserved his reputation!!

Rate Translation QualityChapter 620: Genuflecting!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

Those teachers who were present stared doubtfully and anxiously at Zhang Ye who was speaking with fervor and assurance. This was no longer just a simple lesson on elementary math problems anymore.

"Who is this person?"

"What's his background?"

"Is he really a math teacher?"

"I've never before come across these types of questions that Chenchen's guardian set, nor even heard of such questions coming from other schools or appearing in any textbooks, so could he have come up with them spontaneously?"

"This problem is really quite wonderful!"

"That's right, there's a hidden catch!"

"It looks difficult, but is in fact really simple."

"Yes, it looks easy, but is in fact difficult too."

"Why do I feel that he looks really familiar the more I look at him? I can't see his face clearly when he's wearing those sunglasses!"

The teachers were discussing the experience Zhang Ye had led them through just now, leaving them with mixed feelings and a sense of reflection.

Li Jiaxing was feeling the most tangled right now as he was not only a mathematics teacher, but also the most qualified teacher among the teachers present. It was still within reason that the others, the fine arts teacher, language teacher or music teacher were not able to answer the questions, but for Li Jiaxing to be unable to answer them, he was even worse than the students he called out and criticized earlier. This made him feel very embarrassed. He would like nothing more than to run away or find a hole to hide. But he knew he could not run away; it was impossible for him to go anywhere!

After Zhang Ye had taught them a lesson, his anger also subsided. He said to Li Jiaxing, "Teacher Li, the meaning behind those questions can be applied to the problem you gave to the children as well. I have seen the steps in solving the question on the whiteboard, and the separation solution you used was in line with an adults' thoughts and problem solving pattern, but very different from what a child has learned from kindergarten and onwards. That is why the children could not understand what you were teaching." He picked up the marker, raised his hand, and wrote something onto the whiteboard. "What if I explained it this way? Chenchen, do you understand it now?"

Chenchen took a look and said, "I understand."

"Ah, I understand!"

"I know how it is calculated now!"

"So that was how it was calculated!"

The other children also chimed in, expressing that it was now clear to them.

Zhang Ye revealed his own opinions and said, "And that is the reason why all of you think that the questions I posed just now were some sort of wondrous questions. That was what I meant. It's only good for the students if the teaching style is suited to them. At least, I feel that we shouldn't enforce the mindset of an adult onto the children. Each certain age group has its own thought process, be it primary school students, secondary school students, high school students or university students. Each of them should have a different education plan based on their thought processes. We have to move along with the times and ages of our beneficiaries."

Everyone became speechless at this.

Philosophy was even taught through these elementary math questions?

Hidden reflections about society and education were contained in these elementary math questions?

These types of math questions were literally unheard of before by Li Jiaxing, the teachers, and school leaders, but today they were truly enlightened. At this moment, even if they were fools, they already knew that they had met an expert!

Li Jiaxing breathed in deeply and asked curiously, "Which...age group of students are you teaching? Are you also a teacher teaching primary school students?" In his opinion, if someone could set these questions based on the thought process of primary school students, then it was very likely that he was also a primary school teacher by profession. That must be the reason he could understand the children so well. As for Li Jiaxing, he had only been transferred to teach at a primary school in the last year, which was why he had a different line of thinking when teaching them as he was still more familiar with teaching high school students, thus making Zhang Ye look a little better than him.

The other teachers also thought the same.

However, Chenchen's guardian gave an unexpected answer. Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Me? I used to teach university students."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"University students?"

"You are a university teacher?"

"Surely not?"

"But you're so young? How could you be a university teacher!"

"That's right, how can there be such a young university math teacher?"

The teachers of No. 2 Experimental Primary School were expressing voices of doubt.

Li Jiaxing as a master's degree holder was also stunned, because he knew what it meant if one could be a math teacher at the university level. Mathematics as a subject was quite different from other subjects, as qualifications were not the only thing needed. Even though he already had master's degree, if he wanted to teach at a university, he had to first go through an internship and have worked for some years to gain the necessary experience. Even so, he might not end up being able to teach because the requirements of a university teacher were much higher than high school or junior high!

"Which university did you teach at?" Li Jiaxing knew some people in this field and was unsure whether Chenchen's guardian was telling the truth, so he wanted to get to the bottom of things.

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "I taught at Peking University previously."

Li Jiaxing was shocked, "Peking University? Which Peking University?"

Zhang Ye said, "How many Peking Universities does China have?"

When everyone heard that, they were left with their eyes wide and mouths agape. What the f**k! Peking University? The top ranked higher educational institute in the country? A globally renowned university's math teacher?

F**k!

Could he not say something that was so ridiculous!?

How could he be a teacher at Peking University!?

A female music teacher laughed and said, "Chenchen's guardian is really humorous, hee hee hee."

Li Jiaxing asked again, "Which school do you really teach at?"

Zhang Ye became speechless at this.

The form teacher, Zhao Mei, finally spoke up and said, "Teacher Zhang really is a teacher at Peking University. Not only is he a teacher, he's even an associate professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences at Peking University."

A Peking University teacher?

And even an associate professor??

The school leaders and teachers nearly fainted from shock! Could it get any more exaggerated than that? To be a teacher at Peking University in his twenties was already shocking, he's even an associate professor? How could that be possible!? The number of teachers at a university in China were just a handful, since when was there such a young associate professor??

Eh?

That's not it!

Wait a moment!

Li Jiaxing suddenly remembered something, as his expression suddenly changed into one of fright. It was as though he had been greatly shocked by something. Then he said with a slight loss of his voice, "You! You are Zhang Ye!"

Those words were like a bomb that had exploded in the classroom!

The vice-principal of No. 2 Experimental Primary School stared at Chenchen's guardian and said, "You're really Zhang Ye!"

The fine arts teacher slapped her thigh and said, "Hai! No wonder I was thinking about why he looked so familiar! So it's because he is Teacher Zhang Ye! I should have guessed it!"

"What the f**k!"

"..."

"That's what I thought!"

One by one, the teachers started to recognize Zhang Ye!

They felt that they had really been stupid at this point of time. A guy in his twenties, wearing sunglasses in a classroom, with solid foundations in mathematics, and also an associate professor at Peking University—other than Zhang Ye, who else could it be! Right, some time ago, there were rumors going around in school that a second grade student's guardian was a celebrity. At that time, several of the teachers had seen Zhang Ye during the public class. It was in this second grade class that the famous "Tribute to the White Poplar" originated from. But as some time had passed, people had already started to forget about this matter!

But today, Zhang Ye has appeared again!

The person most affected was of course Li Jiaxing. He certainly knew who Zhang Ye was. Not only did he know him, he was also a hardcore fan of Zhang Ye. What Li Jiaxing admired about Zhang Ye was not his programs nor his poetry, but his unfathomable standard of mathematics!

Thinking back, when he found out that the long unsolvable Dale's conjecture was solved by a Chinese mathematician, Li Jiaxing's excitement was indescribable and lasted for a long time too. On that day itself, he had posted many messages onto Weibo, highlighting his pride as a fellow Chinese mathematician. At that time, it was the first time he had come to know of Zhang Ye's legendary name. From then on, he had regarded Zhang Ye as his idol. In Li Jiaxing's view, Zhang Ye was a new wave of leaders, and also an important pillar in the Chinese mathematics world. Just he alone could hold up and support the entire Chinese mathematics world, allowing it to stand up with its chest out in the global field of mathematics. The scene and excitement at the time when the conjecture was solved, was perhaps only something that a true math practitioner would be able to understand. It was a feeling of having his heart pumping hard, the hot-blooded passion and excitement of a mathematician!

That was why, at this moment, Li Jiaxing felt like he wanted to vomit blood for three straight days and nights!

What was I doing just now? I was arguing over some math questions with Professor Zhang? I was arguing about how math education should be conducted with a world class mathematics master?

Your sister!

Argue my ass!

This was something on a whole other level!!

Faced with a living god of the mathematics world, Li Jiaxing could only stand there in a trance. If he knew earlier that this was the illustrious Zhang Ye, he would not have dared to argue over the math question with him, even if it killed him. Not only him, even his mentor in mathematics would not have the right to hold an exchange about math or science with a great mathematician like Zhang Ye. Their level of difference was too great, so there was really nothing they could exchange. At the most, his mentor would be there to "listen"!

This was really Zhang Ye!

This was really the legendary Zhang Ye!

Li Jiaxing was genuflecting, he was thoroughly and sincerely genuflecting!!

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