Chapter 166: Making Chen Dao Look Bad

This Da Yi Ge is quite articulate.

But Chen Dao said then, 'Da Yi Ge, real singers don't farm; anyone who farms is a fake singer.'

That comment made me very unhappy.

Da Yi Ge said he himself is just a farmer and does not consider himself a singer.

What does Chen Dao mean by saying that?

I deliberately laughed and said, 'Whether you farm or not doesn't matter; as long as people like to hear your singing, that's enough. Come, let's drink.'

After Chen Dao drank a cup of wine,

He again asked Da Yi Ge, 'Da Yi Ge, I ask you, what's the difference between bel canto and pop music? Who are the world's three great tenors? Who is Mendelssohn…?'

Chen Dao deliberately showed off his knowledge while questioning Da Yi Ge.

Da Yi Ge blushed and didn't know how to answer.

After a moment he said, 'Chen Dao, I don't know any of what you said; I'm just a farmer. I only like singing, I don't understand anything else.'

But Chen Dao wouldn't let Da Yi Ge go, continuing to show off his learning.

As if he himself were some lofty, awesome figure.

I got a bit angry: 'What the hell, I invited you here to work, to direct the evening performance, not to show off your learning here.'

Da Yi Ge is the guest I invited.

He's sitting at the head seat—can't you see that?

Shi Yong had already noticed my expression.

Then he said to Chen Dao, 'Chen Dao, I also like singing,'

Since you know so much, I'll sing a line,

Can you tell what key I'm singing in?

Shi Yong said that and then let out a vocal, starting to sing.

"Tall and straight white birch, leisurely blue sky, gentle southern breeze, magnolia blooming on the hilltop, spring of the north…"

Shi Yong's vocal startled Chen Dao.

After Shi Yong finished singing, he looked at Chen Dao.

Chen Dao was embarrassed and didn't speak, because Shi Yong's singing was completely off-key.

Chen Dao truly didn't know how to evaluate it.

I looked at Chen Dao and said, 'Chen Dao, you ought to evaluate him properly; Shi Yong is our company's Vice President, my good brother. He's always wanted to be a star,'

Please give your critique.

I thought to myself, 'You little turtle, critiquing—if it's bad I don't want it, if it's good I also don't want it.'

After a while, Chen Dao had to say: 'Shi Zong sang very well; if Shi Zong has any plans in that regard, I can recommend a professional team and have songs tailor-made for him.'

Shi Yong said: 'I just want to ask, what key was my song in? What was good, what was bad. Chen Dao, you know a lot, so I'd like to ask you for advice.'

Chen Dao's eyes were rolling.

'The pitch started too high. It should be lower. There's nothing else.'

But Shi Yong wouldn't let Chen Dao off.

'Chen Dao, you said my pitch was high; then give us a low one to listen to.'

Chen Dao stopped speaking.

Xiao Fang said from the side: 'Shi Zong, Chen Dao isn't good at singing; let's change the topic.'

'Oh, not good at it. Da Yi Ge, you're good at it; tell us, how should the pitch of this song start?' Shi Yong deliberately asked Da Yi Ge.

Da Yi Ge smiled.

Then he said: 'Teacher Shi, this song should be sung like this: Tall and straight white birch, leisurely blue sky, gentle southern breeze, magnolia blooming on the hilltop, spring of the north…'

Da Yi Ge just opened his mouth and sang, and it was very pleasant to hear.

After Da Yi Ge finished singing,

I and Shi Yong led the applause.

Even Chen Dao could only join in the applause.

The banquet ended quickly.

Chen Dao and Da Yi Ge both stayed at the Zaocheng Grand Hotel.

I, Xiao Fang, and Shi Yong went back.

On the way,

Xiao Fang said to me: 'Chairman Zhao, do you have any objections to Chen Dao?'

I said: 'I have no objections to him.'

I just can't stand his behavior, looking down on people,

what I mean is, people shouldn't get arrogant, shouldn't be self-important.

Everyone has their own area of expertise.

In filming movies or directing evening shows, he might have some talent.

But a person can't be a jack-of-all-trades.

Da Yi Ge, his voice is naturally good, and he knows many songs.

I deliberately let Shi Yong sing,

so he wouldn't keep belittling Da Yi Ge,

as if his background were nobler than Da Yi Ge's,

Actually, what's the difference between him and Da Yi Ge? Both just serve money.

"If there's no profit, nobody would specially come to Zaocheng."

"This Director Chen is very famous in the directing circle; I also found many acquaintances to invite him. I never expected that after contacting him, I discovered that people are just names. They all like to borrow prestige and make a big show,"

"Forget it, let's not mention these people anymore, Chairman Zhao, I'm also doing this kind of event for the first time,"

"I also lack experience, so some things are still not done well."

"Xiao Fang said humbly."

"After hearing Xiao Fang's humble words,"

"I said: \"Xiao Fang, you've actually been doing a great job with livelihood programs; you really shouldn't have come to Zaocheng. Opportunities should be greater in the Provincial Capital. \""

"Xiao Fang shook her head helplessly,"

"\"Chairman Zhao, in this society, everything is about connections. Without connections, nobody can do anything well. For example, my livelihood program, \""

"\"If there's no connection, it can be aired; if there is a connection, it can be not aired. \""

"\"Our painstakingly produced program could be suspended at any time. \""

"\"Even if it airs, what can we do? I realize I can't do anything. \""

"\"Many people call me, asking me to solve the problems that arise from the reports. \""

"\"I simply don't have that ability. \""

"\"Ordinary people say I'm a fraud, unable to settle anything. \""

"\"The higher-ups also dislike me, saying I broadcast everything outward. \""

"\"Because of this, I'm almost depressed. \""

"\"Among all the programs I've aired, only your Da Heng Group has treated our broadcast content positively and resolved it quickly. \""

"\"Chairman Zhao, I really admire you, truly, from the heart. \""

"\"Daring to face problems, properly solving them. \""

"\"So I wanted to come back from the Provincial Capital, \""

"\"to work at Zaocheng TV station, so I could be closer to the person I admire. \""

"\"After hearing Xiao Fang's words, \""

"\"I could only laugh and say: \"Miss Xiao Fang, you don't need to admire me; there are many people more capable than us. \"\""

"\"I just made a bit of wealth by chance. \""

"\"That's what you call a nouveau riche. \""

"\"What's there to admire about a nouveau riche? \""

"\"No, you have an uncommon story. Chairman Zhao, I've learned part of your past from others, which makes me curious. \""

"\"I want to find time to fully understand your past. \""

"\"I think your story is worth recording; I want to write a biography for you. \""

"\"I laughed: \"Miss Xiao Fang, don't, I've heard that only the dead have biographies. I have nothing to write about except that I've built a few buildings. \"\""

"\"By the way, it's still not as good as that Director Chen having something to write about; his love life is surely rich and colorful. \"\""

"\"Xiao Fang shook her head and said: \"Chairman Zhao, what can be written about people like them? They have good family backgrounds, grow up without worries about food and clothing, live without pressure, then go abroad to study, return to make films, make entertainment, have dedicated people giving them investment, and live easy and happy lives. Such a life is as pitiful as a lab mouse. \"\""

"\"I hope to see a life that faces difficulties without yielding, which moves people. \""

"\"For the first time hearing this, a happy life is like a lab mouse. \""

"\"However, what Xiao Fang said is true; that Director Chen really looks as cute as a lab mouse. \""