Chapter 10: Olympics

"What job is he introducing me to?"

Chen Ci nearly laughed out loud; it was simply ridiculous.

But at the same time, he really was a bit curious about what medicine his good Gu Fu was selling in his gourd.

Gu Ma seemed completely unaware of Chen Ci's attitude, and went on: "In just a few months, it will be the one-year countdown to the Olympic opening ceremony..."

Olympics?

Chen Ci grew even happier upon hearing this—what does it have to do with his good Gu Fu?

Well, actually there is a connection—his title "Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren" comes from exactly this.

"At that time, a grand countdown celebration will be held at the Chaoyang Gymnasium; the ceremony's director was originally slated to be your Gu Fu according to the Olympic Organizing Committee, but he's been too busy lately to free himself..."

"Gu Ma, what's he been busy with lately? Is he shooting a new movie? Is this another fantasy epic?"

Chen Ci suddenly cut off Gu Ma's words; outsiders might not understand, but he knows perfectly well.

Since the unprecedented epic masterpiece "Limitless" two years ago, Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren has withdrawn into a tranquil, aloof state, untouched by worldly affairs.

He didn't even show up at his own parents' memorial service.

Upon hearing Chen Ci's words, Gu Ma's expression stiffened slightly and turned awkward.

Chen Ci indicated he understood; it was merely an excuse to shirk responsibility.

Given Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren's proud spirit, how could he possibly "lower himself" to cooperate again after being rejected once by the Olympic Organizing Committee?

Moreover, this is merely a one‑year countdown event—its prestige is god knows how many levels below that of the widely watched Olympic opening ceremony.

Chen Ci twisted open the orange juice in his hand: "Please go on."

Gu Ma's complexion quickly returned to normal: "Your Gu Fu can't make it, so he recommended you to the Organizing Committee…"

"Cough!"

Chen Ci had just taken a sip when he nearly spat it all out.

His nose felt irritated, and he coughed a few times in a row.

Seeing this, Gu Ma didn't say anything more, waiting for his coughing to subside.

It's no wonder Chen Ci found it hard to believe—he knows better than anyone what image he holds in Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren's eyes.

"A good‑for‑nothing who can't even support a wall—recommending him? Surely this isn't Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren taking revenge on the Organizing Committee?"

"Hmm?" Chen Ci frowned inwardly; given his understanding of Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren, such a possibility wasn't entirely out of the question…

After Chen Ci gradually calmed down, Gu Ma continued: "It's not a recommendation for you to be director—they already have someone else. Your Gu Fu recommended you to handle the evening event's planning; you have stage experience with a band and understand music…"

"Ah, that makes sense," Chen Ci said. "Even if Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren has a big temper, he's unlikely to joke about something as serious as the Olympics."

He also roughly guessed that perhaps his good Gu Fu, after refusing the Organizing Committee's invitation, felt embarrassed and just found someone to take the blame.

Nominally it's planning, but really it's just having him put on a few numbers—if the Organizing Committee isn't satisfied, they can drop him without loss.

Put that way, this job actually suits Chen Ci quite well.

It looks like he doesn't have to do anything—just hanging his name on it is fine.

If his ideas are adopted by the Organizing Committee, that also counts as contributing to the grand Olympic affair for all the people.

As the opening day draws nearer, the Olympic atmosphere in Jingcheng is even thicker than the New Year's festive feeling before Eve.

Since everyone's involved, Chen Ci can't stay aloof.

Moreover, he happens to have a few decent Olympics‑related ideas…

"All right, Gu Ma, I'll take on this job."

"Huh?"

Gu Ma blinked at his words; just moments ago Chen Ci's attitude had still been clearly resistant.

But she also knew that Chen Ci's resistance was aimed at Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren, not the Olympics.

"Well then, A Ci, I'll leave you a number—when the time comes…"

About two hours later, Chen Ci sat before his desktop computer screen, holding a bowl of steaming hot instant noodles.

Not because he was short on cash and could only afford this, but because he had no time.

After Chen Ci dialed the number Gu Ma had left, the person on the other end didn't treat him any differently just because of his identity.

Instead, they asked for his email address and soon sent over a large bundle of files and materials, all related to this celebration.

Around the one‑year countdown, various Olympic‑welcoming events held in the capital sprang up one after another, in all sorts of varieties.

In terms of scale and standard, the event Chen Ci is involved in is quite high‑end; otherwise he wouldn't have the face to invite Yin Shi Xiao Da Ren.

Chen Ci hastily skimmed through it and indeed found it very grand.

The event runs continuously for six days, day and night. Daytime features photography, calligraphy and other exhibitions; nighttime holds evening galas.

Moreover, each day's activities have a different theme.

Chen Ci saw that the evening galas of the last five days were all themed around ethnic and operatic traditional culture—better for him to stay out of it.

What Chen Ci can do is the song‑and‑dance performance on the opening day of the celebration.

Once the goal was clear, he realized his task was much simpler.

After thinking, he picked up his phone and dialed a number: "Yingjun, assemble…"

In the afternoon, Lao Zhao drove his large‑displacement, six‑cylinder naturally aspirated off‑roader straight toward the suburbs.

The back seat also held two people—Pang Zi and Shi San.

All the windows were wide open; cool wind rushed in from both sides, making everyone's hair flutter in the breeze.

"Lao Zhao, Master Ci issued a mobilization order—what's the situation?"

Pang Zi pulled out a can of cola from the car, popped the tab with a bang, and took a sip—delicious.

Lao Zhao drove on without looking back: "Whatever it is, it's definitely a big deal."

"Just because they dragged me out of school in this frantic rush, I still have class this afternoon."

I'm telling you, Master Ci definitely ran into something big this time—he even called me handsome and handed over his big vajra.

If there really is something big, why didn't Master Ci say anything yesterday? Could it be related to the movie? No, that doesn't make sense either—what could you accomplish in just one night?

Pang Zi looked at Shi San—he's the big shot in the movie, that's nine million bucks; in cash it'd be heavier than him.

Shi San didn't have any special reaction: "We'll see Brother Ci shortly and then it'll be clear."

Pang Zi nodded: "Yeah......"

Not long after, they arrived at the destination and pressed the doorbell.

As soon as they entered the gate, they heard Chen Ci's question: "Did you all bring the gear?"

Lao Zhao immediately replied: "Yes, they're all in the car."

"Good."

Chen Ci said, taking out several A4 pages and distributing them to the three.

"This is......"

Lao Zhao and Pang Zi looked puzzled, while Shi San was the first to react: "Brother Ci, you wrote a new song."

Chen Ci nodded: "Yeah, I called you over to help me arrange and record the song as soon as possible—I have a use for it."

Lao Zhao and Pang Zi quickly caught on, scanning the simple score.

"Welcome, welcome another... Master Ci, is this a song you wrote for the Olympics?"

"Can't you see? The title is written so clearly."

"Nonsense, I obviously understood it..."

Seeing Lao Zhao and Pang Zi even argue about this, Chen Ci waved his hand: "Alright, quit the nitpicking, let's get to work."

"Pang Zi, look at Master Ci's awareness, the Olympics..."