Chapter 98

After New Year's Day, the festive atmosphere in Jingcheng grew even stronger.

Cheng Chen went to the set of "The Great Dye House" once more, and after filming his final scene, he wrapped up.

On January 25, the Year of the Goat Spring Festival Gala held its third full-dress rehearsal.

News about the Spring Festival Gala flooded the media, with rumors emerging nonstop.

In fact, after the first rehearsal on the 20th, the overall program had already been finalized—most acts were already locked in.

The full-dress rehearsal was merely to ensure no mistakes occurred during the live broadcast on New Year's Eve.

Among the many rumors, news about the Spring Festival Gala ticket prices kept going viral.

As everyone knows, describing the Spring Festival Gala as "a ticket is impossible to get" is no exaggeration.

Generally, the Spring Festival Gala does not sell tickets publicly; all tickets are distributed.

Those seated below the stage to watch the performance are mostly outstanding labor role models and the like.

Spring Festival Gala performers can also sit below and watch, and so can staff members and their family members, all of whom have a chance to attend live.

Thus, even though the Spring Festival Gala does not sell tickets publicly, every year the seats are completely filled.

Ordinary people who want to attend live don't even have a way to get in.

Of course, there is one exception…

Every year, round tables are placed in front of the audience seats—these are called VIP Seats.

Those who sit at the VIP Seats are mostly major advertising clients of CCTV.

For the 2002 Gala, companies that had spent over 1.5 million yuan on advertising the previous year received one admission ticket.

This year, the price has risen to 2 million yuan.

Two million yuan in 2003? Hmm, very Spring Festival Gala!

…

Cheng Chen's "Wanjiang" was selected without any suspense.

As the most popular and influential representative of the Mandarin music scene in the Mainland this year,

the main-theme song "Wanjiang" struck straight at the heart of the Spring Festival Gala director team.

But during rehearsal, there was a small issue: on the day of the official performance, he must lip-sync.

As an annual gala, the Spring Festival Gala leaves no room for even the slightest mistake.

Previously, Director Kang Honglei had worried Cheng Chen might refuse to lip-sync and had even done some ideological work on him.

After all, this had happened before—in 2002, Pu Shu happily came to the CCTV Building for rehearsal.

But when told he had to lip-sync, he immediately wanted to withdraw, though he couldn't resist his company's demands.

He ended up taking the stage in casual clothes, while others were all cheerful—he kept a gloomy face the whole time…

Upon learning Kang Honglei's purpose, Cheng Chen replied generously:

"Lip-syncing? Don't worry, Director Kang—I won't just lip-sync, I'll lip-sync so perfectly that I'll help CCTV get less criticism."

Hearing this, Kang Honglei smiled wryly and waved his hand.

Criticizing the Spring Festival Gala? Isn't that just part of visiting relatives during the New Year—along with collecting red envelopes?

…

Soon, Cheng Chen's rehearsal ended; as he stepped out of the CCTV Building, he was immediately surrounded by a group of reporters.

"What's your first impression of participating in the Spring Festival Gala?"

"We heard the sketch that fans were demanding has been cut—is that true?"

"Is your prepared song for the Gala 'Wanjiang'? Actually, everyone wants to hear your new song—what do you think about that?"

"Cheng Chen, you're participating in the Spring Festival Gala this year…"

It was already half past ten at night; it was no small thing for these reporters to wait here in the bitter cold.

"Uh, since you're all here so late, I'll pick a few questions I can answer.

That way, you'll have material to file and can go home early to rest—don't get sick during the holidays."

Cheng Chen, surrounded by reporters, smiled and said to them.

Hearing his words, their hearts warmed; some stars just rush off without even glancing at them.

Some stop for a few questions, then grow impatient.

Some wave them off.

Many more avoid them like plague carriers.

Cheng Chen, with his fame and his cheerful, joking attitude toward interviews, was truly one of a kind tonight.

Of course, don't expect to move entertainment reporters—today's reporter who calls you awesome might tomorrow be the one exposing your hotel room with a young model.

Still, every question they meant to ask would be asked, and some reporters even flipped through little notebooks on the spot to avoid forgetting their questions.

"About my feelings participating in the Spring Festival Gala… it's beautiful."

"The sketch was cut? Then you should ask Dazongyan Jin Yue!"

Everyone wants to hear my new song. Personally, I think: support legitimate versions, oppose piracy, and please help me vote on all the charts…

Cheng Chen answered each question one by one; after about fifteen minutes of interviews, he took his leave.

The entertainment reporters stared blankly at Cheng Chen's retreating back.

He answered questions? That didn't help at all!

He gave zero useful information—just kept reminding the reporters to stay warm.

Everyone's an adult—nobody needs to be told to stay warm.

The heart might be warmed, but without news, they'll starve!

They could certainly take Cheng Chen's interview responses tonight and twist them into a sensational headline.

But that was meaningless—at the very least, it would never get past the editor-in-chief!

……

The matter of not going home for this Spring Festival, Cheng Chen had already called the family to let them know long ago.

Cheng Mingliang had long been aware of his son's career, but just how big was it, exactly?

The family had bought a television and a radio, and whenever he had nothing to do, he would watch the big boxes of discs and cassette tapes his son had sent back.

Watching, he couldn't help wondering—was this really my son?

Still, when he heard his son wasn't coming home for New Year this time, Cheng Mingliang got so angry he nearly burst out cursing.

After all, in their view, no matter how busy you were, coming home for New Year and having the family reunited was the proper way.

Chuangzi, who's already in the factory, and the Tianlong family folks all came back long ago—what are you still dawdling around in Jingcheng for?

Sure, you've made money, but you can't make money and forget your parents.

Money is something you'll never finish earning!

"Dad, I'm going to be on the Spring Festival Gala."

"What?"

……