[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment":3,"chapter-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-165":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Intelligence King of Chinese Entertainment",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260468,4411,"Chapter 165: Appearing on the Spring Festival Gala, Celebrating the New Year with the Fairies","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>In early February 2005, just before the finale of “Happy Heaven Seven Fairies,” the show was suspended for one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fans of the drama had no choice but to accept it helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just “Happy Heaven Seven Fairies” that was suspended; nearly all TV dramas currently airing on satellite channels had been halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: it was Lunar New Year’s Eve, and all satellite channels chose to broadcast the Spring Festival Gala; even those few stations that didn’t switch over became “dead air.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, compared to other dramas, viewers of “Happy Heaven Seven Fairies” didn’t have to be too disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they paid attention to Spring Festival Gala news, they’d know this year’s Gala also featured a segment with the Seven Fairies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CCTV, backstage of the Spring Festival Gala\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours before live broadcast, all performers and staff were inevitably tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li was also backstage; he was the program planner for the Seven Fairies, their temporary agent, and since he had connections at CCTV, he’d brought an assistant in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this stage, CCTV and the Spring Festival Gala were overwhelmingly powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that the cramped backstage space and the large number of performers—during rehearsals it was fine, but on live night, ordinary stars couldn’t bring assistants backstage unless their act was special; at best, they could wait elsewhere in CCTV.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Seven Fairies were currently popular, most were newcomers and couldn’t really flex their status backstage at the Gala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yan Li weren’t there, they’d have to run errands themselves or beg staff for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CCTV staff were all state-salaried; veteran artists might give a little face, but new stars might not even bother with you—they were already made up and waiting, it was a hassle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, with Yan Li on hand, the girls had a core to rely on, keeping their composure steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were just the seven of them, apart from a few with strong nerves, the rest would surely panic or grow timid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, even now that Yan Li was present, some still couldn’t hold it together and needed him to cheer them on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even casually comforted Cai Yilin, A Duo, Yang Chenguang, and Shuimu Nianhua, who shared the same dressing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there were multiple performers and Yan Li was involved, the Gala had assigned the Seven Fairies a dressing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this dressing room wasn’t exclusive to the Seven Fairies—it was shared with a medley song segment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This medley featured five songs, primarily targeting young viewers, with most performers being singers influential among the younger generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Duo was a rising new singer in mainland China in recent years; Shuimu Nianhua was a representative folk group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Yilin was a teen idol from Taiwan, currently the hottest young female singer; Yang Chenguang’s “Rat Loves Rice” had swept the nation, making him a representative of internet singers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also a token presence, Fong Tsu-ming, barely considered a Hong Kong singer, mostly benefiting from his father’s status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long had a segment on this year’s Gala, so he casually slipped his son in to sing a song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, this guy didn’t stay in the segment’s dressing room—he stayed with his father, Cheng Long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these artists weren’t brand-new rookies, it was their first time at the Gala, and they all felt some pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sheep is herded, two sheep are herded too—Yan Li, being kind-hearted, helped soothe them, building goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li was purely doing good deeds, but some people couldn’t help twisting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the fairies subtly hinted to Dong Xuan to keep a close eye, not letting Yan Li be swayed by someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Duo wasn’t bad-looking, even somewhat resembling Wan Renmi from “Pink Lady” played by Chen Hao—they’d nearly mistaken her for her before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Yilin was also attractive, and her status as a teen idol added charm; she carried a flirtatious air, spoke in a sweet, coquettish tone, and many men found it irresistible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan didn’t take A Duo seriously, mainly because the girl hadn’t interacted much with Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cai Yilin chatted happily with Yan Li for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan glanced at Cai Yilin, hesitated: “Isn’t she dating Zhou Jielun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang smirked: “The more she’s tied to him, the more you should watch out—think about it, stealing Zhou Jielun’s girlfriend? How thrilling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan frowned: “He’s not that kind of person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li being a womanizer was still debatable in Dong Xuan’s mind; stealing someone’s partner? She simply didn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang didn’t argue—she’d just spoken on impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her heart, Yan Li wasn’t a good man, but he wasn’t that low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Yan Li wasn’t short of women, and he was sharp—he had no reason to stir up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huosiyan added softly: “You haven’t seen the news? She and Zhou Jielun are nearly broken up; many say they’ve split.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xin agreed: “I’ve seen online too—they’re not getting along, fans fight every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan immediately perked up—if Yan Li wouldn’t steal, maybe this Cai woman would steal from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d heard the reputation of Taiwan’s entertainers—they played dirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan subtly signaled Yang Xue, who understood and called out to Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Yan, my mic seems to have some static—could you get someone to fix it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li came over, found nothing wrong, but for safety’s sake, he went to find a staff assistant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CCTV had its airs, and things were busy now—asking an assistant to run errands might not work or could take too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he returned after the staff had repaired Yang Xue’s mic, Dong Xuan and Jiang Xin had already pulled Cai Yilin and A Duo into lively conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li was sharp—he gave Yang Xue and Dong Xuan a cool glance but said nothing, turning instead to chat with Yang Chenguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was deeply interested in how “Rat Loves Rice” had gone viral online and propelled him onto the Gala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combining his understanding of the current landscape with the system’s “foresight,” Yan Li realized that mainstream media had once sneered at “subculture,” but it was now gradually infiltrating, merging with, or even reversing the mainstream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenguang and “Rat Loves Rice” going viral, the growing industry focus on talent shows, and De Yun She’s rising fame in Beijing since last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Grassroots Comeback] was quietly becoming a new trend that the public enthusiastically discussed and loved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li wondered if he could also get a share of this new trend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Produce films or TV, market for profit, launch artists, make related investments… hmm, worth studying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yan Li chatted while thinking, his calmness made Dong Xuan and the others uneasy, especially Yang Xue, who’d done the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Xuan, will Director Yan give me trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax, I’ve got you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan’s courage swelled—she hadn’t done anything outrageous; worst case, Yan Li would find an excuse to “punish” her a few times—it wasn’t the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time slowly passed, finally, at eight p.m., the Spring Festival Gala went live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Seven Fairies’ segment wasn’t early or late—it was the 17th of 38 acts, following a acrobatics number and preceding Cai Ming and Guo Da’s skit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li put aside his thoughts and silently accompanied the Seven Fairies as they waited backstage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hebei Province, a certain residential community\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>College student Shi Hengtang, listening to his mother’s nagging, half-heartedly watched the Gala’s acrobatics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, he’d never understood why acrobatics were worth watching—same with the song-and-dance acts; the entire Gala should just be skits, that’d be fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After enduring it, the acrobatics finally ended; the host stepped on stage and announced the next act—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Hengtang spent his holidays either at internet cafes or locked in his room reading—he’d never seen the drama, and hearing “song-and-dance” made him bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to step out for air, the music began, stage fog rolled out, and a classical, dignified red-clad fairy descended on clouds, dancing gracefully, singing softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flowers bloom endlessly, drawn only by the butterfly’s scent; meeting a true friend, I ask for nothing more in life~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who’d watched “Happy Heaven Seven Fairies” wouldn’t find this song unfamiliar—it was “Life Is But a Dream,” the ending theme sung by Tan Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Seven Fairies’ Gala segment, the dance was fine, but the singing had been repeatedly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, they’d sought a new song, aiming for something cheerful and festive, but the result was poor—the fairies became too lively, losing their “immortal” aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, they tried using the drama’s insert songs, but each had its own flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the ending theme “Life Is But a Dream” felt too cold and didn’t suit the Gala’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the segment had briefly abandoned singing entirely, focusing only on dance—until “Happy Heaven Seven Fairies” aired and the ending theme received widespread praise; only on the fourth rehearsal was it finally confirmed: this song would be used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whether song or dance, for the Seven Fairies’ segment, these were merely performance methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The segment’s greatest highlight remained the seven fairies—pale-skinned, beautiful, with extraordinary aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to their faces, everything else was secondary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the song ended, the red-clad fairy stepped aside, and the cold, elegant orange-clad fairy stepped forward, dancing slowly, singing gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the bright, charming yellow-clad fairy, the mischievous green-clad fairy, the radiant, ethereal blue-clad fairy, the gentle, quiet indigo-clad fairy, and the delicate, pure violet-clad fairy—each appeared in turn, then danced and sang together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist curled, voices floated ethereally, sleeves fluttered, figures swayed gracefully, movements perfectly synchronized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One exquisite face after another filled the screen—now pouting, now smiling, now cold, now seductive, stirring hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least for Shi Hengtang, he finally understood why those nobles in the drama loved watching dances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henan Province, a certain village\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Luo, still in elementary school, had been a loyal fan of “Happy Heaven Seven Fairies”; now, watching the Gala segment, she jumped with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ran to her bedroom, draped a pink bedsheet over herself, twisted in front of the TV, and asked her parents:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I look like a fairy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mother didn’t indulge her: “You look like a bad omen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Luo burst into tears until her father, half-drunk from New Year’s Eve wine, promised to buy her a “Spirit Stone Bracelet” from the convenience store matching the drama’s—then she calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Zheng Luo fell into a dilemma: which color should she buy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She loved the fourth fairy most, but thought the fifth fairy was the prettiest, and the purple spirit stone looked the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So frustrating!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiangxi Province, a certain unit\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of employees who didn’t get Lunar New Year off gathered in the cafeteria on New Year’s Eve to watch TV, commenting on the program.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This show’s great—very pleasing to the eye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s so special about a few girls singing and dancing? The Thousand-Hand Guanyin was truly stunning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Different. That one was about beautiful dance; this one is about beautiful people. Both are good shows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think the songs are nice too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this the Seven Fairies TV drama? It’s on the Spring Festival Gala?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What TV drama?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You haven’t seen it? It aired on Shanghai TV—Seven Fairies falling in love. My wife and daughter watch it every day, obsessed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? I’ll check it out later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liaoning Province, Shenyang City\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Lan heard her parents praising the Seven Fairies show and snorted: “They just look good in their costumes. If I wore them and performed, I’d outshine them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin’s mother cracked sunflower seeds and shot her a sidelong glance: “You’d perform? Can you dance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dancing isn’t hard. This routine isn’t complicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin’s father defended his daughter—but before Qin Lan could rejoice, he delivered the blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you could dance, you still wouldn’t be chosen. You’re far too far behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How am I behind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Lan was indignant. She had full confidence in her looks—she was a Qiong Yao-approved Qiong Girl. Didn’t they understand the prestige of that title?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t say you’re ugly. But your aura doesn’t fit—you don’t have that fairy essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin’s father kept stabbing her feelings. This time, Qin’s mother wouldn’t stand for it—she believed her daughter could do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhihua was so elegant and beautiful. If our daughter dressed up, she’d beat them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Lan hugged her mother’s arm and glared fiercely at the TV screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d buy a replica of the Seven Fairies’ gauze dress, wear it for Yan Li, and let him judge who looked better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, yellow—just to scare the bastard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beijing, behind the Spring Festival Gala stage\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li shivered. CCTV was so stingy—no heating or air conditioning in this corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his hands together, then greeted the Seven Fairies with a broad smile as they stepped offstage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did brilliantly—better than all the previous rehearsals. The audience will love it. Just wait for the news coverage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Seven Fairies beamed. After all that rehearsal, the stress of revisions and approvals, this was the moment they’d waited for—the chance to shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve arranged transportation. Pack up. Those going home, go. Those stuck in Beijing alone for the holiday, join our group—I’ve booked a New Year’s Eve banquet and suites at a hotel. Eat, chat, drink, all you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the Seven Fairies came from out of town. With the Lunar New Year, trains and flights were packed. Staying alone in their Beijing apartments felt too cold and lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they’d all come together for the Gala, Yan Li couldn’t just use them and then abandon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he’d organized a gathering—anyone who wanted to join could celebrate together, warm and lively, before returning home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang raised her hand first. Her parents had a place in Beijing and had planned to stay, but she’d convinced them to go home—her grandmother waited every year for them to return for the holiday; she couldn’t let the old lady down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d expected to spend New Year’s Eve alone after the Gala, then figure out how to get back to Dao City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Yan Li was organizing a gathering—perfect. She wouldn’t be lonely anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing raised her hand second: “I’m bringing my sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sisters had planned to spend the holiday in Beijing first, then return to their Northeast hometown. They had no objection to joining the fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin also raised her hand—but she needed to bring her husband. He’d stayed in Beijing to help with rehearsals, worried about her pregnancy. As a drama school teacher, he was on winter break and had been caring for her these past days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three agreed. Dong Xuan didn’t need to say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others? Yang Xue and Hu Siyan were Beijing locals, with families here. Jiang Xin’s family had settled in Beijing too—no need to join the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they weren’t leaving tomorrow, they could come hang out with Yan Li’s group. They split into two parties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang, Hu, and Yang went home for the holiday. Yan Li, Dong Xuan, and the two Lis gathered friends and headed to the hotel to “huddle for warmth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2528,"2026-06-19T16:16:52.605Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","be475fc2949983d675a775ca20c029fc82b94882798986ed62d74946be961fcc","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-166","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-164",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]