Chapter 210: The Twelve Women of Music

Zhou Yi, who had no idea why he was suddenly saddled with such a huge blame, flipped through several reports to the very end and couldn't help but laugh; for a moment, he didn't know whether to admire their wild imagination or their skill in spinning a story so convincingly.

"It's just that I have no plans to pursue a master's degree right now."

After closing the last newspaper in hand, Zhou Yi tossed them all aside, turned to look at the streets rushing by outside the window and his own reflection on the car glass, pressed his lips together, and added: "Never mind, Old Qian, just write all of this down on the list for future reference."

"..."

Qian Jiang, who was driving toward Century Theater, swallowed the comforting words that were already on his lips, almost laughing out loud: "What, are you already preparing for graduate school graduation? Do you even have time to study? I find that hard to believe."

Given Zhou Yi's attitude of only appearing on programs in the mainland when absolutely necessary, Qian Jiang felt that expecting him to return to campus for studies was less likely than hoping that once Zhou Yi got older, he might join a music academy as a guest professor; the latter seemed more plausible.

"You want to get your salary deducted, don't you?"

Zhou Yi, having been hit on a sore spot, raised his hand to yawn and instinctively wiped the corner of his eye with his index finger: "If you keep talking nonsense, your bonus for this month is gone."

"Can't you change your line? It's always about deducting bonuses."

"Then what else could I threaten you with? Throw you into Poyang Lake to feed the fish?"

Zhou Yi, bored, chewed the gum in his mouth, crossed his fingers in front of his abdomen, and lightly swung his crossed legs: "Or pour concrete into a pillar?"

"You law students are truly terrifying; your brains are either killing people or on the way to killing people all day long."

Having spent enough time with Zhou Yi to catch his drift, Qian Jiang, unfazed, turned the steering wheel: "Be a bit more careful when you go to the CCTV broadcast building today. The Koreans have all arrived and started joint rehearsals with us; don't say the wrong thing."

Zhou Yi made an OK gesture toward him.

Regarding the lineup for this Sino-Korean Song Festival, he only recognized An Chul-hyun; he had no impression of anyone else, so what wrong words could he possibly say?

Meanwhile, outside Century Theater in the Imperial Capital.

Because of the collective arrival of the Korean team, the place was obviously livelier than usual today, simply because the several Korean groups arriving today were either acts or former group singers with extremely high popularity within China.

There was the male idol group NRG, which had visited China alongside the South Korean president in November 1998; as of October this year, they had already held six concerts in the Imperial Capital, Shanghai, Shenyang, Dalian, and other places, enjoying immense popularity.

There was also the female idol group Baby. X, which sparked a Korean wave craze across Southeast Asia right from its debut, and An Chul-hyun, a former member of the male idol group H. O. T.

Many fan club members who knew the schedule had already held up fan signs outside the barricades; as their idols stepped down, they screamed and cheered, hoping to catch their idols' attention.

To welcome the Korean guests and wish the third Sino-Korean Song Festival a smooth convening, CCTV directly arranged a media press conference specifically at Century Theater.

Zhou Xiaou, who had entered the venue early, felt somewhat uneasy upon seeing this scene.

His band, Zero Point Band, was considered a well-known domestic rock band, but in formal settings, he had never yet possessed fans on such a massive scale as the Korean singers did.

"Comparing people just kills you."

Qin Yong of the Black Panther Band also felt somewhat emotional, especially after seeing An Chul-hyun posing coolly on the red carpet and triggering continuous screams.

Wu Tong of the Wheel of Life Band, while watching, reminded: "They're about to come in; stop looking, the media is still filming."

It was somewhat bitter to think that although they were already doing quite well domestically, once this group of Korean stars descended, over 90% of the camera shots went over there, and even the staff inside the venue became noticeably more enthusiastic.

They could only watch helplessly as this group of Koreans enjoyed the staff's services with a clear conscience.

When Na Ying, who had just released a new album last month, entered the venue, many Chinese stars stood up to greet her, and the Korean members also stood up and politely greeted her.

As singers attending this official event, although they did not know these people, they were aware of Na Ying's current status in the mainland music scene.

Na Ying, whose new album "I Am Not an Angel" released in September had stable and improving sales and who held a hit song "A Smile and Move On," looked radiant and beamed brightly amidst the calls of "Sister Na," thereby reclaiming quite a few camera shots for the mainland group.

Until, the appearance of another person—

"Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi, look this way! What is your opinion on the rumors that you are interfering in the Feng-Fei relationship?"

"Zhou Yi, are you straddling two boats? There are rumors that Sun Yanzi shed tears on the spot at her new album launch event today after hearing news about you and Wang Fei; do you have anything to say?"

"Zhou Yi, there are rumors that Xie Tingfeng is going to hire someone to beat you up..."

When Zhou Yi, who had arrived late due to traffic congestion, stepped out of the car, it immediately triggered the loudest screams of the day.

By the red carpet, the number of reporters repeatedly reciting new scandals and asking Zhou Yi for his opinion far exceeded the number seen when the Korean groups appeared earlier; Zhou Yi, dressed in a suit, smiled and signed autographs for his fans, glanced up at the reporters who were desperate to shove microphones into his mouth, and said: "These are all rumors; please do not question my noble character with your suspicious looks. Thank you."

"..."

"..."

"..."

You?

Noble character?

Amidst the reporters' chaotic thoughts, Zhou Yi, after signing autographs, was guided into the theater interior—

In an instant, several popular Korean stars who had been polite and courteous when Na Ying entered stood up in unison; the leader, An Chul-hyun, upon seeing Zhou Yi, lowered his posture even further, called for a translator, and was the first to eagerly approach.

His speed was so fast that it even surpassed the stunned mainland stars.

Especially those veteran national-team singers—how had they never seen this group of Koreans so eager before?

"Mr. Zhou Yi, nice to meet you. I am An Chul-hyun from S. M. Entertainment. I am very grateful that you authorized your song for me to cover."

Finally meeting the big shot who helped him go solo and whose popularity increased rather than decreased, An Chul-hyun lowered his posture more than anyone else; the translator assistant from S. M. Company handed over a business card at just the right moment: "If you have time to visit Korea for promotion or tourism, please be sure to contact me; my company and I will certainly extend our hospitality as hosts."

Surprised, Zhou Yi glanced at the mainland stars, whose expressions were equally varied, then turned and subtly raised an eyebrow toward Qian Jiang, smiling as he shook hands with An Chul-hyun: "Alright, no problem."

After An Chul-hyun, whether it was NRG or Baby. X, these Korean idol groups that enjoyed high popularity domestically and even in Taiwan lined up to greet Zhou Yi, and some even took photos with him.

Since there were still quite a few members in both the male and female groups, those who knew this was the promotional scene for the Sino-Korean Song Festival might think so, but those who didn't would assume that today's event was actually Zhou Yi's fan meeting.

Especially when the five Korean beauties from Baby. X surrounded Zhou Yi and politely greeted him—five Koreans and one Chinese person, communicating with each other in English, appearing to converse happily, and even exchanging contact information.

Hmm, contact information...

"You should be careful; don't let new rumors spread again."

Han Hong, who had gradually become familiar with Zhou Yi since their last meeting, smiled and leaned over: "You're still carrying a huge pile of them on your back, aren't you, Sister Na?"

"Wang Fei was telling me today that if she saw you at the press conference, she would ask me to apologize on her behalf," Na Ying, who had a deep friendship with Wang Fei, joked cheerfully: "After all, it's really hard to see you, Zhou Yi."

"There's nothing I can do; who else but Qian Jiang assigned me so much work? Sister Na, why don't you go and criticize him severely for me? I'd like to reduce my workload too."

Zhou Yi, skilled at shifting blame, wore a professional smile on his face.

"Then let's forget it; I'm afraid President Zhou will come after me for trouble."

Na Ying, who had been signed by Chen Zeshan to Warner, had naturally heard of Zhou Yi's extraordinary status within the company: "By the way, when will you be free?"

"Hard to say. Before the New Year, there's a pile of matters; after the New Year, I still have to run to Japan, South Korea, and possibly even Europe and America. It's quite busy. Does Sister Na have some urgent matter?"

"I see. There's nothing urgent, really. I just wanted to treat you and Wang Fei to a meal to avoid any misunderstandings arising between you two."

Na Ying, acting extremely enthusiastic, waved her hand: "My nature has always been quite straightforward. You and I are from the same company, and A-Fei is my good friend. I just wanted to take the opportunity to host a meal and clear things up before any conflict arises between you. She really isn't hyping this up. If you don't have time, then forget it."

She was indeed not lying.

Although there was indeed an intention to befriend Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi's ferocious performance in Hong Kong, where he tore Zhou Runfa down to his last pair of underwear, also made her worry that rumors spreading outside might easily provoke Zhou Yi's anger.

The current Zhou Yi is famously young and impetuous, and rumors with Sun Yanzi are unclear; even she hasn't figured out what state the two are in.

What if, just what if, these rumors make Sun Yanzi unhappy? If she whispers in his ear, and Zhou Yi flies into a rage for the beauty's sake, misunderstanding that Wang Fei and Xie Tingfeng are hyping it up and starting a fight...

Zhou Runfa's fate is right here. Wang Fei has quite a few black materials on her as well.

"I see. If I have time then, certainly." Zhou Yi nodded, understanding.

Certainly next time.

After Na Ying, after greeting Dai Yuqiang and others, when he met Wu Tong, Zhou Xiaou, and others, he unexpectedly received invitations from these people—

A man named Wang Xiaojing wanted to have a meal with him and discuss the Japanese record industry.

"He is very interested in the songs you did for 'Huatian Cuo' and feels his philosophy aligns with yours. He formed a Chinese-style group called Twelve Girls Band..."

PS: Only one update today, and only one update tomorrow. I have the flu in Shenzhen and am getting an IV drip, damn it...

I have to get IV drips for over three hours today and tomorrow, so I can't type. I can only split the two chapters of stored drafts and release them over two days to avoid taking leave today and tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)