[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty":3,"chapter-the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-65":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The King of 2000: A Mandopop Dynasty",{"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},2301321,4501,"Chapter 65: First Meeting","the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-65",65,"\u003Cp>As Zhou Yi’s agent, after hearing those words from him, Qian Jiang’s carefully crafted plan to cultivate connections instantly died in the womb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turns out Zhou Yi didn’t need him to introduce anyone—he already had his own network.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, you had this kind of network and you didn’t say anything earlier? I was worried your attitude might step on landmines, so I was trying to help you build rapport with CCTV people, maybe get some early hints.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You never asked. How was I supposed to know you’d even think of that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Zhou Yi patted his agent’s shoulder: “Relax—I know better than anyone which landmines to avoid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget personal life—so long as you don’t break core principles, personal life is nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the older generation in the entertainment industry doesn’t care about this stuff. Do you really think mainland China’s so-called veteran artists are pure lotus flowers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look at Zhao Zhongxiang, one of CCTV’s big names—he kept his hat on just fine after his scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright then, just be careful yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the original schedule canceled, Qian Jiang shifted to other arrangements: “Ah Yi, are your parents coming to the Global Chinese Music Chart Awards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they are, I can contact the organizers to arrange their entry passes and seating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his achievements over the past half-year have been dazzling, Zhou Yi is still a newcomer in the music scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a timeline perspective, this Global Chinese Music Chart Awards is his first-ever award ceremony attendance—deeply symbolic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a considerate agent, Qian Jiang naturally wouldn’t forget Zhou Yi’s parents at a moment like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding his intent, Zhou Yi thanked him: “Thanks, Uncle Qian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be so formal—we’re in the same boat, rising or falling together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Jiang slapped Zhou Yi’s arm with a grin: “Alright, are you heading to Warner Maitian first or going home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Home first, then Warner Maitian tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Warner’s merged subsidiary on the mainland, Warner Maitian might as well be Zhou Yi’s second home in the capital—though compared to his close bond with Zhou Jianhui, he isn’t really familiar with the current general manager there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Warner Maitian’s music director Song Ke has a close friend named Gao Xiaosong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi, who really didn’t want to see that idiot, mostly avoided hanging around Warner’s building on the mainland like he used to in Taiwan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to go to the Central Academy of Drama and find Cheng Hao, have her introduce him to some beauties from CAA or Beidian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Zhou Yi smacked his forehead—Cheng Hao hadn’t graduated yet; she’d already gone home for winter break—where—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom! Surprise! Aren’t you surprised?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhou Yi returned home and unlocked the door, two firecrackers exploded beside his ears amid cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Hao, who’d known from their phone call that he’d return today, held two already-pulled party poppers, her smile radiant as a blooming flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng Hao? Why are you still in the capital? Aren’t you going home for Lunar New Year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of the woman before him, Zhou Yi raised a hand to brush off the confetti from his head, eyebrows lifting in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously—I won’t go home yet. Stock market’s down; if I go now, my parents will notice something’s off. I don’t want them to know I’ve sunk most of my money into stocks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the man bring this up, Cheng Hao rolled her eyes: “So, is that NetEase thing reliable or not? If I lose everything, you’re on the hook—I’m warning you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do I take responsibility? Trying to extort me? I’m studying law—I can assemble a professional team in seconds. Don’t even think about challenging me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi, smiling, tossed his backpack onto the coffee table and collapsed into the sofa, relaxed: “Keep buying NetEase—it’s definitely right. Trust me, we’re gonna get a big sip of this soup, maybe even some meat. Warner already paid me part of my royalty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget that. I got two calls from the director of ‘Pink Lady.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the man still so confident, Cheng Hao didn’t take it seriously—fine, they’d lose together. Maybe when Zhou Yi got down over this rare failure, she could swoop in and claim him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two calls? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I turned them down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Hao shut the door, turned, and tossed the party popper at the man with a huff: “You’re the one—don’t even look at what kind of person I am before giving my number to that director.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I look like some universal heartthrob? How am I supposed to play this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi, propped up on his elbow, chuckled: “You’ve always been confident about your looks—why suddenly lack confidence? Aren’t you the chosen universal heartthrob?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks for your high opinion—I’m embarrassed just saying ‘chosen universal heartthrob.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Cheng Hao sat down, her simple off-white turtleneck sweater accentuated her curves; her legs, clad in tight blue jeans, were wrapped in black wool socks, her toes wiggling inside her slippers: “Besides, I have to prepare for the People’s Art Theatre entrance exam this fall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They have a rule—you can’t shoot any dramas in your first year after getting in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you worried about? You don’t have any drama contracts now. The ‘Pink Lady’ comic plot—even if adapted fully—could be shot in half a year. I doubt it’d even take that long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll see. The director said they need to shoot part of the ‘Pink Lady’ storyline in Japan—he probably thinks I’ll like you, always chasing free trips.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she wasn’t short on money, Cheng Hao’s obsession with earning through acting had faded since two years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d never been highly ambitious; without pressure, she’d gone full free spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi, suddenly dragged into the conversation, gave her a look: “Talk properly—don’t drag me in. I don’t get free trips.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I believe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the man pout, Cheng Hao’s eyes curled into a smile, her lips lifting involuntarily: “By the way, can I come with you to the award ceremony?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, but are you sure you want to go with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi turned his head, lying on the sofa, gazing at her directly across from him, a playful glint in his eyes: “Won’t that be a loss for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—you’re still as shameless as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the compliment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Hao laughed softly, shaking her head: “I heard many big directors will be there—the award show—like Zhang Yimou, Tang Jili, Jiang Wen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know—I’m an actress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi sneered: “You’re an actress? I’ve never seen an actress so lazy she won’t even take a role handed to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Logically, big directors and small directors are different—even Jiang Wen was already famous long ago.” Cheng Hao replied smoothly, having prepared her rebuttal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little did she know—given how well she knew this man, she’d never lose a verbal sparring match when prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi stared into Cheng Hao’s eyes, silent for a moment, then grinned: “Alright then, since you’re so sincere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>January 17, Global Chinese Music Chart Awards ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Hao, dressed in a pure black embroidered elegant gown, wore a tense expression; beside her, Zhou Yi in a white suit grinned like a fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop smiling! Stop smiling! Zhou Yi! You didn’t tell me your parents were coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously—if I’d told you, how could I have seen your awkward face just now? What goes around comes around, Cheng Hao. Remember last year when I was embarrassed in front of your parents? It’s not that it won’t come back—it just hasn’t been time yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi, still grinning, continued his calm, friendly banter with Cheng Hao, while at the entrance hall, Sun Yanzi, bundled in a thick cotton coat and waving goodbye to her agent Chen Zeshan, spotted the man standing out like a crane among chickens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking to find someone familiar, Sun Yanzi strode up behind him and tapped his shoulder: “Zhou Yi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men turned; Cheng Hao also saw this unexpected intruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sun Yanzi? Why are you still bundled up in that big coat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because it’s cold outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfazed, Sun Yanzi rubbed her hands, then extended one toward the woman beside Zhou Yi, smiling: “Hello, I’m Sun Yanzi, from Singapore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, I’m Cheng Hao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing the woman as one of Warner’s twin stars, Cheng Hao responded warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this woman hadn’t yet been linked to Zhou Yi in any gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>",1393,"2026-06-20T07:33:41.161Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f5deffd95dc4677afe97b9523473618904382e2d7bd984a041ad5bd0768b1eaf","the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-66","the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-64",883,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-cover.jpg"]