Chapter 81: Surprise Guest at the Concert

"You kid, back in school you skipped grades, so now that you're in the music industry and became a big star, you're skipping levels again? You've only been famous for how long, and you've already jumped straight to this level?"

At lunchtime, in a private room of a restaurant beside the CCTV broadcasting building.

Without outsiders around, Sa Beinan had shed some of his official-camera pretense; his crooked smirk would've gotten him called a thug if he'd shown it on the street.

"What can I do? I'm just used to skipping levels."

Zhou Yi smiled as he picked up chopsticks to grab the spicy pork, then sipped some boiled water: "You people who got direct admission will never understand me."

In this era where skipping grades isn't news, there aren't few people like him who've done it.

"Go to hell."

Sa Beinan raised his chopsticks to compete with Zhou Yi for the meat in the dish and laughed while scolding: "This time, you've actually turned misfortune into fortune."

"Remember Zhu Xun? The host of that music awards show you attended last time—when she came back, she specifically used you as an example in a meeting."

"She said your performance was incredibly steady, nothing like a nineteen-year-old."

"Legally speaking, I haven't been a child for a long time—eighteen was ages ago."

Zhou Yi burped after putting down his chopsticks and rubbed his belly: "Nope, nope, I'm full, can't eat another bite—finish the rest yourself."

"You're so useless."

"Of course I am—least two-thirds of these dishes were mine, and if you keep talking like that, I'll report you for using public funds to eat and claim reimbursement."

Sa Beinan's face instantly twisted with disdain: "Don't even try. I've never done that—do you think I'm you?"

Zhou Yi stuck a toothpick between his lips and chuckled: "I don't need reimbursement—I get paid legitimately for shooting music videos. Oh, speaking of which, interested in starring in a music video?"

Sa Beinan, naturally the type who loves attention, immediately looked tempted—but after careful thought, he shook his head: "Maybe another time. Right now I'm at a critical point at CCTV, can't go off doing other things."

"Fair enough. We'll talk about it another time."

As they chatted, Zhou Yi's phone suddenly rang. He gave Sa Beinan an apologetic gesture, pulled out his phone, and saw the caller ID: Chen Hao—

"Hello?"

"Zhou Yi, where are you right now?"

"Right now? I'm having lunch with Sa Beinan—you've met him before, my senior who works at CCTV."

"Can you help me with something later? I can't reach my agent right now—could you ask yours to help me out?"

"Don't worry, blood is thicker than water, but we keep accounts clear—I won't use him for free. I'll pay him market rate."

Chen Hao's confident tone on the other end stirred a flicker of curiosity in Zhou Yi: "Aren't you preparing for your entrance exam at the Central Academy of Drama? Why do you need an agent now?"

"The 'Pink Lady' team invited me again—the fourth time. I thought about it, and I guess taking on the challenge wouldn't hurt."

"I still have time—my graduation play hasn't even been decided yet, let alone the People's Art Theatre."

"Alright, wait a sec—I'll check where Qian Jiang is."

After hanging up, Zhou Yi immediately called Qian Jiang, explained the situation, got his confirmed reply, then sent a text to notify Chen Hao.

"That Chen Hao from the Central Academy of Drama?"

Sa Beinan, leaning in with a mischievous grin, his whole face screaming "I want gossip," crept closer.

Zhou Yi glanced at him and ignored him: "Go pay the bill."

"Damn, so no more bros now?"

"Who's your bro? You're way older than me—we're not even in the same generation."

Zhou Yi showed his birth date.

Sa Beinan: "..."

Is five years that much???

The two, still grumbling and bickering as they walked, finally parted ways outside the CCTV building; then Zhou Yi got into Qian Jiang's car and headed to the Central Academy of Drama to meet Chen Hao.

………………………………………………

"Chen Hao, why did you suddenly change your mind about acting? Why did you turn down 'Li Wei as Official' before? Wasn't that just a waste?"

"Sorry, Teacher. I suddenly had free time, my graduation play is still far off, and the 'Pink Lady' director has persistently invited me four times with real sincerity."

"Alright, just be careful on set—if you need protection, borrow a few bodyguards from Zhou Yi."

"..."

With flushed ears, Chen Hao snatched the approved leave slip and fled her teacher's office.

If she could, she truly wanted to just keep going step by step.

But attending the Global Chinese Music Chart Awards with Zhou Yi in January changed her perspective.

Zhou Yi was too popular.

This wasn't the kind of fame where you just heard his songs on the street—it was fame visible even within the industry.

Reporters swarmed to interview only Zhou Yi and Sun Yanzi, the Warner twins, while she sat helplessly in the audience the whole time.

To say she didn't have any thoughts was impossible.

Especially after seeing Sun Yanzi—whom she didn't think was that popular—standing beside Zhou Yi getting interviewed.

Maybe she couldn't just be a lazy fish, as Zhou Yi put it.

…………………………………………………

"In 'Pink Lady,' Chen Hao plays Wan Ren Mi, nicknamed 'The One Everyone Loves.' She's a supporting female role, but after reading the script, her actual screen time is substantial—only slightly less than Liu Ruoyin's lead role."

"After final negotiations, we signed the contract at 6,000 yuan per episode—no binding clauses afterward, total package: 200,000 yuan."

After Qian Jiang successfully negotiated the deal, Chen Hao met him at a café and politely thanked him: "Thank you so much, Uncle Qian."

Qian Jiang waved it off cheerfully: "It's nothing—I already handle small matters for Ah Yi in Beijing. Just a small favor."

Beside them, Zhou Yi sat with his chin propped on his hand, intently reading the script Qian Jiang had brought back—the lines felt exactly as he remembered.

"By the way, Ah Yi, I've got another question for you."

After finishing with Chen Hao, Qian Jiang turned his gaze to Zhou Yi: "Virgin Records has invited you—Xiao Yaxuan will hold two concerts in Hong Kong's Coliseum on July 18 and 19. They want you as the surprise guest on the 19th."

"Are you going?"

"The concert? Does it conflict with my schedule?" Zhou Yi asked first about his own schedule.

"It originally did, but with the situation on Baodao now, it doesn't anymore."

"Then I'll go."

After confirming there was no conflict, Zhou Yi nodded.

"Also, regarding your concert, the company is helping you apply for a venue; currently, Hong Kong's Hung Hom is expected to schedule you for the summer of 2002.

"On the mainland, whether in the Imperial Capital or Shanghai, venues meeting the requirements are booked until autumn '02. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are very welcoming to you, easier to apply for than those two cities; how many shows do you plan to sing?"

Discussing business, Qian Jiang took out his notebook, wrote down a series of venue names needing application, and handed it to Zhou Yi: "With your popularity, the company estimates five to six shows; calling it a tour would be enough."

In this era, the market with spending power was just so. Zhou Yi's base was indeed sufficient, but tickets costing three or four hundred each were not something ordinary student fans or even fans just entering the workforce could afford.

Being able to hold five or six shows was already taking off.

"Can the tickets sell?"

Zhou Yi, equally well aware of the mainland music market, frowned slightly.

Buying albums and buying concert tickets are two completely different concepts.

"That's not a problem; the company can cooperate with the three major carriers to launch an activity where topping up phone bills gets you tickets, thus also catering to those student fans without money; we take the commission."

"..."

Why does this move sound so familiar?

PS: Tomorrow is the weekend, exploding updates with four chapters~

(End of chapter)