[{"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-81":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},2301337,4501,"Chapter 81: The Concert","the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>“You kid, you skipped grades back in school, and now that you’ve made it big in the music industry, you’re skipping levels again? You’ve only been famous for how long, and you’ve already jumped straight to this level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At lunchtime, in a private room of a restaurant beside the CCTV broadcasting building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without outsiders around, Sa Beinan had shed some of his official-camera pretense, his crooked smirk so outrageous it would’ve gotten him called a thug if he’d shown it on the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can I do? I’m just used to skipping levels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi smiled as he picked up chopsticks to grab the spicy pork, then sipped some boiled water: “You people who got into college by recommendation will never understand me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era where skipping grades wasn’t news, people like him weren’t rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go to hell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sa Beinan raised his chopsticks to compete with Zhou Yi for the meat in the dish and laughed: “You’ve actually lucked out this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Said your performance was incredibly steady—not at all like a nineteen-year-old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Legally speaking, I haven’t been a kid for a long time. Eighteen was ages ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi burped after putting down his chopsticks and rubbed his belly: “Nope, nope, I’m full. Can’t eat another bite. You finish the rest of this food yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re such a wimp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense? At least two-thirds of this food was me who ate it. Keep talking like that and I’ll report you for using public funds to eat and claim reimbursement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sa Beinan’s face instantly twisted with disdain: “Don’t even try. I’ve never done that. Do you think I’m you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sa Beinan, naturally the type who craved 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—I can’t just go off playing around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fair enough. We’ll talk about it another time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Yi, where are you right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now? I’m having lunch with Sa Beinan—you’ve met him before, my senior who works at CCTV.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you help me with something later? I can’t reach my agent right now—could you ask yours to help me out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, blood is thicker than water, but we’ll settle accounts clearly—I won’t use him for free. I’ll pay him market rate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 People’s Art Theatre? Why do you need an agent now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ‘Pink Lady’ team invited me again—this is the fourth time. I thought about it, and taking on the role as a challenge doesn’t seem so bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still have time. My graduation play hasn’t even been decided yet, let alone the People’s Art Theatre.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, wait a sec—I’ll check where Qian Jiang is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, Zhou Yi immediately called Qian Jiang, explained the situation, got his confirmation, then sent a text to notify Chen Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Hao from the Central Academy of Drama?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sa Beinan, leaning in with a mischievous grin, clearly itching for gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi glanced at him and ignored him: “Go pay the bill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dude, you’re ditching me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s your dude? You’re way older than me—we’re not even in the same generation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi showed his date of birth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sa Beinan: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five years is a lot???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two, still grumbling and bickering as they walked, finally parted ways outside the CCTV building, after which Zhou Yi got into Qian Jiang’s car to head to the Central Academy of Drama to meet Chen Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………………………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Hao, why did you suddenly change your mind about acting? Why did you turn down ‘Li Wei as an Official’ before? Wasn’t that a waste?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, Teacher. I suddenly had free time, and my graduation play is still far off. The director of ‘Pink Lady’ has invited me four times now, and he’s been very sincere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, just be careful on set. If things get too rough, borrow a few bodyguards from Zhou Yi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With flushed ears, Chen Hao snatched the approved leave slip and fled her teacher’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could, she truly wanted to just follow the usual path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But attending the Global Chinese Music Chart Awards with Zhou Yi in January changed her perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi was too popular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the kind of popularity where you just heard his songs on the street—it was popularity obvious even within the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reporters swarmed to interview Zhou Yi and Sun Yanzi, the Warner duo, while she sat helplessly in the audience the whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she had thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after seeing Sun Yanzi, a singer she didn’t think was that popular, standing beside Zhou Yi getting interviewed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe she couldn’t just be the lazy fish Zhou Yi talked about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……………………………………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In ‘Pink Lady,’ Chen Hao plays Wan Ling, nicknamed ‘The Millionaire’s Darling.’ She’s a supporting female role, but her actual screen time in the script is substantial—only slightly less than Liu Ruoyin’s lead role.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After final negotiations, we signed the contract at 6,000 yuan per episode, totaling 200,000 yuan with no binding clauses attached.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Qian Jiang helped negotiate the deal, Chen Hao met him at a café and politely thanked him: “Thank you so much, Uncle Qian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Jiang waved it off cheerfully: “It’s nothing—I already handle small matters for Ah Yi in Beijing. Just a favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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 like he remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Ah Yi, I have another question for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing with Chen Hao, Qian Jiang turned 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 a surprise guest on the 19th.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Concert? Does it conflict with my schedule?” Zhou Yi first checked his own calendar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It did, but now it doesn’t—Taiwan’s situation changed everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he confirmed no conflict, Zhou Yi nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, regarding your own concert, the company is applying for venues. Hong Kong’s Coliseum is currently scheduled for summer 2002.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the mainland, whether Beijing or Shanghai, venues meeting the requirements won’t be available until autumn 2002. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are eager to host you—they’re easier to book. How many shows are you planning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Jiang pulled out his notebook, wrote down a list of venues needing applications, and handed it to Zhou Yi: “Based on your popularity, the company estimates five to six shows—enough to call it a tour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, the market with purchasing power was limited. Zhou Yi’s core fanbase was solid, but tickets priced at three or four hundred yuan were still beyond the reach of most student fans or young professionals just starting out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five or six shows would already be a breakout success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will the tickets sell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yi, equally aware of the mainland music market, frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying albums and buying concert tickets were two completely different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem—the company can partner with the three major telecom operators to offer ticket giveaways with phone top-ups. That way, we can reach students who can’t afford tickets, and we get a commission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why does this sound so familiar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Tomorrow’s weekend—four bonus chapters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1317,"2026-06-20T07:33:41.161Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b31d771c4a897b89f735ff9709d7093cb95166d2ad63db9bbc3580c120eaacf3","the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-82","the-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-chapter-80",883,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-king-of-2000-a-mandopop-dynasty-cover.jpg"]