Chapter 220: If We Were to Walk in the Snow Together Tonight

January 3, 2004, Xiangtai Building, No. 480 Deyu Road, Kaifu District, Changsha.

Yao Jia looked with trepidation at Long Danyi, who was wiping away tears with her head bowed before her. By the window, the back of Station Chief Ouyang appeared slightly hunched.

He was too hands-on with everything; he was truly exhausted.

Looking at the ashtray that had been placed back on the table, Yao Jia sighed silently.

He was always thinking about how to relieve the stress of his subordinates, but who was there to relieve his?

The atmosphere in the office was stifling. Holding the rice noodles in her hand, Yao Jia deeply regretted choosing this moment to deliver breakfast.

"Station Chief... I... I'll go now."

Long Danyi's eyes were as swollen as peaches as she stood up sorrowfully.

Seeing that he did not respond, this old retainer from his former residence bowed silently, nodded forcedly at Yao Jia, and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Both Yao Jia and Long Danyi turned back in astonishment, only to see the old leader's face now as gentle as a spring breeze.

"Back then, you followed me out from the Economic Channel, abandoning your homes and businesses, with your futures uncertain. I am very grateful in my heart."

He walked to the female subordinate's side and gently patted her shoulder.

"Danyi, don't feel sorry. May everything go smoothly!"

Long Danyi could no longer hold back; she nodded through her tears and fled as if escaping from the place where she had fought for seven years.

January 21, 2004, CCTV Studio 1.

With an hour and a half left until the start of the Spring Festival Gala broadcast, all cast and crew were in position.

The Gala was a combination of live and recorded segments, primarily live, but with recorded material on hand to quickly cut away to in case of any accidents.

Liu Yifei, Zhou Jielun, Mei Yanfang, and Lu Kuan were chatting in the waiting room, waiting to have their makeup done.

Boss Lu and little Liu were only able to enjoy this VIP treatment thanks to the other two Hong Kong and Taiwan artists.

The group had been discussing this program, *Super Girl*.

As the program details were updated and announced daily, the entire society had been swept up in a craze of discussion and participation.

Liu Yifei was holding the *Beiping Daily*, reading the program advertisement on the front page with great interest.

【A Day in the Life of a 'Super Girl'】

"You see groups of strange-looking faces flickering on the TV screen, and suddenly you feel a bit indignant, thinking, 'I could do that too!'"

"So, just like the more than 300,000 girls across the country harboring dreams, you walk into the audition site for *Super Girl*."

"You are delighted to learn that your own honorable countenance will appear on the same TV program that once broadcast 'Zhao Linger'."

"And so, except for the old man who repairs bikes at the entrance of your courtyard, all your friends and family sit by the TV, watching your less-than-10-second shot."

"You are unwilling to accept this, so you actively sign up to become a viewer judge, intending to properly discipline those girls who, in your eyes, aren't even as good as you. What right do they have?"

"And so, you really want to try if your text message and Blog Network votes can save that beauty who shed tears in the Top 10 to 7 round, and in the end, a miracle actually happens!"

"Until you are invited to the scene of the grand finale, watching your beloved idol crowned, and the perfect curtain falls."

Liu Yifei said in surprise, "Wow, this ad is so inflammatory, it makes me want to sign up too!"

Zhou Jielun took the newspaper and glanced at it. Fortunately, he hadn't participated in this kind of program when he first debuted; singing and dancing in front of so many people—how shy!

Mei Yanfang was very troubled. Boss Lu had assigned her a grueling task: to serve as a judge for the grand finale alongside Na Ying, Han Hong, and Zhang Yadong.

"A-Kuan, you said the judges have to be a bit sharp-tongued, but I don't know how!"

"It's fine. You just play the good guy. Na Ying has a sharp tongue; when she makes someone cry, you go up and comfort them with a hug. Simple, right?"

There was undoubtedly a script. Na Ying would play the sharp-tongued one, Han Hong and Zhang Yadong would handle the professional side, and Mei Yanfang would play the good guy.

Han Hong had brought Zhang Yishan to audition for *The Thief*, and this time, she agreed immediately at the first word.

"Then what about me?"

Liu Yifei was one of the judges for the early auditions in the Beiping division.

Due to manpower issues in the variety show team, it was impossible to start the competition in all regions at the same time.

So, Lu Kuan followed the example of the later Xiangtai, starting from their home base and doing one division at a time.

This facilitated accumulating experience in the early stages and also allowed for stretching out the timeline, providing enough time for advertising and marketing topics to ferment.

"You? You're just going to be a vase. You don't know any professional music knowledge anyway; just blabbering a few words will be enough."

Liu Yifei was unconvinced: "How do I not know! I crammed hard when I released my EP!"

"The auditions aren't very professional; you'll just sit there as a special guest for a few days to gather popularity."

Boss Lu checked his watch: "Jielun's 'Dragon Fist' is the latest today. After it ends, we'll go back to the courtyard to eat. The cook has already bought the groceries and is waiting, and Auntie Liu is busy there too."

"Alright, you guys get ready for makeup in a bit. I'm going to stroll over to the studio."

Lu Kuan walked out the door while making a phone call.

"Wenwen, have all the things been delivered?"

"Yes, Boss. Except for Teacher Li Xuejian, who firmly refused to accept them, there was nothing we could do."

"Oh, it's fine. I'll go personally another day."

Boss Lu was a sharp one. From the Beidian system to the Radio and Television system, from the leaders of the relevant departments to the local police station, including every aspect of the Blog Network, everything that needed to be taken care of was handled properly.

But for relationships like Tian Zhuangzhuang and others, he needed to be closer, so he would visit them personally to pay New Year's greetings in a few days.

"Is... is that Director Lu?"

*Damn*, that voice was so familiar.

Boss Lu turned his head abruptly: "Oh my, Uncle Benshan, how are you! I'm Lu Kuan!"

Boss Lu wasn't overly excited; it was just the first time he'd seen the man in the flesh in this life or the last, which was quite rare.

Zhao Benshan's expression was kind, without any of the arrogance of the King of the Northeast. He was a person who hid his blade within and appeared foolish while being wise.

Old Zhao was forty-seven this year. Hearing Lu Kuan call him 'Uncle', he feigned displeasure: "Director Lu, aren't you making me old by calling me Uncle!"

"It's affectionate, affectionate!"

Zhao Benshan laughed heartily, thinking this young man wasn't as arrogant as people said; he was quite easy to get along with.

"Let's not be formal, you and I. I'll call you Little Lu, and you just call me Old Zhao!"

Boss Lu's expression was exaggerated: "That won't do! I have to call you Zhao Laoshi at the very least."

"Hehe, call me whatever you like. Shall we find a place to chat for a while?"

"Let's go."

Boss Lu walked beside him, secretly pondering whether Old Zhao's encounter with him was a coincidence or intentional.

Everyone knew of Zhao Benshan's outstanding talent as a top-tier comedian, but his sensitivity in business and politics was no less than anyone else's.

In 2003, he received approval from Liaoning Province to establish a branch at Benshan Media, actively leaning toward the organization.

Whenever there was a document from above, he would take his apprentices to study at the film and television base in Tieling until late at night, and everyone had to write down their ideological dynamics.

Every year, the Benshan Group's documents were numbered. When the top advocated frugality and opposed waste, the first document issued by Benshan Media was to prohibit lavish eating and drinking.

It was just that by getting close to the government, he didn't seem to have strayed too far from politics.

"You two go out first."

"Yes, Master."

In the dressing room were his two apprentices. Lu Kuan couldn't name them, but they looked quite familiar.

Zhao Benshan's apprentices recognized this young director at a glance, but they had a natural fear of their master and left the room with their heads bowed.

"Little Lu, sit, drink some water."

"Zhao Laoshi, if you have something to say, please speak. We have to put on makeup and perform in a bit, don't let me delay your big event."

Old Zhao in 2003 could be considered to have made his fortune, but he hadn't reached the peak of wealth and power yet.

Early on, he relied on coal transportation to complete his primitive accumulation, later establishing the Liaoning Folk Art Troupe, and in 2002, he rented the Shenyang Grand Stage to start performing *Errenzhuan*.

In the later years, it was this very year that he would spend a fortune to buy the Shenyang Grand Stage directly, renaming it the famous Liu Laogen Grand Stage.

"Hehe, okay, okay."

Uncle Benshan rubbed his hands, showing the awkwardness of an old farmer, though it was all just a deceptive facade.

"Director Lu, there is a matter I'd like to communicate with you about."

"It's about that Cheng Xiaodong Jie."

Zhao Benshan spat out a name lightly and stared at Boss Lu without blinking, wanting to see his reaction.

It was a pity that the young man across the table looked indifferent, as if waiting for him to continue.

"What about her?"

Zhao Benshan thought to himself that this young man's cultivation was not shallow, so he stopped probing.

"This little Cheng Xiaodong, we collaborated in 2000, on Director Zhang Yimou's *Happy Times*."

"How should I put it? We hit it off quite well."

"And so, she might not have many opportunities in Hong Kong this year, so I was seeing if you could help her out so she can return to the mainland to develop."

Boss Lu laughed: "Good, that's a wise move!"

"Now the entire Hong Kong entertainment industry is moving north. You should tell her to come back quickly; there are huge opportunities in the mainland."

Zhao Benshan was helpless looking at this twenty-something-year-old young man who appeared completely impervious to his tactics.

"Damn! Director Lu! President Lu! I'll be blunt. I've communicated with President Li about this, and I've also talked to Ms. Huo from the Emperor's Beiping office."

"This matter! It still requires your nod!"

Boss Lu was shocked: "How can you say that? I'm just a filmmaker, how could I possibly manage the affairs of a big Hong Kong company!?"

"Zhao Laoshi, you must have been deceived by those Hong Kong people!"

Zhao Benshan sighed deeply.

He had lived for more than fifty years and had never seen such a slippery young man. Were you raised on fried dough sticks?

"How about this, Director Lu, let's not hide anything from each other."

"Cheng Xiaodong might have done something wrong. If you see anything I, Old Zhao, can help with, just say the word?"

Seeing that the timing was about right, Boss Lu also learned to sigh deeply just like him.

"Zhao Laoshi, it's really not that I don't want to show face, but this little Cheng Xiaodong... she is like Sanmao, Nezha, and the Calabash Brothers."

Zhao Benshan was stunned: "What?"

"An adult wouldn't do the things she did!"

Zhao Benshan was stunned for two seconds, then burst into laughter: "President Lu, you have a talent for comedy. You should just come on stage with me later."

Boss Lu played a joke, then straightened his expression: "Zhao Laoshi, this is our first meeting. You are a comedian I admire very much, so this face is for you!"

"If it were anyone else, I really wouldn't bother!"

Zhao Benshan was a big shot outside the Shanhai Pass, but he wouldn't open the Benshan Grand Stage in Beiping until 2009, and his status in the world was far from reaching its peak.

As for the intricate forces in that one-third of an acre in Hong Kong, he had even less of a grip.

Facing a young talent like Lu Kuan, who was internationally renowned in the film circle and held various advertising and television channel resources.

If the man really played dumb to the end or even refused directly, he really had no other way besides finding someone else to intercede.

Boss Lu didn't intend to make any demands of him today; Old Zhao's energy was still growing, and there would always be a time when he would be useful.

Once he agreed to the matter, he didn't dawdle. Boss Lu immediately took out his phone and called Li Shoucheng.

"President Li, Happy New Year. I'm wishing you a Happy New Year in advance."

Seeing his number, Li Shoucheng knew that Zhao Benshan had successfully made the connection.

Huo Wenxi had already reported this matter to him.

"Good, Lu-sheng, you haven't been to Hong Kong lately. If you have time, come over. I can't accompany you for drinks, but tea is always available."

"Haha, no problem, I'll find an opportunity after the New Year."

Zhao Benshan, who was on the side, listened to him chatting casually with a Hong Kong tycoon and couldn't help but click his tongue in secret.

*Hey! This young man. *

Lu Kuan estimated that Zhao Benshan would be going to get makeup done and wait for the stage soon, so he was blunt: "President Li, I have a friend, Zhao Laoshi, who is interested in an artist of yours from the mainland. I wonder if Emperor can spare her?"

"Oh, good, please have him send someone over to negotiate."

Zhao Benshan saw that he hadn't even mentioned the name yet, and the other party had already agreed.

Either their relationship was too good to care about these superficialities.

Or the two had already reached a tacit understanding, and this little Cheng Xiaodong's downfall was clearly because she had offended the young man in front of him too deeply.

Hanging up the phone, Lu Kuan smiled at Zhao Benshan: "Zhao Laoshi, that should do it. Hurry up and prepare to go on stage. I'll watch your brilliant performance from below later!"

"Hehe, good! Good!"

With a little over twenty minutes left until 12 o'clock, Zhou Jielun, having finished singing "Dragon Fist," took off his makeup and styling in the backstage area and walked out of the studio building with Lu Kuan and the other two who had been waiting for a long time.

The security guards watched them walk out and let them go after checking their IDs.

Every year, many stars left early, and there was no shortage of those who had to rush to other satellite TV Spring Festival Galas or other opera programs.

Zhou Jielun and Mei Yanfang's agents were waiting outside, and seeing them come out, they quickly stopped them.

"It's blocked solid outside! It's all Jielun and Sister Mei's fans."

Mei Yanfang was dumbfounded: "Then what should we do? These friends are too well-informed, aren't they?"

This year, the little Heavenly King's popularity had skyrocketed across Asia, and Li Fengni was used to such scenes, so she immediately began to direct them familiarly.

"Sister Hui, you take Sister Mei and go through the east exit."

"Jielun, we'll take a car out through the underground passage."

Liu Yifei had just heard her arrange the personnel for the two small teams when the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.

"Then you guys go quickly! Lu Kuan and I will put on our hats; we aren't as conspicuous as you!"

Boss Lu had just hung up the phone and walked over.

"Let's go quickly. There will be even more people surrounding us when the show ends. I've asked A-Fei to drive to the west exit, and we'll meet directly at the courtyard."

The two walked along the railing outside the studio toward the west exit. They didn't take the pedestrian walkway that was already blocked, but instead walked through a patch of green plants covered in white snow, which was quite lacking in public spirit.

It wasn't too lacking in public spirit, after all, it was mid-winter, and the plants were all barren.

The temperature was near minus twenty degrees, and the two walked forward with difficulty, stepping deep and shallow in the snow.

"Lu Kuan! What kind of broken path are you taking? My shoes are almost soaked through!"

Boss Lu turned around and tapped his toes on her shoes, shaking off the snow.

"It's precisely because no one walks here that it's hidden. Of course, there's no one to sweep the snow in places where no one walks."

He trudged forward, letting the little girl step in his footprints.

"Ah!"

Before Lu Kuan could turn back, he had already imagined Liu Yifei sitting on the ground with her butt, pouting and looking at him with her big eyes.

"Stop pretending, get up quickly."

"I've written so many scripts in my life; even a dog wouldn't use this kind of trope."

Liu Yifei looked at him in disbelief!

*You are heartless! You are cold! *

*I am being unreasonable... *

"I really sprained my ankle. Look at this!"

Liu Yifei fished a dead tree trunk out of the snow. It was quite thick, and if you weren't careful and stepped on it, you really could sprain your ankle.

Lu Kuan looked at the bustling crowd not far away, from which a burst of cheers and screams came, thinking it was either Sister Mei or Jielun who had been intercepted by fans.

He squatted down and gently squeezed Liu Yifei's left ankle.

"Does it hurt?"

The little girl wrinkled her nose and acted pitiful: "Mm-hmm!"

"Get up quickly! It's fake at a glance!"

Liu Yifei was stunned: "Why?"

"Why? Have you been studying properly? How do you train your ankles in Grotowski?"

"The angle of inversion of a human's normal ankle joint is greater than eversion. If you sprained your left foot, in the road conditions just now, you should have inverted and fallen to the front left."

"Look at your posture now."

Liu Yifei bit her lip hard, looking lifeless!

*Do you have to show off your skills at a time like this? *

*You think your Grotowski studies are great, right? *

*Open your eyes and look at me; I don't believe your eyes are empty! *

Boss Lu looked at her triumphantly.

This foolishness was on par with a college girlfriend who couldn't get back to the dorm and went to an internet cafe for an all-nighter in his past life.

Liu Yifei's anger rose from her courage; she grabbed a handful of snow and threw it at him fiercely!

"I don't care, you carry me out, my feet are cold!"

Lu Kuan brushed off the loose snow still falling on his head and refused flatly.

"You're too fat, I'm weak, I can't carry you."

"Fart! I'm not even 100 jin. Am I heavier than that Fan Bingbing or Gao Yuanyuan?"

"Which of their butts isn't bigger than mine? Which of their legs isn't thicker than mine?"

It wasn't that Boss Lu didn't want to carry her.

He just considered that she was an underage little girl, and he didn't want to have any physical contact with her.

Why do these things? Quench thirst with plums?

Meaningless!

The phone in his pocket vibrated twice. A-Fei sent a message telling him he was in position at the west gate.

"Alright, get on quickly, I'm going to be starving to death in a bit."

"Hehe, you squat down a bit."

Liu Yifei jumped onto his back like a dry land pull-up. Fortunately, the clothes worn in winter were thick, so it could be considered within the bounds of propriety.

And so, only Lu Kuan was left walking deep and shallow.

"Lu Kuan."

"Hmm?"

"You seem to have white hair! Or is it the snow falling on you? I can't see clearly."

Boss Lu listened to her talking to herself in his ear and hoisted Liu Yifei up a bit.

A sudden explosion in the dark night startled them both.

Immediately, the sound of firecrackers rang out sparsely, accompanied by bundles of brilliant fireworks rising into the sky.

It looked like it was 12 o'clock.

Lu Kuan was so hungry his chest was sticking to his back; he had no leisure to stop and watch, walking forward through the wind and snow on his own.

Liu Yifei rested her chin on his shoulder, watching the afterglow of the fireworks reflected on the snow, covering the silver-clad world in a faint blush.

Her peripheral vision caught the pine branches on both sides, drooping due to the heavy snow, lit up by the sudden light as if adorned with pearls.

This seemed like a scene from her dreams.

It was a pity that it seemed only she was feeling this romance.

The little girl breathed out a sigh, and like a movie playing before her eyes, the bits and pieces of the year she spent with Lu Kuan emerged.

The lunar year 2003 had passed.

I miss him very much.

(AI image, whoever has a good one, post it and I'll change it.)

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 221 =====