Ma Youfu finished using the restroom, picked up the lyrics from the ground, glanced at them, and sighed. He then folded the lyrics and stuffed them into his pocket.
As soon as he walked out, he ran into Zhang Yiran.
"Director Ma."
Ma Youfu smiled slightly. "Sister Zhang, how are the preparations for the show going?"
Zhang Yiran said, "No problem. Actually, I prefer to sing live, but I'm afraid you all can't handle the pressure, so we'll just lip-sync. Some audience members don't understand the situation and end up scolding us singers, haha."
Ma Youfu gave an awkward smile, suddenly unsure of what to say.
Zhang Yiran said, "Director Ma, you go ahead and be busy. The managers said they want to have a celebratory dinner tonight. I heard you have an amazing capacity for alcohol; they want to drink with you until the world goes dark."
Ma Youfu frowned. "I want to go home after I finish. My wife and kids are waiting up for me."
Zhang Yiran smiled. "Director Ma, you're such a comedian. You can spend time with your wife and kids anytime. It's late. What are you waiting for? It's not easy for the managers to get together. Don't be late."
After she finished speaking, Zhang Yiran went to the makeup room.
Ma Youfu suddenly felt a sense of fatigue. Da Fei's efforts and Zhang Yiran's arrogance formed a stark contrast.
Ma Youfu walked towards the set. Suddenly, Deng Siqing came over, her expression somewhat displeased.
"Director Ma, can we talk?"
Ma Youfu sighed. "Sister Deng, I know you and Da Fei are close, but I can't help it. You need to understand my job."
Deng Siqing said, "I understand your job. I just want to ask, can you direct the Spring Festival Gala next year?"
Ma Youfu shook his head. "Probably not."
Deng Siqing was expressionless. "This is the biggest stage you've ever directed. Are you satisfied with it?"
Ma Youfu was silent.
Satisfied? Of course, he was satisfied. Such a grand gala, running so smoothly, was definitely something to be satisfied with.
But was he really satisfied? Ma Youfu couldn't say it.
Deng Siqing said, "Maybe after directing the Spring Festival Gala, you'll have a glorious achievement on your resume. You might get promoted and become a respected leader."
"But when you look back at your work, are you satisfied?"
"You've taken care of everything: what the audience wants to see, what the sponsors want, what the actors want to perform. But after this year, who will remember you?"
"Many years later, when your child grows up and enters this industry, what will he feel when he looks back at this year's gala?"
"Do you think my father is amazing, able to make the sponsors so happy?"
"Director Ma, I know you're an excellent director, but haven't you thought about it? You're already directing the Spring Festival Gala. You're the best director in all of China, so why do even you have to bow down to capital?"
"I'm just venting. You're still my superior, and I'm not qualified to tell you how to do your job. I have to go on stage now."
With that, Deng Siqing turned and walked towards the stage.
Ma Youfu's expression was extremely complex. Deng Siqing's words had suddenly quieted him down from his busy state.
Suddenly, his phone rang. It was a video call from his wife.
Ma Youfu answered.
A child and a woman appeared on the phone screen.
The child said excitedly, "Mom, look, I told you Dad could answer the phone!"
The woman chided, "Dad's busy, he can't talk to you for long. Hurry and wish Dad a Happy New Year!"
The child giggled, "Happy New Year, Dad."
Ma Youfu's nose twitched, and tears welled up in his eyes, but didn't fall.
"Happy New Year, son. I came out to use the restroom. I have to go back and get busy in a moment, so you don't have to wait for me."
The woman said, "Our son said he wants to wait for you, no matter how late. Isn't that right?"
"Yes!"
"Is Dad awesome?"
"Dad is the best! I want to be a director too in the future!"
Ma Youfu's voice was a little choked up. "Alright, I'm busy now, I won't talk to you anymore."
He hung up the phone.
Ma Youfu returned to the scene, looking at the situation in the camera, a hint of madness flashed in his eyes, and he clenched his teeth fiercely.
"Sun Xuan!"
Sun Xuan was stunned. "Director Ma?"
"Notify logistics to prepare musical instruments for Da Fei, let his agent choose them, and they must be debugged within fifteen minutes."
"Inform Da Fei that the last program before the zero o'clock bell will be given to him, let him warm up his voice, he is the only one singing live this year."
"Inform Sister Deng to revise the script."
"Inform Zhang Yiran that her performance has been moved after the bell, and all programs will be postponed."
"Inform the subtitle team to immediately produce subtitles for a new program."
...
Backstage, Lin Chudong and the others sat bored in the makeup room.
Liang Yin said, "Da Fei, forget it. If there's no chance, there's no chance. Anyway, you've already performed, and you had quite a few shots."
Wang Zhi said, "Yeah, Brother Fei, you've already made enough. Let's go back, we can still have a New Year's Eve dinner."
Lin Chudong nodded, glanced at the time. Lin Qiqi should not have arrived home yet, her phone was still off.
"Let's go."
As they were about to leave, Sun Xuan suddenly ran over and said,
"Da Fei, get ready. You're performing the last act before the bell rings!"
Liang Yin and the others were immediately excited.
"Really?"
Sun Xuan said, "Of course. Manager Liang, you and the others come with me to the back to pick out some instruments. Hurry up and tune them, don't make any mistakes. Tonight, you're the only ones doing a live performance, so don't mess up!"
Wang Zhi immediately jogged to catch up, "Don't worry, Director Sun, we will do our best!"
On the other side, a director was fidgeting in front of Ma Youfu.
"Director Ma, what am I supposed to say if the sponsors get angry?"
Director Sun went to be the good guy, informing the Liang Music Band, who were naturally happy and grateful.
He had to be the bad guy, and he might even get scolded by Sister Zhang, what a misfortune.
It's so hard being a subordinate!
Ma Youfu took out the lyrics from his pocket and threw them over.
"Throw these lyrics in his face, see if they can compare to Zhang Yiran's terrible song? Hurry up and go, don't bother me!"
A surge of pride also rose in Ma Youfu's heart, he was the director, why should he listen to others?
Zhang Yiran, upon hearing this news, flew into a rage.
"What kind of joke is this? Where's Director Ma? I want to see Director Ma!"
The director stopped her quickly, "Sister Zhang, you can't just barge in. Director Ma has already made his decision. Da Fei has gone over there to prepare. You get ready, and you can go on stage whenever you want after the clock strikes midnight."
"Bullshit! What's the point of going on after midnight? Are you people at the Central Television Station trying to bully me? You're removing me right before the performance? And putting that little brat Da Fei on instead? What does he even have?"
Zhang Yiran immediately took out her phone and made a call. If Director Ma wouldn't see her, then someone else would find him!
"Manager Zhu, did you call Ma Youfu?"
"Yiran, Ma Youfu isn't answering. What's gotten into that guy?"
Zhang Yiran's expression was incredibly grim. What kind of trick had Da Fei used on them? Why were they all so fond of him?
He clearly didn't have any backing, just a small nobody who started from scratch.
Could he replace her, Zhang Yiran?
Seeing Zhang Yiran's temper flare up, Zhang Yina said, "Yiran! Don't cause trouble, this is CCTV. Don't make things difficult for yourself!"
Zhang Yiran clenched her fists. She also knew that one Spring Festival Gala wasn't decisive, but she couldn't swallow this insult.
They brought Wu Bo in, and as a result, she was pushed out?
What a joke!
23:58:00
Deng Siqing walked to the center of the stage, holding a microphone, and said, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's return. Those sitting here are our compatriots from Hong Kong."
"Thirty years ago, everyone celebrated, celebrating Hong Kong's return to the motherland."
"Thirty years have passed, and our motherland has been changing with each passing day, constantly developing and growing stronger."
"We are also working tirelessly for the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." "Besides having a Chinese Dream, we also have My Chinese Heart."
"Next, let us give a warm round of applause to welcome the Liang Music Band to bring us the song, 'My Chinese Heart'!"
The audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Lin Chudong walked to the center of the stage, with Wang Zhi, Chen Jianguo, Guo Xiaoliang, Jing Feifei, and Jia Lu all ready.
Liang Yin stood backstage, her heart pounding, her hands clenched together nervously.
A harmony opened the prelude, and Lin Chudong's voice immediately rang out.
"The rivers and mountains are only in my dreams, I haven't been close to my motherland for many years, But no matter what, it can't be changed, ---
"My Chinese Heart."
"Holy shit, Da Fei is on! They changed the program at the last minute!"
"Da Fei wrote the lyrics and music for 'My Chinese Heart,' I just saw the subtitles!"
"No wonder Da Fei wasn't singing 'Loyalty to the Nation,' he's the finale solo act, huh?"
"When did they change the program schedule? Where's Sister Zhang? Sister Zhang is gone?"
"Da Fei is awesome, he pushed Sister Zhang out?"
"Seriously, I think this song is more suitable for the finale. What's that 'The Crown' thing that Zhang Yiran was going to do?"
"Indeed, this year's director is interesting, they don't look at the actors' status, only at the quality of the program. Awesome, this year's director must be written into history."
Liang Music Media.
Yao Qiang's ears perked up, and he suddenly shouted.
"Get up, Chudong is on!"
He was too familiar with Lin Chudong's voice and immediately ran to the TV. Sure enough, it was him!
"Damn, they're all on!"
"A solo? Our whole band is on stage? That's awesome!"
"Wang Zhi's position is terrible. Everyone else's faces are clear, but his is blocked by the word 'Live', haha!"
In the orphanage, all the children were excitedly watching the television.
"Teacher Yan! It's Uncle Da Fei!"
"Uncle Da Fei is a singer, he's amazing!"
"I want to be a singer too someday!"
The children surrounded her, eating [G] Dumplings while listening to the song.
Looking at Lin Chudong on the television, Yan Shujuan's clouded eyes welled up slightly.
"Though I wear a Western suit, My heart remains my Chinese heart. My ancestors have long imprinted
China's mark on all of me."
Jing Feifei and Old Chen were sweating a little at this moment; they had never been so nervous before.
Fortunately, Da Fei had given them intensive training beforehand, getting each song to studio recording quality.
And this song had also been recorded in advance, but it just hadn't been released yet.
Truly, opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared!
Lin Chudong's voice was very steady. As the instruments built up, his high-pitched voice rang out across the entire venue.
"The Yangtze River, the Great Wall! Mount Huangshan, the Yellow River!
"In my heart, it weighs a thousand pounds.
No matter when, no matter where, My heart is always close!"
The audience below immediately stood up and applauded. The dozens of Hong Kong compatriots on the edge had already shed tears, and most of them were moved to tears by Lin Chudong's singing.
These details were all accurately captured by the cameras. This program would definitely be recorded in history! This was a work directed by him, Ma Youfu!
Sun Xuan stood under the stage, holding up a white sign, frantically gesturing to Da Fei and pointing at his own watch with his fingers.
There wasn't enough time!
Lin Chudong turned his head and said in a low voice.
"One more time, end with the chorus."
After speaking, Guo Xiaoliang and Jing Feifei immediately changed the harmonies and entered the chorus again.
"The Yangtze River, the Great Wall! Mount Huang, the Yellow River!
"In my heart, it weighs a thousand pounds.
No matter when, no matter where, My heart is always close!"
With a simple outro, the song concluded.
"Did Da Fei just speak? Did you guys hear that?"
"Yeah, yeah, we heard it. Da Fei said the chorus again. My grandma's hard of hearing, so I turned the TV up really loud. I heard it clearly."
"Da Fei is really singing? Aren't they all fake on the Spring Festival Gala?"
"Da Fei's awesome, man. The first person to sing live on the Spring Festival Gala, that's insane."
"This song is truly unbeatable. Another classic moment for the Liang Music Band. It brought tears to my eyes; my patriotic feelings are overflowing!"
"A musical genius, is there anyone in the music world who can compare to Da Fei?"
"Not anymore, this song crushes everything online, everyone stand up and salute Da Fei!"
"Da Fei is just one step away from becoming an artist – he just needs to die."
"...You're really something, upstairs, haha."
"..."
After getting off the stage, everyone's backs were soaked with cold sweat. They were too nervous; they had never been this nervous before.
Liang Yin's eyes were red with excitement. At this moment, all the hosts had already taken the stage, and the bell would be struck soon.
Liang Yin grabbed Lin Chudong's hand, "Da Fei, hurry!"
Pulling him along, she jogged all the way and climbed two flights of stairs to the rooftop, which was the best place to watch the fireworks.
On the stage, Deng Siqing spoke with great enthusiasm.
"Dear friends, with laughter and cheers, the midnight chimes are about to ring."
"Let us be grateful and bid farewell to the past year, and let us be full of hope as we welcome the ringing of the New Year's bell."
"Come, let's count down, ten, nine, eight... three, two, one!"
"Happy New Year, everyone!"
Boom, boom, boom!
Fireworks bloomed across the entire capital at that moment.
Lin Chudong and Liang Yin stood on the rooftop of the Central Television Station, watching the beautiful scenery.
Liang Yin tightly held Lin Chudong's hand, a hint of excitement and joy on her exquisite face.
Lin Chudong's profile was so handsome, the colorful fireworks reflecting on his face, making him look like a hero in the colorful clouds.
That morning, Lin Chudong being able to walk into her music store probably used up all her good luck for this lifetime.
"Happy New Year, Lin Chudong."
The fireworks in the distance were dazzling. Lin Chudong recalled when he left Da Fei's band, carrying that broken guitar.
He was also very glad he had walked into this music store, glad to know these friends.
He was fortunate to have experienced all of this; it helped him grow.
At this moment, the fireworks were no longer dazzling, but rather the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Lin Chudong held her hand tightly.
"Liang Yin, Happy New Year."
Tomorrow would be the new year.
No matter how dazzling the fireworks were, they couldn't block the light of the stars.
At this moment, talent had overcome capital.
-----------------------
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