novellhall Chapter 73: The Spring Festival Gala, 2003 Has Passed By
Chapter 73: The Spring Festival Gala, 2003 Has Passed By
About half an hour later, Huang Yi finally arrived.
Seeing Huang Yi's haggard appearance, which even makeup couldn't hide, Xie Xiaodong didn't say much. After warming up, he led Ji Qingxu and the others to start rehearsing.
As the opening song and dance performers of the Spring Festival Gala, Ji Qingxu and the others didn't have many dance moves; they just swayed a few times and focused mainly on singing.
However, since it was the first time he had brought so many newcomers to the Spring Festival Gala stage, Xie Xiaodong was worried about accidents. So, before the Spring Festival Gala, Ji Qingxu and the others would come to Cheng Xiaodong's studio every morning to rehearse together for a while to improve their teamwork and prevent any accidents from happening.
After practicing for about three hours, today's rehearsal came to an end.
Seeing that Xie Xiaodong had called Huang Yi outside, Ji Qingxu and the others packed up and left the dance studio.
......
"See you tomorrow."
"Chen Hao, I'll pick you up at the same time today tomorrow."
"Okay, thank you for your help, Sister Zhi."
"What's the trouble? It's just a matter of stepping on the gas and we're gone."
"Be careful on the road."
After the car had driven for a while, Liu Zhi said with a smile, "You've taken a fancy to your Sister Chen Hao?"
Hearing Liu Zhi's teasing, Ji Qingxu laughed and said, "Sister Zhi, if I were to look at someone, I'd look at you. You're a rich woman."
Liu Zhi chuckled and patted the steering wheel. "Hey, this car isn't expensive, only around 100,000 yuan. It's just that I'm not good at saving money; I squander any money I have. I bought a car for the convenience of getting around."
Among the group of people who participated in the Spring Festival Gala, besides Jie Xiaodong, only Liu Zhi and Mei Ting had cars. Liu Zhi had a Hyundai Elantra. After each rehearsal, Liu Zhi would kindly drive Ji Qingxu and Chen Hao home.
"Would you like me to create an opportunity for you?"
Hearing Liu Zhi say this in an ambiguous tone, Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "No need, some beauty is just for appreciation."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi scoffed, "Stop trying to fool your sister Zhi. She's not blind. Tell me, is it because of the role of the 'Most Popular Girl' that you, Sister Chen Hao, have feelings for her?"
"Sister Zhi, you're amazing."
While turning the steering wheel, Liu Zhi sighed, "Chen Hao's portrayal of the 'Man-Magnet' in 'Pink Lady' is indeed very charming. Even I, a woman, was somewhat tempted. But you know what? Chen Hao himself is completely different from the character."
Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "Sister Zhi, although I entered the industry late, I'm not that stupid."
Hearing that Ji Qingxu understood his meaning, Liu Zhi smiled and nodded, "Of course, if you really have feelings for her, then go for it. A beautiful lady is sought after by a gentleman, and there's nothing shameful about it."
Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "I'd better earn some money first to buy a car."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Men need to have careers. Once you're rich, what kind of woman can't you get? By the way, Qingxu, no one at school is pursuing you? That shouldn't be the case. With your looks and figure, back in our day, you'd already be taken."
"Sister Zhi, as I said before, I've been filming since the start of the semester and only came back last month."
"Oh right, I forgot, it seems the girls in your class aren't so lucky."
"What do you mean by that, Sister Zhi?"
Liu Zhi raised an eyebrow at Ji Qingxu. "You've already acted in three movies and seen the world of entertainment. Are you still interested in those girls at school? Take Chen Hao, for example. Is there anyone prettier than her in your class?"
Ji Qingxu laughed loudly, "Sister Zhi, you're bullying me."
Liu Zhi also laughed and said, "I didn't understand when I was in school. I was only 16 when I entered the Beijing Film Academy. It wasn't until after I graduated and entered the industry that I realized that things inside and outside the school are completely different."
Ji Qingxu nodded in agreement. Although the Beijing Film Academy was a bit more complicated than other universities, it was still an "ivory tower" compared to the entertainment industry.
"Sister Zhi, I don't have any plans to date right now. I'm just really craving it."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi couldn't help but slap Ji Qingxu on the shoulder and jokingly scolded, "You rascal, who knows how many girls you'll ruin in the future."
Ji Qingxu looked completely innocent and said, "Sister Zhi, why don't you say I was harmed by someone else?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi sized up Ji Qingxu and said seriously, "That's right, any woman with normal aesthetic sense would find your looks and figure appealing."
"Sister Zhi, why don't we focus on driving? I'm a little scared by the look in your eyes."
"Hehehe, is Sister Zhi so ugly that she doesn't meet your standards?"
"Sister Zhi, did I get on a thief's bus today?"
"You're only finding out today? Too late!"
Seeing Liu Zhi laugh heartily after speaking, Ji Qingxu shook her head with amusement. These older women just loved teasing her.
......
"call!"
Hearing the deep breaths coming from beside him, Ji Qingxu chuckled as he surveyed the bustling hall.
"Qingxu, aren't you nervous?"
"I'm not nervous."
Seeing Ji Qingxu's relaxed demeanor, showing no sign of tension, Liu Zhi and the other two women exchanged glances, somewhat admiring.
Even the youngest, Chen Hao, is five years older than Ji Qingxu. But compared to Ji Qingxu's relaxed demeanor, the three women, who have been in the industry for several years, were a little nervous at this moment. After all, this is the Spring Festival Gala, a program for more than a billion people.
Noticing the girls' odd behavior, Ji Qingxu smiled but didn't explain anything. The Spring Festival Gala is now the highest and most important stage for people in the industry, but Ji Qingxu had long since lost its allure. In later years, not many people watched the Spring Festival Gala.
Furthermore, to put it bluntly, Ji Qingxu and the others were just "slackers" in this performance. Apart from singing a few lines together, the main focus of the performance was on Xie Xiaodong.
If Ji Qingxu ever had the chance to perform a solo act, he might get nervous.
"Attention all units, attention all units..."
Hearing the announcement coming from the stage, Xie Xiaodong gestured, "Come on, everyone put your hands together, let's cheer each other on, don't be afraid, we are the best."
After saying that, the six of them put their hands together.
"Keep it up! ×6"
......
"Ta-da!"
As the music started playing on the stage in front of him, Ji Qingxu let out a soft breath.
About a minute later, a staff member backstage made a gesture. Jie Xiaodong then gestured to Ji Qingxu and the others, who immediately picked up their microphones.
"Walk."
Seeing Xie Xiaodong run ahead, Ji Qingxu and the others immediately followed.
Heaven sends blessings, Earth sends blessings
I'm here to bring you blessings.
Send blessings to every place
Bringing blessings to every household...
Wow, how festive! Ji Qingxu swayed along while glancing at the stage and the guests below. So many familiar faces.
Ji Qingxu, who was "hanging out" on stage, didn't have much of an impression of this year's Spring Festival Gala, but many people who saw Ji Qingxu on the Spring Festival Gala stage couldn't help but widen their eyes.
"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!"
"Zhu Yawen, don't make me hit you during the New Year."
Hearing her father's stern reprimand, Zhu Yawen excitedly pointed at the television and said, "This is my classmate, my roommate."
Zhu Yawen's mother asked curiously, "Is this handsome young man in the white jacket your roommate?"
Zhu Yawen's sister blurted out, "Brother, he's much more handsome than you."
Upon hearing her sister's words, Zhu Yawen's expression froze instantly. "You brat, give back the gift your brother bought you."
"Mom, look at my brother, he threatened me even when I told him the truth."
Zhu's mother chuckled and patted her daughter lightly, "Your brother bought you a gift, after all. Can't you say something nice? What if he gives you lucky money tonight?"
"Ah, brother, my dear brother, I was wrong, you're just as handsome as him."
"Hmph, my New Year's money is gone."
"Brother, where are you going?"
"I'm calling... Hey, Mule, hurry up and watch the Spring Festival Gala... You saw it too? Holy crap, Chicken Bro was hiding it so well, damn it, I'm definitely going to rip him off a few times after school starts, it's the Spring Festival Gala..."
Not only were Zhu Yawen and her friends shocked to see Ji Qingxu appear on the Spring Festival Gala stage, but the classmates were also astonished and their mouths dropped open. Everyone had the same reaction as Zhu Yawen. After seeing Ji Qingxu, they called each other to tell each other the news, and some even opened their computers to chat in the class QQ group.
Besides his classmates, those who knew Ji Qingxu and had worked with him were also shocked to see him appear on the Spring Festival Gala stage.
"That bastard! He didn't tell me such big news. I'll never forgive him next time we meet."
Hearing their daughter muttering through gritted teeth while staring intently at the television screen, Mr. and Mrs. Fan exchanged bewildered glances.