Chapter 171 – Envy
Backstage of T1 Studio Hall.
From time to time, Mu Xiaochu looked in the direction of the doorway, with a look of anxiety in her eyes.
Lu Chen has been called away for almost an hour, and he still hasn’t appeared yet, as if he has disappeared from the face of the world, and the chorus program “Life On A String” of the top five singers of “Singing China” will soon be rehearsed on stage!
She didn’t even know what had happened to Lu Chen, and just now a staff member on the spot came to inquire about the situation.
What could have happened?
Mu Xiaochu was worried that Lu Chen’s delay would affect the program schedule, which would definitely offend Beijing Satellite TV.
Lu Chen’s career will certainly be greatly affected by this.
But it was obviously someone from the station who called him away, so it should be all right, but why didn’t he come back?
Mu Xiaochu’s heart was really in a mess.
Sitting nearby, Zhang Haohai knew what Mu Xiaochu was worried about, and his heart was filled with sour water. (TN: Envy)
“Xiaochu, you don’t have to worry about others…”
Zhang Haohai couldn’t help saying, “Let’s get ready to go on stage. Anyway, it’s rehearsal. It doesn’t matter if there is one less.”
As he spoke, there was a hint of mockery on his face.
Zhang Haohai was looking forward for Lu Chen not to be on stage, or better yet, for Lu Chen to be laid off by Beijing Satellite TV.
He believed that whether in appearance and talent, he was no worse than Lu Chen, and it just that the latter has developed very fast and has grown rapidly.
Even Mu Xiaochu look at Lu Chen with special fondness and made no false remarks about him.
Mu Xiaochu pursed her lips, glanced at Zhang Haohai and said faintly: “This song was written by Senior Lu Chen, and he’s also the champion of “Singing China”. Without him, there would be no such program.”
Mu Xiaochu is kind-hearted, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a temper.
She was reminding Zhang Haohai that Lu Chen was the core of the chorus program, and he should never forget this.
And don’t be self-righteous!
Zhang Haohai’s face suddenly turned red.
He was one of those people who have a great deal of pride, and who couldn’t stand the contempt of others, so he wanted to make a quick retort.
But the result was, Mu Xiaochu didn’t pay attention to him at all, and instead she suddenly burst into a smile, got up and waved her arm and said loudly, “Senior Lu Chen. Come quickly!”
It turned out that Lu Chen appeared at this time!
Zhang Haohai was about to say something but he forcefully swallowed it back. His face was extremely ugly.
Lu Chen didn’t know about the episode that had just happened because of him. He went back to his position and asked Mu Xiaochu with a smile: “What’s the matter?”
Mu Xiaochu said with a smile: “We are going to go on stage. Senior, are you ready?”
Her smile was so sweet that Lu Chen’s heart skipped a beat.
He nodded and said, “Ready!”
At this time, Lu Chen suddenly felt that the atmosphere around him had changed. It quieted down all of a sudden.
Mu Xiaochu also felt the same way. She and Lu Chen turned their heads at the same time.
What happened?
Only to see a beautiful woman in a colorful plumage dress, accompanied by several assistants, like the moon surrounded by the stars, arriving in front of them.
She took the initiative to greet them with a smile: “Lu Chen, Xiaochu, long time no see!”
The woman dressed in gorgeous clothes was Chen Fei’er, the Queen of Sweet Songs in the singing world, and a big figure in the entertainment industry!
There were a lot of star artists who came to the party rehearsal, but in terms of position, there was no one higher than her.
If Wang Bin was still there, maybe he can compete with her.
It was a pity that he was now held in custody.
Chen Fei’er has debuted for more than ten years and is already 30 years old this year. But with her natural beauty and proper maintenance, she looked like she was in her early twenties. Moreover, she had an amazing aura around her, which naturally calmed down the scene.
No one on the scene dared to shout in front of her, and many people showed admiration and even awe.
“Hello, Teacher Chen!”
Lu Chen and Mu Xiaochu replied at the same time.
Chen Fei’er was one of the four judges of “Singing China”. She appreciates Lu Chen very much and likes Mu Xiaochu very much.
“Hello, Teacher Chen…”
The artists around them, including the other three top five singers, all got up and greeted respectfully.
“Hello, everyone.”
The Queen of Sweet Songs smiled and said, “Just call me sister. Calling me teacher make me sound old!”
Mu Xiaochu said cleverly: “Sister Fei.”
“Un!”
Chen Fei’er nodded, held Mu Xiaochu’s hand and asked, “What’s your program?”
Under the eyes of the public, Mu Xiaochu blushed because of her intimate actions and replied shyly, “Sister Fei. Our program is a chorus, singing Lu Chen’s “Life On A String”. “
Chen Fei’er suddenly said, “Then the next program is you…”
She leaned forward and asked Lu Chen, “Lu Chen, I remember you promised to write me a song, right? Did you write it? Have you forgotten?”
The Queen of Sweet Songs smiled, with starry eyes like water, indescribable charm, and even with a touch of girlish loveliness that made people forget her true age.
Lu Chen was a little dizzy. Fortunately, he had enough concentration and hurriedly replied, “I’ve already written it. When do you want it, Sister Fei? I’ll send it to you.”
Chen Fei’er asked him to write song for her, but it was during the program. (TN: He thought it was just lip service during the program.)
So, Lu Chen didn’t take it seriously, including when Chen Fei’er invited him to be a guest of her concert. After all, the status between the two was so far from each other, and he didn’t want to be misunderstood of social climbing. (TN: to claim connections with people in higher social class)
Unexpectedly, Chen Fei’er actually remembered it, and she seemed serious.
Of course, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to say he wasn’t prepared.
Chen Fei’er was surprised: “Really? That’s great. Thank you. I’ll have my assistant contact you.”
Lu Chen said, “All right.”
All those who heard the conversation between the two all cast envious and jealous eyes.
In their opinion, Lu Chen was so lucky. He not only formed a relationship with Chen Fei’er, but also wrote songs for her.
It should be known that those who are qualified to cooperate with Chen Fei’er are all high-level figures in the industry. Lu Chen was just a new artist who has just made his debut, but he was actually been favored by Chen Fei’er.
If that wasn’t luck, then what is it?
Chen Fei’er noticed the strange look that came from all around, but she didn’t care. She said with a smile, “You’re probably busy, I won’t take any more of your time.”
With that, she took her assistant to the VIP room.
After Chen Fei’er left, the atmosphere in the backstage quickly returned to its original state.
Then a staff member appeared, holding a megaphone to remind the performer of the next program to be ready to go on stage.
It was the chorus of Lu Chen, Mu Xiaochu and others.
The top five singers of “Singing China” will gather in the waiting area and then perform on the stage together.
According to the arrangement of Beijing Satellite TV, today was the first rehearsal of the National Day Party. Then a rearrangement on the 21st, dress rehearsal on the 25th, recorded live on the 29th, and broadcast on the evening of October 1st.
The schedule was very tight, and if there was problem with the program, it needs to be arranged.
Except for the New Year’s Eve Party, the other major parties of Beijing Satellite TV are all recorded and broadcast.
Today’s first rehearsal was very important for the artists participating in the performance, because if their performance was not good enough, they may be brushed off, that is to say that they may not be part in the official recording.
Therefore, whether it was Lu Chen, Mu Xiaochu, or Zhang Haohai, they all gone all out and took it very seriously. Although it was the first time for the five singers to cooperate, apart from the lack of tacit understanding, there was basically no major problem.
After all, the difficulty of this song wasn’t high, and any one with good ssinging skills can mastered it.
Beijing Satellite TV T1 Studio Hall can accommodate 3,000 live audiences, but today was a rehearsal, so there were certainly not so many audiences. Basically, the people at the scene were the TV station staff and relevant leaders, including the reviewers of the evening program group.
After the song, the reviewers of the TV station gave some advice and let everyone go.
Today their rehearsal was over.
After they went back backstage, Mu Xiaochu asked, “Senior Lu Chen, are you going back now?”
Artists’ time is precious, especially those with a lot of notices. Although they are willing to find time to attend the rehearsal of the party, the TV station was still very reasonable.
So, they can leave after rehearsal and come back on the 25th’s dress rehearsal.
Lu Chen shook his head and said, “Go ahead. I have a solo program to rehearse.”
Solo program?
The other singers were stunned, unable to believe what they have just heard.
Especially Zhang Haohai. His chin almost fell off.
All three of them knew that the program was originally a solo by Lu Chen, but was later changed into a five-person chorus after the public relations operation of their company contracted Beijing Satellite TV.
Perhaps, the only one who didn’t know the inside story was Mu Xiaochu.
The three of them couldn’t help gloating over Lu Chen’s bitter experience. Perhaps, anyone who encountered such a thing would be depressed.
But who would have thought that Beijing Satellite TV had even prepared a solo program for Lu Chen.
This is too much!
Other star artists have only one program, but Lu Chen can go on two programs, just because he is the champion?
They were aggrieved, they were jealous and bitter, they were depressed and speechless…
Only Mu Xiaochu was really happy for Lu Chen: “Senior Lu Chen, you are so amazing!”
Lu Chen said with a smile, “It’s just good luck.”
Zhang Haohai and others scolded secretly in their hearts at the same time: what are you pretending for?
But no matter how jealous they were, it didn’t affect Lu Chen at all.
After saying goodbye to Mu Xiaochu, Lu Chen waited for nearly half an hour in the backstage, and then took the stage again.
This time he went on stage alone.
At this point, most of the rehearsals have passed, but there were still a lot more people in the auditorium of the studio, and the people sitting in the first two rows were very eye-catching.
Lu Chen knew that more than a dozen of them were senior executives of Beijing Satellite TV, and two leaders of CCTV.
All eyes were on him.
Compared with the previous chorus, the pressure he bore alone has undoubtedly multiplied.
Standing in the center of the stage, standing in front of the microphone, facing those pairs of scrutinizing eyes…
Lu Chen’s heart was still like water.
______________
TN: If you like my translations support me in ko-fi: Here.
<Previous | Table of Content | Next>
