Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen-Chapter 476 - 314: Big Shots Assemble, The Final Rehearsal (Part 2)_2
"Understood, Director Zhao."
"Hmm, after Xu Qingqiu’s performance finishes, there will be a public service ad, followed promptly by the host taking the stage to continue with the next part of the program. The timing here must be communicated properly with the control room; there can’t be any delays."
As he was speaking, Xu Qingqiu, in full makeup and a newly tailored, snow-white gown, was already standing on stage.
But as soon as it began, Zhao Fengsheng looked displeased and picked up the walkie-talkie beside him.
"The lighting is too slow! Listen up! The moment the performer steps on stage, bring up the lights. Once they’re up, hit them with the spotlight immediately. Don’t hesitate! What are you hesitating for?"
"Don’t think a fraction of a second doesn’t matter. This is the Spring Festival Gala! Not a single second can be off! This is the final rehearsal, and you still can’t get such a small thing right? I don’t want to see this problem again. If the cues are off, adjust them immediately! If you don’t fix it tonight, don’t even think about going home!"
He was clearly genuinely angry; Zhao Fengsheng’s tone was extremely blunt.
In reality, the lighting issue wasn’t major, but this was the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, where every small issue had to be avoided if possible.
Otherwise, if there’s a small issue here, and another one there, wouldn’t they all add up to become a huge problem in the end?
He vividly remembered historical incidents like those infamous five-minute blunders and similar events.
Directing the Spring Festival Gala is already a stroke of bad luck for me, Zhao Fengsheng thought. I’m not looking for accolades, just to get through it without any faults. If you guys cause some trouble and it becomes an infamous incident, I’ll be the one nailed to the pillar of shame! I really don’t want people online bringing up something that happened during the gala I directed every New Year. What’s the difference between that and social death?
What angered him most wasn’t the mistake itself, but that this particular error had been pointed out before, and yet it still hadn’t been fixed. That was what truly infuriated him.
Xu Qingqiu had no idea that the director offstage was furious; she was just following the rehearsal meticulously, without missing a beat.
After getting on stage, she began to immerse herself in the emotions of the song. With the video playing on the large screen behind her, her feelings grew richer and more profound.
When the music started, she slowly began to sing.
"The old tree in front of the door sprouts new buds"
"The withered tree in the courtyard blooms again"
"A lifetime stores many words"
"Hidden within a head full of white hair"
As her voice rang out, the audience, which had been a bit noisy, suddenly quieted down.
At this moment, a smile had unknowingly spread across the face of Zhao Fengsheng, who had been stern-faced just moments before. He even had the leisure to chat with the person next to him, looking extremely satisfied, as if the performer on stage were a younger relative of his.
"Not bad at all, her emotion and voice are flawless. I’m telling you, this Singer is one of the hardest working and most talented I’ve ever seen."
"Wow... this song, these lyrics are fantastic! That’s Xu Qingqiu on stage, right? Is this her new song?"
"To be precise, it’s a new song written for her by Youmeng. How about that? Not bad, eh? You know who Youmeng is, right?"
"Of course, I know! Even though I’m not in the music industry, they’re a master who’s released legendary albums. How could I not have heard of them?"
"Director Zhao, this song is incredible. Look at the audience; she’s only sung a few lines, and people are already tearing up. These aren’t actors, you know."
By "actors," he meant paid audience members. Don’t assume that the audiences in many variety shows are genuine; they are often extras paid to be there.
That’s right, extras. A good gig pays about one hundred and twenty a day, just to watch the show. The only requirements are not to be late or leave early, and to follow the director’s commands.
Some places even provide lunch, though naturally, the pay would be slightly less.
Once on site, someone would lead them. They’re told when to enter, and once inside, they follow the instructions of the on-site director, who’ll be holding a megaphone with cameras set up. Then it begins.
"Everyone, watch my hand signals! Applaud!"
The people in the audience section would start clapping enthusiastically, and it would be recorded by the cameras.
"Now, laugh heartily!"
"Laugh while clapping!"
Then there were the serious expressions, the tearful ones. Getting a close-up while crying earned more money; it was considered a special skill, a real technique.
After all these reactions were recorded one by one, when the actual show began, it didn’t matter if the audience members watched or showed no reaction at all.
The variety show on stage would proceed as scripted. Later, in post-production, based on the content, for parts deemed funny, they’d edit in the clips of the audience laughing. For exciting moments, they’d insert the clapping footage. Editing truly is a magical thing—TV stations have these tricks down to an art.
However, in the audience at that moment, those were real viewers, not actors, and certainly no one was paying them to cry.
Yet, as Xu Qingqiu sang, some were genuinely moved, and tears began to flow right there in the audience.
Initially, Zhao Fengsheng thought nothing of it, but after glancing around, he suddenly became alert.
He paused for a moment, then quickly picked up the microphone to interrupt the singing.
"Alright, alright, that was perfect! Let’s stop here for now. Xiaoyu, go and get the next group ready. Qingqiu, come down from the stage. Let’s discuss some other matters in detail."
After he finished speaking, the audience immediately buzzed with confusion.
"Hey, why isn’t she finishing the performance?"
"Keep singing! A song isn’t that long. Who stops halfway through?"
"Exactly! It just cuts off after half a song?"
Not only the audience, but even the people around Zhao Fengsheng were somewhat puzzled.
"Old Zhao, what are you doing?"
This is exactly the reaction I wanted, Zhao Fengsheng thought.
"Heh heh. If she finishes the whole performance now, there’ll be no novelty left for the actual show. You’ll understand later," he said.
"Understand what? What am I supposed to understand? You’re really something else. Aren’t you afraid people will curse you out?"
Cursed out? Zhao Fengsheng mused. I’ve been chewed out plenty of times. I’m not afraid of that.
Although Xu Qingqiu didn’t know why, she stopped her performance. She gathered with Chu Tian and the others offstage, but even after discussing it for a long time, they couldn’t figure out the reason.
"Director Zhao, what’s wrong? Is there a problem with the performance?" Xu Qingqiu asked anxiously as she approached him.
"No, there’s no problem. Not at all," Zhao Fengsheng replied. "I have complete confidence in your abilities. Performing up to this point is fine. You don’t need to complete the whole thing. Save your energy so you can give it your all during the official recording."
I can’t very well tell her it’s because I have my own selfish reasons, that I don’t want too many people to see the full thing yet because I’m secretly preparing something, can I? he thought.
"Alright then, should we head back now?" Xu Qingqiu asked.
"No rush, no rush. Take a seat and watch the show for a bit. I’ve got something to discuss with you later. You haven’t seen anyone else’s rehearsal, have you? If you don’t mind, just watch for a while."
"Okay, Director Zhao, then we’ll watch for a bit."
Even though I don’t know what Director Zhao is planning, Xu Qingqiu thought, with so many people around, it surely isn’t anything shady. Still, I can’t figure out why he stopped me. I guess I’ll just stay and watch for now.
After a few more acts, there was an intermission. It wasn’t until then that Zhao Fengsheng managed to find some time to come over.
"So, what do you think?" Zhao Fengsheng asked Xu Qingqiu. "Watching the rehearsals like this feels quite different from other times, doesn’t it?"
"It is different, quite special indeed," Xu Qingqiu replied, not really knowing what else to say. It was purely awkward small talk.
Of course, Zhao Fengsheng could tell. The smile on his face became a bit unnatural. I’ve probably read too much into this, he thought, and decided to drop the pleasantries.
"Then I’ll be straight with you. Do you have any work arrangements planned for around April next year?"
"Ah? April? I don’t think I have anything scheduled for then... Around that time..." As she spoke, Xu Qingqiu couldn’t help but look towards Chu Tian, as he was usually the one who handled her schedule.
"In April, we’ll likely be preparing for a concert," Chu Tian said. "Director Zhao, do you have some work opportunity you’re thinking of offering us?" Compared to Xu Qingqiu’s apprehension, Chu Tian was much more composed; it was clear to him that Zhao Fengsheng wanted something.
"It’s not exactly work," Zhao Fengsheng said. "I have a project on my side that needs a song. If you have time, come by. And if Teacher Youmeng could help write a song, that would be even better."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Tian almost laughed out loud.
Well, well, Chu Tian thought. He even brought out ’Teacher Youmeng.’ No wonder he’s suddenly being so polite. Zhao Fengsheng doesn’t really need to be this courteous to Xu Qingqiu, but it’s a different matter when it comes to Youmeng. It’s pretty much a consensus in the industry by now that this Youmeng must be a seasoned veteran, and a highly respected one at that. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the skill to produce so many outstanding songs. That’s why Zhao Fengsheng even used the honorific ’Teacher.’ After all, the name Youmeng commands that kind of respect. If he knew that I, Chu Tian, am Youmeng, I wonder what kind of expression he’d make.
"That shouldn’t be a problem," Chu Tian replied. "Director Zhao, you can tell us your specific requirements, and we’ll discuss it and get back to you with a response as soon as possible."
"Ah, no hurry, no hurry at all," Zhao Fengsheng said. "This isn’t urgent. I’ll send you a document later; it has some themes from the higher-ups. You can take a look after you get back. No need to rush, there’s still plenty of time."
