"Why do these words sound a bit harsh to me? He has talent. Why does it sound like there's insinuation when you say it?" Zhang Yunxi's mother could not help but ask.

"No matter how talented you are, it's a failed upbringing if you can't be with your family." The second aunt knew that she had made a mistake, but carried on speaking as there was no way to retract her words anymore.

"Lingchen went to the Spring Festival Gala! Are you qualified to even be there? He brought honor to the entire Ye family, but here you are making all those harsh comments. Talk about sour!" Zhang Yunxi's mother sneered.

"I was just lamenting it, that's all. Besides, isn't it the same Spring Festival Gala that you're watching there? Why can't he watch it when he gets home? It's not like he's going on stage to perform," the second aunt insisted.

"Second Aunt, Lingchen isn't there just as a guest. He's there on business," Zhang Yunxi could not resist pointing out.

There was a feeling in her heart that if it were not for Ye Lingchen, it would have been Hyun-Min Kim performing just moments ago instead of Chen Xiaoyan,

...

At that moment, Chen Xiaoyan finished singing and stepped back into the background.

Everyone's expression changed as they looked at her. There was no doubt that the song she sang earlier would become a classic of the Spring Festival Gala!

The song would almost certainly become popular all over the country. It would likely become a phenomenon and a classic that had its legacy passed down!

That one song alone cemented Chen Xiaoyan's position. From that moment onward, Chen Xiaoyan was propelled into the ranks of superstars, more so than ordinary superstars even!

"How was it? Did I sing well?" Chen Xiaoyan walked straight to Ye Lingchen.

"Not bad." Ye Lingchen nodded.

Then, Chen Xiaoyan turned around in front of him while still being clad in the red dress she wore onstage. "Does it look good?"

The red dress was noble and atmospheric, making Chen Xiaoyan look as beautiful as a queen.

"Yes."

"Then I'll buy it and wear it for you every day," Chen Xiaoyan smiled and said.

Ye Lingchen had not even spoken when Zhao Liangying stretched out her hands from behind him and pinched his flesh tightly. She was barely holding herself back from rushing up and wrestling Chen Xiaoyan.

The entire situation resembled that of a wife catching her husband in the act with a mistress. It gave Ye Lingchen a rather big headache.

In the next moment, he heard Zhao Liangying whispering in his ear, "Which character do you like in my TV series, do you want me to change into different costumes and keep you company every day?"

Ye Lingchen took a deep breath and his heart was restless.

That idea...was incredibly exciting.

"Ahem, I'll be going off soon." Ye Lingchen cleared his throat softly and rid himself of those distracting thoughts.

The song made many people emotional, but it struck a deeper chord with Ye Lingchen. After all, he was the one who wrote that song!

His original plan was to go back home for the New Year, but with the unexpected turn of events, he was much more eager to go home after listening to the song and could not wait to catch his flight.

"Oh, then could you say hello to Uncle and Auntie for me." Chen Xiaoyan was a little disappointed. Although deep down she wanted to go back with Ye Lingchen, she still held back.

However, at that moment, chaos descended upon everyone backstage. They panicked even more than before, and each of the staff members looked like ants on top of a hot pan.

"What happened?" Ye Lingchen stopped a young girl and asked.

The young girl was holding a pair of iron rings and was probably going to perform acrobatic or similar programs. At that moment, her cheeks were flush, and she was running around with everyone.

"Sensei Guo Dongshan is gone! We can't find him anywhere backstage!" The young girl panted. "The director is super anxious. He told everyone to look for Sensei Guo Dongshan."

After the conversation, the little girl continued running around with much energy.

It was unsurprising.

Hyun-Min Kim's performance was relatively long and had been removed from the program. Chen Xiaoyan's song alone was unable to make up for it, as Guo Dongshan's sketch was required. With Guo Dongshan nowhere to be found, it was more painful than a kick in the balls. There was no way the director could stay calm.

"What's the situation? Have you managed to contact Sensei Guo Dongshan already?" Feng Xiaofeng's blood pressure was sky-high that day and his mood was like a roller coaster. By then, his face was extremely flushed, he was very anxious, and he asked worriedly.

"Director Feng, we've got in touch with him." A staff member rushed over.

"Then get Sensei Dongshan to come over quickly! This stage needs him! We need him!" Feng Xiaofeng opened his eyes wide and his voice was hoarse.

"No, Director Feng." The staff member looked tense and was somewhat afraid to look at Director Feng. He said hesitantly, "That... Since he doesn't have any performance tonight, Sensei Dongshan has left Capital with his family for a holiday."

"Just go and beg him to come bac— WHAT?! HE LEFT CAPITAL?!" Feng Xiaofeng's voice was extremely sharp and his tone was faltering. "Where did he go?"

"Donghai."

Crash!

Feng Xiaofeng could no longer stand properly. He fell bottom first on the ground and was lucky not to have lost his breath right then.

It was a half-hour flight from Donghai, and air tickets were not available immediately. By the time Guo Dongshan arrives, he would have been extremely late.

"It's over. It's over ..."

Feng Xiaofeng's soul was practically gone. If there were not enough shows for the Spring Festival Gala, he would end up being a laughingstock. He was the one who messed things up, and his life would forever crumble to the ground.

"Not enough shows?" Lin Ao frowned. "What about alternative performances?"

There were usually some alternative performances for every Spring Festival Gala, but it just so happened that they were absent during that edition.

Generally speaking, none of the Spring Festival Galas's alternative performances were ever utilized, because the possibility of accidents was far too low. Besides, Feng Xiaofeng was too arrogant to even arrange any alternative performance.

"Your mind, as a director, is really full of sh*t!" Lin Ao paced anxiously beside.

The Spring Festival Gala represents the reputation of China as a whole. It was a momentous event that occurred only once a year. How could there be such a big mistake on the first day of the new year itself? If news got out, China would lose all dignity!

"FIND ONE! Find any performance, quickly! There's plenty of them. Just chose one to fill in the slot!" Lin Ao made suggestions from one side.

Unfortunately, things were not as simple as it seemed. At that point, many people had already gone back to celebrate the New Year. If they were reasonably talented, they would be invited to perform by other television programs. Who would want to continue lingering there?

"Only one of Guo Dongshan's apprentices is still here..." Feng Xiaofeng was already crying in despair, with his tears running madly.

"Are there any singers who haven't gone up yet?" Lin Ao continued to ask.

Those who had been on stage would not be able to do another performance. It really could not be helped, and the only avenue was to choose the best possible person available from a mediocre bunch. However, there were no songs even if there were singers!

'Damn, that director is a bloody idiot!'

Lin Ao was so angry that he wanted to smack someone.

Ye Lingchen looked calm. He ignored the surrounding chaos, packed everything calmly, and prepared to head out.

The events happening there had nothing to do with him, and neither did he care about it.

Lin Ao was at a loss, but his eyes lit up suddenly when he saw Ye Lingchen. His anxieties were immediately dispelled.

"Brother Ye, please stay..."