The program was set.

The backstage crew of the Spring Festival Gala got busy once more with everyone preparing the props for the crosstalk.

It was rather simple. One table and a set of clothes for the performance.

There were some setting up the sound effects to ensure nothing went wrong.

Very soon, a set of clothes were brought to Ye Lingchen.

"This won't do!"

Ye Lingchen frowned. "We're just doing some talking without much movement. This type of showy outfit is not suitable. Find something more mundane, better yet, in grey tone without any patterns!"

With the order, the crew quickly went in search of one, running about.

That was definitely one of the urgent issues at that moment where every second mattered. Everyone was in panic mode.

The entire private chamber turned silent.

Ye Lingchen looked at Little Yueyue who had his eyes narrowed, rushing to memorize the lines. He could not help but smile a little and left him be.

Although the script was fine, crosstalk depended more on the actor than the script itself.

Given the same story, some people might be able to make it funny but it may sound mundane to another person. That was the difference.

Five minutes later, Little Yueyue looked up at Ye Lingchen.

"You're done memorizing?"

"Mm, I've memorized it. The lines are short and rather simple."

"Okay, good." Ye Lingchen nodded. Little Yueyue's fundamentals were solid. "Next we should try to go through our lines."

"I'll skip the basic stuff. Your master had surely taught you before. Here are a few more technical things I need to go through with you. For example this line, your tone needs to be soft and slightly gentle. In this part, your expression needs to match mine. I'll give you a demo, mm, like this...Remember, the most important thing is your emotions. Not only your own, but you have to bring along the audience's emotions!"

After a short pep talk, the time of the performance drew ever closer.

Suddenly, Little Yueyue's phone rang.

"Excuse me," Little Yueyue quickly excused himself, then took a look at the phone. "It's my master."

After a moment, he passed his phone to Ye Lingchen. "My master would like to talk to you."

"Hello, I'm Guo Dongshan."

"Hello, Sensei Dongshan."

"I never expected such a thing to happen, and I'm already out of Capital City with my family. I really can't make it back in time. I've heard about the situation from Director Feng. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Guo Dongshan did not put on airs like other seniors.

"Sensei Dongshan, the pleasure is mine."

The other end of the call went silent for a moment before Guo Dongshan suddenly spoke in a serious tone. "I've heard from Little Yueyue that your script is excellent. The crosstalk...is in your hands now."

He did not say much, but Ye Lingchen felt a shred of pressure and responsibility. "Rest assured, Sensei Dongshan. Just leave it to me."

"Thank you."

"Your master is leaving the crosstalk to us." With a simple sentence, Ye Lingchen caused Little Yueyue's expression to turn serious.

They were taking up the responsibility!

As the top expert in the world of crosstalk, that was definitely a serious ordeal.

"Sensei Ye, I'm ready!" Little Yueyue spoke up suddenly, addressing Ye Lingchen as Sensei Ye.

…

"God Ye, Little Yueyue, it's your turn soon! Go get changed! The next program will be the crosstalk!" someone shouted urgently outside the door.

The entire Spring Festival Gala's backstage crew were all extremely nervous.

"It's their turn? Why so quick?"

"Ahhh, I'm so nervous. This is it!"

"How did the preparation go?"

"I heard the script was good. I wonder if that's true."

"The program is set and the props are ready on the stage."

"So quick? Is the script really okay?"

"Even with the script, it'll be hard to match the lines."

"Cut it out. You guys stop worrying. It's already good enough for them to go up for a performance in such a short time."

"That's right. It's still much better than having no program. We can only hope for a miracle now."

Feng Xiaofeng was a nervous wreck, almost suffering a heart attack. However, there was nothing he could help with. The only thing he would do was to prepare all the aspects he was in control of for the program.

…

With things being that close, the internet debates became even more heated.

[Does anyone know what's happening? What's going on in there?]

[Sensei Guo Dongshan is outside of Capital City, that's for sure.]

[F*ck, doesn't that mean that there will be no more program for the Spring Festival Gala?]

[Why is this year's Spring Festival Gala riddled with problems? Are they trying to cause trouble?]

[Guys, just get ready to switch channels. It's gonna be bad.]

[Why should I change? I'll be waiting in front of my TV to see how they can salvage this.]

[I think they'll be simply looking for some programs to fill in the space. It's gonna suck. Nothing to look forward to.]

…

Those in the industry were also discussing the same issue. All their attention was gathered at that moment.

[It's starting.]

[They haven't solved it?]

[If the stream goes wrong, they will face punishment for sure.]

[I heard that they asked for God Ye for a crosstalk performance with Little Yueyue to salvage the show.]

[God Ye? Which God Ye? Who's this Little Yueyue?]

[It's that God Ye that plays basketball. Little Yueyue is Guo Dongshan's disciple.]

[Pfft—Is that for real? The Spring Festival Gala team must be crazy.]

[We'll be seeing a good show.]

…

Finally, before the expectant audience, the dance performance ended!

It was time for the crosstalk!

Meanwhile, the TV ratings for the Spring Festival Gala suddenly shot upwards at that moment as countless viewers joined them.

They wanted to see what would happen.

Without a show, would they be filling it with lower quality shows? Or would the emcee apologize?

'It's here!'

[The emcee is going on stage.]

[Let's see what the emcee will say.]

[F*ck, this is so dramatic. I can't wait!]

Everyone held their breath as their eyes were glued to their TV screens.

However, they were doomed to be disappointed as the emcees looked perfectly calm as they walked on the stage. Their faces were giving off a warm smile while they happily made the announcement!

'Faking calmness?'

The male emcee announced with a smile, "The earlier dance show sure is stunning!"

The female emcee joined along, "Yeah, the ethnic dance is filled with cultural uniqueness. However, the next program will be even more special."

"Really?" The male emcee looked at her in surprise.

"Of course. Coming up, all of you have to control yourselves, especially when you drink, because...you might laugh anytime."

After that, both the emcees announced together, "Up next, please enjoy the crosstalk—Wastrel!"

'What? There's a program?'

'They really came up with a program at the last minute?'

Many people were slightly disappointed. Needless to say, the last-minute program would be horrible.

The curtains parted, and the stage had a small table with two people wearing grey robes.

Chubby and skinny, tall and short.

Nobody recognized the chubby guy as he was still new to the scene.

As for the tall and slender man that looked rather dashing…

One look and they almost had their eyes popped out!