I’m Really a Superstar

It was the eve of the Chinese New Year.

Every household in the country had already put up their festive decorations.

There were couplets.

Firecrackers.

Red lanterns.

This is how Chinese New Year is celebrated. It’s one the most boisterous and festive days of the year. Children who work away from home return, and family reunions occur amid the crackling of firecrackers as everyone celebrated this joyous day.

At Zhang Ye’s parents’ house.

His mother was full of smiles as she put up the “Good Fortune” ¹ characters at the door.

Several neighbors passed by.

“Yo, how beautiful those words are.”

“Of course, my son wrote them in advance.”

“Little Ye’s writing is so good.”

“Haha, I guess it’s not too bad.”

“Where’s your son and daughter-in-law?”

“Them? They won’t be coming back home tonight. They’ve gone to fulfill their duties to the people.”

“Right, everyone’s waiting for your son to kick off the Spring Festival Gala.”

“Don’t forget to watch the Spring Festival Gala tonight.”

“Need you say? I wouldn’t watch it if it were directed by anyone else. But since this Spring Festival Gala is headed by Little Ye, I’ll definitely switch on both my television sets to help boost the viewership ratings for him.”

“We’re neighbors after all!”

“Haha, we must give him our support.”

…

Out on the streets.

Firecrackers were set off and crackled with mini-explosions.

Joyous looks were on the faces of every pedestrian.

“It’s finally the holidays.”

“Let’s hurry home and wrap some dumplings.”

“What are you gonna do tonight?”

“What else? A reunion dinner with my family and the Spring Festival Gala, of course.”

“You’re really gonna watch it? I haven’t watched that in so many years already.”

“Of course I’m really going to watch it. The Spring Festival Gala this year has had a change in leadership. I am actually quite looking forward to Zhang Ye’s debut Spring Festival Gala show. At the very least, I should watch it to see how it turns out, right?”

“True that, I guess I’ll watch it too then.”

…

At a stall selling fireworks.

A few students walked out after purchasing some firecrackers.

“Shall we light them tonight?”

“Why don’t we light them now? I won’t be free tonight.”

“Where are you off to?”

“I want to grab a work dedication card of fortune!”

“Damn, how did that slip my mind!”

“I’m only missing the work dedication card!”

“Me too, that Zhang Ye is such a scammer!”

“Yeah, let’s watch the Spring Festival Gala and grab the red packets for a work dedication card. If we manage to get one, we’re gonna be rich. I heard that are a lot of people who still haven’t managed to gather all five of the cards of fortune!”

…

At a newspaper firm.

“Old Li, are you working overtime today?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for covering tonight’s duties.”

“It’s fine, I can catch the Spring Festival Gala in the editorial office.”

“There aren’t any changes to the program list?”

“No changes, it’s still the same as before. I can’t believe it, I really can’t believe that Zhang Ye would come up with an act that spans four hours, so I must see for myself just what he has got planned!”

“Yeah, the entire country’s media outlets are very curious about it.”

“There wasn’t any news that came out of the first and second rehearsals either?”

“No, they’ve kept it really tight-lipped for this year’s Spring Festival Gala. It’s no longer the same as previous years since they didn’t arrange for any media and audience representatives at the rehearsals. So other than the Spring Festival Gala’s production team, no one knows exactly what’s happening. At both of the rehearsals, they only allowed the Central TV reporters into the venue.”

“They’re making it so mysterious that I wonder what they’re really trying to achieve.”

“I guess we’ll find out exactly what they’ve got planned when we watch it tonight.”

…

In a household.

“Mom.”

“Yes, my daughter.”

“What time does the Spring Festival Gala start?”

“8 PM sharp, so it’s still early.”

“Aiya, I can’t wait anymore.”

“Why not?”

“I want to see Zhang Ye, Zhang Yuanqi, Liu Guo, and Sun Mian. They’re my favorite celebrities!”

“My daughter, you better not get your hopes up too high. Zhang Ye has never directed such a large-scale gala before, nor has he taken charge of any smaller-scale ones either, so we still don’t know how this will turn out. If he really screws up the gala, there are many rumors in the industry that this might just turn out to be the last ever Spring Festival Gala.”

“No way?”

“That’s what the rumors say though.”

“No, Zhang Ye will definitely have a way to reinvigorate the Spring Festival Gala. Teacher Zhang has never disappointed anyone before! Even if the others could not do it, he can definitely make it a success!”

“You’re such a fangirl.”

“Heehee.”

…

Online.

“Comrades, assemble!”

“The Spring Festival Gala is almost here. Let’s get ready for some roasting later tonight!”

“Haha, are we still doing it this year?”

“Of course we are!”

“Where are all the flamers? Hurry up and report in!”

“Let’s start taking attendance!”

“But we don’t have Zhang Ye to lead the group this year!”

“Right, it was Zhang Ye who led us in the flaming of last year’s Spring Festival Gala. Who could have expected that he would actually become the Spring Festival Gala’s executive director this year? Hahahaha, why am I gloating at this!”

“He deserves it! He’s getting his just deserts! Brothers, there’s no need to be polite with Teacher Zhang!”

“That’s right, we don’t need Zhang Ye to lead us this year. We’ll band together and flame him!”

“Pfft, you people are too harsh. Old Hu, Old Lu, aren’t you both diehard fans of Zhang Ye’s?”

“It’s exactly because we’re diehard fans that we mustn’t dishonor this glorious tradition that Zhang Ye has passed down.”

“Zhang Ye must not’ve thought that such a day would come for him, hahaha!”

“I’m here!”

“Flamer #1 reporting in!”

“Count me in too!”

…

Old.

Or young.

Male.

Or female.

The Spring Festival Gala was entering its final countdown!

The entire world’s Chinese population had turned their attention to it!

Scoldings? Criticism? None of those could be seen at this moment in time. First, it was because the matter had been going on for so long that everyone was getting tired of being doubtful. Second, this was where the charm of the Spring Festival Gala lay. It was an event that could change the mood and mentality of the people. A lot of people who had been scolding and criticizing Zhang Ye before this and expressing their dissatisfaction with him taking charge of the Spring Festival Gala were now less angry now that the actual day had arrived. Hearing those firecrackers being set off outside on the streets as well as watching their families getting reunited at home had eased their tempers.

They were just going to watch it peacefully.

They would have to see how the Spring Festival Gala would be handled by Zhang Ye.

There were still ten hours left.

There were still eight hours left.

There were still six hours left.

…

At Central TV.

In Broadcasting Studio 1.

With the time approaching, the Spring Festival Gala production team was under increasing pressure.

For example, Ha Qiqi seemed really nervous and looked like she was carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders since morning.

Meanwhile, Zhang Zuo, Little Wang, and the others were not doing any better. Even if they weathered countless storms and experiences with Zhang Ye, they couldn’t bear the pressure they were experiencing. This was not a variety show but the Spring Festival Gala. It was going to be a live broadcast with the entire world’s Chinese population watching them!

No pressure?

No nervousness?

That would be bullshit!

“Where’s my cell phone? Where did my cell phone go?”

“You’re holding it in your hand.”

“Ah!”

“Everyone, don’t panic.”

“But my heart has been pounding ever since this morning.”

“We have Director Zhang. It’ll be fine!”

Zhang Ye was the calmest person among them. Actually, he wasn’t really calm. But he knew that at such a time, anyone could panic except for him. Being the leader of the group, as the executive director of the Spring Festival Gala, he would have to bear the pressure. So he looked at everyone.

Zhang Ye said with a smile, “Old Ha, Old Zuo, do you two really have to be this nervous?”

Ha Qiqi wiped her sweat away. “But I can’t help feeling nervous! I’m just afraid that, that if something happens, what do we do? We’ll become sinners to our nation!”

Zhang Ye laughed. “We’ve already done all that we could and prepared for every situation. If there’s really a power outage, building collapse, or a tsunami, it’s not something that we can control.” He turned his head to the side and noticed an assistant director from Central TV sitting there calmly. He seemed to be eating something, so Zhang Ye pointed at him in admiration and said, “Just look at Old Han over there. He’s someone who already has three years of the Spring Festival Gala under his belt. Just look at how calm he is in the face of adversity. He even knows to replenish his energy by eating something beforehand. We youngsters should really learn from him and his way of handling such situations!”

Old Han turned stiff as he looked over, surprised. “Huh? Who’s calling me?”

Zhang Ye was taken aback. Having just noticed what Old Han was holding in his hand, Zhang Ye asked, “Old Han, what are you eating?”

“It’s an instant cardio-reliever pill ² . I’m too nervous and need to calm myself down.”

Zhang Ye was speechless.

Ha Qiqi giggled, “Pfft!”

Zhang Zuo laughed, “Hahahaha!”

Little Wang was also cramping up with laughter!

Old Han asked, “What’s the matter? Do you need me for something?”

Zhang Ye rolled his eyes and said, “It’s nothing, just continue taking your medication.”

Old Han nodded: “OK.”

Sigh!

These guys!