I’m Really a Superstar

Backstage.

The trio had already exited the stage.

Zhang Ye, Yao Jiancai, and Dong Shanshan’s Spring Festival Gala debut came to an end.

The thunderous applause was still ringing in their ears.

“Zhang Ye!”

“Zhang Ye!”

“Encore!”

“We haven’t had enough!”

“I’m crying from laughing so much, can you see?”

They were shouting all kinds of things!

When Zhang Ye heard it, he gave a happy smile. The nervousness from taking charge of his first Spring Festival Gala and going on stage for his first Spring Festival Gala performance had all disappeared without a trace. He could finally heave a long sigh of relief.

Zhang Ye had taken a really big risk on this skit, not because of the choice of the script, but because of the changes made to the characters. There were only so many classic skits from his previous world, and even fewer that could be used as a finale, so this presented to Zhang Ye a very big problem.

What role was he going to play?

What roles could he play?

Pan Changhong? He couldn’t do it.

Chen Peisi? He couldn’t act like him.

Zhu Shimao? That would be even more difficult.

Even Uncle Zhao Benshan’s ¹ image was not something that Zhang Ye could match!

So when the script was finalized and confirmed with Yao Jiancai and Dong Shanshan, Zhang Ye decided that he would have to take the risk of altering the characters a bit.

Yao Jiancai was to play the dupe.

Dong Shanshan was to play the ugly role.

And he would play the countrified role.

For both Dong Shanshan and his roles, they didn’t deliberately make themselves look older than they were. This was because he knew that they might not achieve the best effects even if they dressed up to look old. Instead, it might even make the audience unable to concentrate on the performance, so they might as well just do it as their actual ages. There were also some modifications to the script. In the original version, Fan Weicheng had addressed Uncle Benshan as Big Bro, while Yao Jiancai called Zhang Ye Old Bro over here. The original also featured a middle-aged couple, replaced by a young couple over here, but the effects were still the same.

Looking back on it, the response was extremely good!

In fact, it was even better than any of the acts that came before!

The famous “Selling Crutches” was also restored by Zhang Ye in this world!

Dong Shanshan clutched her chest, panting. “Did I stutter through one of my lines? It scared me and I almost said it wrong!”

Yao Jiancai had sweat pouring down his face. “It’s alright, Shanshan, you did pretty good.”

Dong Shanshan smiled and said, “It looks like the audience’s response wasn’t too bad, right?”

Yao Jiancai laughed and said, “Just listen, listen to that, it’s more than not bad. This applause, this laughter, these screams, not many skits in the past have ever gotten such a warm reception! Isn’t that so, Zhang’er?” Yao Jiancai turned his head with a smile but was startled when he realized that Zhang Ye was no longer standing there with them.

Zhang Ye was anxiously running off into the distance.

Dong Shanshan shouted after him, “Where are you going?”

Zhang Ye raised a hand at them. “I’ve gotta run. There’s still a pile of work that requires my attention. You two head back home.”

Only then did Yao Jiancai remember that Zhang Ye was the executive director of the Spring Festival Gala as well. He wasn’t like them, able to put everything down once they finished performing the finale skit. The entire Spring Festival Gala was still waiting for him to take command. So he said, “Why would we head back home at this time? Teacher Shanshan and I will wait for you so that we can throw a celebratory feast when the gala is over!”

Zhang Ye said, “Alright!”

He soon disappeared from sight.

Yao Jiancai stared in that direction. “Hai, Zhang’er must be really tired out this time.”

Dong Shanshan smiled and said, “Well, he always risks his life when it comes to working. If the viewership ratings of this year’s Spring Festival Gala aren’t ideal, then it would definitely be a waste of the hard work that he’s put in over the past two or three months!”

…

In the production control room.

When Zhang Ye returned, the production team’s staff squealed!

“Director Zhang!”

“Hahaha!”

“Your acting was so good!”

“That skit was really godly!”

“Not to mention the audience, even I was laughing like crazy!”

“You didn’t see it, but the camera operators in the venue were almost rolling on the floor laughing!”

“This finale skit just before midnight has really lived up to expectations!”

“Our viewership ratings are gonna explode!”

“Right, it’s definitely gonna be explosive this time!”

They were beginning to celebrate in advance.

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “The Spring Festival Gala isn’t over yet, so hurry back to your positions. Don’t screw it up at the last second!”

“Right.”

“Understood!”

“Alright, Director Zhang!”

“Everyone, let’s give it more effort! We’re going to make the final push!”

“Hahaha, I’m full of energy right now!”

Everyone was very excited.

Zhang Ye’s skit had given everyone confidence and a boost!

Everyone was thinking that even without the prior acts, even without the new stage that was heavily invested in, just by this “Selling Crutches” skit by Director Zhang at the end, it was absolutely enough to make this year’s Spring Festival Gala stand out among the Spring Festival Galas in recent years. This skit was such a classic, and it was also very critical since it was the finale act just before midnight. In just a short while, it had lit up all of the Chinese people’s emotions around the world. Just by looking at the reactions of the live audience, one would know that everyone was blown away by wave after wave of climaxes. The moment “Selling Crutches” ended, it hit the highest point of the night!

That imagery, that enthusiasm, they could only be described as crazy!

How many years had it been since there was such an atmosphere at the Spring Festival Gala!

How many years had it been since such laughter had been heard at the Spring Festival Gala!

Today, they had achieved it!

Zhang Ye had led them to create a surprisingly amazing Spring Festival Gala!

…

On TV.

The hosts reappeared on the stage.

Little Hu Die’s act was also coming to a conclusion.

Midnight was almost here!

…

Beijing.

“It’s time to set off the firecrackers!”

“It’s almost New Year!”

“Everyone, let’s countdown!”

…

Tianjin.

“There are only two minutes left!”

“This is an interesting new year!”

“This year’s Spring Festival Gala is awesome!”

…

Shanghai.

“I’ve realized that the northerners’ skits are also quite interesting to watch.”

“Yeah, I didn’t use to watch them either. But who knew that I would watch it this year and nearly ended up laughing to death!”

“I’ll be sure to catch the Spring Festival Gala every year from now on.”

“Zhang Ye’s skit is the best.”

…

Shenzhen.

“This New Year’s feels different from before!”

“I don’t know why, but I’m exceptionally happy this year’s New Year’s Eve!”

“Hahaha, it must be because you watched the skit!”

“That’s true!”

“I actually watched the Spring Festival Gala from start to finish!”

“Me too, I didn’t miss any of the acts!”

“Me too, I watched them all!”

…

Overseas.

“The Spring Festival Gala is great!”

“I left China many years ago, but I just realized that a wondrous person like Zhang Ye appeared in showbiz!”

“Yeah, I really liked that last skit by him. The performance was really great!”

“I’ll remember him.”

“With the Spring Festival Gala coming to a perfect close and the country prospering and strong, I’m really proud to be Chinese.”

…

On Weibo.

“Wow, Little Hu Die still isn’t dizzy?”

“Did she really spin for four hours?”

“How godly! The acts on this year’s Spring Festival Gala are all fucking godly!”

“I can’t even describe how wonderful it is!”

“Hurry, they’re giving out red packets again!”

“It’s another wave of red packets being handed out!”

“Grab them! Grab them all!”

“Haha, I grabbed one with only 1 yuan in it!”

“Damn, I got Zhang Ye’s red packet again. There is only 1.7 cents in it! This adds up with the 1.3 cents that I received earlier, so I can finally withdraw a full 3 cents now? Pfft! Zhang Ye, you great trickster!”

“Hahahahaha!”

“This cheapskate is beyond saving!”

“Ahhh! I got the work dedication card! I got it!”

“Aiyo, I received one too!”

“Damn, I’ve finally completed my collection of the five cards of fortune!”

“It’s ending at midnight. They’ll be announcing the winners very soon!”

“200 million! It’s gonna be mine!”

The red packets were being distributed in large quantities!

The five cards of fortune were released in large batches!

At the end of the year, these were the last moments of craziness!

…

On TV.

The Spring Festival Gala’s live broadcast.

Yan Mei raised her microphone and said loudly, “As we can see, Little Hu Die is turning faster and faster now. Dear friends, there’s only 1 minute and 7 seconds left until we ring in the new year. At this point in time, let us bid farewell to the old and welcome the new with thanks. Let us embrace a better and more beautiful spring with fervor. We’re thankful for the great times, we’re thankful to our dearest homeland, we’re thankful to our parents who raised us, we’re thankful to those friends and family who helped us during the year. And of course, we should also praise ourselves and thank our own perseverance and hard work for getting us through the year! Let us confidently and passionately welcome a more hopeful and even more magnificent tomorrow!”

Li Chen smiled. “Is everyone ready?”

The hosts said in unison, “Come, let’s count down to the new year together!”

The live audience stood up!

The performers sitting backstage also stood up!

The staff members at the venue raised their hands into the air!

“Ten!”

“Nine!”

“Eight!”

“Seven!”

“Six!”

“Five!”

“Four!”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

“Happy New Year!”

Little Hu Die stopped turning!

Flower blossoms were scattered all over the stage!

The lights were putting on a gorgeous display!

At this moment, the entire venue erupted with excitement and cheers!

The hosts shouted New Year’s greetings.

“It’s the new year!”

“New Year has arrived!”

“Happy New Year!”

“Everyone, happy New Year!”

“Let us wish everyone a happy New Year!”

“May you achieve everything your heart desires! And your family be happy!”

At this very second, the whole nation was in jubilation!

At this moment, all the Chinese people in the world were celebrating the new year!