1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 216 Are you nervous this time?

CCTV's evening party is progressing in an orderly manner.

The southern region started cooperating with Hong Kong's television stations early on, and was able to watch TVB and ATV's Spring Festival programs in the early years.

The north is relatively conservative, and it was not until last year that CCTV launched the first live broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala to the national audience.

Later, various local TV stations followed suit and created their own hometown program channels. Especially when the mainland had its own television brand and televisions changed from luxury goods to durable goods in big cities, the penetration rate greatly increased and television programs began to flourish.

The 35th National Day Gala came into being against this background.

The studio was located in the Great Hall of the People. As the lyric orchestral music composed by teacher Wang Ming sounded, influential people from all walks of life entered the venue one after another.

Zhai Yuan followed Xia Meng, the core members of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, into the auditorium. Behind them were a group of children around seven or eight years old, dressed in bright and childlike clothes.

"What kind of show are we kids going to perform?"

Zhai Yuan thought of Xia Meng saying that he gave her the inspiration for this children's program, and asked curiously.

Xia Meng walked up the stairs of the auditorium, smiled and waved at the camera, saying, "You'll know when they come on stage."

Okay, I’ll keep it a secret at this point.

Zhai Yuan smiled, walked into the auditorium and took a seat.

The show officially began and the photographer pointed the camera at the two hosts on the stage.

Zhao Zhongxiang and Li Juan, the 'golden boy and jade girl', stood in front of a traditional Chinese painting of the rising sun, announcing the show in mellow voices.

"Happy holidays, dear friends. All the comrades of CCTV extend their holiday greetings to you..."

The first program was a song called "Welcome Song" sung by Cheng Zhi from the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe. More than a hundred round tables below the stage were filled with Chinese and foreign guests. As the camera swept across, the guests' faces were all filled with smiles.

Zhai Yuan's table was at the back of the middle row. He leaned back in his chair without any grace and cracked a handful of melon seeds on the table.

Looking around, the further back the table is, the smaller characters are seated, while the real big guys are sitting in the front row.

“Hopefully we can move the table forward again next year.”

Halfway through the bel canto singing on the stage, Xia Meng stood up from her seat.

She said to Zhai Yuan, "The Federation of Literary and Art Circles' program is ranked second. I have to go backstage to prepare. Do you want to come with me?"

Zhai Yuan said, "No hurry, I'll finish watching the program you prepared first."

His "Pearl of the Orient" is scheduled very late, estimated to be an hour later.

Xia Meng nodded and left. After the opening song "Welcome Song" was finished, the second program of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles officially began.

Two lesbians appeared on the stage pushing a giant cake that was more than one meter tall.

Thirty-five children holding colorful balloons and cheering rushed into the camera.

Ye Yuqing sat next to Zhai Yuan, looking at the children on the stage, smiling: "So cute~"

Although she did not have an invitation to the party, Zhai Yuan and Xia Meng could use the invitation to bring people in to watch the ceremony. Bringing one more person would just be a matter of adding one more chair.

Ye Yuqing dressed much more formally tonight. It was inappropriate to wear a black stocking skirt for such an important occasion. Zhai Yuan helped her take off her stockings and changed her into a school uniform in the hotel.

The clothes are quite formal, but Ye Yuqing is gifted with a curvy figure and the pure clothes make people even more imaginative.

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "Sister Meng said that this program was created based on me."

Ye Yuqing's eyes lit up: "Really?"

On the stage, children stood on both sides holding balloons high. A little girl in a white dress stood in the middle facing the microphone, her voice tender and crisp.

"We, the thirty-five children, are thirty-five young saplings. The saplings grow in the embrace of the big forest, and we grow in the embrace of our motherland..."

"…Dear Motherland, today we present you with a birthday cake. When we are thirty-five years old, we will present you with a modern new world."

The children's poetry recitation ended with warm applause and cheers from the audience.

Ye Yuqing frowned in confusion: "Idol, I don't think your name was mentioned."

Zhai Yuan smiled and clapped his hands softly: "Yes, I am not the only one mentioned."

The camera scanned the trophies placed in front of the stage.

A TV clip of Los Angeles Olympic athletes fighting bravely was inserted into the evening party.

Zhao Zhongxiang and Li Juan took the stage for the second time: "At the Olympics, Chinese athletes from both sides of the Taiwan Strait competed and received awards on the same stage. Please enjoy the performance of Zhu Fengbo of the Huangpu Song and Dance Troupe, "We Meet in a Foreign Country."

Zhai Yuan felt quite emotional.

Although the venue for today's evening parties is simple, each program is cleverly arranged. The audience eats and chats, appreciating the stage with true feelings, and the atmosphere is peaceful and warm.

It was nothing like the group of "palm-collaring animals" that were deliberately arranged in the audience later.

Thirty-four-year-old Zhu Mingying wore a pink gauze dress and sang a song "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon".

I am looking forward to seeing you from afar, with endless thoughts of you. When will you come back?
After listening to this song, Zhai Yuan felt that the artistic conception of this song was no worse than that of "Pearl of the Orient", but it just didn't seem to be widely sung.

Then several programs were performed on the stage.

Ye Yuqing was very interested in an acrobatic dance. When she saw the actress balancing the wine glasses with her hands, feet, mouth and head, she stood up and applauded in excitement and admiration.

What impressed Zhai Yuan the most was a fellow Hong Konger who made his debut on stage.

The one-armed old man who was Chen Zhen’s master in “The Legend of Huo Yuanjia” and the director of “The Kapok Robe” Xu Xiaoming sang the song of the same name from the movie on stage.

"I forgot to bring Liang Xiaolong here."

When Zhai Yuan saw Xu Xiaoming, he remembered that Chen Zhen was still in his company.

When the name "Four Little Dragons" was coined, although they were all trying to ride on Bruce Lee's fame in the beginning, now only Chen Shilon has made his own way. If Liang Xiaolong and Di Long had not participated in 1991's "A Better Tomorrow", they would probably have been semi-retired by now.

"When Jet Li returns to Hong Kong, we can have him and Leung Hiu Lung put on a show together."

Zhai Yuan briefly planned Liang Xiaolong's path, then accompanied Ye Yuqing to watch a magic show, then stood up and stretched.

He told Ye Yuqing, "Ah Qing, I'm going to wait backstage. You sit here and don't move."

Ye Yuqing smiled and nodded obediently, peeled an orange and stuffed a slice into his mouth: "Come on, idol!"

Backstage.

Xia Meng was communicating with several actors. When she saw Zhai Yuan come in, she nodded at him.

"nervous?"

"It's okay. I'm thick-skinned."

"makes sense."

Apart from the children who had been on stage, the other actors backstage were all around 30 years old. The sudden appearance of a young man like Zhai Yuan still attracted a lot of curious attention.

Zhai Yuan greeted everyone and said with a smile: "I am Zhai Yuan, an actor from Hong Kong."

Xu Xiaoming and several Hong Kong and Taiwan artists felt that he looked familiar from the moment he walked in. Now when they heard him introduce himself, they all showed surprise.

The name Zhai Yuan is not well-known in the mainland, but it is well-known in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

"Hello, Mr. Zhai."

"Hello."

"Hello, Mr. Zhai."

"Hello."

"Hello, Mr. Zhai."

"Hmm? Stop swearing."

Several artists from Hong Kong and Taiwan came over to pay their respects, with eager expressions of flattery.

Most of the artists who can come to the mainland to perform have given up the Taiwan market and their careers have been damaged, so they still hope to have some relationship with Zhai Yuan.

1024 is now more famous in Hong Kong than the Shuangnan Cinema Line.

Zhai Yuan suddenly became the focus backstage.

The mainland artists were a little confused. Why did their Hong Kong and Taiwan compatriots, who had just been so cold and distant to them, suddenly rush to curry favor with a young man who looked only about 20 years old?

Among this group of Hong Kong and Taiwan artists, except for Zhang Mingmin, a big star who became famous with the song "My Chinese Heart" on last year's Spring Festival Gala, most of the others have little exposure. Zhai Yuan hardly knows any of them, and the greetings between them are not enthusiastic.

It was not until Chen Meiling from Huaxing Records stood in front of him and called him "Mr. Zhai" with a faint smile that Zhai Yuan's smile deepened.

This beautiful lady is currently considered the big sister of Huaxing Records, and is superior to the newcomer Mei Yanfang. She has a good relationship with Zhang Guorong and Chen Shufang, and has met Zhai Yuan several times before.

Zhai Yuan asked: "Sister Meiling is also attending this party? When did she arrive in the mainland?"

"I just landed last night, and Uncle Zhan and the others played your song 'Pearl of the Orient' to me."

She smiled and said, "Ah Mei knows that you are going to perform in the Mainland, so she asked me to thank you. She will treat you to a meal when we return to Hong Kong."

"Mei Yanfang?" Zhai Yuan frowned, then reacted: "I remember now, 'Like Water Flowing Years', right? It's a small matter, that song is very suitable for her."

Chen Meiling smiled helplessly and said, "You are the only one who thinks it is a small matter. If a singer had half of your creative talent, he would definitely win many awards."

After they chatted for a few words, Director Wang from the program team walked towards Chen Meiling.

After nodding and greeting Zhai Yuan, Director Wang said to Chen Meiling, "Ms. Chen, it's your turn to perform on stage next."

Chen Meiling wore a white dress and a hairpin tonight, looking sweet and charming.

Before she was 20 years old, she was already a popular idol in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. At the peak of her career, she was as famous as Teresa Teng and Yamaguchi Momoe, or even more famous. Later, she retired from the circle for a few years to study abroad, and her popularity declined.

Zhai Yuan walked to the side curtain and watched Chen Meiling walk onto the stage.

"Hello everyone, this is my first time meeting you on CCTV. I think you are so popular..."

Zhai Yuan shook his head: "I still need to practice Mandarin."

Chen Meiling sang three songs in a row on the stage, two Chinese versions of "If" and "Pastoral Song of the Wilderness", and one Japanese version of "Poppy Flower".

Her singing voice is as sweet as her looks, and the artists backstage, especially the male ones, were all staring at her in amazement.

When Chen Meiling returned to the backstage and talked to Zhai Yuan again, Zhai Yuan felt a few more hostile glances from behind.

Two more songs and dances ended.

Finally it was Zhai Yuan's turn to go on stage.

The host Zhao Zhongxiang's voice rang out: "For the sake of the vast number of TV viewers, our evening party has specially invited Mr. Zhai Yuan, a famous singer from Hong Kong. He has come all the way from Hong Kong to Yanjing to perform for everyone in the magnificent and luxurious auditorium..."

Zhai Yuan smiled and greeted everyone backstage, thinking to himself, great, I’ve become a famous singer.

However, my current identity is not suitable for introduction.

Theater chain owner? Theatre owner? It doesn't quite fit the style of the party.

Casino boat owner? Damn it!

“Next time let them report private entrepreneurs!”

Zhai Yuan pondered in his mind as he walked from the backstage to the front stage.

When passing the side curtain, he brushed past the host Zhao Zhongxiang who was leaving the stage.

Zhao Zhongxiang called out "Mr. Zhai" with a smile.

Zhai Yuan nodded and greeted him: "Hello... Yeah~ Teacher Zhao!"

Zhao Zhongxiang quickly called out "Hey, Teacher" twice, and thought to himself, how come there are such enthusiastic fellow Hong Kong people?

…………

"Dear guests, dear friends, dear viewers in front of the TV, ladies and gentlemen, good evening~" On the stage, Zhai Yuan was wearing a formal suit, holding a microphone, smiling naturally.

I was sitting in the back row of the audience just now and couldn’t see what was happening in front of me, but now I can see everything standing on the stage.

The first and second rows of seats were filled with big shots, including some experts wearing green military uniforms.

Boss Li, Boss Lei, Boss Zhao and other celebrities and tycoons were all present, chatting and laughing in the company of several powerful people.

Dr Ho of Malaysia Exchange sat at the same table with Lui Chen-tung, another major shareholder of STDM.

The two tables next to each other were occupied by real estate tycoons headed by Li Chaoren.

Zhai Yuan took a quick look and found that six of the top ten real estate developers in Hong Kong were present this time.

In comparison, although Uncle Zhao Liu was a dominant figure in the film industry, he only got a seat at the very edge of the second row, with Aunt Liu Fang Yihua sitting next to him.

Uncle Zhao Liu and Zhai Yuan had a friendship over four Longtou theaters. When he suddenly saw Zhai Yuan appear on the stage, a flash of surprise flashed across his gaunt face, but he quickly recovered and smiled and nodded at Zhai Yuan.

Zhai Yuan smiled as usual, holding up the microphone and said: "On the 26th of last month, our motherland and the British side signed a joint statement. As a Hong Konger, when I heard the news, I was deeply moved and my eyes were filled with tears..."

The audience below applauded loudly.

I was confused: Eh? Didn't the announcement say this was a singing show? How did it become a speech?
When the staff of the backstage program team saw Zhai Yuan standing on the stage, he started talking for nearly a minute as soon as he opened his mouth. They were so anxious that their faces turned green.

"Why isn't the singing starting yet? What is he doing? What does he want to do?!"

"Director, should we still play the accompaniment?"

"Let go!"

Wang Xianping, a female director, couldn't help but swear. Zhai Yuan's speech on the stage was passionate, and the leaders below the stage looked quite satisfied. It would be a performance accident if they interrupted him without any warning.

She walked quickly to Xia Meng and asked anxiously, "Sister Meng, what's going on?"

"I don't know what he is doing, but please rest assured that Zhai Yuan will definitely not say anything that violates the rules in front of the camera."

Xia Meng was also at a loss whether to laugh or cry. She knew that Zhai Yuan was thick-skinned, but she didn't expect him to be this thick-skinned.

He is really not nervous at all!

But to be honest, this guy is really good at speaking.

Zhai Yuan spoke on the stage for a full two minutes, expressing his anticipation for the return of Hong Kong as a fellow Hong Kong compatriot.

Unable to get in touch with the powerful people sitting in the front row, he could only use this shameless method to make his presence felt. If he could attract the attention of the big guys, there would be a good chance of poaching talents from the Academy of Sciences.

Finally, he concluded: "...I believe that Hong Kong will soon set sail from a new starting point. For this reason, I specially composed a song "Pearl of the Orient" to express my feelings. I hope this pearl of the motherland will shine even more brightly!"

The backstage staff was in a panic: "Quick, quick, quick! Play the accompaniment!"

The melodious prelude sounded and Zhai Yuan began his singing.

"The river meanders southwards, stop at Xiangjiang to see the Pearl of the Orient..."

There were many vocal professionals and national team members backstage. When Zhai Yuan sang the opening song, some of them frowned slightly.

What! Isn't this just a loud voice without any technique, full of emotion?

Chen Meiling curled her lips when she saw this, thinking: What do you know? Mr. Zhai is a creative contestant!

Artists look down on each other, and literati look down on each other.

However, although the artists backstage looked down on Zhai Yuan from a professional perspective, the audience below the stage listened with great interest.

The two and a half minute speech by Zhai Yuan just now has already set a very good atmosphere. With the accompaniment melody composed by Huang and Gu, and the great value of the song itself, as long as he doesn't sing out of tune, it won't sound bad no matter how he sings.

The whole place was silent.

The audience was pondering the meaning of the lyrics, and many of them showed moved expressions on their faces.

Ye Yuqing was sitting in the audience, her eyes full of stars, looking at Zhai Yuan on the stage with admiration.

In the corner of the third row, there was a woman with a cool temperament. She was also staring at Zhai Yuan who was performing freely on the stage, with the corner of her mouth slightly raised.

When the cold woman looked at Zhai Yuan, Zhai Yuan turned his head and happened to meet her gaze in the crowd.

Seeing that familiar face, Zhai Yuan's heart moved slightly.

Xue Wanen, the daughter of Hong Kong Guangsheng Electric Power Company and chairman of the board of directors of Huaen Department Store.

She actually came to the party?
And he's sitting in the third row!

Zhai Yuan and Xue Wan'en exchanged glances and blinked as they finished singing the last part: "... Let the sea tide accompany me to bless you. Please don't forget that my face will never turn yellow."

The audience was silent for a few seconds, followed by thunderous applause.

Ye Yuqing stood up excitedly in the back row: "Great! Great idol!"

Xue Wan'en actually stood up as well, looking elegant and dignified in a black off-shoulder evening gown, and gently clapped her hands towards Zhai Yuan on the stage.

Bigwigs like Li Jiacheng and He Hongsheng smiled, while Lei Zhendong gave Zhai Yuan a thumbs up to show his appreciation.

"This young man is pretty good. He didn't bring shame to us Hong Kong people."

The influential people all smiled upon hearing this and developed a favorable impression of the young man on the stage.

At the end of the song, Zhai Yuan stole the show.

Backstage.

Director Wang was about to cry: "Mr. Zhai, I have worked on so many programs, and you are the most unique one."

Zhai Yuan knew he was in the wrong, so he smiled and said, "Well, if you want to scold me, just do it. Why are you being so tactful?"

Director Wang didn't dare to lose his temper with his fellow Hong Kongers, so he turned around and asked a group of mainland artists: "Who is willing to streamline their own programs?"

Mainland artists all looked up at the sky and pretended not to hear it.

After all, being able to appear on TV these days is a great honor for the family.

Chen Meiling felt helpless when she saw this, and thought that she should have sung one less song.

Just as she thought of this, someone in the crowd shared the same idea as her.

A gentle voice said, "Director Wang, I'll sing one less song."

Everyone followed the sound.

Hong Kong singer Zhang Mingmin was wearing a suit, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, and had a smile on his face, exuding a scholarly temperament.

Like Chen Meiling, he was given the same treatment as the three-song performance.

Zhang Mingmin looked at Zhai Yuan and said with a friendly smile, "Mr. Zhai, when will you pay the copyright fee for playing my song "My Chinese Heart" in Taiwan?"

…………

at the same time.

Under the cover of night, in a mansion somewhere in Yanjing City.

There was an old man sitting on the sofa, holding a cigarette with a very long filter, watching the live evening party on TV with great interest.

Several old comrades were there to accompany him.

On TV, Zhai Yuan was making an impassioned speech on the stage.

The old man smiled as he listened, speaking with a Sichuan accent: "This young man speaks very well. If every young person in Hong Kong had his thoughts, we would still be worried about what the British might do."

The melody of "Pearl of the Orient" sounded.

The old man listened to Zhai Yuan singing a few lines, closed his eyes slightly, and tapped his knees to follow the rhythm.

After the performance, he opened his eyes again and nodded with satisfaction: "The lyrics are very good. They keenly capture the true and subtle confusion of the Hong Kong people, while also maintaining their sense of identity with the motherland. This young man has literary talent. I think this song can definitely be included in textbooks in the future!"

The old comrades around me also smiled and nodded.

The old man asked curiously: "Just now on TV, what's the name of this young man?"

Three minutes later, a file that Zhai Yuan had thoroughly investigated when he came to Beijing was delivered to the old man.

"Zhai Yuan, formerly known as Zhai Jingyuan, was born in Xia Wan Village, San Tin Township, Yuen Long District, New Territories, Hong Kong on February 1965, 2. His father, Zhai Xiaokang, died in an accident in his early years (it is also said that the cause of death was related to his elder brother, Zhai Xiaosheng). His mother, Zhao Meizhen, is unemployed and lives at home. His younger sister, Zhai Yao, is currently studying at the primary school affiliated to the Diocesan Girls' School..."

In the entire file, Zhai Yuan's resume was clearly recorded, from the time he opened a video hall after graduating from high school and became enemies with Deng Zecheng, to his current position as the owner of 1024 Entertainment, , Secret Garden, Yuen Long Factory, and the Natural Selection casino ship. All of his information was recorded.

Among them, playing red songs in Taiwan, recruiting left-wing artists into their own company, and frequently clashing with the Freedom Association are the most highlighted parts.

"It's pretty good, but sometimes I do things in an extreme and impatient way."

The old man smiled and finished reading it, and gave his comment: "But it is very in line with the style of young people."

Someone nearby reminded him, "Comrade Xia Meng from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles mentioned to the Academy of Sciences today that this young comrade plans to donate 10 million Hong Kong dollars to the Academy of Sciences, hoping to select a few experts in technical research to help him make some machines in his factory in Yuen Long."

The old man flipped through the files and said, "Video recorders and CDs... I remember that Ye Laosi from Pengcheng seemed to be doing research in this area. It's a good thing that young people like them are willing to delve into scientific research and technology. We should support and encourage them."

The people around him worriedly said, "He took the talented people to Hong Kong. What if they rebelled..."

"Hey! What's the point of saying all this!" The old man waved his hands and pondered for a moment: "Arrange a time tomorrow. I want to meet this young man."

…………

"Pearl of the Orient" became popular all over the country overnight.

After the front-page headline of the Beijing Daily introduced last night's party, the first news item in the supplement used more than 500 words to appreciate the lyrics of the song.

The title is: Please don’t forget my face that will never turn yellow.

For the first time, mainland audiences learned the name of the famous singer "Zhai Yuan".

then.

Before the genuine records were recorded, the smart small vendors in Yanjing City had already made tapes of songs recorded from TV speakers.

From Xidan to Panjiayuan, middle-aged women holding children can be seen on the streets from time to time.

They approached passers-by and asked mysteriously, "Brother, do you want to bring a song? The famous Hong Kong singer Zhai Yuan's "Pearl of the Orient."

Zhai Yuan was both amused and confused when he received the news.

Around one o'clock in the afternoon.

Two energetic young guards came to the hotel where Zhai Yuan was staying and knocked on the door.

"Mr. Zhai, please come with us."

Zhai Yuan got into a Hongqi car.

Speechless all the way.

He met the old man for the first time in a housing estate near Chang'an Avenue.

Zhai Yuan explained in detail his ideas for making VCDs and CDs, and the old man nodded repeatedly after listening.

"Scientific research is important, but it must also be done in accordance with international regulations. I hope you can achieve good results next time we meet."

The brief conversation between the old and the young ended with the old man's words.

Zhai Yuan was sent back to the hotel.

Sitting on the bed, he smoked several cigarettes in succession before his mood gradually calmed down.

Xia Meng knocked on the door and walked in, looking at him with a smile and asked, "Are you nervous this time?"

Zhai Yuan curled his lips and said nothing.

Xia Meng smiled again and said, "The Academy of Sciences has approved your application. I will take your people to visit and see if we can find the professionals you need."

　Due to venue issues, the show was recorded and broadcast from various locations. In the book, it was changed to live broadcast to accommodate the plot.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)