How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 442 Do You Dare to Swear?
After returning to Beijing, Zhang Wen did not stay for long. Just one week later, he took the Future Girls group on a flight to Shenzhen.

This year's China TV New Year's Eve Gala will be held in Shenzhen, and rehearsals and recording are in their final countdown.

This was the first time the Future Girls group had appeared on a national television stage since their debut. The five girls looked both nervous and excited, and before boarding the plane, they became chatterboxes, talking incessantly the whole way.

Three hours later, the flight landed at Shenzhen International Airport, where a business vehicle sent by the program crew was already waiting outside.

As soon as he got into the car, Zhang Wen received the final schedule for the New Year's Eve gala. Future Girls was scheduled to perform fifth, and their song was "The Best of Us".

Not long after, the van arrived at the venue for the New Year's Eve party, the Shenzhen Sports Center.

At this time, the stage for the gala had been set up, and the backstage corridors were crowded with staff and performers, with people coming and going.

Zhang Wengang led Zhao Tong and others backstage, where they were greeted by two familiar faces: Sun Shiping, the vice president of the Music Association, and Tian Boyang, the advisor to the Music Association. Tian Boyang also had another identity: the head of the Golden Melody Awards judging panel.

Behind the two were five or six people, most of whom they had never seen before, and only one of whom looked familiar but whose name they could not recall.

As the old saying goes: When enemies meet, their eyes are filled with hatred.

The two groups bumped into each other in the narrow passage, and the air instantly froze.

"What are you doing here?" Tian Boyang was the first to speak, his tone tinged with displeasure, his brows furrowed.

"That's the question I should be asking," Zhang Wen said calmly. "This is the rehearsal site for the China TV New Year's Eve Gala. What are you doing here? Do you want to cause trouble too?"

"How dare you speak like that?" one of the henchmen stepped forward and said loudly, "Vice President Sun and Teacher Tian are the artistic advisors for the New Year's Eve Gala."

"Really?" Zhang Wen waved his hand in front of his nose and muttered softly, "No wonder it felt a bit smoky when I came in, now I know why."

"Insolence!" the henchman shouted angrily. "You dare to be so arrogant in front of Vice President Sun and Teacher Tian? Do you really think the Music Association can't handle you?"

"What a show of power," Zhang Wen said with a sneer. "The Golden Melody Awards scandal hasn't been explained yet, and now you're trying to show off in front of me. I wonder what netizens will think if this gets online."

"you……"

The henchman glared at him, about to speak, when he saw Vice President Sun extend his hand. The henchman snorted coldly, took two steps back, and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Sun Shiping's gaze swept over Zhang Wen, finally landing on the Future Girls group, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Young people these days are really something, managing to get into the New Year's Eve gala just by smashing trophies."

Zhao Tong and the others were filled with shame and indignation upon hearing this, but in order not to cause trouble for Teacher Zhang, they didn't say a word and silently endured it.

However, while the students could tolerate it, Zhang Wen could not.

He looked directly at the vice president and said sarcastically, "To stand on the stage of the China TV New Year's Eve Gala, you rely on the audience's recognition, unlike some awards that use the banner of authority but do dirty things behind the scenes. As the saying goes, 'Those who do many evil deeds will surely perish.' Such awards will be abandoned by the audience sooner or later."

Sun Shiping's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, his eyes turning cold as he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, then let's see who gets abandoned first!"

"Is Vice President Sun planning to do something dirty behind the scenes again?" Zhang Wen said, pretending to think, one hand across his chest and the other supporting his chin. "Let me guess, is he planning to go to the leaders of China TV and cancel the Future Girls program?"

Sun Shiping's expression changed, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Clearly, what was predicted was accurate.

He often served as an artistic consultant for some large-scale galas held by China Television, and was very familiar with many leaders in the station. If he wanted to cancel an artist's program, it would only take a few words.

But now that the other party has said it in public, if he does that again, wouldn't that confirm his habit of causing trouble behind the scenes?

Sun Shiping's face turned pale and then red, as if he had been slapped hard.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Sun Shiping retorted sharply, trying to appear calm. "As the artistic consultant for the New Year's Eve gala, it's my duty to care about the quality of the program. How dare you make malicious speculations here?"

Tian Boyang chimed in, "Zhang Wen, you need to provide evidence before you speak. Making baseless accusations can lead to legal consequences."

"Evidence?" Zhang Wen scoffed, showing no fear, and said, "The shady dealings in the Golden Melody Awards selection process are the best evidence. As for whether what I just said was nonsense, as the head of the judging panel, you should know better than anyone else."

Many staff members and performers nearby were drawn by the commotion and stopped to peek over, watching the spectacle unfold.

"You..." Tian Boyang blushed with embarrassment. Seeing the gazes around him, he straightened his back and said, "I don't know. The Golden Melody Awards judges have always been fair and impartial."

"Do you dare to swear an oath?" Zhang Wen asked.

"What oath?" Tian Boyang frowned.

"If the Golden Melody Awards judges are unfair, you'll develop dementia," Zhang Wen said, then looked at the other person provocatively. "You dare?"

Tian Boyang didn't want to swear an oath, he really didn't.

But with so many people watching, if I don't dare to swear, wouldn't that be tantamount to telling others that the Golden Melody Awards judges are indeed problematic?
This is not only about his personal reputation, but also about the reputation of the Golden Melody Awards and the reputation of the entire music association.

You know, the association has been publishing a lot of articles to defend the Golden Melody Awards lately. If they stumble here, wouldn't all their previous efforts be in vain?

Tian Boyang's face turned bright red, as if someone had grabbed his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

The gazes around him were like needles pricking him—some curious, some mocking, and some waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

He could even feel Vice President Sun urging him with his eyes, as if to say: It's just a vow, right? Hurry up, it's not like it'll actually come true.

"What, you're scared now?" Zhang Wen pressed closer, his voice not loud but penetrating. "Didn't you just say the judging was fair and impartial? Now you don't even dare to swear an oath. I think the biggest stain on the Golden Melody Awards is you, the head of the judging panel."

Tian Boyang clenched his fists tightly. He looked at the mocking eyes of the young man in front of him, and then glanced at the faces of the onlookers around him. For a moment, he felt a chill run down his spine.

He knew that if he didn't speak out this year, news of "Golden Melody Awards judges not daring to swear" would be everywhere tomorrow, and his and the Golden Melody Awards' reputation would only get worse.

"Okay, I'll send it!" Tian Boyang said through gritted teeth, as if he had made a huge decision.

“Okay, come on.” Zhang Wen extended his hand and gestured for them to come.

Tian Boyang took a deep breath and raised his voice, saying, "I, Tian Boyang, as the head of the Golden Melody Awards jury, hereby swear that the Golden Melody Awards jury is absolutely fair and impartial. If there is even the slightest lie, may I... may I become an senile idiot!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a brief moment of silence, followed by a burst of suppressed laughter. The oath sounded rather ridiculous, even childish.

However, since the head of the judging panel dared to make such a vow, it seems that the Golden Melody Awards judging process is indeed very fair and impartial.

"Good!" Zhang Wen applauded the other party after hearing this, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Advisor Tian has commendable courage, but I wonder if God will let you off the hook."

After saying that, he directly summoned a high-level negative personality derivative from the Wenqu Tower, and then flicked his finger, and the derivative landed on Tian Boyang's head.

Tian Boyang felt a gust of cold wind and couldn't help but shiver, but he didn't take it seriously and just tightened his coat.

Unbeknownst to him, the colorless derivative above his head had gradually turned white, transforming into a confused demon king.

Zhang Wen's smile became even brighter.

Thinking to myself: You little brat, trying to talk back!

Just then, the crowd in the corridor parted to the sides, and a middle-aged woman in a beige suit walked towards them.

Those who meet her know that she is Fang Yiru, the director of the comprehensive channel of China Television, and also the producer of this New Year's Eve gala.

Fang Yiru wore a professional smile as her gaze quickly swept across the scene before her...

Tian Boyang's face flushed red, Sun Shiping's brows were furrowed, Zhang Wen smiled, and the five girls of the Future Girls group nervously clutched the hem of their clothes. There were also staff members watching the commotion around them. The atmosphere was tense, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

"What's going on?" Fang Yiru walked into the crowd, her voice gentle but her tone undeniably firm. "With so many people blocking this way, don't you need to rehearse anymore?"

Upon hearing this, the people around quickly moved away from the area.

Sun Shiping was the first to suppress his anger and said to Fang Yiru, "Director Fang, we just wanted to have a chat with Teacher Zhang. This young man is quite interesting."

Fang Yiru looked at Sun Shiping, then at Zhang Wen, sighed softly, and said, "Alright, I've heard some things about what happened between you two, but this is the backstage area for the New Year's Eve gala. With so many people here, if things really get out of hand, it won't do anyone any good."

“Director Fang is right,” Sun Shiping said with a smile, then glanced at Zhang Wen, “It’s just that some people are ignorant and arrogant and like to cause trouble everywhere.”

“Vice President Sun, Advisor Tian, ​​you are seniors in the music industry. Teacher Zhang is young and impetuous, so please bear with him,” Fang Yiru said.

Sun Shiping was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.

He never expected that Director Fang would speak up for Zhang Wen. Just who was this young man? Was he a relative of Director Fang?
After speaking to Sun Shiping, Fang Yiru turned to Zhang Wen and said, “Teacher Zhang, it’s fine to be young and impetuous, but you should know when to stop. As the old saying goes, ‘Leave a way out for others, so you can meet again in the future.’ Besides, Vice President Sun and Consultant Tian are your seniors.”

Zhang Wen's smile faded slightly, but his eyes remained bright as he looked at Fang Yiru and said, "Director Fang, I respect you, but the premise of 'leaving a way out' is that the other party is worthy of this respectability. If some seniors take advantage of their seniority to do dirty things, then leaving this 'way out' is just a fig leaf for their dirty deeds."

He turned his head and looked at Sun Shiping and Tian Boyang, and continued, "Whether the Golden Melody Awards selection is fair or not, Vice President Sun and Advisor Tian know better than anyone else. I, Zhang Wen, never cause trouble, but I am not afraid of trouble at all. If anyone tries to step on me and doesn't allow me to speak, then I will step on them back, and I will kick them a few more times."

Just as Tian Boyang was about to open his mouth to refute, his mind suddenly went blank. He opened his mouth, and after a long while, he uttered "I," and then fell silent.

Sun Shiping looked at Lao Tian with a puzzled expression. He was usually quite talkative, so why did he suddenly stop talking?

Since Lao Tian isn't speaking, it's up to him to do so.

“Director Fang, look, he doesn’t even listen to you. This isn’t just youthful arrogance; it’s clearly conceit. If this continues, I’m really worried it will interfere with the important New Year’s Eve gala.” Sun Shiping sighed, looking concerned for the gala.

“The Future Girls’ rehearsal has been prepared for a long time and won’t be delayed.” Zhang Wen continued, “But Vice President Sun is up to his dirty tricks again.”

"What nonsense are you talking about? As an art consultant, isn't it normal for me to point out potential problems?" Sun Shiping retorted, sticking his neck out.

Fang Yiru frowned slightly. Sun Shiping said that Zhang Wen was disobedient. Wasn't Sun Shiping just taking every opportunity to sow discord between Zhang Wen and others?
The two are evenly matched.

The young are impetuous; the old are arrogant.

She had originally intended to act as a peacemaker, but now it seems she should give up.

Fang Yiru's smile faded, her gaze sweeping between the two of them. Her tone became more businesslike and distant. "Since neither of you is willing to back down, I won't try to persuade you anymore. But let me make this clear: if either of you dares to cause any trouble during the New Year's Eve gala rehearsals or pull any tricks during the recording, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Sun Shiping felt a chill run down his spine. When he was with Director Fang before, the latter had never treated him like this.

It seems that this Zhang has powerful backers.

“Director Fang, this isn’t the first time we’ve worked together. You know me. I’m not the kind of person who doesn’t understand the bigger picture,” Sun Shiping said earnestly, while also taking a jab at Zhang Wen.

"Hehe." Zhang Wen chuckled twice and said slowly, "As the old saying goes, you can't see into someone's heart. Some people talk a good game, but they always like to do dirty things behind the scenes."

“You…” Sun Shiping was furious and embarrassed.

Fang Yiru, who was standing to the side, knew that the two would never stop arguing, so she put on a stern face and said, "If you want to argue, I can start a live broadcast for you. If you want to stay here, then you'd better behave yourselves. Otherwise, no matter who he is or what his background is, get out!"

These words were impartial, yet carried a powerful deterrent force.

Sun Shiping opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back, his expression only becoming more gloomy.

Zhang Wen glanced at Sun Shiping, then said to Fang Yiru, "Director Fang, don't worry, I definitely won't cause you any trouble."

"That would be best." After saying that, Fang Yiru stopped looking at the two of them and turned to the staff next to her, instructing them: "Take the future girl to the waiting area and rehearse according to the schedule."

The staff quickly agreed and gestured for Zhang Wen and the five members of the Future Girls group to follow him, leaving only Sun Shiping, Tian Boyang, and others behind.

Sun Shiping coldly watched Zhang Wen leave, already having figured out how to suppress this person.

"Old Tian, ​​let's go." Sun Shiping said to Tian Boyang beside him, and then walked towards the direction of the director's team.

"Oh!" Tian Boyang responded, turning around and walking slowly in the opposite direction.

……

(End of this chapter)