Who said this top flow is crazy! This top flow is awesome!

Chapter 194 Shanghai's City Spokesperson - Ikeno

1 month 15 number.

The third rehearsal for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala.

Unlike the previous two rehearsals, the Spring Festival Gala will generally have five rehearsals. The first two are earlier, but starting from the third one, which is from the 15th, the rehearsal time will increase significantly, with a rehearsal every few days. Moreover, all participating guests and staff must be present.

Ikeno had previously missed a rehearsal due to promoting "My Love from the Star," but now that "My Love from the Star" has aired its 11th episode, he finally managed to find the time to arrive at the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal with the Empress Dowager—they had no choice but to come.

Because the higher-ups had given orders that they had to see the two of them… “My Love from the Star” was indeed too popular, so popular that even the Spring Festival Gala directing team and the higher-ups were a bit confused.

The entire Southeast Asia is now begging "Professor Chi and the big star" to come to their countries/cities.

It just so happens that "My Love from the Star" aired just before the Spring Festival. So, even if you're not Chinese, it's understandable. But since you are Chinese and live in the capital... there's no reason not to come!

Our precious child must be featured on the Spring Festival Gala as soon as possible so that Chinese people all over the world can see him!

Central Bank: My drops, my drops, are all my drops!
"Brother Chi, Director Liu and Cool Film are urging us again, asking when you and Sister Xia are going to do offline door-to-door sales..."

Xiao Liu followed behind Chi Ye and Jin Xia with her bag on her back and Mi Jie beside her. But now, Mi Jie was too afraid to make eye contact with Chi Ye... because she was afraid that Chi Ye would bring up the time when Jin Xia accepted the role in "My Love from the Star" and she would make sarcastic remarks about it.

How embarrassing... Looking back now, if I had really missed out on "My Love from the Star," it would have been the biggest stain on my career—a regret I'd carry for the rest of my life.

"Huh, it's open for business?"

This summer, she blinked her peach blossom eyes and tilted her head to look at Chi Ye: "Can we open for business?"

Chino said with a serious expression, "Okay, but be prepared to get scolded."

"I feel so too."

The Empress Dowager nodded.

Xiao Liu and Sister Mi: "..."

“We didn’t do any preparation work offline, so we can’t show up now. Last time we showed up at the building, the local police had to come and maintain order. It’s not good to do this too often.”

Ikeno now has a natural "fear" of the phrase "offline business".

Logically speaking, with 11 episodes already aired and halfway through, and its popularity having spread throughout Southeast Asia, Ikeno and Jin Xia should indeed be working together—but they really don't dare to do so right now.

It's fine when they're alone, but once they appear together, it's dangerous. A few days ago, the airport was blocked. As soon as they showed up, the elevators, stairs, and entrances of the building were packed with people.

If things go wrong, the two of them will end up on the legal channel. So Chi Ye thought that before the event organizers were ready, the offline business would basically be canceled. Of course, Weibo and Douyin, a few platforms that were desperate to find them, were already preparing. Once they were ready, they could make an appearance.

Before that, business could only be conducted online and via live streaming.

"The live stream is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon; we'll be broadcasting from the Weibo building then..."

Are you sure there won't be any problems?

"...They said it was foolproof."

"That's fine."

As they talked, they made their way to the backstage of the rehearsal, where they encountered many people who stopped and greeted them with smiles.

"Ikeno's here."

"Xiaxia looks beautiful again."

"Want to grab a bite together later? I was thinking of asking you out last time, but you've been so busy..."

"Next time, definitely next time."

The biggest feeling Ikeno had after becoming famous was that he had more "friends." All sorts of people in the industry who he had never met before, only heard of by name, would try to get in touch with him whenever they ran into him.

Ikeno is quite talkative, and although her status and position are different now, she sometimes really can't help it.

such as--

"Pliers, what have you been spying on?"

Chi Ye arrived at the entrance of the rehearsal venue and immediately spotted Shi Jinwei acting suspiciously.

Sister Pliers: “?”

She glanced at Jin Xia next to Chi Ye, snorted, and turned to walk into the venue.

"I like people whose attitude doesn't change, otherwise it's too boring."

Ikeno exclaimed, "Pliers are indeed pliers; they've been using them since they were little."

This summer, she was puzzled: "Why did she grumble at me? What right did she have to grumble at me?!"

Ikeno: "...Probably because he feels unbalanced."

"Unbalanced in what way..."

The old lady paused, glanced at Chi Ye, then realized what she meant, raised her snow-white chin, and said smugly, "Then let her feel resentful!"

In front.

Shi Jinwei, who could still faintly hear the two talking, stumbled and gritted her teeth, cursing, "A petty person who has gotten his way!"

"Sister Shi... let's go this way."

The assistant beside her had already noticed Sheng Ning's figure next to the center of the round table in the venue.

He decisively pulled Shi Jinwei and walked in the completely opposite direction.

……

In the center of the rehearsal venue, near the center position at a round table, Sheng Ning greeted a charming young woman with great politeness: "Sister Xu, thank you for what happened last time. Without your recommendation, Director Zhang wouldn't have given me the role."

"Hey, we're all family, what are you saying?"

Sister Xu sat next to her, smiling as she looked at her: "Now that you're in the industry, we're all brothers and sisters. We'll definitely take care of you. We're all family, no need to be so polite."

"Well... I have to thank Sister Xu for this. There were a lot of people competing for that role, but I didn't expect Director Zhang to actually cast me."

"It's alright, I do have a project on my side..."

The woman whom Sheng Ning calls "Sister Xu" is Xu Yingying, a prominent figure in Beijing's entertainment circle, one of the former "Four Little Actresses" and now one of the "Four Great Actresses".

Before the rise of the four young actresses led by Sheng Ning, the "traffic" market and the "popularity" of the Chinese entertainment industry were completely controlled by them. Of course, the concept of "traffic" didn't exist back then.

In short, they are very popular, and the former "Four Little Actresses" are a thing of the past. Of the original four, two have faded into obscurity and failed to "break through the encirclement." The remaining two, along with two other leading actresses with even stronger momentum, have now grown into the backbone and top stars of the film industry.

The so-called "Four Little Ones" have also become the "Four Great Actresses".

—A rising star in the drama industry and a leading actress in film.

This has always been the career path that all young actresses and leading ladies in the industry aspire to, step by step, climbing higher and higher.

Unfortunately, due to the fierce competition in the entertainment industry, very few can make it to the end and become truly top-tier actresses.

Xu Yingying is a top-tier actress who fought her way out of the fierce competition. She is known as one of the "Four Great Actresses" along with Zhang Yimou, Ling Bingbing, and Ning Mo. She is also a core member of the Beijing entertainment circle.

All four of them are currently top-tier celebrities in the film industry, with high status and considerable personal resources. They generally don't "descend to earth" in public.

—Sheng Ning's long-cherished and hard-earned goal is the position of "Big Flower".

Therefore, she was unusually polite to Xu Yingying.

Because she "entered the industry," it was thanks to Xu Yingying's introduction that she was able to obtain this kind of resource, which other young actresses would fight tooth and nail for.

"You've got enough experience and ability, you'll get promoted."

Xu Yingying smiled and nodded. Seeing this, Peng Chen, who had been a little reserved, thoughtfully refilled Xu Yingying's water.

"Xiao Peng, you're releasing a movie during the Spring Festival, right? I even saw your official account on Douyin yesterday."

Xu Yingying wasn't as aloof as people imagined. She joked, "If we run into each other then, give me some face and don't let the box office numbers exceed yours by too much."

"...That was just a small-scale operation. My brothers gave me a chance, but I didn't dare to think about the box office, I didn't dare to think about it."

Lao Peng felt that his current smile must look very much like a dog's.

"You're too modest. It's all about traffic these days, and you're doing so well..."

Xu Yingying was still talking.

Crash.

Suddenly, a noise came from the surroundings.

Immediately afterwards, Xu Yingying, Sheng Ning, and the others saw Chi Ye and Jin Xia greeting people as they walked towards them.

"...Captain...Ikeno is here this time too."

Peng Chen's gaze was complicated. "Heh, and they even brought their 'family members,' huh?"

Upon seeing this scene, Sheng Ning instinctively became sarcastic.

"That's Ikeno."

Xu Yingying glanced at Chi Ye from afar, her smile fading, and commented indifferently, "He's alright looking. Is he the one who got Xiao Yan and Xiao Ji into trouble?"

Sheng and Peng: "..."

As the group was "evaluating" Ikeno, they saw Ikeno walk over from the other side, pass by their positions, and sit down at the round table in the very center of the stage, where the actual center position had been empty.

This summer, she then lifted her skirt and sat down.

Several people:"???"

Xu Yingying glanced at herself, who was "half a body length" behind Chi Ye, and suddenly laughed: "You're so popular, huh?"

Sheng Ning's expression was a little unpleasant—the ranking and seating arrangements at any event or party are actually quite particular.

In the entertainment industry, position represents one's status or rank.

Not long ago, she remembered that Ikeno's seat was at a round table on the edge of the second row, but now...

He ran right in front of me.

It definitely wasn't Ikeno's doing on purpose. No one would dare to cause trouble so blatantly at a place like the Spring Festival Gala; it must be...

The Spring Festival Gala has changed, marking a "first in history" and setting a precedent for a high-traffic star, moving him from the edge of the second table to the center position.

Thinking of this, Sheng Ning felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Looking at Jin Xia sitting next to Chi Ye, chattering away, the tightness turned into a piercing pain.

Are you deliberately showing off in front of me?!
You have such a cruel heart.

Her chest heaved twice, and she turned her head away, refusing to look again.

But then, Xu Yingying, as if she were dying, brought up Chi Ye: "Xiao Ning, are you familiar with Chi Ye?"

"Ok?"

Sheng Ning turned around, puzzled: "We're not familiar, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Xu Yingying smiled and looked in another direction: "It's just that a few directors asked me to inquire about his schedule, wanting to cast him in their movies."

Sheng Ning was taken aback, while Peng Chen's heart skipped a beat. He tentatively asked, "Which...which director?"

“Director Feng and Director Lu are all acquaintances in the industry. He’s popular now…” Xu Yingying paused, then, seeing that Chi Ye hadn’t come over to “pay his respects” at all, added, “He’s just a little arrogant because he’s so popular.”

Two people: "..."

Peng Chen changed the subject: "By the way, I heard that Qianrui is also involved in film promotion and distribution recently..."

……

Three hours later.

Ikeno rehearsed his performance this summer, and was subsequently called to the office by the director of this year's Spring Festival Gala.

When he entered the office, he found that the director was not there.

A middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties or sixties was sitting in a chair. When he saw him come in, he smiled kindly and said, "Ikeno, right? Come in quickly. I've been wanting to see you for a long time, but I haven't had the time."

Chi Ye was taken aback. He looked at the middle-aged man more closely and then suddenly realized that the man looked familiar. He seemed to be a leader from some propaganda department.

He paused, closed the door, and greeted the leader with a mixture of doubt and curiosity: "Hello, leader."

"Sit down, sit down, please sit down, don't be shy."

Chi Ye blinked, thinking to herself, "I'm not being reserved at all. Hmm... I'll hold back and keep my mouth shut."

But the leader saw through his thoughts at a glance, smiled and pointed at him: "I've heard you're a chatterbox, kid. Don't be polite with me. Lao Jin and I are comrades-in-arms."

Upon hearing this, Chi Ye immediately straightened his back: "Then I'll say it, boss."

The leader chuckled: "Hahaha, go ahead and say it. If 'Professor Chi, the alien,' can come and meet me, won't people outside be green with envy? Why would I be afraid of what you say?"

Ikeno: "Aliens are people too, so I'd better not say anything."

The leader glanced at him in surprise, unable to hide the smile on his face: "Not bad, not bad..."

Ikeno didn't know exactly what was so good about what he said.

But he was full of doubts and didn't understand why his boss was here to see him.

Logically speaking, this level of opportunity is something that ordinary artists wouldn't normally get to see... Of course, if it's on the Spring Festival Gala, then it's certainly possible.

"Well, that's right."

After a few simple words, the distance between the two narrowed down. The leader, clearly a decisive person, didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "The first reason I called you here is because of your performance on 'Singer.' You did very well, and I personally really like your musical style..."

"Secondly, it's related to the music style, but... it's also related to your current career development."

Ikeno was taken aback: "Development?"

The leader looked at him with great satisfaction and even surprise in his heart—because of the success of "My Love from the Star" and its influence and reach in Asia and even the whole Southeast Asia region, he, as one of the leaders in charge, felt that it was something that could only be understood but not explained.

More importantly—this was a completely unexpected surprise.

"Yes, development." The leader nodded, looking at him: "You should know how popular 'My Love from the Star' is in Southeast Asia right now. It has boosted local revenue a lot. The cities in China where 'My Love from the Star' was filmed have all become tourist hotspots, and have also boosted GDP."

Ikeno remained silent: "I don't actually know the specific data; I'm just an entertainer..."

"Don't be nervous, we can talk about this." The leader waved his hand very openly, and then said, "The fact that 'My Love from the Star' boosted their local revenue is a small matter, far less important than 'promoting' our domestic culture and cuisine."

Chi Ye was startled.

The leader said softly, "'Pork rib rice cake' used to be known only by locals in Shanghai, and not many people outside of Shanghai knew about it. But now, many restaurants serving our country's cuisine have appeared throughout Southeast Asia."

"Not including pork ribs and rice cakes, but also other domestic delicacies and snacks that appeared in your show... every store you open becomes a hit... every store you open becomes a hit... Chi Ye, you are really promoting the culture of your motherland."

Chino paused, vaguely understanding the "significance" of this meeting.

The leader was in high spirits, and it was clear that he was very open-minded. He said frankly, "We've always only had works from South Korea, Taipei, or even the West 'invading' us. When did our idol dramas become so influential?!"

Chiye was silent.

The leader looked at him and said, "The Shanghai Municipal Government wants you to be the city's spokesperson, representing the city's image, culture, and characteristics. This is a reward for you."

Chi Ye exclaimed in surprise: "The city ambassador of Shanghai?"

"Yes, but don't get too excited." The leader changed the subject: "The fried chicken in 'My Love from the Star' is also very popular, so South Korea has been trying to invite you over... You might get tourism endorsements for a few cities. Remember, be assertive; you represent more than just yourself when you're out there."

Ikeno opened his mouth.

The leader spoke again: "So, you need to change the program for the Spring Festival Gala. This song won't do... It doesn't reflect our culture, it doesn't reflect what you represent... Change it. If you really can't write one, you can suggest it, and I'll help you find people—top-notch songwriters, composers, and arrangement teams..."

He paused, then explained, "I know time is a bit tight right now, but this is really important. It's an opportunity... From a personal perspective, I also hope you can seize this opportunity. Now, Chinese people all over the world have probably heard of you. Can you keep the promises you made on 'Singer'?"

"..."

Seeing the hopeful look in his leader's eyes, Chi Ye paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

"it is good."

The leader clapped his hands and said, "You go and prepare, I'll coordinate. If you do well on this Spring Festival Gala, I'll pour you a celebratory drink."

……

Chino walked out of the office, and to be honest, her head was a little dizzy.

Although he considered the impact of "My Love from the Star," because that's how things are on Earth, he still overlooked factors such as country, culture, and environment.

With the rise of local snacks from all over Shanghai and the "Chinese food culture" becoming a sensation in Southeast Asia, what does that mean for the country?
The fried chicken shop that once spread throughout Southeast Asia because of "My Love from the Star" has now been replaced by Chinese cuisine... and it has also caught up with the Spring Festival Gala, a grand event that attracts global attention from Chinese people... It truly represents a lot now.

That being the case...

Let's change to another song.

What should we change to?

It represents the "cultural heritage of China," but it's not a revolutionary song... because it's now "invading" from the outside world, so it can't be a diss track or a song of praise; it must make everyone truly understand and like Chinese culture.

It seems there's only one song left.

Ikeno had an idea in his mind.

(End of this chapter)