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

Chapter 299 also deals with having children.

Aunt Mao is a singer and has also acted.

She debuted in 85 and is a true veteran in the Chinese entertainment industry, having achieved success in both acting and singing. In her era, she was undoubtedly a top-tier star.

Now, having evolved into a "grandma" in Shanghai, her status can no longer be simply described as "big" or "small."

There are many similar artists in the Chinese entertainment industry. For example, Liu, the current big boss of Yue Na Group, was someone who looked up to Xiao Kalam in Mao's era.

So Aunt Mao is past her prime. Judging by current market and industry traffic data, she is undoubtedly an old hag.

In reality, she possesses connections and networks that are unimaginable to ordinary people, making her a true "big shot" in the Chinese entertainment industry, which values ​​seniority and background.

Therefore, Hunan TV really put in a lot of effort this time, otherwise they wouldn't have kept inviting Aunt Mao to participate in "All the Way to Blooming Flowers".

Similarly, Aunt Mao is also very enthusiastic about this variety show.

Firstly, Mango TV has given her too much. She's basically retired now. To be honest, she has a high status but can't monetize it... and no one is giving her gigs, which is a bit awkward.

Secondly, it's also her instinct as an artist that she feels Hunan TV's variety shows have been quite good in recent years.

Many veteran actors have regained popularity through these variety shows and continued to make money in the Chinese entertainment industry.

She wants to be famous, she loves money, and at her age, being a grandmother, she might as well make a comeback in the final stage of her life.

There are many people who share the same thoughts as Aunt Mao.

For example, Zheng Chun Chun.

Zheng Chun Chun is actually not very old, only one or two years older than Shang Jie. In the past few years, she was a top-tier actress with an incredibly high level of popularity. However, because she exposed her relationship when she was at the height of her fame, and has been dating ever since she became famous, she has become somewhat quiet in recent years.

Of course, despite her recent silence, she still commands a lot of attention, probably making her the "Zhu Yaolin" of the young actresses.

She has kept a low profile in recent years, but her status and popularity are undeniable. This time, she is participating in a variety show in order to take this opportunity to return to the public eye—that's right, she has broken up again, and her love-struck mind is now focused on her career.

Chi Ye was quite familiar with the remaining few people. He just asked the team to find out about the new talents that Hunan TV and Shang Jie's company were going to promote. After that, he continued to focus his attention on the filming of "The Martian".

Filming for "The Martian" has been underway for about a month and a half now. Thanks to the solid preparations done in the early stages, the progress is good, and it is expected to wrap up before October this year.

If we're fast enough, we might be able to catch the Spring Festival film season next year.

Moreover, Ran Qiao finally sent confirmed news. After the last "meeting" at the Beijing Film Academy, Xiaohai's team was a bit hesitant. In the end, they faced reality and chose to sign with Chi Ye's studio.

"It's a pity. If we had confirmed it earlier, we might have been able to bring her along on the variety show."

Two weeks later, with filming of "The Martian" halfway complete, Ikeno sat in his RV, looking at the script in his hand and shaking his head in regret.

He is always very purposeful in his actions, which is common knowledge in the industry.

When he went on the variety show "Shi Jinwei" before, he brought Teacher Shi with him. After the show became a hit, Teacher Shi, who was introverted, finally ushered in his peak period of popularity.

The cast and lineup of this season of "All the Way to Blooming Flowers" are significantly better than the previous variety shows.

Shangjie's company wants to promote its own newcomer, Mango wants to promote its own newcomer... Chi Ye naturally also wants to promote Ran Qiao.

Unfortunately, it's getting late, so a regular appearance is impossible. We can try to find an opportunity for Ran Qiao to be a guest star for a few episodes.

"Does the show start the day after tomorrow?"

"Ah."

Coco nodded, handing an invitation card to Chi Ye: "This is an invitation to this year's Hong Kong Film Awards. Mr. Sui sent it to you."

Ikeno took the card and glanced at it.

The Hong Kong Film Awards will be held in five days, where big names from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan will gather in Hong Kong. As a "hot favorite" for Best Actor this year, Ikeno will naturally be there as well.

This could be his first truly prestigious Best Actor award, one of the "Three Golden Awards" (a prestigious film festival in China). Many people are waiting and watching, wondering if anything unexpected will happen. Many are even praying that Ikeno will crash tomorrow…

Of course, there was a reason for their curses—it was said that the godfather of the Hong Kong entertainment circle had been trying to cooperate with Ikeno, but Ikeno had not responded several times. Xiang's father was not the same as Xiang You.

The Hong Kong Film Awards have a long history of engaging in pre-award lobbying, often involving inviting potential winners to meals or gatherings. If things go well, then this year's award should be yours for sure.

Although this is just a rumor, it shows how much influence the other party has in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

Now I just hope that Ikeno loses his temper and their relationship deteriorates, then the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor won't fall into his hands.

"Okay, what a coincidence, the first episode of the show was filmed right there..."

Chi Ye nodded, put away his cue cards, and casually asked, "Have we decided on a target for our set visit?"

"It's decided, I've chosen Xiang You. He's currently filming in Hong Kong."

"……Fine."

Upon hearing this name, Chi Ye had a fleeting vision of Xiang Duohua, with her beautiful hair, wearing her mother's clothes and high heels. After a two-second silence, she nodded without objection.

Many outsiders say he was made famous by the Hong Kong entertainment circle and consider him one of the newly promoted representatives of the circle.

Well... in a sense, it makes sense.

In reality, Chi Ye doesn't have many friends in Hong Kong, except for Xiang You and a few senior colleagues like Wu Zhenyu whom he had worked with before.

After selecting their travel destinations for the first episode of "A Journey Through Flowers," the guests will be asked to visit their friends, and Xiang You is indeed a good choice.

The main thing is that there's work to be done.

"Then let's get ready. I'll rest for a bit. Guo Feng has already said that you'll be coming with me this time."

Chi Ye yawned. In order to squeeze in time for filming, he had been working non-stop recently and his mental state was not very good. Fortunately, the filming of "The Martian" was progressing quickly and it was also his own project.

He has now finished filming his scenes for this period of time. In the next week, the crew will film scenes other than Ma Mo's. Although there won't be many, a week will definitely be more than enough time.

As for the subsequent filming... didn't Mango TV say that we can take leave at any time?

Then he doesn't need to be polite; everything should be based on the work itself.

"Okay... By the way, Sister Xiaxia is also going there this time. Should we go with her?"

"Of course, how can I live off a woman if we don't go together?"

"……clear."

Coco nodded, then left the RV quietly without disturbing Chi Ye any further.

That evening, after saying goodbye to the film crew, Chi Ye and Coco, along with other team members, flew directly to the capital overnight. The next day, they met the long-unseen Empress Dowager and traveled to Hong Kong together.

……

Xiangjiang, Xiang Family Villa.

Mr. Xiang sat on the sofa, speaking in accented Mandarin: "Still no news from Chi Ye?"

"They said their schedules were too full and they couldn't make it." Mrs. Xiang sat in front of the dressing table putting on makeup, pouting as she said, "They're very popular in mainland China now, and they don't give us any face at all."

"You can't say that."

The older Mr. Xiang got, the more "stable" his personality became. He crossed his legs slightly and said, "After all, he's the same age as me, so he's one of us."

"You treat him like one of your own, but he doesn't necessarily treat you the same way."

Mr. Xiang frowned.

The Xiang family now has very mixed feelings about Chi Ye.

From the perspective of "factions," there is no doubt that Ikeno belongs to their side. In any case, this year's Hong Kong entertainment circle's young star is also in the middle.

However, from a practical standpoint, Chi Ye's repeated refusals of their invitations had left the Xiang family somewhat dissatisfied.

In their eyes, you became famous because of our Hong Kong entertainment circle resources, but now you're making excuses when we ask you to act in a movie. Isn't that a bit too "ungrateful"?
Although... their movie scripts might be a bit weak, the Xiang family is aware of that. If they could really produce high-quality scripts that meet market demands, the Hong Kong film industry wouldn't be in such a dire situation in recent years.

"He just happened to be here this time, let's find an opportunity to meet him."

Xiang's father had an idea.

"...Are you planning to give him an award?"

Mr. Xiang glanced at his wife: "You don't want to give it?"

Mrs. Xiang pouted: "I can't stand being treated coldly."

"Hey, let me tell you, you know Xiao Zhan, right? He seems to be interested in acting in our movie. Although he's not as popular as Chi Ye right now, he's still a rising star in mainland China, not much less."

"If Xiao You plays the second male lead, he might even become more famous."

"..."

As the two were talking, the door clicked open, and a tall "girl" with a floral dress, bright red lipstick, and double eyelids that looked like they had been cut by a dragon-slaying sword walked in.

It swayed its waist gracefully, its red high heels making a crisp clicking sound.

"Dad, Mommy."

Upon seeing his parents, Xiang You immediately winked and twirled around, asking, "What do you think of my outfit?"

Xiang's father: "?"

Mrs. Xiang: "...Didn't I throw this dress away last year?"

"Mommy, I think you're being too wasteful. I'll keep it as a keepsake."

Xiang You smiled and said, "What do you guys think of me wearing this outfit to the Hong Kong Film Awards this year?"

The father's temples began to throb: "Take that skirt off right now! What kind of behavior is this? You're a boy...you...you want to drive me crazy?!"

"Dad, you don't understand. This is called fashion. Let me tell you, I've seen a lot of celebrities abroad dressed like this... Hey, don't come any closer..."

Seeing that his father was about to hit him, Xiang You quickly took a few steps back and struck a classic Bruce Lee pose: "I'll hit you! I don't want to hurt you, Dad, don't force me to use my kung fu!"

"...Fuck your mother, how could I have given birth to such a thing as you!"

Mr. Xiang cursed, "If you ever dare to dress like this again, I'll really turn you into a woman!"

"Oh dear, why are you taking this so seriously with the child!"

Hearing this, Xiang's mother was a little unhappy. What do you mean, "fuck your mother"... you're talking about me!

"Isn't this the style that Xiaoyou likes? It's not like you're seeing it for the first time. The child is growing up and has his own ideas. Don't scare him like that. Don't frighten him."

"...You're defying the heavens too."

Mr. Xiang recently appeared on a mainland variety show, and in a moment of desperation, he actually used the word "unbelievable" to describe his wife.

Mrs. Xiang was taken aback, clearly not understanding what she meant: "What do you mean by defying the heavens... what are you talking about?"

"Fine... Xiang You, let me ask you, who do you think will win the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor this year?"

Exhausted, Mr. Xiang sat back down, rubbing his temples, and asked his son.

Xiang You looked at him in confusion: "Isn't it Chi Ye?"

Xiang's father: "?"

"It must be my good brother."

Xiang You became interested and enthusiastically recommended Chi Ye to his father: "Dad, Chi Ye's acting is really amazing, you haven't seen it... and he's my good brother. I think Hong Kong needs to open up, it can't be so closed off anymore. Look at the past few years, apart from this year's awards, have the previous Hong Kong Film Awards still generated any buzz?"

Mr. Xiang looked at his son in surprise.

Xiang You is right about that.

Similar to the Golden Melody Awards, the Hong Kong Film Awards, while highly prestigious among male stars in mainland China, has seen its popularity gradually decline in recent years due to various reasons, just like the Golden Melody Awards and the Golden Horse Awards.

Last year, it was even turned into a "local program" in Hong Kong. Its popularity in mainland China was only so-so, but compared with its peak, it was clearly not on the same level anymore.

But this year's Hong Kong Film Awards are a little different... When did things start to change?
Oh right, it was after Ikeno's nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards was announced.

Other artists' teams in mainland China went crazy. In order to "stop" Chi Ye from going any further, many teams submitted applications for this year's Hong Kong Film Awards. Audiences and fans also went crazy because they saw hope that Chi Ye would win the Best Actor award.

Attention is also rising in Taiwan and other regions—because Ikeno's popularity is not limited to mainland China.

So... this is the biggest reason why the powerful Xiang family did not "get angry" after being rejected by Chi Ye several times.

—With its growing influence, the Hong Kong entertainment circle is indeed not what it used to be.

"Xiaoyou, Ikeno isn't coming to act in our movie."

Xiang's mother observed her precious son: "Aren't you angry?"

"...Well, I am indeed a little sad."

Xiang Youyi grinned: "But he's coming to visit me on set for this variety show, so he still considers me a friend. I'll definitely show him my acting skills and make him change his mind!"

"..."

Mr. Xiang and Mrs. Xiang exchanged a glance, both seeing a strange sadness in each other's eyes.

Xiang's father: Your son.

Xiang's mother: Your daughter.

Xiang's father: Fuck your mother, you've had children, haven't you?!
My silly son, you've really gotten used to being tormented by Chi Ye. He just casually records a variety show and you're already moved to tears.

Is my Xiang family really doomed to perish after only three generations?
(End of this chapter)