After offending capital, my songs became more and more popular.

Chapter 282 Compatriots! Overseas Chinese! Family!
The performances of the "Silk Road Blossoms" troupe are of two types. The first type is the first major performance in the local area, which is a "collective" performance in which almost all the performers and staff are present. The second type is a "dispersed" performance, in which Chen Guangrong, Yao Changyu, Bai Ming and others lead their teams to perform in different venues.

That's how it was back then. If it weren't for those "dispersed performances," Shen Ming'en might not have been assigned to perform near the Jingguo Divine Toilet.

Shen Ming'en and the Morning Light Orchestra's first performance at Da Piao Liang was a great success. This "starting point" is already incredibly high, and it's difficult to even maintain the same level, let alone surpass it.

Shen Ming'en isn't the type of person who has clear plans or intentions for the future, so he didn't have any plans or ideas for the following performances...

But it didn't seem like it at all. At this moment, the director of Bai Ming Opera Troupe suddenly came over and gave Shen Ming'en a "theme"...

“Commander,” Shen Ming’en felt that this Bai Ming Opera troupe leader should be relatively easy to communicate with, after all, he had dealt with him before on the “National Language and Rhyme” program, so he was not actually that unfamiliar with Zhao Qu. He asked half-jokingly, “Is this your idea, or… the idea from above?”

The implication is that someone is trying to get him again; old habits die hard. However, if it's Commander Bai's doing, then Shen Ming'en is actually more relaxed, because he can choose whether or not to give Commander Bai face. The two have some interaction, but not much…

"Didn't I just say? This is just my personal suggestion." Director Bai patted Shen Ming'en on the shoulder, as if he knew exactly what Shen Ming'en was thinking, and laughed, "You saw it today too. Overseas Chinese make up a very large proportion of our performance audience. In fact, there are a lot of overseas Chinese in China. Many of them are descendants of ancestors. This generation may not have much of a connection to the motherland, but the feelings of their ancestors towards the motherland are very special. I feel... we could create a piece for them."

"So you specifically want me to create this piece?" Shen Ming'en thought to himself, "If you want to create it, then create it yourself. Why are you asking me to create it...?"

"Not really, it could also be in the name of the theater troupe," Bai Ming said with a smile. "Works of that kind have profound significance for our overseas performance this time, you should understand that."

His "earnest" words seemed to carry a hint of "hint," and his affected manner made Shen Ming'en quite uncomfortable...

However, after hearing him say that, Shen Ming'en understood.

In fact, the "Silk Road Blossoms" troupe's overseas performances are primarily aimed at "promoting ethnic cultural characteristics." The significance of the performances lies in both promoting our culture and enhancing national pride and unity.

As for their lives, there's not much to say. Aside from promoting culture, the best way to "enhance national unity and national pride" is probably to do what Shen Ming'en did: point at them and scold them.

However, if you want to achieve the same goal on Da Piao Liang's side, you can't be so "rude"...

There are many overseas Chinese, or Chinese expatriates, in this beautiful country. As long as they are of Chinese descent, they are part of the Chinese nation. They have a deep longing and nostalgia for their motherland, and they treat people from China as "family" with great warmth...

This can be seen from the fact that many singers and celebrities come here to hold concerts and events, and many local overseas Chinese come to show their enthusiastic support.

In fact, in terms of "influence," Chinese celebrities and artists are far behind their Western counterparts, and they are increasingly "keeping to themselves."

The "influence" of so-called "top-tier" singers in the Chinese entertainment industry is far inferior to that abroad. Many "top-tier singers" talk a good game, even mentioning "world tours"...

Do they really think they're so famous that people all over the world know them and that when they hold a concert, people will spend a lot of money to support them?
Dream on!
Who supports the attendance rates of their concerts around the world?

Aside from the local Liuzimen, there are only the local overseas Chinese, okay!
Shen Ming'en never "generalizes from a few cases," nor does he think all overseas Chinese are good people. He knows very well that some people "slipped through" during the war, but there are also many who have settled here during peacetime.

So, putting aside personal opinions, regarding Bai Mingju Troupe Leader's statement about "a song written for overseas Chinese," Shen Ming'en wasn't exactly opposed...

It's just...

I can't agree so easily.

Shen Ming'en's big eyes darted around. He didn't directly answer Bai Ming's request, nor did he say whether he would agree to write a song. Instead, he asked:
"Commander, where am I supposed to perform next?"

The head of the Baiming Opera Troupe was clearly a shrewd man. Upon hearing this, he smiled slightly and said:

"How about I arrange a great place for you to showcase your talents?"

"Haha, that's not what I meant..." Shen Ming'en scratched his head and laughed.

Bai Ming, the troupe leader, raised his hand, pointed at Shen Ming'en with one finger, shook his head and smiled, saying:
"Then we'll see how you perform."

After saying that, he turned and left, merging into the crowd backstage.

It was as if the two sides had reached some kind of "agreement". Shen Ming'en was going to prepare a new work for the next show anyway. This Bai Ming Opera Troupe leader was not a good person, but at least he was not a bad person. Going along with him should not be a problem. Besides, he did make some conditions.

Although he could go anywhere for "split performances," Da Piao Liang was not a place that was sensitive and not easy for Shen Ming'en, a Chinese person, to go to, as there was no such place as Xiao Ri Zi or Jing Guo Tang. But if he could go to a better place, who would want to go to a worse one?
Shaking his head, Shen Ming'en smiled and, without thinking much of it, went to the backstage dressing room to change his clothes.

The performance is over, and it's getting late. Rehearsals have been quite tiring lately, and I've been a bit nervous. Today, the performance is finally over, and Shen Ming'en feels like he's finally "unloaded" after carrying a sack for a long time. He feels incredibly relieved.

When people relax, they want to close their eyes, want to sleep, and feel mentally tired...

Even though it's November, the temperature here isn't very high; it seems to have dropped below zero at night these past two days.

The backstage area wasn't very warm, and you had to wear a down jacket over your costume. Going out like that at this hour was a bit chilly. Luckily, Shen Ming'en had brought a fleece-lined sweatshirt and changed his clothes in the dressing room before leaving. Then he wrapped himself in the thick, knee-length down jacket and went out of the backstage area.

Walking through the staff exit, Shen Ming'en was wearing a mask, a knitted wool hat, and a down jacket hood—he was bundled up really well.

Shen Mingen really loves going out in winter because everyone is bundled up in this season, making it less likely to be recognized. Unlike in summer, where if you're not bundled up, you'll be recognized, but if you're bundled up, it's hot and makes you stand out, which also makes you more easily recognized...

“*&%￥#@…”

It's worth mentioning that just as he was about to reach the exit of the staff passage, Shen Ming'en could hear a commotion outside from a great distance.

It seems there are many people talking...

At the same time, even from a distance, you can see the exit at the end of the passage, and occasionally there will be flashing lights, like a strobe light.

Don't doubt it, that's a flash. It's nothing unusual. You know, for celebrities, being "surrounded" by all sorts of fans, paparazzi, and other paparazzi backstage at events or performances is perfectly normal. They always find a way to find where celebrities come and go.

Shen Mingen is indeed used to this; as a "top-tier celebrity," he receives this kind of "treatment" wherever he goes.

Pulling his hat brim low, Shen Ming'en saw two workers carrying machines pass by and quickly rushed over, extending his hand as if to "help," intending to "get away with it."

The two teachers who were moving the machine didn't recognize Shen Ming'en at first. They thought he was trying to take the machine from them, and they were quite startled...

Fortunately, Shen Ming'en pulled down his mask in time, revealing his fairly clear face, and the two teachers immediately understood.

It seems that quite a few people usually try to "get away with it" by following them.

However, this trick might work for others, but for Shen Ming'en...

It might not even work!
Is this not?

Many fans outside were greeting the other performers and staff who came out. Several good-looking young idols were "fed" by a lot of female fans and were pulled to take "group photos" with them, which made them quite happy.

As a result, no one knows what happened, but while those female fans were taking pictures with them, they suddenly heard a group of people shouting not far away!
"Ahhh!"

"Shen... Ahhh!"

"Brother! Look at my brother! Look at me!"

"Ahhhh!!!"

Then those female fans ignored them completely, stopped taking photos with them, and stopped "feeding" them. They just went straight to the group of staff members carrying the equipment.

At first, the idols didn't know what was going on and wondered why they were heading towards the large cameras, until they saw a man in a long down jacket among the staff members take off his mask with a helpless expression...

Yes, Shen Ming'en was truly helpless.

Although he was covered up very well, it seems that because photos of him coming to "work" in the afternoon had been leaked, his clothes had been "exposed" and he was recognized immediately.

Since he'd already been recognized, Shen Ming'en decided to stop pretending and simply removed his mask...

"Ahhhh!!!"

Then the female fans backstage went crazy and screamed.

"Shen Ming'en! Shen Ming'en!"

"Oh my god, it's the real person! Shen Ming'en!"

"I've finally met him in person!"

"Ahhh, I love you so much! Give me a kiss!"

Some of these young female fans were local overseas Chinese, but most seemed to be local expatriates. Perhaps it was because they had spent so much time with these foreigners, but their "mental state" was exceptionally beautiful and open; they dared to say anything, making Shen Ming'en feel a little embarrassed...

Flowers, letters, dolls... all sorts of things were shoved at Shen Ming'en. If it weren't for the security personnel protecting him at the theater, these girls would have loved to pounce on him on the spot.

Actually, the scene was a bit chaotic before Shen Mingen came out, but it wasn't on such a "grand" scale. On the contrary, the group of young male celebrities who were just being fawned over were suddenly "neglected." Seeing how popular Shen Mingen was, they were extremely envious...

However, they couldn't really envy him, because no matter how much they compared in terms of status, popularity, or works, Shen Ming'en could only crush them!

It's worth mentioning that backstage, it was initially the young female fans who were going crazy, but as time went on, and as one after another of them left satisfied after asking for photos and autographs, Shen Ming'en gradually realized that it wasn't just young fans and fans who had left their photos; there were also some older people, like uncles and aunts, who had joined in the fun...

This story begins with Shen Mingen "receiving a gift".

Since he doesn't have an assistant, Shen Mingen receives all the gifts himself. Although they are all from fans' good intentions, he can't accept everything, otherwise he might be smeared. If the gift contains something strange, like underwear, Shen Mingen would have a real headache...

Don't doubt it, it really happens. And don't ask Shen Ming'en how he knows, he just fucking knows!
Shen Mingen usually only accepts gifts like flowers or handwritten letters; he generally doesn't accept anything valuable. So, when receiving a gift, he usually checks what it is first.

Normally, the fans knew Shen Mingen's "rules," so they would give him things that weren't expensive but that they liked. But as they were giving him gifts, Shen Mingen suddenly saw one...

long johns!

Yes, that's right. Shen Ming'en seemed to see someone carrying a brand new, unopened black bag of thermal underwear, stuffing it into his clothes while shouting, "Young man! Wear more clothes! You're so skinny, don't get cold!"

The voice was a bit hoarse, not like a young person's voice. Shen Ming'en looked closely and saw a middle-aged woman wearing a maroon down jacket trying to squeeze into the crowd, desperately trying to give Shen Ming'en her thermal underwear!

Although Shen Ming'en was already carrying many gifts at that moment, to be honest, the instant he saw the aunt, he still felt a sense of warmth from her...

On this night when the temperature was probably several degrees below zero, overseas Chinese and their families truly provided the unique warmth of their "family."

Tonight, Shen Ming'en had promised to write a piece for overseas compatriots. Initially, he only intended to give face to Bai Ming, the newly appointed director of the Silk Road Blossoms Troupe, an old acquaintance.
But at this moment, Shen Ming'en felt a genuine urge to sing a song like this.

……

(End of this chapter)