I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow and took the file bag.

Pushing open the door to the reception room, a familiar figure was sitting on the sofa drinking tea.

Upon seeing Xiao Chen enter, the man immediately stood up, his face bearing his signature simple and honest smile.

He is none other than Zhao Benshan, a titan of the Chinese comedy scene.

Zhao Benshan strode forward and warmly extended his hands.

"Teacher Xiao Chen, we've been waiting for you!"

He adopted a very humble posture, showing no airs of a senior, but rather like a junior eager to learn.

There's no way around it; this young man is a true legend.

Oscar winner, Grammy winner, creator of billions in box office revenue.

Any one of his titles is enough to make the entire entertainment industry tremble.

Xiao Chen grasped his hand, his smile gentle and humble.

"Teacher Zhao, you're too kind. Just call me Xiao Chen."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two took their seats as host and guest.

Zhao Benshan took out a neatly stapled script from his bag and handed it over with both hands.

"Xiao Chen, this is a script that our team has been working on for a long time. Take a look."

"We all think that you're the perfect candidate for the role of the waiter in the skit!"

Xiao Chen took the script; the cover had three big characters on it—"Not Short of Money".

He flipped through the pages quickly.

In his past life, this skit was a huge hit across the country, making Xiao Shenyang an overnight sensation.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Benshan would find himself in this life.

After reading it, Xiao Chen closed the script and gave it a heartfelt thumbs up.

"Teacher Zhao, the script is very good."

Zhao Benshan's eyes lit up, and he looked at him expectantly.

"What about... the timing?"

He was worried that Xiao Chen wouldn't be available.

After all, given Xiao Chen's current status, it's already a huge favor that he's willing to lower his price to perform in a Spring Festival Gala skit.

Xiao Chen was decisive and efficient.

"I happen to be free these two days, and I can start rehearsals anytime."

"But I only have these two days available."

Zhao Benshan slapped his thigh in excitement.

"no problem!"

"Shall we start tomorrow?"

"I'll call Ya Dan and the others over from Beijing!"

Xiao Chen nodded.

"no problem."

Xiao Chen's straightforwardness delighted Zhao Benshan and filled him with confidence for the collaboration.

He seemed to already see an unprecedented classic about to be born on the 2009 Spring Festival Gala stage.

The next day, in a professional rehearsal hall in the suburbs of Beijing.

All core members of Zhao Benshan's team were present.

Ya Dan was holding a thermos and taking small sips of water, her eyes glancing towards the door every now and then.

Bi Fujian, who was standing next to him, was quietly confirming something with the sound engineer, while several screenwriters huddled together, making final adjustments to the script.

They are all seasoned veterans, but today, there is an extra figure in the rehearsal hall whom no one dares to neglect.

The door was pushed open, and Xiao Chen walked in.

He was dressed very simply today: a gray T-shirt, light-colored jeans, and clean sneakers.

But even with such a simple outfit, when everyone saw Xiao Chen...

The rehearsal hall fell silent for a moment.

Even those in the entertainment industry who are used to seeing handsome men and beautiful women have to admit it.

This face is a perfect example of someone who's been blessed by God.

He's so handsome it leaves you speechless.

Xiao Chen's voice broke the silence.

"Good morning, Teacher Zhao and other teachers."

Zhao Benshan immediately greeted him with a big smile and patted his arm affectionately.

"Oh, Xiao Chen's here!"

"Hurry, we've been waiting for you!"

Others also stood up to greet him, their attitude both respectful and curious.

They simply couldn't understand it.

How could an international superstar who won an Oscar agree to act in their folk-style skit?

Moreover, can he act well?

This is completely different from making a movie.

Xiao Chen took in everyone's expressions, smiled, and picked up his own script.

"Teacher Zhao, shall we begin?"

Zhao Benshan waved his hand.

"Great! That felt good!"

"Everyone to your positions, let's go over the lines first!"

Rehearsals officially began.

At first, Xiao Chen's performance could only be described as steady.

She has a solid foundation in dialogue delivery, a strong sense of rhythm, and her interactions with Zhao Benshan and Ya Dan are natural and smooth, making it seem like they're not working together for the first time.

Zhao Benshan nodded secretly. As expected of a movie star, his basic skills were impeccable.

However, the doubts of other members of the team were not completely dispelled.

The real highlights and challenges of this skit are yet to come.

Halfway through the rehearsal, it was time for Xiao Chen, who played a waiter, to improvise and showcase his talents.

According to the script, he was required to imitate and sing a female voice at an extremely high pitch.

Ya Dan couldn't help but whisper a reminder.

"The pitch here is... very high."

She herself is known for her high notes, so she naturally knows how terrifying this passage is.

"It's several keys higher than the highest note I usually sing."

The screenwriter leaned close to Zhao Benshan and lowered his voice.

"Teacher, how about... we lower the pitch for Xiao Chen in this segment? Or maybe we could just change his talent?"

"After all, he's a film and television actor, so this is a bit of a difficult situation for him."

Zhao Benshan also hesitated.

He invited Xiao Chen because of his unparalleled popularity and national recognition, not to embarrass him in public.

Boys are naturally born with a lower vocal range than girls.

To hit a female voice even higher than Ya Dan's is no longer a matter of technique, but a matter of physiological structure.

He looked at Xiao Chen, about to say that adjustments could be made.

Xiao Chen slightly turned his head, gave the sound engineer an OK sign, and maintained his calm and composed expression.

"bring it on."

"I'll give you a performance of the highest note that will blow the world away."

The music is ringing.

Everyone's heart was in their throat.

Xiao Chen hesitated for only two seconds before slightly opening his mouth.

A clear, slightly comical singing voice burst forth from his mouth without warning.

"Yala Suo, that's the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau..."

The first few sentences were normal, and everyone was just amazed by the versatility of his voice.

But soon, the pitch began to climb wildly.

Like a rocket that has broken free from Earth's gravity, it soared into the sky at an incredible speed.

Everyone in the rehearsal hall instinctively held their breath, their eyes wide open.

Ya Dan dropped her thermos with a clatter, spilling hot water all over the floor, but she didn't even notice.

Bi Fujian opened his mouth wide enough to fit an egg.

The screenwriters looked at each other, their faces filled with bewilderment, wondering who they were and where they were.

The sound engineer jumped up from his chair and stared intently at the frequency display in front of him.

The curve representing pitch had soared to a red zone that made him doubt the equipment!

Xiao Chen's performance continued.

His expression remained relaxed and content, even carrying a hint of the smugness and smugness expected of someone in the role.

But the sound he made easily pierced everyone's eardrums and psychological defenses.

The high notes were bright and steady, ending with a beautifully executed trill, landing smoothly on the ground.

"...Thank you everyone!"

He bowed slightly and recited his lines, as if the monster who had just unleashed the dolphin-like sound wasn't him at all.