China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 1001 The Drinking Party [Part Two]

Beijing International Trade Hotel.

A black sedan slowly drove into the parking lot.

"Brother Yi, we've arrived."

The assistant, Song Youyou, sitting in the passenger seat, gently reminded her.

Sun Yi slowly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and regained his senses slightly.

He accidentally fell asleep on the way here.

The dinner parties over the past few days left him physically and mentally exhausted.

But it's hard to refuse.

He never expected that his first challenge as the chief director of the Spring Festival Gala would be at the dinner table!
Initially, he thought that as the chief director of the Spring Festival Gala, his early work mainly involved setting the direction, selecting the theme, assembling the team, and waiting for the programs, which shouldn't be too busy.

The stage renovation and technical upgrades are overseen by a team, and the program style and core requirements have been clearly defined and issued. As the chief director, he only needs to handle a few "director-exclusive programs" that he personally oversees.

He had a basic idea of ​​what to do in this regard. Putting aside the outside world, the artists within Starry Sky alone could put together a number of high-quality programs. With him as the chief director overseeing the key aspects, it could be said that the preliminary preparations were basically completed satisfactorily.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

He did indeed fulfill his official duties very well.

But there was one thing Sun Yi hadn't considered.

That is, he seriously underestimated the weight and influence of the title "Chief Director of CCTV Spring Festival Gala" in local TV stations and the entire arts and culture circle.

Since CCTV's program solicitation notice, stamped with a large red seal, was sent to the whole country a week ago, his personal phone and work phone have been ringing non-stop.

Across the country, almost every local television station with any influence mobilized. Those with offices in Beijing or who managed to find connections to him sent invitations, made phone calls, and asked intermediaries to deliver messages—everyone used their own methods, and invitations poured in like snowflakes.

Unfortunately, he couldn't refuse many of the invitations.

They were either veteran artists or members of various performing arts groups, including crosstalk, folk art, drama, and so on. Any one of them was a senior artist, so he, as a junior, dared not be negligent in the slightest.

It's still relatively good, after all, these veteran artists are all top-notch performers, and their communication with Sun Yi was all about the programs for this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Discuss the theme, the core, and the format.

The local TV stations that were saved didn't play by the rules.

Beijing TV station, being in a prime position, received a personal call from its director, who was incredibly warm and friendly, implying that "Director Sun, we've known each other for a long time, you must give me your full support." He simply couldn't refuse the dinner invitation.

Once the first one is established, a second one will follow.

Although Sun Yi has focused all his energy on movies in recent years, Starry Sky's TV drama division is quite strong. On average, its annual profits are no less than those of movies, and its distribution channels have expanded to almost all satellite TV stations across the country.

With Beijing TV as a role model, one after another, they all sprang up, afraid of falling behind.

Jiangsu and Zhejiang TV, Shanghai TV, and Hunan TV followed one after another.

Sun Yi's daily schedule, apart from formal work meetings, is almost entirely filled with various kinds of dinners, tea parties, and small gatherings at clubs.

These people have a very clear purpose. Trying to decipher the spirit of a document is not as quick or accurate as directly asking the chief director.

They all have their own sources within CCTV and had already found out that Sun Yi, the chief director of this year's Spring Festival Gala, truly holds the power over the core creative ideas and the final program's success or failure; he is by no means just a figurehead.

What's the trend for this year's Spring Festival Gala? What types of programs are more popular? How should we grasp the essence of ethnic characteristics? What are the limits of innovation? And so on. No matter how clearly these questions are written in documents, nothing is more reassuring than a personal explanation from the chief director.

Local TV stations have limited preparation time. If there is a misunderstanding, the selected program may be eliminated in the first round, which would be a waste of effort and, more importantly, a loss of face.

Sun Yi understood their difficulties and urgency. Although he found it annoying, he tried his best to accept most of the invitations that came his way. After all, work requires communication and coordination; you can't work in isolation.

But he didn't expect that this "form" of communication would be so troublesome. Few local TV stations would choose to discuss matters in a formal office; they would mostly arrange it in a Chinese restaurant in a luxury hotel or a special private room in a private club.

In China's socially-oriented society, eating and drinking are unavoidable, especially in the arts and culture circle. Sun Yi actually has a good alcohol tolerance, but he still can't resist the fact that he has to attend social gatherings almost every day.

This is not the most troublesome thing.

What he found most troublesome and even somewhat embarrassing was that at many dinner parties, he would find that the people accompanying him were not only TV station leaders or directors, but also the actors they were promoting, all of whom were young and beautiful girls, either singers or dancers, all of whom were the leading ladies of their respective stations.

This could be fatal.

He couldn't refuse.

When the person arrived, they addressed him respectfully as "Director Sun," offering him drinks and discussing art. As the director, he couldn't just walk away because there was an extra actor present; that would be too impolite.

Even if he were a famous director, he wouldn't do something like that, especially since Starry Sky has partnerships with these TV stations.

To be honest, this kind of occasion was a true test of willpower for Sun Yi. Fine wine and food, flattery, and those bright or innocent young faces, each with a clear purpose—it was an environment that could easily tempt someone to make a mistake.

He always kept his attention focused on the program itself, was polite but maintained a distance, drank as little alcohol as possible, and just hoped the program would end soon.

He guessed that the situation at Nanyuntai today was similar.

He had initially wanted to decline, but after thinking about it, he nodded and came.

There was no other way; he still had a connection with Nanyuntai.

When filming "Soldiers Sortie," the crew shot scenes in Nanyun and received a lot of support from the local area. Later, when the series aired, Nanyun TV was the first to recognize its value and purchase the first broadcast rights, allowing Sun Yi to recoup his initial investment.

This old friendship made it difficult for him to refuse outright, especially since the cooperation between Nanyuntai and Xingkong had been going well over the years.

Therefore, he couldn't refuse this invitation tonight and had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

"Youyou, don't wait for me. Let Xiao Wang take you home directly."

Sun Yi opened the car door, and before getting out, he thought about how his assistant, Song Youyou, had been accompanying him to dinner parties every day for the past few days, working tirelessly. He decided to let her go home.

"But, Brother Yi, I still have to come pick you up after I'm done."

"No need for you. I don't know how late we'll be drinking tonight. I'll call Xiao Wang in advance."

Sun Yi patted the shoulder of Xiao Wang, the driver in the front seat, who nodded knowingly.

“Brother Ke Yi, Sister Fei specifically told me to take good care of you.” “I’m a grown man, do I need a little girl like you to take care of me? Alright, you should go home now. You’ve had a tough time these past few days, go home and rest early.”

After Sun Yi finished speaking, he waved his hand, turned around, and got out of the car.

Song Youyou sat in the passenger seat, watching Sun Yi's back. After hesitating for a few seconds, she took out her phone and made a call.

Nanyuntai attached great importance to Sun Yi. The person leading the team was a deputy director who had dealt with Sun Yi before. His surname was Liu. After meeting him, he was very enthusiastic and chatted with him about the past like an old friend.

After a few glasses of local specialty wines, the conversation got straight to the point.

"Director Sun, we're old friends, so I won't beat around the bush today."

Director Liu personally poured Sun Yi a full glass of wine.

"This year, the station is paying special attention to the Spring Festival Gala, especially the ethnic minority programs. Our Nanyun is a strong point, and the station and I feel that there is great potential. However, we are still a little apprehensive about how to strike the right balance, how to showcase the authentic ethnic customs while also meeting the tone and innovation requirements of the Spring Festival Gala stage."

"It just so happens that you are the chief director this year, the one in charge. Could you give us some pointers? What exactly is the 'form' and 'spirit' of this year's Spring Festival Gala?"

As they spoke, the directors and actors from Nanyuntai who were accompanying them also chimed in, raising their glasses in a toast.

Sun Yi had no choice but to pick up his wine glass and take a small sip. It wasn't that he was being disrespectful; he simply didn't dare to drink any more.

“Director Liu, we have a relationship, so since you asked, I’ll share my thoughts. This year, our directing team hopes that the provincial and local TV stations can focus on two key themes for the Spring Festival Gala: ‘emotional warmth’ and ‘new charm of traditional Chinese style’.”

Sun Yi put down his wine cup and gestured with his finger.

"Emotional warmth is the soul. The program should have the power to touch people's hearts. Family affection, hometown affection, national affection, and the joy and warmth of the New Year are the keynote."

“‘New Rhyme of Chinese Style’ is the form and the characteristics, but it is not a simple piling up of retro styles. Instead, it uses modern, innovative, and even technological means to reinterpret and present our excellent traditional culture and national art.”

"Let it retain its essence while giving it new brilliance, so that the older generation feels familiar and the young people are amazed."

He glanced at the attentive audience and continued, "Therefore, the rich ethnic minority culture of Nanyun, especially its dances, is definitely a highly favored type of program in this year's Spring Festival Gala program pool."

"The key is not whether it is 'ethnic' or not, but how to create a 'new style'. For example, are there any clever ideas in the choreography? Can the music be combined with modern arrangements? Can the visual presentation be innovative? Even, can the dance itself tell a touching little story? All of these are pluses."

At this point, Sun Yi opened his heart and told his entire idea about the characteristics of ethnic groups.

His words were clear and well-organized, affirming the other party's direction while also setting higher expectations.

Director Liu and the others nodded repeatedly, their eyes shining, as if they had been reassured, and they offered a series of words of thanks.

The directors and actors frequently tried to lighten the mood, making the atmosphere at the dinner table more and more harmonious, and they became increasingly attentive in urging each other to drink.

Sun Yi tried to drink less, but he couldn't resist the temptation to drink more, and after a few times, his face showed signs of being slightly tipsy.

At this moment, Director Liu clapped his hands with a smile.

"Director Sun's words were truly enlightening! It just so happens that Xiaoyu, the lead actress in one of our station's key Dai dance programs that we're preparing to refine this year, is here today. Xiaoyu, come, come, let's toast Director Sun and get his guidance on the program's initial outline!"

A young woman who had been sitting quietly at the end of the table stood up in response. She was wearing a fitted, modified Dai dress, with a slender figure, a beautiful face, and a bright and cheerful look that was unique to ethnic minority girls.

She walked gracefully to Sun Yi to offer him a toast, her eyes filled with excitement and joy at meeting the famous director.

I didn't feel unwilling at all; on the contrary, I was quite eager to try.

After all, Sun Yi's status, youth, talent, and good looks make him a highly desirable catch, like a piece of Tang Sanzang's flesh.

"Director Sun, I salute you. I've always loved your movies, and I never imagined I'd meet you in person today." The girl's voice was clear and crisp as she tilted her head back and downed her drink.

Sun Yi felt a chill run down his spine. What he feared most was exactly what was coming to pass, but there was nothing he could do. He could only politely clink glasses with her, take a sip, and then wave his hand to decline, saying, "No need for this occasion, it's not appropriate."

If people knew this, they'd think Sun Yi wanted something else entirely.

If people misunderstand and think he forced actresses to dance at a dinner party, he'll be in deep trouble.

What kind of despicable person would do something like this?

He had a good idea, but the other person wasn't willing.

Director Liu grabbed his hand. “Director Sun, just talking about theory isn’t enough. Let Xiaoyu perform a simple dance of the most essential part of our dance right here. You can give us your feedback and see if we’re on the right track. That way, we won’t go back and reinvent the wheel and go astray.”

After saying that, he kept winking at the actress named Xiaoyu.

Logically speaking, most actors would probably feel this is humiliating, a bit like using sex appeal to entertain.

But it depends on how you look at it. If you genuinely want to communicate your ideas about the program, then there's no problem.

I don't know what the actress playing Xiaoyu was thinking, but her eyes were definitely bright and she didn't look embarrassed at all.

Sun Yi wanted to continue declining, but he couldn't refuse their enthusiasm. Several people persuaded him repeatedly, and Xiao Yu was also eager to show off, so he could only nod helplessly.

The private room was spacious enough that everyone moved aside slightly.

Xiaoyu deftly took off her coat, revealing her practice clothes underneath, which allowed her to move around freely, and began to dance spontaneously on the carpet.

Although there was no musical accompaniment, her solid skills and graceful movements, along with the captivating expressions in her classic Dai dance moves, truly made her stand out.

The dance was short, lasting just over a minute. The audience applauded. Sun Yi nodded, offering a few positive comments and suggestions from a professional perspective: "The foundation is very good, and the ethnic flavor is captured very accurately. If you plan to perform on the Spring Festival Gala in the future, you could consider working on the modernity of the costumes, the emotional fluctuations of the dance segments, and how to integrate them with stage technology such as the background and lighting to achieve a better effect."

"Thank you, Director Sun!"

Xiaoyu listened attentively, her cheeks slightly flushed from the exercise and advice. Her eyes shone as she looked at Sun Yi, thanking him repeatedly and toasting him again.

Afterwards, the group chatted for a while longer, and Sun Yi, realizing he was already quite tipsy, took his leave.

Director Liu and the others insisted on seeing him off, escorting him all the way to the hotel lobby. Sun Yi waved his phone, his tongue a little numb but his tone firm: "No, no need. I've called my assistant, the car is downstairs. You guys... be careful on your way back."

While declining, Xiaoyu subconsciously stepped forward to help Sun Yi, whose steps were slightly unsteady. Their arms touched, and Sun Yi thanked her, gently pulled away, and insisted on walking to the door on his own.

A cold wind blew, and the effects of the alcohol began to rise. He was looking for the company car when, unexpectedly, he spotted a familiar black SUV parked quietly by the roadside.

Just as he looked over in confusion, the driver's side window rolled down, revealing Ms. Liu's stunning profile under the lights.

(End of this chapter)