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Chapter 229 Spring Festival Gala Fever: "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales"

This year's Spring Festival Gala will be held primarily at Studio One of CCTV, with branch venues in Zhaoxing Dong Village, Liping County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province; Zhuhai, Guangdong Province; Qufu and Tai'an, Shandong Province; and Sanya, Hainan Province.

Gong Cheng arrived at Studio 1, where the directing team and staff were busily moving between the front of the stage and behind the curtain.

The artists and guests who participated in this year's Spring Festival Gala arrived at the studio early to make their final preparations.

Gong Cheng passed by several small conference rooms, where many domestic celebrities were repeatedly practicing skits and stage songs and dances. There were at least a hundred people, including artists of all sizes in the domestic entertainment industry and performers from large song and dance troupes.

Jackson Wang and Lay Zhang, who came with him, went to see Chen Long, an artist they were going to perform with, and Huang Bo and William Chan, respectively.

When Gong Cheng saw Hu Ge standing in the corridor performing a skit with his partner, he smiled and greeted him before walking straight into his dressing room.

"I begin to paint this landscape—the bloodline of our nation stretches for tens of thousands of miles—"

"The descendants of the dragon have weathered many storms~"

Gong Cheng stood by the mirror in front of the dressing table, earnestly preparing himself while humming the lyrics of "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales".

Although the number of audience members at the main venue was not large, according to Gong Cheng, last year's Spring Festival Gala main venue had over 700 seats after the seating density was increased, and this year it has increased again, reaching 1000 seats...

Even though he has performed on countless stages since his debut, including the Tokyo Dome and Coachella, and faced hundreds of thousands of audience members, he has never been this nervous. The last time he was this nervous was when he first debuted...

Tonight's gala will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. on CCTV-1, CCTV-Variety, CCTV-4, CCTV-Military/Agriculture, and CCTV-Children's Channel.

At that time, not only over a billion people across China, but also Chinese people around the world will watch the live broadcast of this Spring Festival Gala...

"A single scale, an inch of heart... The story is so fragile, I can't bear to listen..."

After listening to Gong Cheng's singing for a while in the dressing room, Jin Dayu picked up his thermos and went backstage to get him a glass of water so he could soothe his throat after practice.

"..."

After practicing twice, Gong Cheng sat down on the sofa, somewhat satisfied. Necessary practice was essential and should be taken seriously, but singing couldn't be done by cramming or practicing too much. For him, as long as he was in good form, that was enough...

Most singers agree that, especially before a performance, no matter how nervous they are, they shouldn't practice excessively. Just find the right feeling and that's enough. Otherwise, their voice and vocal range are prone to problems. The most common scenario is that you practice for a long time, only to find your voice is hoarse when it's time to perform...

Or the sound is too high, or it's too numb.

After taking a sip of water, Gong Cheng, dressed in a thin short-sleeved shirt, chatted and greeted many artists in the backstage lounge. The studio was warmly heated, and dozens of air conditioners in the venue were also blowing warm air.

He had seen the costumes for everyone's performance tonight during the previous rehearsals; most of them were a touch of Chinese red, festive and joyous.

Meanwhile, the performers have begun getting their makeup done and changing into their stage costumes for tonight's performance, all thanks to the makeup artists...

"Hey, Xiao Cheng... let's play basketball sometime. I feel like you're pretty good at basketball." In the backstage lounge, Jay Chou handed Gong Cheng a bottle of mineral water, and the two chatted while leaning against the wall.

Gong Cheng twisted the three fists of the farmer, glanced at Jay Chou dressed as if he were wearing sequins, and said, "Okay, Jay Chou, when do you have time?"

He spent over a month in China, and through frequent rehearsals, he became acquainted with many big names in the country, including Jay Chou and Jackie Chan. After all, there wasn't much to do during rehearsals except for going on stage.

Most artists who appear on the Spring Festival Gala primarily socialize on this stage… Even within the smallest circles, many artists don't interact with each other, or have never even met in person, only seeing each other on trending topics. In other words, the industry is divided into factions, with larger circles encompassing smaller ones, most commonly categorized by region: the Beijing circle, the Shanghai circle…

Take Hu Ge for example, he's definitely a mainstream figure in the Shanghai entertainment circle.

"Is there a tour in Taipei this year? Give me a call then. My wife really loves your songs. I have a few friends with me, so let's get together." Jay Chou smiled, took a sip of water, and then, in a rather sassy manner, casually placed a water bottle in his hand and struck a backwards jump shot pose in the aisle...

Gong Cheng clicked his tongue in amazement. This guy's basketball skills, well, you can't catch his passes without some skill. It's just a bunch of random passes. "Yes, I'll have the staff take you backstage. I'll save the tickets for you."

"Ok."

After chatting for a few minutes, Jay Chou said goodbye at his manager's call and went back to his own dressing room first, while Gong Cheng was pulled over by Jackie Chan to chat.

Actually, he felt that, in addition to the Bombardment Meteor's upcoming Asian tour, he could invite Jay Chou to be a guest at his solo world tour in Taipei later this year.

Guest performers are essential for any concert. For the Seoul show, he was thinking of TWICE and BLACKPINK… and maybe the Daegu Women group too? He wanted to give them some buzz; he really cares about his friends.

As for BLACKPINK, YG probably won't refuse, right? If they really refuse, it can only mean that YG has given up on BLACKPINK, but that's unlikely.

As for Zhao Meiyan's group, if they can successfully debut in May, Gong Cheng is hesitant, yet he really wants to... mainly because Zhao Meiyan's scandal is too big, so everyone knows that this pabo is his ex-girlfriend...

Aigoo!

Men who value relationships highly always tread carefully and cautiously, as if walking on thin ice...

"I understand, Uncle Long." Gong Cheng responded to Jackie Chan's words. The smiling and kind expression on Jackie Chan's face was as if he were looking at his junior with great appreciation.

After getting to know Jackie Chan, Gong Cheng realized that there was a reason why the guy was doing so well.

This Uncle Long likes to tell a few little lies. Like the circles mentioned above—Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong—there are absolutely no barriers for Jackie Chan… From what Gong Cheng knows, this guy is half peninsula, half Japanese, half British, half Shandong, half Anhui, half Mongolian… Putting it all together, he's…

"The younger generation is truly formidable..." Jackie Chan, dressed in a plain white Tang suit and wearing black-rimmed glasses, patted Gong Cheng on the back.

Gong Cheng, “…”

……

On New Year's Eve, everyone knew that this year's Spring Festival Gala would reach an unprecedented peak in viewership due to the news that world pop superstar Tarot would be performing on the show.

The show "Idol Producer" has aired several episodes.

Compared to the previously released snippets, iQiyi has extended the usual less than one-minute preview video to three minutes... Almost all the content is related to the episode featuring Gong Cheng.

Tomorrow night, the first day of the Lunar New Year, will be the broadcast time for this episode. It can be said that the production team and iQiyi... did not waste the exorbitant appearance fee... and fully capitalized on this wave of traffic.
In the afternoon, without Gong Cheng, the TWICE members got along well and harmoniously.

The strong sisterly bond between the group members made Kim Da-hyun feel a little nostalgic, as she followed along in the group of her unnies shopping together...

Compared to visiting famous historical sites, the young, beautiful, and wealthy girls were most interested in shopping. They went to the shopping malls near Wangfujing and lingered in stores selling clothing, accessories, cafes, and more...

"It's six o'clock, shall we go back to the guesthouse?" Zhou Ziyu glanced at the time on her phone and reminded her unnies who were engrossed in shopping. She was in a hurry to get back to watch the Spring Festival Gala with her parents...

It mainly depends on that oppa.

"..."

……

At 8 p.m. Beijing time, families across the country and Chinese people overseas almost simultaneously turned on their televisions or watched live streams on their mobile phones to tune in to the Spring Festival Gala.

"Grandpa, give me the remote, I want to watch the Spring Festival Gala..."

Anhui. Zhao Yuhan glanced at the family photo hanging on the wall. There were more than a dozen people, all at her grandfather's house, happily preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner. Next to the family photo, the clock on the wall showed 8:00.

The elderly man, with gray hair but still full of energy, sat on the sofa and looked at his beloved granddaughter with surprise. "Xiaohan, didn't you dislike watching the Spring Festival Gala?"

"Yeah, we were saying last year that the Spring Festival Gala is getting worse and worse." Her aunt teased, sitting at the dining table wearing a red turtleneck sweater, rolling out dumpling wrappers with her family.

People eat dumplings on New Year's Eve for a peaceful year ahead.

The family, with their clearly defined roles, were busy at the dining table and in the kitchen...

Zhao Yuhan's mother skillfully spread out a dumpling wrapper in her palm, filled it with filling, took out a prepared coin and inserted it, then sealed the dumpling wrapper. "She doesn't watch the Spring Festival Gala. This child likes that very talented singer named Tarot. I don't know if you know him, but he's really good."

"The song is quite good too. Yuhan said he's the most famous singer in China right now, and he's going to participate in this year's Spring Festival Gala..."

"How amazing is he? Even if he's amazing, can he win a Grammy?" Zhao Jie, the son of the second uncle and Zhao Yuhan's cousin, curled his lips speechlessly. In the end, isn't it just about chasing stars?

Although he didn't know Tarot, almost every girl in his high school class talked about it every day.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuhan couldn't sit still and yelled at her cousin, "You country bumpkin!" But then she thought about it again and didn't feel angry. Instead, she laughed out loud, ignored her cousin, turned around, and took her grandparents' arms, proudly saying:
"Grandpa and Grandma, Tarot oppa really can win Grammys! And not just one, but two, three..."

As she spoke, she glanced smugly at her cousin, her eyes full of disdain, "All you know is the Grammys. Five number one singles, do you know what that means? Do you know what it means to us Asians?"

"It would be a huge joke if a singer who gets five number-one singles in a year didn't win a Grammy, which would mean the Grammys aren't very prestigious..."

"What is a crown single?" Zhao Jie was so embarrassed by the retort that he was speechless. He really didn't know much about the entertainment industry. As a guy, he usually only played games. If you asked him who 4396 or CJB was, he would definitely answer before you did.

Zhao Yuhan hummed twice, smoothed her hair behind her ear, and explained earnestly, "Zhao Jie, you're going to university soon. If you want to have a girlfriend on campus, you need to have common topics with the girls, understand?"

"You mean, Tarot is a common topic?"

"if not?"

Zhao Yuhan's father came out of the kitchen with dishes and saw a happy scene in the living room. The whole family was there, including her second uncle, third uncle, aunt, and children from various families. It was the blood ties that made tonight's reunion night possible.

Even with wrinkles around her eyes, though she's in her forties, she's still happy! Her parents are alive and well, her family is happy, and the country is becoming increasingly prosperous...

The old man sitting in the main seat, a retired soldier, had a kind face and a red Tang suit, but beneath it lay skin rusted by bullet holes. Influenced by his father, he and his second brother, who was of the same generation, had both served in the military until they were demobilized...

Now, with the whole family together in harmony and reunion, such a happy family and country is truly delightful and joyful.

"A thousand mountains bathed in moonlight as the new year begins, ten thousand homes ablaze with lights on New Year's Eve. Here lies a joyous and auspicious night of reunion."

"This is a grand family reunion, with many distinguished guests gathered here."

"Live broadcast simultaneously to 185 overseas partners worldwide..."

"Chinese people extend New Year greetings, China Central Television..."

The night outside the window was thick with darkness. Inside, Zhao Yuhan and her family sat at the dining table, glancing sideways at the opening of the Spring Festival Gala. This year, the main venue was hosted by Ren Luyu, Li Sisi, Nigmat, Zhu Xun, Kang Hui, and others, who recited their lines in a call-and-response style, thus opening the Spring Festival Gala.

The opening performance was a group song called "A Colorful Chinese New Year" sung by Phoenix Legend, Joey Yung, Sha Yi, Hu Ke, Tong Liya, Chen Xiao, and Vic Chou.

Zhao Yuhan had no idea where her oppa's performance was scheduled. According to the production team, they might even put him at the very end to boost ratings…

But she waited patiently. Firstly, because Oppa's appearance on the Spring Festival Gala meant he was recognized by the country. Even if Oppa was very popular, there were still some haters who would use his overseas activities instead of returning to China to develop his career, as well as his scandals, to attack their own Oppa.

Some people even spread rumors that Oppa is unpatriotic, but damn it, Oppa openly stated in Coachella, in front of countless viewers around the world, that he comes from China...

Now, if my oppa weren't patriotic, would the country have allowed him to perform on the Spring Festival Gala? Furthermore, many official accounts, when repeatedly posting about my oppa's achievements in music, have clearly credited him as "[Tarot (Gong Cheng), a Chinese singer]".

The song "Fake Love," which was included in the national anthem two years ago, has been a staple in videos on various official accounts, almost becoming the go-to song for official Weibo accounts.

"Oppa!!!"

When Zhao Yuhan saw the camera cut to her on TV, she couldn't help but jump up from the dining table and scream!

"Is this Tarot? Isn't he incredibly handsome?" Zhao Yuhan's father had heard his beloved daughter talk about this singer's achievements many times over...

But now, seeing the CCTV camera linger on Gong Cheng's smiling face, I couldn't help but feel a little skeptical. He's quite a big star, sitting at the same table as Jackie Chan and Jay Chou…

On the large LCD screen, in the front row seats, there were many artists who participated in this year's Spring Festival Gala, all dressed in red dresses or red suits.

……

In Studio 1 of the main venue of the Spring Festival Gala, when the program was halfway through, Gong Cheng quietly retreated backstage.

The backstage hall was bustling with activity. Artists who had just come off stage and those about to come on stage were moving about in separate groups. Jing Tian was wearing a red Hanfu, her black hair was tied up with a floral headdress, and her fair face was made up with ancient-style makeup. She looked like she had traveled from thousands of years ago.

She greeted Gong Cheng with a smile, then hurriedly followed the staff to the waiting area...

Jiang Shuying, dressed in a red dress that revealed her fair shoulders and red high heels, smiled charmingly, seemingly wanting to chat with Gong Cheng for a bit. But after catching a glimpse of Hu Ge not far away, she said, "Go for it, Tarot," and turned to leave...

Amidst the hurried movements of the staff, the sounds of props being moved and equipment being adjusted rose and fell. Gong Cheng yawned, took the water cup handed to him by Jin Dayu, took a sip, then leaned against the corridor and smiled at Wang Jiaer and Zhang Yixing, who were about to appear on stage, saying, "Go for it, bro."

The two performers' stage performances are scheduled to be right next to each other, meaning that after Jackson Wang and Chen Long finish their performances, Lay Zhang and Huang Bo/William Chan will have to prepare to take the stage.

Gong Cheng, who seemed completely unaffected, was placed second to last by the production team, essentially making his grand finale appearance. The final program was the annual staple, "Unforgettable Tonight," used to conclude the Spring Festival Gala.

Gong Cheng's appearance was essentially the final act. Besides his popularity and status, the most important reason was his song "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales," which resonated with the Spring Festival Gala and the Chinese nation.

After saying goodbye to the two, Gong Cheng went to the dressing room and changed out of his long red trench coat...

Not long after, Gong Cheng reappeared, wearing a bright red, exquisitely tailored Tang suit that fit his figure perfectly.

His tall and slender figure exudes a natural and elegant air. The golden silk threads on his clothes are intertwined to form a coiled golden dragon and auspicious clouds, which is elegant, dignified, and magnificent. The exquisite piping at the collar and cuffs adds a touch of nobility to the young Chinese gentleman.

"Hey, you little rascal..." Kim Daewoo, holding a thermos, stood at the locker room door and couldn't help but say something in his hometown dialect when he saw Gong Cheng come out.

Having followed Gong Cheng for so long, he already knew that Yan was the one thing this guy would least mention directly!
This kid can always easily master various styles, or rather, he is the creator of various styles... It was only after he became highly favored by luxury brands that Kim Dayu realized this.

Zhu Xun, the host of the main venue, happened to be resting backstage.

Upon seeing Gong Cheng emerge from the locker room, her previously weary eyes lit up, and she walked over.

The red collar clung to Gong Cheng's pale neck, making his handsome features, framed by his tousled black hair, appear even more striking and gentle. He chuckled and greeted Zhu Xun, asking, "Sister Xun, how is it? Does it fit?"

"Now I understand why your fans are so crazy." Zhu Xun, in her high heels, approached Gong Cheng, barely reaching his chin. She quickly grabbed her phone and took a selfie with him. "When it's my turn, I'll go crazy too..."

She gave a sincere compliment, and Gong Cheng posed for a photo with her.

"It's not that exaggerated." Gong Cheng shrugged. The Tang suit he was wearing was specially made by Armani according to their requirements. The brand only delivered it today, and Armani will officially launch Tang suit-related clothing items for sale tomorrow.

Therefore, the artists and hosts at the venue did not mention his outfit during the rehearsals.

"This is the custom-made garment Armani made for you? It looks like it's going to be a bestseller." Zhu Xun put away her phone, unable to resist touching the fabric of the garment and the dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread...

As the two chatted, many artists walking backstage turned their attention to them.

Jing Tian and a group of dancers dressed in Hanfu—pale yellow, dark blue, bright red, moon white… Hanfu of various colors, with lapels crossing at the chest, hugged their petite figures yet remained loose and flowing. Embroidered with plum blossoms and peonies, paired with their bright red lips and flamboyant makeup, one might mistake them for actors in a period drama…

Backstage, the person in charge of recording the behind-the-scenes moments watched with great interest as Jing Tian and a dozen or so girls approached Gong Cheng, all making a gesture of greeting and laughing softly in unison, "Greetings to Young Master..."

"No need for formalities~" Gong Cheng's warm eyes lit up with a light smile.

After rehearsing for so long, he didn't hold back when joking with Jing Tian and the others.

Backstage, a burst of lighthearted laughter rang out. The photographer in charge of the shoot couldn't help but laugh as well. Then, Jing Tian and her group lifted their Hanfu skirts and stood next to Gong Cheng for a group photo.

The whole scene is like a flock of orioles surrounding you, their laughter filling the air...

……

Time flies. Zhao Yuhan sat on the sofa at home, watching the Spring Festival Gala on TV.

As expected, Oppa was the last to perform. Fortunately, the director was considerate enough to put Lay and Jackson earlier in the order of their performances, which relieved the fans' boredom.

"...Next up is 'Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales'..."

After the host introduced Gong Cheng, who was about to appear, and the song he would be performing, Zhao Yuhan immediately sat up and called her family to watch together!
"..."

The extra-large LCD screen briefly displayed an advertisement...

"I am Cao!"

Across the country, the sounds of traditional Chinese music resounded simultaneously...

……

When the camera panned back to the main venue of the Spring Festival Gala, the dim stage lights suddenly lit up—a magnificent symphony, like a surging wave, rushed towards us.

Immediately following, a rich blend of Chinese-style music, including drums, zither, and pipa, intertwined and interwoven...

To the captivating prelude, Gong Cheng appeared before the nation. Dressed in a bright red Tang suit, with an upright back and a commanding presence, the auspicious patterns and dragons embroidered in gold thread on his clothes shimmered under the lights.

Gong Cheng's warm and gentle features, combined with a noble air, were accentuated by his deep, magnetic voice under the spotlight...

"I begin to write about this land, and the bloodline of our nation stretches for thousands of miles..."

"For six centuries, the descendants of the dragon have weathered many storms..."

The moment Gong Cheng opened his mouth to sing in Mandarin, he exuded a grand and majestic classical aura. Standing in the center of the stage, microphone in hand, behind him on the large screen, a magnificent scroll of Chinese landscapes slowly unfolded as he sang…

The majestic Great Wall, like a giant dragon, winds its way through towering mountains, stretching for thousands of miles, its grandeur awe-inspiring…

"This central axis of the capital region is like the unwavering integrity of a gentleman..."

"The history of glazed tiles on the Nine Dragon Wall began with its decline and then resurgence."

On the large screen, the vermilion palace walls were shrouded in the morning mist, and the majestic city tower stood before us. The three arched gates resembled the mouths of a giant beast, as if swallowing and exhaling six hundred years of vicissitudes...

The lyrics, which connect landmarks such as the Forbidden City with national integrity, bear witness to the ups and downs of history and represent the vicissitudes of the Chinese nation over thousands of years...

"These dragon scales once fell to the ground with a clang like shattered ice..." The stage lights suddenly dimmed, leaving only a spotlight shining on Gong Cheng. His voice became low and mournful, heavy with the weight and sorrow of history...

"A single scale, an inch of heart; the story is so poignant, I can't bear to listen..." Gong Cheng's slightly furrowed brows perfectly matched the lyrics, as if he dared not look back at the history that would never be forgotten by the Chinese people...

The holographic projection above the stage and the large screen behind it displayed scenes of the suffering China endured in modern times: war, devastation, and a broken country...

In Zhao Yuhan's home, the old man sitting in the middle of the sofa, along with two men who had served in the military, watched Gong Cheng and the scenes of gunfire unfolding on the screen with cloudy, moist eyes...

Many of the scenes were recorded in history textbooks. Zhao Yuhan and her cousin Zhao Jie were moved and wanted to shed tears as they listened to Gong Cheng's deep singing.

"I await a response with clear head, lingering amidst the vast and magnificent Chinese civilization..."

"I pay homage to the past as I put pen to paper, to the vast yellow earth of the East..."

Gong Cheng's clear and resonant singing voice carried a hint of anger when he sang this part of the lyrics. As a result, the image of shattered mountains and rivers in the holographic projection disappeared, and his voice became high-pitched and powerful.

And then, with his powerful and infectious singing voice...

On stage, a giant holographic projection created a misty, ethereal sky, with a golden dragon appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds. Its whiskers fluttered in the wind, and its scales refracted brilliant light under the changing shadows, as if it were about to burst through the screen and soar through the heavens at any moment…

"Splashing ink across the landscape to erase it~"

"All that can be seen is the rugged spirit of the Chinese nation!"

In the passageways on both sides of the stage, dozens of dancers dressed in Hanfu with an ink-wash painting style walked onto the stage in unison...

Dozens of fair arms waved long golden ribbons, dancing gracefully to the rhythm... The dance, a blend of strength and gentleness, was sometimes as agile and ethereal as dragons and phoenixes playing, and at other times as powerful and majestic as a tidal wave...

Golden ribbons fluttered in the air, echoing the sea of ​​red in the venue. On the large screen, the five-starred red flag fluttered in the wind, its red color rolling like waves, its golden star emblem...

"Okay! Okay!"

Zhao Yuhan's grandfather, a former veteran, wiped his reddened eyes.

From the incredibly handsome young man's singing voice on the screen, he heard a strong sense of democratic confidence and the ups and downs of history, magnificent amidst the waves, igniting the national spirit in the resounding melody, and praising the rebirth of the motherland...

What brought tears to the eyes of this veteran who had experienced the battlefield was a line of lyrics that touched the heart: "Dragon scales crash to the ground like shattered ice..."

……

"The Divine Might Gate of the Forbidden City—how many vicissitudes have forged the spirit of China!"

In Studio 1 of the main venue for the Spring Festival Gala, many leaders from relevant departments were present at the newly added 1000 audience seats.

They watched quietly as Gong Cheng delivered the lyrics on stage!
The bright red Tang suits adorned with gold-threaded dragon patterns, along with the powerful and majestic singing, celebrated the motherland's self-reliance, strength, prosperity, and flourishing. The lyrics, in particular, exuded a magnificent and grand beauty...

The director's camera cut to the front row of artists' seats. Many of the artists, dressed in red dresses and red suits, were listening attentively to Gong Cheng's singing. Many were moved, and beneath their exquisite makeup, the corners of their eyes, as they wiped their eyeliner, shone with proud smiles.

"Let us raise our heads high and revitalize our nation!"

"Wandering the heavens and earth in search of dragon scales, the dragon's bloodline has grown into a vast forest!"

As the song "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales" was about to end, all the stage lights turned on at once, illuminating the entire venue with golden light.

A giant auspicious dragon in holographic projection swooped down from the sky and circled the main hall. The director in charge of the live broadcast deliberately zoomed out to show the roaring golden dragon and its circling figure to the people of the whole country.

The audience felt as if they were embraced by a dragon, and Gong Cheng's singing became even more passionate...

"Wandering the heavens and earth in search of dragon scales, the dragon's bloodline has grown into a vast forest..."

He opened his arms wide, and his voice resounded through the sky.

His powerful high notes pushed the song's grandeur to its extreme... His highly infectious singing filled the audience watching the Spring Festival Gala with a strong sense of belonging and pride...

The song "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales" vividly expresses the love for the motherland and the pride in the nation.

As the song drew to a close, Gong Cheng's voice gradually faded, yet its lingering resonance remained. Dancers dressed in ink-wash Hanfu surrounded him in the center, and then the stage lights dimmed, and the auspicious dragon slowly dissipated...

Inside the venue, enthusiastic applause resounded continuously. The loud cheers and thunderous applause were recorded and broadcast live, and countless Chinese people clapped at that moment.

In the live stream rooms of various platforms, the barrage of comments was like a tidal wave, dazzling the viewers. "Awesome! I didn't expect Tarot and traditional Chinese music to be such a good match?" "So exciting!" "These lyrics, this arrangement! This level of quality! This song will probably be included in the national anthem!" "Rumor has it, it's already been included..."

"Looking for a link to the Tang suit worn by Gong Cheng."

"My mom asked me who Tarot was, and I said he was my stepfather. My mom said I was shameless, that he was my stepfather..."

What did your dad say?

"..."

After the performance, backstage, Gong Cheng thanked the dance team responsible for the backup dancers, saying, "Thank you for your hard work..."

He then returned to the dressing room. As the second-to-last performer, the Spring Festival Gala was now coming to an end.

He took a sip of water, picked up the phone Kim Daewoo handed him, and saw a message from Chou Tzu-yu: "So handsome, oppa!!! (starry eyes)"

"Bao De (grinning and laughing wildly)," Gong Cheng replied smugly. Although he didn't know what the outside world thought, he felt that his performance was not bad. At least in terms of singing skills and stage presence, he was in good condition and his stage presence was very stable.

[Trying to become a white pork knuckle fish]: "The Spring Festival Gala should be almost over, right? When are you coming over for New Year's Eve dinner, oppa? The unnies and I are all waiting for you..."

Gong Cheng glanced at the time and was about to reply when he saw the chief director Yang Dongsheng and the chief planner walk in together, laughing heartily, "You sang so well, Xiao Cheng!!"

Tonight's ratings have broken all previous records. He couldn't help but pat Gong Cheng on the shoulder and praise him repeatedly.

As the chief director of the Spring Festival Gala, he was under immense pressure! Last year, the comments from netizens that "the Spring Festival Gala is getting worse and worse" put him under tremendous pressure.

But now it seems that Gong Cheng is simply his good fortune!
"The people absolutely loved your performance!"

Yang Dongsheng chuckled and said truthfully that when Gong Cheng finished performing this song, the online discourse on major video platforms and social forums across the country was almost entirely dominated by the words "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales" and "Tarot"...

The stirring songs and Gong Cheng's powerful performance, showcasing the beauty of the East, filled countless Chinese people with pride and a sense of honor during this joyous Spring Festival of reunion...

"It's good that we didn't mess it up," Gong Cheng said with a smile. When the director invited him to celebrate the success that evening, he politely declined, saying, "I won't go, it's Chinese New Year, someone's waiting for me for the New Year's Eve dinner..."

He chuckled and explained that he had planned gatherings with directors like Yang Dongsheng before, so missing one meal together wouldn't be a problem.

……

Half an hour later, after the final performance of "Unforgettable Tonight," the Spring Festival Gala came to a successful conclusion with farewells from the hosts at each venue.

Gong Cheng washed his face in the bathroom, then went to the changing room to change into his own clothes: distressed jeans, a black hoodie, a short white down jacket, and a pink baseball cap to cover his stray hairs.

The patterned LV sneakers made his tall figure appear even more upright and outstanding...

"See you in a few days, Lay, Jackson..." Gong Cheng greeted Wang Jiaer and Zhang Yixing, who were about to leave, from the corridor. The two were preparing to go back to the hotel to get their luggage before heading to Langfang to continue filming "Idol Producer".

The recording of the show is nearing its end. The two are expected to finish recording at the end of this month or the beginning of next month, and then take a break for a few days before gathering in Seoul to begin their combined Asian tour.

Tickets for the group's Asian tour will go on sale to fans early next month!
Afterwards, Gong Cheng picked up his backpack, preparing to drive to the underground parking lot to Zhou Ziyu's rented guesthouse so they could have New Year's Eve dinner together. Even though it was already 1 a.m., the night was long, and so many people were waiting for him...

"Xiao Cheng, want to go out for dinner? Let's get together?" Zhu Xun, who had changed into a coat, bumped into Gong Cheng in the underground parking garage with a colleague she was on good terms with and immediately extended an invitation.

Gong Cheng opened the car door, tossed his backpack into the passenger seat, and turned back with a smile, saying, "Next time, Sister Xun, Brother Yu, I have plans tonight."

The hosts at the main venue have been quite considerate of him during these recent rehearsals...

"Okay, then I won't bother you since I have an appointment. Drive carefully on the road." Zhu Xun chuckled and waved goodbye to him.

Gong Cheng nodded, "You too." He then got into the driver's seat and stepped on the gas to leave the underground parking garage.

The streetlights on the roads of Beijing, glowing with an orange-yellow light, remained bright, while the heavy snow continued to fall without end...

After the Spring Festival Gala ended, Kim Dae-woo and Cha Gun-ho returned to their hotel together. The two managers decided to have a big drinking session that night to celebrate the arrival of the new year and the end of last year's work...

"Happy New Year, Mom and Dad!" Under the heavy snowfall, there weren't many cars on Beijing's Third Ring Road. Gong Cheng listened to his adoptive parents' voices through his earphones and chuckled softly in response.

"Alaso, I will get some rest. Don't worry, Father. I've contacted Meiyan."

"Oh, by the way, Mom, she said she's coming to visit you tomorrow..."

……

"Happy New Year……"

In the living room of the guesthouse, the Twice members in Beijing raised their glasses together.

Gong Cheng sat next to Mina, took a sip of orange juice, and watched the scene at the table with a smile... If only, if only, could it always be like this in the future?

During the New Year's Eve dinner, the members only took a small sip of wine, while Gong Cheng didn't touch a drop.

He was going to take them and the fireworks he'd bought to a nearby place where they could set off fireworks...

……

An hour later, even at three in the morning, in the snow-covered capital, fireworks rose and burst into the night sky from time to time in various designated areas, creating dazzling displays.

The Mercedes SUV, fully loaded with its members, arrived at an area a few kilometers away from the guesthouse, under a blanket of snow.

Lin Na-yeon, Minato Saka, Kim Da-hyun, and the others busily unloaded the purchased fireworks from the car, while the larger fireworks were left to Miyako to do the hard work.

Amidst the drifting snowflakes, the members, dressed in colorful down jackets, excitedly squatted down in a huddle, pulling out small sparklers and firecrackers they had bought while shopping from a black bag…

Gong Cheng looked at Mina, who was following behind him and trying to help him, then let go of the box of large fireworks he was holding, grabbed her wrist, and came to the back of the car.

Mina's cool, aloof face beneath the scarf was caught off guard by his sudden appearance.

But she calmly raised her eyelids under the snowflakes. She knew this petty thief; he was very bold, but also quite adept at avoiding danger. To put it bluntly, he was a very cautious person when he hadn't made any plans.

At this point, it seems he only dares to hold his own hand and touch his own feet...

Gong Cheng didn't say much, his serious gaze meeting her calm one. Then he reached out and hugged the little penguin's petite body. "Thank you, Mina-chan."

After saying that, he let go of his arms, turned around and went back to the trunk. Hearing the members urging him, he moved the fireworks box over there.

"..."

In the night sky, Son Chaeyoung and Minatozaki Sana held sparklers in their hands and waved them haphazardly in the darkness, while Lim Nayeon squatted on the ground taking pictures of the two.

Gong Cheng and Zhou Ziyu exchanged a glance, then took out firecrackers from their bags.

As the artillery fire was aimed at Kim Da-hyun, who was squatting on the ground with a lighter, preparing to ignite a spinning top-shaped sparkler, Gong Cheng felt a pang of pity and stepped forward to grab the little monster tofu's hat, lifting her up.

"What are you doing, oppa!" Kim Dahyun turned around warily and glanced at this guy. Could he be up to something again?
Tzuyu grinned and smoothed her hair behind her ear. She raised the firecracker in her hand and threw it at the feet of Chaeyoung and the others... With a "bang", Sana Minatozaki, Nayeon and the others were startled.

Then came the angry shouts of the three men...

"Hey, unnies, oppa made me do this!" Tzuyu, subdued by the three of them, quickly shifted the blame to Gong Cheng.

Gong Cheng looked at the firecracker in his hand; he hadn't even started using it yet!

"..."

"Run, oppa~"

The cameras on the phones held up by Minami and the other six were filming Miyako, who was crouching in front of the fireworks not far away. He lit the firework and then quickly retreated amidst shouts.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa~"

A few seconds later, a sharp whistling sound tore through the night sky...

With a loud "bang," the first firework exploded. Silvery sparks burst in the sky, transforming into countless strands of golden-red starlight, like scattered gilded fragments, or like a giant chrysanthemum blooming in an instant, its petals unfolding from the inside out, layer upon layer, shimmering with tiny phosphorescent sparks…

Lim Nayeon grinned, revealing her rabbit teeth, her eyes reflecting the dazzling fireworks.

Last year, under the fireworks, she stood right next to this brat, but what did she say? She forgot, hehe~
Mina held her phone, her cool, aloof face breaking into a smile as the fireworks lit up her cheeks. She looked beautiful…

She then turned the camera around, and Gong Cheng's radiant face appeared on the screen under the fireworks. She then switched to selfie mode, turned her body slightly, and on the screen, her own face, with her scarf pulled down, was covered in a layer of breath, while behind her left shoulder stood a tall figure...

She moved the camera around until Nayeon unnie, Sana-chan, the little tiger, Dahyun, and Tzuyu disappeared from the frame, leaving only a tired-looking little thief yawning, and herself smiling faintly...

Time stands still; this frame in the photo is absolutely stunning...

"Wow, this is so beautiful! I knew these fireworks were expensive for a reason!"

Son Chae-young shouted excitedly...

Sana Minatozaki nodded in agreement. The camera panned to her boyfriend's face, and when she saw Makoto Miyamoto looking at her, she made a face.

Gong Cheng smiled, listened to the buzzing of his phone in his pocket, took it out and glanced at it.

It was a schedule of his activities for 2018 sent by a company staff member.

Fireworks lit up the night sky. Gong Cheng glanced down at his schedule—most recently, the group's Asian tour next month, then PRODUCE 48's program... the world tour...

……

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the only sounds were the deafening firecrackers.

Last night, Gong Cheng, dressed in a bright red Tang suit, performed "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales". The hashtags #Tarot#, #SpringFestivalGalaGodLevelStage#, and #HeavenandEarthDragonScales# quickly rose to the top of the trending search lists on various forums.

As the buzz spread overseas, major authoritative media outlets and their official accounts reposted Gong Cheng's performance video, adding praise in the comments:
Using song as a pen, "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales" is not just a song, but also a hymn to the national spirit and a carrier of cultural heritage.

With his astonishing talent, Tarot has chronicled the long and brilliant history of China.

People reminisce about history through Tarot's songs, feeling the great spirit of the Chinese nation and inspiring a deep sense of national pride and cultural confidence. No matter how times change, these songs will resonate like a grand bell across the land of China, inspiring generations of Chinese people to strive tirelessly for national rejuvenation.

【…】

(End of this chapter)