Taking Liu Yifei back to Northeast China for the Chinese New Year has sent the entire internet into

The staff around didn't dare to breathe, and everyone went into silent mode.

They knew perfectly well that Director Wang was truly desperate.

This year's Spring Festival Gala still topped the ratings charts, but its online reputation was appalling.

The harshest criticisms from netizens were that the program was "out of touch with the masses" and "too paternalistic."

The skits are all about making dumplings with a happy beginning but a sad end, and the songs are all ornate but empty and pretentious.

On New Year's Eve, people just want to have fun.

As a result, I was forced to have my head held down and attended a moral education class for four or five hours.

Who can stand this?

A sweating assistant director brought over a cup of hot tea and quickly made up for it.

"Director Wang, don't get too worked up. We have several more great shows coming up."

"Besides, this Fang Yu... we really haven't heard of him before."

"I just checked, and it seems he's only been in the industry for less than six months; he's a newcomer."

"As you know, our Spring Festival Gala selection criteria have always been based on seniority and influence."

"Given his status, even if he had applied back then, he probably would have been eliminated in the first round."

Another planner nearby chimed in.

"Yeah, Director Wang, who would have thought that a newcomer could write a song like this?"

"Besides, when our show was being put together, this kid hadn't even officially debuted yet. Where are we supposed to find him?"

"This really isn't your fault."

Listening to his subordinates' words of comfort, Director Wang picked up his teacup and took a sip, finally calming down a bit.

Of course he knew that no one was to blame.

The Spring Festival Gala is a huge and sophisticated machine, with strict procedures and standards for every aspect.

An unknown newcomer would never even come into their sights.

That's the truth, but I just couldn't suppress the frustration and regret in my heart.

This is like spending hundreds of millions to invite all the gods and Buddhas to prepare a Manchu Han Imperial Feast.

As a result, people all over the country rushed to the street stall next door to eat a bowl of spicy hot pot for 9.9 yuan, and they were so moved that they cried and exclaimed that it was so satisfying.

Anyone would be on the defensive in this situation.

Director Wang sighed deeply and placed the teacup heavily on the table.

"I'm not blaming anyone, I just feel sorry for our stage!"

He pointed at the screen, his eyes revealing a hint of director's keen insight and appreciation.

"Look closely at this kid's 'typhoon' aura! He has an extremely rare sense of disruptive power! He can instantly draw everyone's emotions into his rhythm!"

"This kind of infectiousness is something a company can't create; it's like God is feeding them to them!"

"What we missed wasn't just a hit song of the year, but also a truly exceptional singer who could command the stage!"

In the control room, everyone fell silent.

They watched the young man singing and dancing on a traditional heated brick bed in Northeast China on the screen, and then thought about the stars on their own stages who, though exquisite and perfect, were like mannequins.

Everyone knew in their hearts that Director Wang was right.

After a long silence, Director Wang seemed to have made up his mind.

He slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and announced in a loud voice:

"Alright! This year's situation is settled. Let's just finish airing the rest of the program smoothly!"

"But now I have a task for you!"

He grabbed the assistant director by the shoulder:

"Xiao Li, the moment it's light tomorrow morning, you immediately contact Fang Yu's agency!"

"Tell them we'll reserve a spot for them on next year's Spring Festival Gala! They'll sing 'Gong Xi Fa Cai'!"

"No! Wait!"

Director Wang seemed to have thought of something and changed his mind.

"Tell them, he's going to be the opening act for next year's Spring Festival Gala!"

"I want the entire nation to start the new year with the vibrant and festive spirit of 'Gong Xi Fa Cai'!"

……

Meanwhile, in Kaoshantun, at this moment, in the Fang family courtyard.

Fang Yu, who is both a "Song of the Year" and a "Spring Festival Gala candidate," was standing with his hands in his pockets, looking out the window with a look of disgust.

After the New Year's bell rang, Comrade Fang Daqiang's cravings for both cigarettes and firecrackers kicked in.

He rushed into the yard with a cigarette dangling from his mouth and a large string of firecrackers in his hand.

Prepare to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new in the most traditional way.

The deafening crackling of firecrackers filled the courtyard with flames and smoke.

Zhao Guifang originally wanted to call Fang Yu to go out and join in the fun.

As a result, Fang Yu shook his head like a rattle drum.

"No way! It's so cold outside. I'd be covered in sparks and burn a hole in my down jacket. That would be such a waste."

After saying that, he lay down on the warm kang (a heated brick bed), looking as if he was determined to live and die with this kang.

Zhao Guifang ignored him and turned to rummage through the cabinet in the inner room for new melon seeds and peanuts to eat while staying up late on New Year's Eve.

For a moment, only Fang Yu and Liu Yifei remained in the room.

On television, the Spring Festival Gala continued awkwardly.

Liu Yifei wasn't interested in those boring shows.

She turned her head and looked out the window at the night sky, which was flickering with light from the firecrackers, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Fang Yu," she nudged the person pretending to be dead next to her with her elbow, "Do you have any special customs for celebrating the New Year here?"

Fang Yu was enjoying the warmth of the heated kang bed with his eyes closed when he heard this, and slowly opened one eyelid.

"Customs? There are tons of them."

He thought for a moment, then a malicious smile crept onto his lips.

"But if we're talking about the most important custom on the first day of the Lunar New Year, it has to be kowtowing and receiving red envelopes."

"Kowtowing?" Liu Yifei blinked. "Isn't it only children who need to kowtow to their elders to wish them a Happy New Year?"

"Wrong!" Fang Yu said decisively, "In our local area, we value etiquette."

"As long as you are not married, no matter how old you are, in the eyes of your elders you are still a child."

"Kowtowing to elders during the Lunar New Year is not just about getting a red envelope; more importantly, it's about expressing respect and blessings."

"And," Fang Yu lowered his voice, his expression becoming mysterious, "there's an unwritten rule here."

"The more sincere and proper your bowing, the more generous the red envelope your elders will give you!"

"If you just bow casually, you might get two hundred as a token gesture."

"But if you were to kowtow deeply and make a solid sound, the thickness of the red envelope would be beyond your wildest imagination!"