Life countdown begins, ice queen bursts into security room

The deputy director's voice traveled through the microphone to every corner of the studio.

No one dared to speak.

Wang Dehai stood in the side of the stage, his hands in his down jacket pockets, his chin slightly raised, and a cold smile on his lips.

No matter how good the script is, it's worthless if it can't pass censorship.

In this industry, seniority and interpersonal skills are always more useful than talent.

On stage, Shen Feng's smile vanished.

Ma Yue and Lunzi exchanged a glance, their palms sweating profusely.

The Spring Festival Gala stage is ultimately too far away.

Shen Feng looked past the first row of judges' seats and towards the corner.

Jiang Fan leaned back in his chair, playing with his phone.

Upon hearing the deputy director's words, he put his phone back in his pocket, grabbed the microphone from the table, and stood up.

He met the gaze of the deputy director in the first row, three meters away.

"The most acute truth is that people avoid seeking medical help when they are sick."

Jiang Fan's tone was flat, but his words were delivered with great force.

"Viewers watch the Spring Festival Gala to see life. If you don't dare to face the problems and insist on covering the eyes of the audience and saying that everything is fine, that's called self-deception."

Several veteran performers in the first row subconsciously leaned back, their eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Zhang Guoqiang's hand, which was holding the thermos, froze in mid-air. This Jiang Fan really dared to say that.

The deputy director's face instantly darkened.

In the broadcasting system, no one has ever dared to reprimand him like that in public.

A young man in his early twenties pointed his finger at him and accused him of deceiving himself.

"Who do you think you are!"

Wang Dehai stepped out from the side of the stage, pointing his finger directly at Jiang Fan, spitting everywhere.

"A musician coming to a talk show and giving orders like this! Doesn't he know the rules?!"

He turned to Zhang Guoqiang and raised his voice.

The two security guards at the entrance kept their eyes straight ahead, and without Zhang Guoqiang's permission, no one dared to move.

Jiang Fan didn't even bother to glance at Wang Dehai; he stared at the deputy director.

"If 'The Pit' is rejected, I will immediately withdraw the Spring Festival Gala authorization for 'Ten Thousand Frontiers,' 'Misplaced Time and Space,' and 'As You Wish.' At the same time, I will resign as music director."

A commotion broke out in the back row. The music group leader suddenly stood up, his thigh slammed against the edge of the table, and his chair crashed to the ground with a loud thud.

Zhang Guoqiang's brows were furrowed into a tight knot.

These three songs are the cornerstones of this year's Spring Festival Gala, representing the rise of a great power, commemorating martyrs, and the inheritance of the nation and its people.

If any one song is removed, half of the music program will collapse; if all of them are removed, he, as the chief director, might as well quit.

The deputy director was so angry he laughed.

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, using the edge of the table for support.

Are you threatening me?

He stared at Jiang Fan with a gloomy look in his eyes.

"Just because you have a little talent doesn't mean you can be so arrogant! These three songs are being pulled today, but the Spring Festival Gala will still go ahead! But you, Jiang Fan, can forget about ever appearing in any mainstream media again!"

Shen Feng was so anxious on stage that he kept rubbing his hands.

To jeopardize Jiang Fan's entire future for a single skit, and even face a complete internet ban, is a huge loss.

Just then, the heavy double doors of the studio were pushed open from the outside.

The group walked in quickly.

The elderly man leading the group was in his early sixties, wearing a dark jacket, and had gray hair.

Behind him followed seven or eight middle-aged men in suits, all with their heads bowed and their steps extremely light.

Upon recognizing the person, Zhang Guoqiang immediately pushed aside his chair and went to greet them.

The deputy director's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a forced respectful expression.

He quickly walked around the table, bending his waist down slightly.

"Minister Chen, why did you come in person?"

Minister Chen is the top official in the State Administration of Radio and Television.

Minister Chen ignored him, walked straight to the center of the first row, and turned to look at the stage.

"Is this skit called 'The Pit'?" Minister Chen's voice was loud and clear, carrying the imposing aura of someone who had long held a high position.

Shen Feng paused for half a second, then quickly nodded: "Yes, sir."

Minister Chen turned to the deputy director.

"I just watched the whole program from beginning to end in the monitoring room."

He raised his hand and pointed to the stage.

"What, you're going to kill it?"

The deputy director's forehead was covered in sweat.

"Minister Chen, this program is too satirical. It's New Year's Eve, a time for lighthearted entertainment; isn't this kind of subject matter inappropriate?"

"Foolish!"

Minister Chen raised his voice.

The deputy director shrank back, lowered his head, and didn't dare to even breathe loudly.

"Just because ordinary people want to have fun doesn't mean they're fools!"

Minister Chen's gaze swept over the silent veteran performers in the front row.

"If you only know how to work behind closed doors in your office, detached from the masses, who will read what you write? Daring to expose problems and criticize complacency—that's the responsibility that artists should have!"

He pointed to the deputy director.

"Anyone who dares to cancel this program is derelict in their duty!"

The deputy director raised his hand to wipe his forehead, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Minister Chen's criticism is correct; my understanding is insufficient. This program has a very high purpose and must be included!"

Zhang Guoqiang then picked up the microphone.

"I hereby announce that 'The Pit' has passed the final review and has been selected for the Spring Festival Gala lineup!"

He turned his head and looked at Wang Dehai, who was still standing in the side of the stage.

"Teacher Wang, your program's concept is a bit outdated. This year, please make do and give the spot to the younger generation."

Wang Dehai, mouth agape, slumped into a folding chair in the side room, remaining stunned for a long time.

The show's regular performer for ten consecutive years was replaced today by a makeshift production team, and was even publicly kicked out by the director.

On stage, Shen Feng's eyes were red-rimmed, while Lunzi squatted on the ground, covering her face with her hands and her shoulders shaking violently.

They're really going to be on the Spring Festival Gala.

Minister Chen walked up to Jiang Fan.

He looked him up and down twice, then extended his hand.

"You're Jiang Fan?"

Minister Chen's eyes held undisguised admiration.

"I listened to 'Ten Thousand Frontiers' and 'Misplaced Time and Space,' and they were excellent. The country needs young people like you. What you just said showed backbone."

Jiang Fan clasped his hands in return, "Minister Chen, you flatter me."

Minister Chen nodded, said nothing more, and strode away with his entourage.

The deputy director slunk back to his seat, not daring to look at Jiang Fan again.

Jiang Fan walked to the side of the stage and patted Shen Feng on the shoulder.

Shen Feng turned around and hugged Jiang Fan tightly, his voice trembling, "Brother Jiang... thank you. If it weren't for you, we would be..."

"Alright."

Jiang Fan pushed him away and glanced at the tears on his clothes with disgust.

"Now, I have something to tell you."

Shen Feng immediately stood up straight, his expression respectful: "Brother Jiang, please speak."

"I'll incorporate the name of 'Goodbye Mr. Loser' into the dialogue of the skit. On New Year's Eve, I want all 1.4 billion people in China to hear the name of this movie."

Shen Feng's eyes widened instantly.

Spring Festival Gala? A GG (Girls' Love) product placement?

This is a national-level stage, and the censorship is so strict that not even a single trademark is allowed to be displayed.

Jiang Fan actually wanted to force the name of the movie he invested in into a skit on the Spring Festival Gala?

"Brother Jiang, this... will this work?" Shen Feng stammered. "The censorship..."

"The review is over. With Minister Chen's approval, who dares to touch your documents again?"

Jiang Fan's lips curled slightly.

"Director Shen was reprimanding his subordinates on stage when he casually remarked, 'Have you been watching too much Goodbye Mr. Loser? Are you daydreaming all the time?' It made perfect sense, no problem at all."

Shen Feng gasped in astonishment. Absolutely incredible.

The exposure from the Spring Festival Gala on New Year's Eve is something that no amount of publicity can replicate.

This seemingly insignificant line is worth a hundred million in marketing expenses!