After being dumped by the diva, I was picked up by her arch-enemy.

"Casting, location scouting, crew assembly, all left to me?" Chen Hao held the script, his hands trembling so much he could barely hold the pages.

"It's all up to you." Jiang Yichen leaned back on the sofa, his tone indifferent. "The budget is fifty million, transfer it directly to the production team's account. I only care about the final cut; don't disappoint me."

Chen Hao's eyes instantly turned red, and he stood there motionless for a long time.

Jiang Yichen waved his hand dismissively.

"Go do your work, don't get in the way."

Chen Hao clutched the script tightly to his chest and rushed out of the studio in a flurry of activity.

Over the next month, Chen Hao demonstrated remarkable initiative.

Leveraging the connections and fame he gained from "Crazy Stone," he quickly assembled an extremely professional film crew.

In terms of casting, he did not blindly believe in those young idols with only popularity, but instead went to various drama troupes and performing arts troupes to select veteran actors and powerful performers with solid acting skills.

The preliminary preparations went exceptionally smoothly, and the budget of 50 million gave him a lot of confidence.

It was already mid-November.

........

Shanghai, Star Entertainment Headquarters.

Gu Ruanxing sat behind a large desk, holding three musical scores in her hands.

She glanced at the sheet music, then looked up at Jiang Yichen sitting opposite her, drinking tea, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"How is your brain structured?"

Gu Ruanxing slammed the sheet music heavily on the table.

"Any one of these three songs could be a single from an album. You just casually dumped them on me like that?"

Jiang Yichen put down his teacup, his expression calm and composed.

"Isn't Starry Sky Entertainment promoting new artists lately? We happen to have a few songs in stock; take them and use them."

Gu Ruanxing's lips curled into a smug smile as her slender fingers gently brushed the edge of the sheet music.

"With these three songs, that idol boy group that Brilliant Entertainment just launched will definitely be crushed by us."

When Brilliant Entertainment was mentioned, Jiang Yichen's eyes turned slightly cold.

"What's Bai Yanqiu up to lately?"

Gu Ruanxing's smile faded, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"That's what I find strange."

"Recently, we have repeatedly targeted Brilliant Entertainment in the music market and snatched a lot of their resources."

"But Bai Yanqiu didn't react at all."

Gu Ruanxing tapped her fingers on the table, making a crisp tapping sound.

"This is very unusual."

"Given Bai Yanqiu's vengeful and mad dog-like nature, he should have jumped out and bitten people long ago after suffering such a huge loss."

"Not only has he remained silent, he's also stopped managing the day-to-day affairs of Brilliant Entertainment."

Jiang Yichen's eyes were deep.

"A dog that bites doesn't bark."

"When Bai Yanqiu, a venomous snake, lies dormant, it means he's preparing a big move."

"Be careful, don't let him trick you."

Gu Ruanxing nodded solemnly.

........

early december.

Shanghai welcomed its first snowfall of the year.

A thin layer of white frost covered the bluestone pavement of the City God Temple.

The heating was on full blast in the office on the second floor of the Qilin Opera Troupe.

Jiang Yichen stood by the window, watching the snowflakes falling outside.

The office door was pushed open.

Xu Zhiyou walked in wearing a fluffy white turtleneck sweater and carrying two cups of hot coffee.

She placed the coffee on the desk, walked over to Jiang Yichen, and followed his gaze to the window.

"It's snowing!"

Xu Zhiyou's big eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Jiang Yichen, let's build a snowman when the snow gets heavier, okay?"

Jiang Yichen turned his head, looked at her nose which was a little red from the cold, and reached out to pinch it.

"it is good."

Just then, Jiang Yichen's phone, which was on the table, vibrated.

The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number originating from Beijing.

Jiang Yichen walked over and answered the phone.

Hello.

A deep, middle-aged male voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with official politeness.

"Hello, are you Mr. Jiang Yichen?"

"I am."

"Hello, Ms. Jiang. I am the casting director for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala program. My surname is Li."

Jiang Yichen raised an eyebrow slightly.

Spring Festival Gala production team?

He held his phone and glanced at Xu Zhiyou next to him.

Seeing that his expression was strange, Xu Zhiyou obediently shut her mouth and did not make a sound.

"Director Li, what can I do for you?"

Director Li laughed very politely on the other end of the phone.

"That's right, Teacher Jiang."

"Your new album this year has received an extremely enthusiastic response nationwide, with several songs becoming national hits."

"After a meeting, our Spring Festival Gala production team highly recognizes your musical talent."

"Therefore, we would like to invite you to submit your song entries for this year's Spring Festival Gala."

Director Li paused for a moment, then continued.

"Of course, this is just a preliminary invitation."

"You need to prepare an original song that fits the main theme of the Spring Festival Gala and is positive and uplifting."

"If your program passes the final review, you will have the opportunity to perform on stage."

Jiang Yichen's heart stirred slightly.

Spring Festival Gala.

In this world, the Spring Festival Gala remains a must-watch national event for people across the country on New Year's Eve.

Its viewership and influence are unmatched by any other variety show.

For an artist, being able to appear on the Spring Festival Gala stage is more than just a huge boost in fame.

It is also an official endorsement and recognition.

"Director Li, thank you for the program team's recognition."

Jiang Yichen spoke calmly, without showing excessive excitement.

"Please send the specific submission requirements and deadlines to my email address, and I will prepare accordingly."

"Okay, Teacher Jiang, I look forward to your great work."

The phone hangs up.

Xu Zhiyou immediately came over, her big eyes full of curiosity.

"Who called? It's a number from Beijing."

Jiang Yichen placed his phone on the table.

"The director of the Spring Festival Gala program team."

Xu Zhiyou was stunned.

It took her a full three seconds to react.

"The Spring Festival Gala?!"

Xu Zhiyou jumped up and grabbed Jiang Yichen's arm, jumping and hopping excitedly.

"You're going to be on the Spring Festival Gala?!"

"Oh my god! My boyfriend is going to be on the Spring Festival Gala!"

Jiang Yichen helplessly held down her bouncing body.

"Don't get excited, it's just an invitation to submit your program; there's no guarantee you'll be featured."

"It needs to go through several rounds of review."

Xu Zhiyou didn't listen at all. She looked up at Jiang Yichen with her little face full of admiration.

"You'll definitely be fine with this!"

"Your songs are so good, the CCTV directors aren't deaf!"

"I'm going to tell my dad right now! I'll make him turn on all the TVs in the house on New Year's Eve to boost your ratings!"

Xu Zhiyou was about to take out her phone as she spoke.

Jiang Yichen quickly stopped her and snatched the phone away.

"Don't spread rumors about things that are still far from being settled."

Xu Zhiyou nodded obediently and made a zipping motion with her mouth.

"Okay, I'll keep it a secret!"

She smiled and picked up the coffee on the table, handing it to Jiang Yichen.

"So, what song are you planning to write?"