Several days later.
The discussions were still going on.
The talk of Zhang Ye’s impending drop in the Asian Celebrity Rankings Index was growing louder and louder.
However, it was all calm over at Zhang Ye’s Studio. There wasn’t any noise from them, which made many of those who were familiar with Zhang Ye feel rather surprised.
There was murmuring all across the industry.
“What’s going on?”
“Why isn’t there any news from them?”
“This doesn’t feel like Zhang Ye’s style, does it?”
“Who knows? I guess they must have ran out of ideas this time.”
“Yeah, what else can he do now that Japan and Korea have joined hands to restrict his development in Asia?”
“It looks like he’s going under the radar to handle things this time.”
“That’s right, by keeping a low profile, he might even get his restriction order rescinded earlier.”
“Zhang Ye has finally wised up.”
“That’s right, he definitely can’t afford to lose the popularity in Japan and Korean.”
…
Noon.
At Yao Jiancai’s house.
Zhang Ye strolled upstairs and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Sister-in-law, it’s me.”
When the door opened, Yao Jiancai’s wife appeared behind it. “Yo, Zhang’er? What are you doing here? Come in quickly, we’re just about to have lunch.”
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Sure.”
Hearing the voice, Yao Mi also came running out. “Wow, Uncle Zhang, it’s really you!”
Zhang Ye laughed heartily. “Has school started yet?”
Yao Mi said, taken aback, “School started long ago. We’ve been attending classes for many days.”
“Ah? Is that so?” Zhang Ye said.
Old Yao’s wife said, “Just look at you. You’re a professor at Peking University and Media College, yet you’re so out of touch that you don’t even know that school has started? Have you eaten yet?”
Zhang Ye said, “Not yet, but aren’t I here to scrounge off you guys now?”
From the kitchen, Yao Jiancai emerged. “Whoa, your timing is really good. I personally prepped lunch today and you came to visit? What are you here for?”
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “I had nothing to do, so I came to visit.”
Old Yao’s wife asked, “Are you still banned?”
Yao Jiancai said with a laugh, “Oh yeah, you can’t further your career over in Asia anymore, so of course you must be really free. It’s good that you’re getting some rest now since you’ve been really busy these past few years.”
They started eating.
The four of them chatted happily as they ate.
After lunch, Yao Jiancai dragged Zhang Ye out to the balcony to have a smoke.
Zhang Ye lit a cigarette and asked, “What have you been up to recently?”
Yao Jiancai answered, “The last movie I acted in just finished filming, so I’m resting at home like you are too.”
Zhang Ye nodded. “Alright, spare some time for me in the coming days then.”
“What for?” Yao Jiancai asked.
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Let’s hold a crosstalk tour.”
Yao Jiancai said with interest, “Oh? A crosstalk tour? Where are we holding it?”
Zhang Ye said, “At the Beijing Exhibition Center. I’ve already gotten my people to contact them. As for the other locations, we can think about that later. We’ve worked together for so long, yet we haven’t even held a special performance tour together. That doesn’t justify it. In any case, I’m booking you in advance. As for the detailed date and time, we’ll settle that afterwards, so don’t go taking other projects for the time being.”
Yao Jiancai said, “Sure thing, I have no problems with that arrangement.”
Ring, ring, ring.
Zhang Ye’s cell phone rang.
Zhang Ye answered: “Hello.”
Ha Qiqi said: “Director Zhang, the date and time has been confirmed.”
Zhang Ye said: “Alright, I got it.”
Ha Qiqi said: “Are we really doing this?”
Zhang Ye chuckled and said: “Of course we are.”
Ha Qiqi said: “Oh, alright, I understand.”
…
On the same night.
The entertainment circle was taken over by a piece of news.
“Korean star Park Jaesang’s concert is coming soon!”
“Asian A-list Superstar Park Jaesang to appear in Beijing very soon!”
“Park Jaesang’s debut concert in China!”
“Millions of Chinese fans go crazy!”
“Chinese market becomes essential competition ground for Japanese and Korean celebrities!”
“Will Park Jaesang’s debut concert be a success? Let’s wait and see!”
On Weibo.
Many fangirls burned with passion.
“Wow!”
“My prince!”
“Oppa is coming to hold a concert!”
“Oh my God, I have to get the tickets to the show!”
“I have to buy them even if I end up eating dirt!”
“Buy, buy, buy! Watch, watch, watch!”
“Park Jaesang’s concert has been delayed for over a year now, but it is finally going to happen soon!”
“I can’t wait!”
“The media is so stupid. Why would they even ask if Oppa’s debut concert will be a success or not? It’s Park Jaesang we’re talking about. He’s a big-shot A-lister of Asia who has many fans in China! How can it not be a success?! The tickets will definitely sell like crazy. Furthermore, there will be an even greater frenzy if there’s a livestream of the concert!”
“When do the tickets go on sale?”
…
Korea.
Park Jaesang’s team.
“This is our first time going to China.”
“Right, we must be absolutely careful to ensure that nothing goes wrong.”
“If the first concert does not do well, there’s no way we can hold a second concert.”
“There’s no need to worry. Jaesang’s popularity in China is very high.”
“It seems like there are other people who will be holding their concerts during this period of time as well?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard about it too. But there’s no need to worry. The dates and cities are all different.”
“It’ll be fine then.”
Nearby, Park Jaesang smiled without saying a word. He was one of the Korean stars who claimed that Zhang Ye had beaten him up before during the bombardment against Zhang Ye by the Japanese and Korean media, as well as the entertainment circles of both countries. Clearly, that had been said to publicize his impending activities in China. Although he had many fans in China, there were still a lot of people who did not know him. The battle against Zhang Ye in recent days had given Park Jaesang much more attention in China, and they took full advantage of that to promote his upcoming concert. Park Jaesang was feeling extremely confident as well.
But suddenly, his team’s staff started exclaiming.
“What?”
“Come look at this, quick!”
…
Meanwhile.
Zhang Ye’s Studio, which had been completely silent the past few days, suddenly posted a announcement poster!
“Zhang Ye and Yao Jiancai’s debut crosstalk tour to be held at the Beijing Exhibition Center soon!”
It blew up online.
“Holy shit!”
“Old Zhang and Old Yao are going to go on tour?”
“A crosstalk tour?”
“That’s impressive!”
“I haven’t heard a crosstalk from them in a long time!”
“Right, the two of them have finally decided to go on tour!”
“Ah!”
“Come look at this, quick!”
“Look at what?”
“Look at the date and time!”
Countless people in China were stunned!
Venue: Beijing!
Date: Next Friday!
Time: 7 PM!
It was exactly the same!
It was exactly the same as Park Jaesang’s concert time!
“What a coincidence!”
“Yeah, how could it be so coincidental?”
“Fuck, it’s a clash!”
Instantly, there was an explosion of discussion among the people!
…
The next day.
Another piece of news came out!
Korean star Kim Jichan would be meeting his fans during a concert in Shanghai next Saturday. This event had been scheduled a long time ago, and the news had made its way around before the new year, but the exact date was not yet announced at that time. But now, the exact time had been confirmed, and all that remained were the ticket going on sale.
This was not Kim Jichan’s first time holding a concert in China. He had garnered a great deal of popularity in China, so the scale of the concert was going to be huge, and it would be held at one of the largest venues in Shanghai. This was a venue where most celebrities with average popularity would never hold their concerts at since they couldn’t live up to expectations. The scale and size of a venue was also sometimes the measure of a celebrity’s popularity, and Kim Jichan was clearly qualified enough to hold it there.
“Another Oppa is coming!”
“I can’t go to Shanghai!”
“Hahaha, I’m in Shanghai, so I can go!”
“This is awesome!”
“Go broke, go broke! Buy tickets, buy tickets!”
But to the surprise of everyone, Zhang Ye’s Studio posted another announcement poster!
Zhang Ye and Yao Jiancai’s crosstalk tour’s second stop: Shanghai!
Next Saturday!
7 PM!
Everyone was taken aback.
“What?”
“It’s on the same day again?”
“It’s such a coincidence?”
“Why do the dates keep clashing?”
…
That afternoon.
Japanese superstar Kimura Kazuya announced that he would be holding a similarly big concert in Shenzhen next Sunday. The promotional materials for the event were massive!
“Kimura is coming!”
“I’m so looking forward to it!”
“That’s an Asian rock superstar!”
“One of the founders of rock! How cool!”
“I love him!”
“Kimura has always been especially popular in Asia, but he’s only somewhat famous in China. If this concert is successfully held, he can finally gain a foothold in China and develop his career here. This is going to be especially important for him to raise his popularity in Asia. The Chinese market is the biggest in all Asia!”
“Wishing Teacher Kimura great success!”
“It will definitely be successful. In the field of rock ‘n’ roll, there’s only Chen Guang who can compete with Teacher Kimura. However, Old Chen doesn’t have the seniority yet. If we were to base it on that instead, only Teacher Zhao Wuliu has a fight with him. They’re rock stars from the same generation, and no one else can compete with them.”
“This is awesome!”
“We just celebrated the new year, and the Asian superstars are now starting to arrive!”
“Right, the big performances always takes place right after the new year!”
But at the next moment, Zhang Ye’s Studio’s Weibo lit up once again.
Zhang Ye and Yao Jiancai’s crosstalk tour’s third stop: Shenzhen!
Next Sunday!
7 PM!
Everyone was dumbfounded!
Everyone’s jaws dropped!
“Ah?”
“It’s another conflict?”
“Holy fuck!”
“It’s so coincidental?”
“How could it be so coincidental?”
Coincidence?
Coincidence, my ass!
Once!
Twice!
Thrice!
All of them were the same?
And even the locations and times were the same?
This was fucking intentional!
This was clearly Zhang Ye’s Studio trying to make trouble!
The entertainment industry was plunged into chaos!
The reporters stared at this situation!
The industry insiders were all dumbfounded!
Zhang Ye’s friends were all facepalming with bitter smiles!
The Chinese netizens were stunned!
Both the celebrity teams of those two Korean superstars became angry!
The Japanese rock superstar’s team nearly spat out a mouthful of blood!
What the heck?
What the heck is Zhang Ye playing at?