Chapter Forty-Six: The Program Interview (Part One)

Chapter 46: Program Interview (Part One)

No one alive will ever be held hostage by their own needs. This time, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er didn't bring bodyguards or assistants, but the production crew was certainly not going to stand idly by. The two of them returned smoothly to their apartment.

As for the reporters who’d been waiting outside the airport in vain, the show's staff dealt with them. Making it onto foreign media was an opportunity worth capitalizing on, especially since Yanjing Satellite TV was eager to use it to promote "With You All the Way." Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er being dubbed the "Kung Fu Couple" by American media became a hot topic.

Since the couple had made their relationship public, their exposure had remained high—especially with Zhang Le, who seemed to find himself at the center of attention every so often. And each time, Yang Xin’er would be the first to stand firmly by his side.

They were, without a doubt, the "headline couple."

Zhang Le continued the post-production work on "Crazy Stone," but fortunately, most of it was already completed, so he didn’t need to oversee every little detail himself.

With her relationship out in the open, Yang Xin’er’s exposure had increased, but inevitably her popularity had waned somewhat; offers for films and commercial performances had decreased. Furthermore, after leaving Jiayi Films and losing the resources of a major company, it was only natural that her career would take a hit. Besides, there were still many company matters that required her personal attention.

"With You All the Way" was scheduled to air during the prime time slot on Saturdays, which was a highly coveted spot. While in the US, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er had agreed to participate in a Friday talk show, "An Evening with Ning," on Yanjing Satellite TV to help promote "With You All the Way."

This was a last-minute arrangement, so the recording schedule was quite tight.

Backstage at Yanjing Satellite TV, Zhang Le smiled at the make-up artist and said, "Could we skip the makeup? As a man, I'm not used to it. Honestly, I look pretty good on camera."

The make-up artist hesitated, glanced at the program director, and, seeing a nod, didn't insist any further.

Zhang Le did indeed look quite good on camera—better than in real life, actually. Of course, no matter how handsome he might be, he was only pleasant to look at, not stunningly attractive.

"Is there no script for this program?" Zhang Le turned to the director and asked.

"No script. But don’t worry, Mr. Zhang—Ning won’t ask any inappropriate questions. Besides, if there are any questions that really can’t be answered, we can always edit them out in post-production," the director replied.

"Heh, the hallmark of 'An Evening with Ning' is that she asks her guests unexpected, sometimes sensitive questions, catching them off guard or making them awkward. That’s part of why the show is so popular," Yang Xin’er said with a smile. "But Ning is actually quite considerate, or else so many guests wouldn’t be eager to come on her show. You’re quick-witted and articulate—you might even surprise Ning. I have high hopes for you."

Zhang Le looked at her and laughed. "Why do I get the feeling you’re enjoying the thought of me squirming? Aren’t we supposed to be on the same team? This program is to promote 'With You All the Way,' so all her questions will definitely involve both of us. If I get caught off guard, you probably won’t have it much easier."

"I’m prepared. According to advice from my seniors, if you don’t know how to answer, just stall with a few 'mm,' 'uh,' or 'oh' sounds," Yang Xin’er replied.

"Get ready, everyone. We’re about to start recording," a staff member announced, exchanging a glance with the director, who then spoke up.

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er stopped chatting and followed the director out of the makeup room.

Ning was in her thirties and was the leading figure of Yanjing Satellite TV. Beneath her beautiful exterior, what people remembered most was her maturity and wisdom. She hosted all the major programs for the station, excelling at keeping the show under control.

"Welcome to this episode of 'An Evening with Ning.' I’m Ning," she said on stage. "Due to the special circumstances of the entertainment industry, couples often go to great lengths to keep their relationships hidden. Some celebrities even get married and have children—sometimes their kids are already dating—yet they still maintain the image of being single. But there’s one couple who does things quite differently. After making their relationship public and facing the ensuing media storm, their love remains unwavering. I think by now everyone knows exactly who I’m talking about. Please welcome our guests tonight, Yang Xin’er and Zhang Le."

The audience burst into applause as soon as Ning finished speaking. There were over two hundred people present, and the applause was genuinely enthusiastic.

"Hello!"

"Hello!"

Yang Xin’er and Zhang Le each shook hands with Ning and took their seats.

"Let’s start—why don’t you both greet the audience here and those watching at home?" Ning prompted.

"Hello everyone, I’m Yang Xin’er."

"Hello everyone, I’m Zhang Le!"

"You two are wearing matching outfits on the show—aren’t you worried about driving your admirers mad with jealousy and sleepless nights? Whose idea was this?" Ning teased them with her first question, poking fun at their attire.

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er exchanged a glance, then Zhang Le smiled and said, "We’re a couple—so isn’t it perfectly normal to wear matching outfits? Honestly, we didn’t put much thought into it. As for admirers being heartbroken, I’d say they’re all Xin’er’s fans. I don’t think I have any so-called admirers now. As everyone knows, Xin’er is my girlfriend. Her admirers are my rivals in love, aren’t they? Who cares whether rivals in love lose sleep? Worrying about them would just be giving them a chance to interfere, wouldn’t it?"

The audience burst out laughing.

"Many people are curious—how did you, Mr. Zhang, win Miss Yang’s heart?" Ning asked with a smile. "Is it true, as the stories online claim, that you used a few songs and your incredible talent to move her? Those songs have become legendary online as the ultimate tools for wooing a goddess—almost mandatory for couples nowadays."

"What moved me wasn’t the songs themselves, but the genuine emotion behind them. I could feel from the music that he truly loves me," Yang Xin’er replied with a smile. "Of course, someone who can write so many classic songs must be immensely talented. Once I got to know him out of curiosity, I couldn’t resist."

"Music is just a way of expressing oneself. It just happens to be a rather special way," Zhang Le added.

"You two seem very much in love. There are even rumors that you both went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get a marriage certificate—is that true?" Ning asked with a smile.

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er were momentarily taken aback. That story had been widely covered by the media, and their relationship had first come to light because of it. Countless reporters had asked about it before, but the couple had never responded.

A whirlwind romance ending in a bit of a farce—they went to get a marriage certificate but forgot to bring their documents. The subject was a little embarrassing, especially since the main reason for their rush had been the mistaken belief that Yang Xin’er was pregnant—a detail they certainly couldn’t reveal.

"Shakespeare once said, 'Any love that isn’t aimed at marriage is just fooling around!'" Zhang Le replied with a smile, using the quote to cover his embarrassment.

He hadn’t given a direct answer, but it was as good as an admission. Ning was tactful enough not to press further; if she did, the question would likely be cut in post-production at the guests’ request.

Although this was just an interview, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er were hot topics in their own right, but the real purpose of the show was not just for the audience to get to know them better, but to promote "With You All the Way."

Ning understood this perfectly; her questions were paving the way for what was to come. "With You All the Way" was a show for couples, after all, and without asking about their love story and interesting moments, how could she smoothly segue into promoting a program all about showing off their romance?