Chapter 63: Ready to Take the Stage!

Just as Gallen was chatting with Li Ronghao, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen. It was a call from Wang Qilin. Judging by the date, it was about time for that kid to return to Beijing.

“Qilin, you’re back?” Gallen asked as soon as he answered.

On the other end, Wang Qilin replied, “No, something’s come up at home. I’ve taken a leave from school and I won’t be coming back for a while. Could you keep an eye on my room for me? Give it a sweep from time to time—don’t let it get buried in dust!”

“Damn…” Gallen couldn’t help but curse. “It’s one thing if you’re not coming, but now you want me to clean your room? Do I look like your maid?”

“No, no! You’re a star now, Brother Lun! I wouldn’t dare! You could always hire a cleaning service. I’ll pay you back when I return!”

“Screw you!” Gallen laughed and cursed. “I can cover the cleaning, just treat me to a meal when you get back!”

“That’s nothing! Alright, I’ll hang up now. We’ll catch up when I return!”

As soon as he pocketed his phone, it rang again.

Li Ronghao, sitting across from him, chuckled. “You’re quite the busy man.”

Gallen grinned. “Can’t help it, it’s all my brothers calling.”

This time, it wasn’t a brother—it was his wife.

He answered, “Yingying, what time are you coming back?”

“The smog’s so thick you can’t see a thing. Come pick me up.”

“Alright! I’ll be right there!”

Gallen hung up, stood, said his goodbyes to Li Ronghao, and hurried out.

Watching him go, Li Ronghao smiled knowingly, musing on the lives of the young.

Another hour on the subway.

In weather like this, it was rush hour on the subway all day long.

When Gallen finally arrived at the entrance to the Central Academy of Drama, Chen Yingying had already been waiting for quite some time.

Still, she wasn’t the one who’d waited the longest. A crowd of girls stood at the gates too, all likely waiting to be picked up.

It was impossible to recognize anyone in this weather. Gallen looked from one girl to the next, searching in vain for Chen Yingying.

Finally, he had to call her. “Hey, where are you?”

“I’m right at the school gate!”

As she finished, Gallen lowered his phone and turned—her voice had come from his left.

“There you are.” Gallen stepped forward, peering closer to be sure it was her before taking her hand.

“You’re so slow! You were right here and still had to call?” Though Chen Yingying seemed annoyed, she was smiling.

She turned to the girls around her, “See you later, everyone! Bye!”

“Bye!” The girls waved back warmly.

But Gallen overheard their chatter.

“Who’s that?”

“Xiao Ying’s boyfriend?”

“Can’t tell, I can’t see his face.”

“Maybe he’s ugly?”

“No way! Xiao Ying’s so pretty…”

“Anything’s possible! You’re pretty too, and your boyfriend’s almost forty.”

“What? He’s not my boyfriend, that’s my godfather!”

“…”

…

Three days later, Friday.

The smog finally lifted a little, though there was still no sign of blue sky or white clouds.

At the airport.

Chen Yingying was flying with Jin Chanjuan to Hasmuqi to prepare for tomorrow’s competition. Gallen, meanwhile, would be performing on Starlight Show’s challenger round the next day, so he could only see her off at the airport.

They lingered, reluctant to part, until Jin Chanjuan couldn’t bear it and came over. “Gallen, don’t worry! Yingying won’t embarrass you.”

“Heh, that’s not what I meant!” Gallen smiled. “Thank you for looking after her, Professor Jin.”

Then, turning to Chen Yingying, he said, “If you need anything, call me.”

She nodded, lips pressed tight, speechless. She hadn’t felt this reluctant even when she’d left home for Beijing.

It was her first time flying, her first journey so far to Hasmuqi, and for a competition, not for fun. With no family or friends by her side, fear crept in.

Gallen escorted her all the way to security, watching as she disappeared through the gate before finally turning to leave.

The next morning, the company arranged a styling session for Gallen.

The stylists, makeup artists, and wardrobe staff were all the same ones who dressed the company’s top stars—proof of how seriously they took his first television appearance.

For the entire morning, Gallen was more mannequin than man—change into a vest, swap for a T-shirt, two hours just to tame his hair.

After lunch, Liu Xiahui, whom Gallen hadn’t seen in ages, came in person to Rainy Day Music to inspect his look.

He even brought the instructor who’d once taught Gallen posture, giving him key pointers for the stage.

It felt as if the whole company was anxious about his TV debut.

Only Gallen himself thought they were making too much of it.

What was there to be nervous about? Win or lose, he’d keep singing, and the album would still be released. Nothing to fear.

What he truly worried about was Chen Yingying.

It had only been little more than ten hours since they parted, and aside from a text last night confirming her safe arrival, he’d heard nothing—no news about the competition, no idea if she’d won anything.

At last, seven in the evening arrived, and Gallen reached CCTV Channel Two.

He wasn’t alone—Wu Chaoyang, Mai Le, and two female assistants from the company joined him.

Such an entourage, on par with a second-tier celebrity.

Gallen might not be second-tier yet, but everyone believed that after tonight, he’d be a shoo-in.

They took the elevator to the right floor, showed their credentials, and were led by staff—every step prearranged.

The challenger contestants’ lounge and the weekly champions’ lounge were not only separate but far apart. The production team took confidentiality seriously—the contestants never crossed paths.

Gallen and the others entered their lounge—well-equipped, with guitars, keyboards, and a drum set, and excellent soundproofing.

A TV on the wall was tuned to Channel Two.

With more than an hour to go before Starlight Show began, the TV was playing a program called “Happy Crosstalk.”

Crosstalk is a traditional Chinese comedic performance art, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, with centuries of history. In the last century, a generation of legendary crosstalk artists brought the form to its peak.

But in recent years, as those masters passed away, crosstalk fell into decline.

What was on TV now were old routines Gallen had watched as a child—nothing new, not funny, not even enough to pass the time.

At eight-thirty, the latest episode of “Starlight Dream Show” began on Channel Two.

This round would select sixteen contestants. Of those, only half would be shown in full; the rest were mere mentions.

The live studio audience began to fill the seats—some were CCTV staff, some worked for Starlight, the rest were online applicants.

Before entering, each was handed a voting device according to their seat number. Early admission allowed them to check their devices and request replacements if needed.

For some, tonight crawled by, each second an eternity.

But Gallen, watching the show, actually fell asleep in his chair.

“Hey! This guy’s got nerves!” Wu Chaoyang quickly nudged him. “Wake up! It’s almost time!”

“Mmm…” Gallen rubbed his eyes, stood, stretched, and yawned.

The two female assistants fussed over his clothes and hair, handing him water to soothe his throat.

By now, the championship round had finished. Commercials aired, and then the challenger match intro appeared. The floor director began counting down.

At the final count, Gallen snapped to attention, threw open the door, and strode into the corridor.

A follow-cam crew had been waiting. Gallen’s image was now broadcast to the live studio and viewers nationwide.

As a challenger, Gallen was assigned to the backstage left entrance. The moment the microphone was placed in his hand, he felt adrenaline surge through his body, as if he were bursting with energy.