Chapter 118 Luo Zhe: Why Didn't You Take Me With You?

“What? This show is launching so soon? I remember just recently seeing their official Weibo announcing a new music variety show. Has it really been that long?”
“Yeah, don’t these shows usually take ages to prepare? It’s barely been two months. Could it be rushed and poorly made?”
“You guys don’t get it. Maybe they’ve been planning this for a long time, just announced it late!”
“And with a lineup featuring such top-tier stars, I doubt it will be bad. They wouldn’t throw so much money away for nothing.”
“I’m telling you, you’re just worrying over nothing. You think they haven’t thought of these things? Do you think you’re more professional than the TV station?”

Online, some uninformed netizens buzzed about the mysterious speed at which Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV was rolling out the show. The debate largely centered on doubts about the production timeline and guesses about the new program’s content.

But even more were stunned by the mentor lineup of “China’s Best Voice.”

“Jiang Yan and Lü Yuanqing are both mentors? And Qin Pei, such a legendary singer?”
“This show is really investing big! Where is it airing? I have to check it out!”
“It hasn’t aired yet. It’s set for 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day on Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV.”
“I thought it was already out. What a letdown!”
“Well, make sure to tune in then. Seeing the king and queen of music on the same stage is rare!”
“True that!”

Compared to the casual onlookers, the fans of the mentors were more focused and purposeful.

In Jiang Yan’s fan club:
“Family, our Yan Yan is filming a new variety show!”
“When? Where can we watch?”
“Just now! Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV’s official Weibo announced that Yan Yan and King Lü are mentors on the program.”
“It’s been so long since we saw Yan Yan on a show; I almost forgot what she looks like!”
“Get lost, you fake fan!”
“Hahaha...”
“No matter what, everyone must watch at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day!”
“Got it!”

Lü Yuanqing’s fan groups were even more direct:
“Ahhh, King Lü is finally active again!”
“What’s the scoop?”
“I won’t say much—just check out King Lü’s Weibo and Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV’s official account. Let’s all support!”
“1”

Although Lü Yuanqing had slipped out of the public eye for a while and hadn’t released a new album in ages, the steady stream of “1”s showed his continued influence. The same excitement was mirrored in Qin Pei’s fan circles and Zhu Qingmei’s inner groups.

Meanwhile, other provincial stations watched Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV closely amid the frenzy.

“Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV is really going head-to-head, ready to fight for real!”
“Heh, what can they do? Other shows are under our thumb, and Mango TV dominates variety shows. If they don’t find a way out soon, they’ll be left behind!”
“But music variety shows aren’t an easy field. If it were, all the major provinces would have caught up already. That’s why Mango TV’s dominance feels like an immovable mountain.”
“Haha, looks like they’re desperate now!”
“Well, that’s good. Let them try hard and then give up!”

At Mango TV’s headquarters, in a quiet tea room filled with rising wisps of smoke, a man in his fifties sipped hot tea while listening to a young colleague’s report, chuckling softly.

“‘China’s Best Voice’?”
“The name sounds ordinary. I want to see what tricks they’re trying to pull.”

The young man adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and respectfully replied,
“I think it’s just the same old thing repackaged—new bottle, old wine. No real substance.”
“Trying to shake Mango’s position? That’s wishful thinking!”

The middle-aged man did not comment on the young man’s words but continued,
“Though their lineup is quite strong this time, even inviting people like Lü Yuanqing and Jiang Yan.”
“Seems they’ve been eyeing our juicy slice of the pie for years.”

The young man studied his leader’s expression, unable to read his thoughts, but indignantly said,
“There’s no way it’s that easy. They still think making a show is simple!”
“Should we take some action?”
“Like targeting Lü Yuanqing, Jiang Yan, or Qin Pei?”

The middle-aged man waved his hand,
“No need.”
“Though we monopolize many resources through ‘Mango Base Camp,’ their level is high, and they have provincial backing. It won’t achieve much.”
“Let’s just wait and see. I like surprises.”

-------------------------------------

Su Chen browsed through the online buzz, feeling a little stunned.

Honestly, he hadn’t expected Lü Yuanqing, Jiang Yan, and Qin Pei to wield such influence.

After these stars reposted Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV’s Weibo, within less than a day, several trending hashtags appeared: “Southern Zhejiang Satellite TV’s China’s Best Voice Announcement,” “Jiang Yan’s New Variety Show,” and “Rare King and Queen on Same Stage.”

Though the rankings fluctuated, the sheer volume created the illusion that the entire trending list was dominated by “China’s Best Voice.”

Whether it was paid promotion or not, the news spread rapidly all the same.

That evening, in a WeChat group chat:

[Luo Zhe: @Lü Yuanqing @Jiang Yan, you secretly recorded a new variety show?]
[Luo Zhe: @Ji Xiangyang, and you too—why didn’t you bring me along?]

Luo Zhe immediately played the role of a disgruntled spouse.

[Ji Xiangyang: Adult matters, kids don’t ask so much!]
[Luo Zhe: ???]
[Luo Zhe: Are you sure you’re speaking human language?]
[Jiang Jing: Hahaha, I’m dying laughing!]
[Jiang Jing: @Jiang Yan, so that’s why you disappeared recently—filming the show, huh?]
[Luo Zhe: @Jiang Yan, take me with you!]

Seeing Jiang Jing ask Jiang Yan, Luo Zhe shifted the topic back to Jiang Yan. He dared not tease Lü Yuanqing too much, so he focused on pulling Jiang Yan into the conversation.

[Jiang Yan: @Jiang Jing, joined last minute, it was pretty rushed. It’ll be easier later on.]
[Jiang Yan: @Luo Zhe, why don’t you ask the big boss here to take you?]

Jiang Yan’s deflection was masterful.

[Luo Zhe: Big boss? Who’s that?]
[Jiang Yan: @Su Chen, ask him!]
[Luo Zhe: ???]
[Jiang Jing: ???]
[Su Chen: ???]

What? They just sold me out?

Su Chen was dumbfounded in an instant!