"Ding! Deng deng deng deng deng…"
Accompanied by the familiar melody, News Continuous Broadcast began.
Everyone knew the program lasted only half an hour. Every news segment was timed to the second, unless it involved special events like the 19th National Congress.
Even so, Chu Zhi's performance was reported for over twenty seconds—
[On May 15, the celebration of the 70th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations was held in Hanoi. Comrade Lü Yaohua and President Nguyễn Đông of Vietnam attended.
China-Vietnam relations over the past year have maintained a positive trajectory, with political trust continuously strengthened and trade and investment cooperation growing robustly.
Both sides have learned from each other and advanced together, demonstrating the vitality of scientific socialism to the world in the 21st century.
Artists included Dai opera performer Tong Ri, Zhuang opera performer Cen Hongshan, singer Chu Zhi, Vietnamese pianist Đặng Thái Sơn, Chaoxi performer Li Xiang, among others.
Outstanding artists from both China and Vietnam added brilliance to the event.]
The ordering of the artists was by age, a common practice. But the footage focused on clips of Chu Zhi's singing.
This setup, this report, this level of exposure.
Compared to Chu Zhi, current top stars like Lin Xia, Tao Luo, and Xi Yao were like salted fish.
And what do salted fish do? They only say "6666."
A phrase widely spread among fan circles even reached the entertainment industry: "Do you know why Chu Zhi's nickname is Jiu-yé? Because he 'sixfolds'." Young entertainers firmly believed this.
Appearing on News Continuous Broadcast was the biggest promotion, not for those who did not watch, but for those who did.
Older artists, around fifty and above, would watch punctually. For example, Hou Yubin, known as "Walking Dictionary Uncle," felt as if a hundred torpedoes were dropped into the lake's center—continuous and overwhelming.
Artists like Tong Ri and Cen Hongshan were unfamiliar with the program but often appeared in international cultural exchanges, so being mentioned in the news was no surprise.
But young Chu Zhi…
"A roc rises with the wind in a single day, soaring ninety thousand miles! Little Chu isn't just going to the sky, he's going beyond the sky!" Hou Yubin exclaimed.
"Brother, what are you talking about?" his wife asked curiously.
Hou Yubin draped a hand over his wife's soft shoulder.
"Little sister, I'm talking about this kid Chu Zhi. From the first time I participated in the same program with him, I felt he was exceptionally talented, extraordinarily gifted, extraordinarily gifted. Born in 1998, only twenty-five this year, and already officially recognized as an artist. This kind of achievement is astonishing."
"If you have no words, brother, don't repeat the same idiom three times," his wife said. "Little Chu—is that the Chu Zhi Zhen Zhen often mentions?"
At first, Hou Zhen Zhen did not follow stars. Watching I Am a Singer-Songwriter with Hou Yubin, she became a fan—Little Fruits.
"Repeating three times just sounds better," Hou Yubin explained. "Little Chu is the phrase that girl always mumbles. He could rely on looks, but he insists on talent."
"To be officially recognized at such a young age, this kid has endured a lot," his wife said, thinking of how young people endure hardship.
"Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I've booked the restaurant you love," Hou Yubin shifted the topic.
"Then I'll call Zhen Zhen to come back tomorrow," his wife instinctively replied, thinking of their daughter. But Hou Yubin interrupted.
"Why bother? Tomorrow is our private day. If she wants to eat, let her boyfriend take her," Hou Yubin said.
His wife considered it reasonable and stopped insisting. She then curiously searched online for information about Chu Zhi, knowing that tonight the internet would be full of news.
OoFAYoO: "Too excellent. I haven't even digested the fact that Jiu-yé's English album is popular in Europe and America, and suddenly he's on the news broadcast."
Yao Yao Miao: "This isn't an ordinary Little Jiu, this is Little Jiu from Wang Wei's poetry."
Yue Niang: "I'm in tears. I first became a fan in Future's Child. Thinking back to my youthful days… I was a bright, handsome boy then, unlike now, a mother of three. Time waits for no one."
Wo Wo Wo Wo Wo Wo: "Do I need you to tell me how amazing brother Jiu is? I, Bald Qiang, put it out here: within an hour, I must get the audio of brother Jiu's performance, or I will chop down every tree in front of your house. My saw recognizes no one!"
Xie Lang Wu Jia: "I found it on foreign sites. Seems like VTV will air it tomorrow. Don't ask me for resources; I'm not an expert."
The internet users left dense comments. With recent increases in data costs, fewer messages were posted locally.
More to say about foreign audiences, because the main subject was abroad.
Emperor Beast took a private jet for the first time, arriving in Qatar with leaders. Such a "display" was enormous for a first trip.
This "display" did not mean many people. The entourage was small; it referred to security measures.
Movies often show how to protect dignitaries, but reality was even more cautious.
Having a private jet was convenient, but Emperor Beast could not afford one on his current income.
Even if he could, he would not buy one. Chu Zhi knew being too high-profile was unwise.
Chu Zhi and his parallel-world counterpart Chu Shun were worlds apart. The latter had bought an airline company for convenience, not just a private plane.
Chu Zhi had gone to bed before two a.m. last night. For him, that was early, so no naps were needed during the flight.
Emperor Beast followed his usual pace, sitting with the third-ranking official in the same cabin. Initially, he was restrained, similar to meeting a teacher in a restaurant as a child during summer vacation.
He gradually relaxed. Leader Lü spoke little, mostly the secretary Liu Ya did.
Speaking less was better. The last thing needed was "mundane" questioning.
The flight time was long enough to write sheet music for ten songs and design album covers.
Secretary Liu Ya was stunned, seeing Chu Zhi writing in Japanese.
Writing Japanese songs? Truly diligent, Liu Ya thought.
Leader Lü was busy reviewing various documents. As the nation's third-ranking official, it was normal. Many approvals and decisions required his attention. That a star could be so busy was inconceivable to Liu Ya.
The reception was handled by Crown Prince Balzari and deputy director of the Royal Investment Office, Qazi.
The Crown Prince attended because the Emir was seriously ill and bedridden.
Nearly all national matters were handled by the Crown Prince—the de facto king.
Qazi treated his idol enthusiastically, asking after him during the drive to the palace.
Vehicles were arranged with Balzari sitting with Leader Lü, Qazi accompanying Chu Zhi.
The third-ranking officials and Liu Ya had told him that the Crown Prince, two princesses, and the Royal Investment deputy were fans. Chu Zhi had thought it exaggerated, but Qazi and the eldest princess were truly dedicated Little Fruits.
At the palace dinner, the eldest princess, Mayasa, requested signatures on special edition vinyls of The One Gazed Upon by Gods and After the Clouds Disperse.
Clarification: Special editions, collector's editions, commemorative editions, and combinations thereof are all different versions, though all are premium releases.
Commemorative vinyls are extremely rare, produced roughly ten per 100,000 copies for major distribution events. Chu Zhi himself had never seen one; fan manager Wang Yuan had organized them.
Vinyl covers differed from CD albums. For The One Gazed Upon by Gods, the vinyl featured half Chu Zhi's face, with his eye replaced by a cat's eye.
Chu Zhi signed and left a message. Qazi was more direct.
Qazi said: "Mr. Chu, the fan festival has been held three times domestically. Next year will be the fourth. It might be monotonous to stay in the country; I suggest holding it abroad.
"Doha Katara Cultural Village is perfect, with a music hall, beach, and gallery. I can provide assistance if needed.
"I can also cover accommodation, food, and transportation for 300 Little Fruits selected by lottery."
Chu Zhi considered the offer but mentally declined. Many selected Little Fruits were minors; could their parents really allow them to travel abroad? Even if parents accompanied them, handling so many abroad would be difficult.
Money was not the issue. Chu Zhi wanted the Orange Festival to remain a shared memory with fans, free of mishaps.
The dinner was a venue for the Crown Prince and Leader Lü to discuss cooperation. For others, it was a fan event.
"Elder sister, is brother Jiu even better-looking than on screen?" Qazi asked his cousin.
Mayasa said: "The filters in Korean dramas reduce attractiveness. Brother Jiu is better-looking in real life."
Chu Zhi unusually ate his fill at the dinner, skipping late-night snacks back at the hotel.
Leader Lü's objectives were achieved: preliminary contracts for commodities were settled.
The next morning, Chu Zhi prepared for a tight schedule, flying home to attend the Hundred Flowers Film Awards.
The eldest princess, Mayasa, wanted to send her idol on her private plane, but Chu Zhi firmly refused.
Qazi suggested a compromise: a Qatar Airways flight, similar to Emirates, a luxury airline.
During Chu Zhi's participation, VTV broadcast the cultural exchange activities. As Đặng Thái Sơn had expected, Chu Zhi's performance was preserved in full.