Deng Siqing walked in, glaring at her disapprovingly.
"Why were you teasing him?!"
Cheng Huanhuan rolled her eyes. "So boring! Can't even have a little fun."
"Da Fei, this is Sister Deng's place. We brought you back here last night because you drank too much."
"You threw up all over the bed, and Sister Deng cleaned it up."
Lin Chudong immediately looked ashamed. "Sister Deng, I'm really sorry. I don't remember anything from when I was drunk."
Deng Siqing's cheeks were flushed, and she didn't dare to look at him.
"It's okay, the clothes are on your bedside table. I washed your old ones and bought you new ones."
Deng Siqing and Cheng Huanhuan walked out, closing the door behind them.
Lin Chudong finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly changed into the new clothes.
A pair of jeans and a hoodie, they fit perfectly, and there were also a pair of new socks.
He was suddenly a little dazed. Could Sister Deng have prepared all of this? Lin Chudong looked in the mirror on the wardrobe and found he looked quite handsome.
However, when he put on his socks, he realized something was wrong. Why were his toenails so short? It was impossible for the two ladies in the room to have cut his nails. There was only one explanation: he had been drunk and bitten them himself! Damn it, he could never drink again!
Out of the room, Lin Chudong said, "Um, Sister Deng, did you buy these clothes? How much do I owe you? I'll transfer the money."
Deng Siqing immediately shook her head, "No need, no need!"
Cheng Huanhuan said, "Of course I'll use it. Add me on WeChat, and then transfer the money."
Cheng Huanhuan directly picked up Deng Siqing's phone and gave her a look.
Didn't this naturally lead to adding each other on WeChat?
Deng Siqing felt a little secret joy at this moment, realizing that this best friend was worth having!
Cheng Huanhuan said, "Da Fei, you threw up in the car yesterday. I'll go wash it. You two stay here for a while."
After saying that, she took the car keys and went out.
Deng Siqing's expression changed slightly, and she immediately became a little uneasy.
Lin Chudong was even more embarrassed. Mainly, Deng Siqing's fame was just too big. She was CCTV's number one, even Da Fei, when his band was at its most popular, couldn't compare to her popularity.
And I feel like her personality is a bit odd; being alone with her is incredibly stressful.
"Sister Deng, you used to have a guitar hanging on this wall, right?"
Yesterday, she took down all those posters and the guitar.
There's a mark on the wall, exactly the shape of a guitar, obviously a bit whiter than the surrounding area.
Deng Siqing said, "Yeah, I used to hang it up as decoration."
Lin Chudong said, "Sister Deng, you like guitars too? I'll give you a nice one later."
Deng Siqing was delighted, "Really? When?"
"Ahem..." Lin Chudong wasn't used to this way of speaking, "I'll mail it to you as soon as I get home."
"Okay, great. Sign your name, and I'll keep it as a memento."
"No problem."
Then, there was a long silence.
The two of them stared at the unopened television, just sitting there like fools.
Deng Siqing's palms were sweating. She took out her phone and quickly sent a WeChat message to Cheng Huanhuan.
"Where are you?"
"I went to work at the station!"
"Are you trying to die? Why are you going to work so early?" Many of the station's programs were recorded at night, so their schedules were also upside down.
"I'm giving you a chance, so you can get up close with your idol."
"Get close, my ass. It's awkward, I don't know what to say!"
"Just chat about everyday stuff. You're CCTV's top anchor, and you forget everything when you see him?"
Deng Siqing locked her phone screen and took a deep breath. Right, she was a professional. She'd done countless interview shows; chatting was the most basic skill.
Gathering her courage, Deng Siqing said,
"Da Fei, what do you do for work?"
Lin Chudong: …
Who blacked out from drinking yesterday? Was it me, or her?
"Is Sister Deng… suffering from split personality disorder?"
Deng Siqing's face flushed red instantly; she just wanted to find a crack in the ground to hide in.
"I… I'm going to the restroom!"
With that, she ran directly into the room and closed the door.
Lin Chudong was dumbfounded again. The room he slept in last night was actually a restroom?
Deng Siqing pressed her phone with both hands, quickly sending a WeChat message to Cheng Huanhuan.
"Get your ass back here immediately! This is so embarrassing!"
Cheng Huanhuan was speechless, thinking, You two are the ones dating, but it feels like I'm the one working overtime.
"You're so dense! Da Fei is a musician, talk to him about music! That'll get the conversation flowing!"
Deng Siqing thought that made sense and started rehearsing in her head.
Da Fei, your singing is really good.
Your songs are really nice.
While Deng Siqing was strategizing in the room, Lin Chudong outside had already started making two bowls of instant noodles.
His stomach felt empty from throwing up yesterday; he was starving. Even though he was at Sister Deng's place, he had to fend for himself.
Lin Chudong's Intermediate Cooking Skill was no joke; even a simple bowl of instant noodles tasted amazing when he made it.
Deng Siqing walked out, and Lin Chudong said.
"Sister Deng, sorry, I'm hungry, I cooked two bowls of noodles for myself, would you like to eat some?"
"Ah, it's okay, you just do what you want!"
Deng Siqing walked to the dining table. She wasn't that hungry originally, but seeing the bowl of instant noodles made her mouth water.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, and was immediately surprised.
"Da Fei, your noodles sound really good."
"No, I mean your singing is delicious."
"..."
Lin Chudong: Ahem…
Sister Deng probably had a bit too much to drink, Lin Chudong couldn't help but choke.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I misspoke. Let me get you a towel to wipe with."
Lin Chudong took the black towel Sister Deng handed him and wiped his face, suddenly realizing something was off.
"Sister Deng, isn't this…your stocking from yesterday?"
"Ah!!"
Deng Siqing's face turned red all the way to her neck, and she took the stocking back, almost in tears.
"I'm sorry, I ruined your appetite. I didn't mean to."
Lin Chudong smiled. "Sister Deng, I haven't lost my appetite. I'll keep eating."
Are you kidding? If Lin Chudong stole Sister Deng's stockings and sold them on Xianyu, he could probably invest some money in a drama.
Ahem, that was a bit perverted.
"Sister Deng, I feel like you're a little nervous. Am I making you uncomfortable being at your place?"
Deng Siqing shook her head. "No, no. Actually, I... I'm a bit shy around new people."
Lin Chudong was surprised. A host was shy?
She's used to being in front of cameras, so maybe she's a little nervous around strangers?
"It's okay. We're not strangers anymore. We're friends."
Deng Siqing was delighted. "Really? Are we friends?"
"Of course. It's my honor to be friends with Sister Deng."
Finally, Deng Siqing wasn't so nervous anymore, and she stopped stuttering.
They chatted for a few sentences, and Lin Chudong's impression of her improved.
He found that Sister Deng wasn't high-and-mighty at all, just like an ordinary woman. The room was also very clean, a godsend for people with OCD, and it was comfortable to look at.
There was a new pair of men's sneakers on the floor, obviously prepared for him.
"Sister Deng, my shoes aren't dirty, are they? You even prepared shoes for me?"
"Yes, I happened to wash them." Deng Siqing took a new backpack from the room.
"I threw your old backpack away. I washed and dried your clothes and folded them inside. I also bought you an extra set, including three days' worth of socks and underwear, hand cream, lip balm, diarrhea medicine, and cold medicine... I prepared a little bit of everything..."
"Be careful when you're out, and take care of yourself."
Lin Chudong looked at the backpack, feeling a little dazed.
Sister Deng's home was actually where he was "out," wasn't it?
The way Sister Deng spoke, it felt like this place was his home.
Lin Chudong couldn't quite describe this feeling of daze. In short, it was pretty strange.
He'd come to Kyoto, and not only was he not travel-worn, but he was also spotless.
He'd thrown up so much yesterday, but there wasn't a trace of smell on him. Sister Deng really knew how to take care of people, didn't she?
"Sister Deng, do you have a boyfriend?"
Deng Siqing was stunned for a moment, and her face flushed red.
"Ah? Isn't that a bit fast?"
Then, Deng Siqing realized she'd misspoke.
"I-I-I, that's not what I meant."
Lin Chudong smiled. "I was just asking casually. I can see you're good at taking care of people. Whoever is your boyfriend must be very happy."
Deng Siqing's cheeks were slightly flushed. "I don't have a boyfriend, but I've been taking care of my troublesome younger brother since I was a child. I'm used to it."
"Speaking of Deng Yong, I have to thank Sister Deng. I brought you a gift, it's in the car. You and Huanhuan each get one."
"Thank you..."
After finishing the bowl of noodles, Deng Siqing's condition improved, and she was finally less flustered.
"Da Fei, your magic performance at the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala was amazing. Have you practiced magic?"
Lin Chudong smiled.
"A little bit. Sister Deng, could I borrow the hair ties from your hair?"
Deng Siqing was taken aback, then took off two hair ties and handed them to him.
Lin Chudong stretched the hair ties with the thumbs and index fingers of both hands, and said.
"Sister Deng, watch closely. These are two very ordinary hair ties. They can't be pulled apart when linked together, right?"
"But, as long as I blow gently... Whoosh!"
The rubber band instantly went through!
Deng Siqing's eyes widened, her face full of admiration.
"Da Fei, you're so amazing!"
After a short break, Sun Xuan sent a message.
Lin Chudong said, "Sister Deng, I won't bother you then. Director Sun wants me to go for a first review."
Deng Siqing nodded. Seeing Lin Chudong put on his shoes, she suddenly said in a low voice.
"Da Fei, actually, you look quite handsome in a hoodie. You don't always have to wear a denim jacket."
Lin Chudong was taken aback and looked down at his clothes, then said,
"Sister Deng has good taste."
"I'm off."
Lin Chudong closed the door and walked into the elevator.
Deng Siqing touched her slightly flushed cheeks with both hands, extremely excited.
He just complimented me?
Not long after, Cheng Huanhuan returned, holding two small bags from a gold shop.
Deng Siqing said unhappily, "Where have you been? Weren't you supposed to be working overtime?"
Cheng Huanhuan said helplessly, "I was creating an opportunity for you, wasn't I? I don't even have a program, so why would I work overtime? I came back as soon as Da Fei went to the station."
"Here, presents for us."
Deng Siqing immediately snatched it and excitedly opened the box. Inside was a gold bracelet with carved patterns. Although it was gold, the design was still quite youthful.
Deng Siqing wore it on her wrist and couldn't put it down, "It's so beautiful, he's so thoughtful."
Cheng Huanhuan rolled her eyes. Late stage love brain, she thought. Da Fei had her completely infatuated.
She also tried the bracelet on her own hand, "It's okay. The style is very ordinary, but it's quite heavy. Da Fei is generous."
Suddenly, Deng Siqing grabbed her hand, took off the gold bracelet on her hand, and squeezed it hard, deforming it.
Cheng Huanhuan widened her eyes. "What are you doing?"
Deng Siqing said calmly, "Nothing. This bracelet doesn't look good on you. Go sell it at a gold shop. Gold is pretty expensive right now."
"Mine is one-of-a-kind."
Cheng Huanhuan: ...
"You're in the late stages of being love-struck! There's no saving you!"
Arriving at the television station, Sun Xuan asked, "Is Da Fei okay? I'm still dizzy. I didn't dare drive to work this morning, afraid of a hangover or drunk driving."
Lin Chudong said, "I'm fine."
"It's great to be young. Come, let me introduce you. These two are leaders from the station, members of the review team, and also the directors of this year's Spring Festival Gala: Director Qiu Chengdong, director of the language programs. And Director Zheng..."
Besides Sun Xuan, there were four other directors. These five leaders were responsible for reviewing the programs of this year's Spring Festival Gala.
Lin Chudong greeted them, and they responded with serious expressions.
That's just how the Spring Festival Gala reviews were. These people weren't born with sour faces; they were under a lot of pressure. They had to face the whole nation, and it was all live, so they had to ensure there were no mistakes. They also had to consider the audience, program diversity—in short, it wasn't a simple job.
Sun Xuan was the only one who smiled warmly at Lin Chudong; he was very serious when it came to other programs.
Qiu Chengdong said, "I saw 'Serve the Country with Loyalty' at the Shanghai Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. It can't be this long for the Spring Festival Gala. I'll give you a minute and a half. Try singing it once."
Lin Chudong nodded and went up to the stage in the studio, with the directors sitting below.
A minute and a half was a big cut for a song. The outro was out, two bars of the intro gone, one verse, two choruses, and then done.
Lin Chudong had prepared the accompaniment long ago. Although he hadn't performed on the Spring Festival Gala, he had participated in the reviews, just never made it on stage.
"Smoke rises, the mountains and rivers look north..."
The song ended, and the leaders in the audience looked at each other.
Sun Xuan said, "What do you think, leaders? Is it okay?"
Qiu Chengdong said, "The song is good, the singing is good, and the concept is also good. It's suitable for the Spring Festival Gala. What do you think?"
The others nodded, "No problem."
Sun Xuan said, "Then, is the solo okay?"
Qiu Chengdong and the others frowned, "The solo is hard to say. Let's pass it for now. This song can definitely be on the show. As for whether it's a solo, we'll discuss it again in the second review."
The first round of screening was a lot of work. There were many programs to filter through, and in the end, they would decide how many programs to include based on the total running time.
Many performers who were eliminated, due to pressures from various sides, still had to be "revived" and squeezed into other people's programs.
It was only October, just the first round. The second round wouldn't be until December at the earliest.
Sun Xuan waved his hand, "Da Fei, your program passed."
Lin Chudong wasn't surprised. The song was already good, and with connections in their "yamen," it would be a slap in Sun Xuan's face if it didn't pass.
After leaving the stage, Sun Xuan said, "You can go back now. I'll let you know if there's any news. If there's no news, just wait for the second round."
"Okay, thanks for the hard work, Brother Sun. I'm going back to Modu."
After a three-hour journey, he returned to the company.
Lin Chudong went to the music store first and picked out a 36-inch Martin OM28 guitar. This guitar was small, suitable for a girl to hold, and it looked and sounded good, making it a perfect gift for a girl.
He signed Da Fei's name on the panel, packaged it, and sent it out by express delivery.
Liang Yin walked into the office. "Da Fei, I've secured the sponsor. Two million plus sponsored clothing."
Lin Chudong gave a thumbs up. "Great job. What brand?"
"E-sports equipment. I took a look, and the brand has a decent reputation."
Lin Chudong nodded. This sponsor was acceptable, and adding ads wouldn't have too much of an impact on the TV series.
-----------------------
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