Chapter 188: Artist Zhou Ming

Zhou Tao was a small voice-over intern at CCTV, working behind the scenes to provide voiceovers for various promotional materials. After finishing her recording session, she went outside the studio and asked the older sister in charge of proofreading, Ping Jie, "Sister Ping, I heard that today's Spring Festival Gala is having its first run-through in Studio 1, and all the programs will be performed. Could you take me to see it?"

Ping Jie initially ignored her, but after Zhou Tao pulled her hand and begged again, Ping Jie reluctantly removed her headphones and said, "Tao Tao, don't be troublesome. I'm currently proofreading materials that are needed for tomorrow. Besides, the run-through isn't anything spectacular today. It's not a full dress rehearsal, just a run-through of all the programs. I heard it's just for a big investor in the Spring Festival Gala, so why do you need to go?"

"I want to see the programs!" Zhou Tao said with her hands clasped. "These are the programs for this year's Spring Festival Gala! On New Year's Eve, many people will be watching it on TV. Sister Ping, you have to cater to so many people's tastes, so the programs must be rich and varied. I think it's amazing that Director Deng can guide these programs!"

"Director Deng is indeed a talented director in the station. Her experience in the military has made her knowledgeable about various forms of art, so the Spring Festival Gala under her direction should be quite good," Ping Jie said. "However, it's not as exaggeratedly wonderful as you think. If the Spring Festival Gala were really that good, why would Director Liang have to personally seek out those big bosses for funding?"

But Zhou Tao disagreed, "The Spring Festival Gala is really wonderful! I still remember last year's performance, that song 'You Are Like a Flame That Burns Me,' it was so beautiful! I'm sure this year's Gala will have even more exciting programs. Now that I know they're doing the run-through, I'm so eager to see it. Sister Ping, please, just take me to have a look. I promise I'll just watch and won't say a word."

Seeing Zhou Tao's bright, gem-like eyes, Ping Jie finally sighed in resignation and said, "Alright, I'll take you after I finish this proofreading."

Zhou Tao jumped up happily, "Sister Ping, you're the best! I love you!"

Zhou Tao quickly finished helping Ping Jie with the proofreading, and Ping Jie took her to the studio area. Zhou Tao nervously held Ping Jie's hand, and Ping Jie turned back, smiling, and said, "Tao Tao, you're just a bit timid. There's nothing to be afraid of. It's just a gala. Didn't you also host your school's art gala?"

"It's not the same at all! This is CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. How can it be compared to our school's art gala?" Zhou Tao replied.

"Why not? In my view, it's quite similar. It's just that our CCTV Spring Festival Gala has a bigger, more professional setting and a wider broadcast platform," Ping Jie said. "But essentially, it's quite similar. Tao Tao, you're so smart and lively; maybe you could be a host for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala in the future!"

"Sister Ping, you're just teasing me. If anyone's going to be the host of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, it would definitely be you first," Zhou Tao said, pouting.

As Ping Jie and Zhou Tao chatted and laughed in the corridor, a burst of enthusiastic applause suddenly came from the studio. Ping Jie was stunned, "What's going on? Why is there such enthusiastic applause?"

Zhou Tao, with starry eyes, said, "Sister Ping, didn't I tell you the programs would be great? Listen to that applause. It must be an amazing program that has impressed everyone. Let's go see!"

Zhou Tao hurriedly dragged Ping Jie towards Studio 1. However, when they opened the door, the scene inside Studio 1 was completely unexpected.

On the main stage of Studio 1, all the performers were standing and applauding fervently, their eyes filled with excitement, as if they had heard some incredible news.

"Sister Ping, do you know today's rehearsal program list? What's this program?" Zhou Tao asked, puzzled.

Ping Jie shook her head and said, "This doesn't seem like a program but more like them spontaneously applauding someone."

As if to confirm Ping Jie's judgment, Director Deng spoke up, "Boss Zhou's comments were truly brilliant, pinpointing the issues with our programs almost immediately. His suggestions were also very enlightening. I believe that both for this Spring Festival Gala and for ourselves, we should thank Boss Zhou."

After Director Deng finished speaking, she turned and gave a deep bow to the young man next to her, "Thank you, Boss Zhou."

With the main director taking the lead, all the performers on stage also bowed to Boss Zhou, "Thank you, Boss Zhou!"

The sight of dozens of veteran artists on stage bowing and thanking a young businessman had a huge impact on Zhou Tao, who could hardly believe it. She turned to Ping Jie and asked, "Is that the investor you mentioned, Sister Ping? Why is everyone thanking him? And Director Deng just praised him so much, saying his comments were very inspiring. Could it be that the applause was also because of his feedback?"

Ping Jie was also stunned. Even though she was ten years older than Zhou Tao and had been with CCTV for many more years, she had never seen such a scene.

It wasn't that staff at the station didn't thank investors, but that was usually just a formality, more about thanking them for their money. However, Ping Jie could sense that both Director Deng and the performers on stage were genuinely grateful and respectful.

Why was this happening? Aren't rich bosses usually vulgar, or even shameless scoundrels who exploit policy loopholes? They're often more interested in the beautiful women in the performance than in the art itself. How could these disgusting people understand art? But what's happening now?

Ping Jie shook her head in confusion and said, "I don't know either. It seems this young boss has some artistic talent."

At this moment, the young boss with some artistic talent, Zhou Ming, stood up with a microphone and said, "Director Deng and everyone, you're all too polite. I really don't deserve this. I just shared some of my simple thoughts. It's not worth mentioning in front of you."

"Boss Zhou, you're too modest," Director Deng said. "Your comments were like a wake-up call for us, making everything suddenly clear. If Director Liang hadn't introduced you as a businessman, I would have thought you were a big international artist returning from abroad!"

Zhou Ming scratched his head awkwardly, feeling embarrassed because he knew he didn't have much artistic talent. The feedback he gave was just based on his previous experience with talent shows and some of his own thoughts. He didn't expect it to have such a big impact on these artists.

However, the attitudes of everyone present reassured Zhou Ming, showing that they were truly pursuing art, unlike some so-called artists in later years who use art as a guise to deceive others.

Realizing this, Zhou Ming was confident and said, "Since Director Deng has said so, I'll accept it. If I say more, it might seem like I'm being too proud."

Zhou Ming's words elicited laughter from everyone present. He then continued, "But I can only say so much. After all, I'm just an outsider. Perhaps I might accidentally say something sensible, but when it comes to detailed work, it still relies on you professional artists. Whether this year's Spring Festival Gala can surpass previous ones depends on you. Do you have confidence?"

All the performers on stage answered in unison, "Yes!"

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "I believe you all have confidence. So, I'm leaving the excellence of this year's Spring Festival Gala to you. Good luck to everyone! I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

After Zhou Ming's words, everyone on stage voiced their determination and bid him farewell.

Zhou Ming then put down the microphone and, along with Su Han and Du Peng, followed Director Liang to the exit. At the door, Zhou Ming saw two women standing there and was momentarily surprised.

The two women were none other than Ping Jie and Zhou Tao. Seeing Zhou Ming approaching, Zhou Tao immediately ran up and said, "Are you the investor for the Spring Festival Gala? Your comments were so good. I admire you so much!"

Before Zhou Ming could respond, Director Liang's face darkened immediately, "Which department are you from? Studio 1 isn't somewhere you can just enter casually. And this Boss Zhou is an important partner for CCTV. How can you call him just an investor? How can you make such casual remarks? What are your intentions?"

Hearing Director Liang's criticism, Ping Jie immediately stepped forward to apologize, "I'm sorry, Director Liang. Tao Tao is still young and doesn't understand. Please don't take it to heart."

Seeing that Director Liang was about to say more, Zhou Ming intervened, "It's alright, Director Liang. I believe she didn't mean any harm. And after all, I am an investor!"

Zhou Ming then asked Zhou Tao, "Hello, what's your name?"

"My name is Zhou Tao, Tao as in the peach from Zhoukou," Zhou Tao replied.

"Then it seems we are of the same family. My surname is also Zhou, with the given name Ming. It's a pleasure to meet you today. You're so smart and beautiful. I believe you'll definitely be the

 host of the Spring Festival Gala in the future," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Tao smiled widely, "Thank you. I'll definitely work hard!"