Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen-Chapter 484 - 318: The Story of Time_2

Chu Tian, Yiyi, and Sister Hua had passes, but with Xu Qingqiu staying put, they couldn’t just leave her by herself, so they all remained backstage. Besides, there was a broadcast screen backstage, so they could watch just as well from there.

Soon, Yiyi returned. Upon seeing her, Xu Qingqiu immediately looked over.

"How Is It, Yiyi, did they get in?"

"They... they went in, don’t worry."

"Okay, thanks, Yiyi. By the way, if you’re free, why don’t you go watch the performance out front too? I don’t have much going on here right now; just come back when it’s about time."

"Uh, no need, Qingqiu, I..."

"It’s fine, Yiyi, no need to worry about anything else. Sister Hua just mentioned she wanted to check it out out front too; you two can go together. I’ll be fine here on my own."

After glancing at Chu Tian and Xu Qingqiu, Yiyi seemed to understand something. She was quite tempted, so she didn’t refuse.

"Alright, then I’ll go check it out out front. Where’s Sister Hua?"

"Sister Hua went to the restroom. You can check there on your way, and you can go in together."

"Okay, then I’ll be off. I’ll come back at ten."

"You don’t need to rush back; we’re not going onstage until ten-thirty."

Watching Yiyi dash off hurriedly, Xu Qingqiu didn’t even finish her sentence before Yiyi had disappeared.

Chu Tian and Xu Qingqiu exchanged a smile, holding hands with tacit understanding. If it weren’t for other people around backstage, they probably would have done more than just hold hands.

「At this moment, the internet was also buzzing.」

Audiences across the country varied in their viewing habits. Some families watched dramas and movies, some played cards or mahjong, while others chatted while watching the Spring Festival Gala. Most young people, however, couldn’t keep their hands off their phones while watching the Spring Festival Gala. They watched and mocked simultaneously, and while mocking, they kept watching.

"Ugh, this year’s Spring Festival Gala is just another pot of garbage."

"No kidding, it’s completely devoid of creativity. Those few dances just confused me; they seem just like the ones from the last few years, right?"

"There are differences, but they’re all just traditional dances. Barely any novelty, that’s for sure."

"But I thought that opera segment was quite interesting, eh? How come I never realized before that watching opera could be so fun?"

"Opera, indeed. As we get older, it somehow starts to grow on us."

"In the end, we still have to rely on the classics our ancestors left us. I really don’t know what this year’s directing team is doing."

"Did you all hear the song Li Ruobing just sang? What does everyone think?"

"What is there to think? The lyrics about peace and prosperity were so cringeworthy. Couldn’t they write something better? It was just full of empty platitudes, nothing moving about it at all."

"Singing? Was that singing just now? Sorry, I don’t remember a single lyric, not even the title. I just heard some noise."

"Hahaha, you’re not wrong. I didn’t catch the song title either. I just vaguely remember it was something like ’Grand Occasion Praise Some Song’ or whatever."

"After all these years, the directing team still can’t come up with anything new. This Spring Festival Gala feels like it gets worse every year. It’ll probably be even lousier next year."

"Let’s see the skits. I wonder how this year’s skits will be. Hopefully, not just another round of singing praises?"

"Who says? I bet this year’s skits will definitely be about having babies! Second child, third child!"

"Hahaha, bro, you hit the nail on the head! You know, you might actually be right about that!"

"Exactly! Besides having babies, what other tired clichés are there? Plus the pressure to get married!"

"I can already picture it. The show opens, then the actors come on stage and start ranting to the audience, ’Folks, who gets it? My son’s twenty-eight this year and still doesn’t have a partner. What am I supposed to do?!’"

"Damn, hahaha, that ’Folks, who gets it?’ is spot on! Pure talent!"

"Skits used to be trendsetting; now they’re just unoriginal."

"Not only are they unoriginal, but they also insist on preaching heavy morals. It’s the New Year, everyone just wants to have fun. Who wants a lecture? Are you trying to hold a political ideology class here?"

"Exactly! I don’t know what the director is thinking."

"Hahaha, watching the Spring Festival Gala isn’t as fun as reading netizens’ comments. I feel like this is much more entertaining than the gala itself."

"Don’t say that; our sweetheart idol is still great. Sweetheart idol is about to go on stage. Just you watch; it’s going to blow your minds. Sweetheart idol’s singing is amazing!"

"Look, a wild fanatic appeared! Kid, this is where adults hang out. You’re in the wrong place."

"’Sweetheart idol’? Folks, who gets it? Who the heck is this ’sweetheart idol’? My face is going numb from laughing so hard."

"I know who ’sweetheart idol’ is now! Look, Hua Xiangyu is going on stage. Isn’t that ’sweetheart idol’?"

"Holy crap, a wizard?"

"Bullshit, he’s clearly a Shaman!"

"Don’t you guys dare talk about our sweetheart idol like that! Hmph!"

"Well... performing a shamanistic dance for the New Year... doesn’t that seem a bit inappropriate?"

"Should we set off some firecrackers? To drive away evil spirits?"

"Drive away evil spirits, my foot! Firecrackers are for scaring away the Nian beast. But if you put it that way, it might work. Red is supposed to ward off evil, right?"

"You guys are brilliant. Count me in; I’m going to set off some fireworks too."

As some internet celebrities took the stage, many people chose to leave. It couldn’t be helped; everyone knew the caliber of these performers. Aside from their fans, who would genuinely appreciate it? People figured they might as well use the time for a bathroom break.

「In the blink of an eye, the time had advanced past ten o’clock.」

Backstage, Xu Qingqiu, who had been watching until she grew drowsy, instantly perked up.

"It’s almost our turn! Get ready, quickly!"

No sooner had she spoken than staff members came over to coordinate.

The costumes and makeup had been prepared in advance, but with the performance imminent, they still needed a final check and a touch-up. This process inevitably turned into another frantic hustle, a scene that had almost become standard backstage.

Host A: "Year after year, another dawn arrives, the traveler’s long journey home. Once again, it is the season for family reunions; those toiling far away must return to their nests. I wonder how many still remember their once little selves, and how, in the blink of an eye, they became who they are today."

Host B: "Yes, before we knew it, we grew up. But as we matured, our parents aged. I always took family reunions for granted, until one day I saw the wrinkles on my parents’ faces and the silver strands among their hair. Only then did I suddenly realize that time has been constantly eroding the traces of our existence."

Host A: "So, where has all the time gone? Does everyone still remember their younger selves, their once strong and handsome fathers, their tall and beauty-conscious mothers?"

Host B: "Next, let us listen to the story of time."

After the hosts finished their segment, Xu Qingqiu, fully prepared backstage, slowly walked onto the stage.

The audience in front of their TVs wasn’t paying close attention, but some did notice something significant.

"Eh? Is this Xu Qingqiu’s segment?"

"Who’s Xu Qingqiu?"

"Xu Qingqiu! President Xu! The Singer! She released two sensational albums this year, and you don’t know that?"

"Oh, damn, now that you mention it, I remember! The name just didn’t click for a moment."

"Finally, some real talent! I’m sick and tired of those young pretty-boys and that bunch of awful performers."

"Xu Qingqiu, huh? Her songs should be pretty good, right? After all, she’s the one who released two sensational albums."

"’Where Has the Time Gone’? This isn’t another new song, is it?"

"Just checked. Yes, it’s a new song."

"Awesome! President Xu really has style, never performing her hits more than once. Talk about being delightfully headstrong!"

"Hahaha, now that you say it, it does seem that way, doesn’t it? Has anyone ever seen her perform her own songs a second time?"

"It’s more like she hasn’t had the chance to perform them again. I, for one, rarely see her take commercial gigs. However, when she first started on that show, she did perform those initial few songs several times."

"A few times is nothing! How many singers perform the same song until they’re sick of it?"

"Quiet, it’s starting."

...

As the lights brightened, Xu Qingqiu, in a gown of pale pink and white, stood quietly on the stage. Behind her, the giant screen slowly illuminated.

"WAAH~ WAAH~"

A baby’s cry broke the silence of the venue, followed by a tiny figure appearing on the screen.

"Oh my, look at those little legs! So strong! Such a healthy baby!"

"Come to Mommy~"

"Go find Daddy, go find Daddy~"

"Daddy, what’s it like when you’re all grown up?"

"Grown up? When you’re grown up..."

As this last drawn-out word faded, the music swelled, and Xu Qingqiu’s singing voice began to fill the air.