AFVSIBS Chapter 223: A Giant in the Music Industry Steps In

Chen Jie knew better than anyone the influence Zhang Ziwen wielded in the industry.

Forget about ordinary artists, even he, the president of Wanhe Entertainment, had to show some respect.

Therefore, he didn't want Zhou Chen to have any unpleasant interactions with Zhang Ziwen.

Otherwise, if Zhang Ziwen decided to blacklist Zhou Chen, it would mean a significant loss of revenue for Wanhe.

Of course, Chen Jie was unaware that Zhou Chen had no interest in acting at all.

"I understand, I'll go back and send a message to Wan Fangfang right away."

Li Qiankun nodded and replied before turning to leave.

In fact, Wan Fangfang understood this better than any of them. So, she was also trying her best to balance the relationship between Zhou Chen and Zhang Ziwen.

Just now, she had even proactively sent a message to Zhang Ziwen, explaining on behalf of Zhou Chen while also expressing her intention to persuade Zhou Chen.

Although she knew the probability of Zhou Chen agreeing to the Spring Festival Gala was very low, she had to respond this way. Otherwise, Zhang Ziwen might think that Wanhe didn't care about the Spring Festival Gala at all.

After sending the message to Zhang Ziwen, Wan Fangfang thought of another person.

That was Luo You, a giant in the music industry.

Luo You had always admired Zhou Chen and had publicly stated multiple times that Zhou Chen was the future pinnacle of the entertainment industry.

Zhou Chen also deeply respected this senior artist.

If Luo You were to talk to Zhou Chen, it might have an unexpected effect.

So, she immediately called Luo You.

"Teacher Luo, I'm really sorry to call you at this time."

After the call was connected, Wan Fangfang first apologized.

"So, it's Miss Wan. What's the matter?"

"Here's the thing. Today, Zhou Chen received an invitation to the Spring Festival Gala, and Director Zhang personally came to invite him," Wan Fangfang said.

"This is a good thing! And considering the timing, Zhou Chen should be the first person to receive an invitation to the Spring Festival Gala. It shows how much Director Zhang values him. Honestly, I also hold him in high regard."

"Yes, but Zhou Chen chose to refuse. No matter how we tried to persuade him, it was useless. As for the reason, it's quite simple—he feels that the late timing of the Spring Festival Gala would affect his habit of going to bed early and getting up early."

"What! Zhou Chen even refused the Spring Festival Gala? That's too much, isn't it?"

Sure enough, even a giant in the music industry like Luo You was astonished to hear that Zhou Chen had refused the Spring Festival Gala.

After all, he had been in the entertainment industry for decades and had never seen any artist refuse the Spring Festival Gala.

To put it this way, if he were Zhou Chen's age and received an invitation to the Spring Festival Gala, even if he were about to undergo surgery, he would ask the doctor to postpone the surgery to perform at the Gala.

What's more, Zhou Chen was healthy and had no reason to refuse.

"Yes, I'm at my wit's end, so I called you. You are the senior artist he respects the most in the industry. I think if you talk to him, it might be effective."

"Alright, I understand why you called. I'll talk to him later."

"Thank you, Teacher Luo, and sorry for the trouble."

"You're welcome. I also hope Zhou Chen can perform at the Gala. A musical genius like him not being on the Spring Festival Gala would be a pity for the Gala."

Luo You sighed deeply.

"I hope Zhou Chen can understand your good intentions."

"Don't worry, I'll do my best to persuade him. Alright, I have some things to take care of. I'll contact him later."

After finishing, Luo You hung up the phone first.

With Luo You's help, Wan Fangfang felt a glimmer of hope.

What she didn't know was that Zhou Chen had already made up his mind, and no amount of persuasion would change it.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, he continued drinking coffee and reading in his hotel room when Luo You's call came in.

Seeing Luo You's call, he already guessed the purpose.

It must be like Yang Hanhan and his parents, coming to persuade him to accept the invitation to the Spring Festival Gala.

If it were any other artist, he would definitely not answer this call.

But Luo You was one of the few senior artists he respected.

So, even knowing the purpose of the call, he still answered.

"Hello, Teacher Luo," Zhou Chen greeted politely.

"Hello, how's the preparation going for your performance in Asu City? I heard you're singing a new song this time. I'm really looking forward to it," Luo You said with a smile.

"Everything is ready. Just waiting to perform on the first."

"Great, I'll make sure to listen to your new song then."

"Teacher Luo, are you calling to persuade me to accept the invitation to the Spring Festival Gala?"

Before Luo You could bring it up, Zhou Chen asked directly.

"Since you mentioned it, I'll be straightforward. Yes, I heard you refused the invitation to the Spring Festival Gala, so I wanted to talk to you. Can you tell me why?"

Although he already knew from Wan Fangfang that Zhou Chen's refusal was due to his principle of going to bed early and getting up early, Luo You still chose to ask again. Only by doing so could he better persuade Zhou Chen step by step.

"Strictly speaking, it's not about refusing the Gala but refusing its late broadcast time. If the Gala were held at six in the evening, I wouldn't refuse. In other words, no matter what the program is, I will follow my principle of going to bed early and getting up early. If it violates this time, I can only refuse," Zhou Chen explained.

Before calling, Luo You had guessed Zhou Chen would answer this way, so he had already thought about what to say next.

So, Luo You began his persuasion:

"Zhou Chen, I really admire your unique personality. I don't think it's a big issue. After all, young people should have some individuality. When I was young, I was much like you, full of personality. But this is the Spring Festival Gala, a program every artist dreams of performing on. How about this? You can continue to stick to your principles for other shows. Just make an exception for the Spring Festival Gala. After a few hard days, you can take a week or half a month to rest and make up for it."

"Thank you for your suggestion, Teacher Luo, but there's no need. I don't want to set a precedent for breaking my principles. Once you break them, there will be a second time, a third time," Zhou Chen responded directly.

In his previous life, he ended up exhausted because he kept breaking his principles due to others' persuasion, always hearing, "This is for your own good," which eventually ruined his health.

So, this time, no matter what, he wouldn't easily change his principles.

Once a principle is broken, it's like coming out of the closet; if it happens once, it will happen countless times...


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