Chapter 326
Even in the wee hours of the morning, the entrance to Shanghai TV was bustling with activity. The security guards, standing at the gate, carried an unlit cigarette, their hands behind their backs as they patrolled the area. Of course, smoking a cigarette might attract a reprimand from higher-ups, but for these heavy smokers, it was the ultimate concession.
"...We wish our motherland prosperity!" A final chorus emanated from the deliberately left-unlocked gate. The security team leader, who had been leisurely strolling around the entrance, immediately pulled out the intercom strapped to his chest and shouted, "The party is almost over! All those who have been assigned, gather at the gate! Quick!"
Midnight: 30 is the last stage of the "Shanghai TV Spring Festival Gala", which also means that the offline scene will be boiling again.
At his command, security personnel, who had been patrolling elsewhere, trotted over. Their biggest mission this time was to ensure the safety of the celebrities on their way to and from work. When they arrived at the door, they noticed that some of their colleagues were already holding back the reporters, so they immediately rushed forward to fill their positions.
For security personnel, these unscrupulous "fans" are certainly a key concern. But their primary goal this time is to stop these shameless and unscrupulous entertainment reporters.
Elsewhere, Zhou Xiao, holding her hat, followed the crowd out. She had previously agreed with Zhu Jian that since he was closer to the entrance, he would go first to retrieve their temporarily stored electronic devices, and the two of them would meet back at the entrance.
Shanghai TV has made extensive preparations for offline safety. Audience entry and exit railings simulate the winding lines of an amusement park. While the winding path is frustrating, it also helps reduce accidents.
"Xiaoxiao!" Zhu Jian, who had already left the venue before Zhou Xiao, greeted her excitedly from under the tree. In her hands, she held not only a sealed plastic bag containing electronic equipment but also a plush stuffed animal.
When he saw Zhou Xiao looking at him, he also excitedly raised the zodiac snake doll in his hand. Under the envious eyes of others, he raised it high above his head and shook it.
By the time Zhou Xiao was about to reach the exit of the queue, Zhu Jian had already rushed over. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the object in Zhou Xiao's arms, as if she had guessed it right. She excitedly exclaimed, "Ahhhh, Sister Xiao, it really is you! Please, let me touch it!"
Although Zhu Jian was lucky enough to catch a doll tonight, she still felt a little regretful that she didn't get the one thrown by Ji Shao. She had even hardened her heart and given up the interaction [TAT], concentrating on grabbing the doll!
Especially when she thought the show was over in the middle row, she heard the audience in front of her say that Ji Shao had returned to give a fan a doll! Based on her clear memory of Zhou Xiao's position and the conversations with some audience members, she judged that Ji Shao had most likely given the doll to Zhou Xiao!
However, after Zhou Xiao readily agreed, she reached out and touched Maomao, and immediately noticed something was wrong. This wasn't a doll, this... this was a fluffy hat! And the shape seemed a little familiar.
"Hey, Xiaoxiao, why did you get a hat instead of a doll?" Zhu Jian was fiddling with it curiously at first, but when she realized what was going on, her eyes widened in surprise. "I...I...Oh my god..." She hadn't even had time to tell Zhou Xiao about the microphone! How come there was another hat?
Zhu Jian was trembling with anxiety, thinking to himself that he must hold Zhou Xiao down and make her describe everything in detail! Also, why didn't the on-site director show them this footage?
"Hehe." Zhou Xiao hugged Zhu Jian and was about to say something when the sudden sound of a salute interrupted her.
"Bang bang bang" one firework after another exploded in the sky above the open space opposite the TV station. This was sponsored by the title sponsor of the "Shanghai TV Spring Festival Gala".
The colorful fireworks instantly attracted the attention of everyone outside, except, of course, the staff who were constantly moving among the crowd to maintain order.
Zhou Xiao paused, having unknowingly pulled out her camera. After pressing the shutter, she muttered to herself, "Rou Rou, do you know what I like most about fireworks?"
Zhu Jian, who tilted his head to the side, couldn't hear what Zhou Xiao said clearly. He could only cover one ear and tilt his head towards Zhou Xiao and said, "You...what are you...saying? I can't hear you clearly!"
Zhou Xiao said nothing more, but handed the camera to Zhu Jian. He then looked up at the fireworks still blooming in the sky, which were full of vitality.
At the Shanghai TV building, Ji Shao, still dressed in formal attire, stood in front of the window. From his position, he could almost feel the fireworks exploding right in his face if he just raised his head.
Ji Shao sensed someone approaching him and smelled the cigarette smoke on the other person, but he didn't turn around. He leaned his hands on the open window sill, his strong arms holding the sleeves of his coat tight.
After a moment of silence, Ji Shao slowly said, "Brother, do you know when was the first fireworks show I saw in Shanghai?"
Without intending to ask for a reply, Ji Shao narrowed his eyes, his expression unusually serious. He turned back to look at Chen Shenju and said jokingly, "Do you think I should hold a show too? Watch it with my fans?"
Chen Shenju had a smile on his face. His expression at the moment seemed unusually gentle under the fireworks. His tone was filled with anticipation for the future as he said, "I'll help you apply when the time comes! If we're going to hold it, let's do it big!"
…
The next afternoon.
Looking at the message on the door, Zhou Xiao's hand was pressed against the glass door of "Modern Fashion" magazine. Just as he was about to push it open, the glass door was pulled open by someone inside.
"I didn't expect you to come early." Fang, with his unshaven face and huge dark circles under his eyes, scratched his head again, "That's perfect, come with me to the office."
Because they are a selection of photographers, unlike celebrities, the ZYQ finalists are announced on their official website. After the public announcement period for all awards is over, the winners will be invited to the local area for the award ceremony.
The public announcement period is to give fairness to all shortlisted photographs. As long as the organizer receives a real-name report from the contestant during the public announcement period, the organizer will actively cooperate to verify the authenticity of the report and publish a relevant statement after the public announcement ends.
For Fang Zai and Zhou Xiao, their top priority now is to sit in front of the computer and watch the final results come out.
"Teacher Xiaoxiao is here." "Come on, Teacher Zhou!" "Don't be nervous." "..." Inside the magazine office, looking at Zhou Xiao following behind Fang Zai, everyone kindly told her to relax.
Zhou Xiao obviously noticed the change in everyone's attitude but didn't care. He raised his hand as usual and greeted everyone with a smile. Only after arriving at Fang Zai's office did he escape the fate of being stared at like a monkey.
However, when she entered Fang Zai's office, she found that there seemed to be someone sitting behind the desk. However, because of the obstruction of the two large monitors, she could only vaguely see the person's presence.
Teacher Mei? But that seemed unlikely, Zhou Xiao thought silently.
The night before, he had a video call with the other party for a while. Apart from taking the time to tell Zhou Xiao about the award in general and asking Zhou Xiao to treat it normally, Teacher Mei didn't mention Fang Zai at all.
In her opinion, Teacher Mei was currently immersed in exploring the local customs and cultures of various regions. Her words and actions alluded to her desire to stay in Fujian Province and experience the unique local customs and culture for herself during the Lantern Festival. Local activities like the Bodhisattva Parade, the Nuo Fire Dance, and the God Parade had particularly captivated her.
Zhou Xiao also planned to ask his parents to help look after Teacher Mei. For the people of Fujian Province, the Lantern Festival is a serious annual event for every household. Especially since the locals are accustomed to speaking their own dialect, it's like listening to a foreign language. Without someone they know to guide them, they'd be completely lost.
When his thoughts came back to him, the other person poked his head out from behind the desk, and Zhou Xiao recognized who this person was.
"Old Ren!" Fang introduced him again, looking at Zhou and smiling, "When we shot the cover, we invited him to do Teacher Mei's makeup."
"Hello, Teacher Ren Yaqi." Although the other party was not related to photography, his age and status as a senior in the makeup industry made it appropriate for Zhou Xiao to call him teacher.
Ren Yaqi didn't expect that Zhou Xiao still remembered his name. He was slightly stunned and immediately gave up the posture he was about to use to attack Qiao.
He stood up from Fang Zai's boss chair, shook hands solemnly with Zhou Xiao, and said in a rather complicated tone, "Teacher Zhou is really a young and promising man!"
When he learned this cover had been shortlisted for "ZYQ," his emotions were even more complicated than Fang Zai's. Furthermore, as a makeup artist, this was his first time having his work shortlisted. You have to understand that Ren Yaqi's initial intention was simply to help Fang Zai.
Fang Zai and Ren Yaqi had been friends for many years, and since there were only three of them in the room, he simply turned the monitor of one of the computers around and brought a chair over to indicate that Zhou Xiao should sit down first.
"Hehe, why don't you let Teacher Zhou sit in your boss chair?" Ren Yaqi started to be sarcastic when he saw Fang Zai was busy moving chairs for himself and Zhou Xiao.
Fang rolled his eyes at him again, "How can anyone sit on a chair when you've made it so hot? Hurry up, I'm so nervous right now."
Although he always looks calm and confident outside (other employees think to themselves: Boss, why don’t you take a look at your appearance before you say that? We may not have as good eyesight as you, but we are not blind!), but in the office, thinking that they are all family, he no longer pretends.
Zhou Xiao, sitting between them, remained remarkably calm, her gaze fixed on the page Fang Zai constantly refreshed. She couldn't articulate her feelings at the moment, but after several subtle guidance from Teacher Mei, she felt that perhaps she was more curious than nervous.
If you count the magazine covers she's shot, there are only a few. For Zhou Xiao, her "future" is even brighter.
"Da Da" is the sound produced when the mouse is clicked. I don't know how many times it has been pressed repeatedly in this room, but the page of the website has never changed.
Ren Heqi, who had already dragged a chair over and sat down, also stood up anxiously. But after hearing the dense sound of keystrokes, he finally couldn't help but speak, "I say, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry!"
Fang finally listened, hesitating for a moment, and then, after what felt like a long time, he pressed the right button to refresh. But Zhou Xiao was certain that this seemingly long time was probably not even a second.
“Swish——”
The previously fixed interface suddenly jumped after a refresh. All three people in the room were paying close attention, even Ren and Qi came over. However, a moment later, Fang Zai, who had been tightly gripping the mouse, suddenly relaxed his grip.
A public notice did pop up on the interface, but it did not belong to them.
"I really shouldn't be so anxious. I made a fool of myself by showing you guys how to laugh at me." Fang Zai said with some self-mockery. His hand had already left the mouse at this moment.
"We all care," Zhou Xiao said seriously.
She reached out and grasped the slightly hot mouse, right-clicked and refreshed it, and then another announcement appeared on the page!
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