"It's so cold." As soon as they stepped out of the car, the cold wind blowing in their faces made Ji Yan and the others want to shrink back into the car.
City A has been hit by a cold wave these past few days, with temperatures plummeting by seven or eight degrees Celsius. Stepping outside feels like your head is frozen solid. But this didn't dampen the atmosphere at all at the meet-and-greet with the cast and crew of "I, Nameless". If the temperature hadn't been so unsuitable, the "I, Nameless" crew would have even arranged a red carpet event.
Wrapped in oversized down jackets, Ji Yan and the others silently thanked the weather.
Even with the bad weather, many movie fans still gathered outside Maple Leaf Film Studio.
On this day, "I, Nameless" not only surpassed "Star Ring" at the box office, but also topped the box office charts with double the daily performance of "Star Ring". In addition, the film's plot, pacing, characters' fates and even theme song became hot topics of discussion among the audience. Through word of mouth, the reputation of "I, Nameless" continued to rise.
This meet-and-greet with the main cast and crew was also a celebration party for the film. In addition to the main cast and crew, many big names in the industry also attended.
As soon as Ji Yan and his group appeared at the entrance of the film studio, screams erupted around them: "Ahhhhh, the Winged Group!!"
"He Tang!!"
"He Tang! The 'Wing' Group!!"
They even heard fans singing the song "Fly".
The group looked in the direction of the sound and saw many movie fans waving excitedly at them from the street opposite the cinema. The weather was cold, but this did not dampen the fans' enthusiasm at all—when they turned around to respond, the fans' screams were even more enthusiastic than before.
"Ji Yan is really handsome in person." After the members of "Wing" entered the theater, a movie fan couldn't help but exclaim.
Ji Yan's hair is a little longer than when he filmed "I, Nameless". When he smiles at people, his eyes are slightly curved, as if there is light shining in them - at that moment, his appearance seems to overlap with He Tang in the movie.
Before this, most of the movie fans present only knew Ji Yan as a member of an idol group. They knew more about him because the songs on the album "Mist" were good. Even though "Wings" was a recognized group of perfect looks in the idol circle, in the hearts of movie fans who were used to the big screen, even the most handsome idols were nothing special.
There are far too many idols who get completely outshone when they appear alongside actors; it's hard to find many positive examples.
Ji Yan's portrayal of He Tang refreshed moviegoers' preconceived notions, and the song "Fly" reversed their impression of idol group singing skills.
The word "pleasant to listen to" is not even enough to describe this song—it is the perfect embellishment to the movie "I, Nameless." The moment the song starts, everyone is taken back to that era, thinking of Wei Zheng, He Tang... and the thousands upon thousands of names engraved on the tombstones.
...
Maple Leaf Cinema is the largest cinema in City A and the first choice for major film companies to hold celebration parties and fan meetings. Upon entering the cinema, the warm temperature immediately brought the group back to the real world.
The cast and crew of "I, Nameless" has assembled a truly impressive lineup, including several renowned actors and actresses, and even Ji Yan recognizes some of them.
"Li Qiang and Zou Pinghai actually came."
These two actors were active in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning a grand slam of film awards. Although they have appeared less frequently in recent years, their influence in the film industry remains undiminished.
Of course, Li Qiang and Zou Pinghai were the first generation of "Li Girls" and "Li Boys", and they have always had a close relationship with director Li Xiang.
In front of such veteran actors, "Yi" behaved very obediently throughout the process. Director Li Xiang enthusiastically introduced them to various big names: "They sang 'Fei'. If you have investments but need singers, remember to bring them along."
The group: "..."
I'm so sorry, they previously thought Director Li Xiang was fierce.
Director Li Xiang is clearly a great person!
For some reason, the members of "Wings" received several invitations, and these weren't just perfunctory invitations to fool Director Li Xiang; they were real jobs, the kind of jobs that looked very high quality!
Director Li Xiang – a super nice guy!
What the "Wings" group didn't expect was that the "I, Nameless" production team actually invited "Blue." When Ning Wei and the others appeared in the theater, Ji Yan and Xie Mingxuan exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
The band "Blue" almost never participates in any commercial activities, which is a consensus in the industry. This is also why fans are fighting tooth and nail for a single ticket to "Blue"—fans will never see the members of "Blue" on any other occasion except at a concert.
"Thank you, Sister Ying, for pulling me back from my confusion and ignorance when I wasn't planning to come."
"I met my idols, and I never want to wash my eyes again after seeing them in person."
Ji Yan: "...Can you please not be so perverted?"
"It's not like you dislike them."
Xie Mingxuan and the others were originally fans of "Blue," and Ji Yan also became a die-hard fan under their influence. They would even play "Blue's" songs when writing songs. Ji Yan's favorite songs were "Traveler" and "Silent Moment," while Xie Mingxuan liked "Deer." Lu Wei and Fang Yu had the same taste; they liked "You Who Run Towards the Future." These songs were all different in style, but they fully demonstrated "Blue's" musical talent.
Now, here's the question—
Who will go and get the autograph?
Ji Yan and Xie Mingxuan took a step back and looked at Fang Yu at the same time. Lu Wei didn't react at first, but the next moment she also blinked and stared at Fang Yu.
What are you looking at me for?
"You are the only outstanding member of our group."
"Socially anxious? Thanks." Fang Yu refused no matter what. "I can only admire them silently in my heart. I'd faint if I saw them in person, okay?"
"Ji Yan, you go." Fang Yu pointed at Ji Yan.
Ji Yan looked puzzled.
“You’re prettier than us, you can use your looks to seduce them.”
Ji Yan: "?"
In the end, the group decided to decide the winner by playing rock-paper-scissors.
The first time, Ji Yan lost: "That doesn't count, let's try again."
The second time, Ji Yan lost again: "That doesn't count, let's try again."
The first time, Ji Yan: "..."
He stared silently at his hands, suspecting that a curse might be sealed within them.
"Go on, stop talking nonsense."
Ji Yan... was a little nervous.
It was hard for him not to be nervous. For him, it was the "Blue" concert that solidified his idea of becoming a singer. He had listened to the song "Traveler" countless times, and he loved it every time.
"Blue" was in the break room at the moment. Ji Yan only found out later why they were at the event. "Blue" had sung the theme song for director Li Xiang's movie shortly after their debut, and their friendship has lasted until now.
Ji Yan took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
As soon as the door opened, two pairs of eyes immediately stared at him curiously—Ji Yan held up the record in his hand: "Teachers, I am Ji Yan from the 'Wings' group. I am a fan of yours. Could you please sign my autograph?"
Duan Yiran's gaze swept over Ning Wei, who remained focused on her own thoughts, seemingly oblivious to Ji Yan's presence.
Ah, men.
Ha, what a pretentious act.
"Okay, no problem."
Ji Yan couldn't help but feel fortunate that they still had several "blue" discs in their car.
Duan Yiran quickly signed the album and handed it to Du Jian and Ning Wei. Du Jian's signature was no different from usual, but Ning Wei sat up straight and wrote much more carefully than usual.
After Ji Yan took the CD and closed the door, Duan Yiran coughed lightly.
Ning Wei didn't react, and Duan Yiran coughed again.
"You're so annoying."
Duan Yiran: "..."
Ji Yan might not have seen it because he was far away, but Ning Wei saw it clearly. Ning Wei's ears turned red, and he even deliberately changed his usual handwriting habits, afraid that Ji Yan would recognize him.
Du Jian couldn't help but say, "Da Ning, you've followed Ji Yan on Weibo."
Pretending not to know them is completely pointless.
Duan Yiran: "Ha, men."
He really wanted to complain that he was bolder than Ning Wei when he was dating in elementary school.
Du Jian and Duan Yiran didn't necessarily think that Ning Wei was interested in Ji Yan. At first, they thought that Ning Wei writing letters was meaningless, but who knew that the two of them actually started chatting and wrote one letter after another. Ning Wei's whole demeanor was also completely different from before.
"Blue" is a very successful band, both commercially and musically, but in the beginning, Ning Wei was thinking about how to realize her musical dreams—rather than becoming famous.
Some people may think that Ning Wei's idea is hypocritical, but this is indeed the original intention of the "blue" group.
However, the popularity of "blue" was almost overwhelming, so high that it made Ning Wei, a quiet person, somewhat panicked.
Therefore, Duan Yiran and Du Jian could see that Ning Wei was not happy. He was still 100% committed to the music and did not slack off at all, but this was his responsibility as Ning Wei of the "Blue" band. However, Ning Wei as a person was not happy.
Then, Ji Yan covered "The Traveler," which was the first time Duan Yiran had seen Ning Wei like a singer so much.
After that, perhaps even Ning Wei herself didn't realize that song after song and letter after letter... made Ning Wei more real.
...
"Checked in!!!"
Fang Yu hugged Ji Yan tightly: "Teacher Ji, you are my god!"
He personally appointed Ji Yan as the top leader of the "Wing" group, but Ji Yan refused with great disdain.
...
After Ji Yan got the autograph, the meet-and-greet event for "I, Nameless" began immediately. The event was broadcast live, and before it started, the "I, Nameless" production team announced the lineup of participating celebrities.
This event was held shortly after the Spring Festival. Many audience members were still on holiday and feeling bored when a preview of the "I, Nameless" event appeared on Weibo's trending topics.
"Li Qiang and Zou Pinghai!!"
"What did I just see? The 'Blue' band!!??? Aren't they the kind of band that doesn't even perform on the Spring Festival Gala?"
"'Wing' Group!!"
Netizens couldn't help but sigh, "Wings" really made something of themselves after releasing the album 'Mist'. The group's development was not as good as other undebuted contestants from 'Idol Century', but in just half a year, after Ji Yan's comeback on the show 'The Voice of China', with the album 'Mist' and the song 'Fly', Wings' popularity has increased by visible force. It can be said that they have one foot in the ranks of top groups in the industry."
The fact that "Wings" was among the big names in the industry that they were able to attend this meet-and-greet is enough to prove their current strength.
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