The phone call ended.
Dong Xuebing put the phone down and, with a sigh, picked up a pen to jot down a few words in the notebook: Foreign star, unknown number, sorted.
He decided to ask Huilan.
Dong Xuebing dialed his wife’s number, “Huilan, what’s up?”
The phone rang, and Xie Huilan answered cheerfully, “I just got home, and I'm about to have dinner.”
“Hey, why are you so happy today? You look so cheerful. Did something good happen?” Dong Xuebing asked.
“Haha, our son’s just cuddled up with me in my arms. Listen to this,” a child’s cooing sound came through the phone.
His mind was filled with stars now.
“What star?” Xie Huilan replied. “This is the eldest of our next generation, a boy. He’s going into politics. Stop trying to push that nonsense.”
Dong Xuebing sighed, “I know, I just... well, speaking of it, we’re hosting a Cultural Festival Gala next month for the county’s business event. You’re well-connected in Beijing, with lots of friends. Can you help me find a few stars? You know, decent ones—at least three-line stars with some popularity.”
“Other than attracting investments, can’t you do anything else?” Xie Huilan teased.
“This time, I’m changing tactics, just helping to set the stage,” Dong Xuebing replied confidently.
From the sound on the other end, Xie Huilan was distracting the child while talking to him. “It’s not that easy. Who do you have in mind?”
Dong Xuebing shrugged, “If I had the money, I wouldn’t be calling you, would I? The county doesn’t have the budget for appearance fees. Just food and lodging.”
Xie Huilan sighed, “Heh, so who would that be?”
“That’s why I need your influence,” Dong Xuebing replied.
“Stop kidding around. I don’t have that much influence,” Xie Huilan retorted after a pause. “I do know a few with a bit of fame, though. For instance, the son of Uncle Zhao family is dating an actress, and Uncle Li’s family is well-connected in the industry. But given that the county can’t offer a penny for appearance fees, how can I connect you without making them feel they’re wasting their time? It’d be another debt I’d owe, and people in the system can be complicated. If I can avoid it, I will.”
Dong Xuebing reassured her, “Just help me contact them. I’ve got my plans. You’ll see in a few months.”
Suddenly, the child started crying.
Xie Huilan quickly said, “Alright, I’ll try—enough talking. The baby’s wet. I’ll change the little one’s diaper. Hang up now.”
The phone went silent.
Dong Xuebing didn’t hang up either; he immediately dialed Ci Lifen, now under the merged General Administration of Press and Publication.
"Aunt." Dong Xuebing said.
On the other end, Ci Lifen smiled. "Xiao Bing, ah."
"Have you eaten, Aunt?" Dong Xuebing asked politely.
"I’m just eating now, what’s up? If you call Aunt outside of a holiday, you must have something on your mind." Ci Lifen could tell. She didn’t need to listen for long; if it weren’t a holiday, Dong Xuebing wouldn’t be calling unless there was something serious. He wasn’t ignoring his family or relatives, but the workload was overwhelming, and that was just an unavoidable part of the job in the system. Choosing this path meant sacrificing certain things.
Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, "Go ahead and eat first, then we’ll talk."
"I’m almost done eating. Go ahead." Ci Lifen replied.
Dong Xuebing hesitated before saying, "Our county is hosting a business-oriented cultural gala next month. You know many people in your line of work; can you help us find a few—cough, cough—preferably with some fame? We’re not wealthy here, so we might be unable to afford appearance fees. If it’s too much trouble, forget about it; I know this is a tough request."
Ci Lifen pondered for a moment, "When is it?"
"Early next month, the 3rd and 4th." Dong Xuebing answered.
Ci Lifen paused momentarily, then said, "Alright, I’ll watch out. I’ll put in a word below. This isn’t my line of work, but I have contacts with those media entertainment companies. It doesn’t matter if they’re doing this for free, even if it’s just a charity show. Let me ask around; there shouldn’t be a problem." Ci Lifen’s department oversaw these media entertainment companies and had approval authority. As a leader within her unit, anything Ci Lifen said would carry some weight. As long as she made the request, those companies would certainly be inclined to offer some face.
"Thank you, Aunt." Dong Xuebing quickly expressed his gratitude.
Ci Lifen replied, "There's no need to thank me; it’s not a big deal. But starting your term by organizing a business cultural gala? Do you have experience with that?"
Dong Xuebing sighed, "No."
"Has your county ever done anything ? Do you have any experience?" Ci Lifen asked.
"We probably don’t have much experience with galas, at most, internal celebrations for the staff during holidays." Dong Xuebing admitted.
Ci Lifen laughed, "What kind of gala is that? You have some nerve, starting something with no experience. Do you think it’s that simple? What comes first, what follows, and what closes the show—have you ever thought about that? Do you have a director? Or did you throw something together?"
Dong Xuebing confidently replied, "Who needs a director? We’ll cobble something together. It’s not that grand, and we don’t have the money."
Ci Lifen said, "Your gala will be severely discounted. It might end up scattered and chaotic, not bringing in any benefits. A gala is all about atmosphere and effect, providing the audience with a visual and psychological impact. It all needs to come together, and there are many elements you can’t avoid. You can’t rely on a few big-name stars to make it happen—this isn’t a concert. That’s not enough. A gala is about the overall experience, not just individual fame. Got it?"
Dong Xuebing didn’t have experience in this area and didn’t fully understand, but he knew Aunt’s words were correct. After all, Aunt had worked in this field for many years and was an authority, "I’ll listen to you."
Ci Lifen said, "This is important for you. I’m not wrong, am I? You wouldn’t come to Aunt if it weren’t. You’re a stubborn one when it comes to important things."
Dong Xuebing smiled wryly, realizing that Aunt truly understood him.
"Since it’s important, then either don’t do it or do it beautifully," Ci Lifen said. "Let’s do this. I know a few people. I’ll get a director to help you plan it. You can leave that part to him."
"We should be able to get a few foreign stars, and Huilan can also find a few domestically." Dong Xuebing replied.
Ci Lifen continued, "I can look for some here too, but that’s not enough. We need more people and don’t have any group or art performances."
Dong Xuebing scratched his head, "Do you know any groups like that?"
"I deal with entertainment companies here." Ci Lifen said.
Dong Xuebing said, "There’s nothing I can do then; I don’t know about this."
Ci Lifen laughed, "You might not know, but your Uncle does. He’s been transferred to the General Staff but also worked with the General Political Department for many years."
Dong Xuebing was startled, "The General Political Song and Dance Troupe?" A renowned troupe that everyone knew about—Dong Xuebing certainly knew it well. He had never considered asking them because their reputation was too big, "Aunt, is it okay for them to perform outside the military?"
Ci Lifen replied, "Not necessarily. Some large domestic galas have featured performances by the General Political Song and Dance Troupe. They’ve also hosted their own solo concerts and various charity events. It’s all about performing for the people; they get paid for it, so you don’t have to worry about money. Let your Uncle talk to them; it shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, you can’t expect the whole song and dance troupe to come. They have many performances, but they can pull together a few people from their choir and dance team to support a few shows for you."
Dong Xuebing was thrilled, "Forget a few shows; even one would be enough! The General Political Song and Dance Troupe, just the name alone carries so much weight!"
Ci Lifen smiled, "Alright, your Uncle’s having dinner now. I’ll let him know in a bit."
Dong Xuebing quickly thanked her. This was beyond his expectations. It would be a sensation if they could bring the prestigious General Political Song and Dance Troupe. If such a gala wasn’t a success, then what could be?
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing wrote excitedly in his notebook.
Domestic stars, numbers TBD, basically settled.
Artistic group performances, several people settled.
He put down his pen, and Dong Xuebing eagerly snapped his fingers. He was already looking forward to seeing the actual effects of the gala.