Chapter 187: The Backbone Has Returned!

Chen Qi smiled warmly as he looked at the music teacher he hadn’t seen in a long time. He had been standing nearby for quite a while, hesitating to approach her. On the way here, he had been worried about how to discuss this matter with her. Now, seeing that she also enjoyed watching singers, he felt somewhat relieved.

As long as she was willing, everything would be much easier.

Yes, she was his solution.

He had suddenly thought of her.

She was familiar with many instruments, and if she was willing to help, everything could be resolved smoothly.

She was a musician herself and almost completely disconnected from the entertainment industry, so he wasn’t worried about any backstage troublemakers interfering here.

As for whether Blueprint would release anyone or not, he wasn’t too concerned. With Manager Zhao and Xu Bunian involved, he believed that could be arranged.

If all else failed, he wouldn’t hesitate to call Shen Mowen—after all, it seemed he hadn’t contacted this worldly uncle in quite some time.

“Y-you… why are you here?” The music teacher was stunned for a while, unable to react.

It was truly unexpected!

She had never imagined she would see him again at Blueprint.

Chen Qi smiled softly and sat down beside her, speaking straightforwardly, “I’ve run into some trouble and want to ask for your help.”

“???” The music teacher looked at him with a confused expression.

You’ve run into trouble?

Can I really help you?

Chen Qi pointed bitterly at her phone and briefly explained, “A while ago, I had to leave the capital for some business and just returned last night. I originally planned to record the next episode today, but when it came time for the recording, I found that nine musicians were missing.”

“Ah?” The music teacher’s expression grew even more bewildered.

Nine musicians missing?

What does that mean?

Seeing her confusion, Chen Qi elaborated, “Because ‘Singer’ is so popular, many people in the entertainment industry want to appear on the show. They’ve all contacted me through various channels, but I haven’t agreed to any of them, which has inadvertently offended some of them.”

“Oh—” The music teacher suddenly understood.

So, in the end, you were set up?

“Do you want me to accompany you on the show?” The music teacher looked at him incredulously.

“Yes.” Chen Qi nodded seriously. “Not only do I want you to accompany me, but I also want you to help me find a few others.”

This music teacher was so talented; she surely had some equally outstanding friends and classmates who loved music. He wanted her to help connect the dots.

“...” The music teacher stared at him in silence for a long time.

So sudden...

She had no mental preparation at all.

Just moments ago, she had been admiring those who accompanied Li Hongti, thinking about whether she might have a chance to collaborate with her. Now, such an opportunity had arrived?

It felt like a dream!

“I really have no other way. Besides you, I can’t find anyone else who can help me.” Seeing her silence, Chen Qi shamelessly started to plead.

He was telling the truth.

In such a short time, he truly couldn’t find anyone else he trusted.

Seeing his pitiful demeanor, the music teacher couldn’t help but smile wryly.

You’re a big director now; how can you still be so unrestrained?

“When is it?” she asked.

“Huh?” Chen Qi was momentarily caught off guard.

“When is the recording?” The music teacher looked at him impatiently.

Seeing her willingness to help, Chen Qi’s spirits lifted and he quickly replied, “Tonight. We’ll probably record through the night. And the next few episodes will need your help too. We need cellists, violinists, drummers, and erhu players.”

The music teacher nodded gently without saying more, lowering her head in thought.

Half a minute later, she unlocked her phone and began making calls.

...

At a university.

A young, beautiful female teacher, the same age as the music teacher, was preparing lessons.

Her phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the caller ID, she smiled and answered, “What’s up?”

After hearing a few words, her smile froze and was replaced by disbelief.

“What did you say? ‘Singer’?” Her voice unintentionally rose several octaves.

To accompany on ‘Singer’?

You must be joking?

“No… wait a moment.” The teacher was shocked and cautiously asked, “Are you talking about the ‘Singer’ that’s currently airing on Capital City TV? The one produced by Chen Qi?”

After receiving an affirmative answer, she was stunned.

...

At a recording studio.

A junior staff member wiping down music equipment was interrupted by a phone ringing.

Seeing the caller ID, he smiled and answered, “Senior?”

Like the female teacher, upon hearing the voice on the phone, he widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Senior, you’re not joking, are you? You mean the insanely popular ‘Singer’ on Capital City TV?”

“Yes.”

“No way…” The young man immediately became restless. “Senior, please don’t joke like that. I can hardly believe it!”

...

At a rented apartment.

A young man, sound asleep, was awakened by his phone ringing.

He and some classmates had formed a band that performed in several bars; nighttime was their prime time.

Squinting at the caller ID showing a fellow alumnus, he answered, “Hello?”

Within seconds, his drowsiness vanished.

...

Noon.

At a restaurant.

Chen Qi and the music teacher sat quietly in a private room, discussing the show as they waited.

They had arranged to meet and gather there.

Within ten minutes, classmates, juniors, and alumni summoned by the music teacher arrived one after another.

Upon seeing Chen Qi in person, all of them were deeply shocked.

None could believe it.

They all turned their eyes to the music teacher, utterly clueless about what was happening.

Heavens, this was ‘Singer’!

The nationwide sensation!

Why would he come to them for accompaniment?

Then, they learned the whole story from Chen Qi.

Afterward, Chen Qi formally invited them and emphasized there would be a performance fee.

In the end, all of them, each steadfast on their musical paths, were dumbfounded.

They felt like they were dreaming!

...

Afternoon, 3 p.m.

At the television station.

News of trouble within the ‘Singer’ production team had spread throughout the station.

Although no one knew the specifics and the team was taciturn on the matter, the delay in rehearsals alerted everyone.

Hearing the rumors, many were stunned.

Trouble?

At this time?

Are they reckless?

When it became clear the ‘Singer’ team was at a standstill, everyone gasped sharply, their faces full of shock.

Soon, well-informed insiders learned through various channels that Chen Qi had been set up.

Their musicians were bribed!

“Oh my God!”

“Is this for real?”

“What will Chen Qi do? It’s Wednesday afternoon already!”

“No idea. I heard Chen Qi left the station in a hurry this morning, probably to find help.”

“Is it still possible to find help? I heard those plotting against him have considerable power!”

The entire station buzzed with gossip.

Some worried about Chen Qi, some gossiped gleefully awaiting a broadcast disaster, while others watched indifferently.

At that moment, rumors spread that Chen Qi had returned.

And not alone.

...

Outside the television station.

Several taxis pulled up in front of the entrance.

The doors opened, and a dozen young men and women stepped out.

They looked up at the towering building with eyes full of awe and disbelief.

Everything had happened so suddenly!

“Let’s go in.”

Chen Qi checked the time and led them through the VIP entrance into the station.

His steps were hurried.

...

On site.

The halted production team sat in silence.

Everyone waited quietly in their places, no one speaking.

The atmosphere was so heavy it felt suffocating.

The director had been gone for nearly eight hours, and still no news!

They weren’t sure if this episode could be broadcast on time.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside.

“Director?”

“Director!”

Many heard hurried footsteps and someone calling out.

The director was back?

Anxious eyes brightened as they turned toward the entrance.

Then, they saw the dust-covered Chen Qi come into view.

“Director!”

“Director!”

Everyone instinctively rose and surrounded Chen Qi.

The previously moribund production team seemed to come alive instantly.

Somehow, seeing the director again stirred a small excitement inside them.

In that instant, their anxiety and confusion vanished.

The backbone had returned!

What was there to worry about?

“It’s alright now, everyone. Don’t worry.” Chen Qi smiled at the gathered team.

Behind him, the dozen newcomers looked around the familiar yet strange venue in amazement.

Their eyes were filled with awe.

Even those already standing on the stage found it hard to believe.

It was like a dream!

“Two hours to get familiar with everything—is that enough?” Chen Qi asked the music teacher.

“Yes.” She returned her gaze.

“Alright. It’s 4 p.m. now. You have two hours to familiarize yourselves with the equipment and scores, and three hours to build coordination. At 9 p.m. sharp, we start rehearsal.”

“Got it!” The music teacher nodded.

“Good.” Chen Qi said no more, leading them onstage to introduce them to the station’s other musicians before leaving the stage in their hands.

The music teacher and her group, after a quick glance around, tucked away their astonishment and devoted themselves earnestly to the work.

For all of them, this was a rare opportunity.

Seizing it might be a turning point in their lives.

Watching the stage bustle with activity again, Chen Qi exhaled deeply.

As long as no major mistakes occurred, finishing the recording tonight was achievable.

He wasn’t too worried about the music teacher and the others’ abilities.

He had asked her seriously back at Blueprint and received a firm affirmative.

Their skills were no less than those of the musicians he had hired before.

They only lacked experience.

For the next hours, Chen Qi barely left the stage.

He watched closely, resolving any issues or doubts immediately.

After two hours, the group had almost mastered the scores and equipment.

After a simple dinner, these musicians who had never collaborated began rehearsing.

When music sounded again on site, the production team breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Due to the musicians’ lack of shared experience, and the music teacher’s group’s unfamiliarity with live performances, problems arose throughout.

The greatest issue was maintaining a unified rhythm.

However, with repeated practice, this gradually improved.

Their professional skills were evident; each could quickly identify and correct their mistakes.

After nearly three hours of nearly nonstop rehearsal, the overall performance improved qualitatively compared to the start.

“All departments, prepare to begin rehearsal.”

At 9 p.m., the brightly lit venue commenced rehearsals.

Song Quqi was the first to perform.

While the musicians’ coordination was still a bit rough, it had minimal impact on the overall effect.

Simply put, ordinary viewers wouldn’t notice.

After rehearsing seven singers, their cohesion improved dramatically.

Each singer had an hour to rehearse, effectively granting them seven extra hours of practice.

That was professional skill!

After all seven singers completed their rehearsals, it was already past 4 a.m.

“Alright, everyone rest for a bit. We’ll start the official recording in half an hour,” Chen Qi notified everyone.

Only then did he realize a major problem.

The live audience!

He had forgotten about the audience.

The recording was originally scheduled for the afternoon, so the audience had surely arrived then.

“Xiao Xiao!” He quickly turned to find Su Xiaoxiao.

Finding her, he breathed a long sigh of relief.

She had already arranged for the live audience.

She had prepared extra gifts and red envelopes to keep them entertained until the early morning.