Benshan’s beloved disciple, starting from the 2009 Spring Festival Gala
Chapter 32 - The Friendship Battle Invitation

Chapter 32  The Friendship Battle Invitation

In a private room of the teahouse, Qu Yi Ming met with the long-unseen Uncle Ben and the first-time acquaintance, Director Jin Yue.

“Master.”

“Hello, Director Jin.”

After greeting Uncle Ben, Qu Yi Ming shook hands with Director Jin, and they all took their seats.

“Director Qu, do you have plans to perform at the Spring Festival Gala with Uncle Ben again?” Director Jin poured a cup of tea for Qu Yi Ming and asked.

Qu Yi Ming looked at Uncle Ben.

Uncle Ben said, “You don’t need me to bring you on the Spring Festival Gala anymore. I plan to help your senior brothers and sisters next year. Don’t harbor any hard feelings about that.”

Qu Yi Ming responded, “Master, you supporting my senior brothers and sisters is only natural. What reason would I have for hard feelings? I’m already very satisfied and grateful that you supported me in performing at the Spring Festival Gala this year, helped me with making movies, and opening my company. I should also support my senior brothers and sisters in their future development.”

Uncle Ben nodded.

“I’m aware. Your senior brother Xiao Bao is now well-known across the country. When I bring him out to perform, people are shouting ‘Niu Geng’ and ‘Baby,’ he’s more popular than I am, hahahaha.”

Qu Yi Ming chuckled.

“Master, in our group of senior brothers, who could be more famous than you?”

At this, Director Jin appropriately added, “Right now, you’re much more famous than your master. You’re the perfect example of a great student rising above their teacher.”

“Director Jin, you flatter me,” Qu Yi Ming said.

Director Jin responded, “I’m not just saying this to flatter you. You’re no longer the Qu Xiaoming who performed ‘Not Short of Money’ at the Spring Festival Gala earlier this year. You’ve become a big star. I actually wanted to invite you to perform at the Spring Festival Gala, but I never dared to ask. Now that your master is passing through the capital, I asked him to arrange this meeting so we could have a chat.”

“Listen, son, you’re now a big star,” Uncle Ben joked.

Qu Yi Ming laughed.

“So that’s how it is. I always thought the Spring Festival Gala hadn’t invited me because they had forgotten about me. I didn’t realize they were treating me like a big star.”

“—If you’re not a big shot, then there aren’t many big shots left.”

After offering another flattering remark, Jin Yue finally asked Qu Yiming, “So, how about it? Got any ideas for next year’s Spring Festival Gala?”

Qu Yiming replied, “I’ve got some ideas, but I don’t think I can come up with another sketch on the level of Not a Problem.”

“Not a Problem was a once-in-a-blue-moon piece—it deserves a place in history,” Jin Yue said. “My expectations aren’t that high. As long as you can come up with something meaningful and funny, that’ll do.”

“I’ll do my best,” Qu Yiming responded.

“Alright, then. The first round of reviews for the Gala is scheduled for December 1st. By then, the Spring Festival Gala team will officially send you an invitation. Just bring the piece with you, and we’ll take a look at the quality first,” said Jin Yue.

“Sounds good,” Qu Yiming agreed.

Uncle Benshan added, “If you run into any trouble or need help, just say the word.”

“I will. I won’t be polite with family,” Qu Yiming said with a smile.

“Then it’s settled. Director Qu, we’ll see you in December.”

Jin Yue stood up and offered his hand.

“See you in December,” Qu Yiming said, rising to shake hands.

“Uncle Benshan, Director Qu, I’ve got something else to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. I won’t intrude on your master-disciple catch-up time. No need to see me out.”

Jin Yue made his farewell.

After seeing Jin Yue off, Qu Yiming and Uncle Benshan returned to their private room. With the outsider gone, the conversation between master and apprentice became more relaxed.

Uncle Benshan griped a bit about managing Qu Yiming’s senior brothers and the headaches involved, then chatted with him about some recent entertainment industry gossip.

Everything Uncle Benshan shared was news Qu Yiming hadn’t heard before—insider info.

Uncle Benshan said, “I see you’ve got quite a few female artists under your wing now. Best not to let them perform or shoot anything in those few places I just mentioned.”

“I’ve made a note of that.”

Qu Yiming added, “Master, I just had someone polish up a TV script. It’s about the Zhang family father and son. I wonder if you’d be interested in playing the role of the old marshal?”

“Marshal Zhang, huh? He’s a legendary figure in our Northeastern region. What made you think of doing a story like that?”

Uncle Benshan seemed intrigued.

Qu Yiming replied, “It’s just that we have too many artists in the company now, and movie roles are limited. I figured we’d need a drama series to bring them into the spotlight.”

“Alright then, once I get back from my performance in Shanghai, show me the script. I’ll see what kind of quality we’re talking about.”

“Okay.”

Uncle Benshan looked at his watch.

“My flight’s almost due. I’ll head out now. We’ll talk more when I’m back.”

“Alright.”

After seeing Uncle Benshan off, Qu Yiming didn’t return to the office. He drove his sponsor-provided Mercedes E300 to another property he had recently purchased.

Qu Yiming now owned three properties in the capital. One he shared with Zhang Tian’ai. Another was for his mother. And the third was what he called the “battle house”—used whenever he had a “friendly match” with Xin Zhilei.

Once he got there, Qu Yiming pulled out his phone and sent Yang Mi an invitation for a friendly match.

…