Grandfather didn't like it. Grandmother wasn't interested either, though her view was different.
She said, "No matter what kind of conflict there is, it shouldn't mean not coming home for more than ten years. In that amount of time, the family might not even be around anymore."
Grandfather added, "It's not just that the skit isn't funny anymore. Its values are completely wrong."
The skit Dad, I'm Back was supposed to reflect the traditional Chinese saying, "Whether rich or poor, come home for the New Year." But the story completely missed the mark. There was no emotional resonance, only endless criticism.
Without a doubt, the official Spring Festival Gala accounts on Weibo and Douyin were about to explode.
Yes, the Gala had its own dedicated accounts, each with massive followings. Just on Weibo, there were over ten million followers.
"I really want to laugh. Hahaha, was this skit trying to tell us to "be gentle" when collecting debts? Even if you are in deep trouble yourself, even if you're dealing with a shameless deadbeat?"
"My parents' business was ruined by such a deadbeat. The payment for goods was never made. My dad refused to delay paying migrant workers, so he used our engineering funds to pay them, and our family collapsed just like that."
"I have no idea what this skit was trying to convey. All I saw was a twisted, disgusting value system. Someone's life-and-death matter, and we are supposed to give in for the sake of someone else's family reunion? What a load of crap."
The comment section was like a grenade with its pin pulled. Normally, people would just complain about the content, but the skewed moral values in this skit ignited real outrage.
Because everyone had suffered from deadbeats for far too long.
On a smaller scale, who hasn't met someone who borrows money and never returns it?
Netizens left their angry messages, but the tightly scheduled Gala lineup was not going to change.
The next host stepped up with a smile. "Raise a glass in celebration, a beautiful Chinese New Year. Family joy is a blessing deeply rooted in our nation's bones. The skit just now was also about reunion. Home will always be your harbor. Next, please enjoy the song Always Go Home and Visit, brought to you by Chu Zhi and Tan Yule."
The host's segue was short, and soon the two singers appeared at the center of the stage.
Normally, songs had dance accompaniment. Even if the singer just stood and sang, there would still be backup dancers.
But Chu Zhi had been granted a special solo stage. Tan Yule was brought in because the song required it, and there were no dancers this time.
Always Go Home for a VisitComposer: Chu ZhiLyricist: Chu ZhiArranger: Chu ZhiPerformed by: Chu Zhi, Tan Yule
Seeing young singers walk onto the stage, many older viewers didn't expect much. It wasn't prejudice against youth, just that the earlier songs hadn't matched their taste.
Still, compared to other young singers, Chu Zhi was much better received. Among parents and non-fans, his reputation was quite good.
"The song title is actually quite nice," Uncle remarked, popping a peanut into his mouth and washing it down with half a glass of beer.
"Young singers these days are nowhere near as good as Hong Kong and Taiwan stars," Aunt commented. She had been a fan during the golden era of the 80s and 90s, when Hong Kong and Taiwan singers were expanding their influence in mainland China.
"Eat more dishes. Why are you only eating peanuts?" Father urged, gesturing to the braised beef and smoked horse sausage on the table.
"Do you two still even enjoy the Gala?" Second Aunt asked.
Grandmother replied, "It's just background noise."
"Many of the classic skit actors aren't even on stage anymore," Grandfather added, before delivering a rather philosophical remark. "If the Spring Festival Gala wasn't the Gala, half the audience would disappear."
Ling Zinan wanted to speak up about his idol, but the words stuck in his throat. He knew what kind of songs his grandparents liked.
He had played some of his idol's songs for them before, like The Drunken Concubine and Dreaming of Swords and Blades. He thought older people might appreciate the music. But…
The generation gap couldn't be bridged with just a few words. Ling Zinan still wanted them to hear his idol's singing skills, which were far beyond most singers his age.
When it came to music, Ling Yu and Sheng Wuxi should like this one.
The song's prelude made Ling Zinan pause. It sounded old-fashioned — in musical terms, a slightly adjusted 4/4 beat, the kind often used in 90s classics.
Especially with the opening string ensemble and timpani. Classical music?
🎵 "Find some free time, find some moments to spare,Take the kids along, always go home for a visit." 🎵
Chu Zhi's deep, resonant baritone stunned Ling Zinan. It was a pure national singing style, every syllable precise and clear, the tone forward and powerful.
The contrast was overwhelming. If even diehard Little Fruits were shocked, what about everyone else?
Sheng Wuxi and Ling Yu, a middle schooler and a college sophomore, didn't chase idols, but they listened to music.
Chu Zhi's versatility was undeniable, but crossing into a traditional singing style was truly unexpected.
🎵 "Bring a smile, bring your blessings,Accompany your loved one, always go home for a visit." 🎵
Tan Yule picked up her part smoothly. Though they had only rehearsed together for a day, both were strong vocalists.
The older relatives at the table looked surprised — like seeing the Hulk pole dance. Possible in theory, but strange in practice.
🎵 "Mom has prepared some nagging words,Dad has set the table with a feast.Tell Mom your troubles in life,Talk to Dad about your work." 🎵
In the entertainment industry, when a traffic-driven singer performs alongside a "national team" level vocalist, the latter usually dominates so completely that the other's voice disappears in the duet.
Here, Chu Zhi didn't try to suppress his partner. A good duet required mutual harmony, not solo dominance.
Even so, with his "50% Angel's Gospel" mode active, Chu Zhi still held the lead.
🎵 "Always go home for a visit, go home for a visit,Even if it's just to help Mom wash dishes.Parents don't expect their children to contribute much,A lifetime of hardship is only for the family to be together." 🎵
While singing, Chu Zhi thought of his mother. On Earth, he had a mother. In this parallel world, he had none — no family at all.
The Emperor Beast had suggested a duet not just to recreate a song from memory, but also because he didn't want to sing the later part mentioning "Dad."
That cheating man who had hurt his mother so deeply didn't deserve the title.
"If only I really could wash dishes for Mom."
The Emperor Beast's blessing was woven into the melody, hidden beneath its festive tone. It carried a deep wish: "If you have time, go home and be with your mother."
In Ling Zinan's home, his grandparents were paying much more attention now. The earlier skit Dad, I'm Back had frustrated Grandfather so much he had been eating without looking at the TV. Now, he was staring at the screen.
This song had struck a chord with them.
🎵 "Always go home for a visit, go home for a visit,Even if it's just to massage Dad's shoulders.Parents don't expect their children to contribute much,A lifetime of worry is only for them to have peace." 🎵
This part was Tan Yule's solo. She had collaborated with many pop singers before, but rarely with such pressure. No wonder official media often called Chu Zhi a pop music maestro. His singing skills were undeniable.
Thinking too much while singing was dangerous, so Tan Yule focused entirely on the performance.
The song ended with the two harmonizing together.
When the song ended, the audience erupted into warm applause. Was it a breathtaking performance? Not exactly.
But on the Spring Festival Gala stage, on this special New Year's Eve, it stirred emotions for many.
"This young man can really sing," Grandpa praised first, then added, "I didn't expect a young person to write a song like this."
Ling Ma followed up, "Among young celebrities, Chu Zhi is a rare talent."
Seeing his idol praised by both his grandfather and his mother, Ling Zinan felt sweeter than if he had drunk honey.
He didn't particularly like the song itself. It felt old-fashioned and didn't quite match his idol's cool image, but he could guess why his idol chose it.
It was a song that could resonate even with his grandfather's generation, perfect for the New Year atmosphere.
Ling Zinan could already imagine that from now on, at every New Year celebration, this song would be played in some gathering or another.
"Jiu-yé was truly worthy of the title. He could write and sing anything. Amazing."
"This song is just barely listenable, not bad," Uncle said. "It's about half as good as I was when I was young."
Ling Zinan automatically ignored his uncle's words. His praise wasn't worth much.
Inside Studio No. 1, Chu Zhi acted the gentleman, helping Tan Yule down from the stage. Her performance outfit was a long gown with a trailing hem, which made descending the steps tricky.
"Opera-style singing, traditional folk vocals, and bel canto — three different techniques, and Teacher Chu can use all of them with ease. On top of that, he's also accomplished in pop music," Tan Yule said. "Just a few days ago, it was revealed that Teacher Chu can play seventy different instruments. If it weren't for prodigies like Mozart existing, I might really suspect Teacher Chu is from another planet."
"I've just tinkered with them a bit, enough to scratch the surface," Chu Zhi replied modestly.
"Even at the beginner level, that's impressive. Without formal study, to reach that by self-teaching — Teacher Chu's learning ability is astonishing," Tan Yule continued. "When we were rehearsing, the first time I heard your traditional folk singing, I was genuinely surprised."
They chatted idly until they parted ways in a hallway corner. Chu Zhi didn't return to the dressing room to remove his makeup, heading instead straight to the control room.
The chief director and key Spring Festival Gala staff were inside. Chu Zhi had no special reason to drop in — he simply said his farewells before leaving.
Originally, Director Li Yong had planned to have Chu Zhi join the group performance of Reunion Tonight at the show's end, but his absence wasn't a big deal. Most viewers wouldn't have been watching by then anyway.
Leaving the CCTV building, Chu Zhi found there was no chauffeured car tonight, since Qiu-ge was on holiday.
It was still New Year's Eve night, but there were taxi drivers out.
He got in and gave the address Da Bai had sent him — Rose Garden Villa District. Chu Zhi couldn't help but marvel at his friend's financial means.
Rose Garden was right next to six major universities, including Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beihang University, and the Central University of Finance and Economics. It was the only villa community located in a school district. The wealth here was staggering.
"At this hour, if you just wait by the building's roadside, you'll see lots of big stars coming out," the taxi driver said as he started the meter.
Experienced drivers knew exactly where and when to find customers — just like in Chongqing, after midnight you could always find passengers on Jiu Street.
Of course, there was some risk. Some passengers might… well, throw up in the car.
"Brother, are you also a celebrity?" The driver studied him through the rearview mirror. The passenger was wearing a thick coat over a suit, hood pulled up, making his face hard to see.
"Something like that. I'm a small-time singer," Chu Zhi replied.
"No way, you can't be small-time if you got on the Spring Festival Gala! Can you sign something for me? My daughter's a fan of singers," the driver said cheerfully.
Chu Zhi briefly considered the risk of accidentally signing for an anti-fan's relative, but then realized — he didn't really have any rivals.
The driver had memo paper and a pen ready, clearly used to meeting fans by chance. The self-proclaimed Emperor Beast gave him a signature.
Back in Studio No. 1, the show went on, though it did feel like more people had quietly slipped out after Chu Zhi's performance.
Among them was Han Jue, a celebrity's daughter who had been chosen as one of the secondary leads in the opening dance Endless Good Fortune. She was a die-hard Little Fruits fan, and though her own part had finished long ago, she had stayed in the auditorium just to see her idol live.
"Wow, even a song like that — brother Jiu's talent is practically overflowing," Han Jue said happily. Having finally seen her beloved idol in person, she too left.
In the parking lot, her ride was waiting.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Uncle Yang," Han Jue said politely as she got in. The moment the car started moving, she opened Weibo.
Unlike many performances that got roasted online right after airing, Chu Zhi's song drew mostly cheerful comments.
"Hahaha, Jiu-yé singing Always Go Home to Visit feels so hilariously out of place!
"For real. The arrangement sounds like it's straight out of the 80s or 90s — pure childhood nostalgia."
"My grandma says she loves this song."
"My great-uncle said it's not bad, and that the young man's singing is strong."
"Not surprising. If you've heard Katyusha, you'd know Jiu-yé's always been good at writing songs from the last century."
"My mom is a Jiu-yé fan — they call her a "mom-fan." Now my grandma says Chu Zhi is a good kid too. Does that make her a "grandma-fan"? Three generations of our family stanning one person. What a dream idol!"
Before long, the hashtags #ChuZhiAlwaysGoHomeToVisit and #WhyCanChuZhiWriteLastCenturySongs hit the trending list.
"But… why do I feel like there's a trace of sadness in Jiu-yé's voice?" Han Jue murmured to herself after putting her phone down.
She shook her head. "Must be my imagination. The lyrics and melody are fine. Such bad luck though. I wanted to get his autograph, but didn't manage to."
While the die-hard fan rode home, her idol realized something else — the place was far.
The CCTV building was in Chaoyang, while Rose Garden was beyond the Fourth Ring Road. Even taking the Jingzang Expressway, it was over forty kilometers.
With no traffic on New Year's Eve, the driver still needed nearly an hour. Chu Zhi paid the fare and, on impulse, gave him another autograph.
Clearly, the driver hadn't expected this hooded celebrity to be so proactive. He had been wondering how to ask without being awkward.
"Happy New Year. Wishing you safe travels," Chu Zhi said.
"Thank you, thank you," the driver grinned. After Chu Zhi left, he looked down at the autograph.
The handwriting… was artistic, to put it kindly. He squinted at it for a while, muttering, "Lin Zhengjian? No, that's not it. I've never heard of this star."
A ride request came through on his phone, and the driver didn't think more of it, heading off to pick up his next passenger.
Back home, his family had started their reunion dinner at six, deliberately early so he could come back out to drive.
On New Year's Eve, you could make good money.