"In essence, it's something like this, with possible modifications after confirmation." In fact, he had this idea when he received the lyrics and scores sent by Laila initially. However, their time was limited, and according to the original schedule, there was no time for Laila and the actors to rehearse the skit. But now, it was different. With more than half a month left, they could produce the skit.
This idea was partly motivated by his own interests. The actor who played the leading role in the skit was his son. If they could involve Laila and Roy in the skit, it might ensure his son's passage to the final round of auditions and a spot on the Spring Festival Gala program.
His son had persevered until now, demonstrating some talent. However, the Spring Festival Gala only had a limited timeframe, and to avoid exceeding it, several acts were still going to be cut in the final round. He wanted his son's skit to be among the last ones standing, so he needed to come up with a plan.
He thought of a solution, and he knew that Laila and Roy would undoubtedly get an opportunity to perform on stage, regardless of what happened. If he could tie his son's skit to theirs, it might secure a precious entry ticket to the Spring Festival Gala. Once you made it to the Gala, you were essentially halfway to success. Looking at past Spring Festival Galas, countless performers and singers have gained fame from it.
After outlining his plan, Wu Mo anxiously glanced at Laila to gauge her reaction. He was relieved to see that she hadn't shown any displeasure but was deep in thought. If he had annoyed this foreign friend by adding something to her performance without her consent, he would have resigned before facing any potential reprimand.
The translator was nearby and helped Roy understand their conversation. However, Roy didn't quite comprehend the concept of a skit or comic dialogue. So, the translator began by introducing Eastern art and culture, gradually enlightening him.
Laila and Wu Mo seemed engrossed in their discussion, while Roy listened attentively. Laila felt that the idea had potential. The skit's theme was suitable and had a strong melody, and as long as the humor was good, it would leave a lasting impression on the audience. It would probably be better than simply taking the stage with a song alongside Roy.
"I think it's a good idea," Laila replied after some thought. However, she didn't give an offhand agreement. If the skit's content wasn't up to par, she wouldn't extend that favor. "Before confirming this, I'd like to meet with the performers and creators of the skit. I want to make sure it truly complements our act."
"Of course, that's reasonable," Wu Mo agreed readily. "How about tonight? I've reserved a table at Quanjude, and we can discuss it over dinner."
Laila, who understood that discussions often happened around a dinner table in the East, nodded in agreement. "That sounds good. I remember the Peking duck at Quanjude from my last visit. I still cherish the memory."
Wu Mo grinned. "Don't worry; I'll make sure you both enjoy the meal."
With the agreement set, they started making plans for their dinner at Quanjude, which served the renowned Peking duck.
After leaving the lounge, Wu Mo had to attend to some work, so he assigned a staff member to show Laila and Roy around. In general, only guests with status or fame were allowed to come and go in the national TV station, and encounters with celebrities in the hallways were quite common. The TV station's employees were no longer surprised by such visits.
However, the chances of foreign stars appearing were relatively scarce. While Laila and Roy strolled with their guide, they found themselves surrounded by curious onlookers.
Their presence was quite eye-catching: a handsome young man and a beautiful lady, both foreigners. They attracted quite the attention.
Fortunately, the TV station's staff was more experienced in handling such situations and didn't swarm around like fans. They mainly watched from a distance, whispering to each other.
Visiting the TV station didn't particularly interest Laila. She had visited in her previous life and had a good idea of the place. Roy had appeared on numerous TV programs in the United States, so after a short while, their enthusiasm began to wane.
Observing their diminishing interest, the employee who was serving as their guide was at a loss, not knowing how to fulfill his responsibilities per their superiors' instructions.
"If you aren't very interested in this, would you like to visit the stage where the Spring Festival Gala takes place?" he suggested.
"That's interesting," Laila said. She couldn't recall what the stage was like at the 2001 Spring Festival Gala, nor the programs that were broadcast then. A visit to the stage might give her some reference.
The employee heaved a sigh of relief. "Of course, let's go to Studio No. 1. At this time, you might even catch a glimpse of the rehearsals."
Laila looked at Roy. He didn't mind, so he shrugged and said, "Sure."
"Let's go, then," Laila agreed with a smile.
In reality, the real reason she wanted to leave was that more and more people seemed to be gathering around them. She had a sharp eye, and she had noticed several people trailing them for some time. Thankfully, smartphones with cameras weren't as prevalent then. Otherwise, she might have seen someone come over and ask for a photo.
She was accustomed to being the center of attention, but in the United States, people looked at her like a star or an idol. Here, she felt like she was being observed out of curiosity, just like a giant panda in a zoo.
Studio No. 1 was quite spacious, and its actual size was something Roy, a foreigner, couldn't fathom. By looking at the Spring Festival Gala shows, it was clear that it was genuinely enormous.
Roy was admiring the size of the studio when a young man in a gray jacket approached them. He glanced at Roy from head to toe with a peculiar expression before warmly shaking his hand.
"You must be Roy. I'm so delighted to meet you! You know, you're incredibly handsome. Even I, a guy, am nearly enchanted by you."
He was speaking in Chinese at a rapid pace. Roy was utterly baffled, not understanding what the man was saying, but he could guess that the man was probably welcoming him.
The translator and Laila were taken aback by this unforeseen event. They couldn't believe that someone would casually approach and bother such an important guest like Roy.