After that, Jiang Ye and Tan Meng rushed to pack two late-night snacks before heading back to the villa.

They planned to give one to Cheng Zhen separately, and then quietly split the other one between themselves.

Lin Zui and Shen Zhiyi would probably be asleep by now anyway.

Plus, they were both very strict about controlling their weight, even if they weren't asleep, they wouldn't actively come to eat late-night snacks.

But when they got back, the living room was brightly lit.

Jiang Ye opened the door and saw their manager, Yan Jie, standing in front of the sofa, while the other three were sitting in a row, listening quietly to her talk.

As soon as the door opened.

The four pairs of eyes looked at them simultaneously.

Jiang Ye and Tan Meng, each holding two late-night snacks, said: "..."

It was like being caught by the principal while sneaking snacks into the classroom.

Jiang Ye only paused for a second before quickly holding up the two late-night snacks in her hands.

She blinked, her voice innocent and obedient, "Manager Yan, you've worked hard, want some?"

Yan Jie: "..."

Everyone else: "..."

Why are you trying to bribe the principal?

•••

Of course, Yan Jie didn't take it.

So, in the end, one of the late-night snacks went to Cheng Zhen, and the other was divided among the four of them.

But Yan Jie's scolding was inevitable.

She spoke with great passion, she was almost about to recite a "Nutritional Report on the Disadvantages of Girl Group Idols Eating Late-Night Snacks at Eleven PM" in front of them.

"Okay, Manager Yan."

Jiang Ye interrupted her incessant chatter, "You came so late, there must be something urgent?"

"Oh."

"I was so angry at you guys, I almost forgot."

Yan Jie patted her forehead and then got to the point, "I got some news."

"It's not completely confirmed yet, but it's a really, really, really good opportunity for you, I'll try my best to secure it, and you guys have to seize it when the time comes."

"What, what?"

Cheng Zhen's eyes lit up, "Did we get nominated for a Grammy?"

Everyone: "..."

Tan Meng expressionlessly stuffed a meatball into her mouth to make her shut up.

Yan Jie was clearly speechless, and it took her a while to say, "The Spring Festival Gala sent you an invitation."

Jiang Ye calmly asked, "A local station, right?"

"No."

Yan Jie said, "It's CCTV."

Jiang Ye: "Oh."

Jiang Ye: "Huh????"

Although the Spring Festival Gala now is not as good as it was ten years ago.

But for most celebrities, being able to perform on the Spring Festival Gala is still a very valuable opportunity.

Especially for newcomers like them.

Cheng Zhen almost choked on her meatball.

She never imagined that her casual comment would actually come true: "Cough, cough, cough... Really?!"

Yan Jie said with a sigh, "You guys are really in the right place at the right time."

"This year's Spring Festival Gala wants to support the new generation of artists, and the new generation of singers are all pretty mediocre, but the idol industry is becoming more and more prosperous."

"The higher-ups are also changing their old stereotypes based on the changes of the times."

"This is a good start, it implies that mainstream media and the future direction will no longer reject the idol industry, which is a niche entertainment industry."

To put it simply, in their generation, idols might no longer be a frivolous industry.

As idols, they can also take the stage of China's biggest show and showcase the spirit of youth.

Lin Zui was even a little dazed.

After debuting for so many years, the most she could ever get was a spot on a local station's Spring Festival Gala, which was already considered a good resource for the Spring Festival.

She never thought she would have the chance to perform on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala!

Cheng Zhen had already started scrolling through her food delivery app, ready to order another barbecue to celebrate.

"There's also some bad news to tell you."

Cheng Zhen's hand, which was ordering food, suddenly stopped.

Everyone nervously looked at Yan Jie.

Yan Jie: "Someone else is competing with you for this opportunity."

"Also, every year the Spring Festival Gala has a habit of rejecting programs, so it's not certain what will happen in the end."

The five girls, who had been excited a second ago, suddenly quieted down.

Jiang Ye asked, "Which group?"

Yan Jie: "Flying."

"Ah."

Shen Zhiyi nodded, "I know that group."

She hesitated, "Competing with them... hmm, I think it might be a little difficult."

Cheng Zhen had never heard of them, "What's wrong?"

Shen Zhiyi: "Although they're not a group that debuted from a survival show, they've been very popular."

"How could they not be popular."

Lin Zui rolled her eyes, "They're on the hot searches every day, 365 days a year, even if a member loses a strand of hair, it'll be on the top five searches, spreading the news to the whole world, how could they not be popular?"

They've bought enough hot searches to circle the Earth three times.

They could make a ghost popular.

"..."

Yan Jie gave Lin Zui a warning look to be careful with her words, and then continued, "The important thing is, their company is very competitive."

In terms of traffic, popularity, fan purchasing power, and average strength, 5tars is definitely the number one girl group in China right now.

But Guang Ying Entertainment was only established this year, so in terms of competition, it might not be able to compare with Flying's company.

Plus, Flying's fans like to brag that they're better than groups that debuted from survival shows, that they're the real number one girl group in China, and they might have a slight advantage in this regard.

Cheng Zhen continued to slurp down her rice noodles, mumbling, "To be honest, even if we're on the Spring Festival Gala, it's just a backup dancer position, what's there to compete for?"

She said nonchalantly, "Let them have it."

As soon as she finished speaking, she was ganged up on by her four teammates.

Although everyone knew that most of the people who could perform on the Spring Festival Gala were basically backup dancers.

But come on, it's the Spring Festival Gala!

Who wouldn't want it!

"Anyway, I'll try my best to secure it."

Yan Jie said, "For now, you guys should clear your schedules for the Spring Festival, I'll probably come back to give you more specific information in a few days."

After Yan Jie left.

The five of them huddled together and whispered.

Shen Zhiyi hesitantly asked, "What do you guys think? What are the chances of us actually succeeding?"

The four of them were silent for a second, then their eyes all fell on Jiang Ye at the same time.

Jiang Ye immediately became alert, "Why are you looking at me?!"

"..."

Tan Meng looked at the chandelier in the living room and said, "The night is good tonight, it's time to observe the stars."

Jiang Ye: "..."

Lin Zui looked like she was enjoying the show, "Jiang Da Suan Zi, why don't you calculate it?"

"..."

Jiang Ye randomly pinched her fingers, "I'm just saying."

"Since we're competing with Flying, we have a lot of advantages."

Lin Zui: "For example?"

Jiang Ye said seriously, "At least we're all the same height."

Everyone: "..."

That's right, no wonder they're a girl group with an average height of 1.7 meters.

Actually, Jiang Ye wanted to say that she vaguely remembered that Flying had never been on the Spring Festival Gala in any of the previous years.

But she couldn't say anything.

She thought for a moment and added another point, "Also, we have six fewer people than Flying, so it's more suitable for us to add in other celebrities who were rejected from other programs."

Everyone: "..."

Only Lin Zui said, "You know what, that actually makes sense."

It's not news that the Spring Festival Gala rejects a few programs every year during rehearsals.

But some celebrities have high status, so you can't just reject them and send them home, so they often get put into other programs.

"You see, our height, our formation."

"It's suitable for adding male celebrities or female celebrities."

Jiang Ye said seriously, "This is just like my door is always open, I'm offering you a spot."

"..."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Finally, Cheng Zhen asked with her chopsticks in her mouth, "Do you guys really want to go?"

Lin Zui nodded, "Of course."

What a good opportunity.

She's been out chasing her dreams for years, although her family never stopped her, she still felt a little guilty every time she went back.

It's like she's been working hard for so many years, but she still hasn't lived up to the name her parents gave her.

"But."

"Even if we don't succeed in the end, it's not a huge loss."

Shen Zhiyi laughed, "Me too, I just want my parents to see me on TV. If it doesn't work out, I'll just go back and spend the New Year with my parents, that's fine too."

"If we do go."

"I'll just go back to the orphanage for the New Year."

"If it doesn't work out this year, there's next year, and if it doesn't work out next year, there's the year after."

Jiang Ye said with a smile, "Since the door has been opened, we'll have more opportunities in the future, we don't need this one."

At least now, they understand that the times are gradually moving in the direction they hope for.

That's enough.

The outside world was abuzz with speculation about the Spring Festival Gala program.

Several reliable gossip bloggers had all released news that Flying and 5tars might be on the Spring Festival Gala this year.

Both fandoms were controlling their comments on the surface, saying things like, 【No official announcement, no recognition, no eating melons, no believing melons, reject false promises.】

But behind the scenes, they were all screaming in their own friend circles or on Weibo visible only to fans.

【Ah ah ah ah ah, no way, really?】

【Wuwuwu, our group is going to be famous!】

【My daughter is so amazing!! Anyone who doesn't believe that 5tars is the top group in China can go away!!!】

Some malicious passersby also ate the melon and curiously said:

【Can Flying and 5tars be on the same program, with fifteen people together, it seems a bit crowded.】

【Think positively, maybe both groups will be background dancers.】

【Hahaha, I ship Flying and 5tars, Flying and 5tars forever szd】

【Can you please stop eating toxic melons, reject the pairing!】

【A group that hasn't even been out for a year is trying to steal the spotlight from their seniors, right?】

【Honestly, who cares about a backup dancer spot, we don't even want it, why don't you let the little sisters go home and have a good New Year?】

【Yeah, usually idol groups on the Spring Festival Gala are basically backup dancers, it's not that interesting anyway.】

【They're bringing their little unknown group to steal the spotlight, can you give the backup dancer spot to our xxxx group?】

【Stop arguing, stop arguing, you guys are arguing about a backup dancer spot with such passion, it's like a married couple fighting over an imaginary five million dollars.】

While everyone was fighting.

A blogger on Weibo who was very accurate with their gossip suddenly released a bombshell.

【It's decided, [emoji star symbol].】

And they added a comment.

【They have a solo program, no one else is being added.】

As soon as this melon was released, it caused a huge stir.