However, Xie Jie couldn't make it back this time; he had just become a new father and was completely immersed in the joy of his newborn.
He spent his days at home, unable to take his eyes off his daughter, saying he wanted to spend more time with his child and that work could wait.
Su Yu naturally understood and supported his decision, as family comes first in such significant life events.
Upon learning that there were only seven spots for the Spring Festival Gala, Liu Ruyan didn't hesitate and voluntarily chose to step aside.
She found Su Yu and sincerely said, "Su Zongjian, please leave the opportunity to the newcomers in the company.
Over the past year or so, both my works and exposure have reached a very high level, and I don't lack this one Spring Festival Gala opportunity.
Newcomers need this stage more to showcase themselves."
Su Yu was deeply moved after hearing this.
In fact, Han Jiangxue, Chen Yixun, and Zhang Xiaohan also had thoughts of withdrawing, but how could Su Yu agree to that?
If his own Heavenly Kings and Heavenly Queens all skipped the Spring Festival Gala, wouldn't that lead to endless gossip?
They had to at least get through this year's Spring Festival Gala before considering anything else.
Su Yu patiently persuaded them, "Everyone has worked so hard for so long.
The Spring Festival Gala is a rare and grand stage; let's work hard together one more time and leave beautiful memories for the audience."
As for why Li Dayue was here, it turned out he couldn't stand being at home after retiring.
As soon as he heard that this year's Spring Festival Gala preparations had begun, he couldn't suppress his passionate heart and voluntarily came to help.
Originally, he had thought that after retirement he could live a leisurely life doting on his grandchildren, but reality hit him hard.
His young grandson was either in class or on his way to tutoring or talent classes, and simply didn't need his grandfather's help.
The young people were even worried he would spoil the child, which made Li Dayue feel his retirement life was bland and uninteresting.
He even started to consider whether he should return to Tianxing Entertainment and put his remaining energy to good use.
When he had nothing to do, he would secretly grumble, "I'm probably born to work hard; I can't enjoy the leisure of a wealthy old man."
Su Yu looked at him, shaking his head helplessly, thinking that if possible, he himself would like to take it easy and continue the trip he hadn't finished with Han Jiangxue.
Fortunately, with Li Dayue's proactive involvement, everyone's song practice speed significantly accelerated.
With his rich experience, he offered many valuable suggestions on song arrangement and singing techniques, helping everyone avoid many detours.
Su Yu was thus freed up; after presenting the songs prepared for the Spring Festival Gala and meticulously arranging the groups, he could finally take a temporary breather and gracefully act as a hands-off manager.
After hearing Su Yu's ideas and arrangements, everyone couldn't help but secretly admire him.
Although the number of Spring Festival Gala stages this year was nearly half less than last year, the number of Tianxing Entertainment artists attending the Spring Festival Gala was much higher.
Everyone exclaimed, "It has to be our Su Zongjian who has a way; this arrangement is brilliant!"
...
On January 3rd, the highly anticipated novel, demi-gods and semi-devils, was officially released.
However, this time, many book lovers were somewhat disappointed that there were no signed book giveaways.
Someone joked, "Is Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng, this master of wuxia novels, getting lazy?"
But for readers who truly love wuxia novels, this was not an issue.
What they loved was the magnificent wuxia world constructed by the novel itself, the vivid characters, and the dramatic, unfolding stories, not any additional perks.
This grand and epic wuxia masterpiece, once released, quickly captivated countless readers.
The book contains thrilling chivalrous spirit and touching plots that bring tears to one's eyes.
A Zhu's death became the first tearjerker for readers.
Many readers' eyes reddened when they saw A Zhu willingly disguise herself as Duan Zhengchun to resolve the feud between Xiao Feng and Duan Zhengchun, only to die by Xiao Feng's hand.
And Qiao Feng's subsequent suicide brought countless book lovers to the brink of collapse.
How could it not be heartbreaking that Qiao Feng, that upright, loyal, and righteous gang leader, ended his life in such a tragic way?
On the 4th, the topic #Farewell to Qiao Feng!# directly trended online, forcefully entering the top ten hot searches without any human promotion.
For a time, countless netizens were confused: "Who is Qiao Feng? How did he die?"
Just as netizens were curiously investigating, a book review titled "No one is without injustice, all love is karma" emerged, quickly climbing to the hot search.
This book review was written by Jiang Yu, a professor from the Yan University Literature Department.
"demi-gods and semi-devils not only portrays a world of martial arts where grievances are settled with pleasure but also contains profound insights into human nature, destiny, and society, especially the characteristic of 'No one is without injustice, all love is karma,' which runs through the entire book, leaving one with endless emotions.
The characters in the book are richly diverse, and 'No one is without injustice, all love is karma' is vividly embodied in them.
Xiao Feng, a man of love and righteousness throughout his life, was misunderstood and hunted by the Central Plains martial arts world due to the mystery of his birth.
After becoming a Khitan, he fell into the conflict between the Song and Liao kingdoms, ultimately committing suicide for the peace of both nations; his tragic fate is deeply lamented.
He wholeheartedly pursued justice and peace, yet was always played by fate, his grievances unredressed.
Duan Yu, born into wealth, had no desire for the throne, focusing solely on love and martial arts, embodying true passion and character.
He was devoted to Wang Yuyan but repeatedly faced setbacks, as Wang Yuyan's heart initially only held her cousin Murong Fu.
Duan Yu's persistence in love, though he eventually won the beauty, also went through twists and turns; the emotional entanglement within it was filled with helplessness and bitterness, truly 'all love is karma.'
Xu Zhu, originally a young monk devoted to Buddhism, was drawn into martial arts disputes by fate, experiencing a tremendous transformation from a Buddhist disciple to the leader of the Carefree Sect.
He was forced to break his vows and betray his beliefs; seeking peaceful cultivation, he was instead embroiled in various grievances and emotional entanglements, full of injustice but nowhere to express it.
Many supporting characters in the book are also like this.
The cunning and unpredictable Azi, driven by love to madness, her love for Xiao Feng was obsessive and wild; she ultimately gouged out her eyes and committed suicide to follow Xiao Feng.
Her love was full of pain and despair, a typical example of 'all love is karma.'
The infatuated and resolute You Tanzhi, deeply devoted to Azi, willingly endured torment for her, even sacrificing his eyes, yet never received a response from Azi; his tragic fate is deeply regrettable."
This book review, with its unique perspective and profound insights, was widely praised and upvoted by numerous book lovers and netizens upon its release.
The key reason it reached the hot search was the like from the author himself, Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng.
With the author's personal endorsement, this book review clearly captured some of the author's creative intentions.
This, in turn, ignited the enthusiasm of book lovers to write reviews, and various brilliant book reviews appeared frequently like mushrooms after rain.
However, only a handful of reviews ultimately received a like and seal of approval from the author, Gu Zhou Suo Li Weng.
Among them, another book review that received a like was based on the character Murong Fu, written by the dean of the Yan University Literature Department.