Maternal Grandma said, "Change the channel. If Little Ye's song isn't going to be performed, then I don't want to watch it! Zhang Xia and Sun Ying's not slated to perform this year too, so what's the point of watching it?"
Maternal Grandpa said, "I heard this year only has one Peking Opera performance lined up. It's even combined with other types of opera as a single performance. What's that called?"
Cao Tong said, "Hehe, those are called mashups."
"What sort of thing is that?!" Maternal Grandpa said, "A tradition passed down from our ancestors has been messed up by them!"
Cao Mengmeng clung onto the remote control saying, "You can't change channels. I still want to watch my Lee Anson perform."
The eldest, Cao Dan looked at her, "Didn't you say that you wouldn't chase after Korean stars anymore? Our brother is an ultra-nationalistic. It's not like you don't know that. If he knows that you are still chasing after them, he will definitely give you a beating."
Cao Mengmeng cheekily said, "I'm not chasing after him. I only have one idol and that's our brother. About Lee Anson, I'm just a casual listener, hehe."
Cao Dan prodded at her sister's head, "You!"
Maternal grandma said, "Is Little Ye really not coming back for the new year?"
Zhang Ye's mother said angrily, "I don't even know what he’s busy with! Don't care about him!"
Zhang Ye was the most doted on by his maternal grandma. She said, "Little Zhang has his own career. He's famous, that's why he's busy. We need to understand that."
The Spring Festival Gala continued on.
The second program was a group singing event.
Followed by the third, a magic show. This was something that rarely occurred in previous galas. The magician was a 19 year old rookie who had come from Hong Kong. If it were based on seniority, he definitely could not compare to other 30 or 40 year old magicians. Yet he somehow managed to get invited to perform.
"The magic tricks are just normal."
"Yea, it's not interesting."
"It's alright, I think it's fine."
"It's far from the standard of the old timers. They really aren't letting the veterans perform this year? I do support their efforts in creating a lively and energetic gala promoting the young ones, but they still need to ensure the quality of the event! If they aren't good enough, why should they be allowed to perform on stage? They had to cut off the older people's programs, even if their skills are better? That's so unfair. Besides, a forty-year-old magician can't even be considered old."
"I wonder how they even think!"
"This is a decision for the future, to groom new talents."
"But they can't just abandon the older generation like that!"
"But they really are getting old and will only go downhill from where they are. The young ones, however, have a lot more chances, so they will definitely keep improving."
Discussions like the one happening in Zhang Ye's maternal family right now was also happening in other families all over the country. Some objected, some understood, and some supported. Everyone had their own views on the issue.
Finally, the language performances started.
First off was a cross-talk, followed by a skit.