Actor: Thank you.

With Yuan Kuocheng's words, Zhang Yuan had completely subdued Zhao Benshan.

Teacher Zhao's mustache trembled, and his face was stiff, like Edison Chen trying to look cool.

He's so good at finding opportunities. I shouldn't have looked at him with a mocking gaze just now.

This guy settles his scores on the spot.

There's nothing we can do about it. One of Teacher Zhao's biggest weaknesses, and a common problem among Northeasterners, is that he's very concerned about saving face.

Even a casual remark from Yuan Kuocheng would make him tremble with fear.

"Then why not just do it today?"

"Why don't you bring your apprentice tonight, and we can have dinner and chat together?" Zhang Yuan said with a smile, leaning forward.

It's giving Uncle Benshan a lot of trouble...

But then again, Zhao Benshan pondered for a while.

He had met Zhang Chaoyang before; he was somewhat stubborn and self-willed at heart.

And they're not very generous with money.

If the program is produced outside the studio, the revenue will be split 50/50 with the company. If the program is produced internally, the company will only give a small bonus, and you can forget about profit sharing.

Teacher Zhao knows all of this.

He thought that Zhang Yuan's generosity was a good quality, and he should at least let his apprentice earn more.

Besides, if my apprentice is unwilling to participate in the matchmaking, at least I've done my part.

Actually, Teacher Zhao only knew that Zhang Chaoyang was stingy, but didn't know just how stingy he was.

After the release and great success of "Jianbing Man", Sohu improved the treatment of its studio staff.

They raised my fixed salary from 5000 to 10000, and then... nothing.

This is equivalent to a female salesperson being rewarded with a 100 yuan shopping card by her boss after selling 30 Ferraris in a month.

Zhang Chaoyang is the kind of person who, if he thinks money is necessary, will spend it recklessly.

He believes it shouldn't be spent, and no matter how much others persuade him, or how influential they are, he simply won't give it to them.

This person thinks differently from ordinary people.

Zhang Yuan calls this the mindset of a typical STEM male.

After Teacher Zhao agreed, he felt much better.

"How about I go with you, so you'll have company?" Liu Shishi, who was standing next to him, offered her suggestion after hearing his words.

“Great, you can take Shishi to see the world.”

Before he could answer, Yuan Kuocheng answered for him.

Zhang Yuan: ...

Zhao Benshan, standing to the side, gloated, "You've finally met your match!"

Karma comes in this lifetime.

Uncle Benshan was covering his mouth and laughing hysterically, which made him even angrier.

Back at the main table, the little lion tried to chat with him, but he raised his glass and went off to socialize with his many friends and acquaintances.

He rarely returned to the table until the meal was over.

Liu Shishi understood that this was someone deliberately avoiding her.

"Uncle, Auntie, I'll be going now."

"I have something to do tonight, so I need to go back and get ready."

"Okay, okay, thank you for your help these past few days."

"Come visit us often in the future."

"Shishi, see them off."

As Zhang Yuan stepped outside, he glanced at the drunken guests at the door, who were laughing and saying goodbye to each other.

Funeral meals are sometimes called tofu meals because, according to custom, a bowl of tofu soup is served at the end of the meal.

Among the two famous prime ministers of the Spring and Autumn Period, Yue Yi was a filial son. His parents loved soft foods, so he often made tofu from soybeans for them. Both of them lived to a ripe old age, and at their funeral, Yue Yi invited relatives and friends to eat tofu, thus establishing this tradition.

However, this tradition is based on the fact that ancient funeral procedures were complex, including a series of steps such as lying in state, keeping vigil, observing mourning, and offering sacrifices.

There are also filial sons, children, young boys and girls, scattering paper money, carrying the coffin, singing mourning songs, wailing, and so on.

After we finish our work, we definitely need to provide meals.

However, modern funeral procedures are simple, and it doesn't require much effort from those who come.

At funeral dinners, there are often a bunch of distant relatives and friends who don't usually keep in touch, laughing and joking around, and some even playing drinking games and telling dirty jokes.

Zhang Yuan really disliked people who laughed like idiots at funerals.

"Then... shall we meet tonight?" Liu Shishi accompanied him to the door and asked softly.

"Hmm," he replied simply.

I was planning to let things cool down for at least a few months, let her think things through, and then contact her again for a proper chat.

Something big has happened, and it's happened ahead of schedule.

What can we do? The old man has already spoken, so we have no choice but to take him with us.

In the evening, we met for dinner at his family's large courtyard house.

Teacher Zhao changed into casual clothes, Adidas sneakers, a baseball cap, a sweater... he looked even more like Edison Chen.

The couple from the greenhouse came at the master's invitation, and upon entering the courtyard, they were filled with trepidation.

I was intimidated by the grandeur of the house.

He visited the training base of Benshan Media, which was also very large.

But that was in the northeastern suburbs. He often spent time in Beijing, so he naturally understood what a house like that in the city center meant.

Liu Shishi arrived at his house early, wearing a pure white dress and with her hair styled, clearly having been groomed beforehand.

She wanted to talk to Zhang Yuan alone, but Zhang Yuan ignored her and instead practiced calligraphy in his study for a while.

She wisely watched from the side, not daring to make a sound, and even when her lips were stuck together, she didn't dare to drink any water.

Seeing her cautious and timid demeanor, and the fact that she had grown even more beautiful, I was struck by her appearance.

It's not just about facial features and body shape, but about confidence.

It's the star quality that comes with her growing fame and popularity.

In addition, practicing calligraphy can calm his mind, and when he faces the other person, his inner worries seem to fade a bit.

"Welcome Teacher Dapeng and Mrs. Dapeng."

He personally escorted the two to a more private restaurant.

"Since you are all from Northeast China, I have prepared some Northeastern dishes for you today."

"Pig stew, chicken stew with mushrooms, sweet and sour pork... everyone, just relax."

"You've treated me so well, I'm embarrassed, I didn't bring any gifts."

"Don't be like that, I have everything I need. Even if you bring a gift, you'll probably just throw it somewhere and forget about it," Zhang Yuan said politely.

"Besides, it's best not to spend too much money working for Lao Zhang at Sohu, since we don't earn much anyway."

The couple responded with awkward laughter.

"This is Liu Shishi, you should know her."

"They will also be having dinner with us today."

The little lion felt a bit disheartened when he saw that the man hadn't used any "title" when introducing himself.

But he immediately took a breath and put on a smile.

I need to behave well, otherwise he'll dislike me even more.

He and Zhao Benshan chatted in the greenhouse, mainly about the program "Dapeng Debade".

"Ultimately, it's just adapting some internet jokes and using stand-up comedy-like performance techniques to make the audience happy," Zhang Yuan summarized.

"Yes, that's roughly the idea," Dapeng, wearing black-rimmed glasses, replied somewhat shyly.

Zhang Yuanxin found it interesting. As a host, he should be quite sociable, but in private he seemed rather reserved and didn't talk much.

Indeed, work is work, and life is life.

Just like comedy masters such as Robin Williams and Jim Carrey, they all suffer from depression.

He actually felt that Stephen Chow also had some depression in his bones.

Furthermore, Zhou Xingchi reminded him of Zhang Chaoyang in some ways, especially in his lack of human decency.

“I think it’s interesting to just talk, it’s closer to storytelling or crosstalk.”

"But it would be better and more direct to express it through film."

"The decline of traditional performing arts is largely due to the rise of film."

“Images are more direct than words,” Zhang Yuan pointed out.

When talking about greenhouses, one cannot forget the "Twin Stars of Foot Massage Centers".

He's a bit better off, but Qiao Shan is basically stuck in the foot massage parlor for life, with one foot stuck there, unable to leave. It's also because Qiao Shan portrays these lecherous, greasy characters so convincingly.

The web series that made Dapeng a huge hit, or rather, the collection of short web dramas, is called "Diaosi Men".

It was originally a derivative of the program "Dapeng Debade".

Just like how "Infinite Challenge" was a derivative of a major variety show, but eventually became more popular than the original when it became an independent show.

"Have you all seen the movie 'Old Boys' that was all the rage online before?"

Every time Zhang Yuan mentions this short film, he always thinks of Elizabeth's large, whiter buttocks than her name suggests.

"I saw it, it's so well done, I was moved to tears."

“I like it very much too.” Zhang Yuan toasted him: “The authors, Xiao Yang and Wang Taili, are now signed with my company.”

"I also supported the filming of the short film."

"Really?" Da Peng only knew that he was a celebrity, a big celebrity, but he didn't know anything about this side.

"He's really something." Since Teacher Zhao was already there, she decided to make the best of it and offered some advice on the spot. She picked up a piece of hazelnut mushroom, ate it, and shook her head.

"Next time I'll bring you some mountain produce, it'll be much better than what you have."

“Okay, but let me make this clear beforehand, I’m not paying!” Zhang Yuan joked.

"How could I be lacking in this much... By the way, he's really powerful. You know that Youku, right? He's a shareholder."

Teacher Zhao then pointed out his apprentice.

Before arriving today, the greenhouse was quite surprised by the sudden arrival of the worker.

Teacher Zhao said that he came to the capital to attend a funeral and took the opportunity to visit his apprentice, and invited him to have dinner with the celebrity.

He didn't relay specific matters, letting Zhang Yuan discuss them in person.

"Huh?" Dapeng was surprised; he had never heard of it.

I looked around the house and realized why they could live in such a big house.

He's not only a big star, but also a big boss.

According to Zhao Benshan, this guy in the greenhouse has a lot of artistic talent, but he has nowhere to put it to use.

He was the sole writer, director, and editor of the entire hit Sohu program, "Dapeng Debade." He wrote the scripts, hosted the show, edited it, and even handled the promotion himself.

One person completed an entire program.

This proves two things: the greenhouse is truly amazing, and Sohu is truly incompetent.

There isn't even a support player.

"I think it's a waste of your talent at Sohu." After chatting for a while, Zhang Yuan got straight to the point.

"I'm not saying Mr. Zhang is bad; he's very capable, and I admire him a lot."

"But he is a bit hesitant when it comes to providing fertile ground for talent, especially in terms of nurturing them."

When he mentioned the word "nutrients," Zhang Yuan rubbed his fingers together, making a money-making motion.

The couple knew what was going on, but they also had their doubts.

My income at Sohu... was alright, but just alright; I wouldn't call it being extremely wealthy.

Able to achieve a moderately prosperous life.

They weren't that dissatisfied, because they both understood that they were at least relying on a large platform, and were prominent figures within that platform.

They believe in being the head of a chicken rather than the tail of a phoenix.

But the chicken head they ate wasn't much; it wasn't even as much as the prostitute earned.

During their subsequent conversation, Zhang Yuan also understood this meaning.

This is what they mean by everyone having their own ambitions.

He's not at that stage yet, nor does he have that ambition.

At the same time, he understood why Teacher Zhao had been reluctant to comply; he knew his student well.

Last year, after receiving a large sum of money from Liaoning TV for doing a program during the Spring Festival, this person still asked Liaoning TV whether it was the money for one episode or a month's worth.

The people at Liaoning TV were speechless, and they told Zhao Benshan's people as a joke.

When a person is at a low point, they are both cautious and insecure. Even if you give them a great opportunity, they may not dare to take it.

Zhang Yuan realized that he had been too confident.

He always judges others by his own standards because when he encounters an opportunity, he will rush in without hesitation.

Therefore, he adjusted his strategy.

"Sister-in-law, you're in charge of the music department at Sohu, right?"

“I happen to have an entertainment company here, which is just starting out.”

"Mainly responsible for contacting and organizing concerts for star singers nationwide and even abroad."

Is this business a good fit for you?

"I guess it's a good match," Peng's wife, Zhang Wenlu, replied.

“That’s great, I’m short-staffed right now, are you interested… right?” Zhang Yuan extended an invitation.

"Don't worry, for Uncle Benshan's sake, the treatment will be very easy to negotiate."

Zhao Benshan took a sip of wine and silently called out to me.

Why isn't he my apprentice?

I had mentioned to the other party before that both husband and wife worked at Sohu. If the husband left, how could the wife face the world?

Now he simply targets his wife, not only solving his worries about the future but also allowing her to set an example.

"If I can't handle men, I can handle women..." Zhao Benshan thought. This was a good idea, especially suitable for someone as young, healthy, and handsome as him. Ladies and mistresses would like him.

Then he looked at Liu Shishi.

She remained a quiet listener, rarely speaking, mostly just smiling and carefully picking up food, removing shrimp shells and fish bones.

Look at how badly Mr. Liu's granddaughter has been disciplined! Judging from her appearance, she must have been pampered by her parents, but now she has to serve others in his household.

“Please consider this. Given my relationship with Teacher Zhao, you will at least be a manager here, so you can’t be paid like an ordinary worker.” Zhang Yuan made his point very clear.

Of course, nothing was decided at the dinner table, but Zhang Yuan observed the other party's eyes and attitude and found that he was clearly interested.

After the meal, Zhang Yuan personally saw the person out.

"You don't need to help me up, he hasn't had much to drink." As Teacher Zhao left, he looked at the courtyard with a wicked smile.

"You should take better care of your own backyard, I'm all set."

Turning around, he saw Liu Shishi standing quietly in front of her with her hands in front of her.

Zhang Yuan knew she had something to say, but he shook his head.

You practically forced me to bring you along today, and you even copied the tricks I used to deal with Zhao Benshan. Your brain is definitely sharper than before.

But you can do whatever you want, whether you want it to be bad or good.

Nothing in this world is that easy.

I have my pride too, you know.

"Dandan".

"coming."

"You and Brother Long will personally take Miss Liu home. Remember to drive carefully."

"Junior brother, I have something I want to tell you..." Hearing this, she stepped forward anxiously.

"I'm very tired today, I'm exhausted, and I want to sleep."

"I'll stay with you," Liu Shishi replied.

Zhang Yuan: ...

For a fleeting second, his resolve wavered at the words of the other person.

R-rated images from when I was with that person flashed through my mind.

It's a pity her name is Shishi; she should be called Shishi.

But in the end, I held back.

"see a visitor out."

After saying that, he strode towards the bedroom.

The little lion went home with its head down, looking more like a pitiful hyena that had been soaked in the rain than a lion.

She thanked the two people who had escorted her politely, then went upstairs to go home.

She has been able to buy her own house with her income over the past few years, but she still prefers to live with her parents.

"You're back so early?" her mother asked as soon as she arrived home.

"Ah."

She didn't say a word, turned around and went into the house with a sullen face.

Without showering or changing her clothes, she collapsed onto the bed, her face turned to the side, and began to sob almost silently… (End of Chapter)