Huayu 02: The Days of Extreme Pulling and Rolling with the Fairy

"Can someone explain to me which person wrote the report saying that Vision Light & Magic's new show is not recommended for purchase?"

The atmosphere at the N station was tense today. At midday, the purchasing department staff were pulled to the top floor for a closed-door meeting.

The dust on the ceiling in the room was trembling, and the deputy director's roar could be heard even through two doors.

The head of the third purchasing team and the seasoned veterans hung their heads and remained silent.

I glanced to the side at the junior college student researcher.

The researcher turned pale. Having worked for half a year, he was no longer a novice and knew what the team leader's look meant.

But there was nothing she could do; she was the only one who wasn't in trouble... She stood up shakily, head drooping.

"Director...it's me..."

"After all, this is the first time the station director's company has ventured into television dramas, and the price is over 40 per episode..."

Seeing the deputy director's gloomy face, the purchasing department director coughed twice: "This matter is indeed understandable. Even if this price were actually submitted... the probability of the station purchasing it is not high. I wouldn't be able to get past this hurdle."

The deputy director chimed in, "We did make a mistake based on past experience, but they were genuinely surprised; other stations didn't expect it either."

The deputy director lit a cigarette and rubbed his temples: "Come on, everyone, take a good look!"

"A 1.97 rating on its premiere day! That's so much higher than the 1.71 rating in 'War and Beauty'! And it's the premiere!"

"The brands represented by the station these days are all saying the most awful things, like 'paying first-class prices for second-class quality.'"

"I can't handle this. Don't let them block my door. You should talk to the brand yourselves."

Stepping out of the office, the purchasing team leader rolled his eyes. "Damn it, whenever something goes wrong, it's always our fault. Did you undercharge? You were the most excited when you were singing!"

With a wave of his hand, he called over the young man who had taken responsibility.

"It's okay, don't feel wronged. Go ask your team leader for a week of paid leave, I'll approve it for you, it won't affect your perfect attendance bonus."

  

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The atmosphere at Hunan TV was gloomy, but it was a different story at Zhejiang TV. Director Ma seemed to be in much better spirits.

The purchasing department staff all spoke with their heads held high today.

It couldn't help but achieve the highest ratings in its time slot among all provincial programs; it was a bombshell from the very beginning!

This is unprecedented for Zhejiang TV.

"Director, the station manager is waiting for you in his office."

Director Ma straightened his clothes and strode up to the top floor with an air of indifference.

"Director, you wanted to see me?"

Upon seeing this, Shi Tai immediately beckoned her to sit down and have some tea.

"I heard that the drama you brought in despite everyone's objections is doing quite well, and the commercials are very active. The station will recognize you, and I'm going to throw you a celebration banquet."

Director Ma was flattered and repeatedly expressed his politeness.

One minute it's about the leader's skill, the next it's about responding to the station's reform policies.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Shi Tai said, "Well, I'm relieved to have you in charge of the purchasing department. I feel like I'm putting too little pressure on you."

Director Ma's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and said, "Mr. Shi, I'll do whatever you say."

"I'm relieved to hear that."

"The station is currently undergoing reforms, and I have to ensure fairness in such a large organization. The variety show department is facing some real problems."

Oh no... I hope they're not going to transfer me over there to be the deputy director...

In 04, Zhejiang TV was far from being as glorious as it would be in later years. At that time, it was relatively backward in terms of technology, team, and production capabilities, and even needed to cooperate with TV stations in other provinces. It was in a period of painful reform.

Variety shows across Taiwan generate virtually no revenue. The station's revenue relies on the income from dramas and government funding, which in turn subsidizes the variety show department.

"I hope you can step up when the station needs you most during this period of reform! Are you going to serve as the acting executive producer for a variety show?"

"I only have one thing to say: I give you my full support. Get this variety show going!"

Huh? Executive Producer? You got promoted half a level... Oh right, the old director of the variety show department has been in the hospital for two months...

I still have to move on, but thankfully I haven't ended up in a retirement job.

Director Ma... no, Director Ma, I don't feel any joy at being promoted, only immense pressure.

My current problem is that nobody at the station knows how to handle variety shows... I wouldn't have been of any use in the past.

"Do you have any requests to the station? Will you make them?"

Director Ma knew that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and if he didn't seize the opportunity now, the next time they talked, it wouldn't be the same.

For some reason, she suddenly thought of Xie Jin at this moment...

"Director, one issue is the funding for the program..."

The station director looked troubled: "This is difficult to handle. You know there's only so much rice in the porridge pot... Those who drink more won't complain, but those who drink even a single grain less will cry foul."

...You won't even give me much money, and you expect me to make you a bubble?

After being subjected to a few more manipulative remarks from the station director, Director Ma sighed and left the leadership office.

It's not all bad news, let's just take it one step at a time...

Let's go greet the publicity team for the drama "Difficult to Coax" first.

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"Thank you, teachers. You've come all this way, thank you for your hard work," said Director Ma of the purchasing department with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group entered the broadcasting building. The assistant beside him looked smug; he'd finally seen Sang Yan in person again...

Xie Jin felt a little uncomfortable. She could call him Director Xie, Xie Jin, or even Little Xie, but the word "teacher" just felt awkward.

It just feels a bit odd to use those two words on anyone other than teachers...

"Director Ma, you're too kind. Just call me Xie Jin."

Xie Jin moved between various program groups at Zhejiang TV, and along the way, directors, cameramen, and clerks would peek out from their workstations and mutter amongst themselves.

Director Ma was very enthusiastic: "Young people like you quite a bit, please excuse my rudeness."

"It is an honor to have your esteemed station treat us with such kindness and hospitality."

The two soon arrived at the rooftop lounge, where several dressing rooms had been prepared early in the morning.

Xie Jin was chatting with the actress while she started applying makeup.

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Miss Liu landed a little later. If Xie Jin's appearance earlier had caused the migrant workers a little excitement, they could still control themselves.

Seeing Miss Liu made him extremely happy, and he couldn't control himself at all.

She signed her name the whole way.

Liu Xiaoli's eyebrows twitched slightly with delight.

Seeing my daughter so confident and poised, handling these matters with ease, I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

"Sissi, get back to work. Mom's going to the break room."

"Um"

The hamster politely strolled around the dressing room and greeted its friends.

In the last room, I saw Xie Jin.

The hamster was very enthusiastic when greeting others, but when it came to Xie Jin, the two exchanged a glance.

Miss Liu turned her head to the side, looking slightly shy.

Considering the makeup artist was still there, Ms. Liu coughed twice in a serious manner: "Thank you for working so hard, Teacher Xie."

Xie Jin rolled her eyes: "It'll do."

Do I look handsome today?

Miss Liu's earlobes turned slightly red: "Ugly monster."

The makeup artist kept her eyes, nose, and mouth focused, pretending not to hear anything.

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The studio was packed. Normally, they would have to recruit people to be the audience, but today they didn't need to draw lots for each department to come.

The audience was incredibly excited when they saw the cast and crew of "Nan Tong" come out, especially the girls who had watched the show the day before.

The host was a woman, and Xie Jin thought she looked somewhat familiar.

I think I saw her on a variety show later; she's the lover of Jiaqian Jushi.

To be honest, "Life's AB Drama" is really badly made. Even Xie Jin, who can endure loneliness, found it boring.

These days, apart from Lakers, it seems like none of the variety shows are quite up to par.

They're all the same interview-style programs, with the host guiding the conversation, then pushing the guests to their limits and elevating the experience to a emotional level.

Ideally, the guests should shed tears, and the audience should also shed tears.

Xie Jin felt that 45 minutes of the one-hour program were just filler.

Fortunately, being a professional actor, he managed to keep up with the host's efforts to create atmosphere as soon as the studio music started, spouting a few lines about the difficulties and hardships of filming... and even managed to squeeze out a few crocodile tears.

He requested adjustments in the latter half of the show, and he and Ms. Liu each sang a song, which brought the show to a climax.

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After the show was finished, there were only two people in the dressing room, sitting about a meter apart.

Xie Jin, who was holding onto the sofa, secretly slipped over and gently covered Liu's hand.

Miss Liu looked at him suspiciously: "Hey! What are you doing? Take away the scalding hot dog paws!"

I.......

"How come you have absolutely no romance...?"

The big hamster rolled its eyes. "What kind of romantic atmosphere is this? Don't interrupt my meal!"

........

How did you feel just now?

Ms. Liu secretly munched on a snack: "It's pretty good, this show is quite interesting."

"Interesting? You call this interesting?" Xie Jin's eyes widened.

Xie Jin was genuinely puzzled. How could the giant hamster find this entertaining? "What's so entertaining about this variety show? If I were a viewer, I'd be asleep. Honestly, I could do a better job with my feet."

Miss Liu curled her lip: "Oh my... I've never seen anyone so good at bragging..."

If others said something about Xie Jin, he would just laugh it off, but to Xiao Liu, he was extremely competitive.

"I'm bragging? I'm just unwilling to do it! If I wanted to do it, I'd make Lake N crawl on the ground."

..........

"Please excuse my poor performance, Director. The variety shows on our station are indeed not very well made right now," Director Ma's voice rang out.

Xie Jin's face froze instantly... This was too embarrassing.