C13 Should He Give in or Taunt?
Sugar glanced at Wang Shijie and then at Lin Haoyu, both looking equally perplexed. She immediately sensed that Haoyu might be off on one of his tangents again.
Though she didn't grasp what Wang Shijie was rambling about, it seemed impressively complex, which was enough for Lin Haoyu to dismiss it with a sense of awe.
"Okay, since it's your first time, let's have dinner," he declared, inviting them to pick out a boxed meal, a ritual that had become part of their daily routine.
Regrettably, there were no stir-fried options available today, only braised dishes. And these were not just any braised dishes; they were Lin Haoyu's specially curated and whimsically named creations: Braised Shijie Head, Braised Shijie Legs, Braised Shijie Meatballs...
Wang Shijie, feeling somewhat forlorn, ultimately settled for the Braised Shijie Head, reasoning that it was his duty to guard his own head.
"Yu, is it really okay to say that?" Sugar inquired, her voice tinged with concern as she listened to the incisive opening of the recording.
"What's the problem? You've already handed it over to Jian Yang. If it doesn't work out, we can just take it back and revise it together!" Lin Haoyu replied nonchalantly, reclining on the sofa with his gaze fixed forward, already picturing the horrified expression on Kang Biqin's face when she learned of this.
The afternoon flew by, and Lin Haoyu had managed to exceed his quota, recording three full episodes of "After Midnight" in just one day.
Shortly after Lin Haoyu had left the TV station, the second episode's original soundtrack was promptly delivered into Jian Yang's eager hands.
Upon seeing Sugar arrive with the recording, Jian Yang's excitement was palpable. He sprang to his feet and hurried over to receive it, eagerly inquiring, "How was it? Was Lin Haoyu's recording session today just like yesterday, without a script?"
If it weren't for the fact that he knew there was no script, Jian Yang would have been ready to binge-watch for three days and nights straight, just to reach the grand finale of the novel.
"Yes, that's correct. Brother Yu is very thankful for your new equipment," Sugar responded with a gentle nod and a smile, though inwardly she was taken aback by the day's events.
The director seemed unusually torn, more so than when he was promoted to deputy director. It was unprecedented!
Was it possible that the director held Lin Haoyu, the newcomer, in such high regard?
Jian Yang burst into laughter. He had initially dismissed it as a trivial novel, but after mulling it over last night, his curiosity only grew.
"Well, that's great. As long as Lin Haoyu is comfortable, it's all worthwhile. By the way, how many episodes did we record today?"
"Three episodes, making it four in total with yesterday's."
Once Sugar finished speaking, Jian Yang gestured to show he understood. Maintaining a composed demeanor, he cleared his throat and spoke in a deep tone,
"Alright, I've got it. You can get back to work."
Sugar offered a polite smile, closed the door, and took her leave.
"I'll head out now."
"Click!"
The moment the door shut, Jian Yang transformed, his demeanor shifting to one of sly amusement. He eagerly opened the second episode's recording and played it on his computer, visibly relishing the moment.
"There's just something about Lin Haoyu's storytelling. His eloquence is matched by the quality of his writing."
Jian Yang had seen innumerable works over the years, yet this one stood out as truly distinctive, filled with eerie unpredictability and the allure of the unknown.
"Crack!"
The recording began, its clarity significantly improved by the new equipment.
"Welcome to 'After Midnight.' Apparently, Zuo Qiushu is considered a mainstay. If that's the case, then even the world-renowned hosts like Bradley from Britain, New Jingwang from Jafloevania, and Duco from Aglon pale in comparison to him."
Hold on, had Lin Haoyu genuinely capitulated to Zuo Qiushu? Jian Yang grew impatient, his brow furrowing.
"What is this kid spouting?"
Kang Biqin had always been dismissive and critical of Lin Haoyu, and Jian Yang was well aware that her animosity was ultimately aimed at him.
"Hmph! If she's the reason behind this, I swear I'll make her pay!"
As soon as he finished speaking, I heard Lin Haoyu on the recording let out a light laugh before continuing:
"Even though I've made up these names, Zuo Qiushu truly is the mainstay of our team, and his skills surpass theirs..."
"Pfft!"
Upon hearing this, Jian Yang nearly sprayed his tea everywhere. What was Lin Haoyu on about? He certainly wasn't acting like any host should.
How could a host just fabricate stories like that?
I had to admit, Lin Haoyu's candidness was refreshing, but considering Zuo Qiushu was the nephew of my arch-nemesis, it was quite satisfying to hear the truth spoken so freely. Still, it was outrageous to be so blunt in the light of day.
"Knock knock!"
Startled by the sudden knocking, Jian Yang quickly turned off the recording. Moments later, Xie Chengyun entered with a beaming smile.
"What's the matter, Mr. Jian? You seem distracted today. You didn't even offer me a cup of my favorite Longjing tea?"
Snapped back to the present by his voice, Jian Yang feigned composure and smiled, clearing his throat before responding:
"People don't visit the temple unless they have a reason. Brother Xie, you surely didn't come just to have tea with me, did you?"
Among the three leading candidates for the radio station directorship, there were clear factional divides.
Kang Biqin was the face of the old guard, boasting strong competitiveness, but her reach didn't extend to the younger generation, resulting in low support among newcomers.
Jian Yang, on the other hand, represented the middle-aged demographic, enjoying widespread popularity, though not necessarily among the higher-ups.
Xie Chengyun, supported by a smattering of neutrals, found himself caught between two formidable opponents, making his position precarious.
"Hehe, you can't hide anything from Director Jian Yang! I was hoping to invite you and Director Kang for a meal at the Imperial Dragon Hotel starting at midnight, to discuss the future of the radio station. What do you think?"
Xie Chengyun offered a sycophantic smile and stood up, his laughter brimming with genuine warmth.
Upon hearing this, Jian Yang nodded in agreement.
"Alright, it's been quite a while since we've all had a meal together. Just make sure you're not expecting me to foot the bill for your treat!"
"It's a deal!"
That evening, Lin Haoyu did not attend the banquet that had drawn a crowd of notable individuals. All he knew was that the final outcome of the negotiations was that everyone parted ways on less than amicable terms.
On another day, Lin Haoyu skipped his usual After Midnight program, opting instead for an early night's sleep to prepare for a full day of recording work ahead.
"Morning, Brother Yu!"
As he arrived at the entrance of the television station, a man passed by Lin Haoyu, greeting him with a grin that conveyed nothing but admiration.
"Brother Yu! Look, it's Brother Yu!"
"Hey, Brother Yu is here bright and early!"
In the lobby, a throng of strangers greeted him with smiles, sparking in Lin Haoyu an almost irresistible impulse to take off running.
Baffled, Lin Haoyu offered a polite smile in return and strode purposefully into Teletorium Three.
"Look who it is! The illustrious Lin Haoyu, also known as Brother Yu!"
Wang Shijie called out teasingly while munching on his breakfast, instantly drawing the attention of many onlookers.
With a puzzled and slightly annoyed expression, Lin Haoyu grabbed another rice ball from Wang Shijie's hand, took a few bites, and spoke with a furrowed brow, his words slightly garbled.
"What are you blabbering about? Fame isn't just hot air."
Lin Haoyu shot Wang Shijie a disdainful look. Sugar, standing nearby, giggled haughtily and chimed in:
"Exactly! Our Brother Yu doesn't need your endorsement!"
With that, Sugar struck a pose reminiscent of an adoring fangirl, transforming into Lin Haoyu's most devoted superfan, complete with hearts in her eyes.
Though taken aback and a bit bewildered, Lin Haoyu didn't dwell on it. He quickly had Wang Shijie clear away the crowd of onlookers and got straight to work on the day's recording tasks.
"Enough with the distractions. We have a mission to record four episodes today, and time is tight. We need to pick up the pace," Lin Haoyu said with a serious tap on the table, reminding the others of the urgency.
What a joke it would be if they didn't manage to record four episodes today. How could they possibly relax and enjoy a movie without subtitles at home later, or find the time to finish up the last of the toilet paper?
Indeed, Lin Haoyu made up his mind to tune into the News Network once he got back home. He multitasked by watching the broadcast during his bathroom break, conveniently using up the toilet paper in the process...