Chapter 146: Pulling Off Something Big [Third Update]

Yang Bing’s words completely stunned Director Chen and his team.

Who could have imagined that Yu Zhile had actually participated in the planning of both "I Am a Singer" and "King of Mask Singer"? And listening to Yang Bing, it seemed that Yu Zhile’s suggestions had played a decisive role in the success of these programs!

Yu Zhile frowned slightly. What was Old Yang doing? It had taken this guy so much effort to reach his current position; wasn't saying such things going to ruin his own career?

He spoke up: "That’s an exaggeration! I only suggested that music programs must prioritize musical quality. These shows were successful because of their own merits, so it really has nothing to do with me. Don't listen to his flattery!"

Yang Bing realized that Old Yu was trying to protect him and felt touched, but he insisted on the truth: "Director Zhang, you know best! The reason I insisted that you spend so much of the program's budget on the stage and music equipment was because the suggestions Yu Zhile made opened my eyes! And the talented singers we invited for 'I Am a Singer' were also recommended by him. The success of that show is entirely because I listened to his advice."

"As for why 'King of Mask Singer' was even more successful, that was because I had a stroke of inspiration after he appeared on our New Year’s Eve gala as 'Mr. Panda' and went viral. The improvements in the show's format were also based on his advice behind the scenes. That is why I firmly believe the program he is planning now will be nothing short of excellent!"

Yang Bing’s heartfelt, long-winded speech moved Director Chen and the others.

Yu Zhile was at a loss with Old Yang. Although he was touched by his friend's loyalty, he knew that Old Yang made his living in this industry, so he had to clarify things for him.

"I was merely offering comments and suggestions from a viewer's perspective," Yu Zhile said. "The credit for the success of those two shows belongs to Yang Bing’s planning and the high production standards of the team. As for the parent-child program I’m planning now, I don’t have absolute confidence in it myself, but I have a feeling that even if the ratings aren't stellar, it won't be a total flop."

With things laid out this way, Director Chen had a clear idea of what to do.

He nodded and said, "We have a time slot available on Friday at 10 p.m. at the beginning of next month, so we can schedule your show then. As for the budget, we will try to apply for as much as possible, but if you want to invite popular stars, you'll really have to rely on advertising sponsorships."

Yang Bing was relieved to hear this. The deal was done!

Yu Zhile said with satisfaction, "Great. I will handle the advertising sponsorships. Once the production start date is confirmed, I’ll have to trouble you to arrange the production team."

Director Chen replied, "That’s no problem. Director Zhang and Little Yang will be in charge of production. You can discuss any issues with each other."

"All right, thank you all for the trouble!"

***

The program collaboration was settled very smoothly. After Yu Zhile signed the contract with the television station, he took a tour of the station with Yang Bing before heading home.

On the way out, Yu Zhile patted Yang Bing on the shoulder and said, "I could have negotiated this deal on my own; you didn't have to say so much."

Yang Bing laughed, "It’s fine, everything I said was the truth!"

Yu Zhile said, "Aren't you afraid that after finally landing a show of your own and becoming a gold-medal planner at the station, you'll ruin your career because of what you said today?"

Yang Bing replied, "I don't think it will come to that, so it doesn't matter!"

Yu Zhile shook his head, "Don't be so reckless next time!"

Yang Bing genuinely didn't care, brushing it off: "Sure, I'll be more careful next time! By the way, could you have Ni Qiqin serve as the host for your show? How about changing the 'Village Chief' host in your proposal to a 'Village Belle' host?"

Yu Zhile gossiped, "So, have you managed to win her over?"

Yang Bing scratched his head, looking embarrassed: "I haven't started yet! But now that I’m a person of some standing at the station, I got to know her quite well while recording 'King of Mask Singer,' I just haven't dropped any hints yet."

Yu Zhile smiled and agreed, "Fine, we’ll change the Village Chief host to a Village Belle. The host isn't the most important part anyway. But my wife is the most beautiful person in the show; she is the true Village Belle!"

"Stop being so narcissistic!" Yang Bing teased, then asked, "Have you thought about where you’re going to record the show?"

Yu Zhile replied, "Not yet. I’ll have to trouble you to help me look for a location. Preferably a village with beautiful mountains and clear water, good air quality, a peaceful atmosphere, and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city."

"Got it, I’ll look into it for you." Yang Bing asked curiously, "By the way, why did you suddenly decide to plan this show?"

Yu Zhile explained, "My wife is pregnant with our second child, so she wants to go on a trip to relax. But tourist spots are crowded, and it's troublesome for celebrities to be recognized. She thought it would be nice to live in the countryside for a while, so I planned this show. I figured that with the production crew there to handle the logistics, we could enjoy country life in peace without being disturbed."

"Fine, I shouldn't have asked!" Yang Bing felt a pang of heartache. His old classmate was already having a second child, while he hadn't even started dating a girlfriend yet! This was getting unbearable.

Yu Zhile chuckled, "You need to step up your game! Take this recording opportunity to see if you can win over Ni Qiqin! If it doesn't work out, there's no need to hang yourself on one tree."

***

"Yeah, I really do need to step it up!"

"Alright, I'm heading back now. Keep in touch if anything comes up!"

Yu Zhile didn't linger and quickly drove home to share the good news with his wife.

...

At home, Qin Haiyu was teaching their daughter how to recognize numbers. When Yu Zhile returned, she immediately asked, "How was it? Did you secure the show?"

Yu Zhile said proudly, "When your husband sets his mind to it, success is guaranteed!"

Qin Haiyu asked expectantly, "How much budget did the station give us?"

Yu Zhile replied, "Ten million."

Qin Haiyu was surprised, "Wow! That’s quite a lot!"

Yu Zhile retorted, "Is it? That amount isn't even enough to hire two moderately popular stars!"

Qin Haiyu asked curiously, "What stars? Does the show need other stars?"

Yu Zhile said, "Of course! Otherwise, if it were just the three of us, I wouldn't know how to fill the runtime! So, besides us, we need to invite three other celebrity families to participate."

Qin Haiyu complained, "Then how is such a small budget going to be enough?"

Yu Zhile said, "Don't worry, once we secure the advertising sponsorships, it'll be fine! Honey, call Xu Ling over; we’re about to do something big!"

***

P.S.: As usual, there will be more updates later.