Chapter 46

4th recording studio.

Since there was no audience call-in segment anyway, Zhang Ye didn’t ask his assistant, Xiao Fang, for help and recorded the Sunday program by himself.

"Chapter 3: Rescuing the Scarecrow."

"Dorothy leaned against the fence, staring blankly at the scarecrow. His head was a small cloth bag, stuffed with straw, with eyes, nose, and mouth drawn on it to form a face. On his head was a dilapidated, blue, pointed hat, similar to the Munchkin style. He wore a blue, faded coat, and his body was also stuffed with straw."

"Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest."

"So the scarecrow led her through the woods, all the way to the little cottage. Dorothy went inside and found a bed made of dry leaves in the corner. She immediately lay down, with Toto beside her, and soon fell into a deep sleep. However, the scarecrow never got tired; he stood in another corner, patiently waiting for dawn."

After telling today’s story, Zhang Ye checked the time and found that he had exactly two minutes left. He quickly wrapped up the program, not really as a proper ending. There was no additional notice from the station, and no instructions from the leadership, so Zhang Ye could only conclude the program as planned, "Kids, dear listeners, today’s program ends here. 'The Old and Young Story Hour' has come to a close today. This program has been running for many years, and I thank everyone for their long-term support on behalf of Teacher Feng. Although I only hosted this program for five episodes, I have a deep affection for 'The Old and Young Story Hour.' I have many words to say, but they are too complex. I won’t say more. A new program called 'Youth Soaring' will start next Monday. Please support it."

...

Office area.

Zhang Ye returned.

"Did you wrap it up?" Teacher Feng remarked with a sigh.

Zhang Ye nodded, "Yes, I did."

Teacher Feng patted his shoulder, "You’ve worked hard."

"Great job, Teacher Zhang." Zhou Da, the editor, gave him a thumbs up.

Xiao Fang also looked at him, "Teacher Zhang, you’ve worked hard. Teacher Feng, you’ve worked hard too."

This was a tradition; every time a program ended, everyone would say this, as a way of saying goodbye and showing respect for the teachers' long-term efforts.

Wang Xiaomei and others also thanked Teacher Feng and Zhang Ye for their hard work.

Only Jia Yan didn’t say anything. He was too busy with his new program. Although he had recorded two episodes, he still hadn’t figured out the opening and closing lines, and was secretly writing them down. Why did he have to write them secretly? Perhaps because Zhang Ye never used a script, which was no longer a secret in the entire Beijing Radio Station. Zhang Ye’s "miracle skill" was often talked about. As a newcomer, Jia Yan was even more competitive and didn’t want to lose to Zhang Ye.

At noon.

The final episode of 'The Old and Young Story Hour' was broadcast.

In the office, many of the aunts were listening to Zhang Ye’s program. This had become a routine since yesterday. As parents, they were always eager for excellent children’s literature that could both entertain and educate their kids.

"But the scarecrow never got tired; he stood in another corner, patiently waiting for dawn." This was the last line of today’s 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

Everyone listened and then exclaimed in surprise.

"Can’t be! It’s over already?"

"The story is over? No way! This can’t be the end!"

"Wasn’t it supposed to be four chapters over two days? How can it end like this? This can’t be the ending! They just rescued the scarecrow, and the plot hasn’t even developed yet!"

"Damn! There’s more to come?"

"There must be more to the story! It’s not just four chapters!"

Everyone realized what was happening and almost fainted!

Someone must have told Jia Yan, who was eating in the cafeteria. He quickly returned to the office and found Zhang Ye with a furious look, "Teacher Zhang! What’s going on?"

Zhang Ye feigned ignorance, "What’s going on?"

"You know what!" Jia Yan was furious, "Why didn’t you finish your program?"

Zhang Ye blinked, "It’s finished. I said it was the end and introduced your program."

"That’s not the issue. Why is there more to the serialized story?" Jia Yan was really angry.

Zhang Ye said, "I can’t control that. My story is that long. To be honest, not only today, but even next week, it won’t be finished. It’s a series of over twenty chapters. How could it end today? Jia, I also wanted to tell a short story that could be finished in two days, but I couldn’t. Recently, I’ve only come up with 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' It’s not easy to create a short fairy tale. It’s really difficult."

Difficult?

When did you ever write poetry on the spot?

When did you ever tell a ghost story without thinking it through as you went?

Original creation might be hard for others, but it’s not a big deal for you!

Everyone knew Zhang Ye was being deliberately mean. It was too much! He started a great long fairy tale and then stopped right in the middle. How could Jia Yan take over? Even if he could, he would be cursed by the loyal listeners of 'The Old and Young Story Hour.' Many listeners were already upset about the program ending, with some threatening to complain and even break windows. If Zhang Ye had finished the story, it would have been over, and time would have healed everything. But now, he didn’t even finish the story, leaving it hanging. This was the most despicable thing he could do!

Zhang Ye’s words left Jia Yan speechless.

Jia Yan turned and walked away, "I won’t talk to you anymore. I’ll go find the leadership!"

As he left, Teacher Feng was both amused and exasperated, pointing at Zhang Ye and whispering, "You, you really are something." He laughed in the end.

Zhang Ye didn’t care. He had said what he wanted to say. What could they do to him?

After a while, Jia Yan returned, clearly unable to find the leadership. He returned to his seat, looking gloomy.

The situation was becoming increasingly complex. The leadership was absent and hadn’t made any statements, making the whole situation even more confusing. Listeners of 'The Old and Young Story Hour' were already leaving angry messages on the radio station’s official website. The broadcast of today’s episode had caused quite a stir!

"Damn! This is too despicable!"

"Abandoned? Just like that?"

"Don’t end it! It’s killing us!"

"My child just listened to four chapters! If I don’t continue tomorrow, my child will throw a tantrum! Teacher Zhang Ye, please continue! Don’t stop broadcasting!"

"What is the radio station doing?"

"Teacher Zhang Ye, you’re so bad! Leaving us with an unfinished story?"

"What’s this 'Youth Soaring'? We don’t want it! Give us back 'The Old and Young Story Hour'!"

"Yes, give us back 'The Old and Young Story Hour'! We only want this!"

"Let 'Youth Soaring' die! Soaring my ass! 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' is only half-told! What’s the point of soaring?"

"It can soar, by jumping off a building!"

"True, I really want to jump off a building! I’m not even married, but I love this story so much!"

Even children were leaving messages. The younger generation was becoming more tech-savvy. When Zhang Ye was in high school, he only started using computers then, but now, kids were already tech-savvy in elementary school. "Uncle Zhang Ye, please don’t leave. I beg you, don’t end it. I want to hear the rest of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' This fairy tale is so good. Our school even assigned us to listen to your stories!"

The public outcry was high.

Even the older aunts in the office were not satisfied. Three of them surrounded Zhang Ye’s desk, "Zhang, you’re not being fair. It’s fine if your program is ending, but you have to finish the rest of the story for us. Twenty more chapters, right? Write them quickly, we’re all waiting!"

Zhang Ye smiled bitterly, "I’ll do my best, aunts."

Zhou Da said, "You can’t just do your best; you have to finish it. Otherwise, it’s too frustrating!"

Suddenly, a parent posted a call to action on the radio station’s website, titled "Don’t Let the Story Hour End, Everyone Come and Support." The content read: Comrades, parents, the story hour is ending. Let’s use the power of the people to make our voices heard. Let the radio station see that we want 'The Old and Young Story Hour' to continue!

There was a flood of responses!

"Support!"

"Support +1000!"

"Boycott 'Youth Soaring'!"

"Give the children a sky!"

"Children’s stories are already few and far between. The only surviving children’s program on the radio is 'The Old and Young Story Hour.' Don’t let the program end. Children need this program! Children need Teacher Zhang Ye’s stories! Support it!"

Numerous messages and supporters.

By 2 PM, just an hour later, the comments had already exceeded 1,500!

The radio station, an old medium, had long been overshadowed