Chapter 70

A celebratory banquet, colleagues chatting and laughing.

Zhang Ye hadn't been this relaxed in a long time, but because he still had to go live, he didn't dare to drink a single beer, only burying his head to eat the dishes.

Ring ring ring, Zhao Guozhou called, he picked up and said a few words, his expression suddenly turned a bit grim, he hung up and looked at everyone, "I'll go back first, there's a small meeting, you finish eating and go back to work early, the bill has been settled, everyone enjoy your meal."

"Huh?"

"Why are you leaving?"

"Then we'll go back too."

"Yeah, we're almost done."

Everyone gradually left their seats and returned to the office together.

Zhang Ye was also puzzled by Director Zhao's expression, but he didn't have time to think about it. After returning, he sat in front of the computer and thought about which story to broadcast next. Which one should he choose? "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" had finished, and the effect was very good. Should he choose another serialized fairy tale?

The colleagues also chatted as usual during their lunch break.

But at this moment, a shocking piece of news came back!

It was brought by an old editor from the cultural frequency, "Teacher Zhang Ye, your 'Old and Young Story Time' has been replaced. The notice just came out, the station directly notified it, it has been replaced by Jia Yan's 'Youth Soaring.' So you don't need to go live today, it will be replaced by Jia Yan's pre-recorded broadcast!"

"What?" Zhou Dajie was the first to get anxious.

Aunt Sun said, "Why? Why?"

Wang Xiaomei was also stunned, "The listening rate of 'Old and Young Story Time,' it's being taken off the air?"

The old editor said, "The higher-ups said 'Youth Soaring' is a plan and program scheme that the station had already decided on, and it must be implemented. Because the listening rate of 'Old and Young Story Time' increased dramatically on weekends compared to weekdays, the station might adjust the strategy and move Teacher Zhang's program to weekends, from seven days to two, but the program time might be extended. If so, 'Weekend Laughter' might be canceled, but these are still under discussion and not finalized. So Teacher Zhang currently has no program, at least according to the notice, 'Old and Young Story Time' has been taken off the air."

Zhang Ye's face also turned grim!

Wang Xiaomei, who was more sensitive, said, "No program? Then how will Teacher Zhang be nominated for the Silver Microphone Award? The rules for the Silver Microphone nomination state that if the broadcaster has no program, the station is not allowed to nominate them for the new talent award. Today is the deadline for nominations, right?"

The old editor paused, "So Teacher Zhang can't be nominated for the Silver Microphone."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, a heavy atmosphere spread through the office!

The station was too ruthless! They were being utterly ruthless! They were trying to ruin Zhang Ye!

'Old and Young Story Time' definitely wouldn't be canceled. No one would dare to cancel such a high-rated program. Not only would the station not agree, but the listeners wouldn't either. So the station temporarily took it off the air and replaced it with Jia Yan's program, a relative of Deputy Director Jia. Then they told everyone that the story time would be moved to weekends, but they didn't issue any official documents, just dragging it out, stalling the procedures. Thus, in terms of formalities, Zhang Ye, who had already lost the 'Midnight Ghost Stories' program, now had no broadcasting duties, at least until Friday! Why did they do this? The answer was clear! Someone higher up was clearly targeting Zhang Ye! They didn't want him to enter the Silver Microphone selection! They didn't even want to give him a nomination! And they were also trying to compress Zhang Ye's program time and influence! They directly replaced his program with Jia Yan's without notifying the listeners, using Zhang Ye's large audience and popularity to boost Jia Yan, ensuring a high listening rate for Jia Yan right from the start!

This move made Zhang Ye's colleagues shudder!

They were really trying to ruin Zhang Ye! Using such vicious tactics? Was it necessary to treat a newcomer like this? Was it necessary to treat a newcomer who had contributed to the station's listening rates and honor like this? This was too disheartening!

At this moment, even Tian Bin felt uncomfortable. Indeed, he had many conflicts with Zhang Ye, and he was eager to see Zhang Ye humiliated. But no matter how much he disliked Zhang Ye, he had to admit that Zhang Ye was capable. He had risen step by step through his own strength. Tian Bin had to admit, even if he was unwilling, that he was indeed not as good as Zhang Ye. But what did Jia Yan have? Just a relative in the station leadership. Because of this, he wanted to occupy all their resources? To be treated better than everyone else? And to push colleagues off a cliff? This was really too much! The station leadership had gone too far! Tian Bin was close to Jia Yan, but that didn't mean he liked him!

This time, Tian Bin didn't add fuel to the fire.

Wu Datao glanced at Zhang Ye and, unusually, didn't gloat. He just shook his head helplessly, feeling sad for Zhang Ye and for the system. This was the kind of place where if the leadership wanted to ruin you, you couldn't escape, you could only accept it!

Human nature always has a good side. This time, the station's actions against Zhang Ye were too harsh, and their motives were completely unreasonable and malicious. This made many colleagues who didn't have a good impression of Zhang Ye or who had never interacted with him suddenly side with Zhang Ye!

Zhou Dajie almost shed tears, "This is too much! This is too much! What did Teacher Zhang do to deserve this? How can they do this! The Silver Microphone is only once a year, missing this opportunity means no more chances!"

Aunt Sun also said bluntly, "Is Deputy Director Jia covering up the sky with one hand?"

A young colleague nearby quickly said, "Aunt, please be quiet, don't let others hear."

Aunt Sun was also furious, "Jia Yan isn't here, what's wrong with me saying a few words? I just don't understand, what is the director doing? Why isn't he doing anything? Just watching some leaders act recklessly?"

The old editor who brought the news hesitated for a moment but still said, in a low voice, "There's no one else here today, we're all old colleagues who have been together for years or decades. Some of us may have had arguments or conflicts in the past, but we've all been through the ups and downs together. Even if we have friction, we're still comrades-in-arms. So let's just talk about it here, don't spread it outside."

"Rest assured."

"Of course not."

"Old Zhou, you're underestimating us."

Everyone knew he had something to say and all looked at him seriously.

After setting the stage, the old editor said, "Actually, Director Zhao tried his best. When he was notified about this in a small meeting, Director Zhao got angry and firmly opposed 'Youth Soaring' taking over. But the higher-ups had already made the decision, and Director Zhao couldn't do anything about it." Looking at Aunt Sun, he said, "When Aunt Sun asked why the director wasn't doing anything, I can't say much, but I heard something from a friend at the news frequency. The other person nominated for the Silver Microphone is called Zhang Ye, and his father is an old comrade of our director."

No wonder!

No wonder Deputy Director Jia was so confident!

A double whammy? No! This was a triple whammy! Ruining Zhang Ye, promoting Jia Yan, and fulfilling Zhang Ye's father's wish!

If Zhang Ye had been nominated for the Silver Microphone, whether in terms of artistic level, broadcasting skills, or achievements, Zhang Ye would undoubtedly have won the only Silver Microphone award allocated to the Beijing Radio Station. There would have been no chance for Zhang Ye. But now, Deputy Director Jia, who was in charge of the cultural frequency, had ruthlessly suppressed Zhang Ye. With only Zhang Ye left for nomination, the Silver Microphone award was his for sure! With this, Deputy Director Jia wouldn't have to worry about other station leaders questioning his abuse of power. In a sense, he was also doing a favor for the top leader. Who would dare to question him?

At this moment, Jia Yan returned.

Seeing him, the old editor and others stopped talking about this topic, afraid it would get back to the leadership.

Jia Yan was still a bit low during the celebratory banquet at noon, but after disappearing for half an hour, he returned in high spirits, "Editor Chen, are the two pre-recorded episodes still there?"

A female editor said, "They're in the small room."

"Good, prepare them for me, the program from Monday to Friday at noon will be mine now." Jia Yan directed, "Do it as quickly as possible, it's almost twelve o'clock!"

The female editor was unhappy but had no choice but to comply.

Zhang Ye felt disheartened and genuinely disgusted. Originally, he had already considered changing jobs and felt a bit guilty towards the organization that had nurtured him. But now, Zhang Ye was determined to leave. He didn't want to stay in an organization with such leaders for a moment longer!

Are you bullying me too much?

First, the old and young Jias!

Now, even the top leader wants to step on me?

Zhang Ye didn't know what he had done wrong. You wanted to buy the copyright of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" for a pittance to profit for yourselves, and I didn't sell it, so you took my program and exiled me. Fine, I accepted it. I gave up "Midnight Ghost Stories" and worked hard on my new program. Now that the program has reached the top and achieved a glorious record for the station, you're back? You're compressing and suppressing my program again? And using such underhanded tactics to prevent me from participating in the Silver Microphone selection? Just to let Deputy Director Jia's relative rise above me? Just to let the director's old comrade's child win the Silver Microphone?

I worked so hard to achieve this for the station, and for the first time, a program from Beijing Radio Station broke the record set by the Central People's Broadcasting Station! What's the result? I end up like this?

Go to hell!

Do you really think I, Zhang Ye, am a soft target?

A young colleague about the same age as Zhang Ye whispered, "Forget it, Teacher Zhang, you can't fight them, just bear with it. The station deliberately delayed announcing the resumption of your program until Friday to prevent your Silver Microphone nomination. Without a broadcasting duty, no one in the station can nominate you." He casually added, "Unless one of the five judges for the Silver Microphone gives you an extra nomination slot. There are usually three extra slots for the Golden Microphone and about two for the Silver Microphone. Only these slots can be nominated without going through the internal nomination process of the station."

Extra?

There are extra slots?

Zhang Ye's heart stirred. He remembered that Zhang Yuanqi was one of the judges this time!

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