Chapter 89

October 1st.

Today is National Day.

Early in the morning, Zhang Ye was brushing his teeth in the bathroom.

His mother called, and as soon as she opened her mouth, she started complaining and criticizing, "Have you found a job yet? You still haven't? I told you not to quit, didn't I? Look at you now, look at you!"

Zhang Ye rinsed his mouth, wiped his lips, and smiled, "Mom, I'm not going to starve even without a job. You don't know? My 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' and a few fairy tales have been published. They're on sale today, so don't worry. When the publisher pays me, I'll give you some."

His mother was delighted, "Published? How much did you earn?"

Zhang Ye tried to dodge the question, "Not much, not much. Have you eaten?"

"Don't change the subject! How much did you earn?" his mother said sternly.

Zhang Ye had no choice but to say, "About six million. After taxes, it'll probably be around five million."

"What? Six million? Oh my goodness!" his mother was shocked, "Did you rob a bank? That's so much! People usually earn just a few thousand for publishing a book. The neighbor's son is a writer, and his best book only earned him eighty thousand. How did you earn so much?"

Zhang Ye boasted, "How can they be the same? 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' is a different level altogether. My fairy tales are all classics. I feel like I'm even losing out. If it weren't for the quick payment and the simplified Chinese rights, I wouldn't have sold it for such a small amount. Mom, tell Dad too, don't let him worry. I'm doing fine. Quitting the radio job has made things more flexible for me. I can publish whenever I want, without being restricted by work regulations. And I promise, better opportunities will come in the future."

"Are you going to your grandmother's today?"

"You and Dad go. I'll skip it for now."

"Alright, I know you're busy. Work hard."

Just as he was about to hang up, he heard his mother say to his father, "Our son is amazing, six million! He earned six million from publishing!"

The call ended, and Tian Bin's number came through.

"Hello, Zhang Ye," Tian Bin's tone was excited.

"Old Tian, it's me. What's up?" Zhang Ye walked out of the bathroom.

Tian Bin said, "I got the job. I submitted my resume yesterday and went for the interview today. After just five minutes, they told me to start tomorrow."

"Wow, that's great! Which radio station?" Zhang Ye asked.

Tian Bin chuckled, "It's the Central Radio Station, the largest in the country!"

Zhang Ye was happy for him, "Great, congratulations!"

Tian Bin paused, "It's all thanks to your authorization letter. When I showed it to them during the interview, they were speechless. Then a leader made a call and came back to tell me to start tomorrow. It seems the Central Radio Station values your show a lot. Thanks, Zhang Ye!"

Zhang Ye smiled, "You're too polite. No need to thank me. It's no big deal, just a small favor."

"Let's go out for a meal sometime," Tian Bin said.

"Sure, let's plan it," Zhang Ye hung up.

Zhang Ye seemed happy on the surface, reporting good news to his mother and congratulating Tian Bin, but he was actually worried. The publishing part went smoothly, but the next step was back to the original deadlock—how to get into a TV station. If he was really blacklisted and couldn't get in, he would have to come up with a new plan. Where should he go? Make movies? Sing? But he didn't have the credentials or the strength to make others overlook his appearance. If he rushed into the music or film industry, no one would pay attention to him, no matter how good his work was. The timing wasn't right.

For example:

"Miss Dong" is a good song, right?

But when the original artist released the album, no one listened to it, and no one knew about it. It only became popular when Zuo Li sang it on "Happy Boys," and it became a nationwide hit. Why did the original artist's version not work, but Zuo Li's cover did? It's not the song's fault. The song is the same, and the original artist might even have better singing skills. But it's about opportunity, the story of Zuo Li and his girlfriend, and more importantly, appearance and conditions. At least, that's how Zhang Ye saw it. He knew his limits.

Until the right time comes, you can't do what you're not ready for!

He had to go to a TV station. After much thought, it was the best place for his next step. He needed this stepping stone, and he needed it badly!

No!

He couldn't give up on this!

Zhang Ye decided to submit a few more resumes. No one wanted him before, but that didn't mean they wouldn't now. He had published "Ghost Blows Out the Light," and the publisher's promotional efforts were excellent, bringing him a lot of popularity and prestige. The impact of "Dead Water" had also faded a bit. The TV and radio stations couldn't blacklist him forever. Once the heat died down, he would have a chance.

One!

Three!

Five!

Zhang Ye started submitting resumes again. The TV stations he targeted were the same ones he had applied to before.

But the responses were another cold shower!

The TV stations replied quickly, just like before, and the answer was still no!

Zhang Ye was frustrated and felt a bit hopeless. How long did he have to wait? If this dragged on, he would drop from a fifth-tier artist to even lower!

While he was thinking, the third call of the day came in.

Zhang Ye was surprised. The number was from Hu Fei, the famous program producer who had invited him and had since moved to the Capital TV Station.

"Hello, Teacher Hu," Zhang Ye was unsure of the caller's intentions.

Hu Fei's tone wasn't very pleasant, "Teacher Zhang, I heard you've been submitting resumes to many TV stations, applying to be a host?"

Zhang Ye coughed, "Yes, I thought I'd try my luck."

Hu Fei said, "Didn't I already invite you? You even agreed. Why are you applying to other TV stations?"

Zhang Ye was taken aback, "Ah, Teacher Hu, didn't the Capital TV Station blacklist me? After all, I recited that poem at the award ceremony, and the Capital Radio Station is part of the same organization. I knew the situation, so I didn't want to trouble you or make things difficult for you."

Hu Fei realized, "So that's why you applied to other TV stations but not to the Capital TV Station. You, you, you, what can I say? This is partly my fault for not contacting you sooner, which made you overthink. Teacher Zhang, you might not know me well, but I've been in the TV industry for many years. I always keep my word. I promised you, and I will do my best to make it happen, even if I can't guarantee it completely."

Zhang Ye was incredulous, "Teacher Hu, you... you still want me?"

"I don't care what the station thinks. I need you. I value your artistic and literary skills. Among the younger generation, no one can match your level. Some of your peers might be more famous or have higher achievements, but I can say that in terms of literary skills, no one can match you! If I don't want you, who else would I want?" Hu Fei said firmly.

Zhang Ye was moved, "Teacher Hu, this..."

"You come for the interview at the Capital TV Station this afternoon. I've already arranged it," Hu Fei hesitated, "But I need to be honest. I can vouch for you, but the final decision on hosts and guests is made by the higher-ups. My opinion can only serve as a reference. You caused quite a stir, and things haven't calmed down yet. I can't guarantee your success, but I will support you fully. Just do your best."

"Thank you, Teacher Hu!" Zhang Ye was touched.

"Don't thank me yet. We'll see how it goes. And I want to make it clear that this opportunity isn't from me, Hu Fei, but from your own efforts. Your literary depth has won me over, and many others. You deserve this chance!" In fact, before Zhang Ye won the Silver Microphone Award, Hu Fei only admired him and hoped he would help. But after the "Dead Water" incident at the award ceremony, Hu Fei was speechless, then angry, but ultimately even more impressed. "Dead Water" had completely won Hu Fei over. Hu Fei felt that Zhang Ye was the talent he needed most at the moment, and no one else would do.

The call ended.

Zhang Ye took a deep breath, feeling a sudden turn of events!

The Capital TV Station was interviewing him! He still had a chance to get into a TV station!

This news was the most exciting thing for Zhang Ye in the past few days, even more so than the publication of "Ghost Blows Out the Light." Publishing was just a temporary boost, and the popularity would fade. To truly become famous and sustain popularity, he needed to be on TV!

However, being on TV had a significant downside—family tragedies!

Look at those talent shows and talk shows. Whenever someone goes on stage, someone in their family dies. Today, it's their grandfather, tomorrow, their father, the day after, their aunt gets cancer, and the day after that, their dog gets prostate problems!

One tragedy after another!

So, in a way, going on TV is a dangerous thing. If you don't have a family tragedy, you're almost embarrassed to go on stage!