Chapter 10

Li Yang's face was incredibly thick-skinned. He stiffened his neck and shouted, "What am I worried about? I'm not worried about anything! I suspect that Yang An fabricated the data himself. How could he possibly know all this?"

Yang An laughed, "Sorry, I spent four hours in the screening department on Sunday afternoon. These data were directly printed from the system, and the paper even has the department's official header and code!"

The office area erupted in laughter. This was irrefutable evidence. Li Yang, why are you still holding out? It's already like this, and you still won't admit it?

Li Yang was immediately choked, but he was stubborn. He refused to acknowledge Yang An's contribution. As a screenwriter who played with words, he was skilled at making excuses. He found countless reasons, citing his seniority, expertise, and connections. In short, he just wouldn't admit it!

"Forget it, arguing with a brain-dead person will lower your IQ to his level, and then he will defeat you with his rich experience. It's not worth it! Do whatever you want!" Yang An didn't bother with this person anymore.

"Ha... Lowering IQ, Director Yang, you're so funny!"

"Haha! That's a high-level statement!"

"Brain-dead people will defeat you with their rich experience, that's so well said!"

The colleagues couldn't help but laugh. Li Yang was furious, "Who are you calling brain-dead? Who the hell are you calling brain-dead?"

Yang An sneered, "Whoever is the loudest is the brain-dead one!"

Li Yang angrily kicked the computer chair, ready to start a physical fight. At that moment, two people walked in: Deputy Director Li Song from the production department and a leader Yang An didn't recognize.

Seeing the commotion in the office area, Li Song scolded, "What's all the noise about? It's working hours, get back to work! Yang An, go to the small meeting room for a meeting!"

Yang An responded and watched the two head to Duan Haishan's office.

He noticed Li Yang staring at the back of the unfamiliar leader, his expression relaxing as if he had seen a savior. Yang An was puzzled and whispered to the side, "Brother Gu, who is that leader?"

Gu Yunfeng whispered back, "He is the head of the production department, Ma Wanqiao."

The head of the production department?

Li Yang seemed to know him. Why did he come here? Yang An couldn't figure it out.

Yang An went to the public small meeting room, where about seven or eight people were already seated, all leaders from the station, several of whom he didn't recognize.

He found a seat at the lower end and sat down. Soon, Duan Haishan and Li Song arrived, and the meeting began.

Ma Wanqiao, the head of the production department, usually had no reason to speak to Yang An, but unexpectedly, he called out Yang An's name at the start of the meeting.

Ma Wanqiao said, "Director Li, I heard that your 'Jianghu Xiaotan' program had a cold surprise yesterday, with a 20% increase in ratings? Introduce us to the hero!"

Li Yang gestured for Yang An to stand up, "This is Yang An. He planned and produced the 'Xiaotan Hualiu' program."

Ma Wanqiao waved his hand, smiling, "Sit down, sit down. You're a young man, handsome and talented, full of energy! Today, we've gathered everyone here mainly because the Publicity Department mentioned something. They found that starting last Thursday, the search index for our Red Maple TV on QianDu suddenly doubled and has been rising steadily. By 8 PM yesterday, we ranked fifth among all TV stations nationwide, a height our station has never reached before!"

Everyone in the room looked pleased and clapped involuntarily.

Ma Wanqiao continued, "The Publicity Department found that the surge in the search index was due to the new version of 'Jianghu Xiaotan.' They also watched this episode and thought it was quite good. Director Li, the Publicity Department suggests merging 'Xiaotan Hualiu' into the 'Happy Saturday' program to create a stronger brand. What do you think?"

Merge!

Yang An's heart sank. So the rumor was true!

Li Song was clearly shocked. He had no preparation and instinctively suppressed his anger, asking, "Director Ma, isn't this inappropriate?"

Ma Wanqiao laughed, "Why is it inappropriate? Let me explain. First, last week, 'Jianghu Xiaotan' broke the 0.3% rating threshold. This program has been running for three years, and its brand value is too low. There's no need to continue it, and the station won't invest resources. Second, 'Happy Saturday' has a stable rating of around 1.25%. If we add the 'Hualiu' segment, it could increase to between 1.4% and 1.5%, or even higher! You all know what this data means, right?"

The meeting room buzzed with discussion. A 1.25% rating could only place them in the top twenty nationally, but 1.5% would put them in the top ten. This would definitely become Red Maple TV's flagship variety show!

Considering the overall development of the station, abandoning weak programs and strengthening strong ones, Ma Wanqiao's proposal made sense. Several leaders in the room nodded in agreement.

Li Song was in a panic. He was the producer of 'Jianghu Xiaotan,' and 'Happy Saturday' had nothing to do with him!

However, Li Song couldn't openly oppose the proposal; that would be neglecting the bigger picture. He had to find another way to save the program: "Director Ma, Director Duan is retiring in two months. Can't we wait until he finishes 'Jianghu Xiaotan'?"

Ma Wanqiao smiled at Duan Haishan, "Old Duan, you're a veteran of the station. You've made great contributions in the past, and the station won't let you down. How about we stop 'Jianghu Xiaotan' next week, dissolve the production team, and you go to 'Happy Saturday' as an assistant director for the last two months? We can evaluate you as an outstanding employee this year, and you can retire in style. What do you think?"

Duan Haishan was stunned. Initially, he was angry, but the conditions Ma Wanqiao offered were too tempting. Whether for bragging rights after retirement or to find a place to continue his career, the experience of directing 'Happy Saturday' would be a valuable asset.

But Duan Haishan had promised Yang An that he would step down after retiring. What about Yang An?

Ma Wanqiao, a shrewd man, turned to Yang An, "Little Yang, you're the producer. How about you join Director Duan at 'Happy Saturday' and continue to plan the program?"

Finished!

Li Song slumped in his chair, powerless. Ma Wanqiao was clearly well-prepared, delivering three heavy blows, each one fatal. He left Li Song unable to resist and Duan Haishan unable to refuse. He must have also tempted Yang An.

Li Song glanced at Deputy Director Huang Shan, who had been sitting next to Ma Wanqiao without speaking. He and Huang Shan had been rivals for many years. He was sure Huang Shan was involved, and he hated these two people!

Yang An couldn't believe it, "Director Ma, 'Happy Saturday' agreed to accept us?"

Ma Wanqiao nodded, "Of course. Let me introduce you. This is Director Huang, the producer of 'Happy Saturday.'"

Huang Shan cleared his throat, "Variety shows must constantly innovate to survive. 'Happy Saturday' also undergoes a revamp every three months, eliminating low-rated segments and adding new ones. I think Little Yang's ideas are good and fit our program's style. So when the Publicity Department suggested merging the programs, we agreed."

Pretending to be innocent!

Yang An spat inwardly. Merging the programs was definitely not the Publicity Department's suggestion. Given the behavior of Zhang Mingda and Li Yang, he was sure 'Happy Saturday' was envious and wanted to take credit!

Yang An asked, "Director Huang, if I join 'Happy Saturday,' how much power will you give me?"

Director Huang smiled proudly, "Little Yang, you should know that our team, in terms of scale and influence, is several times larger than 'Jianghu Xiaotan.' When you join, I'll assign an experienced assistant director to guide you. When the time is right, I'll give you the power to create your own segment."

Ha, taking away my directorial power!

Yang An chuckled and asked, "Can I still perform on stage?"

Director Huang's face showed impatience, "We have four MCs on 'Happy Saturday,' all with excellent hosting skills. You can familiarize yourself with our program style first. When the time is right, I'll assign you a role..."

Ha, even the right to appear on stage is taken away!

Yang An didn't hear the rest of what Director Huang said. He observed carefully. Director Huang's face showed an indescribable confidence, pride, and superiority. Yes, 'Happy Saturday' was Red Maple TV's top variety show, with ratings four to five times higher than 'Jianghu Xiaotan.' Director Huang naturally looked down on him, a newcomer, as if letting him join the team was a favor.

Yang An felt as if Director Huang was tossing him a bowl of leftovers, disdainfully shouting, "Here, eat this!"

Better to die standing than to live kneeling!

Absolutely cannot agree!

Yang An said, "Director Huang, I might not adapt to the style of 'Happy Saturday.' I want to continue working on 'Jianghu Xiaotan' to build a foundation!"

The meeting room fell silent. Director Huang, who had been talking, was taken aback, put down his teacup, and thought he had heard wrong. He asked again, "What did you say?"

Yang An said, "I'm still a newcomer and might not adapt to the work pressure at 'Happy Saturday.' So, I won't trouble you for now!"

Director Huang slammed his teacup down, his face dark, ready to scold the young man.

Li Song's eyes lit up. He couldn't miss this opportunity and quickly stood up, "Director Huang, I agree. Little Yang is just starting out and has no experience. It would be better for him to stay and finish the last two months. Old Duan, with his rich experience, can report to you at any time. We can process the transfer after the meeting, right, Old Duan?"

Duan Haishan understood the situation and made a quick decision, "Director Ma, Director Huang, thank you for this great opportunity. I will do my best to contribute and make 'Happy Saturday' even more successful!"