Chapter 5

The studio was in an uproar, and Li Yang, watching from the audience, was stunned, his face turning bright red.

After the music stopped, Li Yang said fiercely, "Damn it, this lucky bastard!"

Zhang Mingde quietly pulled him to a secluded spot and said, "Yangzi, I want this program. I’m telling you, don’t conflict with him right now. It’s best to get on his good side, understand all the punchlines, and try to get the entire plan! I’ll go find some people at lunchtime to get this thing moving."

Li Yang gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I just can’t stand his arrogant and rampant attitude. We have to snatch this program!"

Ten minutes later, Duan Haisan and Li Song urgently brought in five high-definition cameras and borrowed ten more people to help, quickly setting everything up.

Duan Haisan hesitated with the walkie-talkie, but then said, "Director Yang, how about you take over from here?"

Sigh...

The entire production team was dumbfounded. This was giving Yang An full control of the show!

Li Song was puzzled and pulled Duan Haisan, "Old Duan, what are you doing? You can’t promote a newcomer at this critical moment? So many people are watching! What if he makes a mistake? Get through this first!"

Before Duan Haisan could speak, Yang An replied in the walkie-talkie, "Director Duan, I have to perform later, so I can’t direct. Let’s follow the script."

Duan Haisan turned to Li Song and sighed, then pressed the walkie-talkie, "Attention all units, continue recording 'Laughing Smoothly,' starting from the beginning."

...

The artists were actually very hardworking. Due to the tight recording schedule, they had boxed lunches provided by the TV station at noon. Shen Hui ordered a double portion and ate voraciously. Even Liu Susu, disregarding her ladylike image, ate 1.5 times her usual amount, complaining of hunger.

There was no way around it; just one episode of 'Laughing Smoothly' took almost two hours to record. Not only did the two of them expend a lot of energy, but their faces were almost swollen from laughing. They had numerous outtakes, countless makeup touch-ups, and almost bruised their limbs. Their agents were furious, but the two artists were very happy, not complaining at all. In the end, they even exchanged private phone numbers with Yang An.

Yang An also took on the role of ordering boxed lunches. He personally distributed them to each staff member, smiling at everyone. "Thank you, camera brother, thank you, lighting brother, thank you, props brother." He rubbed his cheeks, secretly marveling at how tiring it was to laugh so much.

"Congratulations, Director Yang!"

"Thank you, everyone has worked hard!"

"Great job, Director Yang. This is a fantastic idea. I guarantee it will be a hit with the audience!"

"Post-production editing is crucial. It all depends on your skills, everyone. Thank you!"

"Good job, Director Yang. The revival of 'Jianghu Laughter' depends on you!"

"Ah, not really. It’s the team’s effort. Without our entire team, there would be no me, Yang An. It’s the team’s achievement!"

Finally, after distributing the lunches, Yang An saw a familiar face approach. The man smiled and extended his hand, "Hello, Director Yang. I’m Zhang Mingde from 'Happy Saturday.' I just watched your program recording, and it was amazing. I’m very impressed!"

Zhang Mingde?

Yang An’s eyes narrowed. So this guy was Zhang Mingde. He wasn’t part of our production team, so he couldn’t have come here just for a free lunch. If he came here...

Yang An instantly became alert. He withdrew his hand and said, "Oh, it’s you, Brother Zhang. I’ve heard a lot about you. Are you here to get a lunch box?"

Zhang Mingde waved his hand, "No, no. I want to treat Director Yang to a meal. I’ve booked a table at the Field Restaurant. Can you do me the honor?"

Yang An declined, "Sorry, I need to organize the master tapes. I don’t have time at noon."

Zhang Mingde continued to smile, "It’s for tonight."

Yang An was a bit annoyed, "I’m really sorry, Brother Zhang. I’m very busy these days, only getting four hours of sleep each night for this program."

Zhang Mingde was a seasoned MC with excellent performance skills. Despite being rejected multiple times, he showed no anger and still smiled, "I was too abrupt. I didn’t consider how busy you are. How about we meet when you’re less busy?"

Yang An didn’t want to offend him and casually agreed. He saw Duan Haisan beckoning him, apologized, and left.

After Yang An and Duan Haisan left, Li Yang walked up to Zhang Mingde and huffed, "A little success and he becomes arrogant!"

Zhang Mingde took out a wet wipe, wiped his hand that had just shaken Yang An’s, and smiled, "In a way, we should thank this little success. The better he does now, the more we will gain in the future."

Li Yang laughed along, a sinister glint in his eyes.

The big directors and producers wouldn’t eat boxed lunches. Duan Haisan and Li Song, along with the leaders of the camera crew they had borrowed, plus Yang An, took the elevator to the fourth floor of the broadcasting station’s cafeteria, where a private room had been arranged.

After some formalities, they all sat down. Yang An insisted on sitting at the lower end. Duan Haisan introduced, "This is Director Qiu from the后勤处 (后勤处 means后勤 department), and this is Director Li from the News Comprehensive Channel. Directors Li and I managed to borrow a few high-definition cameras from them. Xiao Yang, you must thank them."

Yang An quickly stood up and respectfully toasted the two leaders, "Directors Qiu and Li, thank you for your help today. I’ll drink first!"

Yang An saw the standard small cups and switched to a medium-sized cup, drinking three in a row. He guessed he wouldn’t be able to leave unscathed today, so he decided to show his sincerity.

Directors Qiu and Li laughed and each drank a cup. Director Qiu said, "Xiao Yang, we still have work this afternoon. Let’s let you off today."

Director Li deliberately said to Duan Haisan, "Old Duan, I really like Xiao Yang. How about you let him come to our News Comprehensive Channel? I promise he won’t be treated badly!"

Duan Haisan glared, "Old Li, don’t even think about poaching. Xiao Yang is a treasure for our program. Director Li also thinks highly of him. No matter how much you talk, we won’t let him go. Right, Director Li?"

Li Song chuckled, "Directors Qiu and Li, you didn’t hear. Director Duan has already given Xiao Yang full authority. You know what that means, right? So, you can’t take him away!"

Everyone cheered and laughed. Yang An was touched. Duan Haisan had been very supportive, always helping him, so he didn’t want to disappoint him. He could only repay him by doing his best with the program.

After a few rounds of drinks, everyone enjoyed their meal.

Duan Haisan asked, "Xiao Yang, we all have high hopes for 'Laughing Smoothly.' In the next few days, you must pay close attention and make it perfect. We need it to be a hit."

Yang An replied, "Director Duan, rest assured. I’ll stay until Sunday noon and ensure there are no mistakes."

Duan Haisan was very satisfied. Li Song added, "We also need to promote it. If the budget is insufficient, I’ll approve an additional 10,000 yuan. If this episode of 'Jianghu Laughter' gets a rating of over 0.3%, I can promote you to deputy director. When Old Duan retires, you’ll take over."

Yang An was delighted. This was a great opportunity. "Thank you for your support and trust. I’ll work hard and not let you down!"

After lunch, there were a few more hours of recording for other segments in the afternoon.

Yang An didn’t participate. He took all the master tapes of 'Laughing Smoothly' and locked himself in a room to review them carefully.

For this episode, Yang An didn’t completely follow the script from the other world’s 'Laughing Smoothly.' He added the song 'A Set of Pancake Rolls' and modified some settings and lines, perfectly integrating the content of the movie 'Men and Women.'

Yang An quickly immersed himself in his work, needing to select the best clips from dozens of hours of footage. He might really have to work until Sunday noon.

...

On Friday morning, Yang An almost missed his punch-in time again, sprinting from the subway to the broadcasting station and clocking in one minute early.

Today, the atmosphere in the office was different.

In the past few days, his colleagues had ignored him, pretending not to see him. Today, they all greeted him proactively.

"Good morning, Director Yang!"

"Xiao Yang, you’re here so early. Look at those dark circles under your eyes. I’m really worried about you!"

"Don’t work too hard. It’s up to our editing team now. I promise to edit it perfectly for you!"

Several colleagues came over to ask after his well-being. Yang An smiled and responded to each one, then picked up a broom to do his usual chores, such as sweeping, changing the water, and maintaining the equipment.

"No, no, let me do it!"

"I’ll change the water. I’m strong! Director Yang, you don’t have to do it!"

"Director Yang, sit down and rest. Don’t worry, changing the lens is no big deal. I can handle it alone!"

Yang An was both amused and exasperated. Normally, others would call him to do things, but now, just one day later, they were all eager to do these tasks for him, as if they were afraid of tiring him out.

Sigh...

Yang An’s ears were sharp. He heard a disdainful voice from the scriptwriting area. He didn’t bother to turn around. Whoever it was, they couldn’t shake his position. He had already proven that even as a mere production assistant, he could do the work of a scriptwriter!

"Brother Yang, can I ask you something?" This was Song Xiaomei, the director’s assistant, who usually acted aloof and rarely acknowledged Yang An. Today, she approached him proactively.

Yang An asked, "What is it?"

Song Xiaomei giggled, "Who is the singer of 'A Set of Pancake Rolls'? Do you know? It’s become an internet sensation overnight!"