Chapter 282: Chapter 280: Benefactor
Xu Jiali and Song Jiayan got their phones back and curiously pulled up the list of trending topics. They knew it couldn’t be anything good, but they still wanted to see for themselves.
Seeing the person she despised most trending online would normally have been infuriating, but now, Xu Jiali felt an inexplicable thrill of excitement.
’Is this a little wrong?’
’Am I being a little mean?’
But Xu Jiali felt this was how a normal person should react!
And she was, after all, just an ordinary, normal person—someone who wore her heart on her sleeve, with clear loves and hates.
When she saw the trending topic about Xie Fu Yao, Xu Jiali couldn’t help but double over with laughter.
This definitely took everyone by surprise.
Even if the others were laughing inwardly, they wouldn’t let it show on their faces.
But Xu Jiali laughed unabashedly. Everyone could see how happy she was and how much she detested those two.
"Song Jiayan, did you see it? It was hilarious watching Xie Fu Yao get owned by those monkeys. He called them beasts, so what does that make him for arguing with them?"
"And look at this part, when he picked up a rock to throw at the monkeys, he looked terrifying. Look at his eyes—that’s genuine killing intent. It’s like he wanted to hack them into a million pieces. I have zero doubt that if no one else was around, he might have actually killed a protected animal."
Song Jiayan nodded. He thought so, too.
Zhao Qi sat to one side, listening to their conversation without thinking anything different.
He didn’t think Xu Jiali was just badmouthing him. He truly believed Xie Fu Yao would kill the monkeys, provided he had the upper hand and knew no one else would find out.
He had already seen right through the man’s character.
After they finished reading about the trending topic, Zhao Qi mentioned the phone call Xie Fu Yao had received.
He said his agent had chewed him out, telling him his career was probably over and that he was going to be shelved.
This made Xu Jiali sigh. That was just how this industry worked.
If you could generate profit, everyone would put you on a pedestal and protect you. But once you lost your value and couldn’t bring in any more money, you were nothing more than a disposable rag.
Xie Fu Yao’s situation was pathetic, but Xu Jiali felt no sympathy for those two.
Or rather, all three of them. None of them were worthy of sympathy.
’I never thought a variety show in this industry could be so interesting. At least, while other shows are all about ’buy, buy, buy,’ this one is all about ’roast, roast, roast.’’
’Awesome! That’s the only word for it!’
After reading that Meng Xiaoyi had actually fractured her tailbone, Xu Jiali turned serious for once. "Director Wen, did Meng Xiaoyi really crack her tailbone?"
Director Wen gave her a complicated look. "That’s what the doctor said. Don’t worry, the production team will cover her medical expenses. I won’t press the issue of the negative publicity she brought to the show. We’ll even give her some additional compensation."
Xu Jiali nodded. The director had told her not to worry, and she wasn’t worried in the slightest.
’After all, that person has nothing to do with me.’
’And since she’s getting compensation, what more could she ask for?’
As for the negative impact on the show, Xu Jiali wasn’t the least bit concerned.
’In her opinion, Sister Wen Ying could carry an entire show all by herself.’
’The show could be called: Doctor Wen’s Outdoor Survival Chronicles!’
’It would be an absolute top-tier show in the reality TV world!’
’Explosive drama, a massive fanbase, trending every single day!’
"Director Wen, you’re a good man. A director with a conscience like you is a rare find these days."
Director Wen was pleased to hear that. This girl clearly knew how to talk to people.
’As expected, anyone who follows Doctor Wen is a promising talent.’
"Song Jiayan, have you thought about what Doctor Wen told you regarding the music platforms?" Director Wen suddenly recalled.
’If his own show could launch a non-celebrity into superstardom, it would be a huge boon for the program!’
’It would be another shining achievement to add to their list of promotional points.’
’Besides, building a good relationship with a future superstar was crucial for a rookie director like him.’
’After all, Song Jiayan would have gotten his start on his show.’
’From now on, whenever anyone mentioned Song Jiayan, they would think of this show.’
"Sister Wen Ying mentioned it to me, but I don’t know much about those platforms yet."
"It’s fine if you don’t. I’ll have someone prepare some information for you to look over. This is a big decision, so you need to think it through carefully."
Song Jiayan nodded. "You’re right, Director. Sister Wen Ying said the same thing. She even said she’d help me find a professional to handle it."
"Doctor Wen said she’d help you? That’s fantastic news!"
In Director Wen’s mind, Wen Ying was practically a goddess from the heavens, capable of anything.
"Sister Wen Ying is truly amazing," Song Jiayan agreed with another nod.
He knew that aside from saying that and nodding, he couldn’t come up with any other eloquent praise.
’His vocabulary was too limited.’
When it came to songwriting, his words flowed like a river, but in conversation, he’d never considered himself a man of many words, nor did he particularly enjoy talking.
"Well, since Doctor Wen is helping you, I won’t meddle. Little Song, you know you’ll be a big star after leaving our show, right? I still remember when you first arrived, a complete unknown."
Director Wen remarked with a sigh.
"Thank you, Director Wen, and the production team for giving me this opportunity."
Just because Song Jiayan couldn’t say the right things didn’t mean he didn’t understand.
Director Wen’s face bloomed into a wide smile.
’Song Jiayan was a sensible person, and an honest one at that.’
’Director Wen thought that people like him were the easiest to bully and manipulate. Thankfully, Song Jiayan had met Doctor Wen.’
’This must be Song Jiayan’s big break.’
’Wen Ying was their benefactor.’
While Director Wen was chatting with everyone, Zhao Qi’s phone rang.
When Zhao Qi saw the caller ID, his expression turned a little strange, but he answered it anyway.
The group’s chatter quieted down a little.
Zhao Qi looked at Director Wen, a reluctant expression on his face. "Director, with Jiang Beibei, Xie Fu Yao, and Meng Xiaoyi leaving the show, won’t we have too few guests? I have someone who wants to recommend a person to join."
"Oh? Who is it? I’ve already found two new guests, but there is indeed one spot left."
"Director Wen, why don’t you take the call?"
Since Zhao Qi didn’t want to say, Director Wen took the phone from him and stepped aside to take the call.
After Director Wen hung up, the look he gave Zhao Qi was a little strange.
Director Wen didn’t say anything to Zhao Qi, nor did he ask any questions. He just announced to everyone, "The new guests are all confirmed. They’ll be here tomorrow. Let’s hope these three can get along well with everyone."
"Director, does this mean you compromised?" Zhao Qi asked, a little curious.
"I did. Is there a problem? It’s not like I’m short on cash, but if someone wants to invest, why wouldn’t I accept? As long as whoever comes doesn’t stir up trouble, it’s fine."
Zhao Qi didn’t say anything further.
But this exchange made Xu Jiali extremely curious. "So the investor knows Zhao Qi? Zhao Qi, don’t tell me you’re some rich heir just here to experience ’real life’?"
"No, no, no," Zhao Qi said, quickly waving his hands. The last thing he wanted was for Xu Jiali to start keeping her distance from him for that reason.
Xu Jiali looked at Zhao Qi with a hint of disappointment. "So it’s just a coincidence, huh? I really thought you were a rich heir. I was thinking I could finally have a rich friend and go brag about it to people. I guess I was getting ahead of myself."
