As he watched the group listening intently, endlessly urging him to continue, Chu Tian had really had enough.

In just that short while, he was parched from all the talking—how long would it take to narrate a story of hundreds of thousands of words?

Just then, the food arrived, and he quickly called everyone to eat, a welcome escape.

"The food's here! Let's eat first, we're all starving."

"Don't rush, tell us a bit more. There's still time after the dishes are served."

"Everyone should read it for themselves later. It's definitely more exciting than my retelling. I can only remember bits and pieces; reading the novel is much better, as I've forgotten many details."

Seeing him say this, everyone finally, albeit reluctantly, gave up.

They weren't children, after all; they had some self-control, but the disappointment was real.

However, everyone had the same idea—to find this novel and read it, as it seemed genuinely interesting.

The dishes continued to arrive, and since it was a dinner party, eating and drinking were undoubtedly the main focus.

To ensure the conversation didn't stray off track again, the hosts, Wei Liangxiao and Chen Sheng, began to liven up the atmosphere at the table.

The group ate, drank, occasionally chatted about some juicy gossip, boasted a little, and shot the breeze, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Everyone also started to loosen up, and the range of topics they could discuss broadened.

The meal, from the initial tea while waiting for everyone to arrive, all the way to the end, incredibly stretched on for six hours.

As they were leaving, a thoroughly drunk and disoriented Hu Zhenglun was still clutching Chu Tian's arm, earnestly reminding him to give him the program, imploring him not to let him down.

Hearing this gave Chu Tian goosebumps, and he quickly scurried away.

Of course, before leaving, he couldn't escape being pulled aside by Lu Yongxin for some small talk. Even though they said nothing of significance, it felt as though everything had been said.

Chu Tian understood instantly. This person was quite astute and somewhat opportunistic, but that sort of person could actually be quite good. If you could help him, he would genuinely help you—a truly mutually beneficial relationship. On the other hand, Lu Yongxin was very cautious about setting traps for others. He adhered to the principle of mutual assistance and support, while resolutely avoiding offending anyone. If he did offend someone, he would decisively admit his mistake without hesitation. Such a person was pretty good—no worries about him stabbing you in the back.

Back in the car, Hou Yichuan and Chu Tian looked at each other.

Both had drunk a lot and definitely couldn't drive. But stuck in this alley, they couldn't just abandon the car, could they?

It looked like they had to find a designated driver.

「In the following days」

Chu Tian's routine was a simple triangle: home, his studio, and the company.

The only good news was that matters at his company were almost settled.

He had also completed the proposal for "Where Are We Going, Dad?" and handed it over to Hou Yichuan.

The next step was for Hou Yichuan to discuss the collaboration with Lemon TV.

According to Chu Tian's instructions, the deal should at least secure half of the profits for them. Lemon TV would handle the recording aspects, and the rest would be easy to negotiate.

On the other hand, another person was giving him a major headache—Wei Liangxiao.

Ever since the last drinking session when Chu Tian had mentioned "Where Are We Going, Dad?", Wei Liangxiao had been tailing him as if he were on something, desperate to follow him around every day.

Especially those plaintive little looks constantly lingering on him had led to rumors around the office of an inappropriate relationship between them.

But Chu Tian was also in a dilemma. It wasn't that he didn't have any good variety shows; they just weren't suitable to be brought out at the moment. It wasn't about timing or lack of funds. These variety shows had other uses: namely, to boost Xu Qingqiu's popularity and pave the way for her future.

Yet, being constantly pestered by Wei Liangxiao wasn't right either. Moreover, as the company's only variety show director, it didn't seem right for him to remain idle.

He mentally reviewed the hit variety shows he could remember, excluding those likely to stir up controversy, those he personally disliked, or those he considered of low value.

Finally, he picked out a few that might be needed for Xu Qingqiu or the company's future development.

After much sifting, he found there weren't many he could produce right away.

Or rather, there was only one that seemed viable. That was "Flowers and Teenagers."

There would be no issue with Xu Qingqiu participating in this variety show, but the reason Chu Tian decided to offer it to Wei Liangxiao was that he felt it wasn't quite appropriate for Xu Qingqiu to be involved in the internal drama. With so many dominant personalities, if she were put in there and ended up at a disadvantage, Chu Tian wouldn't be able to bear it.

Since Xu Qingqiu couldn't use it, then he might as well offer it up. The company had recently recruited a few newcomers who were currently training; he could slot them in and see how they fared. Perhaps someone might become a star. Even if they didn't, as long as they didn't make fools of themselves and get lambasted by the public, it would be fine. At worst, he'd just tell their managers to keep a close eye on them and drill some sense into them. After all, these newcomers were just going in to be tools and punching bags; they could forget about comfort. It was purely a gamble for a shot at fame.

"Brother Wei, come to my office."

He called Wei Liangxiao, who practically flew over.

Yes, *flew* over.

"President Chu! My dear brother~ Do you finally have a program for me? Quick, let me see it!"

Chu Tian cringed at his ridiculous greeting.

"Seriously, Brother Wei, who taught you to talk like that? Can't you be normal? You're over thirty and calling me 'brother.' If that doesn't make you sick, it sure makes me sick."

"President Chu, no need to hit below the belt. That really stung! I'm still young. What's wrong with calling you 'brother'? Is that so abnormal?"

"Alright, alright, you win. I finally get why President Hou is the way he is. So you're the source of it all!"

"President Hou? What's wrong with him? I think he's alright. What does he have to do with me?"

Just as the two were chatting, speak of the devil, and he appeared.

"Konnichiwa!"

Watching Hou Yichuan enter with a sly grin and spouting that mangled Japanese, Chu Tian facepalmed. It was unbearable to watch.

"Konnichiwa, konnichiwa! Desu ka na?"

"Hehe, I've come to report good news to Chu-san-de arimasu!"

As the two continued their banter, Chu Tian couldn't stand it any longer.

"Speak properly! If you can't, then get out!"

"Hey, now, why so angry? Alright, alright, I'll speak normally. First, take a look at this."

Chu Tian took the document Hou Yichuan handed him, his eyes catching the two exchanging sneaky glances.

If he hadn't known they were both straight, Chu Tian would have suspected from their lingering, charged glances that there was something more between them.

Seeing this was going nowhere, he put down the document, looked up at them curiously, and asked:

"Be honest, have you two been watching some... questionable material in private?"

"How could we?!"

"No! Absolutely not!"

The two denied it in perfect unison, but Chu Tian didn't believe a word.

"Really? I don't buy it."

"Really not! I have a girlfriend!"

Hou Yichuan, as if terrified of being misunderstood, quickly distanced himself from Wei Liangxiao.

Seeing this, Wei Liangxiao grew anxious.

"I... I have a wife!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Youyou drawled from the side:

"Ex-wife..."

"Hou Yichuan! I'll kill you! Ex-wife or not, tell me, is she a woman or not! IS! SHE! A! WOMAN!"

Seeing the two were about to start fighting again, Chu Tian felt a real headache coming on.

He remembered Hou Yichuan used to be quite normal, a polished, elite professional. How had he become like this?

And Wei Liangxiao, who previously had the air of a dejected, bohemian young artist—how had he also turned into such a clown?

Could putting these two together really cause some kind of chemical reaction?

"Hold on, I'm not talking about the two of you *together*. I mean individually, on your own. Have you really not been watching any... risqué short videos or something?"

"No!"

"No!"

The two denied in unison, shaking their heads emphatically.

Chu Tian got it; that meant they definitely had.

"Fine, watching them isn't the problem. But where on earth did you learn this gibberish? Why can't you speak normally anymore?"

"What gibberish?"

"What do you think? 'Sumimasen?' 'Konnichiwa?' What is all this? Can't you just give it a rest?"

"Uh..."

"..."

Both were momentarily speechless. After a long pause, Wei Liangxiao finally said:

"President Chu, I've just been watching some variety shows from Japan recently and picked up a few phrases I thought were amusing. It's not as bad as you make it out to be."

His gaze shifted to Hou Yichuan, who quickly pointed to Wei Liangxiao and said:

"I learned it all from him."

Chu Tian looked back at Wei Liangxiao and asked quizzically:

"This variety show you're watching... it's a legitimate one, right? Not the kind where they wear masks and you have to guess who the other person is?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Really not?"

"Really not!"

"So sure?"

"Positive! And definite!"

"Oh, really? You're so sure. Sounds like you know all about guessing who people are when they're wearing masks, then? Pretty familiar with that scenario, are you?"

"..."

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