236: Chapter 236 Writing a song for the Spring Festival Gala?

"There were only five groups of contestants to begin with. If something happens to you and we're down to four, this show will be shut down!"

Wu Tao kept rambling, his heart filled with the urge to stab Chen Shaoping.

When Chen Shaoping was talking big, he hadn't actually considered the show's situation, and he had indeed created a difficult problem for Wu Tao.

"Director Wu, you have to trust me; the show will proceed as planned. If you don't trust me, I'll take Wang Bo and Zhou Bule and leave immediately."

Wu Tao was choked up, his face turning beet red.

Chen Shaoping's words made him feel as if he were the one in the wrong.

If it weren't for the fact that the live broadcast was imminent, he would have definitely dealt with Chen Shaoping.

"Chen Shaoping, what if my trust in you is misplaced?"

"By then, it will be too late for me to turn back."

Ten thousand 'grass mud horses' galloped through Wu Tao's mind. Hadn't he only secured the position of Chief Director by picking the right side?

Why was nothing going right?

First, Xu Kun's reputation collapsed.

And now, there's Chen Shaoping.

At this point, he was no longer thinking about the show becoming a hit or securing his footing at the station.

He just wanted to finish the remaining episodes smoothly and safely.

"Then there's nothing I can do. If you're afraid, I'll leave right now." Chen Shaoping gave him a cold look.

Seeing that Chen Shaoping wasn't biting, Wu Tao stopped beating around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

"Chen Shaoping, let's sign another agreement. If your reputation collapses, not only must you return all the prize money, but you'll also have to compensate the production team one hundred million."

He looked at Chen Shaoping with burning eyes, hoping he would agree immediately.

This way, even if his reputation did collapse, CCTV might lose some face, but at least there wouldn't be any substantial financial loss.

"Are you finished?" Chen Shaoping asked, his right hand continuously stroking the armrest of the sofa.

"Yes, I'm finished!"

Wu Tao didn't understand what he meant; he really was finished speaking.

Upon hearing this.

Chen Shaoping looked at Wu Tao as if he were an idiot and said, word by word, "I! RE! FUSE!"

Wu Tao slapped the table and stood up abruptly. "You can't refuse! You must agree!"

"With conditions even darker than Huang Shiren's, why on earth can't I refuse?"

"I can sign the agreement, but one line must be added: if my reputation doesn't collapse, the production team must also give me one hundred million in compensation."

"If you don't agree, then based on the current contract, sue me if you must, or blacklist me if you must."

Wu Tao's face turned pale, and his lips trembled, unsure of what to do.

Chen Shaoping wasn't in the habit of waiting for others. "Second Bo, Bu Lie, pack your things. We're heading back to Yangcheng."

"Alright, President Chen."

"Alright, Da Ping."

Wu Tao got anxious. "Wait, I'll get back to you soon."

Then, he led his people away dejectedly.

At the same time.

At the CCTV Tower.

Cai Guoqiang, who had already completed his retirement procedures, was in the office of the Acting Station Director, Zhou Xie, making his final farewells.

"Director Zhou, thank you!"

After expressing his gratitude, Cai Guoqiang picked up his personal belongings and prepared to leave.

Zhou Xie put down his pen, looked up slightly, and rolled his eyes.

"Old Cai, what's the rush? Stay a while longer. It'll be time for the cafeteria to open soon; let's grab a bite together before you go."

The cold tone made Cai Guoqiang feel a chill in his heart.

He paused for a moment, then strode out without looking back.

Just as he reached the door, it was suddenly pushed open with great force.

Wu Tao burst in, still looking exasperated.

"What are you doing? Have you no sense of decorum? Don't you even know how to knock?"

"Get out and try again!"

Zhou Xie's face was grim, and he felt very displeased. He had always strictly criticized such disrespectful behavior.

Wu Tao was stunned. Despite his extreme reluctance, he obediently backed out and knocked again.

He knocked three times before Zhou Xie's voice came from inside.

"Come in!"

"Station Director, Station Director..." Wu Tao shouted twice as he entered.

"You're a grown man, yet you're still so flighty. Not steady at all."

Zhou Xie scolded him, feeling disappointed that he wasn't living up to expectations. "Speak, what is it?"

Wu Tao recounted everything about Chen Shaoping exactly as it happened and glanced at Zhou Xie.

Zhou Xie grabbed a document from the desk and threw it at him. "Are you a pig? If he dares to propose such conditions, it proves he has confidence."

"Why are you even trying to sign an agreement with him?"

"If his reputation really does collapse, I have plenty of ways to deal with him."

"Then the show..." Wu Tao asked tentatively.

"Of course it will proceed as scheduled. Are you a pig-head?"

Zhou Xie was so angry his liver hurt. He felt that since taking the position of Station Director, his temper had worsened significantly.

He would lose his temper at the slightest provocation.

It was as if everyone under him was working against him.

Cai Guoqiang, who had just walked out of the office, heard Wu Tao reporting on Chen Shaoping's situation and felt some concern.

He hurried to the hotel, wanting to talk to him.

Cai Guoqiang arrived at Chen Shaoping's room.

Wang Bo and Zhou Bule hurriedly offered him a seat.

"Old Cai, have you retired?"

Chen Shaoping looked at the cardboard box in his arms, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, I'm getting old. It's time to make room for you young people."

Cai Guoqiang felt a sense of emptiness; suddenly leaving a place where he had worked for decades was something he wasn't used to.

"An elder in the house is like a treasure."

"Sometimes, an elder is like a stabilizing force; they don't have to do anything, just standing there is enough!"

"The effect is multiplied!"

Chen Shaoping looked at Cai Guoqiang with a smile, pondering how to bring up the subject.

However, at that moment, a text message from Wu Tao interrupted his thoughts.

"the singer & songwriter" will proceed as scheduled, and there's no need to sign any agreement.

Wu Tao chose to trust him.

Chen Shaoping immediately felt a bit uneasy, as if he had just lost one hundred million.

He then thought for a moment; now wasn't the best time.

"Old Cai, you're not in a hurry to go back home to Yangcheng, are you? How about we have a few drinks tonight and chat?"

"Sure. After the show ends tonight, come straight back to the hotel. I'll have the food and drinks ready."

"Let's have a good drink."

Cai Guoqiang was quite happy and readily agreed.

Chen Shaoping was also happy, having his own little scheme in mind.

4:30 PM.

The Host, judges, contestants, and audience had all arrived.

The show started on time.

Host went on stage to read the opening remarks, then invited the judges out, and finally, the contestants also took the stage.

As the device spun, tonight's theme appeared in Teacher Han Hong's hands.

She carefully opened the ball, slowly unfolded the slip of paper, and took a look herself first.

Then she said loudly, "I really like this theme, and I hope the five groups of contestants can write well."

"Because if the songs for this episode are written well, it will be of great help to you."

Host's interest was piqued by her words, and he leaned in. "Teacher Han Hong, how about giving us a peek first?"

"No!" Han Hong refused, then held the slip of paper high for everyone to see.

The theme for this episode is: Write a song for the upcoming 'Spring Festival Gala'.

Hearing this theme, the other groups of contestants fell into deep thought.

Chen Shaoping raised an eyebrow; this was just too simple.