After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 408 Inside Story
"Meng Xuemin?"

Tang Shiyi raised an eyebrow, not understanding the inside story.

Zhou Haoran said, "Meng Xuemin and Zhan Yushan were educated youth who went to the countryside together."

"Booth manager!"

Tang Shiyi's expression suddenly changed.

Zhou Haoran recalled an incident from the past: "The 'People's Livelihood Investigation' program was originally a segment on the Lifestyle Channel, but it was later transferred to the General Channel. As a result, Zhan Yushan was promoted to deputy director and took charge of the General Channel, gaining real power."

"You mean, this is a deal?" Tang Shiyi felt a chill in her heart. "Two years ago, I was able to become a producer because the booth manager gave me the opportunity despite everyone's objections."

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "Compassion doesn't lead troops, righteousness doesn't lead business, sentimentality doesn't build achievements, and kindness doesn't make one an official. From the perspective of ordinary people's morality, none of us successful people are good people."

Tang Shiyi smiled and glanced at him. "That includes you too?"

"Ah."

"I think you're alright. My dad approves of you and wants me to be with you."

“We’ll talk about our business later.” Zhou Haoran coughed, feeling that Tang Shiyi’s personality wasn’t so bad after all. “I’m preparing for a host competition recently, and I’ve talked to Zhan Yushan a few times. From his words and actions, I could tell that he wants more power.”

Tang Shiyi paused for a moment, then slowly said, "I've become a transaction partner?"

"Lin Guiyan is the transaction partner, and you are the victim of the transaction."

Zhou Haoran had no evidence, but he had deduced it from the details.

Tang Shiyi narrowed her eyes and analyzed, "Normally speaking, with such a serious incident recently, Lin Guiyan, the editor-in-chief of 'Family Matters,' will definitely be unable to continue as editor-in-chief and will be severely punished. She won't be dismissed, but she will most likely be relegated to a low-level position. Given Lin Guiyan's personality, she definitely won't accept that."

Zhou Haoran nodded. "This provides the basis for a transaction."

Following his line of thought, Tang Shiyi analyzed, "Lin Guiyan's lover is Yi Changping, the director of the entertainment channel."

"Back when Yi Changping was the deputy director of the lifestyle channel, he was Zhan Yushan's rival. I was the one who mediated and got them to temporarily put an end to their differences. Now that Lin Guiyan is in trouble and Yi Changping is no longer with the lifestyle channel... Zhan Yushan will definitely seize this opportunity and go all out!"

Zhou Haoran finally understood that these people at the TV station would stop at nothing to get ahead, just like those in the officialdom.

Tang Shiyi grew increasingly calm, his eyes sharp. "In order to protect Lin Guiyan, Yi Changping had no choice but to make a compromise."

“There is only one explanation.” Zhou Haoran said firmly, “Such a crude forgery, such an obvious frame-up, must have been protected by the top leader of the Lifestyle Channel.”

"What's the bargaining chip?"

Tang Shiyi still couldn't find any support.

Zhou Haoran said, "I'm not entirely sure about that, but I can make a guess. The deal is inevitably driven by mutual benefit."

Tang Shiyi guessed, "Yi Changping's needs are very simple: he wants to protect Lin Guiyan and also let her take the opportunity to become the producer of 'Family Matters'."

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Zhan Yushan needs more power... or rather, if Director Shan Wendong's strong reform measures are to be pushed forward, he must consolidate power in the hands of his people and further weaken the conservative faction. The next reform will likely be the separation of production and broadcasting, which will affect the interests of too many people. After this transaction, I estimate that within one or two months, the station will make a power adjustment, and Zhan Yushan will be in charge of the entertainment channel."

"The conservatives' power has been weakened, Director Shan's reforms are more secure, Zhan Yushan has more power, and Lin Guiyan has become a producer out of misfortune..." Tang Shiyi sighed, "Everyone is a winner. I sacrificed myself to benefit everyone else."

"And I."

"You sacrificed yourself too?"

"I should also be one of the beneficiaries. No wonder they're leaders; they're really capable!"

Zhou Haoran's tone was somewhat mocking.

Tang Shiyi's eyes lit up. "You mean Zhan Yushan?"

Zhou Haoran said, "I told Zhan Yushan a long time ago that the ratings for 'Harbor Story' were too low and that a new program should be created to replace it. But he kept putting it off. Recently, I mentioned that I wanted to do a 'Host Competition,' and his attitude immediately improved. He was willing to push it forward, but he kept dragging it out for me, which also became a bargaining chip."

Tang Shiyi suddenly realized and said, "He wants to use this as a benefit to promise you that you won't stand up for Lin Guiyan!"

Zhou Haoran said, "That's right. Look at these people in 'Family Matters,' who else can resist besides me? As long as no one takes the lead in making trouble, this matter will be settled."

"They're all women, who would dare to resist?"

Tang Shiyi sighed.

Zhou Haoran understands this very well: "To resist, you need not only courage, but also confidence. Some people want to resist but don't have the confidence, just like Zhang Ming. Her compromise is mainly because she is afraid of losing her job."

"You are my source of confidence."

Tang Shiyi looked at him with sparkling eyes, showing none of the icy indifference she displayed towards others.
Zhou Haoran said matter-of-factly, "That's for sure. What kind of man is he if he can't even protect his own woman?"

"I'm your woman? You acknowledge that?"

Tang Shiyi gave a half-smile.

Zhou Haoran cleared his throat. "Didn't you say you wanted to become my disciple?"

"You agree?"

Tang Shiyi looked delighted.

Zhou Haoran said helplessly, "Can I say I disagree? With your personality, if I don't protect you, even if you manage to get away with it this time, you'll suffer sooner or later."

“My dad said I should be with you.” Tang Shiyi lowered her eyes.

"Just take on apprentices."

Zhou Haoran still had some reservations and was hesitant to develop a closer relationship with her.

Tang Shiyi looked up at him, her eyes bright, and said directly, "My dad said he wants to see me settled down and hold my grandson while he's still alive."

Zhou Haoran felt a headache coming on. "They're not looking for me, are they?"

"I don't care about anyone but you. My dad said that a woman should find a man who can tame her, and I think you can tame me." Tang Shiyi was decisive and regained her strong woman demeanor. "Whether I'm a concubine, a mistress, or a lover, it doesn't matter. I don't care about titles or such things."

"How could you be so hasty about such a life-changing event?" Zhou Haoran waved his hands repeatedly. "We can talk about this later. What do you plan to do about this?"

"What do you mean?"

"To confront it head-on, or to endure it?"

"How can we force it?"

Tang Shiyi looked on with curiosity.

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "It's easy to force it, just expose it. I'll find someone to verify that Lin Guiyan forged your signature. Or we can report it to a higher-level disciplinary committee. Once it gets out of hand, Zhan Yushan won't be able to cover it up, and Lin Guiyan will at least be dismissed."

“But this would offend everyone…” Tang Shiyi said rationally and calmly, “Your biggest backer at work is Zhan Yushan, right?”

Zhou Haoran said "hmm".

"It's best to be patient and not offend him. A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. After all this, even if I went back to 'Family Matters,' it would be difficult to clean up the mess. People's hearts have been scattered."

Tang Shiyi chose the safer option.

This is the difference between him and Hu Xiaochen.

If it were Hu Xiaochen, who had suffered such a great injustice and had his signature forged to make him take the blame... he would never be able to swallow this insult and would definitely jump out and fight back!

Tang Shiyi said casually, "I'll sacrifice myself to benefit all of you. Then you can go to Zhan Yushan and tell him I'm one of yours, and you'll have leverage to negotiate with him."

"Is there even a need to discuss this?" Zhou Haoran couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head repeatedly. "He already knew we were in cahoots! Otherwise, why would he worry that I would cause trouble? There would be no need for all this trouble."

Tang Shiyi was stunned for a moment, then realized, "That's right, you were admitted to the station through a special admission program. I went to Zhan Yushan and asked him to pull some strings for you."

Zhou Haoran said, "If we choose to endure this time, Zhan Yushan will give us an explanation."

"Then let's endure it!" Tang Shiyi also saw through this and leaned towards the option of enduring it. "If you can endure it, so can I. It's just taking the blame, it's no big deal, I'm not wronged. My dad said that a successful man must have four virtues!"

"Ok?"

Zhou Haoran raised his eyebrows.

"First, you need to be patient; second, you need to be emotionally stable; third, you need to be a quick learner; and fourth, you need to have a strong desire for women. You meet all four of these criteria. If you can't swallow this, I'll start to doubt whether my choice to become your apprentice was the right one."

Tang Shiyi spoke with great logic and reason.

Zhou Haoran was speechless, but had no way to refute it. "Tolerance does not mean giving in. It's just that a gentleman's revenge is never too late."

"How do we get revenge?"

Tang Shiyi was very interested.

Zhou Haoran narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "None of those involved this time will escape. Yi Changping, Lin Guiyan, and Zhan Yushan!"

"I listen to you."

Tang Shiyi's unconditional trust in him stemmed not only from her own choice but also from her trust in her father's judgment.

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Write a resignation letter now, saying that you are resigning from your position as producer of 'Family Matters,' and give it to me."

"You're going to pass it on to Zhan Yushan, right?"

Tang Shiyi saw through his intention.

Zhou Haoran said, "Yes, I'll go talk to her. Since it's a transaction, we have to get something out of it."

"What about me?" Tang Shiyi pointed to himself. "Should I stay at Red Star Terrace, or leave?"

Zhou Haoran asked, "What do you think?"

Without hesitation, Tang Shiyi said, "I'm fine with anything, I'll listen to you. You're a great teacher, you're so capable. Even if I leave the TV station, you can still take care of me."

"Well, if all else fails, I'll just go it alone and be my own boss!"

Zhou Haoran had already figured it out.

Given Tang Shiyi's personality, he's not suited for the workplace. This time there's a Lin Guiyan, next time there will be Wang Guiyan, Zhao Guiyan—it won't be an isolated case.

It would be best to let her start her own company and be her own boss!

(End of this chapter)