Chapter 67 - The Rookie that was about to Make History! (1/2)

The morning phone call had empowered Zhang Ye with energy. After he washed up, he left home. Today, he was again the first to reach the unit. After he retrieved the keys from the door keeper’s room, he rushed straight to the recording studios.

He wanted to record programs.

And he intended to record a few episodes.

After squeezing in some xiaolongbao, which he bought from the streets, into his stomach, Zhang Ye began to narrate “The Wizard of Oz” as he ate. He wanted to organize the plot. For example, the ending part of each chapter and the crucial plot’s position. He was not changing the text or the plot, nor could Zhang Ye change it. He would not change anything about the story, but he could arrange where he would end the segment every day. He did not follow the exact chapter format of “The Wizard of Oz” to the tee. For example, he was ending the program today at a part that made people antic.i.p.ate. With people’s antic.i.p.ation hooked, the listeners.h.i.+p rating tomorrow could be slightly higher. These were all strategic methods.

Why did he go through all this trouble?

It was because Zhang Ye was trying to pull up his listeners.h.i.+p ratings!

His current “Old and Young Story Club” listeners.h.i.+p ratings were approximately 2.4% or so. It was second in the Literature Channel. If it went any higher, then he could break a few records. That would be extremely helpful for him in winning a Silver Microphone Award. Then, it would be quite certain that he could win the prize.

“Chapter 9: The Queen of the Field Mice.”

“‘We cannot be far from the road of yellow brick, now.’ remarked the Scarecrow, as he stood beside the girl, ‘for we have come nearly as far as the river carried us away.’ The Tin Woodsman was about to reply, when he heard a low growl. Turning his head, he saw a strange beast come bounding over the gra.s.s towards them.”

9:30 A.M.

His colleagues had already begun work for half an hour.

Zhao Guozhou’s image had changed today. He had permed his hair. He held out the ratings table as usual, “Stop the things that you are doing for a moment. Is everyone here?”

Tian Bin looked towards an empty seat, “Zhang Ye isn’t here.”

Zhao Guozhou frowned, “He isn’t here yet? What time is it already?”

Big Sis Zhou spoke out for Zhang Ye, “Little Zhang must have been too tired over the past few days, so he’s a bit late. I’ll give him a call.” She took out her cellphone and gave a call, but Zhang Ye’s cellphone was switched off.

Jia Yan tried to instigate matters, “He’s not picking up?”

Big Sis Zhou stared at him, “His phone is switched off; maybe he’s still sleeping.”

Wu Datao seethed, “Isn’t this not treating work seriously? He decides not to come on a whim? He has become arrogant just with this bit of results? Does he even have the Leader in his eyes?”

With this fault to pick on, a few colleagues who had extremely poor relations with Zhang Ye began to fan the flames. Their tones made it even worse.

Suddenly, Zhang Ye came in from outside. Hearing everyone say his name, he asked strangely, “Director, are you looking for me?” He was still unsure of what had happened.

Zhao Guozhou looked at him, “Why are you so late?”

Zhang Ye was puzzled, “No, I’m not late. I reached here at 7+ in the morning.” He shook the bunch of keys in his hand, “I got the keys from the door keeper’s room, and was in the recording studio, recording my program. I wanted to record a few more episodes today, so I came in earlier, so as to not need to line up to wait for the recording studio.”

What?

You came in at 7?

He had been working and recording all this time?

Tian Bin, Jia Yan and Wu Datao’s faces turned ugly.

Big Sis Zhou laughed and mocked at Tian Bin and company. She again stood up for Zhang Ye, “I was wondering why Teacher Little Zhang’s cellphone was switched off; so he was recording programs.”

Zhao Guozhou glanced at Jia Yan and company from the corner of his eyes before finally patting Zhang Ye on the shoulder in a satisfied manner. He smiled. “Very good. However, you must make sure to rest. Don’t work too hard.”

“Thank you, Director; I will.” Zhang Ye said.

“Go back to your seat. I’ll announce the results.” Zhao Guozhou said warmly.

Noting that Director Zhao’s att.i.tude towards Zhang Ye was changing, Tian Bin’s heart began to quiver. He suddenly felt a sense of danger. “Late-night Ghost Stories” had just been returned to his hands. “Ghost Blows Out the Light” was not done broadcasting, and it would be some time before Tian Bin managed to really take up the job. However, with the way things were going, why did he feel a sense of danger? Could Zhang Ye steal the anchor position of “Late-night Ghost Stories” once again?

Zhao Guozhou began announcing the listeners.h.i.+p ratings.

“First place. ‘Talk About the World’, listeners.h.i.+p 3.69%

“Second place, ‘Old and Young Story Club’, listeners.h.i.+p… 2.98%!”