Chapter 123: You... You actually took a fancy to him?

Evening.

During dinner, Yuan Xiong kept eyeing Wang Mo with a strange expression.

Wang Mo couldn’t take it anymore: "Brother Xiong, what exactly is the matter?"

Yuan Xiong asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were writing a variety show proposal for the Variety Department?"

Wang Mo replied, "It wasn't confirmed yet, was it?"

Yuan Xiong asked, "What is the situation now?"

Wang Mo briefly explained the situation regarding *Where Are We Going, Dad?* and then added, "President Tang is planning to take me to Mango TV this Thursday. He will present my proposal to the person in charge, and I don't think there will be much of a problem."

Not much of a problem?

Yuan Xiong gave Wang Mo a pitying look.

Brother.

You are usually such a smart kid, so why are you acting so obtuse this time? Can't you tell that everyone is just humoring you?

After a moment of thought, Yuan Xiong said in a veiled tone, "How about... you don't go?"

Wang Mo raised an eyebrow: "Do you think my proposal is unlikely to be picked up by Mango TV?"

Yuan Xiong thought to himself: It’s not just unlikely; it’s impossible.

But out loud, he said, "Anything is possible, but I think you could just hand the proposal to President Tang and let him handle it. You can just stay at the company and wait for the news, right?"

"No, I have to go." Wang Mo shook his head.

He wasn't actually stupid. How could he fail to see the discouragement and lack of confidence in Yuan Xiong's tone? However, Wang Mo knew that if he didn't go, the proposal for *Where Are We Going, Dad?* would have a 0% chance of being picked up by Mango TV. Only by going himself was there a glimmer of hope.

Yuan Xiong sighed in resignation: "But if Mango TV doesn't choose *Where Are We Going, Dad?*, don't get discouraged."

Wang Mo smiled: "What is such a small setback? My heart is already as hard as iron. Besides, even if Mango TV doesn't like it, I'll just sell it to Tomato TV."

Of course, selling to Tomato TV was the absolute last resort. Mango TV and Tomato TV had always been competitors, and Yunhai Media had always enjoyed a good relationship with Mango TV, having been partners for years. Thus, if he rashly sold the show to Tomato TV, it might trigger a series of unpredictable consequences.

Sometimes, Wang Mo was quite curious. Yunhai Media’s headquarters was clearly in the Magic City, so why hadn't they established a partnership with Tomato TV, instead remaining as thick as thieves with Mango TV? Was it a case of "the rabbit not eating the grass by its own burrow"?

...

Thursday.

Tang Tao kept his promise and took Wang Mo on a flight to Star City, a thousand miles away.

At two o'clock that afternoon, Tang Tao met with Xiao Jiangxu, the head of variety shows at Mango TV.

Since Xiao Jiangxu had already reviewed the detailed proposal for *Youth and Maturity: A Collision of Two Generations* and it had passed the relevant internal audits, the signing process went very smoothly. In just over half an hour, Mango TV had acquired the variety show and handed the production over to Yunhai Media.

Wang Mo did a rough calculation: through the planning and production of this variety show, which had an investment of over 200 million, the profit for Yunhai Media would be at least ten million, if not significantly more. Moreover, a hit variety show could generate continuous revenue, not just a one-time profit. This was why Yunhai Media put so much effort into planning *Youth and Maturity*: if the show had a second or third season, the licensing fees alone would bring in millions or even tens of millions annually.

With the signing complete, Tang Tao glanced at Wang Mo, who had been waiting impatiently nearby, and smiled slightly, about to bring up *Where Are We Going, Dad?*.

However, Xiao Jiangxu spoke first. A serious expression appeared in his eyes: "President Tang, there is something I need to tell you in advance."

"Please go ahead, President Xiao."

Tang Tao’s heart skipped a beat, as he caught a hint of something wrong in Xiao Jiangxu’s solemn tone.

Xiao Jiangxu said in a deep voice: "Mango TV and Yunhai Media are long-time partners. Excluding the show we just signed today, we have already collaborated on three variety shows this year. However, although those three shows had decent feedback, none were breakout hits. The highest-rated show only hit 0.31. In response to this, the station held a meeting and made a decision: for the remaining variety shows we collaborate on with your company this year, if we don't produce a show with a rating exceeding 0.5, the station will consider collaborating with Canxing Culture next year. Canxing Culture has been seeking opportunities to work with us for the last year or two, and the terms and prices they propose are very favorable. Plus, the quality of their variety shows is also quite good, so the station is considering this. I hope you are aware of this, President Tang."

Tang Tao’s face turned grim.

Canxing Culture!

Yunhai Media’s mortal enemy—he hadn't expected them to interfere in their partnership with Mango TV. If they succeeded, Yunhai Media would lose tens of millions every year!

This had to be stopped.

However, Tang Tao had no idea how to stop it. As Xiao Jiangxu had stated: if they couldn't produce a show with a rating over 0.5, Yunhai Media would be unable to prevent the collaboration between Mango TV and Canxing Culture.

But how easy is it to get a variety show to a rating of 0.5? In an era where variety shows were blooming everywhere, a rating of 0.1 was considered quite good. A show with a rating of 0.5 was definitely an ace program.

What to do? What to do?

Tang Tao felt anxious; he needed to relay this news back immediately so the company’s top management could hold a meeting and make a decision.

"Thank you for the information, President Xiao. I believe that no matter what, Yunhai Media will always be your station's best partner." Tang Tao said politely before standing up to leave.

Wang Mo grew anxious: "President Tang."

*Brother, you haven't mentioned my project yet.*

Tang Tao rubbed his temples, sat back down, and pointed at Wang Mo, smiling slightly: "President Xiao, this is our company's young colleague, Wang. He has planned a variety show with a very novel format. I wonder if you would be interested in taking a look?"

When Xiao Jiangxu first saw Wang Mo, he felt the young man looked a bit familiar, but he didn't think much of it. He met too many people in his line of work; it was normal to see a familiar face or two. Hearing Tang Tao’s words, he smiled: "Of course, no problem."

Tang Tao looked at Wang Mo.

Wang Mo hurriedly handed over the *Where Are We Going, Dad?* proposal he had prepared. Because it was introduced by Tang Tao, Xiao Jiangxu read it very carefully. But after just a few minutes, his brows furrowed slightly, and the further he read, the faster he went.

Xiao Jiangxu managed to finish the thick stack of proposals in just ten minutes.

Seeing the other man's expression and actions, Wang Mo understood: clearly, the man had no interest at all. This result was entirely within his expectations. In his previous life, Mango TV was able to film *Where Are We Going, Dad?* because they had the Korean version as a reference and knew what a mature format looked like; they had confidence. Even then, after buying the rights, no director at Mango TV dared to take on the show because no one believed in it.

And now?

Since Xiao Jiangxu had only read the proposal for *Where Are We Going, Dad?*, he was surely even less inclined to believe in it.

Sure enough.

After looking up and glancing at Wang Mo, Xiao Jiangxu said: "The concept for this variety show is indeed interesting, but the risk factor is too high. I'm afraid our station wouldn't dare to pick it up."

This was a clear rejection.

Wang Mo took a deep breath. It seemed he had to use his trump card. His original plan was: if Mango TV didn't like *Where Are We Going, Dad?*, he would sell it to Tomato TV; if they didn't like it, he’d go to Blue TV. With so many TV stations in China, he didn't believe all of them would pass on it.

But after hearing Xiao Jiangxu’s words just now, Wang Mo changed his mind.

By Wang Mo’s assessment, the probability of *Youth and Maturity: A Collision of Two Generations* achieving a rating of 0.5 was extremely low. Without a miracle, Yunhai Media would be unable to stop Mango TV from collaborating with Canxing Culture. By then, the loss to Yunhai Media would be astronomical. The company had treated him well, and he couldn't just stand by.

"Forget it. For the sake of the company, this show should go to Mango TV. Besides, Mango TV has the strongest overall strength, and giving it to them will ensure the show is produced to the highest standard. It’s a win-win situation."

Wang Mo made his decision.

Then, he whispered internally: "System, use the Trust Fragment."

System: [Request received. The Trust Fragment has been used. The effect lasts for half an hour. You have two more uses remaining.]

The next second, Wang Mo fixed his gaze on Xiao Jiangxu and began to speak eloquently: "President Xiao, since you said the show has a creative concept, that means it has a future. As for the risk factor you mentioned, tell me, which variety show isn't a gamble before it airs? So, would you choose to gamble on a show with a creative concept, or one without? The reason I planned this parent-child show is: First, because the fast-paced life in modern cities makes it hard for parents and children to enjoy family time. This show fulfills that need. Second, the show isn't just about showing the lives of 'star dads' and 'star kids,' but about presenting a life education encyclopedia for all parents. Third... Fourth..."

When Wang Mo first started speaking, Xiao Jiangxu had a smile on his face, but he was completely dismissive inside. If not for Tang Tao’s sake, he would have lost his patience long ago.

However, as he listened, strange thoughts began to form in Xiao Jiangxu’s mind: *What this young man is saying... it seems to make a bit of sense?*

A while later, Xiao Jiangxu’s thoughts shifted: *Hmm, listening to Xiao Wang put it this way, I suddenly feel that 'Where Are We Going, Dad?' really is full of creativity.*

A while later, Xiao Jiangxu’s heart gradually became excited: *What Xiao Wang is saying is so logical! A variety show with such creativity and novelty like 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'—our Mango TV must secure it. What of the risks? Fortune favors the bold!*

Listening to Wang Mo, Xiao Jiangxu found that he felt the young man across from him was more and more reasonable and coherent; every word hit home, and at the same time, he found himself increasingly approving of the show.

Meanwhile, Tang Tao, who was sitting to the side, felt incredibly awkward, wishing he could dig a hole and crawl into it. *Wang Mo, my brother, my guy, my big boss... didn't you hear the clear rejection from President Xiao just now? Why are you still stubbornly pitching your show? Why bother? Why suffer like this?*

At this moment, he regretted bringing Wang Mo along. He hadn't expected the young man to be this stubborn. He didn't know if the boy would be devastated after being firmly rejected again. *Sigh, it looks like I’ll have to comfort this kid later.*

Just as he was feeling a mix of emotions, he heard Wang Mo finish his pitch and ask Xiao Jiangxu: "President Xiao, do you think my words make sense?"

The next second, Xiao Jiangxu stood up and sighed with emotion: "Xiao Wang, I was shallow before; I didn't see the advantages of this show. It took your explanation for me to realize how excellent it is. You could say I almost missed out on a great show that has the potential to become a masterpiece. In any case, I think the creativity and format of 'Where Are We Going, Dad?' are quite outstanding. It’s the best outdoor reality show concept I’ve seen in years. If you have time, please wait a moment; I’m going to discuss this with my other colleagues at the station immediately, pass the audit as quickly as possible, and sign this show."

By the time Xiao Jiangxu was halfway through his sentence, Tang Tao was stunned into silence.

*What? Did I hear that right? Xiao Jiangxu actually liked this show?*