Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Chapter 61 The Fox of the Year

December 31st, today is the last day of 2009.

This is also Ren Pingsheng's first New Year's Eve after his rebirth.

At this romantic moment when he should have been having dinner with a beautiful girl and embracing her in the crowd during the countdown, Ren Pingsheng and Da Peng, two grown men, were sitting in a private box at the Capital Indoor Stadium, listening to Na Ying sing "Conquer" on stage with heartbreaking emotion.

Of course, it's not because they have any special fetishes.

It's because Uncle Ben is here.

Let's rewind to yesterday.

When Ren Pingsheng returned to the studio, Dapeng was sitting on the sofa with dark circles under his eyes and a constipated expression.

"I didn't sleep a wink last night."

"Nervous?" Ren Pingsheng took off his coat.

"How could I not be nervous?" Da Peng rubbed his face vigorously. "Think about it, back then, they personally offered to take me as their apprentice, but I was too smart to refuse. Now that they've made their apprentice famous all over the country, I'm rushing back. Isn't that just pure opportunism? I feel ashamed of myself."

"You refused back then because you felt unworthy and afraid of embarrassing him," Ren Pingsheng pulled up a chair and sat opposite him. "Now that you can bring him value, aren't you putting your words into practice?"

"But he might not think that way!"

"That's why this apprenticeship gift, which he couldn't refuse, was necessary."

Da Peng bit his lip, his cigarette clenched so tightly it was deformed. "Can you really handle the talent show thing?"

"Whether we can get it done is another matter," Ren Pingsheng stuffed the prepared materials into Dapeng's arms. "The important thing is to let Teacher Benshan know that you have this card in your hand. With this card in your hand, you have the right to sit at the table."

Da Peng took a deep breath and finally made up his mind. He took out his phone to contact Uncle's lover, Teacher Ma, but was suddenly stopped by Ren Pingsheng.

"What's wrong now?"

Ren Pingsheng pointed to the pop-up news that had just appeared on the computer screen.

[Zhao Bensan, who was originally scheduled to have a medical check-up at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai yesterday, suddenly changed his plans and went to Tiantan Hospital in Beijing for his first follow-up examination three months after surgery. The results showed that he was recovering well, and in high spirits, Zhao Bensan decided to attend his fellow townsman Na Ying's New Year's Eve concert in Beijing.]

As Da Peng watched the news, half of his newly mustered courage vanished instantly. "What should I do? They were just discharged from the hospital for a follow-up checkup. Is it appropriate for me to bother them?"

"What's inappropriate about it? You've just recovered from a serious illness and are in a great mood. This is the perfect time to relax."

"Call Professor Ben San directly and tell him that you are in Yanjing and you would like to come and congratulate him in person."

As expected, after Da Peng reluctantly made the call, Zhao Bensan was not annoyed at all, but rather very happy, and took the opportunity to invite him to the concert that night.

……

When Da Peng and Ren Pingsheng were led inside by their assistant, Zhao Bensan was leaning back on the sofa, laughing and talking to someone next to him. Although he was a bit thin, he was in good spirits.

When he saw Dapeng come in, he waved to him.

"Oh, Xiao Dong is here."

That enthusiastic energy instantly swept away Dapeng's restraint.

"Teacher Ben San, how are you recovering?" Da Peng quickly took a few steps forward, bent down, and leaned over.

"That's great. The doctor said that with a little more rest, I'll be able to perform on the Spring Festival Gala."

Zhao Bensan patted Dapeng's arm, looked him up and down, and said, "I heard you're a big star now. What, you finally remembered to visit this old geezer today?"

Da Peng blushed and quickly apologized, "Look at what you're saying, what kind of celebrity am I? In front of you, I'll always be a student. I've wanted to come see you for a long time, but I've always been afraid of disturbing your rest."

As he spoke, he stepped aside slightly to make way for Ren Pingsheng. "Teacher Ben San, let me introduce you. This is Ren Pingsheng, the director of our Shengping Vision, and also my current partner."

Ren Pingsheng stepped forward, bowed slightly, and greeted the teacher with the courtesy due to a junior: "Hello, Teacher Ben San, I am Ren Pingsheng. I grew up watching your sketches. I wish you good health."

Zhao Bensan looked Ren Pingsheng up and down, then suddenly laughed.

"Wow, such a young director," he gestured to the sofa next to him for the two to sit down, "I've heard of you."

Ren Pingsheng was taken aback.

"I don't really understand the stuff you young people do, but Shen Yang told me the other day that 'A Simple Noodle Story' was getting a lot of flak online. It was only thanks to someone named Shengpingshi who spoke up for us that the tide turned."

Zhao Bensan looked at Ren Pingsheng with a half-smile: "So, the story of your life is about you, kid?"

Although there are no apps like Tianyancha yet, for a big shot like Zhao Bensan, as long as one pays a little attention, having someone check his biography and media information, combined with his name, makes it incredibly easy to guess who he is.

However, this was something he did intentionally; otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen such an obvious name.

"Teacher Zhao has a discerning eye; I apologize for making you laugh," Ren Pingsheng readily admitted, then looked apologetic. "Actually, I'm here today to apologize to you in person. I previously dragged 'A Simple Noodle Story' into this to promote our web series, and I'm sorry for offending you."

"Oh dear, child, why are you apologizing!"

Zhao Bensan waved his hands repeatedly and laughed heartily, "I should thank you. If you hadn't shut down those intellectuals who always look down on others, who knows what kind of people we would have been bullied."

At this point, Zhao Bensan's expression became more serious.

"Although the web series you filmed is different from ours, it still speaks for ordinary people. You can tell at a glance that he is a filial son."

His words were extremely tactful, not only easing the initial awkwardness but also affirming Ren Pingsheng's abilities.

The initial awkwardness vanished almost instantly.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Bensan turned around and looked at Dapeng, who seemed a little uneasy, with a smile.

With his experience of navigating the world for most of his life, how could he not see that these two had come prepared today?

"Alright, Xiao Dong, I know your personality. You don't come here unless you need something. So, what's the matter that you've come all this way to see this old man? What's gotten into you?"

Da Peng's thoughts were exposed, and the prepared speech he had prepared suddenly got stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter it for a long time.

Seeing this, Ren Pingsheng naturally took over the conversation.

"Teacher Zhao, it's not really a problem. Peng is just shy and embarrassed to say it. I'll report on his work for him."

Ren Pingsheng used concise language to explain to Zhao Bensan the background of the talent show, the official endorsement of the World Expo, and the plan for Dragon TV to broadcast it during prime time.

"The current situation is that Shanghai needs to find a guest host who can connect with grassroots culture. Peng said that this matter is related to the exchange between the North and South cultures, so he came to you for advice."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Bensan did not immediately respond.

What kind of shrewd person is he?

As soon as Ren Pingsheng said this, he understood the underlying meaning.

Dragon TV?

Would those arrogant TV personalities really seek out comedians from Northeast China to be judges?

Zhao Bensan suddenly laughed, his face creased even more deeply with the laughter.

"What's wrong, Xiao Dong...?"

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, "Isn't hosting exactly what you're good at? Why didn't you offer yourself to them?"

Da Peng's face instantly turned red.

Zhao Bensan narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the faces of the two young men.

"Speak," he leaned back on the sofa, "what exactly do you two want me to do for you?"