AFVSIBS Chapter 35: Returning to the Program

Over at the program team, Zhao An quickly received the news of Zhou Chen's impending return, which made him very excited. He couldn't help but jump up and exclaim, "Yes, that's great!"

"Director Zhao, what's got you so excited?" Assistant Qin Haishan, seeing him lose his composure like this for the first time, couldn't help but ask curiously.

"What else could it be? Of course, it's about Zhou Chen. I just received the news that Zhang Chuchu is on her way back with Zhou Chen. This is a great opportunity for our program. If everything goes smoothly, our program might break the 3.0 rating myth."

"Really! That's fantastic! I didn't expect Wanhe to compromise like this."

Upon hearing the news, Qin Haishan also expressed joy.

"They had no choice but to compromise. After all, Zhou Chen's popularity is too high this time, and with Mr. Chen and Madam Wang getting involved, they had to save face. Anyway, regardless of the circumstances, Zhou Chen's return to the program is a huge boon for us."

"Director Zhao, should we explain to the public why Zhou Chen disappeared just now? After all, the whole internet is still looking for him," Qin Haishan asked for Zhao An's opinion.

"No need. We haven't made any official announcements, so why bother explaining? The speculation is actually boosting the program's popularity. It's not necessarily a bad thing. So, let's not explain to the public. When Zhou Chen returns, that will be the best explanation. Right now, speculation and discussion are keeping our program's popularity alive," Zhao An stated.

"Wise as always, Director Zhao. Let's leave it at that. I'll go prepare and welcome Zhou Chen and the others at the entrance later."

With that said, Qin Haishan turned and left.

Meanwhile, after changing into clean clothes, Zhou Chen packed his things and followed Zhang Chuchu back to the nursing home.

"Where are you going now, Zhou Chen? Don't tell me you're going back to sleep again?" Seeing Zhou Chen rushing towards the accommodation area as soon as he got out of the car, Zhang Chuchu was puzzled.

"Zhang Jie, you guessed right. I indeed plan to go back and take a good nap," Zhou Chen replied.

"Zhou Chen, don't push your luck. Since you've agreed to come back to the program, you have to participate honestly. Come with me to meet the staff from the program team and re-register for work," Zhang Chuchu reminded sternly.

"Zhang Jie, if I'm not mistaken, it's almost noon now. It's lunchtime, and after lunch, I plan to take a good nap. Is there anything wrong with that?" Zhou Chen reasoned.

"You..."

Zhang Chuchu was once again infuriated by Zhou Chen's words. If it were before, she would have wished to scold him to death.

But now, she could only endure it, fearing that Zhou Chen might cause trouble again, and she wouldn't be able to explain to Chen Jie.

"Fine, fine, fine. Just remember to attend the afternoon activities on time, and make sure you can perform in the evening," Zhang Chuchu said briefly and then left.

"Zhang Jie, where's Zhou Chen? Did he come back to the nursing home?"

After Zhao An and Qin Haishan arrived and saw only Zhang Chuchu, they immediately inquired.

"He's already back, but he said he wants to go back to the accommodation area to have lunch and then take a good nap before joining the afternoon activities," Zhang Chuchu replied.

"Alright, as long as he's back, that's what matters. Everything else is just trivial," Zhao An said.

Although surprised by Zhou Chen's behavior of being indifferent and nonchalant, Zhao An didn't mind much, considering Zhou Chen's popularity and talent. He knew that geniuses often stand out and take unconventional paths. As long as Zhou Chen could bring in viewership for the program, he didn't care about other matters. After all, producing a program was all about ratings and revenue.

However, Zhang Chuchu couldn't swallow this. Although Chen Jie had given her a direct order to bring Zhou Chen back to the nursing home to continue participating in the program, she could manipulate the situation to ensure Zhou Chen didn't perform well.

After leaving the nursing home, she immediately called her husband, Wang Wei.

"Wang Wei, Zhou Chen is really pushing his luck. Can't we just let this slide?" Zhang Chuchu expressed her thoughts directly.

"Now that Mr. Chen has personally spoken, even if you're dissatisfied or unwilling, you can't act recklessly. You must bring Zhou Chen back to the nursing home to participate in the program. Otherwise, even I, as your manager, won't be able to protect you," Wang Wei reminded her.

"I know that. I've brought him back to the nursing home as instructed by Mr. Chen. I've successfully completed the task assigned to me by Mr. Chen. But we can sabotage him and ensure he doesn't perform well in the program," Zhang Chuchu said.

"What do you mean?"

"I've already found out. Today's task in the program is to perform talents for the elderly in the nursing home, which will surely involve the copyrights of songs and dances. As long as we don't arrange for Zhou Chen to obtain the copyrights, let him figure it out on his own, then he won't be able to perform in the program," Zhang Chuchu explained her plan.

Yes, this world values copyright, especially in variety shows. If you want to sing someone else's song, the company or the program team needs to help obtain the copyright, and it needs to be approved before you can perform.

Therefore, Zhang Chuchu thought of this trick to limit Zhou Chen's performance.

"Good idea. Let him figure it out on his own. Even if he's talented, he won't be able to fully showcase it. Without a good performance, he won't achieve good results. Gradually, his popularity will decline. When he loses his popularity and usefulness, Mr. Chen won't pay much attention to him either," Wang Wei praised Zhang Chuchu's clever tactic.

"Exactly, that's my plan. We can't let him think he can do whatever he wants with Mr. Chen backing him up. He needs to know the consequences of not being obedient," Zhang Chuchu said smugly.

As for Zhou Chen, he didn't think much about it. He simply accepted the situation. After placing his luggage, he planned to go out and find something to eat, then take a good nap.

At this moment, Chen Bo's call came in.

"Zhou Chen, have you returned to the nursing home? Come to my house for lunch. I've just cooked lunch and I'm preparing to have it with Brother Liu and the others," Chen Bo warmly invited over the phone.

"Thank you, Uncle Chen. I just returned to the nursing home. I won't be polite then."

"Haha, that's what I like to hear. Hurry over. Let's also discuss our collaboration this afternoon. I've already told you in advance that this time, I want to be your talent partner," Chen Bo said with a big smile.

"Brother Chen, you're not being fair. I also want to be Zhou Chen's talent partner. You can't make arrangements in advance. You have to let Zhou Chen make the choice himself," Liu Laobo, who was listening on the side, became dissatisfied, as he also wanted to be Zhou Chen's talent partner.

"Yeah, I don't agree either. This matter should be left for Zhou Chen to decide. It's unfair for us if you make arrangements in advance," Grandma Wang also expressed her dissatisfaction.

Unfortunately, Zhou Chen was now the darling of the nursing home.


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