Chapter 375: Kiss His Ass

The Oscar organizing committee was very efficient.

Just as they said, time was actually very tight; the host for this year's Oscars had to be determined immediately.

Because now, there were less than 80 days left until the Oscar ceremony on February 27th.

In these 70-plus days, the host needed to work with the entire Oscar directing team to complete the entire process from creative development to rehearsal, especially considering Chen Nuo also had to return to China—calculating it, not a single day could be delayed.

Therefore, after discussing some preliminary cooperation intentions over the phone, on December 13th, the day before Chen Nuo was to return to China, and also the day "The Big Bang Theory" was to be aired that night,

Dawn Hudson, the CEO of the Oscar organizing committee, flew to Toronto with her assistant team and legal counsel.

Chen Nuo didn't spend much effort looking for a meeting place and directly received these guests who had come from afar at James Pritzker's country villa.

Dawn Hudson was a capable and energetic woman, about 55 years old, but looked like she was in her forties. She was of medium build and wore her gray-blonde hair in a neat short cut.

As the newly appointed CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, she exuded an artist's elegance and confidence in every gesture, and was also very straightforward in finalizing many contract details with Chen Nuo's side.

After discussing Chen Nuo's scope of responsibilities, working hours, and later promotional obligations, etc.

Turning to the end, when they started talking about the host's salary, the elegant and shrewd lady finally showed a trace of embarrassment and awkwardness.

100,000 USD.

Hearing this number, Chen Nuo remembered the 10,000 yuan from the Spring Festival Gala back then and felt that the American people were indeed more generous, so he smiled.

As a result, his smile fell into the eyes of others, immediately triggering dissatisfaction.

It was just that this young assistant didn't say anything to his face.

After two-plus hours passed, both sides drafted the preliminary cooperation agreement and left the villa. After getting into the car, this young assistant to Dawn Hudson, a black-haired beauty named Laura Thompson, said with dissatisfaction, "I think he's too rude; he doesn't respect the Academy at all."

Dawn Hudson closed her eyes somewhat tiredly, sitting in the car seat, and didn't answer at first.

After a while, she asked slowly, "Why do you say that?"

Laura Thompson spread her hands, "Of course, when you said 100,000 USD, he started laughing at you. Then he started asking about the Academy's sponsorship system. What does he mean by this?"

"What do you think he means?"

"... Why didn't you tell him that we are the world's most prestigious art event, and our sponsors must also undergo strict screening? We can't just pull in any messy commercial capital to fill the budget gap, because the Academy's artistic reputation absolutely cannot be allowed to be eroded by commercialization?"

Dawn Hudson asked in surprise, "Didn't I? I remember I said that now many big brands have reduced their advertising budgets, and ABC, as our exclusive broadcaster, has also seen its advertising revenue continue to decline in recent years. This year's advertising revenue is estimated to be 15% lower than expected. Plus, last year our production costs were over budget, so the Academy is under great financial pressure. According to this year's budget, we can only provide him with this much remuneration."

Laura Thompson said with dissatisfaction, "But after you finished saying that, he didn't take it seriously at all, as if he really had some way to solve it."

"Then why isn't it that he really has a way?" Dawn Hudson said somewhat helplessly.

"Him? Hehe. Mom, now it's me helping you handle the financial and sponsorship aspects; I know how difficult this is. According to the Academy's current sponsorship rules, no commercial advertisements with trademarks or specific brands are allowed to be inserted into the award ceremony."

"OMG, which company would be willing to spend millions of dollars, only to have not even a name or logo appear on TV?"

"Absolutely impossible!"

"Definitely impossible!"

"If he can pull in sponsorship for the gala under this rule, I'll go be his driver!"

Dawn Hudson sighed, "Don't say that, Laura. I spent millions of dollars to get you through your PhD at Yale, not for you to go drive for anyone."

"Hahahaha, Mom, what you said is really interesting; it feels like you actually think he can do it."

Dawn Hudson sighed again, "It's not that I feel it, but that I hope so."

Laura Thompson said with an amused expression, "Haha, hope for a miracle? In your first year as CEO of the Oscar organizing committee, to add luster to you? Mom, I admit he is very outstanding in his field, but I don't think this belongs to his professional scope. No one is omnipotent."

Dawn Hudson didn't continue to argue with her daughter, because she was indeed very tired after the long journey.

What she didn't say was, if it weren't for this,

how could she have overridden all objections, convinced everyone in the organizing committee, risked the world's condemnation, and even risked her career ending right there, to invite a young man from a communist country to be one of America's symbols—the host of the Oscar ceremony?

If he had a brain cramp on stage and said one or two inappropriate words, the entire Academy would be implicated.

However, the direction of the conversation with Chen Nuo just now was indeed somewhat unexpected for her too.

Thinking it over, she actually didn't quite understand what this Chinese man was thinking? Why did he ask so much about sponsorship? He couldn't really feel the money was too little, could he?

You have to know, the remuneration the Academy gave hosts in previous years was only a few tens of thousands of dollars.

However, no matter what he was thinking, Dawn Hudson hoped he would succeed. Her daughter was right about one thing just now. This was her first year as CEO of the Oscar organizing committee; she needed some achievements to prove herself.

Even if it meant her daughter would have to go be his driver.

Thinking and thinking, the woman who was no longer young slowly fell asleep.

As a result, she didn't see a magma-red Aston Martin DB9 speeding past the Chrysler Town & Country she was riding in.

James Pritzker parked his beloved convertible sports car in the villa's driveway and said to Chen Nuo as soon as he got out of the car, "Chen, I heard you're going to host the Oscars. Is this true?"

Actually, according to the contract just signed, Chen Nuo was not allowed to leak this news privately and had to wait for the Oscar organizing committee to make an official announcement.

But how could it be so strict in actual execution? And Dawn had made it very clear that the official announcement would be in these next two days.

So Chen Nuo nodded directly and admitted it.

James Pritzker was stunned and said with an expression of disbelief, "What's wrong with those old antiques at the Academy? Have they opened their minds? I really find it hard to believe. Forget it, Chen, where's your child? Can I see her?"

A guest room in the villa had been converted into a nursery at this time, with floor heating on, so it wasn't cold at all, and the temperature was just right. There was a local nanny Chen Nuo had hired guarding it.

Chen Nuo watched the nanny hand the little thing to James, and seeing his very professional way of holding the baby, he finally relaxed.

The little thing, born on November 15th, was just a few days away from being a month old.

But, unfortunately, she was destined not to have a full-month celebration. And he had no way to accompany her on that full-month day. So, Chen Nuo had been accompanying her almost 24 hours a day these past few days.

He held the little thing, who was about to cry, and she giggled in the big fat man James's arms, even reaching out her white, lotus-root-like little hands to grab his beard.

James's beard was pulled down hard, which must have been painful, but the fat man was still all smiles, looked up, and asked, "She's really too cute. What's her name?"

"Nora."

"Nora. Nora. What a beautiful name; it reminds me of your name."

"Yes, that's right. Her mother chose it, using the pronunciation of my Chinese name."

James looked up at Chen Nuo and said, "When I heard you were going to host the Oscars, to be honest, I only felt you had taken on a troublesome task. But now, hearing you say this, I really think you are the happiest man in the world; I'm almost jealous to death."

"Hahaha, thank you, James."

"Really. Look at her, Nora, what a cute little angel... I guarantee that when she gets a little older, the number of boys chasing after her skirt will definitely give you a headache."

"Hahahahahaha."

Chen Nuo finally knew why Qi Yuntian liked to show off photos of his little Chu Yu everywhere.

Indeed, when hearing outsiders praise one's own child, that feeling seemed to be that apart from laughing, one couldn't make any other expression or say anything else. It was a hundred times happier than hearing praise for oneself.

James held her for maybe a minute, then carefully handed the child back to the nanny Chen Nuo had hired.

Afterward, the two walked out of the nursery and came to the small reception room next door.

"Chen, can I be her godfather?" James Pritzker asked quite seriously.

Chen Nuo said, "This, James, her mother and I are not believers... so, uh, whether there's this idea, I have to ask her mother first."

James Pritzker nodded very understandingly and said, "I understand. However, please tell Ms. Fan that I am very sincere. I have no descendants, and I don't intend to get married. I originally thought I would never experience that feeling of being a father in this life, until I saw Nora just now."

Chen Nuo looked at the fat man's serious expression and nodded, "Alright. I will tell her."

James laughed and said, "Alright, now let's talk about business. First, Chen, it wasn't just the Oscars that were moved by your hosting on SNL; my old man was too. He now agrees to lend me money to make the movie, but he also signed this with me..."

After speaking, he slapped a contract on the table, "Take a look."

Chen Nuo finished reading the contract, frowned, and put down the two pages of paper, simply shocked to the extreme, "James, your father wants you to not only repay the 20 million USD principal within one year after the movie is released, but also pay 20% annual interest. And, if the box office is lower than 150 million USD, you have to give up the inheritance rights to the family trust fund? You signed this—are you crazy?"

James leaned back on the sofa and shook his head calmly, "I'm not. Chen, I know this sounds like a high-stakes gamble, but I don't think it's a madman's choice. I have a feeling this movie is different—with you here, and with the story I've always wanted to tell. I believe that with you and it together, we can create infinite possibilities."

Looking at the fat man's somewhat fanatical look, Chen Nuo was speechless.

The last person he saw who looked like he had some kind of hysteria was Zhang Yiyi, who filmed "The Mute" with him a few years ago.

But the problem was, Zhang Yiyi wouldn't have had a life if he hadn't gambled back then.

What about this guy?

Chen Nuo didn't know how much the famous Pritzker family fund allocated to this direct descendant, but that was definitely a number enough for him to not only lie flat but also spend his life in luxury and ease.

For a movie? Give up all this?

Chen Nuo asked himself, he couldn't do it.

But things had come to this, what else could he say?

He could only say: "Give me the script you've written now, I'll take it back to study, and after I return from China, I'll give you an answer."

The result didn't need to be said; James had brought it with him.

It wasn't even the anti-theft kind; it was just a thick stack of A4 paper, which he handed into Chen Nuo's hands.

Afterward, they chatted for a while, and he didn't stay for dinner, just ran off driving his car.

"I think this James person is quite a good guy. It's just that he's a bit unreliable. How can he do things like this? Even if he trusts you, he can't just give you the script like this, right?"

"The Big Bang Theory" was starting in 10 minutes; Chen Nuo was cuddling with Fan Fan Binbing on the bed chatting.

After the woman finished speaking, she said again, "Are you really planning to use your salary to exchange for this villa?"

"Otherwise? People are already so miserable, they've already staked everything on one throw, can I still be petty? Besides, the baby will have to stay in Canada in the future; it's impossible to keep borrowing someone else's place, right? I think the environment here is good, with mountains and lakes, and the privacy is also good, and it hasn't been exposed yet. It's not too far from the city center. It's quite good."

"Hmm, it's just that I think this house definitely isn't worth 20 million USD; calculating it, you're at such a loss."

"You, you, you only know how to calculate these small accounts. Your vision needs to be long-term."

Fan Fan Binbing held Chen Nuo's hand and acted coquettishly, "Then I won't calculate anymore, my vision is long-term. Wow, hubby, you're really so rich, actually giving me such a big house, it wasn't in vain that I gave birth to a child for you."

Chen Nuo quickly shook her off and said, "Stop! Who said I was going to give it to you?"

"Then otherwise?" Fan Fan Binbing raised her willow eyebrows, with a very fake angry expression, and said, "Who else could it be given to? Written to Liu Yifei?"

Chen Nuo also cooperated with her acting and feigned anger, "What nonsense are you talking about."

"Then who else? Oh, Wen Yongshan, Xia Yehe, or that Gao Yuanyuan? Or that Xinjiang girl newly signed to the company recently, what's her name, Dilraba Dilmurat?"

Chen Nuo was truly shocked: "Holy crap, how do you know everything? You even know Dilraba? Do you have a mole in the company? Oh, I know, Chen Huihua told you, right?" "Hee hee, guess."

"Guess your head, it must be her. The little girl is only 18, stop talking nonsense here, I'm warning you."

"Just kidding, don't worry. To tell you the truth, I actually quite trust you. When Sister Chen told me, we discussed it for a long time and didn't feel anything else, just found it particularly strange—what's wrong with that little girl, how did she catch your eye? She looks quite good, but it's not like there aren't Han girls who look better than her. It's not that I don't trust your vision, it's just that with her style and appearance, there hasn't been anyone in the mainland entertainment industry who has become popular before. Are you sure she can make it?"

Chen Nuo sneered, "Hehe, what do you know? I have a feeling that whether we can eat well and live well after we retire in the future will probably depend on her face."

Fan Fan Binbing suddenly shouted, "Holy crap, really? You think that highly of her? Fine, wait until I go back to China, I'll go meet her and see how capable she is! To make you, Chen Zong, say that!"

"I remember you haven't even said that about me, and you haven't said it about Liu Yifei! Little girls like Zhao Liying and Zhang Xinyu don't even need to be mentioned." Suddenly, the woman's tone was a bit sour again, "It looks like you really might have been charmed by her, Chen Zong."

"... You! Alright, stop talking, hurry up and watch TV, I'm about to appear."

Hearing Chen Nuo say this, Fan Fan Binbing immediately stopped acting, straightened her waist, and like several million young girls across the US at this very moment, watched the TV screen with burning eyes.

"You guys won't believe who I just met in the lobby!" Kaley Cuoco screamed excitedly on the screen.

Johnny Galecki, who played Leonard, asked curiously, "Who?"

Jim Parsons, who played Xie Erdun, said seriously, "Stephen Hawking? Or Eugene Wigner?"

Amidst the laughter, Galecki said speechlessly, "Xie Erdun, please, Kaley Cuoco couldn't possibly know Eugene Wigner."

Parsons asked in surprise, "Impossible, how could she not know Eugene Wigner of Princeton University, who won the Nobel Prize for his research on quantum mechanical symmetry? My elementary school sister knows him!"

Cuoco retorted unhappily, "Sorry, Xie Erdun, I didn't go to elementary school."

Jim Parsons looked suddenly enlightened and said, "So that's it, that's why you went to the restaurant to serve plates."

The audience burst into laughter. The scene flashed, and several people came to the hotel lobby cafeteria, huddled together, whispering and pointing ahead.

Kaley Cuoco: "He's coming, he's coming!"

Johnny Galecki: "I think he looks a bit different from the movie."

Simon Helberg, who played Howard, was also there at this time, showing a very cool expression: "I feel like he's not as handsome as me."

Kaley Cuoco said, "Shut up, Howard."

Seeing Chen Nuo appear on TV in a suit and tie, holding a food tray, accompanied by the screams and cheers of the live audience, Fan Fan Binbing also laughed out loud, "Why do you look so funny?"

Chen Nuo also laughed.

At the time of filming, he and the director discussed creating contrast and specifically chose a serious suit, tie, leather shoes, and makeup, which was out of place with the playful style of "The Big Bang Theory." This contrast indeed looked good now; not only was the effect on site very good, but looking at Fan Fan Binbing's reaction, the audience in front of the TV was obviously also buying it.

Amidst Kaley Cuoco's exclamation, Jim Parsons suddenly walked straight over, and in a strange tone, using Chinese that even Chinese people couldn't understand, said: "Chen, how are you? Have you eaten?"

The whole room burst into laughter. Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco followed, and Johnny Galecki whispered, "Xie Erdun, what are you saying?"

Jim Parsons: "I'm greeting him in Chinese."

Chen Nuo smiled and replied in Chinese, "Hello, dummy, I've already eaten." English subtitles appeared under the screen, and the background laughter grew even louder.

The physicists looked at each other, and Johnny Galecki asked, "Xie Erdun, what is he saying?"

Jim Parsons translated randomly, "He said he's very happy to see me."

"He didn't call me a genius?"

"Hmm, no."

Amidst huge laughter, Chen Nuo's first appearance ended.

Fan Fan Binbing laughed until she rolled, haha, "Who designed this, it's so funny."

Chen Nuo laughed, "We discussed it together at the time. They set my character in this as the type of playboy who looks down on bookworms. I also felt it was quite interesting."

"So it turns out they were asking you to play yourself, no wonder you acted so well!"

"You fucker!"

Then came the second scene.

The scene switched to an academic conference at the California Institute of Technology. The auditorium was packed, and Chen Nuo, in a crisp suit, walked onto the podium with high spirits and began to give a speech as a special guest.

It was exactly the scene from the trailer.

He spoke loudly and humorously about "how quantum mechanics affects Hollywood's performance art." The audience below nodded frequently, and applause was constant.

Jim Parsons sat in the front row, initially looking interested, but his brows tightened more and more,

finally, he couldn't bear it anymore, stood up abruptly, pointed at Chen Nuo, and shouted, "This is all bullshit! What does quantum superposition have to do with acting? You haven't even figured out the basic concepts of the Schrödinger equation!"

He rushed toward the podium, wanting to reason with Chen Nuo, but was blocked by two bodyguards in black suits.

Chen Nuo glanced at him, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, waved his hand indifferently, and continued his speech.

Then he left gracefully amidst applause.

Jim Parsons was blocked in place, so angry that he pointed at Chen Nuo's back and shouted, "You academic fraud! I'm going to expose you in 'Physical Review Letters'! Just you wait!"

Galecki beside him pulled him helplessly, "Xie Erdun, calm down, he's an actor, not a physicist... he won't read 'Physical Review Letters'."

Amidst laughter, the scene flashed.

"Hey, guys, I officially announce that I've started dating Chen!" Kaley Cuoco said triumphantly to everyone.

Galecki pushed his glasses in shock, "Wait, Penny, what did you say!? You're dating that guy?"

Then it entered the third scene.

In the restaurant under the night sky, Kaley Cuoco and Chen Nuo sat at a table by the window, candlelight flickering, the two chatting happily.

Chen Nuo wore a casual jacket, his smile charming, and Kaley Cuoco covered her mouth and laughed from time to time.

Not far away, Jim Parsons and Galecki were hiding behind a huge potted plant, observing secretly.

Jim Parsons wore a baseball cap, lowered his voice, and said sneakily, "Leonard, according to my observations, their body language shows their intimacy has reached 73%."

Amidst laughter.

Galecki didn't pay attention to him, just stared over there, watching Chen Nuo gently hold Kaley Cuoco's hand, then lean over and kiss her.

Seeing Kaley Cuoco looking intoxicated and kissing the man,

Galecki muttered sadly, "Why, why has she never been so invested when she kisses me?"

Jim Parsons turned his head and corrected him seriously, "Leonard, this is natural. This is basic sociobiology. Excellent males attracting females is the result of natural selection; the more excellent the male, the more he will attract them, making them particularly invested. Moreover, judging by the movements, Chen's kissing technique is definitely better than yours."

Galecki said speechlessly, "Thanks for the explanation, Xie Erdun, I feel much better."

Amidst huge laughter, Jim Parsons said, "You're welcome. However, his speech is simply an insult to science; I'm going to go settle the score with him right now!"

However, just as Jim Parsons was preparing to go over,

only to see Kunal Nayyar, who played the Indian scientist Raj, with his face covered in white mud, speaking with an Indian accent, suddenly popped up from behind Chen Nuo.

He said strangely, "Why so serious? Chen, do I look like you? I once won third place in an Indian Joker imitation contest."

Chen Nuo, who was kissing, was interrupted and was suddenly very angry, turning his head abruptly and roaring, "Where did you come from, idiot? Get the hell out of here!"

Kunal Nayyar was suddenly frightened and said timidly, "Oh, sorry, I just wanted to liven up the atmosphere. I'm your super fan."

Kaley Cuoco shouted at this time, "Hey, Chen, this is my friend, you scared him."

Chen Nuo said coldly, "Your friend has a problem with his brain. Forget it, we're finished." After speaking, he got up and left.

Kaley Cuoco said angrily to Kunal Nayyar, "My god, he's too much, I didn't expect him to be this kind of person. Didn't he scare you? Raj."

Kunal Nayyar suddenly showed a shy expression and said, "It's okay, Penny. However, he's gone. I mean, if you still want to continue, I can actually... replace him. Don't you think I'm very similar to him? Why so serious?" As he spoke, he stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

Amidst huge laughter, Kaley Cuoco gave him the middle finger speechlessly, and then turned and left.

Kunal Nayyar was in a daze with slow reactions when suddenly, a waiter walked over and asked him seriously, "Mr. Chen, are you planning to pay the bill now?"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Seeing this part, Fan Fan Binbing, like the live audience, erupted into the biggest round of laughter of the whole show.

The fourth scene, which was also the last scene where Chen Nuo appeared.

Just a back view and a side profile; he left this scientific conference surrounded by a group of bodyguards.

Then the group of bookworms stood in the distance, watching him leave while talking.

Kaley Cuoco: "I can't believe I actually thought he was good; this guy is simply a jerk."

Johnny Galecki: "Although I don't want to say it, science proves that handsome men are all no good."

Jim Parsons: "I'm too stupid; I shouldn't have believed an actor knew anything about quantum mechanics."

Kunal Nayyar took out a receipt after paying the bill, looking frustrated, "Penny, can you give me the money? The meal you and he ate cost me a month's living expenses."

Kaley Cuoco said expressionlessly, "No. Don't you want to replace him? Okay, I now announce that you are a billionaire."

Amidst a burst of laughter, the main feature ended, and the screen flashed.

The camera switched to Howard's bedroom. Simon Helberg was wearing tight jeans and a sequined tight top, imitating the vampire look from "Twilight," striking an exaggerated pose, winking at his girlfriend Bernadette, and saying, "Baby, tonight, let's play something exciting."

Bernadette covered her mouth and giggled, about to cooperate with his performance.

Suddenly, a loud roar came from Howard's mother upstairs: "Howard, come help me fix this damn TV, I want to watch Edward cum!"

Simon Helberg's face stiffened, instantly breaking character, and he roared toward upstairs, "Shut up, Mom!"

Amidst the laughter coming from the TV speakers, this episode of "The Big Bang Theory" came to an end.

Fan Fan Binbing laughed while saying with lingering interest, "Really good to watch, I found that you're also quite good at acting in this kind of comedy, and you're also great as a host. I'm saying, how come you're so talented?"

Chen Nuo smiled, "Thanks for the compliment. However, no matter how many nice things you say, I still won't write your name on this villa."

"You! No, by the way, I'll ask you something serious. I'm saying, when Kaley Cuoco kissed you, were you tongue-kissing or just kissing? I saw you kissing very passionately."

"What does it have to do with you? Tsk tsk, for a Hundred Flowers and Golden Horse Best Actress, Fan Fan Binbing, you can actually ask such an unprofessional question?"

"Don't avoid the question, hurry up and answer me!"

"Hmm, hmm~ what are you doing, talk is talk, don't move your mouth! Ah, your hand, lighter, it hurts!"

Just when a pair of man and woman were arguing and being clingy, in the headquarters building of the Los Angeles CBS television network located beside Fairfax Avenue in the West District of LA, a heaven-shaking cheer suddenly came.

In the conference room on the twelfth floor, CBS executives, production teams, and data analysts sat around a long table, staring at the real-time Nielsen ratings curve on the big screen. When the latest numbers jumped out, the whole room exploded instantly, and the cheers could be heard two floors up and down.

Because the screen showed that the number of viewers for this episode reached 14.5 million, and the core ratings for the 18-49 age group soared to 4.5, far exceeding the expected 13 million viewers and 4.0 rating!

Although everyone at CBS had originally expected Chen Nuo's guest appearance to bring a small climax, and with SNL's ratings breaking records, everyone's expectations were getting higher and higher.

However, still no one expected that a short guest appearance would directly break the ratings record for this season, even having 2 million more viewers than the previous episode.

Chuck Lorre grinned, shaking a cup of coffee in his hand: "I told you, this episode would definitely be able to make us surpass 'Grey's Anatomy' or 'House.' 14.5 million, this is a number we haven't seen since the fourth season, exceeding our best prediction by more than 10%! And the DVR predicted playback volume might add another 3 million; this episode is going to hit 18 million! Mark, what do you say now?"

Amidst the noisy cheers, the director beside him, Mark Cendrowski, said excitedly and helplessly: "Okay, okay, Chuck, I was wrong. I actually already knew it when he was acting, didn't I? I already admitted I was wrong!"

Chuck Lorre's eyes twinkled as he said, "Mark, I have an idea. I want Chen's character to become our hidden trump card! Every season, or every two seasons is fine, in short, let him come once in a while."

"Do you think it's possible?" Mark Cendrowski said speechlessly.

Chuck Lorre said, "Why not? I'm saying, from now on, help me keep an eye on his whereabouts. When he comes to LA, you come with me to kiss his ass! Did you hear me?"

"... Yes, sir."

PS:

1400 monthly tickets added 3000 words.

Reminding everyone, you can draw prizes with the urging tickets at the end of this month, a massager worth over 300.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 376 =====

Simon Helberg's face stiffened, his composure instantly shattered, and he turned to roar upstairs: "Shut up, Mom!"

Amidst the raucous laughter coming from the television speakers, this episode of *The Big Bang Theory* came to an end.

Fan Fan Binbing laughed as she said, still wanting more, "That was really good. I discovered that you're just as good at acting in this kind of comedy, and you're also a great host. Tell me, how are you so multi-talented?"

Chen Nuo smiled. "Thanks for the compliment. But no matter how many nice things you say, I'm still not putting your name on this villa."

"You! No, wait, let me ask you something serious. Tell me, when you and Kaley Cuoco were kissing, was it a French kiss or just a peck? I saw you were really into it."

"What business is it of yours? Tsk tsk, and to think you, Fan Fan Binbing, are a Hundred Flowers and Golden Horse Best Actress; how can you ask such an unprofessional question?"

"Don't dodge the question, answer me!"

"Mm, mm~ what are you doing? Talk is talk, don't use your mouth! Ah, your hand, be gentle, it hurts!"

Just as the man and woman were bickering and acting lovey-dovey, far away in Los Angeles, inside the CBS Television Network headquarters located next to Fairfax Avenue in the West District, a sky-piercing cheer suddenly erupted.

In the twelfth-floor conference room, CBS executives, the production team, and data analysts sat around a long table, staring at the real-time Nielsen ratings curve on the big screen. When the latest numbers popped up, the entire room instantly exploded, and the cheering could be heard two floors up and down.

Because the screen showed that the number of viewers for this episode had reached 14.5 million, and the rating for the core 18-49 age demographic had soared to 4.5, far exceeding the expected 13 million viewers and 4.0 rating!

Although everyone at CBS had originally expected Chen Nuo's cameo to bring a small surge, and with the record-breaking ratings of *SNL*, everyone's expectations had been getting higher and higher.

However, no one had expected that a short cameo would actually break the season's ratings record directly, even surpassing the previous episode by a full 2 million viewers.

Chuck Lorre grinned, shaking a cup of coffee in his hand: "I told you, this episode would definitely let us surpass *Grey's Anatomy* or *House*. 14.5 million, this is a number we haven't seen since the fourth season, 10% higher than our best forecast! And with DVR playback predictions, we might add another 3 million; this episode is going to hit 18 million! Mark, what do you say now?"

Amidst the noisy cheering, the director next to him, Mark Cendrowski, looked excited yet helpless: "Okay, okay, Chuck, I was wrong. I actually knew it while he was acting, didn't I? I had already admitted I was wrong long ago!"

Chuck Lorre's eyes flashed as he said, "Mark, I have an idea. I want to make Chen's character our hidden trump card! Every season, or every two seasons is fine, just have him come by occasionally."

"Do you think that's possible?" Mark Cendrowski said, speechless.

Chuck Lorre said, "Why not? I'm telling you, from now on, help me keep an eye on his whereabouts. When he comes to LA, you come with me to kiss his ass! Did you hear me?"

"……Yes, sir."

PS:

Added 3,000 words for reaching 1,400 monthly votes.

A reminder to everyone, you can enter the lucky draw with your urging tickets at the end of this month; there's a massager worth over 300.

(End of chapter)