Chapter 331: There

It was noon.

Ding Xiang arrived at Studio One, preparing to record the new episode of her program.

The moment she stepped through the door, her footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

Members of her own team were crowded below the stage.

Yet in the center of the stage, a different group of unfamiliar faces was busy adjusting equipment.

Xiao Chen stood under the spotlight, clutching a script in her hand, repeatedly walking through her positions for the camera.

Ding Xiang understood in an instant: their space had been snatched by another program.

"Director Xia, what is the meaning of this?" Ding Xiang tried to control her emotions, communicating as calmly as possible. "This time slot has always been the fixed recording time for our program team. It's already time; why haven't you cleared the stage yet?"

Director Xia's face crinkled into a professional smile as she raised a hand to push up her glasses: "I am truly sorry, but we ran into some issues with our recording here and need a little more time. It's the first episode of a new program, and we need to record enough material. I hope Teacher Ding can be understanding."

At this moment, Xiao Chen walked toward Ding Xiang with a faint, ambiguous smile on her lips: "Teacher Ding, your program has always occupied the prime time slot, but the ratings for the last few episodes haven't been ideal. The station arranged for us to take over the slot; the pressure is really quite high."

Ding Xiang's fingernails dug into her palms.

"Our ratings have consistently ranked at the top for this time slot. If you want to surpass us, you certainly should put in more effort. But by delaying us now, all subsequent programs will be affected. Who will bear the responsibility for this loss?"

Xiao Chen deliberately pulled out her phone and gave it a shake: "It looks like I'll have to ask Station Master Ma to come out and coordinate this."

The others looked at Xiao Chen in astonishment; the girl's tone was filled with provocation.

"Even if Station Master Ma comes, this matter must be clarified today!" Ding Xiang's voice rose a notch.

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Ding, let's talk this over properly." Vice Station Chief Ma Rundong walked over slowly with his hands behind his back. His gaze swept over the two people confronting each other, and he said to Ding Xiang in an earnest tone, "Xiao Chen brought over five million in sponsorship for the station. If you can pull in that amount, I'll clear the space for your program without a second word."

Ding Xiang's eyes turned red: "My program is sponsored by the Haihua Group!"

"But this program is also nearing its end." Ma Rundong sighed. "The station has to make way for new programs; you need to have a sense of the big picture."

Ding Xiang felt a chill run through her entire body.

She suddenly understood that today's scene seemed to have been arranged long ago.

Perhaps it was just to tell everyone.

Ding Xiang was no longer the pillar of the station.

Xiao Chen had the Deputy Director of the Municipal Finance Bureau pulling strings behind her, connecting her with many large enterprises;

And as for her own past glory, in their eyes, it was merely basking in her father's light.

"Some people really do think of themselves as big shots." Xiao Chen crossed her arms, her contemptuous laughter sounding particularly grating in the empty studio.

Ding Xiang could no longer hold it together; she turned and rushed into the corridor.

After turning into the deserted emergency stairwell, she slowly slid down the wall to the floor, wrapped her arms around her knees, and buried her burning cheeks in the crook of her arms.

Tears silently seeped into her sleeves, leaving dark stains.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she heard someone calling her name in the corridor.

Ding Xiang took a few deep breaths, wiped the tear tracks from her face, forced herself to straighten her back, and walked out from the shadows.

"I'm here." Her voice was still trembling slightly. "Is the recording over on that side?"

A colleague trotted over, looking somewhat nervous: "It's still a long way off! Station Head Chu is looking for you; he wants you to come to his office immediately."

Ding Xiang moved to the office building.

She tapped lightly on the door of the Station Head's office with her fingertips.

A hearty "Come in" came from inside.

She pushed the door open and entered.

When Station Head Chu saw it was Ding Xiang, his face instantly filled with a warm smile. He reached out and pointed toward the sofa: "Ding, you're here. Please, sit!"

The warm attitude took Ding Xiang completely by surprise.

She suppressed her unease and sat down slowly.

Station Head Chu stood up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her: "Ding, I have some good news to tell you! The Provincial Station has specifically requested that you set off for the Provincial Station immediately to participate in the audition for the Spring Festival Gala host. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Originally, the station wanted to train new talent, which is why we pushed Xiao Chen out, but it turns out she really couldn't handle the responsibility. You have more experience than her and are the gold-lettered signboard of our Municipal Station; you must perform well this time!"

Ding Xiang's pupils shrank slightly, and she blurted out: "This... is too sudden!"

Station Head Chu waved his hand, his eyes showing a hint of scrutiny: "If you think about it carefully, it's not surprising. You... have been too low-key in the province!"

Ding Xiang's brain began to race at high speed.

If there was anyone who could pull strings...

A few days ago, she had accompanied Mayor Jiang to receive Provincial Governor Fu.

The answer was obvious; it must be Tang Ye pulling strings behind the scenes.

So, not only had he not forgotten her request, but he had also quietly sent this grand gift while she was being pushed aside.

Ding Xiang forced herself to stay calm, a faint smile curling the corners of her lips: "Station Head Chu, appearing on the Provincial Station's Spring Festival Gala is my dream. When the station chose Xiao Chen, I accepted the station's decision, but after learning that Xiao Chen had been rejected, I made some attempts privately, though I hadn't held out much hope."

Station Head Chu nodded in understanding: "It's a good thing for the station that you were able to find your own path! If you have the chance, why not introduce that relative of yours? We could invite him to our television station to provide guidance."

Ding Xiang caught the subtext and replied calmly: "I'll ask when I find the time. However, he is very busy with work."

A knock on the door.

Station Head Chu called out, "Come in."

Ma Rundong walked in, looking completely bewildered.

"Station Head Chu, did you need something from me?"

Catching a glimpse of Ding Xiang sitting on the sofa, his heart skipped a beat.

Could she have secretly gone to Station Head Chu to report him?

The recording of the program was delayed...

Was it really worth escalating to the Station Head?

Station Head Chu didn't notice Ma Rundong's thoughts and instructed him in a solemn tone: "Rundong, I have an important task for you. The Provincial Station has just sent a notice specifically inviting Ding Xiang to participate in the audition for the Spring Festival Gala host. Our Municipal Station must do everything possible to ensure full logistical support."

Ma Rundong did not recover his senses for a long while.

Wasn't Xiao Chen supposed to go for the interview for the Provincial Spring Festival Gala?

Furthermore, the deadline has already passed!

Why does Ding Xiang still have an opportunity!

Ma Rundong immediately realized that it was likely Ding Xiang had used her connections behind the scenes.

Thinking of this, Ma Rundong realized he had underestimated Ding Xiang.

Even though she no longer had her father as a backer, she still had other connections.

Ma Rundong quickly adjusted his emotions, his eyes full of admiration, "Ding, congratulations! If you need anything, just ask; I will definitely cooperate fully! I will arrange the studio immediately, guaranteeing it won't delay your recording!"

Ding Xiang looked at Ma Rundong's glib appearance; on the surface, she was calm, but inside, her emotions were turbulent, shifting from suppressed to relieved, as if the clouds had cleared to reveal the sun.

Every turning point stemmed from Tang Ye's secret assistance.

"Thank you, Station Master Ma, I will go and finish recording this episode now."

The door to the studio was pushed open, and Ding Xiang arrived at the studio once again.

Xiao Chen held the script and glanced up, the contempt in her eyes undisguised.

"Teacher Ding is here again!" She shook the script in her hand, her tone cloyingly sweet yet containing a hint of provocation, "It just so happens I'm stuck on a few places; since you're free anyway, why not help me run through the lines?"

Ding Xiang looked at her coldly.

This young girl was only in her early twenties, yet her skill at squeezing others out had been practiced to perfection.

The work of running through lines was similar to being a punching bag in a boxing gym!

Why should she run through lines for her?

She was just about to open her mouth to refuse.

Ma Rundong scanned the people present, his gaze finally landing on Xiao Chen.

"Immediately clear out recording time for Ding Xiang. She is going to the province to participate in the Spring Festival Gala recording; all other program team recording work is to be pushed back!

Also, Xiao Chen, you need to watch your tone when you speak; Ding Xiang is your senior!"

The crowd, who had been whispering, turned their gazes toward Ding Xiang in unison.

There was surprise, envy, and even more, incredulous shock.

Xiao Chen's fingers, clutching the script, tightened abruptly, and her face turned deathly pale in an instant...