Chapter 231 Undercurrent
Inside and outside the door, looking at Ren Limeng and Yao Xin standing in front of them, An Ling and Dong Zhu couldn't help but flash a trace of worry in their eyes as they looked at each other quietly, and there was a barely perceptible stiffness in their smiles.
"Li Meng, Sister Ling, did I disturb your rest? When I heard about the flooding in Gangcheng yesterday, my heart was in suspense. I felt that I had to come to the scene to feel at ease. Fortunately, although Gangcheng was forecast to rain continuously for the next few days, the rain was lighter this afternoon. I thought I should come to see you even if it was a risk."
Yao Xin came to Gangcheng with the program team's convoy that was transporting donated materials. His almost silent arrival caught Dong Zhu, who had been thinking about the content of the evening recording, off guard and a little confused.
Yao Xin glanced at Dong Zhu, who had unconsciously taken the lead, and saw through her little thoughts at a glance. He looked at Ren Limeng and An Ling with a smile, and spoke in a calm and leisurely tone. His uncharacteristic explanation seemed more like a deliberate show of goodwill in front of everyone.
At least, Ren Limeng could feel the respect in Yao Xin's expression and tone. It was a bit sad to say, because this was the first time since she appeared on the show that she felt that the protagonist reflected in Yao Xin's eyes was herself.
"Of course I didn't bother you. Thank you for making the special trip."
Ren Limeng lowered her eyes slightly, hiding all the thoughts in her heart. She smiled gratefully, her attitude somewhat ambiguous.
She and Yao Xin reached a preliminary agreement last week, but at that time Yao Xin's attitude was full of hard-to-disguise contempt. Ren Limeng could see clearly that Yao Xin was interested in her only because of her ambiguous relationship with Shen Xingzhi.
With An Ling joining the program, Ren Limeng changed her choice. She believed that through the live broadcast over the past two days, Yao Xin should have sensed the subtle change in her position. It was quite interesting that Yao Xin was still showing obvious goodwill after his arrival.
"Li Meng, you performed fantastically today. You impressed everyone and are a role model for all of us! I must thank you on behalf of the program team. We originally thought that since you were a former host on the agricultural channel and had experience in on-site reporting, sending you to represent the program team and cooperate with the TV station would show our sincerity and express our gratitude to the TV station. I didn't expect you to give everyone such a big surprise! You are worthy of being a soldier led by Minister Li. This is really a great opportunity for our entertainment channel. Once you join our department, we will definitely be even more powerful!"
After a brief greeting, Yao Xin went straight to the point of his visit to Ren Limeng. Under the gaze of the accompanying staff, he gently patted Ren Limeng on the shoulder, his voice full of emotion and pride. He vaguely hinted at the live broadcast cooperation, which was obviously completely unclear, as his own remote instructions. Yao Xin's loud tone was filled with some concern and closeness, which made An Ling and Dong Zhu's smiles on the sides suddenly fade.
The purpose of Yao Xin's explanation, both implicit and implicit, was only one: to steal the credit.
An Ling's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible trace of regret. She and Dong Zhu and the others had been guessing and making many plans to deal with Yao Xin's faction today. With the back and forth, they had already gained the upper hand in the station, but no one expected that Yao Xin would cut off the source of funds and directly choose to go all out with Ren Limeng by live streaming, and come directly to Gangcheng at such a dangerous time.
If An Ling had known that Yao Xin would come in person regardless of his own safety, her attitude towards Ren Limeng would never have contained hidden pressure and temptation. Thinking about it now, An Ling even felt a little panicked. Her actions could be said to have pushed Ren Limeng towards Yao Xin.
At least in the past few days, Ren Limeng herself has become a traffic hot commodity like Shen Xingzhi. In the end, she still underestimated Ren Limeng's foundation and potential, so after careful consideration, she chose the worst strategy, making her current situation somewhat passive.
Now we can only hope for Ren Limeng's conscience.
In any case, she and Ren Limeng had just tacitly agreed to shake hands and make peace and continue their cooperation. An Ling could only hope that Ren Limeng would not change her mind because of Yao Xin's arrival and attitude.
As Yao Xin finished his seemingly amiable and enthusiastic words, An Ling, Dong Zhu and others all looked at Ren Limeng at the same time. In the silence, undercurrents surged, and everyone was waiting for Ren Limeng's answer.
"Coach Yao, you're too kind. I should thank the Orange platform for training me, as well as you and Coach Dong for your support. When Gangcheng encountered such difficulties, it was because everyone worked together that we were able to overcome them together."
Ren Limeng smiled slightly. She met Yao Xin's suddenly sharp gaze, and did not avoid An Ling's scrutinizing eyes. The olive branches thrown out by both sides became a little unbearable as Ren Limeng did not fully respond with a smile. Ren Limeng's ambiguous attitude added too many possible variables to the situation of both sides. Her ambiguous posture made the atmosphere on the scene even more unpredictable.
Looking at Ren Limeng, who was sweet-mouthed but hard-hearted, Yao Xin suddenly smiled. He wanted to say something when the door opposite suddenly opened.
Li Qingzi and Fei Jingting were just about to go out to the training room when they saw Dong Zhu and other staff members standing in the corridor. Everyone turned around subconsciously, and Li Qingzi and Fei Jingting were both startled, "...Director Yao?"
No one could imagine that Yao Xin would come directly to Gangcheng. Even after everyone went downstairs and sat on a row of chairs arranged in the training room, the guests still couldn't help but secretly glance at Yao Xin.
Li Qingzi's thoughtful gaze fell on the back of the camera. Yao Xin was arranging the final preparations before starting the recording. She lowered her eyes, opened her mobile phone, and clicked on the chat interface with Xu Jiao.
On the other side, Ren Limeng put on the microphone and was secretly chatting with Shen Xingzhi on the phone.
Ren Limeng: Brother Xingzhi, didn’t you know that Director Yao would come to Gangcheng?
Chen Xingzhi was the last guest to arrive at the training room. He arrived at the recording site 5 minutes early, but since everyone had already come downstairs to the training room, he seemed a little late.
Ren Limeng: Director Yao just knocked on our door. I was startled when I opened it. I felt like this wave was coming for me (helpless hands spread)
Even at this moment, Ren Limeng could feel Yao Xin's kind gaze from time to time, as well as Dong Zhu and An Ling's vague amicable glances. What everyone cared about was not Ren Limeng's stance as an Orange platform worker, but the choice of the host who dominated the hot searches and saved people.
But now all Ren Li Meng can do is wait.
Shen Xingzhi: Well, now you are more popular than me.
Shen Xingzhi had been coordinating and arranging things in the room. He heard the noise outside, but didn't pay attention to it. Unexpectedly, he missed a good show.
Ren Limeng: Brother Xingzhi, have you made the final choice for your cooperation?
Whether it was Yao Xin or Zhong Yanjun, Chen Xingzhi had always been vaguely floating between the two sides. Even Ren Limeng could not see clearly what Chen Xingzhi's choice was.
Although Ren Limeng repeatedly emphasized in front of An Ling that she and Shen Xingzhi were two independent individuals, Shen Xingzhi's decision could not be completely unaffected by Ren Limeng's judgment, just as Ren Limeng's stance would definitely have an impact on Shen Xingzhi.
Chen Xingzhi: Mengmeng, it’s not the time to make a choice yet. In other words, it’s enough that we have chosen the Orange platform.
When their status and influence are sufficient, they don't need to be completely involved in the zero-sum game between Yao Xin and Zhong Yanjun. Shen Xingzhi believes that Ren Limeng has already felt this today. This is different from some inherent concepts, but it is their most beneficial choice.
Whether it is Zhong Yanjun or Yao Xin, they can both have some bias. When the benefits are tempting enough, everyone can put aside their past grudges and cooperate again.
Who makes this world never black and white?
Chen Xingzhi typed quickly on his phone, just about to comfort Ren Limeng with more words, asking her not to dwell on the so-called cooperation she had reached with An Ling in the early stage. Their cooperative relationship was not unbreakable. An Ling could greatly reduce the front-line live broadcast due to the risks and let Ren Limeng hide her identity in the live broadcast room of Gangcheng TV Station. Naturally, there was no need for Ren Limeng to be completely devoted to her.
Ren Limeng had already sent the message.
Ren Limeng: That makes sense. Great minds think alike!
At the beginning of the show, Ren Limeng had no bargaining power. As a pure cowherd worker, both Yao Xin and Zhong Yanjun were good career choices for her. However, when it comes to taking sides in the workplace, the worst thing to do is to be indecisive and play both sides.
But with the accumulation of this period of time and the sudden change in the current situation, Ren Limeng has unknowingly become more confident. At least she has the opportunity and confidence to talk on an equal footing with the two factions of the entertainment channel.
Even if she were to speak purely from a career perspective, she was now considered a workplace elite who had been parachuted into a new department. She was known to be highly capable, and her reputation was growing. She had the capital to negotiate with any party.
Shen Xingzhi: You thought about coming here so soon? I thought you would insist on continuing to cooperate with An Ling.
Ren Limeng: Brother Xingzhi, of course my collaboration with Sister Ling will continue!
Ren Limeng: It’s just that Sister Ling didn’t ask me to cooperate with her alone. Like you said, we are cooperating with the Orange platform (dog head)
Ren Limeng chose to seize the opportunity before the recording to ask Chen Xingzhi as soon as possible because she was indeed a little unsure in her heart, but when she asked Chen Xingzhi, she had actually given her own answer in her heart, and with Chen Xingzhi's words, she immediately understood his choice.
Neither An Ling nor Yao Xin had any personal feelings towards Ren Limeng. They were just cooperating freely based on mutual consent. She had experienced too many similar mutually beneficial experiences with too many people over the years. This time, apart from the gamble being a little bigger, there was actually no difference.
Inside and outside the camera of the program recording, after many tests, it was found that except for Chen Xingzhi, Ren Limeng did not completely give her heart to anyone, and no one else indulged Ren Limeng again and again. Everyone is free. If you think about this clearly, many problems will no longer be problems.
Before the program officially started recording, Ren Limeng and Shen Xingzhi tacitly put down their mobile phones in front of Yao Xin's on-site countdown board. They exchanged glances as if casually and smiled at each other.
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