CHAPTER 513: CHAPTER 513: WHAT, ARE YOU SCARED?

Seeing Jiao Jikai willing to back down, Chen Bin finally spoke coldly.

"Since that’s the case, let’s not discuss the money issue any further, lest Dean Qi mocks us."

The banquet resumed shortly thereafter.

But Jiao Jikai had no appetite to continue eating, his mind fully occupied with figuring out where to get fifty million.

After the dinner ended, he immediately returned home, sitting in his study while silently smoking a cigarette.

After a long time, his gaze fell again on the "Awakening Lion" painting.

Even though Qi Bocha had previously said it was a forgery, he still believed it was real.

It was very likely that Chen Bin couldn’t sell it, so he teamed up with Qi Bocha to force the painting on him.

The more Jiao Jikai thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. The next day, he took leave and flew to the Imperial Capital.

There, he specifically sought out a few acclaimed appraisers to verify the painting’s authenticity.

However, no miracle occurred.

Those experts all confirmed the painting was fake, pointing out its flaws almost exactly as Qi Bocha had described.

When Jiao Jikai returned to Tianhai, he was immediately summoned to Chen Bin’s office.

In just three days, he seemed to have aged ten years, appearing extremely pitiful.

But this was self-inflicted. Chen Bin had previously tried to ingratiate himself with him, yet he remained unmoved. Now, he was the one being cornered.

"Director Jiao, let’s talk about the compensation matter, shall we?"

"Fine. How exactly do you want me to compensate you?"

"That painting was purchased by my friend for over fifty million. You must compensate at least fifty million. Considering you might not be able to pay such a sum all at once, I’m willing to let you pay in installments, though the number of installments entirely depends on your attitude."

Jiao Jikai nodded silently, without uttering a word.

Chen Bin continued, "Tomorrow, I’ll be attending another symposium. At that time, I’ll be observing your exact performance."

"Alright."

Responding feebly, Jiao Jikai turned and left.

The next day, Chen Bin convened another mid-to-upper-level cadre assembly. This was the third discussion on establishing the station’s reputation through entertainment programming.

Before the meeting started, everyone noticed that Jiao Jikai seemed to have aged significantly.

This led some shrewd observers to sense something unusual was transpiring.

The meeting formally commenced. After Chen Bin finished his speech, he turned towards Jiao Jikai.

"Director Jiao, please share your thoughts."

With his head hanging low, Jiao Jikai seemed entirely resigned to his fate.

"I support the entertainment strategy for station branding."

This statement shocked the room.

Nobody had anticipated that he would suddenly shift his stance.

At this moment, Chen Bin followed up with another question.

"Director Jiao, you’ve always been opposing the entertainment-first strategy. Why have you suddenly agreed now?"

"Because I’m nearing retirement, and I don’t want to lose my position. So I wanted to avoid risk and play safe. Thinking it over, entertainment-first could indeed bring higher revenue to the station and align with modern trends."

"Well said! Director Jiao’s awareness is truly admirable. Everyone, let’s give him a round of applause!"

Clap, clap, clap...

Under Chen Bin’s lead, the room erupted into thunderous applause.

With a cold smile, Chen Bin turned his gaze to the others.

"Director Jiao’s ability to promptly recognize his mistakes is commendable. Does anyone else here have objections?"

Fan Sheng wanted to speak but, after hesitating, chose to remain silent.

First Xiang Chengkang had suddenly changed his attitude, and now Jiao Jikai was supporting the entertainment agenda. Surely, many unseen deeds had occurred behind the scenes.

Fan Sheng was stubborn but not foolish.

He realized that if he didn’t wise up soon, trouble would follow.

The others shared Fan Sheng’s thoughts. Since the central figure, Jiao Jikai, had already supported Chen Bin, they wouldn’t dare continue opposing.

Seeing no one speaking up, Chen Bin smiled and said.

"Since everyone has no objections, the entertainment-first strategy for the station is hereby finalized. From today onwards, our station will strive to create the country’s number-one entertainment programming!"

After the meeting ended, Chen Bin summoned Jiao Jikai to his office once again.

"Your performance earlier made me very satisfied. I can give you three years to pay the money in installments, but the amount for each year cannot be less than ten million."

Jiao Jikai nodded slightly, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

His eldest son was a small entrepreneur. While not extraordinarily wealthy, coming up with tens of millions was manageable.

Additionally, his house contained quite a few valuable paintings and calligraphy works. Selling some of them should help gather the fifty million.

At this moment, Chen Bin spoke again.

"Considering you have a history of dishonesty, you must write a promissory note. Besides your own signature, your eldest son’s name also needs to be on it. Furthermore, there should be a clause stating that if you fail to repay, he will assume all repayment responsibilities."

As if resigning to fate, Jiao Jikai nodded affirmatively.

"Alright. But my family doesn’t know about this yet. If I need my eldest son to serve as guarantor, I’ll need a few days to sort this out."

"No problem!"

After Chen Bin reported the entertainment-first strategy to higher authorities, Xiao Cong immediately sought out Zeng Pengchao.

Upon entering the office, he saw Pang Nianke already there.

When Pang Nianke noticed Xiao Cong, he greeted him with a forced but courteous smile.

The latter took the initiative to say, "Good day, Governor Pang."

Zeng Pengchao then asked, "What brings you here?"

Xiao Cong knew of Pang Nianke’s prior friction with Chen Bin over territorial matters.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, he replied.

"It’s about the future direction of the provincial television station. I’ll speak once you and Governor Pang have finished your discussion."

Zeng Pengchao pressed further, "Is this about the entertainment-first strategy?"

With no other choice, Xiao Cong nodded.

"Yes, the provincial television station plans to prioritize entertainment programming, and internal consensus has already been reached."

"An entertainment-first approach does have its merits, but risks must be carefully managed. News is equally critical; we cannot neglect it."

"Are you suggesting we balance both entertainment and news reporting, Secretary Zeng?"

Before Zeng Pengchao could respond, Pang Nianke interjected.

"The provincial television station is Yanxi Province’s largest platform. To promote entertainment values daily would completely deviate from the national media’s prescribed promotional guidelines."

Left with no alternative, Xiao Cong countered.

"I believe positive entertainment values do not conflict with the promotional guidelines. In today’s society with immense pressure, appropriate entertainment can help improve mental health."

"Since Mr. Xiao is so supportive of boosting entertainment programming, I’d like to know—if problems arise, can you personally bear the consequences?"

"As the propaganda department oversees the provincial television station, I am naturally willing to take full responsibility for any issues."

"Your willingness to take responsibility alone is insufficient. Chen Bin, as the station’s primary leader, must pledge to resign if any mishaps occur. Only then will I support the station’s entertainment agenda."

Ever since his conflict with Chen Bin, Pang Nianke had been closely monitoring his actions.

Now, with the television station planning to prioritize entertainment, Pang Nianke seized the opportunity to intervene, ultimately aiming to make things difficult for Chen Bin.

Faced with their exchange, Zeng Pengchao refrained from commenting further.

Instead, he turned to Xiao Cong and said, "Let Chen Bin draft a proposal. Once it’s ready, he can bring it directly to me."

"Understood!"

With that, Xiao Cong nodded and left the office.

He promptly called Chen Bin and relayed the recent events.

Frowning, Chen Bin replied with irritation in his tone.

"In that case, it seems my days ahead won’t be easy."

Xiao Cong responded coolly, "What’s the matter? Are you scared?"