CHAPTER 553: CHAPTER 553: DON’T STOOP TO MY LEVEL

In the following months, Chen Bin realized that the television drama ratings were plunging, and he immediately began to panic.

For any TV station, aside from prime time, the main focus is generally on television dramas.

The advertising revenue during this time also constitutes one of the key sources of income.

Yanxi Province TV Station had always maintained a mid-range position nationally in terms of drama ratings.

But recently, it had been overtaken by Tianhai TV, an outcome that Chen Bin found hard to stomach.

To get to the bottom of this, he immediately tasked Shen Xue with investigating the matter.

It didn’t take long before feedback arrived.

It turned out that Tianhai TV had partnered with all the other provincial TV stations to simultaneously air dramas that Yanxi Province TV Station was scheduled to broadcast.

Moreover, when it came to purchasing costs, the former was willing to cover half the expenses.

Chen Bin frowned slightly, his tone growing heavy.

"Are you saying that more than a dozen TV stations in the province have joined forces against us?"

"Yes, before our dramas even premiere, they are aired in advance by the others. As a result, when our station broadcasts them, it’s essentially a rebroadcast, causing our ratings to plummet."

"How did those stations find out which dramas we purchased?"

"This... I don’t know either."

In a daze, Chen Bin suddenly recalled Lu Lin had mentioned to him previously that Mei Ouchi and Ni Bo seemed particularly close.

And the station’s deputy director in charge of program acquisitions was none other than Mei Ouchi!

Just then, the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

When Chen Bin answered, he found it was a call from Feng Lei, summoning him to the bureau.

Initially, Chen Bin didn’t have the patience to waste time on this. But after thinking it over, he realized refusing might give Feng Lei ammunition against him.

In the end, he decided to send Shen Xue off first before driving to Feng Lei’s office himself.

After entering, he unceremoniously sat down on the sofa.

"Director Feng, what’s the matter?"

Feng Lei’s face was stern. "Your station’s recent performance hasn’t been great. What’s going on?"

"I think we’re doing just fine. Our entertainment programs have consistently held the top national ratings and have even inspired other provincial stations to imitate us."

"Nationally, the results are commendable. But why are the provincial ratings so poor? Why can’t you even manage to outperform Tianhai TV? What kind of station head are you?!"

Chen Bin, unwilling to engage in pointless chatter, stood up directly and spoke.

"Don’t worry. No matter what, our province’s station will always be the leading force. It won’t take long before I’ll show you just how thoroughly those city stations will be defeated!"

Upon returning to Yanxi TV Station, Chen Bin immediately convened a meeting.

Participants included the four deputy directors, Shen Xue, and all personnel from the program acquisitions department.

Once everyone was seated, Chen Bin asked coldly.

"Do you all know why I brought you together for this meeting?"

No one answered.

Bang!

Chen Bin slammed the table, startling anyone harboring guilty thoughts.

"Our station’s drama ratings have been consistently declining. We can’t even compete with Tianhai TV within the province. Why is that? Can any of you explain this to me?"

Still, no one spoke.

"Since no one wants to talk, let me announce this: starting now, all salaries for personnel in the program acquisitions department are suspended. Salaries will only be reinstated once the problem is identified and resolved."

As soon as these words came out, the acquisitions personnel knitted their brows but dared not voice any objections.

At this moment, Mei Ouchi stood up directly.

"Director Chen, isn’t this unfair?"

Chen Bin stared at him coldly. "Then what would you consider fair?"

"Issues like internal sabotage are obviously the work of a few bad actors. Why should everyone suffer because of them?"

"That’s a fair point. Let me rephrase. Effective immediately, only your salary will be suspended. Everyone else will continue to be paid as usual."

"What?! On what grounds?!"

"On the grounds that you’re the leader responsible for this area. If you can’t uncover the truth, I won’t just withhold your pay; I’ll also petition the higher-ups to hold you accountable!"

"You..."

Just as Mei Ouchi was ready to retort, Chen Bin cut him off with another scolding.

"From now on, you’ll focus exclusively on investigating the leak of our drama acquisition list. As for your other responsibilities, they’ll all be handed over to Director Lu. Once the truth comes out, you can resume your duties."

Clenching his fists, Mei Ouchi glared intensely at Chen Bin, his eyes ablaze with anger.

"If you’re unhappy with my decision, go straight to the higher-ups and lodge a complaint. I’ll be waiting!"

Slumping back into his chair, Mei Ouchi lowered his head and said no more.

As Chen Bin’s gaze swept across the others in the room, he declared.

"If I find out who the traitor is, I’ll pursue legal action to the fullest extent. Anyone daring to play games with me is courting death!"

Amid the dead silence in the room, Fan Sheng finally broke it by addressing Chen Bin calmly.

"Given that these city stations are colluding against us, perhaps it’s best to report this to the higher-ups and let them intervene."

Shen Xue shook her head, opposing the suggestion.

"Losing to the city stations is humiliation enough. If we escalate this to the leaders, it will only highlight our incompetence."

Xiang Chengkang nodded repeatedly in agreement. "I support Director Shen’s stance. This must not be reported."

Seeing that the discussion was at a standstill, Chen Bin stood up and left the room.

Just as he returned to his office, Mei Ouchi followed closely behind, knocking on the door as he entered.

With a sycophantic smile, he said, "Director Chen, do you have time tonight? Perhaps we could have dinner together?"

Chen Bin answered expressionlessly, "Just say what you want."

"How about we talk over dinner? If tonight doesn’t work, we can do it another day."

After the sharp confrontation in the meeting, the sudden shift in Mei Ouchi’s demeanor piqued Chen Bin’s curiosity.

To figure out what was going on, he eventually nodded.

"Fine. Tonight it is."

After work that evening, the two headed to a high-end restaurant.

Once the food and drink arrived, Mei Ouchi stood up, raised his glass, and addressed Chen Bin.

"Director Chen, this is our first private meal together. Allow me to toast you."

Draining his glass in one go, Mei Ouchi poured himself another.

"This second glass is to apologize. I hope you, Director Chen, can be magnanimous and not take it personally."

Chen Bin was baffled by this statement and couldn’t help but ask.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Director Mei?"

"Previously, regarding the hiring of Xin Kalan, I voiced my opposition. At the time, I felt her demands were too high and would put pressure on the station. If I caused any misunderstanding with you, I apologize."

"Director Mei, if you hadn’t brought it up, I might’ve forgotten about it by now. In an organization, there should be dissenting opinions—otherwise, meetings would be meaningless. Don’t you agree?"

Saying this, Chen Bin smiled and revisited the day’s incident.

"As for the matter of the city stations targeting us, I was indeed angry, but it has nothing to do with you. I may have been harsh earlier, so I ask for your understanding."

Seeing Chen Bin’s amicable response, Mei Ouchi immediately raised his hand, looking as if he were about to swear an oath.

"Director Chen, I swear on my honor that the leak of the drama acquisition list has nothing to do with me. In fact, it might not even have come from our station..."