Chapter 13: Side by Side with the Sun
Translator: Little_Dragon_ Editor: TheSloth
Fan FanFan put down the contract and said, “Are you talking about the new show you are preparing? This is great, you innovative and even create own show. This is out of my expectations, but I am looking forward to it. If you think the offer is too low, you can let me know your requests. We will consider it seriously.”
Chen B-Dog answered, “This show is called the “The Wild God of Gourmet”. I have prepared for it for a long time. Now that the time has matured, I am going to start broadcasting next week. I am confident it will be popular so I would like to defer signing the contract.”
“Of course, I am not a greedy person. I started broadcasting here from the first day Panda operated. If I were still broadcasting some simple exercise and outdoor activities like before, it would not matter how much the offer is. However, frankly, in order to get this show done, I need to invest a lot of money. Based on the current offer, no matter what contract you could offer, I am afraid it cannot satisfy my expectations. For the sake of our long-term relationship, I hope to defer signing the contract temporarily. If you are worried, we can draft an agreement. Certainly, I hope you could give a hand in advertising when I try my new show.”
Fan FanFan was hesitant. She asked, “Do you invest a lot to in this new show?”
Chen B-Dog smiled wryly, “How can one minimize costs when making a show? I am quite thrifty. Honestly I have put almost all my savings in. My current savings are almost unable to cover it. If the website is willing to pay my last month’s salary in advance, it would probably ease the burden.”
This was half true. His biggest investment was Dog Egg. Indeed, the expenses during this period were not little. Normally, the salary of the anchor would be paid after broadcasting for two months. During the third month, the company would start paying the salary for the first month. If there was no new source of income during this period, and he needed to travel around the world for the show, it would really affect the broadcasting.
He was not willing to hide like a tortoise in the country all the time.
Fan FanFan considered deeply and she inquired about the rough idea of “The Wild God of Gourmet”. Finally, she made the decision in her mind.
“Who does not have ambitions? Being a new anchor, he is willing to invest to make a new show; his willpower is far more excellent than ordinary people. Who knows, it might work?”
Moreover, Chen B-Dog was the popular anchor nurtured by Panda itself and this guy looked steady, honest, knew his own mind and, did not easily change his thoughts. It could be seen from his broadcast content.
During the beginning stages of Panda, as the boss kept using the money to headhunt other talents, and his offensive mouth had led to many enemies in the industry. Therefore, they were at a disadvantaged position. If the anchor they brought up themselves was hopping to the competitors’ because of the conflict, then it was going to be the biggest joke in the industry. She would lose her job as well.
…
Leaving Panda office with the salary of 200 thousand, Chen B-Dog was relieved; at least he did not need to worry about his food.
This was his first month’s salary, and it was after the 50% deduction by the website. Actually, from the gifts sent by those tycoons, Freelance Cowboy, Chen C-Dog and Sunset Dust, it was more than 300 thousand, especially with the 100 continuous sendings of Buddha Jump over the Wall worth 100 thousand. This news had even been posted in the entertainment section of some websites. The Bamboo height was at 20 meters, equivalent to 20 thousand. Plus the gifts from other followers, this month’s salary was definitely more than this.
The company explained that since it was the end of the month, they had no time to calculate the Bamboos and gifts. Since he needed the money urgently, it was considered as an advance partial payment.
It could tell how much the company valued him.
With the biggest sum of salary in one’s life, what would be the first thing cross one’s mind?
To find a girl to relax, to pamper yourself in a grand restaurant, to travel, to get a girlfriend, or to buy a car, it was very subjective. Anyhow, the first thing B-Dog did was sending 50 thousand to his mom’s bank card and called home.
“Hello, yes B-Dog? Are you filming today? When are you coming home for New Years?”
The familiar voice of his mum was heard from the phone. B-Dog could not stop his sadness, it had already been two years since he went back. He held back his tears, took a deep breath and spoke calmly, “Mum, I was not acting recently.”
“Oh, what happened, son? Why aren’t you filming? If they don’t have the posts for the Eight Route army, then the Japanese army is not bad too. No filming means you have no money for meals.”
Chen B-Dog heard the familiar anxious voice and he could not help laughing, recalling the first time he came to Heng Dian for filming.
That was the time when he was just graduated. He was lucky that time and got the chance to join the film crew after attending the training. The crew was treated better than a temporary actor. When the director said he needed few people to be the Japanese army bodies, he raised his hands up without thinking, “Director, I will do it!”
The assistant director looked at him happily, “Hey lad, you are good, quite initiative. All right, I’ll count you in. Few more bodies needed, who else?” B-Dog didn’t understand. When he turned back there was still no one that raised their hand. In the end, the director simply pulled few people.
The scene started and the director shouted, “Down!”
He was obedient enough to listen to the instructions and fell on the ground. It was all stones and his body hurt when crashing into them. As if that wasn’t enough, when the bomb shot out, the sound could almost blow someone off. It exploded three meters away from them. That was a real bomb! The sand almost buried him. That was his first time acting. He even lost his appetite after that, feeling dizzy the whole day and nearly got sick. That made him almost wanted to quit acting.
His mother called. The him back then had suffered and thus vented his grievances to his mum. He did not tell his mum that he was scared by the bomb and made up a reason saying he acted as a Japanese soldier. His mum consoled, “Just come home if you don’t want to act as a Japanese soldier. My son is so handsome, why become a soldier?” It was exactly his mum’s nondescript consolation that made him stay.
When he heard his mum mentioned about the Japanese soldier again, his memory flashed back. “Mum, don’t worry. Your son got a better job now and need not act as a Japanese soldier. I have transferred fifty thousand to your account. Remember to buy something good for the New Years, get some new clothes for brother and sister, tell them the big brother bought it. Don’t be stingy to spend the money, I can earn few hundred thousand a year now. However, I need to get settle down my new job, so I am afraid I cannot go back for New Years again. When I finish the show, I will go home.”
His mother missed him and nagged him for some time. She was complaining that he did not return home for New Years. His father took the phone and reminded him, “Do not do any illegal things outside.” After that, his brother and sister took the turn to talk to him. They talked for quite a while but did not speak clearly.
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His mother kept urging at the side. “Phone roaming is expensive” so she asked his little sister to hang up quickly.
After making this call, B-Dog was feeling motivated. It was cold and windy outside but inside his heart, it was warm and passionate.
Anyhow, everything was ready except for one!
Without hesitation, he bought the high-speed rail ticket, heading towards the northeast direction alone. He put on the headphones and realized it was playing a motivating war song. “I want to fly, side by side with the sun, the world is waiting for me to change; I have dreams, and I never hide, I can realize them here…”