Chapter Nine: A Lamb Among Wolves

Transfer? Jiang Heshuan was a bit confused. He glanced at the visibly excited Lai Yibai, then said to Yu Shuwen, “Wasn’t the decision regarding Liao Yuan already conveyed at the last meeting? I’m here today to handle Liao Yuan’s resignation procedures…”

Yu Shuwen adjusted her glasses and smiled, “There’s been a change in direction. Liao Yuan won’t be leaving for now; he’ll be transferred to Director Lai and will join the Internet Department.”

“This…” Jiang Heshuan was even more bewildered. He prided himself on knowing Liao Yuan’s background and abilities inside out. Besides Director Xi Yun of the First Program Department, no one would help Liao Yuan at this moment. Yet, here was Lai Yibai, the Internet Department director, overseeing the transfer.

Could Lai Yibai actually want to help Liao Yuan? Jiang Heshuan would never believe it—there was no personal connection, and besides, Director Lai had always detested pretty boys.

Maybe Lai Yibai had noticed Liao Yuan’s abilities?

Jiang Heshuan shook his head silently. He lowered his gaze to the employee transfer documents in his hands, hesitating.

Yu Shuwen smiled, “The Second Program Department is launching ‘Midnight Tales’ tomorrow. Director Jiang, keeping Liao Yuan won’t help you, so why not do a favor and hand him over to Director Lai? While Liao Yuan might fade into obscurity in your department, perhaps he’ll shine brilliantly in the Internet Department.”

“Him? Shine brilliantly?” Jiang Heshuan glanced at Liao Yuan, privately scoffing, but didn’t hesitate further. After signing the transfer documents, he handed them to Lai Yibai. “Director Lai, from today onward, little Liao is yours. Don’t let your personal desires drag down the Internet Department’s progress!”

Lai Yibai immediately took the files, swiftly scrawling her own signature, then raised her eyebrows and said, “Director Jiang, you really don’t know how to talk. No matter what, Liao Yuan was once part of your Second Program Department. If this pearl was covered in dust there, it doesn’t mean he can’t shine in our Internet Department. And what personal desires? I’m doing this for the future of the department.”

Seeing Lai Yibai’s cheerful smile, Jiang Heshuan suddenly felt uneasy. He sensed something was off, but paid no mind to his own words. Instead, he patted Liao Yuan’s shoulder and smiled lightly, “Little Liao, I look forward to seeing you shine in the Internet Department. But as your former leader, I feel obliged to warn you—the Internet Department has more women than men. For someone as handsome as you, it might be like a lamb entering a tiger’s den. Be careful!”

“Get lost!” Lai Yibai spat, “Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth!”

Jiang Heshuan laughed heartily and left.

He’d come to terms with it. No matter why Lai Yibai had taken an interest in Liao Yuan, in the Second Program Department, Mi Maodian was a better fit for the midnight slot.

This was proven by experience: Mi Maodian was already the king of midnight slots across Donghai’s radio stations, and just these past few days, the Second Program Department’s midnight ratings had been rising, showing Mi Maodian’s influence.

Humming a tune, he returned to the Second Program Department’s office hall, only to find the staff gathered together, all pulling out their phones and chattering excitedly.

Someone saw Jiang Heshuan arrive and hurried over. “Boss, where’s Liao Yuan?”

“Liao Yuan?” Jiang Heshuan saw the anxious faces and felt a sinking sensation. “What’s happened?”

The person replied urgently, “Liao Yuan’s trending online! Look, he’s number nine on the trending list, and his new story, ‘Ghost Blows Out the Lamp,’ is a hot topic—it’s squeezed into the Top 100 of the 24-hour Weibo topics!”

Jiang Heshuan’s mind buzzed, a wave of dizziness washing over him. He pressed his temples and murmured, “Say that again?”

Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Heshuan grabbed his phone, logged into Weibo, and checked the trending and topic lists himself.

Moments later, he spun around and sprinted toward the HR department.

Only a group of staff were left, exchanging bewildered glances.

Someone sighed, “Looks like Liao Yuan really was fired…”

Xu Jingkai said worriedly, “So what about the rest of ‘Ghost Blows Out the Lamp’? Is it just going to be left unfinished?”

…

HR Department.

“Old Yu, thanks. I’ll treat you to tea another day.” Lai Yibai waved cheerfully at Yu Shuwen, then looked Liao Yuan up and down. “You really are a handsome young man.”

Liao Yuan remained unmoved, still cradling his storage box. “Director Lai, what will I do in the Internet Department?”

“What will you do? Of course you’ll keep hosting!” Lai Yibai’s eyes sparkled. “You’re impressive, no wonder Director Xi valued you so much. Turns out you were just biding your time, hiding your talents until the critical moment. I’m genuinely curious now—how much did you dislike the Second Program Department? You hid your abilities for a whole year, fooling everyone. But this is good; here with me, I guarantee you’ll become a star in the radio world.”

Liao Yuan set his storage box aside and said, “Director Lai, I’m grateful you’re willing to take me in, but I have two requests. If you agree, I’ll join the Internet Department. If not, I’ll hand in my resignation right now.”

“Resignation?” Lai Yibai frowned. “Do you know the consequences?”

“I do,” Liao Yuan replied. “But I know my worth, and I’m sure you do too, otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

Lai Yibai studied Liao Yuan with curiosity, clicking her tongue. “Alright, speak.”

“First, I want a raise. Second, help me connect with a publisher—I want to publish ‘Ghost Blows Out the Lamp,’ under my own name.”

Liao Yuan said earnestly, “I mean as a personal author.”

Lai Yibai thought for a moment. “A raise is easy. Here, pay is based on performance—you get what you deserve. But publishing ‘Ghost Blows Out the Lamp’ right now seems a bit rushed. I suggest serializing it: broadcast it here, and serialize it in magazines at the same time…”

“‘Ghost Blows Out the Lamp’ has eight volumes, totaling about two million words. If serialized, it’ll take too long. I urgently need the money now.” Liao Yuan understood Lai Yibai’s concern and spoke sincerely, “I promise to finish broadcasting the whole novel ahead of schedule, but publication can’t wait.”

Lai Yibai fell into deep thought.

Thinking from Liao Yuan’s perspective, she found these demands reasonable.

‘Ghost Blows Out the Lamp’ was already drawing attention. Even if Liao Yuan quit now, other stations or publishers would surely reach out to him.

His circumstances were special. For most people, lacking standout skills, life after dismissal would be tough. But Liao Yuan was different—his work had made it onto Weibo’s trending list and caught national attention.

As long as he maintained his creative abilities, his future would be secure.

After all, in this world, being a writer was still a highly sought-after profession.

And she did have some publisher connections, so it would be a small favor she was happy to grant.

Yet, Liao Yuan’s confident demeanor irked Lai Yibai.

She disliked self-assured men.

Just then, Jiang Heshuan came charging in.