Wang Shu had also walked to seat number one, but the person on the seat showed no intention of giving it up.
"Buddy, this spot is mine now!" Wang Shu said directly.
"Hmph! How ironic, a comedy show, and the first place is taken by an outsider. I'm truly ashamed for all of you!" Cao Jin said with a cold laugh, glancing at Wang Shu before standing up, his eyes full of disdain.
"Is this guy sick? He's clearly inferior to others, yet he's saying such things. How shameless can he be?"
"Exactly! Wang Shu's performance was clearly better than his. If he's not satisfied, he should bring out his own material. Saying something like this is just embarrassing!"
"He's clinging to the first place and refusing to yield it. I'm speechless."
The audience had also noticed the situation on the selection stage. They all voiced their opinions about Cao Jin refusing to give up the seat. Most of them felt Cao Jin was being unreasonable, as Wang Shu had indeed won first place in the competition. Yet, this Cao Jin was now babbling about outsiders and insiders. For them, watching the show, as long as it was good and funny, it didn't matter if the performer was an insider or an outsider.
"I'm really impressed. Can Cao Jin handle losing or not? He lost, so he lost. Why is he still hogging the seat?"
"Exactly. This is a bad reflection on us comedians. People might say we comedians can't handle losing in the future."
"It's not just embarrassing for comedians; it's an embarrassment for the entire comedy industry. Wang Shu earned his first place with solid skill. If he can't handle losing, he shouldn't bring down the rest of us."
On the contestants' side, many of them were also discussing the matter. Because Cao Jin kept mentioning the comedy industry, they felt Wang Shu's performance today was worthy of first place. Even if they lost, they would accept it willingly, unlike Cao Jin, who refused to acknowledge Wang Shu's excellence simply because he wasn't from the comedy industry.
"Cao Jin, is it? I'm actually quite embarrassed for you. I, an outsider, can beat you, yet you can't even make it into the top ten. Shouldn't you be the one feeling ashamed? And you still have the nerve to occupy the first-place seat and refuse to leave!" Wang Shu said to Cao Jin without holding back.
"You!!!" Cao Jin was so infuriated by Wang Shu's words that he stood up directly and pointed his finger at Wang Shu. However, he couldn't find any words to refute Wang Shu and could only glare at him angrily.
"All contestants who have not yet left their designated seats, please do so promptly to avoid delaying other contestants' seating," Gong Tao said into the microphone from the backstage control room. The voice boomed through the entire recording venue.
"Is that the director speaking?"
"Hahaha, I wonder if Cao Jin's face hurts. Even the director is personally kicking him out."
"This guy is really thick-skinned. Not only did he snatch the first place, but now that he's eliminated, he still refuses to give up the seat."
The audience also heard the director's announcement and looked at Cao Jin with amusement. Upon hearing Gong Tao's announcement, Cao Jin was stunned. He hadn't expected the director to intervene and ask him to leave, and his face felt hot.
"Hmph, trash show. I don't care about this seat anymore!" Even though he was being told to leave by the director, Cao Jin didn't forget to insult the show before he left. Cao Jin cursed under his breath as he got up from the chair and swaggered out of the recording hall.
...
"Hello, I'm Shen Teng from Happy Meat Rolls!" After Cao Jin left, Wang Shu, along with Zhang Ji and Zhang Liangying, sat in the first-place seat. Shen Teng, sitting beside him, leaned over to greet Wang Shu.
"Hello! Wang Shu!" Wang Shu replied simply. He had a deep impression of Shen Teng, as he had been amused by him multiple times during his performance just now. Moreover, in terms of comedic skill, Wang Shu felt Shen Teng was far superior to himself.
"Teacher Shen Teng, I'm your fan. I love watching your skits. I used to go to small theaters with my partner to watch your shows," Zhang Ji, who had been very composed, said to Shen Teng with delight.
"Really? I didn't expect a famous singer to be my fan. I'm so honored!" Shen Teng then extended his hand to Zhang Ji. Zhang Ji quickly shook his hand, engaging in a friendly exchange.
...
After the recording concluded, Wang Shu directly suggested taking Zhang Ji and Zhang Liangying out for a meal. However, upon learning it was a "Zhuan Zhuan Hot Pot," they both politely declined, saying "next time."
"Boss, can't you personally cook us a good meal?" Zhang Liangying asked Wang Shu as they were leaving.
"No, cooking is too tiring," Wang Shu flatly refused. He had no intention of tiring himself by cooking.
...
As Wang Shu was about to leave the television station and head back to his hotel, Zhang Yimou called him. He informed Wang Shu that the filming of "Soldiers Sortie" had been completely finished, and the preliminary edit was ready. Wang Shu immediately booked a flight to Dragon Island Film and Television City and headed straight there.
At 5 PM, Wang Shu arrived at Dragon Island Airport. As he walked out of the airport, Zhang Yimou was waiting for him in a van.
"Boss, get in!" As soon as Wang Shu emerged from the airport, he heard Zhang Yimou call out to him. Looking up, he saw a van parked in front of him.
"I didn't expect you to be so fast! Finishing a TV series so quickly!" Wang Shu exclaimed. The project had gone from concept to filming in just over a month, and he was surprised Zhang Yimou had already produced a preliminary edit in such a short time.
Afterward, Zhang Yimou quickly drove Wang Shu to the company. Upon arriving at the company again, Wang Shu found it had been completely renovated. While the location was the same, it now had a lived-in feel, and various areas were well-organized. The makeup room, editing room, director's office, and chairman's office were all clearly delineated.
"You've done a great job, Yimou!" Wang Shu said with admiration upon seeing the company's revitalized appearance.
"We just tidied things up a bit. This is your office, what do you think?" Zhang Yimou specifically opened the chairman's office for Wang Shu to see.
"Not bad, you've thought of everything!" Wang Shu gave Zhang Yimou a thumbs-up.