The competition concluded for the day, with Wang Shu still firmly holding the first position.
However, Shen Teng, due to the script situation, dropped directly to ninth place.
He became an immediate elimination, exiting the top ten in the race for the top eight.
As soon as the program ended, Shen Teng, along with Ma Li, anxiously waited in the television station's coffee shop.
"Will he really give us a script?"
In the coffee shop, Ma Li asked Shen Teng with some doubt.
Because Wang Shu was a complete stranger to them, why would he give their team a script out of the blue?
Moreover, they were currently competitors in the same event. Wasn't this like handing a knife to the enemy?
Therefore, he felt there was a high probability that Wang Shu was toying with them.
"I don't think he was joking. Let's wait and see!"
Shen Teng said earnestly.
They had already been eliminated today. If they were eliminated again in the next revival match,
then there would be even less opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
Their years of perseverance would have to be truly abandoned.
Half an hour later, Wang Shu arrived at the coffee shop with his assistant, Su Yao.
"Apologies for making you wait!"
Wang Shu surveyed the people in the coffee shop and then located Shen Teng and Ma Li in a corner.
"Mr. Wang Shu, I didn't expect you to actually come!"
Ma Li said, looking at Wang Shu with surprise.
"Why do you say that?"
Wang Shu asked, quite puzzled.
"We are both unknown little actors. We thought you were just joking around with us, but we didn't expect you to actually come."
Shen Teng also lowered his posture significantly as he spoke to Wang Shu.
"I'm the same as you. You just haven't been discovered yet!"
Wang Shu said with a light smile, looking at the two of them.
"What do you mean?"
Shen Teng and Ma Li were clearly taken aback by Wang Shu's words and asked in confusion.
"The market for comedy is vast. I think your acting skills are excellent, and in the future of Dragon Country's comedy scene, you two will definitely be leaders!"
Wang Shu explained to them.
"Mr. Wang Shu, you think too highly of us. We are struggling to even make a living right now. We were eliminated today!"
After hearing Wang Shu's words, Shen Teng felt Wang Shu was just trying to comfort them and said directly.
"You need to have confidence in yourselves. This is a script I wrote during the competition. If you think it's good, consider it my investment."
As he spoke, Wang Shu handed over the script he had quickly written during the competition.
Shen Teng took the script and noticed that it still retained the warmth of the freshly printed ink.
He then flipped it open to reveal the title: "Fu Bu Fu" (Will You Help or Not).
"This name is quite interesting!"
Shen Teng's eyes lit up, and he then carefully examined the contents of the script.
The script tells the story of an old lady who falls down and encounters Hao Jian, a young man who had suffered a loss the previous night after eating. Hao Jian, unafraid, slowly proves his innocence as he helps the old lady.
After reading the entire script, Shen Teng could not help but praise it inwardly.
Wang Shu's observation of real life was incredibly astute, and he was able to integrate these real-life phenomena into his creation.
Most importantly, through comedy, he expressed a social issue.
"Mr. Wang Shu, this script is exceptionally brilliant!"
Shen Teng praised him directly.
"How brilliant is it? Let me see!"
Ma Li, who was nearby and a bit skeptical, took the script from Shen Teng and began to read it seriously.
"Mr. Wang Shu, how much equity in our 'Happy Fried Dough Twists' are you looking to invest for this script?"
Shen Teng asked Wang Shu with a smile.
"How much do you think is appropriate?"
Wang Shu asked Shen Teng with a playful expression.
"In my opinion, given the excellence of this script, I can offer five percent equity in our 'Happy Fried Dough Twists'!"
Shen Teng said earnestly.
He knew very well that if this script were performed in the revival match, he would be guaranteed to advance.
"Then, as you wish. I have no objections!"
Wang Shu readily agreed. He valued Shen Teng's talent and potential, not the equity of 'Happy Fried Dough Twists'.
"Ah? It's that easy?"
Shen Teng was clearly taken aback. He hadn't expected Wang Shu to agree so readily.
"This script is indeed well-written, hahahaha, it's too funny!"
At this moment, Ma Li, engrossed in the script, couldn't help but cover her mouth and burst into laughter.
"Xiao Su, is the contract ready?"
Wang Shu then asked Su Yao, who was beside him.
"It's ready, I'll just print it out!"
Su Yao nodded, then took the USB drive and quickly ran out of the coffee shop.
She returned shortly with the contract.
"This is the collaboration contract, two copies!"
Su Yao directly handed the contract to Shen Teng and kept one for herself.
Shen Teng then signed the contract without hesitation.
He understood that, for him, this script was extremely important at the moment.
It directly determined whether he could continue to develop in the comedy industry in the future.
If he couldn't advance in this competition, he might have to go home and live an ordinary life, abandoning his dream of comedy.
Therefore, for him, although Wang Shu was investing in him, he was also taking a gamble with him.
Because if he failed, that five percent equity would be equivalent to a blank piece of paper, utterly meaningless.
Wang Shu's investment would then be like drawing water with a bamboo basket – a complete waste.
So, this script, on the surface, was Wang Shu investing in him, but in reality, Wang Shu was helping him.
This script could entirely be described as Wang Shu offering charcoal in the snow.
"I look forward to your good news. I'll be waiting for you in the top eight!"
Wang Shu said with a smile as he bid farewell to Shen Teng, then stood up and left the coffee shop with Su Yao.
"Boss, why did you give him a script for free?"
On the way, Su Yao asked Wang Shu with great confusion.
"What do you mean 'for free'? I just signed a contract for five percent equity!"
Wang Shu said with a smile.
"That's an empty check. I've already checked their company. It's a small company on the verge of bankruptcy. Their only asset is a small theater that's about to close down. Five percent equity is worth very little!"
Su Yao said directly.
"I'm not looking at those assets. I'm looking at the person. I believe he can create greater value for me!"
Wang Shu said with a confident air.
"What if he gets eliminated?"
Su Yao continued to ask.
"There are no 'what ifs'! I believe in him!"
Wang Shu's eyes were filled with determination.