Poverty Alleviation C21

Chapter 21

“What nonsense are you talking about, kid? Our sponsor isn’t interested in your face, but in your cooking skills!” Wang Qun laughed and scolded over the phone.

As soon as Wei Sheng heard that the sponsor wasn’t lusting after him, he immediately felt relieved. He first delivered two truckloads of local specialties to his grandpa’s warehouse, then went home for a shower. After some thought, he very strategically changed into his TV station uniform.

Their station’s employee uniform was an earthy yellow windbreaker—rustic and ugly!

According to his gossiping colleagues, the reason behind this uniform choice was that the old station director felt that reporters nowadays dressed too flamboyantly, distracting viewers from the actual news.

So, they deliberately made the uniforms as ugly and unstylish as possible. Even the most fashionable urban beauty would turn into a village girl at the entrance of the village the moment she put it on… ahem!

Except for those who were exceptionally good-looking.

Sure enough, when the head of Li Ji Sauce Workshop’s brand promotion department saw Wei Sheng in person, their eyes lit up, and they couldn’t help but praise, “Young Wei from your station looks really good!”

For ordinary people, wearing an ugly outfit was a disaster.

For someone good-looking, even if they were wearing a burlap sack, people would still sigh and say, “A beauty in distress,” or “A pearl covered in dust.”

Dressed in the oversized and bulky windbreaker custom-made by the station, Wei Sheng appeared even more striking—his features were as refined as jade, and he stood tall and handsome.

Especially those jet-black eyes of his, like stars fallen into the dust.

“Hiss—”

Zhou Mingxing suddenly hissed as the cigarette between his fingers burned his fingertips.

Damn it!

This kid looked even better in real life than he did on the show.

And it wasn’t the kind of beauty that stunned you at first glance—it was the kind that made people feel comfortable and compelled to look again and again.

Simply put, with a face like that, even if he wasn’t in the entertainment industry, he’d still do well in most professions—unless he had absolutely zero emotional intelligence.

After all, being pleasant to look at was a talent in itself.

Since they were hosting an important sponsor, producer Wang Yang, director Wang Qun, and a few other key members of the show’s team were all present.

But what surprised Wei Sheng was—why was Zhou Mingxing here too?

Wei Sheng had personally witnessed this big shot arguing with Pu Xiangdong before.

To dare go head-to-head with the future station director—this guy was a real wolf!

However, Wei Sheng guessed that the new sponsor might be Zhou Mingxing’s friend, and maybe the production team had invited him along to keep things lively.

Once everyone was seated, the producer and director exchanged pleasantries with the sponsor before naturally steering the conversation toward Wei Sheng.

Wei Sheng had no idea what was going on, so he simply played the role of a well-behaved junior, flashing a polite yet slightly awkward smile—showing precisely eight teeth—to the sponsor.

“Haha, no need to be nervous, Teacher Wei. The reason Old Wang invited you here today is to ask for a favor. Next time you record the show, could you switch all your seasonings to our Li Ji brand?”

So that was it!

Wei Sheng smiled, picked up his glass, and toasted the sponsor—

“What a coincidence! My family has always used Li Ji’s products in our kitchen.”

“Especially your Li Ji light soy sauce and oyster sauce. To put it this way, my mom has never bought any other brand!”

“Hahaha!” The head of brand promotion, thoroughly pleased, clinked glasses with Wei Sheng.

Seeing that the kid was both quick-witted and sweet-tongued, they couldn’t resist teasing him—

“Then tell me, why didn’t you use Li Ji’s soy sauce and oyster sauce in your last recording?”

The atmosphere at the table immediately turned tense as everyone looked at Wei Sheng.

This was a tricky question. If he claimed Li Ji was his favorite brand, why hadn’t he used it on the show?

Director Wang Qun grew anxious and quickly formulated a backup plan: if necessary, they could just blame the purchasing department!

They’d say the production team’s buyers hadn’t bought any!

Meanwhile, under the sponsor’s teasing gaze, Wei Sheng blinked and then, with a slightly aggrieved look, said—

“Mr. Li, is it possible that the local villagers were using their own homemade fermented soybean paste?”

After all, elderly folks in rural areas were extremely frugal!

If they could make something themselves, they wouldn’t spend money to buy it.

When Wei Sheng was cooking on set, he used whatever was available—homemade fermented soybean paste, locally pressed soybean oil.

The only store-bought condiment in that kitchen was a single bottle of cheap white vinegar…

The sponsor was dumbfounded.

They hadn’t expected that to be the reason.

Wang Qun almost burst out laughing.

Though he knew it wasn’t exactly polite to think this way—

To be honest, homemade fermented soybean paste from the countryside did taste better than store-bought versions.

Especially for stewing chicken—oh, that flavor, tsk tsk…

Not to put down their sponsor, but even Li Ji’s signature fermented soybean paste couldn’t compare!

The moment he finished speaking, Wei Sheng regretted it a little.

Li Ji was a professional brand specializing in kitchen seasonings!

And here he was, basically telling them that rural folks didn’t even use their products—wasn’t he just rubbing the sponsor’s face in the dirt?

Zhou Mingxing leaned back leisurely, arms crossed, a toothpick in his mouth, waiting to see how Wei Sheng would talk his way out of this.

In their line of work, a pretty face alone wouldn’t cut it!

But Wei Sheng?

He had grown up under Grandpa Hu’s wing, attending middle-aged businessmen’s dinner parties since he was a kid!

This? This was nothing!

Wei Sheng stood up, poured a generous amount of liquor for the person in charge of Li Ji, and filled his own glass to the brim.

The next second, he lifted the cup with both hands, his smile warm and sincere, and smoothly began his persuasive speech—

“President Li, to be honest, when I was cooking for everyone in Houzhai Village, I couldn’t help but think—our elderly folks in the mountains have lived frugally their whole lives. I doubt they’ve ever even tasted the signature oyster sauce from Li Ji.”

“At that time, I made up my mind: if I ever get another chance to visit Houzhai Village, I’ll bring a whole big box of Li Ji oyster sauce, soy sauce, and your signature fermented soybean paste, so these elderly folks can finally taste the flavors that city people enjoy!”

“You know, President Li, our program has a pretty tight budget.” Wei Sheng shot an embarrassed glance at the director and producer, then, thick-skinned as ever, downed the full cup of liquor in one gulp. Only after that did he open his bright, glistening eyes and look at President Li with sincerity. “I heard that Li Ji is willing to sponsor our show. On behalf of all the villagers in Houzhai, I sincerely thank you and Li Ji for your generosity!”

“For the next episode, I hope we can fill our program’s kitchen with Li Ji’s signature condiments!”

“The money we earned from the last live broadcast went toward buying desks and lamps for the kids.”

“This time, Director Wang, why don’t we try to secure more funding and host a grand village feast?”

The room fell into silence.

Zhou Mingxing was so shocked that he didn’t even notice the toothpick slipping from his fingers onto his lap.

President Li froze for a moment, then suddenly slapped the table hard. “Alright! It’s settled then!”

“We’ll host a lively village feast for the folks of Houzhai!”

No one knew what exactly Wei Sheng’s words had triggered in President Li’s mind, but after a brief pause, his expression softened into one of benevolent sympathy as he turned to Director Wang Qun.

“Director Wang, tell me—why didn’t you come to us earlier with such a great program concept?”

“Here’s the deal. I can see that applying for funds from the station must be tough. If the station doesn’t approve the budget for this village feast, come to me! Li Ji will cover the cost!”

A savior!

Director Wang Qun was momentarily stunned, then, in a surge of emotion, poured himself a full glass of liquor, clinked glasses with President Li with a loud clank, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“President Li! Say no more! From now on, in our program’s kitchen, there will be no other condiments except Li Ji’s!”

For a moment, the banquet table was filled with the sound of clinking glasses and lively chatter.

Zhou Mingxing picked up his cracked mask and finally took a serious look at the young man in front of him.

To be fair, after so many years in the industry, Zhou Mingxing had seen all kinds of stunningly handsome men.

Compared to the current top male idols, Wei Sheng was at most the friendly older-brother type.

But after truly interacting with him, Zhou Mingxing realized—Wei Sheng was not the warm, boy-next-door type he had imagined.

This kid was sharp!

Without paying any “price” at all—not even letting the sponsor get so much as a touch of his hand—he had effortlessly maneuvered President Li onto the moral high ground!

Just listen to what President Li had said!

Wei Sheng hadn’t even explicitly asked for sponsorship, yet President Li had proactively taken on the cost of hosting the village feast.

That mouth of his—was it personally blessed by Goddess Nuwa or something?

Having been in this industry for so long, Zhou Mingxing had seen all kinds of people seeking favors.

Some practically threw themselves at sponsors the moment they sat down.

Some clearly wanted something but insisted on putting on a haughty, “I will never bow” act.

Only a select few, those who had truly made a name for themselves, could be like Wei Sheng—calmly guiding the sponsor right into a corner. Ahem, of course, giving praise where it’s due is the mark of a true social mastermind!

Who would have thought that beneath this boy’s shy exterior hid the soul of a wild, untamed social genius?

Good looks. High education. Social skills off the charts.

These three traits made him practically tailor-made for the entertainment industry.

Zhou Mingxing absentmindedly played with his lighter, his eyes narrowing in thought.

How could he steal Wei Sheng away from Pu Xiangdong’s grasp?

If he had known the kid had this much potential, he never would’ve fallen out with Pu Xiangdong so publicly a while back.

Tsk—what a classic case of a lazy man marrying a capable wife! That shortsighted rat Pu Xiangdong somehow managed to pick up such a dazzling gem like Wei Sheng?

Luckily, Pu Xiangdong had once kicked Wei Sheng out of a program to promote someone else.

Zhou Mingxing didn’t believe for a second that Wei Sheng wouldn’t hold a grudge over that!

Heh…

The meal ended on a high note, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Afterward, Wang Qun and Wang Yang personally escorted a completely drunk President Li to his car, watching as his vehicle slowly disappeared into the night.

Under the dim streetlights, the two longtime partners exchanged a knowing smile.

“President Li has agreed to secure exclusive sponsorship for this season. Once the funds arrive, we’ll finally have the budget to go all out!” Wang Yang grinned so wide his eyes nearly disappeared.

“Tonight, we really have Xiao Wei to thank! Who would’ve thought? The kid usually looks so quiet, but when it’s time to talk, his mouth moves faster than our station’s top host! Look at how he sweet-talked President Li—almost had him recognizing Wei Sheng as his godson on the spot!” Wang Qun marveled.

To think, they had once worried that if Wei Sheng truly entered the entertainment industry, his soft personality would make him an easy target.

Who knew that beneath that fluffy rabbit’s skin, a cunning little fox was hiding all along?

(End of Chapter)