Chapter 29 Lost His Job Again
It's five o'clock in the afternoon again. Zhou Xiao and Uncle Jingshang got today's money, which is different from previous days. Today, Zhou Xiao has an additional income of 300,000 yuan.
After the afternoon's events, Sakaguchi went to the bank and withdrew 300,000 yen without much resistance. He handed it over to Zhou Xiao, who accepted the money without saying much, as he really needed it. With this amount of money, Zhou Xiao could make ends meet for three months if he was frugal.
However, along with these 300,000 yen, was a sentence from the person in charge of the TV station: Zhou Xiao, Inoue-senpai, tomorrow... neither of you need to come.
Zhou Xiao wanted to ask why, but Inoue seemed unsurprised. He pulled Zhou Xiao, who was still somewhat puzzled, away from the TV station.
"Uncle Jie, we were all busy this afternoon and didn't have time, now you can finally say it!" Zhou Xiao followed behind Uncle Jie, asking as they walked.
"What did you say?"
"Say everything I might not understand!" said Zhou Xiao.
"Ugh... you don't know, back when I entered the industry, Sanma was just a regular comedian from Kansai. Among our generation, everyone watched him rise to where he is today with his talent and skills. Someone like that... in his world, is an absolute king-like existence. Sakaguchi's actions touched on the reverse scale of all comedians, and since Sanma didn't have any particular relationship with him, he was able to make him retire cleanly. But at the same time, we two also hurt his pride! We two are actually small potatoes, even smaller than Sakaguchi, so he won't stoop down to deal with us, and might even help you get compensation from Sakaguchi."
But the people around him, especially those who still need his TV station, if you or I had enough power it would be fine, but now our situation is such that the TV station cannot afford to take any risk because of us two, not even a tiny bit of risk, the TV station is not willing to take!
"Doesn't that mean we won't be able to mix in at the TV station from now on!?" Zhou Xiao finally understood the most important issue after hearing what Jing said.
It's not that exaggerated, you don't quite understand this industry yet. This industry won't give you a straightforward black or white result. Tanaka-san won't intentionally do anything to us two, and after we left the TV station and Sakaguchi paid 300,000 yen in compensation, it's as if the matter has already ended. From now on, whether you can find work at another TV station or become popular again, Tanaka-san won't stop you, because his status is at stake, and with his identity, blocking your path would be detrimental to his reputation, especially within the comedy industry.
However, while not giving you a hard time, they probably won't give you any help either. If you can get into the TV station's line of sight in the future, Fuji TV won't make things too difficult for you, but all the TV shows that involve staff related to Shinoda-san might not invite you to participate! Don't think this is a small hindrance, the phrase "staff related to Shinoda-san" includes almost all the variety shows of the entire Johnny's artists and many other shows!
Perhaps someone like Akidofish is not the type to care about what others think, but his level is fundamentally not something that people like us can reach. Without any other programs to support him, it's almost impossible for an artist like you to enter Akidofish-san's line of sight!
Zhou Xiao's face finally turned dark.
"These 300,000 yen are compensation for Sakaguchi and the price of that joke! From now on, you may never have another chance to perform that joke again!" said Inoue-san.
"No... is there no other way?" Zhou Xiao asked.
"Want to say another way......" Inoue glanced at Zhou Xiao.
"Shen Zong won't specifically target you, and the TV station won't have any restrictions on us small potatoes, so... if I go beg them, maybe..."
"No! Uncle, this isn't a solution! This is compromise!" said Zhou Xiao.
"What's the use of being uncompromising?"
"Hey, Inoue-san, what you're saying is that Shimada Jiro won't specifically target me? What if I sing a song or act in a movie? Write something? He wouldn't mess with me over those things either, would he? And the people around him, will they affect me in these areas?"
"These places won't affect you, but you..." Apart from Zhou Xiao, probably no one would think that a person can do all these things at the same time. So, for Zhou Xiao's question, Inoue Taichou replied without much thought. If Zhou Xiao could do all of these and did them well, not to mention Islanda Jinsuke, even if the Prime Minister himself came down, he probably couldn't stop Zhou Xiao's rise. But in Inoue Taichou's eyes, is this possible?
As for Zhou Xiao himself, after getting Uncle Jie's answer, he let out a sigh of relief. Since it was like that, the road ahead actually didn't have too much impact on him either.
"Shimada Jirokichi, huh... Although you didn't have any intention of dealing with me, and although you're still a distant existence to me now, I'll remember today's events. The lesson you taught me, I'll never forget!" thought Zhou Xiao quietly to herself.
"What will you do next, Uncle Inoue?" asked Zhou Xiao.
"I'll try going to another TV station, TBS also has a contemporary of mine, maybe we can still do some part-time work or something, but the treatment might not be as good as Fuji TV's." said Inoue-san with a sigh.
"No, Uncle Inoue, I won't go...!" Zhou Xiao refused.
"Huh? Not going?" Inoue looked up in surprise and said.
"Now that I have some money in my hands, being frugal and adding the money from selling songs, I can at least hold on for half a year. In this half year, whether it's singing or something else, I'll try my best to make an effort. If after half a year the money is gone but I still haven't made progress, I'll come find you for help!" Zhou Xiao said, in his mind, half a year was already plenty of time, as a transmigrator, being able to give him half a year without worries would allow him to do many things.
"Ah... I know you're talented, but I'm already middle-aged. Middle-aged people tend to have less desire for adventure and more cautious thoughts. So, regarding your choice, I won't agree with it, but I also know this is your decision, not mine, and you won't easily change your mind... Alright, that's settled then. For the next half year, I'll try my best to settle down in one place, and by the time you come looking for me, I should have enough ability to arrange work for you!" said Uncle Inoue.
"Uncle, you're really too good to me," said Zhou Xiao.
"No, don't say that. At first, I wouldn't have opposed Sakaguchi for you, and now, my kindness to you also has a reason, so don't think of me as too perfect."
"Why?"
"It's not those songs of yours, but look at what you've done! After seeing all that, I have great confidence in your future. Now, consider this as my investment. Besides, I haven't lost anything. This TV station job is always available to me whenever I want it. Just hope that when you become successful, don't forget about me!" said Uncle Inoue.
"Don't worry! It will absolutely not be like this! In the next half year, or perhaps less than half a year, three months, two months, or even one month, I will let you see my true strength! On some day in the future, I will definitely grow into an existence that even Island Tadashi can't suppress!" Zhou Xiao said with an imposing tone.
"Good! This is what young people should have! I'm waiting for that day, Uncle!" said Inoue.
Zhou Xiao felt much more relaxed after returning home. The past few days of work had been really tiring. After eating a good meal and taking a nap, Zhou Xiao woke up early the next morning and once again began his otaku lifestyle, which was almost identical to his previous life. However, this time was different from before - he now had another task to do every day.
At 7:00 in the morning, Zhou Xiao put on his guitar and he hadn't been to Gaoyuan Temple Station for almost a week. I wonder if the people passing by Gaoyuan Temple Station still remember the little guitarist who earned 40,000 yuan with one song a week ago?
