Entertainment: From Street Interviews to Global Stardom

Chapter 30: The Stingy Shi Lei!

Shi Lei gave Yang Fan a thumbs-up and said, “Bro, I support you!”

“But, can you support my job first?” Shi Lei’s tone shifted, and he suddenly looked pitiful.

“What’s wrong?” Yang Fan was a bit confused. Did something happen to him too?

“The station chief and the director told me to bring you back. If you don’t go back, I don’t need to go back either,” Shi Lei said pitifully.

“Bro, we’ve done the interview. Can we pack up and leave now?” Shi Lei said urgently.

“Yang Fan, you have a regular substitute host. I, Shi Lei, don’t have that luxury!”

“If I don’t return in the next two days, who knows who’ll cover for me?”

“And recently, the station has been evaluating our listener ratings. At this critical moment, which host would be foolish enough to properly cover for me?”

“They’re all just waiting for my program’s ratings to drop so they can kick me out.”

“Bro, I’m begging you. Let’s hurry back, okay?”

Yang Fan laughed and said, “Fine, I already bought my ticket. Let me pack up, and we’ll leave right away.”

“I’ll help you!” Shi Lei said excitedly.

Yang Fan glanced at the empty doorway, then looked back at Shi Lei, curiously asking, “Where’s your luggage? Did you leave it at the front desk?”

“I didn’t bring any luggage. I’ve already prepared to eat yours, wear yours, use yours, and spend yours,” Shi Lei said with a toothy grin.

Yang Fan rolled his eyes and said, “Technically speaking, it’s eating the station’s, wearing the station’s, using the station’s, and spending the station’s. I’m on a business trip, you know?”

“I know. That’s exactly why I’m going to spend—spend as much as I can!”

“For my trip, the station only approved the round-trip airfare!” Shi Lei said, frustrated, rolling his eyes again and again.

“We’re both hosts at the same station. Why is there such a huge gap in treatment?”

Yang Fan laughed mercilessly. “Brother, how did you end up so miserable?”

“I’d love to know that too. Honestly, there’s no one worse off than me in the entire station,” Shi Lei said dejectedly.

Yang Fan didn’t have much to pack, so Shi Lei finished quickly.

But, to Yang Fan’s surprise, after packing his things, Shi Lei went into the bathroom.

There, he stuffed all the unused disposable toothpaste, toothbrushes, slippers, unused toilet paper, and even the bottles of complimentary water provided by the hotel into a plastic bag.

Finally, under Yang Fan’s fiery gaze, he shoved the bag into Yang Fan’s suitcase.

Shi Lei clapped his hands contentedly and said cheerfully, “Alright, now we can leave.”

Yang Fan had a strange expression on his face. “What…what should I even say to this?”

“Hey, why are you still standing there? Let’s go! Check out!” Shi Lei urged Yang Fan to hurry up.

Yang Fan stared blankly at Shi Lei, who was dragging the suitcase out. His lips twitched as he said, “Shi Lei, you forgot something.”

“What? What did I forget?” Shi Lei was startled and rushed back to scan the room.

“If I forgot something, there’s no chance I can come back to get it!”

Yang Fan silently pointed to the remote control on the table. “You forgot to take the batteries out!”

“These batteries can last for months if you put them in a clock,” Yang Fan said with twitching lips.

Shi Lei froze for a moment, then slapped his forehead. “Yang Fan, I just realized, you’re even better at saving than I am. Take them, take them, they must be taken!”

Yang Fan’s face darkened. “Was that supposed to be a compliment?”

Shi Lei laughed. “I’ll take it as one!”

Yang Fan was speechless. “This Shi Lei…he really knows how to let things slide.”

After scanning the room one last time to make sure there was truly nothing left, Shi Lei and Yang Fan finally checked out.

The two boarded the plane and left.

When the plane arrived at its destination, Yang Fan held the key to his rented apartment and couldn’t help but grumble to the system.

“Hey, system, can you be a little more generous? Can’t you just get me an apartment in Mango City? I’m not picky about the location. I just want a place of my own near work. Can you do that?”

“I’m supposed to be the landlord of ten properties, but here I am renting a place near work. Where’s the justice in that?”

「Host will receive a chance to draw a reward upon completing system tasks. Whether you can win a property in Mango City depends on your luck.」

Yang Fan’s face darkened. “Do I even need you to explain that to me?”

“Hey, Yang Fan, I heard from the director that the station has an employee housing benefit this year. The location is great—it’s in the building right across from the station. Do you think they’ll give it to Lin Hai as compensation?” Shi Lei casually chatted with Yang Fan.

“That can’t be. Lin Hai is older, married, and already has a home.”

“Isn’t employee housing usually given to employees who don’t already own a place?” Yang Fan replied, feeling a little tempted.

Employee housing—it sounded pretty nice.

“That’s how it usually works. But this year is a bit special. If it weren’t for that whole file transfer mess, the employee housing would almost certainly have been yours.”

“But now, with this unexpected hiccup, it’s hard to say.”

“Yang Fan, you’re on good terms with the director. Did the director mention anything about the employee housing?” Shi Lei asked eagerly.

Employee housing was something he dreamed of having.

Even though it wouldn’t be given to him, he didn’t want Lin Hai to get it either.

“Back when I was an intern, that guy nearly made me quit during my probation!”

“Hey, Yang Fan, why don’t you ask the station about it? The station values you a lot right now. Plus, you meet the criteria for employee housing. If you get that housing, Lin Hai will be absolutely furious,” Shi Lei said enthusiastically.

“Also, do you know who lives in that employee building? Some of the top anchors from the TV station live there.”

“Famous people like He Jiong, Wang Han, Nana, and Wu Xin often stay in that building.”

“If you manage to get that apartment, it’ll be great for your career!” Shi Lei said, envious.