For others, this would indeed be a coveted position.
After all, Jiangnan Television was a major provincial broadcaster. Being a senior executive there was incredibly easy.
Good money, light work, stable employment, nine-to-five, and plenty of time to slack off – it was pure bliss.
However, Wang Shu felt he had no fate with such jobs.
The salary simply wasn't enough to cover his expenses for staying alive.
Every extra day he lived cost him an immense amount of money.
Therefore, such a leisurely job was too much of a luxury for him.
"I know you're not interested in this, but our station isn't asking you to clock in every day. You could even be a creative consultant for us."
The old station director said, looking at Wang Shu.
He understood that Wang Shu wouldn't be impressed by the station's salary, so he hadn't intended for Wang Shu to work there full-time.
Instead, he planned to hire Wang Shu as a creative consultant.
"The old station director wants to give me a backing!"
Wang Shu now understood the old director's intention.
After all, Jiangnan Television didn't desperately need a creative consultant like him.
But the old director's insistence on hiring him as a creative consultant was for two reasons.
One was to signal to other stations that Wang Shu was affiliated with Jiangnan Television.
The other was to allow Wang Shu to gain mainstream recognition through Jiangnan Television.
As a provincial satellite TV station, Jiangnan Television held some influence in the cultural and film industries.
"Alright, I agree. I'll be Jiangnan Television's creative consultant from now on!"
Wang Shu said generously.
Becoming a creative consultant didn't require him to do anything, not even come to work.
Yet, he would receive a few thousand yuan a month and gain an official status, making it harder for others to oppose him without considering their own capabilities.
"Come to my office for tea. I bought some new, excellent tea!"
Seeing Wang Shu agree, the old director smiled and patted his shoulder.
At 5 PM, the recording of the program officially began.
Many young contestants entered the venue and took their seats in the contestant area.
"Next, please welcome our four mentors!"
The host announced after all the contestants had entered.
Then, the four mentors walked onto the stage, greeted the audience, and went to their respective seats.
Besides Wang Shu, the other three mentors were leaders of powerful idol groups within the industry.
One was Ju Xiao Yi, the leader of the extremely popular girl group Youth Girls 48.
Another was the currently trending rap artist Ji Ni Tai, and the third was Shen Ling Xi, the champion of last year's Dragon Country Dance Competition.
Wang Shu was not very familiar with the other three judges.
In fact, he only learned about them after seeing the script provided by the production team.
However, the choice of mentors clearly indicated that Jiangnan Television was not inviting veteran mentors this time.
They were definitely aiming for the path of youth idol groups.
"Welcome to all the mentors and contestants. Our program, 'Shining Youth,' officially begins its recording for this episode."
After everyone was seated, the host announced the official start of the recording.
"No way, Wang Shu can be a mentor?"
"Exactly, he debuted for less time than me, why should he be a mentor?"
"If I had known Wang Shu could be a mentor on this show, I wouldn't have participated."
In the contestant area, many contestants grumbled after seeing Wang Shu seated as a mentor.
Many of them had already debuted.
However, due to their lack of fame, they participated in this program to increase their popularity.
But they never expected Wang Shu to be a mentor on the show.
After all, how long had Wang Shu been debuted? He had only become popular after a few songs. In terms of experience and skill, they weren't necessarily inferior to Wang Shu.
Naturally, they felt indignant that Wang Shu was a mentor on this program while they were just contestants.
"I want to withdraw!"
As the host was explaining the program rules, a contestant stood up and declared.
"I want to withdraw too! What a terrible show!"
"Exactly, anyone can be a mentor now. I'd rather not participate!"
One after another, five or six contestants stood up.
"Contestants, do you have any issues?"
The host on stage was completely bewildered by the situation. Why was today's situation so unusual?
Many audience members were stunned, wondering if this was a deliberately staged segment by the production team.
"We feel Wang Shu is not qualified to be a mentor! How long has he been debuted? What right does he have?"
"Exactly, in terms of seniority, he's not as experienced as us. Why should he mentor us?"
"This show is too insulting! We won't be trainees under Wang Shu!"
After the host asked, the contestants who stood up directly stated their reasons.
The venue instantly fell silent.
The other contestants in the contestant area looked at the standing contestants with admiration.
Many of them were also dissatisfied with the mentor lineup.
However, they lacked the courage.
Of course, some in the contestant area shook their heads in resignation.
In their opinion, Wang Shu's talent far surpassed theirs.
Even with a late debut, he was qualified to be a mentor.
They even felt that Wang Shu would be more effective as a mentor for them than veteran celebrities.
Gong Tao, sitting in the main control room, also did not anticipate such a situation occurring.
"Who did you choose? How much did you take in bribes during the auditions?"
Gong Tao questioned the assistant director and the program leader beside him.
The assistant director and program leader lowered their heads; they hadn't foreseen this situation either.
"Director Gong, I'll go and throw them out right now!"
The assistant director turned, preparing to go on stage and expel the contestants.
"Do you know what kind of place this is? We're recording the show right now with so many audience members. Do you have any shame?"
Gong Tao scolded.
He had just been promoted and had handed over these trivial matters, only for such a mistake to occur.
"Let's wait a moment!"
Gong Tao had no other options. His only recourse was to rely on the host's and Wang Shu's on-the-spot adaptability.
...
"No way, who are they? They dare to say Wang Shu isn't qualified to be a mentor?"
"Exactly, do they really think being debuted earlier means they can dictate seniority? Since when has the entertainment industry been about that?"
"Hilarious, a few clowns daring to compare themselves to Wang Shu, it's speechless!"
At this moment, many audience members expressed their disdain for the contestants' actions.
In their view, Wang Shu's talent far surpassed theirs.
He was entirely qualified to be a mentor on the program.
"You think I'm not qualified to be a mentor?"
Wang Shu picked up the microphone in front of him and looked at the few standing contestants in the contestant area.
"Yes! We are unconvinced. Why are you a mentor?"
The few contestants, seeing Wang Shu respond, confidently declared.
"Why? Then I'll show you why!"
Wang Shu then walked onto the stage.
"Do you dare to accept my challenge?"
Wang Shu asked them with a cold smile.
"What is there to not dare!"
The few contestants replied directly.
"I'm serving as a creative mentor this time, so let's compete in creation! How about it?"
Wang Shu continued to ask them.
"No problem!"
Although the few contestants were a little unsure, they still stubbornly agreed.
"Let the other three judges set the topics, and the audience will be the critics. How about it?"
Wang Shu added.
This time, the few contestants hesitated, but out of pride, they nodded.
Then, they all walked to the center of the stage.
Wang Shu also walked up with his microphone.
"Wang Shu, you're something else!"
At this moment, in the main control room, Gong Tao's demeanor calmed down as he watched the situation on the monitor.
He calmly prepared to watch Wang Shu compete against these troublesome contestants!
"This segment is interesting! We get to see Wang Shu perform!"
"It's been a while since I heard Wang Shu's new songs. I thought he had run out of ideas!"
"Looking forward to it. I've looped all of Wang Shu's songs on my playlist so many times. I'm really excited to hear his new song!"
Many audience members became excited upon hearing that Wang Shu would be competing with those contestants.
"Alright, let's ask Teacher Ju to give us the first topic!"
Wang Shu directly looked at Ju Xiao Yi on the mentor's seat and said with a smile.
Ju Xiao Yi smiled and nodded in response, then picked up the microphone.
"Since Teacher Wang Shu has asked me to give the topic, my topic is 'Life!' and 'Flowers!' Because I feel that life is like flowers!"
Ju Xiao Yi said directly.
"Life and flowers? This topic is interesting!"
Gong Tao couldn't help but ponder in the control room.
Typically, flowers are associated with love.
There aren't many songs written about them in connection with life.
So, he was curious how Wang Shu would handle these two elements.
Upon hearing the two words, Wang Shu's mind immediately began searching for related songs.
The first song that came to mind was Pu Shu's "Born Like Summer Flowers."
At that moment, a confident smile appeared on his lips.
Beside him, the few contestants who had been arrogant moments before were now frowning in thought, looking troubled.
"I'm ready!"
Wang Shu said directly, holding his microphone.