As they were getting ready, Director Wang was arguing with the head director.
He had accidentally overheard the head director telling the behind-the-scenes staff that no matter what question Tongtong drew, they were to give him the most difficult one.
This was clearly a setup to eliminate Tongtong. Upon hearing this, he immediately pushed open the door and started arguing with the head director.
"Director, although I know there are always behind-the-scenes dealings in any recording, and even some spots are pre-determined.
But I want to know, why are you targeting such a young child? You must have seen his performance in the first round. He captured everyone's attention.
Once the show airs, it's bound to cause quite a stir and guarantee high ratings. Eliminating the child at this point is incredibly unwise."
"This is the station manager's decision, and I can't stop it. Also, you are not allowed to speak of this, or you will bear the consequences yourself!"
"Why? Did this child offend someone? To make the station make such a decision?" Director Wang asked angrily.
The head director frowned, "This has nothing to do with you. You have no right to inquire about this. In any case, you cannot leak this. If it damages the television station's image, you will be held accountable!"
"You are too much, how can you do this!" Director Wang was furious.
He had always thought highly of Tongtong, believing he could become the most outstanding among all the contestants.
But he never expected someone would target him like this.
Although he didn't know who was behind it, it must be related to a certain contestant or a special guest.
Because of Tongtong's presence, they were afraid it would affect their chances of advancing.
Otherwise, the station wouldn't target a contestant without reason.
But he couldn't understand why they would make such a foolish decision regarding a contestant with Tongtong's potential.
"Don't complain to me about this. If you have the guts, go make a scene in front of the station manager. Let's see what you can achieve," the head director said expressionlessly.
He was just an employee. He did as he was told from above. Whether someone advanced or was eliminated made no difference to him.
"You... you..." Director Wang was so angry he was speechless!
He also knew that since the station manager had given such an order, it was irreversible. And he, as a mere director at the station, did not have the power to make the station manager change his mind.
"Stop with the 'you.' Old Wang, just forget about this if you heard it. We are all smart people. It's better to keep out of trouble than to make it. Don't go against the station manager, or you'll harm your own interests!" said the person behind the scenes who was in charge of setting the questions. As he spoke, he patted Director Wang's shoulder.
Director Wang forcefully shook him off and then left in anger.
He knew very well that these two were just following orders and there was no point in arguing with them.
"Look at him..." the staff member said with dissatisfaction, watching Director Wang leave.
"Don't mind him. He wouldn't dare to say anything," the head director said calmly.
He was so sure Director Wang wouldn't say anything because if he did, it would mean going against the station manager, and it would be difficult for him to continue in this line of work.
No station would dare to hire someone who leaked internal information.
There was no fairness in this world. Whoever had stronger backing got fairness, that was an unchanging truth.
In fact, it was just as he said. After Director Wang left the room, a sense of powerlessness washed over him.
Having seen such scenes before, this was the first time he felt how hurtful injustice could be.
Perhaps it was because Tongtong was the one being subjected to this unspoken rule, that he could empathize and become so enraged.
But what good was anger? He dared not speak out. The head director let him leave because he knew he wouldn't.
Yet, not speaking out made him feel like he was letting down Tongtong and Liu Yifeng.
Just last night they were drinking and wishing Tongtong success, and today he heard such news.
If he hadn't heard it, it would have been fine. But since he did, how could he pretend nothing had happened?
Distressed, he unconsciously walked to the makeup room.
Liu Yifeng, who was bored, smiled and walked over when he saw Director Wang, "Good morning, Director Wang. What brings you here?"
Hearing his voice, Director Wang snapped back to reality and gave a strained smile, "Good morning!"
Although he tried his best to appear normal, Liu Yifeng could clearly sense that something was bothering him and showed concern, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Nothing," Director Wang shook his head, but his eyes held an imperceptible trace of guilt.
Just as Liu Yifeng was about to speak, Tongtong's voice rang out, "Uncle Wang, you're here!" He ran over from Xia Qianqian's side with a smile.
Director Wang looked down at Tongtong and smiled, patting his head, "Tongtong, the recording is about to start. Are you nervous?"
"Not nervous!" Tongtong tilted his head, his innocent eyes making Director Wang feel a pang of guilt!
Liu Yifeng still felt that Director Wang was hiding something from him, "Director Wang, what exactly is wrong?"
"No... really, nothing's wrong!" Director Wang ultimately said nothing. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but saying it wouldn't change anything, and he would lose his job.
If he were fired now, the producer of the historical drama he was directing would likely replace him. He had invested all his assets into it and couldn't afford to lose.
Seeing that Director Wang was unwilling to talk, Liu Yifeng didn't press further. "By the way, I wanted to discuss something with you. I promised you I'd be a stunt double for two days, but I have something to attend to tomorrow and need to return. Can I postpone it to the day after tomorrow?"
Director Wang, already feeling guilty, nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, everything will be according to your schedule!"
"That's good. I was worried about delaying your production," Liu Yifeng said, relieved.
Hearing this, Director Wang suddenly felt a pang of conscience. He was uneasy.
"Tongtong, you must perform well today, understand? If you have any questions you don't understand, use the 'Help Group' opportunity to get help!" he earnestly instructed.
"Okay, but I'm confident. No matter how difficult the question is, I can answer it correctly. Uncle Wang doesn't need to worry," Tongtong replied.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Director Wang felt as if Tongtong already knew everything.
But the more it was like this, the more his conscience gnawed at him. He didn't want to live with this guilt for the rest of his life.
After much thought, he decided to tell Liu Yifeng what he had heard. Whatever Liu Yifeng chose to do, he would respect.
"Tongtong, Yifeng, I have something to tell you both. Follow me!" Director Wang's expression suddenly turned serious.
Liu Yifeng had suspected Director Wang was hiding something from him from the start, so he didn't waste any more words. He took Tongtong's hand and hurried after him.
Xia Qianqian, who was getting her makeup done, looked at the three of them leave with confusion. What had happened?
Soon, Director Wang led the two to an empty room and locked the door from the inside to prevent anyone from entering.
"What is it that requires such caution!" Liu Yifeng asked, looking at the locked door with confusion.
Director Wang turned around and looked at them intently, "Yifeng, I was just passing by the head director's office for Tongtong's program and overheard a secret, concerning Tongtong.
Although the head director told me not to say anything, my conscience won't let me do it!"
Hearing this, Liu Yifeng knew the seriousness of the situation and his expression also became serious, "Director Wang, please tell me!"
Director Wang then got straight to the point, "I don't know who is targeting Tongtong, but they want to eliminate him.
Today, no matter what kind of question Tongtong draws, it will be the most difficult one, precisely to eliminate Tongtong!"