Ding Yawen did not refuse. She comforted Sheng Ze, indicating she was willing to make this trip for him, though she couldn’t guarantee success.
Before leaving, Sheng Ze gave Ding Yawen a handbag worth around fifty thousand yuan—quite generous indeed. Ding Yawen didn’t refuse; she was doing him a favor, and it was only right for him to thank her.
Back home, Ding Yawen took a deep breath and began planning the feasibility of this matter. Eight million yuan was no small amount, enough to fully support a not-so-popular program. However, most companies willing to spend that much on advertising naturally wouldn’t look twice at such a small program.
Recently, the station had a celebrity couple variety show. The first season had been extremely popular, and this was the second season, attracting a flood of advertising orders. If exclusivity wasn’t required, eight million would be enough. But if it wasn’t exclusive, whether the interview segment could secure a spot was also a problem.
Ding Yawen called a colleague from the interview program team: “Has the guest for the next episode been finalized?”
Colleague: “It was finalized long ago. This time it’s a big shot, totally different. Our team is taking it very seriously. Sister Ding, why have you been asking about this all day? Could it be your boyfriend wants to be on? Hehe, Sister Ding’s boyfriend must be a business tycoon too, right?”
Her boyfriend, Huang Jianhui, was just an ordinary employee in a highway toll collection group.
Ding Yawen belatedly remembered—she no longer had a boyfriend.
“No, it’s just a friend who wants to be on the show. He’s also a very successful company CEO with assets in the billions.”
The colleague laughed: “Sister Ding, you’re joking. Everyone who gets on our interview show has assets in the billions. You know as well as I do, nowadays CEOs with billions are as common as radishes in a field, everywhere you look. Except for us…”
Yes, except for us.
Ding Yawen perked up. If she could figure out a way to secure that eight million, it would be another achievement on her resume. As a reporter, she didn’t need to pull in resources, but if she wanted to transfer to the new emotional interview program, she absolutely had to have the ability to attract resources.
She had pulled in resources before. As a reporter, she knew many people. Whenever the department had events, she was almost always the one figuring out how to secure resources, though back then it was just a few thousand or tens of thousands, easily handled with a phone call. But now, this was an eight-million-yuan resource. She had to handle it carefully—it was essentially her ticket into the new program.
After all, she was an experienced reporter. By late afternoon, Ding Yawen had already received news from the couple show team: they happened to be missing one title sponsor. Originally, they didn’t accept sponsorships below ten million, but the market wasn’t doing well these days, and since she was a familiar contact, they could make an exception.
Ding Yawen didn’t agree immediately, nor did she inform Old Liu. She leisurely finished work and went home. This matter couldn’t be rushed. The key lay with the celebrity interview segment—if they agreed, the problem would be solved. She had to take it easy and let the station figure it out for her.
The next day, Ding Yawen woke up early and left the house without makeup, driving to Jiang Cheng’s home to pick up Lu Jiaping.
As soon as she entered, Jiang Yuchen ran out and jumped into Ding Yawen’s arms, demanding to be held. He planted two big kisses on her face: “Godmother, you haven’t come to see me in so many, many days! Did you miss me?”
Ding Yawen was amused and chuckled: “Oh, my little sweetheart, how could Godmother not miss you? Godmother missed you so much. Come, let Godmother see if our Yuchen has grown taller.”
Lu Jiaping was sweeping the floor when she turned around and frowned, “Change your shoes! I just swept here! Ugh, Jiang Yuchen, why are you always causing trouble? Let go of your godmother.”
“Why are you still cleaning? Didn’t I say I’d take you out today to relax for a day? Where’s your husband?”
“Have you had breakfast? I can tell you haven’t.” Lu Jiaping went to the kitchen and brought Ding Yawen two steamed buns and a bowl of congee. “There’s too much to do at home, I can’t leave. Jiang Cheng had something at work, so he took Yuxin with him.”
Ding Yawen washed her hands and sat at the dining table, frowning as she asked, “No way, so our little outing includes this little rascal?”
Jiang Yuchen protested, “I’m not a little rascal, I’m your son!”
Ding Yawen pinched his cheek, “Come on, Yuchen, have a bun with me.”
“Don’t give him any. He didn’t eat his breakfast properly, so he’s not allowed to eat now.” Lu Jiaping frowned and walked over to the coffee table to tidy up the toys piled on it. “Let’s not go out today. The house needs a deep clean. Look at my kitchen—it’s a mess. I’ve been busy lately, and today’s a rare day when I don’t have to take Yuxin to her extracurricular classes.”
Ding Yawen burst out laughing, “Busy? What are you busy with all day?”
Lu Jiaping bristled, propping her hands on her hips, “Ding Yawen, what’s wrong with you? What, do you think stay-at-home moms aren’t busy? I’m constantly juggling the house and the kids, with no free time at all. Do you think being a stay-at-home mom means lounging on the sofa all day?”
Such an offhand remark had provoked such a strong reaction from Lu Jiaping. Ding Yawen was taken aback, “Jiaping.”
Lu Jiaping had been in a foul mood these past few days. She pursed her lips, sulking as she tidied up, her eyes reddening again.
Ding Yawen sighed deeply, “Alright, I originally wanted you to come with me to get my nails done, but it’s not easy to take Yuchen to a nail salon. Let’s just stay home today. It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper chat. We should catch up.”
Lu Jiaping remained silent. After clearing the table, she fetched water and prepared to kneel on the floor, wiping it inch by inch.
Ding Yawen walked over and pulled her up, “Just mopping is enough. Why do you have to make it so hard on yourself every time?”
Lu Jiaping said wearily, “My back hurts too much. Mopping requires bending over, and I can’t handle it. Wiping the floor while kneeling is easier on me.”
Ding Yawen went to get the mop, “Let me do it, let me do it.”
Lu Jiaping didn’t stand on ceremony. She led Jiang Yuchen back to his room and had him sit at the desk to draw, “Be good. I’m going to chat with your godmother, okay?”
She returned to the living room and lay down on the sofa. Ding Yawen clumsily mopped the floor, only to find it never seemed to get clean. Every step left another footprint, frustrating her to no end.
“Is there something wrong with this mop?”
“You’re so silly, Yawen. Can’t you even handle household chores now?” Lu Jiaping teased mercilessly, “The mop isn’t dry. Go to the mop sink, prop it up, and scrub it back and forth a few times. Once it’s dry, it’ll mop properly.”
After mopping the floor just once, Ding Yawen felt as if she’d shed a layer of skin. Drenched in sweat, she collapsed onto the sofa, unable to move.
Lu Jiaping got up again, ready to hang the laundry.
Ding Yawen stopped her, “Can’t you take a break, sis? This is way too exhausting. Honestly, it’s worse than going to work. Why not hire a housekeeper? It wouldn’t cost much.”
Lu Jiaping counted on his fingers as he explained the expenses to her: “Yuxin’s English class costs twenty thousand yuan a year, taught by a native foreign teacher. Chinese and math are cheaper, adding up to ten thousand yuan a year. The writing tutoring class is two thousand yuan per semester, and the Olympiad math…”