Chapter 81: A Program

"Uncle Li, I heard people say you have an unrivaled talent for making spicy pork intestines with duck blood. I was actually planning to seek your guidance, but unexpectedly, I ran into you while you were ill. What a coincidence," Chen Xin said as she peeled an orange, patiently removing the pith and seeds. She placed the clean segments in a small bowl, then used a tiny wooden spoon to feed Uncle Li bit by bit.

Unlike the stern Uncle Qian, Uncle Li seemed a truly kind-hearted old man. Though his illness had eased thanks to the doctor's treatment, he still spoke with little strength, smiling gently as he listened to Chen Xin's chatter.

"Uncle Li, if—just if—the government were to take the initiative and establish a nursing home specifically for veterans like you, would you be willing to go?" Chen Xin asked.

In the past, Uncle Li might have refused, but after his recent illness, he'd come to understand some things. He nodded.

"Not too far. I need to stay with them," he said haltingly, but Chen Xin understood at once.

Uncle Li often visited the nameless graves on the hillside, spending half the day beside his family’s tombs. He meant that the nursing home couldn’t be too far from home, or it would be inconvenient for him to visit his wife and children.

This idea was only a vague notion in Chen Xin’s mind; she hadn’t figured out exactly how to make it happen. After a while with Uncle Li, she promised to return and talk with him again about the past—about his wife and children—once he recovered and left the hospital. Uncle Li nodded cheerfully, reluctant to see her go.

Outside, Chen Xin handed several hundred yuan to Uncle Hu, the caregiver, instructing him to buy milk and eggs for Uncle Li each day.

"Alright, miss, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him. He’s an old revolutionary; I know what to do," Uncle Hu said seriously, pulling out a little notebook to record the money. "Look, this is what you gave me yesterday. Every day, I write down the food expenses. When the government officials come, I’ll show them."

Chen Xin thanked him and left her phone number, telling him to call if there were any problems he couldn’t handle.

Chen Xin skipped lunch and went straight home. Upon arrival, she sought out Cheng Jie, handed over her notes about Uncle Qian’s story, and shared her plan.

"I want to make a program," Chen Xin announced, startling Cheng Jie. "A show about hometown and hometown flavors."

She knew that food programs would become wildly popular in the years to come, but at present, television was dominated by mainstream variety shows. If she wanted to do this, the best place would be at the network where the Fruit Channel was based, but she didn’t want to travel so far just for this. She felt the local station also had a desire to innovate, but being inland, their exposure to the outside world was limited. Their steps were tentative, and by the time they dared to act, the market would already be carved up, leaving only scraps to pick at.

Still, Chen Xin didn’t consider herself program material. Her idea was inspired by the National Channel, combining simple reunion shows with food, to strike an emotional chord while attracting housewives who had no need for reunions.

"Our people have an inherent love for food. The phrase 'vast land and abundant resources' is no empty boast. Because the territory is so large, the tastes of north and south differ greatly. In the past, travel was inconvenient, and southerners rarely went north, nor northerners south. But now, things are different. When the train whistle blows, people rush a thousand miles. With major national projects like the third front movement, the blending of north and south has become common. So, by presenting everyday cuisine as variety entertainment, inviting guests to comment from nutritional, aesthetic, and even sentimental perspectives, we can attract viewers of all ages and interests."

Not only Cheng Jie, but also Lu Yimeng and Song Yi were listening. Cheng Jie was an editor, Lu Yimeng worked at the TV station, and Song Yi had studied abroad—handsome and a master at creating atmosphere. With the demure Chen Xin, she didn’t believe the show couldn’t succeed.

"It would be best to invite a celebrity host—not someone too famous, as they wouldn’t be interested in a small show like this. We need someone approachable and eloquent, preferably a man."

Lu Yimeng listened intently, taking notes, even jotting down the names of a few popular foreign shows Chen Xin mentioned, planning to watch them all later.

While Cheng Jie seemed unconvinced, Lu Yimeng, working inside the station, knew how tough things had become. The station was struggling, unable to come up with good program ideas or afford to buy quality shows. Viewership was plummeting, and even those behind the scenes felt immense pressure.

Chen Xin’s proposal seemed perhaps too down-to-earth, and no one knew if it would succeed, but her suggestions gave Lu Yimeng a sudden urge to give it a try.

"I’ll discuss this proposal with my team. If it’s possible, I’ll talk to you in detail. But as for using your people, I’m not sure that’s realistic. There are plenty of idle hosts at the station. If we have a new show, we’d have to use our own staff."

"We can talk about that later," Chen Xin replied, knowing the current state broadcaster was nothing like what it would become. It was still a state institution, a guaranteed job for life. As a university student, her chances of getting a spot were slim.

Song Yi, however, was very interested and peppered Lu Yimeng with questions. After Lu Yimeng left, Song Yi turned to Chen Xin and asked if she truly wanted to make the show—and if things didn’t work out here, would she go to his hometown and do it there?

"Where’s your hometown?" Chen Xin was tempted but didn’t want to act on impulse. She wasn’t running away, after all.

When Song Yi mentioned the place, Chen Xin’s expression turned odd. What could she say? She’d thought Song Yi was just an ordinary guy with some family money to spend. Who would have guessed his family actually owned a mine—literally!

"If worst comes to worst, we’ll buy a cable station ourselves. I don’t believe we can’t make it happen," Song Yi said, growing more excited as he pulled out his phone to call home, speaking in a local dialect Chen Xin couldn’t understand at all.

"Alright, my brother says he’ll ask around. If we can do it, we’ll head back straight away."

Chen Xin rubbed her forehead. "Can’t you wait a bit longer? I don’t think this kind of program is right for private production right now. If we can work with Sister Lu, that would be best. Honestly, I don’t really want to be on the show. If you want to, why not have your family pull some strings and get you in as a recurring guest host, paired with a professional?"