Chapter 155: The Old Man's Dedication

"Old Station Director, you cannot be serious. True, the television station is doing well now, but as the old saying goes: 'It is easy to conquer a kingdom, but difficult to rule it.' Can you really rest assured leaving these youngsters in charge of guarding the realm? What if the kingdom is lost?"

As these words fell, silence descended upon the living room, and the bedroom grew quiet as well.

Almost at the exact same moment, Lin Chuan and Yuan Ye could not help breaking into a cold sweat. Surely the old man wasn't going to be persuaded by this, was he?

However, the very next second, the old man spoke.

"Whether the realm can be guarded or not, I care not. In truth, this realm was not even conquered by us. Even if we remain, we might not guard it any better than they can. I have faith in these young people. Once the television station is handed over to them, it will surely go further and further. No matter what the rest of you think, I have made up my decision: once the New Year passes, I will officially announce my retirement."

"What?"

"Old Station Director, you must be joking, right?"

"Retirement? This... please think it over again. Do not make such a hasty decision."

Instantly, the few people in the living room were filled with astonishment, one after another raising their voices in an attempt to dissuade the old man.

In the bedroom, Lin Chuan and Yuan Ye also changed expressions upon hearing this.

The old man was going to retire? Was he speaking in jest? True, ever since Lin Chuan became chairman, the old man had rarely visited the station, leaving all major and minor affairs to Yuan Ye for full discretion.

Yet no matter what, the old man remained the station director—the true, undisputed director. The role he played within the station was irreplaceable by anyone, not even Yuan Ye.

In the entire television station, who did not respect the old man? Who did not hold him in the highest esteem? Even those once-overbearing board members in the past had to address him respectfully as 'Uncle Yuan' in his presence, didn't they?

Once the old man retired, the television station would instantly seem to lack a pillar of strength, losing its backbone. This was simply not something other ordinary leaders could compare with.

On the other hand, objectively speaking, the old man's affection for the television station was deeper than anyone else's. It was like his own son.

From the very moment it was learning to walk, the old man had participated every step of the way, watching it grow little by little, watching it strengthen bit by bit.

When it took a slight misstep, the old man would pull it back no matter the cost; when it received praise, the old man was happier than anyone else.

Now... just like that, he spoke of retiring? How could this be?

Both Lin Chuan and Yuan Ye knew very well in their hearts that the old man was cooperating with their work and supporting the station's reform plan. He wanted to set an example and pave the way for others.

Thinking of this, a heavy ache filled Lin Chuan's heart. The old man had already given far too much for the television station.

As for Yuan Ye beside him—well, it would have been fine if he hadn't looked, but one look nearly made Lin Chuan's eyes pop out. This fellow was actually standing there, secretly wiping away tears...

"Godfather, why are you crying? Teacher said that during the New Year, we should be happy and not cry. Even if there are unhappy things, we must persevere, because the New Year might bring miracles..." At that moment, Lin Yiyang, who had been lying on the bed drawing, raised his head and said.

The little fellow was very bewildered and confused. Why did Daddy and Godfather's moods turn bad just from standing at the doorway for a little while?

Innocent and carefree, not understanding what had happened, he pulled out a few tissues, walked up to Yuan Ye, and smiled as he said, "Godfather, how about I tell you a story? Once you finish listening to my story, you won't cry anymore. The kids in kindergarten all love listening to me tell stories..."

"Be a good boy, Yangyang. Actually... actually Godfather isn't crying, some dust just got into my eyes. It's nothing." Yuan Ye managed to squeeze a smile onto his face, squatted down, and gently pinched Lin Yiyang's cheek.

As a result, Lin Chuan frowned from the side, thinking to himself: Has your lying skill deteriorated? Where on earth is there any dust in this room? Forget dust, there isn't even a breeze.

Just as their attention was diverted, the sound of a door closing suddenly came from outside.

Lin Chuan was stunned, and Yuan Ye stood up. The two exchanged glances... Could it be that those old fellows had already left?

Opening the bedroom door, the two walked out one after the other.

Sure enough, in the living room, only the old man was left sitting on the sofa. As for the figures of those old seniors, they were long gone.

"Dad!" Yuan Ye murmured in a low voice, and in a flash, his eyes turned red again.

Lin Chuan quickly tugged at Yuan Ye's clothes, then shook his head to signal him to keep his emotions under control.

Right at that moment, the old man spoke: "You both heard everything just now, didn't you?"

"Ah? Yes, we heard it." Yuan Ye nodded.

"Heh, no need to be surprised. Actually, I've had this thought for a long time. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I simply brought it up. It's nothing, don't take it to heart." The old man gave a carefree smile, as if he didn't care at all.

However, seeing this scene, Yuan Ye and Lin Chuan felt even more heartbroken.

"Dad, actually, you don't need to retire. If worst comes to worst..."

"No need to say more. Even though I rarely go to the office now, I am well aware of everything going on at the television station... If we want the station to go further, we old timers really ought to step down. Besides, only in your hands can the television station have a brighter future." The old man smiled and waved his hand.

"Uncle Yuan, actually it's not as serious as you say. Even if the few old leaders stay, it won't have any impact..."

"Xiaochuan, you should know my temper. Once I've made a decision, I won't change it. As for Lao Chen and the others, you don't need to have any scruples either. Once this New Year passes, prepare for their retirement." The old man said in an unquestionable tone.

"..."

Immediately, Lin Chuan and Yuan Ye were completely speechless. What else could they say? There was nothing left to say. They knew the old man's personality very well; he had always meant what he said, his words as firm as nails, and not even nine oxen could pull him back. Especially now in his old age, this stubborn streak not only hadn't faded, but had become increasingly pronounced.

For a moment, neither of them knew what to do, and the atmosphere in the living room suddenly turned oppressive.

Yet at this exact juncture, Lin Yiyang ran out from the bedroom holding his sketchbook. Approaching the old man, he said, "Grandpa, this is what I just drew. I'm giving it to you as a New Year gift."

"Oh? Yangyang is giving Grandpa a New Year gift? Then Grandpa must take a close look." Smiling as he picked Yangyang up, the old man reached onto the coffee table for his reading glasses and put them on.

Seeing this scene, Lin Chuan smiled. Leaning close to Yuan Ye's ear, he whispered, "Once the old man retires like this, he'll truly have plenty of idle time in the future. You'd better watch out—before you know it, he might start pressing you to hurry up and get married and have children. That's the greatest joy for a retired old man..."

Hearing this, Yuan Ye cast a sidelong glance of annoyance and whispered, "Mind your own business and stop worrying about mine, just take care of yourself... But considering we grew up together as childhood friends, I'll give you a warning: once the New Year is over, trouble is going to hound you too!"

"What do you mean?"

"Hehe, nothing special. You'll find out when the time comes."

Yuan Ye smiled mysteriously, leaving Lin Chuan's face completely dark.