It was noon, and the guests who were scheduled to perform soon had all gone to the adjacent dressing rooms to get their makeup done.
As the program's recording time approached, everyone in the studio became fully alert.
In this atmosphere of high anticipation, the two hosts appeared on stage.
With that, this episode of "Christmas Joyful Day" officially began.
Because of the high degree of freedom in this program, the two hosts first interacted with the audience present, chatting casually as if they were old friends.
Then, as if by accident, they mentioned the new song Mike had composed.
Host A: "Did you know, there's a talented high school student who wrote a wonderful song for Christmas?"
Host B: "Oh really?" (feigning surprise)
Host A: "Yes, the creator and singer of this Christmas song happens to be here today."
...After introducing Mike and the girls from The Plastics, the two hosts invited Mike and the others to the stage.
After some playful banter, Mike and the girls from The Plastics began their Christmas song performance.
Having performed at the school's Christmas party, their television performance this time went very smoothly.
After finishing their performance, Mike and the others returned to their seats below, watching the performances of others as audience members... Two hours later, after a series of performances including songs, acrobatics, plays, and variety acts, this episode of "Christmas Joyful Day" was nearing its end.
Finally, led by the two hosts, everyone in the studio sang the classic Christmas song "Jingle Bells" together, and only then did the program recording officially conclude.
"Mike, my parents are taking me to Brooklyn Christmas Village for a holiday, do you want to come along?" Regina enthusiastically invited outside the TV station.
The Brooklyn "Christmas Village" in New York is located in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Every Christmas season, people there decorate their houses with dreamy and exquisite Christmas lights, transforming the entire community into a beautiful fairy tale world.
This has made it a great place to visit for Christmas, with countless tourists going there to travel and play every Christmas.
"This is your family activity, I won't intrude," Mike said, even though he had heard of the famous Christmas Village.
However, seeing the unfriendly gaze of Regina's father not far away, he wisely declined the invitation to travel with the girl's family.
Seeing Mike's reaction, Regina seemed to realize something. She looked back at her father, whose face was darkening, and didn't insist, saying, "Okay, we'll get in touch when I get back..."
"Have fun—"
Before the other party's father's expression became even more unpleasant, Mike waved goodbye to the still chattering girl.
On the other side, Connie, who had gone to ask Alana Jackson for an autograph, came over to Mike.
After watching Regina's family leave together, she whispered, "This is a great opportunity to latch onto someone, why didn't you try?"
Judging from Regina's father's demeanor, he was definitely a successful person.
If Mike could establish a relationship with Regina in front of him, he could at least save thirty years of struggle.
"I don't need to latch onto anyone; I can be the main support myself..." Mike said jokingly.
With his long-term vision, he truly didn't need to rely on others.
Looking at Mike's confident appearance, Connie smiled and said no more.
Afterward, Mike and his group, having finished the program, returned to Medford Town around five in the afternoon.
After saying goodbye to Cady's family, the Cooper family continued to discuss what they had seen and heard at the TV station until they entered Connie's house.
It was clear that the experience of watching the program recording live had left everyone very satisfied... In a flash, it was the third day of the Christmas holiday.
At noon that day, Georgie excitedly approached Mike with a crystal ball with a base.
"Mike, do you think this is pretty?" Georgie presented the crystal ball with both hands as if offering a treasure.
It was a fist-sized transparent glass ball, and inside the glass ball was a scene of Santa Claus driving a sleigh.
When shaken, the glitter inside the glass ball would float like snowflakes.
"It's very pretty—" Mike said truthfully.
Receiving Mike's approval, Georgie smiled. Then, he mysteriously asked, "Mike, do you want to earn some pocket money?"
This kind of dreamlike crystal ball with a scene was common in later generations. However, in this era, it was still a novelty.
Georgie had also accidentally seen this kind of crystal ball with a Christmas scene on the street.
A flash of inspiration struck him, and he realized that this kind of crystal ball held enormous business opportunities.
Dreamlike crystal balls with Christmas scenes were clearly very suitable for people to give as gifts or keep as souvenirs during special holidays like Christmas.
So, Georgie, having discovered this business opportunity, immediately went to find the merchant who produced these crystal balls.
Then, using his superb negotiation skills, he got the crystal balls, which sold for four dollars on the market, at a wholesale price of two dollars from the merchant.
Georgie, who had everything ready but no start-up capital, then returned to seek sponsorship.
He first went to his father.
However, Georgie didn't believe his eldest son could make money, so he refused.
With no other option, Georgie thought of trying to seek "help" from Mike.
Mike, on his part, rarely saw such a serious side of Georgie, so he asked with interest, "What should I do?"
"I got a discounted wholesale price of two dollars for these crystal balls, and then I plan to go door-to-door selling them for five dollars each..." Georgie laid out his plan completely, finally saying expectantly, "How about it, Mike? If you provide me with the start-up capital, I can split the profits with you."
Hearing that the other party's plan was quite complete, Mike immediately asked, "How much money do you need for start-up capital?"
"Of course, the more the better, the more you buy, the more you earn..." Georgie said excitedly, seeing his plan about to be implemented.
"More specifically?" Mike frowned and asked.
Although the dream crystal ball was a new item with a lot of market potential, Georgie's approach of going door-to-door to sell them would clearly not be very efficient.
"How about a thousand dollars? I'll buy five hundred crystal balls first to test the waters," Georgie said, full of enthusiasm.
"Are you sure you can sell so many at once?" Mike inquired.
Keep in mind, five hundred crystal balls meant Georgie would have to visit at least five hundred households.
And it was conceivable that not every household would buy these things.
So, strictly speaking, the number of times Georgie would need to go door-to-door would be far greater than five hundred.
And knocking on so many doors, house by house, was no small undertaking.
"I'm sure!" To earn "big" money, Georgie was determined.
"Actually, I think it's safer for you to get a hundred crystal balls first. After they're sold, you can reorder as needed," Mike offered a more reliable suggestion.
"This..." Seeing his planned big business instantly turn into a small business, Georgie's expression became a little resentful.
But, constrained by the lack of capital, he finally had to compromise, saying, "Okay, then I'll get a hundred first."
Having a huge business opportunity in front of you and not being able to fully grasp it was also a painful thing.
Mike, on his part, didn't pay attention to Georgie's reaction.
He pulled out two hundred dollars and said, "Consider this money I'm lending you. As for what you do with it, I won't ask too many questions. Just remember to pay me back when you're able."
Clearly, Mike had no intention of participating in Georgie's business.
Or rather, not lacking this bit of pocket money, he hadn't thought of exploiting the other party's hard-earned money.
"Mike, you're such a good person~" Georgie took the money and said gratefully, "Don't worry, as soon as I make money, I'll pay you back immediately."
Regardless of Georgie's current mood, Mike, who had received a 'good person' card for no reason, looked rather speechless.
Then, he shook his head and said, "Alright, go do your thing."