Chapter 237: They

【Rebirth Begins in 2002 China Entertainment】【】

While Cheng Chen was filming Nirvana in Fire and rushing to prepare We're Dating at the Same Time.

News came from Yu Sheng Satellite TV's Wulin Waizhuan: the prime-time slot program is about to end.

Wulin Waizhuan can seamlessly replace the prime-time slot, but Yu Sheng Satellite TV also sent word.

They wanted to invite Cheng Chen as a guest on their companion program via an interview format, as pre-promotion for Wulin Waizhuan.

This kind of thing is common; most satellite channels invite lead actors or directors for interviews to promote upcoming dramas.

Cheng Chen is both the Screenwriter and Producer of Wulin Waizhuan, and also a red-hot superstar.

Yu Sheng Satellite TV's desire to leverage Cheng Chen's influence for traffic is only natural.

"You're too kind, Director Xu; assisting our satellite channel with promotion is my duty."

"Besides, I can use your Yu Sheng Satellite TV's traffic to boost my own exposure—it's mutually beneficial, haha."

Hearing Cheng Chen readily agree to record the program, Xu Min let out a sigh of relief.

Wulin Waizhuan was a drama he personally traveled to Beijing to secure at great cost; after bringing it back to the station, he faced no shortage of sarcasm and mockery from rivals.

Just as Xu Qiming had once bet his TV station job to bring him to Beijing.

Xu Min had signed a Military Order before the station's leadership after spending 24 million to buy a sitcom.

He bet that Wulin Waizhuan would become a massive hit, recouping the station's investment and turning a profit.

So Xu Min had been anxious and uneasy lately; even if Wulin Waizhuan didn't make money, he wouldn't be punished.

But he would certainly suffer serious repercussions, and he might even lose his current position.

Somehow, word of his Military Order before the station leadership spread instantly throughout the station.

Many people whispered about him behind his back, and mostly, they mocked him.

Accusations flew: he was glory-seeking, ignoring the station's interests by paying a high price for a cheaply made drama.

Some even claimed he had colluded with Wulin Waizhuan's production team for illicit gains.

Others said that if it failed to meet expectations, he'd be removed from his position soon enough.

So these past few days, Xu Min clearly noticed fewer people coming to flatter him as before.

In their place was a demeanor of avoiding him as if he were a plague-bringer…

Thus, he had become intensely focused on Wulin Waizhuan's broadcast, frequently appearing in the promotion department, leaving its leadership exasperated.

"Hey, Lao Xu, is your procurement department out of work? Why are you loitering here every day?"

"The second half of the year dramas haven't even been picked yet—get back to your own duties."

Li Tian, in charge of external promotion, sighed.

He understood Xu Min's current situation at the station and his urgent hopes.

The reason he kept wandering through the publicity department was simply that he placed all his hopes on promotion.

If more people could see this drama and ratings rose, he might just meet his goal.

That was Xu Min's thinking.

"Let the younger staff handle these things; you've got to give young comrades a chance to prove themselves."

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【Rebirth Begins in 2002 China Entertainment】【】

Xu Min rubbed his hands, slightly embarrassed.

They held the same rank and had been old friends for decades; the other understood Xu Min's nature and shook his head, saying:

"You shouldn't have bought this drama in the first place—24 million could've bought us two excellent TV series."

"For a sitcom like that,

You could've gotten three—yet you went and…" Sigh.

Seeing Xu Min's head drooping, Li Tian sighed and fell silent.

Thinking of the Military Order Xu Min had signed before the station leadership, Li Tian worried for his old friend.

To earn back 24 million—and make a profit—from just one TV series?

Hard.

This isn't just a matter of how high the ratings are!

Many people wonder: if a TV series airs on TV and viewers don't pay, how does the station make money?

Actually, it's a fascinating business model.

Let me give an imperfect analogy: it's a classic case of "the wool comes from the sheep, the pig pays, and the dog foots the bill."

The TV station airs the drama; viewers pay nothing, but they still pay a cost.

They pay with massive amounts of attention and screen time.

During the drama's broadcast, commercials are inserted—and this problem is especially severe in 2005.

Before each episode, ads play; after the opening credits, another round of ads.

During the episode itself, one or even two to three more rounds of ads.

Every night, two episodes air, and between them, another round of ads is inserted.

It's no exaggeration to say that today's TV stations are nothing but ads with dramas slipped in between.

So viewers, in exchange for watching the drama, pay with their time.

The advertisers behind these commercials pay the TV station.

The station receives advertising revenue and uses it to buy better content to maintain ratings.

So in the end, you'll see who's really paying: the advertisers pay the TV station.

Then the TV station uses that money to buy dramas to air, and the cycle continues.

Of course, this also involves the proportion of advertising placements by advertisers and the stacking of various copyright rights for the TV series.

"I understand, but what do you think of this TV series, Old Li?"

"Excellent—deep and funny. It's the best TV series I've seen in recent years."

Hearing Li Tian's affirmative answer, Xu Min's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.

"But I don't know if it can help you earn 24 million, or even turn a profit—audience tastes are impossible to predict, Old Xu!"

Li Tian paused before speaking.

Hearing Li Tian's words, the light in Xu Min's eyes seemed to vanish; he slumped into his chair, muttering:

"Do your best… and leave the rest to fate."

Li Tian patted his shoulder, comforting his old friend:

"It's not that bad. By the way, have you contacted that big star yet?"

"The young people in my office went wild when they heard Cheng Chen is coming to our station to record a show—so young, aren't they?"

"Ah, he agreed—he'll be here the day after tomorrow. Get ready."

Xu Min waved his hand listlessly and turned to leave the Publicity Department.

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【Rebirth Starting from Chinese Entertainment 2002】【】

……

When Cheng Chen arrived in Yu Sheng, Xu Min and Xu Qiming personally received him.

In just half a month, Xu Min looked ten years older; even the usually optimistic Xu Qiming had become deeply dejected, his spirits worn down.

Had something happened? Cheng Chen suppressed his doubts.

"It's a bother for General Cheng to make the trip personally."

On the car, Xu Min said with a smile.

"No trouble at all—it's my duty."

Cheng Chen came this time with minimal entourage—no staff at all.

As the two exchanged pleasantries, Xu Min's phone suddenly rang.

Xu Min gave Cheng Chen an apologetic gesture before answering.

Cheng Chen smiled, signaling him to take the call.

Xu Min answered the phone with humble deference; the other side seemed to say something important.

Xu Min's face instantly turned grim.

"Yes, yes, Department Minister Jiang, yes yes, alright, I understand…"

After hanging up, Xu Min apologized to Cheng Chen:

"General Cheng, something urgent has come up at the station—I need to return. Xiao Xu will stay with you; if you need anything, just tell him directly—don't be polite."

Cheng Chen nodded and joked:

"Director Xu, go ahead and take care of your business—I won't be polite with you. After all, Yu Sheng is close to Hui Sheng—we're neighbors!"

Xu Min smiled:

"I truly appreciate it, General Cheng."

After Xu Min left, Xu Qiming muttered:

"Probably off to get scolded again."

Hearing this, Cheng Chen glanced at Xu Qiming and asked:

"What happened? I feel you and Director Xu are completely different from before. I didn't ask earlier, but is it alright to tell me?"

Cheng Chen's instinct told him the two's odd moods were tied to Wulin Waizhuan.

Xu Qiming said:

"Nothing hard to reveal—we went to Jingcheng to buy Wulin Waizhuan, and some people at the station made snide remarks.

Those comments didn't matter much, but the leadership's attitude was deeply disheartening…"

As a member of the "Xu faction," Xu Qiming had been having a rough time at the station lately.

Originally, acquiring this drama and strengthening ties between Yu Sheng Satellite TV and Cheng Chen should have secured his future.

According to their prior agreement, Xu Qiming was to shed his Temporary Worker status and gain Official Establishment.

But due to the fallout from Xu Min's recent troubles, his formal status remains unresolved, and he's now become an object of avoidance—his position is extremely delicate.

The promise of regularization was made privately between Xu Min and Xu Qiming; now that Xu Min is overwhelmed, he can't possibly help him.

Xu Qiming bore no resentment—he understood Xu Min's current state.

The words he'd held inside for so long finally found an outlet; Xu Qiming poured out everything about his and Xu Min's recent situation to Cheng Chen.

Cheng Chen hadn't realized so much had happened behind the scenes; he asked, puzzled:

"When you bought Wulin Waizhuan, didn't you report it to the station?"

"Of course we reported it—such a large sum requires proper procedures.

When we informed the station leadership, they clearly took it seriously.

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【Rebirth Starting from Chinese Entertainment 2002】【】

They gave us just one line:

"Act as you see fit!"

"Act as you see fit—hah, that 'act as you see fit' ruined me and Director Xu.

Of course, we were too eager back then…"

Xu Qiming smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Lately, I've been running around with Department Director Xu, trying every possible way to promote Wulin Waizhuan."

"To be honest, we're also very uncertain right now, otherwise we wouldn't be so desperate to ask you to record this promotional program."

Cheng Chen nodded in understanding, though he hadn't expected Yu Sheng Satellite TV to pull such a move.

Yu Sheng Satellite TV's actions were indeed baffling, but as Xu Qiming just said:

They were too eager.

In any institutional job, every decision must leave a "work record."

Xu Min and his team failed precisely on this point…

Of course, if someone upstairs wants to target you, leaving a work record won't help.

Cheng Chen patted Xu Qiming on the shoulder and said:

"Don't worry—I understand your situation. But just as I said during the screening meeting:

If you believe in Wulin Waizhuan, don't overthink it. Remember, you fought your way out of a thousand armies and ten thousand horses.

You barely secured the broadcast rights—don't doubt your own decision, and don't doubt the taste of other satellite TV stations."

"For any promotional work ahead, I'll do my best to cooperate with you."

"Chief Cheng…"

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Xu Qiming was deeply moved.

As the producer, Cheng Chen could have bought the series and simply walked away.

In plain terms, it was a done deal—he didn't need to lift a finger.

Yet Cheng Chen still made a promise.

Xu Qiming nodded, thinking to himself:

Yes, even if our judgment was flawed, weren't the other satellite TV stations also fighting tooth and nail for this drama?

This proves just how excellent our drama is.

We'll see the results after it airs!

…

Cheng Chen stayed in Yu Sheng for about two days; after the program was recorded, he left Yu Sheng Satellite TV.

Cheng Chen's arrival greatly eased the pressure on Xu Min and Xu Qiming.

Especially after witnessing Cheng Chen's interview in full, they grew even more confident in Wulin Waizhuan.

Before heading to the airport, Cheng Chen sent a Weibo post:

"A sincere work—the first domestic situational wuxia comedy. Next week, Yu Sheng Satellite TV's Wulin Waizhuan, we'll see you there!"

After posting the Weibo, Cheng Chen turned off his phone and boarded the plane.

This Weibo was like a battle cry—his post sparked a massive uproar across the entire platform.

"Holy shit, Boss has a new drama?"

"New drama airing? We heard zero news about Wulin Waizhuan before—is it really this sudden?"

"New fans are shocked, but old fans know this is Boss's company's drama.

Of course he wasn't just sitting idle—he's the Screenwriter, after all."

"That's right, wasn't it just reported that this drama cost ten million and sold for a sky-high price of twenty-four million?"

"Perfect—I'm suffering from a drama drought. Is this a situational comedy? I've never seen one before—sounds interesting."

"Let's go, support Boss! I'm heading to Yu Sheng Satellite TV!"

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【Rebirth Starting from Chinese Entertainment 2002】【】

When Cheng Chen posted this Weibo, he had already communicated with Yu Sheng Satellite TV's publicity department.

Yu Sheng Satellite TV's official Weibo immediately reposted Cheng Chen's post and wrote:

"An unconventional wuxia—masterpiece by Director Shang Jing and Screenwriter Cheng Chen. Expect it next Friday."

Immediately following was Anhui Satellite TV's official Weibo:

"Next Friday, watch Yu Sheng Satellite TV's Wulin Waizhuan—but don't forget our Anhui love show, Let's Fall in Love."

Xiang Province Satellite TV, Sichuan Satellite TV, and other relevant TV stations also gradually released promotional previews for Wulin Waizhuan.

These satellite TV stations all had some kind of interest relationship with Cheng Chen; some were deeply cooperative partners.

Others were eager to collaborate with Cheng Chen.

But no matter what, Yu Sheng Satellite TV had enough clout.

Getting rival TV stations to promote their own dramas' ads—anyone unaware might think these stations' official Weibos had been hacked.

As a result, viewers scrolling through the official Weibos of provincial TV stations thought these channels had all gone mad…

Provided by Grandmaster Gelatiao's The Ambition of 【Rebirth Starting from Chinese Entertainment 2002】