Chapter 238: Premiere

【Rebirth Begins in 2002 Chinese Entertainment】【】

The promotion of Wulin Waizhuan received support from many competitors—an outcome no one could have anticipated.

Of course, this was surely due to Cheng Chen's guidance behind the scenes; otherwise, no one would have done such a thing.

After all, every satellite TV station has its own prime-time new drama to launch; how could anyone possibly support Yu Sheng Satellite TV?

Thus, only Anhui Satellite TV, Xiangnan Satellite TV, and Sichuan Satellite TV—those closely tied to Cheng Chen—helped promote Wulin Waizhuan.

Other satellite stations' promotions, however, framed Wulin Waizhuan positively, motivated by a desire to curry favor with Cheng Chen.

As for Yu Sheng Satellite TV… they didn't mention it at all!

Thanks to Cheng Chen's promotion, online spectators who had been merely observing suddenly developed high expectations for this martial arts-themed sitcom.

Discussion of Wulin Waizhuan online surged sharply, with endless topics about its trailer's plot and related actors.

"It's actually Director Shang Jing's work! His previous dramas, Cooking Class Story and Health Express, were both excellent—I never expected him to release a new one!"

"That's right! The online promotion for Wulin Waizhuan was everywhere, and it was marketed as a sitcom."

"Turns out it's Director Shang Jing's work—that explains everything. I'll say it here: Director Shang Jing is unquestionably the number one sitcom director in China!"

"From the poster, you can see these lead actors are all from Cooking Class Story—Shuai Hu, Xiao Jiang, Yan Head Nurse, Xiao Yao… I support it!"

In 2002, Director Shang Jing's Cooking Class Story reignited the popularity of sitcoms on screen.

He followed it up with three consecutive installments, making it the flagship series of military sitcoms.

Moreover, all three installments of Cooking Class Story achieved breakthrough artistic success.

The first season won the Golden Star Award, the Flying Apsaras Award, and the China TV Golden Eagle Award.

The six lead actors of the second season collectively received the Golden Star Award for Outstanding Actors.

In the third season, Shang Jing himself won the Golden Star Award for the drama.

That same year, in Modu, Shang Jing also filmed the urban comedy Urban Men and Women, using some of the same actors from Cooking Class Story.

Immortal Wood Strange Fate

In short, even apart from Cheng Chen's connections, Wulin Waizhuan itself carried massive inherent traffic.

This is one of the main reasons so many viewers were eagerly anticipating the drama.

…

"Good morning, Department Director Xu."

"Morning, Department Director Xu."

"Department Director Xu, you look great today."

Today was the premiere day of Wulin Waizhuan; as soon as Xu Min arrived at work in the morning, people kept greeting him.

Xu Min walked into the office building holding a thermos, nodding to everyone who greeted him.

But those who had just greeted him immediately pointed and whispered behind his back:

"Look at his airs—hmph, a grasshopper in autumn, not going to jump much longer."

"He just got a big star to promote his drama."

"Everyone online says they're excited—but how many netizens are there really?"

"The station leadership cares about ratings. No matter how good the promotion, if ordinary people don't know about it, it's all empty!"

"Just wait—tonight will settle everything!"

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【Rebirth Begins in 2002 Chinese Entertainment】【】

Xu Min's position at the station is now awkward: on one hand, everyone below knows he took a Military Order from station leadership.

If he fails, Department Director Xu becomes Little Xu.

On the other hand, Wulin Waizhuan has generated enormous online buzz.

Many say they will support it.

This level of hype has made those in the station who once looked down on Xu Min reconsider their contempt.

But fortunately, all of this will be settled tonight—by tomorrow at the latest, the ratings report will land on the leaders' desks!

Xu Min had long noticed how people at the station treated him.

At first, he was extremely anxious, but as he told Li Tian a few days ago:

Do your best, then leave the rest to fate.

He had done everything he possibly could; the rest was up to heaven.

…

That evening, Xu Min's family sat waiting in front of the TV early.

"Eat some fruit first—you haven't eaten much all evening."

His wife placed several plates of fruit on the table.

"Just leave them there—don't block my view of the TV."

His wife gave him a look and said:

"The Weather Forecast hasn't even aired yet—your drama is still a long way off!"

Xu Min's wife, Zhang Man, is head nurse at the city hospital; she's usually busy and often works day and night shifts.

She was aware of what had happened to her husband—he'd bought a drama for the station that might lose money.

Over the years, Xu Min had worked diligently at the station, contributing countless achievements.

The money he'd earned for the station could have bought ten such dramas easily, yet now the station was clinging to this small fault of his.

He'd been so stressed lately his mouth had developed sores—she'd seen it all.

Though she sympathized with his plight, there was little else she could do.

Today was an important day for her husband, so she took special leave from the hospital to come home and keep him company.

"Old Xu, don't get too anxious—we must keep our mindset calm."

Zhang Man thought for a moment, sat down on the sofa, and comforted her husband.

"I know, during the day I thought it was no big deal, but the closer it gets, the more nervous I become."

Xu Min shook his head slowly and said.

"Dad, just relax—our boss already promoted your show, you've got to believe in him!"

Today was Friday; their two children usually boarded at high schools in the city, and since school was off tomorrow, they'd both come home today.

The speaker was their daughter, Xu Xiu.

"Hey, Xu Xiu, I disagree. Your boss Cheng Chen may be impressive."

"But he can't control the audience's opinions. Dad, don't blame me for being a wet blanket."

"Your《Wulin Waizhuan》? My opinion is it's inferior to proper wuxia dramas."

"When did wuxia become a sitcom? Shouldn't it be about swift revenge, fighting and killing? This just won't do."

Their son, Xu Tianhao, bit into an apple on the table and lay back comfortably on the sofa.

Xu Min and Zhang Man's two children were twins—older sister Xu Xiu was only five minutes older than younger brother Xu Tianhao.

To outsiders, Xu Min and Zhang Man seemed to have a perfect family with obedient children, and both parents were government officials—very prestigious.

In truth, if not for the occasional family troubles, their life was genuinely happy and fulfilling.

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【Rebirth Starting from Huayu 2002】【】

But things always have a chance—like now…

"Xu Tianhao, do you want to die? What's wrong with my boss? Don't you see Weibo is full of people supporting him?"

"If you can't speak properly, just shut up. Don't go on about nonsense all day—can't you see Dad's stressed?"

"Say something nice to comfort your dad. Can you even die doing that?"

"Wait, Xu Xiu, I don't like how you put that—what do you mean 'comfort Dad'?"

"I'm just warning him in advance—in case the ratings flop, he won't be too disappointed."

"I stand by my view: that《Wulin Waizhuan》has no appeal—it won't work…"

"You…"

Seeing her two children about to argue again, Zhang Man snatched the apple from her son's hand and snapped:

"Go, go, go—vaccinations are my job. Xu Tianhao, if you don't want to watch TV, go back to your room and study."

"You never think before you speak—how is your dad's drama bad? I think it's great! Sitcoms are wonderful—they make people laugh."

"Got it, Empress Dowager—I'll shut up. But I won't go to my room. I'm staying here to keep Dad company during this tough moment."

Xu Tianhao grinned.

Watching his family bicker and laugh, Xu Min suddenly felt at peace.

What if the ratings were low?

What if he risked losing his position?

I still have my family!

As the family talked, the clock finally struck eight.

"By the way, isn't today the premiere of that popular online show—what's it called? 《Wulin Waizhuan》? Which channel? I think it's Yu Sheng Satellite TV!"

"Time to watch TV—my boss's new drama, here I come!"

"If you've got nothing else you want to watch, I'm watching《Wulin Waizhuan》—heard it's hilarious."

"《Wulin Waizhuan》…"

…

"Hey, bro! Long time no see—where've you been?"

"Hey, friend, if it's really you, say hi!"

"Hey, bro! Long time no see—where've you been?"

"Hey, friend, if it's really you, say hi!"

The theme song of《Wulin Waizhuan》began—and the Xu family fell silent.

Zhang Man glanced at her husband, her eyes filled with surprise and a trace of worry.

The show's theme song… it sounded so unusual.

A bit… hard to accept.

In fact, most TV drama theme songs today were sentimental love ballads.

Or grand, sweeping lyrics and melodies—this kind of opening theme… was truly rare!

Xu Min's lips twitched slightly—he had once suggested to Cheng Chen that they replace the theme song with a new composition.

But Cheng Chen had been adamant—he refused to change the song.

Xu Min had reluctantly nodded, thinking: after all, a theme song couldn't decide everything.

"Cool~ It's rap! I've never heard rap in a TV drama before—especially a costume drama. There's actually something to it."

To everyone's surprise, the first person to praise《Wulin Waizhuan》was Xu Tianhao—the very one who had been opposing it all along.

Seeing everyone turn to look at him, Xu Tianhao quickly calmed his expression and said:

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【Rebirth Starting from Huayu 2002】【】

"I just like rap. As for how good the drama is—I'm reserving judgment for now."

"Pfft."

Sister Xu Xiu glanced at him dismissively and turned her gaze back to the TV.

And the on-screen visuals paired with mouse clicks to play on the computer screen felt genuinely novel at the time...

As soon as the theme song ended, the TV immediately blared an advertisement.

That's right—back then, TV dramas always had ads after the opening theme, and they weren't short.

"Hey, Dad, I seriously suggest you tell your bosses to cut the opening ads—they kill the mood."

Xu Tianhao complained.

Even Xu Xiu, who always clashed with her brother, nodded in agreement.

"If they don't run ads, how will the TV station eat? Can you think before you speak?"

While scolding his son, Xu Min was already calculating in his mind how much money he could make from this ad slot once the viewership of Wulin Waizhuan picked up.

After enduring the long ad break, Wulin Waizhuan finally began.

Xu Min had never seen the first episode—he arrived in Jingcheng the day after the screening.

But it didn't affect his viewing at all—that was one of Wulin Waizhuan's greatest strengths.

No matter which episode you started with, you could fully understand the plot.

At the start, Madam Tong and Lao Xing put on a grand performance while Lao Bai sat eating melon.

It was really just about getting Lao Xing to pay up; the way they passed the abacus around was brilliantly choreographed—fluid, seamless, perfectly synchronized.

In the end, the constable dodged payment through sheer bluffing, and as Lao Xing fled, he even used a cheap 50-cent running effect.

Then they gathered around the dining table, and Lao Bai, with a face full of righteous pride, said:

"Back in my day, when I roamed the Jianghu..."

Suddenly, a loud crash came from the roof, and everyone scrambled in panic, searching for cover.

Lao Bai, who had just been boasting, instantly wore a face of sheer terror.

This stark contrast would seem clichéd—even unfunny—by today's standards.

But remember: this was 2005. Audiences hadn't yet been brainwashed by the same old tricks over and over.

Back then, viewers still appreciated traditional storytelling, and Wulin Waizhuan's sudden, ironic "karma" gags were wildly popular.

For example, Xu Xiu laughed so hard she rolled on the sofa, clutching her stomach—mainly because Sha Yi's performance was so bizarre, the contrast so extreme.

Even Xu Tianhao couldn't help grinning; there were already several such jokes since the first episode began.

Just the scene where Madam Tong counted accounts and demanded wine money had three twists—raising tension, then releasing it.

In terms of quality, the first few minutes of this drama already pulled viewers in completely...

While the family discussed the Male-Female Killers, they were startled and scattered in fear.

Then, naturally, the characters' relationships were explained.

Lao Bai wouldn't let go of Xiao Bei; Xiao Bei bit him, and Lao Bai said:

"Madam, look at your little sister-in-law."

Xiao Bei said:

"If my brother were still alive..."—this directly clarified Madam Tong's relationship with Xiao Bei and revealed that Madam Tong was currently a widow. Next, as they continued discussing the Male-Female Killers, their words subtly revealed everyone's identities and pasts:

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【Rebirth Starting from Huayu 2002】【】

Lao Bai is a waiter who once roamed the Jianghu.

Da Zui is the cook, Xiucai is the accountant, Xiao Guo is a rich family's daughter who ran away to roam the Jianghu, and Madam Tong is greedy.

In just over ten minutes, the characters' relationships and personalities were laid out with crystal clarity.

And this drama's most indispensable—and joke-packed—part was this:

The contrast between the inn's residents recounting the "atrocities" committed by the Male-Female Killers and Xiao Guo's own rooftop confession was brilliant.

It made people burst into uncontrollable laughter—hilarious beyond words...

Some viewers watching TV might say:

"If you can get through the first three episodes, it's a good drama."

But if you need to "endure" the first few episodes, that's just a sign the Screenwriter lacks skill in setting up characters and plot threads.

Wulin Waizhuan captivated viewers from the very first frame, drawing them into that ordinary yet authentic martial world.

Soon, the short episode ended.

The room fell silent; many seemed still immersed in the martial world the drama had created, their faces still lit with the laughter it had sparked.

"What did you think of this episode?"

Though he already knew the answer, Xu Min still asked his family.

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