Unlike Xie Qian’s calm, Gong Sheng took this matter very seriously.
The viewership ratings for “Alleyway Folks” started high and kept climbing. It had good word of mouth online, and even better favour with local audiences in Modu.
The drama was set against the backdrop of Modu. Through the lives of several households in one alleyway, it showed the changes in society from the 1970s and 1980s up to now.
Xu the producer, who had led the negotiations for this drama, had been smug these past few days at Oriental Channel.
“Thanks to Chairman Gong for making such a good drama for us. I told the channel leaders that we must fully support a gem like this.”
What did full support mean?
For example, nominating “Alleyway Folks” for major awards.
In mainland China, there were three key awards related to TV dramas: the “China TV Feitian Award”, the “Modu TV Festival Magnolia Award”, and the “China TV Golden Eagle Award”.
The “Feitian Award” was nicknamed the government award, as the name implied, it came from official recognition.
The “Magnolia Award” was selected by professional judges, affirming the winner’s professional skill.
The “Golden Eagle Award” relied heavily on audience votes during selection, best reflecting the winner’s popularity with the public.
From 2005, the “Feitian Award” changed to once every two years. “Alleyway Folks” missed this year’s nomination deadline, so it would have to wait two years for the next one, which was no help for immediate needs.
The “Golden Eagle Award” was audience-voted and held in Xiang Province. Xu the producer had never held much hope for it from start to finish.
Only the “Magnolia Award”, held in Modu, allowed any drama that premiered during the annual nomination window to apply. “Alleyway Folks” had every advantage in timing, location, and harmony. Xu the producer thought that if Ji Xin did not nominate for the “Magnolia Award”, that would truly be daft.
This year’s “Magnolia Award” nomination required dramas to premiere before 4 April. Xu the producer and Gong Sheng had discussed it for a long time before setting “Alleyway Folks” premiere on 3 April, just to catch the deadline.
Under Xu the producer’s guidance, Gong Sheng nominated “Alleyway Folks” for several major categories in one go.
Including best male and female leads.
Including best screenwriter.
And best supporting actress.
The best supporting actress was for Xu Mei, who only appeared in episode eight.
Using industry-recognised professional awards to shift Xu Mei’s image base, Ji Xin never aimed to make her an idol star, but a powerful actress.
From the small to the large, “Alleyway Folks” itself was Ji Xin’s battle horn for storming back into the film and TV circle.
Now someone wanted to ruin it all.
Gong Sheng, who had already returned to the logistics company, flew into a rage at once.
It was not easy for an outsider like Gong Sheng to make a TV drama.
Making one that could win awards was even harder.
Building a house is tough, knocking it down is easy. Thinking of someone targeting Xu Mei on the surface but really aiming at Ji Xin, Gong Sheng weighed it for a moment and decided to return to Ji Xin temporarily to fight alongside Jiang Youjia.
Jiang Youjia had already heard the full story from Xie Qian.
Gong Sheng was angry that someone wanted to attack his hard work. Jiang Youjia’s anger had deeper roots: that damned Zhao Dong, a persistent ghost who kept picking fights with him without end.
If not for Zhao Dong’s dirty trick, Jiang Youjia would still be the boss of a cultural company in Rong City.
The company was small, but it was his own venture, where he called all the shots.
After Zhao Dong’s scheme, Jiang Youjia’s company lost a huge sum, and his smooth life took a heavy blow. He went from boss to wage earner.
Before Jiang Youjia could recover and get revenge on Zhao Dong, the man came biting again like a mad dog. Jiang Youjia fumed, “Brother Gong, we cannot keep taking hits every time. We need a way.”
“A way to hit back.”
Gong Sheng paced in the office. “This Zhao fellow’s business in China, we cannot touch it, unless…”
Jiang Youjia’s curiosity was piqued. “Unless what.”
Gong Sheng chuckled. “Unless our boss’s assets grow a bit more, then we can just buy out Zhao’s business outright.”
Jiang Youjia pictured the bright future Gong Sheng described and could not help smiling too.
As he smiled, Jiang Youjia deflated again.
There might be such a day, but definitely not now.
For the moment, they still needed to guard against Zhao Dong ruining “Alleyway Folks” current good situation.
Gong Sheng was decisive. “I will go to Xiang Province myself and meet that Cao Bo. Manager Jiang, you keep close contact with Xu the producer at Oriental Channel lately. Relying on Ji Xin’s own strength alone is not enough. We must borrow more power from the major channel.”
If “Alleyway Folks” got pulled, Ji Xin would suffer heavy losses, but so would Oriental Channel.
Jiang Youjia agreed. Gong Sheng went straight to find Xu Mei.
Gong Sheng brought up the old matter again. Xu Mei stayed silent for a long time.
Gong Sheng’s heart sank. “Do you really have some handle on that Young Master Cao.”
Xu Mei shook her head lightly. “Of course not. Cao Bo is a playboy, but he parts peacefully with every girlfriend. Not one ex has ever badmouthed him after, so he must have at least two points of character.”
Gong Sheng fell silent too.
Only two points of character.
Ten points meant utterly reliable.
Six points was the passing line.
Two points… enemies could buy him off without much effort.
Gong Sheng disliked Cao Bo’s low character score, but Xu Mei smiled. “Chairman Gong, I am someone who has been burned in the entertainment circle. After so many burns, even a fool would learn to be smart. I never counted on Cao Bo’s two points of character. I have other ways to check him.”
What exactly that was, Xu Mei whispered to Gong Sheng.
Gong Sheng’s expression towards Xu Mei grew complicated at once.
“Little Xu, Ji Xin has treated you well. In future… sigh, you know what I mean.”
Xu Mei nodded vigorously. “I know. I will absolutely not date anyone in Ji Xin’s management.”
The way she said it, as if as long as she was willing, Ji Xin’s management could take her anytime.
Little Xie was absolutely impossible.
Gong Sheng himself was impossible too.
Jiang Youjia was a married man.
But who knew, what if Little Jiang lacked resolve.
Gong Sheng encouraged Xu Mei. “Dating has no point. Look at those male stars, their heads are clear. If female stars drop the love brain, your career sky would be so vast.”
Xu Mei liked hearing this.
She wanted to focus on her career now.
With leverage over Cao Bo, Gong Sheng still made the trip to Xiang Province himself.
After all, they had dated once. Parting amicably was best, no need for mutual destruction.
Gong Sheng arrived too late. Zhao Dong had come even earlier and already met Cao Bo through a middleman.
At the dinner, Zhao Dong cut the curves and went straight to the point. “I hear Mr Cao parted unpleasantly with ex-girlfriend Xu Mei. Xu Mei used Mr Cao to climb up, bought news drafts, caused trouble for Mr Cao and his family. Now there is a chance to teach her a lesson. I wonder if Mr Cao is willing to act.”
Cao Bo, with only two points of character, sized up Zhao Dong and suddenly smiled. “You are Mr Zhao, right. I know you.”
