While Xie Qian was dealing with his scheming father, Yun Chen had already asked Wen Ying out twice.
The first time, Wang Shuang tagged along for fun. The second time, Wang Shuang sensed Yun Chen’s psychological pressure.
Yun Chen wasn’t making excuses to meet a minor, he genuinely lacked confidence in performing well in Tianjiao’s new drama.
Wang Shuang, part of the first batch of viewers for The Princess’s New Clothes, thought Yun Chen did great in his debut role!
Why was he so unconfident about his second project?
Yun Chen sighed, “You wouldn’t understand!”
If he weren’t backed into a corner, Yun Chen wouldn’t be confiding in someone years younger than him.
Wang Shuang, lacking such experiences, couldn’t grasp Yun Chen’s mindset, but Wen Ying understood somewhat.
It was precisely because his first role went well that Yun Chen was nervous about the second.
In his debut, Yun Chen was a complete newcomer, fearless like a newborn calf, acting however he wanted. He even initially thought he’d stumbled into a scam company. Back then, Li Mengjiao’s popularity was at a low, so Yun Chen felt no pressure playing the male lead.
Now, Li Mengjiao’s popularity had skyrocketed. It wasn’t obvious in daily interactions, but in front of the camera, her presence was entirely different.
Yun Chen felt that acting opposite Li Mengjiao again, he’d inevitably be overshadowed.
Beyond Li Mengjiao’s rising fame, the sky-high copyright fee for The Princess’s New Clothes added immense pressure on Yun Chen.
Those with nothing to lose don’t fear failure, only those who’ve tasted success dread it.
What if the second drama’s quality dropped because of him?
Yun Chen lacked the arrogant confidence that his good looks guaranteed stardom or that Yuan Fenghui, having signed him to Tianjiao, was obligated to promote him. He had the makings of a star and good manners, always considering others, which explained his massive success in his past life.
A superstar’s aura is cultivated and promoted, not taught.
Without being adored by thousands, how could one have that commanding star quality?
Wen Ying didn’t have an immediate solution. It was only August, and Tianjiao’s second drama wouldn’t start filming for a while, giving Yun Chen time to grow.
“Once The Princess’s New Clothes airs, you’ll definitely become a hit. I’ll suggest to Teacher Yuan that after the series airs, you and Mengjiao perform together a few times to help you find your groove.”
Li Mengjiao shone on stage, captivating audiences. If Yun Chen didn’t want to be overshadowed, he’d need to practice singing and dancing now!
Wen Ying was confident The Princess’s New Clothes would be a ratings hit. Whether it could surpass Jade Forest would depend on its broadcast.
Jade Forest had aired for three days, with a CSM18 average rating of 2.5% and a market share of 10%!
CSM18 ratings, compiled by CCTV-Sofres from 18 key cities, were real-time data used in 2005 by most Chinese TV stations to gauge a show’s popularity. Higher ratings meant pricier ad slots.
As times changed, CSM18 data became insufficient, evolving to CSM35, CSM50, and even CSM59, with more cities sampled for a truer reflection of viewership.
Wen Ying, new to the entertainment industry in her past life, wasn’t sure what a 2.5% rating meant and consulted Yuan Fenghui.
“Is that a high rating?”
“It’s good, very high for the first three days’ average. As the story progresses, the rating will climb, usually peaking at the finale.”
A 2.5% rating made it the top idol drama of the year.
Yuan Fenghui could stay calm talking to Wen Ying thanks to years of navigating storms.
No matter, let Liang Dan and others gloat for a few days. Next month, when The Princess’s New Clothes aired, it would shatter Jade Forest’s record!
Yuan Fenghui was magnanimous, but Liang Dan and Manager Guan weren’t as thrilled as she assumed.
Jade Forest’s ratings boom was great.
But its profits went to the production company from Taiwan and Hunan TV, not Liang Dan or Manager Guan.
Their only joy was that the drama could boost their artist, Xu Mei.
But, why did The Princess’s New Clothes also sell to Hunan TV, and for a staggering 70 million?
No wall is airtight. Not only did Liang Dan hear about Yuan Fenghui selling The Princess’s New Clothes for 70 million, but everyone who needed to know knew!
Jade Forest’s copyright fee paled in comparison.
The station, having spent 70 million, wouldn’t take a loss. To recoup it, they’d give The Princess’s New Clothes prime airtime and heavy promotion!
Liang Dan sensed trouble.
Besides the summer slot, what airtime was more crucial?
As an insider, Liang Dan knew the station’s biggest worry wasn’t the talent show’s success but the post-finale audience fatigue. After a frenzied summer, viewers would cool off, wanting a break. Post-finale, the station needed a compelling program or high-quality drama to retain them.
The audience drawn by the talent show could become Hunan TV’s loyal viewers.
What a plan!
But why entrust such a key task to The Princess’s New Clothes?
Did they think it could outdo Jade Forest, achieve higher ratings, and boost viewer retention?
Wasn’t this Yuan Fenghui winning a round?
Liang Dan’s frustration stemmed from instinctively comparing herself to Yuan Fenghui.
Manager Guan’s discontent was multifaceted. Li Mengjiao was still rising, making it tricky to deploy the underhanded tactics he’d prepared.
The couple’s displeasure cast a low mood over the company. Liang Dan, busy with the talent show, couldn’t act yet. Xu Mei, learning The Princess’s New Clothes sold for 70 million, fell silent for a long time.
Pan Li held her breath in front of Xu Mei, “Sis, I really thought Yuan Fenghui and the station fell out. Who knew she was secretly sealing the deal.”
Xu Mei raised a hand to stop Pan Li.
“I don’t blame you.”
Pan Li was skeptical.
Xu Mei genuinely didn’t blame her. It wasn’t something Pan Li could control, she was just a small player.
If Xu Mei blamed Pan Li, she might as well blame herself.
She blamed her lack of courage and bad luck for not securing Yuan Fenghui as her album producer, falling behind Li Mengjiao step by step.
Li Mengjiao’s dairy brand endorsement and role as this year’s talent show ambassador were all thanks to Yuan Fenghui’s prowess!
A good manager was crucial.
Xu Mei was filled with regret.
Character shapes fate. Xu Mei was the type to lick her wounds in private, but Zhang Yangning wasn’t.
Learning Tianjiao’s first drama sold for 70 million, Zhang Yangning was thrilled.
Tianjiao had money now!
Could they fund albums for signed singers?
Zhang Yangning tentatively messaged Yuan Fenghui, sharing her thoughts.
This was risky. If Yuan Fenghui betrayed her, leaking her desire to jump ship, Zhang Yangning would be in trouble.
Yuan Fenghui wouldn’t do such a thing.
Releasing an album?
Zhang Yangning was persistent and not greedy.
If Tianjiao didn’t produce albums, no problem. If Zhang Yangning joined Tianjiao, Yuan Fenghui could sign her album deal elsewhere. Singers didn’t only make money from albums.
Yuan Fenghui didn’t reply immediately, instead calling Wen Ying, “For our next drama, what do you think of Zhang Yangning as a supporting actress?”
“!”
, Teacher Yuan poached Yun Chen from a modeling agency, and now she’s eyeing Manager Guan’s talent?
Wen Ying mentally reviewed her script. A role suited for Zhang Yangning seemed to be a “villain,” both with a cool demeanor.
“It’s fitting, but I’m not sure if Zhang Yangning would be willing.”
Yuan Fenghui chuckled, “None of us have it easy. To succeed, we all do things we don’t want to. Is playing a villain a grievance? You’re wrong, it’s an opportunity for Zhang Yangning. Fame sells albums, and this fame is far cleaner than underhanded tactics. Zhang Yangning knows what to choose!”
