After the major television stations learned that Jing Yu was preparing a new project, news quickly spread among actors across Great Zhou.
"'Initial D'? What kind of drama is that?"
"I heard it's a racing drama!"
"Racing romance drama?"
"Just a racing drama!"
"Racing? That genre sounds pretty boring…"
"We don't know the full details yet, only that it's racing-themed. Everything else is still under wraps."
"What do you think? Interested? Or are you leaning toward that show from Aurora TV?"
"Send my info to Producer Cheng at Yunteng TV. Tell him I'm available this winter season."
Actors with open schedules began taking action.
After all, Jing Yu's potential had become crystal clear in the first half of the year. While he usually starred as the male lead in his own shows, many supporting roles in his projects had blown up too. Most actors didn't mind that at all.
From mid-July onward, Cheng Lie became completely swamped.
And Jing Yu? His slacker vacation mode officially ended.
Cheng Lie was in charge of casting based on Jing Yu's requirements, while Jing Yu took a team on the road to scout filming locations across Great Zhou.
Though 'Initial D''s main setting was obviously "Mount Akina," which Jing Yu had already chosen, the story also required a few other locations.
Great Zhou was massive—far larger than Japan in his past life—so finding the right locations wasn't a problem. It would just take time.
Meanwhile, Yunteng TV sent representatives to contact local car modding experts.
For example, Takumi's car—the AE86—originally had a max horsepower of 130 HP and peak torque of 15.2 Nm at 5200 RPM.
Even with mods, Takumi's car wouldn't exceed 150 HP.
On the other hand, cars like Takahashi Ryosuke's had base stats more than twice that of the AE86, and were further customized later in the series.
Jing Yu wanted to keep the drama as technically accurate as possible. If a car was said to have a certain performance level, it should reflect that on screen. Otherwise, car-savvy viewers would immediately notice something was off just from how the vehicles moved on screen.
Jing Yu also asked Yunteng TV to help him track down Great Zhou's top mountain racing drivers.
Since he would be playing Takumi himself—and he felt confident after absorbing the "veteran driver" knowledge—he didn't need a racing double. But other actors definitely would.
Negotiations were also underway with local governments to rent the mountain road tracks for filming. Meanwhile, some advertisers—attracted by Jing Yu's name—were already reaching out to the production team.
While the Modo City area didn't offer the very best actors, the few names Cheng Lie managed to sign were some of the most popular in Great Zhou. Even though the costs were high, it was money well spent.
By now, aside from Jing Yu's own fanbase, fans of the actors who had signed on to the project had also begun merging online with his—like one big happy family, cheering together for 'Initial D' over the coming months.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Time passed. It was now early September.
About 150 li (roughly 75 km) from Modo City, in a certain county—
This place wasn't Jing Yu's top choice for Mount Akina's setting. He'd found two other locations that were actually better fits.
But... they were too far away.
One was in a plateau region, and the other was being hit by continuous heavy rains—likely until winter. Clearly not suitable for filming a racing drama.
This county, however, was close enough to Modo City that Yunteng TV's personnel and resources could quickly reach it.
For example, casting extras—if the location was too remote, where would you find enough background actors? But here, as long as you paid well, people were willing to come. After all, it was just a two-hour drive from Modo City.
So, Jing Yu had to compromise.
At this point, Cheng Lie had basically assembled the core team for 'Initial D'.
"Alright then, it's settled. There are two supporting female roles that appear later in the show. If you're planning to join any other winter productions, just make sure to keep two weeks free for shooting with the 'Initial D' crew."
Jing Yu ended the call with Yu Youqing, then let out a long sigh.
He didn't deny that he tended to take care of Yu Youqing and Xia Yining. After working together on several projects—and with both women being on good terms with him—he'd always try to leave them favorable roles, as long as they fit the part.
The role of Natsuki definitely wasn't suitable for them, but the female racer duo who appear later at the Usui Pass? They were a perfect fit.
Jing Yu looked around at the hundred or so main cast and crew members.
He focused especially on the actors Cheng Lie had recruited for the key roles.
Takahashi Ryosuke – Played by Lin Yan, 27 years old, famous for idol dramas, and a top-tier male actor in Great Zhou.
Takahashi Keisuke – Played by Meng Jin, a second-tier actor, and the nephew of Meng Yu, the production director at Yunteng TV. But this wasn't just nepotism—Meng Jin's looks, acting, and fanbase all fit the role. He had the qualifications and the connections, so the part naturally went to him.
Nakazato Takeshi – Played by Han Songmao.
Jing Yu paid extra attention to Han Songmao.
Currently 29 years old, but already with 14 years in the industry. Before age 20, he worked primarily with Xingtong TV and won three Silver Dragon Best Actor awards in five years.
From age 20 to 25, he felt that TV dramas no longer satisfied him, so he shifted to films. He'd been nominated for Best Actor four times—never won—but his popularity began to decline in recent years. Though still relatively well-known, he was no longer landing top-tier projects.
Interestingly, the original owner of Jing Yu's body had been a fan of his past works—Jing Yu hadn't expected to actually work with him.
Then there was Xu Jun, cast as Natsuki.
A second-tier actress in Great Zhou, with a pure and pretty appearance and a great figure. Though she was often typecast as a villain, she didn't mind playing Natsuki, even if it meant getting hate.
She joined the project because she saw Jing Yu's rising potential. Even if Natsuki wasn't a likable character, she was still the female lead. And if 'Initial D' became as big as 'Hikaru no Go', it would be a massive win.
The role wasn't originally hers—another actress that Cheng Lie had in mind backed out immediately after learning Natsuki's character had an "compensated dating" subplot. That's how Xu Jun got the part.
She noticed Jing Yu looking at her and smiled a little shyly. But when she saw no reaction from him at all, she felt slightly disappointed.
Could the rumors be true...?
Does Jing Yu not like women?
No hidden deals. No office romances. Doesn't smoke. Occasionally drinks. Spends his free time gaming, and still manages to keep a regular fitness routine—starting a health-conscious lifestyle in his twenties.
A man living this calmly in the chaotic world of showbiz—it was hard to understand.
Jing Yu didn't dwell on her and instead walked ahead to chat with the real-life mountain racers that Cheng Lie had brought in from across the country.
The next day: The opening ceremony.
According to tradition in the Great Zhou entertainment industry, the full crew lined up for the event.
At the front stood Jing Yu, Cheng Lie, and director Xu Ming, with Jing Yu taking center stage. Once the formalities were over, he turned around to address the over one hundred crew members.
"Alright, thank you all for coming out to such a remote place to film 'Initial D'," Jing Yu said, facing the group.
"Before any of my shows begin shooting, I always like to set a goal."
Actors like Meng Jin, Lin Yan, and others turned their attention toward him.
"I promise you—taking part in this drama, none of you will regret it. Even ten years from now, when people talk about racing dramas in Great Zhou, the first one they'll think of will be 'Initial D', and the first names they'll recall will be yours."
"'Initial D' is that kind of show. I have full confidence in it. So, the goal I'm setting for this drama…"
"Number one in the winter season!"
Jing Yu took a deep breath and smiled.
"And not just number one in winter."
Everyone blinked in surprise. Only Cheng Lie instantly understood what Jing Yu meant.
"So far this year, the drama with the highest ratings in Great Zhou was my summer show, 'Hikaru no Go'."
"I know saying this now may sound like empty bragging. But before long, the numbers will speak for themselves. 'Initial D' is a show that won't lose to 'Hikaru no Go'. In fact, compared to back then, I now have a larger budget and greater fame."
"So 'Initial D' isn't just aiming for winter's top spot—I want it to surpass 'Hikaru no Go' and claim the highest ratings in all of Great Zhou's entertainment industry this year!"
Once he finished, Jing Yu said no more and handed things over to Cheng Lie.
But the weight of his words left everyone present slightly breathless.
A day later, the 'Initial D' production team officially began filming.
Meanwhile, across the industry, the Big Three networks—Xingtong TV, Imperial Capital TV, and Huanshi TV—also began shooting their own flagship winter dramas over the next few days.