"Advertising?"
Jing Yu mulled it over.
"Would Yunteng TV even allow that?"
"If it were someone else asking, definitely not. But if it's you…"
Cheng Lie glanced at Jing Yu.
"That's a different story. It really depends on what you offer them in return. You said earlier you're not only selling them the script for 'Dragon Sakura', but you're also making a cameo. If you're willing to put a bit more effort into this production — like doing a few interview programs, or giving your character a more substantial role — and use your popularity to help boost the show's ratings, then Yunteng TV would most likely agree to let you promote our two films within the series. After all, we're not in direct competition with Yunteng TV. It's a win-win. I doubt Director Meng Yu would say no."
Jing Yu thought it over… then made his decision.
"Alright. Let's go with that."
From early to mid-March, Yunteng TV was in full-blown scramble mode, running open auditions across Great Zhou for roles in 'Dragon Sakura'.
Since Jing Yu was only providing the script and wouldn't be on set, many inside Yunteng TV, and within the broader film industry, had their eyes on this prime opportunity.
In the past, many tried to curry favor with Jing Yu, but found no way in. He was loyal to the two actresses he brought with him from Lan Province, and things like money and beauty seemed to have zero influence on him. As a result, his projects at Yunteng TV had been relatively free of "relationship hires."
But now?
In just the past few days, entertainment news outlets reported that several well-known stars had started public fights on social media over roles in the drama.
After all, Jing Yu's work wasn't just popular — it had critical acclaim. And for many actors, the latter mattered more.
At Yunteng TV…
Jing Yu took a sip of tea.
"So we're agreed then, Director Meng? I'll do what I can to help promote 'Dragon Sakura'. My cameo role can be upgraded to a recurring supporting character. And in exchange…"
"You can insert promotional content for your two films into the show. Just... keep it subtle."
Meng Yu grinned.
"But let me tell you, Xiao Jing... there's no future in film. Not just our network — all six majors have had countless directors, screenwriters, producers quit TV for film... and 95% end up as roadkill. Film is even more unpredictable than TV. At least with TV dramas, the ratings give you a baseline. But with movies? Who knows? Why bother?"
"Well, I'm still young. I want to try different things. And I didn't leave Yunteng TV because I had any issues with the company."
After a bit more polite chit-chat, Jing Yu took his leave.
Then, in the latter half of March, 'Dragon Sakura' officially began filming.
Because he didn't have to be on set full-time, Jing Yu didn't need to put too much effort into it. He just needed to swing by Yunteng TV once or twice a week to film interviews.
Of course, for his cameo scenes, time had to be blocked out. But the new crew clearly knew who they were dealing with — even though Jing Yu had already left Yunteng TV, who knew what the future held? So the producer and director didn't dare treat him casually. Whenever he arrived, they'd adjust the schedule to film his scenes first and leave the rest for post-editing.
After all, everyone knew his real focus was on the two films: 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' and 'Love Letter'.
By late March, along with 'Dragon Sakura's official trailer airing on Yunteng TV, the network also broadcast a roundtable interview featuring Jing Yu, the drama's producer, and the director.
Viewers across Great Zhou didn't care whether Jing Yu had technically left Yunteng TV.
All they saw was:
The script is by Jing Yu.
He's also in the cast.
That was more than enough to satisfy them.
On March 26th, in Yunteng TV's primetime variety interview program…
"So what's 'Dragon Sakura' actually about?"
The host asked, following the scripted questions.
"Well, it's almost April," Jing Yu responded smoothly. "And June is the time for Great Zhou's annual college entrance exam — the Gaokao."
"I was once one of those students. I understand the hardship. At the same time... I never truly understood how hard it is to get into a good university. One day, I had a moment of inspiration and wrote this script. It's a drama about students, about the Gaokao, about hard work and determination."
Jing Yu shifted into performance mode — eyes fixed on the camera, expression earnest, gaze steady.
"I just want to show through this drama that even the so-called 'losers' and 'idiots' in everyone's eyes carry incredible potential. But first, they have to realize the importance of learning."
"Exams... are the last form of equality left in Great Zhou. Even if your family's poor, if you were a delinquent, if your father's a jerk — as long as you get the right score, and get into a top university, then... You can start your life over."
Then he smiled.
"That line isn't mine. It's from Yin Mu (Sakuragi Kenji)."
"I promise — after watching this show, you'll see life and education in a completely different light."
After the one-hour interview aired, Yunteng V's ratings hit 4%.
Better than their current spring flagship drama.
Competitors at the six major networks were dumbfounded.
This guy's debut was a romance 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday', then a musical 'Your Lie in April', then came the dark drama about toxic love triangles 'White Album 2', a Go-themed series 'Hikaru no Go', a mystery thriller 'Another', and a sci-fi drama 'Steins;Gate'. After that, it was a cuckold revenge street-racing series 'Initial D'.
And now?
A school drama about... studying?
Really?
Great Zhou's students already spent enough time drowning in schoolwork. Now they're supposed to use their limited weekend relaxation time to watch other students kill themselves studying?
Spare us, please.
Any screenwriter who wrote something like this had to be insane. And students who wanted to watch it?
Even worse.
If it were written by anyone else, the six networks would've laughed it off without a second thought.
But this was Jing Yu.
Even if they didn't think the show would do well, they couldn't lower their guard. No one dared mock it — not until it actually flopped.
By late March, the entire Great Zhou entertainment industry had been stirred up by 'Dragon Sakura'.
And Jing Yu? He just kept rotating between the three productions:
'Dragon Sakura', 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal', and 'Love Letter'.