By mid-January, the weather had reached the coldest period of the Great Zhou.
People everywhere bundled up in thick coats before heading out.
But the film and TV industry, on the other hand, had entered what could be considered its hottest phase in recent years.
With streaming platforms on the rise, more and more people were chasing dramas via computers and mobile phones. However, due to Jing Yu's close ties with Yunteng TV, and the fact that Qingyun Video couldn't match Yunteng's offer, Jing Yu's recent projects had all premiered on Yunteng TV, with Qingyun Video uploading episodes about one or two hours later.
Don't underestimate that one- or two-hour delay—TV broadcasts might have more ads but are free, while Qingyun's platform, although offering unlimited replays, still requires payment. And even if it's not expensive, it's still not free.
That's why it seemed like TV was experiencing a second golden age.
But Jing Yu knew very well—it was all an illusion.
After the end of 'Attack on Titan' and 'Gundam SEED', it would be difficult for him to come up with a series capable of matching the current ratings.
When he first arrived in the Great Zhou, it was the tail end of the golden age of television. That "tail" didn't last long—just the few years he was active. Even Jing Yu only managed to extend it by two or three years. The tides of the times wouldn't change, and Jing Yu had no intention of fighting them. After all, he didn't inherit shares in any TV network.
But at least for now—
The TV industry was still thriving. Yunteng TV's official website received hundreds of thousands of daily visits, and every day, tens of thousands of new discussion threads about 'Attack on Titan' and 'Gundam SEED' were posted.
On January 20th, Yunteng TV, BlueStar Media, and Qingyun Video—all closely linked to Jing Yu—launched the 'Gundam SEED' merchandise preorder links at the same time.
Only three types of figures were revealed: minor mobile suits from episode one, the Archangel mecha from the cliffhanger ending, and the Gundam piloted by the protagonist Kira in episode one.
Each type had limited preorder quantities: 100,000 units, 50,000 units, and 10,000 units, respectively.
Of course, it wasn't that their partner manufacturers lacked production capacity. In fact, if they went all in, they could produce two to three times that amount.
But Jing Yu knew—when it came to merchandise, scarcity marketing maximized profits.
These numbers weren't small, but compared to his overwhelming popularity in the Great Zhou, just over 100,000 preorder units felt like a drop in the ocean.
The three platforms dropped the links without warning at 9 p.m., and within one hour and forty-seven minutes, the entire stock had been snapped up by Jing Yu's fans.
This level of fan support was terrifying. Although his peers had gotten used to it, it was still hard not to feel jealous.
The next day, a group of professionals from the Great Zhou's film and TV industry gathered via blog to discuss.
"Another money-printing IP is born."
"Can you believe this guy's 'Hikaru no Go' still brings in over ten million a year in passive licensing income?"
"Don't even mention it—his 'Fate/Stay Night' from two years ago raked in over a hundred million just last year, and that's not even counting the revenue from the newly released 'Fate/Grand Order' game."
"One of his works earns enough for my whole family to live on for generations… and he's made dozens of them in his ten-year career."
"I checked BlueStar Media's upcoming releases for the next two years, and I'm honestly scared. Over a dozen film, game, and entertainment projects. His fans will definitely go on another buying spree."
"I used to think Jing Yu's fans were just gullible, but after seeing this over and over… It's me who doesn't understand the times."
"A robot figure costing hundreds already seemed ridiculous, but those 'Gundam' figures from last night? People are reselling them for over a thousand online! Scalpers really understand Jing Yu—they knew those 10,000 units would be gone instantly and immediately went into scalping mode."
"I'm honestly stunned. The hype around 'Gundam' merch today is just insane."
Just as Jing Yu had predicted, 'Gundam' merch was way easier to sell than 'Attack on Titan'.
This type of mecha-heavy, metallic flood-style work was naturally enticing to buyers—far more appealing than the grotesque horror of 'Attack on Titan'.
The limited preorders clearly weren't enough. Fans flooded the official site begging for more.
But there was a plan in place. And Jing Yu absolutely hated scalpers—for disrupting the market—so he instructed his team to gradually open up new purchase slots while identifying and removing scalper orders.
Time passed.
It was now late January, the air date for 'Attack on Titan' Season 2, Episode 3.
Saturday night, 11 p.m.—the usual schedule.
This timeslot was torture for students, who were exhausted after a full day of studying. But for working adults just home from overtime, it was the perfect time to watch and relax.
However, tonight, the 'Attack on Titan' fan group's conversations were… different.
"Did you get one? The 'Gundam' figure?"
"No! Those damn speedsters, only a thousand units dropped today, and they were gone in minutes. I was late—by the time I clicked, it was already sold out. Sigh…"
"I'm so mad. Missed the 399-yuan version, ended up buying from a scalper for 1,199… It's not about the money—it's the feeling of being ripped off. Old Thief is insane! Why so little stock?"
"Big spender! That price difference is my whole monthly meal budget. We students, love 'Gundam' too, but can't afford it."
"You could try your luck on Old Thief's socials—he's running daily giveaways with 100 'Gundam' figures each day… but yeah, with hundreds of thousands participating, odds are pretty low."
"Wait, isn't this the 'Attack on Titan' group? Why's everyone talking about 'Gundam'?"
"What else are we supposed to talk about? The merch for 'Attack on Titan' is so ugly. The show is amazing, but the merch? Hideous. Even the monsters from 'Ultraman' look better than the naked titans."
"Aren't 'Attack on Titan' fans and 'Gundam' fans supposed to be beefing? Haven't both fandoms been arguing over which is Old Thief's true masterpiece?"
"You believe that stuff? In the 'Attack on Titan' group, I shout 'Titan is the best,' and in the 'Gundam' group, I shout 'Gundam rules!' Truth is, most fans are the same people. Whichever episode is better that week, that's what they're loyal to."
"Still, 'Gundam SEED' is blowing up like crazy. Only two weeks in, and it's already rivaling 'Attack on Titan', which has been airing for a full season."
"It's because of the leftover fans from 'Evangelion'. Once 'Gundam SEED' appeared, it grabbed them all. Big robots, emotional battles—it feels way more similar to 'Evangelion' than to 'Attack on Titan'."
"I just hope 'Attack on Titan' picks up the pace. I like 'Gundam SEED' too, but I don't want 'Attack on Titan' to fall behind."
Before Episode 3 aired, discussions in the 'Attack on Titan' group were mostly comparisons with 'Gundam SEED', but by 11 p.m., the focus shifted.
This was an important episode—one of the top five iconic scenes in the whole series.
Reiner and Bertholdt's betrayal and transformation happened at the end.
Jing Yu even pushed aside all work to watch it live with Yu Youqing.
"This is nice. Usually, when I watch my own shows, I keep seeing our faces. Now that we're not in the scenes, it's much more immersive," said Yu Youqing.
"Don't speak too soon. You play Historia in Episode 3," Jing Yu laughed.
"It's Krista! She only becomes Historia later. You're the creator—you better not mess this up. And she's not even the main lead, so even if I see my face, it's not that distracting," Yu Youqing rolled her eyes.
This episode focused on Reiner, Bertholdt, Krista (Historia), and Ymir being trapped in a tower surrounded by titans, with flashbacks to Krista and Ymir's past.
As the titans began collapsing the tower, viewers expected Levi, Eren, or Mikasa to show up and save the day.
But instead came one of the show's legendary scenes.
At the end of their flashback, Ymir—usually quiet and self-serving—and Krista—kindhearted but secretive—had built a deep bond over the years.
"If I tell you my secret, you have to live on using your real name."
Krista once asked Ymir why she always survived impossible situations, and Ymir replied with that cryptic line.
She never revealed the truth back then.
But now, cornered at the top of the tower, Ymir jumped.
As the crowd thought she'd lost it, golden light flashed midair.
A brand-new, agile, five-meter titan appeared—big-headed, thin-limbed.
Fans were stunned.
"Ymir can turn into a titan too?!"
"What the heck? She's not the Armored Titan or the Colossal Titan… what is this?"
"Old Thief, what kind of wild twist is this?!"
"Maybe not so sudden... She always acted strangely around Eren's titan powers. I thought it was just her personality, but now... hmm."
"Seriously, how many humans in this show can turn into titans?!"
"Is Ymir working with the Female Titan and the others?"
"Ymir really cares about Krista! Revealing her titan form in front of the Survey Corps is insanely risky—but she did it anyway."
"Look at Reiner and Bertholdt's faces—they're totally shell-shocked."
"Their homeland was destroyed when Wall Maria fell four years ago. First, Eren turned out to be a titan, and now Ymir too? I'd be losing it."
"Imagine that—your friends hiding the fact that two more titan-shifters were among you. Brutal."
Fans were still processing all this when reinforcements arrived, Ymir fought to the bitter end, and Reiner's group finally defeated the titans and escaped.
But the next twist was brewing.
After the rescue, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin escorted the group back to the wall.
During this journey, suspicions rose about Reiner and Bertholdt's odd behavior.
One major red flag was when Armin recalled how the Female Titan once caught Reiner, they fought, and moments later, she somehow knew where Eren was—leading to Levi's squad being wiped out.
At that point, many fans felt a chill—was it possible?
Could Reiner and Bertholdt be…
Traitors?
Eren didn't buy it. He thought Armin was being paranoid after the Annie incident and even defended Reiner.
But then came that scene.
On top of the wall, Reiner approached Eren and calmly said:
"Five years ago, we broke the wall and attacked humanity."
"I'm the Armored Titan. He's the Colossal Titan."
Pointing at a trembling Bertholdt.
Viewers were stunned.
What?! Reiner, do you even hear yourself?
Are you delusional?
The enemy... just confessed? So openly?
It was so ridiculous that fans who suspected them now doubted themselves.
Had Reiner gone mad from trauma?
He was nearly eaten earlier… maybe he really had lost it.