Chapter 780 - 387: Teaching the Entire Industry a Lesson

Chapter 780: Chapter 387: Teaching the Entire Industry a Lesson

"Could it be that I was the one who tricked you into buying those two shows?"

The next day, this simple sentence posted by Chen Jincheng instantly drew everyone’s attention to him.

The internet was already in an uproar over Chen Jincheng being outmaneuvered by the two platforms. Many industry insiders had begun to predict his downfall, and the online rubberneckers were eating it up.

Then, out of nowhere, this news dropped.

So, did iQiyi and Penguin Film and Television think they had outsmarted Chen Jincheng, only for him to have played them instead?

It felt a little surreal.

You wouldn’t even see this in a movie script.

Huang Zhen, of course, also saw the news. When he was briefed on it, he couldn’t help but laugh. "Seriously, it’s a shame Chen Jincheng isn’t a screenwriter. Even if he’s lost face, there’s no need to spin a lie like this. It will only make him look more like a Joker in the end."

The employee reporting to him added, "President Huang, his reputation is just too big right now. He’s a slave to it. Naturally, he can’t accept being played for a fool. That would cause him to lose traffic and popularity."

They refused to believe that Chen Jincheng had deliberately let them buy *Taking Dad to Study Abroad* because he had no confidence in it.

Their analysis of the show was excellent. It starred a Grand Slam-winning Best Actor, had a novel and unique theme focusing on the phenomenon of parents accompanying their children to study abroad, explored parent-child relationships, and boasted a realistic and lively plot with strong comedic conflict. With so many strengths, it was bound to be a hit.

Just then, Huang Zhen received a call. He smiled as he saw the number and immediately answered. When he hung up, his smile was even more triumphant. "East Star TV has agreed to cooperate with us. I knew the station wouldn’t be stupid enough to pass up on this kind of buzz."

Indeed, the internet was currently abuzz about three TV series. Aside from Luo Xiaozhu, who was still being raked over the coals and publicly condemned, all the other hype was focused on Chen Jincheng and the three shows.

Under normal circumstances, even a massive promotional budget wouldn’t generate this much attention for a show.

The three TV stations that had bought the shows were naturally tempted.

This level of hype created the perfect opportunity for a premiere.

Coincidentally, the shows they were currently airing had no buzz, so they immediately adjusted their schedules to make way for the new series.

At Second-Life Star, Chen Jincheng had just sat down in his office when Sun Ji rushed over from the main building. "Boss, Sujiang TV contacted us. They want to ride the current wave of online hype and premiere *All is Well*. Their current show is about to air its finale, which they’re moving to a weekly broadcast schedule. So, we need to discuss a date..."

"They’re really not afraid of getting cursed out," Chen Jincheng remarked teasingly.

’Damn, a show is about to have its grand finale, and instead of just airing it quickly, they’re switching it to a weekly broadcast.’

’Then again, if a show isn’t a hit, no one will watch it, let alone complain.’

As for TV stations and streaming sites coordinating on broadcast dates, that was standard practice. They usually launched simultaneously to maximize a show’s hype.

Sun Ji understood his meaning and said with a smile, "Also, the TV station has already discussed the premiere ceremony time with Midday Sunshine. It’s the day before the premiere, and they’ve invited us to attend."

"Mm," Chen Jincheng nodded.

’To be honest, in my past life, I followed a lot of shows and watched their premiere ceremonies online, but I never went to one in person. This time, I can actually go.’

After finishing his report, Sun Ji looked like he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Seeing his expression, Chen Jincheng asked, "What’s with that look? If you have something to say, just say it."

Only then did Sun Ji speak up. "Boss, it’s about what’s happening online. It seems the industry doesn’t have high hopes for *All is Well* but is much more optimistic about *I’m Taking My Dad to Study Abroad* and *My Biological and Stepfather*. But you seem so certain that *All is Well* will be a hit."

"And what’s your take on it?" Chen Jincheng asked in return.

Sun Ji said awkwardly, "I’m a bit lost. Based on my past experience, I don’t think *All is Well* will be a total flop—it should see some success. But there’s also no reason for *I’m Taking My Dad to Study Abroad* and *My Biological and Stepfather* to fail."

Chen Jincheng had to admit that Sun Ji was a seasoned and smooth operator. The fact that he could lead the LeTV Film and Television division to operate autonomously without a boss in the future, and even turn a profit every year, showed he was very capable.

But clearly, he was still lacking a great deal compared to his future self from the previous life—for instance, in his judgment.

He had a good eye for film and television and could spot many potential hits. However, he hadn’t yet experienced the pressure of operating without a boss or faced the corresponding setbacks. Right now, he was still a bit too reliant on empiricism, so he could still misjudge shows that were deceptive on the surface.

In other words, he wasn’t yet looking at the market through the lens of the new era.

Although without his ’cheats’ and foresight, he himself might be even less capable than Sun Ji, the man was now his subordinate in charge of the film and television division. Naturally, he hoped Sun Ji would change his mindset and become stronger.

So, he said, "President Sun, you have the ability, and you have the experience. But sometimes, you can’t just rely on experience to do things. The times are changing, the market is changing, and the mainstream audience is changing too."

"This is the era of short-form video. The film and television industry should also try to view a series from the perspective of a short-form video user. The people who watch dramas also watch short-form videos, and sometimes their preferences are in sync."

Seeing Sun Ji’s pensive expression, Chen Jincheng added, "Come over here. I’ll give you a detailed analysis of these three shows."

As he spoke, he started working on his computer.

Sun Ji immediately pulled over a chair and sat down next to Chen Jincheng. Seeing his boss open the script and preview clips for *All is Well* on the computer, he took out his phone to record the screen. "Boss, I’m going to record this. It’s not often you give a lesson like this. I’ll take it back for the others at the company to study."