Chapter 187: 《xing Ni》 Gets On Air, Slot Confirmed
Since Ji Hemming’s collapse of persona, the top streamer landscape in the industry has remained in a state of “chaos.”
Yu Yan and Si Zi maintained their unshakable status and showed no interest in the market gap left by Ji Hemming—both had already reached the peak, and they couldn’t absorb much more.
“The Four Orphans” Chu Han Zhou appeared inactive on the surface but had been subtly marketing to occupy the market gap left by Lao Ji, while Peng Chen was visibly eager to rise.
From top to bottom, young actors in internal entertainment circle each harbored their own schemes, fighting individually.
Chi Ye stood out as a notable figure among them.
He “personally” caused Ji Hemming’s death, followed by the boost from Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and《singer》, with constant marketing, his star power rising a small step each day.
Everyone knew he had gained sufficient benefits.
But when they actually saw that he could now “go head-to-head” with Yu Yan, even taking first place in single sales volume on opening day, it still felt like their worldview was being reshaped, with past cognitions “shattered.”
—After shattering, comes reshaping and rebirth.
This one day wasn’t long, but it made insiders thoroughly “re-recognize” Chi Ye.
The current Chi Ye.
“Chi Ye’s new album single-day opening day sales volume 73 million, 80,000 more than Yu Yan.”
Hong Kong, Guang Ying Shi Meng.
Jin Sui held the report in her hand; after learning yesterday that Chi Ye might “win” Yu Yan, she hadn’t rested much all day, constantly following the battle situation.
At this moment, looking at the report in her hand, her emotions were so complex they were hard to describe in words.
He actually… won.
Chi Ye won Yu Yan…
How unfamiliar were those words?
Jin Sui still remembered that just a year ago, Chi Ye was an unpopular star no one paid attention to, struggling with contract issues with Yue Na, which she had helped him resolve.
Back then, his appearance at New Year’s Eve Gala was thanks to the strong support from《Jian Ni》 program team; no one could have imagined that this has-been riding on popularity, nearly untraceable in the industry, could go “head-to-head” with Yu Yan in less than a year.
How fantastical?
Thinking of this, Jin Sui inexplicably recalled what Jin Xia had proudly said to her back then: “Aunt, I have great taste.”
“…Your taste is indeed good, better than mine.”
Jin Sui muttered.
“Sui Zong, still can’t get through to Ming Zong on the phone, what do you think…”
Zhang Jie walked over and suggested: “How about… you try calling from your own mobile phone?”
Jin Sui came back to her senses, not surprised at all: “Forget it, at this time he wants to act like nothing happened, let’s give him some face.”
“Yeah… actually Ming Zong meant well for you.”
Jin Sui paused, then sincerely said: “Don’t ever say that… I still want to live a few more good years.”
Zhang Jie: “…”
…
Chao Tian Entertainment.
Jin Ming turned off his mobile phone early, then stared at the hot searches online in utter confusion: “Puzzling… Given Yu Yan’s past demonstrated professional performance and strength, this performance is barely satisfactory, truly defying common sense, hard to release.”
Translation: Yu Yan underperformed like this?!
“Heard their team didn’t let fans go all out, aiming for cumulative album sales volume.”
The assistant beside said.
“Even if there are objective reasons, they are no excuse… He is Yu Yan, he can’t ‘lose’.”
Jin Ming didn’t accept this reason; he felt that since everyone had hyped you so high, the market had turned you into a “god,” you had to have the “halo” of a god, no bleeding allowed—not even a drop.
“Now many companies want to invite Chi Ye for songs, look at our few movies…”
“Wait, what’s the rush, just one song, did he really win Yu Yan?”
Jin Ming waved his hand.
What a joke, make him go invite Chi Ye for a song?
Might as well kill him.
The assistant wasn’t surprised, nodded, and reported on other work.
…
Meanwhile.
People who used to look down on Chi Ye, despise him for only riding on popularity, even those who hated and opposed him…
Regardless of what they said, in their hearts, at this moment they suddenly woke up, either voluntarily or forced, and corrected their attitude.
It wasn’t like before anymore.
The current Chi Ye absolutely deserved one of the “double top” in “Four Double Hits Double Tops.”
As for why not “double hit” or even “Four”…
Simple, too few film and television works, no true big hit drama yet, and because the so-called single-day sales volume “defeating” Yu Yan was just a default yardstick in everyone’s mind.
In fact, the opening day showdown was just an appetizer; whether single or album, sales volume is cumulative.
Just like the previous《Reboot》, Hua Yichen, Shi Jinwei’s albums, everyone looks at the final cumulative sales volume performance comparison.
Chi Ye just won Yu Yan on opening day, but Yu Yan’s fans, who had gone mad on the other side, instantly overtook and pulled further ahead.
Opening day 73 million, Chi Ye’s fans had reached their limit, bystanders wouldn’t keep buying his single.
Sales volume naturally began to truly show shortcomings in stamina.
Of course.
No matter how much it lacked stamina, as the first in internal entertainment circle to “go head-to-head” with Yu Yan and “succeed,” the way everyone now looked at Chi Ye carried a certain unusual emotion.
《Let’s Go Together》 announcement recording, the final day.
Chi Ye and Jin Xia were about to leave for the next announcement…
There weren’t many left actually, because news from Director Liu had come—《Xing Ni》 passed review, now just waiting for slot confirmation and online release, plus the final satellite TV issue.
On site.
Chi Ye was discussing《Xing Ni》 satellite TV issue with Director Liu, Ku Ying, and other《Xing Ni》 investor cores.
“Mango TV side refused?”
In the Penguin meeting group chat.
The person in charge who once upgraded《Circulation》 treatment from A+ to S+ frowned in surprise: “With your relationship with Chi Ye, they still refused?”
Chi Ye didn’t speak, because this matter had always been handled by Keke.
Keke explained: “Their schedule is tight, slots fixed long ago, can’t cut in line… Um, we’re now contacting a few other first-tier satellite TVs.”
“…Alright, hurry up then, if not, just online broadcast single platform, satellite TV isn’t that important now.”
Ku Ying person in charge detected something off in Keke’s tone and wisely didn’t ask more.
Everyone chatted a bit more about《Xing Ni》 slot date, then left the meeting room.
Then, Keke called Chi Ye separately and said directly: “Problem, it got snatched.”
Chi Ye wasn’t surprised at all: “Yu Yan?”
“Yeah, Mango side was almost done, but Yu Yan’s new drama film producer sent a message, then…”
Keke didn’t finish, but the meaning was clear—Mango TV chose Yu Yan without hesitation over Chi Ye.
There was actually a small side story here.
Yu Yan’s new drama was originally competed for by several big satellite TVs; ultimately, Yu Yan’s side planned for Tomato TV satellite TV, but due to “temporary reasons,” they prepared to join Tomato TV’s New Year’s Eve Gala.
Thus, Chi Ye, also set for Tomato TV’s New Year’s Eve Gala this year, naturally wouldn’t dream of grand finale treatment.
But perhaps hearing that《Xing Ni》 wanted Mango TV satellite TV, or for some other reason…
Anyway, Yu Yan’s new drama film producer changed at the last minute and contacted Mango TV.
And the new drama finally settled on Mango TV satellite TV.
The slot chosen was “exactly” the hot winter vacation slot《Xing Ni》 wanted.
So Keke said “got snatched.”
It was indeed snatched, and without any disguise.
—After this conflict, Yu Yan’s side finally stopped acting superior; Chi Ye had thoroughly pissed them off.
If before Yu Yan’s team targeted Chi Ye just because of Yue Na and Penguin relationship, now… it was purely personal grudge, the irreconcilable kind.
Weren’t you peng ci me?
Now I’m doing exactly that to you.
No more pretending, cards on the table, targeting you outright.
Chi Ye felt no emotional fluctuation; after hearing Keke’s account, he thought and said: “Since Mango chose Yu Yan, let’s contact Tomato TV then.”
“That’s my thought too.”
Keke nodded.
“Alright, that’s it for now, talk when back.”
Chi Ye was about to hang up.
“Chi Ge…”
Keke paused, reminding: “This time Yu Yan’s side is probably really anxious, we need to prepare mentally for being targeted.”
“Got it.”
Chi Ye hung up, not taking the matter too much to heart.
Targeted?
How targeted?
Hadn’t he been targeted plenty before?
Anyway, no skin off his back, come at him if they’re anxious.
…
Yu Yan’s side and Yue Na’s targeting of Chi Ye was fiercer than imagined.
Two days later, while still running publicity and distribution announcements, Chi Ye received news that several big brands who had intent for endorsement cooperation due to the outbreak event two days ago all went silent.
Keke inquired and found out Yu Yan’s team had contacted them, and two days later, Yu Yan happily snagged several big brand endorsements he previously “wouldn’t deign to.”
And not just endorsements, in activity announcements, though Yu Yan’s team didn’t say it publicly, recently everyone in the industry heard a rumor: Where Yu Yan appears, Chi Ye can’t.
Have me, not him.
This one rumor directly caused several activities Chi Ye was contacting to fall through on the spot.
Actually, whether endorsements or activities, with Chi Ye’s current star power and traffic, especially just proving his “strength,” Yu Yan couldn’t achieve “total annihilation.”
Many vendors and activity sides who couldn’t afford Yu Yan anyway were very willing to cooperate with Chi Ye.
But those top vendors and luxury brands’ attitudes toward Chi Ye were obvious—between Yu Yan and Chi Ye, who to choose? Need it be asked?
On the other side.
Not just industry resources being snatched everywhere.
Even outside the industry, official flagship stores of products and snacks endorsed by Chi Ye were affected.
Massive numbers of “unknown bystanders” started negative reviews and boycotts of Chi Ye-endorsed items, triggering counterattacks from Chi Ye’s fans.
This turned the merchants’ comment sections into battlefields, chaotic and smoky.
Even several vendors received N complaint reports in one day, leaving them overwhelmed.
—This kind of anti-fan attacks and reports actually don’t impact big companies much, even making people dislike Yu Yan’s fans more.
But similarly, the “troublemaking” Chi Ye also leaves a bad impression.
And… those reports are really annoying, who in business likes such trouble?
This day.
A Kang Shifu executive who had been in contact with Chi Ye called: “Ye, our customer service gets thousands of complaint calls daily… you’d better figure out a solution, many people are annoyed.”
“Alright, got it.”
Chi Ye chatted briefly with the other, hung up, and muttered softly: “They wish your brother dead.”
Such things are common in fan circles, but due to Yu Yan fans’ huge numbers, the impact was worse…
Chi Ye believed Yu Yan’s side wouldn’t do this; it was probably spontaneous from some fans.
But… who cares if it’s spontaneous?
Since it’s in my hands, I definitely won’t let you off easy.
That day, Chi Ye had Keke send people to quietly collect and organize various info; this would be a knife, a “kill and loot” knife for key moments.
Thus, the entire December passed in the industry under this “storm brewing,” with the two “top streamers” clashing.
On the evening of the 31st, Chi Ye appeared at Tomato TV, his first grand finale at a first-tier satellite TV New Year’s Eve Gala.
Yu Yan appeared at Mango TV, also grand finale, but no intense conflict off-site.
Only, in preceding and following time slots, Yu Yan Weibo officially announced his new drama《Ye Du》 slot for this year’s opening winter vacation, and the next day Chi Ye officially announced《Xing Ni》 slot date—one on Jan 2, one on Jan 5.
Originally, up to this point, things were normal; every year winter/summer vacation and New Year slot are arenas for platforms and top streamers, nothing big.
Who knew, Yu Yan fans felt《Ye Du》 name was very unlucky!
It had a “Ye” character in it!
Wasn’t this giving Chi Ye a peng ci ride on popularity opportunity?
Yu Yan’s team heard this, initially not bothered, but upon reflection, also felt too bad luck.
Thus, soon《Ye Du》 changed to《Nan Du》.
Due to the huge fuss, Kiwifruit’s New Year slot opening S+ ancient idol drama《Zhe Ming Yue》 official announcement slot went “unnoticed.”
“This damn, Penguin and Ku Ying planned it together? Leaving us out?”
Kiwifruit executive was furious, calling shareholder and《Zhe Ming Yue》 lead actress Sheng Ning that day.
Subsequently, Sheng Ning and Peng Chen joint publicity finally drew attention.
Thus, the three major S+ buys from three major platforms for 2026 opening officially took the stage.
Jan 2.
Chi Ye appeared at CCTV Building for Spring Festival Gala’s Nth rehearsal, while on the phone saying: “Publicity and distribution all done? Wait and see, about to air… don’t stop, tell your relatives to keep stocking up… the more the better.”
Same building.
Sheng Ning stubbed out her slim cigarette, lip curling in disdain: “He must be getting targeted hard lately.”
“Yu Yan wants to pin traffic on one person, no one can withstand it.”
Agent nodded.
“Hmph, now he knows how ‘gentle’ I was to him back then?”
“Dog man, still filming kiss scenes, enjoyed kissing huh.”
Sheng Ning finished, then turned to agent: “Yu Yan not at rehearsal today?”
“Tonight《Nan Du》 airs, he has a Douyin activity.”
Agent checked time: “We air tomorrow, next rehearsal also need leave, after today’s rehearsal, fly to join rest of film crew.”
“Got it.”
Sheng Ning crossed her legs, a figure appearing in her phoenix eyes, she pursed lips in cold laugh: “He’s not anxious at all huh.”
…
“Yu Yan really follows through, says have me no him, and he really didn’t come.”
On the other side, Chi Ye chuckled teasingly with Xiao Liu, blessing: “Wish his new drama as named, ‘Nan Du’ past.”
Xiao Liu: “…”
…
That night, Yu Yan’s first big production modern idol drama in two years “descended” aired dual on Penguin Video and Mango TV web and satellite.
From this moment, the year’s liveliest New Year slot officially kicked off.
