Chapter 199: Something Sister Shang Could Pull Off
Five days later.
《Xing Ni》 officially reaches its grand finale, and Chi Ye, as usual, personally writes an article bidding farewell to the role of “Professor Chi.”
—If nothing unexpected happens, the role and title of Professor Chi… mainly the title, might replace “Teacher Chi” and accompany him for a long time.
That day, countless drama fans of 《Xing Ni》 tear up, crying and shouting for Ku Ying and the film producer to release a second season of 《Xing Ni》.
Ku Ying remains silent, only focused on making money.
Tomato TV “dominates” the national ratings NO1 for nearly a month and a half, feeling so comfortable it’s shivering, and has already started inquiring about Chi Ye’s next drama.
Weibo servers crash again that day.
At this point, the 《Xing Ni》 storm comes to an end domestically, but the storm about “Professor Chi” himself has just begun.
Because Chi Ye himself is a marketing master, this 《Xing Ni》 achieves extremely successful popularity-to-fan conversion from inside the drama to outside.
Not just him, Jin Xia also skyrockets to the current unrivaled female top streamer in the internal entertainment circle because of 《Xing Ni》. For a while, scripts and activities for the little drama queen and Chi Ye are innumerable, with offers higher than the last, already breaking historical sky-high prices.
Plus the explosion and fermentation of 《Blue and White Porcelain》, the #Chi Pan Xia Yu# fan group thoroughly expands. If the two show no signs of unbinding, it actually won’t be great for their future works.
But… if it’s not great, then so be it. Time will fade everything.
Mainly, as long as she’s happy.
Dove, advertisement filming location.
Chi Ye wears a light gray linen shirt from Dior, sleeves slightly rolled up to reveal the Cartier bracelet on his wrist, paired with beige casual long pants, barefoot stepping on the poolside pebbles.
Jin Xia wears a blue silk slip long dress, the hem lightly brushing the water surface, silky texture, her fair fingertips pinching the torn Dove packaging paper.
She sits by the pool, hair loosely pinned up, a few strands falling by her ear, feet lightly skimming the water surface, her gaze meeting Chi Ye’s, overflowing with honey, smiling as she hands him a piece of Dove chocolate, voiceover—”The poolside breeze cannot scatter this second of sweetness.”
When Chi Ye takes the chocolate, he “accidentally” touches her fingertips, the Empress Dowager’s ear tips flush red, chocolate pulling a thin thread between them, voiceover—”Her eyes hold an entire summer.”
The two lie side by side on poolside loungers, sharing the same piece of chocolate, gauze curtains lifted by the wind.
Voiceover: “Dove, indulge in silkiness~”
“Good, OK… cut!”
The ad director excitedly shouts: “This doesn’t look acted at all! The eyes are pulling silk, the effect is so good!”
“Um… cough cough.”
Keke lightly coughs beside them, Dove senior executive also frowns: “Don’t speak nonsense!”
“Oh… I… um… the effect is too perfect, especially that line ‘indulge in silkiness,’ Professor Chi really has talent, this ad slogan gets more addictive the more you hear it!”
The ad director awkwardly scratches his head: “It’s just a pity… this ad can only air in summer.”
“What are you saying, film it and air it, airing in summer would be too late!”
Dove senior executive displeased—although they came up with this plan because of Jin Xia’s name, but… ads don’t care about seasons, air when ready!
Haven’t you seen the “KFC×Jin Xia&Chi Ye co-branded series meal” ad that was just filmed a couple days ago, already sweeping nationwide and even Southeast Asia?
Now in malls or elevators, you can see Chi Ye and Jin Xia jumping around shouting “Chi Pan Xia Yu, KFC wild imagination!!”
Do you understand what short-term traffic monetization is?!
—The hidden perks after Chi Ye’s drama airs, using national brand endorsements for exposure marketing has already begun. It won’t be long before Chi Ye’s impression as “unrivaled top streamer” and “red hot” “seeps into the people’s hearts,” continuously expanding his national recognition.
However… “Dove, indulge in silkiness” is indeed a genius ad slogan. It’s worth breaking the industry ceiling price to have Chi Ye and Jin Xia endorse + shoot the ad, plus provide the ad slogan—they’ve truly made a killing.
“You two teachers worked hard, take a rest, we’re done.”
Staff hurry over with water and towels, but Keke and Sister Mi silently take them, replacing with their own water and walking over.
“Who’s bundling right now.”
Chi Ye unscrews lemonade for a sip, asking Keke.
“Currently Peng Chen is the most active, always marketing #Rise Twin Stars#, and Chu Han Zhou…”
“Oh, Lao Chu goes without saying, whatever.”
Chi Ye waves it off.
Keke: “……And Yu Yan’s team wants to market dual unrivaled, Si Zi… Si Zi probably had someone pull tricks on him, deliberately buying keyword entries to ‘pit’ him, the hot search has been withdrawn now.”
Chi Ye listens quietly.
Since after the Spring Festival Gala, 《Xing Ni》+《Blue and White Porcelain》 popularity peaked, the next day, everywhere are fan-made videos editing 《Blue and White Porcelain》 with 《Xing Ni》 Professor Chi & Qian Songyi past life scenes, 《Xing Ni》 popularity explodes out of circle again.
Each opponent’s team finally reacts, jumping in to bundle one by one.
Among them, the most unlucky isn’t actually Peng Chen, but Chu Han Zhou.
—Before Chi Ye ascended, Lao Chu was solidly one of the “four great young actors,” and even after Lao Ji was gone, he benefited the most due to higher star power and prestige.
In the end, after Chi Ye ascends, clearly Chi Ye and Yu Yan are “fighting,” but as they fight, Chi Ye and Yu Yan are fine, while Lao Chu dies first!
Yes, Chu Han Zhou loses nearly a third of his traffic due to Chi Ye’s ascension, with Chi Ye taking and eating it all, basically snatching the last bit of Lao Ji’s legacy.
Of course, if just that, with Lao Chu’s fan base, he wouldn’t collapse on the spot.
Mainly during this time, an unexpected figure emerges—Lao Peng!
Lao Peng’s New Year slot movie explodes.
The new electro-fraud themed movie 《Bu Yu Xing Dong》, amid fervent marketing, box office explodes, already securing over 10 billion in Spring Festival slot box office so far, predicted to break 20 billion.
He is the lead of this movie!
After Lao Peng’s flattering tongue rots three or four times, he finally ushers in his true “glory days.”
#Rise Twin Stars# is abandoned by him the next day, because a 20 billion box office+ main male protagonist no longer deigns to associate with drama circle Xiao Chi!
The team parties night after night during this time, but… good times don’t last… they suddenly find the movie’s reputation has major issues. Audiences buy tickets and go in, only to find the “stimulating” content already seen on Douyin, the main film far less watchable than the behind-the-scenes footage.
Plus, the second male lead is the real standout, Lao Peng’s performance merely passable.
Thus, the boost isn’t as big as imagined.
So, Lao Peng does another Sichuan opera face change, wanting to re-bundle with the good captain.
Um… effect not yet apparent, but 《Bu Yu Xing Dong》 scammed audiences, yet box office is real, plus encountering Chu Han Zhou who was previously collateral in the boss and second boss fight and died first, so Lao Peng smoothly steps on Lao Chu this time, openly avenging the New Year’s Eve grand finale grudge.
A well-deserved lying winner.
Now, five days later, the industry young actor top streamer landscape has become:
Four great: Chi Ye, Yu Yan, Si Zi, Peng Chen（Peng Chen hard bundles the other three, Yu Yan bundles Chi Ye, Si Zi seems not to bundle.）
Double hit: Chu Han Zhou, Wang Helin.
Dual top streamers: Jiang Yi, vacant.
As for why there’s still a vacancy after so long… because market traffic is all sucked up by Chi Ye alone. Even with one “vacant” spot, the existing six internal entertainment “top streamers” have all lost some traffic more or less.
Lao Chu directly drops status to “double hit,” of course… his team bites down refusing to admit it, fans outwardly still think he’s one of the four great… but industry marks it clearly, crystal clear.
Goujian, truly hateful!
“Bundling, just whatever bundling.”
Chi Ye has complex feelings about his current “rise to master” and “repaying debts” state. There’s a saying… those who mix around, eventually have to pay back.
But from the side, it also proves he’s now undeniably “unrivaled,” otherwise Yu Yan’s team wouldn’t swallow the pride—after all, not long ago, their statuses were at opposite extremes.
Can bend and stretch.
Chi Ye comments, Keke drapes a down jacket over him, and delivers the just-ordered KFC delivery.
“Cups printed with your two Q-version avatars, collect both to redeem #Chi Pan Xia Yu# CP badge oh.”
Keke teases.
“Oh, really? I want to exchange, I want to exchange.”
The Empress Dowager just inserts the straw, eyes light up, clamoring: “Sister Mi, buy ten cups… twenty cups more, share with staff, remember to save the cups for me, I want the cups and badge.”
Sister Mi: ……You really know how to make things happen.
Chi Ye picks up fries, sees the Professor Chi & Qian Songyi Q-version image above, it’s their endorsed 「Ye Xia double mix shake shake fries」, then opens the fried chicken, gaze suddenly stunned.
「Summer Melon Lemon Crispy Skin Chicken」…
This name…
“So hot.”
The Empress Dowager impatiently tears open the fried chicken, too hot and rushed, subconsciously wants Sister Mi and staff to help… but glances at Chi Ye beside, holds back from drama, grunting and tearing it herself.
Chi Ye snaps back, casually says: “If hot, let it cool then eat.”
Jin Xia: “?”
She huffs: “You tear it for me.”
Chi Ye doesn’t reply, Keke already steps forward, puts on gloves, and gets to work.
I just wanted you to tear it…
The Empress Dowager grumbles inwardly, wants to drama again, glances at Chi Ye, holds back.
Um…
She also notices the fried chicken packaging bag: “Oh, this series name…”
Chi Ye’s heart stirs, looks at her.
“Is this Hami melon and lemon mixed flavor?”
The Empress Dowager delightedly says: “There’s even a ‘Ning’ character, Teacher Chi, don’t you love drinking lemonade the most?”
Chi Ye smiles: “Yeah.”
Jin Xia tears off a chicken leg, fair nose tip sniffs, bounces over to hand to Chi Ye: “This side is lemon flavor, Teacher Chi, for you.”
Chi Ye takes it, he had just seen the “melon” character, thinking of a certain melon-surnamed female star.
Speaking of, filming is about to start, yet she’s not anxious at all?
Chi Ye seriously suspects if he doesn’t proactively contact Shang Youshu, Sister Shang might never contact him— she could laze a lifetime.
“Teacher Chi, are you entering the crew soon?”
The Empress Dowager with back to others, not letting everyone see her “greasy” fried chicken eating face, asks while eating.
“Yeah, entering crew in a week, you?”
“I’m entering crew too… sigh, when can we film together again?”
Chi Ye says: “If you want, I can push other projects first, write you a script.”
“Ya, really?”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes light up.
Chi Ye nods: “I’m not lying to you.”
“……Um, forget it, our studio just picked up a bit, wait till you’re done being busy, when you have time.”
The Empress Dowager thinks for a half day, still gives up the idea— she has her own career plans, and from a career perspective after 《Xing Ni》 just ended, the two actually shouldn’t continue “bundling” together.
Not good for Chi Ye’s development.
Chi Ye looks at the Empress Dowager, knows her thoughts, and knows actually the Empress Dowager differs from Sister Shang. Though not as hardworking as Sister Qianzi, nor as “ruthless” as Sheng Ning, but… she has her own ambition.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have entered the entertainment industry.
“I have lots of scripts here, won’t give to others, whenever you want, I’ll give them to you.”
Chi Ye ruffles her long hair: “Remember to WeChat me every morning and night, I won’t let you send in vain, I’ll reply.”
Jin Xia: “……You’re so generous, Teacher Chi.”
“Um cough cough.”
Beside, Sister Mi who’s been staring coughs twice.
The two turn back, Chi Ye side-eyes: “You come eat some?”
“Already full.”
Sister Mi unleashes sarcasm skill.
“Full, then… wrap it up.”
Chi Ye claps hands, stands up.
Shang Youshu, you’d better appear before me soon, or the “unrivaled top streamer” me will lose temper!
……
One week later.
Sister Shang doesn’t appear, “Shang Round Round” comes online.
Chi Ye stares at this “roundish” figure before him, very puzzled: “What, you learning Lin Jingyi, changed head?”
Sister Shang busily removes various “bindings,” mask, hat, coat, coat inside the coat…
Anyway, layer after layer inside and out undone, revealing that familiar, stunningly beautiful face.
Just, this face now has a waxy yellow pallor, no blood color, looking like just recovered from serious illness.
Chi Ye puzzled: “No, what happened to you? After New Year, how’d you turn into this… like this?”
Sister Shang lowers head, voice like mosquito muttering: “Adult matters, don’t pry.”
“What? What’d you say?”
Chi Ye didn’t hear clearly, really didn’t, so asks again: “What not to pry?”
Sister Shang grits teeth, puts mask back on, muffled: “……Had a little accident, didn’t die, no big deal.”
“Sister, you really okay?”
Chi Ye sees her acting so strangely, even more curious + confused.
“What accident.”
At this time, Sister Shang’s agent Sister Wang walks over, opens mouth with sarcasm: “Others over New Year are all happily reunited, she over New Year stuffs herself silly, gets bowel blockage.”
“Ah?” Chi Ye doesn’t get it: “What does that mean?”
Sister Wang clearly pissed, doesn’t spare Sister Shang face: “Constipated duh! Still asking.”
“Over the big holiday in hospital a whole week, even the doctors were shocked, asking what exactly she ate.”
Chi Ye glances at Sister Shang, stunned: “What’d you eat?”
Sister Shang both shy and awkward, but can’t not tell Chi Ye this… because her body can’t take wind now, the crew will definitely rely on Chi Ye to “take care” more.
Can only blink eyes, aggrieved: “Don’t say anymore sis, I really won’t eat it again.”
“What’d she eat?” Sister Wang huffs: “Don’t know what she ate, but after blockage she ate three meals of Wallace… still no effect… messed up her electrolytes, nearly big trouble…”
She puzzled: “No, you’re really a talent, little clever one, you’re wasting as actor, should be scientist, using Wallace as constipation cure, Wallace itself doesn’t even know it has this effect.”
“Hua Tuo sees you and calls sis.”
Chi Ye: “……”
He turns to Sister Shang who looks lifeless, sincerely: “No big deal? If not, film others’ scenes first.”
“……Really fine, I… I…” Sister Shang’s little face flushes red, stammers, but meaning clear, body already recovered.
Chi Ye not at all surprised Sister Shang could do such a thing.
Sounds exactly like something she’d do.
Sister Shang officially certified, can’t be wrong.
“Alright then, perfect, full script version is out… come in, don’t catch wind, let’s discuss.”
He waves inviting.
……
Meanwhile.
Lemon Entertainment, inside Sheng Ning’s management company.
Sheng Ning sits on sofa, head down looking at a script, occasionally frowning.
“Sister Ning, Director Zhang’s side gave word… says… role temporarily undecided again, what do you think…”
Assistant pushes door in, tone troubled.
Sheng Ning looks up, expressionless: “Got it.”
“I think it’s because of last time, Beijing Circle wants to discipline you… should we go apologize? I happen to have a friend who knows…”
Assistant not finished, Sheng Ning emphasizes: “I got it.”
“……Okay.”
Assistant dares not speak more, just inwardly spits.
Deserves it!
This stinky face of yours useful only on us, who else?
Just, thinking Sheng Ning getting disciplined means she might not benefit either, assistant dissatisfied with Beijing Circle again.
What the hell, what era is this, still pulling this?
Really need someone to come out and sort you lot!
