They're really letting "My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday" air?
And on the same night as White Lover, no less — just at the 10 PM slot?
But precisely because both shows would air on the same night, with White Lover broadcasting first and 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' airing a full hour later, the contrast would be clear as day. No one could claim Tomorrow was benefiting from White Lover's momentum anymore.
Sure, 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's time slot wasn't as good. But honestly, 10 PM on a Sunday wasn't that late. Definitely better than the Wednesday graveyard slot that had been suggested before.
If episode two of 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' still pulled in solid ratings under these conditions, then even Xu You would be left speechless.
Xu You started feeling uneasy. Something felt... off. And looking at Shi Teng's expression only made that feeling stronger.
Chu You was stunned as well. He had fully expected Shi Teng to avoid offending Xu You by burying 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday'. But this new arrangement... wasn't bad. A two-hour delay in airing was far more acceptable than the Wednesday late-night death sentence Xu You proposed.
So Shi Teng wasn't entirely siding with Xu You after all...
Then Chu You caught the look Shi Teng gave him.
It seemed to say:
"What are you waiting for?"
In that instant, everything clicked in Chu You's mind.
"I have no objections to Minister Shi's proposal. I only want to apologize to Producer Li Mu," Chu You said.
With that one sentence, he shifted the narrative — from a dispute between White Lover and 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday', to a simple matter of 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' replacing a variety show's time slot.
Xu You opened his mouth, wanting to say something — but couldn't.
What could he oppose?
'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' wasn't taking his drama's time slot. And Li Mu himself had agreed. Xu You had no grounds left.
"But," Chu You continued, turning to Xu You, "I strongly disagree with your earlier claim — that 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's high ratings were thanks to piggybacking off White Lover's popularity."
"This 10 PM slot for episode two is the perfect chance to prove it. If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' still gets strong numbers, I hope you'll acknowledge the show's merit."
Xu You gave a reluctant grunt, signaling reluctant agreement.
Shi Teng nodded approvingly at Chu You — the man had understood his unspoken intentions perfectly.
"Then it's settled," Shi Teng announced. "If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's second episode also breaks a 1.0 rating, it will become the second drama this year on our station to surpass 1.0 nationwide."
"That would clearly demonstrate the ability of its screenwriter, Jing Yu, to produce this kind of result in just two weeks, writing as he filmed. A rare talent indeed. Now that it's early December and the spring season is approaching, competition in the TV market is fierce."
"Last year, during the spring season, our station ranked last among the four major broadcasters in Lan Province. It cost us dearly. I propose we allocate funding now and begin preparations for Jing Yu's next drama in December, aiming to compete in the January lineup."
Chu You said it all in one breath — no pauses, no hesitation.
Xu You was visibly stunned.
Of course, he knew 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's ratings were real. All that stuff he said earlier? Just excuses.
His original plan for the meeting had been simple: get 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' buried. Then, gradually suppress Jing Yu's rise. He was Chu You's guy — and worse, he was potentially talented. How could he be allowed to flourish?
But now, Chu You had flipped the script, not only protecting 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' but also securing Jing Yu's future project.
"So what you're saying is, 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's second episode will also break 1.0?" Shi Teng looked at Chu You deeply.
"That's right."
Chu You wasn't just sticking his neck out for no reason. Right now, the conflict between him and Xu You was centered entirely on Jing Yu. Helping Jing Yu meant strengthening his own position.
It was a temporary alliance of interest.
Of course, Jing Yu's lack of seniority was a weakness. But if episode two really pulled in strong numbers — a second straight episode over 1.0 — even a short drama could be enough to make his case.
And Chu You was certain: Shi Teng would back him.
He'd figured that out from Shi Teng's actions and expressions throughout the meeting.
The station needed balance. The production department needed balance. Xu You had been too dominant lately. If he wasn't reined in, sixty-something-year-old Shi Teng might find himself replaced before long.
Xu You's power came from his golden collaborator, screenwriter Jiang Shiqing, and the runaway success of White Lover. But now that 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' had come out of nowhere with stellar ratings, it had caught Shi Teng's attention.
If Jing Yu's the real deal, we might have another genius on our hands — and a way to shut down Xu You's arrogance.
If not?
Well, the proposal to center a new show around Jing Yu was made by Chu You, not Shi Teng. No risk on his end.
But Chu You understood: If he wanted to win this political battle, he had to play along with Shi Teng's strategy.
"Minister, Jing Yu is still new to the industry—" Xu You tried.
Of course, Xu You didn't want Jing Yu to get a second chance. Maybe the kid wasn't that talented — maybe this was a one-hit wonder. But the safest option was to make sure he never got another shot to prove himself.
Jiang Shiqing's next drama was set to air in January. Xu You had grand ambitions: ride the success of White Lover to win the winter season, then launch Jiang's next drama to take the spring season crown.
He couldn't afford unexpected competition.
"I'm actually quite curious," Shi Teng cut him off, "to see whether this Jing Yu might be our station's second Jiang Shiqing."
"If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's second episode breaks 1.0 in that 10 PM time slot this Sunday, I will approve funding to form a new production team, with Jing Yu at the center, for his next drama."
He looked around at the rest of the producers.
Chu You let out a long breath, his expression complicated.
For a newcomer to earn support from Minister Shi, they had to prove themselves.
This was Jing Yu's shot — and his test.
Sunday at 10 PM was not a good time. It wasn't a drama slot. Normally, variety shows ran at that time. Just like how, in Jing Yu's past life, no one turned on the TV at 7 PM to watch dramas — that's when the national news aired.
If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' wanted to break 1.0 again, it would have to do so entirely on its own merit.
The bar was high — but that was the only way a newcomer could rise fast and gain the station's full attention.
That's exactly how Jiang Shiqing rose to fame.
And if Jing Yu failed?
Well, it was simple.
Take Liu Neng, for example. He'd been working at the station for decades but was still only trusted with emergency filler projects. He didn't have the qualifications to lead a prime drama.
If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' flopped in episode two, no one would bother defending Jing Yu.
Opportunity only matters to those who can grab it.
"Those in favor of this proposal, raise your hand," Shi Teng said.
He was the final decision-maker, but formality had to be observed.
Chu You was the first to raise his hand, giving subtle signals to his allies.
Others followed one by one. Eventually, more than 70% of the room voted in favor.
Xu You sat quietly, barely containing his frustration.
"This proposal has passed. Next topic," Shi Teng said, clearly pleased.
The meeting dragged on for another two hours.
After it ended, Jing Yu quickly received a call from Chu You.
Throughout the call, Jing Yu remained calm.
Until Chu You said this:
"If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday's second episode breaks 1.0 again this Sunday, the station will allocate tens of millions in funding for your new drama to enter the January lineup."
"…Understood. I'll begin considering the team composition for the new production," Jing Yu replied coolly.
There was a pause on the other end.
"Jing Yu nephew, don't get ahead of yourself." Chu You's tone suddenly grew stern. "First, you need to hit that 1.0 rating this Sunday — at 10 PM. And second, you need to have a solid concept for your new script. Only then do you get to worry about who's acting in it."
Jing Yu nephew?
Jing Yu's face twitched.
These TV station veterans sure knew how to play the game. Back when the drama was just starting, Chu You had distanced himself, saying Jing Yu wasn't "his guy."
Now? "Jing Yu nephew."
If 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday' tanked on Sunday, the title would probably become:
"Hey, you. That guy."
Still, Jing Yu didn't mind. It was just how people were.
Even if Chu You was doing it for his own gain, well — who wasn't?
Jing Yu didn't resent that kind of relationship.
"Don't worry, Uncle Chu. If the station holds up its end of the deal and provides funding, I guarantee my spring drama won't let you down."
His tone softened, switching from "Director Chu" to "Uncle Chu."
"Really now? You sound pretty confident. In that case, Uncle Chu feels more reassured." Chu You chuckled.
If someone didn't believe in themselves, how could others believe in them?
After hanging up, Jing Yu exhaled deeply.
Snow had piled up to ankle height on the street.
The air was freezing, but his heart was on fire.
A new drama. January.