"Jinhui TV's highest-rated drama in the past ten years? That's the goal he set?"
Jiang Shiqing took a call from one of his subordinates, his face showing an expression that was somewhere between disbelief and amusement.
"He really announced that goal publicly?"
"…Alright, I got it. Yep — that's the Jing Yu I know. Arrogant to the core."
He hung up the call, unable to hold back a laugh.
He looked down at the cast list for his new drama. Aside from Song Xin and Tang Yidong, both popular from White Lovers, he had also invited a nationally renowned actress — Xu Xiangwen — to play the female lead.
Her fee? A steep six million yuan.
But worth it.
In Da Zhou, the drama structure wasn't like in Jing Yu's previous world. There, series often ran for dozens of episodes, and it wasn't unusual for top actors to earn tens of millions.
Here? A drama might only have a dozen or so episodes per season. So a six-million fee was already very high.
But with Xu Xiangwen's popularity, Jiang Shiqing felt confident.
It was a risky move — but where there's risk, there's also reward. If the script held up, Xu Xiangwen's name could help expand the drama's reach to more provinces.
And with that, Jiang Shiqing's name might no longer be confined to the provincial level.
Maybe, if he did well enough, he'd even catch the eye of a top-tier national platform like Xingtong TV and be offered a signed writer's contract.
Just imagining that made Jiang Shiqing's heart race.
But to get such an opportunity, he'd at least need to produce a record-breaking hit on a station like Jinhui — something with over 2.0% average viewership.
Ambition sparked in his eyes.
If anyone at Jinhui is going to break the 1.89% record from the past decade, it'll be me.
That clown? No chance.
He reopened the budget spreadsheet for his new drama.
He had to find a way to get the station to increase the investment. Otherwise, production quality would suffer.
As for Jing Yu?
Jiang Shiqing wasn't going to waste time watching him.
Once both shows aired, everything would become crystal clear.
Meanwhile, on Jing Yu's end, the cast had just received the full scripts for 'Your Lie in April's first two episodes.
His bold public declaration — that he'd make 'Your Lie in April' the highest-rated drama in a decade — had stirred some talk, but outside of Yu Youqing (who was halfway convinced), most people thought he was just talking big.
Still, as the saying goes:
"Aim for the stars, land on the clouds.
Aim for the middle, and you'll fall short."
Let the screenwriter dream big — they'd just keep their heads down and do their jobs.
And after reading the script?
They were genuinely impressed.
A former nationally recognized piano prodigy, traumatized by his mother's pressure, quits playing music — only to later meet a spirited violinist girl who pulls him back in.
This wasn't your typical workplace or idol romance — it felt fresh.
And above all, it was interesting.
Even Yu Youqing found the first two episodes lighthearted and uplifting.
But when she realized that her character, Miyazono Kaori, was in love with Du Liang (played by Chen Zhongyi), she was... a bit thrown.
"Wait… are we seriously not going to be a couple in this one?" she muttered while glancing at Jing Yu.
According to the script, Kaori liked Du Liang.
And Chen Zhongyi? Oh, she definitely remembered him — a campus legend when she was still in university. To think they'd now be working on the same project… Lancheng really was a small world.
Still, she was surprised she wasn't paired with Jing Yu again.
Or would the plot shift later?
Jing Yu noticed her giving him odd looks, but didn't have time to care — the shoot was already underway.
In the early parts of the story, Kaori hadn't appeared yet. The opening scenes were focused on the daily high school life of You Gongsheng, Du Liang, and Ze Chun — interspersed with subtle hints about their pasts and personalities.
When she wasn't needed for filming, Yu Youqing followed the professional violin coach the production had hired, learning the basics: posture, bow grip, and movements.
She didn't need to become a real violinist — but her performance had to look elegant and convincing on camera.
The music? They'd add that in post-production.
For the first two days, Kaori didn't appear at all.
Her entrance had to be unforgettable — a scene that would stun viewers, like she was the light piercing through the protagonist's darkness.
In animation, that kind of presence was easier to portray.
But in the live-action film adaptation, Jing Yu had seen in his past life?
Totally underwhelming.
In manga adaptations, you could get away with an average-looking male lead — but the female lead had to be stunning, both in face and figure.
The actress in the live-action movie had a decent performance…
But her legs were thick, her face too plain.
Just not it.
Jing Yu could tolerate mediocrity in other scenes — but not Kaori's entrance.
It was December. Near-freezing temperatures.
While there were spots where winter cherry blossoms still bloomed, it was rare to find sunny weather.
But today?
Clear skies.
Jing Yu immediately called Lancheng Park to request a shoot on-site.
"It's freezing! Do I really have to wear this?" Yu Youqing held up her outfit — a white-and-pink long skirt.
The top part was fleece-lined, so it wasn't too bad. But the skirt left everything from the knees down completely exposed.
They had been filming indoors until now, so even spring/summer clothing hadn't felt uncomfortable.
But this scene? Jing Yu insisted it be shot on location.
"I once read about an island nation," Jing Yu said, adjusting his black-rimmed glasses, "where the girls wear skirts year-round — even during snowy winters. Turns out, as long as your upper body is warm, the lower body can handle the cold. You'll be fine."
"I've never heard of such a place," Yu Youqing squinted at him. "Did you just make that up? And if that's the case, why are you wearing a thick coat and — are those two heating pads under your down jacket?!"
She glanced at the thermometer.
4°C.
Her breath misted in the cold air.
"That's just your imagination," Jing Yu coughed lightly.
"And besides, I'm about to shoot, too. I'll be in a T-shirt like you. We'll both suffer."
He held up his costume — a thin spring tee. Not exactly warm.
The scene would be filmed on the central hill of the park lawn, surrounded by blooming winter cherry blossoms. Yu Youqing was to stand there, playing a melodica.
A breeze, flower petals fluttering — the picture had to be perfect.
"Actors suffer for their art," Yu Youqing murmured, comforted to see that at least Jing Yu would also freeze. This is why they cast me, she reminded herself.
Today, all four leads would appear.
It was the first full-cast scene.
They changed into their filming outfits.
Yu Youqing's long white-and-pink skirt fluttered in the wind, her slender legs exposed from the knees down, black shoes on her feet — she looked fresh, youthful, and radiant.
Even though she was 24, playing a 16-year-old Kaori, she looked the part perfectly.
Jing Yu, Chen Zhongyi, and Liu Yushi were also dressed for the shoot, though still wearing heavy down coats until the cameras rolled.
"Good luck," the three of them said, giving her encouraging smiles.
Fortunately, despite the low temperature, there was plenty of sun and barely any wind. Standing in the sunlight, Yu Youqing felt much better.
All equipment was already set up.
Gao Wencang gave the signal — everything was ready.
Yu Youqing stepped onto the grassy hill.
The prop team positioned the wind machine to simulate a gentle spring breeze.
The skirt danced. Her hair fluttered. Flower petals, prepared in advance, were blown around her by the machine.
"Wait… is that warm air?"
Yu Youqing blinked, feeling heat against her legs. She glanced at Jing Yu.
So… this guy did know how to show some care after all?
But just as she felt a flicker of appreciation, she saw him sneak another heating pad into his jacket.
And just like that, the moment was gone.