"Jing Yu, are you really sure about this? The risk-to-reward ratio just doesn't make sense!" Gao Wencang tried once more to persuade him.
Given 'Your Lie in April's current popularity, the safest approach for the final episode would be something like: Arima Kousei plays his heart out in the piano competition, while Miyazono Kaoru undergoes surgery. Kousei wins, Kaoru's operation succeeds, and the two are reunited in a joyful, heartwarming ending.
But if they went with that, the emotional letter Kaoru leaves behind in the latter half of Episode 11—the most powerful part of the script—would have to be cut.
To be honest, when Gao Wencang first read the Episode 11 script, he felt tears welling up. He really liked that ending.
But as the director, he had to be rational.
A safe, happy ending might not be memorable, but it would never get backlash. No one would rate it poorly.
But this ending—the one Jing Yu had written—who knew how audiences would react?
If it backfired, the backlash could be brutal.
Fans might flood the station with literal boxes of razor blades in protest.
The show's stellar reputation could plummet overnight.
Jing Yu could go from being Lan Province's rising genius screenwriter to a public enemy hounded by fans.
Some viewers might even boycott his future works out of spite.
So the dilemma was clear:
A mediocre but safe ending with no risk,
Or a powerful, emotional ending with massive risk and uncertain rewards.
Any rational person would know which one to choose.
But Gao Wencang and Liu Neng didn't know what Jing Yu knew—
In his previous life, 'Your Lie in April' hadn't been hated for its tragic ending. On the contrary, that ending was what made it legendary. Its popularity had soared because of it.
Jing Yu had the advantage of hindsight—almost a god's-eye view—so he had no fear.
But Gao Wencang and Liu Neng? They were in the dark.
It was understandable that people would choose the lower-risk path when the rewards were unclear.
And that's exactly why Jing Yu had chosen them as the director and producer of 'Your Lie in April'.
Like him, they were newcomers to the industry.
They didn't throw their weight around or act superior.
They offered suggestions but never interfered with the core of the script.
If it had been someone Chu You appointed, that person would've run straight to Chu You and tried to pressure Jing Yu to change the ending.
After all, both the producer and director were entitled to a 1–2% share of the show's copyright revenue.
For their own financial interest, no veteran would allow Jing Yu to take such a big gamble with the ending.
But Liu Neng and Gao Wencang were different.
"Trust me. This ending will elevate the whole series," Jing Yu said, looking them both in the eye.
"Just like before the show aired, you didn't believe 'Your Lie in April' would achieve what she has now. But here we are. You both are incredibly capable—a top-tier director and producer. But when it comes to audience psychology, to scripting, to narrative rhythm, to market trends—I, as the sole screenwriter of 'Your Lie in April', have the most accurate judgment."
"'Your Lie in April' ends like this. There's no other way. And don't forget… the trailer before the premiere."
"Trailer…?" Gao Wencang blinked, then gasped.
"The letter. 'I told a lie…'"
Yes. The trailer had already foreshadowed this ending.
"But just a glimpse," he murmured.
"This entire show—from Episode 1 to Episode 11—was built around that ending. If we change it now, the whole structure collapses," Jing Yu said firmly.
"I…" Gao Wencang wanted to argue, but stopped.
In the end, he sighed.
"Honestly, Teacher Jing Yu, you probably made up your mind long ago. No matter what we say, you wouldn't change the script," Liu Neng said, looking at him.
"I wouldn't."
Liu Neng smiled.
"Then let's do it. Honestly, the show's success so far is mostly thanks to your writing. We just did our jobs. And you're right—we're outsiders when it comes to plotting and structure."
"No matter how it ends, I know one thing—I won't regret being a part of 'Your Lie in April'. Having my name attached to this show as its producer is already a career highlight for me here at Jinhui TV."
"So for this final episode—let's throw caution to the wind. I believe in your judgment, Teacher Jing Yu."
"…Same here," Gao Wencang finally said, after holding it in for so long.
Since Episode 7 aired, Jing Yu had become a household name at Jinhui TV—a celebrity screenwriter.
Last year, that title had belonged to Jiang Shiqing.
This year, it was Jing Yu.
Dangerous Girlfriend still had solid ratings—easily the second-highest among all four spring season dramas across Lan Province's major TV stations, with an average of over 1.7%.
But no one cared about second place.
Jiang Shiqing's new show had phenomenal numbers, yet his prestige and attention within the network kept fading.
Whether it was Jinhui TV or drama fans across Lan Province, there was only one show people were talking about:
'Your Lie in April'.
It was the first time in Lan Province's history that a local drama had broken 2% average viewership.
The cast's stunning visuals, the breathtaking musical scenes…
In Lan Province, whether among students or office workers, if anyone was discussing TV dramas, 6 or 7 out of 10 were talking about 'Your Lie in April'.
Nationwide, the show's influence kept spreading.
Fan groups and discussion forums were popping up like mushrooms after the rain.
"We're at Episode 7 already, and Kaoru and Kousei still haven't confessed! It's driving me nuts!"
"I swear, this is the slowest-paced romance I've ever watched. In most shows, by Episode 7, the leads have already met, fallen in love, had a misunderstanding, broken up, raised a child alone, and gotten back together. Here, they're still testing the waters!"
"Is there going to be a Season 2 or what?"
"Could be. With ratings this high, maybe the writer Jing Yu is extending the story for another season."
"Honestly, even though the romance is slow, the show is still so captivating. Kaoru is incredibly likable, and even the side characters—Jin Hui, Xiang Wu, and Tsubaki—are getting a lot of love. Even Kousei's mom's backstory in Episode 7 had me bawling. She wasn't strict because she hated him—it was because she was afraid she'd die and leave him without a future. No villains in this story, but it still wrecks my emotions. If there's a second season, I'll be first in line."
"I want to see Kaoru and Kousei get married! I hope Jing Yu hurries up. At least give us a kiss scene! I followed him from 'My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday'. That show was already emotionally devastating. But at least the leads did it in Episode 1. Here we are in Episode 7 and still nothing! I'm mad!"
"Bad news, everyone. We're already at Episode 7, and based on leaked info, the show only has four episodes left. Even if there's a Season 2, we might have to wait a year or more."
"Damn it, you didn't have to say it. Let me live in denial a little longer!"