October 30th, Sunday.
The final episode of 'White Album 2' was about to air.
Across Da Zhou, fans of the series were already seated in front of their TVs, waiting eagerly.
Compared to fans of other dramas, 'White Album 2's fanbase was exceptionally loyal. Their anticipation alone was enough to spike Jinhui TV's ratings early on.
This quarter, the network's advertising revenue skyrocketed—at least doubled or tripled—thanks to the show. Especially during 'White Album 2's timeslot, commercial slots and in-show placements broke records. While the show itself had relatively high production costs, those were dwarfed by the revenue it brought in.
At the Jinhui TV headquarters, the network's production department executives, senior screenwriters, and contracted actors had all been summoned to the main hall to watch the final episode together.
The venue had been arranged well in advance. In the wide-open lobby of the network building, a massive projection screen lit up the wall. Seating had been organized to accommodate the large crowd, allowing everyone to watch comfortably.
Shi Teng, the head of the production department, sat in the front row. Next to him sat Jing Yu, with the three division chiefs of the production department flanking them.
Then came the screenwriting department members, the network's signed artists, and the marketing and PR teams.
Altogether, roughly one to two hundred key personnel from various departments were present.
As for the network's absolute top brass—the director general, station manager, and CFO—they didn't attend. After all, maintaining image and status mattered at their level. So, in this room, Shi Teng was the highest-ranking person.
"You know, this is the first time our station's ever organized something like this—gathering everyone to watch a show made by one of our own," Shi Teng said with a smile, turning to Jing Yu. "Xiao Jing, you've done well. 'White Album 2' has set new records for our station. And it's safe to say these records won't be broken easily. Thanks to you, everyone's getting a nice year-end bonus."
He was half-joking, but sincere in tone.
Jing Yu—handsome, with sharp features and a composed demeanor—accepted the compliment humbly. When someone from the network handed him tea, he received it with both hands and thanked them earnestly. He showed none of that arrogant "I'm the king of this station now" attitude, despite being the creator of the network's biggest hit.
Sometimes, a person's character is reflected in small details.
In contrast, two seats to his right sat Xu You, visibly irritated about being made to attend. Though he didn't dare show it in front of the department head, he took it out on his subordinates—berating a new female employee publicly just because she walked by without greeting him. The girl had only been with the station for four months, and now she was on the verge of tears.
"Director Shi, you flatter me. It was a team effort. This success belongs to all of us," Jing Yu replied with a calm, polite smile.
"Come now, Jing Yu, no need to be so modest," said Chu You, sitting nearby. "Back when your father was alive, he used to tell me—you're a great kid in every way, except too humble. Always too humble. Of course, with so much talent at the station, indeed, young people like you don't get many chances. You've been here two years, and only now got the opportunity to really show your skills. But being too modest isn't good either. When it's time to be proud, be proud."
Shi Teng's expression paused slightly.
That "young people don't get many chances" line? It was a jab—not-so-subtly aimed at Xu You. The implication was clear: for the past two years, Xu You had been hoarding all the opportunities, giving them to Jiang Shiqing, leaving none for Jing Yu.
Jing Yu understood Chu You's meaning but had no interest in getting involved in their internal factional games.
In the front row, he sat with the production department's top brass. Behind them sat the network's group of contracted screenwriters.
Among them was Jiang Shiqing.
After his spring drama lost to 'Your Lie in April', his standing at the station plummeted. Though still technically one of the top-tier contracted writers, the spotlight was no longer his—Jing Yu's success had eclipsed him entirely.
His fall drama? Its latest episode barely averaged 1.12%, with a peak of 1.26%.
If not for 'White Album 2', those would've been considered solid numbers for Jinhui TV.
But compared to 'White Album 2', it wasn't even worth mentioning.
The latest episode of 'White Album 2' had already broken past 3% in ratings.
Watching Jing Yu chatting casually with the head of the production department up front, Jiang Shiqing simmered with jealousy, frustration, and resentment—but all of it dissolved into a sense of helplessness.
What could he do? Beat Jing Yu in his career? He didn't even have the confidence.
Even if it came down to a physical fight, Jing Yu was a head taller than him. He'd probably lose that too.
Behind Jiang Shiqing, two rows back, sat his ex-girlfriend—and also Jing Yu's ex—Song Xin, watching Jing Yu with a complicated expression.
Saeki Ai, Kaori Miyazono, Setsuna Ogiso, Kazusa Touma…
If she hadn't broken up with Jing Yu so hastily back then, at least three of those four female lead roles could've been hers. Even after they broke up, Jing Yu still thought of her first when casting Saeki Ai—she was the first person he called for an audition.
These past few weeks, Song Xin had been spiraling. Though she kept telling herself to move on, she just couldn't let go. She couldn't sleep well at night.
She had left Jing Yu for Jiang Shiqing—why? Because she believed in Jiang's talent.
But fate had played a cruel joke.
Jing Yu—the so-called "mediocre one"—had created three consecutive hit dramas, each more successful than the last. And the role she passed on—Saeki Ai—was picked up by Yu Youqing, who rode it to superstardom.
From Saeki Ai to Kaori to Setsuna…
Yu Youqing had become the most popular actress in Lan Province.
That "triple female lead" lineup? It was supposed to be hers.
Why…?
She was watching 'White Album 2', too. One line from Kazusa in a previous episode had struck her like lightning:
"It was me. I was first. I was the one who had him first…"
Why were the ones becoming famous not her? Why was it Yu Youqing, Xia Yining, Liu Yushi?
These thoughts had driven her to the brink.
After Jiang Shiqing's defeat to Jing Yu, he became increasingly insecure and passive-aggressive. Their relationship fell apart—they broke up.
"So what the hell have I been doing all this time?" she muttered inwardly.
She looked at Jing Yu, sitting calmly in the front row.
A part of her hoped he'd look back. Just once. Remember her. Acknowledge her.
But…
He didn't.
To him, neither Song Xin, nor Jiang Shiqing, nor Xu You—none of his enemies at the station—mattered anymore.
He was about to leave Jinhui TV.
As far as non-crew members he'd met here—whether friends or foes—he held no attachments.
At exactly 8:00 PM, the final episode of 'White Album 2' began to air.