The next day, inside Chenghai TV HQ.
"Is that 3.81% confirmed?"
"Yes. That's the accurate data. The full viewership report for Week 3 of January will take a few more days to finalize, but since 'Hikaru no Go' aired on the same night as our 'Race Against Time', regardless of the final week's rankings, 'Hikaru no Go' has clearly outperformed us."
Xu Mei's brows furrowed slightly as he put down the phone.
To be honest, 'Race Against Time' getting edged out by another drama wasn't the issue. No one in Chenghai TV expected it to be the top-rated show of the spring lineup. If it wasn't first, then obviously something else would beat it.
But why did it have to be 'Hikaru no Go'?
Everyone in Chenghai TV knew—back in November, Jing Yu had personally brought the script of 'Hikaru no Go' to Chenghai TV.
A few media outlets even reported it at the time.
And it was Xu Mei, the head of the production department, who rejected the project with a firm statement:
"Go dramas are guaranteed flops."
Later, when Jing Yu took the script to Yunteng TV, he even mocked it during a staff meeting, saying:
"Let Yunteng TV pick up the scraps we don't want. If 'Hikaru no Go' can't make it at Chenghai TV, it'll definitely flop at Yunteng TV."
Now?
It's only Week 3 of January, and 'Hikaru no Go' has already beaten their own 70 million yuan flagship production.
Sure, it was just one week's result. The long-term average ratings might still swing in 'Race Against Time's favor if its later episodes perform better.
But regardless of that, the better 'Hikaru no Go' does, the more it slaps Xu Mei in the face.
Even a non-"Big Six" station like Yunteng TV could see the show's potential.
And yet Xu Mei, a senior executive at one of the Big Six, failed to spot that talent. Not only did he let a rising star slip through his fingers, but he now had to watch as that same "rejected script" trampled their own drama in the ratings.
The sting was real.
At the Monday department meeting, Xu Mei tore into the producers of 'Race Against Time', demanding improvements in production quality and a strategy to boost ratings.
He also criticized Fu Jing's new drama, which had already dropped out of the top 20 by its third episode—a complete embarrassment.
"Losing to other Big Six networks is one thing.
But losing to 'Hikaru no Go'?
That's shameful."
It was the same awkward energy as if a top-tier "C9 university" lost to a non-C9 985/211 college in rankings. A matter of face.
Naturally, the one feeling the most bitter and frustrated during the meeting was Fu Jing.
Her new show had slumped to 20th place in Week 3, and she couldn't help but glance at Xu Mei with a trace of resentment.
I had everything set up with Jing Yu. All we needed was Xu Mei's approval, and he would've signed with us. The only issue was whether to sign for three years or five. Worst case, we'd compromise at four. It wasn't a dealbreaker.
Maybe she didn't push hard enough for Jing Yu, didn't fight hard enough to get 'Hikaru no Go' approved.
But it was Xu Mei who had shot the project down so decisively, brushing off Go dramas as hopeless.
And now look.
Not only did they let a hit show slip away, but they'd also created a competitor.
Now Xu Mei had the nerve to criticize the team for "low standards" and "lazy production"?
One minute she's God, the next she's the devil. So I guess we're the problem no matter what, huh?
Meanwhile, in Modo, when Jing Yu returned to the film set that morning, he noticed the increased attention he was getting.
Especially from the production team of the adjacent drama, Fireworks, produced by Xingtong TV.
People who previously ignored him were now greeting him with smiles.
Before 'Hikaru no Go' aired, Jing Yu was just a writer from a small provincial station, trying his luck in the big leagues—seen by the industry as a so-called "talented young writer" trying to earn scraps from the majors.
The Big Six didn't take Yunteng TV seriously. Jing Yu was dismissed outright.
But numbers speak louder than words.
Once the 'Hikaru no Go' overtook 'Race Against Time' in ratings, respect followed naturally.
That said, the people behind 'Fireworks' weren't truly worried yet. They still believed 'Hikaru no Go' wasn't a threat to their own drama. That's why they were still smiling, exchanging business cards, and being friendly.
If 'Hikaru no Go's ratings climbed past theirs?
Well, their attitude would definitely change.
Back at the set:
"Good morning, Teacher Jing Yu!"
"Teacher Jing Yu, thanks for your hard work!"
"Teacher Jing Yu, you're looking more handsome lately!"
"Teacher Jing Yu, could I get your autograph? My daughter's obsessed with Sai and begged me to ask!"
It wasn't just other drama crews—even the 'Hikaru no Go' crew had changed dramatically in the past month.
Before Episode 1 aired, their attitude was simple:
Huh? Some out-of-town screenwriter coming here to scam money? He probably made some shady deal with upper management. Who the hell approved a Go drama? Whatever. I'm just here to get paid.
After Episode 1:
Okay, this guy might actually know what he's doing. Based on those numbers, at least our bonus won't get cut.
After Episode 2:
Teacher Jing Yu is our savior. I'm so glad I accepted the transfer to this project. My performance bonus this month is gonna double!
After Episode 3:
Holy hell, 'Hikaru no Go' is on fire! Could this show break into the Top 5 of the spring season?
That'd mean our bonuses would triple or even quadruple.
Chenghai TV really fumbled hard, letting a talent like him go.
Thank you, Yunteng TV executives, for having vision!
Teacher Jing Yu, you're a genius! We love you!
The crew was so enthusiastic that it left Jing Yu feeling a little overwhelmed.
Soon, the main cast and production heads gathered for a morning meeting.
Everyone had bright, beaming faces.
"Producer Cheng, remember two weeks ago at dinner, we said our goal was 3.6% average ratings?
I think we seriously need to revise that upward."
"Feels so good to prove the Big Six wrong. They always act all high and mighty.
Especially Aurora TV and Chenghai TV—I swear, when I visited Chenghai TV last year for a week of 'cross-station collaboration,' their condescending attitude nearly killed me.
Everything out of their mouths was 'Big Six this, Big Six that,' like the rest of the industry is trash."
"Tell me about it. I had an old colleague from my hometown station. Used to call me 'bro' all the time.
Then he joined Chenghai TV, and when he came back for New Year's, he just called me 'Xiao Yang'—like I was a stranger."
Inside the meeting room, the production leads were trading grievances and jokes. But the moment Jing Yu walked in, everyone went quiet.
Jing Yu took his seat—right in the center of the room. Meetings like this happened every few days:
A status check across departments, coordination of team schedules, and planning for the next phase of production.
Before, when Jing Yu spoke, no one really paid attention. He was too junior.
Now?
All eyes were on him.
A leader with proven results naturally commands respect.
But the very first sentence out of Jing Yu's mouth?
It stunned the whole room.
"Everyone's seen the numbers for 'Hikaru no Go', I'm sure.
Not bad, I guess—barely passable. We've made it to Week 3. Not a total embarrassment."