On Sunday, discussions about 'Kaiji' exploded across nearly every drama forum—rising exponentially.
Now free from the negative bias caused by the original manga's rough art style, the live-action version of 'Kaiji', backed by tight storytelling and stellar acting, had completely crushed the flagship shows of the top three major TV stations. It shot to the top of search engines and trend-tracking platforms, becoming the undisputed #1.
Even Jing Yu's own fans could hardly believe it: a show that had aired four episodes and not featured a single female character was still this damn good.
Even die-hard fans of Jing Yu's romance dramas were now singing 'Kaiji's praises.
In this atmosphere, Qingyun Network saw a massive surge in registered users on Sunday. 'Kaiji's viewership numbers climbed in direct proportion.
Many diehard TV viewers, after a month of nonstop buzz and praise about 'Kaiji', finally gave in and went online to check it out.
This trend had executives across Great Zhou's major TV stations on edge.
Until now, their general view of streaming platforms had been dismissive: poor viewing experience, no chance of hiring top-tier production teams, and even if production was decent, would big-name stars even agree to work on web dramas? Plus, watching online wasn't cheap—no way it would gain momentum in the short term.
But—
Jing Yu was the exception.
With no big-name actors, mid-level investment, and average marketing, his work had still gone viral.
The man was just too outrageous—so much so that the Big Six were starting to panic. The past two years had made one thing clear: none of their top-tier screenwriters could compete with Jing Yu. And now, seeing his success at Qingyun Network…
They realized that if Qingyun Network took off, other talented writers in Great Zhou would definitely follow Jing Yu's path. At that point…
The TV stations' stranglehold on the drama industry would be shaken.
That was the real disruption Jing Yu had brought to the industry.
Still, not every station saw this as a threat.
Some—like Yunteng TV, known for staying ahead of the curve—saw opportunity.
Its leadership had already started holding internal meetings. Production Department head Meng Yu attended several, but he felt a bit hesitant.
After all, several board members had noticed the steady rise of streaming platforms in Great Zhou's drama scene.
The main agenda of those meetings?
Whether Yunteng TV should follow Jing Yu's lead—buy equity in a streaming platform, then establish a strategic partnership with them.
Meng Yu hadn't expected the TV station's stance to change so quickly.
Just as Meng Yu was mulling this over—
Cheng Lie showed up to speak with him directly. That, too, caught Meng Yu off guard.
Meng Yu still had strong feelings toward his former subordinate. Seeing Cheng Lie succeed after partnering with Jing Yu genuinely made him proud.
But after a round of deep conversation with Cheng Lie, waves stirred in his heart.
Jing Yu had a new big-budget drama in the works—planned to air later this year or early next year—
And he wanted it to air simultaneously on both streaming platforms and TV stations.
That proposal—
Stunned, Meng Yu.
"The station probably won't go for it. Buying a Jing Yu drama to air—sure. But not if it's not exclusive. The ratings wouldn't be guaranteed. The station would be taking a loss."
"Minister Meng, you can't use conventional thinking to evaluate Jing Yu. Even if it's dual-platform airing, his dramas won't underperform." Cheng Lie had anticipated this objection and launched into his prepared pitch.
—
That night, Episode 4 of 'Clannad' aired on schedule.
In truth, after Episode 3 aired last week, the show's reputation among fans had started to climb.
In Episode 4, Fuko's older sister, Yuko Ibuki, told Tomoya and Nagisa about her fond memories with her little sister—and how much she missed her.
But the twist was—Fuko was right there beside her.
And she couldn't see her at all.
To fulfill Yuko's wish to hold a wedding at school, the leads went around asking an old teacher to help out by writing a calligraphy blessing.
Then came the narrative structure that defined 'Clannad':
Every character's arc started sweet… turned heartbreaking…
And ended in a tear-jerking, warm-hearted, happy ending.
Fuko's arc was no different. She had been tirelessly handing out starfish-shaped wooden crafts she carved herself—inviting students to attend her sister's wedding.
At first, many students were touched. She became known throughout the school.
But one day…
People started to forget her.
It began with those who'd only spoken to her briefly.
Then even those she'd interacted with more deeply.
Then—those people not only forgot her… they literally couldn't see her.
Just like her sister.
She was right in front of them—but invisible.
Then it was Sunohara, Tomoya's best friend.
Worried they'd forget her too, Tomoya and Nagisa decided to visit the hospital to see Yuko's "real" sister—the one in a coma.
And when Sunohara came back—
He had forgotten Fuko.
He couldn't see her anymore either.
By this point, most of the audience was feeling uneasy.
"Wait, this is about to get painful."
"So she didn't disappear. She's just… invisible?"
"Imagine everyone in the world forgetting you. That kind of loneliness…"
"Nooo, Teacher Jing Yu, please don't do this! Fuko is too precious!"
"Is this revenge for people online saying the plot was too slow? Are you going full tragedy now?!"
"Please don't! I love the light-hearted tone. Don't take that away!"
"Fuko's so cute and so sad… why would you make everyone forget her?"
As viewers continued watching, the chat in fan groups became heavier.
But the plot only dug deeper into the heartbreak.
Tomoyo, Kyou, Ryou, and Nagisa's father—
All the people who had befriended Fuko—
Forgot her.
Then came Nagisa's mother, Sanae.
She didn't want to forget Fuko.
But…
Her memories faded away, bit by bit.
"Let's take a bath together again tonight, Fuko~"
One moment, she was smiling.
The next—she collapsed, crying.
She knew Fuko was there, in her bakery. But—
"I… I can't see you anymore, Fuko. I went to the hospital today… heard Yuko-sensei was getting married. I thought I'd check on her sister. But I… I can't see you anymore. My memory is slipping. You… you're still here, right?"
Tears. Gut punch.
That moment shattered everyone watching in the fan chat.
And then, the moment that broke them all.
Refusing to forget Fuko—
Tomoya, Nagisa, and Fuko spent the evening at school, playing pretend wedding rehearsals.
They laughed, played, talked—imagining how to celebrate Yuko's big day.
That night, Fuko held their hands in hers—one on each side.
The three of them leaned against the classroom wall…
And fell asleep together.
Just like family.
The next morning, sunlight woke Tomoya and Nagisa.
"Why… are we in the classroom?"
"I… don't really know."
At that moment, the audience felt an icy chill.
"Don't tell me even the main characters forgot Fuko, too?"
"Where is she now?"
"Still handing out starfish alone? Hoping people will come to the wedding?"
"How? No one can even see her anymore…"
"I can't. This is too much. She's too pitiful."
"But I didn't forget her."
"Me neither! I remember Fuko!"
"She's still here! I'm her friend too!"
"Damn it, Teacher Jing Yu—what childhood trauma did you go through to write this?!"
"I just wanted a chill drama after work… why are you doing this?!"
"If Nagisa and Tomoya can't see her anymore, where would she go?"
"Probably wandering the town… all alone…"
"Stop. I can't handle this. That image is breaking me."
In the story—
Nearly everyone forgot Fuko.
But each of their homes had a mysterious wooden starfish in it.
Tomoya, Nagisa, and everyone who'd been close to Fuko were now wandering through their days, feeling like something was missing.
Then came the wedding day.
Tomoya and Nagisa arrived early at school—without knowing why.
There, they ran into the old teacher they had asked to write a blessing.
The background music swelled gently.
"What are you writing?" Tomoya asked.
"What kind of question is that? Didn't you ask me to write a wedding blessing for Yuko-sensei?" the teacher snapped.
"You young folks—memory already going bad?"
Then came the most iconic moment of Fuko's arc.
A breeze swept through.
Tomoya and Nagisa's eyes widened.
The teacher's words struck a nerve—like a string snapping in their minds.
Why… had they forgotten that?
Why had they forgotten Yuko-sensei's wedding at the school?
Why…
Why had they once known?
What was missing?
"Fuko!"
"Fuko!"
The two shouted her name as the music soared.
The breeze lifted Tomoya's hair and Nagisa's skirt.
The camera slowly zoomed out—
And behind them… a figure appeared.
Fuko.
Serene, quiet—walking right behind them.
Even though they'd forgotten her…
Even though they couldn't see her…
Fuko had never left their side.
Because they had promised—on Yuko's wedding day,
The three of them would offer their most heartfelt blessing.
The background track 'Hikari no Sora' surged.
Viewers—at their desks, on their phones—couldn't hold it in anymore.
"I'm crying."
"Tears…"
"Fuko's been following them the whole time."
"A whole week… always behind them…"
"Dust in my eyes… Teacher Jing Yu got me again."
"Fuko!!"
"What is Teacher Jing Yu's brain made of?! I knew it was coming… and I still bawled."
"Same. 'Clannad' is peak drama!"
"Even better than 'Kaiji' for me."
"Just like 'Kaiji'—Episode 4 was legendary."
"'Kaiji' crushed us with tension. 'Clannad' crushed us with emotion. Both are masterpieces."
"That scene—the camera zooming out… Fuko is walking behind them. I couldn't hold it."
In the end, Episode 4 of 'Clannad'—
Yuko's wedding took place at school.
Though they never invited any students…
Nearly half the school showed up.
Each one was holding a wooden starfish they'd mysteriously received.
Fulfilling a promise they didn't even remember—
With a girl who, in their memories, didn't exist.
A true, warm-hearted healing drama.
No tragedy this time.
This arc ended with a big, beautiful reunion.