Chapter 137: Producing a Music Program

Zhao Qingqing nodded without pressing further, feeling somewhat melancholy as she took a sip of the water Chen Qi handed her.

Chen Qi caught the expression on her face and, mixing curiosity, confusion, and amusement, asked, “Director Zhao, are you facing some kind of difficulty?”

Zhao Qingqing placed the glass back on the table, gave a bitter smile, and without further pleasantries, directly explained her purpose.

She had hit a bottleneck in her work.

Recently, their longtime rival, YouYou Video, had made significant moves. As the newly appointed content director at Simple Video, Zhao Qingqing felt immense pressure.

Simple Video had just gained some attention by purchasing two seasons of "Unexpected," but without any fresh, high-quality content to follow up, it was about to fade into silence again.

She was anxious.

Although she had been tirelessly contacting major TV stations and film companies, the results were minimal.

To be precise, there was hardly any gain.

Whether it was leveraging connections or background support, as a newly promoted content director, she was no match for YouYou Video. After days of talks with various TV stations and production companies, she had failed to secure the online rights to any premium programs or dramas.

All the high-quality content was inevitably snapped up by YouYou Video.

They offered just as much money, and with their larger traffic and user base, TV stations and producers naturally prioritized partnering with them.

“???” Listening to Zhao Qingqing, Chen Qi grew increasingly puzzled.

He couldn’t quite grasp why she was telling him all this.

He didn’t know anyone at the TV stations or production companies, so he couldn’t help.

“I called you today to ask if you have any plans to produce films or TV dramas recently?” Zhao Qingqing looked at Chen Qi earnestly.

“Ah?” Chen Qi was clearly taken aback by her question.

So this was the real reason for her call?

“Yes.” Seeing Chen Qi’s surprised look, Zhao Qingqing nodded firmly.

She had come specifically to ask if he had any such plans.

She recalled that he had mentioned some project collaboration with them before.

Honestly, she had been so busy lately that she had nearly forgotten about Chen Qi—until yesterday, when she accidentally heard him sing a song.

To be frank, she was both surprised and shocked when she heard it.

Like many others, she had assumed Chen Qi was just a screenwriter and director, never expecting he could also write songs—and write one so outstanding.

Curious, she searched for the origin of the song, just as Su Xiaoxiao had done. Then she learned about the incident at the square.

God knows how stunned she was when she saw that video!

Although Chen Qi had indirectly denied it, knowing him as she did, she strongly suspected that the song was improvised on the spot, inspired by the immediate environment.

If it weren’t composed then and there, how could it be so fitting?

It was after this song that Chen Qi, who had once given her a great surprise, returned to her attention.

She recalled the two seasons of "Unexpected" he had produced, and how those low-budget dramas had brought significant benefits to Simple Video.

If he could produce "Unexpected," he surely could produce other dramas.

The fact that he could compose such a beautiful song in so short a time was proof of his capability.

So, full of hope, she called Chen Qi.

Nearly at a dead end, she had come to see Chen Qi as a lifeline.

As a newly appointed content director, she had only just started making waves. If she didn’t stir up something big soon, she would lose face.

Not exaggerating, the entire company was watching her performance.

If Chen Qi continued to be “off track,” she wouldn’t know what to do.

“Films or TV dramas?” Chen Qi looked up at Zhao Qingqing, then fell into thought.

He felt her timing was serendipitous; he had been considering a project to get his studio officially up and running.

He didn’t have any plans for films or TV dramas yet, but he could consider making a variety show!

Wasn’t Su Xiaoxiao struggling to find people? Weren’t the talented graduates uninterested in his small studio? This was a perfect chance to boost the studio’s reputation. Once they had a basic reputation, recruiting staff would be easier.

Zhao Qingqing needed help too—personnel, equipment, all could be borrowed under the guise of collaboration. He’d only need to handle the content.

At this thought, Chen Qi’s eyes glittered slightly.

What kind of show should he make?

A small-scale program wouldn’t do; it wouldn’t create much of a splash. If he was going to do it, it had to be big.

After quickly considering options, he settled on a direction.

Hadn’t he just added a singer to his roles? Wasn’t the music market sluggish? Wasn’t there a huge thirst for good music?

Then he would make a music show!

If done well, it would cause a nationwide sensation.

In terms of appeal, nothing was more captivating than music.

After carefully choosing his words, Chen Qi pretended to ponder before telling Zhao Qingqing, “Director Zhao, I don’t have any plans for films or TV dramas, but there’s a program I’ve been considering for a long time, though I haven’t decided whether to make it.”

Hearing the first part, Zhao Qingqing’s eyes dimmed. But when she caught the latter half, her eyes suddenly brightened.

“What kind of program?” she asked eagerly.

Chen Qi gave her a meaningful look and said, “A music program.”

“A mu... music program?” Zhao Qingqing was stunned.

She felt uneasy.

A music program?

A music program???

No way—you’re planning a music program?

Don’t you realize that, given the current state of the music market, making a music program is almost like courting death?

In the past two years, some stubborn TV stations had tried this, but all ended miserably.

Ratings hit record lows, and endless criticism about lack of originality, sincerity, and innovation drove those stations to despair.

It was a completely thankless endeavor.

Since then, no TV station dared to touch the music program cake.

And now, you’re saying you want to make one?

For a moment, Zhao Qingqing was at a loss for words.

“Yes, a music program!” Chen Qi looked confident and said, “To expand its influence, I’m even planning to cooperate with a TV station.”