Chapter Seventy-Three: Persuading the Advertisers

Is the advertising fee really that expensive? Expensive enough to scare off advertisers entirely?

Seeing the entertainment reporter’s post on social media, fans of "Wanwan" were struck by surprise, their faces transforming into a myriad of expressions.

Could it be true?

Is Chen Qi really so shortsighted?

Would he actually do something so self-sabotaging?

That seems unlikely.

He may appear somewhat dim-witted, but surely not to this extent?

Many doubted the truth of the post.

Such a basic principle—slow and steady wins the race—even they understood. How could Chen Qi not? Besides, only minutes earlier he'd announced that the second season would premiere within three days.

Yet, whether by coincidence or not, two entertainment media outlets also released news at this time about Chen Qi antagonizing advertisers with his high fees.

Simultaneously, several entertainment reporters confidently declared the matter on social media, and, eager to stir up trouble, tagged Chen Qi directly at the end of their posts.

With the sudden surge of attention, the expressions on the fans' faces grew even more complex.

Were they truly witnessing a spectacular public blunder?

But the thought was quickly dismissed.

Chen Qi wasn’t a fool, and as viewers, their own eyes were sharp and discerning.

Even if Chen Qi, new to the industry, had mistakenly quoted too high a price, wouldn't he lower it after receiving feedback from advertisers?

Stubbornly refusing to budge?

Did people really think he was that naïve? Wouldn't he have some sense of his own work's value?

These perceptive fans sensed that certain unscrupulous media were exaggerating the story to gain attention—or perhaps someone, jealous of Chen Qi's achievements, was deliberately tarnishing his reputation.

Thus, the small but loyal group of fans tacitly slipped into a spectator’s mode.

Whatever the reason, they were content to simply watch. After all, the second season would be online in no more than three days, and everything would be clear then.

...

Out in the countryside, Chen Qi also noticed the sudden increase in discordant voices.

He searched online and found that quite a few people were indeed undermining him.

Was it a coincidence or a targeted attack? With his negligible fame, surely he hadn't drawn the ire of powerful industry players?

Just as he pondered, Xu Bunián called.

Like him, Xu Bunián had noticed the smear campaigns.

"Do you think this is just coincidence?" Chen Qi asked earnestly.

He’d just stepped into the entertainment world and truly didn’t understand its myriad unwritten rules.

Xu Bunián replied, "I just asked a couple of colleagues. They said someone’s definitely stirring things up behind the scenes. Otherwise, the media wouldn’t be so coordinated."

Chen Qi’s face reflected realization—slightly surprised, but as he thought it over, he felt at ease.

Both Chen Qi’s studio and Future Films were newly established companies, and their very first project had garnered such widespread attention. It was only natural for others to feel envy or discomfort.

Given that, it wasn’t surprising someone might try to suppress them. After all, rivals are inevitable in this industry.

"So what should we do now? Should we lower the advertising price?" Xu Bunián asked.

If the price didn’t drop, there’d hardly be any advertisers. When the episodes aired without sponsors, it would be quite embarrassing.

No matter how compelling the second season’s plot, lack of sponsors would be a major blow.

"How many advertisers are willing to sponsor us now?" Chen Qi asked.

"Still just one."

"Are there any advertisers who are hesitating—those who want to sponsor but feel the price is a bit high and are still negotiating?"

"There are two. They said their maximum acceptable price is three hundred thousand."

Chen Qi was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Xu, see if you can arrange for them to visit the set the day after tomorrow. I’ll talk to them personally."

Xu Bunián thought it over and replied, "I’ll try. It shouldn’t be too difficult."

"Alright, let’s leave it at that." Chen Qi hung up.

After some thought, he posted another message online: the same thing he'd said before.

“‘Wanwan’ Season Two will be online within three days.”

After posting, he went back to work, leaving puzzled fans behind.

What did this reply mean?

The second season was definitely happening, but what about the sponsorship? Wasn’t he going to explain the advertising situation?

Some fans couldn’t resist asking under the post whether it was true that there were no sponsors. Others, less thoughtful, mocked him, but Chen Qi didn’t respond.

Most fans, however, said little, simply watching with keen interest.

...

Two days later, the countryside film set.

The crew, now a bit more refined than before, was busy with preparations.

Makeup, adjustments, props...

The equipment was slightly improved, the staff a bit larger, yet everything still looked rather makeshift.

Whether influenced by the online rumors or not, the atmosphere on set seemed somewhat heavy. Veterans from the previous season looked at Chen Qi with concern.

They had seen the negative comments online, and even witnessed some thoughtless fans, swayed by the media, venting their disdain and scorn under Chen Qi’s posts.

"Are the cameras ready? Good! Come on, let’s prepare!" Chen Qi was in high spirits, seemingly unaffected.

Filming soon began and quickly settled into rhythm.

Not far away, Xu Bunián, also overseeing the set, kept checking the time and glancing anxiously toward the entrance, clearly waiting for someone.

He appeared calm outwardly, but inside was quite anxious—unable to show it with so many people around.

He couldn’t imagine what solution Chen Qi might have for this moderate advertising crisis.

Lowering the price was out of the question. With his personality, Chen Qi would rather forgo sponsorship than compromise his own value.

But if he didn’t lower the price, then what?

At present, advertisers were indeed resistant to the five hundred thousand price tag. Even the two companies visiting today couldn’t accept it.

More importantly, Xu had already negotiated with every potential sponsor. He simply couldn’t see what Chen Qi could say to convince advertisers to accept a price far above their expectations.

He rubbed his brow, deeply troubled.