Rebirth 02, the Celestial Being Told Me to Stop Pretending

Wearing a black jacket and holding a cup of coffee, he looked like he had just come up from the convenience store downstairs.

"Oh, everyone's here." He glanced at the people present, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

The purchasing managers looked at each other in bewilderment. They had met many producers and directors, but this was the first time they had seen someone like Lu Chen come in person to discuss second-run broadcasting rights.

Lu Chen took a sip of coffee and put down the cup.

"Everyone, I know what you're thinking—not selling it exclusively and yet it's so expensive, has Lu Chen gone mad?"

No one responded.

"Let me do the math for you. If each of you contributes 500,000 per episode, that's 2 million for four companies. When you go back and broadcast it, even if the ratings are only half of the first run, at 1.9%, 1.9% ratings for 500,000 per episode, you know whether it's good value for money or not."

He paused.

"If you were to buy an exclusive rights deal, it would cost seven or eight hundred thousand, or even a million per episode. Wouldn't that be a lot of pressure? But now, with several companies sharing the rights, each contributing 500,000, we still got the show. You made a profit, and so did I. It's a win-win situation."

Old Liu from Zhejiang TV pondered for a moment: "Then how do we determine the priorities?"

"Whoever offers the highest price goes first. But the minimum is 500,000, not a penny less. You can discuss it yourselves."

Lu Chen stood up and patted his pants.

"You two take your time talking. First, I wish us a successful collaboration."

After saying that, he turned and left without even taking the coffee.

There was a few seconds of silence in the conference room.

Old Li from Anhui TV was the first to speak: "We'll contribute 250,000."

Xiao Zhou from Dongfang TV gritted his teeth: "Two hundred and seventy thousand."

"Three hundred thousand."

"Three hundred and twenty thousand."

Ultimately, Zhejiang Satellite TV paid 350,000 yuan, Dongfang Satellite TV paid 330,000 yuan, Anhui Satellite TV paid 300,000 yuan, and Jiangsu Satellite TV paid 280,000 yuan. The four stations combined paid 1.26 million yuan per episode, for a total of 50.4 million yuan for forty episodes.

"Fifty million... Brother Lu, guess what I was thinking when I signed the contract?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm wondering how much that reporter from 'Nanfang' gets paid for an article. I wonder if we could work him to death if we offered him this much money."

Lu Chen picked up the newspaper "Nanfang" from the table.

"Order one hundred copies of the 'Nanfang' (a traditional Chinese medicine text)."

Why would you order it?

"Let's order for ten years first."

"ten years?"

"From now on, the crew can provide boxed lunches, table leg supports, and even help with heating. Let's see if we can become his boss after spending money."

Wang Yan chuckled.

"Also," Lu Chen threw the newspaper into the trash can, "call the editorial department of 'Nanfang' and ask them if they want to interview me."

"Didn't you say you wouldn't respond?"

"Not responding is giving the dog face, but now I want to walk the dog."

The atmosphere in the office of "Nanfang" was subtle on the day the news broke.

The transaction amount of 50.4 million for second-run broadcasting rights broke the record for the second-run sales of domestic dramas.

Just three days ago, they criticized others for "surrendering to the market," but now four TV stations are vying to give them money.

Who is actually surrendering?

Late August, Hunan TV studio.

The stage lights for the Super Girl finale were as bright as day.

The stands were packed, with light boards and glow sticks everywhere, and the names "Chun Chun," "Bibi," and "Liang Ying" echoed in the darkness.

Lu Chen sat in the first row of the audience, next to Liu Yifei.

She was wearing a gray baseball cap with the brim pulled low.

Given her current popularity, there's no doubt that the scene will be incredibly exciting once she's discovered.

"Aren't you afraid of being recognized?" Lu Chen turned his head to the side.

"So what if I recognize you? I'm here to watch the game."

"Did you come to watch the game, or to see me?"

Liu Yifei didn't answer, but smiled and rolled her eyes at him, a beautiful curve appearing at the corners of her mouth.

She handed him a glow stick.

"Don't just sit there, show your support for Liangying."

Lu Chen took the glow stick and looked at Liu Yifei with affection.

Before the competition started, the area outside the studio was already packed with people.

"Can I borrow your phone? Just to send a text message! I'll pay you two dollars!"

"Me too! I'll vote for Li Yuchun! Please!"

"I'm voting for Zhou Bichang. Anyone want to borrow my phone? I'll buy them milk tea!"

Fans were using their phones everywhere.

At that time, a mobile phone number could only count a maximum of 15 valid text messages. In order to cast more votes, fans chased after strangers all over the venue to use their mobile phones.

When Liu Yifei saw this scene, her eyes widened, and her face was full of disbelief.

"Why...are they fighting like they're at war?"

"This is war," Lu Chen said.

"It's a war among fans. Whoever gets the most votes is the champion."

"And what about your Zhang Liangying? You spent so much money promoting her, do you think she can win?"

"What do you mean 'mine'? Well, I'm the boss of the artists signed to my company."

"Oh, I know, I know! Tell me quickly, can she win the championship?" Liu Yifei said, shaking Lu Chen's arm.

"It's risky. We don't have that much funding, and it's not necessary."

The competition consists of three rounds of performances, with voting available after each round.

After the first round, the host announced the real-time vote count.

Li Yuchun is in the lead, followed closely by Zhang Liangying, and Zhou Bichang is in third place.

Liu Yifei leaned closer and whispered, "Did your method work?"

"It hasn't started yet."

In the second round, Zhang Liangying sang an English song called "Loving You".

The dolphin's voice was like a knife, piercing the air in the entire studio.

Liu Yifei stood there, stunned, forgetting to wave the glow stick in her hand.

"She's... amazing."

"There is something there."

The second round has ended, and the vote count has been updated.

Zhang Liangying has overtaken Li Yuchun and is currently in first place.

Outside the studio, Li Yuchun's fans went crazy, frantically using their phones, while Zhou Bichang's fans were so anxious they cried.

"How could this happen? When did Liangying catch up with us?"

"She sang so well! Her dolphin-like high notes are amazing!"

"Quick, quick, does anyone still have a phone? Vote for Liang Ying again!"

The scene involving cell phones was even more chaotic than before.

Some people even pulled out their wallets: "I'll give you 100 yuan to send a text message!"

Lu Chen's phone vibrated.

A text message from Wang Yan: "Zhang Liangying gained 870,000 new votes this round, but Li Yuchun also has a large number of fans and someone behind her."

After reading it, Lu Chen put his phone back in his pocket.

Liu Yifei leaned closer: "Who posted this?"

"Wang Yan. He announced the vote count."

"Can we win?"

"It's hard to say."

The third round, the ultimate showdown.

Li Yuchun sang her hit song "My Heart Only Has You, Not Him," which helped stabilize her base.

Zhou Bichang sang "Relief".

Zhang Liangying sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" with great power and grandeur.

After the three songs were finished, the voting channel opened for a final five minutes.

The studio was empty.

Outside the studio and in front of the television, fans were using their phones everywhere to support their idols.

"Does anyone else have a cell phone? I'll vote for Li Yuchun! One yuan a phone!"

"Zhou Bichang! Who votes for Zhou Bichang? I'll treat you to hot pot!"

"Liang Ying! Liang Ying! Liang Ying!"

The five-minute countdown has ended.

The host walked onto the stage, holding the final vote count envelope in his hand.

The entire room fell silent.

"Third place in the 2004 Super Girl national finals..."

Liu Yifei gripped Lu Chen's arm tightly.

"Zhou Bichang! 3.2 million votes!"

Applause, crying, and screams mingled together.