The Heiress's Game

"Countdown to Love" has become an unavoidable topic at private gatherings among industry insiders.

After a TV screening, several familiar colleagues chatted in the smoking area.

One is Lao Zhou, a producer at Hunan TV, and the other is A Liang, the operations director of a video platform.

The two were old acquaintances, so they didn't need to hide anything from each other.

"The dating reality show 'Star Glory' has really taught its peers a lesson."

Old Zhou flicked his cigarette ash, his tone tinged with emotion.

"The model of pairing celebrities with ordinary people has been thought of before, but everyone felt it was too difficult to implement. Celebrities were afraid of losing fans, ordinary people were afraid of stage fright, and screenwriters were afraid of not being able to create anything interesting."

As it turned out, Gu Yunjin actually made it happen. Look at that data curve, it's been soaring all the way up, and their CP topic is practically trending on social media every single day.

In all my years of producing variety shows, I've never seen a dating show break this viewership mark by its fourth episode.

"It's not just the data that's good; the level of discussion on the topics we've monitored in our backend is higher than all other dating reality shows combined during the same period."

Moreover, the audience profile is exceptionally healthy, with an alarmingly high proportion of the core consumer group.

Ah Liang stubbed out his cigarette and leaned against the railing, counting on his fingers.

"The content is engaging; the genuine reactions between celebrities and ordinary people create more chemistry than an all-star lineup."

"Brands are going crazy right now. Our business team's phones are ringing off the hook. They all want to sponsor the second season."

Previously, the production team had to beg brands to invest; now, brands are lining up for slots.

Xingyao is sticking to their guns, saying they want to protect the show's tone and won't accept just any brand. The more they insist, the more fiercely brands are vying for their services.

Old Zhou threw the cigarette butt into the ashtray, leaned on the railing with both hands, and sighed.

"The second season is already in preparation. The guest list is still confidential, but there are already reports that several top-tier celebrity agents are actively contacting Xingyao."

It wasn't the production team that invited them; the celebrities wanted to come on their own.

This is only the first season, and they've already started reverse-selecting guests.

To be honest, in all my years in the industry, I've only seen this kind of momentum once before, when "Walking with Brilliance" first came out.

"Do you know what's even more enviable?" Ah Liang turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked at the brightly lit broadcasting building in the distance.

"Gu Yunjin also produced 'Walking with Brilliance.' She has two hit variety shows in her hands, one a reality show and the other a dating show, leading the pack in both tracks."

In a few years, half of this industry will probably be under her name.

Old Zhou was silent for a moment, then lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"I heard that several sponsorship slots for the second season have already been reserved."

Several major brands are also bidding, with prices more than doubling. Once the first quarter's closing figures are released, we expect another round of frenzied buying.

Alright, stop being so envious and get back to work. You can't do what you're envious of; focus on improving your own show.

Gu Yunjin was also reading the audience feedback for "Heartbeat Countdown". The bullet comments and comment section were as lively as during the New Year. She scrolled down one by one.

"My goodness! This celebrity-ordinary-person pairing is so real! Countdown to Love!!"

"Screenwriter, come out here! Did you read my diary? I wrote this scene of two people getting soaked together under one umbrella in the pouring rain in my dream ten years ago!"

"I've watched it three times. Every episode's ending leaves me with a lingering feeling. Editor, you know how to keep people up at night."

Can you update daily? Yes, please! Can't I just pay for a membership?

"Other shows are still playing Truth or Dare, but this show is already playing 'I like you but I can't say it because you're an ordinary person and I'm a celebrity.' This sense of immorality and inner conflict is so addictive."

"I'm begging for the uncut version of the episode featuring the celebrity male guest and the non-celebrity female guest! I'm willing to pay! I'm willing to crowdfund! I'm willing to betray my best friend for an extra hour of content!"

In the evening, Bai Junze's car was parked downstairs at the company.

He was wearing a long, dark gray coat and was leaning against the car door waiting for her.

Gu Yunjin stepped out of the elevator and saw him immediately.

"Are you in a good mood today?" Bai Junze opened the passenger door for her, placing his hand naturally on the top of the door frame to prevent her from bumping her head.

"Yes. The show's ratings are very good, and the online discussion has exceeded expectations."

Gu Yunjin got into the car. "The balance between the realism and fantasy in this romance show is just right."

Bai Junze waited until she finished speaking before speaking.

"So the idea of ​​having the screenwriting team extract plot points from hundreds of novels has now proven to be correct."

"It seems that audiences really like this. After all, art originates from life, but it also transcends it."

Dinner was booked at a newly opened private restaurant in Yunjing, hidden deep in a hutong, which only caters to regular customers.

During the meeting, Gu Yunjin talked to Bai Junze about the next stage of the plan - the guest list for the second season of the dating reality show is already being selected, and the business team reported that the brands are very enthusiastic about product placement, and GG's revenue is expected to rise again next quarter.

When she said these things, her eyes shone as if a shattered Milky Way were reflected in them, even more dazzling than the brightest stars in the night sky of Yunjing.

The latest episode of "Walking with Brilliance" aired, and Weibo's trending topics exploded again that night.

But this time, what topped the list wasn't another memorable quote from Chen Cui, nor a famous conflict scene between any guest, but a set of jewelry.

When Chen Cui appeared on screen wearing that purple satin dress, with her flying ribbon earrings swaying from her earlobes, the gold patterns on the ribbons and the luster of the pearls complemented each other under the lights, and the comments section went wild instantly.

"Wait, wait, wait—what brand are those earrings Chen Cui is wearing?! They're so beautiful!"

"I saw it too! Her sister's bracelet is the same style, right? The one with the ribbons! Did this family wear Dunhuang murals on their bodies tonight?"

"Help! My wallet opened by itself! Is there a link? Is there a link? Is there a link? I'm saying it three times!"

"Star Shine, are you guys doing this on purpose?! I've already started searching for the same items while the show is still airing!"

When the purchase link for "Chen Cui's Style Flying Apsaras Series Starry Jewelry Line First Launch" popped up on the screen, viewers almost reflexively flooded into the Starry Jewelry official store.

Then, a scene that made countless people beat their chests in frustration appeared—clicking on the links revealed that all of them were "sold out".

From Chen Cui's earrings to her sister's bracelet, and then to the brooch on Chen's mother's chest, the entire Flying Apsaras series was all red, not a single one was left.

"I was only a few minutes late! A few minutes! I only hesitated for a second about whether to buy a bracelet at the same time, and when I came back, they were all gone!"

"What kind of hand speed do you guys have? How many years of being single did you develop this skill? I camped out at the spot and still couldn't get a single one!"

"Looking to buy the same earrings worn by Chen Cui at a high price. Anyone willing to resell them? I'm willing to pay a premium!"

"Add one more point, I'm crying. I had my eye on this design after seeing the show preview, but I still couldn't beat you guys with your lightning-fast hands."

The comments section was filled with lamentations; those who managed to snag a deal were showing off their purchases, while those who missed out were weeping bitterly.

The posts were flooding the official Weibo account faster than the Spring Festival Gala's吐槽 (tu cao, meaning to criticize or ridicule someone), with one "urging delivery" emoji after another being bombarded with comments.

The official Weibo account's editor was probably also taken aback by the situation, and posted several announcements saying "We are urgently adding more orders, please wait." The comment section was still full of "When will it be available?" and "Please, I want to give it to my best friend as a birthday present."