“It’s really being axed!”
“This show has been around for so many years.”
“There’s no choice. With Fang Qingying gone, can it still be Qingying Lecture?”
People were talking amongst themselves.
As for the members of the program crew, their expressions were bleak, and some even looked lost.
When a program has been produced for so many years, there will inevitably be emotional attachments. With the program axed, Qingying Lecture would no longer be seen on television, and their program crew would cease to exist.
That feeling was indeed quite unpleasant.
No one said anything about Director Liu’s decision.
Things turning out this way was already a predetermined outcome. Even if Director Liu wanted to keep the show, Director Yang wouldn't agree.
Chen Ran didn't have many such sentiments, but seeing everyone’s low spirits, he didn't say much.
When the meeting adjourned, he said to Lin Fan, “If you want to do a new program, now is a good opportunity. You could give it a try.”
Just because Lin Fan had failed to compete for the position of Head Planner didn't mean his abilities were poor.
I Love Remembering Lyrics didn't lack manpower; once the replacement program was open for discussion, he could try to compete for it.
“We’ll see when the time comes. There are several senior members from Qingying Lecture; I won't be able to compete with them.” Lin Fan shook his head.
He possessed a degree of self-awareness; in terms of experience, he was slightly better than Chen Ran, but compared to those veterans, he fell a bit short.
Chen Ran only made the suggestion; he couldn't control what Lin Fan thought.
……
After leaving the TV station, Chen Ran went to the Zhang residence.
Before hanging up the phone last night, Director Zhang had told Chen Ran to come to his house after work.
Before Chen Ran even reached the Zhang house, he saw Director Zhang sitting in a pavilion within the residential area, holding a cigarette butt with three fingers and taking a puff every now and then.
This sight reminded Chen Ran of his school days, when several classmates would smoke secretly just like this—when they encountered someone, they would curl their palms slightly so the cigarette in their hands couldn't be seen.
He broke into an involuntary smile; even though he had hidden all the way down here, Uncle Zhang was still being so cautious.
“Uncle, why are you here?” Chen Ran walked over.
Hearing the voice, Director Zhang subconsciously hid the cigarette in his hand. Only when he saw it was Chen Ran did he breathe a sigh of relief and bring the cigarette back out.
After all, Chen Ran had seen him smoke before; he would have one or two every day after lunch, so he wasn't afraid of Chen Ran informing on him.
“Why are you here so early?” Director Zhang asked.
“Director Liu had to go to the hospital to see Fang Qingying, so the meeting adjourned,” Chen Ran replied.
“What about the program? Is it going to be reworked?”
Director Zhang knew the Entertainment Channel quite well; he had worked there years ago, though Qingying Lecture didn't exist back then.
Chen Ran said, “It won't be reworked. Qingying Lecture will hold on for two more episodes, and then it will be replaced by a new program directly.”
“I remember that Fang Qingying was the one who wrote the scripts for this show. Now that she's in this condition, it would be difficult for the show to continue even if they tried. Besides, the ratings for the program itself have been dropping severely. The Entertainment Channel is responsible for its own profits and losses; ratings that are too poor simply won't do.” Director Zhang nodded.
He added with some emotion, “To think, such a good program and such a good person—how could she be so unable to see past things?”
Chen Ran didn't pick up that thread; he didn't share those sentiments.
Director Zhang looked at Chen Ran and asked:
“Now that I Love Remembering Lyrics has achieved great success and its model is on the right track, you won't be too busy normally. Have you thought about making another program?”
Chen Ran thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“Uncle Zhang, you saw the situation at the Entertainment Channel. With such a problem occurring, I Love Remembering Lyrics becomes even more important. Both Director Yang and Director Liu will value this program even more. It’s impossible for them to let me go and follow a new program.”
With the ratings for I Love Remembering Lyrics being so hot, the focus of the Entertainment Channel would be placed entirely on it, so they naturally wouldn't let Chen Ran get distracted.
“I was going to tell you to strive for more. At your age, with a start like this, you can't rest on your laurels. Making one more program means one more piece of experience for your credentials.” Director Zhang added,
“Furthermore, the station's annual gala awards the Best Planner prize. If you can make another program that breaks 10%, it might not be a sure thing, but it’s at least possible to get your hands on it.”
“Uncle, you think too highly of me. Being able to create I Love Remembering Lyrics was already a stroke of luck. A program that breaks 10%—how could it be that easy?” Chen Ran smiled.
"I don't trust others, but I certainly trust my son-in-law!" Director Zhang chuckled, throwing the cigarette butt into the trash can.
He took out a wet wipe from his pocket, wiped his fingers repeatedly, then pulled out two pieces of chewing gum and handed one to Chen Ran.
Chen Ran felt a bit awkward at Director Zhang's "son-in-law" remark. Seeing the gum handed to him and noticing it was watermelon-flavored, he waved it off and said:
"Uncle, I haven't been smoking, so I'd better not. You keep it and have it later."
Director Zhang glanced at him, took back the gum, stretched, and said, "Right, did you finish your business in Huahai?"
Chen Ran nodded. "It was just signing an authorization; it didn't take long."
"That's good," Director Zhang smiled.
"I really didn't expect you to know how to write songs. Last time, it caused me to get picked on by your Auntie Yun. Let's go, let's head up first."
Chen Ran gave a wry smile.
Regarding music, he truly didn't know much. If people talked, they talked; as long as he didn't respond, it was fine.
He really should find a chance to learn a bit, at least so he wouldn't seem so "blind."
As they walked, Director Zhang remarked with emotion, "You really are our family's lucky star."
Chen Ran quickly said, "Uncle, you're exaggerating too much."
"Not an exaggeration at all," Director Zhang added with a hint of pride
"I also have a discerning eye, finding such a good one for my daughter."
Chen Ran: "......"
……
Monday morning.
Emergency Meeting.
Normally at this time, Director Liu was quite happy, but today his expression was very grim.
He had visited Fang Qingying in the hospital yesterday and had been heavily mocked and ridiculed by her family.
Director Liu had nowhere to voice his grievances, so naturally, he was in a bad mood.
Even when mentioning that I Love Remembering Lyrics had broken records, he remained expressionless.
Qingying Lecture aired yesterday; it was Fang Qingying's last appearance on the show, and the ratings continued to fall.
No one was surprised; it had been several episodes in a row, and it would have been abnormal if they had suddenly risen.
"Aside from Qingying Lecture, overall ratings last week were on an upward trend..."
After summarizing the previous week, Director Liu said, "Fine. Regarding the Sunday program, if anyone has ideas, speak up."
The situation was urgent now. The next episode wouldn't feature Fang Qingying, and the ratings would become even more dismal—likely even worse than Boundless Joy. They needed to save time and couldn't afford to delay at all.
Everyone voiced their opinions, sharing their ideas. The directors and planners of Qingying Lecture were especially hardworking.
Others looked at them with strange expressions, considering that the show was still gasping for its last breath.
But on second thought, it wasn't surprising.
The program was about to vanish, so they naturally had to find a new way out. Many positions for the new program would be up for grabs, so they had to start making an effort.
Clearly, a single morning wasn't nearly enough to discuss a new program; they didn't even have a clue yet.
Director Liu was anxious but had no choice. He cast his gaze toward Chen Ran, but as soon as the thought arose, he suppressed it.
Compared to a new program, I Love Remembering Lyrics was far more important!