Chapter 143: The Vinegar King Breaks Up Couples

Chapter 143: The Vinegar King Breaks Up Couples

Join Little Blue Ocean Mask every Saturday and Sunday at 10 PM for the Si Cuichuan series! With Little Blue by your side, you'll never have dark circles from staying up late.

Five minutes before the second episode of Si Cuichuan began, at 9:50 PM, Xiangnan TV's ratings started soaring significantly.

At 9:50 PM, the turnover rate unexpectedly increased, defying the typical pattern of TV usage.

The normal peak viewing time is usually between 7:30 to 8:30 PM, with the peak turn-off time between 9:30 to 10:30 PM.

Due to Si Cuichuan, there was a secondary peak in viewership at 9:50 PM today.

This indicated that many people chose to switch to Xiangnan TV at that time or turned on their TVs specifically to watch the series.

When the first episode started with its opening theme, the rating was only 0.7. However, by the time the second episode's theme rolled, the rating had jumped to 1.6!

Those monitoring the ratings could already sense that Si Cuichuan was set to spark a viewing frenzy this year. Despite the interruption of over ten days, the ratings surged, demonstrating a high viewer retention rate and a large number of dedicated fans tuning in solely for the show.

Series that saw a decline in ratings after interruptions usually signify that the audience's loyalty was not strong enough – they watched if it was on but didn't mind if it wasn't. Si Cuichuan, on the other hand, evidently captured the viewers' interest, making them eagerly anticipate each episode.

Series 2 of "Si Cuichuan" concluded with a rating of 2.6, peaking during the preview phase with an average of 2.17.

"Soccer Teens" averaged 1.99 today, while "Fly, Tennis!" achieved its highest single-channel rating of 1.53 and a combined 2.5 across two channels. Only "Fly, Tennis!" managed to maintain its top position by leveraging its dual-channel advantage. Judging by single-platform ratings, "Si Cuichuan" Season 2 pulled off a stunning reversal, becoming the top-rated show of its time slot!

On Zhi Le Forum, "Si Cuichuan" still dominated most of the discussion.

Topic: Don't be impressed just because "Si Cuichuan" Season 2 became number one; that's not all there is to it!

"The real marvel is the peak rating occurring during the preview! What does this signify? It shows that the viewership hasn't plateaued yet! It's still in the growth spurt stage, attracting more viewers who switch channels and decide to stay! When the peak rating shifts from 11 pm, the time when most people turn off their TVs, to 10:30 pm, that's when "Si Cuichuan" will have truly stabilized its ratings!

And as for stability, I'm not seeing it yet!

When a great series airs on a weekly basis, the storm it creates is enormous! With a full week for the second episode to build momentum, each episode could potentially climb to new heights in ratings!"

"That's not remarkable enough? No drama last year had such explosive popularity!"

"I see what the OP meant now, my admiration knows no bounds!"

"Lay our comrade to rest, cover the OP with a white cloth."

"Attention, Si Cui fans! The OP is on our side, put away your metaphorical knives!"

"Tang Fei has wiped the floor with me again. I'm intimidated, I'll quietly support Si Cui and bet on Tang Fei for all her future dramas."

"The real horror isn't this; it's the non-television viewers who stay up from 12 to 2 AM just for the online broadcasts! A billion views per episode in just two hours."

"The opening and closing themes of Si Cuichuan have been shortened by Xiangnan TV, and they've inserted seventeen extra ads in between!"

"Xiangnan TV has also trimmed the main episodes, stretching them into sixteen parts. The preview on Da Ge Zi Video confirms it's sixteen episodes long."

With "Si Cuichuan" achieving immense popularity, it excelled in every aspect! Its online views were far ahead of the runner-up by a factor of one, and discussions about it flooded the entire web, with ten out of the top thirty trending topics on the day of its release being related to the series. The third episode alone averaged a 2.56 rating, securing the top spot among all concurrent television programs.

In the outskirts of Beijing, at the Happiness Hotel set.

Tang Fei was still busy shooting night scenes. At Wang Hongying's call of "action," she instantly immersed herself in the character of Xu Wan. Her vision was then overwhelmed by a screen of flowers and applause.

"Congratulations, Empress, for completing the mission of Exclusively Winning the Emperor's Favor."

"You have obtained the Four-Star Card, Misty Boots, and a Silver Star Bracelet."

The system before her was now putting on an extravagant show, filled with fireworks and blossoms, creating a lively spectacle.

But Tang Fei gradually became composed in the face of the task. She had discovered the joy of learning to act and her enthusiasm for the quest items dwindled.

Despite the dazzling display before her, Tang Fei immersed herself effortlessly into Xu Wan's character, delivering her lines flawlessly in Xu Wan's tone.

The system danced and celebrated alone for a while until it eventually quieted down, its flowers and applause echoing a sense of loneliness.

System: "I feel unnecessary now."

The Matchmaker's red thread, hanging low, subtly swayed on its own.

So, you too have come to this point, both of us now fellow sufferers in this world.

...

The progress of "Happiness Hotel" steadily climbed, and just as it was nearing completion, the eleventh episode of "Si Cui's Story" aired with a rating of 2.9, averaging at 2.49. It lingered just below the 3.0 milestone for two weeks, reaching a plateau in viewership.

Zhu Xiao and Zhong Xue shot to fame, making names for themselves in both the public eye and among fans.

There were also those who felt regret for the drama, and that person was Zhu Xiao's agent, Liu Ruhong.

The marketing of the Cuifeng CP had always been rejected by Zhou Weichuan. Zhu Xiao's fame had risen, and the Cuifeng CP fans were numerous and vocal, but Time Culture stubbornly refused to capitalize on the buzz.

Liu Ruhong eventually gave up, assuming that Time Culture had deliberately crafted Tang Fei's character as an aloof and distant figure.

But when you reject, you reject. Why does Time Culture undermine us when we promote the Cui Feng CP separately?

"Are you even human?!"

We're promoting you for free, and you keep pouring cold water on us! I could overlook it once, but every time indicates intention!

Such a company is doomed! Tang Fei's fame won't last long!

There are countless examples.

Like when Zhu Xiao posted on Weibo, "The taste of the squid skewers I had with Si Cui during filming remains unchanged. I'm back at the Jiangzhou shooting base."

Time Culture's Weibo would interact within a minute – that's how prompt and efficient they are!

Reverse interaction!

Time Culture: Si Cuichuan Production Team's Squid Skewers Gathering.jpg

There were countless such instances, and Liu Ruhong was virtually shedding tears of grievance!

Zhu Xiao: "The encounter between Duan Feng and Si Cui is like two cold hearts discovering warmth in each other."

Time Culture: Duan Feng and Si Cui's First Meeting - The Sword at the Neck Scene.jpg

Not only did they post images, but also a 9-grid collage, showcasing the blood on Si Cui's neck, Tang Fei's promotional shot with a band-aid on hers, and inadvertently dousing any off-screen chemistry between Zhu Xiao and Tang Fei with cold water.

Look at this too!

Zhu Xiao: "Unwavering in my original intentions, I journey with Si Cui across the lands, Duan Feng, rugged and bearded amidst nature.jpg"

Time Culture: Duan Feng expressing his love to Princess Xiang Yingying.jpg

I can tolerate you posting about Si Cui and Tang Fei!

You're even targeting Duan Feng! Has Time Culture's reach become too excessive?

Is it necessary to avoid it so desperately? My Zhu Xiao is such an excellent young man! Do you have to relentlessly debunk the CP shipping?

The sound of slaps resonates so loudly, it hurts, painful enough for Zhu Xiao to consider retreating into isolation. Yet, Liu Ruhong insists on him posting such content, willing to endure the backlash just to appease the CP fans.

Zhu Xiao oscillates daily between self-doubt, self-confidence, and arrogance, causing him mental distress.

Zhu Xiao: The CP Sweet Factory

Time Culture: The Expert CP Dissembler

In the general manager's office of Time Culture, Zhou Weichuan gazed gravely at the online public opinion report presented by Zheng Haisheng. At the margin of the report, he scribbled his remarks: Zhu Xiao and Tang Fei shall not appear on the same show or collaborate in any projects; there should be a clear distance [between them].

Can't they read the signs? They still dare to repeatedly manipulate fans into shipping them as a real-life couple, weaving vague hints.

They did highlight Zhu Xiao's impressive acting skills and handsome appearance, preserving many of his shining moments in the editing. Are they marketing his acting, but failing at marketing himself?

Creating a real-life couple buzz with Tang Fei is absurd!

Zhou Weichuan's face was as dark as storm clouds, with flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder within.

Upon receiving Zheng Haisheng's critique, the latter promptly left, muttering to himself outside the office, "Isn't he foolish? He can't tell that our boss is jealous and still dares to provoke him further?"

The next day, Zhou Weichuan visited the set of the Happiness Hotel production.

In Tang Fei's makeup room, the stylist was touching up her appearance.

Zhou Weichuan circled around, inquiring about the shooting progress, her physical condition, how her parents were adapting after returning home, and if Guan Mo or Xing Le had been causing any trouble.

After Tang Fei answered each question, he finally clenched his fists and asked the crucial one, "Do you really like squid that much?"

Tang Fei replied, "I prefer bluefin tuna."

A hint of a smile appeared on Zhou Weichuan's lips. "Then, what's your favorite seafood barbecue?"

Tang Fei pretended to reminisce as she listed off items, "Sea urchins, large shrimp, clams, sea cucumbers..."

Zhou Weichuan exhaled, feeling reassured. "No squid at all?"

Tang Fei frowned. Something was off about her boss today; why was he fixated on squids?

"I wouldn't rank it in my top ten favorite seafood."

Not noticing Zhou Weichuan's pleased expression, Tang Fei asked earnestly, "Boss, did you come to the set with some seafood as a treat for me? It's okay, I'll eat squid too. I'm not picky."

Zhou Weichuan felt slightly awkward. "Just a casual question, nothing prepared."

"..." Tang Fei rubbed her belly, a bit miffed as she swallowed. "Then why did you make me count so much? Now I'm hungry!"

Zhou Weichuan changed the subject with a cough. "I came here to discuss two decisions that need your input.

First, a variety show has extended an invitation to you.

Don't rush to decline. I know you prefer acting, but this is a show I think we should consider. Through my insider information, I've learned that there might be casting opportunities for a TV project behind the scenes. I believe that project would align well with your current career trajectory.

Second, there's a major production, a fantasy drama called 'Six Realms, Five Elements Divine Melody of Immortals.' They're offering the lead female role with a substantial fee, two million per episode.

There's a scheduling conflict between these two projects, so you can only choose one. I'd like to hear your thoughts."