Chapter 70: Why Don’t You Just Rob Someone?

After hanging up the phone, Chen Qi quickly opened the system and began preparing the script for the second season.

With fifteen million in advertising fees on the table, he felt invigorated, as if every fiber of his being brimming with power!

He planned to select fifteen episodes from the later seasons of “Unbelievable” to remake.

The first season had brought audiences such a tremendous surprise; the second season must not fall short in excitement. He would not allow himself to suffer the thankless fate of exerting immense effort, only to gain little in return.

He was absolutely confident he could make this season a success!

If nothing else, Professor’s unique advertising technique alone was enough to amaze the world once more.

Since the main show could be so unexpected, surely the advertisements could be too. He had every reason to believe that this shameless form of product placement would win over viewers’ hearts.

...

At the same time, Xu Buyear released the news that they were preparing to produce the second season of “Unbelievable.”

Advertisers who had been longing for another chance with “Unbelievable” lit up upon receiving the news, eagerly reaching out to Xu Buyear.

They all knew the show was now the focus of countless online followers and worried that moving too slowly would mean missing the newly opened express.

No matter how high the quality of a series, its advertising slots were limited. While it was possible to outbid others, what if the deals had already been struck?

After confirming the news by phone, they heard the advertising fee for the second season straight from Xu Buyear’s lips.

At the moment he stated the figure, the advertisers were stunned.

Half a million?

Half a million?!

Are you kidding us?

This low-cost, ragtag production dared to demand five hundred thousand per advertisement? Per episode, no less? Even the opening and closing were counted separately?

That alone was outrageous, but even more so, after paying, they wouldn’t be allowed to dictate the way their ads appeared? The method of placement was up to them?

Were they really treating us like fools to be fleeced?

Sure, we have money, but we’re not idiots. We see commercial value in your show, but we’re not stupid enough to let you lead us around by the nose!

Who do you think you are? An internationally renowned director?

Madness!

...

Truly insane!

Success had clearly gone to their heads.

Upon hearing Xu Buyear’s demands, the advertisers’ initial reaction was disbelief.

The price of five hundred thousand per episode was nearly enough for them to sponsor a full-fledged prime-time drama!

Yes, your series gets plenty of clicks, but is it comparable to those that air on television?

Most advertisers felt ten or twenty thousand was the reasonable price for this show. Anything above that would require serious reconsideration.

But now, with the quoted price at five hundred thousand, it was way beyond their budgets.

Forget it, let whoever wants it have it.

A chorus of advertisers began backing out!

Very soon, Xu Buyear received feedback from many advertisers saying they would have to think it over. “Think it over” was polite; many more responded indignantly, flatly refusing, saying the fee was too high. A few, more hot-tempered, even retorted, “Why not just rob us?”

For advertisers, who were always respectfully called “sponsors,” they had every right to show some attitude.

Listening to their feedback, Xu Buyear felt anxious.

He too sensed that five hundred thousand was a bit steep. But out of trust in Chen Qi, he did not budge. Having weathered many storms, he didn’t let them hear a hint of awkwardness in his voice.

He maintained a calm, easy-going demeanor, saying things like, “No problem, perhaps we’ll have a chance to work together in the future,” giving the impression that selling advertisements was no trouble at all.

And so, Future Films’ first external business deal came to a standstill.

...

Toward evening, having finished the scripts for the first few episodes, Chen Qi prepared to call Zhao Qingqing to discuss the second season of “Unbelievable.”

Just then, his phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number.

“Hello?” He pressed the answer key.

“Mr. Chen, it’s me, Hong Youcheng from UYou Video!” came Hong Youcheng’s voice over the phone.

“Oh…” Chen Qi was momentarily surprised, then couldn’t help but laugh.

He instantly guessed the purpose behind the call; it must be said, Hong was quite well-informed.

“Is there something I can help you with, Manager Hong?” he asked knowingly.

...

“There is, there is. Are you free this evening? Shall we have dinner together?” Hong Youcheng was polite.

Chen Qi declined directly: “Let’s skip dinner. I’ve been pretty busy lately.”

“Oh…” Hong sounded disappointed, then cut straight to the point: “Mr. Chen, I heard you’re preparing the second season of ‘Unbelievable’?”

Chen Qi didn’t hide it: “Yes, it’s already in the works.”

“Mr. Chen, let’s work together.” Hong Youcheng was bold, stating, “Rest assured, if you collaborate with us, we’ll give you a price that’s sure to satisfy, no less than what Simple Video offered!”

Chen Qi laughed lightly and replied, “Sorry, Manager Hong, I’ve already reached a cooperation agreement with Simple Video.”

Hearing this, Hong Youcheng grew anxious and quickly said, “Mr. Chen, we—”

Chen Qi didn’t let him finish, interrupting, “Manager Hong, perhaps we’ll have another chance to work together. I’m a bit busy now. Goodbye.”

With that, he hung up.

“Hey! Hey—” The voice on the other end was cut off, and only the busy tone remained.

“Sigh…” After a few seconds of silence, Hong Youcheng let out a long breath, throwing his phone onto the desk and rubbing his brow in frustration.

The surging popularity of “Unbelievable” had left him dumbfounded.

Such intense attention made him regret it deeply.

He truly hadn’t expected it to be so well received, nor had he imagined Simple Video would buy it at such a high price of fifty thousand per episode.

After laboriously uncovering the unit price yesterday, he nearly began to doubt his professional instincts.

Was it a lack of expertise, or a failure of vision? His offer had been far lower than Simple Video’s—not to mention, he hadn’t even recognized the value of the series!

Now, “Unbelievable” had become another flagship work for Simple Video, drawing in nearly ten million views!

Precisely because of this, when he heard Chen Qi was preparing to shoot the second season, he immediately called, hoping UYou Video’s resources would let him snatch it away. But in the end—

Chen Qi didn’t even let him quote a price before hanging up.

What now?

Hong Youcheng was uneasy.

If the second season fell short of the first, then so be it. But if its quality matched the original, what then?