Chapter 78: The Netizens Were All Stunned!

After the opening commercials, the episode quickly moved into the main story. This installment was set in the world of Journey to the West.

Hmm... The imagination on display was astounding, and neither the dialogue nor the style of expression had changed; even the scenes and acting remained as exaggerated as ever, so much so that viewers couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, I'm not interested, it's just too ugly!"
"Do you believe I'll cut you down?"
"He keeps threatening to cut you down—does he have any culture at all?"
"Forget it, I still want to be a quiet and handsome man."

Listening to these hilarious and joyful lines, viewers couldn't stop laughing. The comment barrage at the top of the screen was so lively that many had to turn it off just to see the show.

It was impossible to watch otherwise—comments layered so thickly the screen was obscured.

The few minutes of plot passed quickly, leaving everyone wanting more. Knowing that the show would play some behind-the-scenes footage during the credits, those not yet satisfied stayed to watch.

A few seconds later, viewers were surprised to see Chen Qi appear in modern attire. Judging by the background, it seemed to be the filming location.

On screen, he was seen with his back to the camera, gesturing energetically as he spoke to Bai Xiaoke, seemingly engrossed in conversation.

"Director, director, we're from Wanwan Media. Can we interview you?"
An actor who had made a cameo in the first season suddenly barged into frame, holding an empty water bottle up to Chen Qi's mouth.

Chen Qi turned around, instantly putting on a fake, polite smile, pretending to be interviewed in earnest, nodding graciously.

Seeing this exaggerated performance, viewers couldn't help but laugh.

Could you be any more over-the-top?

During this brief interview, Chen Qi addressed some of the rumors circulating earlier. Of course, both the questions and answers were shameless and irreverent.

For example, when asked why there was suddenly a second season, Chen Qi replied with utmost seriousness that it was because the audience needed it; he had seen countless fans on Weibo begging him to make another season. As an artist with ambition, willing to devote and even sacrifice himself for his audience, he couldn't bear to refuse their requests.

Hearing such shameless replies, viewers were shocked!

An ambitious artist? One willing to sacrifice for the audience?

Come on, can you be any more brazen?

Clearly you made this for the advertising fees! Do you think we know nothing?

If only the audience were shameless, that would be one thing—but the actor playing the reporter responded to Chen Qi's answer with a look of reverence, "Wow, director, your spirit of putting the audience first really makes me admire you."

In that instant, the comment barrage exploded.

Some cursed Chen Qi's shamelessness, some wondered if the reporter was coerced, but most just laughed uncontrollably...

Despite the mockery, everyone watched with joy.

The only regret came when Chen Qi solemnly stated in the interview that there would definitely not be a third season, claiming he couldn't write such brilliant scripts anymore.

Though the topic was tinged with sadness, the barrage of absurd comments from viewers turned it into something amusing. At least eighty percent refused to believe him, many even chimed in with comments begging for a third season...

"But you also said you'd never work with such a poor production team again," the reporter pressed with another critical question.

"True, but they're not poor anymore," Chen Qi replied innocently.

"Pfft—"

Viewers burst out laughing.

It made perfect sense, somehow.

More hilarity ensued when Chen Qi earnestly told the reporter, "Haven't you noticed how much more refined the makeup and sets are this season?"

The reporter eagerly nodded, "Yes, yes, I noticed!"

The laughter grew louder.

More refined?
Where, exactly? Please enlighten us!

Then the reporter asked about advertisements.

Chen Qi denied, forcefully and unequivocally, both the rumors of unsold ads and ads being snatched up. "No such thing. These are all baseless stories dreamed up by shameless media. As a pure artist, an ambitious artist, I would never place ads in my show."

Hearing this, and seeing his shameless demeanor, viewers were once again stunned.

Seriously?

No ads?

What did we just see at the start then?

That is some next-level shamelessness!

"The opening ads are not my concern. Everyone knows this series is co-produced by two companies. Future Entertainment handles the opening ads, so that's not my responsibility," Chen Qi passed the buck without a second thought.

At that moment, the comment barrage exploded once more, with viewers urging Chen Qi to be kind...

Just as Chen Qi insisted he'd never do product placement, two young men in suits appeared on camera, each holding a cup of milk tea.

"Hello Director Chen, we're from Half-Cup Milk Tea," one of them said, looking at Chen Qi with flattery.

"What milk tea?" Chen Qi seemed not to hear.

Viewers: "..."

We really believed you!

"Half-Cup Milk Tea!" the young man repeated, raising his voice.

The camera obligingly zoomed in for a close-up of the milk tea in their hands.

Seeing this close-up, viewers laughed themselves silly.

Absolutely no product placement, huh?

"Oh, Half-Cup Milk Tea? What's up?"

"We'd like to place an ad in your show."

"Place an ad? Sorry, I don't allow ads in my show."

"The price is negotiable," the young man offered.

"It's not about money. Everyone knows I'm an ambitious artist, and I would never place ads in my show," Chen Qi declared, turning and walking away.

Watching him leave, viewers went absolutely wild with laughter.

No one was fooled; by this point, everyone recognized Chen Qi's unique approach to product placement.

Amusing as it was, viewers couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity—this method of integration was so seamless, it perfectly matched the show's title, "Never Expected."

Stunning!

Absolutely stunning!

Not only the audience, but the advertisers watching their own commercials were blown away.

They stared at the screen in disbelief, as if they'd seen a ghost.

On screen, the two young men, rejected by Chen Qi, gazed after him admiringly, sighing, "He refuses even ads brought straight to him—truly an artist with ambition!"

With that, one drank his milk tea.

As he did, the camera made sure to zoom in once more for a close-up of the milk tea.

And with that, the first episode ended.

The advertisers sank into collective shock.

Only now did they finally understand what their peers meant by "good creativity." Only now did they realize why, when they wanted to buy ads, Xu Bu Nian insisted on having creative control.

So this was it.

Chen Qi had specially crafted a plot for the ads, and its effect was every bit as impressive as the main story!

...

(Asking for recommendations~~~)