Chapter 60 : Acting as a Mascot
Chapter 60 - Acting as a Mascot
The next day at work, Chen Ran spoke to Zhang Fanzhi over the phone.
They were originally chatting on WeChat, but because of work, they each responded after a delay. Zhang Fanzhi was not a patient person, so she simply called to speak directly.
They mainly discussed the situation with her company now that she had returned.
"How did the talk with the company go?" Chen Ran asked the question he was concerned about.
Actually, he had wanted to call and ask yesterday, but thinking she might be busy, he didn't; he only sent a casual WeChat message.
"Sister Lin handled the negotiation; it was settled yesterday."
"What's the word?"
"Just as you thought initially," Zhang Fanzhi said.
"The company is responsible for distribution, but essentially not for promotion."
"Since it's like this, why didn't they refuse to help you release the song?" Chen Ran asked curiously.
Zhang Fanzhi said, "When I signed the contract before, Sister Lin had the foresight to be cautious; not releasing my songs would count as a breach of contract."
"It seems Sister Lin is quite good to you," Chen Ran remarked.
He had seen plenty of news about managers being ruthless exploiters. Compared to that, Tao Lin was much better.
Chen Ran asked again, "Roughly when will the song be released?"
Zhang Fanzhi said, "Waiting for Lin Hanyun."
"Huh?" Chen Ran was surprised.
"You really want to go head-to-head with her?! She has the company's promotion behind her!"
This was very unwise.
One had to know that Zhang Fanzhi’s popularity was not small, and the fans were aware of the grudge between her and Lin Hanyun.
The opponent had the company's help with promotion, while Zhang Fanzhi did not; if she lost, the blow to her fans would not be small.
Zhang Fanzhi paused before saying, "I decided it, and Sister Lin agreed."
In that tone, Chen Ran seemed to see the way she slightly pursed her lips.
Zhang Fanzhi added, "Sister Lin has quite a few resources; I'm not completely without promotion."
Chen Ran didn't understand these industry specifics; in any case, the song had been given to Zhang Fanzhi, and how to specifically handle it was her business.
The two didn't chat for long. Zhang Fanzhi had to discuss the song with the producer, and Chen Ran was also busy, so they hung up the phone.
……
It was Friday again.
The second episode of I Love Remembering Lyrics aired.
The program was still very popular.
Although the program flow was similar, the segments had slight modifications—very small, not too abrupt, yet giving the audience enough of a sense of freshness.
For the audience, the program was very interesting to watch; the tight rhythm made it impossible to stop. Even during commercial breaks, people were unwilling to change the channel.
Because the program had great "stickiness" and high viewer retention, the opening ratings reached over 10%, close to the premiere ratings of the previous episode.
Afterward, it similarly continued to rise, and the average ratings directly broke 13%, stopping at 13.19%.
This large-scale growth in ratings made everyone in the program crew appear very excited. Director Wu Jin generously treated everyone to a day's worth of drinks.
Director Liu Xianlong’s face was slightly flushed with joy. Looking at the ratings curve, the program still had potential and had not yet hit its ceiling.
The station's record couldn't be touched because Zhaonan Focus was in the way, but every subsequent episode broadcast would refresh the Entertainment Channel’s own record.
Further seizing the audience share meant money for their Entertainment Channel. For a channel responsible for its own profits and losses, ratings were the lifeblood.
Director Liu's good mood only lasted for two days.
During the meeting on Monday, his expression was not very good because the ratings for Qingying Lecture had dropped again.
If this continued, it might become another Boundless Joy.
"I really don't understand how a veteran program could slide to this extent. With problems occurring for several consecutive episodes, don't you have even a bit of internal reflection?" Director Liu said with a dark face.
Being singled out for criticism, and not for the first time, the director of Qingying Lecture saw his face turn from dark to red as he gave a bitter smile.
“Director, it’s our problem. Fang Qingying hasn't been in a good state lately. Sometimes she goes off-script. I thought the effect was decent, so I kept it...”
Speaking of which, he also felt some regret. He had thought that creating a bit of controversy could improve the ratings, so he hadn’t cut those segments of Fang Qingying’s and kept them instead.
Now, Fang Qingying had been "letting herself go" for several consecutive episodes, and their program had veered so far off course that even a team of horses couldn't pull it back.
In short, it had collapsed!
Facing this situation, the director could only work hard to make amends.
“I don't care whose problem it is or what method you use; you must pull the program back!” Director Liu didn't want to hear reasons.
How they adjusted was an internal matter for the program crew; he only wanted to see results.
The director could only commit to working hard with a bitter expression.
Afterward, Director Wu said with a sigh, “We must take this as a warning. The program must follow the framework of the plan; we absolutely cannot get carried away.”
“Our program segments are mature; there won't be that many problems,” Chen Ran smiled.
Qingying Lecture was different in nature from their program. That kind of show relied entirely on the host; if the host went astray, the program would surely follow.
The only thing I Love Remembering Lyrics needed to be concerned about was: what to do if the audience gets bored?
This was something Chen Ran and several other planners had been carefully considering.
They prepared for danger in times of peace. It had only just started broadcasting, and it might take a long time for people to get bored of the show, but they had to prepare in advance.
…
Chen Ran got paid.
His salary was over 30,000 yuan. The bulk of it was the bonus. Chen Ran was quite satisfied; after all, he had only been at the TV station for a few months.
Furthermore, the larger sum of money would have to wait until the profit-sharing for I Love Remembering Lyrics came through. The first quarter was estimated to be after March. Based on current earnings, the amount would definitely be substantial.
After receiving his salary, Chen Ran first transferred half to his parents. Of the remainder, he transferred 2,000 yuan to Chen Yao.
Chen Yao didn't accept it on her end, only sending back a question mark.
“Got paid,” Chen Ran replied.
This time, Chen Yao replied: “Brother, you've just started working. Keep the money for yourself. I've found a part-time job now, so I have money for living expenses and pocket money.”
Chen Ran was slightly surprised. His younger sister was actually doing part-time work in university?
He originally wanted to say something, but on second thought, part-time work in university was a good thing. It allowed her to adapt to society in advance so she wouldn't seem too green when she graduated.
“Accept it this time. I won't send more next month,” Chen Ran said, then asked,
“What kind of part-time job did you find?”
Chen Yao likely struggled with the decision for a long while before finally accepting the money. After waiting for half a day, she finally replied:
“I'm at a leisure lounge, acting as a mascot to attract customers.”
Chen Ran thought about it and figured she probably had to wear a mascot suit. Given Chen Yao's thin-skinned personality, it was likely true.
He didn't chat with his sister for long before his parents, having likely received the money, called him.
They were wondering why Chen Ran had suddenly transferred so much money back and if he had kept enough for himself.
It wasn't until Chen Ran sent a screenshot to the two elders to prove he had indeed only transferred half that they were satisfied.
His father, Chen Junhai, was a bit puzzled. The money Chen Ran transferred last month hadn't been this much...
Chen Ran knew his father's confusion and explained:
“Last month, I spent the first half of my time in the Public Channel. Later, when I moved to the Entertainment Channel, I was busy preparing the program, so I only had a base salary. This month, because the program is broadcasting, there's a bonus, so it's a bit more.”
After he explained it this way, both Chen Junhai and Song Hui were much more at ease.
Moreover, Chen Ran's work was going well, which made them quite happy.
Song Hui said to her son, “Take care of yourself over there. Come home when you have time. Your father misses you quite a bit.”
Chen Ran laughed.
“I'll be busy for a while. Once I'm through this busy period, I'll have time, and I'll come back then.”