Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

Oh, it doesn't really matter.

After some discussion, Xiao Shujun probably concluded that he was doomed to flop and stopped talking about the screenplay. She just mentioned introducing a few people to him and asked about his specific needs in detail.

"This plan of yours... cheap yet effective, isn't it a bit too wild?" she said, her face expressing disbelief.

"Sister Jun, you know me, I invest in low-budget projects," Xu Qingyan replied apologetically. Having said so much already, there was no need for embarrassment.

"If all else fails, just point me in the right direction, and I'll find them myself."

"Do you really see me as such a stingy person?" Xiao Shujun gave him a discontented look but couldn't help laughing soon after. This guy truly was a character.

He didn't ask what shouldn't be asked, acting as if he was oblivious.

Neither his actions nor his speech were those of a greenhorn; he exuded a sense of propriety and measure in everything he did. Somewhat worldly-wise, he didn't put on airs when asking for favors, which made him come across as sincere.

He had a raw, honest vibe that made his personal charisma palpable.

"I wouldn't dare, Sister Jun. Your generosity is boundless," he said.

With a snort of laughter, Xiao Shujun was amused and told him there was no need for such flattery.

"It's not about boundless generosity, but one must know how to repay kindness," she said.

After chatting for a while, she said she needed to go back and think things over and would tell Xu Qingyan once she had news. Anyway, she was busy this month, and he wouldn't be able to spare the time to deal with the film company either.

"That's true," he nodded.

"Have you completed all the paperwork and certificates?" Xiao Shujun asked.

"Almost," Xu Qingyan replied. He wouldn't bother others with things he could handle himself.

It wasn't exactly about repaying a favor... it was more like expressing gratitude, and it was all done in a very comfortable atmosphere. Xu Qingyan had got what he wanted, and that could be described as everyone being happy with the outcome.

Although she spoke of gratitude, the conversation had been led by Xu Qingyan for the most part. After the meal, Xiao Shujun felt a subtle sense of respect and accomplishment.

After dinner, he returned to his temporary accommodation alone.

After washing up, Xu Qingyan habitually sat down at the computer to work. Thinking about the topics they had discussed over dinner, he found himself drifting into thought.

The three heavyweights of the sub-venue, Ji, Lu, and He, were indeed formidable. If Xu Qingyan were to follow the official route, he would likely need to forge good relations with the three of them.

Due to a variety of reasons, Xu Qingyan was clearly unsuited for working within the system. As the main creative force, getting the three heavyweights to have a favorable opinion of him was simple enough; he just needed to do his job well.

As for the screenplay, he needed to make some adjustments, or more accurately, to streamline it.

Times had changed, and with long scripts, audiences often lacked the patience to watch. In the past, TV shows could run long and be broadcast over an extended period, but not anymore.

"The Legend of Martial Arts" began with the first episode crisis of Guo Furong's appearance, showcasing the characteristics of each cast member in turn.

For example, Guo Furong on the rooftop, the maid Xiao Qing playing "The Male and Female Thief," who accidentally made a noise while on the roof, frightening the people below in Tongfu Inn.

In the process of their verbal sparring, a single line each revealed their identities and traits.

The Talkative said, "A cat scared you like this, how will you run the inn and keep watch at night?"

Bai Zhantang responded, "You're just the cook, what does it have to do with you?"

The Scholar commented, "That would be incorrect, the master once said..."

Everyone exclaimed, "Go! Go do the accounts!"

The first act already contained a lot. And then, Guo Furong changed from a rich young lady to a menial worker, which is just a typical story of a fallen aristocrat.

At the time, some people didn't like it, thinking it was an issue with the actors themselves, such as the young lady not being pretty enough, the innkeeper Tong not being pretty enough, and various other complaints.

In reality, even if these lines seem dated, their essence remains evergreen. Even today, they wouldn't be considered boring, just that occasionally, a few popular words might feel "cold."

For reviving a sitcom that might seem a bit stale, one could pick actors, replace synonyms—that is, update the word choice—and shorten the plot.

Combining two episodes into one, maybe even three or four into one, there is no need to consider anything after forty episodes. At most, compress it into twenty or even just over a dozen episodes.

Perfection isn't the goal; just getting a firm footing is enough.

Counting all of this, the cost isn't very high. Xu Qingyan could even afford to round up a crew to start filming, but there was no need to shoulder the entire burden himself; it was still essential to find competent people to help.

A film crew inevitably faces daily issues. From something as small as spoiled packed lunches to serious matters like an actor getting injured, could a semi-professional, self-taught screenwriter handle all that?

It was already a low-budget production, and though he didn't know much about directing, he expected the director to listen to him. With such requirements and conditions, he could only look among student and young directors.

So, the importance of Xiao Shujun became evident.

As for whether she used personal connections or something else to get him an obedient director, that was not for Xu Qingyan to consider. As long as they were useful, that was enough.

At this point, the early preparations for "The Legend of Martial Arts" were already very clear, just waiting for the Spring Festival to end.

If it were to be filmed, it wouldn't really be considered a television series, but more like the quick and efficient web series. With this in mind, in fact, Xu Qingyan had already applied for and received the web series censorship account early on.

Heroes don't ask about origins, and there's nothing wrong with web series either.

Before, Korean dramas were all about family and daily life; now, they're about revenge and suspense in the '80s. In the current Xia country's film and television industry, there's no time to watch your watered-down dramas.

Sometimes you can't just think about yourself; you also have to consider the current state of the industry. Only by being adaptable can you survive.

Tap, tap, tap.

Xu Qingyan opened Word and wrote the script until three o'clock in the morning.

Feeling a bit sleepy, he picked up his phone to reply to messages.

The three of them didn't care much about the New Year's Eve, or perhaps it was just that the three of them didn't have a strong sense of ritual. Whether it was Pei, Lin, or Xu Qingyan, they almost didn't take New Year's Eve seriously.

... Most likely because they have few friends and are also busy most of the time.

Nowadays, New Year's Eve has become commercialized and isn't that special. Most office workers wouldn't even think of going out unless it's for the sake of their boyfriend or girlfriend's ceremonial needs.

The so-called revelry is nothing more than throwing a brick into a stagnant pool, a brick that you have to buy at a high price at that. Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire

The messages from Pei Muchan were quite ordinary, like discovering a new store. But they couldn't offer takeout; otherwise, she would have had someone deliver it. She had no choice but to drive there every day to eat.

Xu Qingyan looked at the words "drive there every day to eat" and couldn't help but laugh.

He couldn't imagine how a cool and aloof lady like her would use the word "toiling" for the sake of a few bites of food, driving there in the freezing cold only to return to the studio.

Thinking about it for a moment, he stopped smiling.

Going out to eat alone also felt pretty...

With mixed feelings, Xu Qingyan replied to a few messages, then washed up and lied down on the bed. He turned off the lights and stared at the ceiling, his eyes still open.

Suddenly, he wanted to go back.

The next day.

There was no time for lengthy sentimentality; hundreds of people gathered together, a cacophony of voices, and Xu Qingyan's ears were nearly deafened.

The singer and actress had traveled thousands of miles to Chang'an, along with other behind-the-scenes actors such as special effects creators and shuttle shooting crew, who arrived at the scene one after another.

Like Wang Duling, the principal dancer of the whirling dance, a fairy on the mountaintop in classical dance, and a Magnolia Award winner. Right after graduating, she was continuously winning awards, and her dance "Cloud-Like Dragon" had been hailed as unparalleled.

As for how he knew this, it was dance director Xiao Shujun who told him during a casual chat. Why the busy dance director had time for a chat was not his concern.

After New Year's Day, actors from the branch venue rushed to Chang'an branch venue for rehearsals. The programs that had passed inspection had already been performed well in preview shows.

Those arriving were basically going to be stationed there for about a month, practicing daily until they made no mistakes. After three or four rounds of comprehensive joint rehearsals, they would record a backup version.

The CCTV New Year's Gala was live and couldn't afford any errors.

Deputy director He Guojin spoke, offering some encouraging clichés.

About the significance of the New Year's Gala, and the rough plan for the month. Who the new actors should listen to, whom to approach if there were any issues, and then some final words of encouragement.

"In four days, we'll have our first comprehensive rehearsal. First, I want to thank the young friends present and all the actors, directors, and staff here," he said.

"Let me introduce our head director, Ji Shi'an," he continued.

Ji Shi'an stood up and bowed slightly to all sides as a greeting. Hundreds of people were watching, mostly key actors from both in front and behind the scenes.

Applause filled the room.

"Technical team director Lu Liangsheng, dance team director Xiao Shujun..." He Guojin read a name, a person stood up to greet, and applause followed.

Off to the side, CCTV's cameras were set up, likely to edit seven or eight minutes into the New Year's Gala backstage record. This had become a tradition, filmed for the archives.

Although many stood up amid the applause, only three or four would actually make it into the CCTV documentary. After the formal filming, there would be interviews.

Suddenly, He Guojin mentioned Xu Qingyan's name.

"And let's not forget the younger member of our creative team, one of the key planners for our core program, Comrade Xu Qingyan," he said.