Chapter 47: Why Ask These Questions All of a Sudden

This viewership rating was bound to astonish the director and all the colleagues!

Yang Bing returned to the office, taking a deep breath. “Everyone, the ratings for the second half of the finals have reached a new high. Guess how high the numbers are this time!”

Director Li said impatiently, “Don’t drag it out—just tell us the rating!”

Yang Bing said excitedly, “You’ll never guess! Director Li, try guessing a bigger number!”

Director Li ventured, “1.5%?”

Yang Bing shook his head. “Higher!”

Director Zhang Qian stepped out, surprised. “Could it be 1.6%? Is it really that high this time?”

Yang Bing grinned, “Director Zhang, it’s more than 1.6%!”

Director Zhang frowned. “Are you trying to fool us? Don’t tell me it’s as high as 1.7%!”

Yang Bing pressed on, “Still higher than 1.7%! Director Zhang, guess even bolder!”

Director Li was dumbfounded, “More than 1.7%? You’re joking, right? No matter how well the second half of the finals did, there’s no way it could increase so much all of a sudden!”

A colleague guessed big, “Don’t tell me it broke 2% this time!”

Director Zhang protested, “How could it possibly reach 2%? Xiao Liu, you’re not guessing—you’re dreaming!”

Yang Bing, delighted, said, “Actually, 2% is the closest anyone’s gotten!”

Director Zhang, perplexed, snapped, “Just report the number, or I’ll fire you—believe it or not!”

Yang Bing coughed, then announced excitedly, “You might not believe it, but this time the rating reached 1.92%!”

The words had barely left his mouth before everyone was stunned!

“1.92%? How is that possible?”

Zhang Qian walked over. Yang Bing handed him the ratings sheet. “It’s absolutely true! The viewership is 1.92%! When I first saw it, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, that it must be 0.92%. But in reality, we achieved a staggering 1.92%!”

Everyone crowded around, staring at the freshly printed ratings sheet in Director Zhang’s hands, then looked at each other in disbelief.

1.92%!

This was undoubtedly the highest-rated variety show of the year!

Director Zhang’s hands trembled with excitement as he held the ratings report. He raised his right hand and patted Yang Bing on the shoulder, praising, “Well done! This was outstanding! For the next season of ‘I Am a Star Singer,’ make sure you plan carefully. If you have any questions or doubts, come straight to me!”

Yang Bing immediately responded, “Director Zhang, I don’t think there’s any need for a tenth season of ‘I Am a Star Singer.’”

Hearing this, Director Zhang’s elated expression darkened. He frowned, “What do you mean by that?”

Yang Bing explained earnestly, “We’ve reached the ninth season now. The ratings in the earlier seasons were just average. The recent improvement in ratings and reputation came after we changed the rules and segments of the show, which means it’s no longer the ‘I Am a Star Singer’ we once knew.

My idea is, building on ‘I Am a Star Singer,’ to create an even more interesting show—taking the highlights of the current finals and integrating other creative segments.

In doing so, we’d be completely overhauling the format. That’s why I think there’s no need for another season. Ending ‘I Am a Star Singer’ with such a glorious achievement would make for a perfect conclusion.”

Director Zhang understood. “So you’re saying, instead of a new season, we launch a different music show to take its place?”

“Not to replace it, but to carry on its legacy,” Yang Bing said, his voice full of conviction. “The reason this season’s ratings and reputation improved so much was because we changed the voting segment.

Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking a lot about planning the show and realized there are still many areas for improvement—things the audience would love—but making all those changes would mean it’s no longer the ‘I Am a Star Singer’ we know.

Yesterday, when I was talking with a classmate about the show, he gave me some sharp insights. He said, given how much the program has already been reformed, there’s no need to keep dragging it into another season. Why not create a new show, call it ‘I Am a Singer,’ and innovate boldly on the original foundation? It might lead to an unexpected breakthrough!”

Yang Bing spoke earnestly, “I think he’s right. Using ‘I Am a Singer’ to carry on from ‘I Am a Star Singer’ is a new beginning, and a new challenge.”

Director Zhang narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, “Prepare your proposal in the next couple of days and show it to me.”

“I’ll have it ready by tomorrow,” Yang Bing replied. After he finished speaking, Director Zhang seemed a little displeased and left.

Director Li shook her head and quietly admonished, “Yang, it’s good for young people to have ideas, but things are rarely as simple as you imagine. Director Zhang was in such a good mood, but then his face turned cold—you were too arrogant just now, and he’s disappointed and a bit dissatisfied.”

“Director Li, I wasn’t arrogant. I only dared say this to Director Zhang after careful investigation and research!” Yang Bing explained. “If we just keep doing the tenth season as before, we’re guaranteed steady success, but it’s hard to break new ground. If we fully upgrade and reform the show, a new program will be more likely to attract viewers. I’m confident that my new show, based on the original, will convince Director Zhang and earn his approval!”

Director Li sighed, “Just plan the program well. Don’t let all your previous efforts and achievements go to waste.”

“I will,” Yang Bing said, returning to his seat. He took out his phone and texted Yu Zhile: “The second half of the finals reached 1.92% in ratings! It’s all thanks to you and your wife—just a little more and we would’ve broken 2%!”

At home.

Yu Zhile was amazed. “Honey, the second half of the ‘I Am a Star Singer’ finals actually reached 1.92%! That’s incredible! I have a feeling a lot of variety shows will want to invite you now.”

“No way! I don’t have the time!” Qin Haiyu replied decisively. “I already told Lingling, I’m not accepting any show invitations! Especially out-of-town ones—it takes half a day just to go back and forth!”

Yu Zhile asked, “What if it’s from Oriental TV again?”

Qin Haiyu, sitting on the floor helping their baby stand, said, “Still not going. Even though it’s close by, recording takes too long—half a day gone just like that. The baby won’t see her mom for half a day, how sad is that?”

Yu Zhile pressed, “What if it’s during summer or winter break, with your parents looking after the baby?”

Qin Haiyu hesitated, then said, “Well, during the breaks, taking half a day out of the week to record is acceptable. Of course, if it’s out of town, forget it!”

After speaking, she stared at Yu Zhile, interrogating him, “Honey! Why are you suddenly asking all these questions? Tell me the truth—are you planning to volunteer me for a show again?”