Chapter 72

"WHAT, AGB (Nielsen) has a nationwide rating of thirty-three point nine?"

Liu Meizhen, who had just received the call, immediately frowned and pulled the balcony door shut, blocking out the noisy sounds from the living room. She was the vice president in charge of content production at MBC. In the warm and cozy atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival gathering, the lively scene in the living room usually made her feel happy, but at this moment, it seemed to grate on her ears.

"That's right, and it's said that the audience's feedback is also very good," said Jin Hwanji, the head of the publicity department, nodding. He paused slightly before continuing, "It looks like, as long as they don't mess up later, they should be able to turn things around this time..."

"Hmph!" Liu Meizhen, who usually appeared gentle and amiable, now let out a cold snort, her face turning ashen. She had not reached this position by luck but through her own capabilities.

Her plan against KBS had been in the works since last year, carefully planned from the script to the actors' schedules. In fact, everything had been going well until September, and her superiors were extremely satisfied with her performance. She had thought that the situation would continue, after all, "Blue Love" was just a work by a second-rate director and a novice screenwriter.

As for the cast, the male lead was a semi-famous actor, and the female lead, the male supporting role, and the female supporting role were all novices. Such a lineup would not have caught anyone's attention. Perhaps, about ten days ago, when various media began to hype up Li Zhengxi, she had become slightly wary, but she still thought it wouldn't cause much of a stir. Now, she knew she was completely wrong.

Thirty-three point nine, this opening rating was too dazzling. It was the first time in the history of Korean dramas that a show had a rating over thirty on its first episode. How could she not be shocked and anxious!

Therefore, after hanging up the phone, Liu Meizhen did not go into the living room but sat on a chair on the balcony, letting the cool autumn breeze blow over her, thinking about what to do next. Perhaps, she should wait and see how "Secret" performed when it started airing the day after tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the instigator of all this, Li Zhengxi, was busy entertaining guests at home. Today, not only did his uncle's family come over, but the Kim Tae-hee family also came from Ulsan, as Wu Yanxiu had a sudden idea after watching the drama yesterday, bringing a car full of things.

"This is your favorite eggplant kimchi, just right for eating..." Wu Yanxiu laughed and handed a box to Li Zhengxi, but then frowned slightly and asked, "Have you gained some weight?"

Li Zhengxi shook his head with a smile, while his mother, Jin Meiyan, interjected with a laugh, "I thought he had gained weight too, but this kid showed off his muscles to me, saying that to be a star, he needs to have a good physique!"

She playfully tapped Li Zhengxi, feeling relieved now that nothing had happened, and planned to let him make his own choices about his future life.

"Is that so? I thought he looked more solid than before!" Wu Yanxiu smiled and sighed, "This kid has grown up so much, I almost wouldn't recognize him if I hadn't seen him for a while..."

"Exactly!" Jin Meiyan nodded in agreement, took the box from Li Zhengxi, and said to Wu Yanxiu, "You really spoil him. Tae-hee even said that Zhengxi is your son, and she is someone else's..."

Wu Yanxiu laughed, covering her mouth, and replied with a line from the drama she watched yesterday, "That can't be, Zhengxi is a boy, and she is a girl. I can always tell the difference, I wouldn't take someone else's child..."

This made everyone laugh. At this moment, Li Zhengxi's phone rang. He glanced at it and saw it was Park Dong-jeon. After apologizing to the adults, he answered, "Uncle, happy Mid-Autumn Festival! I'm really sorry, I haven't called you yet!"

"Zhengxi, you still have the mood to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?" Park Dong-jeon said with a tone of deep concern, "Didn't you even slightly care about yesterday's ratings?"

Li Zhengxi was taken aback, hearing Park Dong-jeon's low and gloomy voice, which seemed to indicate a bad mood. However, he surprised Park Dong-jeon by laughing out loud and saying, "Uncle, are you a good person?"

When Park Dong-jeon was confused, Li Zhengxi continued, "At least, the Uncle I know is a good person. Even if the results are bad, you wouldn't call to ruin someone's mood during a family gathering..."

"You brat!" Park Dong-jeon was frustrated but also pleased by Li Zhengxi's praise of his character. He then smiled bitterly and shrugged at Song Yong-jin, saying, "That brat is as cunning as a monkey, he won't be fooled," before turning back to Li Zhengxi, "Alright, since I can't fool you, I'll tell you this good news to make your holiday even better."

"The first episode got a rating of thirty-three point nine, and the audience's feedback is very good. Some advertisers have already approached us," Park Dong-jeon said, getting excited himself, "Of course, you, the brat, have also made a fortune. According to the contract, you've earned a lot!"

Li Zhengxi, however, pursed his lips, "Uncle, if you give me back the half I promised to donate, that would be better!"

This made Park Dong-jeon laugh out loud, but then he suddenly stopped and said mysteriously to Li Zhengxi, "By the way, I remember you told me you have another TV drama script?"

Li Zhengxi finally smiled, this was what he had been waiting for. He replied proudly, "Yes, I have more than one. I've written several, including urban romance, family drama, and historical epic. It's up to you what type you want..."

Park Dong-jeon was stunned for a moment before saying, "Zhengxi, you're not joking, right?"

"I'm not joking!" Li Zhengxi said seriously, "And because of you, Mr. Park, I can give KBS the first choice, but I have to say, the scripts have increased in value. Of course, it's still a bet contract, if it performs poorly, I won't take a penny..."

After saying this, as everyone was busy during the holiday, there was no need to talk more, and the call ended quickly. Li Zhengxi turned around, and the things to be moved had already been brought into the house.

He took off his shoes and went inside. Everyone was gathered in the spacious living room, chatting. His grandmother, Gao Xiuzhen, was smiling happily, and when Wu Yanxiu saw him come in, she asked casually, "What's up? Are you still busy during the holiday?"

"Oh, it's about the ratings!" During the holiday, good news should be shared, so Li Zhengxi replied with a smile, "The first episode of 'Blue Love' did well, with a rating of thirty-three point nine, the highest in the same time slot. So KBS called to report the good news..."

"Wow, over thirty points, that's really impressive!" Wu Yanxiu praised generously.

At this moment, Jin Hengze, who was sitting next to her, chimed in proudly, "Of course, I played a role in it. My brother and the director both said I did a great job..."

"It's just a small role, what are you so proud of!" Wu Yanxiu pretended to scold him, but she was genuinely happy because her son had a significant role in the first episode. Jin Meiyan also praised him, "Hengze really has acting talent. If he becomes an actor, he will definitely be a super star!"

Every parent wants their child to excel. Hearing Jin Meiyan's praise, Wu Yanxiu was naturally very happy, but she humbly replied, "Not really, he can't compare to your Zhengxi."

She then glanced at Jin Zhengzhong, who was chatting with Li Zhengxi's uncle, Jin Guangnan, and continued, "Our old man often says that your family has raised three excellent sons, especially Zhengxi, who will definitely have a bright future..."

Back and forth, Jin Meiyan was also happy and replied with a smile, "Not really, Zhengxi is still young and doesn't understand much. Usually, your Tae-hee helps me look after him," as she said this, she pulled Jin Tae-hee's hand and praised, "Tae-hee is a top student at Seoul University, very handsome, and gentle. I regret not having a daughter as good as her..."

Wu Yanxiu was delighted and giggled, "I don't think this girl is as good as you say. How about we swap? I'm sure our old man would be very happy with this idea!"

"Mom!" Jin Tae-hee was unhappy, but Jin Meiyan said something that almost made her blush, "Why swap? I think it would be better if Tae-hee became my daughter-in-law. This way, you get a son, and I get a daughter..."

"Aunt, what are you saying!" Jin Tae-hee blushed and buried her head in Jin Meiyan's chest.

On the other side, Wu Yanxiu showed no surprise and looked at Li Zhengxi, who was a bit embarrassed, and giggled, "We'll make it official, then. How about we set a betrothal, even though they are young..."

This made Li Zhengxi sit up, and Jin Zhengzhong also looked over, his eyes seemingly very satisfied.

Or perhaps, since they were young, the two families had joked about this. As they grew older, even though the Li family had immigrated, the relationship between the two families did not fade. Li Zhengxi and Jin Tae-hee had always been playful, yet inseparable.

The adults, seeing this, naturally had a clear understanding. Although it seemed like a joke, it was also a kind of tacit understanding...

PS: Continuous recommendations, continuous collections, utmost gratitude!

[AD begins on the previous page]

[AD ends on the previous page]