Chapter 45

In this world, besides the various provincial satellite TV stations, there are two relatively independent television stations—Ocean TV (STV) and Star Moon TV (GTV). The former is naturally the abbreviation of SeaTV, while the latter's prominent "G" represents the surname "Gong."

Both of these TV stations were founded by private individuals and started by producing TV dramas. Due to their unique status and substantial backing, they quickly rose to prominence and soon covered the entire Greater China region. In this process, the conflicts and competition between the two stations inevitably intensified. For example, the recent hit drama "Seven Heroes and Five Gallants" by STV has consistently topped the ratings during prime time.

Over the decades, the competition between the two stations has had its ups and downs. Both the stations and the audience have become accustomed to this rivalry, as everyone understands that only through competition can there be good programs. Moreover, with the conscious balance maintained by the relevant authorities, even when conflicts occasionally escalate, they ultimately remain as mutual public ridicule and sarcasm on the internet, rarely touching the core. To the audience, it's just another good show.

STV belongs to the Longchuan Group, with a complex shareholder structure, the largest shareholder being the Wang family, one of the founders of the station. GTV, on the other hand, is a purely family-owned enterprise, currently led by Gong Yuanhe, known as the "Caesar of Media."

The young man sitting on the park bench is Gong Yuanhe's grandson, Gong Cheng'en. He has recently been pursuing a girl from his school named Wang Qianqian. There's no need to describe her appearance; the key is that she is a cultural and artistic leader at school. Whenever there's a major school event, she is always seen on stage. Her self-written, self-directed, and self-acted play "The Legend of the White Snake" is still widely discussed by her classmates, making her both talented and beautiful, and very captivating.

Wang Qianqian considers herself a "girl from a poor family," a typical heroine in idol dramas. She comes from a humble background but is optimistic, positive, and kind. She is the type of girl who, every morning when she wakes up, says to herself, "Wang Qianqian, you need to work hard today."

Only Gong Cheng'en knows how formidable this seemingly innocent and harmless girl can be. On their first date, they went to KFC, and Gong Cheng'en generously said she could order whatever she wanted. The girl sincerely asked if she could really order anything, and after getting a definite answer, all the girls in the dormitory ended up eating KFC that day.

For Gong Cheng'en, even if he had to buy out a KFC franchise, it wouldn't be a problem. However, Wang Qianqian's actions fully demonstrated her depth, despite her seemingly simple and predictable nature.

On their second date, they went shopping, and Wang Qianqian bought over seventy pieces of clothing, then set up a stall on a pedestrian bridge and sold them for ten yuan each.

Gong Cheng'en took these as tests from the girl, so he handled them smoothly without hesitation. However, when Wang Qianqian stood in front of a twenty-story building one day, Gong Cheng'en felt a wave of pressure.

After several tests, Wang Qianqian told Gong Cheng'en, "My mom said that to judge whether a boy truly cares about you, you have to see if he is willing to spend money on you. But I thought about it, and since your family has so much money, it's hard to tell. Let's just forget it."

Gong Cheng'en, of course, couldn't just let it go. He considered it a failed test and asked for further evaluation, which Wang Qianqian surprisingly agreed to. Later, Gong Cheng'en tried several times to take their relationship to the next level, even if not as a couple, at least as good friends, but Wang Qianqian always found excuses to decline.

"My mom said that boys who chase girls have ulterior motives and just want to trick girls into bed."

"My mom said that rich boys don't know how to take care of people."

"My mom said that kids born with a silver spoon in their mouths have no real abilities and become a pile of dog shit without their family's protection."

...

When Gong Cheng'en questioned the term "dog shit," thinking no mother would use such a word to educate her daughter, Wang Qianqian nonchalantly replied, "I must have remembered it wrong. Oh, I remember now, my mom never cared about me. I made all those things up myself."

This unpredictability made Gong Cheng'en even more captivated. He felt that since Wang Qianqian's mother didn't say those things, they must be her own thoughts. To prove that he wasn't a pile of dog shit, he decided to do something different, leading to the scene on the park bench.

...

To be honest, this time Gong Cheng'en did put some thought into it. Perhaps inheriting some of his grandfather's talents, when he saw the announcement for an essay contest online, he paid special attention. He also gave orders to his close followers to monitor the contest and report any promising stories immediately.

They discovered "The Sword of the Yue Maiden." After reading it personally, Gong Cheng'en was amazed and decided he had found a treasure. He secretly sent someone to secure the copyright and then approached Wang Qianqian, trying to show her his competence and keen eye.

Actually, Wang Qianqian was right. If he wanted to find a scriptwriter, he could have a truckload of options just by asking. He didn't really expect her to give him any useful advice; he just wanted to show off and prove that he wasn't a pile of dog shit.

...

"All the splendor in the world is but a fleeting glimpse of a flower,

The myriad forms of life are but a fleeting illusion,

I see only the bright star in the night sky,

Eternal and unextinguished until the rocks crumble and the seas dry up!

That unextinguished star is his dark, bright eyes,

Guiding me to worship, calling me to pray,

This decade of passionate devotion,

Wishing to become a gentle stream in his heart."

This song comes from the fourth chapter of "The Seven Swords," where Ling Weifeng, Liu Yufang, and Han Zhibang listen to a group of monks in a cave. The story in the song is a tragic love story on the grasslands, and the author uses it to add flavor to the narrative and hint at the fate of the main characters.

In this chapter, Liu Yufang shows Mu Lang's portrait to Ling Weifeng, who has transformed into the "Heavenly Mountain Divine Ray." Ling Weifeng, of course, does not admit his true identity, and the two continue to maintain a non-recognition relationship.

The author also uses Liu Yufang to recount the misunderstanding from eighteen years ago, the slap that has burdened her for life.

In fact, many readers have noticed that this "slap scene" is inspired by the famous novel "The Gadfly" by British author Ethel Lilian Voynich. Similarly, the heroine slaps the hero due to a misunderstanding, and the hero, after attempting suicide by drowning and surviving, returns in a different, more flamboyant identity, unrecognized by the heroine.

If we delve deeper, even the nickname "Heavenly Mountain Divine Ray" has a conscious connection to "The Gadfly."

This indicates two things: first, Liang Yusheng's works are imbued with a romantic and revolutionary spirit, which he expresses through his praise of anti-Qing heroes. Second, "The Gadfly" has influenced several generations, demonstrating the timeless power of art.

When Mi Hu read this part of the story, she was deeply moved and didn't even call Liu Jingtong to discuss the plot, as she usually would.

When a reader is so engrossed that they don't want to discuss the plot, it means they are truly immersed in the story.

So, when the editors of Qianhong received this chapter, they immediately fell silent after celebrating Gu Yongsheng's triumphant return.

"Happy times are short and bright,

Like a flash of lightning in the dark night,

Though it quickly fades into the vast sky,

It has illuminated the intertwining of joy and sorrow."

For the editors, who are all afflicted with a literary disease, such sentences and stories within stories always touch the most sensitive strings in their hearts. If Liu Jingtong knew this, he would wonder what these editors would think when they read the love story of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü.

Fortunately, after this story, there is an exciting and thrilling fight scene, and at the end of the chapter, a clever cliffhanger is left:

[Ling Weifeng used his supreme lightness skill, head down and feet up, nearly reaching the river surface, then performed a "sparrow flip," and his feet lightly hooked onto a protruding stone on the cliff by the river. When he looked, he saw Chu Zhaonan being swept down by the waterfall, half of his body already submerged in the water, using one hand to desperately grab the riverbank's rocks, struggling to get up. The situation was extremely dangerous for both of them.

To find out what happens to the two, please listen to the next episode.]

Actually, by the time of Jin Yong and Gu Long, the traditional storytelling technique of "To find out... please listen to the next episode" had been eliminated. Liu Jingtong initially considered removing these two sentences, but after careful consideration, he decided to keep them. The original flavor is the best, or the most appropriate.

...

Chapter four of "The Seven Swords Descend from Heaven" had not yet been published, but Chen Shilang's latest review article was already out. The new article is similar to a reading note, mainly discussing the influence of geography on history. It mentions "The Sword of the Yue Maiden" again, noting that the people of Wu and Yue were brave and fierce in ancient times, daring to seek revenge, like King Goujian of Yue...

At the end of the article, there is a subtle mention of "The Seven Swords Descend from Heaven," where the professor cryptically says that resisting tyranny and oppression and pursuing freedom and dignity is the path taken by our predecessors.

Although he did not express his support, the article clearly conveyed his stance. For such a renowned professor with many students, few would dare to contradict him.

Thus, Gu Yongsheng returned in a grand and dignified manner.

...

"There's an important character in this story that everyone has overlooked. I think you should consider it."

After the failed park date, Gong Cheng'en quietly slipped out of his house and met Wang Qianqian at the library. Wang Qianqian was finally "moved" and decided to give him some guidance.

"The important character is the white ape," Wang Qianqian said without waiting for a response, "You could make a TV series like 'The Unforgettable Love of a Man and a Monkey,' and it would definitely be a hit."

Gong Cheng'en felt as if he had swallowed a fly and smiled bitterly without a word.

Wang Qianqian smiled and said, "Seriously, if you really want to produce 'The Sword of the Yue Maiden,' the white ape has many layers to explore. It has complex feelings for Aqing. Have you even read the novel?"

"I've read it several times!"

"Never mind," Wang Qianqian waved her hand, "If you don't mind, I can help you rewrite the script."

"Are you really willing?"

"Of course, but you have to pay me."

"Money is not a problem."

"Ten thousand yuan per word!"

"Uh..."

"Hypocrite."

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