It was said that the newbie screenwriter was not yet of age while the newbie actors were all D-listers and students with no following, thinking TV shows were some horse’s play. Someone with money was pushing vigorously from behind to make them big stars.
There was a saying in the entertainment business that rang true – pushy hyping was condemned. With poor ratings to match, investors alongside the broadcasting station would suffer massive loss, and in addition, An Lin’s reputation would fall to an all-time low with nowhere to cry to.
There were loyal fans of Screenwriter Cloud Seven and the original work of the TV show in the international class.
Infuriated, Song Wenye insolently pulled over a girlfriend and began a body search. “Who the hell calls it a bust? There’s no way a script written by my idol would be a bust. Give me your money!”
“Sister Song, I have nothing, not a penny more. I gave all my money to you.” Looking sour in the face, the bestie felt wronged. “I asked my mom for a half-year advance. You’re asking me to die at this rate.”
The other girlfriends were shaking without a peep while holding onto their pockets in fear. They were really strapped for cash with Sister Song sucking them dry.
Shen Xi stepped into the classroom to Song Wenye acting like a thug as she had her way with the girls.
The sight of Shen Xi was a savior to the besties. With their eyes lighting up, they slipped behind her. “Shen Xi, save us!”
Shen Xi was like a mother hen with a nest of chicks hiding behind her. There was even one little chick shaking and looking at Shen Xi with pleading eyes in the hands of the evil tyrant, Song Wenye. Shen Xi asked Song Wenye. “What’s going on?”
“Is that all you guys got?” Tossing aside the little chick, Song Wenye darted them a look of disdain. “I’m only asking for a bit of money, it’s not like I’m asking for your life.”
With the chick tossed aside finally saved, she broke into tears of joy while scrambling towards Shen Xi. She pulled Shen Xi’s arm. “Xixi, talk some sense into her. She has gone mad! Please talk to her! We tried but failed!”
Rolling her eyes, Song Wenye pointed at them. “I told you. It’s an investment. You’ll get your double, triple your money back.”
Completely confused by their conversation, Shen Xi frowned. “Explain.”
The girlfriends explained the whole situation in tears.
As it turned out, there was a midsize betting platform online with a wager quietly made. It was a bet on “The Smiling Nation”‘s ratings!
Apart from Director An Lin’s team, the new screenwriter and actors in “The Smiling Nation” with no fan base were not well received by the people.
The bet was based on odds.
For ratings less than 0.5%, the odds were 10:1.
For ratings more than 0.5% but less than 1%, the odds were 5:1.
For ratings more than 1% but less than 5%, the odds were 2:1.
For ratings more than 5%, the odds were 1:50.
For ratings more than 10%, the odds were 1:100.
The ratings would be taken on an average. Many professional film critics on the board gave their two cents and expected the TV show to be unfavorable among the public.
Shen Xi checked the website out and found the majority in favor of the ratings between 0.5% and 1% or less than 1%. These were safe choices.
The girlfriends wept and wailed as they complained to Shen Xi. “Xixi, she’s gone mad. She picked 10%! No domestic TV shows ever came close to 10% even after all these years. She thinks this is a new year’s gala!”
Shen Xi cleared her throat. “One in ten thousand picked 10%.”
The besties sobbed. “That is us, it’s all us!”
Not only had Song Wenye forced them to wipe their assets dry, but she even made them bet on the impossible choice. Who were they supposed to air their grievances to?