The Year's Worst Producer

Li Qingchen and Yu Meijing had both been in a bad mood lately. One was on the verge of bankruptcy, anxious about losing her social status; the other was frustrated by a failed family reunion and furious at fate for playing tricks on him. After fate had dealt Li Qingchen a cruel hand, she felt a little better when she saw a gossip story that morning saying Yu Meijing was about to go under. So she sent Yu Meijing a job offer.

When the two old acquaintances met, they looked at each other with icy disdain and awkwardly exchanged pleasantries.

"Hah. I thought you were so proud. I figured you'd be successful by now. Why are you still looking for work?"

"I'm not looking for work. I'm preparing to use my talent to give you a hand. Touched? At a time like this, who else would think of you? Look how considerate I've been since we met. I haven't even brought up your useless father."

Yu Meijing thought of his real father's humiliating death and fell silent for a second, his expression twisted. He wasn't sure whether the sharp-tongued woman in front of him knew how his father had really died. If she did, that would be even more humiliating. The old bastard could have at least found a more dignified way to die. He'd gone and died so decisively, leaving his own son to bribe reporters and protect his reputation, not to mention a mountain of debt.

"Oh? So how does a penniless beggar like you plan to help me?"

"I'm going to make a variety show. I'll bring the talent, you bring whatever you have left."

"A variety show? Are you kidding? Variety shows are dead. You missed the golden age ten years ago. Now you can't even get in on the leftovers, and what talent do you even have?"

"See? This is why your family went bankrupt. You're just like your father, blind as a bat. You can't even recognize a genius sitting right in front of you. Just wait. Once I enter the industry, I'll bring it back to life."

Li Qingchen talked a big game, but in truth, she'd never made a variety show or even had any contact with the entertainment industry. Still, she was confident. Her confidence came from a heart full of resentment. Lately her resentment had become so intense it was practically liquefying, and all she could think about was how to stir up trouble for people.

Yu Meijing could tell from her expression that she was up to no good again. Whenever she was unhappy, she'd drag others down with her, determined to make sure nobody was happy, even if it meant hurting herself too. He was so broke he was practically down to his last pair of pants. How could he risk getting on her boat again? He'd learned his lesson the last time.

Industry insiders had no faith in Li Qingchen's first variety show, because she was so stingy it was downright terrifying. She cut costs to an absurd degree.

The guests were either celebrities hated by the entire internet or controversial influencers. She couldn't afford to invite a single respectable guest. Worst of all, she was making a music variety show but refused to pay for performance rights. When the guests saw the song list they were allowed to sing, their eyes nearly popped out. They hadn't come to appear on a show; they'd come to disgrace themselves and shame their families for generations.

And that wasn't even the end of it. Once filming began, everyone realized the stage was worse than the set of a local TV station talk show from decades ago. Nobody could keep a straight face under those circumstances. Before long, they were all wondering whether they should grit their teeth and pay the cancellation fee. Money wasn't really that important anyway...

Theme: The entertainment industry is supposed to bring joy to its audience!