At the 'You, Under the Cliff' team's lounge—
After Xu Rong lost the Best Actress award to Yu Youqing, and Sun Ling lost Best Actor to Wu He, and then Lin Bin was beaten by Jing Yu for Best Screenplay...
The You, Under the Cliff team ended the season with three nominations, and not a single win.
They had invested over 110 million, including several tens of millions in marketing. They hired three top-tier celebrities.
But due to 'Steins;Gate' airing in the same time slot and dragging down ratings, it allowed 'Hikaru no Go' to overtake them.
And now, at the Silver Dragon Awards, even their nominations were snatched away by 'Hikaru no Go' and 'Steins;Gate'.
How could they not be furious?
Xu Rong and Sun Ling both looked visibly upset. At their level, face mattered more than anything.
You could already imagine tomorrow's headlines across Great Zhou:
"Top male star Sun Ling loses to newcomer Wu He"
"Top actress Xu Rong defeated by 'Steins;Gate' lead Yu Youqing"
Only Lin Bin remained composed. He glanced toward the stage, where Jing Yu stood, then let out a long breath and leaned toward the producer beside him.
"Old Li, help me request funding for the winter season. I want to get a new script out before then. I lost to him in spring and summer, fine — I accept that. But I, Lin Bin, won't keep losing like this. Winter season — I'm taking it back."
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"Jing Yu-sensei's 'Hikaru no Go' really swept the awards tonight! Every lead actor — Sai, Hikaru, Akira — took home an award!"
"And 'Steins;Gate' wasn't bad either. It won two awards! The ratings weren't the highest, but clearly the judges weren't blind this time — they didn't only care about numbers."
"Look at the faces of the actors from the six major stations. Hilarious! I bet they thought the Silver Dragon Awards would go as usual — just a split among themselves. Guess again!"
"Serves them right! I watch the Silver Dragon Awards every season, and I'm so sick of the six major networks winning everything. Same recycled garbage, no innovation. Jing Yu-sensei's dramas are finally something fresh. Well deserved."
TV viewers were unanimously satisfied with this season's award results.
Jing Yu's fan group was ecstatic, and even neutral viewers — some of whom hadn't seen 'Hikaru no Go' or 'Steins;Gate' — were now tempted to check them out, thanks to the highlight reels playing on the big screen and the host's glowing praise.
The Silver Dragon Awards were not just about trophies — they were excellent promotion platforms.
Tonight's broadcast wasn't the end — for the next week, every major entertainment outlet would report on the awards in detail.
And because Jing Yu stole the show, it was inevitable that many others — who had come just to "participate" — felt bitter and jealous.
They hadn't accepted the reality yet.
They still believed Yunteng TV and Jing Yu weren't worth paying attention to.
But now?
Jing Yu walked away with a full sweep, and they had nothing.
Let's see what you do next season.
Sure, 'Hikaru no Go' topped the ratings, be proud. But what about your next project? Hmm?
Meanwhile, Jing Yu was still on stage, answering questions from the host, unaware of the growing resentment below.
"Teacher Jing Yu, as this year's breakout star in both the screenwriting and acting industries, many of your fans have questions. How did you manage to achieve so much in acting, while also excelling in music and scriptwriting?"
"Everyone knows you played Fujiwara no Sai, the invincible Go player in 'Hikaru no Go' — but in reality, you're also the second-best Go player in the crew, only ever losing to the professional consultant. What's your secret to excelling in so many fields? Do you have some unique learning method?"
It was a lighthearted question — but one everyone was secretly dying to know, including his industry peers in the audience.
How did he manage three shows in one season, all ranking in the top ten?
Was it really some sort of method?
The crowd leaned in slightly, curious to hear his answer.
Jing Yu paused for a moment, then smiled.
"I've always believed in the phrase: Heaven rewards the diligent."
The audience immediately rolled their eyes.
Of course, he would say that. A textbook humblebrag.
"So you mean, Teacher Jing Yu, that anyone who works hard enough can achieve what you've done?" the host quickly countered.
Jing Yu gave him a look.
Wasn't this guy being all polite earlier? Now he's setting traps left and right.
He sighed — no more playing nice.
"No. What I mean is: if you want to receive Heaven's reward for diligence…
There's a prerequisite."
"A prerequisite?" the host asked.
"Yes — you have to be a genius."
The host froze.
He hadn't expected such a direct answer.
Everyone knew that was the truth — but to say it outright on stage, in front of all the runners-up?
Savage.
And then Jing Yu added:
"As long as you're talented like me, and put in a reasonable amount of effort —
Achieving something like this really… isn't that hard."
Isn't that hard!?
Isn't that hard!?
Too arrogant!
The screenwriters for 'Black Cat' and 'Manual' both turned dark in the face.
They already had to swallow the loss of Best Screenplay, but now Jing Yu was up there mocking them like it was nothing?
The cameramen, understanding the drama, quickly panned over to their faces — and to Lin Bin.
The three forced a smile through the awkwardness.
At home, fans of Jing Yu were dying of laughter:
"Isn't that hard…"
"LOL only winners get to say stuff like this!"
"As painful as it is to hear… he's not wrong. He did do it."
"Over-the-top humility is actually arrogance. Jing Yu-sensei being straightforward about his genius feels… kinda refreshing."
"Yeah, we're enjoying it — but his peers? Probably not so much…"
"Hahaha, so THIS is his true personality! I love it! I hate all those fake-humble types who push mediocrity. If you're talented, then OWN it. If you're not, then stay humble — that's what feels right!"
"You really believe in your own talent, don't you, Teacher Jing Yu?" the host chuckled, then tried to trap him again:
"So you're saying that achieving #1 in ratings and winning multiple Silver Dragon Awards — that kind of thing isn't difficult for you? That you expect it to happen again?"
Everyone knew the Silver Dragon Awards Committee had deliberately favored 'Hikaru no Go' and 'Steins;Gate' this season to make up for years of criticism, where only the six major stations ever won anything.
But the committee also didn't want Jing Yu to walk away too easily.
So, they'd slipped in a host who could press him a little harder.
Cheng Lie, watching from the audience, frowned.
Answer "yes," and you seem arrogant.
Answer "no," and you undercut your own achievements. What now?
Jing Yu glanced at the host.
Then he smiled.
"That's right.
As long as the Silver Dragon Awards remain fair and impartial, I'll be back on this stage again."
No hesitation.
Total confidence.
He even emphasized the words "fair and impartial" — the implication was clear:
If you judge by merit, I'll win again. Guaranteed.
Everyone in the room got it immediately.
He really dares to say it.
If someone from Xingtong TV, Huanshi TV, or Imperial Capital TV had said that, people might shrug.
But Jing Yu? From Yunteng TV?
Sure, one season at the top was impressive.
But a second?
Even the most confident creators wouldn't dare claim they could consistently replicate the success of a masterpiece like 'Hikaru no Go'.
Could Jing Yu really ignore the massive platform and influence gap between Yunteng TV and the big six — and still aim for #1 again?
But since he was already on stage, Jing Yu decided to use the spotlight for one last push.
"Who knows — maybe I'll win Best Screenwriter a second time this year. Hopefully, you'll still be the host by then," he said with a smile, raising his trophy.
He hadn't named any titles — but his message was loud and clear.
In the audience, several writers' and producers' faces stiffened.
Wait… he doesn't have anything airing in the autumn season…
If he wants a second award this year, it must mean…
Jing Yu has a new drama lined up for winter!
Viewers at home were briefly stunned — then exploded with excitement.
Even the host gave him a strange look.
According to regulations, winners weren't allowed to use the stage to promote unrelated works — but Jing Yu had cleverly avoided saying anything specific.
And yet, he had said everything.
The award show concluded.
And with that, June's final day came to a close.
The next morning, multiple media outlets reported on Jing Yu's performance at the awards — and through various channels, fans quickly learned that he'd be releasing a new drama in the winter season.
Later that day, Jing Yu and his team spent one last day sightseeing in the Imperial Capital, and by evening, boarded a flight back to Modo.
The autumn season had begun.
For Yunteng TV, for the six major stations, summer was already in the past.
Of course, there would still be lingering competition in peripheral markets and merch sales, but for now, everyone's focus had shifted to the new season.
New quarter, new battles.
The six major stations, having lost face in the summer, were determined to reclaim it.
As for Yunteng TV, even though Jing Yu had no drama airing this season, many inside the company still held hope for strong ratings from their upcoming shows.
And Jing Yu himself?
Now back at Yunteng TV, it was time to start preparing for the winter season.