Screenwriting department head Miyagi Terukichi spent the entire morning trying to persuade Su Yan to stay, even stating bluntly that no matter what offer other networks made, Sakura TV could absolutely match it.
The truth was, while Su Yan's rookie screenwriter contract had no non-compete clauses or absurd departure restrictions, it wasn't entirely without limitations.
At the very least, in the case of headhunting by rival stations, Sakura TV had the right of first refusal under equal terms.
That meant, unless Su Yan refused to work at any other TV network for two years after leaving, or unless another station offered a deal Sakura TV refused to match, Su Yan wouldn't be able to leave without complications.
This was exactly why Akasaka Yoshitoki hadn't been too worried about Su Yan quitting.
With Su Yan's dramas topping ratings for two straight seasons, there was no way Sakura TV would just sit back and watch him get poached.
After all, whatever price other networks could offer, Sakura TV could afford to—it was just a matter of whether they were willing to spend that much.
And given Su Yan's performance across three shows and his explosive potential, there was no way Akasaka—angry or not—would let him escape his grasp.
As the newly promoted head of the production department, he needed a workhorse like Su Yan to secure achievements under his name.
As for "putting Su Yan in his place"—well, once he signed that long-term contract, there'd be plenty of chances to do that later.
But then... his assistant, Okabe Sosuke, brought in shocking news:
Su Yan had clearly stated that after resigning, he would not work for any other TV network—thereby not violating the terms of his agreement.
His resignation letter read:
"I do not like Production Department Head Akasaka Yoshitoki. If I am required to work under his leadership in the future, I would rather leave Sakura TV."🤣
That message spread like wildfire across the company.
Akasaka's mind went blank.
"Su Yan, you're an adult, aren't you? How can you be this childish?!" he growled through clenched teeth.
To directly name names—without any subtlety at all.
Was this what young people's work ethic had come to these days?
No tact, no strategy—every little thought blasted to the world like a megaphone?
Great.
Now, if Su Yan's resignation went through successfully, the entire industry would know:
It was Akasaka Yoshitoki who had forced Su Yan out.
—
In the screenwriting department...
Miyagi Terukichi looked at Su Yan with helpless resignation.
He'd done all he could—an entire day of persuasion, but Su Yan was unshakable.
"I'll hold onto your resignation letter for now," Miyagi said with a sigh. "You've still got two weeks left on your contract. If you change your mind before then, come see me. I'll give it back."
He couldn't believe it.
A once-in-a-decade genius, leaving over such a ridiculous reason?
Sure, the screenwriting department had always been a little below the production department in terms of authority…
But at the next executive meeting, Miyagi would definitely bring this up.
After all, he and Akasaka were both department heads. He wasn't afraid of him.
"Thank you, Director Miyagi," Su Yan said politely.
To be honest, he still had a pretty good impression of most of the people at Sakura TV.
Akasaka Yoshitoki was just the excuse.
Even without him, Su Yan had already planned to leave. For long-term growth, independence was necessary.
Still, if he could use this excuse to spite Akasaka on the way out, so much the better.
Not long after Miyagi left, Ogata Aya also came to Su Yan's office.
This time, however, it wasn't to scold him.
After Ikumi had been forced to resign, it was only a matter of time before Akasaka assigned his own people to collaborate with Su Yan.
In contrast, Su Yan quits and calls Akasaka out by name.
That was deeply satisfying to Ogata Ayaka.
She'd already heard from Ikumi what Su Yan was planning: to start his own production company.
Ogata had seen plenty of people take that path—writers, producers alike. Most ended up losing everything, pouring their life savings into failed productions.
At a TV station, you could make mistakes.
On your own? One flop and you were done for life.
Especially with shows costing ten or twenty million yuan—or more.
But... if Su Yan did manage to succeed after leaving Sakura TV?
Then all the long-term pressure, suppression, and interference that had driven him out would fall squarely on Akasaka's shoulders.
Ogata Aya would love to see that happen.
After a long and supportive conversation, she too left Su Yan's office.
"All right. Now that all the annoying stuff is dealt with…"
It was late March.
Shinozaki Ikumi, despite just resigning that day, was already contacting people and handling logistics for the launch of their production company.
As for Su Yan, he needed to begin writing the script for his next drama:
'Your Lie in April'.
In the TV industry, nothing stays hidden for long.
Soon after Episode 12 of 'The Crimson Magician' aired in the 13th week of the winter season—with a rating of 4.27%—the verdict was clear:
'To the Moon' had officially claimed the highest rating of the entire winter season.
And just then—an explosive rumor began to spread online:
📰Genius screenwriter Su Yan leaves Sakura TV after being heavily suppressed, and is launching his own production company!
In just one day, the news was all over the Xia Nation's streaming platforms.
At first, Su Yan's fans thought it was a joke.
They just sat back, watching the drama unfold.
But once it was confirmed true…
Chaos.
Su Yan's leaving Sakura TV?
A talent like him was driven out?!
What the hell?!
As one of the hottest writers in the country, Su Yan naturally attracted a wave of media coverage.
For days, reporters swarmed the entrance to Sakura TV, catching him again and again.
But Su Yan had no interest in explaining the details of how Akasaka had sabotaged his shows.
This industry had no secrets.
The moment you became famous, people would post pictures of you just for looking like a girl on the street.
Let alone something like being suppressed—there were plenty of juicy forum posts already out there.
Most of them were probably written by people Akasaka had offended in the past anyway.
But since the media was reporting on him, Su Yan knew it was time to drop the real bomb:
"Yes, I am planning to leave Sakura TV and start a production company."
"And… I have a new project in mind. A script I believe can move people even more than 'To the Moon', 'An Ancient Love Song', or 'Rurouni Kenshin'."
"It's called 'Your Lie in April'."
"I hope to bring it to audiences during the July summer season."
—
That was the real headline.
And it spread like wildfire online.
As the winter season drew to a close, public opinion exploded:
So the rumors were real?!
And wait… Su Yan, you're already planning a new show?? Even under this kind of pressure?? What kind of heart do you have?!
But…
'Your Lie in April'?
What kind of title is that? What even is this drama supposed to be?
You're telling me this is supposed to be more emotional than 'To the Moon', 'An Ancient Love Song', and 'Rurouni Kenshin'??
Why does this sound suspicious?
Are you sure it's going to be touching…?