What?
There's an 'What IF'?
And it's airing first at 8 PM on Zhongxia TV, then at 9 PM on ZhongxiaNet?
Holy—
Tao Lei's previously gloomy mood shot up instantly.
What do you mean this ending was "good enough" for Rika? Screw that.
If there's a chance at a happy ending, why would I need closure?
Who says life must involve suffering? That's nonsense.
I just want to see Rika get love without hardship—is that so wrong?
Tao Lei and countless fans of 'Tokyo Love Story' were still reeling from that announcement when—
The screen suddenly shifted.
Darkness.
A city devastated by a hurricane. Buildings were ripped into the sky by violent winds.
At the very top of the heavens, a massive, distorted monster blotted out the sky, staring coldly at the suffering city below.
A black-haired girl in a black JK uniform leapt through the wreckage, battling the creature—only to be knocked back again and again.
Tao Lei blinked.
Wait—wasn't that Gu Qingyuan?
"If you give up now, that's the end!"
On the other side, a cute rabbit-like creature spoke gently to a pink-haired girl.
"But you… can change destiny."
Seeing that face, Tao Lei froze.
Ri—Rika?
No…
That was Shen Liqian.
"Make a contract with me, and become a magical girl!"
The rabbit's voice was soft.
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'.
The preview for the 'Tokyo Love Story, What IF' lasted only three seconds.
The preview for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' was under ten seconds.
Su Yan knew very well—after finishing 'Tokyo Love Story', most viewers were still immersed in the emotional afterglow. If the promotional trailers were too long, no one would care to watch closely.
It was enough just to let the audience know these works were coming.
And reality unfolded exactly as Su Yan had hoped.
Within fifteen minutes of Episode 11 ending, both the 'Tokyo Love Story' 'What IF' line and 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' shot into the top five trending topics.
["What IF? Su Yan, you old sadist, you should've said so earlier! I wouldn't have cursed you!"]
["And it's not just streaming—it's airing on TV too?"]
["Hahaha! I knew Su Yan wouldn't be that reckless. I declare tonight's main ending non-canon—the 'What IF' line is the true ending!"]
["I've followed this since April, and I'm completely calm now. I've already deleted Episode 11 from my brain."]
["Honestly, though, even this ending was pretty good. The Rika who let go at the end was very charming too. Would forcing a happy ending really be better?"]
["Here we go again. Don't evaluate this from themes or artistic integrity. We're exhausted from work every day—we just want something sweet to watch. Maybe a happy ending is cliché, but I'm a sucker for it, and I love it! If you don't like it, don't watch the 'What IF'. Treat tonight's ending as canon. Why post this and invite backlash?"]
["Exactly. We're lucky to even have an 'What IF' line. Stop nitpicking about themes and character arcs. I don't care about depth—I just want to see Rika smiling happily."]
["If Su Yan gives us an 'What IF' Line ending, I'm his fan for life!"]
["The original ending wasn't bad, but the 'What IF' line will obviously be better. Thumbs up!"]
["Why do you assume the 'What IF' will be better? What if Nagao hurts Rika in another way?"]
["Don't project your stupidity onto Su Yan. Why would he make an 'What IF' line just to get cursed twice?"]
["I was going to drop 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' if 'Tokyo Love Story' ended tragically. Now? I'm in."]
["Although… after watching 'Tokyo Love Story', seeing Gu Qingyuan's face in the magical girl trailer feels weird. She seems to be on the protagonist's side, but why do I want the villain to defeat her?"]
["Speaking of that trailer, the effects looked amazing. Almost movie quality. Is it a battle-type TV series?"]
["Is Su Yan transitioning genres? No male lead—are we getting yuri?"]
["Yuri is a transition? Wasn't 'Life is Strange' like that too?"]
["Our Yuan-Liqian ship is blessed! This drama looks like pure fan service from Su Yan!"]
["Support! Su Yan, forever a god!"]
["Last week, everyone was cursing him. Tonight, the reputation flips like this? You Su Yan fans are pathetic—played in the palm of his hand."]
Since Episode 5, this was the most harmonious night the internet had seen regarding 'Tokyo Love Story'.
Without the 'What IF' line announcement, Su Yan's comment sections would have been obliterated.
But now? Calm prevailed.
The precedent from 'Your Lie in April' had proven everything.
If you rejected tonight's ending, just clear your mind and wait for next week's 'What IF' line.
Even the haters who had prepared to stir controversy were stunned.
There was no momentum to ride.
The next morning, 'Tokyo Love Story's overall rating across the internet rose to 9.7.
At noon, Episode 11's ratings were released.
Compared to Episode 10, there was another significant jump.
5.84%.
When that number appeared, the entire Xia Nation television industry felt uneasy.
Especially the other two of the Big Three.
Normally, once a drama aired its canonical ending, it wouldn't release an 'What IF' line—that could damage fan perception.
But Su Yan's works were different.
Fans demanded it—and they paid for it.
Previously, 'Your Lie in April's 'What IF' line had been online-only.
Why was this one airing on television, too?
Now the reason was clear.
Zhongxia TV—and Su Yan—were aiming for the 6% ratings threshold.
Staring at that 5.84% number,
And the explosive online discussion about the 'What IF' line,
His peers could already sense what was coming.
In Tokyo, Su Yan exhaled in relief when he received the news.
Originally, he hadn't planned to air the 'What IF' line on television.
In his mind, the TV ending was canon, while the streaming version was a parallel world.
But two weeks ago, Zhongxia TV had strongly proposed the idea.
Because from Episode 9 onward, something felt off.
Fans cursed louder each week—yet ratings soared.
Episode 10 had already surpassed 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'.
But jumping from 5.7% to 6% in one week was unrealistic.
So—
"Zhongxia TV wants the 'What IF' line to break a new ratings record. And I need that too," Su Yan murmured.
Whether 'Tokyo Love Story' peaked at 5.8% or 5.9%, he would already be the highest-rated writer in recent years.
But breaking 6%?
That was another tier entirely.
The last time a drama exceeded 6% in Xia Nation was over a decade ago—
Back when the internet was barely emerging.
Back when downloading a movie took hours.
Back when A-tier dramas crossing 5% wasn't rare.
A masterpiece was still a masterpiece.
Even a traditional romance could mobilize middle-aged audiences on this scale.
'Tokyo Love Story's production quality and marketing hadn't matched 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'.
Yet its performance surpassed it—and might even touch 6% in this era.
Just then, the office door opened.
Shinozaki Ikumi walked in, long legs in black stockings clicking against the floor in high heels.
"Stop spacing out. Tonight is the celebration banquet for 'Tokyo Love Story'. As chairman, you need to toast everyone and give them some big promises. Rest tomorrow. The day after, filming for '5 Centimeters per Second' and 'We Made a Beautiful Bouquet' officially begins."
She placed a stack of documents on his desk.
"These are overseas acquisition offers for 'Tokyo Love Story'. Based on the finale ratings and reputation, I added another 11% to their quotes. Review and sign them so the team can proceed."
"Also, after 'The Garden of Words' performed well overseas, some distributors are interested in screening rights. The price isn't high. Your thoughts?"
"Approve it," Su Yan replied after scanning the papers.
"As long as it's not insulting, licensing is negotiable. We're not making just one film. Overseas markets matter. Profit can wait—we'll cultivate audiences first."
Ikumi smiled. "Glad we agree."
She grew serious.
"Don't ever say profit is secondary. More money means better productions. Remember 'Rurouni Kenshin'? With more funding, it wouldn't have looked so cheap. In this industry, money and quality go hand in hand."
Su Yan laughed. "You're right. Profit matters."
He stood, picking up her coat and draping it over her shoulders.
"It's December. Don't catch a cold."
"Oh? You care now?" she teased.
"If you're sick, who's producing my two films?"
He glanced out the window.
One film in mid-July.
One in mid-August.
Next summer's prime slots.
Unlike 'The Garden of Words', this time he wasn't avoiding competition.
He had top stars. He had funding.
His target?
Next year's summer box office champion.