Chapter 111: Unexpected Turns and Hidden Gems

With this scheme, in three months the bosses will be completely flabbergasted!

Qin Xuan couldn’t help but sigh once more.

After enjoying that dinner with Xu Hao, he felt completely at ease on the way back. Without the pressure of hosting the Tourism Festival, anyone would feel relaxed. Even Xu Hao remarked that as long as they avoided any embarrassment, everything would be fine.

But who would have thought that Xu Hao had his own unique way of avoiding embarrassment?

A few days later, when he saw hundreds of cars crisscrossing Hongsha Gang Village every day, he realized that Mingsha Tourism was playing a much bigger game than he’d imagined—in fact, their idea of ‘not embarrassing oneself’ far exceeded his own small standards.

“Flabbergasted or not, that’s better than endless complaining. It turns out General Zhu from Mingsha Tourism kept his word because the company truly has strength! They must be pouring in at least four or five million daily. No other major local attraction could possibly afford such spending.”

Wang Xun set down his teacup and looked at Qin Xuan.

“Boss, so… we…”

“Also, Xu County said to provide whatever is needed. By the way, Xu County called yesterday instructing the county troupe to visit the guesthouse—arrange it as you see fit.”

“County troupe? What does Xu County want them for? With the opening ceremony’s performance still a ways off…”

Qin Xuan was taken aback.

“Xu County didn’t give specifics—just send over the entire troupe tomorrow.”

Wang Xun waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright then!”

“Oh, and in a couple of days the two-million subsidy from the province should be credited. It’ll go straight into Mingsha Tourism’s public account.”

“Got it!”

“Also, if someone from the Provincial Tourism Bureau rings up about this, just say we’re moving along normally with the allocated funds. You know how it goes.”

“I understand.”

Time flew by.

As large-scale construction kicked off, Mingsha Tourism stopped taking external guesthouse reservations. When a reservation expired, the room was reclaimed; nearly every guesthouse room was allocated to engineers and workers.

Thus,

Mingsha Tourism’s public profile dropped significantly. Some tourists, unable to book a room, even redirected their travel plans toward Ning’an.

Yet that very night, a bunch of bored night owls switched on Yan City TV and were suddenly captivated by a quirky ancient costume comedy.

The period drama opened with a grand plaque of Tongfu Inn, and almost immediately two actors launched into an exaggerated tug-of-war.

Old Xing, clad in a constable’s uniform: “I have to go.”

Shopkeeper Tong: “Old Xing…”

Old Xing: “My official duties call; my heart belongs to the people. My official duties call; my heart belongs to the people…”

Shopkeeper Tong: “Just listen to me…”

Old Xing: “Don’t say anything more. What’s done is done—let fate decide.”

Shopkeeper Tong: “Don’t leave.”

Old Xing: “I have to go.”

Shopkeeper Tong: “If you leave, I’ll die right in front of you.”

Old Xing: “Why put yourself through that?” Shopkeeper Tong: “Not that I’m suffering—instead, even if I can’t win your heart, I need to keep you around.”

Old Xing: “And if even that isn’t enough?” Shopkeeper Tong: “Then do me a favor and settle last month’s bar tab. Let the abacus work its magic!” Clatter, clatter. In the next moment, as Tong Xiangyu began tapping the abacus beads, many viewers couldn’t hold back their laughter.

This drama’s style was completely novel, and it piqued their interest enough to keep them watching.

Yet before long, short skits started cropping up every minute or two, eventually robbing them of any sleep.

“Intriguing… Who would have thought Yan City TV was hiding such a gem into the early hours!”

Most of those watching at such an hour were idle souls.

After finishing one episode, they rushed straight to the drama forum to gush about this suddenly ‘baffling’ yet resourceful show.

Though they’d only seen one episode, their reviews and ratings were exceedingly high.

In Long Kingdom, the drama forum—albeit just a forum—boasted a large user base. Many would browse here for shows based on viewer ratings. When someone mentioned Wulin Wai Chuan, they promptly tuned into Yan City TV.

Meanwhile, in Lanshi, a long-time drama-crazed couple frowned at their television set.

After a brief pause, the man couldn’t help but say,

“Wait a minute… This place called Tongfu Inn seems oddly familiar. And these actors—I feel I’ve seen them somewhere before! They dress exactly like the characters in the show. But where have I seen them?”

“Now that you mention it, I feel the same.”

The woman nodded thoughtfully.

They began piecing it together, so engrossed that they nearly forgot the drama’s own storyline.

Just then, the drama suddenly featured a voice proclaiming, “I am the chief constable of Qixia Town.”

“Qixia Town, Qixia Town—I remember now!”

The man banged his thigh and looked at his girlfriend, whose eyes widened instantly.

After a moment,

Both burst out, “No way—Mingsha County, Qixia Town! This drama was filmed in Qixia Town, Mingsha County! Oh my god!”

“I told you those actors looked too familiar!”

“Exactly. Just a couple of weeks ago when we were wandering around Tengwang Pavilion, we saw some costumed men and women strolling around. They even commented how trendy they looked. And to think, it’s actually…”

“…Tongfu Inn! That very inn had just officially opened that day.”

“Wow, what did we miss?”

“Oh my god, such a captivating show filmed in Qixia Town! I wish we had been extras.”

“Who says not!”

“I’m so angry—how about we go check it out tomorrow? Maybe the actors will still be around.”

And it wasn’t only the couple who were shocked—Yan City TV’s Chief Editor Ren Long, who’d just gone to bed, was wide awake.

“What? The ratings are steadily climbing!”

Shaking his head, Ren Long glanced at his phone and, sure he hadn’t misheard, asked again.

“Yeah, the ratings have hit 0.8 and are still on the rise.”

The voice on his phone trembled.

“0.8? Are you sure you’re not mistaken? A poverty-alleviation themed drama isn’t supposed to get ratings that high!”

Ren Long could no longer get any sleep.

That evening, after work, he hurried home. Had it not been for a call from the data department moments before, he might have forgotten that another poverty-themed historical comedy had premiered at dawn.

“Chief, you’re right! Initially, the ratings were only about 0.2, which was normal for our station. But over time, instead of dropping, the ratings soared. Now they’re 0.8—Chief, they’re now 0.9. What are we going to do?”

The voice on the phone suddenly grew even more urgent.

“0.9? In that case, I’m coming over immediately!”

Buzz! Ren Long hung up and started getting dressed.

At this hour, a 0.9 rating speaks volumes—no one understood that better than the seasoned editor himself.

With that, Lao Ba expressed his heartfelt thanks to his brothers, “I appreciate your support immensely!”