Chapter One Hundred Thirteen: The Great Wealth God Ren

10:20 PM, April 15th.

Gansu Satellite TV and Jiangnan Satellite TV became the focal points for all media outlets.

The rising star, Gansu Satellite TV, versus the veteran giant, Jiangnan Satellite TV—who would have the last laugh in this ratings war?

Stay tuned!

Media outlets have their informants inside the television stations, so as soon as the opening ratings were released, they were already common knowledge across the internet.

*I Am a Singer* debuted with a 7.44% rating, while *Voice of the Empire* started at 6.21%—a full percentage point difference!

Although Gansu Satellite TV fell behind, they immediately posted on Weibo, boasting, "He who laughs last is the true king."

This remark drew in a large crowd of loyal Gansu Satellite TV fans.

"Jiangnan Satellite TV has run out of ideas. Look at their variety shows—who are those people? They just giggle mindlessly. *I Am a Singer* is trash, too. Only *Voice of the Empire* is worthy of such miraculous ratings!"

"I hate Jiangnan Satellite TV; I never watch it. I’ve always followed Gansu Satellite TV instead. The hosts are professional, the programs are sincere; they are incomparable to Jiangnan. Just look at how many advertisements Jiangnan runs—those money-grubbing idiots."

It was clear that the fans of Gansu Satellite TV were collectively indulging in a self-congratulatory echo chamber, yet they played the part with great enthusiasm. Once Ren Qian appeared on screen, the ratings for *I Am a Singer* climbed further to 8%.

On the show, Ren Qian was explaining to the audience why the singers’ performances had been lackluster.

"First, the songs I assigned were unreasonable. They exceeded the singers' vocal ranges; that was my oversight, and it placed them under immense pressure. Second, the singers became complacent. This is a lesson. We dare to face it, and we dare to overcome it. Tonight, all our singers are here to take an oath. From now on, on this stage, we will never again desecrate the nobility and purity of music! Let us strip away the glitz and return to the essence of music."

Following these words, a montage of the singers taking their oath played—a moment so devout and sincere that it was deeply moving.

Next came the drawing of performance orders, the preparations, and some amusing rehearsal moments. During this time, the ratings continued to climb.

Entertainment media pushed updates immediately: "*I Am a Singer* crushes *Voice of the Empire* in ratings, with 9.38% versus 4.25%. Gansu Satellite TV’s ambush has failed."

...

"*I Am a Singer* breaks the 10% rating mark! Gansu Satellite TV has thoroughly embarrassed itself. Their once-lofty rhetoric has collapsed under the weight of reality."

At this point, *I Am a Singer* was in the middle of the performance segment. While *Voice of the Empire* also featured contestants singing, the caliber of the two shows was simply not on the same level.

*I Am a Singer* was filled with classics, whereas *Voice of the Empire* consisted of ordinary songs. While their backstories were engaging, they no longer possessed the novelty they had the first time around.

Besides, couldn't people just watch the reruns if they wanted to see the stories?

Although *I Am a Singer* also had reruns, watching it live was a completely different experience!

The atmosphere was different! The prestige was different! The overall experience was extraordinary!

This was the reason *I Am a Singer* could retain its viewership. It wasn't just because Ren Qian was there showing off his charm.

Murong Xue was a major draw for the show's ratings. When she sang the first line of "Always So Quiet," the audience in front of their TVs were stunned.

It was that same feeling again—enchanting to the point of intoxication.

"The love I gave you has always been so quiet..."

I fear that for a long time to come, this song will be a mandatory track for them to listen to before falling asleep.

Forums and message boards were already swarmed by hired posters.

"Holy crap, go watch TV! Master Qian is at it again. Every song is great, every song is a classic, and each in a different style! Guaranteed to satisfy everyone's taste!"

"Go now! Murong Xue is singing like an angel again. 'Always So Quiet' is about to top tomorrow's Hit Song Chart!"

"Is it really that mythical? Didn't people say Ren Qian had exhausted his talent? How much did Jiangnan TV pay you to speak against your conscience?"

"To the person above, don't be brain-dead. Go listen to the songs yourself before you bark. If they aren't good, I'll be your father!"

"I think 'Always So Quiet' will win the championship."

"Don't be ridiculous. I think 'Hills' will be this week's winner."

"Anyone could win the championship; it's really hard to say who will take it home."

...

The competition progressed slowly. While Gansu Satellite TV had tried to jump out and show defiance early on, they were now silent.

The brilliance of Jiangnan Satellite TV’s show was simply worlds apart from their own *Voice of the Empire*. Why was the gap so wide? Just a week ago, they had actually surpassed the other in ratings.

They had thought they could overtake them in one fell swoop and create another legend, only to be slapped in the face hard.

At 11:35 PM, *I Am a Singer* finally came to a perfect conclusion. Behind the control console at Jiangnan TV, there was a roar of cheers. The ratings settled at 15.44%. Although it didn't quite match the first or second episodes, they had kept their throne as the ratings king!

Besides, if the ratings were slightly lower, wasn't it because of Gansu Satellite TV’s ambush?

Those few decimal points could be considered the "fruits" of Gansu Satellite TV's efforts. While Jiangnan Satellite TV was magnanimous enough not to care, the folks at Gansu Satellite TV certainly wouldn't see it that way.

As the program neared its end, their official Weibo account quietly slunk away, never to appear again.

But hiding didn't mean they wouldn't be laughed at by netizens...

"What happened to 'having the last laugh'? What happened to 'winning the throne with strength and quality'? You were so arrogant at the start, even tagging Ren Qian directly. Back then, Ren Qian didn't even acknowledge you, and your hired trolls mocked him as a coward. Who would have thought that the mockery you sent out would be returned a thousand times over?"

"Gansu Satellite TV, if you have any guts, don't delete your Weibo posts! Let us see your former glory! Let us see just how powerful you, the leading brand of television, really are—the one that Jiangnan Satellite TV was supposed to be a lackey to."

"Gansu Satellite TV pulled out all the stops this time, dragging in their employees' families for a final stand, thinking they could dominate the TV industry. Turns out, even their families were watching *I Am a Singer*!"

"That's some high-level trolling right there."

"I thought it would be a fierce battle. I didn't expect it to be a total crushing defeat. Gansu Satellite TV has really embarrassed themselves this time."

Director Hong Tao and the head of Jiangnan TV both called Ren Qian to offer their congratulations. This was the third time he had created a ratings miracle.

And what did a ratings miracle represent?

It meant even more expensive advertising fees!

It was all money—cold, hard cash!

Of course, to earn even more, Jiangnan Satellite TV would dominate tomorrow's entertainment headlines to expand the show's influence. If they utilized such good material effectively, they could directly increase advertising revenue by nearly 30 million. If they added more ad slots, that would be at least another 100 million!

By now, the estimated revenue this show had brought to Jiangnan Satellite TV was likely approaching three billion! Three billion! Jiangnan Satellite TV had truly invited a God of Wealth into their home...