After becoming rich overnight, I handed over the system.

Chapter 449 New Ideas

At this moment, another world.

Zhou Ziqian stared at the email on the computer screen, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the desktop.

The email was simple, just a few lines long, but it was enough to destroy all his efforts of the past three years:

"After careful consideration, the station has decided that the fourth season of 'Go Fighting!' will not be renewed due to its continued declining viewership. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to your new proposals."

With a "snap," he slammed his laptop shut, as if that would make the email disappear.

Other colleagues in the office cast sympathetic glances, which they quickly looked away from.

In this industry, it's common for shows to be canceled, but the fact that it happened to Zhou Ziqian, a top producer, still caused quite a stir.

"Brother Zhou, don't take it too hard." Assistant Li carefully handed him a cup of coffee. "The station's policy has changed recently; reality shows are being scaled back."

Zhou Ziqian took the coffee, the bitter taste spreading on his tongue, just like his mood at that moment.

At thirty-five, with twelve years of experience in the industry, he had climbed his way up from script supervisor to producer, and he thought he had finally established himself.

The popularity of the first three seasons of "Go Fighting!" made him a star at the station. His office was moved from a corner to a window seat, his year-end bonus tripled, and even the station director would greet him.

And now, everything has returned to square one.

"I'm fine." He forced a smile. "Could you arrange an appointment with Director Zhang from the program department? Tell him I have an idea for a new program and want to discuss it with him."

Xiao Li hesitated for a moment: "Brother Zhou, Director Zhang was just transferred to the New Media Department this morning... Deputy Director Liu is in charge now."

Zhou Ziqian's smile froze on his face.

Deputy Director Liu, that Liu Ming who's always disliked him? This is troublesome.

"Okay." He stood up, grabbed his coat, and said, "I'm going out for some fresh air."

As he stepped out of the television station building, the early summer sun stung his eyes.

Zhou Ziqian wandered aimlessly through the streets, his mind replaying the various signs of the past few months—the red arrows on the ratings reports, the advertisers' increasingly indifferent attitudes, and the increasingly perfunctory responses from senior management at meetings.

He should have realized it sooner, but he was too confident, thinking that with his reputation and the success of the first three seasons, the show wouldn't be easily canceled.

My phone vibrated; it was a call from my wife, Lin Yan.

Zhou Ziqian stared at the screen for a few seconds before finally pressing the reject button.

He hadn't figured out how to explain the risk of losing his job to his wife. Mortgage payments, car loan payments, tuition fees for his daughter's private school... these numbers swirled in his mind, making it hard for him to breathe.

Unbeknownst to him, he had walked to an old street on the edge of the city.

In stark contrast to the glittering commercial district of the city center, this place features narrow streets lined with old shops, faded signs, and few customers.

Zhou Ziqian recalled that he and his classmates often came here to browse for second-hand books during their college days. At that time, they harbored dreams of changing the television industry and discussed what kind of programs they could make to move the audience.

A clear, crisp sound of a wind chime pulled him back to reality.

Zhou Ziqian looked up and found himself standing in front of a used bookstore.

The wooden signboard was cracked, but the wind chimes hanging on the door were polished to a shine and swayed gently in the breeze.

As if possessed, he pushed open the door and went inside.

The store was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the stale smell of paper and ink.

The bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, crammed with all sorts of books, some of which looked quite old.

An elderly man with white hair sat behind the counter, wearing reading glasses and intently repairing a tattered book, showing no reaction to Zhou Ziqian's arrival.

Zhou Ziqian walked among the bookshelves, his fingers tracing the spines of the books.

He didn't know what he was looking for; he just needed some time to sort out his thoughts and get away from the distractions of the TV station.

In one corner, he found several old books about television program production, most of which were published twenty years ago and were outdated.

Zhou Ziqian sighed and was about to take out those old books.

But then a glowing book appeared before him, and Zhou Ziqian took a step back in fright.

He looked around and realized that the white-haired old man hadn't noticed what was happening.

Zhou Ziqian tentatively opened the glowing book and began to read its contents.

"My name is Lin Yang, I'm 18 years old, and today is my first day as a trainee..."

The words were simple and unadorned, yet they possessed a strange magic that compelled Zhou Ziqian to continue reading.

The book meticulously records Lin Xiaoyang's daily life as a trainee—vocal training at four in the morning, her T-shirt soaked with sweat after dance class, her breakdown in the bathroom after being scolded by her mentor, and the nervousness and excitement of stepping onto a small stage for the first time...

Zhou Ziqian was completely immersed in the story and forgot about the passage of time.

The sky outside the window gradually darkened, and the old man turned on an old-fashioned desk lamp at some point, the dim light shining on the pages of the book.

He read the scene of Lin Xiaoyang's first participation in the selection competition, and the realism made Zhou Ziqian's heart pound—wasn't this exactly what the audience wanted to see?

Authentic growth, real sweat and tears, not just glamorous performances on stage.

"It's time to close." The old man's voice rang out again.

Zhou Ziqian looked up abruptly and found that it was completely dark outside the window.

He glanced at his watch—it was already 9:30 PM!

He sat in the bookstore for nearly five hours without even realizing it.

He happened to have finished reading the book and saw the words "donate" at the top.

Zhou Ziqian took out his wallet, but in this information age, he really didn't have any cash.

He then looked at the watch on his wrist; it was the watch he bought with the prize money from his first wildly popular show.

Zhou Ziqian was a little reluctant, but in the end he gritted his teeth and gave the watch as a tip.

Then, after thanking the old man, I left the bookstore.

Walking home, Zhou Ziqian's mind was filled with the plot of the book.

An idea gradually took shape in his mind—why not make a show that truly documents the growth of trainees?

This isn't the kind of carefully edited talent show; it's a 24/7 filming production that showcases their most authentic training and lives, allowing viewers to witness the birth of an idol...

The thought made his heart race.

He quickened his pace, almost jogging, and returned home.

"Where did you go? I called you over a dozen times!" His wife, Lin Yan, rushed to greet him anxiously as soon as he entered the door. "Did something happen at the station? Xiao Li said you suddenly left this afternoon..."

"I'm fired," Zhou Ziqian said bluntly, then quickly added upon seeing his wife's face turn deathly pale, "No, to be precise, the show was canceled. But I have a new idea that might be a big breakthrough!"