"Teacher Jing Yu, a toast to you!"
"Boss, come on, cheers!"
"I really didn't expect 'Fate/Zero' to perform this well. Teacher Jing Yu truly is a top-tier screenwriter in Great Zhou's TV industry. I'm genuinely impressed."
"Long live the boss!"
At the celebration banquet for 'Fate/Zero', Jing Yu was surrounded by cast and crew, each taking turns offering him drinks.
After all, the actors had gained fame from the show, and the company staff had just received word that each of them would be receiving a bonus close to an entire year's salary. Everyone got a share.
So naturally, everyone at the party looked at Jing Yu with admiration they couldn't hide.
"Thank you, Boss, for allowing me to play Artoria."
Wearing a light blue gown, Tang Rui also approached Jing Yu with a smile.
She knew very well that her fate had been completely changed by the Fate series.
Just a few months ago, she had been an ordinary martial arts performance student at a regular university in Great Zhou.
But now, she was one of only three contracted artists under Jing Yu's Company, and just playing Artoria alone was enough to set her up for life.
Now, major advertisers across Great Zhou were offering her endorsement deals starting at five million yuan, and most importantly, Jing Yu wasn't being overly demanding with the profit split.
Unlike other talent agencies that took 90–80% of the earnings after an actor made it big...
At least her contract with Jing Yu was a 60/40 split—with Jing Yu taking 60%.
But that was still far better than most agencies. Tang Rui understood—without Jing Yu, she was nothing. With that in mind, being able to keep 40% of her endorsement earnings was already a huge blessing.
"No, you earned that role with your own ability," Jing Yu said bluntly. He didn't like fake compliments.
"Ability? You mean acting skill?" Tang Rui paused, then asked.
"No. Appearance and luck," Jing Yu replied.
Tang Rui blinked... and then got it.
It was luck that he happened to see her audition tape, and her appearance was well-suited to the role—those were her strengths.
She accepted it immediately. After all, luck and looks are still strengths.
"But even though the 'Fate/Zero' drama is over, your role as Artoria isn't done yet," Jing Yu said.
"Starting in April until the November game release, you'll have to put everything else aside and work with the PR team from my game division to promote 'Fate/stay night'. It might be a bit exhausting—you'll likely be touring over twenty major cities across Great Zhou, attending countless fan meets. There are also seven major gaming expos in the second half of the year—you'll need to attend every single one. Our people are already negotiating with the event organizers."
"Once all that's done, I can guarantee—everything you're gaining right now is just the beginning. Once the game releases, your fame is going to skyrocket."
"Even higher?" Tang Rui asked with curiosity in her eyes.
"Boss, you really have that much confidence in the 'Fate/stay night' game?"
"Of course."
Jing Yu glanced at her.
In his previous life, the entire Fate franchise basically revolved around 'Fate/Stay Night'.
That was the original work, and its story was the real reason Artoria exploded in popularity.
"Got it," Tang Rui nodded.
"And of course," Jing Yu added, "if the film division has any suitable projects that need casting, you'll be one of the first we consider. I always treat my people well. Just look at Yu Youqing and Xia Yining as examples. Artoria might not be the most iconic or beloved character of your career. Keep working hard."
A bit of motivational fluff was a standard skill for any boss.
But Jing Yu wasn't just painting dreams—he was laying out a highly probable future.
The celebration banquet continued late into the night before winding down.
March 25th
Yunteng TV released the first teaser trailer for Jing Yu's new summer drama 'Legal High'.
Of course, Jing Yu specifically arranged for Kotomine Kirei to make a brief appearance in the trailer.
Just like 'Fate/Zero', the show was scheduled to air Sundays at 8 PM.
Across Great Zhou, nearly every mid-sized or larger TV station intentionally avoided placing any of their shows in the same time slot as Jing Yu's new drama.
Even the six major networks didn't dare air their primetime dramas at the same hour, afraid that Jing Yu might suddenly decide to move 'Natsume's Book of Friends', which was currently streaming exclusively on Qingyun Video, to air on Yunteng TV to "deal with" them.
That's how much power Jing Yu now holds in the industry after 'Fate/Zero'.
As soon as the trailer for 'Legal High' finished airing, it instantly sparked heated discussion among Jing Yu's fanbase.
Especially the scenes with Kotomine Kirei—
"Wait, isn't this a courtroom drama? Why is Kirei here? Where's Gilgamesh?"
"If Kirei showed up, Gilgamesh probably would too."
"Even magi have everyday lives. Seems like Jing Yu is setting both dramas in the same universe. 'Fate/Zero' was about rogue magi killing each other. Legal High is about how ordinary people survive in the same world."
"That's kinda cool. The lead, Komikado, is such a troll. I was scared Kirei was going to chop his head open when he roasted him to his face."
"Probably just a cameo. Maybe a short teaser to hype up the premiere."
"Still, Jing Yu really gets us. After 'Fate/Zero' ended, I've been suffering from Artoria withdrawal. Even if she's not in this, I'm happy just seeing Kirei again!"
"I hope Gilgamesh shows up, too. I want to see Komikado try to sass him and get instantly deleted."
"Dude… you're evil. Sure, Komikado talks a lot and loves money, but you want Gilgamesh to 'righteously punish' him?"
"Heh."
As Jing Yu expected, the last-minute addition of Kirei eating mapo tofu in the trailer gave 'Legal High' a major buzz boost.
From a marketing standpoint, the teaser exceeded Yunteng TV's expectations.
In the following days, most 'Fate/Zero' viewers learned that characters from the series might make appearances in 'Legal High'.
Even though they knew it was unlikely, what if?
What if Jing Yu really let Artoria appear for a few frames?
Skipping it would be unforgivable.
Sometimes, all an audience needs is hope, and they'll follow you anywhere.
And with just this one simple move, 'Legal High' became the most-discussed show in Great Zhou's upcoming summer season—*even more than Jing Yu's own 'Natsume's Book of Friends'.