C14 The First Episode's Listenership Rating Was 25

"Brother Yu, don't you think we're moving a bit too fast?"

Sugar cleared her throat, her face etched with concern. She had just managed to scrape together three episodes yesterday, and now aiming to record four seemed like a fantasy.

Wang Shijie pondered his past experiences producing shows, stroked his chin, and shook his head with a smile.

"Storytelling programs require a slower pace. To record four episodes in one day..."

He trailed off, but Lin Haoyu got the message.

But I'm the man destined to be the Fortune King. I can't falter now!

Lin Haoyu let out a sly chuckle, took his seat at the recording desk, and struck his classic pose of not needing a script. He sprawled out on the table and proposed lazily:

"What if I just go at my own pace, and you guys adjust it to half speed in post-production?"

"This..."

Wang Shijie was momentarily taken aback, and Sugar was equally bewildered.

The idea of slowing down the recording to speed up the process was unheard of, but Lin Haoyu was boldly going against convention, choosing a path that seemed virtually impossible.

"It looks like Brother Yu isn't quite the seasoned recording artist, unaware that speeding up could compromise the emotional impact."

Wang Shijie sighed, not in favor of the idea, as it wasn't the best approach.

However, if Wang Shijie knew Lin Haoyu was rushing to finish so he could enjoy some videos at home after work, he might have been on board with the plan, even joining Lin Haoyu at his place for a viewing...

Sugar kept quiet, content in her role as Yu's devoted fan.

"Click!"

"Welcome to After Midnight, sponsored by a blank advertising slot. I'm your host, Lin Haoyu. Yesterday, we discussed the renowned Zuo Qiushu, a mainstay of our station. Today, we'll delve into more anecdotes about him..."

By noon, Lin Haoyu had already wrapped up two episodes. If he could knock out the last two that afternoon, he'd be all set to indulge in his post-work pleasures!

Seizing a moment between recordings, Sugar played back the original audio at half speed, ready for the next step.

Suddenly, a voice resonated with authority and a mysterious undertone:

"Welcome to the sixth episode of 'After Midnight.' I am your eerie host, Lin Haoyu..."

Instantly, not only was Sugar taken aback, but Wang Shijie was equally bewildered.

"Wait, Sugar, is this Yu's recording playing at half speed?"

Wang Shijie shivered in disbelief, his mouth agape with astonishment. The more he listened, the more he realized Yu was truly exceptional!

"It's as if it was recorded at normal speed! Wow, Yu is amazing!"

As a seasoned recording engineer, he knew that only someone like Lin Haoyu would dare to broadcast at half speed!

Sugar was speechless, her face a picture of amazement as she hit the save button, then turned to quietly switch off the audio mixer she had at the ready.

The peculiar timbre of the half-speed recording was so perfect, Sugar couldn't imagine improving it.

Feeling immensely proud, Lin Haoyu cheerfully decided to treat himself to a lavish meal at the Imperial Dragon Hotel.

"Come on, Brother Yu is taking you to the Imperial Dragon Hotel for a feast!"

Though he wasn't flush with cash, Jian Yang had advanced him his first month's salary, so Lin Haoyu could afford to be a generous host.

Both Wang Shijie and Sugar were thrilled. After years, they'd finally found a host worth their trust, one who was even taking them out to dine at a grand hotel!

"Damn! Brother Yu, you're so incredibly generous!"

Wang Shijie's eyes sparkled with sheer joy as he eagerly set aside the standard-issue lunchbox from the TV station and dashed over.

Hmm? Was Brother Yu not usually generous with you?

Lin Haoyu gave a cold, sardonic smile and said:

"Heh, Wang Shijie, are you implying I'm usually not generous?"

Realizing his gaffe, Wang Shijie hurried over to Lin Haoyu, grinning apologetically:

"How could that be? Brother Yu, you're magnanimous, compassionate, honest, friendly, and diligent... You're truly a role model for us all!"

"Really?" Lin Haoyu suddenly had a mischievous thought and a sly smile crept across his face as he said, "Well then, how about we all head to the Imperial Dragon Hotel for a casual meal today? It's on me!"

A beat.

Two beats.

"Holy shit! Yu, have you lost your mind?"

Lin Haoyu touched his forehead, finding it sweat-free. The reaction time of his friends was notably slow, or perhaps they seemed especially dull compared to his own quick wit, to the point where Lin Haoyu almost felt bad for them.

Sugar was the first to snap out of it, stepping forward with a feigned look of concern and placing her hand on Lin Haoyu's forehead.

"Yu, are you running a fever? Or have you gone mad?"

"Don't worry, I haven't finished yet..."

Lin Haoyu brushed off Sugar's hand with a smirk, then with a mischievous chuckle, he turned his piercing gaze to Wang Shijie, who involuntarily shivered.

"What I mean is, I'll be the host today, but Wang Shijie will be footing the bill."

Wang Shijie: "..."

Ultimately, the trio didn't make it to the restaurant that day, and Wang Shijie never brought up going out for meals again.

"Just as I thought, a penny-pincher like Yu would never actually treat us to a meal."

With a heavy sigh, Wang Shijie hung his head and devoured his boxed lunch, a hard-won meal from Lin Haoyu's stingy hands.

After the meal, they all took a short break and finally wrapped up the recording for the fourth episode.

"Hey, Yu, did you check out the listenership ratings?"

Before leaving, Wang Shijie suddenly remembered and eagerly asked.

Lin Haoyu looked puzzled and asked with a frown, "The listenership ratings for the first episode of After Midnight are out?"

"Yes, and Zuo Qiushu's Happy Crosstalk ratings are out too. They're reportedly at 1.9%."

Wang Shijie nodded with a dismissive chuckle.

Lin Haoyu was taken aback, staring at Wang Shijie in astonishment. In an era when radio was on the decline, a 1.9% listenership rating was indeed quite impressive.

However, Lin Haoyu was more concerned about the listenership ratings for his program than that kid's antics.

"So, what's the listenership rating for our show, After Midnight?"

Sugar looked at Lin Haoyu with surprise, exclaiming,

"Brother Yu, you don't know? The data came out last night!"

"Hmm?"

As the two of them spoke in agreement, Lin Haoyu's curiosity and anxiety grew.

"Brother Yu, the premiere episode of After Midnight reached a listenership rate of 2.5%! It's the talk of the entire TV station now!"