Chapter 45 - The Serialization of “The Wizard of Oz”! (2/2)

Zhang Ye knew very well that if “Old and Young Story Club” only depended on the listeners.h.i.+p ratings from children, then it was not enough. For example, for yesterday’s program, most of the listeners were parents. If the parents were listening in, so as to read stories to their children, then it would be too pa.s.sive. One or two days may work, but problems would surface down the road. Hence, Zhang Ye had a great idea. This fellow decided to pull the children’s parents in as the fans of his story. By telling them a story that they would also like, this would further secure his segment’s listeners.h.i.+p ratings!

“Chapter 2: The Council with the Munchkins”

“She was awakened by a shock, so sudden and severe that if Dorothy had not been lying on the soft bed, she might have been hurt. As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened.”

At noon, the program was broadcast.

Many colleagues, who were having their lunch break, began to listen in to “Old and Young Story Club”, while having lunch in the office. Previously, they had not paid attention to this segment. But now, due to Zhang Ye’s thunder, and it also being placed first in the Essay Compet.i.tion and it also being promoted by the Education Ministry, who was not curious after he had obtained that terrifying listeners.h.i.+p rating? Of course, everyone paid attention to it. They wanted to know what was so good about Zhang Ye’s fairy tales. Why was it so sought after by so many people? Wasn’t it just a children’s fairy tale? Why would it be different from other children’s fairy tales authors? Those fairy tale masters, who had been working in the industry for so many years, could not save the industry as it deteriorated by the day. But… Why did it work when it was you?

However, upon listening, almost everyone cheered. They finally understood why Zhang Ye had managed to obtain first place in the Education Ministry’s Essay Compet.i.tion!

“It’s too good!”

“This Little Zhang has turned divine!”

“Is this a children’s fairy tale? Why do I like it so much?”

“The Wizard of Oz? Is this another original work of Teacher Little Zhang? I really do not know how his brain works. He’s good at poems, good at supernatural stories, but even his fairy tales are so good?”

A few female colleagues began chiming in.

After they discussed for a long while, a woman sought out Zhang Ye, who was eating his lunch from a lunch box, “Teacher Little Zhang, what happens next in “The Wizard of Oz”? Tell us what will happen first.”

Zhang Ye dryly laughed, “Don’t be like that, Big Sis Zhou. You can hear it tomorrow.”

Big Sis Zhou said, “We can’t wait any further. My daughter knows that you are my colleague. The moment she finished listening to the program, she gave me a call and asked me to find out what happens later. If you don’t give it to me, I really can’t face my daughter. Hehe. What do you think, kid?”

Zhang Ye scratched his head, “Big Sis Zhou, I really can’t do it. Actually, I haven’t thought of it yet. You know that I never have a script and I just narrate as it comes to my head. I haven’t planned it well for what happens later. Listen to it tomorrow.” After finding an excuse, he finally managed to drive them away by deluding them.

Some praised, while others shook their heads.

Jia Yan was one of those who did not believe it would do well. When he went downstairs for lunch, he had secretly listened to Zhang Ye’s program. The story was still alright, but… it was a serial? You actually made a children’s fairy tale a serial? Are you joking!? Even the two fairy tale masters, Tao Xueru and Little Red Mushrooms, did not dare attempt this! Do you think children are as patient as adults? Would children follow the story, just because it could not be finished in a day? Is it possible? Children were creatures with short attention spans. The way you think is too simple!

However, Jia Yan was happy about this. The more errors Zhang Ye made, the more beneficial it was for him. Of course, he could not let his program be unaired. The time had already been fixed!

Teacher Feng came back from lunch, “Little Zhang, why did you do a serialized broadcast?”

Zhang Ye winked, “It’s a serial. I don’t think there’s a problem?”

“It’s too risky.” Teacher Feng was a professional who had done “Old and Young Story Club” for years. He commented, “You must know the top master, Tao Xueru, in the industry, right?”

Zhang Ye said, “I know.”

“Teacher Tao had previously tried a serial, but it was not a broadcast type, but a published serial. One book was split into three separate children’s books. And the result? The sales for each book were each worse than the last. The situation where children do not recognize serials is due to their patience. Children may suddenly have the idea of reading a story today and might feel anxious about not knowing how the story ends. But after a period of time, the children will forget it. It is like with toys. They have not settled on their personalities. If Teacher Tao couldn’t succeed, why are you trying to outdo her?” Teacher Feng initially had some hope, but with Zhang Ye’s act, he naturally had to criticize bluntly.

A few office ladies stood up for Zhang Ye, “Not really. I think it’s very good?”

“Me too. I’m especially looking forward to tomorrow’s story.” another woman said.

Teacher Feng said, “That’s because you are adults; but, children are not the same.”

“Teacher Feng.” Zhang Ye made a bold claim, “Teacher Tao not succeeding does not mean I can’t succeed. I shall say something disrespectful. The reason why my essay got first, while Teacher Tao only got third, is because of a problem with the story. Maybe my story is more suitable and is better at grabbing attention than Teacher Tao’s. As long as it’s a good story, a good story that can grab the attention of children, then there would not be a problem serializing it!”

Tian Bin happened to walk past. He maintained a two-meter “safe distance” from Zhang Ye and said mockingly, “Let’s see the listeners.h.i.+p ratings tomorrow!”

Jia Yan also had similar thoughts. The reason for the explosive ratings was due to special circ.u.mstances. The Education Ministry had given an order, so it was no wonder that the ratings were high. However, today was different. One would know if it was a mule or a horse, just from the ratings. Don’t be happy too soon; we shall see your true form tomorrow!

In Zhang Ye’s mind, he was thinking, “Bring it on. Let’s see what happens tomorrow!”

Chapter 45: The Serialization of “The Wizard of Oz”!

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