In recent days, the common folk suddenly noticed something astonishing. The advertisements on their television sets had multiplied like rabbits after spring rain.
Previously, in the few minutes before Gaojia News aired, there had been only one lonely commercial looping again and again: the wool sweater ad from the Warm and Sleepy Textile Factory. It played so many times that even the most patient auntie in the village could recite the lines by heart. Some children reportedly dreamed of wool sweaters chasing them through endless snowfields.
But ever since Madam San's down jackets stormed into that precious time slot, other merchants finally woke up. That golden stretch before the news was not a sacred shrine reserved for Warm and Sleepy Textile Factory. It was simply a slot. A slot that could be bought.
And so, once that realization spread, advertisements began bursting onto the screen from every direction.
"Divine Ship Brand Seafood!" one commercial declared proudly. "Our company has rented cargo space aboard the Divine Ship. Zhoushan's freshest seafood delivered at lightning speed. Every single fish guaranteed fresh to your table!"
Immediately after came another voice, brimming with enthusiasm:
"Come Quick Sichuan Hot and Sour Noodles! The newest delicacy from Sichuan. Even Dao Xuan Tianzun has praised it!"
The screen flickered nonstop.
They aired before and after Gaojia News. They squeezed in before and after Zhao Sheng's Agricultural Path to Prosperity. Even Shi Kefa's Legal Education, a program so solemn that half the viewers used it as a bedtime lullaby, now had commercial breaks wedged inside.
The treasury of Gao Family Village swelled with advertising fees. Silver flowed in like a steady river.
At the same time, the actors of Flower World Star Agency found themselves busier than ever. A group of well known performers, led by Chen Yuanyuan, were swamped with endorsement invitations. Every day, merchants lined up outside their rehearsal hall like pilgrims seeking blessings.
Yet among them sat one deeply miserable man.
He had not earned a single copper coin from advertisements.
That man was Chen Qianhu.
As the most villainous character in history, the man blamed for nearly every wicked deed under heaven, he carried an image so dark that even dogs barked when he walked past. Who would dare hire such a face to sell their goods?
Chen Qianhu sat on the stage of Flower World Star Agency, staring at the others as they rehearsed cheerful lines about noodles and seafood. His expression was lonely enough to scare crows out of trees. After a long while, he let out a heavy sigh that seemed to suck the warmth from the room.
Lao Nanfeng sat down beside him and chuckled. "Brother, are you really envious over a little advertisement money?"
Chen Qianhu shook his head. "Brother Nanfeng, it is not about money. I am simply… disheartened. Everyone else gets to dress handsomely, smile at the camera, hold some fine household product, and say, 'I recommend this to you.' But me? Not one merchant will approach. They all say I look too terrifying."
Lao Nanfeng burst out laughing. "You are a soldier. Since when does a soldier need a delicate image? Being fierce is your specialty."
"But I want to look refined for once," Chen Qianhu protested stubbornly. "I want to wear beautiful clothes, hold some elegant object, smile warmly at the audience, and say in a gentle voice, 'Chen Qianhu sincerely recommends this product.' Is that too much to ask?"
As they spoke, a man dressed in merchant's attire cautiously approached. He bowed deeply.
"Excuse me, sir. Are you Chen Qianhu?"
Chen Qianhu pointed at his own face. "Look carefully. Who else would possess such a face?"
The merchant glanced around nervously, then looked back at him and gasped. "It truly is Chen Qianhu. Such… such a frightening expression."
Chen Qianhu rolled his eyes. The motion alone made the merchant stumble backward three steps.
"What do you want? Speak quickly."
The merchant swallowed hard. "I… I would like to invite you to film an advertisement."
Chen Qianhu froze. Then he leaped to his feet in shock. "What did you say?"
The merchant, terrified by the sudden movement, turned and ran. "I was wrong! I should not have come! I will leave immediately!"
"Come back!" Chen Qianhu shouted. "Return at once!"
The merchant trembled but dared not disobey. He shuffled back with stiff legs. "P please… do not kill me…"
At this moment, Chen Qianhu's face was glowing with genuine joy. It was the happiest expression he had worn in years. Unfortunately, in the merchant's eyes, that smile looked like the cruel grin of a tyrant about to commit atrocities.
Chen Qianhu laughed loudly. "You came to hire me for an advertisement? Excellent vision! Superb judgment! No matter the product, I accept!"
The merchant blinked. "You… you accept?"
"Of course!" Chen Qianhu declared proudly. "This is a major breakthrough in my acting career. Finally, I can portray a character with proper temperament, promoting goods to the people. Do you know how long I have waited for this day?"
His laughter faded. His expression turned solemn.
"What is the product? How should I perform?"
The merchant cleared his throat and carefully produced a bottle.
"It is an insecticide bestowed by Dao Xuan Tianzun. The Village Committee entrusted me with its distribution. I have named it 'Locust Eradicator.' I would like you to star in its advertisement."
Chen Qianhu stared at the bottle.
The merchant continued nervously, "You will wear a costume shaped like this bottle. You will hold a long spear and chase a large group of actors dressed as locusts."
Chen Qianhu made a strange choking sound.
Then, with a tragic cry, he collapsed flat onto the ground.
Lao Nanfeng nudged him with his foot. "Get up. Stop pretending to be dead. You already agreed. A real man keeps his word."
Chen Qianhu flailed dramatically on the floor. "I do not want to be a man anymore. I am going back on my word. I refuse to film this!"
Lao Nanfeng's face darkened. "Get up this instant. What kind of tantrum is this? A man's word, once spoken, cannot be taken back."
The moment Lao Nanfeng raised his voice, Chen Qianhu's fierce aura vanished completely. He scrambled up meekly, head lowered like a scolded child.
"Fine. I will film it."
The merchant, witnessing this scene, could not help but think silently:
So General Lao Nanfeng is the truly terrifying one. Even Chen Qianhu becomes obedient in front of him. I must leave quickly.
He immediately ran off.
Chen Qianhu hurried after him. "Wait! We have not discussed the details!"
The merchant ran faster.
Chen Qianhu chased even faster.
The two figures dashed out of Flower World Star Agency, one fleeing in terror, the other pursuing eagerly. They raced down the street at full speed until both vanished from sight.
A few days later, a rumor spread through the streets:
Chen Qianhu had chased a poor merchant across five entire blocks.
No one knew that the chase had actually been about filming an advertisement for Locust Eradicator.
History, as always, chose the more dramatic version.