Just like in Su Yan's previous life, the conclusion of Season 1 of 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' stirred up a massive storm across the industry.
Fortunately, this time, fans only had to wait less than three weeks for Season 2 to air in the fall season of October, so emotions didn't spiral out of control.
Back in Su Yan's previous life, there had been nearly a one-year gap between Season 1 and Season 2—fans had suffered through a painfully long wait.
As for the Season 1 finale—
Its ratings set a brand-new record for Su Yan's works, and even for Xia Nation television over the past thirty years.
7.09%.
An astonishing number in an era dominated by the internet.
At the same time, the show's average paid online views in Xia Nation surpassed 40 million per episode.
Overseas, the average ratings approached 6%, with paid views exceeding 35 million per episode.
Combined across both markets—
The results were nothing short of unbelievable.
It was normal for overseas ratings to lag slightly behind domestic ones.
After all, a cast primarily made up of Eastern actors naturally had less initial appeal abroad.
But Su Yan's reputation was steadily growing—given a few more years, even that barrier would likely disappear.
As things stood—
Su Yan had not only unified the Xia Nation TV market as its undisputed No.1 figure—
But had also reached top-tier status internationally.
There was simply nothing to criticize in terms of quality or reception.
After Season 1 ended, fans worldwide went into a frenzy.
Traffic on Dimensional Pictures' official website doubled overnight.
Domestic and international users flooded the site equally, with comments in multiple languages appearing constantly.
Global media also seized the moment, praising Su Yan and the series without restraint:
📰"The No.1 figure in Xia Nation television hasn't even reached his peak—'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' breaks records again!"
📰"The series tops ratings in six overseas countries. Mecha-themed dramas explode in popularity, with numerous studios rushing to develop similar projects."
📰"Season 1 ends on a perfect note—with a gripping cliffhanger. But the real question is: how will Season 2 continue? If Lelouch is captured by Suzaku, he's doomed. If he defeats Suzaku, what was Suzaku's role even for?"
📰"I dare call this the greatest TV series in Xia Nation history—no other work matches its production, storytelling, or performance."
📰"What seemed like a power fantasy turned into a profound anti-war masterpiece. Lelouch's path to kingship inspires not envy, but sorrow."]
📰"Now that Kallen knows Lelouch's identity, what will she choose in Season 2? Loyalty—or rebellion?"
📰"With 'Code Geass' achieving such success, what kind of impact will 'Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta Gundam' and 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED' have in the coming years?"
Even after Season 1 ended, the show's popularity didn't drop in the slightest.
Those who had loudly claimed they would quit if it became too depressing?
Almost none followed through.
Viewers could tell the difference—
Between forced tragedy meant to manipulate emotions—
And tragedy born from inevitability.
Every choice Lelouch made was reasonable.
Placed in his position, most viewers couldn't find a better alternative.
So they didn't blame Lelouch.
They blamed Su Yan.
Because in the end—
The writer controls everything.
All suffering, all trials, all tragedies—
Come from the writer's pen.
As a result, Su Yan's inbox was flooded.
Complaints, insults, curses—even threats.
Some messages told him to "watch his back."
More extreme cases—especially from certain Sakura Island fans—involved sending dead rats or snakes to his company.
Such behavior wasn't new.
Even in his previous life, extreme anime fans had done similar things.
And in this world, things weren't much different.
Su Yan didn't understand it—
But he accepted it.
With over a hundred million fans worldwide, having tens of thousands of extreme ones was inevitable.
If he couldn't handle that while earning this much, that would be the real problem.
Meanwhile, during the gap between Seasons 1 and 2—
Su Yan threw himself fully into production work on 'Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta Gundam' and 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED'.
At the same time, he also took on a key supporting role in 'Suzume', playing the male lead, Sōta Munakata.
However, since it was primarily a female-led road story, his role wasn't overly demanding.
Even so—
His schedule was overwhelming.
Daily work, interviews, meetings with domestic and international partners, discussions with cultural officials—
And filming on top of all that.
While fans complained about the wait for Season 2 and joked about him "slacking off,"
Su Yan was going through the busiest period since his arrival in this world.
Two TV series.
One film.
Promotion for 'Howl's Moving Castle'.
Company operations.
Even with his strong physical condition—
He was exhausted.
He and Shinozaki Ikumi often sat in the same office, working for half an hour without exchanging a single word.
Even with the system's help—
Becoming No.1 in an industry was never easy.
"Feels like we're destined to work our whole lives," Shinozaki Ikumi sighed.
They were already incredibly wealthy—
Yet still it's busy.
Sometimes they wondered what it was all for.
But they couldn't stop.
And strangely—
Despite the exhaustion, life felt fulfilling.
"Let's just hope we're not still like this in our seventies or eighties," Su Yan said, signing another document.
He thought of Hayao Miyazaki—
A global legend, immensely wealthy, yet still working tirelessly even in old age.
The document he signed was a contract for Season 2 of 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion'—
Detailing collaboration terms and advertising revenue sharing with TV stations.
At this stage, Su Yan's shows had moved beyond simple product placement.
Now, even the ad revenue during broadcast slots had to be shared with him.
And yet—
The three major TV networks still competed fiercely for broadcasting rights.
The reason was simple:
Ad prices during Su Yan's time slots could sell for more than four times the usual rate.
Even after sharing profits, the returns far exceeded producing their own top-tier dramas.
"Alright…"
Su Yan leaned back slightly and smiled.
"Season 1 has already set a new performance record for our company."
"For Season 2…"
"Let's raise the bar for reputation as well."
Season 1 of 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' was already legendary.
Season 2—
It would be something beyond that.
Very few series ever surpass their first season.
But this one was the exception.
Its true brilliance—
Lay in its ending.
Of course, Su Yan also knew—
Once Season 2 aired, the controversy surrounding both him and the series would grow even more intense.
As he continued handling company affairs—
Time passed.
September faded.
October approached.