Over 30% (1)

The audience laughed at Nancy's cynical comparison. Flustered by the remark, Belle quickly made up her mind.

Having grown up with overbearing parents and as a quiet nerd whose opinions were never valued in high school, Belle had developed an avoidant personality. She rarely expressed her true feelings. However, as she met and interacted with various people in college, she was gradually changing.

Belle summoned her courage and nodded. But when she stepped back outside, she was met with an utterly shocking sight.

As the Russian song blared, a drunken Kyle, Max, and Ryan were wilding out on the dance floor. The live audience roared with hysterical laughter, and the reason was none other than Ryan, who had suddenly grabbed Smirnova by the waist and started waltzing like a madman.

That moment was truly spectacular. The audience's reaction had been so explosive that they actually had to trim a tiny bit of the laughter for the final broadcast edit. Playing drunk, Sion Lee acted like an absolute loose cannon. Even with a legendary actress like Olga Asimov right in front of him, he didn't care in the slightest and drove the scene entirely at his own pace. And for Olga, a rare occurrence indeed... she had no choice but to dance along to match his energy. The chemistry of acting—she had completely lost control of the scene's momentum.

But that only fueled the audience's frenzy. After all, the person he was spinning around was none other than the legendary Olga Asimov herself! To top it off, Ryan grabbed Smirnova by the waist with both hands, hoisted her high above his head, and spun in a circle like a Bolshoi ballet dancer. Max and Kyle joined in, holding hands and spinning around, while Belle and Nancy watched the entire spectacle in a daze before finally speaking up.

Just when the episode seemed to end on a warm, hilarious note, Belle, unable to bear the overwhelming atmosphere, slipped out of the cafe. Ryan followed her outside, a bright grin plastered across his face.

Belle adored Ryan like a younger brother as he grinned like an idiot under the influence, but she wasn't ready to voice her current feelings. Normally, Ryan would have failed to notice her hesitation and shrunk back, but fueled by the alcohol and the thrill of victory, he was feeling a bit bolder. As his glasses fogged up, he slipped them off and spoke.

Belle turned to him, forcing a smile.

Standing on her tiptoes, Belle gently patted Ryan's head. Ryan's face instantly flushed crimson, and he caught her hand.

After a brief silence, Ryan spoke up.

A delicate silence hung between them. The next shot cut to Max, who was secretly eavesdropping on their conversation.

He turned away, filled with frustration at himself for being so completely ill-suited for a "nerd" like Belle.

It was a predictable love triangle, but clichés are clichés because they work. Depending on the quality of the cast and direction, the execution of such tropes can range from cringeworthy to brilliant. But those kids did a wonderful job.

The episode concluded with the revelation that the "traditional beverage" Smirnova had poured into the fruit punch was actually Borscht, the traditional Russian beet soup.

The bewildered reactions of the two remaining actors were the highlight of the scene. It was a brilliant structure that left a lingering dramatic impression while delivering top-tier comedy.

"So this... is what pushed us over 30%."

Having felt the electric atmosphere on set firsthand, Olga couldn't help but agree that it was well-deserved.

Sion Lee had brought the entire live studio audience to their feet in a standing ovation by the end of the shoot. She remembered him bowing, drenched in sweat, with an expression that blurred the line between Ryan and Sion. Olga Asimov, completely swept up in his performance, had been left gasping for breath after all that dancing. Upon returning to her dressing room, she had been plagued by an inexplicable sensation, a feeling akin to defeat.

I was dragged along? By a nineteen-year-old greenhorn?

To be honest, she had been skeptical when Sion first grabbed her hand to dance. She wondered if that was a choice the character "Ryan" would actually make. But the moment she saw the brilliant spark in his eyes behind those thick, swirling glasses, Olga Asimov realized it was the perfect choice.

Ryan had evolved continuously with each passing episode. It was no exaggeration to say he had broken out of his shell and stepped into the world. "Ryan," who had started as the ultimate nerd, convinced the audience of his growth through Sion's meticulous control of gestures, vocal inflections, and subtle shifts in performance.

At first, he couldn't even hold a proper conversation with anyone. But he grew by making new friends like Nancy, Kyle, and Max. And finally, he let out his inner joy. The audience naturally accepted Sion's portrayal, and Olga found herself constantly swept up in unexpected moments just to keep up with his rhythm. It was incredibly frustrating, yet it made her smile.

There is still so much to learn. Still.

Believing that there was no end to the craft of acting, she suddenly asked the young man sitting across from her, "What do you think?"

"About what?"

"Breaking 30%. I was wondering if it went exactly as you planned."

"Of course. I was working with the 'best actress,' after all."

"I didn't realize you were referring to me..."

"You are the best actress in our sitcom. Both in terms of career and skill."

"Hmm..."

"Did this turn out exactly as you anticipated as well?"

Sion's question cut in just as her words trailed off. It didn't take long for Olga to grasp the meaning behind his words. Yes. In truth, it had been somewhat intentional. Entering this season, she had wanted to push this sitcom's ratings past 30% by any means necessary, seeing the potential it held.

And after witnessing the "award show kiss" that had dragged her daughter into the spotlight, she had been certain. Sion Lee was an actor adored and idolized by teenagers and young adults across America. His cool, chic attitude. His free-spirited nature that led him to do whatever he pleased. By nature, the youth were drawn to such qualities.

At the same time, since he had also made a name for himself among the older generation through works like Fragments of You, she knew she could create an era-defining show with him. With her daughter already serving as a safety net, she had provoked him to squeeze out that extra bit of potential to reach 30%. She had tested him, and he had delivered brilliantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And now, he was even playing along to preserve the pride of an old vixen.

Olga suppressed the urge to pinch the cheek of this boy who was smiling so charmingly and continued, "Actually, there's no real need for Elena to make an appearance anymore, is there?"

"Oh, but I'd like her to appear."

"Really? Why?"

"We need to make the ratings explode for the finale. If we leak to the media now that Ellie is making an appearance, we won't just maintain the 30% rating—it'll skyrocket for the final episode. We'll build a monument that will be remembered for ages."

"...It's already a madhouse, and you want to make it even crazier."

At this point in the '90s, surpassing a 30% viewership rating for a sitcom was a legendary achievement. As countless articles poured out highlighting the mastermind behind this feat and everyone involved, Olga Asimov, who was undeniably the backbone of the sitcom, found herself screaming with joy. Her reputation would soar even higher, not just at NBC, but across the entire industry.

"If anyone congratulates me, I'll have to mention your name. I'll tell them the success of this season wasn't because of me, but thanks to an actor named Sion Lee. 'That boy has a knack for captivating people. Not just on screen, but off screen as well. If you're looking for an actor to lead a team, he's the perfect fit.' How does that sound?"

"Impressive."

"...Therefore, there are two things I'd like to ask."

Olga, stirring her coffee, asked in a cool tone, "Our side already has some ideas, but how would you like Elena to make her appearance?"

"I'll review the script and give you my thoughts."

Sion grinned at her words. Asking an actor for input on the script's direction was a rare privilege, reserved only for those deemed exceptionally important. Realizing once again just how vital his role in The College Player had become, Sion listened as Olga asked her next question.

"What was your final weapon?"

The secret that broke through the 30% barrier. The final piece of the puzzle used by the man who had sent his co-star to a club to draw attention and had even staged a public argument himself, all to cross that massive hurdle. In the private cafe, hidden from the prying eyes of the media, Sion Lee answered with a gentle smile.

"Good colleagues, a good team, and good acting."

It was an incredibly obvious answer, yet it carried profound weight coming from Sion Lee, who had used every means at his disposal to bind those elements together and deliver real-world results. It was an answer spoken not out of false modesty, but as the simple truth—an answer only someone worthy of becoming the brightest star in the sky, both as a showman and an actor, could give.

"...You're unbelievable."

Olga thought, completely defenseless against the young man's charm.