Problems that can be solved with money are not problems at all.
Wen Ying certainly knew this saying, but her biggest problem was lack of money… well, not exactly no money, but not enough money.
Let alone Wen Ying, even Tianjiao could not possibly buy the adaptation rights to all of Shui Mingyue’s novels.
At her peak, Shui Mingyue published three romance novels a year. So far, she had 12 works published and on the market. It was known that Shui Mingyue had sold film and TV adaptation rights to two novels, leaving ten. Plus the new book coming out soon, that made a full 11!
Wen Ying estimated that Shui Mingyue’s novel adaptation rights were at least seven figures per book. Considering the 2007 novel copyright market, it should not exceed 2 million.
Based on the popularity of the work and adaptation suitability, 1 million to 2 million to buy rights to one of Shui Mingyue’s novels was a reasonable quote.
Wen Ying calculated at an average of 1.5 million per book. For 11 novels, that was 16.5 million.
Even at the lowest, negotiating to 1 million per book, it would still cost 11 million.
Spending so much money just to hoard Shui Mingyue’s adaptation rights—even if a film company was willing, Shui Mingyue might not agree to sell!
Compared to getting cash from selling rights, Shui Mingyue cared more about the quality of the adaptations.
Bundling and selling all her works’ rights to one film company would give her money, but if the company was unreliable, all her works would be ruined.
Wen Ying was stunned by Xie someone’s wealth and boldness. “You trust my judgment, and I trust my own. You buying Shui Mingyue’s adaptation rights definitely won’t lose money. The issue is whether Shui Mingyue will sell?”
Wen Ying analysed Shui Mingyue’s mindset. Xie Qian did not care much, “That is not for us to worry about. Let my brother-in-law go talk to her. Whether Shui Mingyue agrees to sell the rights to Jiaxin or not, you do not express opinions or persuade her.”
1 to 2 million transfer fee was the current market quote. Xie Qian would not let Jiang Youjia lowball too much.
Buying 11 novels’ rights at once, Jiaxin could not film them all in a short time.
Dramas would be shot and aired one by one.
Some works Jiaxin might even co-produce with other companies.
During this period, if any of Shui Mingyue’s adapted works exploded in ratings, her remaining works would rise in value.
If in the future Shui Mingyue regretted it, feeling she lost big by bundling 11 books to Jiaxin, and recalled Wen Ying persuading her… the friendship between Wen Ying and Shui Mingyue would basically be over!
Xie Qian naturally considered this for Wen Ying. As for how cousin-in-law Jiang Youjia convinced Shui Mingyue, Xie Qian did not care about the process.
Aside from family ties, Jiang Youjia worked for Xie Qian and got paid. Employees have to work!
“Alright, I won’t participate in negotiations. Let Brother Jiang handle it.”
Xie Qian considered Wen Ying. Wen Ying also felt a bit guilty.
Xie Qian did not know Shui Mingyue’s works would explode after adaptation. Wen Ying did!
Wen Ying could neither help Xie Qian suppress Shui Mingyue’s price nor, knowing future trends, force Xie Qian to offer high to Shui Mingyue.
After all, Wen Ying not only knew Shui Mingyue’s works would explode, she knew housing prices would soar too!
In 2019, a Shanghai apartment cost tens of millions. In 2007, just over a million. But Wen Ying could not buy 2007 houses at 2019 prices. If she did, the seller would tearfully earn over eight million extra and might even use pocket change to send Wen Ying for a brain check.
Even ten-year cerebral thrombosis patients would not do that. Perhaps they would think Wen Ying’s real mom threw away the baby and raised the placenta.
2007 had 2007 prices. Shui Mingyue selling rights this year, per book could not break 2 million.
If Shui Mingyue agreed to bundle 11 novels’ rights to Jiaxin, she would get over ten million at once.
That was a huge sum.
Leaving it idle might get scammed away. Wen Ying thought since Shui Mingyue liked buying shops, she could advise investing in Shanghai shops.
When housing prices rose later, Shui Mingyue bundling rights now would not lose out.
Xie Qian’s decisive move and Wen Ying’s calculations all rested on the premise “Jiaxin successfully buys all Shui Mingyue’s works’ adaptation rights”.
The two had a transoceanic call, arranging Jiang Youjia clearly. No one asked Jiang Youjia’s thoughts.
Jiang Youjia did not say he could not negotiate. He felt no need to buy so many at once.
If Xie Qian’s money was truly endless, Jiang Youjia suggested buying Wen Ying’s novel adaptation rights.
He heard Wen Ying was not only popular at Shendan University but outside too, with some Pang and Mu surnames quite fond of her.
Though their overall conditions were not as good as Xie Qian’s, they had the advantage of proximity, brushing presence daily!
Poor Xie Qian.
Xie Qian recovering abroad, return date uncertain. As the saying goes, when the tiger is away, monkeys claim kingship. If Xie Qian did not work hard on presence, what if he capsized in a ditch!
Considering Xie Qian was injured, Jiang Youjia did not stab his heart directly but said differently,
“Our company cannot film them all. Leave them gathering dust?”
“You just negotiate. If successful, your year-end bonus normal. If not—”
“Got it! I will go talk right away!”
Jiang Youjia feared Xie Qian regretting, agreed immediately.
No choice. Xie Qian’s lifelong happiness important. Jiang Youjia needed to support family too!
Last week, wife Lin Lin checked pregnant. Not only Jiang Youjia overjoyed, both families thrilled.
The couple married years, relationship well-honed. It was time for kids. Previously no, because Lin Lin head teacher at Rongcheng key school, Jiang Youjia working in Shanghai, both career rising. Lin Lin planned to teach Wen Ying’s class to college entrance then move to Shanghai teaching.
After exams, Lin Lin to Shanghai, contacted high schools over summer.
With qualifications and key school experience, teaching in Shanghai not hard.
A good Shanghai high school offered to hire her first, next year when slots open, formalities.
Lin Lin smoothly employed.
First month of school, she found pregnant.
Lin Lin embarrassed.
Just new job. Unknowing might think she tricked maternity leave!
Jiang Youjia comforted wife not to worry. He willing to support her.
Lin Lin did not want husband support.
“Other female teachers get pregnant and have kids. Except special needing bed rest, I never saw one stop working because pregnant.”
Pregnancy does not affect work.
Especially with graduating class, pregnant teachers wish to give birth on podium!
Lin Lin refused Jiang Youjia’s “support”. Jiang Youjia, thinking of fatherhood, full of work vigour.
Raising child costs money!
Jiang Youjia’s studies abroad cost family much. He did not expect surpassing father Jiang Xuekun in career, but at least give child equal education resources?
Hearing year-end bonus possible normal, Jiang Youjia wished to find Shui Mingyue immediately.
Before leaving, Jiang Youjia called Wen Ying.
“You do not need to appear. Just want to ask, what does Shui Mingyue care most about?”
“Most cares about adaptation quality of works!”
Wen Ying’s simple sentence calmed Jiang Youjia’s haste, slowing his copyright talk with Shui Mingyue by a full week.
In this week, Yuan Fenghui investigated Luo Hao for Wen Ying.
Luo Hao’s pre-performance major life hard to check. In school simple: dated one girl in department, broke up after two months.
Such handsome guy only one public romance—what playboy?
Yuan Fenghui first doubted Wen Ying’s judgment.
Yuan Fenghui no progress. Wen Ying could only hope Jiang Youjia really buys all Shui Mingyue’s novel rights.
During Yuan Fenghui’s investigation week, Jiang Youjia read all Shui Mingyue’s novels, including two already sold rights.
After preparation, Jiang Youjia asked Dongfang TV’s Xu producer for introduction, met director of Shui Mingyue’s current filming work.
Then Jiang Youjia appeared on set as director’s friend.
“Teacher Mingyue, I am Jiang Youjia from Jiaxin Film. Can we talk privately?”
Jiang Youjia in well-tailored suit, handing card gracefully. Title impressive, Shui Mingyue had to take seriously.
“Mr. Jiang, you want to—”
“Talk about film and TV adaptation rights for your works. I read all Teacher Mingyue’s works. Think they have great adaptation value. Hope you sell these works’ film and TV rights to Jiaxin.”
Jiang Youjia’s words made Shui Mingyue gasp, “All works?”
“Yes, including the one coming out end of year. Your works too excellent. Jiaxin missing any one my work failure.”
Jiang Youjia did not mention money first. Knowing Shui Mingyue cared most about adaptation quality, he emphasised Jiaxin’s credentials.
First, Jiaxin old established film company, rich drama production experience.
Second, buying all Shui Mingyue’s works’ rights at once, ample funds.
Last, most important, Jiaxin’s “Alley People” swept this year’s Shanghai Magnolia Awards, reputation and ratings double harvest… proving Jiaxin’s production level.
Jiaxin no longer the half-dead company of before.
“I watched ‘Alley People’.”
“Great. What did Teacher Mingyue think of filming?”
“Filmed very well…”
Jiang Youjia pressed step by step. Shui Mingyue rarely met such enthusiastic person, cornered with no retreat, subconsciously looked at Luo Hao.
This week, Shui Mingyue and Luo Hao’s feelings warmed rapidly. Just one layer paper from confirming relationship.
Selling all works’ rights at once, Shui Mingyue could not decide immediately.
Whole crew, most familiar with Luo Hao. She hoped Luo Hao say something now.
Jiang Youjia followed Shui Mingyue’s gaze, tone surprised, “Teacher Mingyue, you do not have full rights to your works?”
“Of course I do—”
“Good. I thought you gave rights to agent.”
Jiang Youjia thought of regained year-end bonus, stood between Shui Mingyue and Luo Hao, quietly reminded, “Teacher Mingyue, be very careful. I heard now some copyright scammers bully authors focused on creation not understanding market, scam rights from authors at very low prices.”
Shui Mingyue: … Mr. Jiang, you seem quite like a copyright scammer.
