Quoting 5 million for a film script, and that’s called having no concept of money?
Ran Keqing was first shocked, then furious. “Director Yuan, quotes aren’t made like Teacher Xiaoyu just did!”
Yuan Fenghui looked surprised. “Could it be that Xiaoyu’s quote far exceeds what Miss Ran and Director Zhang can afford?”
Director Zhang hurriedly smoothed things over. “The price is indeed a bit high, beyond our expectations, but these things can be negotiated slowly.”
Ran Keqing also calmed down. “Both Director Zhang and I have great sincerity, but 5 million for a film script? We’re not fools with money to burn.”
Yuan Fenghui smiled. “Xiaoyu truly has little concept of money. If you two think it’s too expensive, there’s no need to force it. After all, collaboration is about mutual willingness!”
Wen Ying caught Yuan Fenghui’s signal and immediately stood up.
“It seems there’s no chance for cooperation with Director Zhang and Miss Ran this time. Sorry, I have things at school and can’t join you two for lunch.”
Without waiting for Director Zhang or Ran Keqing to persuade her, Wen Ying dashed out like a gust of wind, leaving only Director Zhang, Ran Keqing, and Yuan Fenghui in the office.
Ran Keqing could hardly believe it, murmuring, “How could she do that…”
Yuan Fenghui smiled broadly and emphasised again, “I told you, Xiaoyu has no concept of money. If she wanted to earn more, she could easily write several TV scripts. Her commercial value in the film market hasn’t been proven yet, but in TV circles, plenty of people want to commission her. I’m her agent. The more she earns, the higher my income. It’s not that I’m stopping her from making money. She just doesn’t want to write!”
Yuan Fenghui said this while glancing at Director Zhang.
Director Zhang didn’t believe a word!
Ran Keqing wanted to retort: So you know that fish’s commercial value in films hasn’t been proven?
Yuan Fenghui continued, “You two came knocking for a script commission. I persuaded Xiaoyu for a long time before she agreed to meet you. After all, she has no concept of money, and I can’t threaten her as her agent…”
If even the agent can’t threaten Wen Ying, what leverage do you two have?
If you think 5 million is too expensive, no one forced you to come begging for a script.
Yuan Fenghui spoke tough words softly, leaving Ran Keqing stuck in an awkward position.
Ran Keqing didn’t want Wen Ying to easily earn 5 million, nor did she want Wen Ying to solidify her status as a top screenwriter through this.
After all, if industry giant Huanyu acknowledged Wen Ying’s film script as worth 5 million, other companies would have to recognise her as a major screenwriter.
Ran Keqing was deeply annoyed.
This was a bad move.
Why proactively come to hand money to Wen Ying?
Originally intending to trap Wen Ying, she ended up being roasted over the fire by Wen Ying and Yuan Fenghui’s teamwork!
Miss Ran could bend and stretch. Weighing gains and losses, she decisively gave up. “Director Yuan is right. Collaboration requires mutual willingness. It seems we’ll have to cooperate next time.”
Ran Keqing grabbed her bag and headed out. At the door, she realised Director Zhang hadn’t followed.
“Uncle Zhang?”
Director Zhang stood up slowly. “Xiao Qing, I want to talk more with Director Yuan.”
Ran Keqing nearly spat blood in anger.
As the boss of Liansheng, how could he endure this? Tolerate a young writer’s exorbitant demand?
Ran Keqing repeated old words. “Uncle Zhang, there are others who can write scripts besides her.”
Director Zhang made no sound.
Of course there were others who could write, but Liansheng only wanted Wen Ying’s script.
Young people aren’t the wealthiest consumers, but they are definitely the most willing to spend. Director Zhang wanted young people to buy tickets and flock to cinemas!
Perhaps a young screenwriter best understands what young audiences want to see.
Director Zhang stood motionless, like a wooden Buddha statue in a temple.
Ran Keqing stopped persuading and left with a frosty face.
Wen Ying, who had claimed school matters and left first, hadn’t actually gone far. She was chatting with someone in a security uniform.
Ran Keqing’s gaze collided head-on with Wen Ying’s. Wen Ying even smiled at her.
Ran Keqing turned and left.
What no concept of money? Clearly profit-obsessed!
Xie Qian must be blind to be entangled with someone like that.
In the office, only Yuan Fenghui and Director Zhang remained.
Yuan Fenghui said leisurely, “Director Zhang, Miss Ran no longer wants the script. Do you still want it? Xiaoyu has no concept of money, but she can tell genuine from fake sincerity. Since she quoted 5 million in front of Miss Ran, no matter who buys it in the end, you or Miss Ran, she won’t drop a single yuan.”
Director Zhang felt a sharp pain in his heart.
So Wen Ying’s flat 5 million quote was because of Ran Keqing?
It made sense.
Ran Keqing wanted to deal with Wen Ying, and Wen Ying must have sensed it.
That night at dinner, Ran Keqing hadn’t hidden her interest in Xie Qian at all!
From Wen Ying’s perspective, Ran Keqing coveted her boyfriend. With a chance to fleece Ran Keqing, how could she let go?
Director Zhang realised he had been implicated by Ran Keqing and was extremely annoyed. “Actually, I’m not that familiar with Miss Ran.”
Yuan Fenghui said nothing, just smiled at him.
Director Zhang felt very uncomfortable. It seemed bargaining really wasn’t possible!
“I’m not familiar with Miss Ran. To buy Teacher Xiaoyu’s script, I seem to have offended her. Now Huanyu won’t cooperate with my company on filming. To make a good film, the budget can’t be skimped. I’ll have to find other partners.”
Director Zhang played the pity card. Yuan Fenghui still smiled without speaking.
Director Zhang’s heart stirred. “Or perhaps Tianjiao is interested in cooperating with our Liansheng?”
Yuan Fenghui’s smile became genuine. She enthusiastically invited Director Zhang, “This is a big matter. Sit down quickly. Let’s discuss details over tea!”
…
Wen Ying chatted with Little Ma for a while.
Ran Keqing left Yuan Fenghui’s office, but Liansheng’s Director Zhang stayed.
It seemed Director Zhang truly wanted the script and was willing to cooperate with Tianjiao.
Wen Ying was delighted.
The achievement of earning side income from a rival wasn’t fulfilled, but this income was ultimately bridged by the rival. Rounding off, it counted as earned from Ran Keqing.
Thinking this way made Wen Ying even happier.
Yuan Fenghui negotiated with Director Zhang for two days, finalising cooperation between the two companies.
“Your script quote is exactly 5 million. Tianjiao and Liansheng cooperate. Tianjiao contributes 40% of production funds, Liansheng 60%.”
Yuan Fenghui instructed Wen Ying, “Though this cooperation started with Ran Keqing, it has nothing to do with her now. You can’t tarnish your own reputation. Even if you want to ruin yours, you can’t ruin mine!”
Wen Ying said she wasn’t stupid. Yuan Fenghui muttered, “Who knows? Some people aren’t stupid originally, but dating makes them silly!”
Wen Ying: “Teacher Yuan, I’m still on the phone. Can you not badmouth me to my face?”
“Oh~ Then hang up.”
Yuan Fenghui hung up without hesitation.
Wen Ying felt like humming a tune.
Though she was about to invest 20 million, someone sent her 5 million!
When Wen Ying met Xie Qian, she couldn’t help asking, “One Miss Ran brings 5 million in extra income. Do you know any other wealthy ones like her?”
Xie Qian’s breathing grew heavy, as if angered by Wen Ying.
“I thought the only one selling her boyfriend for money was Teacher Yuan…”
“Hey, I was just joking. Pretend I didn’t say it.”
Out of guilt, Wen Ying not only fetched food for Xie Qian but offered to pick out the scallions, ginger, and garlic from his dish.
Watching Wen Ying bow her head seriously picking them, a fleeting smile crossed Xie Qian’s face.
He couldn’t know too many young ladies like Ran Keqing. One was trouble enough. Tianjiao was only now getting a chance at film production, while Jiaxin had already cooperated with Huanyu on two low-budget films.
Ran Keqing took a hit at Tianjiao but maintained basic decorum in front of Wen Ying, without throwing a tantrum.
But she went home and complained to her father.
Chairman Ran doted on his daughter and even called Xie Qian specially, saying Huanyu and Jiaxin had much cooperation ahead, and he trusted his own people more.
Chairman Ran’s hint was clear: he wanted to match Xie Qian with Ran Keqing.
Xie Qian’s reply was direct. “Thank you for your favour. I’ve already found my ‘own person’. No matter what, I have no intention of giving her up.”
Chairman Ran laughed heartily. “Forced melons aren’t sweet. I respect your decision.”
On the phone, Chairman Ran seemed open-minded. But soon after, the new project Jiaxin and Huanyu were discussing became hard to advance.
Jiang Youjia cursed the Ran father and daughter as bullies forcing goodness into prostitution.
Xie Qian felt uncomfortable with “forcing into prostitution”. Jiang Youjia immediately slunk away, tail between legs, saying he was off to develop new business.
Huanyu likely wouldn’t cooperate with Jiaxin anymore.
Huanyu not cooperating with Jiaxin wasn’t a big issue. Jiaxin could find others.
Jiang Youjia feared Huanyu deliberately suppressing them, making Jiaxin’s film business difficult!
Jiang Youjia cursed the Ran family as petty. Xie Qian inexplicably thought of Zhang Zhijun.
Having built such a large company, was Chairman Ran really that small-minded?
Chairman Ran was close with Zhang Zhijun.
Huanyu cutting ties with Jiaxin might just use this as an excuse.
Because Xie Qian refused to become “family” with Chairman Ran, the latter intended to distance from Jiaxin… Of course, this was just Xie Qian’s guess.
Wen Ying finished picking scallions, ginger, and garlic, pushing the tray to Xie Qian. “You can eat now!”
Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
Xie Qian didn’t mention Chairman Ran wanting to part ways with Jiaxin. After enjoying his girlfriend’s thoughtfulness, he brought up finals. “You’ve submitted the first draft of ‘Exploring Thorns’. Time to prepare for exams?”
Wen Ying nodded. “Yes, exam week soon. I’ll focus on exams first, then write the film script. Director Zhang wants it for next Spring Festival too, but he values the script more than Miss Ran. He gave me two months!”
Once exam week passed, Wen Ying and Xie Qian’s first semester as Zhendan freshmen ended.
This semester had few major courses. Xie Qian spent time helping Wen Ying review advanced maths. Other subjects weren’t issues for her.
After Wen Ying finished exams, she saw news of Huanyu’s new film.
Huanyu planned a film rooted in wuxia yet transcending it, total investment over 100 million, with Ran Keqing as producer.
Wen Ying laughed in anger. “So Miss Ran’s pettiness is hereditary!”
