In 2019, “IP” was already a hot concept in China.
Initially, IP referred to “Internet Protocol,” the address assigned to every networked device.
But the IP Wen Ying referred to was “intellectual property,” a term traceable to the First Industrial Revolution, widely used in economics and law.
In the cultural sphere, IP represents the essence distilled from accumulated culture, with a complete worldview and values, possessing its own vitality.
To put it bluntly, *Harry Potter* is a top-tier global IP. J.K. Rowling first created the *Harry Potter* novel series, which Hollywood’s Warner Bros. adapted into films. This series of books and movies built a vast IP universe, with bestselling books, blockbuster films, and countless merchandise. This top-tier IP propelled Rowling into the “billionaire club” by 2010.
*Harry Potter* is the quintessential IP incubated from a novel, but IP development isn’t limited to novels-to-films. It includes anime, games, and more, creating a broad industrial ecosystem around the IP.
The UK has *Harry Potter*, while other famous global IPs include Disney, Marvel, *The Lord of the Rings*, *World of Warcraft* from the US, and Miyazaki and Shinkai from Japan.
China has its own IPs, most notably the Four Great Classical Novels.
IP incubation isn’t limited to novels. Like Yuan Fenghui’s approach—first producing a drama, then releasing a tie-in novel and soundtrack—is another method. However, compared to incubating IPs from popular novels, Yuan’s approach demands higher costs and risks.
Incubating a novel costs almost nothing.
Not every novel qualifies as an IP. Before selection, a novel must already have significant popularity. Film companies only need to buy the rights to adapt it.
The more famous the novel, the pricier the film rights.
But compared to overall adaptation costs, rights fees are negligible.
Spending a million to secure the film rights for a hit novel is feasible. For *Galaxy With You*, Wen Ying alone invested 4 million, with the drama’s total cost nearing 40 million. Incubating an IP via a drama is astronomically expensive—Yuan Fenghui isn’t foolish; she didn’t shoot *Galaxy With You* to reverse-engineer an IP but because she believed in the drama itself, now merely seeking greater profits.
Abroad, IP incubation is mature. In China, where people only recently achieved prosperity, the film and cultural industry lags, and the IP concept is nascent, limited to rushing sequels for hit dramas. Yuan Fenghui’s vision is undeniably forward-thinking.
Not to mention Wen Ying’s shock, everyone at the meeting—except the oblivious Li Mengjiao—listened intently, including Mrs. Wang, now Tianjiao’s PR manager.
Mrs. Wang didn’t grasp IP jargon, but having tamed her husband Wang Jun, who ran a phone mall on Taisheng South Road, she was no pushover.
She had her own take on Yuan Fenghui’s pitch.
Some don’t watch dramas but might read novels.
If they dislike both, they might enjoy music.
A tie-in novel, drama, and soundtrack form a net, catching different fish.
Hmm, thinking differently, their phone mall needn’t only sell phones!
Mrs. Wang’s mind opened up.
Why open multiple stores? Diversify products!
Besides phones, other electronics—people who can afford phones can buy computers. Why not sell computers on Taisheng South Road?
As Mrs. Wang’s thoughts wandered, Zou Weijun frowned.
Yuan Fenghui’s plan was solid.
*Galaxy With You*, aimed at young viewers, didn’t need lofty themes. Unlike the wildly popular Taiwanese idol dramas, it focused less on romance and more on young people’s career struggles and dream-chasing.
As the screenwriter with strong literary skills, Wen Ying could easily adapt *Galaxy With You* into a novel.
Yuan’s plan wouldn’t overly tax Wen Ying, might boost her fame, and increase her income.
But would it enhance Wen Ying’s creative growth?
Zou Weijun thought not.
*Galaxy With You* echoed *Boy Idol*—like its characters grown up, entering the entertainment industry’s fame-and-fortune world, facing a more adult, realistic setting.
A tie-in novel, backed by the drama’s influence, would sell well.
But compared to Wen Ying’s Nine Cauldrons series, its literary value paled.
The Nine Cauldrons series, built on Chinese legends and history, aimed to create a grand novel universe.
Put simply, many young adult writers could write *Galaxy With You*, but not the Nine Cauldrons series!
If Wen Ying wanted to leave her mark in Chinese literature, she needed to write what others couldn’t, with her own distinct style.
Zou Weijun thought much but didn’t openly challenge Yuan Fenghui.
Wen Ying would definitely write the *Galaxy With You* novel. Zou couldn’t impose her views on Wen Ying’s decisions.
Advise Wen Ying to forgo earnings for dreams alone?
That’s easier said than done!
Compared to the brainstorming of Wen Ying, Mrs. Wang, and Zou Weijun, diva Hu Man was much more direct.
Leaning back casually, she clapped for Yuan Fenghui’s plan, “With Director Yuan’s plan, *Galaxy With You* is bound to explode. I’m thrilled you invited me to cameo. But with such high pay for so little screen time, I’m a bit embarrassed. I’ll have to repay Director Yuan’s trust elsewhere.”
A veteran star, Hu Man exuded presence even without glamour, commanding attention with every word.
Mrs. Wang had always admired her.
But now, as Hu Man spoke, Wen Ying noticed Yun Chen’s expression shift, and Mrs. Wang’s too.
Yuan Fenghui saw nothing odd, and Huang Yongjuan stayed silent, but in the quiet meeting room, Huang changed sitting positions twice.
Huang Yongjuan was anxious!
Wen Ying didn’t know what was happening but could think.
Yuan Fenghui didn’t respond, and Hu Man grew impatient. Before she could speak again, Wen Ying smiled, “How will Teacher Hu Man repay? Would attending *Galaxy With You*’s pre-broadcast promotions be too much trouble?”
Hu Man glanced at Wen Ying.
Yuan Fenghui valued Wen Ying, Zou Weijun valued her, Mrs. Wang valued her—what did that matter to Hu Man?
A young writer, a young screenwriter, meant nothing to her!
Hu Man’s “repayment” wasn’t about promoting *Galaxy With You*, but Wen Ying’s interruption annoyed her.
—Does this girl know her place?
