A novel of the same name.
A high-quality music album of the same name.
Launched simultaneously with the *Starry River with You* TV series.
Yuan Fenghui had laid out a grand plan, opening up new possibilities. If this plan succeeded, it would provide a viable model for the industry, allowing others to follow suit and create more room for profit in film and television projects.
This was a new attempt.
Not pioneered by Yuan Fenghui, but relatively novel in China, Tianjiao was undoubtedly set to be the first mainland film and television company to take the plunge.
However, the grander the plan, the greater the risks!
To be honest, Hunan Satellite TV didn’t care whether the *Starry River with You* music album could be released on time, but a TV series’ soundtrack is a critical part of post-production. With music director Huang Yongjun bailing halfway, Yuan Fenghui was left scrambling to clean up the mess, inevitably raising doubts about the production progress of *Starry River with You*.
To compete for the July slot, they had to actually make it to July.
When TV stations buy broadcasting rights, they don’t watch the entire series, just the first few episodes’ samples. If the samples are good, the cast is solid, and there’s a track record of success, negotiations can begin.
Tianjiao dared to send samples to the station, so the first few episodes must be fine.
The problem lies later.
If *Starry River with You* couldn’t meet the July deadline, or if they rushed the remaining parts shoddily to make it, the station would bear the loss!
Director Fan’s withholding of information was indeed driven by self-interest, tied to his job. He hoped Tianjiao would stay focused, ensure the quality of *Starry River with You*, not rush, not chase deadlines, and prioritise quality above all.
Xie Qian had questions, but Director Fan had questions too!
“Is the July slot really that important? If it can’t air in July, August is just as viable. The summer prime slot spans two full months, and Yu Tianlin’s new drama can’t stretch across both! Like last year, if Tianjiao yields on the slot, we can negotiate well on the copyright fees.”
Director Fan was referring to the scheduling conflict between *The Princess’s New Clothes* and *Jade Forest*. Back then, Tianjiao had compromised, agreeing to air *The Princess’s New Clothes* after *Jade Forest*.
Director Fan was genuinely sincere.
After all, the copyright fees weren’t coming out of his pocket. As long as the drama’s quality was high, spending a bit more was no issue.
But was this about money?
Well, it was somewhat about money… oh, but Mrs. Wang wasn’t short of money.
Mrs. Wang didn’t know what Yuan Fenghui would choose on the spot, but if it were up to her, her long sword was thirsty for blood!
If their partner didn’t trust Tianjiao, what was the point?
Yes, Tianjiao had released a smokescreen, making Hu Man think they were struggling with the soundtrack production for *Starry River with You*. But when Director Fan asked Yuan Fenghui about progress, she hadn’t hidden anything from him.
It would absolutely be completed on time.
The quality would absolutely not be compromised.
Director Fan hadn’t said anything then, but apparently, he hadn’t believed Yuan Fenghui’s assurances at all!
Mrs. Wang dropped her smile, saying seriously, “The July slot is very important to our company, partly for personal reasons, which I thought you’d know. Since we’re aiming for July, we’re confident we can complete all post-production by then. Tianjiao cares more about its reputation than anyone else, so how could we skimp on quality just to meet a deadline? But as for making money, you can earn anywhere. How rare is it to make money and find like-minded friends at the same time, don’t you think?”
The words “like-minded” were heavily emphasised by Mrs. Wang.
The so-called personal reasons referred to the old grudge between Yuan Fenghui and the Miracle Group.
If Yu Tianlin hadn’t been flaunting himself, it’d be one thing, but now that he’d stepped up to challenge Yuan Fenghui head-on, how could Tianjiao back down?
Yuan Fenghui wasn’t Tianjiao’s big boss, so her personal grudges shouldn’t override company interests. Indeed, she acted accordingly, initially stopping Li Mengjiao and the others when they were eager to vent on her behalf.
But while Yuan Fenghui could separate personal and professional matters, others at Tianjiao couldn’t just stand by!
If Yuan Fenghui hadn’t wanted the July slot, fine. But since she’d made the call, everyone at Tianjiao was working toward that goal.
Wen Ying polished the script bit by bit on set.
Li Mengjiao didn’t even return to Chengdu for the Spring Festival, staying in Shanghai to film.
Zhang Yangning delivered an exceptional creative performance.
Even Xie Qian, who had no stake in this, came to Hunan.
Every drop of effort was poured into the *Starry River with You* project. Everyone was working for Tianjiao’s business, for their own futures, and to stand up for Yuan Fenghui!
No backing down.
No willingness to back down.
Profits matter, but money is endless. Some people and bonds are worth more than profits.
Mrs. Wang’s words put Director Fan in a tough spot. After much thought, he revealed the worst news. “It’s not that I don’t want to help. Yu Tianlin’s side was willing to take a cut on copyright fees to secure the July slot, locked in with a clear contract clause that can’t be changed. That’s why I suggested you compromise on the slot. As long as *Starry River with You* is high quality, are you afraid its ratings won’t surpass Yu Tianlin’s new drama after airing?”
Just as Xie Qian had predicted, Yu Tianlin’s side had tied the broadcast slot to the contract!
With that, Tianjiao and Hunan Satellite TV had no basis for negotiation.
Mrs. Wang gracefully picked up her designer bag, setting down her 40-metre-long sword. “Then there’s no way forward. I hope we’ll have a chance to work with your station next time!”
Even Mrs. Wang hadn’t anticipated before coming to Hunan that her sword would draw blood, with the first strike cutting down an ally.
But when it came to this point, Mrs. Wang swung without hesitation, striking decisively, leaving Director Fan stunned for a long while.
“…?!”
The talks had collapsed just like that?
Negotiations are supposed to go back and forth, taking a few rounds to determine a winner!
Director Fan hadn’t expected Mrs. Wang to completely ignore the playbook. She seemed so amiable with her smile, yet acted even more decisively than Yuan Fenghui.
“Hey, how about asking for Yuan’s opinion on this?”
“No need, Yuan said I’m in charge.”
Mrs. Wang walked off with her bag, Wen Ying and Xie Qian naturally following. Director Fan looked to Wen Ying for help, but she claimed powerlessness. “I’m just a small-time screenwriter, I can’t make company decisions. Don’t put me in a tough spot.”
Of course, Wen Ying wouldn’t argue with Director Fan, but she absolutely supported darling Mrs. Wang’s decision.
Director Fan’s face turned liver-red.
Small-time screenwriter, my foot!
A truly powerless screenwriter, like Zhang Guangzhen back then, would revise scripts to the point of giving up payment.
Wen Ying was undeniably a key figure in Tianjiao’s team. How much must Yuan Fenghui trust her to let her independently write the script for *Starry River with You*!
No one can wake someone pretending to sleep. Director Fan couldn’t call out Wen Ying’s “powerless” claim, nor could he bring himself to beg a minor for help. He could only watch the three leave.
The office was left with just Director Fan, a mix of emotions flooding his heart. He slapped his thigh heavily. “The station might have really made the wrong choice this time!”
