Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 13 Copyright Buyout

The clapperboard is struck.

In the scene, "Big-Breasted Sister" looked at Yu Zui's slightly unsteady back, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.

"Come and sit down."

Yu Zui grinned. "What, sitting so close, trying to kiss me?"

Lin Yujing ignored his comment, simply pursed her lips, and took out a first-aid kit. "You're already like this, why are you still talking nonsense? Let me change your dressing."

"it is good."

Change the dressing quietly.

"Your plan has been approved by the family. However, Fu Guosheng and Zheng Chao are not to be underestimated. If you want to take advantage of their discord, you'd better be careful."

Do you know how we fruit sellers make money?

Lin Yujing looked up at him, puzzled.

"A group of customers would come to buy fruit and tell the vendor, 'Don't shortchange me. If I find out, I'll come back and settle the score.' At this point, the vendor would act really scared, then take two apples from his stall and put them in the customer's bag. The customer would be very happy, thinking he had scared the vendor. But actually, the vendor initially shortchanged him by six apples. These customers usually didn't care about that; they were just happy."

He paused, "Why do street vendors succeed so often? It's because they exploit their customers' arrogance. Similarly, when dealing with smart people, you just need to let them fully enjoy their intellectual superiority, and you'll get away with it every time. You can't learn these things at police academy."

"You and Director Xu wouldn't use these underhanded tricks together, would you?"

"Director Xu? He's even more cunning than me. Alright, let's go."

"etc."

Jiang Qiming turned around.

"You knew it was dangerous this time, so why did you come back?"

"I don't know either."

"Actually... you don't need to avenge Haifei."

"I'm not just doing this for him." After saying this, Jiang Qiming looked at her deeply, turned around, and walked towards the door with a somewhat unsteady but stubborn gait.

Lin Yujing stood there, watching his back, her lips moved, but in the end she didn't say anything.

"Cut!" Qi Yue's voice was slightly hoarse but clear.

"Cut! Filming for the first season of 'Yu Zui' is complete!"

After a brief silence, cheers erupted. The staff hugged each other, finally able to relax after months of tension. Guo Fan even jumped up, nearly knocking over a lamp.

"Teacher Ning, thank you for your hard work." Qi Yue extended his hand, his tone sincere. "The character of Fu Guosheng is completely different because of you."

This is not just polite talk; Ning Li's performance truly imbued this villain with a depth and charm far exceeding the words in the script.

Ningli's scenes have already finished; she came back today specifically to film a few more.

"Director Qi, you're too kind. The script is excellent, and the creative atmosphere is very free. I look forward to our next collaboration."

The joy of wrapping up filming spread like a tide across the set. Someone brought out beer, foam flying everywhere, and laughter filled the air.

Amidst the jubilation, Qi Yue caught a glimpse of a figure who seemed somewhat out of place.

Li Lan from Juli Media walked briskly from the edge of the film set, looking very unhappy.

"Mr. Li, what brings you here in person? Perfect timing, we just finished filming."

Li Lan forced a smile, which served as a response to the congratulations on the "wrapping of filming."

"Master Qi, may I speak to you in private?"

Qi Yue winked at Guo Fan, who was bragging to the lighting technician, and then walked with Li Lan to a relatively quiet corner.

Li Lan didn't beat around the bush; she directly laid out the debate at the platform's regular meeting and the president's final decision.

"...That's basically it. It can be launched, but only in the worst recommended spots."

After Li Lan finished speaking, she sighed heavily and rubbed her temples.

"That old bastard He Ming is sticking his tongue out, and President Xu has to maintain a balance. I'm sorry, Qi Yue, our internal strife has caused this drama to suffer."

Qi Yue could tell that Li Lan's frustration and apology were genuine. After all, he was the one who strongly advocated for this investment, and now that it had turned out this way, he was also embarrassed.

But with their city gates on fire, Qi Yue was not willing to be a victim of collateral damage.

"President Li," Qi Yue began, his voice surprisingly calm, "since the company is so pessimistic about 'Yu Zui'... how about we try a different way of collaborating?"

"How about another way?" Li Lan was taken aback.

"Hmm." Qi Yue nodded, his tone as if he were discussing a very ordinary business proposal.

"The two million invested by Juli Investment can be considered a loan from the company to our 'Tongfan Studio'. The interest can be calculated at the market rate, or we can discuss it further."

Li Lan's eyes widened slightly, and she immediately realized what Qi Yue was planning to do.

With the equity-to-debt conversion, Juling is no longer the producer of "Yu Zui" but the borrower. This will greatly reduce Juling's association with the company and its responsibilities, but at the same time,

"You want to buy out the copyright to 'Yu Zui'?"

"It's not a buyout, it's a buyback."

Li Lan's voice was somewhat hoarse, "What use are the copyrights to you? Without the platform's promotion, how will you distribute them yourselves? Besides, the company won't agree to taking all the copyrights."

Qi Yue shook his head slightly. "President Li, you and I both know that if the company doesn't recommend it, it's equivalent to giving up on the operation of this drama. If the company is willing to let go, it's like turning a failed investment into a loan with a clear repayment plan. I don't think anyone in your company would object to this proposal."

Li Lan fell silent; Qi Yue's words made sense. Two million was not a small sum for Juling; converting it into a loan would allow the company to retain both the principal and interest.

More importantly, this would give the man surnamed He no reason to use this project to attack him further.

"I need to go back and report."

He hesitated for a moment, then said...

"Qi Yue, I have to remind you that even if you get the copyright back, it doesn't mean your future will be easier."

Qi Yue smiled noncommittally, "Not necessarily."

Li Lan came quickly and left just as fast, like a gust of wind.

Guo Fan leaned closer and put his arm around Qi Yue's shoulder.

"What's with that Mr. Li, coming and going in such a hurry?"

Qi Yue withdrew his gaze.

"It's nothing. I discussed it with him, and I plan to spend money to buy back the copyright of 'Yu Zui' from them."

"What?!" Guo Fan almost jumped up, his arm slipping off Qi Yue's shoulder.

"Buyout? 'Yu Zui'? Qi Yue, are you crazy?! Why would you buy out a perfectly good story?!"

Qi Yue first gestured for him to calm down before explaining the situation to him.

After hearing this, Guo Fan's face went from shock to ashen.

"Damn it! These bastards! They're using us as a whetstone for their own infighting? What did we, Yu Zui, ever do to deserve this?!"

He was truly furious. From scratch, every scene of "Yu Zui" was imbued with his sweat and passion; it was like his child. Now, however, it was facing a "birth and death" fate because of other people's office politics.

After the anger came a profound sense of powerlessness.

"But Qi Yue, even if you wanted to buy it, where would we get so much money? Even if you dismembered us and sold our bones, they wouldn't be worth much!"

Qi Yue looked at him, then suddenly smiled mischievously, "I don't have it, but someone else does."