Chapter 206: Arrogance Cannot Withstand Capital

The proposal that the editor thought was unlikely to be accepted turned out to be readily agreed upon by the other party. Jokingly, when you have a backdoor connection as a funded screenwriter, you can’t refuse it even if you don’t want it.

Moreover, the author himself has a significant following, so even without asking, they would have had to let him participate. It’s a great marketing point, isn’t it? Only a fool would decline such an opportunity.

As a result, in the midst of mutual understanding, “Chu Tian Wu Ji” was officially sold to Great Tang Light and Shadow Co., Ltd. for five years and three million. The contract specified that the author would personally participate in the scriptwriting, and the plot modifications would be primarily based on the author’s input.

It was practically a treatment fit for a big shot, and not every big shot could receive such treatment…

Most film and television professionals both seek the popularity of web novel IPs while looking down on web novels themselves. This duality has become customary. Some screenwriters even openly state on forums that they specialize in web novel adaptations, but they never read web novels. And they say it proudly.

Why are web novel adaptations often so poorly executed? This is evident, as apart from budget constraints, a significant factor is the arrogant attitude of the film and television professionals who simply don’t understand what the audience of this IP likes and wants to see.

But in front of funded projects, nothing else matters. Arrogance cannot withstand capital…

The money obviously didn’t arrive that quickly; the process was just beginning. However, as Chu Ge looked at the contract sent to him, he felt like he was in a dream while signing it.

Damn, three million!

After a 50% cut and taxes, there would still be 1.2 million!

Wait, why does it sound like it’s shrunk so much… The image of a majestic lion suddenly turned into a deflated dog.

It’s alright; it’s still a considerable sum, and I get to be involved in the scriptwriting! That’s the most important thing! For a writer, this is probably enough to make this life worthwhile.

I could just retire… No, I can’t retire. In fact, I might have to finish writing sooner for the filming? Chu Ge unexpectedly began to feel a sense of insecurity.

It’s impossible to complete the novel early, but if he stuck to the original schedule, wouldn’t it be too late…? A certain level of worldwide recognition was needed before completion, and reaching a closed loop before the novel’s end was significant. This was his intuition as the Heavenly Dao.

To wait for several years before the film is released would be too late…

But it seems that they wouldn’t directly start filming while the novel is still being serialized…

They have other projects on hand; why would they take such a risk? They might start filming now, but he hadn’t finished writing the story. What if the later parts turn out to be a mess?

Feeling uncertain, Chu Ge dialed Old Zhu’s phone number.

After hearing the purpose of the call, Old Zhu chuckled, “This is not difficult. Nowadays, filming doesn’t have to wait for the entire story to be finished. It can be done in seasons. By the time the first season is completed, you should have finished writing too. Look at ‘Game of Thrones’ and similar works; they filmed while the story was still being written. The filming even progressed beyond the original books…”

Chu Ge said, “I understand the logic, but they might not choose to do it that way…”

“We have the money.”

“…”

Old Zhu comforted him, “I read your masterpiece, and it divides nicely into seasons. We can film the first season up to the battle between Qiu Wuji and Yan Qianli. In this case, it’s relatively easy to convince the team, and it’s not like we’re forcing anything, right?”

Chu Ge was a bit uneasy, “How much are you going to invest?”

“One billion.”

“What?!”

“I just sold my mine, and I have a lot of cash on hand that’s starting to get moldy. Investing in this project is one of the options, and I still have some money left to look for other projects…”

“…You really sold the mine so quickly…”

Old Zhu laughed, “That’s why I added a bit more. Originally, I didn’t plan to invest this much. The additional amount is just to give them some pressure to get the project started early.”

“No, Old Zhu… you added more…” Chu Ge weakly said, “What if it fails, and you lose money?”

“Hmm, do you think Xie Wenyuan is a fool?” Old Zhu chuckled, “Since he gave the green light for the project, it means it has been through risk assessment. To be honest, I initially planned to invest a couple hundred million, just as a gesture. I never thought about making it a big production. But his attitude made me feel there’s a chance to make money. Chu Ge, I’m not just sweet-talking you; the purpose of investment is to make money, not to save face, you know?”

“Can it really make money?”

“Every business has risks. Since we’ve decided, we’ll bear them ourselves.” Old Zhu said, “Don’t be so hesitant and insecure. Show some confidence. Your lack of confidence makes me nervous…”

Cough, cough Chu Ge didn’t know how to show confidence to boost the confidence of an investor, especially when the investor is someone he knew…

“You, you’re too kind, worrying about deceiving your own people… If it were someone else, they’d deceive even their own people.” Old Zhu chuckled, “Alright, once things reach the level of capital, they’re already beyond the author’s control. Whether it’s profit or loss depends on how it’s managed.”

He paused and smiled mysteriously, “Third Brother, it seems you’ve forgotten, my special ability is divination.”

“Huh…” Chu Ge was taken aback.

“As a diviner, though not entirely accurate… would I really throw away a whole billion?” Old Zhu smiled, “You might think I’m helping you, but who’s to say you’re not helping me make money…”

The mine owner played the “who’s to say” game… At this moment, Chu Ge felt that Old Zhu had a bit of the aura of that artistic photographer they had encountered in the past.

It was also the first time he had firsthand experience of the terrifying power of capital, like an overcast sky above. A small author standing within it felt like an ant under the heavens. As if he was observing the world of his own book.

The slight inflation he felt after getting one million two hundred thousand quickly dissipated, like cold water pouring down.

“I will write the rest diligently, and I’ll leave the film and television matters entirely in your hands.”

Old Zhu smiled, “No problem. Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?”

“No, I’m waiting for Qiuqiu to come home. She should be back soon after her driving lesson.”

“Alright then, I won’t disturb your little world with Qiuqiu.”

Kacha~ The sound of the door opening was just in time as Qiu Wuji’s laughter echoed, “I’m back~ Oh, you’re not writing? ”

Chu Ge put away his phone, walked over, and took the groceries from Qiu Wuji, “I was just on the phone with Old Zhu… You went grocery shopping right after your driving lesson?”

“Yes, the timing worked out well. I went grocery shopping with my instructor,” Qiu Wuji changed her shoes and smiled, “The driving instructor is also a responsible person, not like Mengmeng, a heartless capitalist. She won’t even admit it.”

Chu Ge felt a bit upset, “Yeah, a capitalist…”

“What’s wrong? Your expression is odd.”

“It’s nothing.” Chu Ge tossed the groceries into the kitchen, then turned around and picked up Qiu Wuji, leaping onto the sofa with her, “The film and television adaptation is settled, mission accomplished. How about a kiss?”

Qiu Wuji struggled under him, covering his mouth with disdain, “Don’t imitate Wei Xiaobao, he has seven wives, how many do you want?”

Chu Ge’s voice was muffled by her hand, “Even one can be considered a mission accomplished…”

Qiu Wuji wondered, “Really?”

Chu Ge slowly moved away her hand covering his mouth, “Really… Our world’s existence is truly becoming more distinct…”

Qiu Wuji’s eyes shimmered with joy, clearly pleased. The reality of the world is intertwined with her own reality, although it’s hard to say in what form it will be presented for the time being.

“No, just speak, why did you take my hand away…”

“I mean, in the story, you listen to me. Here, listen to me too…”

“I, I never said that! Mmm…”

Chu Ge kissed her firmly.

Qiu Wuji’s struggling gradually weakened, and she closed her eyes and embraced him back gently, responding tenderly.

It’s been a while since they kissed…