Chapter 709

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Palace Intrigue" exploded in popularity!

An expected explosion, yet it was extraordinarily popular in a way no one expected!

Including Shen Yao herself, everyone believed this TV drama would be popular, but no one felt it would be popular to an unprecedented degree; as for whether it would be unsurpassed in the future? That depends on whether others can produce even more excellent works of the same type.

The group chat was full of all kinds of red envelopes and compliments every day, leaving even Jiang Han Zhou dizzy; after all, the revenue was visibly substantial — one can imagine how much monetary benefit this drama's direct explosion in popularity brought them.

Yang Tiantian contacted Shen Yao again, aiming to have Shen Yao produce another novel of the same type, preferably continuing the ending of "Palace Intrigue" — not only would it have heat, but the adaptation rights could be sold directly.

In short, making quick money (milking it)!

Shen Yao:...

A dog's tail tacked onto a sable? This novel can stop here; adding feet to a snake painting would only ruin her own reputation and bring no other benefit whatsoever.

Shen Yao lacks no money, and even less does she want her reputation damaged.

She refused Yang Tiantian's proposal without hesitation and reminded her that she currently still has a new novel being updated; one person's energy is limited, and she cannot invest in other creations.

Yang Tiantian:...

As a wage worker, Yang Tiantian could only take Shen Yao's words and report them upward; unsurprisingly, this displeased the leaders above, but Shen Yao's reputation is now huge, so she counts as having backbone — Hongshi Network can be displeased all they want, but they cannot force anything.

After all, Shen Yao's other novel also sold its adaptation rights for a sky-high price early on; if the adaptation takes off and explodes in popularity again... even if Shen Yao is difficult, they cannot push away a money tree that can continuously create wealth for their side just because of benefits not yet in hand.

"Tsk tsk tsk, when all is said and done, it's all about interests," if the Host's novels weren't good, and the adaptation luck was terribly poor, Hongshi Network might not be communicating nicely with the Host right now, but using threats and inducements.

After all, capital's purpose is to make money; who cares if you're willing or not.

Shen Yao ignored the system's sudden sigh; after all, aside from loving gossip, this system's daily routine is going crazy and spouting nonsense.

She was browsing online reviews of the TV drama "Palace Intrigue" — whether positive or negative, she read them all.

The system was puzzled: "What's the use of this?" Good or bad, nothing can stop "Palace Intrigue" from exploding; even a single line of dialogue is taken out and savored repeatedly — one can see how much the audience likes it.

"For future adaptations of other works, it can serve as reference," Shen Yao pointed to one comment: convincing prop research, daily outfits also fit current society and don't break immersion; "Audience tastes are bizarre and varied, but ultimately, they still like works above the passing line.

If the story is told well, they'll tolerate some flaws; but no matter how beautifully you wrap the outer packaging, if the internal content is subpar, the audience won't buy it.

So don't abandon the root to chase the branch; when filming a drama, you must understand what the core requirements are," all other messy things are just trivial details.

System:...

Sounds very reasonable, but it's a system — it really doesn't understand much.

Anyway, the Host won't suffer a loss; no matter how she handles it, they can complete the main mission — that's actually great, since they're Taskers after all.

The system slipped away; in no time it was gone, who knows where.

Shen Yao continued browsing these online comments; of course not just the good ones — there were also many bought black-traffic from rival camps, taking things out of context with skill, and even more were all kinds of fabrications or dragging out a single careless remark by the stars or even supporting actors to subject them to all kinds of critical scrutiny, just to drag down this drama's heat.

Several other big-investment TV dramas aired alongside "Palace Intrigue" — all genres — how could they let the ratings and heat all go to "Palace Intrigue"?

Shen Yao saw the online rights and wrongs, but these aren't things she can handle; like one black hot-search after another popping up, with readings not even reaching a thousand — calling them bought would be praise; who knows what shady transactions exist behind the scenes.

Jiang Han Zhou suddenly called Shen Yao, sounding very happy.

"Author Shen, let's cooperate on another drama," Jiang Han Zhou got straight to the point, directly telling Shen Yao on the other end of the phone about his plan to film.

"Producer Jiang has so many scripts in hand — why choose me? You mean that second novel I finished writing — the ancient strange/mythical genre, rather niche, filming it might not pass censorship."

Jiang Han Zhou laughed, "Exactly," one "Palace Intrigue" filled his basins and pots; what's wrong with filming the second?

Shen Yao also felt nothing wrong, but Jiang Han Zhou is either filming or making money every day — isn't that a bit too boring?

Jiang Han Zhou said that's not called boring at all — he enjoys it himself, and wishes days like this could continue forever.

Shen Yao:...

"Producer Jiang's thoughts are truly novel," Shen Yao sat opposite Jiang Han Zhou.

At this moment the two were sitting in a hotel private room with extremely strong privacy; they came out to meet for script development — Jiang Han Zhou is addicted to making money, even planning to concede part of the profits to Shen Yao in exchange for their long-term cooperation.

Shen Yao was very puzzled by this — this circle isn't lacking in extraordinarily gifted people, so why did Jiang Han Zhou set his sights on plucking this sheep's wool — her?

Although she doesn't mind cooperating with Jiang Han Zhou for mutual benefit, some things — if she doesn't ask clearly and understand, she really can't figure it out.

Jiang Han Zhou:...

Jiang Han Zhou coughed, cleared his throat, and indicated he mainly admires Shen Yao.

Mm

After all, he feels Shen Yao is good in all aspects, and he himself isn't very averse — getting in touch, if there's a possibility, it's not impossible... Jiang Han Zhou hurriedly shook his head, expression serious as he expressed his admiration and liking for Shen Yao.

"Of course, this is merely Jiang's one-sided wishful thinking; Author Shen need not be puzzled — everything follows the heart," Jiang Han Zhou wouldn't go so far as to do un-gentlemanly things, although in the business world he's never been called much of a gentleman.

Shen Yao suddenly understood; recalling their previous interactions, she seemed to somewhat understand Jiang Han Zhou's meaning — but this person really isn't particularly dislikeable, and moreover they truly work together pleasantly.

Laughing, she skipped past this topic and spoke of the upcoming collaboration.

"Wonder what Producer Jiang has planned? This novel isn't easy to adapt," because some content fundamentally cannot be filmed, and once handled poorly, the integrity of the whole drama will be greatly discounted.

Hearing this, Jiang Han Zhou laid out his plan — they can learn from the previous Mythical Records series; since the novel is an anthology, they can extract the more typical content for adaptation and supplementation.

"This type of drama, though niche, also has potential to explode; aesthetics are diverse — we can't just limit ourselves to the original few paths," ancient romance and modern romance filmed into a bloom — so what? It'll only push audiences further and further away.

"Fine, I'll go back and reorganize, will send you a version later — but right now the most important thing is still the wrap-up of 'Palace Intrigue' and the celebration banquet; Director Tian has already sent the notification," regardless of one's position in the crew originally, everyone can attend this celebration banquet.

This is a line that can be written on a resume — Tian Yu wishes everyone under heaven knew.

"Hahahaha, congratulations all around, everyone eat and drink well tonight — absolutely don't be courteous with me."

Tian Yu stood at a hotel doorway, smiling broadly, continuously laughing and greeting people as they came over.

Today's crowd was rather mixed — even investors who rarely show their faces arranged for people to attend; who told them "Palace Intrigue" made them money? Even the Smiling Tiger Jiang Han Zhou was more sincere than before.

Shen Yao sat at a table nearest the center; around her were screenwriters she'd collaborated with — the two currently have no career conflicts, so meeting means three parts smile: you're good, I'm good, everyone's good.

"... The endorsement fee has gone up several times, yet it still can't stop the brands chasing after her."

"Overseas events are inviting her; supposedly the national TV station also has an event for her to attend — this kind of situation in the circle is a genuine turning over."

The one chatting idly with Shen Yao was a middle-aged woman, someone from the video website side; for some reason she just plopped down right in front of Shen Yao and kept nattering on.

"That's good; she was very good on set normally, and now it counts as bitter ends sweet," Shen Yao smiled and took a sip of the drink just poured, then curiously asked about the male lead — although he isn't as hot as the female lead, his endorsement fee flipping and rising still can't block the favor of numerous brands, but Xiao Huo getting the male lead role is a sure thing.

The middle-aged woman secretly pursed her lips, "Although he's not as hot as the female lead, his endorsement fee has risen three to five times compared to before; now he's competing with others for a Cheng Dao movie, supposedly the possibility is very high."

Obviously, compared to the hotter female lead, this middle-aged woman obviously dislikes the male lead very much.

"Normal, because the male lead refused the sky-high cooperation the video website offered; that drama was her responsibility," the system chattered on about the news it heard, incidentally mocking this person as dishonest — that drama was clearly hanging a sheep's head to sell dog meat; the male lead barely got hot once, why would he be willing to put the reputation he raised himself into it and lose it.

Shen Yao merely smiled and said nothing at those words, thinking the entertainment circle is just like that — hanging a sheep's head to sell dog meat and such are just common tactics played in the circle.

There are even yin and yang scripts, death edits; after all, before the finished film comes out, everyone knows how much of what they shot can actually be used.

Before she also heard a screenwriter complain: an actor worked diligently on set for months, but the final finished film accounted for less than one-tenth of the whole movie, and many of his fight scenes were completely deleted — the reason being they stole the limelight from the lead.

Oh, absurd yet reasonable; after all, some leads are both fragile and not up to snuff.

The result was this movie flopped so badly even its mother wouldn't recognize it, simply refreshing the industry's bottom line, and at the same time was scolded by online audiences until dog-blood splattered the head; even several leads' endorsements didn't increase but dropped — a true model of lose both ways.

Before long, a female lead dressed in dazzling splendor came over to greet Shen Yao.

The two didn't communicate much on set; occasionally saying a couple of sentences was only about script discussion; now looking at the other's ostentatious air between eyebrows and eyes, Shen Yao feels no wonder entertainment circle people all want to get hot — only getting hot gives the capital to sit at the table; otherwise one can only be manipulated by others with no power to fight back.

"Author Shen, keep in touch often."

"Keep in touch often."

Shen Yao raised the wine cup in her hand, watching the female lead leave with swaying graceful posture.

Before long, the male lead also walked over alone, smiling shyly and toasting a cup to Shen Yao.

Same as before, attitude unchanged; Shen Yao waited until no one came over, put down the wine cup, and buried her head eating the somewhat cold dishes.

The dishes tasted good, just a bit cold; eating them in the mouth there was no hot fragrance.

Shen Yao puffed her cheeks like a little squirrel, quickly finished the food in her bowl, just thinking to raise her hand and reach forward again when a bowl emitting steam suddenly appeared before her eyes.

A familiar person sat down in the vacated seat beside her, still carrying a hard-to-ignore smell of alcohol.

Jiang Han Zhou wanted to move a bit farther away somewhat apologetically, but unfortunately the place is just this big; no matter how he moved he couldn't block the smell drilling straight into Shen Yao's nostrils.

"Taste it; I had them send this soup over specially," Jiang Han Zhou turned his head to survey the chaotic crowd behind, mentioning TV station people would come tonight; if Shen Yao has nothing on she can leave in advance.

Shen Yao gave an "mm" and nodded; she really isn't used to this kind of scene — everyone wearing fake smile masks, ugly and boring.

Jiang Han Zhou tilted his head observing Shen Yao; their table didn't have many people, some already went out to socialize; someone like Shen Yao honestly savoring the food, there wasn't a single one.

This celebration banquet in front of them is more like a name-and-profit field, having nothing to do with "Palace Intrigue"; everyone is using this opportunity to gather benefits for themselves.

Shen Yao quickly finished the soup Jiang Han Zhou brought; seeing this person still a bit muddleheaded, very thoughtfully persuaded him not to force himself — going home early to rest is the way.

Jiang Han Zhou smiled, corners of his mouth curling up slightly, "Okay."

Shen Yao:...

Why does it feel a bit weird, inexplicably feeling Jiang Han Zhou is off.

Jiang Han Zhou indeed is a bit off; he's like a peacock spreading its tail, constantly fanning open his beautiful tail toward Shen Yao.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao propped her chin appreciating Jiang Han Zhou's performance, thinking this person probably drank too much so his brain isn't sober, that's why he's doing this; when he wakes up tomorrow morning, not to mention regret but he'll definitely hide for a few days.

"No, I won't hide; I'll only behave more and more enthusiastically."

Two days have passed since the celebration banquet; Shen Yao thought Jiang Han Zhou would quiet down, but unexpectedly this person actually drove straight to her home's door.

Shen Yao smiled and went out with Jiang Han Zhou, tone mocking, "Producer Jiang pursues girls like this?"

To avoid the method being too crude, completely not matching Jiang Han Zhou's prim and proper appearance.

Jiang Han Zhou couldn't help raising a hand to rub his nose tip; he indeed hasn't pursued girls much — usually girls actively pursue him.

But right now he plans to pursue Shen Yao, so he must take out all his sincerity; couldn't help asking what kind of way the other party likes exactly.

Shen Yao has no fixed preference; she mainly examines this person's situation.

She sized up Jiang Han Zhou from top to bottom; the other party was even willing to let her examine, even circling around Shen Yao two laps letting her examine.

Mm

From a certain aspect, Jiang Han Zhou is quite thick-skinned; worthy of being a producer by origin.