Chapter 368

Qin Feng smiled faintly: "Editor Gu, given your experience at the magazine, under the current comprehensive development of internet new media, how far do you think traditional fashion magazines can still go?"

"This…"

Hearing Qin Feng's question,

Gu Xiaojun appeared notably attentive,

picked up a tissue to wipe her hands,

then gave a bitter little shake of her head: "To be honest, new media, especially short videos, have hit traditional media extremely hard."

"To be honest, over the past few years, our magazine's sales have declined year after year, nearly reaching a point of life or death."

"Fortunately, last month our magazine was acquired by a hidden billionaire—perhaps due to luck—the magazine's sales have gradually started to recover."

"But even with sales rebounding, it's just drinking poison to quench thirst; our magazine now faces a dilemma: transform or die."

"That's why recently I've been visiting universities looking for young men and women born in '09 with good looks and poise, planning to use them to break into the short-video market and see if we can carve out a new path for the magazine."

"Has Editor Gu settled on a clear direction yet?"

"Not yet. The magazine's profits are now extremely low—we can barely afford to sign new talent, let alone think about finding a direction."

Speaking of the magazine, Gu Xiaojun felt a headache coming on: "But I've worked for years on the YOYO fashion section—I really don't want to see YOYO die like this."

"Then, Editor Gu, I do have a direction."

Watching Gu Xiaojun's furrowed brows,

Qin Feng smiled and said: "Recently, short dramas centered on new-media novels have become wildly popular."

"Editor Gu could try pursuing this direction."

"The magazine already has shooting equipment, a directing team—all fully formed; if you shift, it would be very straightforward."

"New-media short dramas?"

Gu Xiaojun grew somewhat interested,

looked intently at Qin Feng and said: "Handsome brother, tell me more."

"Hmm, okay."

Qin Feng nodded: "Have you seen short videos like 'Dragon King with a Crooked Mouth' or 'God of War Returns'? Those are short dramas."

"Each episode lasts three to five minutes but contains a complete plot. Though the plots are simple, direct, even crude, they've gained widespread approval."

"Actually, the creative source for these short dramas is new-media novels—so you don't need to brainstorm ideas at all; you just need to pay to buy the adaptation rights to new-media novels."

"Then, using the magazine's existing venues, equipment, directing team, and already-signed male and female models, you can directly shoot similar short dramas."

"After shooting and editing, you can directly launch them on distribution channels to attract traffic and user payments."

"Once you get familiar with it, this becomes an extremely convenient and fast short-drama assembly line—if you can build your own traffic pool, the magazine can successfully transform."

"Really?"

After hearing Qin Feng's words,

Gu Xiaojun thought carefully, then beamed with delight,

"Handsome brother, you're right—we've signed so many handsome men and beautiful women; we don't have to worry about actors at all."

"We already have equipment, venues, directing teams—all of it."

"The only issue is editing and post-production—but those can be outsourced."

"Handsome brother, I'm very interested in what you said—let's find a place to talk properly?"

Gu Xiaojun said, reaching to pull Qin Feng toward the door,

but Qin Feng smiled and said: "I have a room at the hotel—why not go up and sit?"

"Come on, let's go!"

Gu Xiaojun immediately stood up,

pulled Qin Feng out of the buffet restaurant, then entered the lobby elevator.

The elevator doors opened,

the two stepped inside the room,

Gu Xiaojun casually slipped on slippers,

then sat down on the sofa,

fixed her gaze on Qin Feng and asked: "Handsome brother, I have a question—I've never dealt with new-media novels, so I don't know their copyright prices. What if they demand an outrageous sum?"

"No."

Qin Feng shook his head with a smile: "New-media novels are produced in huge volumes, with diverse themes and many similarities. Once one book becomes popular, many authors rush to imitate it."

"So new-media novels don't have the fame or high prices of traditional or wuxia novels."

"Moreover, the magazine only buys the short-drama adaptation rights, nothing else—so the copyright fee is actually not expensive; usually a few ten thousand yuan can buy the rights to a widely popular novel…"

Qin Feng spoke calmly,

and at this moment, Gu Xiaojun's gaze toward Qin Feng gradually changed,

at first,

Gu Xiaojun had thought Qin Feng had simply invited her to dinner,

possibly with some other hidden agenda,

and after being single for so long, Gu Xiaojun had actually found Qin Feng, this handsome brother, quite appealing,

which was why she had dressed up meticulously and attended in full makeup,

but now,

as she listened to Qin Feng calmly discussing the magazine's transformation and development,

her own charm involuntarily radiating,

Gu Xiaojun suddenly felt,

Such a handsome younger brother is so charming,

truly heart-stirring.

So,

Gu Xiaojun stepped forward to stand before Qin Feng,

gazing at Qin Feng with deep affection and speaking softly: "So, you understand so much..."

Over an hour later,

at this moment, the system prompt sound rang in Qin Feng's mind once again: "Ding! One sowing completed. Reward: 100% shares of Hengfei Pharmaceutical Company."

Hengfei Pharmaceutical?

Hearing the system prompt,

Qin Feng shook his head and smiled,

it seems this reward should have been prepared for Xu Hongdou in advance.

In the original plot,

Xu Hongdou's best friend Chen Nanxing unfortunately passed away due to pancreatic cancer,

and her death

also prompted Xu Hongdou to make the decision to resign, going alone to Diannan to realize Chen Nanxing's unfinished goals.

However,

pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor; by the time it is discovered, most cases are in the late stages,

with almost no possibility of cure.

Even spending 1.2 million to buy an exorbitantly priced anti-cancer injection actually has little effect,

so,

even if Qin Feng owned a wholly-owned pharmaceutical company,

he still could not save Chen Nanxing's life.

However,

he could use his pharmaceutical company to help Chen Nanxing extend her life by a few more months.

At this moment,

Gu Xiaojun beside him was patiently trying a new way of communicating,

while Qin Feng held his phone,

sending a text message to Xu Hongdou: "Forgot to remind you, Xu Hongdou, if you have time these two days, accompany Chen Nanxing to the hospital for a comprehensive checkup as soon as possible. Delaying a few more days, your best friend's condition might get worse."