Chapter 340

Facing the children's questions, Director Dai felt very ashamed; the next episode wasn't even in sight yet. To comfort the children, he drew a Black Cat Detective for each of them, and each one had a different posture, only then sending the little audience out of his home.

The next day, after Dai Tielang entered the factory, he immediately found the factory director to ask if "Black Cat Detective" could continue to be made.

"I see that the little audience likes it very much."

Factory Director Te Wei smiled and said, "Little Dai, look, you're impatient again. It's only been broadcast for one day; what can you tell from that?"

"But the children of the neighbors around me all like it very much."

"A few individual cases can't explain anything; let's wait a bit longer." Te Wei comforted him. In reality, the factory's funds were tight. If this project continued, it wouldn't be a matter of one or two episodes; it would definitely be a long-term investment, so he had to be cautious.

However, by the evening of this day, the Shanghai TV station began to receive calls one after another, asking why today's "Black Cat Detective" didn't continue to broadcast, and if the time had been changed.

In this day and age, ordinary people could afford a TV if they gritted their teeth, but those who could have a phone were not ordinary people.

The next day, the Shanghai TV station contacted the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang, asking when they could make the second episode.

And the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang also received many calls from viewers asking about this matter. People had seen the obvious factory logo at the beginning; some called the TV station, and some even called the factory director's office of the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang directly.

When someone says with a smile, "My grandson is still waiting to watch it," you have to ask yourself if you need to weigh it carefully.

However, more and more evidence showed that the animation "Black Cat Detective" was indeed very successful. The Shanghai TV station later rebroadcast "Black Cat Detective," and the ratings were even higher than the premiere.

Not only did the children in Shanghai write letters to the TV station and the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang asking for updates, but even CCTV set its sights on this film and requested it, preparing to broadcast it at five or six o'clock when the children got out of school. Recently, CCTV has frequently introduced European, American, and Japanese animations, and it's time to let them see the level of domestic animation.

A week later, Wei Ming finally saw "Black Cat Detective" broadcast on CCTV at home. Gong Xue was also accompanying him, but the weather was a bit hot. Before watching the cartoon, they first took a bath and then unpacked a package that had come from Hong Kong.

It was sent to them by Liu Rulong and Gong Ying.

What A-Long sent to Wei Ming was mainly ten copies of "Madman Comics" magazines, and all the lead artists had signed them. If Madman Comics becomes successful in the future, these ten comics will have extraordinary significance. Wei Ming must keep at least two for himself, one for reading and one for collection.

In the letter, A-Long also reported the good news that "Madman Comics" was suffering heavy losses. The 20,000 copies were quickly digested by the market, so he estimated that the second issue in September would lose even more, and he was prepared to start with 30,000 copies.

The more it loses, the more stable Wei Ming's mentality becomes. To fight against Huang Yulang, who almost dominates the comic world, it is impossible without paying some price.

A-Long also mentioned Gan Xiaowen. This person is a master of nonsense comics. He wants to progress; this is simple. Isn't it just nonsense? Writing a long story might not be easy, but a medium-length one, the volume of a movie, is not difficult.

Wei Ming prepared to write two scripts for him later to let him test the waters.

Then, while Gong Xue was reading her sister's letter, Wei Ming took the opportunity to flip through the things Gong Ying bought for her sister and saw a swimsuit, and it was a bikini.

"Why did A-Ying buy this for you?" Wei Ming picked up the packaging and asked strangely.

Gong Xue blushed and snatched it away: "That dead girl is making fun of me."

Gong Ying talked about her and A-Long's experience of playing at Ocean Park and the beach. Seeing many women on the beach wearing this kind of swimsuit with very little fabric, she bought two sets out of curiosity, one for each of the two sisters. Even if they didn't dare to wear them out, they could wear them at home for their boyfriends to see.

Wei Ming thought to himself, it seems A-Long is not enlightened, and A-Ying is going to force him to be enlightened.

Gong Xue complained: "Wasting money, how can this kind of swimsuit be worn out?"

Wei Ming's mind turned: "We can dig a swimming pool in that Sihe Academy of ours!"

Although it is a bit unrealistic to have an indoor heated swimming pool now, and Master Lei and the others don't have those skills, an outdoor one has no difficulty. If they build a shed to shade it, they can have one more form of entertainment in the summer.

He could even call Sister Lin to join; anyway, the two of them are not strangers. Wei Ming hurriedly wrote it down in his little notebook.

But now he wants to see Sister Xue wear this bikini more; anyway, she just finished taking a bath, and it's convenient to change clothes.

Under Wei Ming's repeated pleas, Sister Xue finally changed into it. She was a bit uncomfortable; this couldn't even cover her butt. Are Hong Kong people so shameless?

Wei Ming didn't know if Hong Kong people had a sense of shame, but he knew that this swimming pool must be built, and he also had to buy water guns. He would discuss the plan with Master Lei tomorrow!

In addition, Gong Xue also shared with Wei Ming some photos of A-Long and A-Ying in Hong Kong. Gong Xue lamented: "Did you notice? A-Ying is getting better and better at dressing up, and her clothes are getting more and more beautiful and fashionable."

"That's true, she is a fashion designer now, and her own aesthetic is also very important."

Gong Xue looked at a photo of the two of them taken at Ocean Park and said: "Hong Kong people really have a way; they can actually keep such a big shark in captivity for viewing. How did they do it?"

Wei Ming said seriously: "I am currently investing in making movies with Qingniao, but there is no suitable role for you for the time being. When there is a chance in the future, I will borrow you from the Beijing Er Yingchang, and I will also take you to visit Hong Kong."

Hearing this promise from Wei Ming, Gong Xue leaned against Wei Ming's chest: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

When the two were in the heat of passion, Wei Ming had already placed his hand on the tie behind the swimsuit, just needing a gentle pull... However, Lele's singing rang out inopportunely; "Black Cat Detective" had started.

Previously, "Black Cat Detective" was only popular in Shanghai, but now that it's on CCTV, TV stations across the country can receive it, directly covering tens of millions of viewers, and they are the most consumer-capable group in the country. This influence is huge.

For a movie to get tens of millions of viewers, it takes a screening cycle of a month or so; TV only needs one day.

Gong Xue also watched every episode of "Black Cat Detective." Initially, it was to tell stories to her nephew, but later she felt she could learn knowledge and gain pleasure from it, so she persisted. The egg-laying rooster in the previous episode made her very happy.

Now seeing the characters written by Wei Ming moving on TV, that feeling was very wonderful, and she even wanted to go to the Sihe Academy to pet the detective.

"It's filmed really well, but it's a pity there's only one episode," Gong Xue said.

Wei Ming said: "It is estimated that production will begin again soon. It won't be a problem to have two more episodes by the end of the year."

Actually, Wei Ming felt that one episode per month was a more acceptable speed, but obviously, the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang could not provide so much manpower and material resources. As for one episode per week, he hadn't even thought about it.

The movie was finished, and it was time to do serious business. Wei Ming tirelessly worked on Sister Xue, day and night, so much so that the young married woman temperament on her became more and more intense.

She also complained to Wei Ming, saying that she was afraid she would never be able to play a big girl again, only a young wife or a child's mother.

Actually, Wei Ming felt Sister Xue was still okay; if she dressed up, she could still pass for a young girl. The mature woman temperament on Sister Lin was truly impossible to hide.

The next day, Wei Ming went to the Sihe Academy in Nanluoguxiang in the morning after talking to Master Lei about the swimming pool plan.

Master Lei lamented: "The cost will be even greater, including the water usage in the future."

Wei Ming: "Money is not a problem; it must be the best materials."

Master Lei nodded. He was clear about Teacher Wei's strength, and all the people in the country were clear. He estimated that he was the richest writer in the country.

Mr. Mao Dun only left 250,000 in inheritance when he passed away, and Wei Ming earned more than that from one English song!

At noon, Wei Ming ate at home as usual. His parents talked enthusiastically about yesterday's "Black Cat Detective." Wei Ming had previously had two works made into animations, but their influence was far less than the one episode of "Black Cat Detective."

After the meal, Lao Lao Lao Wei called his son aside and secretly told him another piece of good news.

"Old Fei from Shanghai sent word, saying that the No. 2 courtyard of Jueyuan has been vacated for us, and asked us to go over and accept it."

"That's quite fast."

Lao Lao Lao Wei: "Do you want your aunt to come back for a trip? Didn't she say there was treasure?"

Wei Ming shook his head: "Just tell her; no need to wait for her to come back specially. She is also busy in Hong Kong; dig it whenever she has time."

Wei Lingling was busy solving the technical problems of Transformers, and before Transformers were made, the factory also needed to make a profit.

If it weren't for the fact that Black Cat Detective is a mainland public security officer, it would be unlikely for this identity to become popular in Hong Kong. Letting the Langning Toy Factory produce toys related to Black Cat Detective is also a way to make money.

However, when the works of "Madman Comics" have a certain influence, they can be authorized to the toy factory for toy development.

"Then shall the two of us go?" Lao Lao Lao Wei said.

Wei Ming: "I won't go, but I know Uncle Ping'an is going to Shanghai for a meeting next week. You can go together to collect the house then; that house also has one-third of his share."

"Next week," Lao Lao Lao Wei said, "Then I will go back to my hometown this week first. The bridge you donated is about to be laid; I will go back to witness it."

By the way, chat with the fellow villagers about the 150 million raised by his son. I don't know if they recognize the concept of "100 million," and whether 10,000 ten-thousand-yuan households is a bit out of their league.

Hearing that his father was going back to his hometown, Wei Ming thought of the idea of making Black Cat Detective into toys.

"Dad, do you think children in the city would want to raise a cat after watching 'Black Cat Detective'?"

"Definitely!" Lao Lao Lao Wei said without thinking, "I even want to arrange a White Cat Monitor for the detective now; it just happens to be able to put on a play, and it can also have a litter of kittens."

Wei Ming smiled: "But it's not very convenient to raise cats in the city, especially troublesome if you live upstairs."

"That's true, otherwise Xizi wouldn't always want to run to the Sihe Academy," Lao Lao Lao Wei echoed.

"But if there is a cloth doll exactly the same as Black Cat Detective at this time, do you think the children will buy it?"

"Whether the children will buy it depends on the parents; they don't have the final say, but they will definitely make a fuss," Lao Lao Lao Wei analyzed.

Wei Ming said to Lao Lao Lao Wei: "What do you think about letting the people in the hometown make Black Cat Detective dolls during the slack farming season? Now this animation has high popularity and a large audience base; there should be a market in the city. I remember that Zhao Guafu, our former neighbor, is very skillful at needlework; she even sewed a puppy for me with cloth scraps before."

"Not just Zhao Guafu, there are several other old ladies who are also very capable. This is a good idea of yours!"

Wei Ming added: "You can let the village talk about cooperation with the superior supply and marketing cooperative, one responsible for production and one responsible for sales, selling directly to the county town and even Hengzhou and the provincial capital."

If Black Cat Detective broadcasts a few more episodes and the popularity rises, a large number of related toys will definitely emerge across the country. It is better to let the people in the hometown make some money in advance. If it can really be made into an industry by the hometown, that is of course the best.

As for earning money from intellectual property rights with official authorization, there is no need to consider this matter too much within a few decades.

More than a decade later, CCTV produced and broadcast a version of "Black Cat Detective," with rough production, and the black cat looked like a black bear. That didn't pay any copyright fees, let alone count on those toy manufacturers.

Wei Ming is looking at the future. When copyright becomes standardized and the IP of Black Cat Detective truly becomes valuable, maybe he and the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang will have a battle. Anyway, the appearance of the detective was drawn by him, and the influence of the novel is also extremely huge, so he won't be as passive as Zhuge Zhixiang in his previous life.

Teacher Zhuge is indeed the author of Black Cat Detective, but the image and influence of Black Cat Detective come from Dai Tielang's secondary creation, so in the end, there were constant lawsuits, which hurt the harmony.