Chapter 275: The Song of Ice and Fire

"I'm sorry, we currently have no intention of selling the translation rights. If you are not satisfied with our cooperation agreement, Miss Wu, we can discuss it another day."

Pei Wencong rejected Wu Jinyuan without any pressure.

Having spent a year following Li Ye, he was no longer the small-time shrimp who had to polish his old leather shoes eight times before going out.

Wu Jinyuan was not discouraged, but instead said, "Then may I request an additional condition?"

Pei Wencong said amiably, "Of course, Miss Wu, please feel free to propose any requests you may have."

Wu Jinyuan took a gold-stamped business card from her bag and said, "I can waive the share of market sales revenue after translation, but I must retain the film and television adaptation rights for *A Song of Ice and Fire*."

"So Miss Wu is from the Nanyang Wu's Cultural Group! We are practically peers, then!"

Only after seeing the business card did Pei Wencong understand that Wu Jinyuan had actually set her sights on the film and television adaptation of *A Song of Ice and Fire*.

He was quite surprised, as Li Ye had never mentioned the prospects of a film and television adaptation for *A Song of Ice and Fire* to him.

This could not be blamed on Li Ye; after all, in the original timeline, this classic was published ten years later, and its explosion in film and television popularity occurred more than twenty years later. At this moment, even the first volume hadn't been finished, so it couldn't yet demonstrate any potential for peripheral derivatives!

However, Wu Jinyuan had keenly sensed the business opportunity within it; one had to admit her vision was truly unique.

"Mr. Pei has been very prominent these past two years; I heard of your great name back in Singapore. We possess comprehensive film and television distribution capabilities, which could complement and cooperate with your Ta Lang Literature Publishing House.

For example, your *Flying Gale* and *Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Home* could both be adapted into animations, movies, or television series."

"Yes, yes, I am certainly aware of the capabilities of the Wu's Cultural Group. I have a friend who works in your group, hahaha."

"I also have some understanding of Ta Lang. Forgive my bluntness, Mr. Pei, but if you want to maximize the benefits of this work, you need a powerful partner. Our Wu's Culture's strength and reputation in the industry are obvious to all. We have close ties with film and television companies in the Lighthouse, and we have the ability to distribute this type of film."

Wu Jinyuan no longer concealed her intentions and began discussing matters of deep cooperation with Pei Wencong.

And her current aura was different from the gentle and low-key demeanor she had when she first walked in; she radiated the distinct air of a powerful businesswoman.

Li Ye was not very interested in this kind of tug-of-war in the business world. He preferred a straightforward way of cooperating: either it was mutually agreeable, or they would part ways. Don't be pretentious, and certainly don't be hypocritical.

The film, television, and distribution rights for *A Song of Ice and Fire* would absolutely not be handed over to anyone else. The value of such a world-class IP was not as simple as mere surface-level profit.

Media is the mouthpiece.

Manufacturing is a powerful foundation, while media is the hired thug for tearing others down. The future profits of Ta Lang Literature Publishing House might be far less than other aspects, but its importance was not inferior in the slightest.

Consequently, Li Ye crossed his legs on the sofa, looking up at the sky, his mind wandering elsewhere.

Seeing Li Ye's change, Pei Wencong ended the conversation after chatting with Wu Jinyuan for two more minutes.

Wu Jinyuan finally revealed an expression of surprise.

Before coming, she had carefully investigated the background of Ta Lang Literature Publishing House. Her offer of 200,000 just now was a precise probe.

If it had been a year ago, Wu Jinyuan's 200,000 US dollars might really have stunned Pei Wencong.

At that time, Pei Wencong didn't even have 30,000 US dollars to his name.

Even just a few months ago, 200,000 US dollars would have been a temptation Pei Wencong could not resist.

The sales of *Flying Gale* and *Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Home* were considered quite good, but the accumulated profits were only a few million Hong Kong dollars. 200,000 US dollars, equivalent to two million Hong Kong dollars, should have hit the mark.

Yet Pei Wencong's performance repeatedly caused her to miscalculate. Why was this?

Wu Jinyuan slowly turned her head, imprinting Li Ye's shadow deeply into her mind.

After seeing Wu Jinyuan out of Ta Lang Publishing House, Pei Wencong found Li Ye.

"That woman is not simple; she actually set her sights on our entire Ta Lang."

"Is that so? I thought she only had her eyes on the film and television adaptation!"

"Heh~" Pei Wencong smiled and said, "The Wu's Cultural Communication Group is one of the top three cultural groups in all of Nanyang. How could a vice general manager run all the way to Hong Kong just for the film adaptation rights of one book?

Cooperating with them is like a small fish dancing with a shark; if you're not careful, you'll be swallowed skin and bone."

Li Ye smiled and said, "No need to be so humble; soon you will be a big fish too. Besides, she is the translation author, here to receive an award, right!"

"Hmph, who knows if she is really the author?"

"."

Pei Wencong felt that Li Ye's prophecy was truly about to become reality.

The exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the US dollar fell below the 9.0 mark at an astonishing speed, and there was a trend of accelerating decline.

"Mr. Li, in three days, A-Bo has already helped us earn three or four million US dollars. I now feel that running a literature house is meaningless; working hard for half a year isn't as good as what we earned in three days."

"Luo Runbo bought short? Oh, that's right, everyone is buying short now."

Li Ye was stunned for a moment, then felt relieved.

The contract Luo Runbo signed with him was for managing the trades on his behalf. Since he said he would buy long after it fell below 9.5, it was not strange that he was buying short now.

However, earning only three or four million after a drop of more than thirty cents meant the leverage used was clearly not high; he was being very cautious.

In fact, this was a normal operation for a trader: appropriate positions, appropriate leverage, and timely risk avoidance by following the wind.

Like his own precise trading plan, it was truly a "the bigger the wind and waves, the more expensive the fish" kind of life-gambling playstyle.

Pei Wencong observed Li Ye's expression and asked, "Mr. Li, A-Bo wants to treat you to a meal; what time do you think is appropriate?"

Li Ye said, "There's no time like the present; let's make it today!"

"Alright, I'll contact A-Bo right away."

Pei Wencong called Luo Runbo, but the other side said he was at home accompanying his wife today. Pei Wencong was so angry he cursed, complaining that he was dropping the ball at a critical moment.

"Mr. Li, A-Bo's wife is seven months pregnant, and her health hasn't been very good lately..."

"Then let's make it tomorrow! I'm leaving in these two days, and I might not have time later."

Pei Wencong hurriedly went to make another call, complaining in his heart about why Luo Runbo was being so wishy-washy. Could accompanying his wife be more important than Li Ye?

But before Pei Wencong could even pick up the phone, the phone rang.

The call connected, and he heard his younger sister Pei Wenhui speaking in a rush of Cantonese, clearly with a crying tone.

"Liu Xiaohui, don't be anxious. Tell me where you are first? Yuen Long Police Station? Alright, alright, I'll be there immediately."

After Pei Wencong hung up the phone, he redialed Luo Runbo: "Old Luo, stop accompanying your wife! Go to Yuen Long Police Station immediately... What the hell are you mumbling about! Something happened to my sister."

Li Ye looked at the anxious Pei Wencong and silently put on his coat and changed his shoes.

Li Dayong was with Pei Wenhui; there was no telling what kind of trouble this might be.

Sure enough, after Pei Wencong finished the call, he said awkwardly to Li Ye, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li, there's a bit of a situation now, but I can definitely handle it."

Li Ye said nothing, just sat in the back seat of the Mercedes-Benz.

Pei Wencong called A-Qiang, and they sped all the way to the New Territories. After arriving at the Yuen Long Police Station, they found a group of people making a ruckus inside, while Pei Wenhui was hiding in a room crying, though she didn't seem to have suffered any injuries.

Pei Wencong first communicated with the police officer before going to ask his sister, "Liu Xiaohui, what happened?"

Pei Wenhui sobbed and said, "I was coming back from the factory and encountered several cars on the road... My driving skills aren't good, and I was forced into a ditch... Mr. Li couldn't take it..."

It took Li Ye and Pei Wencong a long time to understand.

It turned out that Pei Wenhui and Li Dayong had encountered some street racers on their way home. Because Pei Wenhui's small BMW was a sports car, they had raced her, but Pei Wenhui had only just gotten her license, and she ended up being forced into a roadside drainage ditch.

Then Li Dayong got angry, and then, there was no then.

Pei Wencong asked in disbelief, "You're saying Mr. Li put all seven of them in the hospital?"

Pei Wenhui nodded repeatedly and said, "They were the ones who started it first, and they even used baseball bats... This isn't Mr. Li's fault!"

Pei Wencong looked at Li Ye, swallowed his saliva, and asked, "Mr. Li, is that Mr. Li really a student?"

Li Ye glanced at him and said coldly, "Don't believe it? I'm actually better at fighting than he is. Do you think I'm a student?"

"."

My state today was a total disaster; I will definitely make up for it with three chapters tomorrow. Sorry!

(End of chapter)