Chapter 135: Is This Bastard Pretending to Be Drunk to Take Advantage of Us?

In 2004, the TV drama market saw a crucial change compared to before.

Relevant authorities officially issued documents requiring all satellite TV stations to implement the "4+x" policy.

"4+x" means a single TV drama can be broadcast simultaneously on at most four satellite TV stations plus several local channels.

As previously mentioned, the industry had long agreed that a drama should ideally air on no more than three to four satellite stations, otherwise it would trigger cutthroat competition.

Thus, most production teams typically sold rights to only three or four satellite stations; if a team sold too many, TV stations rarely dared to risk buying.

But while this was the general understanding, without formal regulations, cutthroat competition remained unavoidable.

For instance, if a drama became extremely popular, TV stations might risk buying it anyway, or if the distributor was too aggressive and sold it more times than the market could bear.

Such cases were rare, but they did happen!

Now, with relevant authorities formally issuing clear regulations, "one drama, four satellites" became an industry iron rule.

For the TV drama market, this was a positive development—it further standardized the market and brought some relatively beneficial effects.

And "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" might benefit from this new policy.

…

Set of "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies"

Watching Seeing Yan Li and Wang Decai escort several people away, Jiang Xin couldn't help asking Dong Xuan.

"I heard from the production assistant that these are people from Hunan TV?"

"Mm."

Dong Xuan often shared a bed with Seeing Yan Li, so in terms of inside information, she was definitely better informed than other actors.

"Our drama has a younger style, which suits Hunan TV well—they're quite interested. Yan… General also prefers cooperating with them; Hunan Satellite TV is a top-tier station with platform advantages, good for ratings."

Fan Xiaopang couldn't help asking: "How much are they offering?"

"I don't know."

Dong Xuan shook her head; even if she knew, she wouldn't say—it involved trade secrets, and telling this bunch of women obsessed with Seeing Yan Li how much money he was making would just be inviting trouble.

"It depends on whether it's exclusive or joint broadcast."

Liu Xiaoqing spoke up; she had once been a producer of films and TV dramas and was still familiar with distribution.

"If it's exclusive rights, the price won't be low—sometimes it covers costs and turns a profit outright. If it's joint rights, it depends on General Yan's own abilities."

Most actors present were newcomers and didn't understand much; they listened, half-confused.

They didn't care how Seeing Yan Li sold it—they only cared how much money it would bring in and how much he'd make.

"I think General Yan will make at least ten million?"

Jiang Xin made the first guess; Dong Xuan, unwilling to let Seeing Yan Li be targeted, replied: "Do you think ten million falls from the sky? How could he make that much?"

"I'm not so sure."

Li Bingbing voiced disagreement: "Didn't you say General Yan made over ten million from 'Conquest'? Now he's gone through all this trouble to build such a big production—surely he'll make more than 'Conquest'."

"'Conquest' was a special case—can't compare."

Fan Xiaopang didn't have high hopes for "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies," or rather, didn't want to see Seeing Yan Li make so much money—he was bitter inside.

…

"No matter if he makes millions or hundreds of thousands, it's still better than what we've got."

As the group argued, Yang Xue, who had been silent until now, softly spoke one sentence that pierced everyone's heart.

The highest-paid actor on set was Fan Xiaopang—and she was only getting a pittance.

The most profitable right now was Li Bingbing, but she had no confidence she could earn eight figures in a year—even after a 20–30% discount, it was uncertain.

"Cell Phone" was a hit, so her pay grade would surely rise, but how many suitable projects would come her way? Could she even take them on? Did she have the time?

At this stage, very few artists earned annual incomes in the million-yuan range.

Those who did were usually red-hot enough to land endorsements, break into international markets for U. S. dollars, or invest in projects themselves.

Or there were those obsessive drama addicts who spent all year in Hengdian and might still make millions.

But they had to be famous enough—like Zhang Weijian, whose pay wasn't low—or else they'd stay in Hengdian till they died without earning a single million.

One sentence killed the mood!

Aside from Liu Xiaoqing, who had seen it all, everyone fell silent; many avoided eye contact, lost in thought.

Seeing Yan Li, who had just left, rushed back: "Tonight I'm dining with the TV station people—who wants to come?"

To prevent misunderstandings, he emphasized: "Voluntary only—it's just dinner, maybe a little alcohol. If anyone acts up, I'll handle it."

This kind of thing was common on set!

When investors or TV station reps visit, you can't ignore meals—they came to see stars, so you can't disrespect them.

These social dinners weren't as dark as outsiders imagined, but neither were they pure and clean—it depended on the specific production team and the specific people involved.

Seeing Yan Li had attended many such events; he wasn't rigid enough to ignore these unwritten rules, but he had his limits.

He protected anyone he brought along and would never do anything as disgusting as pimping.

"I'll go."

Huo Siyan raised her hand first, then Fan Xiaopang, followed by Li Bingbing and Jiang Xin after a moment's thought.

If the dinner was safe, meeting more contacts benefited one's career—especially when the guests were from TV stations, these were premium dinners.

Before others could raise their hands, Seeing Yan Li said it was enough: the TV station people weren't many, so the crew would send three men and three women.

Shuang Bing had high name recognition, Huo Siyan had great alcohol tolerance and a cheerful, sociable personality—she was chosen by Seeing Yan Li.

Then Seeing Yan Li called Qiao Zhenyu and Wu Jian—he'd noticed the female director glancing at them twice.

…

At the dinner

Seeing Yan Li kept toasting—there was no choice; Hunan TV's offer was genuinely generous.

Exclusive first-run rights, 500,000 per episode!

"Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" has 38 episodes, meaning it can be sold directly for 19 million.

If the price can be raised slightly to 20 million, "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" can nearly break even outright.

The second- and third-run rights, terrestrial broadcast rights, and DVD rights are all pure profit; if the drama performs well, earning ten or twenty million is no problem.

Of course, this is just the opening bid—there's still considerable room for negotiation.

Seeing Yan Li invested massive capital to produce it, hired Liu Xiaoqing and Bingbing, orchestrated all sorts of publicity, even risked his own reputation—his goal isn't just to make a few million.

Hunan TV wants to secure exclusive first-run rights; Seeing Yan Li won't budge from 30 million, and he must make several million profit at least.

During Seeing Yan Li's negotiations with several Hunan TV representatives, Li Bingbing and others gained a general sense of "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies"'s price range.

Although they didn't know the drama's production cost, this figure was enough to stir some hearts.

After the banquet ended, Seeing Yan Li—who had served as the main drinking companion—saw off the TV station staff, then sat drunkenly on the hotel steps to sober up.

Wu Maowen, Seeing Yan Li's driver, took a bottle of mineral water from the car and tried to hand it to Seeing Yan Li, but Hu Siyan took it instead.

"Let me feed Director Yan."

Watching Hu Siyan gently and carefully feed Seeing Yan Li water and pat his back, Wu Maowen hesitated a moment, then stood aside waiting.

After recovering a bit, Seeing Yan Li's complexion improved, but he staggered as he walked; Wu Maowen, with help from Qiao Zhenyu and Gong Nanyan, helped carry Seeing Yan Li into the car, while Hu Siyan picked up his bag and tried to get in too.

But as she reached for the car door, Li Bingbing blocked her, smirking at Hu Siyan.

"Enough, leave the rest to me. You take the car behind."

Hu Siyan refused, but dared not argue with the popular Li Bingbing, so she pleaded softly: "Let me come too—Director Yan is drunk and uncomfortable; if he starts acting up, I'm afraid you can't handle it alone."

"What about me?"

Fan Xiaopang shoved Hu Siyan back without hesitation: "You're taking advantage of someone drunk? Think we're blind? Go play somewhere else."

Saying this, Fan Xiaopang slid into the back seat; Li Bingbing got in from the other side, gave a signal, and Wu Maowen drove off.

Left behind, Hu Siyan stamped her foot angrily: "I'm taking advantage of him? What are you two up to?"

"I have no other intentions."

On the way, Fan Xiaopang spoke first, asserting her innocence: "I just can't stand that Hu woman—I deliberately ruined her plan."

As she spoke, she glanced at Li Bingbing, who calmly smoothed her hair.

"Don't look at me—I'm helping someone else."

The "someone else" was naturally her younger sister, Li Xue; no matter what, since her sister had feelings for Seeing Yan Li, this half-sister-in-law couldn't stand idly by while some other fox spirit took advantage of him.

Dong Xuan was fine—she was his legitimate girlfriend; she couldn't and wouldn't interfere.

But Hu Siyan, this fox spirit using alcohol to climb up, she would crush mercilessly.

Fan Xiaopang didn't say whether she believed Li Bingbing's claim; instead, she turned to scold the driver Wu Maowen.

"As a driver, you can't just sit there mindlessly driving. When someone's drunk like him, with no judgment or vigilance, you must watch over him closely—otherwise, if some bad woman like that just now takes advantage and clings to him, your boss will have headaches."

Wu Maowen, driving, glanced at Seeing Yan Li in the rearview mirror and murmured in reply.

"Understood."

Fan Xiaopang nodded satisfied, then glared disdainfully at Seeing Yan Li, sprawled in the back seat.

"Chasing money like you're chasing death—drinking this much? You'll earn money but won't live to spend it."

Before she finished speaking, Seeing Yan Li gagged, startling Li Bingbing and Fan Xiaopang, who scrambled away in panic.

Fortunately, Seeing Yan Li didn't vomit; after two gagging coughs, he settled down.

But it seemed the back seat was too low—he adjusted his posture, slumping sideways, resting his head on Fan Xiaopang's thighs, and propping one leg across Li Bingbing's lap.

Fan Xiaopang shifted left and right but couldn't escape; Seeing Yan Li even nudged his head against her abdomen.

Li Bingbing tried to move his leg, but couldn't budge it—then Seeing Yan Li placed his other leg across her too.

Feeling something was off, Fan Xiaopang gritted her teeth: "This bastard knows how to lie down like this—could he be faking drunk to take advantage of us?"

Li Bingbing also suspected; she pinched his thigh hard twice—Seeing Yan Li shifted slightly in discomfort, then settled back comfortably on their legs and laps.

Wu Maowen, driving, had a slightly uneasy expression on his honest, simple face.

He'd grown up with Seeing Yan Li since childhood and drank with him more than anyone—he couldn't possibly not know Seeing Yan Li's tolerance…

(End of Chapter)