The proposal that the editor thought was unlikely to be approved was surprisingly approved very readily.
Are you kidding? A screenwriter who got in through connections and brought funding—you can't refuse them even if you don't want them.
Besides, this author already has a large following; even if they don't want to, having them write the script is a publicity point, right? Only a fool wouldn't want that.
As a result, amidst this mutual attraction, the full rights to *Chu Tian Wu Ji* were officially sold to Datang Light and Shadow Co., Ltd. for five years and three million. The contract explicitly stated that the author would personally participate in the screenwriting, and any plot modifications would be based primarily on the author's opinions.
This is practically the treatment of a renowned author; even renowned authors don't necessarily receive this kind of treatment…
Most film and television professionals, on the one hand, want the popularity of online novel IPs, and on the other hand, look down on online novels themselves—this split personality is commonplace. Some screenwriters openly say on forums, "I adapt online novels, but I never read online novels."
And they say it with such pride…
This illustrates why online novel adaptations often turn out to be a mess. Besides funding constraints, a major factor is that arrogant filmmakers simply don't understand what their target audience likes or wants to see in the IP they're working on.
But with connections and backdoor deals, nothing else matters.
Arrogance can't withstand capital.
The money obviously won't arrive so quickly; the process is still a long way off. But looking at the contract that arrived, Chu Ge signed it as if in a dream.
Damn, three million!
One and a half million in profit sharing, and one million two hundred after taxes!
Wait, why does it sound like it's been reduced so much… It feels like a once-mighty dog has instantly turned into a lazy bum.
Oh well, it's already quite a lot, and I can even participate in the screenwriting! That's the most important thing!
What do writers strive for in life? It seems like it's all worth it now. I can abandon it… no, I really can stop writing the next book.
Abandoning it is impossible. On the contrary, it seems like I need to finish writing it as soon as possible for filming?
Chu Ge suddenly began to feel anxious and uncertain.
Completing the book early was impossible, but if he finished writing it as planned, wouldn't it be too late to start filming after it was all finished? He had a feeling that a certain level of world recognition was needed before completion, which was crucial for achieving the world's existence and closed loop upon completion—a premonition from his Heavenly Dao.
Filming it years later would be too late…
But it seemed unlikely that they would directly film a book that was still being serialized…
They had other projects on their hands; why would they take such a risk? Filming now, before it was even finished, what if he wrote a mess of characters later?
With a heavy heart, Chu Ge dialed Old Zhu's number.
Old Zhu chuckled upon hearing Chu Ge's purpose: "That's not difficult. These days, you don't need to finish filming everything before you start; you can divide it into seasons. By the time the first season is finished, you should have finished writing it too. Look at 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' they were writing and filming simultaneously, and the filming progress even surpassed the original work..."
Chu Ge said, "I understand the logic, but they don't necessarily have to do it that way..."
"I have money."
"..." Old Zhu comforted him, "I've read your masterpiece. Dividing it into seasons is quite easy. The first season will only go up to the final battle between Qiu Wuji and Yan Qianlie. This kind of situation is easy to convince the team to do; it's not like we're forcing anything, right?"
Chu Ge felt a little guilty: "How much are you going to invest..."
Old Zhu said, "One hundred million."
Chu Ge: "?"
"I just sold my mine, got a lot of cash, and now I have so much money I'm practically rotting. I'm also looking for places to invest, and this is one of them. I still have extra money to look for other projects..."
Chu Ge: "...You really sold the mine? So quickly..."
Old Zhu smiled: "So I added a little more..." "It wasn't supposed to be this much... but adding more gives me the confidence to urge them to start the project sooner."
"No, Lao Zhu... you're adding more..." Chu Ge said weakly, "What if we lose money?"
"Sigh. Do you think Xie Wenyuan is stupid?" Lao Zhu laughed, "Since he approved the project, it must have undergone a risk assessment. To be honest, I originally only planned to invest a few million as a token gesture, I never thought about making a big production. But his attitude actually made me feel like there was potential—Chu Ge, I'm not just saying nice things to fool you, investing is for making money, not for saving face, okay?"
"Really... really can it make money?"
"Risk is inevitable in any industry. Since you've made the decision, you have to bear the consequences yourself." Lao Zhu said, "Don't be so hesitant and weak." "Can't you be a little more confident? Your guilty look is making me nervous..."
"Ahem, ahem..." Chu Ge didn't know how to project confidence to bolster the investor's morale, especially since the investor was one of his own...
"You're too kind, afraid of hurting your own people... If it were someone else, they'd be the ones getting hurt." Old Zhu chuckled. "Alright, things have reached the capital level; it's no longer the author's concern. Whether you profit or lose depends on the operation." He paused, then smiled mysteriously. "Sanwa, you seem to have forgotten, my special ability is divination."
"Huh..." Chu Ge was taken aback.
"A diviner, though not entirely accurate...would he throw away a hundred million?" Old Zhu chuckled. "You think I'm helping you, but who knows if you're not helping me make money..." The mine owner was playing the "who knows" game... Only now did Chu Ge realize that Old Zhu had a bit of the artistic, photography-loving old man he'd met before.
He also felt the terrifying power of capital up close for the first time, like dark clouds obscuring the sun. A small author standing amidst it all felt like an ant under the weight of fate.
It felt as if he were looking down into the book.
His heart, which had just been slightly inflated by receiving 1.2 million, instantly felt like it had been doused with cold water.
"I'll write the rest properly. I'm leaving the film and television production entirely to you." Old Zhu laughed, "No problem. Want to come over for dinner today?"
"No, thank you. I'll wait for Qiuqiu to come home. She should be back from her driving lesson soon."
"Alright, I won't disturb your romantic time."
"Click~" The door opened at the right moment, and Qiu Wuji's laughter came through: "I'm back~ Oh, you weren't writing?"
Chu Ge put away his phone and took the groceries Qiu Wuji was carrying: "I was just on the phone with Old Zhu… You're buying groceries after driving lessons?"
"Yeah, one person, one car, time is no problem. I went grocery shopping with my instructor." Qiu Wuji changed his shoes and laughed, "My instructor is a thrifty person, unlike Mengmeng, who's a dead capitalist. She even…" "I don't admit it." Chu Ge felt a pang of sympathy: "Yeah, capitalists..."
"What's wrong? You look strange."
"Nothing." Chu Ge tossed the groceries into the kitchen, turned, picked up Qiu Wuji, and tumbled onto the sofa: "The film adaptation is done, mission accomplished! Want a kiss?" Qiu Wuji struggled, pinned beneath him, and disgustedly covered his mouth: "Don't be like Wei Xiaobao, he had seven! How many do you want?" Chu Ge's words were muffled: "One is enough to say mission accomplished..."
Qiu Wuji asked curiously: "Really?" Chu Ge slowly removed her hand from her mouth: "Really... our world's presence is becoming increasingly clear..."
Qiu Wuji's eyes sparkled, clearly delighted.
The world's reality meant her reality; they were inextricably linked, though it was unclear in the short term how it would manifest.
"No, I'm just talking, why are you taking my hand away..."
"Didn't you say you'd listen to me in the book, but not here..."
"I...I didn't say that! Mmm..." Chu Ge kissed her forcefully.
Qiu Wuji's struggles slowly subsided, she closed her eyes and embraced him, gently responding.
It's been so long since we've kissed...