"I'm just so happy, the master was absolutely right, I'm going to make big money this year."
Ma Qianyou was already preparing to send a red envelope to the master.
Listening to Ma Qianyou's words, Xiao He felt slightly helpless. "Old Ma, maybe you could try believing it's the result of your own hard work."
After collaborating twice, their relationship was already very good.
Xiao He felt Ma Qianyou's personal ability wasn't lacking; it was just his obsession with superstition that was particularly stubborn. Sometimes, it was even because of his own superstitions that he delayed matters and affected important business. So, Xiao He really thought Ma Qianyou should change this habit.
At the very least, he shouldn't place all his hopes and successes on the elusive metaphysics.
"Oh right, indeed, it's not just my hard work, it's everyone's hard work—"
However, Ma Qianyou didn't get Xiao He's point. Remembering his big red envelope should be sent to Xiao He first, he immediately sent a big red envelope to his "benefactor" and then turned to send a red envelope rain to several related group chats.
Xiao He: ...
Great, it seems it can't be changed.
Forget it, fine. At least Old Ma is working with them now.
After saying goodbye and hanging up with Ma Qianyou, Xiao He let out a long sigh.
He took out his phone and continued checking the situation online.
Sure enough, with the broadcast of "Imperial Decree," organic supporters and investors kept pouring in. More and more people were turning their attention to this originally unknown work.
To be honest, it's not that "Imperial Decree" is exceptionally good. Compared to those so-called "masterpiece" projects by big directors that took ten years to hone, allowing palace intrigue dramas to make their name in the film and television industry and even become timeless classics, "Imperial Decree" is far from reaching such heights. It clearly still has flaws.
But as the old saying goes, "It's not that I'm too outstanding; it's all thanks to my peers' contrast."
Cozy Video's performance this year hasn't been great. The TV series they promoted for this summer season also flopped silently. The only bright spot with a glimmer of hope turned out to be "Imperial Decree," which they never had high hopes for.
Adding to this, this summer season happened to have a big gathering of palace and household intrigue dramas, yet none achieved particularly outstanding results. So, "Imperial Decree," this relatively small-scale web drama, was pushed to the forefront by Cozy Video and carved out a bloody path.
Even though "Imperial Decree's" traffic in the later stages was clearly inflated, the popularity and profits earned were real and substantial—
Xiao He stared at the Hot Search currently hanging on the platform, his gaze falling on the topics related to "Imperial Decree." He frowned, deep in thought for a moment, then made another call to Liu Rulan.
"Hello? Finished talking with Old Ma?"
"Yeah, right. He wants to invest in our studio."
"Invest? He's really sticking with you—"
"So, I have an idea now. See if it's feasible..."
-
Beijing, Beijing Drama Academy.
Still a university student, Pan Yuerou exploded in popularity with one drama, becoming the representative figure of the palace intrigue feel-good genre.
So, even though she was still studying at Beijing Drama Academy, countless talent agencies had come knocking, wanting to sign her. If the school hadn't blocked them, these people might have already charged straight into the school and dormitory, twisting Pan Yuerou's arm to sign.
Fu Meihua didn't know how many times she had already blocked people outside the dorm room. The other roommate living with them was also very unhappy, warning Pan Yuerou to quickly resolve the fans and agents outside, or just move out, so as not to affect their normal life and rest.
Pan Yuerou also knew that her recently skyrocketing traffic had brought trouble to herself and those around her. She quickly apologized to her other roommates and prepared to move out of the dormitory later, renting a place outside for a while.
Fu Meihua, however, was worried. "So, Yuerou, with the situation now, which company are you planning to sign with?"
To be honest, the explosive popularity of "Imperial Decree" was somewhat unexpected for both of them.
After all, everyone could see what "Imperial Decree's" production setup was and what "The Legend of Zhaohua's" next-door setup was. Even Pan Yuerou herself never expected that the character "An Lanyue" she played would defeat the female lead played by Yu Xuezheng and become one of the hottest female leads of the summer season.
You have to understand, Yu Xuezheng had been famous in the industry for many years. Her dramas, regardless of quality, could become the focus of traffic and attract investors. "The Legend of Zhaohua's" script did have some issues, but for its reputation to reverse at this time and become the target of criticism for many, a big reason was that there was another drama, "Imperial Decree," airing in the same period.
The satisfying payoffs and face-slapping in "Imperial Decree" almost became the outlet for the frustration felt watching "The Legend of Zhaohua." It was truly like encountering sugar water while drinking bitter Chinese medicine. The more fiercely "The Legend of Zhaohua" was promoted and the more people watched it, the more they couldn't help but stop by "Imperial Decree" for a few sips to soothe their mood.
Saying "Imperial Decree" climbed up by stepping on "The Legend of Zhaohua" is not an exaggeration at all.
Recently, the social media platforms Pan Yuerou had made public were practically unbearable to look at. Many of Yu Xuezheng's fans had sent her their "warm greetings." Pan Yuerou's parents had even been "flown all over the place" in those comments. Pan Yuerou, who truly hadn't expected this wave of traffic to be so "dangerous," now didn't even dare to open her social media accounts to check.
Fortunately, she was still at school, otherwise she'd really worry about being chased down offline by crazy Yu fans.
Hearing her best friend's words, Pan Yuerou also felt troubled. "I have indeed received many offers from companies recently, but I'm not too sure about any of them."
Pan Yuerou had also consulted her teacher, but the teacher's advice was for her to calm down a bit more, not to get carried away and sign with a company hastily, especially with certain big companies, where she needed to keep her eyes wide open and observe carefully. After all, Pan Yuerou's current traffic was only temporary. No one knew what the situation would be later. It often happened that someone suddenly became popular but, after signing with a company, had their value squeezed dry and then vanished without a trace.
What the teacher could help her with was just giving final approval on the contract. Her future development within a company still depended on herself and the company's planning.
After hearing her teacher's reminder, Pan Yuerou also felt somewhat scared inside. Regarding these talent agency offers, she was basically still in a state of polite refusal.
"I actually don't really want to sign."
Pan Yuerou lowered her voice and said, "I still have one year of studies left. I want to finish my education first, then sign with a company."
"Oh my goodness, you absolutely must not think that way! Right now is precisely when you're hot. The contracts you can negotiate are the best. If you wait another year, who knows what your traffic and popularity will be like by then."
Hearing Pan Yuerou's words, Fu Meihua immediately became anxious.
"How about you look at Jiaxing Entertainment? The contract their company proposed is quite good—oh right, and Xingchen Entertainment! They're backed by Xingchen Film Industry. Once you get in, you're half a movie star. The resources will definitely be plentiful."
"I don't really like Jiaxing Entertainment."
Pan Yuerou frowned.
The celebrity she used to chase was Su Shengxi, and Su Shengxi's agency was precisely Jiaxing Entertainment.
The ugly things Jiaxing Entertainment had done over the years were all too clear to her as a former fan. The only person she had some good feelings for was Su Shengxi's agent. But now, Su Shengxi had left the industry, and the agent, Liu Rulan, had also left Jiaxing. Pan Yuerou certainly didn't want to jump into that fire pit herself.
"Xingchen Entertainment has Yu Xuezheng! Are you sure if I join their company, they'll treat me well?"
The people cursing her the most right now are Yu Xuezheng's fans. Xingchen Entertainment also suffered a certain degree of loss because of "The Legend of Zhaohua." Pan Yuerou didn't even dare to think about what kind of purpose and intentions they had, inviting her to be an artist for Xingchen Entertainment...
Having been flatly rejected by Pan Yuerou, Fu Meihua also had a headache, resting her head on the desk, saying helplessly, "But the conditions offered by those few companies are already the best. And no matter what, big companies have basic credibility, right?"
Pan Yuerou, however, clicked her tongue lightly. "It's these big companies whose hearts are even blacker."
If their hearts weren't black, how would they have become big companies?
"Sigh—"
Fu Meihua sighed somewhat melancholically.
"It's a shame Linghui Studio doesn't accept other artists. Otherwise, how great it would be for you to go there. At least this collaboration was very pleasant for everyone."