Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 53 Cooperation with Tangren

Bai Mengyan felt like she had been granted a pardon and quickly did as she was told. She turned off the engine, huddled in the driver's seat, barely daring to breathe, and secretly glanced at the scene outside.

The argument downstairs continued for a few more minutes before everyone, their faces grim, walked toward their cars.

Only after the two luxury cars disappeared around the street corner, one after the other, did Qi Yue signal to Bai Mengyan:

"Now, stop and go in. Slow down, no rush."

This time, without the psychological pressure, Bai Mengyan finally managed to park the car in the parking space, albeit with some difficulty.

Qi Yue pushed open the car door and got out. The cold autumn wind immediately swept over him, and he subconsciously pulled his coat tighter.

Guo Fan was still standing at the door when he heard footsteps. He turned around and saw Qi Yue. His face showed surprise at first, but then it looked as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Qi Yue?" Guo Fan quickly walked up to him, looking him up and down.

"You're finally back! Are you alright?"

"It's alright." Qi Yue nodded, his gaze sweeping over the empty doorway. "How have you been lately?"

Guo Fan gestured with his lip in the direction where the two cars had disappeared, his face clearly showing a complex expression:

"What else could it be? A whole bunch of messy stuff! The TV station thinks we're getting too close to the website, and the website thinks we're being tied down too much by the TV station. They all want us to skew our publicity resources, exclusive content, and even future collaborations in their favor. They've been calling us every day, and today they just showed up at our door! I've practically talked myself hoarse!"

Qi Yue listened with a smile on his face, and patted Guo Fan on the shoulder:

"Thanks for your hard work, Brother Fan. What I mean is, let's not get involved in this."

"Not getting involved anymore?"

"Let's go inside, it's cold outside."

The studio still carried the lingering tension left by the two groups of people, and the air still smelled of smoke.

Guo Fan slumped onto the sofa, grabbed a half-empty bottle of mineral water from the table, and gulped down several mouthfuls before catching his breath.

"Not get involved? Qi Yue, you saw the situation today. We're caught in the middle, how can we not get involved?"

Qi Yue calmly took off his coat and hung it up.

"We signed broadcast contracts with both the TV station and the website for 'White Night.' We fulfilled the obligations stipulated in the contracts, such as providing the master tapes and cooperating with basic promotions. As for anything not mentioned in the contracts, such as additional exclusive materials or preferential promotions, we are not responsible for any of them."

Guo Fan sat up straight: "But wouldn't this offend both sides?"

"Offend you?" Qi Yue chuckled lightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"Brother Fan, you've got it wrong. It's not that we're afraid of offending them, it's that they're afraid we'll stop cooperating with them."

His fingers lightly tapped on the keyboard, bringing up several data pages.

"Look, the ratings for 'White Night' on Gansu-Ningxia TV have exceeded 2.5, the cumulative views on online platforms have exceeded 2 billion, and the Douban rating is stable at 8.9. What does this mean? This is a phenomenon. It's a phenomenon that we, Tongfan, have created. It's not because their TV station's programming is so clever, nor because their website's algorithm is so magical, but because our content itself is excellent."

"Brother Fan, stand up straight. They want the prize, fine, but they'll have to pay real money, not argue and pressure."

After listening, Guo Fan let out a long sigh of relief, as if Qi Yue's words had relieved most of the pent-up frustration and anxiety of the past few days.

"Fine! I'll do as you say! That's settled then! Damn it, I should stand up for myself this time! Let them argue, we... we should have some peace and quiet!"

"I won't be able to relax," Qi Yue said, pulling out a document.

"Brother Fan, I reckon you'll be a director soon!"

......

SH Tangren Film & Television Headquarters

The top floor of a high-end office building in Pudong offers a panoramic view of the Huangpu River through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Naza sat on the sofa in a demure posture, but her fingertips unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.

Cai Yinong gently pushed a cup of fruit and flower tea in front of her and slowly began to speak:

"I'm also watching 'Day and Night,' and it's really well-made. You've improved a lot in it."

She paused, a hint of probing in her voice, "But, since you came back from the film set, you seem... less motivated? Is something wrong at school, or... something on your mind?"

Naza quickly shook her head: "No, Sister Cai, the school is great."

"Really?" Cai Yinong smiled slightly and leaned back.

"Then how come I heard that when someone was hospitalized, you were the first one to arrive?"

Naza's cheeks flushed instantly, then quickly faded.

She lowered her head and pursed her lips.

The faint conversation she overheard outside the ward that day, and the sight of Li Qing taking meticulous care of her, were like a tiny thorn stuck in her heart.

She wasn't angry; it was more like a feeling of inexplicable grievance.

"Sister Cai, I..." She wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

"Is it still because of Qi Yue?" Cai Yinong bluntly stated, her tone calm, as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

Naza suddenly looked up, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, which then dimmed, tacitly acknowledging her presence.

Cai Yinong sighed softly, with a knowing air of someone who had been through it all.

"Nazha, I watched you join the company. You're beautiful, hardworking, and ambitious. But sometimes you're too well-behaved, which can limit you."

She picked up her teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"In the entertainment industry, good resources, good roles, and good opportunities—none of these can be obtained by sitting there and waiting. You have to compete, fight for them, and actively pursue them. The same goes for relationships."

Naza was stunned; she hadn't expected Cai Yinong to say these things to her.

"You like Qi Yue, don't you?" Cai Yinong asked bluntly.

Naza's face flushed crimson, her heart pounded, and she wanted to deny it, but under Cai Yinong's all-seeing gaze, she ultimately only nodded very slightly.

"...A little. But, Senior Brother Qi, he..."

"What's he like? Always so businesslike and unapproachable to everyone?" Cai Yinong chimed in, smiling.

"So what? Who says that in relationships, only men can take the initiative and women have to wait? And who says that whoever is standing next to him now will definitely be the same person in the future?"

A series of questions struck Nazha's heart like tiny hammers.

"But I... I don't know what to do," Naza said honestly, her eyes filled with confusion.

Cai Yinong pushed a document in front of Nazha:

"Take a look at this. This is my initial idea for a joint production between Tangren and Tongfan. We will provide the actors and some resources, while Tongfan will provide the director and core creative work. If the collaboration goes through, you will likely be involved."

Naza looked at the document, her heart racing again. Another chance to work with Senior Brother Qi?

Sister Cai is right. Why should she hide away and be sad? Why can't she take the initiative? Even if Qi Yue is closer to Li Qing now, that's not the end.

The confusion in her eyes was gradually replaced by a new determination. Although she was still a little uneasy, her back straightened up unconsciously.

"Sister Cai, I understand." Naza took a deep breath; her voice was still soft, but much clearer.

"I will adjust myself. If there is a real opportunity for cooperation, I will definitely work hard to not let the company down, and... not let myself have any regrets."

"Very good." Cai Yinong's smile deepened. "Then let's get this cooperation framework going. You, on your side, also get ready. Remember, when an opportunity comes, seize it. As for the rest, let things take their course, but don't give up easily."