Su Qing was indeed efficient.
After discussing the arrangements at noon, the large screen in the conference room of Yuchuan Media Studio lit up at five o'clock that afternoon.
The online meeting connected right on time.
The screen was split into two. On the left was He Chuan, a man in his early forties with a crew cut and black-rimmed glasses. He looked very shrewd.
Sitting next to him was a woman in her thirties with shoulder-length short hair and a capable aura.
“Teacher Jiang Yue, it’s an honor to meet you,” He Chuan spoke first.
“Director He, you’re too kind.” Jiang Yue nodded slightly.
“Time is precious, so let’s get straight to the point.”
He Chuan pointed to the woman beside him. “This is the lead screenwriter for 《The Pivot Bone》, Song Lan.”
A flash of surprise crossed Jiang Yue’s eyes.
In male-oriented web novel adaptation projects, the lead screenwriter usually wasn't the original author but a whole team of male-oriented writers. Having a female screenwriter like Song Lan in the lead position was indeed uncommon.
Seeming to notice Jiang Yue’s doubt, He Chuan smiled. “Does it seem strange? A male-lead-centric drama with a female lead screenwriter?”
Jiang Yue didn’t speak, which was a silent admission.
“I arranged this on purpose,” He Chuan explained.
“In today’s television market, the truth is that the majority of the core audience is female. I’m a man; no matter how much I understand the market, my perspective has natural limitations. Fighting scenes, the world of martial arts, and political intrigue that I find blood-pumping might just be dry plot progression in the eyes of female viewers.”
His tone held a hint of confidence. “I brought Song Lan on not to turn a male-oriented story into a romance drama, but for fusion. The core of a male-oriented story with the delicacy of a female perspective. We want to maintain the audience’s viewing comfort without losing the roots of hardcore wuxia.”
“We’re filming a drama for the audience,” He Chuan said bluntly. “I’m not afraid of being mainstream; I’m afraid the audience won't be able to watch it. Appreciating one’s own work in isolation is just self-indulgence. I’m not that lofty; I just want to film something people love to watch.”
After hearing this, Jiang Yue’s evaluation of He Chuan rose several notches.
This “Ultimate Assistant Director” lived up to his reputation—he was clear-headed and understood the market well enough.
“This approach is novel and risky, but it makes a lot of sense.”
Jiang Yue looked at the screen and spoke frankly, “I’ve read the script outline you sent over. The story is very complete, but the volume doesn’t look like it can be contained in just one season.”
With his traits as a foundation, Jiang Yue’s eye for scripts had improved. Even if he hadn’t read the original novel, he could see that the world of 《The Pivot Bone》 was vast and the character lines were complex enough that it was definitely not a story that could be finished in thirty or forty episodes.
He Chuan’s eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh.
“Professional!”
“To be honest, 《The Pivot Bone》 is indeed more than one part. I plan to film a trilogy. But don’t worry, Song Lan and I have specifically polished the script for the first part. It has a complete storyline and an independent, climactic ending.”
He paused and added, “Even if the final results don’t meet expectations and we don’t film the sequels, the first part on its own will be a complete story. We definitely won’t dig holes and leave people hanging.”
“Director He is indeed thorough.”
Jiang Yue nodded and shifted the topic to the main point. “Since the script planning is so good, let’s talk about reality. Su Qing mentioned the investment issue to me.”
Jiang Kaiwen, sitting to the side, immediately perked up his ears. This was a major issue.
He Chuan crossed his hands on the table and stared into the camera, saying honestly, “Yes, the investment isn’t fully in place yet.”
He didn’t beat around the bush and instead laid the problem out in the open. “While my reputation is a mixed bag, I at least have the titles of assistant director for several hit shows to back me up. I can manage to pull in a basic level of investment.”
“But for an A-Tier production, what do the investors want to see?” He Chuan tilted his chin. “They want to see if there’s someone who can carry the drama.”
“So, Director He wants me to carry it?” Jiang Yue asked directly.
“Yes!” He Chuan didn’t hesitate. “For that, we are offering our greatest sincerity.”
He held up two fingers.
“First, the salary. We can’t give the inflated, astronomical prices seen in historical idol dramas, but we can give the top salary for an A-Tier male lead in the industry. Furthermore, we are willing to give you a portion of the subsequent profits from this drama as your personal dividend.”
“We’re betting that this drama will be a hit, and we hope you’ll bet with us.”
Jiang Kaiwen let out a sharp breath from the side.
Backend profit sharing.
This wasn't a condition most production crews dared to offer. It was equivalent to treating the actor as a partner.
“Second, freedom.”
He Chuan’s gaze became sharp. “When Song Lan suggested looking for you, I went to watch your performance in 《The Grand Game》. You aren't a traffic star who only knows how to recite lines according to the script. You have your own ideas.”
“Therefore, I promise that as long as it doesn’t affect the main plot, you will have full rights to suggest and discuss character development and martial arts choreography. I need a living protagonist, not a puppet on a string.”
Song Lan also added from the side, “Teacher Jiang Yue, I’ve seen your work. Chu Yan’s endurance and sharpness, along with the martial arts foundation you’ve shown, are all very suitable for this role.”
She said seriously, “The male lead of this drama isn't strong from the start. He will make mistakes, he will lose, he will lose the people around him, and he will be forced forward by his choices time and again. If the actor doesn’t perform well, this character will become a two-dimensional cardboard cutout.”
Jiang Yue leaned back in his chair, listening quietly.
The salary and profit sharing were signs of sincerity, but what truly moved him were the words “freedom.”
Acting was a job, after all. No matter the job, one needed a stage where they could fully display their talents.
“As long as you nod today and agree to take this role,” He Chuan made his final summary, his voice full of certainty, “the funding gap will immediately enter final confirmation.”
“Right now, you are a hot commodity in the eyes of platforms and investors. Your name can make them hesitate half a month less.”
Jiang Kaiwen looked nervously at Jiang Yue. His Third Brother currently held the key to reviving a major A-Tier production.
The conference room was quiet for a few seconds.
Jiang Yue didn’t agree immediately. He tapped his fingers on the table a few times, pondering for a moment before looking up.
“I’ve received Director He’s sincerity. The profit sharing and freedom are both very attractive.”
He didn’t let it go to his head. “However, the foundation of a drama is the script. I want to see the complete script for the first season first.”
He looked at He Chuan on the screen with a steady gaze. “If the script is truly as you say, then the contract can be discussed at any time. I have to be responsible for my choices, and I have to be responsible for the crew and the audience.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Kaiwen immediately felt a sense of relief.
That was more like it.
Verify the goods first, then pay.
On the other side of the screen, He Chuan was stunned for a moment before bursting into a fit of laughter, his voice filled with admiration.
“Good! Excellent!”
He slapped the table and said excitedly, “That’s the attitude you should have! If you had just nodded after hearing me sell you a pipe dream, I’d actually be worried that you weren't looking at the script, but at our flattery.”
“No problem!” He Chuan said readily. “I’ll have Song Lan send the Non-Disclosure Agreement and the watermarked full script to the studio’s email right away according to the procedure!”
The online meeting ended, and silence returned to the conference room.
Jiang Kaiwen looked at Jiang Yue, his voice rising in excitement. “Third Brother, backend profit sharing! And that much freedom! Director He Chuan is really going all out!”
The more he thought about it, the more thrilling it felt. “You actually dared to ask him for the full script. Weren't you afraid he’d think you were putting on airs?”
Jiang Yue’s expression remained calm as he stated his reasoning. “If he didn’t even have that much confidence, then I wouldn't dare take this drama anyway.”
In the adult world, it was perfectly normal for people to speak in circles.
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