Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 12 I'm the Fool

Jiang Ye sat up straight.

My uncle rarely speaks in this tone.

“First,” Lin Jianjun held up his finger, “You can play around, but always keep some things to yourself. Last year, that young actor from Huayi Brothers had his bed photos taken by a fan site admin, and he’s still paying breach of contract fees.”

He poured a glass of ice-cold beer and pushed it towards me: "Secondly, sleeping with internet celebrities is worse than sleeping with fans. Fans are prone to extremes, while internet celebrities at least understand the rules of the game."

Jiang Ye almost spat out his drink: "Uncle! I'm only a freshman, what are you saying..."

"Stop pretending to be innocent!" Lin Jianjun laughed and scolded. "How old was your dad when he was pursuing my sister? His methods were more elaborate than those in 'In the Mood for Love.' I don't think you're much better!"

He suddenly became serious and said, "But remember, never trade resources for a body! That's too low-level!"

"If you don't have any feelings for them, then don't provoke them!"

"What if there are feelings involved?" Jiang Ye asked cautiously.

"What do you mean? How many more do you want to mess with?"

"No, I was just asking!"

Only a few? Then what's the point of him being reborn?!
"Dinner's ready!" Auntie came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of spicy boiled fish. She glanced at the two empty wine bottles on the coffee table and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Oh, the two of you are having a good chat, aren't you?"

As Jiang Ye was setting the table, he suddenly spoke up: "Uncle, I want to film a web series after school starts."

Lin Jianjun's tripe fell back into the oil dish with a "plop": "What's the budget?"

"500."

The dining table fell silent instantly.

Lin Xiaoman's eyes widened as the soup spoon in her aunt's hand hung in mid-air.

"Where did the money come from?" Uncle squinted. "Does your dad know how wasteful you are?"

Jiang Ye smiled mysteriously: "I have connections."

"Heh," Lin Jianjun took a swig of beer, "500 million for practice isn't out of the question..."

He suddenly slammed his fist on the table: "But you just got into Beijing Film Academy! Can't you just sit back and take two years of classes properly first?"

"You haven't even learned to walk yet, and you're already trying to run? Who taught you that?"

"Or did you get cocky after spending a month on the set of 'The Left Ear,' and Su Youpeng letting you shoot a few scenes?"

"I've been following you to film sets since I was a child..."

"You're trying to cling to me now?" The uncle laughed in exasperation.

Jiang Ye seized the opportunity and said, "So... if the funding is in place, would you like to be the producer?"

"Fine!" Lin Jianjun sneered. "If some sucker were to invest 500 million in a freshman, I'd be your slave for free!"

He suddenly became alert: "Wait, you're not going to go find your mom..., are you?"

"The beauty salons your mom runs in Hangzhou only make a net profit of two or three million a year, right?"

Jiang Ye poured his uncle a glass of ice-cold beer: "The family can certainly afford this money, but I want to solve it myself."

"Nonsense!" Lin Jianjun slammed his glass down. "If we lose money, what will happen to your mother's hard work over the past ten years...?"

"I absolutely won't touch any of the family's money," Jiang Ye swore, raising his hand. "But you have to tell me, which platform offers the best revenue sharing for online dramas right now?"

"After all, you know it better than I do!"

Lin Jianjun stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly sighed: "You really want to hear this?"

"Ok!"

Lin Jianjun put down his wine glass, took out a tablet computer from his briefcase, and pulled up a report: "This is the latest data for Q2 2014. You might want to take a look at the revenue-sharing models for online dramas on the major platforms!"

He tapped the screen: "LeEco, founded by Jia Yueting, just proposed the concept of 'ecological synergy' this year, and its online drama procurement prices are the highest."

He outlined a set of data: "A minimum of 30 yuan per episode, but it must be bundled with a LeEco mobile app membership. However..."

He lowered his voice: "Their finance department is currently auditing the accounts, and the settlement period may be delayed to 6 months."

"Then there's Youku Tudou, Alibaba's Sunshine Theater." Lin Jianjun zoomed in on the bar chart. "It's 8 yuan per thousand valid clicks, but requires a 48-hour exclusive broadcast window. Last month, 'Unexpectedly' had over 2000 million clicks per episode, making a killing." "And then there's Sohu Video, where Zhang Chaoyang is personally overseeing content this year." He opened an email. "Their Youth Plan offers the best support for new directors, with a guaranteed 15 yuan per episode plus 3 yuan per thousand clicks, and allows distribution across multiple platforms."

Suddenly raising an eyebrow: "And their purchasing department director is my classmate from the Central Academy of Drama."

"As for iQiyi, Gong Yu is working on the Cloud Rise Project this year."

"We only accept dramas adapted from literary IPs, with a guaranteed price of 20 yuan per episode, but you must use their PGC team."

"However, they are currently in talks with Baidu about an acquisition, so the policy may change."

"Tencent Video just established its film and television department this year. Lin Jianjun pulled up an internal quote: 'The asking price is 250,000 to 300,000 yuan per episode, with a requirement of exclusive online streaming for three months.' He tapped on a supplementary clause: 'But it must be bundled with their WeChat promotional resources.'"

Jiang Ye quickly jotted down key data: "LeEco's settlement risk..."

"Therefore, the safest approach is still exclusive distribution on a single platform plus non-exclusive distribution!"

"This is where a seasoned producer comes in to help coordinate!"

"Oh, right, there are a few things I need to remind you, Ono."

"According to the new regulations in 2014, the same drama must be released on different platforms within a 7-day interval, otherwise it will be considered a breach of contract."

Jiang Ye quickly jotted down the key points: "Then copyright registration..."

"The newly established China Netcasting Services Association under the Ministry of Finance must register in advance, otherwise it will not be able to obtain a distribution license."

"This year is all about copyright wars." Lin Jianjun closed his laptop, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "If your script is solid, I'll contact Sun Zhonghuai at Tencent right now. He asked me last week if I had any youth-themed scripts."

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow: "Uncle, weren't you against me making web series?"

"You brat!" Lin Jianjun slapped him on the back, but his voice softened. "You're your mother's only son. If someone cheats you, won't she fight me to the death?"

"I have to be the producer, otherwise I won't feel comfortable with it!"

"Those don't get paid!"

"..."

After the meal, Jiang Ye slumped on the sofa and fought with Lin Xiaoman over the remote control.

The little girl pressed herself against him, her fingers frantically pressing the channel change button: "I want to watch 'Swords of Legends'!"

"What's so interesting about Yang Mi..." Jiang Ye grabbed her wrist, "The movie 'No War in Beiping' is coming soon..."

The doorbell rang suddenly.

"I'll go open it!" Lin Xiaoman hurriedly got up and rushed to the door.

The girl's chattering voice immediately came from the entrance hall:

"Xiaoman! Look what I brought you!" Tian Xiwei's energetic voice echoed through the living room, "Qinyuan's strawberry mousse! I told you it would be super delicious, right?"

"I bought it after you recommended it..."

"Ah!" Tian Xi exclaimed in annoyance, "I should have known better than to bring it to you!"

"However, I have a funny story to tell you!"

"what?"

"I met a fool at the cake shop today. I tricked him with a few words, and he treated me to a cake!"

"Hahaha... There are actually people this stupid? What does he look like?"

"He's tall..."

The sound stopped suddenly.

Jiang Ye lazily sat up and saw Tian Xiwei standing frozen at the living room doorway, holding a cake box, her mouth agape as if she could fit the entire mousse cake inside.

She changed into a light blue dress that evening, and wore a strawberry hair clip in her ponytail, making her look even more playful than during the day.

“Long, long,” she stammered, pointing at Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye slowly stood up, put his hands in his pockets, and walked up to her: "A fool like me, is that it?"

(End of this chapter)