Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 75 Winning Over the Female Lead of "Love O2O"
"How to say?"

"He believes that game adaptation is not about labeling, but about making the virtual and the real coexist."

Fang Ying opened her notebook and said, “For example, skill effects in games can’t just be piled up in post-production. The actors’ movement logic has to match the game’s operation. Just like the rhythm of a player pressing a skill button, the camera language has to follow that rhythm.”

Lin Yan raised an eyebrow: "This student certainly has the audacity to think this way. But what we lack right now is a mature solution, not a theory."

"So I'd like to ask him to let me have a chat." Fang Ying closed her notebook. "Tomorrow afternoon, at the coffee shop downstairs from the company."

Second day

When the glass door of the coffee shop was pushed open, Fang Ying was looking out at the bustling traffic.

Jiang Ye strode over: "President Fang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I didn't expect you to be here so early!"

Fang Ying turned her head and gestured for him to sit down: "Director Jiang, hello, I came down to sit down a bit since there's nothing else at the company."

"The fact that 'Princess Promotion' has garnered 28 billion views shows that the younger generation is truly formidable."

"Luck plays a big part."

Jiang Ye sat down opposite him, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then pulled out a thick sketchbook from his backpack. The edges of the cover were already worn rough. "Mr. Fang, I brought some things with me."

Fang Ying casually took it and opened the sketchbook.

On the first page, the words "Storyboard Design for Love O2O" were written neatly.

Turning the page, every page was filled with pencil sketches.

A faint red reed swayed across the silhouette of the Zhuque Bridge, the camera angle marked as shooting from a 45° upward angle, the background blurred to highlight the movement of the flowing ribbon.

There is a close-up of Xiao Naihe wielding a sword in the game, with the sword move trajectory marked in red next to it, referencing the gameplay footage of "A Chinese Ghost Story". Each frame is spaced 0.3 seconds apart.

Even the scene in the internet cafe where Xiao Nai helps Bei Weiwei shield herself from passersby is marked with a 1.5-second montage showing the camera quickly panning from the keyboard to the backs of their clasped hands.

The game scenes are also depicted, and the storyboards are drawn in great detail.

Fang Ying's fingers slowed as she turned the pages, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Ye's insights on game adaptations from yesterday's seminar are still fresh in my mind, and looking at these storyboards now, the intention couldn't be clearer.

He closed the book, tapped his fingertips lightly on the cover, and said in a slightly subdued tone, "Director Jiang has certainly gone to great lengths."

"I'm curious, shouldn't Director Jiang's focus be on 'Rattan' lately? Why is he paying more attention to our company's project than to our own?"

"Young man, having too much ambition is not a good thing!"

Seeing his expression, Jiang Ye met his gaze frankly: "President Fang, please don't misunderstand. Gu Man's 'Love O2O' is my favorite novel that I read repeatedly in high school."

"Back then, I was always thinking about how to bring the game's scenes to life if it were made into a TV series."

"I would think about this whenever I had free time at school. I meticulously studied the details in the book, including camera angles, special effects proportions, and even the cadence of the characters' walking."

“I know the copyright is held by Juku, and I’ve also heard that the project is about to be launched. I’d like to take this opportunity to show you these ideas.”

Fang Ying's expression softened slightly.

Right!

This project was only finalized in the last few days. Even if Jiang Ye had the intention, he might not have been able to get such detailed information in advance.

This document clearly cannot be completed in just a few days...

Fang Ying didn't respond, but Jiang Ye leaned forward: "Of course, if I have the opportunity to participate in this project, I will definitely put in more effort than anyone else. I'm confident that the ideas in these storyboards can be brought to life in a way that the audience will accept."

Fang Ying looked up, her gaze landing on his face: "Oh? Director Jiang wants to invest?"

He put down his sketchbook, "But Juku has no shortage of investors."

Jiang Ye tapped his fingertip lightly on the table, then suddenly changed the subject: "President Fang, you know I've been working on the 'Si Teng' project lately, right?"

Fang Ying raised an eyebrow: "I've heard a little about it; Tencent and Enlight Media have both entered the fray."

Do you know the total cost of "Princess Promotion"?

Jiang Ye looked up, his tone calm.

"How many?"

"200."

Fang Ying's coffee spoon clattered against the side of the cup. He almost thought he had misheard: "What? 200 million? That's not even enough for a second-tier actor's salary."

“I have no reason to lie about this.” Jiang Ye smiled. “Of course, we had the help of school teachers, and the venue and equipment were all provided through internal support, but the data doesn’t lie.”

"A show costing 200 million yuan garnered 28 billion views."

He leaned slightly forward, "The budget for 'Si Teng' is now 100 million yuan. It's a popular IP, the costumes and props are made to movie standards, and the cast is several levels stronger than that of 'Princess'."

"With Guangxian, Penguin, and Xingguang all backing it up, what do you think of this project?"

Fang Ying pondered for a moment, then said truthfully, "It is indeed a high-quality project."

"If I reserve 20% of the share for Mr. Fang, would you be willing to participate?"

Fang Ying was taken aback.

20%?

"Sito" is now a hot commodity in the eyes of capital, so where is there any share to give out?

His fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of the cup, and his heart skipped a beat for no reason. This was no small bargain.

Jiang Ye then changed the subject, as if he hadn't noticed his interest at all: "By the way, Mr. Fang, I heard that Lin Yufen has been cast as the director of 'Love O2O'? As for the female lead, you're in talks with Zheng Shuang, right?"

Fang Ying's coffee spoon stopped in mid-air.

He looked Jiang Ye in the eye for the first time, his surprise undisguised. This news had only been finalized in an internal meeting three days prior; they had only just made contact. How could a freshman possibly…

He suddenly remembered that Jiang Ye's 200 million yuan could generate 28 billion views, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Is this kid some big shot's illegitimate son?
Otherwise, how could they obtain so much inside information?

To be able to mobilize school resources so smoothly, there must be a powerful backer behind them...

Jiang Ye continued, "Zheng Shuang's offer should be 60 per episode, right? The whole series would cost around 2000 million."

Fang Ying could no longer sit still.

Even the company's vice president might not know this price quote, so how did Jiang Ye find out?
Is there a mole within the company?

But isn't the company's finance manager the sister-in-law of the head of the company?
No wonder the way I always looked at him was a bit strange...

Seeing that his expression changed several times, Jiang Ye quickly pretended that he had let something slip and even scratched his head.

"Mr. Fang, these are all just my guesses... please don't take them seriously."

Fang Ying: "..."

Guess what?!

This kid is definitely faking it.

He knows everything about their newly approved project. Who would believe he doesn't have some kind of powerful backing?

This child is unfathomable...

"Mr. Fang, I'm young and I speak frankly, please don't mind. I think that Ms. Zheng Shuang is indeed a bit lacking in suitability for the role of Bei Weiwei."

He looked up at Fang Ying: "In the original novel, Bei Weiwei is described as having a hot and curvaceous figure, the kind of alluring figure that would turn heads on the street. Her 36D bust is a universally acknowledged devilish figure among book fans. Teacher Zheng's temperament is more innocent, which doesn't quite match this bright and hot image."

Fang Ying didn't interrupt. These words touched on his hidden worries. The production team had indeed discussed Zheng Shuang's image suitability, but they were hindered by her popularity and the insistence of screenwriter Gu Man.

Seeing this, Jiang Ye continued, "I know you have your own considerations, and Teacher Zheng's influence is undeniable."

“But I have a more suitable candidate here, Meng Ziyi.”

“With the recent airing of ‘Princess Promotion’, she is currently enjoying a surge in popularity. Based on the first-to-last effect, once ‘Love O2O’ is filmed and released, the long-tail viewership of ‘Princess Promotion’ will also boost her popularity.”

"Currently, Teacher Zheng's Baidu Index is around 20, while Meng Ziyi's Baidu Index peaked at 55 thanks to the recently popular drama 'Princess'!"

"The related Weibo topics have garnered over 29 billion views and more than 290 million discussions, and his 'national husband' persona has gone viral on Weibo."

He took out his phone and opened a still of Meng Ziyi in "Princess": "You see, her appearance is bright and beautiful, and her figure is closer to Bei Weiwei in the original novel."

"More importantly, we can work without receiving a salary."

Fang Ying raised an eyebrow.

“If you need, I can also join the team as an executive assistant director to help Director Lin bring those storyboard ideas to life.”

"My and Meng Ziyi's salaries will be converted into a 20% investment share for 'Love O2O'!"

"The investment in your film should be around 100 million..."

"Plus, there's the 20% share from 'Sito'..."

"It's like you used the salary that was originally going to be paid to the female lead to invest in this new project, 'Sito'..."

He leaned slightly forward, his eyes clear: "President Fang, the exchange of shares in two high-quality projects can also solve the casting and suitability issue for Bei Weiwei. Are you interested in this deal?"

……

As the coffee shop door closed behind him, Jiang Ye's phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a message from Bai Lu: "Boss, the car is at the intersection."

He strode across the pedestrian crossing, opened the passenger door, and got in. As soon as he fastened his seatbelt, he couldn't help but smile.

Bai Lu secretly sized him up, noticing his fingertips tapping a rhythm unconsciously on his knees, his eyes and brows full of smiles. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Boss, did the meeting go well today? You're beaming from ear to ear."

Jiang Ye leaned back in his chair and said, "The chances are pretty good. They'll have to discuss it internally when they get back, but it'll most likely work out."

"That's great!" Bai Lu turned the steering wheel and came to a slow stop at a red light.

She turned to the side, her eyes darting around, "Shouldn't we celebrate? Like giving me a year-end bonus or something...?"

She's going home for the Chinese New Year soon. She's been working in Beijing for two months and is currently in debt of 2000...

Jiang Ye glanced at her and couldn't resist teasing her: "I just thought of a joke, let me tell you."

"Sure," the egret said, adopting an attitude of listening attentively.

"The principal toured the school and told the school leaders that it would be great if there were more greenery. The next day, there was a lot of salt on the school grounds. Do you know why?"

"why?"

"Greening, NaCl"

Egret: "..."

Do you know what songs Yu Gong liked to listen to when he moved the mountain?

What song is it?

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star~"

After the joke was told, the carriage was quiet for a few seconds.

The next second, Bailu burst out laughing, and then laughed louder and louder, slapping the steering wheel and shouting.

(End of this chapter)