Ding Mengfei beamed with happiness when she saw that the gossip she had set in motion was trending on the internet.
“Tan Mo reduced my screen time, and I couldn’t complain to the director. We should simply find someone else to replace her as our screenwriter. With a new screenwriter, I wouldn’t have to worry about reduced screen time.” Ding Mengfei drummed her fingers on the table, completely relaxed.
How could she survive in this line of work if she didn’t scheme behind the scenes?
She had secured her current standing in the industry without a backer. She definitely wasn’t a sweet, naïve woman.
Her manager, Lin, was sitting opposite her. At that moment, she was also beaming with great satisfaction. “I ordered someone to scout around for updates. Director Liu is currently holding a meeting with everyone. Director Liu has received numerous calls from investors, and he seems quite hard pressed. Even though Director Liu sent the script over to the investors, a few investors still refuse to cooperate.”
“The biggest investor, Journey Films, admitted that the script was quite good. However, the screenwriter is not well known and what’s more, the internet appears to harbor pretty strong opinions on this young, unknown, and seemingly inexperienced scriptwriter. Hence, Journey Films is inclined to push to switch out the screenwriter. The script quality is good so they’ll keep the current script and find another screenwriter to continue the writing. Another option would be to allow her to continue writing under someone else’s name.”
Most screenwriters in the country didn’t have much say in the industry. Most of them would have to submit to the wishes of the investors.
“Even if we continue using the same script, we can switch the screenwriter. Whatever Tan Mo says won’t hold sway. This way, we’ll be able to increase your screen time,” Lin said with a smile.
“What about Director Liu? Has he agreed?” Ding Mengfei was quite concerned. Her hands were clinging on tightly to the table as she leaned toward Lin.
At the mention of this, Lin’s complexion darkened. She spoke with great displeasure, “I have no idea what Director Liu is thinking. He is bent on protecting Tan Mo. He said that he would never switch her regardless of what happens. Director Liu refused to remove her credit, even if she were to be paid for the use of her current work.
“I have no idea how Tan Mo managed to bewitch Director Liu and get him to be so protective of her. Journey Films even issued an ultimatum to cut Tan Mo off in order to preserve the reputation of this film. If the team doesn’t fire Tan Mo, they will retract their investment,” Lin said coldly. “Director Liu would have to consider whether he wants to retain Tan Mo or the money from the investors very carefully.”
“Retract their investments? Director Liu won’t be able to weather that. He wouldn’t refuse such a large investment for someone like Tan Mo. When the time comes, where will he obtain funds to pay the salaries of the actors? Where would he get money to cover the cost of filming? Is he going to try and gather more investments? The reputation of this drama has already been ruined online. Who would be willing to invest?”
Ding Mengfei and Lin were both unaware that Director Hou was still standing on Tan Jinqi’s side.
While Tan Jinqi was speaking to Tan Mo over the phone, Director Hou whispered to Director Liu, “Let me ask around and see how many investments I can get for you. In any case, I’m a veteran in this industry, and my words still hold some power.”
Director Hou was aware of Tan Jinqi’s family background.
However, he didn’t tell Director Liu about it.
These were two separate issues.
Tan Jinqi hung up the call. He said to Director Liu, “Director Liu, you don’t have to worry. If they really withdraw their investments, my family will invest instead.”
“Your family?” Director Liu only knew that Tan Jinqi was Director Hou’s student. He wasn’t aware of anything else.
They weren’t very familiar with one another, nor had they known each other for a long time. Naturally, their relationship wasn’t at the stage where they would probe each other’s family backgrounds.
However, those who became directors usually came from families who were capable enough to support their studies financially.
Director Liu merely assumed that Tan Jinqi came from a decent family.
He never expected his family to be capable of investing in a drama.
“Jinqi, I know you are very close to your sister. Don’t worry, we definitely will not switch out Tan Mo. We certainly will not let someone else take credit for Tan Mo’s script.” Director Liu consoled him. “Tan Mo lent me a helping hand during troubled times. I definitely won’t trample over a benefactor in this manner. I am Liu Runlin. I am someone who isn’t that shameless.
“Even if Journey Films really withdraws their investment, I won’t switch her out. If worse comes to worst, I’ll just go and gather more investments.” Director Liu kept thinking about Wei Zhiqian.
He was hoping that Wei Zhiqian would fulfill his promise.
If he asked Wei Zhiqian for investments, he had to agree.
Eh!
He had originally intended to use Wei Zhiqian for his next drama.
He didn’t expect to use him in this current drama.
“Drama investments aren’t small sums of money. What’s more, nothing is certain at this point. If we don’t earn back this sum, your family would suffer a huge loss.” Director Liu patted Tan Jinqi on the shoulder. “I understand your intentions.”
Tan Jinqi appeared quite puzzled.
Although the Tan family wasn’t considered one of the biggest family clans, it wasn’t any worse off than those film companies. They were probably better off than them.
A mere advertisement sponsorship didn’t really amount to much. He would even be able to contribute a huge sum of money to Director Liu.
“Director Liu…” Tan Jinqi was about to explain this to Director Liu.
Director Liu seemed to have some sort of misunderstanding regarding Tan Mo’s family background.
At this moment, Tan Jinqi’s phone rang once more.
Tan Jinqi picked it up and glanced at the screen. Coincidentally, it was a call from Tan Wenci.
“Dad,” Tan Jinqi greeted him.
He estimated the time and figured that Tan Mo probably hadn’t informed Tan Wenci about this matter since she had just hung up with him.
“I’ve already seen the news on the web,” Tan Wenci said.
Since Tan Jinqi was part of the team, Tan Wenci naturally paid close attention to news regarding the production.
Tan Jinqi was usually a very reserved person. As his father, Tan Wenci could only follow the gossip sites on Weibo to obtain news pertaining to him.
The moment he saw the headlines, he immediately knew that the post was referring to Tan Jinqi’s production team.
Since Tan Mo was the scriptwriter, everyone knew that she was also their adviser.
However, Tan Wenci didn’t contact Tan Jinqi for no reason.
Due to the nature of Tan Jinqi’s job, Tan Wenci had started to form connections with important people in the industry.
Hence, he quickly sent people out to scout for news. Unexpectedly, the news was true.
What’s more, companies were already making threats, stating that they would withdraw their investments if Tan Mo was allowed to stay on.
What a joke!
Switching out his daughter?
They were looking down on his family.
They didn’t even stop to consider who had helped them through their initial difficulties.
Tan Wenci immediately pulled up his sleeves and gave Tan Jinqi a call.
“What is the stance of your director?” Tan Wenci asked. “Is he planning to switch Tan Mo out?”
If that were the case, he wouldn’t lend a helping hand.
Their plight would be well deserved.
Tan Jinqi flashed a warm smile. He was clearly relieved. “Director Liu said that even if everyone withdraws their investments, he wouldn’t fire Mo Mo. He would find another method to contact other potential investors.”
“This Director Liu doesn’t sound too bad.” Tan Wenci chuckled with satisfaction. “What is Director Liu’s phone number? Tell me. I’ll discuss investment matters with him.”
“Dad, are you really planning to invest?” Tan Jinqi was shocked. His father was actually thinking along the same lines as he had been.
“Why not? Both you and Mo Mo are involved in this drama. Of course I have to show my support. Ask that unknown company called Journey Films to step aside. Do they think the show won’t go on without them?” Tan Wenci puckered up his lips. In his heart, he had cursed Journey Films many times over.
They had bullied his children.
“Have they been looking down on my Tan family?” Tan Wenci’s voice became quite high pitched.
