The collaborative styles launched by Bunny and Tangzhi sold very well. After being busy for several consecutive days, Jian Yan finally 迎来了 her first day off.
Although it was a day off, for Jian Yan, it was just working in a different place.
Now that she didn't have to rush to finish drawing manuscripts, she stayed at home to sort out materials, conceive the script, and create the character settings for the male and female protagonists. In the blink of an eye, it was noon. She stretched and planned to go to the kitchen to cook and, by the way, stretch her muscles.
Before she could walk out of the room, the mobile phone on the table rang. This ringtone was a special one specially set by Lin Zhen, for fear that Jian Yan would be too busy to answer the phone.
Jian Yan picked up the phone and continued walking outside. "Ms. Lin, what's up?"
"The magazine was launched today and was snapped up immediately! Bunny's clothes were launched at just the right time. It can be regarded as a warm-up for the comic."
"Oh, I haven't received the sample issue yet. Did you buy it?"
"Yes, I did. The cover uses your illustration. After the editor sends the sample issue to the studio, I'll bring it to you. Also, the magazine side said they are going to prepare a physical book for the final volume of the comic and a hardcover version of the entire collection. I'll send you the contract to look at once it's negotiated."
"Okay, got it." Jian Yan had full trust in Lin Zhen's ability to negotiate prices, and the commission rate of the studio wasn't overly harsh. That's why she had been able to work with Lin Zhen in peace for so many years.
"There's one more thing. A company wants to buy the audiobook copyright of 'Shang Ke'. The price will definitely satisfy you. I've already sent the contract to your email. If you think there's no problem, we can sign the contract directly."
The audiobook copyright? Jian Yan thought for a moment and said, "I'll take a look at the contract this afternoon and give you a reply within today."
"Okay. Are you at Xingguang Department Store today?"
"No, I'm off today."
Lin Zhen laughed and said, "I think this job is quite good. At least you can't force yourself to work overtime."
Jian Yan pursed her lips. "If you have nothing else, I'm going to cook."
"Okay, take your time. If you have time, you can go to the website where the comic is serialized. Your monthly votes have risen to the third place on the overall ranking list. Aren't you happy?"
Jian Yan blinked quickly twice. This piece of news really made her happy.
The development of the Internet industry has truly brought unlimited business opportunities, and it's the same for cartoonists. Jian Yan's early comics were only published in magazines. Later, as there were more and more comic websites and apps, she was also invited to publish her works on comic websites.
Although the comics serialized in magazines couldn't be made into VIP content and the updates would be one issue slower than in the magazine, the readers who read comics on the website were still very enthusiastic and often rewarded her with monthly votes. Each monthly vote was worth fifty cents!
The monthly votes for "Shang Ke" had always ranked first on the shoujo comics ranking list. Now, taking advantage of the momentum of its conclusion, it had actually rushed to the third place on the overall ranking list—that meant there were a lot of extra bonuses!
Jian Yan thought she could have a better meal at noon.
She specially took out the high-priced steak she had treasured and fried it. While having lunch, Jian Yan read the contract sent to her by Lin Zhen. The company that was buying the copyright was a big one, and the contract was very formal. When Jian Yan saw the bold black characters in the column of the manuscript fee, she choked on the beef in her mouth.
As expected of a wealthy company that everyone calls "daddy", this manuscript fee made her feel that today's meal was still too simple.
So she ordered two signature dishes from Tianxiaju online.
After paying attention to the manuscript fee, she carefully read the terms and conditions of the contract. It stated that they would fully respect her opinions in choosing the CVs, and if she was dissatisfied with the script, she could also put forward her suggestions for the screenwriter to make revisions.
"The contract is fine. Let's sign it." She sent this message to Lin Zhen and then went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. When she came back, she received Lin Zhen's reply: "OK, then print the contract and sign it as soon as possible. I'll send your QQ number to the person in charge over there later. If there are any problems, you can communicate directly with them."
"Okay." Just as Jian Yan replied to this message, the takeout she had just ordered arrived.
Although she had just eaten two steaks and a small portion of spaghetti, she had no problem eating two more dishes. Who made her stomach as "big" as 128g? :)
After the meal, Jian Yan sent the signed contract and then kept busy until the evening before she found some time to check her QQ. There was a new message notification, sent by the person in charge of the audiobook copyright of "Shang Ke".
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
She accepted the friend request, and the other side sent a message: "Hello, Ms. Tangzhi. I'm the planner of the audiobook of 'Shang Ke', Majiang ^_^"
Tangzhi: Hello ^_^
Majiang: Ms. Lin said you have already read the contract. The contract still needs to go through the process here, but we can first discuss the matters in the early stage. Regarding the CVs, do you have anyone you want to recommend, Ms. Tangzhi?
Jian Yan thought for a moment and replied, "I'm not particularly familiar with CVs. What are your thoughts?"
Majiang: I've communicated with several CVs before. For the female lead, it could be Jiang Jiang, and for the male lead, Wang Si. They are both very experienced CVs.
Majiang: I have samples of their voice styles. I'll send them to you. Please have a listen first.
Tangzhi: OK
Since Jian Yan was engaged in the comic industry, she had a basic understanding of CVs. At least she had heard of the two CVs Majiang mentioned. After listening to their voice style samples, she thought they were quite good and sent a message to Majiang: "They are pretty good."
Majiang: Okay, then I'll create a small group for the production team and add the male and female leads and the screenwriter. If you don't mind, Ms. Tangzhi, you can also join the group. You can directly communicate any requirements you have for them.
Tangzhi: No problem.
Majiang: ^_^
When Jian Yan came back after having dinner, she found that she was already in the group. She glanced at the chat records above and greeted everyone: "Good evening ^_^"
Jiang Jiang: Ahhhhhh, Ms. Tangzhi! The real Ms. Tangzhi!
Wang Si: Good evening, Ms. Tangzhi! You're so awesome!
Majiang: Welcome, Ms. Tangzhi. The screenwriter isn't here right now. I've sent him to write the script ^_^
Tangzhi: Haha, you're really efficient. 66666
Majiang: Definitely~ Our drama is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day. It will be updated with one episode every Wednesday and Sunday, and each episode is about twenty minutes long~
Tangzhi: [ok]
Jiang Jiang: Ms. Tangzhi, Wang Si and I just recorded a few audition lines. Please have a listen. If there's anything wrong, please point it out [shy]
Tangzhi: Okay. Actually, I've listened to your works before [chuckle]
Jiang Jiang: Ahhhhhhhh so embarrassing!
Wang Si: Ahhhhhhhh so embarrassing!
Jiang Jiang: The one above is just copying and pasting. No sincerity at all ←_←
Wang Si: [Voice message]
Jian Yan blinked. Just as she was about to listen to what he said, another person joined the group and sent an automatic greeting message.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Nan Si."
The group was silent for a second, and then Jiang Jiang started spamming the chat.
Jiang Jiang:!!!!!!!!!
Jiang Jiang: My male god!!!
Jiang Jiang: Holy shit!!!!!!!!
Jiang Jiang: Sorry, I'm a bit excited now! Why are you here, my male god!
Jiang Jiang: Could it be that you're going to replace that idiot Wang Si as the male lead?!
Jiang Jiang: Ahhhhhhhh! I'm so happy!
Wang Si: …………
Wang Si: I've taken a screenshot :) I'll post it on Weibo later and let your fans see what a crazy woman their goddess is in private :)
Majiang: Jiang Jiang, calm down. Mr. Nan Si is invited to sing the theme song.
Jiang Jiang: I can't calm down! I'm in the same group as my male god out of the blue! Ahhh, I'm going to have another bowl of white rice!
Majiang: … Mr. Nan Si has been scared away by you [sweat]
Nan Si: No, I'm still here :) Good evening, everyone. Good evening, the author.
Jian Yan, who had been stunned in front of the computer, came to her senses and tapped the keyboard a few times: "Good evening."
She was still feeling restless. These days, because she had been busy with work, she had gradually forgotten about Nan Si. She didn't expect... to be in the same group as him out of the blue.
Majiang: We specially invited a studio to produce the theme song. After the lyrics are written, we'll show them to you first, Ms. Tangzhi ^_^
Tangzhi: Mmm, okay.
Jian Yan thought to herself that this was indeed a rich company.
Jiang Jiang: Male god, didn't you say you only accept songs you're interested in? Have you also read "Shang Ke"??
Nan Si: Hmm, I mainly looked at the clothes in it. Ms. Tangzhi's designs are all great.
Tangzhi: You're too kind...
Jiang Jiang: The male god is also interested in clothes?
Nan Si: My job is somewhat related to clothes :)
Jian Yan's eyes flickered. Related to clothes? What kind of job could it be?
Jiang Jiang also asked him about his job in the group, but Nan Si evaded the questions.
Jiang Jiang: It's so tiring for the male god to type. Just speak directly [sincere face]
Wang Si: →_→
Nan Si: [Voice message]
Looking at that voice message which was only five seconds long, Jian Yan's heart skipped a couple of beats, just like when she listened to the singing event that night.
She clicked on the voice message, and a magnificent and sexy male voice flowed out: "Wearing such boring clothes will make your life boring too."
At this moment, Jian Yan really doubted that Cupid was real. Otherwise, why would she have this crazy feeling of being shot in the heart by the arrow of Eros?
This was the line that the male lead, Yi Nian, said when he first met Shang Ke.
Shang Ke, as her name implies, had an average appearance, an average figure, average grades, and average popularity... In other words, she was very ordinary.
So when she was invited by the university senior she had a crush on, Shang Ke was very surprised herself. That day, she specially wore the nicest clothes in her wardrobe. However, when she got there, she found that it was just a bet among the bored seniors to see if she would come.
Shang Ke angrily questioned the senior who invited her, but instead, she was laughed at by him for having no self-awareness. All of this was seen by Yi Nian, who was sitting beside them. He walked up to Shang Ke, whose heart was broken, and instead of comforting words, he said—
Wearing such boring clothes will make your life boring too.
That was exactly the line Nan Si had just said.
Jiang Jiang: Ahhhhhh my Yi Nian! ! ! ! The male god and the male god are together!
Jiang Jiang: Wang Si, I think you can't stay in this anymore!
Wang Si: …
Wang Si: Okay, I'll leave!
Majiang: No—! [laughing and crying]
Nan Si: Haha, my acting skills for lines aren't good. If I say a few more sentences, it will show. I can't compare with Brother Wang.
Wang Si: [Voice message]
This time, Jian Yan finally clicked on Wang Si's voice message. He said, "Brother Nan is being too modest," and his voice was also very magnetic and pleasant.
Tangzhi: I hope that in the future, you all will send messages in the group using voice messages. It will bring happiness to all of us [obsessed smile]