Han Chuning knew that Chen Yanping had concerns, so she specifically invited her to the editing studio to watch the footage. Who knew that Chen Yanping couldn't find any flaws in the footage itself, but instead found fault with her age. If Chen Yanping had said that Chu Xiaxing didn't have enough past works, Han Chuning would have nodded in agreement, but she insisted on talking about age.
Because Han Chuning was also young in the circle, she naturally felt like she was being attacked indiscriminately.
Compared to her niece, Chu Xiaxing was much more composed. She comforted her, saying, "That's normal. She has no familial or personal connection to us, so it's not reasonable to expect her to make a firm decision in our favor."
Han Chuning said dejectedly, "So, is that it? The director she ends up finding will definitely be mediocre. There are only a few directors the platform regularly works with, I can count them on one hand…”
These days, video platforms all want to cultivate their own production teams and establish partnerships with major film and television companies. They produce self-made or custom-made dramas, so people don't need to worry about budget constraints; the platforms are already wealthy enough. Some companies and production teams had even established long-term collaborations with platforms. As long as they have one successful project to get their foot in the door, they'll have a constant stream of job offers.
Video platforms now have directors they frequently work with, but Han Chuning basically knew the schedules of the big-name directors and knew that they were unlikely to take on The Immortal Doctor of the Great Song Dynasty.
If Chu Xiaxing could film a platform-produced drama, she could gain exposure within the platform and have the opportunity to access more resources. She would never be short of projects again.
Chu Xiaxing teased her with a smile, "How can that be possible? Do you think I will let go of Teacher Han's book? Of course I'll direct it."
Han Chuning blinked, and asked hesitantly, "Then, should I go talk to her again?"
Chu Xiaxing pondered for a few seconds, then sighed softly and said earnestly, "Ningning, simply talking to her won't work. The key is whether you can talk about what she wants to hear. If you want someone to choose you decisively at work, you have to solve their problems and tie them to our boat…"
Han Chuning seemed to understand, but not completely. "Then, what should I do?"
Chu Xiaxing said calmly, "You need to know what she wants first, then you can get what you want. If you don't know her needs, then no matter how many times you talk, it will be useless."
Han Chuning said weakly, "…I still don't quite understand."
Chu Xiaxing: “Let’s do this—go find out more about Chen Yanping. I’ll teach you step-by-step. You were younger before and didn’t need to negotiate with people,but now you should gradually learn how this game is played.”
Han Chuning received clear instructions, and she finally felt clear-headed. She responded, "Okay, then I'll ask around soon and tell you once I find something.”
While Chu Xiaxing continued to edit The Distant You in My Heart she also sent Han Chuning to gather information about Chen Yanping through internal platform channels. She also faced a hurdle she had to overcome: recognizing her younger sister, Chu Qiuyi. After her rebirth, Chu Xiaxing had been busy filming nonstop, and now that things had settled a bit, she could finally go meet her blood relative.
Han Chuning also hadn't returned to her parents' home in a long time. As she walked with Chu Xiaxing to the door, she explained, “My dad’s on a business trip right now. Auntie, are you really going to wear that? Aren’t you afraid she’ll nag your ears off?”
Han Chuning thought of her own mother. Chu Qiuyi lived a very refined life and would probably disapprove of her aunt's dressing style.
Chu Xiaxing was wearing simple casual clothes today. She said casually, "Why would I dress up nicely? Wouldn't it be a shame if the clothes got ruined?"
Han Chuning: "?"
At the door of the house, Han Chuning familiarly opened the door, but unexpectedly ran into her mother head on. Chu Qiuyi had long known that her daughter was coming back, and she subconsciously scolded loudly, "You still remember to come home? I thought you were wandering around so much that you'd forgotten about home…"
Han Chuning faced the barrage of scolding and said bravely, "Mom, I also brought someone back with me…"
Han Chuning moved slightly to the side to allow Chu Xiaxing to enter the house behind her. Chu Xiaxing was very familiar with this house. She looked at her slightly haggard sister, and her gaze softened. She said softly, "Qiuyi."
Chu Qiuyi had always been a refined and wealthy lady who paid attention to her appearance. She would even make a fuss over a single wrinkle on her face, but now she looked gloomy, clearly in a bad mood recently. She was also wearing dark-colored clothes, lacking her usual extravagant appearance.
Hearing the familiar address, Chu Qiuyi immediately seemed like struck by a thunderbolt. She looked at the unfamiliar woman in front of her in disbelief, her eyes even a little dazed. She tentatively took two steps forward and carefully looked at Chu Xiaxing, murmuring, "So similar, it's too similar…"
Han Chuning couldn't recognize Chu Xiaxing immediately, but Chu Qiuyi was different. She had been taken care of by her older sister since birth. The two sisters, who were so far apart in age, were too familiar with each other, and had almost engraved each other's expressions in their bones.
Chu Qiuyi carefully touched Chu Xiaxing's face, her eyes instantly turned red. She choked up slightly and said, "Is this a dream? I dreamed of Dad and you last night. I even said that there's no one left in the world who's so good to me anymore…"
She originally thought that there was no one in the world who was good to her anymore, and that the only two people who treated her like a little girl were gone.
Warmth filled Chu Xiaxing's eyes, and she said, "Qiuyi, I'm back."
The next second, Chu Qiuyi hugged her older sister and burst into tears. She was like a child who had suffered all kinds of grievances, wiping all her tears on Chu Xiaxing's clothes. Chu Xiaxing gently patted her back to calm her emotional sister.
Watching the deeply moving reunion of the sisters, Han Chuning complained under her breath, “…Mom, do Dad and I not treat you well? I’ve been here all along, you know.”
Han Chuning: Am I not humble enough at home? Am I not worthy?
Chu Xiaxing was also very happy to see her sister again. After explaining the ins and outs of the matter, they both marveled at the mysterious ways of the world.
Chu Qiuyi used the corner of Chu Xiaxing's clothes to wipe away her tears, and immediately suggested, “I’m going to the temple to offer incense and thank God tomorrow. Heaven must have taken pity on me and sent my doting sister back…"
While Chu Qiuyi was speaking, she touched Chu Xiaxing's clothing and began to revert to her old ways, frowning and saying, "What kind of lousy clothes are these? How can you wear this to come see me? Aren’t you afraid it’ll damage my skin?”
Just a moment ago, Chu Qiuyi had nearly used Chu Xiaxing’s clothes like a cat rubbing its face. But now, she immediately felt the texture wasn’t quite right.
Seeing this, Han Chuning immediately turned her head to the side and complained, "Here we go again…" Her mother's antics were too much to bear, which was why she didn't want to live at home.
Chu Xiaxing said calmly, "Anyway, these clothes will be ruined by your crying, so I just wore an old one."
Chu Qiuyi's eyebrows furrowed, and she immediately clutched her chest, wailing, "I understand, I understand. Clothes are more important than me. You didn't even want to wear something new to see me…"
Chu Xiaxing explained, “No, I’ve been working in the editing studio all the time now, so there was no need to wear anything fancy.”
Chu Qiuyi looked surprised. "Editing studio? What editing studio? You've started filming again?"
Han Chuning reported to her mother about her aunt's new project. Chu Qiuyi was even more shocked. She looked like she would burst into tears at any moment. She whimpered, “So you’ve been back for so long and only now came to see me… all because you were filming again. Filming is more important than me. Your own sister can't compare with a drama…"
Hearing this familiar tone of melodrama, Chu Xiaxing let out a helpless sigh and tried to stop her. “…That’s enough, that’s enough.”
Chu Xiaxing: Isn't this just the reason why I couldn't come to see you right away? You always take the opportunity to make a big deal!
Chu Qiuyi said resentfully, “Now you’re already impatient with me just for talking. You think I’m being unreasonable. I wasn’t even criticizing you, and you've already started to ignore me…"
Chu Xiaxing: “…” What even is this logic!?
Chu Xiaxing finally appeased her spoiled younger sister, gently persuading her to go back to her room to wash her face and tidy herself up a bit. After Chu Qiuyi left, Chu Xiaxing finally breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely, "Ah, Ningning, I’ve wronged your dad. I'm the one who spoiled her into this."
Chu Xiaxing had always been particular about appearances. Chu Qiuyi was more than ten years younger than her and had a striking appearance, so she naturally treated her younger sister very well. Chu Xiaxing was very good at making money from filming. In an era when an entire family only earned 30 yuan a month, Chu Qiuyi was already using imported stationery worth 10 yuan. Even their parents scolded Chu Xiaxing for spoiling her sister too much, saying that it would cause problems sooner or later.
Chu Xiaxing didn't actually have strong material desires, so she was willing to spend money on her family and was very generous to the people she loved, so she didn't take it to heart.
Some people may just be born with a life of luxury. Chu Qiuyi was spoiled by her older sister when she was young, and she was still spoiled by others after she grew up. She could always find someone to protect and support her, which made many outsiders envious. Although her slightly spoiled personality was occasionally criticized, those gossips didn't affect her life.
Han Chuning sighed, "It's okay, my dad and I are used to it."
Han Chuníng: Can I choose my own mother? I just have to make do with what I have!
Chu Xiaxing: "Ningning, you really take after me. You're a down-to-earth and a good child. You mustn’t turn out like your mom…”
She couldn't have two people like her younger sister around her, just thinking about it made her head buzz.
Chu Xiaxing sat at her sister's house for a while, and was nagged at incessantly. She was either criticized for dressing too casually, or disliked for not taking care of herself even after becoming young again. Before leaving, she was even covered with countless exquisite jewelry.
Chu Qiuyi directly took off her own jade bracelet and forcefully put it on her older sister's wrist, frowning and saying, "You're already a big director, how come you don't even have any accessories? This bracelet is decent enough to wear, you should wear it when you leave later."
Chu Xiaxing: "No, I'm already a big director, do I still need to wear these flashy things…"
Han Chuning clicked her tongue and said, "Mom, you call something worth several million 'decent enough to wear', then why didn't you support me buying a house back then?"
Chu Qiuyi said angrily, "I get angry whenever I think about that! I never planned to let you move out but you ran to your aunt to ask for money. I haven't even settled the score with you yet!"
"Sister, you're also going too far. She's still a child, but you gave her so much money. Wasn't she fine living at home…" Chu Qiuyi glanced at Chu Xiaxing. Her tone was full of resentment, as if she was still brooding over it.
Han Chuning immediately sent a distress signal to her aunt, her face almost completely filled with 'please save the child', she was really a little afraid of her mother.
Chu Xiaxing stepped in as a mediator, speaking up for her niece, "Hey, weren't you also a child before? I also gave you so much money. Did you forget how Mom and Dad used to scold me? Why are you acting like them now…"
Now that Han Chuning had someone to back her up, she immediately said confidently, "Such a double standard!"
Chu Qiuyi: "…"
After leaving her younger sister's house, Chu Xiaxing could be described as completely changed. Not only were her casual clothes confiscated by Chu Qiuyi, but she was also forced to wear trendy new clothes and was armed from head to toe with accessories, making her extremely exquisite.
Chu Xiaxing had a carefree personality and didn't pay much attention to details on set. She learned a lot about food, clothing, and daily necessities from her sister, so she naturally wasn't surprised by Chu Qiuyi's attitude. After meeting Chu Qiuyi, she received invitations to beauty treatments and personal training classes every few days. It was obvious that the other party did not allow her to live rough!
Chu Xiaxing: I totally understand Ningning’s desire to live alone. I can't stand living with her for too long either.
On the other side, Han Chuning obediently inquired about Chen Yanping's situation and actually learned some inside information from acquaintances, which she relayed to Chu Xiaxing: "It turns out that Sister Yanping worked with a young director before, but the drama that was broadcast didn't have good ratings and basically didn't make any money. It had a bit of a negative impact on her afterward…”
Chen Yanping was a producer of self-produced dramas for the platform. She had some status within the platform, but she also had annual performance assessment indicators, which took into account the cost and conversion rate of her projects. If a drama had high costs but poor returns, this indicator number would be very ugly and could even affect the producer's future work.
Most directors take the money and leave after filming, and don't participate in distribution and sales, but producers don't have it so easy. They have to take the blame if the project results are bad.
Chu Xiaxing: "Once bitten, twice shy. Is she afraid of being tricked by young directors?"
Han Chuning: "She never told me about these things before. Other producers told me…"
Chu Xiaxing: "Of course, it would be embarrassing to say it. You'd doubt her capability and maybe even laugh at her.”
Han Chuning said regretfully, "She's encountered this kind of thing before, so it'll probably be difficult to convince her." Chen Yanping wouldn't dare to try a second time. What if she failed again?
Chu Xiaxing showed a thoughtful expression. She immediately thought of something and said lazily, "No, this is the best time to convince her. We already know what she's afraid of, so things will be easy…"
Han Chuning asked curiously, "How do we convince her?"
Chu Xiaxing said sincerely, "Understand her, be tolerant of her, and move her with love."
Han Chuning: "???"
Inside a restaurant, Chen Yanping arrived at the agreed-upon location according to Han Chuning's message. She hurried over, but was stunned for a moment to see Chu Xiaxing sitting at the table as well. She then showed a flawless smile and explained, "Sorry, Teacher Han, Director Chu, I'm a little late."
Chen Yanping politely took a seat, with a businesslike smile on her face. She hesitated and said, "Teacher Han, you said you wanted to introduce me to a director, I thought it was someone else. I'm already very familiar with Director Chu. I saw her at the editing studio last time…"
Han Chuning said she wanted to recommend a director for The Immortal Doctor of the Great Song Dynasty, which was why she arranged to meet Chen Yanping here, but Chen Yanping didn't expect that the person being recommended was still Chu Xiaxing.
Chen Yanping's tone was considerate and polite at this time, but she was still a little dissatisfied in her heart. After all, she had explained it to Han Chuning several times, and now she felt that the other party was being too persistent.
Chu Xiaxing smiled and said, “Exactly, we’re very familiar already, so we can speak openly. It’ll be more relaxed for everyone.”
Chen Yanping nodded and said, "That's definitely the best. I understand what you two mean, but to be honest, my requirements for a director are…"
Chu Xiaxing: "Your requirement for a director is that they must make money and make your project's data look beautiful, right?"
Chen Yanping didn't expect Chu Xiaxing to be so direct. She was stunned when she heard this, and said politely, "Director Chu is joking. Making money is of course good, but there's also the artistic aspect…"
Chu Xiaxing said calmly, "If you choose me as the director, I guarantee your project's rating and distribution channels. If the distribution revenue of The Immortal Doctor of the Great Song Dynasty doesn't meet the standard, I'll personally find channels to make up for this money for you. How about that?"
Chen Yanping, who had just been wearing a false smile, was stunned at this time. She instantly put away her smile and said seriously, "…Do you know what this means? This is not a joke."
Chu Xiaxing raised her eyebrows easily. "Of course."
Chen Yanping: "I can sign a contract with you to agree to this, but you might lose everything…"
Chu Xiaxing shook her head with a smile and said, "You might make a small profit, but I'll never lose. I dare to say this because I have the confidence. I just don't know if you dare to bet?"
Chen Yanping fell silent upon hearing this, but her expression had already wavered. What she really cared about was indeed the project data. If another drama failed, it wouldn't be good for her future.
Seeing that she didn't answer, Chu Xiaxing leisurely added, "Not only that, didn't your previous drama sell poorly? Although the online broadcast has ended, it can still be sold to some TV stations and overseas, which can at least make up for some losses and make the data look better. I can find someone to help out with that.”
Chen Yanping asked suspiciously, "…You're so willing to think of me? You're even willing to take care of the previous drama?"
Chu Xiaxing said innocently, "Of course, I sincerely hope you're doing well, so that you can give me more dramas in the future. But it's not helping for nothing, I need to trouble you to do a little thing."
Chen Yanping: "What is it?"
Chu Xiaxing: "The Distant You in My Heart is currently rated as a low-budget project. I want to raise it one level higher. You should have the internal review and voting rights, so please say a few good words for us at that time…"
In order to save on the cost of purchasing dramas, video platforms would definitely deliberately suppress the ratings. The lower the rating, the lower the price, but if there are internal connections, there is room for manipulation.
Chen Yanping said incredulously, "But your current rating is already very high, and it really is a low-budget production!”
Chu Xiaxing argued reasonably, "But my visuals are clearly surpassing many medium-budget productions. Am I wrong to want to earn more money for the producer? You producers always blame the director for not making money from filming, and now you complain that I'm asking for too much. How can you have two faces!?"
“When a director doesn’t make money for the producer, you’re unhappy. When a director does make money, you still have opinions?”
Producer Chen Yanping was speechless in the face of the questioning: "…"
After a moment, Chen Yanping reacted and retorted, "But I'm not your producer! And you're not making money for me!"
Chu Xiaxing said leisurely, "Then why don't you quickly choose me as the director? Then I can make money for you."
Chen Yanping: "?"