Chapter Ninety-Nine: MCC Headquarters’ Regard

Bing nodded. "The way Ying Gu has been set up in the drama makes her seem something like Song Ci's secretary, his assistant, and later on it almost feels as though she is being steered toward becoming his kept woman or mistress. The intimacy between them is unmistakable, all those meaningful glances and silent flirtations. It could very well become unbearable for viewers who like Madam Song. And besides, whenever Song Ci sees his wife, his face turns to stone, yet the moment he turns around and looks at Ying Gu, he breaks into a smile. The script needs a reasonable explanation for that."

Once things had been said that far, Liu Qingshan did not press the matter any further, knowing he had already achieved his goal.

In truth, one could hardly blame him. Jin Xi-shan was a foreigner to begin with, and for her first role to be such a character made it difficult for her to win over the hearts of viewers in this country at once.

And the director, Kan Weiting, had not lacked similar opinions before. That he only thought to find a way to remedy things halfway through filming was not without Liu Qingshan's influence.

As the saying went, even when slapping a face, one had to consider who the host was. After Liu Qingshan, in a very worldly manner, presented a lavish gift, it was hardly surprising that Kan Weiting raised the matter of changing the script.

Perhaps Bing had once held rather simple notions about altering the script, but after the exchange just now, he could piece together the cause and effect of it all.

That was why he had spoken so plainly, hoping to win Liu Qingshan's favor in return.

In truth, if a drama wished to completely redefine a character, it was simple enough: just add a few strokes to the existing plot.

For example, a few lines of dialogue could correct Ying Gu's manner of conduct, and a couple of favorable remarks from Madam Song's own mouth would readily transform her on-screen image.

With this foundation for cooperation in place, Liu Qingshan's impression of Bing immediately grew even better.

He smiled and said, "Brother Bing, I didn't dare speak so directly to Director Kan, so I had to go around in circles with you. I'll remember this kindness, brother. If you ever need anything from me, Shanzi won't say a word of refusal!"

Bing valued him not only for his work. Liu Qingshan was also a martial arts expert himself, and befriending such a person could only bring endless benefit.

So he too felt quite satisfied, and said to Liu Qingshan with a grin, "Remember, those are your own words. If your elder brother ever comes looking for your help, you can't put me off."

In the cold world of show business, precious human warmth was cultivated in precisely this way.

The world of entertainment was bound by such hard realities. Resources were limited, there were too many people in the trade, and human relations were an art in themselves. Once you had that warmth, the road beneath your feet became much broader.

While one man and one woman busied themselves weaving their network of connections, Chen Zuming was not idle on the other side either. He was lively beyond measure at the drinking table.

By nature he had always been highly spirited, only he had once gone down the wrong path and put his mind to foolish things.

With Liu Qingshan's quiet guidance earlier, Chen Zuming suddenly seemed to come to his senses and see the path he needed to walk.

Look at the people seated around this table: not only several big figures from National Television, but also two of the most renowned directors in the country.

Ordinarily, if he were to drink at the same table with such people, it would be his father doing so. At this moment, Chen Zuming felt the gravity and responsibility of being Chen Long's representative.

Of course, those few were willing to associate with a flashy young man partly because they valued the Chen Long standing behind him, and the capital from the port city as well.

No one at the table was a fool, but whatever their private feelings, a happy ending for everyone was the shared purpose.

"So that means you're following Shanzi now? And you understand in your heart why he won't take you as a disciple?" asked the only person bold enough to school Chen Zuming in this way: Ge Daquan.

And Chen Zuming ate that up. After all, this man had just helped his father secure a publicity appearance for Myth.

"No wonder people say my father had foresight. Shanzi is a genius. At only twenty-one, he can already make the figures in today's martial world look at him with new respect and actively seek his company. I suppose he's the only one like that. But I understand why he won't accept me too. For instance, he really can't stand my shady crowd of hangers-on and wastrels!"

Perhaps because it was rare to hear a wastrel like him say such things with his own mouth, everyone around him burst into laughter.

Chen Zuming scratched his head and continued, "In just these few days, I've learned a great deal from him, things I could never learn from my so-called friends."

"Exactly. Shanzi may be young, but he's very worldly," Ge Daquan said. "I say that not to put him down, but because I acknowledge his maturity of mind."

As soon as he finished, Liu Qingshan raised his cup in salute at once. "To be recognized by someone from the system like yourself at least proves that I'm not entirely reckless in the way I do things. I'm deeply honored. Here, let me drink to you. Please, do as you like."

"None of this 'you' and 'sir' talk. You weren't this polite when we were in the capital a few days ago!"

After wetting his lips with the wine, Ge Daquan exposed him with a laugh. "You don't know this, but this brat tried to set me up before he'd even signed a contract. Back then he was nowhere near as respectful as he is now."

"Oh? That bold? Director Ge, tell us about it," someone said.

It was Zhang the Big-Bearded One speaking. He had been there at the time, so how could he not know the reason? To put it this way was clearly just helping Ge Daquan along, playing the straight man in the exchange.

Ge Daquan smiled. "Jaycee, your old man being able to come to our national broadcaster to promote his film was all stirred up by this brat. He took advantage of the fact that our broadcaster and the Korean MCC company had business dealings, and carved out some private gain in the process."

Liu Qingshan did not take it to heart. "MCC had long intended to promote its own artists. What I did was entirely in the interest of both sides!"

He showed no embarrassment at having his scheme exposed. Since National Television and MCC both had an urgent desire to cooperate, it was only natural for MCC to seize the opportunity and propose conditions that served its own interests.

Liu Qingshan had simply and cleverly shifted MCC's own intentions into something that seemed connected to himself.

From National Television's point of view, since they had in principle agreed to the other side's additional conditions outside the contract, they needed to acknowledge the matter positively. After all, the role Liu Qingshan had played in the middle was to bring in Chen Long, an international star of the highest rank.

So as for Chen Long's aim being to promote his film, they would simply turn a blind eye. Such a win-win solution was very much to National Television's liking.

As for whether Liu Qingshan was willing to do this because of Jin Xi-shan, that was not something National Television needed to consider.

Ge Daquan nodded. "Precisely because of that condition, our broadcaster was able to seize the third-round broadcast rights to The Mermaid Princess, and at a very good price too. It was an unexpected windfall!"

"In truth, our broadcaster really didn't lose out. In the future, all film and television productions from the Snowy Region Studio that are exported to Korea will be handled specifically by Director Zhang from the Foreign Liaison Office."

This promise, though not quite a promise, startled Ge Daquan. "Your Snowy Region Studio isn't even officially open yet, and you're already talking about exporting works?"

Seeing Liu Qingshan turn toward her, and with Kunaal translating at her side, Park Hyun-ji quickly took up the thread.

"Our MCC headquarters places great value on Mr. Liu's creative ability. Before coming here, Manager Park Hye-jin had already received verbal authorization from the relevant leadership. Henceforth, for any film or television production made by Snowy Region, an evaluation team must be organized at the first possible moment. Our headquarters very much looks forward to Mr. Liu signing a cooperation agreement with MCC as soon as possible!"

Liu Qingshan had already received this judgment from a phone call with Park Hye-jin, and that was why he had made his earlier decision.