Shen Huai understood Yi Mian's feelings and didn't urge him, but just waited quietly by his side.
After a long while, Yi Mian finally made up his mind, signed his name with trembling hands, and stamped his seal.
To outsiders, his actions might seem foolish—giving away such a valuable copyright library without asking for a single penny. But in Yi Mian's view, these copyrights represent his hard work and cannot be measured by price.
He believed that Shen Huai would treat his hard work well.
Shen Huai put away the contract, but then took out a thick planning document and an employment contract.
Yi Mian looked at him in confusion: "What are you doing...?"
Shen Huai smiled and said, "I want to keep the name Yi Xing. It's just a small studio, and it's not all about investing in movies. In the future, we'll also be producing TV series, web series, and online movies. You have many years of experience in the industry, and I'd like to ask you to be a consultant. Would you be willing?"
Yi Mian was stunned, and a tear rolled down his cheek. He quickly lowered his head and wiped it away with his sleeve.
He stared at the logo on the proposal for a long time before slowly opening it and flipping through the pages. He could tell that this was a proposal written with real care, and not just something to fool people.
A myriad of thoughts surged through his mind. He had originally thought that Yi Xing's name would only appear in these old movies and film history from now on. He never expected that Shen Huai could give it new life. Shen Huai never intended to rely on the copyright library to live off his past achievements. Instead, he really put his heart and soul into making new ideas for old movies.
He closed the proposal with trembling hands, murmuring, "Okay, okay..."
He took the employment contract, picked up the pen, and signed his name forcefully. This time, his hand did not tremble; he wrote each stroke with devotion, just as he had when he first founded Yixing.
☆, Chapter 111
The day after handing over the copyright library to Shen Huai, Yi Mian instructed his lawyers to file for bankruptcy liquidation. The iconic image of film in the memories of a generation became a thing of the past on this day.
At the same time, a small studio was set up upstairs from Morningstar Company. A dozen employees were going in and out, carrying materials inside, inadvertently revealing the studio's logo and name.
——Yixing Film Studio.
On the same day, a newly verified blue V account posted a Weibo post.
@YixingFilmStudioV: Yixing, a fresh start! [Striving][Striving][Striving]
However, not many people noticed the Weibo post, and even fewer responded. Only a few zombie accounts posted two advertisements in the comments.
No one knew that a few years later, this small, unnoticed studio would become a legend that shook the entire film and television industry.
For the newly established Yixing Film Studio, there's still very little they can do. Shen Huai doesn't intend to achieve everything at once. Although he's interested in entering the film and television industry, he knows it's a complex and dangerous field, and it's definitely not suitable to rush in now.
After the studio was tidied up, the person in charge came directly to the villa to report to Shen Huai.
Shen Huai originally intended to visit the studio, but he was worried that his presence at Morning Star might attract attention, so he had to abandon the plan.
The current person in charge of the studio is named Zhu Chen, who was previously in charge of managing Shen Huai's business.
Zhu Chen was already familiar with Shen Huai's habits, so he didn't mince words and quickly reported everything before asking, "Boss, what should we do next?"
Shen Huai looked at the data on the computer, pondered for a moment, and then said, "In recent years, the market for web dramas and online movies has developed rapidly. They are no longer the poorly made ones of the past, but are becoming more and more refined and genre-specific. Nowadays, people's viewing habits are also changing. In addition, web dramas and movies have short production cycles and quick monetization. I think there is still greater room for development."
Zhu Chen nodded: "So, the boss means that we'll be investing in web series next?"
“We could consider starting from this angle.” Shen Huai adjusted his glasses. “However, film and television investment is different from other investments; there are too many variables. Don’t invest too much in the early stages of testing the waters. Let’s start with low-budget web series and online movies.”
Zhu Chen agreed, asked some more questions about work, and then left.
Shen Huai shut down his computer, walked out of his room, and paused as he passed Ye Cang's room. He raised his hand as if he wanted to knock, but then hesitated for fear of disturbing Ye Cang, so his hand froze in mid-air.
Just then, Ye Cang's door opened, and Ye Cang walked out. The two looked at each other.
Ye Cang took off his headphones: "Do you want to come in?"
Shen Huai's gaze passed over his body and landed on the table behind him, which was piled with messy papers. Shen Huai asked, "Writing a song?"
Ye Cang shook his head: "It's a song by some newcomers in the company. I'll show it to them."
Since Ye Cang learned about the suppression of the new singers, although he didn't say anything on the surface, Shen Huai noticed that Ye Cang had been going to the company more often recently, communicating more with the newly signed singers than before, and even posting on Weibo on his alternate account "Your Dad" seemed to be more frequent than before.
For singers of Ye Cang's generation, there may have been competition, but there was more mutual appreciation and support, which is why there was such a vibrant and diverse scene at that time.
Nowadays, although Ye Cang has friends like Li Zihang and Xue Chengge who compete with each other and make progress together, as well as partners like Yan Xiangming and Fang Jiqing who make friends through music and work hard purely for music, he has also experienced some vicious competition and behind-the-scenes forces that suppress talented new singers.
Ye Cang knew there was very little he could do, so he did his best to help these new singers, just like he had received help when he first entered the industry.
Perhaps this force is very weak, and may even interfere with his rest and songwriting time, but Ye Cang feels it is worthwhile.
Shen Huai understood his intentions and his actions. Even though he sometimes worried when he saw Ye Cang staying up late, he would not stop him.
This is just like what he is doing now; even if it is only a glimmer of light now, it will one day become a raging fire.
Ye Cang scratched his head and looked at the coat hanging on Shen Huai's arm: "Are you going out?"
Shen Huai nodded: "Xiao Song's scenes are almost finished filming, I'm going to pick him up from the set."
Although his identity had been exposed, Shen Huai still did not forget what he had to do.
Ye Cang said "Oh," and seeing that Shen Huai was about to leave, he called him back.
Shen Huai: "What's wrong?"
Ye Cang: "Your tie is crooked."
Shen Huai, unsuspecting, was about to bend down to straighten his tie when Ye Cang called out to him, "I'll do it."
He took two steps forward and reached out to grasp Shen Huai's tie.
The two were about the same height, with Ye Cang even being a little taller. From his angle, he could see Shen Huai's long eyelashes behind his glasses, which trembled as delicately as butterfly wings.
With a slight thought, Ye Cang grasped Shen Huai's tie, gently pulled him towards himself, and then kissed him on the lips.
Shen Huai froze, his eyes widening slightly.
Ye Cang looked into his eyes through the glasses and couldn't help but linger on his lips for a moment longer.
Shen Huai's eyelashes trembled, then he closed his eyes in response.
The two lingered and became intimate, but things quickly escalated. Fortunately, Shen Huai remembered his own affairs in time and took a difficult half-step back: "We'll talk about it tonight..."
Ye Cang was somewhat disappointed, but he understood that Shen Huai had other important matters to attend to, so he could only suppress his desires.
Shen Huai lowered his head to straighten his tie, his ears turning slightly red.
Ye Cang calmed his breathing slightly and walked over.
Shen Huai raised his hand to stop him: "Not now..."
Ye Cang said helplessly, "This time I really want to straighten your tie."
After he finished speaking, he actually lowered his head to straighten and straighten Shen Huai's tie. Just when Shen Huai thought he was going to let go, he leaned close to his ear and said in a hoarse voice, "Come back early tonight."
-
When Shen Huai arrived, Song Yimian's scenes had just finished filming. The screenwriter handed him a small bouquet of flowers, and the actors next to him laughed and set off two firecrackers. Several actors who were close to Song Yimian ruffled his hair with giggles.
Song Yimian stood in the middle of them, his face dirty, but his eyebrows and eyes were curved, and he looked very happy.
Someone spotted Shen Huai and whispered, "Brother Shen."
The group, who had been laughing and joking, suddenly became reserved, and the male lead who had jumped onto Song Yimian hurriedly climbed down.
When Shen Huai came to Song Yimian's film crew last time, his identity had not yet been revealed. Everyone just regarded him as Song Yimian's manager, so they got along much more naturally. But this time, knowing Shen Huai's identity, they naturally dared not be presumptuous.
Song Yimian, who had been pulling at the ribbons on his head, quickly looked up, his eyes lighting up: "Brother Shen, you're here!"
Shen Huai smiled and said, "I knew you were wrapping up filming today, so I came to pick you up." He then handed over the drink he was holding, adding, "Thank you everyone for taking care of Yi Mian."
"No...you're welcome."
"Yimian, Brother Shen, you two chat, we'll be leaving now."
Several actors took the drinks from Shen Huai, and before Song Yimian could say anything, the crowd dispersed in a flash.
Song Yimian watched their retreating figures, then looked at Shen Huai, seemingly worried that Shen Huai might be unhappy, and quickly explained, "Brother Shen, they..."
"It's alright," Shen Huai said gently. "I understand."
Song Yimian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling both happy and a little embarrassed that Shen Huai had come to pick him up: "Thank you, Brother Shen."
Shen Huai said, "You are my artist, so this is simply my duty."
Song Yimian was taken aback: "I thought..."
Shen Huai: "Hmm?"
Song Yimian lowered his head and whispered, "I thought Brother Shen wouldn't be a manager anymore, after all..."
Shen Huai patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, since I signed you in the first place, I won't give up halfway."
Song Yimian nodded vigorously: "Yes! I believe in Brother Shen." After he finished speaking, he remembered something and quickly added, "Brother Shen, you believe in me too. I will work hard and I will definitely not let you down!"
Looking into Song Yimian's trusting eyes and his untroubled smile, Shen Huai felt a pang of emotion.
Actually, he was a little worried that Song Yimian's attitude might change after he learned his identity, since Song Yimian was just an ordinary person, unlike the two big shots in his family.
But just like the reason he decided to sign Song Yimian, Song Yimian is a pure to the point of being stubborn. Once he sets his sights on a goal, he will firmly move in that direction. And he has set his sights on Shen Huai. No matter what kind of person Shen Huai is, he doesn't care, because in his heart, Shen Huai is just his manager.
Shen Huai then asked about Song Yimian's filming. Song Yimian was originally a very thoughtful person, and this role was quite close to his personality. In addition, with a mentor like Chu Meibo by his side, he made very rapid progress and was praised by the director several times.
Song Yimian didn't keep anything to himself, but shared his insights with the other actors, director, and screenwriter. The atmosphere on set was excellent, and these discussions even sparked new ideas, making the entire series more complete.
Song Yimian himself rediscovered the joy and confidence of acting during this filming process.
Just as the two were talking and walking towards the car, a figure came running up, panting.
Song Yimian exclaimed in surprise, "Director Wan!"
This is Wan Shan, the director of this web series. He is not very old, only thirty years old. His hair is surprisingly thick, he has a full beard, and he is wearing a messy jacket. He seems to not exercise often, as he is out of breath after running just a few steps.
Before he could catch his breath, he hurriedly said, "Brother Shen, please wait a moment. Do you have time to chat with me for a while?"
Song Yimian seemed to have thought of something, and his expression changed slightly: "Director Wan, you..."
Shen Huai had already guessed why Wan Shan had come to see him. He gently patted Song Yimian's shoulder and said, "Go wait for me in the car. I'll talk to Director Wan."
"Brother Shen!"
Song Yimian wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing and dejectedly took the keys to the car.
Shen Huai and Wan Shan went to a milk tea shop next door. He was right; Wan Shan was indeed looking to attract investment.
This was Wan Shan's first time directing, and he poured his heart and soul into the project, even selling his house and car. Although the entire crew looked like a makeshift operation, Wan Shan still tried his best to be frugal and spend money wisely.
Unfortunately, a TV series costs far more money than he imagined. Even though he had been frugal, there was still a significant shortfall in the later stages of filming, and by this point, he was completely broke.