Shang Yechu really found the right person this time.

Logically, negotiating film and television rights should involve contacting the publishing houses that publish Ai Xiaodong's works. However, Ai Xiaodong is currently embroiled in a protracted lawsuit with a publishing house, which has dragged on for three years without any resolution. Colluding with a publishing house would be tantamount to provoking Ai Xiaodong. Furthermore, Ai Xiaodong doesn't have his own studio, so the only option is to bypass the publishing house and communicate directly with him.

Although Xue Zhao's law firm did not handle Ai Xiaodong's copyright case, the legal circle is only so big. By colluding with other firms, they could still find out the author's whereabouts.

Xue Zhao visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't close to Ji Juntao, and if Shang Yechu had made any unreasonable demands, he really wouldn't have known what to do.

Now is a good time to buy the copyrights to Ai Xiaodong's works. Firstly, we are currently in a science fiction film and television drought, and the capital market is generally pessimistic. Secondly, Ai Xiaodong's copyright lawsuits are not yet over, and the ownership of the copyrights of many of his works is unclear. Film and television companies will not rashly act on such a mess.

After receiving Xue Zhao's promise, Shang Yechu finally felt more at ease.

Filming in the capital was a relaxed affair, as it was just a public service announcement short film. Shang Yechu was much more relaxed than when she was in Hengshi. However, being in an unfamiliar place, she had little to do besides burying herself in books.

The purpose of this trip was to film a public service advertisement for CTS (China Television System). If Shang Yechu proactively contacted Shao Guangji, it would inevitably appear as if he were using CTS to promote his own business, as if CTS were merely a stepping stone for Shang Yechu to gain fame and fortune. Therefore, Shang Yechu could only hope that Shao Guangji would come to him on his own initiative. Unfortunately, apart from bumping into him on the first day, he never appeared before Shang Yechu again.

With this sense of regret, the filming in the capital city soon came to an end. In the golden autumn of October, Shang Yechu boarded a plane back to Hengshi.

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The streets of the capital were already showing signs of autumn, while the scenery in Hengshi remained lush and green. Unfortunately, Shang Yechu had no interest in appreciating the differences between the north and south. After a brief day of rest following his arrival at the airport, he embarked on his journey to the banquet.

Ji Juntao arranged this dinner. "Rules Street" is scheduled for release next year, but Happiness Commercial Street obviously can't wait that long. Shang Yechu had no choice but to ask Ji Juntao to negotiate with Taikang Group, the developer of Happiness Commercial Street.

Using personal connections certainly wouldn't sway these executives. Qingping Entertainment's official explanation was that filming for "Rules Street" was not yet finished and reshoots would be needed intermittently until next year. Therefore, they hoped the group would postpone the eviction of tenants.

I don't know how Ji Juntao managed to pull some strings with the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and get "Rules Street" approved as a city-supported cultural film. Considering the genre of "Rules Street," it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Ji Juntao has extraordinary connections to pull this off.

Since it was a film supported by the city's cultural initiatives, the higher-ups naturally "suggested" that Taikang Group cooperate with the local cultural project. Of course, Qingping Entertainment would continue to pay the venue usage fee. Through this, Ji Juntao secured a three-month window of opportunity for Xingfu Commercial Street.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Although Taikang Group agreed to postpone the eviction for a few months under the lure of site usage fees and the suggestion of the Culture and Tourism Bureau, Mr. Shen, the developer representative of Taikang Group, took the opportunity to ask Shang Yechu to "have a simple meal."

Shang Yechu knew perfectly well what this dinner party meant. The thought of it made her feel nauseous while eating breakfast that morning. But since she was in this circle, this day was bound to come sooner or later.

Despite his busy schedule, Ji Juntao still managed to go to such lengths for Xingfu Commercial Street, a place he knew absolutely nothing about, and even managed to pull strings with higher-ups. It was just a perfunctory dinner invitation; Shang Yechu had no reason to refuse.

She sat in the newly purchased van and leaned back, closing her eyes to rest. According to Ji Juntao's information, Mr. Shen of Taikang Group was a middle-aged man who dabbled in refined pursuits. Therefore, Shang Yechu, catering to his tastes, dressed rather simply, wearing only light makeup.

Given Shang Yechu's current status, President Shen wouldn't dare to sexually harass her. However, touching her hand, putting his arm around her waist, and taking advantage of her were unavoidable. Shang Yechu touched the back of her hand, wishing she could coat it with a protective film.

A screech of tires against the pavement filled the air, but the car Shang Yechu was in hadn't started. Opening her eyes, she saw a familiar car parked not far away.

The car door opened, and a more familiar-looking person stepped out. Shang Yechu squinted at him, slightly surprised.

Why did Sheng Wenzhi come?

Sheng Wenzhi took a few quick steps to the front of the car and knocked on the rear window next to Shang Yechu.

The car window rolled down, revealing Sheng Wenzhi's clear and handsome face. Upon hearing his first words, Shang Yechu wanted to roll the window back up.

Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?

Shang Yechu opened her mouth, then stammered out, "Did you need something?"

“I have a friend who said on a writers’ forum that his work has been completely altered. I remember that ‘Rules Street’ has been in production for a long time, but I haven’t seen many clips yet,” Sheng Wenzhi said, frowning. “I originally wanted to go to Gu Wenhua, but he recently went to Tianhe City to work on special effects. So I can only come to you.”

Shang Yechu was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure whether to feel relieved or amused. Filming was almost over, and Sheng Wenzhi had only just remembered this!

Gu Wenhua's adaptations can no longer be described as unrecognizable; they should be described as reincarnations. Of course, the later Sheng Wenzhi finds out about this, the better.

Shang Yechu deliberately said, "I remember you went to the filming location a few times. Can't you tell whether it's been changed or not?"

Sheng Wenzhi said, "Every time I go there, I only see a group of people running around, not knowing what they're doing. I can't figure out anything."

Before post-production special effects are created, all horror movies are just a bunch of crazy people yelling at thin air. Sheng Wenzhi wasn't a professional screenwriter and couldn't distinguish between interior and exterior scenes. In addition, Gu Wenhua and Shang Yechu deliberately concealed this fact, and they managed to fool people for several months.

"I won't see the finished film until the special effects are done—"

Just as Shang Yechu was about to brush it off, her phone rang. She looked down and saw that Gu Wenhua had sent her a rather large compressed file via email.

[Ye Chu! Glass World's work is truly top-notch! No wonder they're a first-rate special effects company! This explosion scene is fantastic! Here's the finished product. The password is your birthday.]

Shang Yechu's hand trembled, and she subconsciously pressed the lock screen.

Sheng Wen peered around cautiously: "Whose news is this?"

“It’s my boss’s,” Shang Yechu said without hesitation. “I’m going to a dinner party, and she’s giving me some instructions.”

"A dinner party? You're going by yourself?"

"Of course not. My assistant and bodyguards are coming with me, and Aunt Cai will be waiting outside."

Sheng Wenzhi showed little interest in this topic, still concerned about whether his script had been drastically altered: "Won't we see the finished product? Gu Wenhua's special effects have been in development for a long time, yet not a single clip has been released?"

We can't let Sheng Wenzhi keep harping on this topic!

Shang Yechu's eyes darted around, and she smiled, "Do you want to come with me?"

"What am I going there for?" Sheng Wenzhi asked in surprise, "To meet with the investors?"