Benshan’s beloved disciple, starting from the 2009 Spring Festival Gala
Chapter 24 - Almost all the sneaky tricks are used on the boss

Chapter 24  Almost all the sneaky tricks are used on the boss

“‘Country Love 3’ is scheduled to start filming on August 15. Interested in playing a role in it?”

After Zhang Shuang left, Qu Yiming, determined not to get involved in the ‘Three Guns’ project with Uncle Bensen, casually asked.

‘Country Love’ is Bensen Media’s most valuable TV drama IP. The first few seasons were all directed personally by Uncle Bensen and aired on CCTV, with huge influence. But right now, there’s nothing worth getting involved in with ‘Country Love.’

Qu Yiming politely declined, “I won’t join the crowd and compete for food with senior brothers and sisters.”

“Alright. Don’t worry about ‘Three Guns.’ I’ve got something else to do. We’ll chat again when I’m free.”

“Master, I’ll see you off.”

…

After sending Uncle Bensen off by car, Qu Yiming returned to the company. Currently, Yiming Media has five departments–Finance, Film & TV Production, Copyright Management, Artist Management, and Media Operations.

The first four are straightforward. The fifth department, which Qu Yiming prefers to call the ‘Internet Army,’ combines marketing, PR, and online operations — a kind of digital battle unit.

This department currently has the most staff — twenty-four people, divided into three teams — who monitor news trends 24/7 and fight back against media or forces that smear Qu Yiming.

The combined number of employees in the other four departments doesn’t even reach half the size of the Internet Army department. The Finance head is Qu Yiming’s own mother. She previously worked in finance at Liao TV and was recruited by Qu Yiming. Having the money bags in the hands of a close relative allows him to sleep peacefully.

The head of Film & TV Production is Wang Anquan, a 40-year-old man with connections in the industry and some experience as a producer.

The head of Copyright is Qin Ru, a 30-year-old woman who used to work at a publishing house. She’s resourceful and well-connected. Qu Yiming hired her mainly to handle copyright acquisitions.

The head of the Artist Department is Qu Rou Rou, but the department doesn’t manage many artists since Yiming Media currently only has two signed talents: Zhang Tian’ai and Xin Zhilei.

Therefore, Qu Rou Rou mainly works as Qu Yiming’s assistant.

All in all, the company has over thirty people, and monthly salaries amount to more than a hundred thousand yuan. Running out of money is naturally not an option.

“Director Qin, have we purchased the rights to ‘The Novel, or the Guide’ yet?” Qu Yiming asked the head of copyright management, Qin Ru.

The awkward name ‘The Novel, or the Guide’ probably hasn’t been heard by many, but its official title is more familiar: ‘Love Is Not Blind (Lost Love 33 Days).’

“Yes, we just bought it. I was about to message you.”

“Mr. Qu, please have a look.”

Qin Ru picked up the copyright contract from the desk and handed it to Qu Yiming.

Qu Yiming flipped through the contract.

Qin Ru added, “We have bought all the rights: copyright, publishing rights, film adaptation rights, everything.”

‘Love Is Not Blind’ was serialized on the Douya platform under the original name ‘The Novel, or the Guide’ and hadn’t yet changed its name when it became a hit. Therefore, they only paid 100,000 yuan for all the rights.

For an unknown author, this was already a premium price. After chatting with Qin Ru about some other matters, Qu Yiming returned to his office and started working on the script for ‘Love Is Not Blind.’

“Mr. Qu…”

A cup of tea was placed on Qu Yiming’s desk. He thought it was brought by Qu Rou Rou, but when he heard the voice, he realized it was Zhang Tian’ai.

“What are you doing here?”

Qu Yiming stopped typing and looked at Zhang Tian’ai.

“No class today,” Zhang Tian’ai said, walking around behind him and hugging Qu Yiming from behind while looking at the computer screen. “‘Love Is Not Blind’? Yay, a new movie! Do I have a role?”

Qu Yiming grabbed Zhang Tian’ai’s mischievous hand.

“You want a role just by saying it?”

“I’ve already signed a contract. As a company artist, I should create value for the company and the boss!” Zhang Tian’ai said with determination to work hard.

“Mr. Qu, please give me a harsh ‘rule’ (innuendo for ‘favor’)!” Zhang Tian’ai coquettishly whispered in Qu Yiming’s ear.

…

Half an hour later, Zhang Tian’ai rinsed her mouth, fanned her still-flushed cheeks, and asked, “Boss, how was my performance playing the role of J-girl?”

“Too awkward.”

Qu Yiming nearly wanted to rename himself Qu Yikou (meaning ‘one mouth’—like muttering). Zhang Tian’ai laughed, “Then the boss will have to provide me with more ‘teaching tools’ for practice.”

“What nonsense do you learn all day at school?” Qu Yiming complained, then said, “Alright, get back to what you’re supposed to do. Don’t bother me while I’m writing the script.”

“Then I’ll go wash some fruit for the boss and also for the boss’s wife…”

The ‘boss’s wife’ here referred to Qu Yiming’s mother, the boss’s mother.