Chapter 147 - 146: Setting a Trap

Chapter 147: Chapter 146: Setting a Trap

After lunch, the family went about their day—some heading off to work, others taking a rest. After playing at home for a little while, Lin Yanwan said goodbye to her mother-in-law and insisted on taking her younger sister home.

Even though the girl had been clearly told not to disturb her brother-in-law while he worked, she would still sneak into his room to quietly watch him draw *Cat and Mouse*.

This was something Lin Yanwan absolutely could not tolerate!

’Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re young!’

"You focus on your drawing. I’m going home to practice my wind instruments, so I won’t bother you for a while." Lin Yanwan texted him on her way home.

"Waaah, baby, I’ll miss you! How can I possibly live without you!!"

"Stop being so dramatic and focus on your drawing!"

Seeing her reply and imagining her cute, pouty face, Jiang Xia chuckled to himself. He tossed his phone aside and got back to grinding out the storyboards.

At his current pace, he could finish the storyboards for one episode in about two days. Factoring in the time needed for editing and voice-over work, two months would be just enough.

Later that day, he finished organizing the storyboards for Episode 15, planning to find some time to deliver them to Li Weiya. Just then, he got a call from the editor in charge at the children’s channel. It was undoubtedly about *Cat and Mouse* again.

Jiang Xia deliberately waited seven or eight seconds before slowly answering the phone. He spoke first, "Hello, Chief Zhou. Is there more good news for me?"

"Director Jiang, I really can’t hide anything from you," Zhou Lu laughed. "And yes, it is indeed good news."

The smile on Jiang Xia’s face deepened. This woman used to call him Boss Jiang, but now that *Cat and Mouse* was a hit, she had started calling him Director. While just a change in address, it revealed a great deal.

After all, not just anyone could be a director. Even if you held the title, you’d only earn more contempt if all your works were flops.

But he had founded an animation company at eighteen and produced the massive hit *Cat and Mouse* with nothing but a shoestring crew, earning him anyone’s respect.

This was a perfect example of the principle: mastery commands respect.

"Let’s hear it."

"After yesterday’s ratings surge, the station’s leadership is taking *Cat and Mouse* very seriously," Zhou Lu said. "They want to sign a contract with Qitian Animation Company for the second-run broadcast rights once the premiere run is over."

Jiang Xia said nothing, merely tapping his pencil gently on the desk. The crisp sound carried clearly through the phone, exerting a subtle pressure on Zhou Lu.

"Director Jiang?"

"Ah? Oh, my apologies. I zoned out for a moment thinking about storyboards. Chief Zhou, what were you just saying?"

"Director Jiang, I know you’re busy, but you have to get some rest. If you wear yourself out, who will be left to draw *Cat and Mouse*?" Zhou Lu bantered.

"Time waits for no one. I want to get the second season finished before school starts. How can I do that if I’m not busy?"

"The second season, before school starts?" Zhou Lu’s interest was piqued. "Director Jiang, we had an agreement, didn’t we? The exclusive first-run broadcast rights for the second season of *Cat and Mouse* still have to go to us at Yu Du TV Station."

"Chief Zhou, I’m not one to forget who helped me get my start. We can definitely talk about that," Jiang Xia laughed. "But it’s still a bit early for that. Why don’t you tell me about the good news for today first?"

"Oh, listen to me, I almost forgot the main reason for my call. The station wants to sign for the *exclusive* second-run broadcast rights for *Cat and Mouse*. That’s the good news I wanted to share with you," Zhou Lu repeated.

"Hmm... And what are the terms for this renewal?" Jiang Xia asked nonchalantly.

"The general terms are about the same as last time. However, since this is for a second run, the price per episode can’t be as high as 4,000. We can offer 3,000 per episode."

Jiang Xia narrowed his eyes. If Zhou Lu had offered this price during their initial contract negotiations, he would have considered it and likely agreed.

But now, *Cat and Mouse* was a viral sensation, and it had even caused Yu Du TV Station’s ratings to jump by several percentage points in a short period. ’To not even raise the price is one thing, but to actually try and lowball me? Do they really think I’m just some naive high school graduate who’s easy to fool?’

The exclusive second-run rights for *Cat and Mouse* would still allow Yu Du TV Station to maintain high ratings. After all, kids don’t care if they’ve seen something before; as long as it’s entertaining, they’ll watch it every time it’s on. It was practically a guarantee of a stable audience.

"One thousand," Jiang Xia stated coolly.

"One thousand per episode?" Zhou Lu paused, a hint of excitement in her voice. She hadn’t expected Jiang Xia to be so agreeable.

"No, no, no, Chief Zhou," he said, enunciating every word. "I’m talking about one thousand per *minute*. And that’s not for exclusive rights."

One thousand yuan per minute was the price he had originally quoted when he first tried to negotiate a contract with the TV stations. They were simply back where they started.

He didn’t think this price was high in the slightest. In this world, no one understood the immense value of *Cat and Mouse* better than he did. This sum wasn’t even a drop in the bucket.

"Director Jiang, that’s an exorbitant demand," Zhou Lu said with a wry smile. She originally thought he was being merciful, but it turned out he was just setting a trap for her.

"One thousand per minute makes it 7,500 per episode. Director Jiang, our station has never signed an animation contract for such a high price, much less for second-run, non-exclusive rights."

Jiang Xia remained noncommittal. Just because it hadn’t happened in the past didn’t mean it couldn’t happen now. *Cat and Mouse* was an absolute masterpiece; even at ten thousand an episode, he would still feel it was too low.

"Chief Zhou, from what I know, the prices for many TV dramas are much higher than this. Plus, their episodes are tens of minutes long—one of theirs costs as much as a whole season of mine."

Hearing this, Zhou Lu’s face twitched. Live-action dramas and cartoons weren’t even in the same category. Besides, the production cost for a single episode of a drama was far higher than for a cartoon. Was that a fair comparison?

"Director Jiang, you’re an industry insider. There’s no point in you saying things like that."

"You’re right, Chief Zhou, you are the professional," Jiang Xia countered, his logic sound. "If the ratings had been low after the premiere, I would have been willing to take a massive hit on the price for the second-run rights—I would have practically given them away. But during *Cat and Mouse*’s broadcast, the ratings surged several percentage points. You know exactly what that means. Do I really seem like someone who’s so easy to fool?"

Zhou Lu’s breath caught in her throat. Jiang Xia’s age did make it easy for people to assume he could be pushed around. Even in the station’s meeting today, the leaders had subconsciously treated him like a child, taking for granted that he wouldn’t object to their decision.

And the result? His youth was merely a disguise; mentally, he was like a cunning old fox with schemes buried deep.

"I understand, Director Jiang. I can’t give you a definitive answer on your request at this moment, but I will convey it in its entirety to the station’s leadership."

"Chief Zhou, please wait."

Jiang Xia pursed his lips and said slowly, "Business is about making money, and partnerships are about making that easier. It would be one thing if you earned a bit more and I earned a bit less—that’s perfectly fine. But it’s pointless to relentlessly squeeze me when you know the profits are enormous. So, there’s something else I’d like you to help me convey, Chief Zhou."

Zhou Lu’s expression grew solemn. "Go on, Director Jiang."

"Lately, many other television stations have contacted me about the second-run broadcast rights for *Cat and Mouse*. And the prices they’re offering are much, much higher than what your station has proposed."

...

(I moved today and have been busy all day. I only had one meal, the room is still a mess, and I don’t even have internet. I plan to start livestreaming my writing sessions every day once I’m fully settled, so you all can keep me on track.)