Chapter 223 - 221: Impervious to Hard and Soft Tactics

Chapter 223: Chapter 221: Impervious to Hard and Soft Tactics

"How did you know?"

Facing Li Weiya’s confusion, Jiang Xia just smiled and explained, "During our previous collaboration, Chief Zhou mentioned the exclusive broadcast rights for season two to me several times. I always gave her a vague answer, so they probably assume I’ll give them the exclusive rights again."

"That’s right."

Li Weiya continued, "She offered a much higher price than before, even raising the price per episode to thirty thousand. But the sole condition was exclusive broadcast rights. I didn’t agree."

"Mhm, not agreeing was the right call. *Cat and Mouse*’s reputation is already established, and our company doesn’t need the money that badly. It’s like I said before: ten thousand per episode for season two. Take it or leave it. Plenty of other TV stations are willing to sign that contract with us."

Jiang Xia said with a smile, "Aunt Li, you can’t give an inch. We’re the ones holding the hot commodity; they’re the ones who are anxious."

"But Yu Du TV Station was the one who discovered the potential of *Cat and Mouse*, after all. It wouldn’t be good to burn our bridges with them, would it? If word of this gets out, it could be bad for our reputation," she said, frowning slightly.

Although business is ultimately just about profits, public opinion is also very important sometimes.

"Hmm... Aunt Li, you’re right. In that case, let’s give them a small discount. Seven thousand per episode for them, ten thousand for other stations. Same old rule: they get first-run priority, but not exclusive rights."

"It’s great that you can see it that way. Alright, I’m hanging up now. I’ll go back to haggling with Chief Zhou."

After a pause, Li Weiya suddenly laughed. "My line is busy right now. I bet once we hang up, she’ll call you directly."

"Haha, I figured as much. Don’t worry, Aunt Li. I’ll handle her."

The call ended. Li Weiya looked in the mirror, turned on the faucet, and washed her hands. Just then, Zhou Lu, dressed in professional attire, suddenly walked in.

The two made eye contact and nodded with a tacit understanding, then walked past each other.

Zhou Lu watched her retreating figure, sighed softly, and then took out her phone to call the young animation director.

"Hello, Director Jiang, this is Zhou Lu..."

◇

Jiang Xia was gently tapping his fingers on the desk. Just as he’d expected, less than two minutes after he’d hung up, Zhou Lu was calling.

He calmed himself, his mind already set on a strategy. He deliberately let the phone ring for seven or eight seconds before unhurriedly answering.

"Hello, Director Jiang. This is Zhou Lu."

"Hello, Chief Zhou. I trust you’ve been well."

"I heard from Director Li that you’re no longer in Yu Du?"

"That’s right. I had to head off to school, you know. I flew in yesterday and just registered at Tsinghua today. I’ve been so busy, I just finished making my bed," Jiang Xia said with a laugh.

"The Academy of Fine Arts at Tsinghua?"

"Yes."

"That’s amazing. But with your artistic talent, Director Jiang, getting into Qingmei was more than guaranteed." Amidst the small talk, Zhou Lu didn’t forget to slip in a few compliments.

"Haha, you flatter me, Chief Zhou. Anyway, was there a reason for your call?" Jiang Xia asked, feigning ignorance.

"Yes, there is."

Zhou Lu pursed her lips, deciding not to beat around the bush. She said directly, "Director Jiang, have you handed over all matters related to *Cat and Mouse* to Director Li?"

"That’s correct. Director Li has my full authority to handle company business. Is there a problem?"

She gave a wry smile. "It’s about the broadcast contract. When my station’s leadership learned your company had finished season two of *Cat and Mouse*, they took it very seriously and immediately sent me to negotiate. But what about the exclusive broadcast rights we agreed on before, Director Jiang? Why is that off the table now?"

Jiang Xia paused for a moment before replying, "Chief Zhou, I’m very grateful that your station favors *Cat and Mouse*. But I really can’t give you the exclusive rights. That decision would conflict with our company’s strategic plan. However, I do have the authority to lower the price a bit, and Yu Du TV Station will still have first-run priority."

"Director Jiang, the price is negotiable. It’s the exclusive rights we’re concerned about. Aren’t you willing to reconsider? Or perhaps you could name your price? What would it take for you to grant the exclusive rights to our station?" Zhou Lu’s tone had unconsciously softened.

Yu Du TV Station had already reaped the benefits of exclusive rights before. With the groundwork laid by the first season of *Cat and Mouse*, the station’s leadership believed that securing the exclusive rights for season two could make their ratings skyrocket past 20%, turning them into the year’s biggest dark horse.

In comparison, the fee promised to Qitian Animation Company was practically nothing.

"Chief Zhou, first-run priority is the biggest concession I can make. As for the price, we can stick to the previous contract’s terms. You should know that with *Cat and Mouse*’s current popularity, there’s no way we could sign at the original price. But you’re my friend, Chief Zhou, and for a friend, I’m willing to sacrifice some of the company’s interests."

Jiang Xia’s words sounded very pleasant—he was sacrificing *company* interests, not personal ones. Although Zhou Lu knew he was just making excuses, there was nothing she could do.

To be honest, signing for the first-run priority of the hottest animation at a low price was still a huge win for Yu Du TV Station. They just wanted to earn more; they wanted an exclusive monopoly on the show. But Jiang Xia wouldn’t agree.

His goal had been simple from the very beginning: he just wanted more people to see *Cat and Mouse* and learn about Qitian Animation Company. That way, in the future, every move he made would be effortless, with every step yielding success.

"Thank you for your friendship, Director Jiang. Sigh... Alright, I’ll report the situation to my leadership. I’m sorry to have bothered you, Director Jiang."

"It’s no problem at all. If you have anything else, Chief Zhou, you can discuss it directly with Director Li. Of course, you can also call me directly, but she’s the one who will be signing the final contract," Jiang Xia said with a smile.

"Okay."

After hanging up, Zhou Lu let out a heavy sigh. She hadn’t expected Jiang Xia to be so unyielding. But since they couldn’t get the exclusive rights, their only option was to fight to maximize their benefits in the current situation.

The TV station couldn’t just sever its relationship with Qitian Animation in a fit of pique. After all, what they valued more was the young director, Jiang Xia himself.

As long as they maintained this connection, the station would have a chance at securing first-run priority for every excellent production Qitian Animation Company created in the future.

Therefore, this matter couldn’t be delayed. After all, a great show has a limited window of peak relevance.

As long as they aired it early enough, leaving other TV stations’ broadcast schedules far behind Yu Du TV Station’s, then this "first-run priority" could be maximized to be almost as good as exclusive rights.

Having clarified the crucial point of the matter, Zhou Lu stood before the mirror and composed herself. She even took a lipstick out of her bag to touch up her makeup.

Then, with steady and confident steps, she walked out.