Chapter 204: Nothing But Frustration
Realizing her abruptness, Li Jing formally introduced herself, then steered the conversation towards lighter topics, trying to ease the tension. After a while, she broached the subject of the copyright again. Li Xiaoyue and Ye Zhiyun, sensing the shift in conversation, discreetly moved aside, giving them space. This was about her copyright, her work, and Yu Linna, despite her initial apprehension, listened intently.
“I’m representing my own company. If we acquire the rights to your novel, Ballad of the Enchantress, we’ll immediately begin the adaptation process, aiming for a twelve-episode anime series to be released next year. Therefore, Shion-sensei, if you’re interested, we hope you can finish at least five volumes as soon as possible, to facilitate the scriptwriting process.”
“Does your company have any experience in animation production?”
“Frankly, no. Our company is still in its infancy. But we can guarantee that we’ll treat the animation with the utmost care, with no shortcuts or compromises.”
“And the voice actors? The animators? Do you have a team?”
“We’ll find them.”
Yu Linna wasn’t particularly interested in negotiating.
As an author, she wanted her work to be adapted, but she was also incredibly stubborn, fiercely protective of her creations. When it came to her work, she was uncompromising.
Though usually easygoing, she was a different person when it came to her writing.
“And after the adaptation, can you guarantee that my work will remain true to the original?”
“…Shion-sensei, you’re asking for the impossible. In any adaptation, some changes are inevitable. To ask for a completely faithful adaptation… it’s very difficult.”
“Then I can’t sell you the rights.”
“Please, listen to me, sensei. Animation and novels are different mediums. We can’t replicate the novel exactly. Some things can be expressed in words, but not in images. A completely faithful adaptation… it’s a challenge.”
But Yu Linna, in her stubbornness, didn’t care.
She was a newcomer, a naive young girl, and this novel was her creation, her treasure. She wouldn’t let anyone tamper with it.
It was her debut novel; if it were changed, if it were ruined, what would she do? An anime adaptation could bring her more fame, but if it destroyed her novel, she would rather not have it adapted at all.
Li Jing had thought her niece’s connection would make the negotiations easier, would give her an advantage in acquiring the rights.
But she had underestimated Yu Linna.
Yu Linna’s devotion to her work was unwavering, her refusal to sell her rights without certain guarantees a testament to her integrity. And her insistence on a completely faithful adaptation, with no changes whatsoever, was a source of constant frustration for Li Jing. Animation and novels were different mediums, not directly comparable. Yu Linna’s stubbornness was… maddening.
Ye Zhiyun, however, understood Yu Linna’s position. She had started from nothing, her success hard-won. Now, with fame and fortune, she wouldn’t easily sell her work, her treasure, her creation, to just anyone. She cherished it, protected it.
After two hours of fruitless negotiations, Li Xiaoyue finally intervened, using dinner as an excuse to end the conversation. The atmosphere during dinner was tense, the air thick with unspoken frustrations.
Li Jing, knowing further negotiations were pointless, excused herself, claiming fatigue from her flight, and went upstairs to rest, leaving Yu Linna and Ye Zhiyun in the living room.
“Nana, your persistence… I didn’t expect it.”
“Do you think I did the right thing?”
“As long as you believe it’s right, I won’t stop you.”
“Do you support me?”
“I’m neutral.”
“You’re trying to please both sides…”
She was right. On one side, her beloved Nana; on the other, her aunt. Choosing a side was impossible. Neutrality was the only option, though it might be seen as disloyal. But whatever.
Later that night, Li Jing, having showered, went to Li Xiaoyue’s room, a bottle of red wine in hand. The sisters, both in their pajamas, clinked their glasses and drank, a familiar ritual from their youth, though Li Xiaoyue had quit drinking years ago.
“Li Jing, you seem… upset.”
Li Xiaoyue, holding her wine glass, smiled, her beauty undiminished by age, her pajamas accentuating her… assets, a sight that would make any man swoon.
Li Jing poured herself several more glasses, her cheeks flushing.
“Damn it! That little brat! She won’t sell to me! She’s just a kid! What’s the big deal?! I would have made her famous! Damn it!”
“Alright, alright, Li Jing. Calm down.”
Li Xiaoyue stroked her head, a familiar gesture from their childhood, a gesture that always soothed her younger sister. Though a successful businesswoman now, Li Jing had been a crybaby as a child, far more adorable than she was now.
“Sis, I don’t understand! Why is she so stubborn?! I’ve dealt with so many people over the years, and she’s the most stubborn one I’ve ever met! Damn it! How can you adapt a novel into an anime without making any changes?! What is she thinking?! She’s only written two books; she shouldn’t be so arrogant!”
“Mmm-hmm. Now, go to sleep.”
“No! I’m not sleeping! I want more wine!”
“You… you’re just like I was twenty years ago. Why did you have to learn to drink from me? Did you think I was cool back then? Let me tell you, I was foolish. Don’t be like me.”
Though years apart, they were sisters, and Li Jing, having ventured out on her own without a penny, just like her older sister, had forged her own path, her talent and determination a testament to their family’s genes. Li Xiaoyue’s husband, at least, had received seed money from his family; the Li sisters had started with nothing.
Now, one was still at the peak of her career, while the other had retired to focus on her family.
“Sis, why did you quit? You don’t know how much I admired you. I wanted to be just like you.”
“You’re drunk. Go to your room. I’m not sleeping with you.”
“Sis, tell me. Why did you quit?”
“…I just… realized my children were more important than my career. Zhiyun was already born when I quit, and after my son was born, I realized I had missed so much of his childhood. I wanted to be there for my daughter, to watch her grow up. It’s that simple.”
“…”
“This girl… she’s already asleep.”
Li Xiaoyue sighed, pulling the drunken Li Jing onto her bed, covering her with a blanket. She would have to share her bed tonight, just like when they were younger. Time flew by; twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye. Li Jing was grown up now, old enough to get married. Li Xiaoyue had already been married with a child at her age.
The Ye family was a powerful force in the country, their wealth immense, their influence far-reaching. Though not the richest family in China, they were still a prominent name. Ye Zhiyun’s recent earnings, though impressive, were a drop in the bucket compared to her family’s wealth.
But her decision to spend eighty million yuan to buy out Yu Linna’s contract with Chenghe had puzzled her father, who had lectured her several times. Rumors circulated in the industry, some saying it was an investment, others that she simply didn’t care about the money, and some even suggesting she was buying… a person. But only she knew the truth.
“I heard Miss Ye is back in Shanghai.”
“Yes, she’ll be staying for a while.”
“And her father is away.”
“The time is coming. Let’s not talk about it now.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Miss Ye’s return to her hometown was a surprise to many in Shanghai’s business community. Since starting her own career, she had focused on her work in Guangnan City, her studio located there, rarely returning home except for holidays. And even during holidays, she often traveled with her family, rarely staying at home.
Her sudden, extended stay was… unusual.
As the daughter of President Ye, she was destined for greatness, her talent and ambition a guarantee of success. To have earned millions at such a young age… it was remarkable.
But this Miss Ye, this rising star of the business world, was currently at home, watching television with Yu Linna. She had always been so focused on work, on business. But now, with Yu Linna here, her priorities had shifted.
And watching television, playing games… it was surprisingly fun, especially with Yu Linna.
“The acting in this show is so fake.”
Yu Linna, sitting on the sofa, critiqued the actors on the screen.
“He’s handsome, but he can’t act. Were you like that when you were an actress?”
“I’m not talking to you anymore.”
“Come on, I was just kidding. Let’s watch something else.”
Ye Zhiyun took the remote, changing the channel to an entertainment news program.
“The queen of pop, Zhou Shilan, who hasn’t released a new song in a year, has announced she’s writing a new song for a band called Clover, formed by the popular actress Li Yuexin, with the action star Nangong Ying as a member. They’re planning a concert in Shanghai soon…”
Oh dear. Ye Zhiyun quickly changed the channel. What a terrible program. Her luck was so bad. Fortunately, Yu Linna didn’t seem to mind.
“So boring. Let’s watch some new anime on the computer. Dramas are so boring.”
“Okay, let’s go watch some anime.”
She tossed the remote onto the sofa, took Yu Linna’s hand, and they left, their backs to the television…
