Meeting with a Smile

The book signing event concluded successfully, as expected.

Xie Shuting breathed a sigh of relief and left the book signing event accompanied by staff from the organizers and the publishing house.

On the bus:

"Sister Xiaoran! Great news!" the agent exclaimed excitedly. "Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment has contacted us; they're interested in buying the film and television adaptation rights to your work."

"Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment?" Xie Shuting was slightly taken aback.

"Yes, Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment, they're very famous in the industry, they're incredibly skilled at managing IPs, and they have many successful cases." The agent rattled off several successful adaptation examples. "Sister Xiaoran, haven't you always..."

"Actually... actually, I've always been a bit conflicted, and I'm not really keen on selling the film and television rights." Xie Shuting gently shook her head.

"Sister Xiaoran, I understand your thoughts," the agent said. "A work is like a writer's child; it's your life's work. You certainly hope that the copyright will be treated well after it's sold... But you have to trust Tianyou's professionalism; they won't ruin their reputation."

"Is that so?" Xie Shuting said thoughtfully.

"So, go meet her, it'll be good to get to know her," the agent advised. "If it gets turned into a wildly popular TV series, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you."

The agent kept trying to persuade him.

Xie Shuting finally nodded and agreed to meet him.

··

A few days later, Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment.

In the meeting room:

"Miss Xie, it's an honor to meet you. I'm also a fan of your books." Le Man smiled and extended her hand in greeting, "Please have a seat."

"Hello, Mr. Le." Xie Shuting quickly extended her hand, somewhat surprised.

She never expected that the CEO of Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment would personally meet with her. Even more unexpected was that the CEO of the renowned Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment was such an elegant and sophisticated woman.

The two sat down in the reception room, and tea was served.

Le Man didn't mention anything else, but simply chatted with Xie Shuting about the details in the book as a fan.

This gesture greatly pleased Xie Shuting.

"Oh, by the way, you once mentioned that the characters in the book are based on real people," Le Man asked with curiosity in her eyes. "I'm quite curious about what the male lead is like in real life?"

Xie Shuting has been asked this question more than once.

She just smiled.

"There's definitely some artistic embellishment involved... just think of it as me adding a special filter."

"Is that so?" Le Man nodded, a hint of regret in her eyes. "It seems I can't find the answer for the vast number of book fans... Then, shall we talk about something else? Miss Xie, you know why we're here... Shall we?"

"Mr. Yue, I'd like to ask a question," Xie Shuting suddenly spoke up, "If this is adapted into a film or television series, who does your company plan to cast in it?"

"You're the author, you have the right to speak," Le Man smiled. "Do you have a suitable candidate? We can consider them later."

"A suitable candidate?" Xie Shuting's eyes widened in confusion.

Le Man observed Xie Shuting's expression, "Don't worry, Miss Xie, Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment always produces only high-quality works. When it comes to casting for the film and television adaptation, we will definitely be meticulous... If there are no problems, shall we continue our discussion?"

Xie Shuting pursed her lips, then suddenly shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Yue."

"Miss Xie, what's going on?" Le Man asked, her face full of surprise.

"I'm sorry to have taken up your time. Actually... I've been really struggling with this, and I haven't decided whether or not to sell the film and television rights. I might have to disappoint you." Xie Shuting seemed to have made a decision.

"I think I..."

"Miss Xie, won't you listen to the specific conditions we've offered?" Le Man leaned back in her chair, her expression remaining calm after a brief moment of surprise.

"No, it's not about the money." Xie Shuting stood up gently.

"Ms. Xie, it seems you have some misunderstanding about our sincerity." Le Man smiled gently. "The conditions we offered you are absolutely the highest in the industry. You are an author I respect, and I don't want to beat around the bush or hide anything from you."

She smiled, took out a pen, and quickly wrote a number on the paper.

"Look..."

"What!" Xie Shuting glanced at it and was completely stunned.

Her rise to become a super popular female writer is certainly not solely driven by dreams; there are also many considerations related to catering to the market and commercial interests.

It's impossible to live without the needs of ordinary people.

At this moment, she was naturally surprised to see a price far exceeding the market price, even double it.

What sincerity this shows!

Could I bring myself to say no?

But why?

Yes.

She was completely baffled, unable to understand why Tianyou would offer her such a price. Even if they liked her work, they would at most offer a slightly higher price, not double it.

"Mr. Le, I don't understand." Xie Shuting sat down gently again. "Why did you offer me such a..."

"Ms. Xie, to be honest, this was personally decided by our chairman," Le Man said with a smile. "From beginning to end, we have been extremely sincere about your work. I believe there is no company in the entire market more sincere than us."

··

Xie Shuting still did not finalize the cooperation on the spot.

Before leaving, Le Man gave her her business card and told her that she could contact her anytime if she had any ideas.

When Xie Shuting returned to the car, still somewhat dazed, she was still a little disoriented.

"Sister Xiaoran, how did the talks go?" the agent asked with concern.

Logically, this kind of business negotiation should be handled by her as the agent, but this time, Xie Shuting insisted on going herself.

Xie Shuting gently shook her head.

"Let's go back first."

She didn't want to reveal the details of the negotiations yet, especially the double price offered by the other party.

The agent didn't dare ask any more questions and arranged for a car to go back first.

Later that evening, Xie Shuting returned to the hotel and, almost without thinking, took out her phone to check.

Then, he stood there, stunned.

The equity structure and investor information of Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment are publicly available online and can be verified through various channels.

The name of the 100% shareholder was prominently displayed before her eyes, leaving her dazed and lost in thought.

"How could it be you?"

Yes.

The chairman and true owner of Sky Tour Pan-Entertainment is the very person she has been dreaming about for the past few years. This person is now at the height of his career, a veritable business tycoon and a rising star in the technology industry.

You could say that, even today, she hasn't gotten over it.

In particular, the creative process in recent years has continuously deepened the impression on him, leaving an indelible mark.

She thought she would never get over it.

Xie Shuting sat down blankly, her mind flashing back to those brief moments they had spent together.

"Why... what does he mean by that?"

Offering double the price to buy the film and television adaptation rights to her works—what kind of logic is that...?

She picked up the long-forgotten number beside her, hesitated for a long time, and finally seemed to have made a decision.

··

The restaurant is magnificent, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering an incredibly spectacular Magic City skyline.

Xie Shuting sat in the quiet private room, her knuckles white, having taken countless deep breaths.

I don't know how much time has passed:

"Have you been waiting long?" A figure sat down in front of her.

"You..." Xie Shuting looked up, stared at the handsome face before her, and froze. "Zhang Yang?"

The person is still the same.

He was handsome and dashing, still as charming as ever, but... he seemed increasingly detached from worldly affairs, like a celestial being banished from heaven, seemingly so close yet so unattainable.

"Hmm... long time no see." Zhang Yang smiled, looking at the somewhat refined and elegant figure before him. "By the way, congratulations on the great success of your new book."

It would have been better if this hadn't been mentioned, because as soon as it was, Xie Shuting's cheeks flushed red without her noticing.

After all, the man in front of her was the prototype of the male protagonist she wrote about in her book. Readers might not care, but for the person in question, just thinking about Zhang Yang seeing the details she described and his emotional journey made him feel somewhat mortified.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"By the way," Zhang Yang blinked, "Your novel, it wasn't actually based on me, was it?"

"It's not really... it's more like the inspiration came from life." Xie Shuting quickly avoided Zhang Yang's gaze. "Don't... don't overthink it."

From this angle, Zhang Yang could only see her bright red ears.

"Right? I saw some similarities in the plot earlier on," Zhang Yang joked.

"Stop talking..." Xie Shuting took a deep breath, mustered her courage to look Zhang Yang in the eye, "Yes, it's based on you... So, why did you buy the film and television adaptation rights to my work this time, and at double the price? Can you tell me why?"

"The reason?" Zhang Yang chuckled. "You think I'm the prototype? Would I allow others to take my image and adapt it into a movie? To hire a bunch of clueless people to film it? Of course, I just bought it. As for the double price... well, it's worth it."

"It's clearly not worth that much," Xie Shuting said earnestly.

"I think it's worth it," Zhang Yang said with a smile. "You asked me out, is there anything else you want to ask? If you feel bad that I'm giving you special treatment, then there's no need to... Just sign it with peace of mind."

"Yeah, only I'm so stupid I can't get over it." Xie Shuting forced a smile. "If it weren't for this book, you'd probably have forgotten about me, right?"

"I haven't forgotten." Zhang Yang poured Xie Shuting a glass of water. "These past few days, reading your novel, I've actually been missing the time we spent together in Wuyuan."

"Really?" Xie Shuting's eyes lit up. "You won't blame me for writing such a..."

"Novels are artistic creations," Zhang Yang laughed. "The beginning is me, but the later plot points you embellished have nothing to do with me, and I don't acknowledge them. Besides... you didn't portray me as entirely terrible; I see quite polarized opinions about me online."

"I'm sorry, if you were a jerk, you wouldn't have pushed me away back then."

"Alright, I lied to you back then too... we're even." Zhang Yang held out his hand. "Xie Shuting, can we let bygones be bygones?"

Xie Shuting paused for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Good."

Their hands clasped together, as if the past had drifted away with the wind.

··

In the middle of the night, the two, having reconciled, strolled along the Bund, enjoying the cool breeze.

"I'll give you the film and television rights, no money required." Xie Shuting, wearing a trench coat, smiled and turned to Zhang Yang. "I guessed you'd probably never adapt it into a film or television series."

"Yes, I don't plan to adapt it into a film or television series," Zhang Yang admitted. "But as for the money... we'll stick to the rules. Here you go, just keep it. You couldn't give away that Hermes bag back then, surely you can give away this one too?"

"Under what pretext?" Xie Shuting asked Zhang Yang, looking up at him.

"I wouldn't possibly have any improper thoughts about you, would I?" Zhang Yang smiled casually and naturally wrapped his arm around Xie Shuting's waist.

He is no longer the same person he was back then.

He wouldn't be bound by the romantic love, hate, and separation between men and women like ordinary people, nor would he be constrained by worldly rules.

Do whatever you want.

As night falls, the Bund is brightly lit and bustling with pedestrians.

Xie Shuting smiled with relief and hugged the person in front of her with all her might... Everything was understood without words...

··

Perhaps none of them know that the work they've been eagerly anticipating will ever be brought to the screen.

Because the male and female protagonists in the story had already reached an agreement in reality, the film and television adaptation plan for this work was destined to be shelved, becoming a regret that everyone could only sigh over.

This was an unforeseen and uncontrollable event.

However, while the adaptation of the work into a film or television series was regrettable, in reality, that regret has been remedied.

For Zhang Yang, having more debt is not a burden.

The same applies to emotional debts.

In his eyes, regrets are not allowed.

··

That year, the Cloud Sea Simulated Dog Gen 2 became an instant hit with its global launch, practically sweeping the globe.

Cloud Sea Technology truly resonates throughout the global technology community.

But Zhang Yang felt it wasn't enough.

Cloud Sea Technology still needs to develop, its foundation still needs to be built, and it lacks a truly groundbreaking super product to propel it to its peak.

With the completion of the super factory and the establishment of a nationwide offline store network.

This year has passed by in a flash.

Time flies, and Zhang Yang has finally turned thirty.

It is said that one should be established by thirty, but for Zhang Yang, who is thirty years old, this age is as immature as a child compared to his long lifespan, as if his life has just begun.

However, his life, which had just begun, seemed to already encompass the entire world.

With its presence across various industries in China, Cloud Sea Technology stands out as a rising star in the technology sector, with a promising future.

Abroad, the Gangge Republic had long been secretly controlled by him, with mines and gold mines belonging to him everywhere. After centralizing power over the entire country, his influence continued to extend and expand, spreading throughout the nation.

In this country, he has countless possibilities.

As his overtly growing security force, the Honey Badger Security Group has seen its power expand continuously with the support of massive amounts of funds, resources, and personnel. Its business has long since spread throughout the entire Africa continent, and its achievements are remarkable. As for its personnel, it has swelled to eight thousand in just one year, and there is a hint that it will reach tens of thousands.

Therefore, it seems that the position of Africa's number one private armed group belongs to it.