Chapter 33

It's time to go to work.

Zhang Ye should get to work and go to the recording studio to record.

This matter was not small, but it wasn't really that big either. Even the TV station's hosts have cursed on Weibo before, and they ended up fine, just a warning and a punishment, and after writing a self-criticism, the matter was considered settled. Of course, it wasn't over, but just temporarily put aside. Zhang Ye still had to keep a low profile to let the impact slowly fade. There was no choice, after all, he had cursed so fiercely on Weibo yesterday, even sending Tian Bin to the hospital. He had to pay the price for his indulgence.

One hour...

Three hours...

The first part of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" came to an end in Zhang Ye's mouth. As for the later version of "Ghost Blows Out the Light 2," Zhang Ye didn't plan to continue, as he felt it was much worse than the first part. He didn't want to take the risk, fearing it would affect the ratings. It was better to end it here.

Finally, it was over.

Phew, Zhang Ye felt a great weight lifted. These recorded tapes would be enough for "Midnight Ghost Stories" to air for one or two months. After working overtime for so long, he could finally take a break.

Lunchtime.

The canteen downstairs was bustling with people.

"Master, I'll have the eggplant with meat, stir-fried pork, and two taels of rice." Zhang Ye's salary and bonus had come in, so he didn't plan to eat instant noodles anymore. It was rare for him to order a big meal in the canteen. Actually, the food here was quite good and cheap, and his salary included a meal allowance. Zhang Ye wasn't short of this money. He felt like a nouveau riche spending a fortune when he handed over 11 yuan for the meal.

"Xiao Zhang!" Someone called him.

Zhang Ye, with his tray of food, looked in the direction of the voice. "Who are you?"

The secretary of the station leader beckoned him over. "Director Jia wants to see you."

Zhang Ye, unsure why, followed the secretary to the small canteen area at the back. This was a large hall, but it was divided into small compartments, similar to a restroom. Only the station leaders and channel directors and deputy directors were eligible to eat in this small canteen. In the past, the small canteen was a small kitchen, more refined and meticulous, but after the higher-ups issued a frugality directive, the small kitchens were all abolished, and the leaders also ate the same large meals as everyone else.

In one of the compartments.

Zhao Guozhou and Deputy Director Jia were sitting face to face, and there was another leader whom Zhang Ye didn't recognize.

"Director Jia, Director Zhao." Zhang Ye stood there with his tray. "You called for me?"

Zhao Guozhou gestured for him to sit. "Sit down, Xiao Zhang. Let's eat together. Director Jia has something to discuss with you. We can talk while we eat."

Deputy Director Jia was a small old man. When Zhang Ye participated in the live broadcast of "Talk of the World," there was a major incident of a suicide, and Deputy Director Jia was there. Zhang Ye had met him once. Deputy Director Jia put down his chopsticks, his face wrinkled into a smile. "I saw you queuing for food, so I had the secretary call you over. How's it going? I heard your program is almost finished?"

Zhang Ye replied nervously, "It's already finished."

Zhao Guozhou praised, "Xiao Zhang has been working overtime for many days, recording dozens of episodes. He's been very diligent."

Deputy Director Jia nodded, then his tone changed. "But you didn't handle things well yesterday. Weibo may be your personal social space, but your verified account is with our radio station. You are a public figure, and you need to be mindful of your words and actions, considering their impact!"

Zhang Ye admitted his mistake. "Director, it won't happen again."

After criticizing Zhang Ye a bit, the leader he didn't recognize suddenly took out a document.

Deputy Director Jia took it, looked it over, and nodded, then handed it to Zhang Ye. "We called you here because of the publication of 'Ghost Blows Out the Light.' You're lucky; the station has decided to help you with the publication process."

Zhang Ye was surprised. "Publication? Does our station have a publishing department?"

Deputy Director Jia replied, "No, but we will handle it for you. This is the authorization letter. Take a look, and if there are no issues, sign it. When 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' is published, a dedicated staff member from the station will handle the publication and promotion, so you don't need to worry about anything. And the price is very good, 20,000 yuan per book!"

Zhang Ye was stunned. "20,000? Is that a buyout?"

Deputy Director Jia seemed unsatisfied with Zhang Ye's reaction. "Of course, it's a buyout. Newcomers usually don't get royalties, and it's risky. Is 20,000 yuan too little? For a newcomer with no publishing experience, 20,000 yuan per book is already a very high price. You should understand the market."

What do I understand!

Are you trying to fool me?

Zhang Ye hadn't actually planned to publish a novel in the short term. He knew his foundation was in the radio station and wanted to focus on doing well there, making a name for himself. Publishing could wait. But even though he hadn't planned to publish so soon, he was puzzled. How could such an excellent novel not attract any attention? Were the publishers all fools? From Deputy Director Jia's words, Zhang Ye now understood that the publishers had likely approached the station, but the station hadn't informed him or sought his opinion, instead directly preparing this authorization letter. The authorization letter was several pages long, and Zhang Ye skimmed it. The gist was that he would transfer all rights to "Ghost Blows Out the Light," including but not limited to simplified and traditional Chinese versions, film and TV adaptations, to the radio station. In return, he would receive a one-time payment of 20,000 yuan per book.

Hand it over to you? Am I crazy?

You don't have a publishing house, so you're just an intermediary, taking my copyright and reselling it to publishers for a profit. Why don't I find a publisher myself? 20,000 yuan per book? I wouldn't sell it for 200,000! Is this how you treat a beggar?

Zhang Ye knew the station was trying to take advantage of him. Deputy Director Jia had likely negotiated with the publishers to get a much higher price or a royalty split based on sales. Given the popularity of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" on the radio, selling a few hundred thousand copies in simplified Chinese was not a problem. How much money would that be? And if the copyright was in the station's hands, that would be pure profit, with Zhang Ye having no right to any royalties. Most infuriatingly, they wanted to take all the rights, including film and TV adaptations. Wasn't this just taking advantage of him?

Zhang Ye said tactfully, "I'm sorry, Director, I don't plan to publish."

Deputy Director Jia's expression darkened. "We are doing this for your benefit, to help you make this book a success and build your reputation!"

Zhao Guozhou frowned. "Xiao Zhang, are you planning to contact a publisher yourself?"

The third leader, who had been silent, suddenly glared at Zhang Ye. "You're still in your probationary period. The station has given you such a good development platform, and you're not grateful? Don't forget, your 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' was promoted through the station's program. The station has already done a lot to build your momentum. Do you want to bypass the station and publish on your own? Let's calculate the promotion costs, shall we?" The threat was clear.

Zhang Ye was furious. You're being unreasonable! Promotion costs? I want to ask, how did the novels for 'Midnight Ghost Stories' come about before? They were popular supernatural novels from the market, and the station used them to attract listeners, paying the authors a substantial copyright fee. Now, it's all reversed. I'm not getting paid, and I have to pay? Yes, I'm an employee of the station, and I have responsibilities and obligations, so I put my own novel out to help the station attract listeners. Did I ever mention a copyright fee? I don't want the money, but now you're asking me to pay for promotion and even trying to buy all my rights?

Zhang Ye was filled with anger but knew he couldn't openly defy the leaders. He could only say, "I don't plan to publish myself. I really don't want to publish."

The leader glared at him. "You can think about it now!"

Zhang Ye, with a thick skin, replied, "I really don't have the intention in the short term. Sorry, Director!"

Zhao Guozhou looked at him. "Xiao Zhang, have you really thought it through?" He wasn't surprised that Zhang Ye wouldn't sell the copyright. This guy was a money-grubber who wouldn't write a self-criticism even if threatened with death, but would write one in two minutes if threatened with a bonus cut. Trying to get money from this miser was extremely difficult.

As they spoke, many people nearby started to pay attention.

Deputy Director Jia smiled, seemingly magnanimous. "Young people are stubborn. Fine, the copyright is yours. If you don't want to pursue it, the station won't force you!"

They finished their meal and got up to leave.

Zhao Guozhou pointed at Zhang Ye and whispered, "You, you!" Only he knew how much effort the station had put into the publication of "Ghost Blows Out the Light." In the past, their additional business model was mainly selling audio book copyrights or collaborating with websites to promote their high-quality audio resources, but the income was not significant. The success of Zhang Ye's novel gave the station leaders a new opportunity, so they prepared this authorization letter to take control of the copyright of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" and expand their copyright revenue beyond advertising. However, Zhang Ye refused without hesitation!

Deputy Director Jia's words were light, but Zhang Ye knew it wouldn't be that simple. The station would likely make things difficult for him!

But so what?

If it can't be sold, it can't be sold!

You want to take my hard work for free? That's robbery! Even if the station finds a reason to fire him, Zhang Ye would still say, "Let the storm come more fiercely! I don't care who you are!"