Chapter 9

Shen Zhenghui returned to Beijing, where the air in 1998 was much better than during the smoggy periods. However, he didn't come here to enjoy the air; he came to handle public relations with CCTV.

The momentum of "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf" was good, but to influence the entire country from Lingnan would take at least ten to eight years. Therefore, conquering CCTV and thus the whole nation became a necessity.

However, Shen Zhenghui was not very keen on returning to Beijing. As a capitalist personified by capital, he sometimes couldn't make decisions entirely on his own. Minister Wu merely mentioned that it would be great if the show could air on CCTV, and Shen Zhenghui had to come to Beijing.

"Damn," Shen Zhenghui thought, "As a reborn穿越者 (穿越者 means someone who has been reincarnated or traveled through time), shouldn't I be the one manipulating these bureaucrats completely? Why is it the opposite now?"

Wang Anran came to pick him up. This guy seemed to have fully integrated into society, no longer resembling the student he was in school. But even back then, he didn't have much of a student vibe.

Shen Zhenghui was grateful for this second-generation official's lack of pretension in personally picking him up, but he wouldn't say it out loud; saying it would make things awkward.

"Why did you think of coming back to Beijing? Changed your mind?"

"No, it's purely business."

"Wow, what kind of business? You came alone? Where's your female secretary?"

"I didn't want to come in the first place, and if I had a female secretary, I would have wanted to come even less," Shen Zhenghui replied.

Wang Anran laughed heartily.

"Tell me, what kind of business? I'll help if I can, and if I can't, well, that's that."

"It's not a big deal. Since you asked, do you know any directors from CCTV's 'Big Windmill' or 'Animation City'?"

"Hmm?" Wang Anran gave Shen Zhenghui a puzzled look. "What kind of business are you in? I remember your family is in foreign trade."

"That doesn't mean I have to be in foreign trade," Shen Zhenghui said, pursing his lips. "I started a comic magazine in Pengcheng and am also producing an animated series..."

"Damn!" Wang Anran's hand trembled, and he slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road.

"What's wrong?" Shen Zhenghui was puzzled.

Wang Anran took a deep breath and stared straight at Shen Zhenghui.

"You don't know what Li Rui's grandfather does, do you?"

"I know, he's the 'King of Hell'!"

Wang Anran pursed his lips and started the car again. "Knowing that, you still want to step into his territory?"

"That's his grandfather, not him. Besides, how can a big leader still care about his grandson's jealousy? And I don't have anything with Sun Jingfang," Shen Zhenghui said, spreading his hands.

"I hate this about you, you don't take anything seriously." Mentioning Sun Jingfang seemed to irritate Wang Anran. "Have you thought about Jingfang?"

"Given her status, she should be thinking about me." Shen Zhenghui felt uncomfortable. "From the beginning to the end, I never... but both sides seem to care a lot."

"Alright, alright!" Wang Anran suppressed his dissatisfaction and glanced at Shen Zhenghui. "You don't have much hope, do you? I see you came without any preparation."

"You're wrong," Shen Zhenghui narrowed his eyes. "I'm full of hope, which is why I came to you."

"What's the point of coming to me?" Wang Anran sneered. "Why don't you go to Sun Jingfang? Her grandfather's face is worth a lot!"

"Can we not mention her?"

"Why not?" Wang Anran asked deliberately.

"If she were my ex-girlfriend, it would be one thing, but we don't have that kind of relationship. Mentioning her is just making me feel sick over and over again."

"Tsk..."

"Besides, it's just a small favor. There's no need to bring in a Politburo member. You, Mr. Wang, could introduce me to a section chief or a department head."

"Section chiefs and department heads can't make those decisions."

"Then there's no need to bring in your grandfather!"

Shen Zhenghui looked at Wang Anran. "How about I help you with your dowry?"

"Get lost..."

After a while, Wang Anran continued, "But you came at the right time. The leadership of the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television changed this year. The impact of 'Titanic' last year was so strong that the central government has recognized that our ideological propaganda work is far behind. Someone has raised the issue of foreign animated series..."

"Right, if I hadn't seen this opportunity, I wouldn't have invested in it. I'm not throwing money away," Shen Zhenghui rubbed his chin. "But you'd better not tell our classmates in Beijing that I'm here."

"Why not? We're waiting to feast on the big fish!"

"..." Shen Zhenghui sighed and leaned back in the car seat. "Can you ensure that Sun Jingfang and Li Rui don't know?"

Wang Anran shrugged. "I can't isolate the world."

"That's why I don't want to come to Beijing." Shen Zhenghui stretched. "Let's finish this quickly, and I'll invite you to Pengcheng, maybe even to Dongguan."

"What's so fun about Dongguan?"

"Heaven for men, very fun."

"Phew! I'm a government official, I won't be corrupted by you, a capitalist."

"Better you don't come, I'll save some money."

"Nice try, let's have fun in Beijing. The water flows, the flowers fall, and spring is gone, what a place."

"High-class."

"It has to be. That's how things get done!"

Shen Zhenghui met the director of the CCTV Animation Department at a nightclub. Director Tan Zhenglu was very polite to Wang Anran, almost too reserved, but he was more reserved with Shen Zhenghui. When he learned that Shen Zhenghui was Wang Anran's classmate, he became more polite.

"Oh, 'Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf' is produced by your company! This is..." Director Tan's face looked like he was constipated. "CCTV has noticed this show and found it very inspiring." He didn't mention that the animation company under CCTV was trying to copy it.

"Do you want to air it on CCTV?" Tan Zhenglu looked at Wang Anran. "I can't make that decision. Should we ask Secretary Wang to speak to our director?"

Wang Anran shook his head. "I'm just a Youth League Secretary, much lower in rank than your director, it won't work."

Tan Zhenglu didn't push for Wang Anran's father to speak to the director.

"Let's go through the proper channels," Shen Zhenghui said with a smile. "I think this cooperation will benefit everyone."

Tan Zhenglu nodded on the surface but was unimpressed.

"By the way, have you considered setting up a dedicated children's channel to air animated series and other children's programs? When there are too many domestic animated series, there won't be enough places to air them!"

"That depends on the conditions."

"Alright, please report to the leadership and arrange a meeting to discuss the terms. Let's not talk about work today, let's drink..."

Perhaps due to their status and unfamiliarity, the three of them didn't relax much, even with the nightclub girls trying to liven up the atmosphere. The atmosphere remained somewhat dull. After a few drinks, Tan Zhenglu left. Shen Zhenghui and Wang Anran also lost interest and left, much to the dissatisfaction of the girls.

"What a waste!" Wang Anran shook his head.

"Not entirely," Shen Zhenghui said. "What's Tan Zhenglu's background? He seems very cautious!"

"His father is a minor official, well-educated, timid, so he hasn't done very well."

"So, interacting with you second-generation officials makes me feel a lot of pressure!" Shen Zhenghui rolled his eyes.

Wang Anran glanced at him. "Pretending, aren't you a second-generation official too?"

"My family background is nothing compared to yours."

"You're not ordinary," Wang Anran said meaningfully.

The next day, Tan Zhenglu called Shen Zhenghui to meet at the station. Shen Zhenghui prepared the materials and went alone. He was received by a deputy director, who was polite but not enthusiastic.

"We have many animated series, and we have our own animation company. We don't necessarily need to purchase from outside," the director said, seemingly indifferent to Shen Zhenghui's background. "What advantages do you have?"

"My advantage is knowing many second-generation officials." Shen Zhenghui didn't say it that way. "Animation is a huge potential industry. Our neighbor Japan has shown us how far the animation market can go. Given China's large market, I believe China can do just as well."

The deputy director nodded. "So?"

"Actually, my animated series is average, but it has several significant features that can become a landmark in the animation industry. The benefits it brings, whether to the broadcasting station or to our production company, are enormous."

The deputy director smiled. "What benefits do we get?"

"The Matthew effect," Shen Zhenghui said. "It can greatly enhance CCTV's brand. To be frank, even with the state's policy support, Chinese animation still struggles to compete with imported animation in terms of reputation."

The deputy director was not moved. "CCTV's brand is unquestionable," he responded.

"With the development of satellite TV, provincial stations are taking over CCTV's market and status," Shen Zhenghui continued. "If I stay in Lingnan, I can still reach the whole country in a few years, but I don't think we need to wait that long."

The deputy director raised an eyebrow. "You can wait a few years?"

"Actually," Shen Zhenghui spread his hands, "this animated series can continue indefinitely, like 'Tom and Jerry.'"

The deputy director looked at the silent Tan Zhenglu. "Excuse me," he said, "Mr. Shen, please wait a moment, I need to speak with Director Tan."

"Sure." Shen Zhenghui nodded, knowing the scales were tipping in his favor.