Chapter 26

PS. Here's today's update, and I'm also taking the opportunity to promote the 515 Fan Festival on Qidian. Everyone has 8 votes, and you get Qidian coins for voting, so I humbly request your support and appreciation!

"Mr. Li, what did you say just now? I didn't quite understand."

Having been in a high position for a long time, Li Gang didn't doubt anything and patiently explained in detail.

"Oh, 110 yuan per page, and a 50,000 yuan hardship fee. The conditions aren't bad. What about my 'Naruto'?" Mai Xiaoyu asked.

There was a burst of chaotic voices on the phone. Although Li Gang covered the phone, Mai Xiaoyu still heard their conversation clearly, and the recording was very clear.

First, Li Gang repeated Mai Xiaoyu's question, then the translator spoke a flurry of Japanese, followed by a Japanese person with a heavy Nagoya accent saying a few words. The translator then translated it into Chinese and told Li Gang, who then replied to Mai Xiaoyu.

The fate of 'Naruto' was the same as 'Boys Over Flowers,' except that the interested party was Japanese.

100,000 yuan, 110 yuan per page, and the abandonment of the pen name and copyright of the two works. Any future achievements and related income from the two comics would have nothing to do with him; he would just be a hired gun selling his labor.

This was the rumored潜规则 (underhanded rule)!

Mai Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "1.5 million yuan, I'll be your hired gun, and I'll give up the copyright, pen name, and future derivative income."

In his dreams, he remembered clearly how the two comics would cause a sensation and the derivative income they would generate in the future, but he couldn't afford to think about it now because Aunt Song couldn't wait and needed a large sum of money for surgery!

Li Gang sneered, "Young man, it's important to know your place. Don't think the whole world revolves around you just because you have a bit of talent. There are many people who can draw comics. 80,000 yuan, 100 yuan per page, for the two works. If you don't agree, you won't get a single cent!"

"I bought a watch last year! Li Gang, listen carefully, I don't want that 100,000 yuan. You keep it to buy a grave!"

Hanging up the phone, Mai Xiaoyu walked out of the bathroom and almost bumped into Liu Tao when he opened the door.

"Girls shouldn't have the habit of peeking at men in the bathroom," Mai Xiaoyu said with a smile.

Liu Tao didn't pay attention to his joke and asked, "What's wrong, Mr. Mai? I heard you getting angry?"

The high-end hotel apartment lived up to its price, and the bathroom's soundproofing was excellent. Liu Tao had been listening at the door for a long time but couldn't hear a word, only catching the sound of Mai Xiaoyu getting angry at the end.

"Nothing, someone was asking for it, and I was happy to oblige. Let's eat, I'm hungry."

"Mr. Mai, we can talk things out. Don't always resort to violence. What if you get hurt?"

"I might be willing, but others might not be. In the entertainment industry, brains alone aren't enough; you need fists too. Besides, how will I protect you if I don't use my fists?"

Liu Tao blushed and lowered her head, "The food is cold, I'll warm it up."

"No need, I like it cold. You're the third woman to cook for me."

"Third? The second was your girlfriend?"

"I don't have a girlfriend. The second was Aunt Song, my brother's mother and my godmother. Now, let's eat!"

Mai Xiaoyu enjoyed his meal, finishing three bowls of rice and the dishes and soup in a whirlwind. Liu Tao's beautiful eyes narrowed into a crescent moon, and she was very happy, humming a cheerful tune while washing the dishes.

"What song?" Mai Xiaoyu asked, feeling full and satisfied.

"JUICY多汁哦 (JUICY)," the advertising song for Minute Maid Pulpy Orange. Director Wang helped me get this new ad, and I'll be shooting it with Teacher Su Youpeng."

"How much is the fee?"

"Not much. But Minute Maid is a big company, and I get to work with Teacher Su Youpeng..."

"How much is 'not much'?" Mai Xiaoyu interrupted Liu Tao.

"Um... 1,600 yuan. It was originally 1,200, but Director Wang helped me get an extra 400..."

An extra 400 yuan?

Thinking about Su Youpeng's advertising fees, even if it was a trade secret, Mai Xiaoyu could figure it out with his toes. Liu Tao's fee was a fraction of what Su Youpeng earned.

He still needed to shoot TV dramas to boost his value.

A few thousand here, a few thousand there, when would it end?

Should he go to Director Sun?

Forget it.

Impure motives, a dog-eat-dog script, exaggerated acting, artificial performances, constant criticism, and a reputation propped up by internet trolls. Many TV dramas end up in storage, with no TV stations willing to buy them...

After washing the dishes, Liu Tao dried her hands on the apron, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it to Mai Xiaoyu, "What do you want to eat tomorrow? How about braised fish? My braised fish is really good, but I didn't have time today..."

"Stop, stop, stop. Sit down, I have something to tell you."

"What's wrong? Is the food not good?"

"The food is very good, better than in restaurants."

"Then can I cook for you every day?"

"If you have time to cook, you might as well read more books about acting. I plan to arrange for you to act in a TV drama."

"Act in a TV drama? Me?"

The leap was too big, and Liu Tao was stunned.

"Yes, act in a TV drama. In the future, if you have time, focus on improving your acting skills and don't always come to me."

"Okay, I understand." Liu Tao didn't show the excitement and joy of entering the TV industry. After a moment of sadness, she took out a key and placed it in front of Mai Xiaoyu, "Mr. Mai, here's the key, I'll give it back to you."

"Keep the key. It's nice to have a treat now and then. Your cooking is very good, and I like it."

"Okay, I'll cook for you whenever you want." Afraid that Mai Xiaoyu might change his mind, Liu Tao quickly took back the key, her smile blooming on her face, "I'll work hard on my acting. Mr. Mai, you sit for a while. I'll wash the clothes that are soaking in the bathroom."

Wash clothes?

Mai Xiaoyu remembered something and quickly turned his head. The laundry basket at the foot of the bed was empty, and the underwear he had changed into last night was gone...

The next morning, something significant happened at the third 'Manga Love' Original Comic New Talent Competition.

The competition organizing committee simultaneously released an announcement on the official website and in the exhibition hall, with the following content:

After careful deliberation by the competition jury, it was determined that the art styles of 'Naruto' and 'Boys Over Flowers' are distinctly different and should be from different authors. The submission author, Mai Zi, is suspected of fraudulent substitution.

To ensure the purity of this competition and provide a fair and just environment for all participants, the organizing committee has decided to disqualify Mai Zi and the two works from the competition and reserves the right to pursue legal action.

Here, the organizing committee reminds all participants to take this as a warning and not to repeat the mistake. We also call on industry peers to take the responsibility of purging the industry of harmful elements and creating a transparent environment to promote the development of Chinese comics!

What a righteous and stern statement!

What a distortion of the truth!

Mai Xiaoyu, sitting in front of the computer, smiled. Looking at the announcement on the screen and playing with the USB drive he had bought that morning, his smile was radiant.

Is this it?

Don't want to plagiarize my comics?

I was waiting for the final move...

[The 515 Fan Festival is coming soon. I hope to continue to impact the 515 Red Packet List, and on May 15th, the red packet rain can be a way to thank readers and promote the work. Even a small amount is love, and I will definitely update well!]

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