Play-off
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Tan Jinsheng gripped his phone tightly as he said, "Although the response from his other works was average, one hit drama was enough to open opportunities for him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to continue filming a drama with a lineup like ‘Nine Heavens’ even after the mediocre results for his previous works. Even in the publicity for ‘Nine Heavens’, they mentioned that the director’s representational work was ‘Fate Tribulation’ and emphasized that it was produced by the same production team. With Gao Qiongyu and Li Hanfei as the leading actors..."
"Even if the ratings aren’t good this time, the endorsements and investments for the actors would be enough for ‘Nine Heavens’ to make a profit. With it, Director Guo Qingchen can start planning for his next drama."
"But this is Big Brother’s first drama. Other than the male lead, Guo Shaoyu, the other actors don’t have strong fan bases. Even Guo Shaoyu’s popularity isn’t that influential."
If ‘Broken Continent’ were to clash with ‘Nine Heavens’, it would be doomed.
So what was Kefeng Films thinking when they arranged the schedule?
"Big Brother had invested a large sum of money into this work. Is Kefeng Films joking? Why did they arrange it like this?" Tan Jinsheng said angrily.
"Why don’t we ask Zhiqian?" Xu Mingzhen asked.
"There’s no point. The platform will not postpone the broadcast unless there is an uncontrollable factor. Especially for shows that have already been publicized as it’ll affect the drama negatively if they were to postpone it," Tan Jinqi said as he shook his head.
"Big Brother, do you still remember the bet that Manager Wu from their Development Department made with me during the preparation stage of this drama, when we were just negotiating with Kefeng Films?" Tan Mo suddenly said.
How could Tan Jinqi forget? After all, the stakes were not small.
And more importantly, that Manager Wu was really detestable.
After hearing Tan Mo’s words, Tan Jinqi immediately understood what she meant. "You’re saying that this was arranged by Manager Wu?"
"Ninety-nine percent," Tan Mo sneered, "Back then, I made a bet with him that if ‘Broken Continent’ didn’t do well and made a loss, our family would pay for the losses. But if ‘Broken Continent’ did well, it would mean that Manager Wu had misjudged. Which also meant that his judgment wasn’t good enough since he had misjudged repeatedly. Thus, he should resign from Kefeng Films."
"But it seems that Manager Wu doesn’t dare to fulfill his end of the bet. So to avoid having to resign, he used ‘Nine Heavens’ as a competitor against ‘Broken Continent’,"
"When we were filming a mythology film, he also found someone to write a script of the same genre and got it filmed. He even deliberately arranged for it to be broadcasted at the same time," Tan Mo said coldly, "That’s good. The better drama will be easily
"As long as the drama is good, there’s no need to fear competitors. Although there wouldn’t be such a situation of intense clashes on the same platform, it’s an inevitable situation when different platforms fight against each other. Since those dramas can fight their way out of the competition, we can do it too." Tan Mo said.
"Right! We can do it too." Tan Jinqi said.
"What I mean is that we don’t need brother Zhiqian to intervene in this matter. Even if he finds out about it and wants to get involved, I will stop him and not allow him to interfere," Tan Mo said.
"Why?" Xu Mingzhen asked.
"Since that Manager Wu wants to challenge us, I’ll accept his challenge and make him lose so badly that he can’t find any excuse to save his dignity," Tan Mo said coldly, "If brother Zhiqian interferes and we get our show postponed, Manager Wu will say that it’s because we’re afraid. If ‘Nine Heavens’ is postponed, Manager Wu will still think that we’re forcing ‘Nine Heavens’ to be postponed because we’re afraid. That would give him a chance to spout nonsense when the show is broadcasted, using public opinion to gain attention for ‘Nine Heavens’ and suppress ‘Broken Continent’."
"If ‘Broken Continent’ wins, he will get someone to post online, saying that ‘Broken Continent’ used its power to force ‘Nine Heavens’ to postpone its broadcast, losing the chance to seize the market. If ‘Nine Heavens’ wins, they will twist the story and say that ‘Broken Continent’ still can’t beat ‘Nine Heavens’ despite trying all means and ways."
"Moreover, Big Brother has just entered the industry, so it’s not good to offend too many people," Tan Mo said, "If brother Zhiqian interferes, there’s a high chance that ‘Nine Heavens’ will be postponed. Then everyone involved in the production of ‘Nine Heavens’, from the director to the cast, will be very dissatisfied with big brother. What if Big Brother needs them in his future works? If someone holds a grudge because of this, it won’t be good."
"It won’t do if we suffer because of Manager Wu’s despicable moves. The director and actors of ‘Nine Heavens’ have their connections in the industry. It’ll be bad if they secretly sabotage Big Brother."
Xu Mingzhen was shocked.
Even Tan Wenci was a little scared.
They had simply thought that if Wei Zhiqian stepped in, Kefeng Films would have to listen to whatever he says.
However, they had neglected the possibility of offending those involved in ‘Nine Heavens’.
As the saying goes, even a ferocious dragon will be no match for the snake in its old haunts
As the saying goes, it was easy to dodge a spear in the open but difficult to guard against an arrow in the dark.
As the saying goes, it was easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with a little demon.
Wei Zhiqian was only able to control things overall, but how could he micromanage the finer details?
One would be hated by the other party after offending them. It wouldn’t be easy to hide from their schemes if they do it secretly.
Fortunately, even though Tan Mo was filled with anger, she still maintained her rationality and calmly analyzed the situation for everyone.
"Big Brother, do you have faith in me?" Tan Mo raised her head and asked Tan Jinqi.
"Yes." Tan Jinqi said affirmatively, as he nodded with a firm look in his eyes.
Tan Jinqi smiled, "No matter what, I will always believe in you. You have already asked me this before. I already told you that I have faith in you. You don’t even have to ask me this again. As long as you have made your decision, I will always believe in you."
Tan Mo smiled and said, "Then let’s have a good fight with him."
"However, it’s still all our baseless guesses. Although there’s a high chance that Manager Wu did it, it’s still better to have a definite answer," said Tan Jinyi.
"That’s easy." Tan Mo took out her cell phone and dialed the number of Yan Zhengxing, the general manager of Kefeng Films.
She also had the contact information of Xu Dashi, the president of Kefeng Films.
Tan Mo had decided to contact Yan Zhengxing on this matter because she thought that he should know more about this matter.
"President Yan, this is Tan Mo," Tan Mo said when the other party picked up the phone.
Everyone was quite busy. There’s no need for pleasantries.
It was also awkward to start exchanging pleasantries before talking about matters.
"Haha, I know. Didn’t we exchange numbers? I saved your contact in my phone," Yan Zhengxing said laughingly. "Broken continent is scheduled to be aired. Please congratulate your brother on my behalf."
"Thank you, President Yan. However, I want to know what’s happening with ‘Nine Heavens’? Why is it airing on the same date and timings as ‘Broken Continent’? Is this a play-off between the two dramas?"