Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

"Qi Yue, if there hadn't been piracy, how many views do you think we could have gotten? At least over 40 billion, right?"

Guo Fan felt a pang of regret every time he saw the final playback data.

Indeed, 39.7 billion and 40 billion may not sound like much, but their symbolic meaning is like a subtle threshold in many people's minds.

However, Qi Yue remained indifferent to this.

"Brother Fan, getting angry won't help. Tongfan started out on the internet. We've enjoyed all its benefits—fast dissemination, strong interaction, and breaking channel monopolies—but we also have to bear all its drawbacks—prone to rampant piracy, information overload, and disorderly competition. It's two sides of the same coin; you can't have it all."

Guo Fan thought about it and realized that this made perfect sense; it allowed the market to see the potential of high-quality online dramas and the capabilities of the Tongfan team. That was the most important thing.

"But Qi Yue, this can't go on forever. If every time a show is released, it's all pirated online, who will bother making shows? Everyone'll just watch pirated versions. Won't web dramas never get any better?"

"Regulation is lagging behind, but it will be improved in the future."

Qi Yue paused, his tone shifting to a more forward-looking and confident tone.

"But one thing is certain: as long as the internet exists, there will never be a shortage of piracy. They are a product of symbiosis with the internet; it's impossible and unnecessary to eliminate them. Bacteria are harmful to the human body, but there's no need to kill all the bacteria in the body, because then the person would die."

"Therefore, the key for online dramas now is not to restrict piracy, but to take advantage of the chaos and the low barriers to quickly expand their reach."

Guo Fan's eyes lit up, understanding the implication behind Qi Yue's words. "So this is why you're willing to cooperate with Tangren?"

.......

At the start of the new year, the air still carried a brief sense of languor following the holidays.

But Tongfan Studio is already operating at high speed.

Guo Fan, like a wound-up toy, plunged headlong into the co-production project with Tangren Media.

This is his directorial comeback, and he's determined to make all the necessary preparations beforehand.

Every day I'm either in a conference call with Tangren's production team or repeatedly calculating budget spreadsheets.

He even put up a huge Gantt chart of the project progress on the wall, marking key milestones with different colored pens, updating it daily for easy reference.

As this is the first collaboration, and Tangren's forte is period dramas, the two parties initially agreed that their first co-produced work would be a period drama with a moderate budget and a strong plot.

As a director, you never have to worry about submitting scripts, but finding the most suitable one from a huge number of scripts is like finding gold in the trash.

Qi Yue actually had several historical drama scripts selected by the system in his hand.

"Brother Fan, I have a few notebooks here that look pretty good. Why don't you take a look?"

Guo Fan looked up from his computer, his eyes red from staying up all night.

He was initially delighted when he saw the USB drive Qi Yue handed him.

But after receiving it, I returned it.

"Qi Yue, I trust your judgment. But... this time, I want to choose for myself first."

His tone was very serious, even a little stubborn.

"I know time is tight, but the process of finding scripts is also a way for me to understand and get involved in the project. I need to find the story I most want to film, what kind of story can move me the most, and what kind of story I can be most confident in filming well. If I really can't find a suitable one in the end, or if I'm overwhelmed with choices, can you help me with the final selection?"

Qi Yue nodded and put the USB drive away.

He could understand Guo Fan's idea. Directing is an art of turning abstract words into images. The same script can produce vastly different films depending on the director's personal perspective.

Simply put, the best notebook is not necessarily the most suitable one.

"OK."

This is Guo Fan's project, and all Qi Yue can do is offer support.

He turned his attention to other things.

That afternoon, Qi Yue was reviewing Tongfan's new year's personnel expansion plan when his phone rang.

It's Xu Wei.

"Director Qi, Happy New Year. I have some good news to share with you in advance."

Xu Wei's voice came through the radio waves, carrying her usual competence.

"Mr. Xu, Happy New Year. What's the news?" Qi Yue put down his pen.

"I just received an internal notification," Xu Wei said clearly, enunciating each word distinctly.

"Day and Night" was nominated for the Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Awards this year, with a total of five nominations: Best TV Series, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography.

Even with his resolute will, Qi Yue couldn't help but raise an eyebrow upon hearing this news.

The Bai Yulan Award, as one of the most authoritative and influential awards in the domestic television industry, is of paramount importance.

For a web series to receive five major nominations, which originated from a web series and was broadcast on a non-first-tier satellite TV channel, is the greatest affirmation of the quality of the work and also marks that Tongfan has truly knocked on the door of the mainstream television circle.

"Good results." Qi Yue's tone was calm, but a very faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"The results aren't just good, they're outstanding, so outstanding that..." Xu Wei's tone shifted, her voice lowering slightly, carrying a hint of reminder.

"It's almost too good to be true. Director Qi, five nominations, you're really riding high. Web dramas are breaking into the mainstream and taking away spots from traditional dramas, which has already threatened some people's interests. Awards ceremonies are not just an affirmation of art, but also a stage for balancing personal relationships, resources, and various forces. This time, we've been put on the hot seat."

Qi Yue understood Xu Wei's unspoken message. Behind the immense honor lay equally immense pressure and potential open and covert attacks. Some would genuinely cheer, while others would inevitably be envious.

Especially given its origins as a web series, in early 2013 it still carried some unorthodox labels, making it an easier target for attacks.

"I understand." Qi Yue's voice remained calm. "What's meant for us will come to us; what's not meant for us, we can't fight for. But since we've been nominated, we should show the proper attitude."

"That's right," Xu Wei continued. "So, you have to go to the Shanghai TV Festival in person. I'm already coordinating your schedule, outfits, and potential media interviews with the creative team. There are some things that need to be arranged in advance."

"Okay." Qi Yue didn't hesitate. "Let me know when the time is set. I'll take care of the team arrangements."

After hanging up the phone, Qi Yue looked out the window. The winter sunlight was pale, but the outlines of the buildings in the distance were exceptionally clear in the light.

He stood up and stretched his stiff neck.

Guo Fan was still frowning and deep in thought about the script next door when Bai Mengyan quietly brought him a cup of hot tea.

Qi Yue took a sip of tea, the warm sensation sliding down his throat.

He picked up his coat and instructed Bai Mengyan, "Book tickets. We're going to Shanghai tomorrow."

"Go to Shanghai? What for?" Bai Mengyan looked bewildered.

Qi Yue walked to Guo Fan's office partition and knocked on the glass.

"Brother Fan, at the Shanghai TV Festival, 'White Night' has been nominated for five awards. I need to go to Shanghai."

Guo Fan was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with immense joy.

"Holy crap! Five Magnolia Awards?! Really?"

"It's Sister Xu's call, so it should be fine. Keep an eye on the early stages of things with Tangren and keep in touch. As for the script, get on with it, but don't get too hung up on the details."

"Awesome! Qi Yue, don't worry about it! Leave this to me!"

Qi Yue nodded and said nothing more. He turned and walked back to his seat, beginning to pack his belongings.

Standing there dumbfounded, Bai Mengyan finally realized what was going on and quickly pulled out her phone.

"Boss, I found it. There are tickets available for 3 PM tomorrow."