Zhuo Liming remembered Shen Xing.
He still had some impression of one of his former assistants - as a comic assistant, Shen Xing's skills were very solid. Like most comic assistants, Shen Xing also had a great passion for independent serialized comics and had tried to submit his works to Baiyun Comics. Unfortunately, until he left Baiyun Comics, no comic had passed the review and was qualified for serialization.
By the way, what did he say when he tendered his resignation to me
It seems like... it has obtained the serialization qualification for the comic magazine under Huaying Animation
Thinking about the other party's invitation of "three missing one" in mahjong, Zhuo Liming's heart moved.
Reason told him that he had no time and no reason to accept this so-called invitation. Just as he opened his mouth and was about to refuse, the words Jing Huahao had just said to him suddenly surfaced from the depths of his mind again. For some reason, he said, "Okay."
By the time he finally realized what he had agreed to, the phone had already been hung up.
The initial anger and impulse gradually dissipated, and as his rationality returned, Zhuo Liming sat back in his chair, supporting his forehead with one hand, his heart becoming more and more confused.
Noticing that something was wrong with him, his wife asked with concern, "What's wrong? Who called just now?"
"It's from Xiao Shen. He said he was inviting me to play mahjong."
Compared to Zhuo Liming's complicated mood, his wife obviously didn't think too much. She thought about it and said seriously: "I think you can consider Xiao Shen's suggestion. You are in a bad mood now, so it's good to play mahjong to relax. Didn't you always like this before?"
"It's not that simple," Zhuo Liming smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Xiao Shen is now serializing a comic magazine under Huaying Animation. He said they were short one person, so he must be with Huaying's people. You also know that Baiyun Culture unilaterally tore up the contract before. It's not an exaggeration to say that these two companies are enemies. I am the head author of Baiyun Comics and I played cards with the boss of the rival company. If this gets out, what do you think Baiyun Culture will think?"
"Isn't this better?" the wife asked back, "It also lets Baiyun Comics know that you have other suitors and that you don't have to have them."
Zhuo Liming said helplessly: "You think too simply..."
Baiyun Culture may not be a big name in the publishing industry or in the world, but in the East China Sea, it is a real monopoly-level publishing group. Its magazines include more than just "Baiyun Comics". It is no exaggeration to say that it occupies half of the comics market.
This is also the reason why many cartoonists, no matter how much they hate and boycott the contract with Baiyun Comics, will eventually sign the contract honestly.
It is not terrible to offend Baiyun Comics, but if you offend Baiyun Culture and are banned by the publishing group behind it, unless you can draw comics that conform to Western people's preferences and aesthetics and develop in western cities, otherwise, at least in the East, you will basically forget about getting publishing opportunities in this life.
Besides…
With Baiyun Culture's consistent tyranny and despotism, and with the development over the years, many of the magazine's contracted authors do have resentment towards a series of policies from above. At this time, the first "traitor" who shows up may become a victim of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys.
Thinking of this, the wife also fell silent.
The study was quiet. The scattered manuscripts were still in a mess, but the owner had no intention of tidying them up. The two of them were silent for a long time. After a while, the wife suddenly said, "I think you should give it a try."
Zhuo Liming: "Try what?"
"Look at the bright side. Baiyun Comics might give you a decent deal because you've boosted their sales over the past four years. They won't make things too difficult for you, like giving you a special contract or something. Look at the bad side. The worst that could happen is that you'll be banned by Baiyun Culture." His wife looked at him and asked, "Are you afraid of being banned?"
When she asked this, Zhuo Liming was stunned.
If he were a fledgling comic book author, he might really be afraid of being banned by Baiyun Culture, because it means that it would be basically impossible for him to earn income by drawing comics - dreams and integrity are important, of course, but people have to eat after all.
But he is not.
During these four years, it is not only Baiyun Comics that has made a fortune, but also himself as the comics author. To be frank, the revenue brought by Returning Home on a Snowy Night, as well as the additional revenue brought by peripheral derivatives and various copyright adaptations after its completion, are enough for him to live a relatively comfortable life.
"This is actually a choice," his wife concluded. "We can continue to draw Returning Home on a Snowy Night until its popularity drops and it is cancelled. This way, we can make a lot of money, and we can continue to cooperate with Baiyun Comics on the next comic. But the price is that Returning Home on a Snowy Night will change from a classic masterpiece to a money-making comic that everyone regrets and despises."
Zhuo Liming looked up at her.
The wife said calmly, "The other way is to betray Baiyun Comics and switch to Huaying Comics, whose future is uncertain. This decision may result in you being banned by Baiyun Culture, but you will have full control over your own work and ensure that Returning Home on a Snowy Night ends where it should."
She paused, then added: "By the way, even if it is banned by Baiyun Comics, our income level will not be affected at all - Huaying Animation is the leading company in the animation industry after all. Even if Huaying Comics is not good, your future comics can be directly adapted into animations. As long as the quality of the comics themselves is good, the profit level will not be worse than yours at Baiyun Comics."
Zhuo Liming felt that he seemed to be convinced.
Of course, these alone are not enough for him to make any real decision - it is said that all crows are black, who knows if Huaying will be another "Baiyun Comics"
But his wife's suggestion was not wrong. After all, he really needed to go and see this mahjong appointment.
With an indescribable expectation in his heart, Zhuo Liming simply tidied himself up as he had been unkempt in the rush to finish the painting these days, hailed a taxi on the street near his home, and went directly to the mahjong hall mentioned by Shen Xing.
When Zhuo Liming was led by the waiter to the compartment where the three people were, the three people inside were happily playing Landlord at the mahjong table in front of them. When he came in, he just happened to hear Shen Xing complaining:
"Boss, tell me the truth, did you learn card counting without telling us?"
Seeing Mu Suxing throw out the last A and secure the victory again, Shen Xing, who was originally thinking "Should I lose two games on purpose to make the boss happy", was a little confused. In the past few games, Mu Suxing did lose, but that one was completely because his cards were so bad, and his winning rate was simply too terrible.
Muxuxing looked down on him: "How many cards can there be in a deck of playing cards? Do you even need to count them?"
Shen Xing wanted to refute, but Qiu Fengmao, who was so upset that he lost his temper, saw Zhuo Liming being led in by the waiter, and quickly stood up and greeted him, "Teacher Zhuo, long time no see."
When he said this, Shen Xing quickly greeted him and introduced him, "This is my current boss and comic script writer. I'm sure you know him—Brother Mu. This is Mr. Zhuo Liming."
Needless to say, Shen Xing had resigned less than two weeks ago. However, Zhuo Liming was surprised by Qiu Fengmao's existence - he was the former editor-in-chief of Baiyun Comics and one of the few editors who treated comic authors as human beings. Unfortunately, he was transferred to the margins due to internal strife in Baiyun Culture. He formally submitted his resignation to Baiyun Culture half a year ago, but he was unexpectedly poached by Huaying.
He was slightly surprised when Mu Suxing finished his brief introduction, shrugged, and said casually, "Let's not waste any more time talking nonsense. After all, we are here to play mahjong today, not to talk nonsense. Let's get started?"
As soon as Mu Suxing finished speaking, not to mention Zhuo Liming, Shen Xing and Qiu Fengmao on the side couldn't help but turn their heads and look at him in surprise.
Zhuo Liming was also shocked.
What? You guys are making such a big fuss, aren't you here to poach me
However, no matter how surprised he was, Mu Suxing did not mention the poaching at all. He pushed the mahjong in front of him forward. Seeing that the three people were looking at him stupidly, Mu Suxing looked at them in surprise and said, "Didn't we agree to play mahjong? Come on."
Zhuo Liming: …
Then they started playing mahjong.
At first, Zhuo Liming consoled himself, thinking that maybe Mu Suxing didn't want to get into the topic too quickly, so he chose to play mahjong to ease the atmosphere. Obviously, Shen Xing and Qiu Fengmao thought so too. Because of this, the three of them were a little absent-minded for a while, and then the whole mahjong hall was filled with -
“All the same!”
"Touch yourself!"
"Open the bar!"
Zhuo Liming & Shen Xing & Qiu Fengmao: … … …
The three of them looked at each other in silence, and finally turned their gazes to Mu Suxing, who was happily piling the money he had won in front of himself.
Brother, aren't you the boss of a company with a net worth of over 100 million? Is it the same as if you haven't won any money in 800 years
However, Muxuxing obviously didn't understand the three people's thoughts. He happily counted the cash in front of him and (sarcastically) advised (sarcastically): "What are you doing? Don't be polite. There is no superior at the mahjong table. We are all playing together. You don't have to give in to me on purpose."
After he said that, Shen Xing, who had been worried for a long time, also started to get excited - it's just mahjong, right? It's like who can't play it! He didn't think about it and focused on playing mahjong.
Zhuo Liming and Qiu Fengmao managed to keep calm at first. After all, in their opinion, they came here with a specific purpose. However, after a few rounds, they inevitably forgot their original intention and became immersed in the fun of playing cards - the national mahjong is not a boast.
Three days later, at the editorial office of Baiyun Comics.
There is only one day left until the submission deadline for the next issue of Baiyun Comics.
Jing Huahao thought that the time was about right, so he adjusted his mood and tone, and gently dialed the phone: "Teacher Zhuo, how have you considered the ending? If you need it, I can also apply for a one-month break for you..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard Zhuo Liming say, "Then take a month off. I'm not in a good state recently and may not be able to continue."
… This should mean that you agree to continue serializing
Jing Huahao was delighted and was about to agree when he heard a voice on the other end of the phone, "Hahahahahaha bullshit! Boss, give me the money!" Before he could listen carefully, the phone beeped and was hung up.
Jing Huahao: … … …
Jing Huahao: