I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 195: Arrogant at first but respectful later, making people laugh
At first, Xu Kong couldn't understand Yu Yaqing's decision.

Or it is impossible to understand why Yu Yaqing has changed so much compared to before.

But after the two chatted for a while, Xu Kong seemed to be able to guess some of the other party's current thoughts.

In fact, the most crucial thing is that Yu Yaqing’s experience this year was probably not easy.

She had spent almost all of her time in the past few years trying to take Fengqing Entertainment to the next level.

Especially regarding letting Fengqing Entertainment enter the film and television industry, it has almost become an obsession.

This is also the reason why, although he is reluctant in his heart, he still chooses to sell the empty contract for his own purpose.

But it was not until later that it was discovered that Fengqing Entertainment's wish to successfully transform into a film and television company was just an unlikely one.

In other words, the current ceiling of Fengqing Entertainment has already been reached, and what is more pressing is the feeling of powerlessness that one has made a lot of efforts but cannot change anything.

As for Xu Kong, he felt that he had his own reasons for this.

Nor do I think that Yu Yaqing's personality and career decisions will be influenced by any personal feelings.

Yu Yaqing now has the urge to lie down completely.

The fact that his contract was sold to Feng Ge was a crucial point.

If we were to ask when Fengqing Entertainment had the best chance of successfully entering the film and television industry, it would probably be when Xu Kong was still in Fengqing.

Now, all I can say is that everything is missed.

Even if Fengqing Entertainment continues to develop, it can only return to its heyday. It is almost impossible to go further.

It is not difficult to understand why Yu Yaqing made such a decision when she completely lost her original goals and motivation.

But retirement isn't a bad thing.

Fengqing Entertainment has been around for so many years, and Yu Yaqing must have made enough money.

Otherwise, they would not have not made any money from the final sale of the company, but would have chosen to dissolve the company directly.

And although the other party never mentioned it, his family should have a background.

I have to say, after letting go of all these, Xu Kong could find that Mr. Yu’s condition was much better.

Became a lot more relaxed.

At least I won’t be frowning and thinking about things all the time.

"Director Xu, long time no see."

On the Penguin Video side, it was Zeng Xi who came to greet Xu Kong.

"Long time no see, Mr. Zeng."

Xu Kong smiled and shook hands with the other party.

The most important reason why Penguin Video invited Xu Kong this time was actually for some follow-up matters of "The Long Season".

In addition to the pre-broadcast publicity and promotion work that already requires Xu Kong's cooperation, the most important thing is definitely the upcoming investment promotion conference.

"Director Xu, many brands have specifically asked to work with you."

“The specific list and advertising methods are here.”

Zeng Xi said with a smile.

He was not lying. With the popularity of "Legend of Sword and Fairy" so high during the summer vacation, Xu Kong is indeed a popular commodity for many brands.

"Mr. Zeng, what is your opinion?"

After all, Penguin Video is the platform, and Xu Kong also knows that when the other party showed him the list, it didn't actually mean that he, the director, would make the final decision.

At most, Xu Kong would be asked to select some brands that he was particularly reluctant to cooperate with.

But in terms of face, it is definitely given enough.

After hearing Xu Kong's words, Zeng Xi did not hide anything on purpose, but directly stated his suggestions.

"I think you must give up customized advertising for this drama."

"The main method of implantation is still insertion."

At present, video platforms like Penguin Video are actually the most profitable, and they are definitely customized advertisements such as advertising skits.

Let the actors of the show directly re-shoot separate product commercials.

The original Legend of Sword and Fairy also had a similar implantation.

If there was no other choice, Zeng Xi would definitely not miss out on this kind of income.

But after he finished watching the entire "The Long Season", he thought about it for a long time and decided to give up this income.

There's no way, he is of course very clear about the quality of this drama.

But the pace is just too slow.

Compared with the original "Legend of Sword and Fairy", it is impossible to retain most of the audience from the first episode.

This also means that it is almost impossible for the final data to reach the level of Xianjian.

Now that you have decided to choose word of mouth, just stick to it and make the audience's viewing experience the primary consideration.

"I have no opinion."

After listening to Zeng Xi's talk about the general cooperation methods and some brand options, Xu Kong nodded and said.

After all, this is a self-produced drama invested by Penguin, so many processes have been simplified a lot.

All I need to do is have a brief discussion with director Xu Kong.

Penguin Video is fully responsible for all the publicity and promotion, and Xu Kong just needs to cooperate.

Unlike the previous "Legend of Sword and Fairy", Fengge, as an investor, still needs to invest in early publicity and promotion resources.

"That's about it. If you need anything later, Director Xu can contact me at any time, or you can ask Producer Ding."

After Zeng Xi finished saying everything, he added another sentence.

Xu Kong also nodded to indicate that he had no objection.

"Mr. Zeng, are you looking for me?"

Ding Decong returned to Hangzhou before Xu Kong. Although he did not have a formal holiday, the entire drama has been completed now, so he is quite free.

"I am wondering whether to broadcast Xu Kong's play as the first play of the suspense theater."

Zeng Xi didn't know whether he was asking Ding Decong or talking to himself.

"According to the current project progress of the first batch of dramas in the suspense theater, The Long Season should be the earliest to be broadcast."

Ding Decong didn't understand why Zeng Xi was so hesitant.

After all, several other dramas of the Suspense Theater are currently all in the filming stage.

Including post-production, it’s estimated that the earliest it will be released is the end of the year.

If Xu Kong's "The Long Season" was not allowed to be broadcast first, this already completed drama would probably be shelved for an unknown period of time.

"But I always feel that after Xu Kong's drama is broadcast, the reputation will probably be very high."

Zeng Xi naturally didn't have such an idea before.

It wasn't until I finished watching the entire series some time ago that I suddenly realized this.

What he said at the time was that he indeed hoped that Xu Kong's play would be able to promote the fame of their suspense theater.

Therefore, compared with data and popularity, the reputation of the drama itself is the most important.

But he didn't expect that Xu Kong actually listened to him. The degree of completion of "The Long Season", whether it was the script or the concept, was frighteningly high.

Although it is only twelve episodes long, it almost completely maintains or even exceeds the production standards of some movies.

After watching the drama, Zeng Xi was very sure of one thing, that is, all subsequent dramas in the Suspense Theater will probably not be able to surpass "The Long Season" in terms of ratings and reputation.

In other words, as the first drama of the suspense theater, this drama will raise the audience's expectations to the highest level after it is broadcast.

If the subsequent dramas are not too bad, even if they are just slightly mediocre, it will be difficult not to be criticized by the audience.

"Mr. Zeng, I think there's no need for us to think so far ahead." After hearing Zeng Xi's concerns, Ding Decong couldn't help but speak tentatively.

However, these words woke Zeng Xi up from his dream.

That’s right, Penguin Video started its market for self-produced suspense dramas much later than the other two platforms.

The most important thing at the moment is to promote the reputation of their own suspense theater.

If this first step is not successful, then the subsequent worries will seem ridiculous.

Apart from Xu Kong's drama, Zeng Xi does not have much confidence in the other five dramas currently being filmed in the Suspense Theater.

"I see."

Zeng Xi nodded.

Then he gave Ding Decong, who was about to leave, a warning:
"Xu Kong will be in Hangzhou these two days. You have to be available at any time. If you have any requests, try to meet them. If you can't make the decision, please contact me first."

Ding Decong nodded to indicate that he understood.

But he always felt a little awkward.

After all, I am a professional producer after all. Now I feel like I am being personally received by Xu Kong.

If Ding Decong observed more carefully, he would have discovered that Zeng Xi's reaction to Xu Kong had changed slightly from when the other party came to Hangzhou before.

The level of attention has obviously increased a lot.

"Want to See You" is Xu Kong's debut work, which proves his talents in directing, screenwriting, and acting.

However, it can still be explained by saying that newcomers have better luck.

But the Legend of Sword and Fairy, which became a big hit during the summer, made Xu Kong's commercial value soar, and it also proved that Xu Kong had the ability to make a hit drama.

But this time, "The Long Season" made Zeng Xi understand Xu Kong better.

Although the Legend of Sword and Fairy was very popular during the summer, it also received good reviews from the audience.

However, due to various reasons such as subject matter and theme, the possibility of winning an award is still not high.

Especially the three major domestic film and television drama awards which have relatively strict requirements.

The same is true for the previous "Want to See You", it's a similar situation.

But this time in "The Long Season", Xu Kong showed his limit in another aspect.

Zeng Xi cannot predict whether he can win the award, but if he is shortlisted, there is definitely a high probability that he will be shortlisted.

This circle is like this sometimes.

No matter how much money you make from commercial films or TV series, without the endorsement of awards, your status as a director will be just that.

He could probably foresee that once Xu Kong's "The Long Season" was broadcast, it would be almost certain that he would be among the top young directors with the greatest potential.

As Xu Kong's assistant, Guo Zihao also came to Hangzhou with Xu Kong this time.

But there wasn't much need for him on the Penguin side, so he was waiting outside.

"Are you done talking?"

Seeing Xu Kong coming out, Guo Zihao took the initiative to greet him.

"There are quite a few people in Hangzhou who would like to invite you to meet them."

"Want to go?"

Guo Zihao asked.

Xu Kong himself had already gotten used to such situations.

For example, there are people who invite him to sing songs, people who want him to be their spokesperson and star in commercials, and even organizers of some performances, etc.

In addition, when Xu Kong was in Fengqing Entertainment, he had met or had interactions with many people in the circles in Hangzhou and Shanghai to varying degrees.

"They were all rejected."

Although some of them were known to me before.

But they were far from having any friendship, so there was no need for Xu Kong to give him face.

Otherwise, most of his time in Hangzhou would probably be spent meeting various people.

"By the way, there are people from Huayi. We've made an appointment once before. Are they not going to meet up either?"

Guo Zihao felt that he still needed to mention it separately.

After all, Xu Kong is currently the spokesperson for Huayi.

The original contract was for three years.

We are almost halfway through now.

"Are they ready to discuss contract renewal?"

Xu Kong thought about it for a while, and then quickly figured out the other party's purpose.

Guo Zihao nodded.

"I guess it's because you haven't accepted any endorsements this year, so they must be quite worried."

When he signed the contract with Huayi, Xu Kong had just barely squeezed into the list of top stars in the domestic entertainment industry.

Therefore, Huayi was the one that took the absolute initiative throughout the whole process.

Now, Xu Kong’s popularity and fame are completely different from what they were before.

Huayi is certainly reluctant to give up Xu Kong as its spokesperson.

Although it is a high-end luxury brand, it is not lacking in so-called celebrity endorsements.

But it is definitely not easy to come across someone like Xu Kong who fits the image perfectly and offers great value for money.

Xu Kong was still hesitating.

Like most of the popular idols in the domestic entertainment industry, they accept such high-end luxury brands in order to improve their status and commercial value.

But for him now, the endorsement of Huayi is indeed a bit too useless.

What's more, the endorsement fee given by the other party is not only not high, but there is also a tendency to deliberately lower the price.

Xu Kong felt that it was even more unnecessary.

"How about we meet again?"

"After all, your current endorsement contract with them hasn't ended yet."

Guo Zihao suggested.

Although he himself knew that the current Huayi was definitely no longer a so-called high-quality endorsement for Xu Kong.

But Huayi's brand influence in the entertainment industry is not small, so it's actually okay to give it some face and have a chat.

"Then let's meet."

Xu Kong finally gave in.

The main thing is that he is currently in Hangzhou, where he doesn't have much to do, so it's no big deal to free up a few hours in his schedule.

However, it was already afternoon when we left Penguin Video headquarters.

The appointment with Huayi will definitely have to be made for tomorrow.

Guo Zihao couldn't help but sigh.

There is indeed a feeling of being in a different situation.

When I first met Huayi, the other party acted completely superior.

They even only gave the relevant time and place, and didn't pay any attention to Xu Kong's schedule at all. Even the person in charge there seemed to be very frugal with words.

But now, not only did he show great enthusiasm, he also said that he would prioritize Xu Kong's free time, and he confirmed the follow-up several times, for fear that Xu Kong would suddenly cancel the meeting due to something else.

This change from being rude at first to being respectful later is so real that it makes people want to laugh.

(End of this chapter)