Lin Dong quickly climbed from a small manager to vice president; it would have been unrealistic if he had strictly followed the rules.
In this day and age, truly law-abiding people simply can't climb up, let alone climb so fast!
Even the rare exceptions are at least ninety percent righteous and ten percent crooked.
Now that the police have come to his door and directly taken Lin Dong away, it's highly likely that something has gone wrong, and his misdeeds have come to light.
Lin Dong's wife, Hong Yan, felt a jolt in her heart and couldn't help but think many things:
'Should I contact Dong Ge's superior about this and ask Director Sun to intervene?'
'But what if Director Sun is the one investigating Dong Ge? Wouldn't contacting him just add fuel to the fire?'
'No, I can't be impulsive about this. I should wait and see how things unfold.'
'Hmm, that's the safest approach.'
'Maybe Dong Ge will be back tomorrow morning!'
That night, Hong Yan coaxed her child to sleep for a long time but found herself unable to fall asleep.
The events of these past years began to race through her mind.
She and Lin Dong were university classmates.
They were originally just ordinary classmates who both stayed in the Imperial Capital after graduation, becoming "beipiao" (migrants to Beijing).
The hardships of being a "beipiao" were imaginable. As classmates, they simply helped and supported each other, and gradually, they got together.
Later, they got engaged and married, and their life was sweet and happy.
Those born after '75 didn't need to buy a house or a car when getting married, and the bride price was merely a formality, very little.
But life in the Imperial Capital was too stressful, and housing prices were too high.
Both were wage earners and couldn't afford a house in the Imperial Capital.
With a child, life became even tighter, and future schooling was also a problem.
Lin Dong wanted to return to his hometown, to a small town, and live a stable life.
As two university graduates born after '75, they were at the bottom in the Imperial Capital, but back in their hometown, they would be considered talents, and finding a good job in that era was not difficult.
However, Hong Yan was ambitious and unwilling to give up the prosperity of the Imperial Capital, still dreaming of a beautiful future, so she insisted on staying.
Because of this, they often argued.
At first, they restrained themselves, but gradually, everything was said.
Hong Yan knew she wasn't a strong woman, so she frantically urged Lin Dong, pushed Lin Dong, and even forced Lin Dong.
Whenever Lin Dong's performance wasn't good, his income didn't rise, or he didn't get a bonus, she would furiously insult Lin Dong, calling him a good-for-nothing, a loser, and saying she was blind to have married him...
Under this pressure, Lin Dong started to fight for his career.
To earn more money, he jumped to Baidu.
For performance, he even took drastic measures and resorted to every possible means.
When one's bottom line was gone, performance followed, even if it was dishonorable.
In just a few years, Lin Dong became a small supervisor with his outstanding but dishonorable achievements.
Then he seized an opportunity to join the nascent iQiyi business unit, where he became a small manager.
Coupled with Lin Dong's ruthless and unscrupulous tactics, his performance was very significant.
For example, when anti-piracy failed, he colluded with pirate websites to illegally copy popular hit dramas from competitors, dealing a heavy blow to them!
Furthermore, iQiyi was just starting and hadn't grown big yet. Under Lin Dong's outstanding performance, he quickly became a vice president.
His income was higher, they bought a house, and life improved, but their relationship faded.
Lin Dong started not coming home at night, and sometimes, when he did return, he carried the scent of other women's perfume.
Hong Yan was very angry about this and caused a few scenes.
At first, Lin Dong would appease her, explaining it was just business entertainment, and would buy gifts to comfort her.
Later, Lin Dong simply stopped explaining and even yelled at Hong Yan, telling her straight that if she kept being paranoid, he would divorce her!
At this, Hong Yan was stunned and dared not say anything more.
The gap between them grew larger and larger; one was a vice president, the other a small employee. Their statuses had long been unequal.
More importantly, she couldn't give up their current affluent life.
If she really made a fuss and got divorced, at her age (approaching forty), her child would be a problem, and her latter half of life would also be a problem.
As a vice president, Lin Dong would probably find a girl in her twenties easily.
Even her best friend, who had always encouraged her to divorce, was thinking of taking her place.
Moreover, Lin Dong's income was still high, and he was generous with money.
After weighing everything, Hong Yan chose to turn a blind eye and make do.
She understood some things.
High income and status, versus a loyal and good man, most likely you could only choose one.
If you wanted both high income, status, and lifelong loyalty, that was too rare.
Unexpectedly, even after compromising to this extent, Lin Dong still got into trouble.
Hong Yan wasn't particularly concerned about Lin Dong himself.
Or rather, she wasn't concerned about Lin Dong, but about Lin Dong's income!
If Lin Dong hadn't gotten into trouble, he earned enough money for their child to attend private school, to pay the mortgage in the Imperial Capital, and for her to buy LV bags and Chanel perfume.
Once Lin Dong got into trouble, her meager salary wouldn't even cover private kindergarten tuition, let alone a luxurious life or the Imperial Capital mortgage!
"God bless, please keep Dong Ge safe and sound."
Hong Yan prayed devoutly.
But unfortunately, this was destined to be a wishful dream.
Lin Dong did not return all night.
The next day, when she went to the police station to inquire, she learned that Lin Dong was suspected of commercial crime and had been criminally detained.
Hong Yan's body swayed, feeling as if her world had collapsed.
Commercial crime, criminal detention, meant at least a few years in prison.
The vice president's job and income were completely gone.
Everything was over!
Seeing Lin Dong again through the visitation window, he was a different man.
In just one night, his previous high spirits were gone, replaced only by gloom and dejection.
Looking at his wife, Lin Dong's voice trembled slightly:
"Yan'er, I..."
But his wife on the other side spoke up with blame:
"Foolish! You're foolish! Why commit commercial crime when you had a vice president position? Now look what happened? You lost your job, your high salary is gone, and you're going to jail! Foolish, truly foolish!"
"???"
Lin Dong looked bewildered, never expecting his wife to not only not comfort him but to start with accusations!
She even intensified her insults:
"Bastard, you're irresponsible. You committed commercial crime and got locked up, what about me? What about our child? Her future civil service exams will be affected!"
"You're really a bastard, irresponsible."
"Useless, too irresponsible!"
"Good-for-nothing!"
Lin Dong was stunned by the scolding, then furious:
"Irresponsible? I'm a bastard? You're the bastard!"
"You accuse me of commercial crime? If it weren't for commercial crime, could I have climbed so fast? Could I have become a vice president?"
"I..."
Hong Yan was speechless for a moment, unable to respond.
She had been working for years and understood some of these things, so she stubbornly retorted:
"But you still can't commit crimes!"
Lin Dong laughed:
"Can't commit crimes? If you weren't constantly calling me useless and a good-for-nothing, would I have resorted to commercial crime for promotions and raises?"
"I..."
"If it weren't for my commercial crime, could I have become a vice president?"
"I..."
"If it weren't for my commercial crime, could our family afford a house? Could our child attend private kindergarten? Could you buy LV, Chanel, La Mer?"
"I..."
Hong Yan's face flushed red, but she couldn't refute him.
Lin Dong sighed deeply:
"Last night, when I was locked up, I was worried about whether your lives would be difficult in the future, thinking about how to make life better for you and our daughter. It wasn't until you heartlessly accused and cursed me that I realized. My situation today is all thanks to you!"
"Do you think I wanted to take kickbacks and embezzle?"
"Do you think I wanted to take risks and commit commercial crime?"
"Do you think I didn't want to live a stable life?"
"But you wouldn't agree, you called me a good-for-nothing, said I was useless!"
"My whole life, I've been forced onto this path of no return by your constant 'good-for-nothing' remarks!"
"Dong Ge, I... I..."
Hong Yan's face turned red, her expression incredibly complex, finally understanding everything.
"Hong Yan! Anyone can accuse me of commercial crime, anyone can call me bottomless and unprincipled. But not you, you're not worthy!"
"Officer, I don't want to see her again."
With that, Lin Dong closed his eyes, feeling utterly exhausted.
"Dong Ge, I... I..."
Hong Yan stammered, but Lin Dong on the other side ignored her completely.
As for his wife or child, he no longer cared!
His life, this was it.
He also made up his mind to confess everything shortly to seek a reduced sentence and serve fewer years.
The latter half of his life would be lived only for himself.
And his daughter, if she was still willing to accept him...
Xingyi Technology.
A high-level meeting was held.
Wang Yi looked at Ye Changpeng:
"Mr. Ye, first, let's talk about the piracy of the hit dramas."
"Yes, Chairman."
Ye Changpeng spoke slowly:
"Due to the swift police action, 'The Cliff' had not been fully uploaded before the piracy group was controlled by the police and all pirated resources were quickly deleted. However, what had already been uploaded was downloaded by some users and circulated on a small scale online."
"Among them, the first six episodes of 'Northern Love', the first eight episodes of 'Xia Lan', and the first five episodes of 'The Cliff' were all circulated on a small scale online!"
Wang Yi nodded:
"Fortunately, the total number of exposed episodes is not many, so the loss is limited. Especially since 'The Cliff' has already aired 18 episodes; if all were exposed, the loss would be too great. Now, partial exposure actually has limited impact. Those who watched the first few episodes, unable to see the rest, will have to become members, which can also be seen as a way to attract traffic."
"The Chairman is wise; member growth increased significantly today."
Ye Changpeng continued:
"Also, we heard back from the police. The piracy group was completely busted, and they confessed everything, saying that iQiyi Vice President Lin Dong paid them to physically pirate our resources. Now, he has also been arrested!"
"???"
Wang Yi was very surprised:
"iQiyi again?"
"Paying pirates to physically pirate our resources? Damn, this guy knows how to play! He's a talent!"
"It's just that iQiyi is like a fly, constantly seeking trouble and being an eyesore."
Wang Yi tapped on the table, lost in thought:
"By the way, when is the court hearing for the lawsuit against iQiyi for copyright infringement?"
"Chairman, there's no news yet. I'll urge the court."
"Hmm, urge them as soon as possible, preferably before the New Year, even if it's the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month!"
Wang Yi said with a smile:
"Since iQiyi is asking for trouble, let's not let them have a good New Year!"
The executives present nodded in agreement:
"The Chairman is wise. Once the court hearing happens before the New Year and iQiyi loses, this matter will definitely trend, just in time for New Year's Eve and Lunar New Year's Day. Baidu's stock price will crash, just thinking about it is amusing. I'm afraid Li Yan won't have a good New Year."
"Exactly, this move does little damage but is extremely humiliating!"
"iQiyi keeps creating trouble for us, so we'll make sure they don't have a good New Year either!"
Ye Changpeng changed the subject:
"By the way, Chairman, currently two satellite TVs have contacted us, wanting to buy the copyright for 'Northern Love', with an offer of 500,000 per episode!"
Wang Yi pondered:
"500,000 an episode? In 2008, the price for a hit drama reached 600,000 an episode, last year it was 950,000 an episode, and this year it's at least 1.1 million! Although our 'Northern Love' has already aired on one satellite TV for four days, it's still considered a first run, or 1.5 runs. The price should be a bit discounted, not 1.1 million, but at least 800,000 an episode. 500,000 is too little."
"Alright, Chairman, then I'll talk to them again."
Wang Yi nodded:
"The police will probably issue an announcement today. When 'Northern Love' trends, its popularity will be even higher, making price negotiations easier."
"Yes!"
"By the way, how are the variety shows coming along?"
Ye Changpeng handed over a document:
"The proposal is almost ready, and directors skilled in variety shows are also being contacted."
"Good, push it forward as quickly as possible."
Just then, Wang Yi's phone lit up; it was a call from Song Sining.
"You all continue the meeting, and push forward with the variety shows and the production of new animations as quickly as possible."
"Yes!"
Wang Yi got up and left the meeting room, answering Song Sining's call:
"Chairman, the endorsement for the next season of 'If You Are The One' has been settled, with two options. Option one is to title sponsor for one quarter, three months, from April to June. The title sponsorship fee is 60 million."
Wang Yi was a bit surprised:
"60 million for three months? That's 240 million a year, even more expensive than 'Happy Camp'!"
Song Sining nodded:
"That's right, 'If You Are The One' currently has higher ratings than 'Happy Camp', and it airs two episodes a week, double the quantity of 'Happy Camp'."
"I see."
Wang Yi had forgotten about that:
"What about option two?"
"Option two is a one-time title sponsorship for the remaining three quarters, starting from April this year until the end of December, for a sponsorship fee of 150 million."
"Okay, let's go with the sponsorship until the end of the year, 150 million."
Wang Yi said generously.
Higher ratings, higher exposure, it was entirely feasible.
Wang Yi remembered that in his previous life, in 2013, BBK became wildly popular by sponsoring "If You Are The One."
This year, with two major variety show sponsorships, 'Happy Camp' and 'If You Are The One', both xphone 1 and xphone 1 Pro would sell out completely!
150 million was definitely worth it.
"By the way, Sining, ask Jiangsu Province if they are selling the sponsorship for 'If You Are The One' next year? If so, around 250 million, take it directly!"
"Alright, then I'll aim for 400 million and secure the satellite TV title sponsorship for seven quarters, 21 months, directly!"
"And also, for the online copyright of 'If You Are The One', introduce it to Xingyi Video and discuss the copyright fee. The price for this kind of distributed variety show isn't expensive."
"Okay!"
At noon, Wang Yi received another call from Song Sining:
"Chairman, it's settled. We've secured the exclusive title sponsorship for 'If You Are The One' for 7 quarters, 21 months, covering this year and next year, for a total of 380 million!"
"Good, Sining, you saved 20 million!"
Wang Yi's budget was 400 million, but he didn't expect to settle it for 380 million.
"Better to save where we can. Also, this year's distribution copyright for 'If You Are The One' has been negotiated, market price 5 million."
"The price isn't expensive; it's really great that network copyrights aren't worth much these days!"
Wang Yi couldn't help but sigh, the market has been so good these past two years.
Online platforms were just starting to explode, and network copyrights weren't valuable.
But they would become expensive later; next year, exclusive online broadcast copyrights would enter the hundreds of millions.
For example, for the first season of 'The Voice of China' this year, several major platforms distributed it, with each platform's copyright fee only 1 million, totaling a few million.
Due to the first season's massive popularity, next year's second season copyright fee would be higher, and it would no longer be distributed.
Sohu acquired the exclusive online copyright for hundreds of millions.
Currently, 'If You Are The One' was already popular, so the distribution copyright fee was 5 million per platform.
They could take advantage of the low price to secure next year's exclusive online broadcast copyright.
The sponsorship fees and advertising revenue from the online platform alone could recoup the cost.
With this thought, Wang Yi said again:
"Sining, let's discuss next year's copyright again. Say we are willing to offer 40 million to acquire the exclusive online broadcast copyright for 'If You Are The One' next year. Of course, if it's 100 million to secure the exclusive online broadcast rights for both next year and the year after, that would be even better."
"This..."
Song Sining immediately grasped the key point:
"Chairman, do you mean that in the next two years, variety show copyrights will also skyrocket?"
Wang Yi nodded:
"Exactly. Not just variety show copyrights, but future drama copyrights and movie copyrights will all skyrocket! They will increase tenfold!"
For example, 'If You Are The One' costs 5 million per distributor this year. Even if four platforms bought it, it would only be 20 million.
Wang Yi offering 40 million for next year's copyright is a 100% premium, making the success rate very high.
Securing the copyright for the year after next for 60 million, triple this year's price, also has hope.
After all, no one expected that copyright fees in the next two years would not increase by two or three times, but by eight or ten times!
"Alright, Chairman, I'll talk to them again."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"It's all part of the job."
Programs like 'If You Are The One' are hard to replicate, but with such high ratings, Wang Yi could only buy the copyright.
As for 'The Voice of China's copyright, Wang Yi originally didn't plan to buy it, but it was too cheap.
Spending 1 million to buy a distribution copyright was like finding a treasure.
Or buying the exclusive online broadcast copyright for 5 million wouldn't be a big problem either.
It was only the first season, not valuable.
As for the copyright fee rising to 100 million next year, he wouldn't consider it then.
At that time, they would use 'Masked Singer' to compete against them, a dimensionality reduction attack.
They could also launch Xingyi Media's own talent show, inviting several big names as judges, such as the Four Heavenly Kings level, to form three teams.
Once there were quality singers, they would sign them directly for debut, ensuring its popularity!
After two hours of negotiation, Song Sining called Wang Yi again:
"Chairman, we talked for two hours, and it's mostly settled, but we can't get the price down. 40 million for next year's exclusive online copyright is fine, but for next year and the year after combined, they insist on 120 million! We can't lower it no matter what."
Wang Yi nodded:
"120 million it is. This price is reasonable. Sign the contract, and write the penalty for breach of contract higher, make it 500 million!"
"Yes, Chairman."
Song Sining replied.
Wang Yi was in a great mood.
The exclusive online copyright for 'If You Are The One' for next year and the year after, only 120 million, averaging 60 million a year!
Worth it, very worth it!
Next year's exclusive online copyright for 'The Voice of China' would be 100 million.
'If You Are The One' airs ten times as many episodes as 'The Voice of China', so its market price for exclusive online copyright should be at least 200 million.
The year after next, it would be 300 to 400 million!
Wang Yi securing it for two years for 120 million was definitely a bargain.
Just the title sponsorship fee for 'If You Are The One' alone could recoup this money.
Not to mention other advertising and new member revenue?
Xingyi Video had sponsored 'If You Are The One' on Gusu Satellite TV, and all the sponsorships and advertisements for 'If You Are The One' on Xingyi Video would be sold off!
The reason was that most of Xingyi Video's audience were fans of Xingyi Technology, familiar with Xingyi Technology's products.
Further advertising would have little effect. It was better to sell to other brands, earn money, and then advertise on other satellite TVs.
In the future, Xingyi Video would not lack online exposure; what it lacked was satellite TV exposure.
iQiyi Headquarters.
Sun Yu's head was huge like a bucket:
"Lin Dong, that idiot, actually got arrested! Fool, truly a fool!"
"The pirated platforms they found were all busted as well, useless, truly useless!"
"A bunch of good-for-nothings!"
"Now what? Only a portion of Xingyi Video's three hit dramas were pirated, and Lin Dong is in jail!"
"It's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!"
"I bet Wang Yi is laughing his head off right now, and even other competitors are mocking iQiyi, mocking me!"
"We've become an industry joke!"
Another vice president, Ma Yuanming, frowned slightly:
"Chairman, being an industry joke doesn't matter, I'm just afraid that iQiyi will be implicated because of this. Even the parent company, Baidu, might be implicated. If Baidu's stock price plummets again, we..."
Sun Yu's expression grew serious:
"You're right, that's the most troublesome thing. iQiyi already has enough negative publicity, from copyright infringement to unfair competition. Now, if it's exposed that we colluded with pirated platforms to pirate competitors' new dramas, that's big trouble. It could even cause severe negative impact on Baidu."
"If Baidu loses tens of billions more because of this, Director Li could kill me!"
"No, absolutely not!"
"We must find a way to quickly cut ties!"
Sun Yu was anxious:
"Find a way to inform Lin Dong to keep his mouth shut and never implicate iQiyi. Otherwise, his family, his child, hmph!"
"I understand, I'll arrange it right away, there will be no problems."
Ma Yuanming nodded.
Sun Yu was still worried:
"Lin Dong has a wife and child, that's his weakness. I'm not afraid he won't comply. I'm just afraid Lin Dong will take all the blame himself, but Xingyi Technology will stir things up! And the lawsuit for pirating us is also nearing its court date."
"This is a big problem."
Ma Yuanming frowned slightly:
"Chairman, do you think private settlement is possible?"
"Private settlement?"
Sun Yu looked up, no ripple visible in his eyes.
Ma Yuanming nodded:
"Yes, we pay a fee to settle privately with Xingyi Technology. This way, iQiyi won't be implicated. The copyright issue can also be settled out of court through compensation. This will minimize the negative impact on iQiyi and Baidu, though it will be a heavy financial blow, probably tens of millions."
Sun Yu sighed:
"Tens of millions aren't the issue; the key is whether Xingyi Technology will accept it!"
"If they accept, let alone tens of millions, we'll agree even to hundreds of millions."
"After all, if this breaks out, the negative impact on iQiyi and Baidu would be more than 100 million!"
"I just fear Wang Yi won't agree."
Ma Yuanming nodded:
"Alas! That is indeed a problem, but we have to try, don't we? There's no better way right now."
"Alright, I'll leave this to you. Go with sincerity. If a private settlement is possible, that's best. At most, we'll pay more, or even exchange some resources. For example, we can trade our iQiyi's exclusive hit dramas, or even hit variety shows, for Xingyi Video's trashy dramas. On the surface, it's a one-for-one resource exchange, but in reality, they'll profit greatly."
"I understand!"
Ma Yuanming's eyes lit up, realizing that this dignified approach was the best solution.
Especially variety shows, which Xingyi Technology needed most at the moment!
Currently, Youku, iQiyi, Sohu, and Xingyi Video all had some exclusive hit resources.
Such hit resources were generally not exchanged with competitors unless absolutely necessary.
"Go!"
An hour later, Wang Yi received a report from Ye Changpeng:
"Chairman, iQiyi Vice President Ma Yuanming is here, saying he has important matters to discuss with you."
"iQiyi Vice President?"
Wang Yi smiled:
"Changpeng, you go talk to him."
"Yes, Chairman."
Ye Changpeng replied.
Watching Ye Changpeng leave, Jian Ziyan couldn't help but say:
"For iQiyi's vice president to come at this time, is he here to negotiate? Or to seek peace?"
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"Probably ceding territory and paying indemnity! iQiyi is under our thumb now."
"Then, Chairman, will we accept?"
Jian Ziyan asked curiously.
Wang Yi didn't answer directly, but instead asked:
"Guess how they will compensate?"
Jian Ziyan thought for a moment:
"Directly pay money? But there needs to be a reason, like infringing Xingyi Video's copyright, paying damages and copyright fees. But that amount of money shouldn't be enough, and we don't lack that amount either!"
Wang Yi nodded:
"Continue."
"So they'll offer something we currently need and don't have, like hit dramas!"
"No, we've bought so many exclusive hit dramas. 'Northern Love' and 'The Cliff', which ranked first and second in ratings in January, are our popular dramas. We don't lack dramas."
"But we lack variety shows! I guess they'll offer iQiyi's self-produced variety shows like 'Entertainment Flashback'? 'Don't Stop The Music'? 'Full Car of Romance'? Or 'Winning Hearts with Virtue', which they co-produced with Deyun Club?"
Wang Yi nodded:
"Good guess, it's highly likely they'll use their exclusive variety shows to seek peace."
"Then will we agree?"
Wang Yi smiled:
"Variety shows, we won't lack those in the future either."
Indeed, before long, Ye Changpeng walked over:
"Chairman, iQiyi hopes to turn hostile into friendly with Xingyi Video through resource exchange. They want to exchange their hit variety show 'Winning Hearts with Virtue', co-produced with Deyun Club, and 'Entertainment Flashback', which has aired for a hundred episodes with an average of over a million views per episode, for our 'The Cliff'."
Wang Yi smiled:
"Changpeng, what do you think of this?"
Ye Changpeng thought for a moment:
"Although 'The Cliff' is a hit drama, it only has forty episodes, and eighteen have already aired. It will be finished in ten days, and its popularity will last for at most one month. But iQiyi's two major hit variety shows, one airs weekly, and the other is about to launch. The popularity, traffic, and value of any one of them surpass 'The Cliff'. From a value perspective, we would profit greatly."
Ye Changpeng understood clearly that it wasn't that 'The Cliff' wasn't good enough, but a drama popular for one or two months simply couldn't compare to a variety show popular for an entire year; they were not on the same dimension.
Wang Yi, however, shook his head:
"In terms of value, we'd profit greatly. In terms of strategy, we'd lose greatly. Reject the cooperation!"
"Yes!"
Ye Changpeng replied.
Upon receiving the news of the rejection, Ma Yuanming was incredulous:
"Mr. Ye, our sincerity was high enough, why would Chairman Wang refuse?"
Ye Changpeng waved his hand:
"I don't know either, I can't help."
In his heart, he sighed:
"Your sincerity is high enough, but Chairman Wang doesn't care for it. iQiyi's trouble just got bigger!"
(End of Chapter)