Volume Two: Shadows of the Past - Chapter 80: Recruiting a Manga Studio

Thanks to Ling Ruohan's flawless performance, the viewership popularity of Chen Jing's live broadcast that night directly set a record high for the Jingyu Live Streaming platform.

After the broadcast, Chen Jing did not rack his brains for any further promotional methods for the movie *SPL: Sha Po Lang*. He felt that the current level of hype was already sufficient and there was no need for additional promotion.

With just a few days left before the premiere of *SPL: Sha Po Lang*, its pre-sale box office figures had already been released. Online statistics for the film's pre-sale box office had already surpassed three hundred million, while the desired audience viewing count had exceeded ten million. This far exceeded the expectations of Lin Xi and the others.

After all, as long as the movie's word-of-mouth reception did not collapse after its release, its final box office earnings would typically be more than double its pre-sale numbers. Therefore, even if one conservatively estimated the final box office to be just double the pre-sale figure, the ultimate box office earnings for *SPL: Sha Po Lang* would still exceed six hundred million.

This was already an extremely high figure. One must remember that the total investment put into making *SPL: Sha Po Lang* by Chen Jing was merely a little over twenty million from start to finish. If the box office could truly reach six hundred million, then...

Lin Zitan was already daydreaming about what she would buy when the time came.

Hehe, as expected, investing in Ah Jing by following Sister Xi was indeed the most reliable path!

With no further live streams or movie promotions required in the immediate future, Chen Jing finally welcomed a period of leisure. His daily routine consisted of punching the clock at the company, working out at the gym, helping Xueyue prepare for her upcoming album along the way, and simply writing continuously.

In truth, it wasn't that Chen Jing wanted to become a lazy slacker, but rather that many of the projects he wished to undertake were currently in the preparation stage. In particular, regarding his next intended movie, in order to secure better actors, he had decided to postpone the casting calls until after the theatrical release of *SPL: Sha Po Lang*.

He believed that with the box office performance of *SPL: Sha Po Lang* serving as a guarantee, his next film would naturally attract plenty of well-known actors to audition. Additionally, he needed to recruit some comic studios to the company recently, so he was more than happy to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.

Time truly flies the fastest when one is living a carefree life. In the blink of an eye, the day before the May Day holiday arrived.

Inside Chen Jing's office.

"Are you really not planning to hold a premiere ceremony for *SPL: Sha Po Lang*?" Lin Xi asked, furrowing her brow slightly as she looked at Chen Jing, who was busy writing.

Without lifting his head, Chen Jing replied, "Is there any need? It's not some massive production or blockbuster; putting on all these flashy bells and whistles is useless, really."

Lin Zitan chimed in anxiously from the side, "But other people hold premiere ceremonies to invite professional film critics to give favorable reviews to their movies. If we don't hold one, won't it look rather unfavorable?"

Chen Jing said nonchalantly, "It's fine. Those critics don't have that much influence; ultimately, it still depends on the general public's reaction. So if we aren't going to invite them, we simply won't. I don't want to invite them just to play along with these superficial formalities either."

Since Chen Jing remained firm, Lin Xi and Lin Zitan raised no further objections.

Recalling another matter, Lin Xi asked, "Right, so many comic studios have come in for interviews these past few days. How did you find them after reviewing their work? Did any satisfy you?"

Mentioning this, Chen Jing finally put down his pen, raised his head, and said, "They were alright, I suppose. I feel two or three of them showed potential. However, there is still one more studio coming over shortly, and I want to wait until I've seen them before making a final decision." As he spoke, he pulled a stack of profile pamphlets out of his drawer, on which was written: Wang Ze Comic Studio.

Tomorrow would be the May Day Golden Week. For this annual long holiday, many working professionals were extremely joyful. For Wang Ze, however, it was a complete exception; his heart was currently filled with extreme anxiety and trepidation.

At this moment, he was standing right outside the entrance of Jingrun Entertainment Co., Ltd., gazing blankly at the towering skyscraper before him, unable to suppress a daze as a sense of profound confusion washed over him regarding his future.

Wang Ze was a comic creator. When he was very young and first encountered comic books on television, he instantly fell completely in love with this two-dimensional artistic style. Throughout the ensuing years of his growth, he began to extensively explore the medium through self-teaching and self-drawing.

Perhaps due to possessing a genuine talent for illustration, he found it remarkably easy to get the hang of drawing comics the moment he touched them. As for ordinary comic styles, after looking through them just once, he was entirely capable of copying them with absolute precision.

Because of this, he devoted himself even more passionately to drawing comics. In his daily life, he poured almost all of his time into sketching and completely neglected his studies. This drove his parents to distraction over his academic performance. At the same time, however, his vivid and lifelike artistic skills earned him the profound admiration of his classmates.

Yet, as he grew older and his mind gradually matured, he realized that if he wished to persist in his comic dreams, he had to undertake systematic training in how to draw properly; otherwise, he would forever remain nothing more than an amateur dabbler. For this reason, after finishing junior high school, Wang Ze ignored his family's objections and resolutely decided not to proceed to high school. Instead, he ventured out to start working part-time while enrolling in professional comic illustration training courses.

Following three-odd years of bumpy experiences learning the craft of illustration, Wang Ze also forged friendships with a group of like-minded teammates. Upon completing his formal studies in comic art, he emptied every penny of the savings he had accumulated from three years of odd jobs and, alongside these kindred spirits, established his own comic studio: Wang Ze Comic Studio.

He had originally imagined that, relying on his comic talent and strength, their studio would surely stand out in China's massive comic market and create a work beloved by everyone.

However, reality is invariably cruel.

Due to a severe lack of capital, the very first comic project undertaken by Wang Ze Studio had to be abruptly axed mid-stream because subsequent funding dried up, failing even to reach publication.

Yet Wang Ze did not give up on account of this. He re-inspired the members of his studio, rallied everyone to regroup, and embarked on a second creative endeavor.

Learning from the lessons of the past, this time they actively sought out investors and built connections right at the outset of their comic creation. Nevertheless, for a fledgling startup studio like theirs, lacking any representative works of renown, finding a company willing to invest in them proved exceedingly difficult. Fortunately, by a stroke of luck, they eventually secured backing from a major corporation.

With a massive influx of capital, Wang Ze was filled with confidence this time. Believing he could finally spread his wings and accomplish great things, he was once again met with a ruthless blow from reality.

Although the company's financial backing meant Wang Ze's studio no longer had to worry about money, precisely because it was funded by a major corporation, their creative freedom was subjected to interference at every turn. The representatives of the investment firm told them how to draw, and they had no choice but to follow suit; even when they raised objections, it was to no avail, as the investors simply refused to listen. With the financial lifeline firmly controlled by the other party, they naturally lacked the leverage to resist. Ultimately, amidst petty meddling and coerced revisions, the studio managed to finish a piece of work. Yet upon seeing the finished result, Wang Ze could hardly bring himself to acknowledge it as a creation of his own.

When this work was eventually published, it unsurprisingly bombed completely at the market.

This time, the blow suffered by Wang Ze Studio was even heavier than the last, leading several members to give up and depart.

Still, Wang Ze refused to quit. He believed in his own comic creation standards, believed in his studio, and he was determined to give it one final, desperate struggle!

Having once again absorbed the lessons of the previous failure, the investment they sought this time was no longer blindly accepted from whoever offered it as long as money was involved. Instead, they began selecting investors with clear criteria in mind.

Logically speaking, for a studio like theirs with no acclaimed works to its name—whose only published title had moreover flopped miserably—even securing an investment at all was an uphill battle, let alone attempting to pick and choose their backers.

Unexpectedly, however, Wang Ze and his team managed to find a new investor quite swiftly. A certain comic publishing company expressed willingness to fund them, and this time they successfully negotiated upfront terms: the company would only provide financial injection without interfering in their creative process.

The comic company readily agreed to these demands. Their readiness was so swift that Wang Ze even briefly wondered if he had finally encountered a true patron who recognized his talent.

Sure enough, this time, with no one breathing down their necks or pointing fingers, their third comic creation proved a resounding success.

As soon as the studio's comic was serialized and published, it instantly sparked widespread attention across the two-dimensional subculture circle, drawing universal praise from all directions.

Yet, just as everyone in Wang Ze Studio was ecstatic over this achievement, a sudden plot twist struck once again.

As the serialized hype surrounding their comic climbed, the comic company that invested in them finally revealed its true colors. Not only did they brazenly claim ownership of the comic work as their own, but they also ousted the entire Wang Ze Studio from the premises, barring them from continuing the creation of their own comic.

Due to the binding terms of the contract, the copyright to this soon-to-be mega-hit comic legally belonged to the company, leaving Wang Ze Studio powerless even in a lawsuit, entirely stripped of any room for resistance.

And just like that, the third comic creation of Wang Ze Studio ended in an even more desolate fashion. Stunned by this latest blow, Wang Ze finally woke up to harsh reality...

In the wake of this ordeal, Wang Ze Studio began to face total disintegration. The comrades who had previously fought side by side with shared ideals all chose to leave one after another. This time, Wang Ze did not attempt to persuade them to stay, for he understood that everyone needed to make a living and could not perpetually inhabit dreams as he did.

Though he did not utterly collapse following this, Wang Ze no longer possessed his former drive and momentum.

With the studio short-handed—consisting of merely three people including Wang Ze himself—it was naturally impossible to seek out new investment to launch a fourth comic creation.

To keep the studio afloat, Wang Ze began taking on private tutoring gigs teaching comic illustration, alongside freelance ghost-drawing commissions. While these side jobs managed to keep the studio barely breathing and even generated a modest surplus, Wang Ze remained deeply unreconciled. A heavy lump of frustration choked his chest, and he still wanted to fight one last battle! Not for anything else, but simply to prove himself! To prove that his comic dream had never been some illusory fantasy.

Thus, he had come here, right outside the grand building of Jingrun Entertainment Company.

Wang Ze straightened his attire, took a deep breath, and stepped through the doors into the Jingrun building.

"Um, hello miss! I am a representative from Wang Ze Comic Studio. I saw online that your company is looking to recruit comic studios. I've also been in contact with your company and scheduled an interview for today. May I ask which floor I should go to for the interview?" Wang Ze said to the attractive receptionist at the front desk, trying his best to appear amicable.

Hearing Wang Ze's inquiry, the receptionist hurriedly replied, "Ah? Let me check! Oh, yes, you're the representative from Wang Ze Comic Studio, correct? There is indeed a record here. The interview for comic studios is on the 17th floor. Let me get in touch with them for you, you can head right up now."

Wang Ze bowed slightly to show his gratitude, saying, "Alright, thank you."

He subsequently proceeded to the 17th floor. After explaining his purpose to the reception staff there, he was led into a meeting room to sit down and wait.

Observing his surroundings along the way, Wang Ze could not help a quiet inner sigh: "A major corporation is indeed a major corporation; it's truly magnificent. I wonder if such a massive company would ever take notice of a tiny comic studio like mine? But come to think of it, isn't Jingrun an entertainment company? Why are they suddenly recruiting comic studios?"

Despite harboring lingering worries and doubts, Wang Ze figured that since he had already come this far, there was no turning back.

If he could genuinely be hired by Jingrun, Wang Ze deeply yearned to display his talents on such a grand stage.

Wang Ze had already seen through the stark realities of society. Relying on himself alone, he stood no chance against these massive capitalists.

Therefore, the moment he saw Jingrun's announcement recruiting comic studios, he immediately reached out. He intended to leverage Jingrun's massive platform as a solid backing for his comic creations.

Even if he were forced to spend the first few years drawing other people's projects and taking orders upon entering, he would accept it. After all, once he established a connection with Jingrun, by working steadily and climbing upward step by step, he believed an opportunity to draw his own original works would eventually present itself. And by that time, with the support of a corporate giant like Jingrun, the nightmares of his past experiences would surely not repeat themselves.

This was the compromise Wang Ze had chosen after waking up to reality. Back when he first founded his studio, he would never have entertained such thoughts. Yet, after being beaten down by society, he understood that fulfilling his dream independently was impossible. Unwilling to abandon that dream, compromise became his sole remaining path.

After waiting for roughly half an hour, Wang Ze finally heard some commotion outside the meeting room.

A flurry of footsteps echoed from the corridor before the meeting room door was pushed open. A person walked straight in and addressed Wang Ze immediately: "Apologized for the delay. Due to some unexpected matters just now, I was held up. Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Seeing the person who entered, Wang Ze hurriedly rose to his feet and said, "It's no problem at all, I really haven't waited long. I actually just wanted to sit down and rest for a bit anyway. You... uh..." Confronted with the startlingly youthful face of the newcomer, Wang Ze froze in sheer astonishment.

Could this young man be the one negotiating the cooperation with me? Can he represent Jingrun Company? And why does he look so terribly familiar? It feels as though I've seen him somewhere before.

Noticing Wang Ze's silence, Chen Jing offered an invitation, saying, "Hehe, come, let's sit down and talk." Unfazed by Wang Ze's peculiar gaze and unconcerned with whatever thoughts were churning in his mind, Chen Jing took a seat first.

Recovering his wits, Wang Ze hastily sat down opposite him.

Once both were seated, Wang Ze hesitated briefly before posing his question: "Um, may I ask if you are the one looking to recruit comic studios?"

Chen Jing nodded with a smile and said sincerely, "Yes. I hope you won't doubt it—I am truly and genuinely looking to partner with a capable comic studio."

"Is it you personally recruiting, or is it Jingrun Company?" Wang Ze asked the point he cared about most.

"Are you worried I'm hiring you in a personal capacity?" Sensing Wang Ze's apprehension, Chen Jing smiled and explained, "You can rest assured about that. I am an artist contracted with Jingrun. Of course, the reality is indeed that I am the one wishing to recruit a comic studio; however, if we successfully reach a cooperation, your formal contract will still be signed directly with Jingrun, though you will be taking instructions from my arrangements."

"If we sign, will our studio be considered a part of Jingrun as well?"

"Most definitely," Chen Jing nodded. In truth, virtually everything Chen Jing undertook nowadays was registered under Jingrun's banner—whether it was writing or shooting films, he currently had Lin Xi list them all under Jingrun's name. Consequently, this recruitment of a comic studio could naturally be considered registered under Jingrun's umbrella as well.

However, under this arrangement, Jingrun held no direct controlling stake; all creative works and properties produced under these projects remained entirely at Chen Jing's discretion. Just like his singing and the songs he published—although he was a musical artist under Jingrun, the works he released belonged strictly to him rather than the company, yet they were published in the company's name. It sounded somewhat complicated, but that was precisely how the contract was structured.

Hearing Chen Jing's explanation, Wang Ze breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as it was a formal contract with Jingrun, there should be no underlying traps.

Next, Chen Jing picked up Wang Ze's resume, casually flipped through it, and asked with a smile, "Mr. Wang, your studio has only published *Basketball Boy*, correct? Are there any other published works?"

Faced with this question, Wang Ze's lips parted slightly, but ultimately withholding further explanation, he simply nodded gently and uttered a soft hum.

*Basketball Boy* was naturally the failed second-creation project published by Wang Ze Studio. Although Wang Ze desperately wanted to state that the currently top-trending national comic was actually created by his studio as well, would anyone believe him?

Aside from *Basketball Boy*, Wang Ze Studio genuinely had no other works to its official name.

As for the first abortive project and the numerous ghost-drawn pieces he had undertaken, Wang Ze found them too embarrassing to mention.

Seeing Wang Ze acknowledge this and fall silent without further elaboration, Chen Jing did not press the matter. After a moment of thought, he said to him, "How about this, Mr. Wang. I'll give you ten minutes to pitch a comic concept you'd like to create—whether it's something you conceived in the past or want to create right now. Just give me a rough outline of the main characters and the storyline."

Listening to Chen Jing, Wang Ze realized this was a test of his capabilities, so he nodded without hesitation.

After pondering for a couple of minutes, Wang Ze laid out his narrative: "I've had this comic story in mind. In this world, all the characters are formed from animals, but the artistic style depicts these animals in humanoid forms. The story takes place in a..."

As Chen Jing listened to Wang Ze recount his envisioned story, a wave of subtle astonishment washed over him. According to the character and plot settings described by Wang Ze, the concept was almost identical to an animated series he had watched as a child in his previous life, titled *Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Swordsmen*.

In less than ten minutes, Wang Ze delivered a general pitch of his envisioned comic. Hearing this, Chen Jing had already made up his mind in his heart.

After chatting for a little longer, Chen Jing put away Wang Ze's resume and told him directly, "Alright, Mr. Wang, I am very satisfied with your studio, and I truly hope we can collaborate in the future. If you share this interest, you can come over after the May Day holiday to discuss the detailed contract."

Wang Ze had expected Chen Jing to tell him to go back while he considered the matter. He never anticipated a direct promise to sign a contract right then and there, prompting him to ask in surprise, "Uh, you mean I've passed the interview? Jingrun wants to recruit my studio?"

Nodding with a smile, Chen Jing replied, "Yes."

Seeing Chen Jing confirm it once more, Wang Ze exclaimed excitedly, "Gr—great! Thank you so much for thinking highly of us. Um... when would be the best time for me to come in and discuss the contract?"

"If you aren't busy, let's make it May 4th. I'll leave three days for everyone to enjoy the holiday properly," Chen Jing said with a smile.

"Understood!" Wang Ze genuinely wanted to sign the contract right this instant. Yet he knew such matters could not be rushed, and he needed to carefully review the contract terms to prevent any further pitfalls, so it was wiser to return and prepare first.

Suddenly recalling an unasked detail, Chen Jing spoke up: "Right! Please forgive me for asking a somewhat blunt question. How many people are currently in your studio, Mr. Wang?"

"Uh..." Faced with this inquiry, Wang Ze hesitated before answering truthfully, "Right now, including myself, there are only three people in the studio. But please rest assured, this is purely due to recent unfortunate circumstances that caused the team to scatter. However, if you can give me a few days—no, just three days—I can quickly rebuild a fully equipped, dozen-plus-person comic studio for you."

Far from looking down on Wang Ze because of this, Chen Jing was actually quite pleased that Wang Ze had spoken with complete honesty: "Very well. When we sign the contract, just bring your studio members along with you."