Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 214 - 212: Passion for Literature

The next morning, inside the ABC office building.

James was staring at his phone in a daze while running his hands through his disheveled hair.

Just this morning alone, Wang Jian had already called him three times.

Although each time, his assistant had used the "in a meeting" excuse to delay the calls,

it still had James feeling like he was developing an allergy to the ringing phone.

"What the hell does NBC want? Do they really want to start a media war?" he muttered under his breath, "Damn corporate executives, didn’t they say they would stop sensationalizing this topic after the discrimination crisis had passed?"

"And Wang, isn’t he just..." James took a sip of coffee, continuing to talk to himself.

A moment later, he sighed.

Well, if he were a prospective billionaire, he would probably act like the "old money" in the Upper East Side,

reducing his presence as much as possible and peacefully enjoying the luxurious life.

"Mr. James, there’s a call for you," his assistant’s voice came through the intercom, "It’s from Mr. Wang Jian."

"Shit!" James cursed softly.

From the previous events with the Los Angeles Post, it was clear that Wang didn’t have the kind of forbearance typically attributed to the Chinese.

And now, he had become a billionaire...

"ABC hasn’t never reported on the scandals of billionaires before!" James psyching himself up.

But immediately, the thought of a former colleague who was forced to resign because he reported on Oracle boss Elson’s XX party crossed his mind.

"Freedom of the press, freedom of speech!" James repeated in his mind as he picked up the phone.

"Wang, I’m just a prospective senior executive in the film and TV production department..." he said quickly in a low voice.

But to his surprise, Wang Jian on the other end of the line didn’t bring up the issue at all.

"James, tonight is the broadcast time for ’Anomalies and Creatures’, right?"

"I remember you saying you wanted to move the already filmed daily life segments to the front and run two episodes back-to-back tonight?"

Huh?

Why is Wang suddenly so serious about ’Anomalies’?

Hadn’t he already received the licensing fees?

James’ mind was flooded with numerous questions in an instant.

But...

As long as he doesn’t ask about the news reports, everything would be negotiable.

"Yes." James quickly answered: "We have edited the daily life scenes into the second and third episodes."

"Although it’s impossible to depict daily life with as much detail as the original work, we will still show the changes to the original fans."

"Good, that’s good." Wang Jian got the answer he wanted and hung up the phone satisfied.

Then, he logged into Twitter and posted a message from his account.

"After communicating with ABC, the television adaptation of ’Anomalies and Creatures’ will be made with respect for the original work."

"Tonight’s ’Anomalies’ will have two episodes airing consecutively."

Soon after, many comments appeared under the message.

"Wang, thank you for your efforts, ABC go to hell!"

"The producers represented by ABC respect the original work? Haha, those who know, know."

"I work in Hollywood, so I suppose I’m a stakeholder. What I want to say is, aside from enormous pressure, producers will not give up the final cut rights.

As for which production company, I can’t reveal.

But I must say: to achieve this result, Wang must have made significant sacrifices!"

Well, ever since Wang Jian studied the influence of authors, he had been determined to become the representative of "authors resisting capital."

"But, giving up significant interests?"

Wang Jian reminisced on recent events in his mind, nodding in agreement with himself.

"They didn’t even pay me a single US dollar for the short film with such high ratings, ABC is just too outrageous!"

At that moment, the inter-office phone rang.

"Mr. Wang, it’s a call from Mr. Neil Gaiman."

Huh?

What did this rebellious author want with him?

Wang Jian had just picked up the phone when he heard Neil Gaiman’s distinctive voice ringing in his ear.

"Wang, I and George Martin have been contacting many young authors."

"Everyone has already seen the early parts of ’Anomalies and Creatures’, and we’re all planning to watch ABC’s TV adaptation of ’Anomalies and Creatures’ tonight."

"No matter what, we feel that you have upheld the writer’s dignity."

"If there is no alteration by ABC, we will all voice our support for you in the media."

Uh...

My fellow authors, please don’t be too critical...

Wang Jian paused for a moment then responded with a voice trained in acting, "Thank you, I’m really grateful to you all."

"Wang, the authors stand with you!" Neil Gaiman continued to encourage Wang Jian, "Although we haven’t contacted directly, as far as I know,"

"including Mr. Stephen King, Ms. Tony Morrison and others, will be watching ’Anomalies and Creatures’ tonight."

I...

Really, thank you all!

Wang Jian’s hand trembled as he hung up the phone.

A moment later, a deep male voice sounded in the office.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

"Hey, I never thought our boss was so passionate about literature," a young editor whispered to his colleague upon hearing the sounds coming from the office.

"Yeah," the colleague nodded, "I used to complain about how cheap the boss was for not even renting out an office building with an elevator."

"Now it seems, the boss is truly willing to devote all his wealth to literature!"

...

Meanwhile, in the studio.

Michael Bay watched over and over the episodes of ’Anomalies and Creatures’ that were going to air tonight.

This director on the rise in Hollywood had on his face...

a hint of nervousness?

"Sigh," Michael Bay took a sip of his coffee while turning to his agent, "I thought taking on a TV show would be an easy way to make money."

"After all, it doesn’t have as much box office pressure as movies do."

"But who would have thought that now so many authors would be watching."

"And these people can greatly influence the Golden Globe Awards and Oscar jurors’ perception of a director."

"Michael," his agent stood up, patted Michael Bay on the shoulder as a gesture of encouragement.

"The effort you’ve put into this series is already comparable to ’The Rock’."

Michael Bay took a breath and nodded his head.

Yet inside, he was still a bit anxious.

As a commercial filmmaker, he had never been a favorite with the Oscar judges.

But as a filmmaker, who doesn’t want to hold the highest accolade of the American film industry, an Oscar?

"I never expected to be tested by the American literary community in this way."

Michael Bay picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"I hope..." he chuckled bitterly, "I won’t be criticized too harshly this time."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢