Writing Web Novels In America-Chapter 362 - 346: Delivered to the Door

The next morning, Wang Jian arrived at the long-absent Flushing office.

On one hand, it was because the website had a lot of clutter that needed to be sorted out.

Of course, the more important task was to find a scapegoat.

"Several women, plus a fashion mogul who can’t act and holds a high position, life on set is simply terrible!" he exclaimed in his mind while sipping coffee.

"Wang, here are the recent statistics for the website," Tom said, handing over a document.

Wang Jian glanced at it, nodded, and then set it aside.

The number of users and the payment ratio on the website had indeed risen.

This must be due to the decrease in computer prices and the increase in household ownership in the United States.

Since the main business was running smoothly,

so...

"Tom," Wang Jian forced a friendly smile, "are you interested in visiting the set?"

"There are many Victoria’s Secret supermodels making cameo appearances in this TV show!"

"Oh?" Tom initially showed a surprised expression, then immediately reverted to seriousness, "Not interested!"

"Website staff have already come back complaining, shooting two or three scenes in a day is quite normal for this TV show."

Fuck!

Wang Jian’s expression hardened, "The subscription for ’King Arthur’ has noticeably increased, and I need to take time out for writing."

"As a senior executive of the website, you have a duty to cooperate with me."

"Hehe," Tom opened the folder, revealing the thick stack of papers inside, "the number of authors on the website has skyrocketed, and I need to negotiate all these copyrights."

Looking at the stack of files and the potential legal issues involved, Wang Jian could only wave his hand helplessly.

No way, he didn’t trust anyone else with this job except for Tom.

"But according to the principle of equivalent status, the only ones who could replace me are Jack Dorsey, who is far away in Silicon Valley, and Chen Shijun."

"Both of them are technicians and would probably be even less willing to visit the set."

Just then, Chen Shijun pushed open the office door and walked in.

"Wang, I need to discuss something with you."

"Is there a problem with the website’s technology?" Wang Jian asked, feeling a bit panicked.

"Not exactly..." Chen Shijun hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I hope the website can initiate an acquisition of Future Wave."

"Or, at least, obtain the technology license for its player."

Player?

Is that related to the website?

Wang Jian looked up, slightly puzzled.

"This player is different from others; it can run directly on HTML5."

"That is to say, it doesn’t need to be completely separate like other players."

"I think..." Chen Shijun pondered, offering a thought-out reason, "we could establish a video-sharing site to increase our promotional channels for adapting our works into TV shows and movies."

"From what I observed on Hollywood sets, every film has many NG shots."

"Broadcast networks can use their own channels to play these, which can help attract viewers."

"But HBO is a subscription service and can’t utilize these shots."

"What I mean is, to establish a video-sharing website where users can watch these shots for free."

"This would be an important complement to our collaboration with HBO."

"Wang," he whispered, glancing at Wang Jian, "long term, it should be profitable."

You’re a programmer, what do you know about video sharing!

Wang Jian pursed his lips, holding back his words.

Of course, his reluctance to get involved also stemmed from not wanting to clash with the tech giant, Microsoft.

Recently, Microsoft released its proprietary player, WMA.

Anyone with a clear vision could see that this software giant wanted to leverage its system advantages to create a perfect closed loop.

What happened to Netscape, the last one to compete with Microsoft?

Wang Jian was about to flatly refuse when something suddenly occurred to him.

"You used to go to Hollywood often to watch the filming process?"

"Yes," Chen Shijun nodded, looking slightly baffled.

"So, do you understand the work of a producer?"

"I suppose... I do know a bit."

No worries, there would be HBO staff to coordinate with him!

"Goodbye for now to Versace, who can’t act, and Vera and Gisele with their continuous small movements!"

While thinking this, Wang Jian sized up Chen Shijun from head to toe.

This Asian programmer felt slightly cold.

"Mr. Wang, I might have considered some aspects inadequately..."

"No, no, no," Wang Jian waved his hand, motioning for him to sit down again.

"How can I get him to take on this task with the least commitment?" His mind raced furiously.

To be honest, in the current internet craze in the United States, top programmers like Chen Shijun were treated very well.

High salaries with stock options were the basic treatment.

However, he didn’t own shares in the website, and Wang Jian didn’t want to disrupt the relatively stable equity structure.

Therefore, it wasn’t quite appropriate to use the authority of the Chairman to pressure him.

"Originally, video sharing and the website’s main business are not closely related," Wang Jian waved his hand, interrupting Chen Shijun, who was about to argue.

"However, this suggestion was proposed by you."

"So, I’m still prepared to give it a try."

Chen Shijun felt like he was on a roller coaster due to Wang Jian’s unpredictable actions.

"How much would it cost to obtain the technology license? And how much would it take to buy that company?" Wang Jian asked.

"For the technology license, it’s probably about 7 million US dollars," Chen Shijun thought for a moment, "For the acquisition, given the current market conditions, it might premium up to about 13 million US dollars."

"You know, the website is first and foremost a business; it needs to consider profitability," Wang Jian opened a drawer and found the revenue data for the first two parts of "Prison Break."

"So, every business activity must have a stop-loss point."

"Look," he handed the document to Chen Shijun, "here are the earnings from the first two parts, which are already far more than the funding you need."

"And if the website you mentioned is really established, you will be the one in charge of managing it."

"So, you will need to delve into the film and television industry issues, and the website also needs to test your abilities in this area."

Chen Shijun thought for a moment and nodded, feeling that it made sense.

"So," Wang Jian slightly smiled, "I’m giving you a chance."

"You will be in charge of producing ’Prison Break Transformation.’ Whether we proceed to the next step will also depend on the revenue of this TV series."

"If it can reach a profit of 7 million, then we will obtain the technology license."

"If it can reach a profit of 13 million, then consider making an acquisition."

"In this new video website, your shareholding will be modeled after Dorsey’s stake in Twitter."

"Of course." Wang Jian thought for a moment, feeling the terms were too generous, which might make the other party suspicious, "As a trade-off, you need to sign a non-compete agreement."

"Afterward, unless you have worked on the website for five years, you cannot enter the internet industry again."

This...

Chen Shijun looked down at the revenue report for the first two parts of "Prison Break," then looked up at Wang Jian.

In his heart, a familiar Minnan song suddenly played, "You won’t win unless you’re willing to take risks!"

"Okay! I’ll sign!"

"Hehe." Wang Jian watched him sign, laughing inwardly.

"That broken TV drama making 7 million dollars in profit?"

"Mr. Bill Gates of Microsoft, I certainly did not intend to break your system’s perfect closed loop as Netscape did."

Right as he shook his head, he suddenly felt dizzy, and a new book appeared in his mind.

Wang Jian was delighted and quickly had Chen Shijun go outside to relay work matters while he closed his eyes to look inward.

"Marketing?"

What the fuck!

How stupid was I in my past life!

To think I actually believed in this stuff!

He patiently flipped through it, then curled his lip.

"Indeed, those who write ’Success Science’ are never truly successful."

"Those who write ’Marketing’ are not marketing masters either."

This ruined book was merely full of clichéd marketing tactics.

The only slightly novel part was that Hollywood apparently quickly released a movie theme song after the death of an actor named Paul Walker, which greatly contributed to the success of a movie.

"’See You Again’? The lyrics are not bad!"

But this thing is truly useless to me.

The song lyricist’s cut isn’t high in pop music. With the effort it takes to engage famous writers to compose music, it would be better to write more.

"I’m not about to kill Dan Brown or Neil Gaiman just to market the website, am I?"

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