Chapter 121: Silly child, you have no idea what you have missed!

"Old man, that’s enough. We’ve retreated and compromised time and time again. You’re a smart man; you know exactly why we’re here today to talk openly. If we really burn bridges, it’s not as if we at Huaqi don’t have other options!"

*Hiss.*

Li Shixin took a long, hard look at the deputy director of the copyright department standing before him.

Are all the people in your copyright department like this?

Is the company so big that you’ve become accustomed to being overbearing with copyright matters?

A bad habit indeed!

"Young man, don't be so impatient. Since we are here to talk, we should naturally clarify everything." Li Shixin smiled faintly, crossed his legs, and took a gentle sip of tea. "They say 'be the villain first, then the gentleman,' and everyone ends up a gentleman. But if you start as a gentleman and turn into a villain later... well, it inevitably leads to a stream of villains."

Lu Siqi, who was standing to the side, had received strict orders to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. After a moment of thought, she nodded. "The old gentleman has a point. Let’s talk then. What other conditions do you have?"

Li Shixin nodded and held up one finger. "First, I can sell you the copyright to 'Only You,' but I am not selling the stage play rights. I have to keep performing it."

"That’s fine. We at Huaqi don’t handle theater business, so that’s irrelevant."

"Second, I must play the lead role in the film and television adaptation. That also includes the song 'Where Did Time Go?' from the script; I must be the one to release it."

"We saw your acting earlier; the lead role shouldn't be a problem. But the song is out of the question. After all, you aren't a signed artist with our company. It makes no sense for us to buy the copyright and then pour resources into building your popularity."

"Understood. Then let’s do this: your company releases the song. I don't care who sings it, but there must be a solo version by me."

"......We will have to negotiate that. The music division isn't here today, so I can't make that call. However, just having your own solo release shouldn't be hard. We can grant you authorization, and you can find your own recording studio and upload it to the music platforms that Huaqi partners with. As for whether it’s paid or free, you can negotiate that with the platform yourself."

"Fine, that’s settled."

"Any other conditions?"

"Yes."

"Speak!"

"The payment of the copyright fee."

"You don't need to worry about that. Huaqi won't play any games there. Once the contract is set, the cash will arrive in one day, business day or not. You can designate any bank in the country that uses the UnionPay system. However, company policy dictates that we must withhold taxes for you. Three million yuan will incur about eighteen percent in copyright tax, which will be deducted from the three million."

"That is exactly the issue I’m talking about," Li Shixin smiled slightly. "Don't pay it to me."

???

Hearing this, everyone from Huaqi was stunned.

Zhou Wenyuan frowned and said, "That’s a bit difficult. Financial regulations state that since you are signing the contract personally, we can only deposit this copyright fee into a bank account under your name."

Li Shixin chuckled. "Just have it processed through Huaqi's books and donated to the Alzheimer's Disease Patient Assistance Association. That way, there’s no tax needed, and you just have to announce that the donation was made at my request. It might be a bit of a hassle, but since the matter has been blowing up online all day, this will make Huaqi look better, don't you think?"

!!!

Upon hearing Li Shixin's request regarding the payment of the copyright fee, everyone in the room was dumbfounded.

Because of the earlier smear campaign involving a measly ten-thousand-yuan copyright offer, throughout the entire negotiation, everyone—from the visibly furious Zhou Wenyuan to the superficially polite Lu Siqi—had felt nothing but disdain for the old man.

In their view, the earlier smear campaign and the online hype were merely tricks the old man was using to squeeze the maximum profit out of them. The more clever the tactics, the more hateful they seemed.

But now?

The copyright fee that this old man had schemed and fought tooth and nail for... he was giving it all away, just as he had claimed when they were smearing him, donating all commercial proceeds to the Alzheimer's Disease Patient Assistance Association without batting an eye.

In an instant, they were forced to re-evaluate this old man, who seemed at once like a rogue and a saint.

After a long while, Zhou Wenyuan, Lu Siqi, and the others stood up from their chairs.

They bowed deeply.

"Mr. Li, once again—and this time sincerely—I apologize for the rudeness and arrogance of my colleagues toward you earlier."

"I am sorry!"

"We misunderstood you!"

Watching the group of young people bowed before him, Li Shixin took a calm, indifferent sip of his tea.

But inside, his heart was bleeding.

If he didn't truly love this, who would be willing to act like a sycophant...

No, that’s the wrong script.

If he weren't so attached to this mortal world.

If he didn't need to become famous to extend his life, who... wouldn't want to just quietly be a millionaire old man?

......

"Mr. Li, then let’s have a happy cooperation!"

They revised the contract on the spot, signed it, and uploaded the electronic version to the company. Moments later, Zhou Wenyuan received the confirmation receipt from the copyright department.

Closing his pen, he reached out his right hand to Li Shixin.

"Happy cooperation."

Li Shixin was satisfied with this result. Although the beginning of the affair had been crooked, the outcome was mutually beneficial.

"Mr. Li," Lu Siqi smiled slightly from the side. "Since the contract is signed, there are a few public relations matters that will require your cooperation."

Looking at Lu Siqi’s meaningful smile, Li Shixin chuckled.

"Understood, I’ll post on Weibo right now."

Then, in front of everyone, he took out his phone. He logged into Weibo, quickly edited a message, and sent it out.

Seeing the latest update refresh on Li Shixin’s feed, Lu Siqi gasped. She frowned and took a deep look at Li Shixin.

They say that old age brings cunning, and that someone who lives too long becomes a fox. Even with over seven years of experience in public relations, Lu Siqi had to admit, seeing this Weibo post, that this old man...

He was deep!

No wonder Wang Kexin had taken such a massive fall!

It wasn't a grievance.

If he hadn't destroyed her completely, the old man must have shown mercy!

What did Li Shixin post?

"I am grateful to all my friends for the tremendous support you have given me during the recent dispute with Huaqi Culture regarding the copyright of 'Only You.' When the matter first occurred, I was indeed very angry and saddened. However, I have just been contacted by Huaqi. They claim to have urgently investigated the cause of the incident and explained the misunderstandings, asking me to wait patiently for the resolution. Here, I look forward to Huaqi providing me with justice and fairness!"

A single post, yet it contained so much.

First, it calmed the public opinion that was fermenting against Huaqi.

Then, it made no mention of the fact that a settlement had already been reached.

By holding onto the contract and ensuring his own interests were fully protected, he handed the opportunity for an explanation back to Huaqi—he didn't lose a cent, and he had managed to preserve both their dignity and his own favor.

Given the current situation, what else could Huaqi do?

They could only follow this line of thought, hold a press conference, offer an explanation, and shift the blame. Then they would propose a re-negotiation of the contract to change the public’s perception. Finally, they would announce that a copyright deal had been reached and that both parties were very satisfied. They would then follow up with a press conference regarding the donation of 'Only You' and announce Li Shixin’s decision to donate all copyright fees. They might even have to shell out a few million more to sweeten the deal, as they had to reverse the previous negative public image...

According to Lu Siqi’s original plan, she just wanted Li Shixin to post a Weibo saying that the contract had been re-signed and that there was no such thing as Huaqi squeezing him on the copyright fee.

But now, Li Shixin had kicked the ball back to them, perfectly maintaining his persona as an old man who had been bullied.

By leveraging Huaqi’s subsequent PR measures, he could even ride another wave of popularity!

Old fox...

*Ding!*

Received 356 points of acclaim with the attribute [Reverence].

Little girl, no need for reverence; you have plenty to learn from me yet.

Holding his thermos, Li Shixin smiled slightly at Lu Siqi’s complex gaze.

He looked at Yang Guang, who was holding the second draft of 'Only You' with eyes shining. Li Shixin raised an eyebrow.

After two copyright interactions, although he had dealt directly with the copyright department, how could Li Shixin not see that the person who truly directed and supported this deal was this young man with the pale complexion and red-rimmed eyes?

"Little Yang."

"Ah, Mr. Li. What is it?" Called by Li Shixin, Yang Guang pulled his attention away from the script, wiped his eyes, and asked blankly.

"Now that the copyright is yours, can you tell me what you plan to do with it?"

"This..." Yang Guang grinned. "Old man, you aren't with our company, so it's not really my place to say."

Li Shixin smiled slightly and pointed to the addendum on the still-warm contract.

It was clearly stated there: "After the film and television adaptation, Party B shall cast the author as the lead character."

Seeing this, Yang Guang patted his forehead. "Look at me, I forgot. It’s like this, Mr. Li. Our advertising subsidiary is participating in a public service advertisement contest hosted by CCTV, and we plan to adapt your script into a public service ad focused on Alzheimer's disease."

"Oh." Hearing this, Li Shixin nodded deeply.

He looked the thin, delicate, and slightly sickly-looking Yang Guang up and down. Li Shixin smacked his lips. "Child, are your parents doing well?"

"Well..." Mentioning this, Yang Guang’s expression changed, and he forced a smile amidst his grief. "My mom is okay. My dad... he died in a car accident when I was in junior high. So, Mr. Li, seeing your script, I really felt it."

Oh?

Li Shixin raised an eyebrow. "Your father passed away so young? What a pity!"

"Child, don't be sad. If your father could see you grown up and so talented now, his spirit in heaven would be comforted."

As he spoke, he stood up, pulled the despondent Yang Guang into a tight hug, and patted the orphan on the back.

Feeling Yang Guang sobbing quietly in his arms, Li Shixin sighed slightly. "Child, if you don't mind, call me 'Godfather.' Be my son!"

???!!!

The group of Huaqi executives who were packing up their things were stunned.

What kind of rhythm or tactic was this turn of events?

Yang Guang was left in total disarray.

What the hell!

I just become your son?

Watching Yang Guang walk away with his script, following his colleagues as they left, glancing back at him like he was a lunatic as he reached the door, Li Shixin shook his head.

Ignorant child.

You have no idea what you just missed out on.

Being my godson—you wouldn't have been at a loss!