Revised

). Chihong Chen is eating instant noodles. Red. But that was once. 'A Demolition Office Is Not Ordinary' hit 40k average subs, top of the author ranks, his peak—then all downhill.

Years passed, and Chihong Chen had to admit 'The Demolition Office' took off thanks to timing, place, and people. Good premise, good rankings, stable updates, lots of readers.

Years... AI writing drowned him out. Well, Chihong Chen needed an excuse to comfort himself—how else to cope with the drop from 40k to a few hundred subs?

Chihong Chen had a thought buried deep inside—he knew it but didn't dare say it—like he couldn't write anymore. So even though previous royalties weren't spent, there was always this fear.

Worry that when it's gone, he'll be out in the cold. Only instant noodles gave him security. 'Slurp—ah!' A gulp of noodle soup, the seasoning packet so fresh, Chihong Chen contentedly burped, ready to get water.

Write another chapter later! So what if subs are in the hundreds, more chapters means more meat, plus there's a 1000 yuan full-attendance bonus, can't lose it.

There's that y-rich-guy's lottery, today should be the last batch right? Check Weibo later, see if won. Chihong Chen guessed he didn't win.

But wouldn't give up hope. Forwarding is free anyway—scratch cards cost at least 1 yuan—register more alt accounts to boost odds.

Really rich. Paid a million for a company name contest. Damn rich people! —[Boundless skies my love, rolling green mountains...]

'Hello?' Chihong Chen picked up the phone, walking toward the trash can, casually answering. 'Is this Chihong Chen?' A man's voice on the other end, polite, a bit familiar, business-like.

'Yes, who is this?' After confirming it was him, the other laughed: 'I'm Weekend No.1, your editor, got something to confirm with you.' Chihong Chen froze. Editor?

What's up? Haven't written anything violating rules recently, shouldn't be about getting banned right? Chihong Chen's heart was in his throat, throat suddenly dry: 'Bro haha, long time no see, what's up?' 'Contacting about copyright.' Copyright?

Chihong Chen really didn't know. Brainstorm—Did someone buy those flop new books? No way, what would they buy a few hundred sub book for, burn it for warmth?

Must be a mistake? Chihong Chen half-convinced, had unrealistic expectations. What if, what if it's not a mistake? 'A company wants to buy The Demolition Office, interested?' ...

Silence. '...huh?' Chihong Chen completely didn't expect A Demolition Office Is Not Ordinary. After all, various adaptation rights are hottest right after completion—if it could sell last year, would have sold already.

'So, the site received an inquiry for the film rights of A Demolition Office Is Not Ordinary.' 'The other party's sincere, no haggling, direct offer, price is high. Most importantly, they invite you to join the screenwriting team.' Weekend No.1: 'Poked you on QQ, no reply, good opportunity.

Called directly.' Chihong Chen: '...' Opened his mouth, found his throat blocked. Joining the screenwriting team? What many authors dream of—at least.

As a screenwriter, you'd have insight into how your work gets adapted. Chihong Chen started trembling: '...Bro, it's not April Fools right?' Weekend No.1 laughed out loud: 'If it were April Fools, you'd be scared to death right?

No! A company really wants to sign your book!' Chihong Chen jumped three feet high. A rush of hot blood shot from his back to his brain, feet like they had springs, like the ground was lava, couldn't land.

Barely suppressed the primal urge, calmly asked a question. 'Bro, what's the company called?!' 'What's it called? Let me check...' '[Aurora Entertainment].' Aurora Entertainment.

Isn't that the name that y-rich-guy was soliciting online? This one also called Aurora? Heard companies can't have duplicate names, can't be that coincidental...

Chihong Chen's heart skipped. Quickly went to check the company registry, searched Aurora Entertainment, the company's full name 'Linjiang Aurora Entertainment Group Co., Ltd.' Oh, there's 'Linjiang' in front?

Registered capital 10 million. Holy...! Chihong Chen decided to test first. · Film rights need to go through the site to sell, but the screenwriter contract needs to be negotiated directly with Aurora Entertainment.

So there was this meeting. Chihong Chen got scared. Don't know if other authors had this situation before joining—only get picked up by car by the client?!

The car is a black business sedan, interior clean and simple, fresh scent. Chihong Chen in the back seat, felt a kind of unsettling... respect?

I'm Party B... Why so good to me?! —More like a pig-butchering scam! —What have I done to deserve this?! But who would set up such an elaborate scheme?

Scamming a nobody is pointless. Most royalties went to buying a house, liquid assets basically nothing, otherwise wouldn't need to save by eating instant noodles.

Messaged friends and family, set up a quick emergency alert button, just in case. A young man sat in the passenger seat, one of President Sang's assistants.

Also just learned that Aurora Entertainment's actual controller also surnamed Sang. No way, no way? Chihong Chen started bouncing his leg.

This Assistant Cui is called—at the apartment gate just had time to bow and say 'hello hello'—Right, Cui Jin! Assistant Cui and driver both picked up.

Since getting in the car, Cui Jin didn't let the air get cold, chatted with Chihong Chen—'President Sang said your novel's narrative sense is strong, suitable for adaptation into a show.' 'Actually before negotiating copyright with the site, President Sang specifically instructed—the on-set screenwriting team must have the original author overseeing.' 'Your writing is good, fluid, natural, effortless to read.' ...

Almost coaxed Chihong Chen into being a grandson! Chihong Chen both feared and rapidly liked President Sang. When Chihong Chen reached Huajing International, looked up at the skyscraper piercing the clouds, that bit of panic went 'pop' and exploded, felt dizzy.

Chihong Chen knew Huajing International. Famous luxury office building, a buddy started a business before, for show, specifically rented an office there.

Then the business died midway, couldn't pay next quarter's rent, deposit had to be forfeited. Tens of thousands gone! Cui Jin led Chihong Chen inside, passed by some suit-wearing young men and women exuding perfume.

Got material... When writing side characters going to the protagonist's company later, can add details. Writing inspiration really comes from life.

Chihong Chen thought. Ding. Elevator opened. Aurora Entertainment takes up a whole floor. What? A map was thoughtfully placed at the elevator, Chihong Chen felt like the office scene was something from idol dramas and American shows.

At a glance—TV business center, film business center, marketing dept, planning dept, HR dept, finance... Not to mention open lounge areas, tea rooms with plants.

Chihong Chen: '!' Setting all this up must cost a pretty penny. Chihong Chen wasn't sure anymore, original thoughts started wavering.

'Mr. Chen, please.' Chihong Chen, real name Chen Hong, because too feminine, got bullied in school, so took a pen name. Cui Jin gestured.

Led him through a carpeted hallway, nodded to passing colleagues, brought him to a meeting room. Meeting room spacious, floor-to-ceiling windows took up the whole wall, sunlight streamed in, made the natural wood-red conference table glow softly.

Cui Jin gestured to sit: 'Teacher Chen, please wait, President Sang's meeting hasn't ended. What would you like to drink?

Warm water, milk, coffee, tea?' Chihong Chen: 'Warm water is fine, thanks...' Chihong Chen was also being received like a boss—once rich, also invest—those people all get offered tea. But his tongue is dead, can't taste the details.

Won't drink tea, what if President Sang sees him drinking tea, and talks about tea, can't keep up, awkward. President Sang hasn't arrived, Chihong Chen took deep breaths while no one was looking.

But the chair is really comfortable. Feels like his spine is fully supported. Definitely not cheap either. Chihong Chen smelled the aromatherapy, looked at the surroundings, held back the urge to take out his phone and image-search.

Not long after, the meeting room door opened again, Chihong Chen instinctively looked. A young man. Guessed right?! The other person at least 1.8m tall, hairline not receding, twenty-something, looks slightly less impressive than at his peak—Okay, actually more handsome.

He wore a shirt, but not the stiff material Chihong Chen usually sees, that big bosses love that makes their belly precisely protrude. Material soft, overall light blue with a slight shimmer, white suit pants.

Sleeves rolled to forearms, watch on left wrist. Obviously expensive. Chihong Chen quickly stood. The other smiled and greeted, voice also young: 'Teacher Chen, hello, I'm Aurora Entertainment's president, Sang Yu.' Chihong Chen was overwhelmed.

'President Sang, hello, I'm Chen Hong!' 'Thank you for buying the rights to my The Demolition Office, having your work adapted into a show is every author's dream!' Sang Yu smiled: 'Teacher Chen, don't be so formal, sit.' Really sat down, Chihong Chen cleared his throat, couldn't help being a bit nervous.

President Sang younger than imagined, but presence no weaker. Also unclear. In short, seeing him in person, previous thoughts of 'scam,' 'fraud tactics,' 'be careful,' all went up in smoke.

Sang Yu discussed the on-set work with him. Chihong Chen a bit awkward. Wanted to speak but hesitated. President Sang approachable: 'Teacher Chen, anything you want to say?' Chihong Chen pressed his lips, steeled himself—'President Sang, to be honest, you bought the film rights to The Demolition Office, I'm happy, the price you offered is generous.' 'But I think the show has risks...' After selling the rights, head cooled down, Chihong Chen only then realized.

Maybe President Sang already knew, otherwise wouldn't have bought casually. But kept it in too long. Chihong Chen put hands on thighs, cosplaying an elementary school student.

These words Chihong Chen had long considered, first time saying. 'This type of script, not the hottest kind on the market now, no established audience, might have no viewers.' Chihong Chen was a bit euphemistic.

What does the market love? Local channels love period romances, central channel loves serious dramas, The Demolition Office is neither.

This topic, online broadcast approval is fine, but can't air on TV! Cut off TV station buying revenue, then can only rely on online broadcast.

But online broadcast also hard—Good water doesn't flow to outsiders' fields. Major platforms definitely give good slots to their own shows, promote their actors, The Demolition Office is basically three-way excluded.

'Oh, that, not in my consideration.' Sang Yu smiled. 'Huh?' Sang Yu's tone relaxed: 'So. Ratings, views, ROI—these aren't my investment goals.' 'Huh?' Chihong Chen confused.

Is this China? Is this Chinese? Can't quite understand. Sang Yu: 'The Demolition Office entire project can be seen as a private custom show to satisfy my personal hobby.' Whether this topic is hot, whether actors bring traffic, whether attracts advertisers?

Those aren't the point. Sang Yu bought A Demolition Office Is Not Ordinary because he read the novel, wanted to see it as a show, that's all.

Chihong Chen's mouth formed an O: '...'