Cheng Xiaofan had just sent out his mobile number when his phone rang. At first, he thought it was Han Jie calling, thinking, "Wow, that was fast!"
When he pressed the answer button, he realized the call was from the live-streaming platform.
"Mr. Cheng, I am Fang Ming, the director of the live-streaming platform's operations department," the caller said directly. "I'd like to ask what piece you were playing during your live stream. I've never heard it before."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but chuckle. This was a musical score created by Shen Nong in ancient times; how could Fang Ming have possibly heard it!
He couldn't help but laugh and say, "Director Fang, the name of the piece I played is 'Le Kai Huai.' I composed it myself, and it was the first time I've ever played it for an audience, so naturally, you haven't heard it!"
"What, you composed it?" The other party was astonished. "This is wonderful, truly wonderful!"
Fang Ming said excitedly, "Mr. Cheng, the piece you composed, 'Le Kai Huai,' has become a huge hit. Within ten minutes of you ending your live stream, it was downloaded 120,000 times."
"Currently, your live stream has been locked by us for paid download. Furthermore, this piece of music in the video cannot be privately reposted, nor can it be used for commercial purposes. Otherwise, our live-streaming platform will pursue legal action."
"Mr. Cheng, I'm calling you today to discuss a potential collaboration!"
"Director Fang, how do you propose we collaborate?" Cheng Xiaofan asked curiously.
After a moment's thought, the other party smiled and said, "Our best form of collaboration would be for you to transfer the copyright of the video 'Le Kai Huai' to the live-streaming platform. The platform can pay you a lump sum of one hundred million yuan!"
One hundred million yuan?
For anyone else, this amount would have been staggering. However, Cheng Xiaofan was a graduate of a prestigious university in Beijing, not to mention having worked in corporate groups for several years.
"Thank you, Director Fang, but I cannot sell the copyright of this piece to you!" Cheng Xiaofan flatly refused.
It was a joke! This was a piece composed by Shen Nong. For a mere one hundred million yuan, he would sell the copyright of this piece to the live-streaming platform? What would Shen Nong think if he knew?
Fang Ming had assumed that Cheng Xiaofan would be overjoyed upon hearing the figure of one hundred million yuan. He never expected such a decisive and complete refusal.
This was one hundred million yuan! How could this small farmer from the countryside possibly refuse it? Was he an idiot? But could an idiot compose such a divine melody?
Fang Ming found himself a little bewildered. After stammering for a while, he finally asked, "Mr. Cheng, do you perhaps think one hundred million is too little?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled faintly and said, "Director Fang, I'm sorry, but even if you offered me ten times that amount, I would not sell the copyright of this piece."
"Then… how about this?" Fang Ming was so taken aback by Cheng Xiaofan's response that he almost couldn't speak. "Since you're not willing to sell the copyright of this piece to the platform, can we consider another form of collaboration?"
"What method? Tell me!" As long as it didn't involve copyright issues, Cheng Xiaofan felt that anything could be negotiated. In this world, no one was above money.
Fang Ming said, "We can sign a contract. The exclusive rights to this video's music will belong to our live-streaming platform. You are not allowed to re-upload it to other platforms."
"For every download of this video from our platform, the revenue will be split fifty-fifty between us."
"Furthermore, this will apply to all your future live-streamed videos."
"Mr. Cheng, if you agree, I will come to your location tomorrow to sign the contract!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan smiled faintly and said, "Yes, let's settle on that!"
While Fang Ming was on the phone with Cheng Xiaofan, the CEO of the live-streaming platform, Xu Haoyu, and his daughter, Xu Man, had been listening in.
After hanging up, Fang Ming wiped the sweat from his brow and exclaimed, "I never thought that talking to a small farmer from the countryside would make me sweat so much!"
"Director Fang, you mustn't underestimate this Cheng Xiaofan!" Xu Haoyu said thoughtfully. "From his words, I can tell he is definitely not an ordinary farmer from the countryside."
"Based solely on the piece 'Le Kai Huai' that he composed, he has the potential to become a pioneer in the global music scene!"
"I truly cannot imagine how he composed this divine melody. Not only is it endlessly enjoyable, but the more I listen, the younger I feel!"
"He is simply a genius of his time!"
After expressing his admiration, Xu Haoyu looked at his daughter and said, "Man'er, you will accompany Uncle Fang to Zhuxi Village tomorrow!"
"Okay, thank you, Dad!" Ever since she had heard the piece Cheng Xiaofan played during his live stream, Xu Man had considered him a mysterious individual. She had been thinking of visiting him, so Xu Haoyu's words filled her with joy.
Xu Man had recently graduated from university and was now working alongside her father, acting as Xu Haoyu's assistant in many respects. In terms of authority, she outranked Fang Ming.
...
Shortly after ending his call with Fang Ming, Cheng Xiaofan received a call from Han Jie.
"Mr. Cheng, I was so happy to see your video today. First, I want to thank you. Your musical performance has cured me, a severe patient of depression!" Han Jie's voice trembled with emotion on the other end of the line. "The reason I'm calling you, Mr. Cheng, is that I want to buy some Happy Fruits from you. I hope you can fulfill this wish of mine!"
Cheng Xiaofan listened and smiled, "Mr. Han, I told you in my reply text message that I don't have many Happy Fruits. I can give you some for free; you don't need to buy them!"
"How can I accept that? I insist on paying!" Han Jie held firm to his intention.
Cheng Xiaofan hadn't expected someone in sales to be so sincere. He chuckled, "Mr. Han, you gave so much money as a reward for my live stream video. How can I possibly accept money from you?"
Han Jie laughed, "Mr. Cheng, those are two separate matters. I rewarded your live stream video because I was so happy. As for the Happy Fruits, I want to purchase them with sincerity."
It seemed that if he refused again, he might hurt Han Jie's feelings. Cheng Xiaofan was speechless. "Alright, Mr. Han. The Happy Fruits are one yuan each. I'll express-mail sixteen to you, and you can give me sixteen yuan!"
"Okay, Mr. Cheng. Please give me your bank account number, and I'll transfer it to you immediately!" Han Jie was surprisingly diligent, even wanting to transfer sixteen yuan via bank transfer.
Cheng Xiaofan had no choice but to provide his bank account number. To his surprise, shortly after hanging up, Cheng Xiaofan's phone pinged with a notification. The money had arrived. Han Jie had transferred him 1.6 million yuan.
Simultaneously, Cheng Xiaofan received another text message from him: "Money has a price, but happiness is priceless. Mr. Cheng, this is just a small token of my appreciation and respect!"
Rich people truly have it good! Since the money had been transferred, he had no choice but to accept it. He had earned over two million yuan in one night. Where else could he find such good fortune! Being a happy streamer really was quite rewarding!