Chapter Twenty-Nine: "Transformers" Is Free, But Transformers Are Not!

"Liu Lili, you know who she is, right?"

"Of course, she's so famous."

"Then why did you make that face just now?"

"Oh, I was just thinking that for a director of such high standing to take on this production, it seems Aunt Chiung Yao attaches great importance to this project."

"Well, naturally..."

Ma Xun's look of surprise did not escape Ye Quanzhen's eyes. Fortunately, he managed to gloss over it. There was no helping it; given this choice of director, it would be strange if Ma Xun wasn't surprised. *Shouldn't it be Sun Shuping? I couldn't have remembered that wrong.*

As for this Liu Lili, her background was quite significant. She was the most renowned female director in Taiwan. She had been collaborating with Chiung Yao for a long time, on works like *Mist Over the Misty River*, *Sunset at the Temple*, and *The Water Side*. Most recently, she and Chiung Yao had worked together on the *Plum Blossom Three* trilogy: *Plum Blossom Scar*, *The Ghost Husband*, and *Cloud of Romance*. Sister Hong had appeared in that last one. All three had caused quite a sensation at the time. The "Roaring Emperor" and De Rong, having starred in all three, had reached the pinnacle of their popularity. While these three were officially credited to Shen Yi, he and Liu were actually mentor and apprentice. Later, Shen Yi went on to direct *Dreams Link*. There was even that infamous line: "You only lost a leg, but she lost her love!!!"

To be honest, Ma Xun found it hard to identify with the values portrayed in Chiung Yao's dramas. But there was no helping it; they were the rage these days. Every single one was a hit, even reaching a peak where the time slot for their broadcast was the most harmonious period for families in the Mainland—simply because the wives were all busy wiping away tears and had no time to argue. Such popularity represented enormous success.

The mentor-apprentice duo of Liu Lili and Shen Yi were truly Chiung Yao's golden partners. From that perspective, they certainly should have been the ones to film *My Fair Princess*. But Ma Xun was absolutely certain he hadn't misremembered; the director of this show was...

"Ah Zhen, a director named Sun Shuping, have you heard of him?"

"Him? Why bring him up?"

"I saw his name in *Justice Bao*, and it seems he has worked with Liu Lili before. Is he not involved this time?"

Ye Quanzhen did not suspect anything. She thought for a moment before answering, "Perhaps, but I really haven't heard of him."

That answer was enough. Ma Xun began to think about the many rumors surrounding the casting changes for *My Fair Princess*. There was that Li Tingyi incident; Chiung Yao even wrote an article specifically about the casting changes later on. Interestingly, there was a peculiar detail in that article: it was all "hearsay." Chiung Yao hadn't come to the Mainland; everything was based on hearsay. So, who had she heard it from?

Suddenly, Ma Xun smiled. He had figured the whole thing out.

"Ah Zhen, I think there is a lot we can do."

"Ah? How so? Do you mean I should fight for a role?" Ye Quanzhen was, after all, just an actress; that was likely all she could think of. And even that had its problems.

"But Aunt Chiung Yao doesn't like me at all." She was quite honest. Ma Xun remembered that Ye Quanzhen was later mistakenly believed to have starred in a Chiung Yao drama—a show called *Spring of the Kapok*. In fact, that show had nothing to do with Chiung Yao, though it did have a "Chiung Yao style."

"Who said anything about you acting in this show?"

"Oh? Then what do you mean?"

"The party currently coordinating with Chiung Yao's side here in the Mainland is a television station, right?"

"It seems to be Hunan Television."

"The Economic Channel, effectively Channel 2."

"Yes, that's the one. Why do you mention them?"

"Let me ask you: why does a TV station produce a drama?"

"Um, for ratings?" Ye Quanzhen looked adorable in her attempt to think it through.

Ma Xun smiled. "Actually, it's to have content to broadcast." In other words, creating "inventory." Ye Quanzhen nodded.

Ma Xun continued, "The leader of the Economic Channel, I recall, is Ouyang Changlin. He is a man with great initiative and the courage to reform. He has made the Economic Channel quite successful. If we can produce more high-quality programs, he will certainly support it."

This was strange. "Ma Xun, what exactly do you want me to do?" Ye Quanzhen's face clearly read: *Hurry up and tell me.*

Ma Xun laughed. "Organize a talent show. This show will be for the purpose of casting actors for *My Fair Princess*." He said it so easily, but Ye Quanzhen frowned. "This kind of show... it's never been done before. And what if the actors chosen don't meet the director's expectations?"

She was right; it really hadn't been done. To be precise, while talent shows like the "Young Singer Competition" were considered the ancestors of domestic talent programs—though that was somewhat controversial—a talent show specifically for casting a drama had never been done. However, Ma Xun knew that it wouldn't be long before it happened. The "Happy Girl" talent search was full of drama. We all know they eventually chose Dong Jie, and there was another gem, Bai Baihe. But in reality, there was another girl who was the true "happy girl." She joined the talent show, and months later, she told Zhang Yimou she was pregnant. Later, she became the wife of the "National Master." *Oh, Old Zhang, you wrinkly old guy, you aren't as honest as you seem.*

Setting that aside, Ma Xun returned to Ye Quanzhen's question. "Ah Zhen, are you mine?" Only if she was his would he tell her what to do.

Upon hearing this, Ye Quanzhen reached out and grabbed Ma Xun's hand, tucking it under the hem of her shirt. "I've been yours for a long time." She wasn't lying.

Feeling the softness and warmth of her abdomen, Ma Xun replied, "Good. Then I'll tell you. The talent show is just a program. The actors can be decided in advance, and then we just make sure our chosen actors are the winners. What's difficult about that?"

Ye Quanzhen understood immediately. "It can be done like that..." Backroom deals were common enough; beauty pageants were exactly like that.

Ma Xun continued, "And for this talent show, it's actually better if the outcome doesn't align with the director's expectations."

"Why?"

"Liu Lili and Shen Yi have worked with Chiung Yao for years. You know the saying: 'The merit of the subject overshadows the master!'"

Ye Quanzhen understood instantly. "Then, the Jianwen Emperor is..."

"He Xiuqiong!"

Ye Quanzhen was stunned. *It's her...* But she realized it now. If He Xiuqiong wanted to rise to power, she had to eliminate the mentor-apprentice duo. Otherwise, she would have no real authority.

Ma Xun added, "I know Chiung Yao looks down on you, but her daughter-in-law might not. Build a good relationship with He Xiuqiong. When she finds herself in a difficult position, suggest this talent show to her. I believe she will gladly accept."

Ye Quanzhen nodded. "Use this show to legitimately drive out Liu Lili and her mentor."

"Exactly."

"But there's still one problem. How do we fund this? It must cost a lot of money, right? Who will organize it?"

Ma Xun laughed. "I just mentioned Director Ouyang." Ye Quanzhen nodded, still confused.

"Director Ouyang is a man of great courage. If He Xiuqiong proposes the talent show, he will certainly consider it. But what if the show itself doesn't require them to spend any money? I'm sure he will agree in a heartbeat."

"No money?" Ye Quanzhen was bewildered.

Ma Xun smiled. "We produce the show. You handle the practical work, I provide the strategy, and we cover the production costs. If He Xiuqiong and Director Ouyang don't have to pay, how could they refuse?"

"But what about us? Wouldn't we be losing money?"

Watching her worried expression, Ma Xun couldn't help but kiss her, causing her to blush. He then told her a little story. "In 1987, the American company Hasbro donated a 95-episode cartoon to Shanghai Television for free. That cartoon was *The Transformers*. After it aired, Hasbro's Transformer toys were in short supply across the Mainland."

Ye Quanzhen finally understood completely.

Ma Xun added, just to be sure, "We don't want money for the show itself, but we must have the commercial spots within the program. I believe Director Ouyang will agree. And if he doesn't..."

Before Ma Xun could finish, Ye Quanzhen interjected, "He Xiuqiong will convince him!"

Very good, this cold beauty was quite clever after all.