Chapter 61: Qitian Animation
Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Qitian Animation
On the weekend, Jiang Xia took his ID card to the local government service center.
This wasn’t like in the future, where you could simply submit the required documents online and wait at home for your business license to arrive.
The reality was that you had to run back and forth between different offices four or five times. If even one document wasn’t up to standard, the whole application would be rejected for review.
Even with his experience from founding a studio in his past life, it still took him nearly half a month to get all the documents in order. After that, all he could do was wait for a call from the Administration for Industry and Commerce to pick up his business license and other related materials.
In the meantime, Jiang Xia also drafted the company’s employment contracts. All he needed was the official company seal, and then he could sign Wang Ming and Shen Ying on as employees.
Shen Ying’s promotional efforts were also going smoothly. The press kit Jiang Xia had given her only contained a few GIFs and several ten-second promotional videos, so there was no risk of the full episodes leaking early.
Even so, the show was already making a considerable impact online. Memes and reaction GIFs from Cat and Mouse were popping up frequently in QQ groups, Tieba forums, and other online communities.
A search for Cat and Mouse on Qiandu already brought up a corresponding Qiandu Baike page, where one line stood out—
Cat and Mouse is a feature-length children’s comedy animation produced by Qitian Animation Company. The first episode, ’Home Sweet Home,’ will air during the 2009 summer vacation.
Of course, this was Jiang Xia’s handiwork. The show hadn’t officially aired on TV yet, but he had to project the right image.
Every GIF and PV released online was a promotion for both Cat and Mouse and the company.
If nothing else, despite having only been announced a short time ago, the children’s cartoon with its unique art style had already built a considerable online fanbase.
Every time Shen Ying made a post, netizens treated her as the official voice of Qitian Animation, hounding her with questions about the release date.
The speed at which it spread surprised even Jiang Xia. At one point, it even sparked a major online debate: Was Cat and Mouse the most anticipated cartoon of 2009?
Jiang Xia was naturally happy to see this. As someone who had been reborn, he knew the value of hype for any creative work. Only with enough hype could it potentially become a major IP, allowing him to earn a substantial profit from the initial monetization wave.
"You’ve been fanning the flames online, haven’t you?" Lin Yanwan asked after browsing through some posts. She turned to look at the "Father of Cat and Mouse," who was diligently drawing key frames.
"I just spent a little of my New Year’s money to hire some online shills. Otherwise, how do you think it got so popular so fast?" he said casually.
"That makes sense." She posted a Jerry meme in a comment thread before continuing, "By the way, how’s the company registration coming along?"
"It should be done soon, judging by the time. There weren’t any problems with the documents, so now it’s just a matter of waiting for approval."
The words had barely left his mouth when his phone rang. A glance at the caller ID showed it was the Administration for Industry and Commerce, an office he had become very familiar with.
"Speak of the devil," Jiang Xia smiled and answered the phone.
After a brief exchange, he hung up.
"Well?" Lin Yanwan asked.
Jiang Xia said, "The business license is ready. The bureau wants me to pick it up now. Want to come with me?"
"Let’s go."
After making sure Lin Xiaoman was settled, the two of them headed out.
At 4:48 PM, they walked out of the Administration for Industry and Commerce. Jiang Xia was visibly excited, carrying a document box filled with all the materials issued upon completion of the company’s registration.
It included original and duplicate copies of the business license, tax registration certificate, and organization code certificate, as well as the official seal, contract seal, finance seal, invoice seal, the legal representative’s name seal, and the seal impression card.
He remembered Lin Yanwan accompanying him to register his company in his past life, too. ’Even after being reborn, our bond hasn’t weakened at all.’
"Yu Du Qitian Animation Company?" Lin Yanwan took out the business license to inspect it. "You’re still using the old company name? Aren’t you worried it’s bad luck?"
"Yeah." Jiang Xia stared at the company name on the license, lost in thought for a moment.
In his past life, poor management had led to contract disputes. In the end, not only did the company go bankrupt, but it also dragged his family down with it.
"Hopefully, Cat and Mouse will let me become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven this time," he said with a smile.
"With its quality, won’t Cat and Mouse dominate the current animation market?"
"I hope so."
They shared a smile. Jiang Xia needed this success, and likewise, Lin Yanwan’s family needed a hit cartoon that would sweep the nation to get their stagnant toy factory back in business.
"Come on, let’s go open the corporate bank account."
The bank was right next to the administration building. With all the documents in order, opening the account was quick. As for whether he’d change the company’s legal structure later, that was a question for after they’d made some money. For now, he was the sole legal representative.
"Babe, do you want to be the accountant for now? Once we hire someone, you can hand it off," Jiang Xia asked with a smile.
"Boss Jiang, I’ll be doing your voice acting and your accounting. How much do you plan on paying me a month?"
Lin Yanwan smiled. "And don’t think you can fob me off with 300 yuan. I’m not as easy to fool as Shen Ying."
"Whoa now, babe, talking about money will just hurt our relationship. You know what they say: love is more precious than gold, and our feelings are priceless."
"Hmph. Who knows what you’re really thinking. There’s a saying, you know: money corrupts men."
Jiang Xia was dumbfounded. How was he supposed to respond to that?
Lin Yanwan suddenly burst out laughing. "I’m just teasing you. Once the company starts making money, just pay me a normal salary. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but you can’t pay me nothing, you know?"
After all, at Qitian Animation Company, everyone but Jiang Xia was a replaceable employee. A high salary would smack of nepotism, while a low one would be unfair.
"Okay."
Jiang Xia clearly understood. He nodded and said, "Why don’t you call Shen Ying and have her come out? We can sign both your contracts today."
"Are you sure you want to hire both of them as employees?"
"Yes. The company needs someone to handle external operations, and Shen Ying is good for that role. Plus, she’s affordable. As for Wang Ming, it might not be obvious yet, but he has a real talent for drawing. In my mind, he’ll eventually be able to easily lead the production of an entire animated project."
Lin Yanwan was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected him to have such a high opinion of Wang Ming.
"And what about me?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Do you even need to ask? Babe, you’re my soul."
"Not the soul of Cat and Mouse?"
"Cat and Mouse can’t compare to you."
Lin Yanwan was secretly delighted but just snorted softly on the outside. "Such a smooth-talker."
"Where do you want to meet them?"
Jiang Xia glanced around and pointed to a bubble tea shop nearby. "Right there. The one called Shao Xian Cao."