Chapter Four: Ten Million for the Cutting-Room Floor

“Starwave offers ten million yuan to license the raven's power core. You retain the patent. We receive ten years of exclusive application rights.” This contract included credit, royalties, and even a veto for Final Cut Studio. It was almost too beautiful. Director's Perception outlined pale silver words beside Clause Seven: the license included “all narrative media derived from the core.” Signing would give Starwave legal access to every world generated by InstantFrame. “Ten million is cheap for a ticket through that door.” Gu Yan closed it. “You need money,” Tang Jing said. “Damaged equipment, breached contracts, server downtime—Final Cut will be bankrupt tomorrow. Ideals don't pay wages.” “Stories do.”