Chapter 456: Chapter 359: Putting On a Show with Me
It wasn’t that Zhou Yun was overthinking; she knew well that He Yong was someone who wouldn’t act unless there was something in it for him. Just staging this act, could it really move her?
He Yong was well aware that it was impossible.
Since it was impossible, there was no need to engage in such futile efforts.
So what was He Yong doing?
Zhou Yun frowned in confusion.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere, suddenly, the elevator dinged again, and someone else arrived.
When the elevator doors opened, three unfamiliar faces emerged. They were all dressed in expensive-looking business suits, and even their hair reeked of elitism. Obviously, they hadn’t expected to walk into such a scene. From their pupils, Zhou Yun could see a trace of shock, even fright.
It was at this moment He Yong approached them with a Smiling Face.
"Director Zhang, Sister Xu, who is this? I haven’t met them before, how should I address them?" Just as He Yong said this, he seemed to realize he needed to explain the scene, and with an apologetic laugh, said: "Oh, I’m sorry, our company is having a small celebration party for Xiao Yun, it’s a bit messy. Please excuse us. Xiao Yun has been really busy recently, so we could only squeeze in some time for this celebration. We never expected ’Life’ to be so popular, haha, by the way, have you guys seen the movie yet?"
The leading, handsome man responded politely with a slight smile: "Of course we’ve seen it. It seems that Miss Zhou has a good relationship with her colleagues, I thought celebrities like Miss Zhou usually don’t participate much in company activities."
"How could that be, Xiao Yun is very close to us." He Yong enthusiastically turned his head to look at Zhou Yun, "Xiao Yun, let me introduce, this is Blink’s Director Zhang, this is Blink’s Minister Xu, and this—"
The stranger that He Yong didn’t recognize, who was the second to be cued, gave an awkward yet polite smile and said: "Wui Huaiji, lawyer."
Immediately catching on, He Yong asked, "How should I address you? Lawyer Wui?"
"Alright."
Zhou Yun finally realized what He Yong was up to.
And perhaps there was even more to it.
Blink was the brand she was supposed to sign with today. It is also an internationally renowned brand, one that top female celebrities vie to endorse. Yet, the brand had taken the initiative to reach out to Zhou Yun, wishing for her to be the brand’s spokesperson in China.
"Everyone, please tidy up a bit, follow me, I’ll take you to the conference room," He Yong said with a laugh as he escorted the group away.
Zhou Yun turned and whispered to Zheng Xiaojue, "Xiaoju, give Sister Lan a call and ask why she hasn’t arrived yet."
Getting the hint, Zheng Xiaojue immediately left the group to make the call.
Just as Zhou Yun had seated herself in the conference room, Zheng Xiaojue quietly slipped back, leaned in close, and whispered: "Sister Lan said she was held up by people from the film company, she’s coming right now."
Zhou Yun nodded.
He Yong specifically prepared a welcome speech and even produced a PPT about Chengqian Entertainment’s corporate culture.
In this PPT, He Yong particularly highlighted the company’s current artist resources.
Zhou Yun was puzzled, unsure why He Yong would mention these to Blink’s representatives at this time, what use could it serve? Blink wasn’t a wholesale market looking to sign a batch of endorsers. Weren’t they here to sign a contract with her today?
Thinking this, halfway through, Zhou Lan arrived, tiptoeing over to sit next to Zhou Yun.
She whispered to Zhou Yun, "That bastard He Yong had the film company hold me back, and even told me that Blink’s people delayed their schedule so I didn’t need to rush."
Zhou Yun knew that Zhou Lan was deliberately delayed by someone arranged by He Yong.
Zhou Yun briefly explained what had happened recently to Zhou Lan.
Zhou Lan’s eyes spun like the snake spirit in the cartoon ’Calabash Brothers’, and she quickly formed her own speculation, "I guess he might want Li Ci to also get on board with Blink. Blink has a huge market in China, and many sub-brands too. I heard that Li Ci once competed with Song Chi for Blink’s endorsement, but back then Li Ci was no match for Song Chi and was knocked out early."
Zhou Yun, catching the key point, asked in surprise, "Song Chi is also a spokesperson for Blink?"
"Yes," Zhou Lan said.
Zhou Yun complained, "Why haven’t you told me this before?"
Zhou Lan whispered, "You can’t blame me for this, Brother Chi specifically told me not to let you know if possible. He said if you knew, you might refuse this endorsement because of this relationship."
Zhou Yun muttered softly, "He sure knows well."
"This endorsement is very important for you, it’s not just a simple endorsement," Zhou Lan genuinely worried that Zhou Yun might impulsively give up on this opportunity, "An endorsement from a luxury brand significantly benefits a celebrity’s commercial image, it even inherently raises your status and value."
This is why all A-list celebrities desperately compete for luxury brand endorsements.
The endorsement fee is in fact just a secondary concern.
More importantly... its existence means one thing; unless you reach a certain level of stardom, no matter how popular or how high your traffic is, you’re just a brand ambassador or friend of the brand, not a spokesperson. That identity is not for you to touch.
Zhou Yun pursed her lips and said, "I’m not stupid, why would you think I would refuse? Just because Song Chi endorses it too? I’d have to be crazy."
Song Chi has many endorsements, at least a dozen or even twenty, otherwise, she wouldn’t forget that Song Chi also represented Blink.
At that moment, He Yong’s speech finally concluded.
Blink’s team politely applauded.
Subsequent items included a representative from Blink speaking, expressing admiration for Zhou Yun, followed by photo taking, contract signing, and discussions about future work.
The official announcement, Weibo post, advertisement shooting – all these were manageable, but one troubling issue was that Blink sponsored the Berlin International Film Festival happening a month later. They hoped that Zhou Yun could attend the opening ceremony red carpet event as a spokesperson for Blink, but at that time, Zhou Yun would be filming for ’Falling Leaves’.
Zhou Lan could only say, "We’ll discuss and coordinate the timing later."
If they truly couldn’t coordinate, then it would just have to be dropped.
After seeing off Blink’s guests, that afternoon, Zhou Lan sent Zhou Yun a link.
Upon opening it, Zhou Yun immediately huffed.
The link was to a news article about Zhou Yun celebrating with her company colleagues.
There was even a photo included—He Yong was carrying a cake and walking towards Zhou Yun, who looked surprised (confused).
"..." Unable to help herself, Zhou Yun cursed, "Using me for a show!"