"Uh, Mr. Xin, as I was saying..."
"Crunch, crunch—"
"This endorsement..."
"Crunch, crunch—"
"So our company's opinion is..."
"Crunch, crunch—"
Director Du finally couldn't take it anymore. He apologized to Xin Hong and walked over to the two of them. "Excuse me, my dear lady, can we please stop snacking? Image! Can you maintain some semblance of an image? Every time I'm in a discussion, you two are crunching away. When I speak, you crunch. Tell me, which female celebrity would be munching on sunflower seeds non-stop during a business endorsement discussion? If you're that eager to endorse sunflower seeds, I can contact a series of related brands right now!"
Chu Qiao rolled her eyes. "Come on, Little Du, we know you. After all these years, how many business deals have you successfully closed? Have any of your endorsement fees exceeded seven figures, let alone high-end luxury brands!"
This was no longer rubbing salt in Director Du's wounds; it was directly prodding them open with a small knife!
Director Du clutched his chest, looking at her in disbelief. "You... you actually... How could you..."
Xia Wei Liang also waved her hands. "It's fine. Little Xin isn't an outsider. If I were to talk to him formally, he'd be startled! He might even think we'd set a trap long ago, just waiting for him to fall into it!"
Xin Hong chuckled. "You're right. This is more like you. Do what you want, and don't force yourself."
Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes at Xia Wei Liang, her gaze conveying a story worthy of a world-renowned novel.
Xia Wei Liang wore a look of relief, like a "good boy." "See what I said? Good brothers are all like this!"
Upon hearing the word "brothers," the man who had been smiling began to gradually compose himself, sitting up straighter. "Director Du, where were we in our discussion just now?"
"Ah! Coming right up!"
Little Du glared at the two female stars, then returned to his seat with a smile. "My apologies, Mr. Xin. We need to hold a meeting to discuss the endorsement for your village. After all, our Wei Liang was already an ambassador for Shilixiang, so we're not sure if being a regional endorser again would cause any conflict."
Chu Qiao chuckled upon hearing this and whispered to Xia Wei Liang, "The goal isn't big. If you can endorse all fifty-six ethnic groups, you'll win!" (Source: Sudan Novel Network)
Xin Hong understood that responsible celebrities needed to conduct inspections and verifications before endorsing a product. As Director Du said, endorsing a region required even more careful consideration. He had no objections.
After a few more pleasantries, Xin Hong politely declined Director Du's invitation and rose to leave.
"Let me see you out."
Xia Wei Liang, being familiar with him, walked out of the office ahead of him.
As soon as the two of them left, Chu Qiao asked Director Du, "Pushing away a deal that was practically in your grasp, that's not like you!"
Director Du also looked troubled. "Don't you think I want to make this money? But I can't and I dare not! Little Liang isn't someone anyone can just casually dictate terms to anymore."
Chu Qiao understood and burst into laughter. "Because of Yi Shen?"
Director Du sighed heavily. "Yi Shen issued a notice long ago requiring personal supervision of her. Matters like image endorsements are handled by his people. I don't have the authority to finalize her contracts. However, this endorsement can actually be considered a win-win situation! Becoming the endorser for two places consecutively, what does that signify? It signifies that Little Liang has gained the organization's recognition, something many celebrities envy!"
Chu Qiao nodded very seriously after hearing this. "That's right. I've heard people gossiping about her behind her back more than once."