Interest peaked, Gao Jiaming fixed an inquisitive look on Nan Chen. “So all those rumors online are true?”
Nan Chen did not ask what those rumors were. Instead, he said, “Get to the point.”
“Okay, okay. As you have guessed, I’m here to sign Ding Mi on for a product endorsement. I’ve even brought a contract with me. Here, have a look.”
The moment the new series became a hit, Gao Jiaming was already drafting up a contract. That showed what an efficient and brilliant businessman he was. He was sharp enough to sniff out this opportunity before the other companies. That was how his company managed to become the best in the province.
Glancing through the contract, Nan Chen noted that it was an advertisement for an international women’s underwear brand.
Naturally, Nan Chen had seen such advertisements before. He recalled them having female celebrities clad only in their underwear, striking various seductive poses as they showed off their assets.
His brain supplied him with images of Ning Ran doing the same as she posed before a camera. Anger roared through him at the thought.
He threw the contract at Gao Jiaming, snapping, “Get out!”
Gao Jiaming was stunned. “Why are you getting angry at me? I’m letting your company earn a profit, ain’t I? Why are you asking me to leave?”
“Leave! Get out right now!” Nan Chen roared.
“Sir Chen, what is the meaning of this? Star Entertainment said I had to get your permission so I brought the contract here for you! Now you’re asking me to get out? How about you tell me which part of the contract you’re dissatisfied with?”
Being quite familiar with Nan Chen, Gao Jiaming knew that going against the other man was pointless when he was in a temper. All he could do was try to appease him.
He truly did not want to let the opportunity of working with Ning Ran slide. Being able to sign a contract with an up-and-coming celebrity was an incredibly profitable business. Some newer celebrities might only require one million in endorsement fees today. However, one month later when they became even more famous, their fees might increase to three million, ten million or even more!
Gao Jiaming got the feeling that Ning Ran was the type of actress that would rise to fame in no time. After all, she was incredibly talented. That was why he wanted to snatch her now, while she was not as well-known.
If he were not quick enough to get her before she signed a contract with other underwear brands, she would be unable to sign with him anymore due to the exclusive nature of advertisements.
This was the reason why he withheld his anger at Nan Chen yelling.
The sudden explosion of rage shocked Nan Chen as well. Now that he had gotten it out of his system, he realized he might have gone a little overboard.
Why did I lose my cool whenever that woman is mentioned?
“I don’t agree to the terms of this contract. Hence, I won’t sign it,” he uttered.
Gao Jiaming explained, “Five million in endorsement fees for a new artist like her is already quite high. Besides, we can sign a three-year contract and pay her fifteen million at one go. That’s not a small amount, you know!”
“No.”
“Then why don’t you give me a number? How much do you want?”
“I won’t give you a number. I’m not signing that,” Nan Chen refused coldly.
“Fine. I can talk to the company about increasing the fee to six million. How does that sound?” Gao Jiaming offered.
“I’m not signing it.”
Gao Jiaming cried out in dismay, “Oh my god! Six million for a budding actress is practically unheard of! What else do you want? Sir Chen, you’re a businessman too. You should know that this is already the highest we can offer!”
“Please leave. I’m not signing that.”
“Are you scornful of the low price or is there something else that you’re unhappy with? You can tell me. Don’t just tell me you won’t sign!”
By this point, Nan Chen was starting to get impatient. “She does not do underwear advertisements, understand?”
Taken aback, several seconds passed before Gao Jiaming roared with laughter.
Nan Chen’s voice was icy as he growled, “What are you laughing at?”
Laughing in Nan Chen’s face like this was an extremely rude action and Gao Jiaming knew it.
Despite that, he could not help but ask, “Why doesn’t she? You know, not all female stars receive offers from underwear companies. Only those with a wonderful body and attractive facial features get such an offer.”
“Get lost now!” Nan Chen bellowed.
“Don’t tell me you’ve really fallen in love with that actress? Damn, Sir Chen, so you have emotions like us normal humans too? Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“Leave here before I call the security!”
“No, no, wait! Don’t be like that! I get it now. You don’t want Ding Mi’s body to be revealed to the public, right?”
“Out!”
“Wow, who would have thought you would be so serious about a woman? How very rare! Fine, no underwear advertisements for her then. How about I give her another one? Or maybe you should tell me what type of advertisements she’s not allowed to do first. I don’t want you to reject me again!”
Nan Chen just ignored him. It was not that he did not want to answer that question. It was more like he could not be bothered to waste the time and energy to think about it.
As long as he felt it was fine, he would accept the contract. If he did not like it then he would refuse. It was just that simple.
“Alright, I’m leaving. I’ll check through my resources to see if I can find a reasonable advertisement for your lover. You shouldn’t look down on advertising campaigns, you know. These advertisements help to ensure the publicity of celebrities to the public, which will benefit both the advertised companies and the celebrities.”
Nan Chen snorted and said, “Stop your yammering and just go. Don’t come back before you have one that’s acceptable.”
“I…”
“I’m going to call the security now!” Nan Chen threatened.
“Okay, okay, I’m leaving! You’re so heartless to turn me away when I’m offering you a chance to make money! Honestly, I’ve never met someone like you!”
Gao Jiaming was just about to leave the office when Nan Chen suddenly stopped him.
“Are you in charge of Channing’s jewelry advertisement too?”
“Yeah. What about it?”
“I heard they have canceled their contract with the original spokesperson and are looking for a new one.”
“I thought you said you never concern yourself with such matters. How did you know that then?”
“That was purely by coincidence.”
“Well, you’ve heard right. The female idol group that was supposed to be their spokesperson was involved in some nasty scandals. They had no choice but to find another spokesperson. I’ve already contacted the female superstar, Ye Meng, and she’s agreed to endorse their products. She’s an international celebrity while Channing’s is a luxury goods brand. Her status and demeanor is perfect for endorsing Channing’s jewelry.”
Nan Chen waved his hand to cut off Gao Jiaming’s rambling. “Change it to Ding Mi.”
“Huh?”
“Do I have to repeat myself?”
“That’s impossible! Channing is the newest favorite among luxury goods brands. There’s no way they’ll accept a newbie to be their spokesperson!”
“Nothing’s impossible. It’s their honor to have Ding Mi advertise their products. You don’t even have to pay too much, just ten million each year.”
Gao Jiaming looked at Nan Chen like he was crazy.
Does he seriously expect such a high endorsement fee for a newbie advertising a super luxurious brand?
“I’m sorry. I might be in charge of their advertisements here in China but I do have to get their approval when choosing a spokesperson. From what I understand of their company policy, they definitely won’t use a new celebrity as their spokesperson.”
As if he had not heard anything, Nan Chen continued, “Draw up the contract later and we can sign tomorrow. Shooting can begin on the day after.”
“Sir Chen, are you even listening to me? I just said it’s impossible!” Gao Jiaming answered in a panicked tone.
“I say it’s fine so it’ll be fine. Go on now. I’ll want to look over the contract after you’re done. If you don’t sign tomorrow, the fee will be doubled the day after. For every day after that, you’ll have to pay ten million more!” Nan Chen stated.
