When choosing a brand ambassador last time, Tan Jincheng had said that if there were new endorsement requests in the future, Gu Qingqing could choose one for consideration.
Today, this opportunity came before Gu Qingqing.
"Then I need to think carefully. It definitely won't work to choose a male celebrity for something so pink,"
Gu Qingqing said with a smile, glancing at the arm that had once again rested on her shoulder but saying nothing about it as she looked at Tan Jincheng.
Indeed, human bottom lines are meant to be broken.
If this were before entering the door, Gu Qingqing certainly wouldn't be this relaxed.
Gu Qingqing repeatedly thought of people she knew, putting aside her personal preferences, and analyzing based on their image and those she considered relatively popular, to see who would be more suitable as the new product's spokesperson.
Gu Qingqing was very clear in her heart that her opinion was only a reference.
If it wasn't suitable or a certain celebrity's asking price was too high, Tan Jincheng would still refuse.
Shanchi's development would definitely be guided by his will.
Doing this was merely to make her happy, and Gu Qingqing acknowledged that.
Suddenly, Gu Qingqing thought of someone, and tentatively asked,
"How about Xiao Yanzi? Speaking of which, she's from your hometown. Couldn't this create a buzz? Besides, her previous incident happened several years ago and doesn't have much impact now."
"Hmm? Why would you think of her?"
Tan Jincheng said with a hint of surprise.
"She's popular! Those three are all very popular recently. Their TV series are re-broadcast every summer."
Tan Jincheng smiled and said,
"She won't work. Although that incident has passed, if her competitors or my competitors dig it up again, it would be a huge blow to the brand. You can't have blemishes when choosing an artist, especially such major ones."
If you ask which female celebrities were the hottest in 2005? Besides the top three Super Girls, the "Needle Trio" certainly counted.
Moreover, public tolerance nowadays is still very high; it's rare for a celebrity to be banned because of a certain behavior.
Unless you make a very public statement.
However, Tan Jincheng, having come from a later era, knew that future controls over celebrity speech would be extremely strict, and who counted as a "tainted artist" was very clear.
Although the "Needle Trio" is very popular now, none of them can be chosen, especially Xiao Yanzi.
After Tan Jincheng explained, Gu Qingqing understood.
Then she grinned and said,
"Then I can only choose Liu Yifei, whom I like. I just don't know what price is appropriate. If she's too expensive, then forget it."
Gu Qingqing had initially wanted to suggest Liu Yifei, but with her being so popular this year, she feared she wouldn't be cheap.
Celebrities at the peak of their popularity command a premium, and a rather high one—Gu Qingqing had also heard this from Tan Jincheng.
For example, signing Chun Ge now would definitely not be the same price as before the top 10 competition.
"Liu Yifei, her market price should be around 1.5 million a year, usually signing for a minimum of two years,"
Tan Jincheng said, stroking his chin.
The rapid inflation of celebrity endorsement fees seemed to begin after 2015.
In 2015, various capital streams entered the entertainment industry, coupled with the rise of short videos, and the internet officially entered the era of traffic, causing celebrities' value to skyrocket.
After 2015, 1.5 million might not even be enough to invite a third-tier celebrity for an endorsement, let alone a top-tier celebrity like Liu Yifei, because capital was abundant, with people waving cash to find them.
"1.5 million! So expensive! How many small electric scooters would we have to sell to cover that?"
"The wool comes from the sheep, right? When the time comes, I'll just set the market price of each vehicle a bit higher."
"Ah? That works? Aren't you afraid people won't buy it? The new car is just prettier, right? In terms of practicality, Shanchi is still more practical."
"Pretty is enough. Many women, and men who like women (simps), are willing to pay for beauty."
"Alright, you have a point. Women's clothing in malls seems to be more expensive than men's."
"Okay then, I'll listen to you. We'll go with Liu Yifei. Let's contact her after the National Day holiday and see. If we can negotiate it, I'll take you to the signing and watch the commercial shoot, just like last time."
"Hehe, okay! Thank you, Gege. I'll ask for an autograph then."
Tan Jincheng looked at Gu Qingqing with a smile at the corner of his mouth and said,
"Just a thank you?"
"What else? We haven't successfully negotiated it yet."
"Let's collect some interest first."
With that, Tan Jincheng pounced.
"Ah, again, mmh..."
The room was filled with spring.
After a long while, the two finally separated.
Gu Qingqing had once again returned to her previous state of being flushed all over.
Realizing that if this continued, something would happen tonight, she lowered her head and softly said,
"I need to go back to sleep. It's too late."
The TV series "Drawing Sword" on the television had finished airing at some point, and now the radio was playing, unnoticed by anyone.
Tan Jincheng also felt that he wouldn't be able to control himself if this continued, so he nodded and said,
"I'll see you out."
Upon reaching the door, Gu Qingqing softly said,
"You go back. It's getting late, and you must be tired today."
"Mmm, I'll watch you go into your room."
The next day, the group continued to stroll leisurely in Hongcun.
The biggest change compared to yesterday was that Gu Qingqing dared to walk hand-in-hand with Tan Jincheng openly.
"Why are you so bold today?"
Tan Jincheng quietly asked.
"It's a reward for you, for your hard work as a driver. Oh, and I'll pay you for the room fee. I can't let you pay for everything."
After going back last night, she hadn't expected the other two to still be waiting in the room.
They interrogated her until late at night, so Gu Qingqing simply stopped pretending today.
"Did they say that?"
"Yes, the three of them said they'd split the room fee."
"Forget it, no need. Just consider it payment to bribe the people around you, a fee for them to act as spies in the future."
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate? After all, it's not a small amount."
"It's not much money. Actually, I should thank them. If it weren't for them, you would definitely have concerns about traveling alone with me, and then I would have to work this National Day holiday."
Gu Qingqing thought about it, and his words were indeed reasonable.
If it was just the two of them traveling alone, there would definitely be some concerns.
But what kind of relationship would it be if they didn't spend such a long holiday together?
No wonder he agreed.
"I can only accompany you until the 5th. After dropping you off and settling you in Hangcheng, I'll have to go back. Be careful when you return. If you can't buy tickets by then, give me a call, and I'll pick you up."
The National Day legal holiday is from the 1st to the 7th, but the compensatory working days on the 8th and 9th are weekends.
It's estimated that many people will take a continuous 9-day break, so tickets for these days will likely be hard to buy.
That's why Tan Jincheng mentioned it.
"We'll see then. If we really can't buy train tickets, we'll find you."
"Mmm, don't buy long-distance bus tickets. Buses are quite dangerous."
"I know."
Two days in Hongcun, two days in Huangshan.
Tan Jincheng took great care of them during these four days, especially the last two days of the Huangshan trip.
Honestly, climbing a mountain during the National Day holiday wasn't a good idea in Tan Jincheng's opinion.
However, the four girls felt it wasn't easy to come all this way and that it would be hard to have such an opportunity again, so they insisted on seeing Huangshan.
Alright, they're all young people anyway.
If they can't climb anymore, they can just find a sedan chair carrier.
The four-day itinerary quickly passed.
To say that long-holiday travel is exhausting is not an exaggeration at all.
All five, including Tan Jincheng, were utterly exhausted.
On the fifth day, they slept until noon at 12 o'clock before checking out.
After a quick lunch, Tan Jincheng drove the four to Hangcheng.
Compared to their journey there, the four, who had not yet recovered from the two-day climb up Huangshan, were much quieter.
"Oh, I regret not listening to Boss Tan. I'm never climbing a mountain again,"
Xu Manli, the liveliest of the four, sighed from the back seat.
"It's fine, it's a rare experience nonetheless."
"Is Boss Tan returning to Yongcheng today?"
Chen Yanan asked.
"Yes, I'll go back after dropping you off at the hotel. Unlike you university students, us 'factory dogs' have to go back to work tomorrow."
Chen Yanan responded,
"'Factory dog'? Haha, that's an interesting term, but Boss Tan, you don't count as a 'factory dog'."
Then she added,
"Oh, by the way, Boss Tan, my dad owns an auto parts factory, and business isn't very good. I wonder if you could use their parts or place some orders with him so he can produce them."
She had wanted to ask this question for several days.
At first, she was a bit shy, then the following days she was as tired as a dog and didn't find an opportunity.
If she didn't say it today, she would miss it.
"An auto parts factory, huh?"
Tan Jincheng thought about it.
Currently, he didn't really have any business dealings with auto parts factories.
Even if he did, it would mainly be through Cheng Yongjun, as he still owed a favor from the Canton Fair.
However, getting to know another factory owner wasn't a bad thing.
In the future, if they built cars, they would need a large number of suppliers.
"Qingqing, take out a business card from the compartment in front of your leg. Chen Yanan, you can give it to your father. If there's an opportunity for cooperation, I will consider it."
"Oh, okay."
"Thank you, Boss Tan, thank you so much! You don't know how my dad complains about how difficult business is every time he comes home,"
Chen Yanan said happily.
Just getting Boss Tan's business card was good enough.
After all, auto parts and small electric scooters were distinctly different, and Chen Yanan didn't think she could secure an order just by her identity.
Giving Gu Qingqing a grateful look, Chen Yanan took the business card from her hand and looked at it.
The business card was very plain, with only the company name, Tan Jincheng's name, and contact information on one line.
"My dad always said, the plainer a business card, the more likely it's a private contact. Looks like being thick-skinned this time was the right move."
At six in the evening, the group of five arrived at the reserved hotel.
After helping the four check in and having dinner together, it was already night.
"I'll be going now. You all be careful. Call me if anything happens,"
Tan Jincheng said, hugging Gu Qingqing.
"Why don't you leave tomorrow morning instead? Driving at night isn't safe,"
Gu Qingqing said with reluctance in her eyes.
After five days of being together, their relationship had rapidly warmed up compared to when they first confirmed it.
"It's fine. Hangcheng isn't that far from home, and the road conditions are good. I'll text you when I get home."
"Alright then, please be sure to drive safely on your way."
"Got it. Go up. It's a bit cool at night."
(End of Chapter)