213: Chapter 213 If that's the case... then won't I be begging on my knees?

"Squeeze me... dry?"

That sounded even stranger!

Ye Lan looked at Qin Xun, frowning slightly with a guarded expression.

Seeing her expression, Qin Xun remained indifferent and continued.

"You are now considered an A-list star, and I am a businessman."

"If I can't squeeze out... as much of your value as possible during our collaboration,"

"then that would be a dereliction of duty."

Ye Lan breathed a sigh of relief.

So that's the kind of squeezing he meant.

However, isn't this kind of negotiation a bit too honest?

How could he say something like that out loud?

Qin Xun didn't care about Ye Lan's thoughts at all and continued on his own.

"Ye Lan, besides the three songs I'm giving you, I'm planning to have you shoot an advertisement."

Upon hearing about an advertisement, Ye Lan felt a bit happy.

She knew that Qin Xun was the vice president of a marketing company, and effectively the one in charge.

Now that Qin Xun was riding a wave of popularity, surely big companies were coming to him for marketing. And advertisements were the most common form of marketing.

If Qin Xun could facilitate a collaboration between her and some big brands, it would be a win-win situation.

Ye Lan quietly signaled Wang Cui.

Wang Cui quickly stepped forward and asked with a smile.

"Mr. Qin, thank you for still thinking of Sister Ye when you have such a good opportunity."

"May I ask if the collaborating brand is a top-tier A-list brand?"

"If not, then we can only say we're sorry."

"Even if they offer a lot of money, Sister Ye cannot shoot for non-A-list brands. It would lower her status and affect her image as an artist."

"Furthermore, there is a higher possibility that non-A-list brands will have issues later on, which could implicate the artist."

Qin Xun looked at Wang Cui, then at Ye Lan.

Both women looked expectant.

He remained calm and said, "I will try my best to choose an A-list brand."

Ye Lan and Wang Cui exchanged a look, both looking puzzled.

That sounded a bit strange too.

Ye Lan looked at Qin Xun and asked, "Choose?"

"Teacher Qin, do you mean that currently, no companies have approached you for marketing or to shoot advertisements?"

Just as Qin Xun was about to speak, he heard a rustling sound behind him. He turned around and saw it was Xia Ning.

"How could there be none?"

"My inbox is overflowing with collaboration invitations."

"There are collaboration invitations from all kinds of industries—pharmaceuticals, beauty, shopping malls, amusement parks, food, and beverages."

"I've delegated the proposals from some second and third-tier companies to others in the company, and kept over twenty collaboration invitations from A-list brands."

Xia Ning walked to the side and sat down on the ground, her face cold.

Earlier, under the tree, she had listened to snippets carried by the night breeze and deduced that they were discussing business.

Guided by her professional ethics, she set aside her resentment toward Qin Xun and walked over.

Upon hearing Xia Ning's words, Wang Cui was stunned! Ye Lan also opened her mouth slightly in surprise.

No wonder Qin Xun didn't care about internet celebrities or even stars.

When they invited him to dinner back then, he rejected them directly; when they tried to give him money, he even grabbed their necks.

Now it seemed that their attitude back then had indeed been too arrogant.

Xia Ning's face remained cold as she continued.

"Before the holiday, I kept urging Qin Xun to pick a company he found agreeable to collaborate with."

"But because the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday was coming up, he had no heart for work at all and spent every day playing games in the office."

"So, they've just been sitting in his inbox, unread."

Ye Lan was even more speechless.

Even if an A-list star encountered a collaboration invitation from an A-list brand, no matter where or when, they would definitely negotiate actively.

How could he just leave them hanging? They were the financial backers!

Besides, wasn't it not the holiday yet at that time?

Qin Xun really had quite an air about him!

...

Qin Xun coughed lightly.

"Ningning, dirty laundry shouldn't be aired in public. Why are you telling outsiders about this?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Xia Ning glared at Qin Xun. "Who is your family?"

Ye Lan looked at Qin Xun with wide, hopeful eyes. "So I'm an outsider?"

Qin Xun: "..." Heh—one sentence had angered two women.

Soon, Xia Ning turned to look at Ye Lan, her cold voice carrying a hint of pride.

"Since Qin Xun now has the idea to shoot an advertisement, and he also has the experience of leading the 'wishing we last forever' advertisement,"

"I believe he can do it very well."

"We can check the inbox tomorrow and find a big company that Qin Xun finds agreeable, and one that you also feel won't lower your status."

"And then directly negotiate the collaboration and shoot the advertisement."

Ye Lan was completely speechless inside. Looking at Qin Xun and Xia Ning, the smile on her face was a bit awkward.

"You guys treat collaborating with clients like picking a concubine; you just point at whichever one you fancy?"

"I thought I was already reckless enough in the entertainment industry, but I didn't expect you two to be even more reckless in the marketing circle."

She gave two dry laughs. Suddenly, Ye Lan noticed a playful smile on Xia Ning's face, who was staring right at her.

She suddenly realized and smiled bitterly. "I forgot, I am also Teacher Qin's client."

"I really don't have a shred of dignity as a client."

Ye Lan looked at Qin Xun and reached out her hand. "Alright, Teacher Qin, I believe you."

"I'll give you a discount."

"How about I only charge you 10 million for a two-year endorsement fee?"

"But you have to quote 15 million to the company, otherwise it won't look good for me."

She paused, then continued with a smile, "The price difference can be considered as your tea money."

But she saw Qin Xun shake his head, open his palm, and hold up five fingers. "No!"

"It's me giving you a discount: 5 million."

Ye Lan didn't quite understand. Wang Cui said urgently.

"Mr. Qin, President Qin!"

"Please show mercy!"

"This price is really too, too low. That's the rate for some second or third-tier stars."

"You have shown us great kindness, and we will try our best to meet all your requirements."

"But this isn't about the money; it's just really too embarrassing."

"If this gets out, Sister Ye will have no face to show anyone."

Xia Ning glanced at Qin Xun, then turned her head away, feeling a bit embarrassed for him.

But upon second thought, the lower the price for Ye Lan, the more the company would earn. So what if it was embarrassing!

According to Qin Xun, people without a conscience earn more.

Ye Lan looked at Qin Xun, saying nothing, implicitly agreeing with Wang Cui's opinion.

Qin Xun looked at Ye Lan, smiled, sighed, and said loudly.

"You misunderstood!"

"This 5 million advertisement fee is for you to pay me."

Ye Lan: "???"

Wang Cui: "!!!"

Both of them were stunned!

Is that even human language?

Xia Ning suddenly turned her head, looking at Qin Xun with a look of shock as well. She had never seen such a shameless person!

Was Qin Xun trying to use Ye Lan, an A-list star, as free labor?

If it weren't for the song 'wishing we last forever' acting as a buffer, Qin Xun would probably be beaten up by Ye Lan and Wang Cui.

There was silence all around. The cawing of a crow on a distant branch sounded exceptionally loud.

Ye Lan looked at Qin Xun, her face expressionless. "I pay you 5 million?"

Qin Xun nodded. "Yes."

Ye Lan asked again. "And I still have to shoot the advertisement for you?"

Qin Xun remained calm. "Yes!"

Ye Lan took a deep breath. "Then wouldn't I just be a beggar kneeling for food?"