Chapter 049: Putting on Airs?

Chapter 049: Playing Hard to Get?

“Hello, I’m Zhang Qing, deputy leader of Business Group Seven at Feilu Media, and I’m in charge of today’s negotiations.”

Zhang Qing quickly rose to greet the visitors. Although she was somewhat displeased with their tardiness, she adjusted her attitude swiftly, mindful of their status.

“You’re only a deputy leader? Not even the group leader?” The effeminate man frowned at Zhang Qing’s courteous smile. “Where’s your boss, Ximen Lu? She didn’t even come herself? Is this how Feilu Media looks down on our Qingyan Studio?” His voice was filled with dissatisfaction, and he ignored Zhang Qing’s extended hand for a handshake.

Zhang Qing’s smile froze, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand, forcing another smile onto her face. “Our boss is currently handling an important case and couldn’t spare the time. I’m responsible for this negotiation.”

“What case could possibly be more important than Qingyan Studio?” the effeminate man retorted, appearing quite angry.

Zhang Qing was momentarily speechless. She had merely offered a casual excuse, not expecting him to latch onto it so persistently.

“Are you here to negotiate or to cause trouble?”

Chu Fei finally couldn’t hold back, fixing his cold gaze on the effeminate man. “You’re late, fine. But now you come in looking for trouble? If you’re not interested in cooperation, then get out. Go back to wherever you came from, we won’t be serving you here.”

Chu Fei was truly infuriated.

Where did this arrogant troublemaker come from, acting so high and mighty? He silently cursed Xu Mei, wondering if she had deliberately sent this person to make things difficult for him.

“And who are you?” The effeminate man was startled, but facing Chu Fei’s icy, murderous look, he didn’t dare continue his rant. He sneered, “Fine, let’s proceed with proper procedure. Lawyer Zhang, please handle the negotiation.”

With that, the effeminate man shot Chu Fei a mocking look and turned to sit on a sofa inside, followed closely by Li Duo’er, who attentively began massaging his shoulders, as if comforting him.

A refined man in his forties stepped forward from the group and approached Zhang Qing.

“Good day, colleagues from Feilu. My name is Zhang Ying. I’ve been entrusted to handle this negotiation. When shall we begin?” The lawyer, Zhang Ying, was gentle in demeanor, but his words left everyone stunned.

Not only was Zhang Qing confused, but Chu Fei’s brows knit tightly. The fax had clearly stated that the negotiation would be handled by the head of Qingyan Studio. How had it become an entrusted lawyer?

What did this mean?

The nature of the matter had completely changed. Previously, it seemed Qingyan Studio was actively seeking out Feilu Media for cooperation. Now, it had turned into a business negotiation, altering the entire dynamic.

Was Xu Mei deliberately setting a trap?

Chu Fei frowned repeatedly.

Zhang Qing, however, didn’t dwell on it. Although the negotiation mode was vastly different from what she had anticipated, the counterpart was still Qingyan Studio, the only one of its kind in China. Her main task was to secure the project.

But as soon as negotiations began, Zhang Qing realized she had been overly optimistic. This negotiation was more difficult than any before, every step was a struggle.

“Sorry, Miss Zhang.” Lawyer Zhang Ying interrupted Zhang Qing’s opening words with a gentle smile, though his tone was merciless. “According to the contract, we will only fulfill the previous endorsement advertisement. Any further cooperation requires a new agreement. Miss Li Duo’er’s current status has risen considerably; a single endorsement now commands over a million, and product endorsements start at two million. However, given the previous misunderstandings, we are willing to temporarily set the endorsement fee with Feilu at two million per campaign. The agreement must clearly state that as Miss Li Duo’er’s value increases, so too will the endorsement fee.”

“But we clearly agreed verbally before…” Zhang Qing’s expression turned grim. The negotiation’s opening had thrown all her plans into disarray; it was nothing like she had envisioned.

“As you mentioned, Miss Zhang, it was a verbal agreement. Legally, verbal agreements hold no binding power,” Lawyer Zhang Ying replied with a smile.

Zhang Qing could only smile bitterly. She knew this, of course. She just couldn’t accept it. She had imagined everything going so smoothly, the entire Group Seven was enthusiastic, and yet the reality was a complete disappointment.

“Miss Zhang, do you have anything else to say?” Lawyer Zhang Ying asked with a smile.

“Nothing for now.” Zhang Qing shook her head, helpless, her mind a muddled mess. The negotiation had collapsed before it even properly began. She wondered if her boss, Ximen Lu, would be disappointed in her.

At that moment, an unpleasant voice sounded from the corner—it was the effeminate man.

“Rest assured, we’ll continue to fulfill the contract signed for Duo’er’s previous endorsements. But you’ll need to hurry. Duo’er’s schedule is tight now; you have three days, no more. After that, we must return to South China. If the shoot doesn’t go well by then, responsibility won’t lie with us.” The effeminate man curled his lip at Chu Fei and the others, finally lingering on Zhang Qing’s despondent face with a strange look. “But Miss Zhang Qing seems to have good prospects. Ever considered joining the entertainment industry? With your looks and my packaging, you’d definitely be popular—much more glamorous than your current job. What do you say? Think it over!” His gaze was full of playful suggestion.

The others from Qingyan Studio also began looking at Zhang Qing with ambiguous expressions.

Chu Fei’s face darkened.

Deliberate provocation?

While Zhang Qing and the lawyer were negotiating, the effeminate man had been chatting and laughing with Li Duo’er, occasionally glancing at Chu Fei and his group with disdain and arrogance. His voice was loud, making no attempt to be discreet. He repeatedly mentioned that Feilu Media was lucky to be working with Qingyan Studio…

Chu Fei had been restraining himself, but now he couldn’t bear it any longer.

He suddenly stood and strode over to the effeminate man.

“What are you doing?”

The effeminate man leapt up in fright, staring at Chu Fei…

Smack!

Without a word, Chu Fei slapped him hard across the face, knocking him back onto the sofa, stunned into silence.

“You—you dare hit me! Do you know who I am? I’m from Qingyan Studio… No, don’t hit me again…”

Realizing what had happened, the effeminate man began to shout, but was silenced by Chu Fei’s cold glare.

Chu Fei ignored him, took out his phone, and dialed Xu Mei. He wanted to know exactly what this woman intended—was there no limit to how far she’d go to cause trouble?

“Chu Fei? Are you calling specifically to thank me? The studio’s people should have already met with your Feilu company, right?” Xu Mei’s charming voice came through the phone, assuming Chu Fei was calling to express gratitude. Thanks to Chu Fei, she’d been monitoring the situation closely and knew today was the detailed negotiation.

Chu Fei took a deep breath and spoke coldly, “Xu Mei, I need an explanation.”

“An explanation for what?” Xu Mei was puzzled, sensing something wrong in Chu Fei’s tone.

“If Qingyan Studio wants to cooperate, fine. If not, then get out. Do you think I care? Sending someone like that to disgust me, and with such a pretentious attitude—do you really think I won’t get angry?” Chu Fei’s voice was icy.

“Huh?”

On the other end, Xu Mei, clad in pajamas and leaning against her headboard, was dumbfounded. Chu Fei was furious—very angry.

What on earth had happened to provoke him so?

“I’ll give you five minutes.”

Chu Fei’s voice came again, followed by the sound of a busy signal…

“Something’s wrong!”

Xu Mei snapped to attention, replaying Chu Fei’s recent words in her mind. With her experience and intellect, she immediately realized there was a problem with the cooperation—likely a major one, or else Chu Fei wouldn’t be so incensed.

Chu Fei was about to explode?

Normally, that wouldn’t matter. Though in Xu Mei’s mind Chu Fei was a devil, as long as she didn’t provoke him, things would be fine. But if his anger spilled over onto Mu Qingyan, it would be troublesome. If that guy became dissatisfied with Mu Qingyan and refused to see her…

Xu Mei grew anxious. She knew full well that if Chu Fei ignored Mu Qingyan, with Mu Qingyan’s obsessive love and her temperament, she would definitely go to extremes—begging, perhaps even suicide…

“Wu, what the hell are you doing?”

Xu Mei quickly dialed Wu Gang, Qingyan Studio’s project planner, and for the first time in her life, she cursed out loud like a lioness…

Wu Gang was so stunned by her shouting that he was left speechless for a long time…

—

The conference room was silent. Everyone watched the handsome young man sitting in his chair, quietly smoking.

Especially the effeminate man, who looked at Chu Fei with a mixture of fear and confusion. Afraid because Chu Fei had acted without hesitation, brutally and unreasonably; his cheek still burned from the slap. Confused because Chu Fei had mentioned a name during his phone call.

“Xu Mei?”

Which Xu Mei? Could it be the Xu Mei beside Mu Qingyan?

The effeminate man wasn’t sure, but suddenly felt uneasy. He remembered Wu’s repeated instructions before coming. He’d been with Qingyan Studio for over two years, and it was the first time Wu had been so serious.

Had he misunderstood?

Wu had said to treat this negotiation with exceptional care, never to be careless, and had repeatedly emphasized that the studio’s people must never lose face or status.

Was his interpretation wrong?

The effeminate man’s expression grew increasingly grim. He realized things were deviating from his expectations. Before coming, he’d thought over Wu’s advice and concluded Wu was angry at Feilu—a small, second-rate advertising company daring to challenge Qingyan Studio. Wasn’t that courting disaster?

But Qingyan Studio couldn’t retaliate, or it would be accused of bullying, damaging its reputation. So Wu had to swallow his pride and cooperate, though he was furious.

The effeminate man thought Wu’s hints meant he should give Feilu a hard time—cooperate, but make them suffer. He’d even planned how to handle Feilu next; today’s meeting was only the beginning…

Ring ring—

A string of phone chimes suddenly broke the silence in the conference room…

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