CH 52

October 28, 2021kaychandra

Chapter 52: Refusing the Endorsement

Because the fans were so enthusiastic, the screams were overwhelming and attracted more and more attention. In an effort to keep the scene in order, the security staff had to make the fans move aside.

“Thank you all, thank you all.” Gongxi Qiao put his hands together and said thanks while walking out of the airport protected by security. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to sign autographs or take photos with fans, but because the airport was densely populated. If he had stayed at the airport, it would have attracted more and more people to come watch. It wouldn’t be good if he caused people to get hurt.

He couldn’t ignore safety issues in order to gain the goodwill of his fans. In a place like the airport, even if the fans in front who could hear him speak were sensible, the passers-by who crowded in behind to see the fun didn’t necessarily have the same sense. When everyone was pushing, it could easily become dangerous.

“Oh my god,” Chen Ke patted Gongxi Qiao’s shirt that was wrinkled by the fans, “it was too dangerous just now. I made a point of checking before I left. The specific time of your return to the country wasn’t revealed. How could so many people have come to pick up the plane?”

“I’m afraid you don’t know. Ever since the media heard three days ago that you would be a few days late in returning to the country, people have been watching the airport every day, including many fans,” He Peng, who came all the way to pick them up, said while while driving, “The news of Qiao Shao’s appearance in ‘Golden Manor’ hasn’t been made public, but you’re now a national idol.” With this international art exchange event alone, Gongxi Qiao’s status had already left many artists a whole street behind.

Now because of the ‘Miraculous Hands Growing Flowers’ technique and ‘Palace Banquet’, Gongxi Qiao had already gotten a lot of attention and had enough buzz. The news of ‘Golden Manor 2’ could be released later.

“Hey, didn’t you say that when Director Phillips found you, there were two reporters from the National Station on the scene?” Chen Ke suddenly remembered this matter, “They didn’t report this matter after they returned to the country?”

“They’re National Station reporters, not entertainment reporters,” Gongxi Qiao said with a smile, “not to mention that what they want people to focus on now is the art exchange, not promotion of a foreign film production.”

Chen Ke nodded in understanding, his whole body relaxed into the back of the chair. “I’m still more comfortable in front of my own people. In order to maintain my image these days, I’ve been strung tight. I’m exhausted.” Speaking of this, he said rather emotionally, “Still, you’re good. Not only was the starring actor friendly to you, the director also admired you very much.”

“He didn’t admire me as much as he showed.” Gongxi Qiao raised his eyebrows. “I’ve checked the western evaluation of the movie. I heard that the outside world isn’t optimistic about ‘Golden Manor 2’ because Phillips didn’t work on the first film. He only directed the second one. Fans are worried that he won’t be able to continue the splendor and style of the first film.”

“What you mean is, Phillips is trying to borrow your current fame to enter our domestic market. Then, even if it fails at the box office in the western market, they can use the box office results in Flower Country to shut up the investors?” Chen Ke suddenly sat up straight, “Because of the success of your ‘Palace Banquet’, it can be used as a topic for his movie promotion, and also attract some of the western fans who are curious about you. This idea is really good.”

Eastern artists weren’t very popular in the western market, so instead of choosing other artists, they chose Gongxi Qiao, who was the most talked about in the West at the moment. Not only would this move please Flower Country fans, but it would also increase the attention of Western fans.

Everyone on earth knew how powerful the spending power of the Flower Country people was.

“There really is no big pie in the sky that falls for no reason in this world,” Chen Ke sighed, “These foreigners are also really good singer-songwriters[1].”

“It’s the same in any circle. If I hadn’t made a splash at the art exchange this time and received a lot of media attention, I don’t think this director, who’s quite famous in the West, would have taken the initiative to invite me to play this role, even if he saw me,” Gongxi Qiao said without much concern, “He is using my current buzz to secure the Flower Country box office market, and I’m using him to open the doors to the international film industry. It’s actually quite fair.”

“You’re right, I was thinking too simply.” Chen Ke sighed. In the past year, because Gongxi Qiao’s path to stardom was so smooth, it made him, the agent, lose his ability to judge correctly. Today, Gongxi Qiao’s words were a wake-up call.

Gongxi Qiao, who was still considered a new artist, could understand the reasoning, but Chen Ke didn’t figure it out. All his years in the circle were for nothing.

The car drove directly to the Senhe Entertainment building. After Gongxi Qiao entered the company’s gate, all the artists he met along the way, whether they knew each other or not, called him “Brother Qiao.”

Fortunately, there was Chen Ke behind him to prompt him, so he greeted them one-by-one. After entering the elevator, he said to Chen Ke, “Has the company signed new people recently?” Several of the ones he greeted just now were unknown to him.

“It’s a recent thing.” Chen Ke pressed the floor number. “Those new people aren’t bad physically, but their acting skills and ability to deal with the media are too naive.”

“Slowly getting used to the circle will be much better. It looks like they’re still very young.” Gongxi Qiao shook his head. “You can’t ask them to follow the standards of the veterans in the circle.”

Chen Ke sighed and looked at Gongxi Qiao with a somewhat complex gaze. Wasn’t this a living example of a high emotional and intellectual quotient?

He was saying that others were young, but was he very old?

The elevator rose halfway up, suddenly stopped, and then two people came in. The one who walked in front was a young man with heavy makeup and bangs covering his entire forehead.

“Brother Chen, hello, Qiao Shao, hello.” The short fat man behind the young man saw Gongxi Qiao’s group and immediately greeted them with a smile on his face. He pulled the younger man beside him with his hand, “This is our Lin Kang.”

“Hello,” Gongxi Qiao saw that the artist named Lin Kang was obviously lacking in energy and politely nodded. “What floor are you going to?”

The short and fat agent looked at the elevator button area. “The same as you, thank you.” After saying that, he hurriedly pressed the close button.

Lin Kang leaned against the elevator wall and yawned before beginning to greet Chen Ke and Gongxi Qiao.

Chen Ke’s expression didn’t look too good, but the other party wasn’t an artist he was working with, so he gave a slight nod and stopped talking.

The atmosphere fell into silence until the elevator opened once more and Xiang Hong’s face appeared outside the elevator.

“Xiao Qiao is back,” Xiang Hong was full of enthusiasm, trying to make Gongxi Qiao feel a warm spring-like atmosphere, “Did you have a hard journey?”

“I was fortunate,” Gongxi Qiao smiled and let Xiang Hong pat him on the shoulder, “Brother Chen took good care of me.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” Xiang Hong said with a smile, “Then let’s have a cup of tea in my office first.”

Lin Kang watched his boss take Gongxi Qiao and his group into the office and turned to leave, but was held back by his manager.

“Where are you going?” Xie Ji grabbed his own artist, “At times like this you have to be thick-skinned to find opportunities. You should understand what your situation is now. It’s rare for the boss to want to see you today. Don’t pretend to be aloof.”

Lin Kang said with a blank face, “Who else do you think the boss can see in his eyes, now that the young master is there?”

“Shut up,” Xie Ji was shocked by his words, his face changed, “you’ve been in the circle for several years. Don’t you know what to say and what not to say?”

Lin Kang pursed his lips and stopped talking. He let Xie Ji squeeze a flattering smile on his face and pull him into the door of the president’s office.

Xiang Hong, who was chatting with Gongxi Qiao, saw the two of them enter. He said, “Both of you, come and sit down.”

“Boss,” Xie Ji pulled Lin Kang and picked a corner to sit down, but his attention was focused on Xiang Hong’s conversation with Gongxi Qiao.

“You’ve worked so hard for so long. Just take a good rest for two days. ‘Cultivation’ is going to start filming soon. It won’t be easy at that time.” Xiang Hong said after taking a sip of coffee, “In addition, the company has given you a new nanny car. If you don’t like it, I’ll arrange for you to get another one.”

Xie Ji’s heart jumped. There were rumors that the roles of ‘Cultivation’ were all set, but he didn’t expect Gongxi Qiao to get a role. However, he didn’t know whether the role was important or not.

“Boss, anything you’ve specially arranged must be good,” said Gongxi Qiao with a grateful look on his face. “The ‘Cultivation’ side has talked to me about the work process. There won’t be any problems.”

“Good.” Xiang Hong nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Lin Kang and said, “This is Lin Kang. He’s a veteran of the company. It’s just that when he was shooting a movie last spring, he was injured on the set and recuperated in the hospital for almost a year. He only recently made his comeback.”

“I met Brother Lin in the elevator just now.” Gongxi Qiao smiled at Lin Kang. “Please take care of me in the future, Brother Lin.” No wonder he had no impression of this artist. He hadn’t even entered the circle at the beginning of spring last year.

“We don’t dare,” Xie Ji was busy laughing, “I’d like to ask you to take care of him more, please.”

Seeing this attitude of Xie Ji, Gongxi Qiao still smiled politely. Regardless of Lin Kang himself, his agent did his best to bow and bend for him.

Xiang Hong introduced Lin Kang to Gongxi Qiao as a matter of etiquette, so after asking Gongxi Qiao a few more questions of concern, he let Gongxi Qiao go home to rest.

After Gongxi Qiao left, Xiang Hong turned to Xie Ji and said, “About Lin Kang’s comeback, the company already has a specific program planned. You shouldn’t rush.” After saying that, he looked up and down at Lin Kang’s styling again and frowned slightly. “As an artist, you usually have to be mindful of your own image at all times. For example, our company’s Gongxi Qiao is a very successful case. Whether it’s his street photos or the media’s sneak peek photos, he can make his fans praise him for being a handsome character.”

Xie Ji wiped sweat in his heart. What kind of person was Qiao Shao? Could their Lin Kang compare with Qiao Shao?

“Of course, I’m not saying that you should imitate Xiao Qiao’s behavior, but you can still learn from some of his success stories,” said Xiang Hong with his hands crossed on the table. “All right, Lin Kang’s matter has been decided. I have a program in mind. Treating the company’s artists, I am always fair and just. The company’s staff will inform you of the specific details of how to proceed.” What kind of ability you had determined your level of treatment. This was the fairness of the entertainment industry.

“Okay, thanks boss.” Xie Ji took Lin Kang out of the boss’s office and sighed, “Why didn’t you say anything just now?”

“What’s there to say?” Lin Kang put his hands in his trouser pockets and said expressionlessly, “I can’t do what Mr. Gongxi did. He has the money to invest on his own, and the directors are crying and begging for him to choose their roles. Even if I say something, the boss won’t take it to heart.”

“Alas.” Xie Ji pressed the elevator and said helplessly, “Sooner or later you’ll suffer from your foul temper.”

Lin Kang’s eyelids twitched, but he didn’t speak.

Gongxi Qiao was careful to shake off the journalists along the way before he returned to the Gongxi family villa, only to open the door and see the sofa filled with big bags of designer goods. “Dad, mom, did you go abroad for a shopping spree?”

“Our son is back?” Qiao Lanfen, who was unpacking the bags, heard her son’s voice. She stopped unpacking, and quickly ran to Gongxi Qiao’s side, “Son, you’ve made a big splash this time. You were even featured in the news broadcast, and your father and I are basically envied by everyone.”

Qiao Lanfen said a long string of excited words, before raising her voice to her husband who was busy in the kitchen, “Da Xiong, our son is back. Make more dishes tonight.”

“So, our son is back?” Gongxi Xiong smiled as he stuck his head out of the kitchen and said, “Okay, just wait. I can absolutely guarantee that it will smell, look, and taste great!”

“Dad,” Gongxi Qiao walked to the kitchen door and watched Gongxi Xiong shredding the meat, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“As long as you and your mother don’t come and make trouble, you’ll be helping,” Gongxi Xiong disgustedly waved his hand. “Your mother and I have seen your performance at the exhibition. People all around are praising you. Now go out. I, Old Xiong, am not afraid of people calling me an old fatty. Who could raise such an excellent son?”

“Yes, ah. Without you and Mom’s hard work raising me, how could I have achieved what I have today? And you’re not fat either. My dad is cool.”

“That’s not true.” Gongxi Xiong proudly waved the big gold necklace around his neck, very satisfied with his son’s flattery.

Gongxi Qiao laughed in a low voice. He leaned against the door frame and looked at his father who was busy in the kitchen, and then at his mother who was sitting on the sofa and peeling fruit for herself. His eyes were warm with laughter.

After the family of three ate a sumptuous dinner, Gongxi Qiao took out the gifts he bought for his parents. He saw them joyfully put them on before saying, “The shop assistant said this pair of rings was blessed as a peace ring. You’ll definitely be peaceful and healthy when you wear it.”

“Our son’s vision is good. This ring looks better than all my other rings.” Qiao Lanfen cheerfully looked at her finger for a long time. “Okay, go shower and sleep. Don’t disturb me and your father’s two-person world.”

“Okay, your son doesn’t want to be a big third wheel.” Gongxi Qiao hugged her before going upstairs with a smile on his face. He walked to the corner of the stairs and heard his mother praising him constantly.

He took a shower and slept beautifully. When he woke up the next morning, it was already nine in the morning. He took out his cell phone from under his pillow, opened it and found a text message on it.

Da Xi: Welcome back to the country. Let’s have lunch tomorrow at noon. Do you have time?

After Gongxi Qiao washed and changed his clothes and went downstairs, he saw that his parents weren’t at home, so he called Xi Qing back.

In the president’s office of the Xi Group’s building, Xi Qing listened to the department manager report on the malicious appropriation of market shares by the Bai Group. After the other party finished, he calmly said, “Don’t worry about the Bai Group’s tactics. We only need to be responsible for our own products.”

He already had a hunch that the authorities were very unhappy with the Bai Group’s behavior and wouldn’t be able to tolerate it for long.

Although the department manager didn’t understand why the boss was so unconcerned about this matter, his heart was more or less relieved. Recently, the Bai Group had acted in a high-profile manner, with advertisements flying all over the place. They had the potential to dominate the business world, causing the entire business circle to panic. Now, with the boss’s attitude, he felt relieved.

At this very moment, a guqin sounded. He was stunned for a moment before he realized it was his boss’s cell phone.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you at noon.” Xi Qing heard the warm voice in the telephone. Even his heart seemed to be softened by this voice.

Watching the boss’s face change from expressionless to gentle, the department manager secretly made a guess. Recently there were rumors amongst the staff that the boss fell in love. He didn’t believe it at all, but now it looked as if he really was in love.

“I’ve already made things clear. You don’t have to worry. Go back to your own post and deal with other things.” Xi Qing put down the phone. He raised his wrist to look at the time, and said to Special Assistant Gou who was sitting on the side, “I have to go out later. Contact me by phone if anything happens.”

Special Assistant Gou nodded silently, not curious at all about the boss’s whereabouts.

When Gongxi Qiao was about to go out, he received a call from Chen Ke.

“What endorsement?” Gongxi Qiao heard that a big brand was looking for his endorsement and had some interest. However, after hearing that it was a brand owned by the Bai Group, he immediately frowned. The Bai Group recently seemed to be in the limelight, but many of their business investments were disrupting the market economy. Such behavior wouldn’t have much impact for the time being, but in the long run, it would have serious consequences. It would be like earning blood money.

Although he was just an entertainer now, unable to influence the behavior of such large enterprises, he should at least state his position, “Help me reject it. I won’t consider cooperating with the Bai Group in the near future.”

Although Chen Ke, who was on the other end of the phone, was a bit puzzled by Gongxi Qiao’s behavior, he didn’t force the issue since Gongxi Qiao had already made his decision. He turned around to politely reject the Bai Group’s proposal of cooperation.

With the status of the Bai Group in Flower Country, the publicity staff was a little upset to hear that an artist had rejected their endorsement. Thinking of Gongxi Qiao’s current status in the hearts of the public, they didn’t say much, but they were more or less unhappy in their hearts.

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