Chapter 526: Casting Call

After lunch, while it wasn’t yet dark, a breeze stirred in the school, rustling the green leaves on the trees.

Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu didn’t rush off but kept watching the two kids meandering around, looking silly.

The boy seemed to be the older brother, mischievous and not too fond of letting his sister have her way, running around swiftly.

His sister, however, was a typical tag-along, wobbling behind him. Sometimes when she couldn’t catch up, she’d stomp her foot but continued tirelessly.

Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu sat, their hands dangling between their legs, becoming more mesmerized as they watched.

Next to them, Wang Haini looked puzzled: “You’ve been watching for an hour. Is it that interesting?”

“It’s just two kids. I don’t see the fun,” she added.

“I don’t either, but look at them; they are utterly bewitched,” replied another.

Gao Wenhui glanced over Jiang Qin and Feng Nanshu’s faces and couldn’t help but smile: “Friendship is crystallizing here; I’m going to be an aunt.”

Wang Haini thoughtfully said, “Isn’t it too early?”

“Early my foot! They’ve been together for four years!”

“They’re still in college, though.”

“I think whether or not to have kids depends only on financial conditions. Jiang Qin has enough money for several lifetimes.”

Feng Nanshu’s ears twitched: “Wenhui, stop it, Jiang and I are just friends.”

After speaking, she turned back to continue watching.

Zhang Guangfa and Zuo Baiqiang also came to the cafeteria. Seeing Jiang Qin, they greeted him, but Jiang gently pushed them aside by the face.

Guangfa looked confused: “What’s so interesting here?”

Zuo Baiqiang shook his head: “I don’t quite get the world of the wealthy.”

“Jiang’s look kind of resembles a human trafficker’s.”

“Really does, huh? I wonder if Jiang would like a child aged three years and two hundred months.”

“??”

After a while, a row of people sat near them, mimicking their gaze at the kids, looking foolish and bewildered.

The boy playing with a windmill noticed this group of ‘no-gooders’ and panicked. Grabbing his sister, they ran out of the cafeteria.

Jiang Qin took a deep breath and picked up his chopsticks only to discover his pork leg noodles were gone, his brows shot up: “Damn, where are my noodles? Who ate them?”

“You ate them yourself.”

“Nonsense, I have no memory of that!”

Wang Haini squinted: “You were too busy watching the kids. I was worried you might snort them up your nose.”

Jiang Qin threw down his chopsticks: “Someone definitely stole my noodles. Got the guts to do it, not the guts to admit it. But whatever, I’m not that hungry anyway.”

“You ate a whole bowl. Of course, you’re not hungry!”

“Whoever ate knows it best!”

Feng Nanshu then came back to herself and glanced at her plate, bewildered: “My beef brisket noodles are gone too? I haven’t even started eating.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qin slammed the table: “See, I told you. It’s not just me.”

Gao Wenhui couldn’t contain her laughter: “You really are birds of a feather.”

Jiang Qin turned to Feng Nanshu: “Do you want another portion?”

Feng Nanshu shook her head: “Though I didn’t eat, I feel somewhat full.”

“Same here.”

“……”

After lunch, Jiang Qin drove to headquarters. With Dong Wenhao, they shortlisted the female lead for a commercial and later met with Dai Fei from Light Years Marketing to discuss advertising strategies.

The current negative discourse about the group-buying market was still impacting their business, making their deadlines tight.

Dai Fei initially didn’t recognize Jiang Qin. After Dong Wenhao introduced him, she was still a bit shocked.

Although the rumors said the group-buy boss was a college student, seeing him in person still felt surreal.

So young, you wouldn’t imagine he’s worth billions.

“This ad isn’t for promotion, since our reputation is solid. Our goal is actually to solidify our brand’s integrity,” Jiang explained.

“Understood, Mr. Jiang.”

“I don’t know much about advertising or what’s best, but I trust professionals, so I’ll leave this to you.”

“Mr. Jiang, you’re too kind. I’ll do my utmost.”

“That’s all I ask.”

By 8 PM, Dai Fei returned to her hotel, ordered her assistant to make coffee, and sat down with a pen, lost in thought.

After making coffee, the assistant brought it over, noticing Dai Fei zoning out, and couldn’t resist asking: “Ms. Dai, out of ideas?”

“I finished it last night.”

“Ah?”

“This kind of company isn’t too demanding about the ad type. A big logo and repeating the name several times should suffice. Group-buy has never done a proper ad campaign before, probably lacks experience here. It’s easy to please.”

The assistant blinked: “You already finished it in advance? Yet talked so much with Mr. Jiang?”

Dai Fei took a sip of her coffee: “Group-buy pays well, so they should feel they’re getting their money’s worth. Otherwise, charging them millions for a few ad lines would be quite rude.”

“Oh…”

“Download the next episode of that Korean drama for me. I’m pulling an all-nighter. Want to develop dark circles so I look the part when I present the proposal tomorrow.”

“Right away, Ms. Dai.”

Early next morning, Dai Fei appeared at Group-buy’s headquarters with noticeable dark circles, presenting her plan to Dong Wenhao and Wei Lanlan. She couldn’t help yawning halfway through.

This process was similar to one she had done for Dianping. She believed her dark circles would be persuasive enough.

Unexpectedly, Wei Lanlan called her the same afternoon, expressing the boss’s dissatisfaction, asking for a revised proposal.

“Ms. Wei, what specifically did Mr. Jiang find unsatisfactory?”

“The boss mentioned you seemed detached.”

“?”

Dai Fei felt a bit guilty and refrained from arguing. Indeed, she had stayed up all night and submitted a completely revamped proposal.

This all-nighter wasn’t to show she was hardworking, but the deadline Group-buy had set was approaching fast.

After all, the current media pressure was considerable. Many websites were managing PR.

Especially Dianping, aggressively advertising and even diverting some traffic from Group-buy, which is why they were willing to offer above-market advertising rates.

Business wars aren’t just about burning money; media presence is a crucial aspect.

As Jiang Qin once said, chaos is an opportunity, and the turmoil in the group-buy sector provided just that.

Dianping allowed payment after service, settling accounts at month-end. But she had no financial company under her, bearing all costs herself – it was a huge gamble.

Yet, Dai Fei hadn’t expected her second version of the ad proposal to be rejected.

“Why?”

“The boss acknowledged you put in the effort this time, it’s better than the last, but there’s no hook, no memorable element. A true ad isn’t only effective when aired but sticks in people’s minds.”

Dai Fei grew agitated after hearing this; people who plan dislike outsiders meddling: “Ms. Wei, actually, advertising is a deep art. Sometimes you can’t judge just by the plan.”

“But the boss says the core element is still missing. Yours doesn’t stand out from other websites, yet we’re not sparing any expenses, and the deadline’s near.”

“What does Mr. Dong think?”

Though new, Dai Fei understood the personalities involved.

Jiang Qin was an enigma, but she knew Wei Lanlan strictly followed his orders without question.

However, she felt Dong Wenhao would appreciate her creativity, sensing a kinship as fellow creative professionals.

“Mr. Dong isn’t here. He and the boss went to Kyoto to audition actors.”

“Alright then.”

“…”

In the afternoon, a gust of autumn wind greeted Jiang Qin and Dong Wenhao as they landed in Kyoto, heading to Hua Ying Entertainment.

The casting call attracted many stars, both male and female, though most weren’t top-tier.

Advertising also has its pecking order; those who shoot for international luxury brands look down on national brands; those in fashion overlook product ads; and those in goods scoff at website ads.

At this casting, the biggest names were a budding actress and a somewhat faded female star from a few years ago.

Both women were up for the lead, but the newcomer didn’t seem interested in endorsing a website, mostly letting her assistant answer the interview questions.

The out-of-favor actress, however, showed enthusiasm, and Jiang Qin’s mother was particularly fond of a TV drama she had starred in.

“Let’s go with Yu Yue. Even her name sounds auspicious.”

“But boss, Chu Yanyan has a pretty solid fan base, and in ads, star power is crucial.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qin nodded: “Indeed.”

Dong Wenhao lowered his voice: “Also, the male lead we picked has a rumored affair with Chu Yanyan. Them together might stir up some buzz.”

“Then I’ll leave this decision up to you.”

“Alright, I’ll go talk to their managers.”

Jiang Qin nodded, stood up, and strolled down the corridor.

Hua Ying Entertainment had done well in the idol market in recent years, even capitalizing on an informal campus belle contest, so it wasn’t surprising they could turn idols into business.

Hence, the company had many idol trainees, with the average training time being two-and-a-half years.

Jiang Qin didn’t realize where he had wandered until he saw a photo studio where the shooting sound of ‘click, click’ was coming from. It was the lead singer of a girl group, filming a shampoo ad, barely covered in a towel, doing various leg lifts and twists.

Mr. Jiang stood at the door for a long time, realizing ads like these were compelling for their boldness and simplicity.

“What are you doing?”

“Uh… just wandering around.”

A man in a suit emerged from the shooting scene: “Which department are you from? Why aren’t you working instead of hanging around the performance department? Only artists are allowed here.”

Jiang Qin glanced at his badge: “Hu, is it possible that I could be an idol trainee too?”

“Heh.”

“?”

At that moment, everyone at the shooting site turned to look at Jiang Qin, their expressions somewhat odd.

Hua Ying Entertainment had a business division and a performance division. Though on the same floor, they were independent entities. The business division consisted of white-collar workers mainly handling behind-the-scenes tasks, not usually allowed in the performance area.

However, new employees often sneaked over hoping to glimpse celebrities.

But today, this individual’s luck seemed off, having encountered Hu, the company’s most temperamental executive. He might be saying his goodbyes by the afternoon.

Just as Hu was about to lose his temper, a group suddenly rushed by outside, led by the secretary of the boss, Xu Xuan, followed by several managers from the advertising department.

“Mr. Jiang, what brings you here? Our Mr. Xu rushed back from Shanghai specifically to invite you for a meal.”

“It’s nothing. I was just walking around.”

“Oh, then let’s head to the hotel first. Mr. Xu is waiting for you.”

Jiang Qin glanced at Xu’s secretary: “Do you think I can be an idol trainee here?”

The secretary was momentarily stunned: “We wouldn’t dare.”

“The entertainment industry just lost its second Yanzi…”

Jiang Qin sighed as the crowd escorted him out.

Hu, holding back a manager, asked: “Manager Liu, who was that?”

“Jiang Qin, the boss of Group-buy. They want to shoot an ad and are discussing a partnership with us.”

“Group-buy’s boss is that young?”

“Yes, just twenty-one and already worth billions. Terrifying, isn’t it?”