Chapter 110: Demanding an Exorbitant Price

Lin Wanyu and Ellie followed the sound and indeed saw Yao Qier, dressed in a pristine white princess gown, striding in confidently. Behind her trailed two assistants, a manager, and six bodyguards clad in black. Setting everything else aside, the sheer entourage was undeniably impressive.

“How dare a mere assistant speak out against Sister Qier? That’s utterly ridiculous! You’d better apologize to Sister Qier in person, or I won’t hesitate to sue you. Public humiliation has caused Sister Qier severe psychological distress and severely damaged her reputation. Hmph… can you bear such charges?”

The speaker was a young woman with short, ear-length hair, prominent cheekbones, and extremely thin lips, her face radiating aggression. Her words were arrogant and overbearing. She was Lu Weiwei, Yao Qier’s manager and close confidante.

“You’re just a mere assistant yourself,” Ellie muttered inwardly. Managers beside stars usually act as nannies and spokespeople, but could they really be so much more important than her, the CEO’s secretary?

Though she thought this silently, Ellie knew better than to say it aloud. One must bow under low eaves. Even Director Lin was willing to compromise; what could a lowly secretary like her do?

“Are you mute?” Lu Weiwei pressed aggressively when Ellie remained silent. “No, wait! You were so talkative just now! Your expression says you’re not convinced! Do you even know Sister Qier’s current status? The endorsement fees we discussed before were barely enough to feed a beggar. You expect Sister Qier to shoot a full set of endorsement ads and promotional posters? Don’t daydream!”

Though Lu Weiwei’s words appeared directed at Ellie, they were meant for Lin Wanyu. The message was clear: times have changed. Yao Qier’s web drama skyrocketed her fame, so endorsement fees must rise sharply; otherwise, they wouldn’t proceed.

Lin Wanyu was inwardly furious but maintained a composed exterior, upholding the basic decorum of negotiation.

“Miss Yao, our endorsement fee was agreed upon in advance. I am willing to adjust it reasonably with changes in circumstances. This isn’t our first collaboration. Honestly, do you find the latest fee your side proposed reasonable?” Lin Wanyu ignored Lu Weiwei’s aggressive posturing and smiled professionally as she addressed Yao Qier directly.

“Reasonable my foot!”

“That’s just an exorbitant demand,” Yao Qier retorted.

"A total rip-off!"

Yao Qier grumbled inwardly.

The party making unreasonable demands always knows how excessive those demands are—but so what?

There was no signed contract, and Lin Group couldn’t find a suitable celebrity to replace her on short notice. If Yao Qier refused to shoot, tomorrow’s product launch would be a disaster.

Compared to the massive corporate image and financial losses, Yao Qier believed paying more endorsement fees was Lin Wanyu’s best and only choice.

“Director Lin, I understand you think the endorsement fee is too high, but honestly, can you compare my current traffic to when we first discussed collaboration? If I endorse your new product, it’s very likely to be a hit. Won’t the huge economic benefits offset the increased fees?” Yao Qier spoke with the haughty air of a white swan looking down on minnows, her smile forced and insincere. “Moreover, this time’s promotional ads are a series of samples used for various marketing events. With my new drama releases, the advertising effect will be several times better than before. That’s my intangible value to your company.”

At first glance, Yao Qier’s argument seemed reasonable, but she was subtly shifting the meaning. While her new dramas might increase her traffic, how much of that would benefit Lin Group’s products remained questionable.

Besides, Yao Qier’s fame rose from a web drama. Claiming to have reached a high level of stardom was somewhat far-fetched, especially with rumors swirling that she was the mistress of a powerful industry boss who secretly boosted the drama’s popularity.

If such rumors were confirmed, it could negatively affect Lin Group’s products. Otherwise, Lin Wanyu would have replaced her long ago.

“Exactly! My Sister Qier is now a big star, inundated with invitations to variety shows. Compared to top-tier actresses, she’s no less, yet those stars’ endorsement fees usually start at fifty million. Sister Qier only asks for thirty million—a great bargain, right?”

Having been ignored like a ghost by Lin Wanyu, Lu Weiwei finally found an opening to vent her bottled-up frustration.

“Miss Yao, our initial agreement was an endorsement fee of three hundred thousand. Suddenly raising it by a hundredfold—is that reasonable?” Lin Wanyu asked.

Though thirty million wasn’t astronomical for Lin Group, Lin Wanyu wasn’t about to be taken advantage of. Especially now, she calculated every penny carefully, ensuring money was spent wisely, even if it was just thirty thousand.

Her professional smile vanished, replaced by an air of authority that overwhelmed Yao Qier, who had just escaped the confines of the third-tier celebrity circle. Even her initial arrogance had noticeably softened.

As for Lu Weiwei, she was on the verge of losing control. If not for the delicate nature of this negotiation, she would have stomped her feet and cursed openly.

“Director Lin, considering our multiple collaborations, I’m willing to lower the endorsement fee to twenty-five million. How’s that? Am I being sincere enough?” Yao Qier said, her heart bleeding at the proposal—five million less. She hadn’t earned that much from all her failed web dramas combined.

Lin Wanyu frowned slightly. She would have agreed immediately if Yao Qier asked for three million, as her market value had indeed increased. But twenty-five million was still an outrageous price, especially since they lacked time to find another celebrity.

“Miss Yao, can the endorsement fee be lowered further?” Lin Wanyu asked steadily.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Yao Qier’s demeanor instantly turned frosty, and her tone reverted to its original haughty arrogance. “Twenty-five million is my bottom line. Otherwise, I won’t shoot the endorsement. Director Lin, I’ve shown my sincerity, but you haven’t shown any. I’m very disappointed.”

Just as Lin Wanyu was about to respond, a clear, cheerful voice suddenly interrupted, “It’s better not to use trash like this who flip-flop and have no credibility!”