Chapter 9

In the waiting room of Aifen Food Company, several advertising companies anxiously waited for their interviews.

The situation was abnormal!

What about the promised three minutes?

It's been over an hour!

And they're a big company, do they have no credibility?

The most anxious was Huan Yu Advertising. They were next after Mengren Film and Television, and logically, it should have been their turn after three minutes.

But... after more than twenty sets of three minutes, it still wasn't their turn, and neither Mai Xiaoyu nor Xiang Xiaoxing had come out.

Could they have secured the deal?

Impossible, impossible, they don't have the capability.

Even if they did, they only received the news last night; there was no way they could have prepared in time!

Tch, what nonsense, making it seem like I'm afraid of them, ridiculous!

We, Huan Yu, are a legitimate big company, not some fly-by-night operation. They're only fit to be our stepping stones!

Liu Lei had his reasons for choosing today.

Aifen Food Company didn't play by the rules, intensifying the competition. He had no guarantee of winning, as the domestic 4A advertising companies were no pushovers. Therefore, he chose the last day to compete with those third-tier and even lower-tier companies.

As the saying goes, the green leaves should be trampled by the red flowers.

By showcasing the inferior designs and ideas of the smaller companies, Huan Yu's high-end image would stand out, deepening Aifen's impression and elevating their own status. Perhaps Aifen would get distracted and the deal would fall into their lap.

Clack, clack, clack, the secretary in high heels came to the waiting room.

"Everyone, we've just received notice from above that today's session is over. We apologize for the inconvenience. As a token of appreciation, our company will give each of you a box of premium Dove chocolate."

As soon as she finished speaking, the waiting room erupted.

"Who's that powerful?"

"Looks like it's settled."

"What nonsense, we've been waiting so long!"

"What's there to be angry about? Didn't you see Huan Yu is in the same boat?"

"You're right."

Most of the advertising companies that came today had a "hit or miss" attitude. They weren't too disappointed, especially since Huan Yu was in the same situation, making it easier to accept.

Huan Yu, however, was different.

As a first-tier advertising company, a major player in the Beijing advertising circle, being treated like a no-name company and not even getting a chance to meet... from Liu Lei down, everyone's face burned with humiliation.

Liu Lei chased after the secretary, wanting to ask which company Aifen had chosen, and accidentally saw Mai Xiaoyu walking over with the accompaniment of Aifen's advertising department manager, Wang.

"Mr. Mai, your sketching skills are impressive. I've never seen anyone finish a sketch in five minutes."

"Manager Wang, you flatter me. I don't have that kind of skill. The scenes were already in my mind, and the memory was very vivid. Moreover, your company's products taste great and are of top quality, which inspired me to sketch with ease."

"Ha ha ha, I'm looking forward to the advertisement your company will produce even more."

The two chatted and laughed, and even a fool could tell that Mai Xiaoyu had secured the Dove advertising contract.

Liu Lei's face burned hotter than the slaps he received last night.

Xiang Xiaoxing walked up to him, holding out his hand, "Boss Liu, there are no stones here, a pencil will do."

...

"Dove's advertisement!"

"A 500,000 RMB contract!"

"Fish, you're amazing!"

"Boss Mai, you're my idol!"

"Sister Tao is going to be a star!"

"Congratulations, Sister Tao!"

"Boss, treat us!"

"Let's have a feast!"

Mai Xiaoyu and Xiang Xiaoxing returned to the company with the cooperation agreement, and Mengren Film and Television erupted in joy. The employees were excited and jubilant.

In two months, they had attracted over a hundred members, but none of them had received any audition notices. The members and employees had begun to doubt the company.

The business prince, Deng Chao, had been worried about this issue. He had brought in so many members, and if the company turned out to be a scam, how would he face those members?

Signing Liu Tao had somewhat stabilized the morale, and today's Dove advertising contract boosted the employees' confidence. Whether they were out on the streets or contacting production teams, they felt much more confident.

Dove's advertisement.

A 500,000 RMB contract.

Who dares to look down on our company?

Who dares to call us a scam?

Being a small company had its advantages; fewer people made it easier to have a feast.

They chose the Emperor Hotpot on the 20th floor of Jinlong Tower for the feast. Twelve people booked a luxury private room with a KTV system, an automatic mahjong table in the lounge, and a south-facing balcony with a view of the Yanjing night scene.

When they arrived, it wasn't dark yet. Under Xiang Xiaoxing's organization, they chatted, sang, and played mahjong. Zhang Xiaoquan held his beloved DSLR, capturing every exciting moment. For a moment, the two forgot their identity as scammers and enjoyed the normal joys and sorrows of life.

Mai Xiaoyu leaned on the balcony, smoking a cigarette, basking in the sunset, and admiring the beautiful twilight, reflecting on that dream.

The dream of a yellow millet was empty, but my dream doesn't seem to be.

The Dove contract made him realize that his dreams, when turned into reality, had strong productivity and could create immense value.

The budget for the Dove advertisement was 500,000 RMB, but his idea was worth a million.

To be precise, 1.5 million!

Selling an idea for 1.5 million RMB wasn't rare in developed Western countries, but it was rare in China today.

Of course, the 1.5 million RMB was conditional, based on Aifen's satisfaction with the advertisement. Otherwise, he wouldn't get a penny.

Would they be dissatisfied?

1.5 million RMB, 250,000 USD, if this happened a few more times, perhaps Aunt Song's illness could be cured...

"Boss Mai." Liu Tao came to the balcony with two drinks, interrupting Mai Xiaoyu's thoughts.

Mai Xiaoyu turned his head, looking at the graceful Liu Tao, and whistled, "Very beautiful, keep it up, and be even more beautiful in the future."

"I'll remember that. Thank you, Boss Mai."

"I've told you many times, no need to thank me. In fact, I should thank you for not exposing me as a scammer."

A scammer?

Liu Tao had always thought so before, but now...

She had been scammed for 10,000 RMB, but Mai Xiaoyu's investment in her had long exceeded that amount.

Clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, phone, yoga classes, figure training, meals, rent, pocket money... all expenses were covered by Mai Xiaoyu. Sometimes she even felt like she was being kept by him.

Today, they secured the Dove advertising contract, and she was the lead actress. Was this the work of a scammer?

"Boss Mai, can you give me the sketch from that day?"

"Sure, it's of you anyway."

"Click!"

The flash went off, and Zhang Xiaoquan held his DSLR, capturing the moment they looked at each other.

Xiang Xiaoxing came over and teased, "Hey, hey, Brother Fork, it looks like we've scammed a boss lady?"

Liu Tao's face turned red, and Mai Xiaoyu kicked him, "Get lost!"

"Just a joke, boss, don't take it seriously," Xiang Xiaoxing laughed and came closer again, "Don't always hide and be mysterious, learn to enjoy with everyone. Come on, let's go sing. Deng Chao, you're hogging the mic, give it to Boss Mai!"