Chapter 23: How Could a Collaboration Seek Us Out?

Yang Mi’s beautiful eyes widened slightly, filled with a look of shock.

Forty-five million for two years?

Such a signing fee was a price rarely seen even among the biggest stars. Why would the other party offer her such an astronomical sum? Moreover, judging by Liu Yanbin’s attitude, he seemed very eager for her to sign immediately.

Sensing Yang Mi’s concern, Liu Yanbin smiled and said, "Miss Yang, please don't overthink it. This is purely because we see your potential. I have always been a good judge of character, and I believe your future achievements will be dazzling. So, you don’t need to worry about these conditions."

Liu Yanbin could only say as much; after all, he dared not say anything regarding Li Qing. If he said even one wrong word, it would be the end of him.

Yang Mi felt somewhat stunned and bewildered. She found Liu Yanbin’s words hard to believe. How could there be such an absurd situation? However, since she was going to sign, Yang Mi was quite willing. She currently had almost no income, and thinking about raising her child in the future, she could not let this opportunity slip by.

"Director Liu, thank you for giving me this opportunity." Yang Mi revealed a smile and said respectfully, "May we take a look at the contract?"

Seeing Yang Mi agree, Liu Yanbin was overjoyed. He had finally done something substantial for Li Qing, which could also serve to prove his own worth.

"It is all because of your own excellence, Miss Yang; this opportunity was always yours," Liu Yanbin said with extreme politeness. He then pulled a stack of contracts from under his desk. "Here is the contract, Miss Yang, please take a look."

After Yang Mi took the contract, she flipped through it with He Baibai. Ten minutes later, Yang Mi had finished reading the document. Not only were there no issues, but she was shocked by the terms. Some of the benefits were perks that even A-list celebrities didn't have.

"Miss Yang, are you satisfied with the contract?" Liu Yanbin asked with a smile. "If you are, let’s sign it now."

Yang Mi nodded and smiled. "Thank you."

From receiving the call from Jiaxing to signing the contract, only an hour had passed; she felt a bit unaccustomed to the speed.

Liu Yanbin beamed with joy and said, "Miss Yang, it’s a pleasure to work with you. From now on, Miss He Baibai will be your manager. In addition, the company has decided to provide a car for you; the secretary will take you both to pick one out."

He Baibai, filled with excitement, bowed to Liu Yanbin. "Thank you, Director Liu!"

Liu Yanbin smiled and said, "Alright, if there is nothing else, Miss Yang, you may go back and rest. Let the secretary take you to choose your car."

As Yang Mi and He Baibai walked out the door, Secretary Bai approached and said with a smile, "Director Liu said that Miss Yang may choose a luxury car worth over two million; after all, you are the face of Jiaxing."

"Also, your respective office and lounge are both private."

Yang Mi was somewhat surprised. She had just signed the contract and was already being provided with a luxury car worth millions? The benefits provided by Director Liu were truly astonishing.

After a morning of selection and preparation, Yang Mi was finally finished. Back home, she sat on the sofa, reflecting on the events of the morning, and it all felt somewhat surreal.

"Baibai, tell me, where could there be a problem?" Yang Mi frowned. Although these were all good things, she always felt that something was very wrong.

Unable to make sense of it, Yang Mi said, "Think about it: Jiaxing Media was suddenly acquired, then Wu Yufei was blacklisted, and then Estée Lauder came to restore their endorsement partnership with an attitude that was strangely abnormal. And then there is Jiaxing Media immediately inviting me back to the company. Don't you think this is very strange?"

Listening to Yang Mi, He Baibai frowned and said, "It is indeed quite strange. They are all big shots, and we aren't even on the same level. There’s no need for this, and no reason for it either."

Yang Mi murmured, "Why do I keep feeling like there is someone pulling the strings from behind the scenes?"

He Baibai leaned in closer and asked, "Sister Mi, you wouldn't happen to have some hidden background, would you?"

Yang Mi rolled her eyes, then laughed. "What background could I possibly have? If I had a background, why would I have left Jiaxing in the first place?"

He Baibai replied, "Then that settles it. Stop overthinking. The opportunity is here; you have to seize it."

Yang Mi nodded. Since she couldn't figure it out anyway, she might as well accept it calmly—what comes, comes. After calming her mood, Yang Mi took out her phone and said, "Let’s not talk about this anymore. Help me look at which children’s clothes are suitable for Xuan Bao'er."

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, downstairs at the Shanghai branch of Estée Lauder.

Wu Yufei stood outside, looking disheveled, her makeup ruined by tears. Because she was unwilling to accept the contract termination, she had arrived at the company building twenty minutes ago, intending to discuss it with Chen Yu. Instead of getting into the office, she was scolded severely and forced to pay a penalty of five million for breach of contract.

"Damn Yang Mi, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in such a miserable state!" Wu Yufei cursed viciously. She blamed all her current misfortune on Yang Mi.

A moment later, a Porsche 911 pulled up in front of her; it was Chen Arthur’s car.

"Honey, you're finally here!" Wu Yufei ran forward, crying in a pitiful, delicate manner.

Once inside the car, Chen Arthur lit a cigarette and asked, "What’s wrong? It’s just a contract termination, no need to be like this."

Chen Arthur felt no pity for Wu Yufei’s wailing; in fact, he was a bit annoyed. However, for the sake of his ego, he still had to maintain the demeanor of a second-generation elite. "Alright, if the endorsement is gone, I’ll find you another one."

Wu Yufei sobbed, "Honey, I don't care, I cannot be doing worse than Yang Mi! Seeing her prosper is even more painful than not making money myself! And why are these people suddenly being so good to Yang Mi? Do they not care about your reputation at all?!"

Hearing Wu Yufei say this, especially the last sentence, Chen Arthur’s expression darkened. He said coldly, "My reputation? If they don't give it today, they will have to give it sooner or later. Fine, I’ll take you to Wanxing Public Relations. By tonight, all your negative news will disappear."

Wu Yufei stopped crying, her face instantly lighting up with joy—her mood changing faster than turning a page. "Really? Honey, I knew you were the best!"

Wanxing Public Relations was the undisputed leader of PR in Shanghai, and even looking at the entire country, it was in the top three. They could turn black into white and white into black; as far as they were concerned, there was no public opinion that couldn't be manipulated.

Chen Arthur scoffed, "It’s only because of my father’s face that they are willing to take on such a hot potato as you."

Wu Yufei said tearfully, "Honey, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. From now on, I will definitely be a good girl. I’ll do whatever you want me to. Tonight, I will serve you well..."

The goddess of the entertainment industry, usually seen as unreachable, was now no different from a bitch in front of Chen Arthur.

Chen Arthur enjoyed Wu Yufei’s fawning. "Now, I’m taking you to Wanxing."

...

Half an hour later, Chen Arthur brought Wu Yufei to the office building of Wanxing Public Relations.

In the chairman’s office, a man in his fifties sat across from Chen Arthur. The man was Zheng Yong, the chairman of Wanxing PR. Zheng Yong was somewhat bald, but he wore a tailored suit and sat on a luxurious leather sofa, exuding a powerful aura.

"Young Master Chen, I didn't expect you to come in person." Zheng Yong exchanged a few polite pleasantries with Chen Arthur. Although he didn't hold Chen Arthur in high regard, he couldn't afford to underestimate his father.

Director Chen was, after all, from the Beijing circle and a leader in the domestic entertainment industry. His PR company handled many projects within the entertainment world, and Director Chen was one of Zheng Yong’s most important clients.

Chen Arthur smiled modestly. "I am very honored to meet you, President Zheng! This person beside me is Wu Yufei. Regarding her situation, President Zheng, do you think you could..." Chen Arthur didn't finish his sentence, but Zheng Yong could see the relationship between Wu Yufei and Chen Arthur. After all, there were plenty of rumors online.

Zheng Yong laughed and said, "Don't worry, Young Master Chen, it’s absolutely no problem."