Chapter 201
Chen Shenju contacted Zhou Xiao around noon. While this was later than Zhang Hongyu's news, it was still incredibly fast, even within the industry. The timing of his contact with Zhou Xiao is also worth considering. It's highly likely that WP had just signed their contract with Huayao, and Huayao then approached Zhou Xiao to sign the filming contract.
Zhou Xiao naturally responded readily to this cooperation. Moreover, after Zhang Hongyu accidentally leaked the information to him in the morning, the system had moved slightly.
【System Task: Photograph Ji Shao’s Personal Business, (0/1)】
Zhou Xiao saw that both sides seemed a bit anxious about this collaboration. Chen Shenju, who had just sent him the electronic version of the contract, immediately asked if the shoot could be scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
Apparently realizing the rush, Chen Shenju immediately contacted Zhou Xiao about the specifics of the shoot. This time, the shoot was relatively simple, requiring only official photos for WP's official ambassadorship. Of course, the mood of the photos had to align with WP's brand identity, but since he was an ambassador, the requirements weren't so strict.
Ji Shao's upcoming official partnership with WP had already been leaked by a marketing account on a certain blog shortly after Zhou Xiao received the contract. As more and more people copied the content, discussion on the forums began to flare up.
WP's presence on forums today is undeniably high. Dai Linfei's video has also been incredibly popular not only on Weibo but also on competing short video platforms like Douyin and Zhaizhan. While netizens were hailing Dai Linfei's queenly demeanor, a newcomer to WP suddenly emerged: Ji Shao, who has been a frequent topic of discussion on the forums.
——【Forum】——[February 14th afternoon]
[Topic] Li Tao, there is a rumor that Ji Shao is cooperating with WP, what do you think?
[Main Post] I feel like Ji Shao and WP are a good match. Also, judging by fans' comments, the brand even lent him two haute couture sets for an offline event. So, I think they're still very optimistic about Ji Shao.
1L
Hmm... I don't think it's that surprising. Didn't WP's chief designer, Uncle Wei, like his photo last time? So, looking at it this way, the collaboration isn't a big deal.
56L
It's good to have a big company as your backer. I'm worried that if there is a senior like Dai Linfei, the crumbs that slip through his fingers will be enough for him to eat.
134L
Then there is a clue that Ji Shao was criticized by the whole network last time. Could it be that he wanted to blackmail this cooperation? If there was no clarification video, WP would not have continued to cooperate with him when his reputation was so seriously damaged.
201L
Reply to 56L: Maybe you still need Zhou Xiao? This time, the one shooting the commercial for Sister Dai is Ji Shao's heartbeat~ Hahahaha
255L
My sister Zhou is treated very well in the forum. I feel that she is treated better than some of the retired people.
346L
[Laughing and crying] It seems that everyone really hopes to work with her.
…
On the first floor of the building, Zhou Xiao surveyed the surroundings. It was elegant and elegant, with obvious feng shui-related luxury features. This was the headquarters of Huayao Xingyu Entertainment Agency. The fact that they could rent such a grand venue in central Shanghai, where land is so expensive, was a testament to the company's unwavering drive for growth.
She was here today to film Ji Shao, and the location was Huayao Company. However, the management of this building was quite strict, so new faces like Zhou Xiao could only wait in the reception room on the first floor for someone to come down and pick her up.
Zhou Xiao didn't mind. Chen Shenju, who had contacted her, had already informed her via chat that he was coming downstairs to pick her up. And in just a few moments, she had already figured out why the management here was so strict.
For example, the group of people waiting in front of the elevator now, the leader wearing sunglasses and surrounded by others. Zhou Xiao vaguely saw this person on TV, but couldn't remember his name.
If this happened in an ordinary office building, it would definitely attract a lot of onlookers. But here, passers-by just glanced at it, and if they saw someone they knew, they would come up to exchange some business and then quickly leave.
"Teacher Zhou, Teacher Zhou!" A male voice sounded from behind. Zhou Xiao, who was sitting on the sofa, turned his head and looked over, and saw Chen Shenju walking towards him with something in his hand.
"This is a temporary access card. Wear it first," Chen Shenju said as he handed Zhou Xiao a blue work badge. After putting on the badge, Zhou Xiao felt that the security guard standing next to him was no longer staring at him.
As they followed Chen Shenju into the elevator, he asked Zhou Xiao to use his ID card to scan the device in front of him. "Everyone here has facial recognition," Chen Shenju explained to Zhou Xiao, and the two of them entered the elevator together.
The interior of the building's elevator is exceptionally clean. While ensuring space, a firmly fixed vase is placed there. The fresh and beautiful flowers on it highlight the exquisite management.
The elevator door opened, and the large Huayao Xingyu+ logo was visible. Zhou Xiao followed Chen Shenju's steps, listening to him introduce the people he met along the way.
"This is our own studio." The studio was at the very back, and nearby were the makeup and wardrobe rooms. The two of them had just reached the door, and before Chen Shenju could push it open, it creaked open from the inside.
"I'm here!" The person who opened the door was Zhang Hongyu. He had already obtained the information when Zhou Xiao and the others passed by the front desk. He happily led Zhou Xiao in directly, and then closed the door casually, rejecting Chen Shenju.
Zhou Xiao saw that the two of them clearly had a story. She looked at Zhang Hongyu with some surprise. He waved his hand with a look of disdain. "He's capable at work, but he's a little too self-centered. I don't like him."
Chen Shenju, a recent Huayao hire, was able to become Ji Shao's assistant, replacing the original Xingtu production staff. His professional skills were undoubtedly impeccable. Furthermore, in China, a country that values personal connections, taking over a company's most valued artist requires more than just professional skills.
Of course, Zhang Hongyu would not explain the right and wrong of this matter to Zhou Xiao one by one. Instead, he said something sincere, "But this is good for you."
Although Huayao was still a small company that had grown through talent shows, its prospects were promising, especially during the two years of the NINE STAR contract. As an assistant aiming for a managerial position, Chen Shenju must have taken Zhou Xiao's courtesy to heart.
After hearing what Zhang Hongyu said, Zhou Xiao knew better than to ask any more questions. He followed Zhang Hongyu, who had a slightly smug look on his face, and watched him show him the studio he had built.
The studio isn't very large, but a high-end shadowless wall was specially built for portraiture. Various props, such as backdrops and small lighting equipment, are stacked on the prop racks along the wall.
Zhou Xiao looked around as Zhang Hongyu explained the items, and when he came across something that looked good but was not practical, Zhang Hongyu complained bitterly. But these things were something he couldn't avoid, but also something he felt wasted if he did.
Zhou Xiao knew Zhang Hongyu was indirectly explaining the important points to keep in mind when setting up a studio, and he listened attentively to his explanation the entire time. Once they were in the monitoring room, Zhang Hongyu chuckled, as if about to show Zhou Xiao something interesting.
"Ding ding ding! This is the safe and comfortable room that your brother and I have built for Party A based on our many years of experience. We have spent a huge amount of money to build it for Party A!" Photography is a very subjective thing, and Zhang Hongyu is not a mass-produced assembly line photographer. Party A's attitude is the key to whether the sample can be used in the end.
Thousands of clients in this world are like this, but Zhang Hongyu knows how to make friends. This is not just a drinking buddy at the dinner table, but also to make the other party feel comfortable in his territory.
In addition to the necessary computers and monitors, the room also contained two comfortable executive chairs (which Zhang Hongyu had obtained from the logistics department, a person he had a close relationship with). Zhang Hongyu had also emphasized to Zhou Xiao that the chairs must be comfortable for using a phone, as this was crucial.
Then a small wooden cart was pushed out, filled with various snacks and drinks, apparently to give Party A something to do while watching the filming. Zhou Xiao also saw a heater below the display.
He silently gave Zhang Hongyu a thumbs-up. He added a foot heater to the already heated room, demonstrating Zhang Hongyu's meticulous care. Receiving Zhou Xiao's gaze, Zhang Hongyu invited him to sit in the boss chair to experience it firsthand.
The leather executive chair was covered in a matching plush upholstery for winter. After Zhou Xiao sat down, he noticed something he hadn't noticed while standing.
There are two cylinders under the table, one of which is just the right size to hold a cup of coffee or milk tea. There is also a compartment on the right side of the table, which, in addition to tissues, also contains a walkie-talkie and a charging cable with multiple interfaces.
"Is this fully functional?" Zhang Hongyu sat down in another executive chair and put the intercom to his lips. "Ahem, photographer Zhang did a great job capturing that scene just now!"
Then he turned on an industrial-style floor lamp leaning against the wall and said, "Reading scripts at night, no pressure!"
Zhou Xiao thought all this was good; it was clearly Zhang Hongyu's experience. She pondered for a moment and asked, "How often do you use this 'Safe and Comfortable Room'?"
She wasn't asking this out of nowhere; the date printed on the snack packaging on the cart was still August of last year. If Zhang Hongyu wasn't being careless, then it meant that these arrangements hadn't really been used much.
"Um, this..." Zhang Hongyu scratched his head. "It seems like the clients at Huayao don't like coming here." He used to be a self-employed photographer, and he had made friends with many photography studios (such as the one Zhou Xiao had previously hired). But after Zhou Xiao's question, he seemed to realize the disparity between the clients. Even if this arrangement wasn't used often, it was a thoughtful gesture.
Just as Zhou Xiao was about to speak, he heard a knock on the door. Turning around, he saw Zhang Hongyu's assistant, Liu Jia, knocking on the open door with a normal expression, as if he was used to this kind of scene.
Seeing Zhou Xiao's gaze shifting towards him, Liu Jia nodded to Zhou Xiao and then said, "Teacher Zhou, Ji Shao has returned to the company. We can prepare for the filming now!"
Zhang Hongyu, who was standing nearby, popped his head out as well. "Hurry up, hurry up! I'll lend you my studio for a while! If you need any help, ask Liu Jia for help!"
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