Chapter 316 Career
In the taxi, Zhou Xiao, resting with her eyes closed, fished out her buzzing cell phone from her bag. As she brought the phone close to her face, she was still a little confused. Who was calling? Zhu Jian?
The two had just chatted in the group, so why would he call her at this time? Unable to figure it out, Zhou Xiao answered the phone, and then she heard Zhu Jian's impatient voice, "Xiaoxiao!"
It was the first time Zhou Xiao noticed how excited Zhu Jian was on the other end of the line. She waited until she felt his excitement had subsided a bit before asking, "What's going on?"
Zhu Jian's lips, which had been suppressed with great effort, immediately bounced up at Zhou Xiao's question. Fortunately, she had already calmed down from her excitement, so she now began to ask Zhou Xiao if he had arrived home.
"We're almost there," Zhou Xiao replied, looking at the Huashang Times Hotel building ahead. As she finished speaking, the car made a silky smooth turn and was almost at the door.
"Call me when you get home! Call me right away!" There was a hint of mystique in his words. Zhou Xiao responded, then hung up the phone, opened the car door, and got out.
The hotel receptionist immediately came over to greet Zhou Xiao when he saw her. But after seeing that she didn't have any large luggage, he scratched his head a bit embarrassedly and retreated.
Zhou Xiao's eyes curved as she greeted the hotel staff, who she was already familiar with, before heading to her room. Just as she was getting in the elevator, she received another call from Zhu Jian.
She couldn't help but hold her forehead, almost certain that this news must be quite significant. Otherwise, according to Zhu Jian's personality, he wouldn't be so excited.
On the other side, Zhu Jian, who was circling the room, immediately confirmed that Zhou Xiao was alone and couldn't help but speak. "Okay, then get ready. I'm going to tell you!!!"
"Xiao! WP is giving Ji Shao a title! Guess what?!" Zhu Jian threw herself on the bed, feeling incredibly happy. After hearing the news, she began counting the hours until she could return to the Huashang Times Hotel from the "Secret Room" press conference. Because she could only reveal this to Zhou Xiao, every minute and every second was torture for Zhu Jian.
For Zhu Jian, a fan of the March Show, Ji Shao is the first celebrity she's followed for so long. He's also the first artist to have grown from nothing to a top luxury brand spokesperson under her watch! The emotion and pride she feels is something she's never experienced before.
Everyone thought it was only a matter of time before WP gave Ji Shao a promotion. This was especially true when WP's chief designer, Uncle Wei, made a direct online confession of his love for Ji Shao, which had netizens speculating for quite some time that Ji Shao would become the company's spokesperson.
"Well, brand spokesperson?" Zhou Xiao looked at the floor numbers jumping on the elevator display screen and keenly noticed the unusual excitement in Zhu Jian's tone.
Ji Shaosheng becoming a brand ambassador was undoubtedly a joyous occasion for the fan community. But given some foresight, his friends shouldn't be so excited, right? Unless... Zhou Xiao's eyes flashed with understanding. Thinking of Zhu Jian excitedly sharing the good news, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, and he deliberately spoke in a more reserved manner than the thought in his mind.
Sure enough, Zhu Jian on the other end of the phone suddenly burst into laughter, "Hahahahahahaha! That's right! It's the brand spokesperson! But you have to add global in front of it!!!"
Even though she had guessed it, Zhou Xiao was momentarily distracted when Zhu Jian uttered these words. When she came to her senses, she saw the elevator door had already opened. She subconsciously shook her head and stepped out briskly.
In less than a year, he went from being a domestic brand ambassador to a global brand spokesperson. This achievement is unique among celebrities, even in the industry.
Noticing that Zhu Jian seemed to relax after he said that, Zhou Xiao couldn't help but jokingly ask, "Why did you call me directly to announce the good news today? Why didn't you just post it in the group?"
"Hey, I was just about to tell you!" Zhu Jian slapped his thigh, then said speechlessly after his excitement subsided. "Hua Yao said they told us the whole thing in advance so we fans would be quiet for a while! But that's really crazy. We have the best temper in the industry, right?!"
Huayao also mentioned a very important point, which was that the news they had revealed to the fan club should not be spread outside. In other words, among Ji Shao's fans, only the fan club and Zhou Xiao knew about Ji Shao's upcoming official announcement of WP's global spokesperson.
The reason Zhu Jian was able to talk to Zhou Xiao about this was due to the supplementary explanation Huayao had given him not long ago. When Zhu Jian asked about the specific scope of information he could reveal, the other party replied with a seemingly flattering statement: "Of course, it's okay if our Xindong knows."
God knows when Digital sent this screenshot of Huayao's connection to the fan club group, everyone almost laughed themselves silly when they saw it. Huayao's little intention of not wanting to offend Zhou Xiao was too obvious.
Zhou Xiao understood that what the company said was correct. The saying in the fan circle that "black fans are all good news bearers" does make sense besides just trying to save face.
Especially for top-tier luxury resources like these, as soon as the news leaks out, someone will start to recruit trolls all over the internet to try to hack your resources. For a specific incident, you can refer to the recent press releases that have been issued about Ji Shao's bad luck in variety shows, and this also happened after rumors of his promotion to brand spokesperson were spread.
Before hanging up, Zhu Jian specifically reminded Zhou Xiao that the endorsement news must not be shared with anyone else. It wasn't that he didn't trust his colleagues, but the impact of this news was simply too great.
Their fan clubs don't even dare to tell their biggest fans, for fear someone might post a celebration blog post, attracting a bunch of smaller fans who won't get to see the gossip and will be left scratching their heads in frustration. In fan circles, only complete ignorance can keep things secret.
After sinking comfortably into the sofa, Zhou Xiao finally had time to read the system notification message. This glance made her sit up straight again with a jerk.
[System prompt: Congratulations to the bound user Ji Shao for becoming the global spokesperson for WP with the help of the host!
In view of the host's strong support during the Ji Shao brand inspection, a special reward of 2 million yuan in system funds is given.
Zhou Xiao raised an eyebrow at the reward amount. The previous mission rewards weren't this outrageous! And if the idea revolved around the word "help," why did WP get this reward for the endorsement, but XS didn't?
"System, what's the key to this reward?" Zhou Xiao frowned in thought, then quickly noticed the difference between the two brands. She circled the word "global" and asked, "Isn't it just about the title besides the support?"
[The reward will only be activated when the bound person obtains the brand's global title with the host's help. Note: The host cannot subjectively interfere.]
Zhou Xiao held her forehead in her hands. Although the system was becoming more and more generous, the highest title for XS perfume was still just brand spokesperson! Especially the last note, which was obviously meant to prevent her from taking advantage of the system.
What no one anticipated was that, with artist teams' frenzied pursuit of titles, many brands would be forced to boast about global titles. XS perfume was no exception. But that's a story for another time.
Looking at the reward, Zhou Xiao felt, not for the first time, that the system wanted her to be a "full-time" fangirl. She reached out and touched her chin, smacking her lips for a moment before thinking, Tongzi's hook is still a little too straight!
As Zhou Xiao pondered this, his gaze fell on the camera beside him, and his expression softened again. Only things in one's own hands are more solid and reliable!
At this moment, the phone that had been thrown into the corner of the sofa began to buzz. Zhou Xiao patted his cheek gently to calm himself down before picking up the phone.
The screen also displayed the caller's company name. When Zhou Xiao suddenly saw this name, he muttered to himself in confusion, "Fashion Pioneer Magazine Co., Ltd."
Soon, she associated the name with the domestic first-line women's magazine - Fashion Pioneer
As the call connected, a dry female voice slid out of the phone like a loach. She spoke quickly and urgently, "Hello, Ms. Zhou Xiao. First of all, let me extend my sincere congratulations to you... to you. Congratulations on your cover being selected as one of the top ten fashion magazine covers in the world, selected by the international photography foundation "ZYQ"!"
The female voice continued as if reading from a script, "I'm Ding Yixuan from Fashion Pioneer. I'm calling on behalf of the magazine to extend a sincere invitation to you, Ms. Zhou. Would you be interested in collaborating with Fashion Pioneer and shooting a cover?"
When Zhou Xiao heard "ZYQ," her heart skipped a beat. She had come across this foundation at a photography forum before, and it held a considerable international reputation. Its 27 awards attracted tens of thousands of participants from dozens of countries each year, making it both authoritative and widely recognized.
Zhou Xiao calmed down, listening carefully to the increasingly nervous voice on the other side. Although she was completely bewildered by the nomination and didn't even know which work had been selected, she wasn't anxious at the moment. Instead, she calmly communicated with the other party and arranged a time.
…
On the other end, Ding Yixuan was still a bit overwhelmed by the beeping busy tone on the phone. She hadn't expected to get a date with Zhou Xiao so easily!
Just as she was staring at the phone in a daze, her boss, who seemed like a wandering soul when Ding Yixuan first met him, appeared behind her quietly.
Huo Quan, who had just returned from an outside errand, frowned at the newcomer, who sat dazed. After glancing around, he casually grabbed a past issue of a magazine from the next table and slammed it down on Ding Yixuan's desk. There was a loud "bang," and while the other colleagues at the magazine office looked up as if nothing had happened, Ding Yixuan was startled by the noise and quickly regained consciousness.
"Have you contacted the photographer?" This was Huo Quan with a stern face.
The veteran employee at the next table, listening intently, couldn't help but curl his lips and shake his head when he heard this. Old Huo was simply trying to embarrass the newcomer. Even though Zhou Xiao had never worked with their magazine before, he was notorious for being difficult to get a date with.
Even though it's a top-tier women's magazine, it seems they don't need it either, right? And now, thanks to the cover shot for Mei Lao, they've been nominated for a major award. Their future is truly limitless! Thinking about it, this person even blocked Fang Zai from Modern Fashion's Moments, to avoid getting jealous while watching him spam.
"Teacher Zhou Xiao agreed!" Ding Yixuan responded happily with a smile on her face.
"You have to do your job well..." Huo Quan's words to the newcomer were still stuck in his throat. After a pause, he asked uncertainly, "Do you really agree?"
In the office area, the employees who were typing away and slacking off under their superiors' noses now pricked up their ears and looked over.
"How could it be false? The time has been set!" Ding Yixuan pulled out the A4 paper with the time written on it and showed it generously.
She glanced at the surprised expressions of her seniors in the magazine and couldn't help but complain in her heart, Teacher Zhou Xiao is such a nice person! He even comforted her and told her to speak slowly and not be nervous. He is not as difficult to approach as everyone said!
Huo Quan looked at the date on the A4 paper, a gleam in his eyes, and he immediately stood up and walked towards the editor-in-chief's office. If not now to discuss how to rip off the advertising fees of luxury brands, when will it be?
Tang Zhao's role in this is crucial. It serves as a reminder for Fashion Pioneer to be the first to find Zhou Xiao and secure a partnership. However, as for the cover star, they could consider more options besides Hui Anxin.
…
At Modern Style headquarters, those submitting entries received news a bit later than Fashion Pioneer. When they saw Zhou Xiao's name on the shortlist, there was a moment of silence followed by a burst of cheers.
The recent success of "XZC" is still fresh in our minds, and today it's their turn! Furthermore, they've even been nominated for the prestigious "ZYQ" award!
Fang looked at the screenshots in the group chat again, his hand trembling as he held up his phone. Who could have imagined that this cover, which no one dared to shoot at first, would achieve such success? And even compete for an international award!
In Fang Zai's mind, this cover was a perfect match between Mei Yi and Zhou Xiao. So when the top management was preparing to submit the application, he recommended it without hesitation!
"Brother Fang, congratulations!" "Wow!" "Awesome!" "..." The sounds of congratulations echoed throughout the office, nearly drowning out Fang Zai. Everyone was filled with admiration for Fang Zai; he had pushed the issue so hard, yet a miracle had actually happened.
Fang Zai, with one hand on the table, tried to suppress the smile on his face. He stood up and clenched his fists to express his gratitude to everyone. "Don't get too excited, this is what it means to be a finalist."
Having said that, everyone knows how Versailles this is. You should know that this year even the cover of the "Modern Style" master version was not shortlisted, which shows how fierce the competition is.
Just being shortlisted for "ZYQ" is enough to prove the value of the cover. Being nominated is recognition!
Amidst the clamor, Fang returned to his office. After locking the door, he solemnly prepared to announce the good news to Teacher Mei and Zhou Xiao.
No one knew that when he submitted his application, this magazine cover was something Fang Zai had in mind to compete for an award!
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