Chapter 32: The Overconfident Wang Xinji

Ye Hao’s expression faltered slightly upon hearing this, but he didn’t respond, only casting a brief glance at Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan also understood the other party’s meaning; it was inconvenient to discuss such matters in front of Zhang Ming.

If the two of them were to truly fight, the one who would gain the most benefit would inevitably be Zhang Ming.

“Alright, President Ye, President Xu, don’t forget today’s main event.

President Xu, say hello to the camera. With your handsome looks, if this show airs, the ratings will definitely skyrocket!” Sun Tianqi joked with a smile.

The few of them also smiled and stopped discussing the previous matters.

The screen was showing the work activities of several celebrity guests.

They say it’s work, but it looks more like a show to experience life.

  ……

This program has a total of four guests, plus Fang Mu, sent from Bingcheng Beverages as the department manager in the show.

The first episode is filmed outdoors. The four celebrity guests, including Wang Xinji, each need to draw a Bingcheng Beverages store operating in the capital city to join as employees.

The final total revenue determines that the top three can qualify for a promotion.

It must be said that this kind of publicity method is truly cost-effective.

The large screen in the observation room is divided into four sections, each with a camera following and filming the work of the celebrity guests.

It must be said, the addition of celebrities makes a difference. From the screen, it can be seen that long lines have formed at the entrances of several stores.

  ……

“Goddess! I want 20 cups of bubble tea, sincerely only for you!”

Wang Xinji looked at the excited fans outside the shop, feeling extremely pleased inside, but at the same time quite annoyed.

This cup of milk tea is sold way too cheaply, only four or five yuan. The ones she usually drinks cost at least tens of yuan.

How many cups would she have to sell with this low-profit, high-volume approach before it became worthwhile? Wouldn’t it just exhaust her?

She appeared on variety shows to increase her exposure, not to sweat and toil. Wang Xinji’s mind shifted, her face still wearing her signature smile, but the next second she cried out in pain:

“Ah!”

Wang Xinji suddenly pulled her hand back from the packaging machine and put her fingers to her mouth, as if she had been burned.

The packaging machine opening is originally meant for sealing milk tea, and the temperature there is at least several hundred degrees. If you accidentally touch it, it will definitely burn you.

But generally, people wouldn’t put their hands into the machine opening. The staff nearby immediately knew Wang Xinji did it on purpose. However, they didn’t say anything and quickly took out a few ice packs from the freezer to hand over.

If this segment were broadcast, it would probably be accompanied by tense music, close-ups of the celebrity and the audience, and big colorful words saying “Unexpected Accident.”

“Xinji, are you okay?”

“Xinji, it looks like you got burned!”

“What’s going on with this store? The machine is dangerous, don’t they know? Why isn’t there any protection?”

Seeing their idol injured, the fans immediately became agitated.

Wang Xinji, carefully holding his finger while using an ice pack, quickly gave the fans a very strong smile and said, “It’s okay, I was careless myself. I’m afraid I’m going to lose my sales target for today.”

But don’t worry, everyone, I still have one hand that’s fine, so I can keep making drinks for you all, just might be a bit slower.”

The clerk who was helping Wang Xinji apply ointment to his finger couldn’t help but smirk. He had just thought Wang Xinji was really burned, but it turned out he wasn’t hurt at all—not even a bit of redness. It was all an act.

Wang Xinji wasn’t stupid either. Doing a show-off act, how could he really hurt himself?

“I’ll pay 50 for a cup of bubble tea. Don’t worry, Xinji, we won’t let you lose.”

“I’ll pay 100!”

……

Seeing those excited fans willing to pay a high price for milk tea, Wang Xinji knew his little scheme had succeeded.

These fans usually didn’t say they were all frugal, but it was impossible for them to spend 100 yuan on a single drink.

But today, for the sake of idolizing stars, they give unconditionally. This is perhaps the contemporary star effect.

The empathy of ordinary people is maximized when it comes to celebrities.

“Thank you all for your support, I won’t let you down! I will definitely win this competition!” Wang Xinji looked at these fans with emotion, a tear even slipping down the corner of his eye—this acting skill is truly worthy of an actor.

  ……

In the observation room, Xu Yuan slightly furrowed his brows. Outside the other three stores, long lines were also forming, and the three celebrity guests were busy and cheerful. Even though they were very tired, they were still persevering.

Only at Wang Xinji’s place did the scene change; few products were being handed out, but large amounts of cash were being collected.

Xu Yuan was about to say something when Ye Hao next to him spoke first, also frowning deeply.

Both are thousand-year-old foxes; how could he not see what Wang Xinji was really thinking?
He and Zhang Chao have been friends for many years. Even though Zhang Chao rejected his investment, he was able to put the past aside, attend this variety show, and even invite Sun Tianqi over. He couldn’t just stand by and watch Wang Xinji ruin Bingcheng Beverages.

“President Sun, isn’t this method unfair?”
Besides, over a hundred yuan for a cup of milk tea, if it gets out, it would completely go against the original intention of Bingcheng Drinks to offer good quality at a reasonable price.”
Sun Tianqi was also slightly taken aback. He was a sharp person and was very interested in Xu Yuan, the young investor. He had been observing Xu Yuan’s expression, originally thinking Xu Yuan would speak first, but unexpectedly, Ye Hao couldn’t sit still and spoke up first.

“President Ye is right, and I noticed that most of the customers at the store’s entrance are young people, seemingly from a university.

College students rely on their parents for monthly living expenses. If this matter isn’t handled well, it could very likely be exploited by competitors.”

The Ice City Beverage investment variety show is for marketing, not for attracting negative publicity,” Xu Yuan also spoke up.

Ye Hao spoke up for Ice City Beverage; it wouldn’t be appropriate for him as the investor to remain silent.

“That’s true,” Sun Tianqi nodded. Besides considering the ratings, the investor also needs to be satisfied with the variety show.

“Director Hu, please notify Wang Xinji.”

Hu Han in the studio had originally thought this scene could be used as a formal highlight before the broadcast started. Upon hearing Sun Tianqi’s words, he could only hurriedly notify his subordinates to remind Wang Xinji.

  ……

Wang Xinji, who was busily collecting money, felt her clothes being tugged and turned her head.

Her assistant hurried over and whispered in her ear. At first, she unconsciously showed some anger, but soon she put on a smile again.

Wang Xinji whispered to the assistant beside her, “Is that Xu deliberately messing with me?”

Today, after accidentally offending Xu Yuan in the elevator, Wang Xinji thought it was the other party targeting her.

“I don’t know, it was Director Hu who informed me. Sis, maybe we should just restore the original price. We can’t afford to offend the director,” the assistant shook her head and continued whispering.

“It’s just 100 yuan for a cup of milk tea. They’re all my fans willing to pay. Who are they to interfere? The rules don’t say anything about this,” Wang Xinji didn’t want to pay any attention and didn’t think she was doing anything wrong.

Besides, later she just needs to take a group photo with the fans and then post it on Weibo.

Fans checking in and spending money for the star, with sky-high priced milk tea appearing—this kind of selling point can generate another wave of buzz.

These days, as long as you’re popular, who cares if it’s bad publicity. Wang Xinji has finally made it to the top of the third-tier celebrities after so many years, so of course she wants to seize the opportunity to take it further.

  ……

Sun Tianqi in the observation room looked a bit displeased; he really didn’t expect that Wang Xinji would completely ignore his message.

“Hu Han, how did you pass the message to her? Is the marketing team of our show out of their minds?
Bingcheng Drinks is all about good quality and low prices, and you want to come up with an outrageously priced milk tea?”

Sun Tianqi was very angry. If just now Wang Xinji was being presumptuous and offending the investors, then now that he had already warned Wang Xinji and the other party still wouldn’t rein it in, it was a problem with the show’s production team.

Inside the studio, Hu Han heard Sun Tianqi’s deep voice and was so frightened that his hand trembled. He hurriedly dropped the headset and personally rushed to the observation room.

Before leaving, he also instructed his subordinates to urge Wang Xinji again.

  ……

  ……

“Xinran, hurry up, the forum is exploding! They say a celebrity is coming to our school to open a store! It’s the Bingcheng Drinks that your husband invested in,” Ye Sisi said excitedly, pulling the very reluctant Li Xinran.

There aren’t many Bingcheng Drinks stores in the capital, and the one Wang Xinji drew happened to be the one at the Medical University.

Ye Sisi wasn’t a fan of celebrities, but she enjoyed the excitement.

“Sisi, don’t say things like that! Xu Yuan and I aren’t of legal age yet; getting a marriage certificate would be illegal,” Li Xinran hurriedly defended, blushing.

Ye Sisi just felt a bit embarrassed. Li Xinran truly lived up to being a top student; the aspects she considered were completely different from those of normal people.

“Alright, top student Li, let’s hurry up and go. There are so many people over there!”

  ……

“President Sun, I’m really sorry, but it seems Wang Xinji is deliberately ignoring us.”

I have already informed the filming staff and conveyed Mr. Sun’s intentions,” Hu Han kept rubbing his hands nervously.

In his mind, he had scolded that ungrateful Wang Xinji a thousand times. He guessed that the other party didn’t know Sun Tianqi was also present; otherwise, they definitely wouldn’t have ignored the program team’s reminder.

“Next episode, just have her get lost, and invite another celebrity guest. We’ll cover the extra costs. Mr. Xu, are you satisfied with this approach?”

Although Sun Tianqi was addressing Xu Yuan, his gaze was clearly on Ye Hao. Obviously, this courtesy was for Ye Hao, and incidentally for Xu Yuan as well.

One love, shared by two.

“Of course, nothing could be more satisfying.” Xu Yuan smiled and nodded.

However, at that moment, Ye Hao suddenly sat up straight and exclaimed, “WTF!”

Everyone was confused, and Xu Yuan didn’t know what this guy was complaining about either. But when he followed Ye Hao’s gaze to the screen, he also sat up straight and involuntarily shouted, “WTF…”

On the big screen, the figures of Li Xinran and Ye Sisi actually appeared!

Xu Yuan and Ye Hao exchanged a glance, while Sun Tianqi and Zhang Ming beside them were completely baffled.

What’s going on with these two?