Chapter Twenty-Four: The Poacher Arrives

Perhaps sensing everyone's disappointment, Manager Zhao added, "But don't lose heart. Although they're already in talks with other companies, that doesn't mean we've lost our chance entirely."

The five members of the creative team raised their heads in surprise at his words.

"So far, KUKU Mobile hasn't received a proposal they're satisfied with. They also assured us that as long as we provide an excellent scheme, they'll give us priority. After all, we've been working together for two years now."

Hearing this, everyone instinctively turned their gaze toward Chen Qi. It was clear to all that, though Manager Zhao appeared to be addressing the group, his words were meant for Chen Qi alone.

Feeling the weight of their expectations, Chen Qi grew somewhat troubled. But after thinking carefully, he shook his head slowly, indicating he had no ideas.

With one hundred and fifty thousand in his account, he was already contemplating leaving. If it weren't for the fact that he still hadn't met the celebrity he wanted to connect with, or that he had lingering questions about the company, he might have already handed in his resignation to Manager Zhao.

"There'll be a bonus."

But to his surprise, Manager Zhao, seeing him shake his head, uttered three words.

Chen Qi stiffened, gazing at him speechlessly.

Was that deliberate?

Unfortunately, with a hundred and fifty thousand in hand, money was no longer urgent for him.

"Manager, it's not about the money, it's just—"

"Two hundred thousand, minimum."

The words caught in his throat, the back half of his sentence jammed before it could escape.

Manager Zhao looked at him impassively.

The five other colleagues stared at him as well.

Seeing their hopeful faces, Chen Qi fell silent for a few seconds, then agreed, "Alright, I'll give it a try."

This time, he really wasn't doing it for the money—or rather, not entirely for the money. After all, he was part of the creative department now; if he didn't take on this project, he'd have to tackle another. If that was the case, he might as well choose the tough one, so he'd have a reasonable excuse if he needed to step out for something.

"You have to hurry. KUKU is already negotiating with other companies. If they beat us to it, we'll lose face," Manager Zhao reminded him.

He no longer cared about Chen Qi's fondness for money. As the creative team suspected, Chen Qi was his last hope.

If Chen Qi couldn't come up with anything, they'd have to let this client go. Failing to deliver a satisfactory proposal would be a disgrace, both for him as the manager, and for Blueprint as a whole.

"How much time is left?" Chen Qi asked.

"Ten days, at most," Manager Zhao replied. "That's assuming the competition also fails to provide a suitable plan. If another company offers a good idea and the client accepts it, it's over at any time."

"Ten days..." Chen Qi murmured, then asked, "What's the selling point of this phone?"

Manager Zhao glanced at the folder in his hand, not bothering to quibble about whether Chen Qi had read it closely. "Fast charging, long battery life."

"Hmm?" Hearing those six simple words, Chen Qi's eyes widened slightly.

A familiar advertising slogan leapt unbidden to his mind. Was there anything more direct and effective than that line?

"Is there a trial unit?" he asked.

"No," Manager Zhao shook his head. "This phone comes out next month. The client only gave us detailed data, all of which you have in your hands."

He pointed to the folder Chen Qi was holding.

Chen Qi nodded thoughtfully and said no more.

Manager Zhao glanced at him and, likewise, said nothing further, distributing the remaining folders.

"These are all urgent projects. Work quickly."

As Chen Qi expected, Manager Zhao assigned him nothing else.

After handing out tasks, Manager Zhao got up to leave.

Chen Qi rose as well, preparing to head to the dubbing studio.

"???" Seeing Chen Qi follow him, Manager Zhao, just outside the office, stopped in confusion.

Not only him, but the five colleagues behind also stared in astonishment.

"What are you doing?" Manager Zhao asked.

"I'm going out to look for inspiration," Chen Qi replied confidently. "If I sit here all day, it's hard to come up with a good plan."

"Ah?" Manager Zhao blinked, baffled; his lips moved several times but no words came.

He realized Chen Qi was making a lot of sense, and he couldn't argue.

"By the way, Manager, I want to visit the filming sites with the photographers these next few days. Can you help arrange that?" Chen Qi asked.

Still a bit dazed, Manager Zhao stared blankly. "Also to look for inspiration?"

"Yes." Chen Qi nodded, utterly composed.

Manager Zhao bit his lower lip, staring at him for more than ten seconds, then turned away without another word.

Chen Qi left as well.

Behind him, the five creative colleagues were left gaping.

Is that really allowed?

...

After spending the afternoon in the dubbing studio, Chen Qi didn't hurry back to his rented apartment after work.

He went out to buy a new phone, picked up a high-end laptop, bought a few sets of decent clothes, and finally enjoyed a hearty meal before taking a taxi home, thoroughly satisfied.

No sooner had he gotten in the taxi than his phone rang.

It was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hello, is this Chen Qi?" a man's voice came through.

"This is Chen Qi," he replied, puzzled.

"Hello, I'm Han Dong, general manager of Apricot Advertising."

"Apricot Advertising?" Chen Qi paused, then quickly recalled the information.

Wasn't this the company whose three public service ads had been selected? Rumor had it they were emerging as a strong rival to Blueprint.

"That's right." Han Dong laughed heartily on the other end. "Are you available now? Can we meet?"

"...Is there something you need?"

"Yes," Han Dong sounded brisk and straightforward. "I heard that the 'Washing Mother's Feet' ad was completed by you alone?"

Hearing this, Chen Qi finally understood why he was being contacted, and teased, "Your information is pretty sharp."

"Haha..." Han Dong laughed again, finally getting to the point, "Chen Qi, are you interested in joining Apricot? I can offer you three times what Blueprint pays."

Chen Qi chuckled, "Thank you, Mr. Han, but I'm doing well at Blueprint. No plans to change jobs at the moment."

"Alright. If you ever change your mind, call this number." Han Dong didn't press him, though there was a hint of disappointment in his tone.

"Okay." Chen Qi responded and hung up, smiling.

He was genuinely surprised by this poaching attempt. As he'd just said, Apricot Advertising was remarkably well-informed.

Could it be that they were also involved in the KUKU Mobile ad?