Chapter 0156: The Heavenly King

Whether it's a star or an actor, the ultimate selling point lies in the persona.

Or, to be more precise, the image.

For example, Chen Dao has always given the impression of a very upright, grand, and refined literati image. Acting is one thing, but if he were to shoot a passionate scene with an actress in an advertisement, especially the kind of modern passionate scene Zhao Fusheng mentioned, many viewers would likely find his image quite strange.

Thus, Zhao Fusheng's words immediately plunged Chen Dao into deep thought.

Seeing Chen Dao silent, Zhao Fusheng was not anxious. He casually picked up the teacup in front of him, lifted the lid, blew on the steam, took a sip, and then set it down.

"Interesting, Jinghua. Just as you said, this kid is quite interesting."

After a long while, Chen Dao looked up and said to Wang Jinghua with a smile.

The reason he showed up today was not to cause trouble. At his level, one or two advertisements were nothing to care about. He had achieved his current status through solid acting skills, not so-called publicity.

Wang Jinghua shrugged: "I told you he's no pushover. Let alone you, even I can't get the better of him."

Zhao Fusheng was speechless, watching the two of them laugh there.

"I say, you two big shots, can we get down to business?" Zhao Fusheng said helplessly, looking at Wang Jinghua and Chen Dao.

"Alright, alright, you two talk." Chen Dao waved his hand at Wang Jinghua.

Wang Jinghua nodded and looked at Zhao Fusheng, asking: "Is what you said on the phone true or false?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Of course it's true. Do you think I would joke about something like this? Sister Hua, I never like to lie. I hope you remember that."

Wang Jinghua's expression changed slightly. She understood what Zhao Fusheng meant; clearly, he was a bit unhappy with her skeptical attitude.

Having gently reminded Wang Jinghua, Zhao Fusheng did not dwell on it further. Instead, he continued to introduce the plan he had in hand. Of course, he mainly talked about the product in the advertisement and the client's requirements.

"Mobile phones?" Wang Jinghua exchanged a glance with Chen Dao and asked hesitantly: "They want top-tier stars? Do they have that much ambition?"

Zhao Fusheng tilted his head, thought for a moment, and said: "It shouldn't be a problem. This company was introduced to me by Boss Zhu of Naohuangjin. No need to worry about their strength. Since they dare to offer an endorsement fee of ten million or even higher, they naturally have the capability."

Ten million!

Even the usually calm Chen Dao was taken aback. In 1999, the annual endorsement fee for domestic actors and stars was at most a few hundred thousand to a million. Occasionally, there were two or three million a year, but that was only for top male stars like Chen Dao.

An endorsement fee of ten million? Was the company boss crazy?

Seeing their reactions, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly: "You have no idea how glamorous stars are over there. Top stars in Hong Kong and Taiwan, at a status like yours, Teacher Chen, can easily earn tens of millions for a single film."

Chen Dao smiled bitterly: "I know, but the situation in our country is what it is. It's hard to catch up with them."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "That's not how it's said. The domestic economy is developing faster and faster. One day, the people's desire for cultural life will drive the development of our film and television market. When that happens, the influx of capital will change many things."

He was telling the truth. Mark Twain said that sometimes reality is stranger than fiction because fiction is based on certain logic, while reality often has no logic at all.

No one could imagine that the domestic entertainment industry, which now seemed stagnant, would later become so chaotic.

Even an outsider like Zhao Fusheng knew that in making a film, the investors decided which actors to use. If they disagreed, they would throw a little fresh meat with no acting skills into the crew, who would cry and complain about slightly hard scenes, or if schedules conflicted, they would simply use green screen compositing.

Even so, those people still had countless fans, easily earning tens of millions in annual endorsements, even though their singing was mediocre and their acting was atrocious.

"Maybe. If it really turns out as you say, our lives will be a bit easier." Wang Jinghua laughed and said to Zhao Fusheng.

She was in the agent business. The more the stars earned, the higher her cut, so she naturally hoped for the scenario Zhao Fusheng described.

Zhao Fusheng did not say more. Some things are meaningless to talk about before they happen.

"Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?" Wang Jinghua asked Zhao Fusheng.

Since the endorsement fee was ten million, she knew that domestic stars were basically out of the picture.

The reason was simple. At this time, Hong Kong and Taiwan stars still dominated. For instance, some Hong Kong and Taiwan stars needed personal attendants during filming, stayed in high-end hotels, and had dedicated car services. In comparison, domestic stars' treatment was far inferior, showing the gap at the time.

"I need two stars, one male and one female. The male must be a top-tier artist, and the female must be a天后-level star. They need to be highly famous, not too young or too old, and most importantly, their image must be positive."

Zhao Fusheng listed his requirements as if reciting them from memory. He had considered this in the car earlier. After all, the selling point of the advertisement was the endorser themselves. Through the endorser, the audience becomes familiar with and accepts the product. When a need to purchase arises, they subconsciously choose this product.

Therefore, the endorser's image and fame had to be extremely high. Simply put, Zhao Fusheng would not allow any flaw in the endorser.

Wang Jinghua nodded. She was not surprised by Zhao Fusheng's requirements. The tricky part now was finding two suitable candidates.

"For the male, it's easy. In Hong Kong, I think Liu Dehua is very suitable." Chen Dao said to Wang Jinghua after thinking.

Wang Jinghua thought for a moment and nodded: "Indeed, among the Four Heavenly Kings, he is the most suitable."

"Four Heavenly Kings?" Zhao Fusheng frowned, opened his mouth but didn't speak.

"What, Xiao Zhao, you don't think it's suitable?" Seeing Zhao Fusheng's reaction, Wang Jinghua quickly asked. After all, he was the producer and planner of the advertisement. If Zhao Fusheng was not satisfied with this candidate, they would have to choose again.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "No, no, it's not that it's unsuitable. I just don't know much about him."

Wang Jinghua breathed a sigh of relief and quickly introduced Zhao Fusheng to Liu Dehua's situation, along with the Four Heavenly Kings.

After a long while, Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Since he is the most well-rounded and the most famous, let's go with him."

He paused and looked at Wang Jinghua: "Can you get in touch?"

Wang Jinghua smiled: "He is preparing to enter the mainland market. With this advertisement, I guarantee I can secure his agency contract."

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "Then I'll congratulate Sister Hua in advance."

The relationship between people is one of prayer, and the relationship between a person and themselves is one of striving. Drawing strength from prayer to strive—Zhao Fusheng understood this well, so he did not mind Wang Jinghua profiting from this matter.

As long as it benefited him, Zhao Fusheng did not care about her methods.