In the subsequent contract negotiations, Orange Berry, who had been in the entertainment industry for years, held her own without any disadvantage.
The other side offered a price for the still-undebuted Orange Quiet Forest.
For a rookie artist, the price was actually on the high side.
But before Chu Yong or anyone else could speak, Orange Berry politely turned it down.
‘Are you kidding? I know exactly what Orange Quiet Forest is worth. Since I’ve coaxed and pressured my own niece into this project, I have an obligation to get the best for her!’
Orange Berry was an extremely career-driven person.
She hadn’t left a large company to join her friend Chu Yong’s new startup just for “loyalty” or anything like that.
She wanted to climb higher and faster.
That was impossible in a rigid, large corporation, so she’d brought her ambition here.
Chu Yong didn’t know much about the ins and outs of the industry, but Orange Berry did.
That’s why she’d made it clear to Chu Yong from the start: she would be the one to lead this negotiation.
Out of the corner of her eye, Orange Berry glanced at Orange Quiet Forest, who was sitting beside her with a composed smile.
Sure, this Orange Quiet Forest usually liked to act quirky.
During breaks, she’d spend almost all her time slumped at home playing games, and weird lines would keep popping out of her mouth.
Stuff like “Hakimi” and whatever.
But!
As long as she was willing to cooperate like today, obediently playing the role of a Young Lady, keeping quiet and not acting weird, her impact was terrifying.
Just that face sitting there was already unbeatable.
Today, Orange Quiet Forest was being sensible.
She hadn’t deliberately done anything strange.
More importantly, the skin care routine Orange Berry had drilled into her ahead of time was executed perfectly.
Her skin looked smooth and supple.
‘Looks like Orange Quiet Forest is a kid who can do it when she wants to.’
Orange Berry silently raised her niece’s evaluation in her mind and decided to give her a good reward if the opportunity came.
Then, the two sides began a long tug-of-war.
STELLA wanted to sign Orange Quiet Forest to a long-term contract starting at three years.
Generally speaking, for a new artist—or even a half-regular person who hadn’t officially debuted yet—this was practically a gift from heaven.
It meant a guaranteed three-year meal ticket.
No risk, all profit.
But Orange Berry knew the future potential of Orange Quiet Forest.
Three years?
Fine.
But they’d have to pay more.
At the very least, the market rate for a second-tier industry artist.
Hearing that quote, the STELLA executives hesitated.
They’d cast a wide net for newcomers precisely to target “cost-effectiveness.”
If they were going to pay a second-tier artist’s price, they might as well go find an established second-tier artist outside—someone who came with a guaranteed fan base.
So some executives inside STELLA began to suggest steering the conversation back to a one-year short-term contract.
With one year, the price could be slightly lower than a second-tier artist’s, and the cost of trial and error would be low.
But!
Jing Shangta, STELLA’s Marketing Director, thought Orange Quiet Forest had great value.
She had perfect long black hair.
Sure, people nowadays weren’t that into traditional long black hair—they even thought it was a bit tacky.
But Jing Shangta figured those other cases just weren’t good-looking enough.
Once Orange Quiet Forest appeared, the long black hair trend would definitely come back.
Moreover, Orange Quiet Forest’s style fit the student demographic well.
Sign a one-year short-term contract? That would be like paying to water a newly planted flower until it bloomed, then handing it over to someone else.
Orange Quiet Forest was bound to become popular.
When the second year came and they wanted to renew, they’d face crazy price hikes from competitors and wouldn’t be able to afford her.
And Orange Berry was precisely exploiting that mentality—the desire to snatch a bargain but fear of missing out.
Jing Shangta actually wanted to lower the three-year price just a little.
She was willing to gamble the three-year budget because she genuinely believed Orange Quiet Forest had that potential.
But the other STELLA members who came to negotiate clearly disagreed with her.
The atmosphere in the conference room became deadlocked.
Right when the two sides were at an impasse and silence fell,
Orange Quiet Forest, who had been sitting there quietly like a vase, suddenly moved.
She leaned forward slightly.
“Excuse me…”
Orange Quiet Forest’s voice was gentle and crisp, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
She looked at Jing Shangta with sincere, longing eyes.
“Actually, I’ve always loved using STELLA cosmetics. To me, STELLA isn’t just a brand—it’s like a friend who’s always been with me.”
‘Lie.’
Orange Quiet Forest had never once used any of their stuff.
At home, she had all more expensive products, all bought by Ms. Orange Peach.
Orange Quiet Forest probably couldn’t even recognize those brands.
But with that pure, flawless face of hers, saying that made it seem truer than gold.
“So I really hope to get this opportunity—to grow together with STELLA.”
She clasped her hands in front of her chest, tilted her head slightly, and flashed a smile that could captivate anyone.
“Senior executives, since everyone is so sincere about this, can we settle on the three-year long-term contract at this number?”
Taking advantage of the moment when the opposite executives were mesmerized by the Young Lady’s smile, Orange Quiet Forest smoothly followed up with that price.
“Uh… well…”
The few executives who had been opposed, now staring at that flawless face, had a momentary short circuit in their brains.
Too beautiful.
Absolutely too beautiful.
It would be a travesty if a face like that didn’t become famous.
In the end, although one or two conservative-minded people at STELLA were still reluctant, under Jing Shangta’s strong push and Orange Quiet Forest’s charm offensive, they actually reluctantly agreed.
Know when to stop.
Orange Berry immediately stepped forward to show goodwill.
“Since STELLA is Jingli’s first advertiser, we are very sincere about long-term cooperation.”
Orange Berry generously offered to lower the price just a little from the agreed number, as a gesture to make friends.
Hearing that, the other side felt much better, and the deal was concluded smoothly.
Finally, both sides agreed.
Shoot the ad first; prepare the materials.
But the official release date would be set after Orange Quiet Forest’s television variety show real-person debut, to ride the biggest wave of attention together.
Before leaving,
Both sides—including Chu Yong, Orange Berry, and the STELLA executives—repeatedly warned Orange Quiet Forest.
She absolutely had to take care of her skin during this time!
She absolutely could not ruin that face!
STELLA even offered to send their own skin care specialists to visit Orange Quiet Forest regularly for skin care treatments to ensure perfect condition for the shoot.
Hearing all this, Orange Quiet Forest kept a polite smile and nodded in agreement, but cold sweat was already forming on her back.
Remembering how last night she’d twisted and turned in bed until 3:30 AM just to rank up in a game, almost causing a huge disaster, she shuddered inwardly.
If she’d really gotten dark circles, she wouldn’t just have to face Aunt’s fury—she might even have to compensate the other side.
‘Ugh.
‘No, no!’
Orange Quiet Forest silently vowed to herself.
She absolutely could not stay up late during this period.
She would never play online games before bed again.
If she did, she’d chop off her own hands.