Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 71 Pure Water GG

In December, as soon as Zheng Hui and his entourage got off the plane in Beijing, the dry, cold air seeped into their necks.

Li Zongming wrapped his coat tighter around himself: "This damn weather is like a completely different world from Guangzhou."

Lin Dashan silently took all the luggage and walked ahead.

The three of them hailed a taxi and headed straight to the VIP Lou Hotel, which they had booked.

It was the same place as last time. As soon as the car arrived at the entrance, the lobby manager came out to greet us.

"Mr. Zheng, Mr. Li, welcome, welcome. Your room is ready."

Once inside the room, which was heated, Li Zongming took off his coat, took out a mobile phone from his briefcase, and went to the window to make a call.

Zheng Hui poured himself a cup of hot water to warm his hands.

"I've made contact." Li Zongming walked back after finishing the call. "The people from Wahaha have also arrived in Beijing and have arranged to meet us at 10 a.m. tomorrow in the hotel's conference room."

Zheng Hui nodded: "They seem to be in a hurry."

"How can I not be anxious?" Li Zongming sat down and poured himself a glass of water. "I asked around among my friends in the media industry, and Very Cola changed its packaging in October, and sales have increased dramatically."

"They're definitely keeping the exact figures confidential, but everyone in the industry says the growth curve is incredibly high. Many young people buy it just because of your face."

Li Zongming looked excited: "This shows that Zong Qinghou has seen your value. We are confident in endorsing this bottled water."

Zheng Hui took a sip of hot water: "How much do you plan to take?"

"I'm prepared to offer six million a year, comparable to the prices of top-tier Hong Kong and Taiwanese stars," Li Zongming said, holding up six fingers.

"Your value is different now. You're going to be on the Spring Festival Gala, and both of your albums are selling like hotcakes. They can negotiate your price."

.

Zheng Hui remained silent, which was taken as tacit approval.

The next morning at 10:00 AM, in the small conference room on the third floor of the hotel.

Zheng Hui, Li Zongming, and Lin Dashan arrived ten minutes early.

Three people came from Wahaha. The one in the lead was a director from the marketing department, surnamed Liang, who was in his forties and looked very shrewd.

After both parties sat down and exchanged a few polite words, Director Liang got straight to the point.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Zheng, I believe you are aware of the purpose of our visit."

"Our CEO, Mr. Zong, greatly admires Mr. Zheng, and our previous collaborations have been very pleasant. Therefore, we would like to invite Mr. Zheng to continue serving as the spokesperson for Wahaha Pure Water."

Li Zongming smiled and said, "Director Liang, thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Zong. Zheng Hui also has a strong affection for Wahaha. We are certainly happy to cooperate with you."

He then changed the subject: "I just don't know what Wahaha's pricing strategy is?"

Director Liang said, "We are very sincere. The bottled water market is bigger than the cola market, and we are prepared to offer two million a year for a two-year contract."

Li Zongming's smile remained unchanged, but he cursed inwardly.

Two million? That's like giving money to a beggar.

"Director Liang, I'm afraid your price is a bit unreasonable."

"You should know Zheng Hui's current market value. It wasn't this price a few months ago. Now his two albums are selling very well in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and he's even received an invitation to the Spring Festival Gala. You can check that out. His value is incomparable to what it used to be."

Director Liang remained unfazed: "Mr. Li, that's not how you calculate it. BBK produces electronic products, which have high profit margins. We produce fast-moving consumer goods; we only make a few cents per bottle of water."

"Furthermore, although Mr. Zheng is very promising, he is still a newcomer after all. Market trends change very quickly, and signing a two-year contract also carries risks."

Li Zongming retorted, "Risk? Director Liang, you should have the data internally on how much Very Cola's sales have increased."

The benefits Zheng Hui brought are real and tangible; this isn't a risk, it's a return on investment.

Director Liang's expression remained unchanged: "The increase in sales is the result of a combination of factors."

Our new packaging, our distribution channels, and the overall market recovery all played a role. Mr. Zheng's endorsement certainly had an effect, but the credit shouldn't be given entirely to him.

The two sides went back and forth, one raising the price and the other lowering it.

Li Zongming insisted on six million, while Director Liang was only willing to raise it to two and a half million at most.

We talked for over an hour, but made no progress.

"How about this," Director Liang stood up, "Let's both go back and think it over again. We'll talk again tomorrow afternoon."

After seeing the Wahaha representatives off, Li Zongming returned to the conference room, sat down, and cursed, "Damn it, old fox."

Zheng Hui wasn't in a hurry; he wasn't short of the endorsement fee: "As expected, they won't give in easily."

He took out his phone, found Liu Huan's number, and dialed it.

"Mr. Liu Huan, this is Zheng Hui. I'd like to ask you for a favor."

-

"Speak," came Liu Huan's cheerful voice from the other end of the phone.

"I'd like to borrow your recording studio for a bit to record a song. It'll be quick, two hours will be enough."

"It's no big deal, you can just go directly there. I'll let Old Zhang know. What, another new work?"

"A love song called 'The One I Love'."

"Okay, go ahead. Record it and let me hear it."

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Hui said to Li Zongming, "Let's go record the song."

Li Zongming was taken aback: "Why record a song at this time?"

"Prepared for Wahaha."

Two hours later, in Liu Huan's recording studio, Zheng Hui received the recording demo of "The One I Love".

On the afternoon of the third day, in the same conference room.

After another hour of negotiation, the price remained stuck between 2.5 million and 6 million.

Director Liang picked up his teacup: "Mr. Li, our maximum offer is three million. If that price is still unacceptable, then we can only express our regret."

-

Just as Li Zongming was about to speak, Zheng Hui reached out and stopped him.

All eyes were on Zheng Hui.

"Director Liang," Zheng Hui spoke up, "Six million is indeed a bit high. Let's each compromise."

"Four million a year, two-year contract, that's my bottom line."

Director Liang's brow twitched, but he didn't say anything.

Zheng Hui continued, "I know you still think this price is too high."

He took a Walkman and a cassette tape out of his bag.

"However, I've still prepared a song. It fits the brand's image quite well, so you can give it a listen."

He put the tape in and pressed play.

A light and cheerful R&B intro begins.

"In the blissful realm of love, you are my only one—"

Zheng Hui's singing voice came out, with a little bit of vibrato and a casual rhythm.

The meeting room was quiet, with only music playing.

Director Liang and his two subordinates exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat surprised.

Although this song is not as impactful as "Happy Worship", it has a smooth melody, sweet lyrics, and is full of sunshine.

Clean, pure.

Isn't this exactly the feeling that purified water wants?

After the song finished playing, Zheng Hui turned off his Walkman.

"How's the song?"

Director Liang remained silent for a moment, quickly weighing his options.

The four million endorsement fee did exceed the budget. But if this song is included, the situation changes.

A high-quality GG song is worth millions.

"The song is good." Director Liang said, "Mr. Zheng, I need to report your proposal to my superiors."

"We'll accept the endorsement fee of four million a year."

"But we hope to obtain exclusive rights to this song and use it as the theme song for Pure Water's GG campaign for the next two years. We will pay a licensing fee of 500,000 yuan per year."

Li Zongming quickly did some mental calculations.

A four million yuan endorsement fee per year, plus a five hundred thousand yuan song licensing fee, totals four and a half million yuan.

That's nine million in two years.

This result has far exceeded expectations.

He looked at Zheng Hui, who nodded almost imperceptibly at him.

Li Zongming extended his hand: "Director Liang, it's a pleasure to work with you."

Director Liang also stood up and shook hands with Li Zongming.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The contract had been drafted long ago; only the amount was modified.

Both parties quickly signed the agreement.

"Director Liang, Zheng Hui is going to CCTV for the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal on the 15th. Do you think the signing ceremony could be arranged after the rehearsal?" Li Zongming asked.

"Of course," Director Liang readily agreed. "Then we'll hold the event after Mr. Zheng finishes his rehearsal. We'll make sure it's a grand and successful affair."