"So that's the situation. Do you understand now, Mingrui?" Gu Chenan briefly explained the current circumstances to Liu Mingrui as they sat on the sofa.
Liu Mingrui finally emerged from her daze. Her beautiful eyes held a hint of suspicion as she frowned and said, "So you're saying that Sister Mo arrived ten days before me? And she even met your parents?"
Gu Chenan: ?
Big sis, is this really what you should be focusing on right now?
Shouldn't you be clinging to me saying things like "Ah! I never want to leave you again," "Chenan, it's so wonderful to see you again," "I thought we'd never meet again," and so on?
What's with this calm yet strange reaction?
Moreover, your focus is all wrong. Shouldn't you be more concerned about your own identity issue?
Why are you fixating on whether or not Qianmo has met my parents?
"Umm," Su Qianmo hesitated, "Actually, I've only met Chenan's mother and his classmate. I haven't met anyone else yet."
Hearing this, Liu Mingrui's eyes lit up, and she thought to herself, "That's good then."
Knock knock knock~
"Ms. Su, are you there?" Just then, Zhang Hao, the PR department manager, knocked on Su Qianmo's office door.
Su Qianmo quickly moved from the sofa to her desk and said, "Come in."
The door opened, and a man with short cropped hair wearing a suit walked in.
As soon as he entered the office, his gaze fell on Liu Mingrui sitting on the sofa.
His eyes widened, and his pupils quivered slightly.
Who was this woman? Her looks were on par with Ms. Su's!
At that moment, Liu Mingrui was holding onto Gu Chenan's arm, whispering something in his ear.
Seeing this, Zhang Hao was startled.
Who was this man? How could he be in Ms. Su's office, and why was this woman being so intimate with him?
"Do you need something?"
At the desk, Su Qianmo resumed her usual cold demeanor, her icy voice interrupting Zhang Hao's wild thoughts.
Zhang Hao quickly approached Su Qianmo's desk and took out his phone. "It's not good, Ms. Su. Zhenhua suddenly announced yesterday that they're launching a moisturizing face mask. Not only are they offering the same promotional discounts as our Caiying, but they've also hired a somewhat famous model from Shanghai to shoot their advertisement."
"What?!"
Su Qianmo was shocked.
She quickly looked at the news and ad preview on Zhang Hao's phone.
Her brows furrowed immediately.
Clearly, Zhenhua's move was entirely aimed at Caiying.
Otherwise, it made no sense for Zhenhua, Shanghai's largest cosmetics company, to suddenly focus on promoting a moisturizing face mask!
But then again, what had Caiying done to deserve such a targeted attack from Zhenhua?
Caiying's promotional campaign was a desperate move, while Zhenhua was essentially engaging in a loss-making business!
Moreover, if Zhenhua's plan succeeded, consumers would focus all their attention on Zhenhua's face masks, and Caiying would go bankrupt in no time!
"Ms. Su, Zhenhua's actions are clearly targeting our Caiying, but I can't figure out why we're worth targeting!" Zhang Hao was utterly perplexed.
Su Qianmo pondered for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. "I see. You can go now."
"Yes, Ms. Su." Zhang Hao nodded, his gaze lingering on Gu Chenan for a moment before leaving the office.
"What's wrong?"
As soon as Zhang Hao left, Gu Chenan stood up and asked.
"Zhenhua has launched a face mask to compete with our Caiying, offering the same promotional discounts as us, and they've even hired a famous Shanghai model for their advertisement," Su Qianmo said with a helpless smile. "Sun Wei just joined Zhenhua, and now they pull this stunt. Clearly, he must be involved."
She then frowned in confusion, "But even if Sun Wei wanted to target Caiying, his influence at Zhenhua couldn't be enough to make them engage in such a loss-making venture."
"Perhaps there are others who want to see Caiying go bankrupt," Gu Chenan added.
Su Qianmo looked up, puzzled. "So, who could it be?"
"Heh," Gu Chenan chuckled awkwardly, already having a good idea.
Song Xiaoli had previously threatened him with Caiying's bankruptcy, and her boyfriend was the general manager of Zhenhua. Clearly, her boyfriend must be involved in this.
Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for Sun Wei to cause such a big stir as soon as he joined Zhenhua.
"Regardless of who's behind it, isn't Zhenhua essentially declaring war on us with this move?" Gu Chenan asked.
"That's right," Su Qianmo nodded. "But Caiying's funds are already limited. We barely have enough for advertising costs, let alone hiring a famous model for our ad. If we shoot an ad, we'd have to settle for a less famous model, but the effect might be..."
"A model, huh..."
Gu Chenan stroked his chin, his gaze turning to Liu Mingrui, looking her up and down.
Liu Mingrui immediately understood Gu Chenan's intention and panicked. "Don't- don't- don't get any ideas! I'm a respected female general, how could I become an ad model?"
Su Qianmo also came to Gu Chenan's side, her gaze similarly assessing Liu Mingrui.
"Hmm, Mingrui's qualities are indeed suitable," Gu Chenan nodded. "Doesn't Mingrui's appearance and figure outshine those models?"
"Then shall I contact the PR department to arrange the photoshoot?" Su Qianmo asked.
"Good," Gu Chenan nodded. "Do it as soon as possible."
Liu Mingrui was completely bewildered by their conversation.
Wait, you two, don't be so quick to make decisions on your own!
I haven't even agreed yet, and you're already arranging the photoshoot?
Did you not hear me at all?!
Besides, I've only been in this world for a day. Can't you let me adjust to the environment first? What's with assigning me work right away?!
...
Meanwhile.
In the office of Zhenhua Beauty's General Manager.
"Mr. Huang, the advertisement has been shot, and the PR department is now coordinating with media outlets for ad placement," the secretary reported to Huang Yuan, holding some documents.
Huang Yuan nodded after hearing this. "Alright, I got it. You may go now."
"Yes, sir." As the secretary turned to leave, Deputy General Manager Sun Wei walked in.
"Mr. Sun."
Sun Wei nodded and came directly to Huang Yuan.
"Mr. Huang, everything is ready now. We're just waiting for the ad to be released."
Huang Yuan's face lit up with joy as he offered Sun Wei a cigarette. "Deputy Manager Sun, how long do you estimate it will take for Caiying to go bankrupt after this ad is released?"
Without hesitation, Sun Wei held up one finger. "No more than a month."
He continued confidently, "Caiying only produces face masks now. If we launch a face mask, given Zhenhua's reputation in Shanghai's beauty industry, Caiying doesn't stand a chance."
"Caiying has put all their eggs in one basket with this moisturizing face mask. If the masks don't sell, bankruptcy and liquidation will be their only option!"
After saying this, Sun Wei added through gritted teeth, "When Caiying reaches that point, it will all be thanks to that new CEO!"