His subordinate’s efficiency was terrifyingly high. A preliminary list and investigation report were submitted quickly, featuring detailed annotations that covered the background information and structures of target brands, detailed profiles of the ultimate controllers, and a corresponding hierarchical ranking.
“Young Master Yu, please see if there is anything else that needs to be added. I will perfect it immediately.”
Yu Yanzhuo flipped through the list, his gaze sliding over those flashy brand names one by one. Unsurprisingly, he had never heard of a single one. Yu Yanzhuo’s knowledge of cosmetics was limited to the famous brands his mother used. His eyes swept over the brands his subordinate had marked as Category A for priority contact, then he carelessly flipped back a few pages, his gaze landing nonchalantly on a specific entry.
“Hmm?”
Yu Yanzhuo let out a slightly confused hum, his focus resting on one particular line.
“Young Master Yu, is there a problem?”
Seeing this, the subordinate leaned forward nervously. Following the brand name Ben Su, there was a name he knew very well: Shi Jingyan.
Indeed, in the materials Huan Lian had sent previously, Shi Jingyan’s enterprise was indeed called by this name; he simply had not paid much attention to it at the time. This brand had been marked with a Category B priority by his subordinate. Yu Yanzhuo raised his eyes, his golden pupils scanning the subordinate standing before him.
“Why is this brand a B?”
The subordinate glanced at the report and replied, “This is a cutting-edge brand that has emerged in the last two years. According to rough market research, its advantages are high user repurchase rates and a stable customer base, showing potential for sustainable development. For us, however, its greatest disadvantages are its thin margins and the fact that it rarely engages in mass marketing. It shows some fatigue in attracting new customers and cannot generate profit effectively, so it was not considered for priority contact.”
Yu Yanzhuo propped his chin on his hand, speaking with great interest, “It rarely engages in mass marketing?”
The subordinate nodded. “Currently, most brands focus heavily on promotion across e-commerce platforms, such as regular live streaming or running ads on Douyin. But this brand has a very low volume of advertisements. Furthermore, they have never conducted a public live stream. It seems they have plans for a live stream recently, but it has yet to be implemented.”
Yu Yanzhuo picked up his phone and searched for the brand name on the app. Indeed, aside from an empty homepage, there was only one video that looked like an announcement, stating they would hold a live stream tonight to promote a new product. The likes and comments were sparse; it clearly had not received any promotional traffic.
“Fine, I understand.”
Yu Yanzhuo exited the platform, set his phone aside, and tapped the list, his tone casual.
“Have the responsible department managers talk to these Category A brands. Raise the requirements to the highest level. I want to see them show enough sincerity. Let them know that Huanya is never short of partners.”
The weather was getting colder, and it grew dark earlier. The last remnant of the sunset disappeared behind heavy clouds, streetlights flickered on one by one, and night quietly descended. It was the peak of the evening rush hour. Below, the flow of car lights merged into a river of neon, moving forward slowly.
Inside the office, Shi Jingyan sat at his desk, his back straight, the contents of computer files reflected in his dark pupils. He was still wearing a dress shirt, though he had changed into a black one. His collar buttons were fastened meticulously to the very top as usual. The originally loose shirt appeared somewhat restrictive due to his physique. Particularly around the chest, it clung tightly to his skin, revealing a distinct, rising curve.
After typing the last symbol on the keyboard, he leaned back against the chair with a slight sense of relaxation and exhaled a long breath. The numbers on the digital clock on the wall jumped, marking the top of the hour. He had to handle a document at the last minute today and was forced to work some overtime.
Shi Jingyan’s gaze swept calmly across the monitor. After confirming there were no issues, he pressed his fingers against the desk to stand up, put on the coat hanging on the back of the chair, and casually packed his bag. Before leaving work, he still had to visit the live-streaming room downstairs.
The live-streaming room had been set up shortly after the company was founded, but it had remained unused for various reasons. When the company first started, affairs were complicated. It took considerable effort to gain a foothold in the industry, and Shi Jingyan had not poured energy into this area. It was only after the matchmaking meeting that he decided to begin developing this business. Even if Song Mingyi intended to target him, he had to admit that the company indeed lacked in this department.
Tonight’s live stream was also the first official broadcast on the platform, and the specific content was a detailed launch of a new product. Descending to that floor, he could see at a glance that the live-streaming room at the far end was brightly lit, preparing for the broadcast scheduled in half an hour.
Shi Jingyan had left the live-streaming matters to his new media manager. Before this, Shi Jingyan had specifically emphasized various precautions to him, and the manager had vowed that nothing would go wrong. As Shi Jingyan walked toward the glass door, he suddenly heard an angry shout erupt from over there.
“What? Acute gastroenteritis? Sent to the hospital?”
The manager held his phone, his face livid. The person on the other end seemed to be explaining fearfully, but they still could not avoid a harsh scolding.
“We decided long ago that tonight would be the first live stream, and you promised me several times that there would be no slip-ups. Now, just before the broadcast, you tell me you cannot make it?”
The operations controller and assistants nearby did not dare to breathe. The person on the other end seemed to say something else, but the manager had no patience left to listen. He hung up, his gaze sweeping over the people in front of him one by one as he let out a cold snort. “Every one of you looks uglier than the last. You are all useless.”
The others exchanged glances, feeling angry but not daring to speak out. The manager’s gaze unconsciously swept across the open office area and froze when he saw Shi Jingyan walking toward the door. He offered a somewhat guilty smile.
“President Shi.”
Shi Jingyan walked toward them, his face expressionless. As he approached, the manager’s expression became increasingly stiff. He raised a hand to scratch his face, looking embarrassed. Shi Jingyan stopped a few steps in front of him, glanced at the employees who were also hanging their heads, and spoke coldly.
“The person responsible for the live stream cannot come?”
The manager’s shoulders trembled, and his gaze shifted around as if he did not know where to look. “I am truly sorry, President Shi. Xiao Wu had a sudden accident and cannot make it now.”
“I remember telling you a long time ago that you must have sufficient backup plans for your proposals.”
Shi Jingyan looked at him blankly.
“We have them, we made them.” The manager rubbed his hands, his tone becoming hesitant. “But the other backup employee went back early because of some business. It is the evening rush hour now; if they rushed here, it would take nearly an hour.”
But the live stream was set to start in twenty minutes. Shi Jingyan frowned. “I entrusted important matters to you, and this is how you take responsibility?”
The manager’s face turned red then white. He apologized repeatedly, then looked back at his subordinates huddled together. They all had their own responsible positions; none could be pulled away to be the host. Was he supposed to go on? Setting aside whether he could explain things clearly in front of the camera, having a middle-aged man in his forties serve as the host for the first broadcast of a beauty brand would be a disaster. The manager could already envision himself sitting there for two hours of hard work without a single viewer clicking in.
His gaze shifted around and suddenly, as if he had thought of something, it landed on Shi Jingyan. He spoke up boldly.
“That, President Shi, I have an immature proposal. Although it might be a bit offensive, it is currently the best way to solve the problem.”
Shi Jingyan raised an eyebrow. “Speak.”
The manager gave a flattering smile. “Well, President Shi, looking at those of us left, there is actually one person whose appearance and age meet the requirements for being a host.”
Shi Jingyan remained silent, noticing that the gazes of his other subordinates were all focused on him, some even mixed with earnest hope. He spoke slowly, “Are you asking me to broadcast?”
“Ah, that is not exactly what I meant.”
The manager quickly explained, but after talking in circles, it was clearly still exactly what he meant.
“President Shi, look at you. You are valiant, handsome, and moving. All of us added together are not as pleasing to the eye as you alone. Furthermore, as a professional, you understand the specific ingredients and effects of the products better than any of us, so…”
The words had reached this point. Time was also ticking away second by second. Shi Jingyan raised his eyes to scan the young people standing behind the manager. Their gazes were evasive; they truly did not look like the types who could speak comfortably in front of a camera.
Ben Su had only been founded for two years. Its scale was neither large nor small. Shi Jingyan did not feel that as the owner or CEO, he had to maintain a high and mighty posture. Although he had no prior experience with things like live streaming, there were precedents among major domestic enterprises.
He spoke calmly, “Fine.”
Upon hearing this, the manager was overjoyed. He hurriedly and respectfully led Shi Jingyan into the live-streaming room, had him sit in the host’s chair, and pointed to the skincare products, essences, and newly developed liquid foundations arranged on the table.
“We have studied the process. After the broadcast starts, you mainly need to be enthusiastic toward the audience, introduce the effects of our products briefly and accurately, and use appropriate gimmicks to attract attention.”
The manager spoke at length and handed the speech script with his notes to Shi Jingyan. Shi Jingyan took a glance. The most eye-catching parts were the over-the-top interjections. Seeing the manager getting more excited as he spoke, the noise making Shi Jingyan’s temples throb slightly, he leaned away a little and said calmly, “I understand. Do not be so loud.”
Only then did the manager stop talking and gave a sheepish smile. “But that is only our original plan. President Shi, if you have your own ideas, it is all up to you.”
Subsequently, he nagged about some details, instructed the other staff members to coordinate with Shi Jingyan’s movements, and finally guaranteed that as soon as the backup host arrived, Shi Jingyan could end his work and go home.
Seeing that it was time to start the broadcast, Shi Jingyan looked up at the camera and nodded to the operator.
“Let us begin.”