Does Cheng Che know about this?
Of course I know.
He plays professional tennis not just because he loves it.
Those tennis players who pay for their own matches are incredibly poor.
I paid for everything myself: airfare, hotel, coach, and strength and conditioning coach.
The prize money from winning a game, after taxes, isn't even enough to cover a week's accommodation.
He plays professionally to increase his fame and make money.
After winning the championship, he did not return to Spring City immediately because he had too many business commitments.
In a large, single-level apartment in the East Fourth Ring Road, a pile of documents was spread out on the living room table.
Qin Lie sat on the sofa, his face rosy and his spirits high, a stark contrast to his former manager who had dark circles under his eyes and drank coffee every day to stay alive.
Cheng Che leaned back on the single sofa, looked at him, and smiled.
"What, you've been out for so long, hasn't your sister-in-law scolded you?"
Qin Lie snorted smugly, "Insult me? She dares to insult me? I'll just throw a wad of cash in front of her and see what she dares to say then."
Chen Wei and her lawyer burst out laughing.
Qin Lie was indeed happy.
He used to be the kind of player who paid for his own tennis games.
After working for several years, he hadn't earned any money. At their poorest, the three of them lived in a cramped rented room. His wife worked during the day and still had to cook for him when she came home at night.
His parents came from their hometown to help take care of the child, and the family of five squeezed into a house of less than 50 square meters.
At that time, he felt quite useless.
Later, Old Chen introduced him to Cheng Che.
In just a few months, the clouds parted and the blue sky appeared.
He earned 3.8 million based on the profit sharing.
We moved to a new house, bought my wife a car, and bought my daughter a new computer and new clothes.
My daughter was overjoyed; the first thing she did when she got home from school every day was to video chat with her dad.
His wife looks several years younger now. During their last video call, she told him, "You must work hard with Cheng Che and not be half-hearted."
Qin Lie went to thank Old Chen. Old Chen patted him on the shoulder and said, "Keep up the good work."
From then on, he devoted himself even more to Cheng Che.
"Let's get down to business." Qin Lie spread out the documents. "We've received a lot of business offers lately. But you're a top star now, even more influential overseas than the four top stars in China. Some brands are no longer suitable."
Cheng Che hummed in agreement.
He had heard Yan Ruanning mention it.
During his two days back in Capital City, he attended a class at the studio, where Yan Ruanning told him that he would be getting many endorsements coming up and advised Qin Lie to choose carefully, and that he could ask her if he had any questions.
"I chose five," Qin Lie said. "The first one is * Esquire *."
Cheng Che glanced at him.
"Last time we shot a cover for you, but that was a smaller magazine. This time they've invited you to shoot a solo cover for the main issue, and it's the first issue of the year."
Chen Wei and her lawyer were both stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then their faces lit up with excitement.
Cheng Che was somewhat confused.
He knew that appearing on the cover of Esquire magazine was a good thing, but if it didn't make him money, he wouldn't be very happy.
Qin Lie saw through it and explained:
"This isn't a money-making project. It's an endorsement project. If you're on the cover of Esquire's January issue, the entire fashion industry will recognize you. All subsequent commercial premiums come from this."
Cheng Che nodded.
"Because of this news, all four endorsements I got for you have been sold at a premium," Qin Lie said, handing over a document.
Cheng Che took it and glanced at it.
Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific brand ambassador. 38 million in the first year.
Nike Greater China tennis line ambassador. 18 million in the first year.
Rolex spokesperson. 20 million in the first year.
Gucci brand ambassador. Ten million in the first year.
The total business revenue for the first year is 86 million, before tax.
Chen Wei leaned over for a look, then froze on the spot.
She's an assistant, but she's also a member of the team.
The team gets 10%, which is then divided among everyone, and it adds up to a considerable sum.
Cheng Che looked at the document but didn't react much.
"Are they all spokespeople?" he asked.
"That's right," Qin Lie said. "None of them are brand ambassadors or brand friends, except for Gucci, but Gucci's ambassadors are already at the highest level; they're all top-tier spokespeople. Any one of these four brands would be a top-tier commercial asset for any celebrity."
He paused for a moment, then began to explain.
"The LV Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador is the highest level of LV brand ambassadorship in the Asia Pacific region. There are no more than five people in the entire Asia Pacific region who hold this title simultaneously. Previously, top South Korea celebrities and A-list Japan actors have held it. Among Xia Country artists, you are the first."
" Nike's Greater China tennis line, though limited to tennis strings, speaks volumes about Nike's standing in the tennis world. Federer, Nadal, Serena Williams are all Nike representatives. Signing with this line means you're standing alongside these names."
" Rolex ambassador, needless to say. Rolex never signs celebrities with fleeting popularity; they sign Federer, Li Na, and those who have reached the pinnacle in their respective fields. The fact that you can get Rolex means they see in you not just temporary fame, but long-term industry standing."
"Gucci brand ambassador, although it's an ambassadorial title, it's the highest title Gucci can give in Xia Country. They usually only give their endorsements to global superstars; in Xia Country, ambassador is the ceiling."
Cheng Che nodded after listening.
He didn't really understand the prestige of these brands, but after Qin Lie explained it, he understood.
None of these four brands were chosen lightly for money.
Each one enhances his commercial value and industry standing.
"Okay." Cheng Che put down the document. "I trust what you've discussed."
Qin Lie smiled.
"There's one more thing," he said. "The Esquire photoshoot is scheduled for next week. It's the January issue, the March issue. They want to do a 'The Two Sides of Champion ' themed shoot. Get ready."
Cheng Che nodded, then stood up and said, "How about I cook and treat you to dinner?"
Qin Lie packed his things, stood up, and said with a smile:
"You don't have time to eat. You have so many business deals to attend to, and we still need to coordinate and discuss them. We'll call you to sign the contracts later. You should get some rest. You'll be very busy from now on. Let's try to finish it before the Spring Festival."
Cheng Che thought about it and agreed. He saw them off, then returned and lay down on the sofa, feeling excited.
He was just faking it; he felt that as the boss, he couldn't show weakness.
But 86 million! That's a year's worth!
He can get tens of millions after taxes! That's enough to buy so many skins in League of Legends!
I'll buy a villa to live in then.
He had always wanted to live in a villa. In high school, he would watch videos of real estate agents introducing villas whenever he had free time.
And now, that dream is actually coming true.
He let out a breath and then looked at the reward he hadn't looked at yet.
[Congratulations, host, you have acquired the active talent " Hand of God "]
[Congratulations, host, you have earned the title " One Tree Makes a Forest "]
Cheng Che continued reading.
[ Hand of God (Active): When faced with a choice, utilize this talent; the host's subconscious automatically calculates all current variables and outputs the optimal solution. Covers all areas; the subjective feeling is intuition. Cooldown: 24 hours.]
[ One Tree Makes a Forest (Title): The host and their close relatives (parents, partner, best friends, etc.) gain a permanent healing aura, minor illnesses heal themselves, major illnesses are prevented, and the body's recovery speed is greatly increased. The higher the intimacy level, the stronger the effect. There is no cooldown, and it is permanently effective.]
Cheng Che's eyes widened instantly as he looked at the title, and then he couldn't help but exclaim, "Holy crap!"
What an amazing title!