Endorsement Fee

Manager Huo had long known Fang Yu was exceptional. A college student who had attained Greater Mastery of Minute Subtlety should have had no trouble securing a spot in the university transfer program, even without awakening the Void Star Aspect.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have deliberately given him extra compensation back then.

But.

Securing a university transfer spot and getting an Earth Contract were two different things... Manager Huo had graduated from Huguang Martial Arts University himself, though the university had changed a great deal in the decades since.

Getting an Earth Contract was much easier than it had been when he was a student.

Even so, Manager Huo knew that only about one percent of undergraduates now managed to get an Earth Contract... How could a student who had been at a junior college until recently possibly qualify?

"Did he awaken an Astral Aspect?" Manager Huo couldn't help asking.

It was the only possibility he could think of.

"If you're asking me, who am I supposed to ask?"

"Fang Yu isn't answering his phone at all right now." Dong Xin shook his head. "I'm not sure whether he got an Earth Contract, since that's Huguang Martial Arts University's business, but I just checked. He's this year's 'direct admission student' from Wuling Martial Arts College."

"More than half of the past direct admission students got Earth Contracts. That's why I said I suspected he'd gotten one."

"Direct admission student?" Manager Huo's eyelid twitched. He couldn't help asking, "How did this come to involve us? Would the general manager pay attention to something so minor?"

"Hmph!"

"The professor leading the university's team this time is the general manager's junior sister. The two of them just spoke on the phone," Dong Xin said coldly. "Somehow, Fang Yu came up. The general manager is very interested and plans to invite Fang Yu to a meal, to see if he can sign him ahead of time so he'll join our Iron Mountain Martial Arts Society after graduation."

"I saw there was no hiding it, so I had to say I knew Fang Yu and had recommended him for a job at the society."

"When General Manager Yan heard Fang Yu had left our society, he scolded me and said I didn't know how to handle things. He said I should have signed a development agreement with him first." Dong Xin shook his head. "I told him Fang Yu had resigned of his own accord, and only then did the general manager drop it for the time being."

"Manager Huo."

"I took the blame for you."

"But the general manager still intends to meet Fang Yu. You need to tell me: was there a problem with the delay in Fang Yu's application to become a regular employee?" Dong Xin stared at Huo Yun.

A chill ran through Huo Yun as he listened.

"No."

"Absolutely not," Huo Yun said at once. "The application was late because of me, but he was transferring to a university, so he couldn't have become a regular employee anyway. Besides, I gave him extra compensation when he left, and he had no objections at the time."

"I hope you're telling the truth. The general manager told me to come over right away, so I don't have time to chat with you," Dong Xin said coldly. "One last warning: if there really is something between you and Fang Yu, you'd better deal with it immediately. I don't want Fang Yu saying anything bad when he meets the general manager."

"When that happens, I'll only get scolded. You'll be the one in trouble."

With that, Dong Xin ended the call.

Huo Yun was left in turmoil.

But he reacted quickly, calling Fang Yu at once. Fang Yu didn't answer at all.

Huo Yun calmed down and dialed another number. "Director Niu, there's something I'd like to ask you. Your school held the university transfer assessment today, right? I wanted to ask if there's a student named Fang Yu... A direct admission student? It's already spread through your teachers' chat group? A university associate professor led Huguang Martial Arts University's team this time? All right, all right. Sorry for the trouble. I'll treat you to a meal next time."

He ended the call.

By now, Huo Yun was eighty percent convinced that what Dong Xin had said was true.

Soon.

Huo Yun called Supervisor Gao over and quickly told him everything that had just happened. The series of developments left Supervisor Gao stunned.

"An Earth Contract?"

"A direct admission student? If we'd known, we should've gotten rid of that threat sooner." A ruthless glint flashed in Supervisor Gao's eyes.

"Old Gao, can you calm down? Stop talking about using force at the slightest thing. We haven't reached that point yet," Manager Huo said with a frown. "Besides, isn't it a bit late for that bullshit now?"

"Then what do we do?" Supervisor Gao frowned.

"Fang Yu is indeed a direct admission student. That's been confirmed."

"He's most likely awakened an Astral Aspect, and it's very likely a Mid-Rank Star Aspect. What Dong Xin said is probably true," Huo Yun said thoughtfully. "Right now, we don't know if he knows about what we did... But I did deliberately delay submitting his application to become a regular employee."

"At worst, we'll get scolded," Supervisor Gao said indignantly. "Besides, would the general manager really care about him? Even if he's sure to sign an Earth Contract, let alone if he only might, there's no guarantee he'll become an Earth Martial Artist."

"The general manager is an Earth Martial Artist."

Supervisor Gao didn't care much. An Earth Contract only meant there was hope of becoming an Earth Martial Artist. Plenty of martial artists had received Earth Contracts throughout Huguang Martial Arts University's history.

"No!"

"It's not Fang Yu I'm worried about."

"We all know General Manager Yan has just taken office. A new official always makes a show of authority, and of the nearly twenty branches in the city, he hasn't paid much attention to ours yet," Huo Yun said slowly. "If they don't have a meal or meet, that would naturally be best."

"But if they do have a meal and we come up, drawing even a little of General Manager Yan's attention, he might decide to make an example of us first. If the city headquarters investigates, we'll be lucky to escape with our skins."

Manager Gao's heart jolted.

Right!

General Manager Yan had just taken office. He was bound to make an example of someone, and just who that someone would be was a delicate matter.

"On the other hand."

"If Fang Yu meets the general manager and puts in a good word for us, it could also be an opportunity," Huo Yun said softly.

Supervisor Gao's eyes lit up.

But he quickly frowned. "Why would Fang Yu put in a good word for us?"

"Let's try," Huo Yun said. "Fang Yu is still a junior college student, after all. He shouldn't be too greedy."

"How much?" Supervisor Gao asked.

"Two hundred thousand to five hundred thousand," Huo Yun said. "Depending on his attitude."

A trace of hesitation flashed in Supervisor Gao's eyes. That wasn't a small sum.

Just give it away like that?

"We wouldn't just be asking him to put in a good word. We'd also be building a better relationship with him," Huo Yun said slowly. "If he really does become an Earth Martial Artist someday, at least we won't have made an enemy of him."

"All right."

Wuling City Martial Arts College.

In his room.

"Senior Brother Dong really is ruthless. General Manager Yan? I don't know him at all." Fang Yu looked at the message Dong Xin had quickly sent him. It contained several notes.

Don't admit it, don't deny it, don't refuse.

Then he looked at the messages Huo Yun had sent him. Fang Yu understood... the fish had taken the bait.

After waiting another ten-odd minutes.

Fang Yu returned Huo Yun's video call. Huo Yun soon answered, and his figure appeared on the screen. "Brother Fang Yu, congratulations! You actually got a direct admission spot in the university transfer assessment. That's wonderful news."

"News travels fast with you, Manager Huo," Fang Yu said with a smile.

"I only found out because Manager Dong told me," Huo Yun said with feeling. "I always knew you were talented, Brother Fang Yu. Now that you've gotten an Earth Contract from Huguang Martial Arts University, you're really soaring to new heights."

"You flatter me, Manager Huo," Fang Yu said with a smile. "The Earth Contract isn't a sure thing yet. Associate Professor Tang and the others still need to report it to the university before a final decision can be made."

"Haha, with your talent, Brother Fang, it's sure to happen." Manager Huo smiled. "I wonder if you're free tonight, Brother Fang? How about a meal together?"

"Manager Huo."

"I have to go home tonight. My dad and the others are waiting for me," Fang Yu said, refusing him outright. "As for tomorrow, Manager Dong just called and said we'd have a meal at noon. Tomorrow night... I've already agreed to meet a friend too. President Wang of the Shengchuan Group is treating me."

"I leave for Huguang Martial Arts University the day after tomorrow."

"Time's tight. Sorry, Manager Huo," Fang Yu said apologetically.

"Haha, no problem. Then we'll wait until you come back from Huguang Martial Arts University," Huo Yun said cheerfully. "It's rare for an employee from our Xinjiekou Branch to be as outstanding as you..."

"Manager Huo, I still have to cultivate in a little while," Fang Yu said, cutting him off. "If there's something you want, just say it."

"Yes, yes, cultivation comes first."

"Then I'll be straightforward." Manager Huo sighed softly. "Tomorrow's meal will most likely be hosted by the society's city general manager..."

"I see." Fang Yu looked as though he had just understood. Smiling, he said, "Don't worry, Manager Huo. If General Manager Yan asks, I'll tell him exactly what happened. I won't embellish anything."

Manager Huo's heart skipped a beat.

He wouldn't embellish anything? That meant he would.

"Haha."

"Then thank you, Brother Fang," Manager Huo said with an ingratiating smile. "But if you get the chance, I'd still like to ask you to put in a few good words for us."

"Hehe." Fang Yu smiled.

"Don't worry, Brother Fang. I won't let you help for nothing," Manager Huo offered.

"Manager Huo, I'm not asking you for benefits," Fang Yu said, shaking his head.

"I understand," Manager Huo said with a smile. "It's just that our Xinjiekou Branch happens to need a local 'inspirational comeback spokesperson.' I think your story is a perfect fit. You're a one-of-a-kind candidate. The endorsement fee is two hundred thousand a year."

"Would that be appropriate?" A trace of "hesitation" crossed Fang Yu's face. "Besides, Associate Professor Tang told me before she left not to casually accept small advertising deals, especially exclusive ones. They could limit my future."

Manager Huo's eyelid twitched. Fang Yu thought it wasn't enough money.

"Haha, don't worry. It's exclusive only within Wuling City, and only for one year. Those are the basic terms for our branch's local spokesperson contracts," Manager Huo said with a smile. "After a year, it's up to you whether to renew. You don't need to appear at events in person, either. Just provide a photo."

"Also, I've given it some thought."

"You're bound to become even more outstanding in the future, so I'll make the call. How about an endorsement fee of four hundred thousand after tax?" Manager Huo asked with a smile.

Fang Yu knew it was time to quit while he was ahead.

Under normal circumstances, a junior college student like him wouldn't be well known even after becoming a student at Huguang Martial Arts University. There was no way he could become a spokesperson.

Four hundred thousand?

That was about right.

After all, sooner or later, Huo Yun would find out he hadn't received an Earth Contract.

"All right." Fang Yu nodded. "But I won't be in Wuling City for long..."

"Haha, don't worry, Brother Fang. I'll send you an electronic contract now. You can sign it on the Martial Artist Contract Platform," Manager Huo said. "Once it's signed, I'll have finance process the payment. If everything goes quickly, it'll reach your account tonight."

The Blue Moon Alliance attached great importance to contracts involving martial artists, including endorsements, and had a dedicated platform app to review them.

"Mm."

"Manager Huo, you've devoted yourself to the branch, worked hard for years, and put in overtime," Fang Yu said with a smile. "I remember all of that. If I have a chance to meet General Manager Yan, I'll be sure to tell him the truth."

"Haha, good. Just tell him the truth," Manager Huo said with a smile.

Both of them understood each other perfectly.

Soon.

The two signed the endorsement contract.

Once everything was done, Fang Yu called Dong Xin again and told him what had happened from beginning to end.

"An endorsement?"

"That old fellow really is cunning. Sure enough, he's using company money for his own business," Dong Xin said with a cold laugh. "Junior Brother, you can take the money without worrying... Given your strength and experience, that contract is justifiable."

Fang Yu nodded.

Justifiable, that was all... In other words, they wouldn't have signed him under normal circumstances.

"As for General Manager Yan, I'll find an opportunity to mention you to him today. That should close the loop," Dong Xin said. "As for everything else, you know nothing. Just keep cultivating in peace."

"Becoming an Advanced Martial Artist as soon as possible is the right path," Dong Xin said encouragingly.

"Understood."

With everything taken care of, Fang Yu didn't rush home. Instead, he cultivated for over another hour in the public martial arts room on the dormitory's second floor... Only then did he set out for home.

On the way.

"Dad, you said yesterday that you'd be back tonight. Are you home?"

"I'll be home in ten minutes."