Chapter 22: Endorsements from Second-Tier Makeup Brands Pour In

While others were grinding through practice questions, they were getting sleepier and sleepier.

Jin Li was quite the opposite; the more she practiced, the more energetic she became, and her state of mind grew better and better.

Some people, taking advantage of a break while studying, glanced at the streamer. Noticing that her problem-solving speed was faster than when they first joined, they couldn't help but leave a comment.

[Keep it up, streamer! Your speed is getting faster and faster. It looks like practice makes perfect!]

[Same here, I noticed it too. Study streamers are just amazing!]

[...] X several hundred comments.

After posting their comments, the "grind dogs" immersed themselves back into their studies. They didn't notice the many small "dot" replies (replies to comments) that followed.

If they had seen them, someone would surely have asked: [Why are you all just posting dots?]

By then, the fans would be able to step out with a sense of righteousness to provide some education

[You haven't entered a study streamer's room; you've entered a celebrity's livestream!]

Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."

After studying for three hours, the discomfort in Jin Li's body had subsided significantly, and she felt as if she had been brought back to life.

She stretched, winked at the camera, and gave a brilliant smile.

"That's it for today's stream. I'll continue when I'm free tomorrow. It's getting late, so goodnight!"

The screen instantly went black.

[The way she just leaves is exactly like a scumbag abandoning me.]

[Li Bao really loves studying. It's the first time I've felt such strong determination from a celebrity. Maybe I should join her in studying tomorrow... *contemplating.jpg* To be honest, I'm not satisfied with my current job; my education limits my development.]

[I only graduated from a junior college before. I'm wondering if I should retake the college entrance exam. I want to change my major; I don't want to be in this industry anymore.]

...

Jin Li continued her disciplined routine of exercising, vocal training, and studying for two more days.

Two days later, Jin Li prepared early and was picked up by Sui Lingfang to go to the small island for rehearsals.

In the car, Sui Lingfang brought up a new announcement, which took Jin Li somewhat by surprise.

The second episode of *PICK~ The Next Diva* hadn't been recorded yet, and she hadn't officially appeared before the public, so how had an advertising endorsement come knocking?

"Domi Cosmetics?"

Jin Li thought for a moment and said, "I occasionally see this brand while browsing Taobao. It seems to be a decent cosmetic brand?"

Sui Lingfang said objectively, "Domi is a second-tier cosmetic brand targeting the 18–25 age demographic. They have decent national recognition and have been in the makeup business for ten years. Their price point is mid-to-low, making them a high-quality, affordable brand."

Jin Li asked, "What do they want from me?"

"They want a deep collaboration—to make you their full-line brand ambassador. They feel your style matches their products perfectly. The company is currently sending people to negotiate."

Sui Lingfang was a manager; she only helped Jin Li select suitable work and made long-term plans for her, occasionally helping arrange schedules, but she didn't handle contract negotiations.

For contracts, there were specialized legal professionals.

Jin Li hesitated slightly, "With my current popularity, I probably don't reach Domi's level, do I?"

Although she had experienced a brief resurgence through the "incense-burning luck" incident, her subsequent schedules and endorsements hadn't been finalized yet.

In other words, it wasn't certain whether her regained popularity could be fully realized.

Could Domi really be this decisive?

Sui Lingfang shook her head. "No, quite the opposite. I think them signing you as a full-line ambassador right now is a steal. I actually don't want them to sign you yet.

You've already been officially announced as a mentor partner for the second season. With Ji Qinglian in the variety show, as long as the two of you appear in the same shot, the massive fandom will definitely scream. At that time, you'll just need to sit back and reap the traffic."

She paused and continued, "Actually, besides Domi, many other second-tier cosmetic brands have contacted me. As for third-tier brands, I don't even look at them; I just have my assistant filter them out.

But those second-tier brands don't have the sincerity that Domi has. They've lowered the endorsement fees significantly, and they only offer single-product endorsements, which isn't very interesting."

Waiting for a red light, Sui Lingfang stopped the car and turned to look at Jin Li.

"My thought is: either you wait and see—after the show airs, there should be first-tier brands negotiating single-product endorsements with you.

Or, you take the Domi full-line endorsement. The company will help you negotiate the contract thoroughly. Being a Domi full-line ambassador won't be seen as a downgrade."

Jin Li pondered for a moment, searching her memory to see if she could draw on past experience.

Regrettably, there was none.

The pink girl group had exploded in popularity across the internet the moment they debuted, and the contracts coming their way were all first-tier luxury brand endorsements.

What was there to negotiate then?

If they could sign, they signed.

As for those second and third-tier brands, they didn't even dare to approach them.

Left with no choice, Jin Li could only treat Sui Lingfang's suggestion as an analytical problem.

1) Wait. There should be first-tier brands negotiating single-product endorsements, but there might not be.

2) Sign now. Secure a full-line endorsement with a second-tier brand and negotiate a good contract, but the status won't match a first-tier brand.

If she still possessed her "Lucky Koi" luck, Jin Li would definitely choose the first option.

But now, Jin Li felt she should be more down-to-earth. So she said, "Sister Fang, no need to wait. Let's sign with Domi."

The red light passed, the green light turned on, and the car slowly moved forward.

Sui Lingfang looked ahead as Jin Li's firm and powerful voice reached her ears: "Rather than the future, I'd rather grasp the present."

...

During the second rehearsal, Jin Li still didn't sing; she continued to adjust the lighting and control the overall atmosphere.

The second rehearsal was much more realistic than the first.

The production team had brought in the piano prop Jin Li needed, and various background decorations were completed.

When it came to efficiency, the Chinese were top-notch.

This rehearsal ended earlier than the first. When Jin Li went out, it was only two in the afternoon.

After resting for a while, she didn't wait for Ji Qinglian, but instead, Lian Baozhi arrived.

"Hello, Jin Li. I'm Lian Baozhi. It's a pleasure to meet you. You're so cute!"

Jin Li looked up. Lian Baozhi's three-dimensional features, which looked different from her photos, appeared before her. She was indeed very glamorous, beautiful, and charming.

She reached out her hand, "Hello. Thank you for inviting me to be your partner."

A moment later, other mentors began to emerge from the rehearsal rooms, and the hallway became crowded.

Lian Baozhi smiled and said, "Jin Li, I heard your performance this time is pure singing. You haven't been on stage for three years; are you adjusting okay?"

Jin Li's expression lifted slightly as she asked curiously, "I thought rehearsals were supposed to be confidential? How do you know my performance is pure singing?"

Lian Baozhi said without changing her expression, "The specific details of the program can't be found out, but the performance type isn't confidential. Like my performance this time, everyone knows it's singing and dancing."

She had intentionally chosen singing and dancing so that netizens could compare her to Jin Li.

Jin Li gave an "oh" and said casually, "Then it seems Penguin Pictures' confidentiality work isn't as good as imagined. They clearly said in the official group that no one should leak information, yet now even the type is known. Aren't they afraid of being exposed online?"

The smile on Lian Baozhi's face stiffened. She felt as if all the passing staff members were watching her.

She quickly changed the subject, "Jin Li, how does it feel to return to the stage?"

"It's great, of course." Jin Li smiled brilliantly, the corners of her eyes curving like a cunning little fox—vivid and captivating.

"I've never felt better than I do now. Speaking of which, I have to thank you for giving me this opportunity. If there's another good thing like this next time, remember to call me again!"

Lian Baozhi had calculated everything, but she never expected Jin Li to respond this way.

She wasn't humble at all!

An ordinary person would have been humble, saying they were a bit nervous or anxious.

As more and more people looked over, Lian Baozhi had no choice but to nod. "Alright."

Goodnight~

(End of Chapter)