Chapter 267 - Squad Endorsement Offer (2)

"Then, do you need to go to boss Wang's office? I can reroute in the next traffic light. We can pay him a visit again!" Jing Jing said. 

"I'll give him a call first to check his availability. The road is empty, please switch lanes and slow down our speed a little bit, sis Jing," Sofia instructed and started dialing boss Wang's contact number again.

"With the successful publicity today, I think he is still there," Jing Jing guessed as she swiftly maneuvered and shifted the car to a slower lane. 

"He is still there. But, it is proper to ask if he is available to meet us rather than showing up directly at his door. This way, we put value and respect on his time by making an onhand appointment," Sofia casually spoke before realizing that what she said might sound improper to Jing Jing. How could she lecture this matter to someone who is older than her?! She adjusted her sitting position and quickly added, "I'm just saying it from some books that I have read, sister Jing."

Jing Jing's eyes moved from left to right several times as if she was in deep thought. Just as she was about to respond, the phone call of Sofia was already connected to boss Wang...

"Mr. Wang, as discussed earlier, I have read the documents and I am interested in the endorsement. If we can make the photo shoot after lunch tomorrow, I will surely bring my team," Sofia spoke directly.

"After lunch tomorrow... Alright! The schedule is fine!" Boss Wang quickly responded.

"Then, I will meet you to discuss the endorsement. We are on our way to your office. If it's not convenient, we can also meet later this afternoon," Sofia suggested.

"It's okay to meet me anytime. Hehe, the representatives from the shoe brand are also here. You can meet and discuss with them," Boss Wang answered.

With this confirmation, Sofia asked Jing Jing to reroute and drove to Boss Wang's office...

After half an hour, the two of them were walking in the hallway towards the entrance door. Sofia had left her big notebooks in the car and only brought her phone. Jing Jing on the other hand was holding her handbag as she walked beside Sofia.

Two figures walked side by side with a different aura that made most of the employees in the place stared at them for too long. Nonetheless, all of them were ex-colleague of Jing Jing. Yet, they still felt a little bit lacking when they saw her walking with her head held high. The confidence level of the two figures were just on expert level!

Most of the time, Jing Jing was observing Sofia's gestures and mannerisms. At some point, she was subconsciously influenced by the young lady and she did not even realize that she was already copying some of Sofia's style.

When Sofia entered boss Wang's office, she saw that the man was in the middle of a conversation with two women. She gave them a formal smile and slightly bowed her head as a form of greeting.

"Oh, you are here! That's too fast! Let me give you a formal introduction," Boss Wang quickly stood from his seat and offered Sofia a chair. 

However, he did not bother to pay attention to Jing Jing nor look in her direction at all. With his attitude, Jing Jing secretly rolled her eyes at him and pulled a chair from the side to position her seat next to Sofia.

"Here... This is the squad leader of the Chronos squad. The group that I've mentioned. She is Sofia. They are the representative of the shoe brand. This is Chel and this is Cathy," Boss Wang started and Sofia extended her hand.

After a brief handshake and formalities of the two parties, they quickly went down with their main discussion. 

"There is no need to mention the payments or other contract details. I have read the documents and I am okay with the conditions in all clauses stipulated therein. But, I want to know the concept of your shoes. What was the inspiration for its design? And what's unique about it? Can you tell me the details, please?" Sofia stated just after the two women opposite to her were seated.

Hearing the questions, the two suddenly felt like they were being examined by their boss. They did not know why, but out of a sudden, they felt a little bit nervous.

For a while, the two women became speechless. Boss Wang too, opened his mouth and forgot to close it. He just stared at Sofia. Who would have thought that Sofia would actually ask such questions? 

"Hehe... W-well..." the woman named Chel started. But soon, she did not also know the answer. They were just representative of the brand. Not the designer of the shoes! How would they know about these details?

Sofia observed their reactions and she easily caught the uncertainty in them. She had seen through their discomfort and realized that the two women had no idea of this shoe brand! She could not help but inwardly scolded the two women. 'As a representative, it's your duty to do research on the brand that you are representing! Why did their company appoint them without basic knowledge of the product?'

After a great amount of awkward silence around them, Sofia smiled and said, "You may call your boss or the head designer of your company to ask for the details. This question is not a matter of life and death. It can easily be answered as long as you know the information. But, since you don't know, just ask whoever is knowledgeable."

"Girl, your job is just to endorse the shoes. Why do you ask so many irrelevant questions?" the woman named Cathy finally gather all her guts and asked Sofia.

"Do you think it's worth it to endorse a meaningless product? Even if you have the money to pay us, it is also important for me to understand the product that I will be endorsing. My questions are very relevant," Sofia calmly replied.

Chel and Cathy gulped and felt that their mouth had gone dry. In the end, Chel took the initiative and excuse herself to call their manager. She went out of the office after the call was connected, leaving her companion to endure the uneasy atmosphere inside.

On the other hand, Sofia thought that her questions were just basic. However, the two women were just appointed representatives that were selected by their boss to meet boss Wang that morning. Their task was just to secure an endorsement. The endorser that boss Wang was recommending to them was actually very inquisitive! They had never estimated that something like this would happen! The room had turned really awkward!

"Mr. Wang, may I ask for a glass of water?" Sofia looked at boss Wang. But, the man was still staring blankly at her with his mouth wide open.

Bang!

Jing Jing slapped the desk with a force that made the man return to reality. He shook his head several times and looked very startled by Jing Jing's action.

"It's good that you are awake now, boss Wang! You must really be tired," Jing Jing grinned and feign ignorance of her actions.

"Indeed, I want to rest! Especially when I see your ungrateful face!" Boss Wang gritted his teeth and glared at Claire.

"Boss Wang, I'm a little thirsty. May I have a bottle of cold water?" Sofia asked again before their argument turned heated.

"Ohh... wait, I'll ask someone to bring water here," Boss Wang responded and dialed the telephone in his desk to call his secretary. After the call, the secretary really brought five bottles for them. 

"Thank you," Sofia said when she got the water and quickly twisted the cap.

After the secretary left, Chel entered the office again. She carefully glance at Sofia and sat beside her companion. "Uhm, about your questions, I have inquired it already."

"Okay, let's hear it," Sofia smiled.

"According to the head of the design, the sneakers that you will be endorsing are created with the concept of giving comfort to the customers. As for the inspiration, the designer was inspired by the teens who wore slippers while dancing in the streets. The designer hoped for them to move at their own comfort," Chel narrated.

"Hmmn," Sofia clasped her hand together and pondered the information for a few seconds. Then, she spoke, "The inspiration is indeed dignified. But, its concept is too common."

"You---" the two women stood from their seats in an abrupt motion. One of the chairs was almost knocked to the floor. Then, they pointed their index fingers at Sofia with a glint of fury in their eyes.

Somehow, they felt insulted by Sofia's casual remarks. How could she call the concept common? Is she doing it on purpose to irritate them?

Boss Wang felt conflicted by the sudden action of the women. However, Jing Jing was only sitting calmly while crossing her legs. She was mentally clapping her hands as she felt proud of the young teen beside her.

Just as the two women were about to finish the words that they want to say, Sofia slowly  raised her hand and gestured for them to seat back in their chairs. 

"Don't be offended. I don't have any ill-intention with the concept of the product," Sofia expressed.

"Bah! You came here and asked so many questions! Now, you are mocking our concept?! Who do you think you are?" Chel looked sullen. Meanwhile, Cathy had a dark expression on her face.

"Ahh... ladies, I am just saying that it's really common. Come to think of it, ever since shoes have existed, even in ancient times, what is its purpose? Isn't it to give comfort? I don't mean to throw mockery. I am just giving my opinion," Sofia explained.

The two women were once again speechless. They had no words to use to debate Sofia at all! Using comfort as the concept of the product for their endorsement project was indeed too common!