Chapter 305 - The Chronos Squad's Endorsement Of Shoe Brand (5)

"That's very generous of you, Manager Lan. Thank you in advance," Sofia muttered in response of neither a confirmation nor refusal. She also made a quick consideration of the reputation of her company. It would surely be a convenient place to learn what the entertainment world really is.

Sofia thought that the lady would no longer press the matter and would treat it as random conversation. A topic that was opened due to lack of familiarity. However, who would have thought that manager Lan was actually serious?

"Later, you can see which department fits your passion.  I'll give you a tour in this place. In this studio, there are a lot of fields that you could choose to work. We can provide minimum wage. You will gain a lot," the lady stated, somehow thinking how Sofia had given her a creative theme of their endorsement and how she came up with a slogan for it too. "What do you like, Sofia?"

Sofia scratched her head and looked at her friends. "What I want... that's hard to answer, manager Lan. I might disappoint you. Haha..."

"Oh? What is it? Just tell me and let me judge if it is disappointing?" Manager Lan chuckled. Her tone sounded as if Sofia's reply was within her expectation.

She secretly eyed Sofia and mentally made a consideration, 'If you want to join the production team, I will surely arrange you to the team with the best producer. If you want in the advertisement, I can also make you my assistant.'

"What I want right now... somehow, it is looked down on by many professionals. I don't want to ruin your mood, Manager Lan," Sofia whispered and took a deep breath.

She was certain that her response would disappoint this manager. With her position, no matter what the lady would assume about Sofia, it won't be within her expectation. Sofia had already read manager Lan's expression!

After the group turned to another corner, there were no longer framed decorations hung on the wall in the lobby. In fact, they passed many doors on the left and right sides, and there was a thick carpet on the floor that they were walking. Such arrangement effectively suppressed their noises from their footsteps.

"Looked down by professionals? Somehow, the art in this industry is indeed something that others think... what term should I use? Hmmm...." Manager Lan pondered for a few seconds. "Ahh... something not worthy of their respect. I can relate why you are hesitating, Sofia. My parents were both respected in the medical field. They are surgeons. And they despise what I am doing. But, I'll tell you something meaningful, Sofia. As long as you are happy with what you are doing, it's worth it! Now, tell me what you want to do?"

The four members of the Chronos squad straightened their posture and quietly followed them. Sofia had finally noticed the door of manager Lan's office was just the very end of this lobby.

They walked closer and Sofia just maintained her eyes at the door. How could the lady relate to her? She then grinned and replied to the lady's question... 

"Manager Lan, you may have high expectations of what I want? In fact, right now, I just want to play games." 

'Play games!'

Manager Lan was about to twist the doorknob of her office when she heard Sofia's response. She could not help but took a pause for a moment and gazed at her. 

She was indeed disappointed by what the teen said. But, she did her best to conceal any traces of disappointment in her expression and hide it with an awkward smile.

"HAHAHA, I have almost forgotten. You were indeed professional gamers before coming here," Manager Lan spoke and secretly cussed in contempt. 'Damn! What's good about gaming? There is no future on it! This teen surely needs guidance!'

With that, the hand that was suspended in the air finally reached the doorknob and twisted it. As she pushed the door open and entered, five people were already inside the office.

With many people inside, Sofia and her companions waited at the doorstep.

"Come in with me! Everyone, let me introduce the endorser of the latest models of our sneakers! The Chronos squad!" Manager Lan spoke formally after realizing that Sofia stopped walking after she entered her office.

The five people immediately stood from their seats and turned their attention at the door.

"Hello, good morning!" Sofia greeted them with the usual calmness in her tone.

"G-good morning!" Claire followed. No matter how she tried to convince herself not to feel nervous, she was still fidgeting as she stepped forward and meet the five people.

Clark, Stephen, and Joey just maintained a passive gaze and greeted them all together. "Good Morning!"

"Cathy, please prepare 5 chairs for our visitors," Manager Lan instructed.

"Yes, manager Lan," Cathy responded and left the office right away.

Sofia's eyes scanned the office. The place was twice bigger than boss Wang's office. One could assume that it was not just an office but also an exclusive conference hall.

"Okay, let me introduce to you the advertising department, Sofia. Here is Harold, Roy, Luis," Manager Lan pointed to the three male employees. 

Sofia smiled at them briefly. "Pleased to meet you!" 

"Welcome to Jones Studio! I've heard so much about you!" Luis initiated but the two males just smiled at her and did not speak a word.

"Then, this is Vera and this is Aikee," Manager Lan finished her introduction by standing on the side of the female employee.

Sofia offered the same courtesy towards the two females, however, they only gave her a condescending nod of their heads. They purposely whispered to each others ears in front of her.

Sofia sternly look at them and thought. 'Rude.'  Then, she shifted her gaze to Manager Lan and gave her a meaningful look.

Cathy then entered the office once more with five staff hauling five chairs. They positioned the chair on the side far away from the projector at the very end of the table.

"Please have a seat. We will have a brief conference about the advertisement activities." Manager Lan gestured for Sofia to take a seat. She then walked near the projector and occupied the chair in the center.

Sofia smiled and subconsciously sat on the chair that was placed in the other end center of the table. Meanwhile, Claire and Clark were on her right side, next to them were Vera and Aikee. Then, Stephen and Joey were on Sofia's right side and the three male employees next to them.

Two leaders were seated on both centers of the table. Cathy and Chel who were just standing on the side could not help but admire the similar authority that the two seemed to emit while sitting. Soon after, their conference commenced and Chel was operating the projector while Cathy was assisting her. The lights were turned dimmed as the flashed presentation in the projector followed to show to them.

Sofia did not object nor made any comments while the advertising department continued to brainstorm and shared their ideas with one another. She just observed them and admired their willingness to express their individual ideas. 

It's just a pity that the ideas they had proposed were all obsolete from Sofia's perspective. But, it was no one's fault that what they had presented sounded outdated on Sofia's ears.

While immersed in listening to them, Sofia's eyes suddenly shifted to her group and saw that all of them were not sitting anymore. All their heads were supported by their elbows they leaned at the table comfortably. Her four members have fallen asleep!!!

"Guys! Please don't sleep... this is a proper meeting! It's inappropriate to fall asleep here," Sofia tugged their arms and discreetly called them.

Claire finally opened her eyes with the sudden movement of her arm and smiled at Sofia. "Sof, I don't know what they are talking about!"

'It's my fault for dragging them here. At this age, this thing is indeed too early for them to engage,' Sofia pondered and stopped waking up her other members. She just nodded at Claire and continued to pay attention to Manager Lan expressing her approval to the ideas that were presented.

By the time the conference ended, Manager Lan chuckled at the sight of the four members of the Chronos Squad. Sofia only gave her a sheepish smile.

Only the ther employees were not happy to see Sofia's members sleeping. But, Sofia could not also blame their reactions.

"Ehem! Why are they asleep? This is not a sleeping quarter!" Aikee announced while the other maintained a reluctant expression on their faces.

"Sorry for this. It had been super busy for us. Anyway, we are ignorant with this kind of conference meeting. Please don't take offense, manager Lan," Sofia spoke in a serene tone.

"Excuses!" Aikee exclaimed. "Even our regular artists here are also busy. But, they are never rude like what your group had done!"

"Please don't over react. Manager Lan did not seemed to be offended?" Sofia emphasized and did not even wake her members. 

"Haha... it's okay... Aikee. Apologies, the advertising department are known for their strict behavior, Sofia. Where do you want to have lunch?" Manager Lan spoke and gave her employee a sharp glare.

"We brought our food, Manager Lan. Maybe we will eat after the endorsement shooting," Sofia softly stated and glanced at Joey's bag where they put their packed food.

"I see! Since the others are really sleeping, I will let you rest in my office, Sofia. I'll bring my employees to have lunch outside first.. Later on, the producer of the endorsement project will come here to meet you," Manager Lan informed her.