"500,000 is the going rate, it's really not much." The entertainnt reporter explained patiently, "Think about it, with her current popularity, her appearance fee should be around 50,000 per song, right? She just needs to sing ten songs to earn 500,000; it could be made back in a few days. Moreover, as ti passes and her single's popularity grows, her appearance fees will get higher, her other comrcial value will increase as well, and she'll make even more money.
Of course, that's on the condition that she doesn't have negative news, especially not a negative report like mine. I can tell you clearly, if I publish this report, her comrcial value will definitely plumt, not to ntion halved, it might even drop to zero. Do you understand what I an?"
"Then isn't 500,000 too much? Can't you lower it a bit?" Jin Xinyan asked, feigning helplessness.
There was silence on the other end for a mont, then in a soft-hearted tone, a sigh ca: "Alright, alright. I know it's not easy for an ordinary singer to gain so fa. Okay, 400,000, no less. I can guarantee that as long as you pay this amount, I not only won't report negative news about her, but I'll publish positive reports. Of course, a necessary writing fee will still be charged, we can discuss it then."
"400,000 is still a lot, she can't co up with that much money all at once. She spent over a million on song promotions before, a lot of which she borrowed from others, and hasn't made it back yet."
"How about this, you can pay in installnts. Give half first, 200,000, and the remaining half within a month. I trust your integrity, you won't default on ."
Jin Xinyan and Chen Feng couldn't help but laugh angrily. Damn, even blackmail cos with a paynt plan.
Jin Xinyan covered the phone's microphone with her hand, leaned into Chen Feng's ear and asked, "What should we do now?"
Chen Feng also leaned over and whispered, "Tell him we need to discuss it and ask for two days to gather the money."
Jin Xinyan nodded, then said to the person on the other end, "I can't decide on this alone, I need to discuss it with Yu Jiao. Also, I hope you can give us a few more days."
"I'll only give you a day; by noon tomorrow I need a clear answer from you. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll publish this article."
"Alright, I'll discuss it with her. She's not with right now, I need to contact her first."
"Okay, then think it over carefully. I hope you understand, I'm really not asking for much, if she continues to grow her popularity, it's just a few songs' worth, she'll make it back quickly."
"Okay, I understand, we'll discuss it thoroughly."
"Alright then, by noon tomorrow, I expect your clear answer."
After saying this, the person on the other end hung up the phone.
Chen Feng imdiately instructed, "Play back the recording from earlier."
Jin Xinyan quickly played the call recording from earlier, listened to it, confird it was correct, and nodded at Chen Feng: "The recording is done, but is it enough to convict him?"
Chen Feng smiled and nodded, "Of course, this is blatant extortion, and not just a little, but 400,000."
"Should we report it to the police now?" Jin Xinyan asked.
"I'll consult with a police friend of mine first."
Saying this, Chen Feng picked up his phone and walked into the yard, reminding, "Don't tell Ah Jiao about this yet."
After Jin Xinyan nodded, Chen Feng walked out of the living room and called Qin Zhen in the front yard.
Once the call connected, Chen Feng briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Qin Zhen imdiately said, "This constitutes the cri of extortion and blackmail. You can bring her to the police station to report it and officially file a case."
"Alright, we'll co over after lunch, I'll contact you then."
"Okay, I'll be at the station at noon, barring any unforeseen events. You can co over anyti."
Being old friends, they didn't exchange more pleasantries and hung up after discussing the matter.
Returning to the living room, Jin Xinyan asked with concern, "What did your friend say?"
Chen Feng gave her a smile, "It's settled. After lunch, we'll go report it and officially file a case."
Hearing this, Jin Xinyan couldn't help but smile, "That paparazzo is really overconfident and clever. He's unlucky to have run into us this ti. It serves him right. He really thinks he can casually write an article and extort tens of thousands."
Chen Feng nodded in agreent, speculating, "This person clearly has experience; he must have successfully extorted a few tis before and thought he could do it every ti."
"That's probably it, otherwise why be this stupid? He actually thinks everyone he extorts will comply obediently."
Chen Feng shook his head and said, "It's just greed. How much can he earn writing gossip articles as a paparazzo? By gathering dirt on celebrities and using it as leverage, it's easy money for him."
Indeed, Ge Dong had been with the entertainnt reporters for five years; the first three years he had been writing celebrity gossip in a conventional manner, barely earning much.
In the last two years, he learned the ropes from a forr senior who quit the industry and beca a big boss, and began digging up dirt on minor celebrities, which is when he started making money.
He avoided going after major celebrities due to the high risk. You couldn't just expose major celebrities' dirt, much less ask them for money, or you'd et an untily end without even knowing it.
Which big star doesn't have a strong background? Either backed by big capital or a major sponsor.
As a small entertainnt reporter, he couldn't afford to offend them.
So, targeting minor celebrities without much background was the safest bet, especially those from grassroots beginnings, who typically lacked any backing, and had plentiful dirt that was almost guaranteed to be there.
In just two short years, he'd managed to pay the down paynt for a house in Xiu Zhou and planned to earn a few more million before quitting the industry like his senior who had ventured successfully into business.
This ti, Ge Dong had his sights set on Lin Yujiao because after so basic investigation, he confird she had no background or support, entirely a grassroots origin.
More importantly, she had previously spent over a million on promoting her single, a clear indicator she wasn't short on cash.
These minor celebrities with rising popularity and so na recognition were precisely his targets, and he'd been successful every ti.
However, asking for 500,000 this ti was indeed a bit high, even though he later reduced it to 400,000, it was still sowhat high.
Previously, the most he'd extorted was 300,000, from an indecent photo of a minor celebrity, which was much more explicit than the so-called bed photo Lin Yujiao's ex-husband provided; an exposure would definitely ruin the celebrity's career.
The reason he asked for more this ti was mainly that he noticed Lin Yujiao's clothing store was doing very well; both the old store in Lu City and the new one in Xiu Zhou were highly profitable.
Plus, with her lack of background or support, why wouldn't he ask for more?
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