Liu Fen operated Blue Phoenix, following a retail-focused path without ever considering creating her brand. Having control over retail terminals meant selling whatever she wanted without worrying about brand management. She could simply sell whatever clothes looked good while staying in trend.

When Blue Phoenix first opened in Shangdu, it sold both men’s and women’s clothing. They sold women’s wool coats and even created a popular men’s uniform-style wool coat. Later, when Liu Fen opened stores in the capital, she separated the men’s clothing, and the first two stores specialized in women’s wear. After making substantial profits from women’s clothing and expanding only within the capital, they couldn’t keep opening identical stores everywhere. When opening branch stores later, they added men’s and children’s clothing.

Although the men’s clothing store wasn’t as immediately successful as women’s wear, it remained stable. Sales increased gradually but steadily, proving there was consumer demand for men’s clothing. This demand wasn’t as obvious as women’s wear, but it existed.

Did men stop wearing clothes? They couldn’t walk around naked! Just like women who were working and earning money to support their families, men couldn’t possibly lack similar needs. They needed coats, dress shirts, fashionable jackets, and leather jackets that showed their status. Men’s clothing emphasized quality over quantity, didn’t require frequent style changes, and needed to be durable – these were the basic demands and currently an untapped market.

The men’s clothing market was chaotic. There weren’t any noteworthy brands. Loose goods shipped from Yangcheng to various places would sell out quickly. Many people still relied on tailors for their clothes. Department stores carried the same unchanging styles of men’s clothing, showing no sincere effort to please male consumers. It was pure negligence!

“If others won’t do it, we will. It might not be as popular as Luna women’s wear initially, but this business definitely won’t lose money. We’ll create a Luna subsidiary line and build up the men’s clothing brand.”

It was just a question of how much profit they’d make – losses were impossible. The advertising for Luna could also be used for men’s wear. While Luna emphasized fashion and change, men’s wear would likely emphasize quality, and marketing to successful, tasteful men.

Chen Xiliang stroked his chin, “Should we still call it Luna? A men’s clothing brand called Luna doesn’t sound right.”

“There are so many words starting with L, we can pick any of them. We could call it Leo, or Louis… Why are you picking on Luna!”

Luna was indeed too feminine for a men’s clothing brand. Chen Xiliang, who frequently read fashion magazines, got a headache at hearing “Louis” – LV was too famous. He didn’t mind replicating their classic styles, but copying the name… Chen Xiliang still had some dignity:

“What does Leo mean?”

“Leo can be a name, it’s also a nickname for lion.”

Xia Xiaolan was just speaking casually, but Chen Xiliang was delighted, “Then let’s call it Leo! It’s simple, memorable, and has good meaning. A man should be like a lion – it sounds impressive!”

Was it really that impressive? Leo was a “lion” in children’s stories and fables, but it was more commonly used to refer to the astronomical Leo constellation. Never mind, there was no point explaining this to Chen Xiliang, and Leo did roll off the tongue better than Lion.

“So you agree to buy Elegance?”

“Of course! You’re Luna’s consultant, and all your decisions so far have been correct. When have I ever not supported what you wanted to do? Plus, I want to take advantage of this opportunity myself. Hehe, I support this with both hands and feet.”

Following Aunt Xia always led to good fortune. Chen Xiliang understood this perfectly.

Xia Xiaolan checked her watch: “OK, that’s settled then. I’m heading back to the capital. I hope when I come to Pengcheng next week, you’ll have negotiated the price with the bank.”

When Xia Xiaolan returned to the capital, her first task was to tell Grandmother Yu: “Tina has agreed to go back to America for DNA testing. I’m not sure if Uncle Xu told you?”

Grandmother Yu pursed her lips, “He called this morning, then immediately left from Shangdu for Pengcheng.”

So Grandmother Yu already knew.

“I won’t be going with them, but once they’re in America, I’ve arranged for Professor Wen’s American son-in-law Klaus to help. The DNA testing facility is reliable, and Klaus will monitor the samples throughout to prevent mistakes. I’ve also been involved in the law firm where Wen Manni works. If the laboratory dares to switch samples and cause incorrect test results… they’ll face legal consequences.”

There were no civilian DNA paternity testing facilities at the time. DNA testing technology was just beginning to be applied in criminal investigations. To verify paternity through DNA, they needed assistance from a top-tier laboratory.

Grandmother Yu’s hands rested on the rattan chair, her thoughts unreadable as she nodded: “I trust your arrangements. Others might try to deceive me with ‘good intentions,’ but you won’t. Whatever the results show, I can handle it. If this old woman can handle it, your Uncle Xu must handle it too.”

Grandmother Yu could see that her son hadn’t recovered from the Cui Yiru incident. Although Cui Yiru and Zhang Jiadong were both dead, seemingly resolving everything perfectly, was it perfect? The two died quickly, leaving those alive to suffer. Grandmother Yu despised Cui Yiru.

Death was one thing, but leaving behind an unresolved mystery was another. Her son Xu Zhongyi seemed unable to move on – was he going to remain alone for the rest of his life? Grandmother Yu didn’t think this kind of single life was good. His children would eventually start their own families, and she, their old mother, would pass away. Why should he punish himself for an unfaithful woman by not remarrying?

Hmph, others made mistakes, yet he was punishing himself. Who was he trying to impress by being an ascetic?

Xia Xiaolan noticed that although Grandmother Yu sat quietly in her rattan chair without cursing, she appeared fierce. This fierceness wasn’t directed at her but at Cui Yiru. Due to a mother’s instinct to protect her child, Grandmother Yu’s hatred for Cui Yiru would surely follow her to the grave.

The same day Xia Xiaolan returned to the capital, Xu Zhongyi rushed from Shangdu to Pengcheng. The next day, four people boarded a plane to America – Xu Zhongyi, Xu Changle, Tina, and the very affectionate Mrs. Wilson. Xia Xiaolan was bewildered – what did Mrs. Wilson have to do with DNA testing? She was using her concern for Tina as an excuse to be nosy, and Xia Xiaolan was speechless about it!

On March 4th, China time, Xu Zhongyi and his group arrived in New York. Without any delay, Klaus accompanied them to the laboratory and supervised the entire process as blood samples were taken from Xu Zhongyi, Xu Changle, and Tina. Xu Changle didn’t need to be tested, but he volunteered to participate in consideration of Tina’s feelings.

“Nobody will tamper with the samples. I’ll keep track of everything. We’re doing an expedited test – results will be ready in two days at most!” Klaus assured Xia Xiaolan over the international call.

“Thank you. I know Connie’s due date is approaching, and you should be taking care of her, yet you’re having to divide your attention for this matter-“

Xia Xiaolan’s birthday was July 24th. At her birthday party last year, Wen Manni announced she was six weeks pregnant. Now in March, it was Wen Manni’s due date. As an older pregnant woman, Wen Manni needed increasingly careful monitoring as her pregnancy progressed. No one wanted anything to go wrong with the baby!