Zhang Xiao wasn’t small-framed.

Her build was quite similar to Wang Mingming’s, both having broad shoulders.

Broad shoulders weren’t a disadvantage – as long as there wasn’t excess flesh on them, wide shoulders could better showcase clothes, creating a presence in any outfit!

Chen Xiliang, true to his reputation as a women’s fashion expert, hadn’t just randomly picked someone in desperation. Zhang Xiao looked genuinely good in Luna’s clothes. Xia Xiaolan’s offer to provide Zhang Xiao with an assistant and take care of her clothing and makeup styling would make Zhang Xiao more fashionable, and while it seemed like a small investment, Luna would ultimately benefit the most.

Zhang Xiao repeatedly declined, but couldn’t resist Xia Xiaolan’s enthusiasm.

The 30-year-old Zhang Xiao succumbed to 20-year-old Xia Xiaolan’s persuasion. As Chen Xiliang had said, Xia Xiaolan had an exceptional ability to convince others, and Zhang Xiao wasn’t immune.

How did Zhang Xiao feel?

Naturally, she was both excited and nervous.

Unlike Wang Mingming, she didn’t look down on Luna as a small brand.

Instead, Zhang Xiao felt Luna’s enthusiasm and sincerity toward her. Even without an assistant or clothing and makeup support, considering the 10,000 yuan payment, she would still help whenever Luna needed her!

So when Xia Xiaolan went above and beyond with unnecessary support, wasn’t that showing respect for her?

After dropping Zhang Xiao at the hotel, when only Chen Xiliang and Xia Xiaolan remained, Chen Xiliang flattered her: “Sister Xia, you’re so clever. An assistant costs less than 200 yuan monthly, spending a little money over a year will secure Zhang Xiao’s cooperation.”

Chen Xiliang was tired of Wang Mingming’s attitude. Now, even if Wang Mingming offered money to shoot Luna’s advertisements, he’d have to think twice! Compared to Hong Kong celebrities, mainland actresses were so much more down-to-earth and approachable!

“Don’t celebrate too early. Zhang Xiao is just one part – let’s hope audiences like her advertisement. We originally didn’t need much capital, but after Ji Ya’s interference, we had no choice but to invest heavily. Can you manage your end? I’m adding another 50,000 yuan investment!”

The initial 200,000, the later 170,000, and now an additional 500,000 – this totaled 870,000 yuan.

The first portion came from Zhou Cheng’s savings, followed by the 600,000 yuan from Zhou Cheng’s mortgaged property that had supported Xia Xiaolan’s land purchase. After the land prices rose, the bank quickly approved Qihang’s loan, making Zhou Cheng’s money unnecessary.

She wasn’t rushing to repay the bank, as current loan interest rates were very low. Since Zhou Cheng could secure the loan, why shouldn’t she make good use of it on his behalf?

Another 500,000 yuan investment!

Chen Xiliang silently calculated his money and, gritting his teeth, agreed:

“Fine, let’s add the investment. Without money, how can we beat someone like Ji?”

Indeed, even with connections, advertising always requires real money.

While small gifts and red envelopes could win over magazine editors, and thousand-yuan fees could compromise newspaper journalists’ integrity, securing TV advertising slots required substantial cash! Everything had its price – different time slots had different rates. While they couldn’t afford the slots before the Evening News, with 1 million yuan, they could negotiate for other periods.

Magazines, newspapers, and other print media were Ji Ya’s target promotional platforms, and Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t compete there.

Luna’s advertisements weren’t just for consumers but aimed to attract franchisees. In 1985, any private business owner who could afford several tens of thousands in franchise fees would surely own a TV – franchisees were less likely to read magazines than watch TV!

In 1985, information spread slowly, and many people sought business opportunities through newspapers and TV news.

For instance, when news reported a bumper harvest of fruits or agricultural products somewhere, shrewd people would rush there to buy at low prices. If other regions had poor harvests, they could profit from the price difference.

Xia Xiaolan remembered “Yang Million,” who made his fortune trading government bonds two or three years later. He discovered opportunities through newspaper news, buying large quantities of government bonds across different regions, making millions in just a couple of years.

There were many clever people like Yang Million.

Now, private business owners who had accumulated their first bucket of gold were looking for ways to multiply their wealth.

Throughout the 1980s, the clothing business remained booming. If they saw Luna’s advertisements on TV and wanted to enter the clothing industry, rather than blindly opening their own shops, they might prefer franchising with an established brand – Xia Xiaolan needed to use advertising to expand Luna’s recognition and convince franchisees they could profit from investing!

Chen Xiliang had truly invested everything he had.

Xia Xiaolan suspected he’d need to raise money elsewhere. If he hadn’t bought a car, Chen Xiliang’s wholesale business was thriving enough to provide 500,000 yuan, but with the car purchase, he’d need to borrow.

“Old Chen, the car is still valuable – using it as collateral at the bank won’t be a problem.”

Xia Xiaolan’s reassurance didn’t cheer up Chen Xiliang. Originally, he wouldn’t have needed to mortgage his car. Unlike Xia Xiaolan, Chen Xiliang wasn’t familiar with loans and remained quite resistant to the idea.

If Ji Ya hadn’t organized a fashion show, he and Sister Xia wouldn’t need such a large investment!

Together they’d invested nearly 2 million yuan without seeing any dividends, putting significant pressure on Chen Xiliang.

Two million yuan! If they lost this money, how many pieces of clothing would his wholesale business need to sell to recover it?

“Once the advertisement is filmed, how do we edit it?”

Xia Xiaolan had previously asked Editor Cui. Director Wang, who had been filming “Dream of the Red Chamber” out of town, had returned to Beijing and was now shooting interior scenes with the entire crew at Grand View Garden. Xia Xiaolan had visited Grand View Garden before and thought for a moment, “Go ask Director Wang for his professional opinion. Let professionals handle professional matters. I’ll reach out to some TV station contacts.”

The only TV station employee Xia Xiaolan knew was Katherine, a judge from the English competition.

Katherine had gone to England, but Xia Xiaolan wasn’t sure if she had returned.

Katherine had been eager to help Xia Xiaolan study in England, but Xia Xiaolan had chosen Cornell University in America instead. She would feel quite awkward meeting Teacher Katherine now.

Or perhaps she should ask the Zhou family?

Xia Xiaolan was bringing real money to buy advertising slots – she just needed an intermediary to make connections. She wouldn’t feel guilty about not using the Zhou family’s backdoor influence.

First, she found an assistant for Zhang Xiao.

The perfect candidate would be a clothing store employee with good fashion sense and a sweet personality.

The salary matched store wages, plus the opportunity to work closely with a popular actress – this job was ideal for young women.

Young women with decent appearances were naturally curious about the entertainment industry, and they were used to handling customers with various personalities. Dealing with Zhang Xiao’s outgoing nature wouldn’t be difficult.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t choose this assistant from the Blue Phoenix store but from Luna’s shop assistants. Besides the designers, these employees who dealt with Luna clothing daily understood the brand best!

“You got me an assistant?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “Of course it’s true. She’ll be following you from now on, Sister Zhang Xiao. If you’re ever unsatisfied with her, please let us know!”