At some point, people’s assessment of Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s relationship had shifted from “she’s not good enough for him” to “the Zhou family is fortunate.”

On the way back, Xia Xiaolan told Chen Xiliang to deliver future advertisement footage directly to today’s manager. While Xia Xiaolan had opened the door, maintaining relationships would be Chen Xiliang’s responsibility – he was quite experienced in such matters.

“We truly have benefactors helping us along the way!” Chen Xiliang remarked sincerely.

The greatest benefactor was, of course, Young Miss Xia. Chen Xiliang could sense that Xia Xiaolan had initially been hesitant about working with him, seemingly planning only short-term cooperation rather than long-term business.

Xia Xiaolan had considered some of his decisions too aggressive.

Chen Xiliang had reflected on this, and with Luna’s development, he had become more steady and methodical, first patiently establishing brand management systems and quality control procedures for mass-produced clothing before considering rapid expansion.

He had detailed sales data from their current franchise stores.

Sometimes he wondered why Xia Xiaolan had agreed to partner with him in creating the brand if she hadn’t liked his business style.

Thinking it through, Chen Xiliang couldn’t claim it was his talent that had moved her – Xia Xiaolan seemed capable of anything she chose to do, even design work.

Perhaps it was because he hadn’t betrayed Young Miss Xia to Ke Yixiong?

Young Miss Xia was someone who remembered kindness. As far as Chen Xiliang knew, everyone who followed Xia Xiaolan’s lead prospered, while those who opposed her… well, they might already have tall grass growing on their graves.

When Xia Xiaolan dropped him and Zhang Xiao at the hotel, Zhang’s assistant and young Ge were peering out curiously.

Xia Xiaolan called Ge “Master Ge,” but he couldn’t bear such respect and called her “President Xia” instead.

Led by Chen Xiliang, they watched like seeing off a leader as Xia Xiaolan’s car disappeared down the street. Zhang Xiao had long been curious: “Manager Chen, what’s President Xia’s background exactly? I still don’t understand! Can you give me some insight?”

Though Chen Xiliang managed Luna’s daily operations, Zhang Xiao keenly noticed that Xia Xiaolan’s words carried more weight.

She handled matters generously, providing Zhang Xiao with an assistant and makeup artist. If Xia Xiaolan hadn’t been a woman who was even more beautiful than Zhang Xiao, she might have suspected romantic pursuit – why else such good treatment?

Just days ago, she’d mentioned sending advertisements to CCTV, and today she’d already met with station leaders. Such efficiency was extraordinary.

This was CCTV after all!

Zhang Xiao had made several films and won awards, but so what? If she tried approaching the TV station, she wouldn’t even get past the door.

Actors weren’t part of the television system – Zhang Xiao’s organizational ties were with the film studio.

Not only Zhang Xiao but also young Ge looked expectantly at Chen Xiliang.

Chen Xiliang chuckled, “What does background matter? What’s important is that meeting President Xia was your good fortune. Follow her well, and you’ll surely benefit.”

He turned to praise Ge’s makeup work on Zhang Xiao today, and the young Master Ge was easily flattered, instantly distracted by Chen Xiliang’s praise.

Zhang Xiao smiled.

She shouldn’t fixate on such matters – her payment and treatment were real, and everything else was secondary.

Only after arriving in Beijing did Zhang Xiao learn that Luna had originally hired Hong Kong actress Wang Mingming for the advertisement. Wang Mingming had backed out at the last minute, leading Chen Xiliang to seek her through connections. Wang Mingming’s behavior showed poor professional ethics – Luna’s advertisement was much simpler than filming movies, taking only a few days from start to finish. Wang Mingming could have easily squeezed in time for shooting… Backing out at the last minute wasn’t about scheduling conflicts but deliberate spite.

Chen Xiliang said everyone who followed President Xia benefited – Zhang Xiao suddenly wondered what would happen to someone faithless like Wang Mingming?

“…I’m overthinking. Even with great influence in the mainland, what could they do to Wang Mingming in Hong Kong?”

That was probably why Wang Mingming dared to cancel so casually.

Seeing Zhang Xiao lost in thought, Chen Xiliang called her name several times:

“There’s a fashion show at Wangfujing on the 24th. President Xia wants us all to attend. Will you come, Zhang Xiao?”

Fashion show?

Zhang Xiao didn’t understand why she should attend a fashion show but nodded anyway.

Chen Xiliang explained further: “It’s the people who poached Wang Mingming – they’re organizing a fashion show. They’ll be Luna’s future competitors.”

Wow!

So they were going to crash their event?

No wonder she’d been given an assistant and Ge had been brought from Zhejiang Province for makeup – this was the reason.

“Of course, I’ll go!”

What was there to fear?

If she backed down from every challenge, she might as well have stayed in a small local theater troupe for life instead of striving for the film studio. Zhang Xiao was both cheerful and highly ambitious.

This personality wasn’t always well-received among women – some believed that no matter how successful a woman’s career, she should ultimately return to family life.

Zhang Xiao didn’t share this view.

Return to family life for what? To wash clothes, cook, and serve a man?

She’d rather stay single and keep acting!

Female actors faced many rivals on their way up, even in the 1980s mainland entertainment industry. A film only had one female lead – the studio could give it to Zhang Xiao or other actresses on their roster… Taking Luna’s advertisement was perfect, with its prime-time CCTV broadcast helping her popularity.

With higher fame and equal other qualifications, who else would they choose as the female lead?

“Little Ge, do your best with my makeup on the 24th.”

If Wang Mingming was there, Zhang Xiao couldn’t lose face – she had to show Manager Chen and President Xia they hadn’t made a mistake choosing her for the advertisement.

Ji Ya’s fashion show was set for November 24th, unfortunately, a Sunday.

Xia Xiaolan had planned to visit Zhou Cheng, but after receiving her call, he thought it over and told her not to come to the academy: “This is important – you’d be uneasy in Shijiazhuang if you missed the fashion show. How about this – I’ll come back for the weekend to attend it with you. With Ji Ya getting newspapers, magazines, and TV stations for publicity, I’d worry about her bullying you if I didn’t return.”

Other boyfriends were always available to solve problems.

Only his Xiaolan kept traveling to Northern Hebei.

Besides, whose business was Luna?

Zhou Cheng had handed over his bankbook with no intention of taking the money back.

But he knew his wife had principles – until they married, their finances couldn’t mix. So for now, Luna remained a business investment Xiaolan made for him.

Ultimately, Xiaolan was working hard to ensure his money didn’t go to waste. If he showed no appreciation or concern, he’d deserve to be replaced!

“Alright then, but don’t feel obligated to come back if you can’t get leave.”

His wife-to-be sounded very understanding over the phone, making Zhou Cheng smile – her acting still needed work, and she should tone down the coquettishness if she wanted him to believe it.