“That concludes today’s interview. Thank you for your cooperation, Comrade Chen.”

Reporter Huang shook hands with Chen Xiliang. Chen Xiliang insisted on treating Reporter Huang to a meal, but the reporter naturally declined.

In the end, just as Shao Guangrong had brought him here, he also escorted him away.

How could they let an interviewee treat them to meals?

Reporters these days maintain quite strict self-discipline in this regard. Chen Xiliang didn’t push it – Shao Guangrong would surely treat the reporter well.

“Finally finished with the interview!”

After the interview, Chen Xiliang’s back was soaked through.

Xia Xiaolan came by after her classes and happened to see Shao Guangrong escorting a man out. Shao Guangrong shot her a meaningful glance, and Xia Xiaolan knew this was the People’s Daily reporter.

She didn’t go forward to interrupt, instead heading straight to find Chen Xiliang.

Chen Xiliang had his head submerged in the sink, blowing bubbles like a human-sized goldfish.

“Old Chen, look how undignified you are!”

Chen Xiliang lifted his water-soaked head, “Grandmother Xia, that was the People’s Daily! Tell me, my brother-in-law is the most accomplished person in our family, but could he make it into this paper?”

He Congsheng?

Not likely.

He Congsheng wasn’t a bad factory director, but there were too many directors like him nationwide. Some had died saving public property in factory fires, and others had persisted at their posts despite illness and died on the front lines… When it came to dedicated factory directors, He Congsheng wouldn’t even rank.

Chen Xiliang was special because he was the first private business owner to donate so prominently.

Many domestic private entrepreneurs would engage in charity, but that was in the 90s. In the first decade of Reform and Opening Up, everyone was focused on making money and developing – nobody thought about this aspect.

“You’ve caught a good opportunity. Don’t get cocky – even if Luna develops to 50 franchise stores in the next year, each with current sales volumes, you’d only be donating a few hundred thousand annually. A few hundred thousand could buy TV advertising, but wouldn’t get the People’s Daily to promote you… This is the advantage of being first, of having originality!”

Xia Xiaolan’s words made Chen Xiliang both excited and embarrassed – could they open 50 franchise stores in a year?

“That’s only because you don’t want to be too high-profile, Grandmother Xia. Otherwise, you’d be the one being interviewed by Reporter Huang today!”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “Keep a low profile while making money, get rich quietly – I’m not suited to be in the spotlight right now.”

She was still a student.

For many years to come, society’s general view would be that students should focus on studying.

In twenty or thirty years, student entrepreneurs would become common, but now, Xia Xiaolan didn’t think Huaqing University would appreciate this kind of attention.

Rather than talking about how big her business was, winning competition awards, publishing papers, and bringing academic glory to the school would be more appropriate for a student!

Chen Xiliang was just making conversation, but Xia Xiaolan had already considered this carefully. Her decisions weren’t easily influenced by others.

Besides, the People’s Daily reporter had left, so Chen Xiliang stopped being dramatic.

“So how should we donate our money, and to whom? The Education Ministry?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “With the money in our hands, we can decide how to use it. This needs to be sustained long-term – Luna can’t be hands-off, can’t just pass it to others for convenience.”

With Luna handling it themselves, they could keep track of exactly how the money was spent.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want multiple layers of transfers – others needed operational funds too, so out of 10,000 yuan donated, who knew if even half would be used as intended?

Chen Xiliang was just asking – he rarely contested Xia Xiaolan’s suggestions.

Besides, this was truly doing good.

He hadn’t thought of it before, but now that they were doing it, beyond the promotional effect for Luna, the act itself was meaningful. Chen Xiliang felt energized about it.

Generally speaking, while Chen Xiliang was shrewd in business, he wasn’t a bad person when it came to moral standards!

“Let Ji Ya enjoy her satisfaction for these two days. The advertisement airs tomorrow – when will the school uniforms donated in Zhang Xiao’s name be ready?”

After Editor-in-Chief Cui had tipped her off, Xia Xiaolan had been preparing for this.

A set of school uniforms using good fabric cost just over 20 yuan in factory prices, similar to when Xia Xiaolan and Chen Xiliang had partnered on sportswear – after all, school uniforms needed to be durable, stain-resistant, and suitable for student activities.

For finding poor rural primary schools near Beijing that matched Zhang Xiao’s criteria, Yang Yonghong’s home province of Jibei was perfect.

Xia Xiaolan had indeed contacted rural schools in Jibei Province. Knowing these clothes were for charity, He Congsheng held a workers’ meeting at the factory, asking if the workers agreed to charge only material costs without profit for this batch of uniforms.

The factory workers naturally didn’t object. Finally, they compressed the cost to 20 yuan per uniform set, making 500 sets with 10,000 yuan.

Chen Xiliang had called this morning to check:

“They’re already loaded and shipping from Yangcheng, arriving in two days!”

“Perfect timing – after they arrive, you and Zhang Xiao should make a trip to Jibei Province. Some reporters will surely want to follow you.”

Go to Jibei with Zhang Xiao?

Chen Xiliang scratched his head, “I heard Zhang Xiao’s work unit found out about her donation, and some people were complaining that she acted without requesting permission from the unit…”

Xia Xiaolan smiled coldly, “Even doing good deeds faces opposition from some people. Comfort Zhang Xiao – once public opinion fully develops, anyone’s objections to Zhang Xiao won’t matter. A good reputation will be her protection!”

Xia Xiaolan had afternoon classes and didn’t stay long at the hotel, quickly eating something before rushing back to school.

That evening, Yu Li came to find her at school. Xia Xiaolan was surprised to see her out of breath:

“Little Yu, you’ve already finished inquiring?”

Seven houses in seven different locations – even driving would take a whole day to check them all, right?

Yu Li handed Xia Xiaolan a notebook: “Sister Xia, I was afraid I’d forget, so I wrote everything in this notebook. If you’re not satisfied, I can go check again.”

Yu Li felt she’d deserve to be struck by lightning if she didn’t seize this opportunity!

Xia Xiaolan flipped through the notebook.

Yu Li’s handwriting was good, clean, and tidy, and her records were clear at a glance.

“You’ve marked out the rent prices for each location. Even in the same hutong or courtyard, there are higher and lower prices because of different house conditions, room sizes, and whether furniture is included… Little Yu, you must have been good at math in school?”

Yu Li exclaimed in surprise – how amazing that Sister Xia even knew this!

Xia Xiaolan wanted to laugh seeing her admiring face. This wasn’t just inquiring about rent prices – this was statistical analysis. Xia Xiaolan felt she might have found a promising young woman – this talent poaching was worth it.

…

Zhen Wenxiu hung up the phone, hesitating to speak.

Ji Ya had dark circles under her eyes, and clearly hadn’t slept well last night.

“Just say it. What news could be too much for me to bear now?”

Zhen Wenxiu sighed, “I just found out that Xia Xiaolan bought advertising time on Central TV. Luna’s TV advertisement will air tomorrow after the Network News Broadcast… Ah Ya, this advertisement – I can’t get it pulled.”