After seeing Zhou Cheng, Xia Xiaolan didn’t linger on Qiong Island any longer.

The land purchase would progress naturally under Liu Yong and Ge Jian’s management.

Xia Xiaolan even left You Li on Qiong Island:

“Following my uncle and Ge Jian will help you learn more. Cherish this opportunity. I won’t need you when I return to Commercial City, as I’ll be focusing on drawing plans.”

“But President Xia—”

You Li worried, as Xia Xiaolan’s secretary, how could she take care of President Xia’s daily needs if she wasn’t there?

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “I have hands and feet, what are you worried about? You can’t help with the design work, but helping with land purchases in Qiong Island is how you can assist me. I’ll give you tasks when needed.”

If she needed someone for household chores, she could simply hire a housekeeper.

That would save her time on cleaning, laundry, and cooking.

Xia Xiaolan returned to Commercial City with Zheng Feng – she still needed a driver as she had to frequently visit sites for surveys.

While she handled the design work alone, she left the survey work to professionals. She didn’t need to worry too much about these matters. When she was in Commercial City, her following grew larger, and they were always willing to help.

Xia Xiaolan had expected Xia Ziyu to eventually target Qiong Island for investment, but Xia Ziyu’s move was completely unpredictable.

The day after Xia Xiaolan returned to Commercial City, Chen Xiliang called, sounding exasperated:

“Elegance has been sniped.”

What?!

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t expected any issues with Elegance – it should have been a sure thing.

“What happened? Chen, explain clearly.”

“That CR Investment from HK suddenly jumped in during the auction bidding. I was planning to secure it at 7 million, but the price went up to 8.5 million, and they were still competing… I didn’t want it anymore, so I bid 10 million, they went to 10.5 million, and I stopped bidding!”

Chen Xiliang was furious.

Since discussing buying Elegance with Xia Xiaolan, Chen Xiliang has spent a lot of time thinking about how to launch the men’s clothing brand Leo. He had a whole plan ready.

Now CR’s intervention had completely disrupted his plans.

Should they still proceed with men’s clothing?

How should they develop?

“Old Chen, you got caught in the crossfire this time. CR Investment wasn’t maliciously bidding against you – they were targeting me. But I’m impressed you didn’t fall for it. I thought you might still buy Elegance even when they raised it to 10 million.”

Xia Xiaolan praised him, and Chen Xiliang chuckled on the other end:

“What do you mean targeting you? CR Investment ruined my business, so they were targeting Luna! Did they think I’d fall for their trick to buy at an inflated price? I’m not that easily fooled!”

It was supposed to be a debt asset auction, so the price should have been below the actual value.

Chen Xiliang became wary when the bidding exceeded 8 million.

The plan for Elegance was to convert its channels for men’s clothing sales to make a profit. If the investment was too large and tied up their capital, it could affect Luna – wouldn’t that defeat the purpose? Chen Xiliang’s reason for not falling for it was simply that he was poor. Whether the other party genuinely wanted Elegance or was just driving up the price, once it exceeded 10 million, he firmly stopped bidding.

Beyond that price, whoever wanted to buy it could have it, idiots!

Did they think Ji Ya’s Elegance brand was worth 10 million?

Chen Xiliang was pleased by Xia Xiaolan’s praise, knowing he’d made the right choice, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t angry. As he said, it wasn’t about who the trouble was aimed at – affecting Luna’s expansion affected both his and Xia Xiaolan’s common interests.

Xia Xiaolan pondered for a moment:

“CR Investment probably won’t operate Elegance themselves. I heard they only have 30 million HKD in available funds. If my information is correct, they won’t tie up large amounts in Elegance — CR might be buying it for someone else. Let’s see who they transfer Elegance to!”

Of course, even if CR transferred Elegance, they couldn’t ignore that Xia Ziyu did this deliberately.

What was this, an appetizer signaling Xia Ziyu’s formal declaration of war against her?

“Miss, what’s our next step? Are we abandoning the men’s clothing line?”

“Yes! We’ll focus all our energy on women’s clothing. This year we’ll prepare, and next year Luna can be more aggressive in expansion… Here’s the plan: contact Director Wang Linshu later. He’s already finished filming ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ and might be taking a break. On Luna’s behalf, ask Director Wang to create a suitable urban drama script. The TV show must be good, with proper values – it can’t overly promote the allure of money, but it must be fashionable. I want Luna’s clothing advertisements throughout the entire series. If Sister Zhang Xiao’s schedule allows, get her as the lead actress. Set the TV drama budget at 4 million for now. Help Director Wang arranges borrowed houses, cars, and locations for filming. Apart from Sister Zhang Xiao, choose other popular actors too. Our goal is to make the drama a hit – we can’t lose money on this investment, it must be successful, so successful that every Luna outfit worn by female characters becomes a bestseller!”

Xia Xiaolan spoke with rising and falling tones, leaving Chen Xiliang breathless:

“Making a TV drama? Luna making a TV drama?!”

“Is there a problem? Are you reluctant to spend these few million? It’s another form of advertising cost. If the ratings are good, we’ll make it back. The promotional effect for Luna, plus Sister Zhang Xiao’s side—”

“I’m all for it! I just hadn’t thought of it!”

Using company funds to promote his wife?

Chen Xiliang would have to be crazy to disagree.

He felt he could now walk with a commanding presence – what other man could his Zhang Xiao find like this!

“If the budget isn’t enough, we can add more. The TV drama must be good, Director Wang’s payment can’t be low, and if there are suitable actresses from ‘Dream of the Red Chamber,’ bring some of them in too.”

Xia Xiaolan added a few more instructions.

‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ hadn’t aired yet, but it would this year.

The roles of Sister Bao and Sister Lin would be popular for many years – joining the new drama would benefit Luna.

People in the film and television industry still had integrity now. In a few years, most people in this industry would focus on making money rather than good production. This was an era when people could make good dramas but lacked funding, which was why Xia Xiaolan dared to suggest this — she didn’t lack money, so she dared to try this cross-industry promotion.

Product placement might be shameless, but what could they do? It was Luna’s funded drama, of course, they had to promote Luna heavily!

As Xia Xiaolan and Chen Xiliang discussed investing in the TV drama, they put the unpleasant matter of losing the Elegance auction behind them.

“Director Xia, look—”

The assistant handed the documents to Xia Ziyu, who frowned immediately.

“Even if we wanted to buy Elegance, it shouldn’t cost this much, right?”

They’d spent 10.5 million at once, not in HKD but in Chinese currency.

“Director Xia, Luna’s Chen Xiliang was stubborn, and you said we must secure Elegance…”

Of course, they had to secure Elegance. If they let Luna acquire Elegance, wouldn’t Xia Xiaolan’s clothing business keep growing? Xia Ziyu looked down on this small clothing business, but she was very unhappy about Xia Xiaolan making money.

It was more expensive than expected, but she wouldn’t operate it herself – she’d already found buyers.

“Director Xia, there’s one more thing. The underprivileged children you’re supporting have reportedly arrived in Peng City.”