The Heiress's Game

Zhou Ji took out his tablet and said, "The first phase of funding from Yunwhale Capital's cultural sector for Xingyao has been fully received."

Gu Yunjin nodded. When Yunjing Capital started overseas, the first thing Zhou Ji did for her was to build a flawless organizational structure.

Every step she took was on the optimal path in terms of law and regulation. Later, Yunwhale shorted several giants, causing a bloodbath in the market. People everywhere were inquiring about the background of this mysterious capital firm, but no one ever traced her back to it.

This cleanliness was maintained by Zhou Ji over ten years without a single mishap.

"After the first installment arrived, I arranged a small test."

Gu Yunjin said, "In the latest episode of 'Walking with Brilliance,' Chen Cui and Chen Yao wore two outfits that we designed ourselves—not from a sponsored brand, but ones that we made ourselves."

"I know, I watched that episode."

"Within 48 hours of the show airing, searches for the same outfits as those two clothes increased by 300% across the entire internet. The stock we had prepared in advance sold out in less than two hours after it was put on the shelves."

A 300% increase in search volume, selling out in two hours, and pre-sales running out—these numbers combined don't just indicate the success of a variety show, but also the verifiability of a brand-new business path.

And this was just a trial run—a dress, a scene, and less than five minutes of screen time.

If clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics were all included, and each season became an immersive fashion consumption experience, Zhou Ji had already calculated a rough figure in his mind how large this closed-loop business would be.

"This person, Nan Zhenquan," Zhou Ji glanced into the distance.

"It's really useful. He oversees the entire process of bringing clothing to market, from design and pattern making to finding factories, setting up e-commerce channels, coordinating logistics, and handling after-sales service.

I initially thought that someone with a real estate background like him would at least stumble a couple of times in the supply chain, but he actually managed to figure out the fabric market perfectly – I heard he personally went to Keqiao three times, taking designers to squat in the stalls one by one to pick out the fabrics.”

"That's just the kind of person he is," Gu Yunjin said, her tone carrying an undisguised admiration. "When I picked him out of the headhunter's list, everyone thought I was crazy, putting a real estate person in charge of cultural media."

I was prepared to replace the person if they weren't right, and it turns out I struck gold.

"What are your plans for the next step?" Zhou Ji asked.

"Next step, full rollout." Gu Yunjin leaned back in his chair, his gaze passing through the branches of the sycamore tree to the distant lake.

"The clothing line is already successful; next, jewelry and cosmetics will follow."

In every episode, everything that Chen Cui and her family wear, wear, wear, and use—anything the audience can see—is a product of our own brand.

The program content is product display, and viewers can buy as they watch. From being interested to placing an order, the process cannot exceed three steps.

The brand registration will be completed next week, and I've already decided on the name—"Brilliant."

Zhou Ji nodded slightly. He recalled what Nan Zhenquan had said to him during their last phone call—"Don't worry, Mr. Zhou, I'm keeping a closer eye on the production line than I am on the film set." Now he understood the weight of those words.

"So when do you plan to talk to Gu Zhenxing?" Zhou Ji asked.

"The sooner the better, Gu Mingyue might go to him at any time. I'll also explain the business model then."

"Do you think he would change his perception of you because of a business model?" Zhou Ji asked, sounding puzzled.

"You don't understand him," Gu Yunjin shook her head slightly.

"My father is a businessman at heart; selfishness is ingrained in his bones."

He doted on Gu Mingyue, and his doting was top-down, like he would treat a pet, holding it in his hands when he liked it and putting it aside when he didn't.

Over the years, he has given the best resources to Gu Mingyue and Gu Mingcheng because he felt that only they deserved those resources.

What if he sees that I'm the one who can truly take over his resources?

"He has to be on my side, not only for this project, but also because I don't want to marry Pei Yan."

"Is the Pei family still making progress?" Zhou Ji frowned slightly.

"It hasn't stopped. The two old men meet on the golf course every few days, and the progress bar is pushing faster than Xingyao's IPO."

"Pei Yan isn't a bad person, but he can't handle his own affairs."

He had a girlfriend of ten years, but his family disapproved. He himself couldn't let go of the Pei family's status and position, leaving him caught in a dilemma. I have no interest in being anyone's shield, nor in cleaning up someone else's mess.

She took a deep breath as she said this, "But if I directly tell my dad 'I don't want to get married,' he will follow up with this question—why don't you want to get married?"

What's wrong with the Pei family? You need to have a reason that carries more weight than "I don't want to".

And now, that reason is almost there—I have my own company, my own brand, and my own business empire.

Of course, the part I don't want them to know, they will never know.

I don't need to gain anything through marriage; I am the asset that the Gu family can offer.

"By then, when I bring up announcing the engagement, it won't be out of capriciousness, but out of confidence."

"So the closed-loop system is not just a business strategy," Zhou Ji said.

"Yes," Gu Yunjin stood up, walked to the lakeside, and the wind ruffled her hair.

"The closed loop puts my father on my side. Only when he's on my side do I have a real voice in the family."