The next day, Chen Lishu and Li Lang went to the television station together.
"I made an appointment with Director Chen from your general programming department yesterday."
Upon hearing Li Lang's words, the receptionist at the front desk pointed out the location of the offices to the two of them.
When they arrived, Director Chen was preparing to rehearse for a program. He saw Li Lang approaching and greeted him warmly.
"I didn't expect you to be able to come so early. Please come in and have a seat."
Director Chen was a middle-aged man in his forties, rather lean, dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.
"Old Chen, with our relationship, I won't be polite. This is about my sister, so let's settle it early. Afterwards, we brothers can sit down and have a good drink. You can pick the place."
Hearing Li Lang speak, Director Chen's gaze finally fell upon Chen Lishu beside him.
She was in her twenties, with excellent looks and temperament, unlike those women of questionable character. His expression turned serious.
"You must be Ms. Chen. Li Lang mentioned you before. I'm not the general director for the Spring Festival Gala; I'm only responsible for a small segment. However, I've already reported to the general director, and he should be rehearsing on site now. I'll take you there to have a look, and then we can sit down and discuss the specifics. What do you think?"
Li Lang had joined their circle later. Although his professional skills were not outstanding, no one dared to look down on him because of his connections. On the contrary, even the most renowned directors had to show him some respect when he spoke.
Chen Lishu: "Thank you, Director Chen."
"You're welcome," Director Chen said with a smile, leading them towards the rehearsal room.
In the rehearsal room, several actors were practicing song and dance performances.
Chen Lishu took a brief look; they were all familiar actors.
They were wearing the most ordinary clothes, completely lacking the haute couture and high-fashion runway feel of later years.
But everyone's face was filled with boundless enthusiasm.
Director Chen walked up to the general director and said something. The general director turned to look in the direction of Chen Lishu and Li Lang, then whispered a few words to the staff beside him, stood up from his seat, and walked over.
"Hello, Director Zhao. Your name is legendary, and I've always wanted to meet you, but I never had the chance." As the man approached, Li Lang smiled and extended his hand.
Director Zhao smiled and shook his hand: "You're Li Lang, right? The younger generation is truly impressive."
Although he didn't know why he was considered impressive, Li Lang didn't mind. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they got down to business.
Upon hearing that Chen Lishu wanted to sponsor the costumes, Director Zhao became very attentive.
"This is the first year of reform, presented to audiences nationwide through live broadcast, so we are all taking it very seriously. However, our budget is limited. We originally planned for all actors to wear their own clothes. Since you want to sponsor, it's free, isn't it?"
Chen Lishu smiled: "Yes, it's completely free of charge."
"This..."
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Director Zhao pondered for a moment and then asked, "Tell me about your requirements?"
Chen Lishu: "Our garment factory also has direct sales stores in Kyoto, called Shu Se Clothing Store. Besides ordinary clothing, we also have high-end apparel. We also have display counters in high-end department stores in Shanghai, so the style and quality of our clothing are guaranteed. Our requirements are not high; we only hope that our Shu Se Garment Factory can be mentioned during the performance."
A formal outfit suitable for appearing on stage would cost at least forty to fifty yuan. With dozens of actors participating in the performance, even at factory prices, the total cost for everyone would not be a small sum.
But Chen Lishu only had this one request. Director Zhao was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Is that the only requirement?"
Chen Lishu nodded: "That is the only requirement."
"This matter can be easily arranged. I'll just inform the station manager..."
Before Director Zhao could finish speaking, a man and a woman suddenly walked in.
"Station Manager, why are you here?" Both Director Zhao and Director Chen were surprised to see the man in front of them.
Vice Station Manager Zhang assumed Chen Lishu and Li Lang were actors from the station and didn't pay much attention. He moved aside and introduced the person behind him with a smile: "Since you two are both here, let me introduce you. This is Manager Yang from Xinxin Garment Factory. Their factory intends to sponsor the costumes for the actors on our station's Spring Festival Gala stage."
"Hello, Directors," Manager Yang said, shaking hands with them confidently.
"I've brought them here. You two can take some time to introduce the actors to her and discuss any necessary modifications for the costumes."
Director Chen glanced at Li Lang and introduced them: "This is our station's Station Manager Zhang."
Li Lang stepped forward with a smile: "Hello, Station Manager Zhang. My name is Li Lang, and the person beside me is Ms. Chen from Shu Se Garment Factory. What a coincidence, we're also here to discuss costume sponsorship."
Director Chen chimed in: "Yes, Station Manager, they are also here to discuss costume sponsorship. I was thinking of taking them to see Director Zhao first, and then reporting to you."
"Ms. Chen," Manager Yang looked directly at Chen Lishu: "It's quite a coincidence to meet you here."
Chen Lishu had already guessed the situation from the moment she saw Manager Yang.
Although both companies were in the clothing business, she had never viewed Manager Yang as a competitor.
Their companies were located in different regions, north and south, and their customer bases didn't even overlap.
Therefore, even though she hadn't explicitly stated her specific plans for Kyoto, she hadn't deliberately concealed them either.
*Hmph*.
Years of classmate friendship could not withstand the immediate prospect of profit.
However, she wouldn't become agitated or hysterical over such a minor matter.
She replied with a smile as if nothing had happened: "Manager Yang, I didn't expect to run into you here either."
Vice Station Manager Zhang: "You two know each other? That's quite a coincidence."
Chen Lishu: "Yes. It is quite a coincidence."
Vice Station Manager Zhang: "Ms. Chen, right? May I ask which garment factory you are from?"
Chen Lishu: "We are a garment factory from J Province, named Shu Se."
Vice Station Manager Zhang frowned: "I haven't heard of it before. What kind of garment factory is it? Is it a foreign-funded enterprise like Manager Yang's Xinxin Garment Factory?"
Chen Lishu shook her head with a smile: "No, we are just a private enterprise."
Vice Station Manager Zhang's frown deepened.
"Station Manager Zhang, although we are only a private enterprise, our company hires renowned designers both domestically and internationally. For this Spring Festival Gala, I have also specifically designed several costume styles. Would you like to take a look?"
As Chen Lishu spoke, she took out two finished design drafts she had compiled and showed them to him.
Upon hearing that she had specifically designed costumes for the Spring Festival Gala performers, Vice Station Manager Zhang's brow twitched, and he took them with great interest.
However, as soon as he saw the content of the drawings, the smile on his face gradually disappeared.
"Ms. Chen, are these the costumes your factory specifically designed for the Spring Festival Gala?"