Chapter 448

On the third day of Jin Li's arrival at Pond Village, her manager Sui Lingfang brought competitive products from four brands to the village.

Originally, eight brands had sent joint-branding invitations to Jin Li, but Jin Li's side had put forward requirements; there were some twists and turns in the process, but all eight brands accepted Jin Li's requirements.

During this process, Sui Lingfang took the initiative to help Jin Li eliminate four brands and informed her of the reasons for the elimination, all of which Jin Li agreed with.

Among the remaining four brands, two light luxury brands, "Lingyu" and "Lanxi," successfully advanced to the second round, while the other two brands were one second-tier and one third-tier.

Jin Li couldn't help but be stunned when she heard the name of that third-tier brand.

"Fanghua" was actually selected too; does Fang Fei agree to this?

Jin Li voiced this doubt.

"Fanghua" is a third-tier niche brand established under the Fang Fei Group, focusing on the "New Chinese Style" concept.

Whether it's clothes, pants, or skirts, they all lean toward "New Chinese Style" elements, which can be considered as filling some gaps in Fang Fei Group's ready-to-wear category.

However, few netizens know that "Fanghua" is a brand under Fang Fei, and Fanghua hasn't specifically promoted this point; only by specifically searching for Fanghua's brand introduction does one know that it belongs to the Fang Fei Group.

Sui Lingfang nodded: "I specifically asked the person in charge at Fanghua who is our contact, and she said that before Fanghua sent you the invitation, they had already reported to headquarters, wanting to launch a joint winter ready-to-wear collaboration with you.

They only sent you the invitation after receiving a positive reply from headquarters, so you don't need to worry about any friction on Fang Fei's side."

Not knowing what she thought of, Sui Lingfang smiled: "I'm afraid even Fang Fei didn't expect you to accept Fanghua's joint-branding invitation. Usually, artists jump up to higher endorsements, but you are still willing to take on lower ones."

Jin Li also smiled: "That's different. By endorsing joint products, I can get a certain sales commission. Although the advertising fee from a third-tier brand isn't much, as long as the product quality is good, it can still go viral on the internet."

Sui Lingfang nodded slightly, and precisely because of this, she also strongly supported Jin Li in putting effort into joint branding.

When endorsing joint products, the brand will also do promotion and publicity together, which can also prove Jin Li's strong appeal in the market.

There are always brands that don't understand Jin Li's commercial value, so she will prove it with one piece of data after another—

Jin Li is worth this price!

Sui Lingfang reached out and pointed to the pile of things she brought, saying: "The competitive products of the four brands are all different. Lingyu and Lanxi have long been prepared and have already produced your joint products; you only need to lend your name to launch them, without needing to expend your mental energy on them."

Jin Li raised an eyebrow, hearing the subtext in Sister Fang's words.

These two brands didn't want her to interfere with the design of the joint products and had already produced the samples in advance.

She touched the shoes from Lingyu and the bag from Lanxi, and from the touch, she could feel that the materials used were quite good.

As an artist, the clothes she has worn and the bags she has carried over the past few years have been various high-end luxury brands, and through constant exposure, she has some insight into materials.

In terms of quality, Jin Li was very satisfied with the joint branding of these two brands.

As for the style, Jin Li didn't think her own aesthetic was that amazing.

In this regard, brands are generally more professional than her, so she trusted the brands' judgment more.

Even if the brands let her interfere with the design, Jin Li would still politely decline.

Moreover, looking at the image design of these two products with Jin Li's current eye, she felt they were quite good-looking.

Yes, they were both relatively good-looking.

As for whether they were practical or not...

To be honest, luxury goods have never defined brand value by practical value.

Things, well, if they can be used for a few years, or even a few months, that's about enough.

If a pair of shoes or a bag could be used for decades, then luxury goods wouldn't be called luxury goods anymore.

Jin Li had no objections to the samples from these two brands, only saying: "Make sure they keep a check on the production side; we will send people to conduct spot checks at any time."

Sui Lingfang smiled: "You mean, the products from these two brands have passed?"

Jin Li nodded: "They are so well-prepared, they even got the samples out for me, and their sincerity is so sufficient that I have nothing to criticize; just produce according to their current designs.

If they want to change the design, they just need to leave me a copy of the latest samples, and by the way, also regarding the price."

She paused and said freely: "Let the brands set the prices themselves."

Sui Lingfang was a bit surprised: "I thought you would let the brands lower the price."

Jin Li shook her head: "I am an artist, not their business partner. I am only launching a joint brand with the brand to get some sales commission, not a manufacturer.

I don't know their production costs, nor do I understand their brand premium; all I can do is ensure the quality."

She thought for a moment and added: "And these two are light luxury brands; they shouldn't be treated as practical brands to begin with.

However, although I don't make any requirements for the brand's pricing, the brand cannot treat my fans like monkeys and set a super high premium.

Regarding the price, Chenxi Entertainment still needs to examine the brand's similar products over the past few years to know the comprehensive pricing of this type of brand. If it's too expensive, I will take the initiative to discuss it with the brand."

Respect the brand's right to price, but also cannot accept the brand treating her fans like leeks to be harvested.

Light luxury brands will have premiums, but if the premium is too severe, that's another matter.

Sui Lingfang completely understood Jin Li's thoughts and recorded them in her memo, "I will call the brand to communicate tonight."

She said pointedly: "These two brands are both aiming at you, so they shouldn't set the price too excessively."

Jin Li was noncommittal, "I hope so."

She looked at the other two joint products, among which the second-tier brand is called "Black Bear," selling various outdoor products.

"Black Bear" wants to collaborate with her on a backpack, but the specific style of the bag hasn't been decided yet, and the brand is still in the design phase; however, they were able to let her see the material samples used for this bag.

Jin Li picked up the backpack and felt it was very thick and solid.

Sui Lingfang said: "This bag is Black Bear's best-seller from last year. Many people choose this bag for outdoor cycling and outdoor travel. The bag has a large enough capacity and is also designed with a waterproof compartment that can accommodate wet clothes."

"Oh, by the way, this bag can also be expanded. There is a zipper at the very bottom; by pulling the zipper open, you can expand some space."

Jin Li pulled the zipper, and the bag indeed had a larger capacity.

Sui Lingfang: "This expanded space uses waterproof fabric and can be used to put shoes and the like; the functionality is very powerful."

Jin Li was a bit tempted after seeing it.

"It feels very practical. With this bag, you don't need to bring a suitcase. Although a suitcase can hold a lot of things, it's too bulky and not convenient to carry."

Sui Lingfang: "So, is it feasible to determine the material of the joint product according to the material of this bag?"

Jin Li said without thinking: "Of course."

"By the way, I think the bag in my hand is quite practical. I hope that when Black Bear designs the joint product, they can also lean toward practical functions."

For a second-tier brand, isn't what consumers want good quality and affordable prices?

Jin Li was worried that "Black Bear" would design a flashy but impractical bag for her fans just because she is a celebrity; that would really be fleecing the fans.

Sui Lingfang made a note and smiled: "Don't worry, after your opinion is conveyed to the brand, even if the brand really wants to do that, they will think twice.

We are still in the negotiation stage and haven't signed the real joint-branding contract. If they drive you away now, who will pay for those flashy but impractical products for Black Bear?"

Black Bear's brand itself focuses on being sturdy and durable. If the new product designed loses this attribute, even Jin Li's fans won't pay for it.

Finally, only the samples from "Fanghua" remained. Fanghua sent a set of well-matched New Chinese Style clothes.

The upper body has a thin tulle shawl design with a bit of ancient charm, while the lower body is silk long pants, with frog buttons designed on both sides of the pants as decoration.

The clothes are very good-looking, but the material of the clothes is closely related to the style.

Some clothing styles require a stand-up collar, so you can't use thin materials to make a stand-up collar; some clothes need to be thick and heavy, so it's impossible to choose thin tulle.

What was sent now was just the clothes Fanghua launched last year, indicating that the material of the joint product would be similar to this set, but Jin Li wasn't as reassured as she was with the backpack.

The style of the backpack is relatively fixed, and the material is also very fixed, but clothing combinations are ever-changing, so this is really hard to say.

Jin Li thought for a while and said cautiously: "How about this, let's not be partial.

Since Lingyu and Lanxi have already produced the style samples, let Black Bear and Fanghua also produce the samples of the joint products so we can compare them.

And with real samples in hand, it will be easier to attach a description of the quality in the contract later."

Sui Lingfang thought for a moment: "If you are not in a hurry to launch the joint products, you can do this."

Jin Li said calmly: "I'm not in a hurry. I'm not the one who should be anxious. Lingyu and Lanxi's progress is faster than the other two brands, so the joint products of these two brands will be launched first. Whether they sell well or not, the market will give feedback."

She smiled lightly, not knowing what she thought of.

"Actually, I would rather Black Bear and Fanghua see the sales situation of the joint products launched by Lingyu and Lanxi first, and then decide whether to cooperate with me."

Sui Lingfang thought to herself, I'm afraid Black Bear and Fanghua can't wait that long.

If the joint products launched by Lingyu and Lanxi sell very well and even go viral, then if Black Bear and Fanghua come to talk to Jin Li about joint products later, won't the sales commission have to be raised again?

Sui Lingfang felt a bit emotional in her heart.

Previously, Jin Li still needed to try every possible way to take photos to become Fang Fei's spokesperson, wearing Fang Fei's cheongsam, trying her best to let the brand see her compatibility with the cheongsam.

And now, Jin Li has become the object of brands' pursuit, and brands are making various concessions in order to win her over.

Jin Li has already firmly established herself in the entertainment industry without knowing it!

Sui Lingfang came to Pond Village just to show the products to Jin Li.

After discussing this matter, at Jin Li's invitation, Sui Lingfang decided to stay in the pond village for a few days.

She was also very curious about Pond Village in her heart.

You know, Ye Weijie has visited many places in the past few months and has seen all kinds of beautiful scenery, but he has a special fondness for Pond Village; this village is definitely not simple!

Just after staying for one night, Sui Lingfang felt that Pond Village was not simple at all.

Because this night, she actually didn't have trouble sleeping in a new bed, and when she woke up, she didn't feel dizzy or have a headache; she was very refreshed!

While eating breakfast, Sui Lingfang heard Driver Xiao Cheng and Chen Qin mention that there were ten elderly people over 90 years old in the village, and she was stunned.

"Is this place so nourishing? Can I come here to retire in the future?"

Jin Li couldn't help but chuckle. People in this country really have an obsession with retirement. After coming to Pond Village, she had also thought about the retirement issue.

Jin Li said: "There shouldn't be any problem now, but after the TV series is broadcast and more and more people come to Pond Village and know that the Feng Shui here is very good, it's hard to say."

Sui Lingfang said casually: "Is that so? Then how about I buy a house here?"

Once the words were out, she was a bit stunned herself.

Buy a house?

Yes, I can't afford a house in the city, but I should be able to afford one in the countryside, right?

Jin Li: "Are you sure? You can go and ask the village chief."

Sui Lingfang said with some hesitation: "Jin Li, what are your thoughts? Do you want to buy a house here?"

Jin Li: "I still need to take another look. I suggest you stay for a few more days. If you really feel it's good here, it won't be too late to talk to the village chief then."

Sui Lingfang couldn't sit still and took everyone out for a stroll after finishing breakfast.

Before coming to Pond Village, she wanted to come and watch the fun.

After coming to Pond Village, she instead wanted to stroll around the village with a critical attitude.

Can this place be developed?

How long will the lasting power after the TV series is broadcast affect it?

How is the infrastructure here?

Sui Lingfang walked for a short while and felt that the scenery in the village was quite good, but the infrastructure was not good; however, seeing workers changing the internet, she felt that as long as the internet was good, it would be fine.

Chen Qin said: "It's just that I don't know if it's safe here."

Driver Xiao Cheng: "It should be safe, the villagers are the most simple and honest."

Chen Qin: "Homicide cases that have remained unsolved for many years and cannot find the culprit happen in these underdeveloped villages."

Jin Li looked up: "Isn't the Master installing surveillance cameras? It's better to have surveillance.

In the future, when the villagers have money and there are so many people coming and going in the village, it will be easy to lose things, so I guess every household will install surveillance in front of their doors."

Sui Lingfang nodded: "That's the logic."

While they were inspecting Pond Village, the news of Ye Weijie installing surveillance cameras for the nine ponds also reached the Qi family.

Qi Zhihong sat in the main seat with an ugly expression, feeling that Ye Weijie was really a jinx to him.

The eldest son and the second son were the most panicked; if surveillance cameras were installed by the ponds, their plan would likely be aborted, after all, surveillance can see people having accidents!

It was the third son who said: "The operation will be a bit more troublesome, but what if we let people go swimming in the pond in the middle of the night? Who would notice?"

Qi Zhihong's expression eased slightly, and he said: "Qi Tu, you are responsible for spreading the rumors. Don't do it yourself, and don't wander around the ponds these few days, so as not to be captured by the surveillance."