Chapter 544: The Road to Branding

October 16, 2023, Monday.

8:35 AM, the sky in Rongcheng still carried the coolness of early morning.

Subway Line 1 stopped slowly at Financial City Station.

Zhang Yunjing walked out of the subway exit and walked toward the company building.

At 29 years old this year, she is a product manager at an internet company, likes clothes, gourmet food, and limited edition cups.

A heavy user of Xiaohongshu, likes to record life details and share

Two of Su Yu's songs played in her headphones, and after scrolling through her Moments, the office building of the Yintai Center came into view.

She took the elevator to the company, clocked in, and sat at her workstation.

"Yun Jing, a new cafe just opened next door. They say the environment and the taste are both great. It opened last week, and Douyin has been pushing it for the past two days—it's incredibly photogenic! Shall we go down and try it?"

Her colleague Zhang Wenwen, who sat opposite her, leaned over with a smile, her tone filled with excitement.

Hearing this, Zhang Yunjing instantly perked up, "Sure, let's go."

Checking out new shops was one of her hobbies, especially when it came to boutique cafes with such exquisite styles.

She tidied up her things and took the elevator directly to the ground floor.

Bypassing the atrium and passing several brand display windows, a cafe with a strong sense of design appeared before her eyes.

【Glimmer Cafe】

Located at the corner of the building's ground floor, the large floor-to-ceiling windows were transparent and bright, with the exquisite interior decoration and wooden tables and chairs under soft lighting vaguely visible.

Pushing open the brown glass door, soft jazz music flowed out slowly, and the air was filled with the aroma of coffee and the faint burnt scent of desserts.

The open bar, preparation area, quick-pickup area, office area, and seating area featured warm wooden tables and soft sofas; the gray-white main color scheme paired with warm yellow lighting, revealing fashion and high-end quality within the modern feel.

The first impression was excellent.

Zhang Yunjing scanned the place roughly and judged that the shop was at least 200 square meters, a standard boutique business cafe configuration that completely hit her sweet spot.

Because it was a new shop, the customer traffic wasn't high yet, so the two of them casually chose a window seat and sat down.

Zhang Yunjing ordered a signature "Glimmer Special," blew on it gently, and took a sip.

It was smooth on the palate and full of aroma.

"It's really good!"

She couldn't help but exclaim, then took out her phone, opened the camera app, and began taking photos for today's check-in.

Just as she was immersed in the ritual of checking in, a crisp sound of footsteps came from the entrance.

"Da, da, da—"

Immediately after, a gentle yet authoritative voice sounded: "Good morning, ladies. Our shop is currently having an event.

Take a photo, check in, and share it on social media, and you can get a free croissant. You are welcome to participate."

The two looked up and saw a tall, sexy figure.

She was dressed intellectually and elegantly, with bright features, long black hair draped over her shoulders, exquisite makeup, and a dignified temperament.

She looked like a female CEO who had walked out of a TV drama.

Zhang Yunjing was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded in response: "Okay, thank you. Is Xiaohongshu okay?"

"Of course." The woman's lips curled slightly, and she nodded with a smile.

Following that, a waiter walked over quickly.

Zhang Yunjing heard the waiter address the other person as "Manager Xie" with a respectful attitude; it was clear that this must be the boss.

One had to say, this appearance and temperament were very much in line with the tone of this shop.

She showed her post and successfully received the croissant.

Zhang Yunjing ate while curiously looking it up online.

Only then did she discover that this was actually a national chain brand.

The headquarters was in Yancheng, and it currently had branches in major first-tier cities that were opening one after another. This one in Rongcheng was the third flagship store of Glimmer Cafe, with the highest specifications of decoration.

No wonder it was so particular!

She chatted with her colleague for a while.

Zhang Yunjing opened Xiaohongshu and refreshed her homepage.

Immediately after, a post caught her eye.

Title: "HEYISTUDIO's Chinese brand name is decided by you! Shareholders, come and choose a name."

The main image was the brand's LOGO, which was very beautiful, exquisite, and eye-catching.

However, Zhang Yunjing didn't have much interest in this type of content and was about to swipe away when her gaze suddenly paused.

She noticed the author of the post.

"April?"

This was a very familiar ID.

She was one of the other person's earliest followers. When the first post was made, she had left a comment: 【It's useless to change anything if you don't lose weight; lose weight first】.

In this process, she also became a fan and "cyber strategist" for "April," often leaving comments and interacting.

She had witnessed with her own eyes the counter-attack and transformation of this "electronic pet" into a male god, from single-digit followers to breaking through 30,000.

It could be said to be extremely shocking.

She also gained great satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

Mainly because his changes were too obvious and too successful, giving her the feeling of playing a game with cheats enabled.

As a product manager, she was very sensitive to operational logic.

According to the conventional development path, "April" should have long ago turned to bringing goods or taking advertisements, becoming a stable small internet celebrity,

with a monthly income of over ten thousand, continuing to develop, and could completely become a main career.

But she didn't expect that he would suddenly start updating in a Buddhist style when he was most popular, and even stopped updating directly at the beginning of last month.

Like other fans, she sent private messages to urge updates and left comments, but it was always like a stone sinking into the sea.

Gradually, he faded from her sight.

Now that this name suddenly popped up again, it made her extremely curious.

She quickly clicked into the post.

The content of the main text entered her sight.

【HEYISTUDIO is a high-end brand for women, with a style leaning towards minimalism, a sense of luxury, and light luxury. I hope everyone can help me think of a suitable Chinese name. Once adopted, you will receive our first batch of clothing for free trial, co-creation commemorative cards/badges.】

There were also several pictures above, all of which were various angles of the 【HEYISTUDIO】 LOGO.

This post was published this morning.

So far, it already had 1,000+ likes and 400+ comments.

Below, the netizens were very active, with suggestions and comments from various angles.

【Lina: "I think 'He Yi Clothing' is great. It aggregates the opinions of us strategists. I suggest the slogan: Strategist's strict selection, return if it fails! (#doge)"】

【Design Dog Xiao Wang: "This LOGO is really awesome. You can tell at a glance that a lot of money was spent. It seems April is serious."】

Among them, the ID with the most likes was very eye-catching.

【Su Yu's April: "The professional party votes for 'He Yi'! He Yi is a transliteration + 'fit' meaning, and it can also play with the concept of 'cooperating with users,' which is more in line with the cultivation-style positioning than names that force a sense of luxury."】

This comment even had a picture, using a sketch to draw the name "He Yi," which carried certain design elements,

and was super cool.

Zhang Yunjing was very familiar with this ID.

She remembered very clearly that when "April" first started his account, she could see her figure under almost every post.

From hairstyle suggestions to outfit recommendations, from skincare tips to fitness plans, she was always the first person to reply seriously, and would even @ other fans to discuss together.

Later, during the period when "April" stopped updating, she was also the most active, and the frequency of her urging for updates was so high that it was almost as persistent as chasing a serialized novel.

Opening April's personal homepage, she quickly saw the post he published the day before yesterday.

6,000+ likes, 2,000+ comments, and favorites approaching 1,200.

Without a doubt, this was a big hit.

Zhang Yunjing curiously browsed for a while, her eyes widening, her face full of disbelief.

The colleague opposite who had finished posting on Moments noticed her abnormality and asked curiously: "What's wrong, Yun Jing?"

Zhang Yunjing looked up, took a deep breath, her tone carrying a hint of excitement that could not be concealed: "Remember that Xiaohongshu blogger I told you about before?"

"Oh~ April! That counter-attacking brother with abs, hehe, his photos are still in my album." Zhang Wenwen covered her mouth and chuckled, "What's wrong with him? Did he resume updating? Are there any racy photos?"

"Go away, you're too indecent." Zhang Yunjing smiled and shook her head: "We all thought he was just an ordinary programmer before, at most a motivational transformation blogger. I didn't expect him to have started his own business as a boss, and it seems he's developing very well. He's already started his own clothing brand and is inviting netizens to brainstorm together and witness the growth of the brand."

Zhang Wenwen looked at the post on her phone and frowned, "Wait, are you sure this isn't a marketing tactic? There are too many examples of such persona collapses now. An ordinary programmer, hasn't updated for more than half a year, suddenly says he's starting a brand, and it's developing well? Sounds a bit fake."

As an internet product operator, she was exposed to various internet gameplay and traffic operation tactics every day, and naturally carried a hint of vigilance towards this type of "counter-attack story."

Hearing this, Zhang Yunjing was also a bit suspicious, "This—"

Zhang Wenwen continued to add: "Could it be that some small brand is looking for him to cooperate, wanting to use his 'cultivation-style persona' to promote the product? After all, this wave of interaction is too strong, and it's easy to be led by the rhythm.

If I'm not mistaken, the next step might be to announce becoming the brand manager, focusing on the elite entrepreneur persona."

Zhang Yunjing didn't respond immediately, but lowered her head to flip through "April's" posts again, her fingertips sliding gently across the screen, looking back at the scenes page by page.

Fat loss, fitness, outfits, skincare, posture training—he seriously executed and replied to every suggestion from netizens, almost never perfunctory even once.

The content he shared was never about "showing off" or "boasting," but a record of real growth time and time again.

It was precisely this attitude that gave them, these cyber strategists, a full sense of harvest and participation.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Yunjing shook her head and said: "No, I think he's real."

"You've developed feelings for him, haven't you? You really treat him as an 'electronic pet' to raise? Now you want to upgrade to a 'cyber shareholder'?"

Zhang Yunjing's lips curled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of excitement and satisfaction: "That's right, and the early investment kind at that."

After speaking, she put down the coffee in her hand and began to type "da-da."

Under that post about the 【HEYISTUDIO】 Chinese name solicitation, she left her own suggestion:

"I think it can be called 'He Yi,' implying prominence and high-end, with the temperament of an independent designer brand, suitable for the future brand image."

The "electronic pet" raised online had actually started a business to make women's clothing and invited them to build it together.

This was not just an interaction, but a brand-new "cultivation game."

Her dressing style and consumption level fit the target population of "HEYISTUDIO" perfectly.

When she wears this brand's clothes in the future, it will surely be a great satisfaction and pleasure.

Thinking of this, an inexplicable excitement and expectation surged in her heart.

At the same time, in a high-end restaurant in Modu, in an office building in Hangcheng, on a crowded subway in Shencheng, in a university dormitory—in every corner of the city, one "cyber strategist" after another joined in to brainstorm.

Among them were workplace office workers, students, content creators, freelancers, and even celebrity artists.

In a certain small circle.

The brand 【HEYISTUDIO】 quietly spread.

5:37 AM, Yanjing Tiancheng.

Outside the window, it was still pitch black, and the city had not yet awakened.

Fine rain tapped against the glass window, making a slight "da-da" sound.

Tang Song slowly opened his eyes, his nose filled with a familiar and charming body scent, mixed with the chill of autumn and the unique warm breath of a young girl's skin, making him instantly sober.

Zhao Yaqian in his arms was still fast asleep, the faint light outlining her side-lying silhouette, quiet and gentle.

Tang Song couldn't help but lean over, kiss her soft cheek, and then lean close to her neck to take a deep breath.

The body scent optimized by 【Charm Fragrance】 was indeed addictive.

Getting out of bed lightly, looking at the rain outside the window, Tang Song walked into the cloakroom.

He changed his clothes and got up to go to the study.

First, he took out the treasured guitar gifted by Su Yu.

He turned on the lights and adjusted the color temperature and angle.

Then he set up the sports camera, adjusted the angle, and aimed it at the balcony floor-to-ceiling window.

Tang Song hugged the guitar and walked in front of the lens, then sat down.

Against the backdrop of the night, lights, and rain curtain outside the window, he became a silhouette.

Although his features couldn't be seen clearly, the tall and handsome lines were clearly visible, set off by his lazy and elegant temperament in the early morning,

full of charming appeal. His fair and slender hands glowed with luster, jumping on the dark guitar.

A gentle melody flowed from his fingertips, and the sound of rain outside the window gradually grew louder, the pitter-patter sound seeming to add a layer of background sound effects to this song.

Tang Song's voice was low and magnetic, accompanied by the guitar, and the whole room was immersed in a warm and slightly melancholy atmosphere.

The four-minute-plus singing of "Rainy Night in Manchester" ended.

Tang Song picked up the camera, previewed the shooting effect, and nodded with satisfaction.

He exported the video, edited it on the computer, added filters, and directly published the entire singing video to Douyin.

He hadn't posted on Douyin for a long time, so he started from the place he was most familiar with to make the account active again.

After that, it would be the Lamborghini and Xiao Xue's turn.

Besides that, he also planned to buy a high-end motorcycle.

One reason was his own interest, and the other was to better operate the account.

After doing all this.

Tang Song turned back into the room and picked up his phone to check.

Two unread messages entered his sight.

【Lingling: "o°*o Today is October 17th, Tuesday, light rain, 14~23°c, outfit suggestions are as follows—"】

【Lingling: "Senior, the paper pattern for the set of clothes you designed is already done. Today I will go to Huashang Clothing to make the sample."】

【"】

?

Tang Song's lips curled up, and he replied: "Thank you for your hard work, Lingling."

【Lingling: "It's not hard work, Senior has already paid, so you must enjoy the highest VIP treatment! The junior sister will respond to every request! (#

wink)"】

Chuckling, Tang Song said: "That's so good, then send a photo, the sexiest kind."

【Lingling: knocking (emoji)】

After a while.

【Lingling: photo. jpg】

Tang Song clicked to look, and sure enough, it was the junior sister's fitness photo again.

This time it was indeed much sexier than before.

The top was lifted, revealing a slender waist, forming a strong contrasting curve with the plump buttocks.

After fighting with emojis with Lingling on WeChat for a while, the sky outside the window gradually brightened.

It was still raining, just a bit more sparsely.

Tang Song stood by the balcony appreciating the morning rain, thinking about the details of the 【Third Stage Growth Plan Task】 in his mind.

HEYISTUDIO had already been founded, a design team had been assembled, and a supply chain and OEM system had been established.

The first batch of clothes, from design to production, would take at least half a month.

As an enterprise, Songmei Clothing could only promote this new brand on a large scale after the products were finalized.

And his advance promotion and co-creation on Xiaohongshu was also a process of deepening brand awareness, complementing each other.

【1 Branding】 should be completed soon.

There was also 【3 Capital Hunter】. Shen Yu Yan would accompany the team to Hangcheng today, and Yimai Technology should be foolproof. Next, after he finished the work in his hands, he could accompany Wen Ruan to Yangcheng.

Thinking of Yangcheng, it was inevitable to think of Zhang Yan.

Taking a deep breath.

Tang Song put away his phone and walked towards the master bedroom.

The room was still pitch black, and Zhao Yaqian should not have woken up yet.

Tang Song lightened his steps and walked into the bathroom.

Just as he stepped into the door, a naive and crisp "Ha!" suddenly sounded in his ear.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough to give someone a fright!

Tang Song turned his head abruptly and saw the figure hiding in the corner.

Wine-red long hair was draped over her shoulders, messy but sexy, and a cunning smile flashed in her eyes.

It is worth mentioning that she was only wearing a long, thin gauze top, and was wearing nothing on her lower body.

Her snow-white and delicate wine-glass legs glowed with a soft luster under the light, with smooth lines and charming curves.

Tang Song patted his chest, his tone exaggerated: "Are you trying to scare me to death?"

Zhao Yaqian covered her mouth and giggled, acting like a spoiled child while proudly saying: "Haha, you were scared by me, Brother Song. Hmph,

who told you to scare me last night."

Tang Song raised his eyebrows, reached out to pinch her thigh, and slid it slowly upward.

Zhao Yaqian's face flushed, and she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and wrapping her legs around his waist.

Their eyes met, and her eyes were full of love, like stars twinkling in the morning light, gentle and fiery.

The two fooled around for a while.

They stood in front of the mirror and began to wash their faces and brush their teeth together.

During this time, Zhao Yaqian always did some naughty little actions.

Hugging him from behind while he was brushing his teeth, deliberately throwing a towel at his face—laughter echoed in the air.

After washing up, the two went into the kitchen to make breakfast, eat, and send Tang Song out to work.

After 9:00 AM.

Yunxi Building, Songmei Clothing.

"Qiuqiu, morning."

"Morning."

"Good morning!"

Enthusiastic greetings from colleagues rang out one after another in the office.

Cheng Qiuqiu responded to each one; she had gradually adapted to this environment and learned to express kindness in the simplest way.

Sitting down at her seat, she opened the computer and logged into the internal collaboration platform.

A new message popped up: "Preliminary requirements for the 【HEYISTUDIO】 courier packaging design plan."

Below were attachments, reference images for competing packaging, a logistics cost analysis table, and user research data.

Cheng Qiuqiu browsed carefully for a long time.

Her fingers slid gently on the digital tablet, and her thoughts quickly transformed into sketches.

Because there was a complete "visual identification system," the design of the courier packaging would be much easier.

She already had some ideas before.

10:30 AM.

"Ding-dong—" the WeChat notification sound rang.

【Brother Junfeng: "Qiuqiu, are you free this weekend?"】

Cheng Qiuqiu pursed her lips and replied: "If I'm not working overtime, I should be free. What's wrong?"

【Brother Junfeng: "Our company's leadership has been very interested in motorcycles recently, and I plan to buy one too, to occasionally accompany the leadership out for a ride. You are an expert in this area, help me recommend one, and accompany me to pick up the car this weekend."】

Seeing the message, Cheng Qiuqiu hesitated for a moment and replied: "Okay, send me the budget and requirements, and I'll find time to help you choose."

She knew that Gao Junfeng was now the assistant to the vice president of the Zhongcheng Group, with a bright future, and buying a motorcycle was to expand his connections and social circle.

And as a friend, helping was a matter of course.

It's just that for some reason, she always felt a bit uneasy in her heart.

【Brother Junfeng: "OK, I'll send it to you later."】

Just at this moment, footsteps came from far to near.

"Ta-ta-ta—"

Cheng Qiuqiu looked up and saw Sun Youguang from the finance department walking over.

"Qiuqiu, Tang Zong has finished the meeting, he wants you to go to his office."

"Oh, okay." Cheng Qiuqiu nodded quickly, picked up the prepared USB flash drive on the table, and walked towards the president's office.

Yesterday morning, Tang Song arranged a task for her.

He asked her to organize the 【HEYISTUDIO】 brand visual identification system into a 3:4 ratio promotional image collection, with each one marked with usage scenarios and design logic.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

"Please come in."

The magnetic and familiar voice made her heartbeat accelerate uncontrollably.

Pushing open the door, Cheng Qiuqiu saw Tang Song sitting behind the desk at a glance.

An indescribable joy surged in her heart.

It seemed that as long as she saw him, even if she didn't say anything, she would feel very at ease and very happy.

"Come over, Qiuqiu." Tang Song beckoned to her.

"Mm." She responded softly, walked close to the desk, and handed over the USB flash drive in her hand, "This is the visual identification system data you wanted, I've already organized it."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Tang Song took the USB flash drive and inserted it into the computer.

Qiuqiu hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and still walked to his side, bent over slightly, pointed to the screen and said softly: "It's this folder."

As she approached, a faint, warm fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose. Tang Song's gaze shifted slightly, and he couldn't help but look at her more.

The loose long-sleeved T-shirt still couldn't hide the plump curves of her D-cup chest, and the tight pants outlined the plump and perky buttocks line to the fullest.

She just stood sideways quietly, from the soft shoulder line to the slender ankles, every inch of the arc appearing just right.

Sensing Tang Song's warm gaze, a hint of unnaturalness flashed in Cheng Qiuqiu's eyes, and she subconsciously lowered her head slightly.

Tang Song smiled, his left hand stretched out very naturally and rested lightly on her slender waistline.

Cheng Qiuqiu's body trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, the blush on her cheeks became more obvious, and her plump lips moved a few times, but she didn't say anything in the end.

He was helping her adapt to intimate contact between the opposite sex, treating her frigidity and psychological illness, which could be considered a sufficient reason.

Feeling Qiuqiu's soft waist.

Tang Song clicked on the folder and began to browse.

His brows went higher the more he looked, and a satisfied smile gradually appeared in his eyes.

A total of 8 images.

From LOGO evolution, color system, font specifications to auxiliary graphic applications, everything was available.

Not only was the content complete, but the aesthetics were online, and the details were handled very well.

Sensing Tang Song's slightly moving hand and the increasingly ambiguous atmosphere.

Qiuqiu swallowed, subconsciously changing the subject: "Tang Zong, are you planning to use these design drawings to make a proposal presentation to clients?"

"Not entirely." Tang Song shook his head, his fingers resting on her waist rubbing slightly as if unintentionally, "I plan to record the complete process of our HEYISTUDIO branding on Xiaohongshu simultaneously, inviting netizens to participate and witness it together."

"Xiaohongshu?" Cheng Qiuqiu was slightly stunned, then said seriously, "Then can I take a look? If needed later,

I can adjust the drafts appropriately according to Xiaohongshu's style."

Tang Song nodded happily: "Of course, I'll send you the ID on WeChat later."

His next post was to record and display this visual identification system of HEYISTUDIO in detail, so as to enhance the netizens' sense of substitution and participation.

The subsequent telling of the brand story also required a large amount of visual material. If Qiuqiu, this designer, participated directly, it would undoubtedly greatly improve efficiency and quality.

The two looked at the drawings in the office for a long time.

It wasn't until HR came to knock on the door that Qiuqiu left quickly.

Not long after returning to her workstation, she received a message from Tang Song on WeChat.

"April?" She whispered the name, a ripple rising in her heart.

She quickly picked up her phone and entered this ID into the search box of Xiaohongshu.

She quickly found the corresponding account.

Seeing the number of followers and the bio, a look of surprise appeared on her face.

What? Tang Song was actually a small internet celebrity? And it was a "listen to advice and transform" account?

This feeling was like discovering an idol's unknown hidden identity, with the contrast fully maximized.

Soon, she found Tang Song's first post, looking at the pictures and content above.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly.

【Very disappointed with my 25-year-old self, seeking transformation, listening to advice】

Qiuqiu held her breath and flipped through them one by one.

From weight loss, daily routine, diet, outfits, hairstyles, lifestyle habits—Qiuqiu became more shocked the more she looked, and more admiring the more she looked.

In this process, an ID account entered her sight.

【Su Yu's April】

It was very clear that the other party was a fan of Su Yu and Tang Song.

This account was unusually active in Tang Song's comment section, with her figure appearing under almost every post, her comments were witty,

the number of likes remained high, and she even established a fan group, vaguely having the momentum of a "fan leader."

As a senior member of the fan circle, Qiuqiu smelled the scent of a "fellow fan," and her eyes lit up.

She decisively clicked follow and sent a private message: "Hello, I am a die-hard fan of April, I want to join the fan group, is it possible?"