Chapter 562 - 1188: The ’80s Drama Queen is Forced to Become a Top Student (23)

Chapter 562: Chapter 1188: The ’80s Drama Queen is Forced to Become a Top Student (23)

"Let me put it this way. It’s no exaggeration to say that for any new style of mid-to-high-end clothing you see on the market, you can find the same model here!"

"We’ve been partners for a long time. Every time, we purchase goods worth tens of thousands, and we get a deal at a price others can’t match."

"I say, there’s no need for you guys to run all over the place. Just order a batch directly from the factory. You can lump your order in with ours from the Red Sun Clothing Mall and get the exact same price..."

His words swayed the others. Their eyes lit up, and they had the dazed, foolish look of people who hadn’t seen the world and were easily tempted.

The man at the wheel also chuckled and asked a few questions.

Manager Huang told him about the kids’ plan to run a stall over the summer break.

The man, who was called Xiao Zhang, exclaimed, "Wow, kids from the Capital City really are something else! Your mindset is so advanced. Still in school and already out here getting life experience?"

"You’ve got a good eye and a great idea. Nothing makes money like selling clothes..."

The moment Xiao Zhang opened his mouth, he rattled off a long list of benefits and rosy prospects for the clothing business.

How could the kids possibly resist?

All the things Sheng Leyun had drilled into them—her words about not fixating on money even when you’re surrounded by it—went in one ear and out the other, completely forgotten.

Sheng Leyun, on the other hand, simply maintained a placid smile and didn’t join in, gazing quietly out the window.

She had obtained a map of Jiang City back in the Capital City and had already familiarized herself with its major wholesale markets.

Jiang City was a coastal metropolis. For various reasons, it had become one of Xiahua’s earliest distribution hubs for all kinds of commodities. Its factory districts were numerous and dense, and its economy was growing at a breakneck pace.

Every day, droves of merchants flooded in to pick up inventory, which they would then sell all across the country.

Along the way, especially near the stations, they could see scores of people who had hired vehicles to ship and mail their parcels, big and small.

Xiao Zhang spent the entire ride praising and flattering them, taking every opportunity to show off how booming his company’s business was.

It was only a two-hour drive, but by the time they got out of the car, Gong Xiaofei and the others were already fawning over him, calling out "Brother Zhang" this and "Brother Zhang" that. They were just short of swearing an oath of brotherhood and making him their leader...

Sheng Leyun silently rolled her eyes, speechless.

Gong Zicheng chuckled softly. "Looks like Yunyun is pretty annoyed, huh?"

Sheng Leyun gritted her teeth. "Brother Cheng, I think we need to come up with a new series of math word problems. Specifically, on the ratio between cutting corners, profit margins, and sales volume!"

Gong Zicheng couldn’t resist ruffling the little girl’s hair. "Looks like our Yunyun has sensed there’s a problem?"

The two of them trailed behind the rest of the group, speaking in hushed tones. On the bustling street, only Third, who was also lagging a few steps behind, overheard them.

Sheng Leyun chuckled softly. "The problem is bigger than you think. I think Manager Huang is being taken for a complete ride."

"You can’t let feelings get in the way of business. The older generation knows from experience: the closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to get fleeced. And once they start, it becomes a habit!"

"You’re supposed to shop around before you buy anything, and that goes double for sourcing inventory. If there’s no competition, you have no leverage. Isn’t it possible that the Red Sun Clothing Mall’s business is so mediocre because they’re just picking up scraps from others and have grown complacent?"

"If they just want to make easy money without any effort, they’re bound to be weeded out sooner or later."

Gong Zicheng nodded in agreement. "People from the Capital City tend to be sentimental. I’d guess that as long as the products are decent enough, Manager Huang feels awkward about switching suppliers."

Every purchasing manager, no matter how dedicated they are to their company, has some ’gray’ income. And that becomes leverage the other side can use against them.

What’s more, they’ve had a tight grip on Manager Huang for the past three to five years. It’d be hard for him to switch even if he wanted to!

They didn’t say any more on the subject, but Third, who had been listening, was completely baffled.

He had always considered himself the smartest of the ten brothers and sisters, with a mind that was no less sharp than an adult’s.

But next to Sheng Leyun and Gong Zicheng, he felt remarkably average.

’Did I miss something on the way here?’

’But I was right next to Gong Zicheng the entire time.’

The guesthouse Xiao Zhang arranged for them was right across the street from the factory and was run by an employee’s family.

The guesthouse wasn’t large. It was a small, two-story building with about ten rooms per floor.

Xiao Zhang greeted the front desk clerk with practiced familiarity, grabbed the keys, and led everyone upstairs.

"Manager Huang called ahead and told us you were bringing a big group this time, so we saved a large dormitory-style room for you. It can sleep ten people."

"There’s also a quad and a triple."

Xiao Zhang then told them where to go for meals and where the bathing facilities were.

"You all get some rest first. I have to return the car to the company, and I have an appointment with another client. I promise I’ll clear my entire schedule for tomorrow to spend the day with you all..."

Sheng Leyun pursed her lips, mentally deconstructing Xiao Zhang’s words. ’First, he’ll make us wait a bit to give the impression that the factory is incredibly busy. Besides, we can’t get very far in just a few hours.’