Volume 3: Taking Roots 2016 Chapter 722 People are afraid of being famous and pigs are afraid of being fat
"What the hell?! Boss, isn't this the classmate you used to work with? Is he worth 10 billion?"
Inside a factory warehouse in Gu Town, boxes of underwear of various colors are piled up everywhere. These are the most famous local specialties of this famous underwear town.
At this moment, inside the factory warehouse, there was a very rhythmic and continuous sound of machines typing.
There was a row of computers in the middle of the warehouse, and each computer was equipped with a courier printer, which was printing out orders continuously.
And a young man with ordinary looks and black-framed glasses was watching all this with contentment. Who else could it be but Zhang Xuhui?
After parting ways with Zhou Dongsheng and being silent for a while, Zhang Xuhui, unwilling to be ordinary, soon started to return to his old business.
Relying on a little start-up capital scraped together from here and there, Zhang Xuhui once again plunged into the field of e-commerce. Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps Zhang Xuhui was simply extraordinary, and he soon made a comeback in business.
After Pinduoduo came out of nowhere, Zhang Xuhui's keen business sense quickly found a business opportunity.
As a famous underwear town, Guzhen has hundreds of factories. Every factory will more or less face the problem of warehouse backlog of goods. The reasons may be old styles, returns, or more simply, too much production cannot be sold.
These old and accumulated goods are known as "dead goods" locally. Once the goods lose their liquidity, they naturally have no value.
If I try to sell them, they won't sell and they'll just take up space in the warehouse. If I sell them directly as scrap to a fabric merchant who specializes in recycling scraps, it won't be cost-effective, after all, these goods are finished products!
Even though the labor cost for each piece is only a few cents, when accumulated, the dead stock piled up in each factory is counted in the hundreds of thousands. When calculated this way, it is also a considerable figure.
If they are disposed of at the price of scraps, they will be sold by tons. How much money would a ton of scraps of cloth cost at most?
As the saying goes, where there is demand, there is a market. The huge inventory of dead goods in factories naturally gave rise to middlemen who recycle dead goods in the market. They have their own sales channels for the goods that the factories cannot sell.
Whether it is the itinerant merchants walking the streets or the mobile vendors who use the ever-popular "bankruptcy clearance sale" method to sell, no one will refuse such cheap goods.
This is a typical example of snakes having their own ways and rats having their own paths.
After Zhang Xuhui learned about the dead-end product recycling business by chance, he immediately discovered that Pinduoduo, which focuses on low prices and affordable products, was a sales channel tailor-made for him!
The so-called problems of outdated styles are not a problem for Pinxixi, as long as the prices are cheap enough!
Isn’t the biggest advantage of dead stock is that it’s cheap?
Even with the delivery cost included, the cost price of a single pair of underwear doesn't even exceed 1 yuan. As long as it can be sold, it's a sure-win business!
Compared with the steady sales speed of offline channels, e-commerce channels that undoubtedly have more potential to create miracles.
Zhang Xuhui, who had already tasted success once, and who had been influenced by Zhou Dongsheng, was able to understand things quickly when he tried again.
They soon figured out a very eye-catching approach and started testing the waters on Pinxixi by launching the slogan "3 yuan per piece, 9.9 yuan for 3 pieces with free shipping."
Unexpectedly, this marketing strategy was so effective that it became a huge success on Pinduoduo. The dead goods that were originally piled up in the hands of the factories were transformed into popular and sought-after goods on Pinduoduo.
Between these two, the sales profit has increased by more than ten times, not to mention the huge advantages of e-commerce in collecting payment and capital turnover...
In a short time, Zhang Xuhui revitalized the dead goods! With Gu Town as a big industrial town, the piles of dead goods were his gold mine!
Zhang Xuhui, who had been successful once, was well aware of the principle that speed is of the essence in war. He believed that the brave will die of overeating while the timid will die of starvation. Eager to turn things around, Zhang Xuhui borrowed a large sum of money from everywhere.
While renting warehouses, they also recycled a large amount of dead stock, and at the same time recruited young people who understood e-commerce and opened a large number of stores on Pinxixi. In this way, the prototype of a complete closed business loop was born.
Relying on the advantage of large volume and small profits, Zhang Xuhui now sends out tens of thousands of express deliveries every day. Relying on this advantage, the unit price of express delivery can be further lowered.
As time went by, the business snowballed naturally. In time, it was only a matter of time before he could catch up with his past achievements.
For a while, Zhang Xuhui was full of infinite fantasies about the future. Maybe one day he could surpass Zhou Dongsheng...
However, just as he was immersed in beautiful hopes for the future, a scream brought Zhang Xuhui back to reality.
One of his customer service staff was holding up his mobile phone screen and shouting. Zhang Xuhui subconsciously looked at him and saw Zhou Dongsheng's extremely familiar face. Of course, he could not forget it.
But when he saw the headline of the news clearly, even he couldn't help but gasp.
"Billionaire?!"
"Yes, boss. Didn't you say before that you two were doing business together? Why did you break up later? If you hadn't broken up, would you have been able to benefit from it?"
The customer service below said this with a look of amazement, but the speaker may not have intended it, but the listener took it to heart. These words were like an invisible sharp blade, stabbing Zhang Xuhui in the heart.
An infinite regret suddenly surged into my heart. In short, I was extremely regretful and had mixed feelings.
If I had not chosen to listen to slander and been blinded by greed, what would my situation be like now as I followed Zhou Dongsheng?
But who can I blame? There was once a broad road in front of me, but I didn't take it. Instead, I narrowed my own path. Now I have nothing but my own fault.
Fortunately, I now have a new career...
Zhang Xuhui took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Then he glanced at the customer service representative who was still daydreaming and couldn't help feeling angry.
"Why are you playing with your phone while at work? I'll fine you!"
…
On the other hand, the Wulikanhua Company, which is located in the same town not far away, is now run in an orderly manner under the leadership of Ms. Liu Huaiying.
In Guzhen, an industrial town, most of the factories are "family businesses". However, in general, family businesses have young successors who take over the father's business.
But like seeing flowers in the fog, the old one acts as the "successor", which is as poisonous as a scorpion's shit even in Gu Town.
Fortunately, the business Zhou Dongsheng left behind was big enough, and Liu Huaiying adhered to the management strategy of not seeking credit but avoiding mistakes, so he managed to preserve this foundation.
At the same time, it also gives his life a little more direction, so that he doesn't stay at home idle and bored. Now Liu Huaiying's life is so comfortable.
Either stay in the company, or meet up with old sisters to drink tea, play mahjong, or dance square dance.
In addition, his son was promising, and Liu Huaiying's ears were almost callused from the constant praise and envy.
But as a mother, she says one thing but does another. I never get tired of hearing her say that, and even the wrinkles on her face become more and more prominent when she laughs.
At this time, Liu Huaiying had nothing to do and was strolling around the company. A young man bravely handed a mobile phone to Liu Huaiying like offering a treasure.
"Sister Liu, look, this is the boss's news. The news says that the boss is a self-made grassroots billionaire, and many people are praising him..."
When Liu Huaiying heard the news about Zhou Dongsheng, he couldn't help but smile. He took out his reading glasses from his pocket and put them on. He took a closer look and saw that it was indeed Zhou Dongsheng. A smile broke out on his face.
"Hey, this kid has made such a big name outside. He loves to show off and do all kinds of nonsense all day long. It's really..." Liu Huaiying muttered a few words habitually.
Then he said, "Xiao Zhang, please send me this news."
Such good news, shouldn’t I send it to my old sisters?
"Okay, Sister Liu, I'll send it to you right away..." Xiao Zhang forwarded the news to Liu Huaiying with a smile, and Liu Huaiying nodded with satisfaction.
Then he patted Xiao Zhang on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Zhang, you have done a good job. Keep up the hard work. The future of the company still depends on the hard work of young people like you..."
"Don't worry, Sister Liu. We will definitely work hard. When the boss comes back, can we ask him to come to the company? The boss is my idol, and I want to take a photo with him..."
Xiao Zhang scratched his head and said a little shyly.
"Well, I'll ask Dongsheng when he comes back. It should be fine. Go to work." Liu Huaiying waved his hand, then turned and walked back to his office, while forwarding the news to a group called "Flowers Bloom and Fortune Comes".
"Oh my, I don't know what Dongsheng is up to. He's even on the news. I don't really understand it..."
"He loves to show off all the time. Do you think I should give him a call and talk to him about it? He never restrains himself..."
The old ladies in the group are naturally envious. At their age, what else can they hope for? They just hope that their children can be successful.
There is no doubt that Liu Huaiying is the most outstanding one, and unknowingly, Zhou Dongsheng has already become the "other people's child" that they talk about.
The news that there was such a capable man in the town who had a net worth of tens of billions at such a young age quickly spread throughout the entire Gu Town and became a topic of discussion among everyone after dinner and tea.
People are afraid of becoming famous just like pigs are afraid of getting fat. As the news spread, some people with ulterior motives also set their sights on Zhou Dongsheng.
Such a young and promising person, shouldn’t he make some contribution to his hometown?
Whether it was donating money to build roads or adding bricks and tiles to the school, people heard the news and took action. When they couldn't contact Zhou Dongsheng, they took the initiative to find Liu Huaiying.
Liu Huaiying couldn't help but feel troubled. She would naturally not do such a thing as taking over other people's business. She could only say that she would discuss it with her son and make a decision then .
Then another call came to Zhou Dongsheng.
As soon as the phone was connected, Liu Huaiying started with a barrage of greetings.
"You've really grown wings. You haven't called your mother much this whole year. You still have to ask me to call you. Have you forgotten that you have a mother?"
As soon as they came to question him, Zhou Dongsheng immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"How dare I? I'm just a little busy with business. I'll book the fastest flight home and apologize to you in person..." Zhou Dongsheng said slickly.
"Mom knows you are busy with business, but you still have to take care of your health. Health is the capital of revolution. No matter how much money you make if your body is damaged, it will be meaningless. Mom doesn't ask you to be rich and powerful. The most important thing is that you are safe and sound..." Liu Huaiying changed the subject and began to mutter a few words out of habit.
Zhou Dongsheng was also enjoying it after not hearing his mother's nagging for a long time. He responded cheerfully and then continued, "It just so happens that I have nothing to do recently. Mom misses me, so I'll take a vacation and buy a plane ticket to go home..."
"No need. You young people have your own world and career. Just remember to go home for the New Year. When you find me a wife and give birth to a big fat grandson, I won't have to worry about you anymore..." Liu Huaiying brought up the old matter again.
"One is not enough. With your son's ability, he must have married three or five concubines, and given birth to a grandson who joins the football team and a granddaughter who joins the cheerleading team..." Zhou Dongsheng joked with a grin.
"You are such a frivolous boy. You are so proud of yourself after making so much money, right? You learn bad habits instead of good ones... But if you really have the ability, even if you find a foreigner, I, your mother, will not object."
He spoke sharply at the beginning, but suddenly changed the subject later. Even Zhou Dongsheng staggered and almost sprained his waist.
I have to say, my biological mother is indeed my biological mother!
"Ahem, son, I will work hard to bring glory to my country and give you a mixed-race grandson. I heard that mixed-race grandsons have more advantages, and that pretty one..." Zhou Dongsheng continued to talk in a flowery way.
"Okay, then I'll be proud to take your grandson out. A mixed-blood grandson is unique in this area. Oh, and there's something else I want to tell you."
Liu Huaiying agreed very readily. As long as it was a grandson, it would be fine, no matter whether he was a foreign or white boy, the old lady would accept him. Anyway, with her son's current ability, she couldn't control him even if she wanted to.
Zhou Dongsheng didn't expect that the fame would spread to his hometown, but as for giving back to his hometown, Zhou Dongsheng had to do it even without being told by others.
After all, "If you are poor, you should take care of yourself; if you are rich, you should help the world" is nothing more than this truth.
The world is so big, so we have to start from our hometown, right?
It’s just that because it is his hometown, Zhou Dongsheng, as a local, naturally knows the nature of that small piece of land very well.
Simply donating money is certainly satisfying, but there is a question mark as to how much effect it can have. If you want to do it, you have to do something practical.
It just so happened that I was planning to spend money to do something big, so it was natural for me to include my hometown in the plan.
"No problem, mom. Isn't it my duty to give back to my hometown? I'll take care of this matter when I get back. I promise to give you a nice answer!"
"It's enough that you have this heart..."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Dongsheng hung up the phone. Just as he was thinking for a moment, Li Jiana pushed open the office door and walked in.
"Chairman, the media has prepared a personal interview with you. What do you think?"
"Let's go!" Zhou Dongsheng stood up readily. Since he had chosen to take the limelight, Zhou Dongsheng had naturally prepared himself mentally.
