The weather was still a bit cool in late April. Chen Li Shu and Wang Ai Xiang had changed into short-sleeved shirts, and then put on shop jackets over them. They wore jeans and Hui Li sneakers, and with their perfectly proportioned figures, they looked youthful and radiant.
The exhibition was located on the commercial street, only two to three hundred meters away from the 'Shu Se' clothing store.
When Chen Li Shu and Wang Ai Xiang arrived, besides the staff setting up the exhibition, people were already gathered outside the venue.
Zhao Xing Wang, Wang Da Zhu, and Li Qiang had already set up the booth. It was about four to five meters wide, with two rows of display racks placed side by side, hung with short-sleeved shirts.
On the left front side, a specially made display board stood tall, with the words "Pure Cotton Short-Sleeved Shirts, Lowest Price in the City" written prominently.
Not long after, several factory leaders, including Feng Wen You and Han Sheng Lin, also arrived. When they saw the display board Chen Li Shu had prepared, they were all taken aback.
Feng Wen You smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, you're really something. Not just anyone would dare to use that advertising slogan."
Factory Director Xu of the Glove Factory expressed some regret, "Who knew you'd make so many preparations? If I had known, I would have asked the staff to make a banner and hang it up too."
The glove factory's profits had been shrinking for the past two years, and by this year, they were facing a situation where expenses exceeded income. A large batch of gloves was piling up in the warehouse, and they didn't even have the money to invest in new production equipment. This exhibition might be their last chance to recoup their funds.
"Anyway, the exhibition runs for five days. Old Xu, it's not too late for you to do it now," Han Sheng Lin said with a smile. "I've truly witnessed it; Xiao Chen is very skilled in sales. When we went to the Yangcheng Trade Fair before, it was thanks to her help that the factory secured several large orders. I've always wanted to poach her, but now that Xiao Chen is developing so well, it indirectly proves my foresight, right? Haha!"
Factory Director Xu was surprised to learn that Chen Li Shu had attended the Yangcheng Trade Fair, and his opinion of her immediately changed.
Fortunately, their booths were adjacent, so he could learn more from her.
Gradually, the booths of other participating companies were also ready, and the exhibition officially opened at precisely nine o'clock.
Chen Li Shu watched as people began to enter, picked up a short-sleeved shirt, and started to call out, "Walk past, don't miss out! Factory wholesale, lowest price in the city! Original price ten, eight yuan for these short-sleeved shirts, now only five yuan ninety!"
Her loud call stunned the adjacent Factory Director Xu. This felt similar to how vendors at rural markets sold their goods.
Meanwhile, Director Guo, standing on the other side of Chen Li Shu's booth, felt an unspeakable disdain. As expected of a private enterprise, no matter how big they became, they still carried the bad habits of small vendors. This was an exhibition, not a rural market fair. Shouting like this lowered the overall class and was utterly embarrassing.
Because he disdained to associate with them, Director Guo even warned the staff around him, "We are at least one of the top two factories in the city. No one should learn from our neighbors, lest we shame the factory."
Wang Ai Xiang, standing relatively close to them, clearly heard Director Guo's words and was greatly angered.
What "big factory, small factory"? If the company's performance was good, why were they standing next to them? If they were truly proud, she would admire them if they packed up and left.
"Five yuan ninety, pure cotton short-sleeved shirts for only five yuan ninety! For five yuan ninety, you can't buy a loss or a scam. Madam, please come and take a look. The workmanship and quality of our short-sleeved shirts guarantee that they won't shrink or deform for at least three to five years."
As if to spite Director Guo, Wang Ai Xiang's hawking voice rose several decibels higher than before. "If the manufacturer hadn't gone bankrupt, we would never sell at this price. Everything is at wholesale price. We don't have much left, so first come, first served!"
Hearing her nonsensical words, Director Guo felt a toothache from anger.
What manufacturer went bankrupt?
Wasn't she cursing their factory?
But this was an exhibition, and in front of so many people, she hadn't named anyone directly. No matter how angry Director Guo was, he couldn't go forward to argue. He could only glare at Wang Ai Xiang resentfully.
Wang Ai Xiang continued to hawk, "Five yuan ninety, the whole venue is five yuan ninety. Catching this is earning. We don't have much left in total, we'll stop selling when it's gone. Once this opportunity is missed, it won't come again."
Her calls quickly attracted many people.
Chen Li Shu glanced in Wang Ai Xiang's direction and felt as if her job was already done.
"Is it really only five yuan ninety? Give me two."
"Madam, what size would you like?" Hearing someone wanting to buy, Zhao Xing Wang quickly called out.
Soon, the customer reported two sizes, and Zhao Xing Wang turned to find two shirts.
Chen Li Shu took the twelve yuan handed over by the customer, then took out two jiao from her handbag and returned the change.
"Can it be a little cheaper, dear?" another woman asked.
Wang Ai Xiang replied, "Auntie, this price is already selling at a loss. Before, when we wholesaled to others, they bought hundreds of pieces at this same price. It really can't be any cheaper."
The woman hesitated after hearing her words and handed over five yuan ninety. "Then give me one."
The short-sleeved shirts here were not only stylish, but she had also felt the fabric. They were pure cotton. If such shirts were sold in a department store, they would cost at least eight or nine yuan. Now, at only five yuan ninety, it was indeed a good deal.
Due to effective promotion and attractive prices, Chen Li Shu's booth soon became crowded.
"Give me two pieces too."
"I want three pieces."
"Can I get a further discount if I buy more?"
"..."
Everyone was talking at once. Wang Da Zhu was responsible for maintaining order, Wang Ai Xiang for dealing with customers, Zhao Xing Wang and Li Qiang for finding sizes, and Chen Li Shu was busy collecting money.
Factory Director Xu, standing nearby, watched Chen Li Shu's booth bustling with activity and began to feel anxious. If they maintained their proud demeanor now, they would be missing out on this great opportunity.
He turned and called over a factory employee who usually had a loud voice and instructed, "Learn from next door. Shout out loudly a few times too."
The employee, hearing that he was being asked to do such a thing, flushed and stammered, "Factory Director, I, I've never done this before. I can't bring myself to shout it out, and besides, I don't know what to shout!"
Factory Director Xu, being a quick thinker, glanced at Wang Ai Xiang's direction and said, "Place the two cheapest styles of gloves in the most conspicuous positions. Just announce the prices of those two styles to attract people first. Other styles will sell some as well."
The employee opened his mouth, still feeling embarrassed and wanting to refuse. However, he couldn't defy the factory director's orders. Finally, he closed his eyes and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Nylon gloves, fifty cents a pair, nylon gloves..."