Twenty-five clients were in the first batch of visitors, and by the end, eight had paid and signed contracts on the spot.
Chen Lishu had initially hesitated, considering that the three thousand yuan franchise fee might be an entire family's savings for an ordinary household, potentially causing most people to give up.
However, she had underestimated everyone's enthusiasm for making money.
As the reform and opening-up policy accelerated, a portion of people around them had already become prosperous, and the term "ten-thousand-yuan household" was gradually becoming known.
Now, with someone teaching them hand-in-hand how to do business, and it being a guaranteed profitable venture, it was natural to sign up sooner rather than later. Who knew if they would still be accepting franchise stores once the number of participants was met?
After signing the contracts, Chen Lishu handed over the task of guiding everyone in opening their stores to Zhao Xingwang and Li Qiang.
She and Nan Haitao were preparing to travel to Kyoto and Shanghai.
Previously, Chen Lishu had known about big brands entering the market, with different department stores charging different fees. Typically, only first-tier department stores collected entrance fees, along with other arrangements like revenue sharing, but she wasn't clear on the specific details.
Nan Haitao only had a general understanding, so they planned to conduct practical, on-site investigations.
"You're going to Kyoto and Shanghai?" Gu Xingdong paused with the child in his arms. His intuition as a man told him this matter was definitely not simple.
Without showing it, he casually asked, "Who else is going?"
"Nan Haitao and I."
"Just the two of you?"
Chen Lishu, while packing, replied without lifting her head, "Also, a young designer from the design department, Xiao Sun. Aunt Yuan is getting older, and taking her along will help her better understand market demands."
Gu Xingdong looked down and kissed his daughter, smiling, "Our Xiaobai is such a good baby."
The stubble on his chin tickled Xiaobai's chubby face, causing her to wrinkle her small brow in distaste.
Even without looking back, Chen Lishu knew he was in a good mood.
"The estimated business trip duration is half a month. We'll go to Shanghai first, then to Kyoto. It's also a good time for Ruirui to start school next month, so I'll pick him up on the way back."
During dinner, Chen Lishu briefly mentioned her upcoming business trip.
Wu Chunmei listened with some concern, "Half a month? The two children are still young. Can't you let your subordinates handle it?"
Gu Xingdong said, "Mom, this is Lishu's first time setting up a factory; she needs to learn and see many things. Besides, I'm here at home. It will be fine once things are on track."
Seeing Gu Xingdong's support for his daughter, Wu Chunmei said no more.
Chen Lizi tilted her head, "Eldest Sister, I really want to go to Kyoto and Shanghai too."
Wu Chunmei said, "Your eldest sister is going for important business. You shouldn't just jump to conclusions."
Chen Lishu smiled and stroked her little head, "I heard they sell dolls there, the kind you can comb their hair and change their clothes. I'll buy one for you when I get back, Eldest Sister."
"Really?" Chen Lizi had never seen such a doll before, but listening to Chen Lishu's description, she was already very excited.
The next day, Chen Lishu, Nan Haitao, and Sun Chang set off for Shanghai.
Sun Chang was a designer introduced by Li Yuanchao. Chen Lishu had spent a considerable amount of money to poach her from another factory. She had studied fashion design and even spent a year in advanced studies in Hong Kong. Her design style was relatively avant-garde and bold, perfectly complementing Yuan Lihua's classic and conservative approach.
Xiao Sun was about Chen Lishu's age, with large eyes, full lips, and healthy, tan skin, belonging to the beautiful "dark pearl" type.
The three of them had purchased sleeper tickets, and the environment was vastly better than when Chen Lishu and Gu Xingping had visited before.
Upon disembarking, a Mr. Zhang, a friend of Nan Haitao's, came to pick them up.
As soon as they met, the man said, "I was genuinely surprised to hear about your resignation and going solo."
Nan Haitao smiled and made introductions, "This is the Zhang Manager from the textile factory I told you about."
The man was the sales manager of a textile factory. He and Nan Haitao had been university classmates and had maintained contact over the years.
"And these are our factory's CEO, Chen, and designer Sun."
When the man saw Chen Lishu and Sun Chang, his gaze momentarily faltered.
Sun Chang was voluptuous and stunningly flamboyant, and her clothing choices were quite bold.
Her dark skin paired with a bright yellow dress made her stand out in the crowd.
She had been receiving many admiring glances since they exited the station.
However, she herself did not seem to mind.
Compared to her aggressively beautiful appearance, Chen Lishu's attire was understated, but her气质 was prominent. She was the kind of woman who was immediately pleasing to the eye, and the second glance compelled one to look more.
Realizing his rudeness, the man quickly apologized, "My apologies, the two ladies are truly outstanding."
His tone was sincere, and his gaze held admiration, without any offensive or vulgar thoughts.
Chen Lishu smiled and extended her hand, "Hello, Manager Zhang."
"Hello, CEO Chen," the man replied, shaking her hand briefly before releasing her fingers.
"It's hot, and this isn't a good place to talk. I've booked a hotel for you. Shall we head over first?"
Nan Haitao nodded.
Not long after, Manager Zhang called for a taxi and stated a hotel name.
Nan Haitao had called the man before their arrival, so he had booked two rooms in advance.
After putting their luggage away and freshening up, the three of them went downstairs to the first-floor restaurant.
The man glanced at his wrist and said, "Haitao already told me the purpose of your visit before I came. I've also done some inquiring. Influenced by the film and television works from Hong Kong, more and more people are following trends and pursuing branded apparel. However, many major brands are smuggled in, and most large department stores don't carry them. Currently, there are only two places selling them."
The man then named the two locations.
"The prices are outrageously high. Sunglasses alone range from dozens to hundreds of yuan. Do you know Pierre Cardin? They held a fashion show in Kyoto before. Some brands I can't even name; a single shirt costs over a hundred yuan."
The man shared all the information he had.
He then checked his watch again and apologized to Nan Haitao, "There are some urgent matters at the factory these past two days, and I really can't get away. If you're not in a hurry, I can personally take you there in a couple of days."
Nan Haitao replied, "Thank you so much for this. You go ahead and handle your business. We'll likely be here all week. We can catch up properly when you have time."
After the man left, the three of them didn't rush to the places he had mentioned. Instead, they returned to their rooms to rest well for the night, preparing to go the next day.
The following day, the three of them tidied themselves up, gathered the clothing samples they had brought, and then left the hotel.
Shanghai truly lived up to its reputation as a bustling metropolis. Yesterday, after two to three days on the train, they were exhausted and hungry, with no mind to properly observe their surroundings.
On both sides of the wide roads, they could see many advertisement walls, two to three stories high, featuring tractors with five-pointed stars, soap advertisements with beautiful women, and posters for watches and movies – all sorts of diverse and varied displays.