Chapter 497 Ways of Cooperation
Xiao Lingyu asked the general manager of Junhao Hotel, Wan Congsong, to go back first.
Zeng Qinghua, who stayed behind, was nervous.
This time, he came to Taoyuan Village on a whim. If he could really cooperate with the farm, his shop would have a chance to come back to life.
Xiao Lingyu flipped through the information in her hand and looked at the boss of the Zeng family’s vegetable shop. She smiled and asked, “Boss Zeng, I heard that your family has been trading vegetables for several years, right?”
Boss Zeng nodded and said, “Yes.” After saying this, he thought for a moment and said, “In the past two years, a few large vegetable shops have appeared. They are the Qiao Family’s vegetable shops. Their boss came today.
“Their shops are several times bigger than mine. Their vegetables look fresher, and their prices are lower. Therefore, he has been getting all the business. If I don’t get the opportunity this, I’m afraid I’ll have to change careers and close the shop.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded, indicating that she understood, “With agricultural technology, the commercial farms offer big and beautiful crops. Boss Zeng, why don’t you get your stock from them?”
Boss Zeng said, “My family’s shop has always purchased from country farmers. However, after the competition came, I did try to get some stock from the commercial farms.
“However, most of my regulars preferred natural vegetables. They believe that vegetables from large-scale farms are pumped with ripening agents, hormones, pesticides, and so on.
“They did not purchase the commercial farm crops, and customers who wanted those crops would have purchased from stores bigger than mine. I only made that one purchase, but it had cost me a big loss. From then, I stopped purchasing from commercial farms.”
Therefore, his business was now in an awkward spot. His business was bleak, and the profit was too little. But if he closed down, he’d feel sorry for his regulars who had supported him for many years.
Therefore, he urgently needed this break.
Xiao Lingyu nodded, expressing her understanding
This was a contradiction in modern life. On one side, people clamored for green, pollution-free vegetables, but they were dissatisfied with the ugly appearance of farm vegetables.
In fact, the farm vegetables in the countryside were the best.
This was because most of the vegetables grown by the people in the countryside were grown for their own consumption. They rarely used pesticides and did not use ripening agents or the like.
Because of this, these kinds of natural vegetables were very unattractive. They were either small in size or had many small holes in the leaves.
On the contrary, the vegetables on the commercial farms were large in size. Many people would purchase these because they looked better.
Boss Zeng had been buying vegetables from the farmers for so many years. It showed a sense of responsibility for his customers.
Xiao Lingyu had asked Zeng Qinghua to stay because she had something to discuss with him.
Xiao Lingyu said, “Boss Zeng, I’m sure you’ve already found out about the sales patterns of my crops. I sell mostly high-end vegetables and fruits. They’re called noble vegetables and fruits. The price is much higher than ordinary vegetables and fruits.”
Boss Zeng nodded. He decided to come to Taoyuan Village because he had gone to Xing Yin County’s shop to try Xiao Lingyu’s crops before. The taste was amazing. Therefore, he was certain the crops had a big market in City Z. The price was high but as long as the quality was there, there would be customers. Plus, City Z had a lot more rich people than Xing Yin County. Xiao Lingyu knocked on the table and said very seriously, “I’ll tell you the truth. Originally, I wanted to open a franchise store in City Z, but I’m pregnant and about to give birth, so I don’t have any extra energy to do that. So, I’m going to cooperate with you directly!”
Hearing that, Boss Zeng immediately understood what Xiao Lingyu meant.
He suddenly widened his eyes and said in disbelief and excitement, “Boss Xiao, you… you mean I’m going to be your exclusive seller in City Z?!”
If that was really the case, it would be too shocking. However, it led to another worry. His shop was too small.
Xiao Lingyu nodded and said, “Yes, that’s the plan. You know that it’s almost harvest season for my crops. So I have to find the sales channels as soon as possible.
“Previously, my plan was to open my own shop. However, I’ve been busy with the pregnancy, so that has to be delayed. Boss Zeng, will you accept this exclusive right to sell my crops in City Z? If not…”
Boss Zeng answered excitedly, “Boss Xiao, I will!”
Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “Boss Zeng, don’t agree just yet. I’m not done.”
“Okay.” Boss Zeng restrained his emotions and said seriously.
“Boss Zeng, let me make it clear to you first,” Xiao Lingyu said seriously, “I’m cooperating with you and granting you the exclusive right to sell vegetables because I don’t have a shop. However, the exclusive right is only for a short period of time.
“After I give birth to a child, I’ll open my own shop. Basically, I’m going to use your shop to open a business market in City Z. Boss Zeng, is this cooperation deal okay for you?”
Boss Zeng’s expression froze. He was obviously disappointed.
Boss Zeng asked, “Boss Xiao, how short is this period?”
Xiao Lingyu estimated and said, “It should be three months.”
“That short?” Boss Zeng must be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed.
“But don’t worry, Boss Zeng. After my store is open, I will still work with Boss Zeng. It’s just that you won’t have the exclusive sales rights anymore,” Xiao Lingyu said, “According to my plan, there will be at most only two stores selling my stock in one place.”
Boss Zeng said with slight doubt, “But, won’t you collaborate with Junhao Hotel? So, that’s three stores already.”
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “I’m giving Junhao Hotel direct supply. It has nothing to do with the retail market.
“But, that is also exclusive cooperation. Only Junhao Hotel will get my crops in City Z. If there are other hotels who want my crops, they will have to go to my store or yours. Plus, the price is fixed no matter the amount they buy. That’s my rule.”
Her business method was very unique.
Boss Zeng finally understood.
He thought for a moment and said, “Boss Xiao, since I can continue to sell your crops at my store even after you open yours, I won’t have any problems with this deal.”
Xiao Lingyu commented in amusement, “Boss Zeng, you’re so confident in my crops.”
Boss Zeng scratched his head and said in embarrassment, “Because I’ve tasted them before.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded and said, “Okay. Since boss Zeng has no problem with this kind of cooperation, I’ll get someone to draw up a contract. After signing the contract, we’ll officially cooperate.” “Okay, no problem.” Boss Zeng nodded and said.
After Boss Zeng left in a happy mood, Gong Tianhao sat behind Xiao Lingyu and massaged her head and shoulders.
Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “This is nice! If I had known my husband would treat me so well, I would have agreed to the marriage a long time ago.”
Gong Tianhao laughed and said, “Don’t forget that I’ve asked you to marry me several times, but you rejected me and broke my heart.”
Xiao Lingyu said, “You can’t blame me for that. I always thought that you only pursued me for the sake of the child. You had an ulterior motive, so I naturally rejected you.”
Gong Tianhao, “…”
Alright, it was his fault. He thought that he could slowly win her over. But it turned out to be a big mistake. Fortunately, that mistake had been rectified, or else he would still be single.
Gong Tianhao smiled and said, “Now that we’re married, whenever you’re tired, I’ll give you a massage.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded happily and said, “Sure!”
When Mother Xiao returned, she saw the two in the courtyard. She looked around and asked curiously, “Didn’t you say that you’re going to call people over to discuss the collaboration? Have they left so soon?’
Xiao Lingyu nodded. She called these people over as a test of their character. She would never work with those who were arrogant or conceited.
Mother Xiao nodded and went to the kitchen to cook.
After Mother Xiao left, Gong Tianhao said, “Yu ‘Er, Zeng family’s vegetable store is a little small, right?” It was only 56 square meters, which was equivalent to one of Xiao Lingyu’s stores in the county town.
Xiao Lingyu’s crops would sell very well in City Z. After all, the market there was bigger. A small shop would not be able to handle such a booming business.
Xiao Lingyu leaned back on the recliner and said with her eyes closed, “I know. His shop is too small. However, we are only cooperating with him for the time being. We don’t know how things will be in the future. It doesn’t seem appropriate to request him to expand his shop.”
Gong Tianhao thought for a while and said, “How about we help him with the expansion? We can invest in his shop.”
Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “It’ll make things too complicated.” She didn’t want to be tied down by these complications in the future.
Gong Tianhao shook his head and said with a smile, “Don’t worry. It won’t be complicated. Leave it to me.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll leave it to you then.”
When Boss Zeng returned home, he still felt like he was dreaming.
He had hit the jackpot.
However, when he thought about how the exclusive sales rights were only temporary and only lasted for a short three months, he began to worry again.
When his wife saw this, she asked doubtfully, “What’s wrong? Why do you look so worried?”
Boss Zeng told his wife about the contract he had with Boss Xiao.
When his wife heard this, she said in amusement, “What are you worried about? So we’ll have three months of exclusive sales rights. It’s not like Boss Xiao will stop working with us after that. We will still cooperate with her!”
But Boss Zeng wasn’t so optimistic. “But when Boss Xiao opens her own shop, it’ll heavily impact our business. If all the customers abandon us and go to her shop, we’ll be knocked back to square one.”
His wife then asked seriously, “Honey, what are you thinking? Will you take this risk? You have to consider it carefully.
“However, if you ask me, Boss Xiao would have considered this problem since she chose to cooperate with us. Otherwise, wouldn’t that make her a vicious person?”.
Boss Zeng frowned and said, “That’s true. But…”
His wife reached out her hand to stop him and said boldly, “Honey, there are no buts. City Z is so big, and there are so many rich people. Boss Xiao already promised you there would only be a maximum of two shops carrying her stock in one city. Vegetables and fruits are daily consumables. The market is big enough for two shops.
“Moreover, you also said that even the people from the five-star hotel were rejected by Boss Xiao.
“City Z has many hotels, from five-star to one-star. They might need to get their stock from us in the future. Honey, we’ve tested the crops from Boss Xiao before. They are worth the price, and we know the rich will definitely pay for them.”
Speaking up to this point, his wife paused, thought for a moment, and then said, “I heard that in Xing Yin County, there is only one hotel Boss Xiao cooperates with. Because of this, the reputation of that hotel has spread to City Z. Therefore, many hotels are now looking for cooperation with Boss Xiao.”
Boss Zeng immediately reacted. His eyes lit up. He patted his head and said with a smile, “You’re right. Boss Xiao said that she’d only cooperate with Junhao Hotel. Then, there will only be two shops carrying her stuff in City Z, one is hers, and the other is ours. Yes. The market in City Z is large. We can do this.
“If Boss Xiao is a vicious person and only wants profit, she wouldn’t have chosen to collaborate with just the two of us. “In a way, we’ll still have the exclusivity.” Boss Zeng’s wife said, “Yes.”
That night, Boss Zeng received an inexplicable phone call telling him that someone wanted to invest 150,000 RMB into his business to expand his shop. Boss Zeng was cautious, so he rejected it.
Unexpectedly, the next day, the other party came directly to his door and repeated the same offer. His current store was too small to handle the customers that would be brought by Taoyuan Village’s vegetables and fruits.
The man directly introduced himself as Xiao Lingyu’s agent.
The man listed all the pros and cons for Boss Zeng. Boss Zeng thought about it and agreed.
