Chapter 199: Chapter 198: Taking the Entrance Exam for the Provincial University
Shi Yang drove himself to the provincial capital this time, wearing a comfortable casual outfit. Upon arrival, he changed into a high-end business suit at Wang Tianyu’s place, carrying a briefcase, and instantly transformed into a successful young entrepreneur.
This time, he was going to meet the head of recruitment for a new mother-infant brand.
The head of recruitment was a man from Wenzhou named Mu Guangping. Short in stature, he was plump and fair-skinned, with small eyes. He loved to smile when meeting people, his lips curling up, and his eyes narrowing into slits, giving him a particularly cheerful look.
Mu Guangping used to be a promotional lecturer at a major men’s clothing company. He gradually worked his way up to headquarters, eventually becoming the general manager. After accumulating a sum of money over the years, he decisively registered the current mother-infant brand, and has already opened three chain stores locally in Wenzhou with booming sales. This spurred the idea of expanding and strengthening the brand, and he is sincerely inviting franchisees.
Since he is currently in the early stages of expansion and does not trust the important work to outsiders, he personally manages the recruitment project. He came over this time intending to find investors and franchise partners, acting as general agents for the province and municipality.
Wang Tianyu got to know Mu Guangping due to a small accident.
Previously, while following Shi Yang’s instructions to send someone to inspect the fast-food project at Li Shuren’s Naughty Castle, the person was hit by Mu Guangping’s car while crossing the road, resulting in a fractured left leg. The car Mu Guangping was driving was rented temporarily and had no insurance.
Wang Tianyu met Mu Guangping when discussing compensation, but their deeper understanding came through Mu Guangping’s partner, who accompanied him from their hometown in the south and acted as a bridge. Mu Guangping’s partner was Wang Tianyu’s high school classmate.
With this connection, Mu Guangping generously compensated for the medical expenses, and Wang Tianyu warmly entertained the couple. At the dinner table, they talked about the recruitment for the mother-infant brand.
Having worked with Shi Yang for so many years, Wang Tianyu developed a keen sense of business opportunities. That very night, he hurriedly called Shi Yang to report the matter and, acting as a middleman, connected Shi Yang with Mu Guangping.
After a brief phone conversation with Mu Guangping, Shi Yang decided to meet him in person. If possible, he also wanted to visit the south for an on-site inspection.
Through Wang Tianyu, Mu Guangping learned of Shi Yang’s "abundant funding" background and was further impressed by Shi Yang’s eloquence over the phone. Though they had not yet met, he had already considered Shi Yang the ideal candidate for the provincial agency, naturally valuing him highly.
To entertain Shi Yang, Mu Guangping hosted a banquet, where Shi Yang, Wang Tianyu, and Mu Guangping had a lively meal together.
At the dinner table, after Shi Yang and Mu Guangping exchanged complimentary remarks about each other as "young talents" and "promising youths," they got down to business.
Mu Guangping took out all the information and brochures of the mother-infant stores and explained them while flipping through.
Shi Yang then learned that the chain stores under Mu Guangping’s brand included not only mother and child clothing and baby products but also toys for infants and toddlers, daily necessities, food, and children’s photography.
The range was extensive, covering all aspects of a child’s needs from pregnancy to kindergarten, providing a one-stop-shop experience.
Mu Guangping took a sip of wine, nodded, and said to Shi Yang, "Don’t underestimate this project as an emerging industry. It has already been popularized abroad. Now, whose money is easiest to earn? Besides catering, it’s children’s consumption. In today’s families, with one child, two parents, four grandparents, and a whole host of relatives, isn’t all the family money ultimately spent on the child?"
Mu Guangping tapped his chopsticks on the wine glass, tracing a line in the dish: "If the brand is established, in just one year, as a provincial agent, you can net this amount, and this is a conservative estimate."
Seeing Shi Yang and Wang Tianyu nod, Mu Guangping continued, "The headquarters store in Wenzhou officially opened this year. Besides stocking goods, I invested heavily in advertising, so once you join, I can personally handle brand planning and guidance."
Mu Guangping brought out a tablet to show Shi Yang a glimpse of his factory and store setup at the headquarters, and then meticulously explained the requirements for brand franchising and the subsequent detailed operational plan.
Mu Guangping’s final suggestion was for Shi Yang to secure the sales channel in the provincial capital himself. As for the business in the municipality and county, it should be franchised entirely, allowing him to earn commissions. Opening too many stores can be mentally and physically draining, with excessive initial investment and potential cash flow issues during re-stocking, which could impact future operations.
Shi Yang lowered his eyes, pondered, and finally discussed with Mu Guangping for a while. They decided to buy plane tickets the next day to head directly to the headquarters in Wenzhou for on-site inspection.
Back in the hotel that evening, Shi Yang took a quick shower and, when the time was about right, called Zhao Meimei.
The call was almost immediately connected as soon as it went through.
Zhao Meimei’s voice came through the phone: "Brother! Why did you just call? I was watching the time, you’re five minutes later than yesterday."
Listening to her sweet little complaint, Shi Yang smiled with curved lips, "What, did you miss me?"
Zhao Meimei immediately whined, "Missed you so much! Brother, when are you coming back?"
Shi Yang chuckled with his eyes, "I just got here, I can’t come back immediately. I’m planning to go to Wenzhou tomorrow, it’ll probably take four or five days back and forth."
Zhao Meimei grumbled, "...Hmm."
Shi Yang smilingly mused, "How about this, when you have summer vacation, I’ll take you on a trip to relax, how does that sound?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Meimei was thrilled, "Really?"
Shi Yang replied, "Really, when have I ever lied to you."
Zhao Meimei’s laughter of joy came through the phone.
Shi Yang couldn’t help but chuckle along, and after they laughed together for a while, Shi Yang suddenly asked, "Meimei, have you thought about which university you want to apply to in the future?"
Zhao Meimei hadn’t considered this question at all. Caught off guard, she paused before answering truthfully, "I don’t know."
Shi Yang earnestly discussed his thoughts with Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, with your grades, you can definitely get into a key national university, and your choices are wide, but after your university graduation, you’ll definitely marry me, and we’ll live together. My career will be based in the provincial capital, so our home will be there as well. I’m thinking, when it comes to college applications, how about choosing a university in the provincial capital?"