Chapter 22 Full of Harvest

"Auction show production is simple—you just find a model, a location, and take pictures according to my specifications before doing some editing," Cheng Zhu said.

He knew that wasn't what Wang Anquan wanted to hear.

But how could I possibly discuss the unspeakable on a taxi ride, in front of an outsider like the taxi driver?

Wang Anquan wanted to speak several times but decided against it.

Cheng Zhu patted him on the shoulder and said, "Given the unique nature of our products, it's not really convenient to go to a photography studio."

Cheng Zhu suddenly remembered that nowadays, with the rise of ecommerce, photography studios were becoming quite popular.

Such studios are large areas filled with numerous scenery setups, used as backdrops for product photography.

"Well-run photography studios can be quite profitable," he thought. It had been a decent way to make money in recent years.

Hearing this, Wang Anquan's heart began to race. If it's inconvenient to have the auction show in public places, then those were the places to go.

Seeing that Wang Anquan's imagination had kicked in, Cheng Zhu mischievously added, "The shooting scene should also feel homey, you know—like a sofa, a bed, a bathroom sink, inside a bathtub…"

"No, Brother Zhu! If you go to these places to shoot our kind of products, would it be... inappropriate for me to be there?" Wang Anquan stumbled over his words.

"Wow, you sure know your stuff!"

"Since you're so sensible, make sure you don't come then!" Cheng Zhu said with a smirk.

...

...

The taxi driver was recklessly weaving through traffic and overtaking other vehicles, quickly bringing them to their destination.

As they got out of the taxi, Wang Anquan took advantage of the absence of others and mustered the courage to ask, "Brother Zhu, could I see your masterpiece when it's done?"

Damn it, you're still thinking about the photoshoot?

"For that attitude, you'll be the first to see it!" Cheng Zhu grandly gestured.

After all, an auction show is meant to be seen, so what's the big deal?

At this moment, they arrived at their second factory visit, which was slightly larger than the first.

The owner, a man in his forties, was neither warm nor enthusiastic and firmly refused to engage in drop shipping.

Cheng Zhu didn't mind too much and left the place with Wang Anquan straight away.

"Look down on us, will you!" Wang Anquan was somewhat displeased.

"No big deal, I've already told him where we got our samples from," Cheng Zhu mentioned.

"And then?" Wang Anquan asked.

"Nothing much after that, just that he might find out one day that this factory's machines are smoking from overwork, with workers pulling double shifts," Cheng Zhu said, a hint of authority creeping into his voice.

Wang Anquan got the message and gave a rating: "Six out of ten!"

Cheng Zhu wasn't surprised by the factory owner's attitude.

In his past life, Cheng Zhu was engaged in ecommerce in Wu City, home to a globally famous small commodities market with abundant supplies.

He had deep private relationships with many charming female owners there.

He had often heard them complain that many would visit the market under the guise of picking up samples when in reality they were just freeloading, with no real intention to place orders.

Experiences like these could change a businessman's mindset.

This factory owner, being in his forties, had a somewhat rigid way of thinking and probably couldn't stomach Cheng Zhu's grand vision.

That afternoon, despite the scorching summer heat, he and Wang Anquan finished visiting the three factories planned, plus one extra.

Eventually, Cheng Zhu felt the first one was the best.

In fact, after visiting the first factory, Cheng Zhu had already felt it met their needs.

But person always think there might be something better next.

And in business, it makes sense to explore widely.

You can't just settle on the first factory and then call it a day, can you?

He always remembered a line from "Magic Lotus Lamp", spoken by Jiao Enjun's character Erlang Shen while admonishing Chen Xiang during training.

It went something like, "If you always think it's 'good enough,' then when it really matters, you will always be just a little bit short."

In Cheng Zhu's mind, Erlang Shen in that show was truly a paragon of the "tragically strong."

"People would rather believe the Magic Lotus Lamp is broken than believe that Erlang Shen, who can wield its power, is a kind-hearted person."

"Now here in Guan Yun County, I have to listen to what Erlang Shen of Guan River Mouth has to say," Cheng Zhu thought, his mind making odd leaps of logic and superstition.

At that moment, he and Wang Anquan were starving.

They found a small eatery, and despite the food not being great, they ended up eating a lot.

"Brother Zhu, why don't we just go with the first factory?" Wang Anquan asked.

"Let's stay overnight and continue visiting factories tomorrow," Cheng Zhu shook his head.

"Ah? What if we end up busy for nothing and the first factory still turns out to be the best suited for us?"

Wang Anquan wasn't afraid of the hard work; he could handle it, which was why Cheng Zhu liked bringing him along.

It was just the experience of the whole day that gave him this bad feeling.

"What? You think your time and effort are so valuable?" Cheng Zhu said.

"Brother Zhu, that's not what I meant," Wang Anquan quickly clarified.

"I know," Cheng Zhu smiled.

He continued, "Right now, we're in the position to make choices, to have the right to choose. So we should take a good look at our options."

"When it comes time to actually sell, we are the ones being chosen."

"When you have the power to choose, you need to use it fiercely, got it?" Cheng Zhu started doling out philosophy, regardless of whether Wang Anquan could digest it after the meal.

Hearing this, Wang Anquan was about to say he'd learned a lesson, but then Cheng Zhu shifted gears.

"Of course, when it comes to picking models, I won't bring you. You seem like the type who wouldn't be too picky and might settle too quickly. I can't do that, I like to have a wide selection."

Wang Anquan: "....."

At night, they found a clean and comfortable hotel to stay in. Cheng Zhu never skimped when it came to hotels.

He also didn't want to deal with promotional cards being slipped through the door crack late at night.

The room they got was a standard double, and goddammit, they still want to slip advertising cards, seems like they think it's time to ask for more money for two guys.

That night, Wang Anquan snored loudly. Cheng Zhu was so annoyed that he ended up out-snoring him.

...

...

The next day, the young men visited three more factories in the unfamiliar town, and their final verdict was, "The first factory really was the best!"

Cheng Zhu was quite proud of his foresight. After all the insights he had shared with Wang Anquan, who had run his legs off the day before, he truly appreciated the level of Brother Zhu's insight.