Chapter 46 The Agency Rights for the Tape Recorder

This clothing store was clearly somewhat upscale; it would make sense to call a girl to help, but if Jiang Yuan brought those tattooed brothers over, they'd surely scare off the customers.

Because Chen Sheng and Jiang Da Zhuang still had work to do at the restaurant, they hurried back to their duties. Jiang Yuan stayed until the afternoon; seeing nothing more needed his attention, he left after a young subordinate came to call him, saying goodbye to Jiang Tong before departing.

They agreed to meet again that evening at Chen Sheng’s restaurant.

A little after four in the afternoon, Jiang Tong drove to the wholesale market—not to see Wang Yun, but to restock. He hadn’t anticipated how Chen Pan’er’s promotional activities, plus the excitement of opening a new store, would draw in the surrounding crowds. Many customers were seeing this style of clothing store for the first time; previously, they’d only seen shops with clothes hanging on the walls.

The display at Metabond was arranged by Jiang Tong, based on modern styles: clothes hung on the walls, while the center of the hall featured minimalist wooden tables, neatly folded garments illuminated by spotlights, creating a refined atmosphere.

Jiang Tong hurried to replenish stock from the clothing shop owner, Sun Wenjuan, without even stopping at Wang Yun’s shop, rushing back to his own store.

Chen Pan’er and the cashier girl from Chen Sheng’s restaurant were busy—Chen Pan’er handled sales, and the cashier folded and packaged the selected clothes. The bags were custom-made by Jiang Tong, printed with the Metabond Clothing Store logo.

Jiang Tong thought it was time to register a company and trademark the store. Their busy day finally slowed after six in the evening.

The cashier from Chen Sheng’s restaurant—Jiang Tong only knew her as Qing’er—had originally been expected to return to the restaurant, but she didn’t want to leave. At eighteen or nineteen, Qing’er had a gentle appearance; perhaps she found selling clothes more interesting than working as a cashier in the restaurant.

“Tong-ge, could you ask Brother Chen to let me stay here from now on?” Qing’er asked.

Chen Pan’er was surprised; she hadn’t planned to hire staff yet.

Jiang Tong frowned slightly. “Do you really like it here?”

Qing’er nodded. “I love selling pretty clothes. I promise I’ll work hard.”

Jiang Tong was helpless—how was he supposed to tell Chen Sheng? This was a classic case of losing both the wife and the soldiers.

“Well, stay here for today. I’ll talk to Brother Chen, and if he agrees, you can work here.” Jiang Tong saw Qing’er was truly enthusiastic.

“Thank you, Tong-ge,” Qing’er said gratefully.

With Qing’er and Chen Pan’er in the store, Jiang Tong figured that was enough and went to the restaurant to speak with Chen Sheng.

When he arrived at the private kitchen, the evening rush hadn’t started yet, so Jiang Tong explained Qing’er’s situation to Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng was taken aback; he’d planned for Qing’er to help at the restaurant, but now she didn’t want to return.

“If she likes your place, let her stay there,” Chen Sheng said, knowing you can’t force these things.

“Thanks, Brother Chen,” Jiang Tong laughed.

“Hmph, but you’ll need to pay her half-month’s wages for the work she did at my place. I’m not covering that,” Chen Sheng joked.

“No problem. Next time you need clothes, just take them from my store,” Jiang Tong replied.

After resting a bit at Chen Sheng’s, Jiang Tong hurried to the wholesale market. It was the day Zhou Jianliang was coming to sign the agent contract for the small tape recorders.

By the time Jiang Tong arrived, it was almost seven in the evening. Zhou Jianliang had arrived before six, waiting for Wang Yun to finish her work and chatting idly with her.

Seeing Jiang Tong, Zhou Jianliang breathed a sigh of relief; he’d worried Jiang Tong might change his mind.

“Tong, the factory director has agreed to your proposal. I’ve drafted an agency contract for you to review,” Zhou Jianliang handed Jiang Tong a stack of papers.

“Brother Zhou, have a seat. Let me take a look first,” Jiang Tong asked Wang Yun to bring Zhou Jianliang a stool.

Jiang Tong sat down and carefully read the contract. It matched what they’d discussed, but the payment was set as a prepayment model. All his funds were tied up elsewhere, so he had little cash on hand.

“What do you think? Any additions?” Zhou Jianliang asked.

“No other issues, just could we change the prepayment model?” Jiang Tong said.

“How do you want to change it?” Zhou Jianliang perked up at anything involving money.

“We’re your primary agents. There should be some policy benefits. For example, when I take the second batch, I’ll settle the payment for the first batch, and so on.”

Zhou Jianliang understood Jiang Tong’s intent: to delay payment by a month. But in these times, payment was usually required before delivery.

If not for Wang Yun, Zhou Jianliang wouldn’t have agreed; he even suspected Jiang Tong might be a fraud.

“Would you find a guarantor?” Zhou Jianliang considered the risk—if Jiang Tong’s cash flow broke, the risk would fall on him.

“Would Wang Jie work? We both guarantee, and our shops are right here,” Jiang Tong said.

Wang Yun glanced at Jiang Tong sideways; tape business was one thing, but Jiang Tong wanted to tie her to the recorder business as well.

Still, since tapes had turned a profit, betting again with Jiang Tong wasn’t out of the question.

Zhou Jianliang looked to Wang Yun, seeking her opinion.

“I have no objections, I’ll follow his lead,” Wang Yun showed full trust in Jiang Tong.

“Alright, let me make a call,” Zhou Jianliang said, needing approval from the factory director, and went to a nearby phone booth.

After Zhou Jianliang left, Wang Yun quietly asked Jiang Tong, “Are you confident you can break even in a month?”

“Absolutely. Trust me, just like with the tapes,” Jiang Tong smiled and squeezed Wang Yun’s hand.

“Zhou Jianliang isn’t far off,” Wang Yun pulled her hand away.

Jiang Tong saw the shy flush on Wang Yun’s face and understood—since Zhou Jianliang hadn’t left, he couldn’t act recklessly. But once Zhou Jianliang was gone, nothing would hold him back.

“Rogue!” Wang Yun scolded, seeing the mischievous smile on Jiang Tong’s lips.

After a short wait, Zhou Jianliang returned.

“It’s settled. The director agreed. Tomorrow I’ll draft an official contract,” Zhou Jianliang said.

“OK, here’s to a fruitful partnership,” Jiang Tong extended his hand.

“To a fruitful partnership,” Zhou Jianliang replied, shaking hands.

This was Zhou Jianliang’s first product as manager—the small tape recorder. The director had given him only one production line, with Jiang Tong as sole agent for this trial project.

Large tape recorders remained the factory’s focus, but the director had agreed to Zhou Jianliang’s proposal since the quantity was small enough to absorb any losses.

“Now that the contract’s settled, shall we celebrate?” Zhou Jianliang was buoyant, knowing success would solidify his position at the factory.

“Let’s go, my treat,” Jiang Tong said cheerfully.

“No, I’ll treat. As host, it’s my duty,” Zhou Jianliang insisted.

That’s what I was waiting for, Jiang Tong thought.

“Let’s go then,” Jiang Tong helped Wang Yun lock up her shop.

“I know a good restaurant nearby,” Zhou Jianliang said.

“Where?” Wang Yun asked.

“A private kitchen—I’ve eaten there once, nice decor and tasty food,” Zhou Jianliang replied as he prepared to ride his bicycle.

Jiang Tong thought, If Zhou Jianliang knew I had shares in that restaurant, would he still let me off the hook?

“I drove here, Brother Zhou, ride with me. After dinner, I’ll bring you back,” Jiang Tong offered.

Seeing Jiang Tong’s van, Zhou Jianliang was pleased; he’d worried about Jiang Tong’s financial strength, but seeing a young man with his own vehicle suggested deep pockets.

Jiang Tong drove them toward the private kitchen.

When they arrived, some servers paused and respectfully called Jiang Tong “Tong-ge.”

Zhou Jianliang was stunned; the staff was deferential to Jiang Tong—just who was this man?