NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 49
“Brother Feng!”
“Big brother Feng ~”
Han Ping’an and Han Nannan came out from the work area to greet him.
“Ping’an, well done, you’ve kept the place very clean!” Yi Feng praised, patting his shoulder.
Now, Han Ping’an was wearing new clothes and shoes. Though still somewhat thin, his spirits had improved immensely compared to a month ago.
Beside him, Han Nannan was also neatly dressed, her hair tied into two cute braids, looking charming and adorable.
Her hair was no longer dry and yellow, and her face no longer showed signs of malnutrition.
Yi Feng had rented a kitchen-equipped apartment nearby for the two of them. With salaries, their meals improved, leading to better health.
“It’s my duty,” said Han Ping’an, his usually serious face breaking into a smile.
“The shop is now fully decorated, and there’s not much for you to do at the moment. Just keep an eye on the shop.”
“I and Wang Tie are heading to the Dianke Building shortly. Take out that batch of computers, move them to the middle of the shop, wipe them down with a dust-free cloth, and try to clean them as much as possible.”
“Also, apply some plastic yellowing remover to make the monitors look newer. Just be careful not to get it inside the machines,” Yi Feng instructed.
“Yes, Brother Feng!” Han Ping’an nodded earnestly.
Yi Feng smiled. Han Ping’an’s execution was excellent, meticulous, and perfect in his missions, reflecting his personality.
Han Ping’an was very introverted, seldom spoke, and was sensitive. He desperately sought others’ approval, especially Yi Feng’s.
Such a person, silent but diligent in his work, not afraid of hardship, only wished to do his job well to earn Yi Feng’s approval.
Yi Feng hoped he would become more outgoing, but clearly, that wasn’t something that could happen overnight.
“Take it slow,” Yi Feng believed he would grow and improve over time.
After delegating missions, Yi Feng toured the shop, adjusting the position of tables and chairs. He noted areas lacking decorations in his notebook for future improvements.
He aimed to perfect every detail before the opening.
Checking the time on his phone, it was already 11 a.m., not early anymore. Time to head to the Dianke Building.
The purpose was to find a buyer for the batch of second-hand computers and connect with computer component distributors.
Computer repair was the main business of the shop, with selling assembled computers and components as secondary.
However, these two services should not be underestimated for their profit potential. Assembling computers, whether new or used, offered the highest profit margins.
New machines typically had a 30% profit margin, while used computers could yield 50%-100%, depending on the purchase and selling price.
For instance, the profit margin on this batch of repaired computers could be twenty to thirty times their cost.
“Wang Tie, bring the business cards. Let’s go!” Yi Feng said with a smile.
“Hehe, right, Brother Feng, we’re businessmen with business cards now!” Wang Tie chuckled happily.
He had bought a white shirt and jeans for today’s visit to the Dianke Building, aiming for a more mature look.
Avoiding t-shirts and casual pants made him appear too young.
They took business cards and left the shop.
The Dianke Building was a bit far from the city center, so they took a taxi.
About twenty minutes later, Yi Feng and Wang Tie arrived at the Dianke Building.
Standing at the entrance, Yi Feng looked at the bustling crowd with hope in his eyes.
The Dianke Building, a 10-story building, had an electronics market on the first three floors and offices on the remaining seven.
This was the city’s hub for electronic products, home to manufacturers and distributors, mainly for computers and phones, but also for game consoles and electronic instruments.
“It’s so lively!” Wang Tie murmured, amazed by the crowd.
“Let’s go in and have a look,” Yi Feng said with a smile.
They entered the building, where the first floor featured game consoles, phone stalls, and computer component stalls.
This floor mainly catered to consumers, housing various retail stores.
Yi Feng briefly toured the first floor then headed straight to the third.
The third floor specialized in computers and components, less crowded, attracting those looking to buy computers or parts.
In an era before online shopping and logistics developed, malls were the primary shopping channels.
Yi Feng surveyed the entire third floor, identifying several large stores dealing in both new and used computers, all offering to buy used computers.
He approached two major stores located next to each other, offering similar services.
Each had women at the entrance, competing for customers.
Yi Feng narrowed his eyes, already formulating a plan.
“Wang Tie, let’s start with this one,” he said, pointing to the store on the left called Yongfa.
“Okay!” Wang Tie nodded, following Yi Feng.
A woman around thirty, heavily made-up, greeted them warmly at the entrance of Yongfa Computer Store, “Are you here to check out computers?”
“Come in, please. Our store has a wide range of computers, great configurations, high quality, and special prices!”
Yi Feng smiled, “Hello, I’m here to sell used computers.”
The woman’s smile faded as she asked coldly, “Selling used computers?”
“Oh, what configurations? Did you bring them?”
Buying computers meant incoming money, but selling them was asking for payment, hence her sudden change in attitude.
Yi Feng was unfazed, accustomed to such reactions.
“I have a large quantity to sell, and I’ve brought the list of configurations.”
“Can I speak to your boss?”
The woman hesitated, then dismissively said, “Our boss just stepped out and will be back later. Maybe you could wait?”
Yi Feng smiled and without hesitation turned to the shop on the right.
The right-side shop was attended by a young woman in her twenties, dressed in a professional skirt.
She approached Yi Feng warmly, “Hello, sir, how can I assist you?”
Her tone was gentle and respectful, making for a pleasant service experience.
“Do you also buy used computers here?” Yi Feng asked again,
“Yes, we do. Any quantity. Are you looking to sell?”
“Please, have a seat. What are the configurations of your computers?” The young woman invited Yi Feng to sit at a chair by the store entrance.
Yi Feng presented the prepared list, “I have a large quantity to sell, a total of 22 units. Here are all their configurations.”
Aside from his and Gu Muxi’s personal computers and one kept at the shop, the rest, fixed for sale, totaled 22.
He intentionally raised his voice so the neighboring shopkeeper could hear.
“What? 22 units!” The young woman covered her mouth in surprise, her first time hearing of such a large single transaction.
A mid-sized company might have that many computers!
“Sir, please wait a moment. I’ll call the boss to discuss with you personally!” The young woman stood up and left.
The neighboring shopkeeper, having heard Yi Feng’s statement, was taken aback.
Selling 22 computers?
This could be a big deal!
She immediately took out her phone to call her boss.
But Yi Feng had observed all her actions.
Hehe, now to wait for the drama to unfold!
Wang Tie noticed the woman making calls, occasionally glancing at Yi Feng.
He whispered, “Brother Feng, why not talk to the neighboring shop first? Just to see their interest, then come to this one?”
“It seems she was also somewhat interested.”
Yi Feng chuckled, “Wang Tie, learn something. Selling is an art.”
“I have my reasons for not negotiating with each shop individually.”
“This is called the principle of competitive buying, meaning when there’s a unique item, buyers in competition tend to raise the price to secure it.”
Seeing his confusion, Yi Feng smiled.
“Remember our visit to McDonald’s? Do you recall?”
Wang Tie, slightly bewildered but remembering the incident, nodded.
“We originally went for a spicy chicken burger, but they were out. Only one McChicken burger was left, and the lady behind us also wanted to buy, urging us to hurry. If we didn’t buy the last McChicken, she would have.”
“Did you notice how our demand changed? In the end, you really wanted that McChicken.”
Wang Tie, somewhat understanding, nodded, “So, the competitive atmosphere influenced me?”
“If the lady wasn’t there, I would have chosen a different meal…”
Yi Feng’s eyes lit up, patting his shoulder, “Wang Tie, you’re getting it!”
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