CH 52

Zhou Jianguo actually wanted to do business for a long time but knew that he couldn’t go far with his fake ID, as it was very difficult to get a license and company account.

He didn’t know if he had any experience in doing business before, but when he had the idea, he didn’t really want to partner with someone, but he didn’t have enough funds. He kept putting it on hold until he became acquainted with Luo Bei. After getting to know her, the idea of ​​pulling Luo Bei in struck him.

“Why me?” Luo Bei came to her senses after a short period of confusion, and asked seriously.

She didn’t think she had talent and potential in this area, nor was she rich. She is neither as smart as a businessman, nor is she stupid, nor has a lot of money, right?

“You are very kind, although you have to be cruel sometimes when doing business, when choosing a partner, you will inevitably hope that the other party has a bottom line and principles. I plan to open the company in an urban area first, and the scale will definitely be small at the beginning. Maybe it’s just me and you. You grew up here and are very familiar with this area, and mostly everyone here is your acquaintance, so you are the best figurehead. ” 

Zhou Jianguo paused, “Of course, the most important thing is that among the people I am in contact with, I feel that you are more likely to do business with me.”

“It’s not easy to do business now.” Luo Bei replied cautiously.

“I know that the business is not easy to do now. The already established businesses here are nothing more than the essentials, i.e., food, clothing, housing, and transportation. Whoever opens a clothing store will be burdened with a loss. Snack bars, barbecue restaurants, and breakfast restaurants are not easy to do. They have to get up early and work late, and the urban areas are already saturated with them. Even if you have the confidence to hire a good chef, you and I can’t do it. Hotels and guesthouses also depend majorly on the geographical location of their opening.

Even if you open a cheap guest house, the investment will be at least hundreds of thousands. I have no money and I’m with you, so I don’t think about it. If you think about transportation, whether it is taxis, rickshaws, or even shared bicycles, neither of us can eat a piece of the pie.” 

Zhou Jianguo explained to Luo Bei slowly, “I have been observing urban areas regularly during this period of time. Some of the shops here… come, I’ll test you. You’ve lived here for so many years, what do you think is absent here?”

Luo Bei thought about it seriously.

Although the urban area is small, it can be regarded as complete with all the internal organs. It has all the necessary parts. Whether it is a snack bar or a restaurant, there are several tea shops and bars here. As for Internet cafes, the initial investment is too large, and although there is only one family, she felt that Zhou Jianguo was definitely not talking about this. In the end, she could only shake her head in defeat,

“I can’t think of it.”

She might really have no business mind; otherwise, why wouldn’t she think of it?

Zhou Jianguo smiled mysteriously and approached her, “Adult products store.”

Luo Bei was not embarrassed, but was stunned when he heard this answer.

“You mean condoms?” Luo Bei shook her head, “Commodities and convenience stores sell them.”

“Wrong, adult products don’t just refer to condoms, not to mention I went to a convenience store for a walk, and not many people bought this in a convenience store. I think it’s mainly a single product, and most of those commissaries and convenience stores are operated by aunties. [EN: Aunties are the most efficient CCTVs and journalists :-P] No other communities are so large-scale, so there are still many people who are too embarrassed or afraid to come. For example, would you buy condoms in this area?”

Luo Bei blushed, “I wouldn’t.”

“Do you know why other people are not so willing to go to convenience stores or supermarkets to buy them? This is an embarrassing and honest question. If we open this store, we will open an unmanned store with just one or two vending machines. The privacy of the guests is taken care of.”

Luo Bei continued to raise her doubts, “Now that online shopping is so developed, it is completely possible to buy online.”

Zhou Jianguo glanced at her, “No matter how developed, what you can buy after going downstairs is different from what you need to wait for two or three days to arrive. It’s a time-sensitive matter.”

After speaking, he hurriedly took out his diary from his bag and handed it to Luo Bei.

Luo Bei had seen Zhou Jianguo’s handwriting when he signed the house rental contract before, his handwriting was bold and powerful, which left a deep impression on her. Maybe everyone has a special sign they look for. Some people like people with good-looking hands, and some even dig ankles. Luo Bei has been unable to resist people with good-looking handwriting since she was a child.

Zhou Jianguo has indeed seriously investigated this business.

“You can test the waters first. The rent in the urban area is affordable. If the business is good, you can consider opening a branch. In addition, I think there are hotels and guesthouses around the urban area. We can also develop in this area and see if we can do it. Talk to the hotel and put vending machines in the hotel as well.”

Luo Bei was almost persuaded by Zhou Jianguo.

“I have some money in my hand. You can collect a little more. At least it should be no problem to open a store at the moment. After all, the investment is not large. If you agree, I will try to find a reliable source of goods from tomorrow. You just go around the city to see if there is a suitable store for rent, it doesn’t need to be too big, just enough to put a few vending machines.” 

Zhou Jianguo paused, then said, “After all, this is a small business, but there may not be a lot of profits in the short term, so you don’t need to resign, ok?”

“Let me think about it for two days, okay?” Luo Bei said while dipping the vegetables in the sauce.