Chapter 227 Yiwu (1)
The person Zhang Ying introduced to Tian Xin was called Linglan, which sounded like the name of a flower. Tian Xin didn't ask if it was her real name, but she knew this man was a businessman.
Linglan worked in clothing wholesale and usually had no break until the afternoon. Tian Xin made an appointment with her as soon as she got off the train. They chose a cafe not far from the clothing store to meet.
Lin Zhou didn't know the way, so the car took a long detour. When she arrived, the man had been sitting inside waiting for her for nearly half an hour.
The cafe was elegant, with only a few booths scattered around. Linglan was sitting by the window. When she saw someone come in, she immediately stood up and waved to the two of them, "This way!"
She looked to be in her thirties, not tall, and rather thin, wearing a perfectly tailored cheongsam. While her features weren't particularly striking, she possessed the gentle grace of a Jiangnan waterside village girl. Her skin was well-maintained, fair and translucent, making her look even younger than Tian Xin's.
"I'm so sorry!" Tian Xin hurried over, bowed to her, and apologized as soon as she said, "We just got here today and don't know the way. We took a long detour and wasted our time. I'm sorry for causing you any trouble!"
"It's okay, we're all friends, don't be so distant, sit down!" Linglan spoke a few polite words to her in a non-standard Mandarin. She saw Lin Zhou standing next to Tian Xin and asked, "Who is this?"
"Oh, this is my friend!" Tian Xin pulled Lin Zhou and introduced him: "This is my first time coming to such a far place, so I'm a little shy."
"Hello!" Lin Zhou nodded towards Linglan as a greeting.
The three of them sat down immediately. Linglan waved for the waiter and pushed the menu over to them. "Order whatever you want to drink. It's my treat today! Since you've come all this way, I'll do my best to be a good host!"
As she spoke, she moved her chair closer to Tian Xin and started chatting: "I heard from Zhang Ying that you are now leading the villagers to sell online? Is that true?
"Of course!" Tian Xin responded: "Sister, do you know anything about this?"
"I've heard that some businesses here are currently trying this."
Linglan took a sip of coffee, looked out at the crowds on the street and said, "Yiwu has been constantly innovating in recent years, and these emerging industries are everywhere. However, this model may be more suitable for individual businesses. Wholesale businesses like us can't do this."
After she finished speaking, she smiled at Tian Xin and said, "I'm sorry, I'm a conservative person. Unlike Zhang Ying, she dares to try anything and do anything. Before she went back, she told me that she wanted to open an online store, but I hesitated and didn't do it! I didn't expect that she would succeed!"
"Yes! Sister Zhang Ying is very decisive!" Tian Xin smiled and said, "Actually, online sales are a great opportunity right now. Whether it's individual or wholesale, in a few years, it may enter thousands of households. You can give it a try!"
This wave of Amway was just something Tian Xin said casually, and there was no other meaning. But Linglan's face still flashed with embarrassment: "Let's talk about it later!"
She smiled at Tian Xin and said, "I don't have much experience to share with you about opening an online store. However, if you're looking for sources of goods or choosing product categories, I do know a little bit!"
"That's perfect! I came to Yiwu this time just to select products."
Tian Xin took the coffee from Lin Zhou and smiled at him. She turned to Linglan and continued, "Sister, whether you're opening an online store or a brick-and-mortar store, as long as you're selling, the essence is that you need a good product. You're an expert in this area, otherwise Sister Zhang Ying wouldn't have asked me to come to you."
Oh, what you said!
When it comes to flattery, Tian Xin isn't exactly an expert. But these words resonated deeply with Ling Lan, instantly dispelling the awkwardness she'd felt earlier. As soon as she finished, a smile appeared on the other person's face, and he immediately became modest: "No, no, I'm not an expert!"
Linglan smiled and said, "Zhang Ying is exaggerating. I've only been doing this for a few years, so I have a little experience. But it's not much, so I'm not sure if I can help you."
"It's okay, sister!" Tian Xin responded immediately: "Helping is a favor, not helping is my duty! I came here not only to select products and find sources of supply, but also to see the world! This trip to Yiwu, being able to sit here and chat with you, is worth the trip!"
In just a few words, she spoke with genuine emotion, flawless precision, and agile demeanor. This not only relieved Linglan's pressure on Zhang Ying to "help her," but also provided a way out for herself. This way, even if Linglan didn't provide her with substantial assistance later, neither side would be embarrassed.
Lin Zhou had nothing to do, so he just listened intently to her chatting with Linglan. As soon as she finished speaking, he couldn't help but laugh in his heart: I've known her for so long, and I didn't know she would be so hypocritical.
"So what are your thoughts on product selection this time?"
Linglan stirred the coffee in her cup and asked seriously, "Do you want to continue making women's clothing? Or switch to other products?"
"Of course the category is still women's clothing!" Tian Xin said: "But I want to look here to see if there is the style I want!"
"What style? Professional or casual?"
"Neither!" Tian Xin smiled and shook her head at her.
"Neither?" Linglan was puzzled, her face full of confusion. "Then what style do you want? Aren't there only these two main categories of women's clothing?"
"That's true for now, but it won't be true anytime soon."
Tian Xin explained: "Sister, do you understand the new Chinese style?"
"What? New Chinese style?" Linglan was stunned after hearing this, her face full of confusion: "What do you mean?"
Not to mention understanding it, I've never even heard of it.
Seeing her confusion, Tian Xin immediately understood. This new term, which would become a huge hit years later, was still in its infancy, so it was normal for Linglan not to know about it.
"It means integrating traditional elements into modern clothing design," she explained. "This kind of clothing reflects our traditional culture without being as cumbersome as what the ancients wore. Most importantly, it's novel and suitable for all ages. If it's widely adopted, even children's clothing will quickly enter the market."
After saying that, she turned her gaze to Lin Zhou again and asked him with a smile: "Did you understand? This is what I wanted to say last night!"
How could Lin Zhou not understand? From the moment she said "Chinese style", he knew the purpose of Tian Xin's trip to Yiwu. No wonder she had been so fond of that dress before, she didn't expect it was for this reason.
"Yeah!" he responded, "You should have told me earlier!"
"It's the same even if I know now. Anyway, I still have to thank Auntie!" said Tian Xin.
Linglan listened for a long time but still didn't understand what Tian Xin meant. The conversation between the two of them was even more confusing. After thinking for a long time, she couldn't help but ask: "Is this thing you are talking about available on the market now?"
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