Chapter 805 Arrival in Shanghai No sooner had Lu Qingyang left than the young waiter approached the shopkeeper and whispered, “Shopkeeper, that customer ordered a whole table of dishes, but only touched each one or two times. He even packed up several desserts before leaving… Is this… is this considered freeloading?”
The manager glanced towards the door to make sure the person was out of sight before leisurely setting down his abacus.
"Eating for free?" He chuckled and patted the waiter on the shoulder. "Ah Ming, you've been at our Xinweiju restaurant for three months now, no wonder you recognize me."
Ah Ming blinked, looking confused.
The shopkeeper lowered his voice and gestured towards the door, "That's the real boss of Xinweiju, Mr. Lu."
Amin opened his mouth, but couldn't close it for a long time.
Rumors about the big boss flashed through his mind instantly. Some said he was a wealthy businessman from Hong Kong, others said he was a returned overseas Chinese with a powerful background, but he never imagined...
“But, but he’s too young…” Amin stammered, “He looks to be in his early twenties at most, a few years younger than me.”
The manager chuckled and continued fiddling with the abacus: "The future is truly formidable. A few days ago, when he took over this shop, it was even smaller than it is now. Back then, the old owner thought some young master was just messing around, but guess what? He paid the full amount in one go."
Ah Ming suddenly realized, recalling Lu Qingyang's composed demeanor when commenting on the dishes, and the shopkeeper's respectful manner beside him.
He scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "No wonder he's so good at talking, I thought he was some food critic coming to find fault..."
"Go on with your work." The shopkeeper waved his hand at him. "Remember what this gentleman looks like. Next time you come, be quick-witted."
Amin nodded repeatedly, clearing the dishes from the table while glancing towards the door again.
Outside the window, people were coming and going in the arcade, and the figure of the young landlord could already be seen.
Lu Qingyang pushed open the door to the pharmaceutical factory office, where Zhou Fang was frowning as he looked at a stack of reports.
"Put it aside for now, I brought you some good stuff." Lu Qingyang placed the still-warm oil paper package on the table and casually pushed aside the scattered items.
Zhou Fang looked up, her nose twitching: "What smells so good?"
The layers of oil paper are unfolded to reveal golden, crispy egg tarts and crystal-clear shrimp dumplings.
Lu Qingyang handed over a pair of chopsticks: "Xinweiju's signature dim sum, fresh out of the oven."
Zhou Fang picked up a shrimp dumpling and examined it against the light: "The skin of this shrimp dumpling is so thin that you can see the filling. The chef at Xinweiju is getting better and better."
He took a bite, squinting his eyes in satisfaction, "Fresh, sweet, and bouncy, these shrimp are carefully selected."
“Try the egg tarts,” Lu Qingyang pushed another oil paper package over. “They changed the recipe, using water buffalo milk instead, and reduced the sugar in the crust.”
Zhou Fang picked up an egg tart; the filling was still trembling slightly.
He tasted it carefully: "It really is the same, the milk flavor is richer, and the sweetness is just right."
"Try this double-skin milk pudding too."
Zhou Fang scooped up a spoonful of milk, and the milk skin trembled slightly at the tip of the spoon.
"The taste is really good. Look at how successful your restaurant is, yet you still have to work so hard here."
Lu Qingyang smiled and said, "It's tiring, but is it really worth buying two houses?"
"It's worth it, absolutely worth it." Zhou Fangle said.
Now, when you go out, if anyone calls out "General Manager Zhou," even though he's busy, he earns a lot.
“I’ve been thinking about it. You asked me to buy a house before. I’m thinking of buying one here in Guangzhou so I can bring my wife and kids back later.”
Although Guangzhou is a good city, the best city in the country is still Beijing.
But both sides have just as many opportunities.
"Fine, whatever you say."
"Oh right, Qingyang, there's a project we need to discuss with people in Haishi. They're all foreigners. I was thinking, since you're here too, why don't we go together?"
Upon hearing "Hai City," Lu Qingyang immediately realized that this city was a potential growth area.
Three days later, Lu Qingyang and Zhou Fang boarded a train bound for Hai City.
In the soft sleeper compartment, Zhou Fang spread out a stack of documents: "The person I'm meeting this time is the representative of German Medtech Medical. They want to find a partner in China to act as an agent for their surgical instruments and sterilization equipment."
Lu Qingyang flipped through the product manual, his gaze lingering on the precision surgical forceps and the new high-pressure sterilizer: "Their technology is indeed leading, but the price is also cheap."
"So we'll have to rely on you, the negotiation expert," Zhou Fang laughed. "You'll be in charge of the technical specifications, and you'll be in charge of bargaining."
The train arrived in Haishi in the early morning.
The Bund's collection of international buildings appears and disappears in the morning mist, while the sound of ship horns echoes on the Huangpu River.
Their restaurants and hotels still retain the charm of old Shanghai, but signs for foreign companies have begun to appear on the streets.
The meeting was scheduled for the following day.
The representative of Maid Company, Mr. Schmidt, was a meticulous German, and his companion was a Chinese translator.
“We are very optimistic about the Chinese market,” Schmidt said bluntly, “but we need a partner who understands the local healthcare system.”
Lu Qingyang gave a detailed introduction to the pharmaceutical company and its network of contacts within the domestic medical system.
When discussing specific equipment, he fluently recited all the technical parameters, even earning a slight nod of approval from Schmidt.
During the price negotiation, Lu Qingyang slowly began, "Mr. Schmidt, we highly approve of the quality of your company's products, but considering the current procurement budget of domestic hospitals, this price may be difficult to open up the market."
He took out a pre-prepared market analysis report: "According to our research, Japanese products of the same type are 15% cheaper. Although the craftsmanship is slightly inferior, it is sufficient for most hospitals."
Schmidt frowned: "Our products have a longer lifespan and higher precision."
“That’s true.” Lu Qingyang nodded. “But if the price threshold is too high, many hospitals won’t even consider it. I suggest that the profit margin be appropriately reduced for the first batch, and then adjusted after the market is opened up.”
For the next two hours, the two sides engaged in a tug-of-war over details such as payment methods, after-sales service, and technical training.
Lu Qingyang sometimes communicated directly in fluent English, and at other times had the translator ensure the accuracy of the wording at crucial points.
During a recess, Zhou Fang whispered to Lu Qingyang, "It seems they value this cooperation very much. Just now, Schmidt's assistant privately told me that they are the best-prepared Chinese company he has ever met."
Negotiations proceeded more smoothly.
In the final agreement, Medtronic agreed to reduce the price of the first batch of products by 10% and provide comprehensive technical training.
In exchange, Lu Qingyang and his team promised that the first purchase volume would be lower than the agreed amount.
After the signing ceremony, Schmidt shook Lu Qingyang's hand and said, "Mr. Lu, you have changed people's perception of Chinese businessmen. You understand both international rules and the local market."
That evening, the two dined at an old restaurant near Waibaidu Bridge.
Zhou Fang raised her glass: "This time, it's all thanks to you, 깊. If I had come alone, those terms alone would have made me dizzy."
Looking out the window at the brightly lit Pudong, Lu Qingyang said, "Shanghai's development speed is indeed astonishing. It has the opportunities of Beijing and the advantages of Guangzhou."
"What are you planning to do next?" Zhou Fang asked.
“Let’s get this batch of equipment to our location first.” Lu Qingyang twirled the wine glass in his hand. “I’m thinking, maybe we can build a showroom in Beijing and Guangzhou. To get hospitals to accept new products, information alone isn’t enough; we need to let them see the real thing in person.”
Since he was in Migae City, he planned to wander around and see if there were any opportunities.
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