2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 47 Gu Qingqing (Part Two)
For export clothing, it would actually be better to use foreign models, but foreign models are too expensive nowadays. These days, China is still a synonym for backwardness, and not many foreigners come to make money.

The change in public perception began with the 2008 Olympics.

Taobao is far from forming an industry chain. There are no photography bases or live streaming bases. Finding foreign models for shooting is not only expensive but also quite troublesome.

Students with tall figures like Gu Qingqing are the most affordable option, as it's convenient and inexpensive. They only need 200 yuan a day to complete the photoshoot of multiple outfits.

However, today's shoot was a bit of a loss, as we only managed to shoot two outfits.

Never mind, consider it a New Year's Day bonus.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Gu Qingqing finished her filming duties for the day. While organizing her personal belongings, she thought about how to get some information out of Tan Jincheng.

Being a fashion model wasn't as easy as she initially imagined, and earning 200 yuan wasn't easy either. Yiwu already had a thriving small commodity market, and if she could understand how Taobao stores operated, she could open her own online store.

For example, small accessories that girls like can be sourced from Yiwu at incredibly low costs. Items can be bought by weight or by the piece, and if the market is established, the profits can be enormous.

In this way, I can cover my university expenses and won't have to sneak out to do part-time jobs.

My family doesn't approve of me taking on part-time jobs.

After packing her things, Gu Qingqing gave what she thought was a very sweet smile and said to Tan Jincheng, "Boss Tan, I don't need these two down jackets today, they're too expensive."

As per usual practice, Tan Jincheng would leave the clothes from the photoshoot with Gu Qingqing so she could take them and dispose of them, which was considered a perk in addition to the payment.

Although Gu Qingqing wanted to make money, she also had her own principles. Most of the clothes she had taken were summer clothes, and the most valuable ones were only thin autumn clothes. She could take them without much money.

But these two down jackets look quite expensive, so we can't just take them.

Gu Qingqing's words surprised Tan Jincheng, who thought to himself that this girl was quite sensible and knew her boundaries.

"It's a little more expensive than before, but the cost price is still okay. You can take it; it'll fit you perfectly now."

These two down jackets are mainly for the domestic market. Seeing that the business of his Taobao store is getting better and better, Tan Jincheng wanted to use these two down jackets to test the waters and see if he could stabilize his customer traffic.

Gu Qingqing is tall and slender, and both long and short down jackets fit her exceptionally well. Wearing a down jacket and walking on campus is a form of advertising.

Women's shopping triggers differ from men's; when they see other women wearing nice clothes, they think about buying them.

Later generations called this "planting grass".

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Gu Qingqing asked hesitantly.

"There's nothing wrong with that. If you feel bad about it, just help me promote it among my classmates. If I sell a couple more items, I'll break even," Tan Jincheng said with a smile.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Qingqing accepted the two pieces of clothing: "Alright then, thank you, Boss Tan. But to express my gratitude, how about I treat you to coffee?"

"Are you sure you want to buy me coffee?" Tan Jincheng asked doubtfully.

"Yes, Boss Tan let me earn some extra money and gave me all the clothes. Consider it my way of thanking you," Gu Qingqing said with a smile.

However, it still hurts a bit. Starbucks is ridiculously expensive; two cups of coffee take up a third of my salary for today.

Seeing Gu Qingqing's evasive manner, Tan Jincheng also smiled.

That expression is so familiar; it's exactly the look of someone who wants to ask for a favor but is too embarrassed to ask.

"You need to talk to me about something, right?"

"Ah? No, no, it's mainly to thank Boss Tan," Gu Qingqing quickly said. Then, she added in a low voice, "I also have something I'd like to ask Boss Tan. I wonder if it's convenient for you?"

It was only a little past three o'clock, and there was nothing urgent to do in the afternoon, so Tan Jincheng agreed to Gu Qingqing's request.

"Let's go, there's a Starbucks over there, let's sit for a while."

Today is New Year's Day, the first day of 2005. Although it is freezing cold, there are still many pedestrians on the street.

The pedestrian street, primarily frequented by students, is filled with all sorts of restaurants and clothing stores, and business is booming in this era where brick-and-mortar stores are the main mode of consumption.

Tan Jincheng and Gu Qingqing kept a certain distance and walked side by side, slowly heading towards the Starbucks.

Women appear taller than men. From behind, Tan Jincheng, who is 175 cm tall, appears slightly shorter than Gu Qingqing, who is 168 cm tall.

This made some college students behind them, who didn't understand what was going on, secretly complain that it was like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung, and that she had found a boyfriend who was shorter than herself.

Ningbo has no shortage of wealthy people, even among students, and with the holiday season upon us, Starbucks was packed with people.

Tan Jincheng glanced at the crowd in line and said to Gu Qingqing, "Go find a seat, I'll go order. What would you like to drink?"

"I'll order. It's a deal I made."

"No need, it's not fair to let a young girl like you order. Let me treat you. What would you like to drink?"

What little girl? You talk as if you're much older than me. You're only a year older than me. So what if you're rich?

"Then mocha it is, thank you, Boss Tan."

Speaking of Gu Qingqing's only two experiences in coffee shops, both were brought by Tan Jincheng. The first few times she and her senior sister talked to this boss Tan about filming, it was all in Starbucks.

This Mr. Tan always orders mocha, and today Gu Qingqing also wants to try what mocha tastes like, as she has never had it before.

"Ah, if only my senior sister were here, she knows more than I do."

Gu Qingqing found a corner seat and sat down, while Tan Jincheng went to take the order. Ten minutes later, Tan Jincheng carried a tray to Gu Qingqing.

Gu Qingqing noticed that besides the two cups of coffee, there was also a small piece of cake on the tray.

"I don't know if you like to eat this, but have something to eat first."

Tan Jincheng, who had a boxed lunch for lunch, wasn't very hungry since he didn't have to work; Gu Qingqing, who had been posing for several hours, was indeed quite hungry.

This person is quite thoughtful. Taking the cake, Gu Qingqing said softly, "Thank you."

He then said somewhat embarrassedly, "It was supposed to be my treat, so I'm sorry to have troubled you, Mr. Tan."

He waved his hand and said nothing.

Now that he's a man with hundreds of thousands in assets, how could he let a young girl treat him to a meal, not to mention that she was helping him with chores today?

Seeing Gu Qingqing eating the cake in small bites, Tan Jincheng didn't say anything. After taking a sip of coffee, he turned his gaze to the window.

A moment later, Gu Qingqing put down her spoon and glanced at Tan Jincheng.

"Tell me, what do you want from me?"

(End of this chapter)