When Boss Huang learned that Tianxing 5 had been banned by operators in the US, he was accompanying his wife as she watched "Caiwei Fashion Apprentice." This variety show had progressed to its 13th episode, the one featuring Xiao Yuan's appearance.
As expected, the show's effect was explosive. For instance, when Xiao Yuan appeared, it elicited gasps from the entire audience. Seeing dozens of celebrities on stage displaying astonished expressions, Boss Huang felt immensely satisfied.
Speaking of which, he had been present at the time himself. How come he hadn't noticed back then that the celebrities' expressions looked so amusing?
"By the way, what outfit did Xiao Yuan design for you? No, wait, what outfit did Qu Wei design for you?" Boss Huang asked curiously, stroking the small mole beside Leng Zhiwen while watching television. "This episode mainly introduces the contestants from different regions and the process of them designing clothes for celebrities. Only two contestants will make a proper appearance and showcase their designs; the remaining six will mainly be featured in the next episode."
Therefore, even though Boss Huang was very eager to know what kind of outfit Xiao Yuan had designed for his partner at this moment, he couldn't see it at all.
However, this didn't seem to matter much; he could directly ask. After all, Xiao Yuan's collaborator was the beautiful woman beside him.
The design and runway show collaboration between Xiao Yuan and Leng Zhiwen had actually been recorded long ago. It was just that Boss Huang was in Fusang at the time and hadn't attended the live recording.
Later, Boss Huang had practically forgotten about it until today. After a long-awaited passionate moment with Leng Zhiwen, he curiously asked.
"Guess!" Leng Zhiwen blinked her eyes and gave the most boring answer.
"I won't guess. I'll have Hu Jing send me the现场 video!" Boss Huang said with a grin. This show was produced in collaboration by Liushangqushui Caiwei Shi and CCTV. It was a mere word from Boss Huang to watch a show that hadn't aired yet.
"You're not allowed to watch it in advance!" Leng Zhiwen raised an eyebrow and said unhappily, "Can't we maintain a little mystery?"
"Tch, what part of your body haven't I seen? I have no interest in your mystery! I don't care, I want to watch it now!" Boss Huang said boldly and prepared to call Hu Jing. His words made Leng Zhiwen blush with embarrassment.
"Oh really?" Leng Zhiwen snorted coldly, then suddenly smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, how about this? If you can hold out until next week to watch it, I'll let you experience 'Yi Ma Dang Xian,' okay?"
"'Yi Ma Dang Xian'? What does that mean?" Boss Huang was stunned for a moment. 'Yi Ma Dang Xian' sounded like a very normal phrase.
But how was he supposed to experience "Yi Ma Dang Xian"? And in their current state, tangled together in bed, the meaning of "Yi Ma Dang Xian" felt somewhat off.
"The meaning of this 'Yi Ma Dang Xian'..." As Boss Huang listened, he felt something warm slip into his ear. Then, in a voice only he could hear, it whispered into his ear canal, "It means I'll stand in a split, and then give you..."
"Damn!" After hearing that, Boss Huang instantly felt ready to fight again.
However, before initiating the new battle, Boss Huang's phone rang. It was Hu Jing, who said that Hao Jianguo had an urgent situation to report to Boss Huang. And so, just as he was about to make his move, Boss Huang learned of this sudden development in the United States.
That evening, a video conference was held. The participants were mainly employees from the Jiangnan Group's US branch, but Versailles did not attend.
Hao Jianguo had actively invited Versailles, but she had simply replied, "Not interested," and refused outright. In response, Hao Jianguo could only heap praise on Versailles in front of Boss Huang.
"Ignore that idiotic woman!" Boss Huang cursed without reservation, then asked Hao Jianguo, "If we simply refuse to sign cooperation agreements with these operators, is there really no other way? Are there no third-party operators?"
"No, all operators are part of the Telecommunications Association!" Hao Jianguo replied. "If we refuse this requirement from the association, it's equivalent to antagonizing all telecommunications operators in the United States!"
"So, does anyone have any good ideas?" Boss Huang pondered for a moment and then asked the executives attending the meeting.
"Chairman, we can only agree to the association's requirements at this time. There is no other way!" A high-ranking executive stood up and said, "We should agree to these telecommunications operators' demands, sign a cooperation agreement with one of them, and launch our contract phones!"
"This is actually the simplest and most suitable approach. There's no need for us to continue arguing with the telecommunications operators. What they actually need is just to cooperate with us. A cooperation agreement is all it takes to settle this! We ourselves will not suffer any losses," said this executive, who was an American.
"I have a question!" Boss Huang tapped the table and said, "If we sign a cooperation agreement, doesn't that mean our Tianxing 5 phones will have to add a sales channel, allowing operators to sell our Tianxing 5? In this case, Tianxing 5 can no longer guarantee that the blind box is the only distribution channel?"
"At the same time, we also need to set an official price for the Tianxing 5 phones?" Boss Huang retorted.
"Yes!" The executive nodded and said, "I don't think this is a bad thing either. The Tianxing 5 is very popular in the United States right now. Every day, many people visit our stores specifically to buy Tianxing 5 blind boxes. The black market price for Tianxing 5 has already risen to a high of $6,000, surpassing the prices of all other phones in the US."
"This shows the market's intense demand for Tianxing 5. So why shouldn't we take this opportunity to launch Tianxing 5? This is simply money falling into our laps!" the executive said, utterly bewildered.
In fact, he was very confused as to why the boss refused to sell Tianxing 5 openly. Why hoard such an amazing phone? Wouldn't it be better to just sell it directly?
Given the current premium on Tianxing 5 phones, they could easily make several times the profit. Not seizing this golden opportunity, was that even human?
"If we sell it openly, will Tianxing 5 still have its current price?" Boss Huang's question silenced everyone. If Tianxing 5 were sold openly, it certainly wouldn't reach the terrifying high price of $6,000. It would be around $1,000 at most, which was already the selling price of flagship models from Nokia and Motorola.
"Our primary goal is still to build the Tianxing brand. Large-scale sales are not within our consideration!" Boss Huang reiterated his policy, and everyone could only shake their heads in resignation, unable to understand their boss's stubbornness.
"Alas, it's not that I'm too stubborn, but the production capacity of Tianxing 5 really can't keep up!" Boss Huang muttered. It was true that Tianxing 5 crushed its era, but this was based on its use of various top-tier components. About half of these components were parts that Jiangnan Group itself could not produce and had to procure. Their output was very limited, making it difficult to increase production capacity.
Even if they sold them openly, they would likely be out of stock.
Instead of being criticized for not having enough production capacity and then accused of "playing hard to get," it was better to continue using them as prizes in blind boxes to maintain their aloof image.
"Of course, now is not the time to fall out with US telecom operators. How about this: you go and talk to these telecom operators. Tell them we are willing to jointly launch contract phones with them, which does not violate their rules. However, our contract phones will not be sold in their stores, nor will they be directly available for purchase; they will be obtained through blind box draws."
"Of course, our phones can only be signed with contracts related to their company. However, the number of such models will be only half. The other half will be unlocked phones."
"As for subsidies and the like, our Tianxing 5 phones do not pursue sales. We are very laid-back, so we don't need them to be our promoters."
"..." Boss Huang's words left everyone speechless. What kind of contract was this? It was essentially maintaining the status quo. Of course, signing a contract would mean cooperating with only one telecommunications company, which was a benefit. However, with such a small benefit, telecommunications companies couldn't gain more profit from it. Would they agree?
"Whether they agree or not, you should go and talk to them first. If it really doesn't work out, we still have other methods!" Boss Huang waved his hand and immediately ended the meeting.
"Boss, why didn't you tell us what other methods we have?" After the meeting ended, a senior executive who remained in the conference room said with a mix of helplessness and jest.
"Of course, there are methods!" Hao Jianguo grinned and said, "Why don't we just buy a telecommunications company?"
That afternoon, the US branch of Jiangnan Group began to communicate and liaise with American telecommunications companies according to Mr. Jia's instructions, attempting to sign a cooperation agreement with one of them.
However, while both parties were engaged in negotiations, relevant information was directly placed on another person's desk.
"President, this is the news that our friends in the association have informed us. Tianxing's manufacturer has already contacted them, attempting to obtain a contract agreement!" the secretary said respectfully to Zander.
"Very good!" Zander nodded and then said, "Tell our friends that if they refuse these guys, they will gain the friendship of our Motorola. And whoever reaches a cooperation with them, Motorola will completely sever ties with these companies!"
"Yes, President, I will do that immediately!" The secretary nodded. And the person who issued this ban on Tianxing 5 was none other than the new president of Motorola, Edward Zander.