The four cosmetic companies that had initially shown interest in collaboration successively rejected the offer, catching everyone at the company completely off guard.
The cooperation contracts that Zeng Keming had prepared were all rendered void.
The advertising slogans and other materials Jin Qiqi had prepared for the business partners also became useless.
The rejections from the four companies turned Gu Yuan Studio's design drafts into scrap paper once again.
In the conference room.
Gu Lili, Jin Qiqi, Zhang Cheng, and others gathered, discussing in hushed tones the unexpected rejections from the four companies.
"Sister Qiqi, you've been in the social scene for so many years. What do you think is the reason for us being rejected so many times this time?" Gu Lili, the head of the studio, asked softly.
"What other reason could there be? It must be someone who doesn't want the boss to do well and is causing trouble!" Jin Qiqi replied. As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Cheng immediately chimed in, "Besides those people from the Jingda Entrepreneurship Competition, who else would hold such a grudge against Old Gao? I think it must be the people behind the entrepreneurship competition. Otherwise, why would pre-arranged collaborations be rejected?"
He understood the inside story much better than Gu Lili. After all, Qiu Dongsheng was not only Kong Liwei's employee but also his nephew. How could Kong Liwei stand idly by when his nephew was arrested because of Gao Fei?
Jin Qiqi nodded at Zhang Cheng, seeing his potential: "Young man, your analysis is very insightful. No wonder the boss promoted you to be in charge of Jingda."
"Sister Qiqi, since we've been rejected, does President Gao have a solution?" Gu Lili couldn't help but ask the question in her heart.
Jin Qiqi didn't know how to answer for a moment. As for whether Gao Fei had a solution, in her eyes, there seemed to be no problem that could stump Gao Fei. Every time he encountered difficulties, he could always resolve them and emerge victorious. However, this time, it was about cosmetics, which were primarily related to women. Jin Qiqi was unsure if the boss had a way to overcome this challenge.
Just as they were whispering, the door opened. Gao Fei walked into the conference room alone, scanned the people present, and said, "The latest news is that not only cosmetic companies have rejected our cooperation. Several sports brands that were previously interested in collaborating with me have also politely declined."
Jin Qiqi, Gu Lili, and the others had expected him to bring good news, but instead, it was more news of rejected cooperation. Now, apart from the already agreed-upon collaboration with Baolai Li Jewelry Group, almost no one else was extending an olive branch. However, this also indicated that Kong Liwei and the Shengdu Group behind him were very influential and powerful within the capital's circles. With just one phone call, cooperation projects could be cancelled one after another.
"President Gao, what do we do now? We can't just sit here and wait for wealthy collaborators to come to us, can we?" Gu Lili couldn't help but ask. The studio had finally seen a glimmer of hope, and now with consecutive rejections, she was almost going into a slump!
Seeing their dejected, melancholic, and helpless expressions, Gao Fei calmly took a sip of tea and said, "Why the long faces? It's not like there's no way out! The most crucial thing right now is to find a cosmetic factory that is about to be sold."
A cosmetic factory! Everyone looked at each other, already guessing what Gao Fei intended to do. Jin Qiqi confirmed again, "Boss, are you perhaps planning to create your own cosmetic brand?"
"Besides building our own factory to make cosmetics, do you have any better way out?" Gao Fei retorted, looking at everyone present. They all shook their heads. Building a factory to create a cosmetic brand was indeed the best option at the moment. With Gao Fei's current fame and influence, he could endorse international well-known cosmetic brands and sign cooperation agreements with them. However, what he wanted to do was not to endorse cosmetics but to support the investment project of Gu Yuan Studio. While he could endorse international cosmetic brands, regarding packaging and design, international brands only trusted their own designers.
Now that Gao Fei had decided to create his own cosmetic brand, no one in the office dared to raise any objections and listened attentively to his instructions.
After more than ten minutes. Jin Qiqi's main task was to tally the funds currently in Gao Fei's account, ensuring sufficient capital for the stable operation of the cosmetic company. Zeng Keming was responsible for handling the necessary procedures for establishing the cosmetic company. Gu Lili was to redesign the packaging for the cosmetics as per the requirements, as all previous designs were scrapped. Gao Fei and Zhang Cheng would go out to look for cosmetic factory buildings for sale or for rent. Everyone began to busy themselves with the new investment project.
...
In the southern district of Kyoto, Hua Xing Manufacturing Plant.
"Boss, you've found the right person to act as an intermediary to buy a factory! The factory buildings I have for sale are all quite marvelous! And the prices are very fair and attractive!" A middle-aged man in a black suit, with two large gold teeth, stood beside Zhang Cheng, boasting about his capabilities. This person was named Xiang Guosheng, from Xiangjiang, Dragon Country, and was an intermediary in the southern district specializing in various businesses. The Hua Xing Manufacturing Plant he was introducing to Zhang Cheng was originally a food processing plant. Due to poor management in the past two years, the plant had incurred significant losses, and it was now in the stage of selling the factory to pay off debts.
"How about I take you inside the factory to take a look, young boss? You can look and listen to my explanations!"
"Alright!" Zhang Cheng nodded and followed Xiang Guosheng into the factory. He was there to gather information and only needed to look and ask; he didn't have the authority to decide whether to buy the factory. Gao Fei, who had the final say, was in the car making a phone call with Ge Qing.
Since Director Ge's first variety show involved a courier company and Hu Qing and others, he was calling to ask for Gao Fei's opinion beforehand on whether he approved of its broadcast. After all, the previous conflict with the three courier companies and the lawsuits involving Hu Qing and the other two had had a considerable negative impact on him. Gao Fei was currently a favored junior by the State Administration of Radio and Television and was also one of the variety show planners, so it was necessary to seek his opinion on the broadcast.
Upon learning of Ge Qing's intention, Gao Fei did not immediately give an answer. Instead, he asked Director Ge to consult Hu Qing and his brothers. As long as they agreed, the Wutong District Agency Headquarters could cooperate with the variety show's filming. After a brief conversation, they began discussing the direction of the variety show's filming. Just as Gao Fei finished narrating his ideas and arranged a meeting time with Ge Qing, Zhang Cheng arrived with Xiang Guosheng, looking delighted.
Halfway there, Xiang Guosheng was left behind, and Zhang Cheng excitedly ran to the car. "Damn, Lao Gao, this Hua Xing Manufacturing plant is an absolute steal!"
"A steal? How much of a steal? Tell me about it!" Gao Fei narrowed his eyes at the intermediary not far away and asked calmly with a smile. Zhang Cheng got straight to the point, roughly recounting Xiang Guosheng's words at the factory. The general idea was that the Hua Xing Manufacturing plant occupied about three mu of land, and because the manufacturer needed to sell the factory to pay off debts, the price was only three million yuan. This three million yuan already included all sorts of equipment and supporting facilities within the factory. Furthermore, the Hua Xing Manufacturing plant was located in the southern part of the city, at the junction of the suburbs and the city, so the price of three million yuan was already very cheap and reasonable.
"How is it, isn't the price very fair?" Zhang Cheng was very satisfied with the Hua Xing Manufacturing plant. If he had the money, he would buy it on the spot. However, Gao Fei, after hearing about the preferential prices, remained unmoved. He glanced at Xiang Guosheng, who was waiting nearby, and smiled, "The price is indeed quite reasonable. Get him to come over, I'll talk to him again."
"Alright!" Zhang Cheng nodded and ran off, immediately calling Xiang Guosheng to the car. When Xiang Guosheng saw that the boss behind him was Gao Fei, he was stunned for a moment, then enthusiastically stepped forward to greet him. "I didn't expect the boss to be Comrade Gao. Hello, hello, my name is Xiang Guosheng, and I'm an intermediary responsible for selling factory buildings in the southern district. Also, I'm responsible for selling various properties..."
Xiang Guosheng first introduced himself and then took out a pen and paper to ask for an autograph. After Gao Fei signed it for him, he began to speak, "Mr. Xiang, I've already heard about the discount for buying the factory from Lao Zhang. However, I have a question for you."
"Comrade Gao, please ask!"
"It's like this, since the three million yuan includes buying the land and production lines of the factory, has it been specified whether the three million yuan also covers the factory's debts?"
Upon hearing the question, Xiang Guosheng was taken aback, and the smile on his face vanished. Zhang Cheng, a naive newcomer, had given him the impression that he could be easily deceived, but faced with Gao Fei's question, he stammered and couldn't speak. Seeing his inability to answer, Gao Fei calmly continued with a smile, "Furthermore, Zhang Cheng has already explained to you that we are making a cosmetic factory. But you brought us to a food processing plant and tried to trick us into buying it! Mr. Xiang, do you think we're idiots to be fooled?"
"No, no, I..." Xiang Guosheng gave an awkward smile, unsure how to explain. Zhang Cheng, standing beside him, finally woke up. Three million yuan not only bought the factory but also its debts, no wonder it was so cheap! And they were making a cosmetic factory, why would they buy a food factory? Damn it, he was tricked! Zhang Cheng regained his composure and glared fiercely at Xiang Guosheng, who had been trying to fool him. Seeing the angry Zhang Cheng, Gao Fei shook his head and smiled, "Mr. Xiang, I don't lack money, but you shouldn't treat us like fools. I'll give you another chance. Take us to a cosmetic factory that we need."
"Okay!" Xiang Guosheng wiped sweat from his brow, wisely taking the opportunity to step down. As they got into the car, the three headed to another factory area in the southern district. With Gao Fei present, every time Xiang Guosheng tried to trick someone when introducing a factory, he was ruthlessly interrupted. Eventually, he could only behave and honestly introduce the factories.
...
After a day of moving around in the southern district. Gao Fei finally took a liking to a cosmetic factory for sale. The factory was named "Boli Cosmetics." It was also facing bankruptcy due to poor management in the past two years, hence the forced sale. After hearing the price quoted by the factory director and Gao Fei's estimated price for the equipment within the factory, the two parties finally settled on a final price. Six million yuan for the entire factory!
After agreeing on the price, Gao Fei quickly signed the contract with the other party, fearing that the factory owners might go back on their word. During this process, there were no obstacles from social elements or disturbances from factory shareholders, as often depicted in novels. Everything was calm and uneventful.
However, just as Gao Fei bought the factory and was preparing to adjust the equipment and try to produce a batch of cosmetics, the raw materials for the cosmetics suddenly presented a problem!