CHAPTER 494: CHAPTER 494: HIGHEST BIDDER WINS

Another month passed, and Qin Xiangnuan, well-fed and pampered, did not have the slightest ailment, and her complexion became even more ruddy. She felt no discomfort, which she attributed to the medicine from the system. Regardless of the reason, she was very pleased with her current state. Other pregnant women looked swollen and unrecognizable, but she remained beautiful. Even the staff at her store noticed, remarking that although she was pregnant, she seemed more beautiful than before.

Her clothes were all made by herself, well-fitting and flattering. Who said that pregnant women can’t be beautiful? Despite her growing belly, being in the fashion industry meant she naturally had to dress beautifully. Otherwise, how could she expect others to buy her clothes?

She had even considered opening another store selling maternity clothes, but ultimately decided against it due to limited resources. Besides, biting off more than she could chew wasn’t wise. Her clothing store was doing well, and she didn’t need another shop to distract her.

It must be said, Zhao Jinmin was truly talented. He managed both stores skillfully, enhancing their reputation in Capital City. People even came specifically to him seeking collaboration.

As for the idea of opening branch stores, to be honest, Qin Xiangnuan was somewhat reluctant. Indeed, it would make money, but it would also require manpower, resources, and added stress, which she did not want.

Zhao Jinmin felt it was a pity, but he came to understand Qin Xiangnuan. He realized that she didn’t open a clothing store purely for profit, but for the love of it. The real profit came from the two internet cafes. Although he himself was not a patron of internet cafes, he had a rough idea of the substantial profits they generated. That industry was indeed excessively lucrative.

Yet Zhao Jinmin’s ambition did not allow him to easily give up. Later, he came up with an idea and proposed it to Qin Xiangnuan. It was to supply design sketches to some major clothing companies under the subsidiary brand café, meaning they would provide the brand and the designs, but the rest would be up to those companies. This would be called café Sea, distinctly different from café itself, which took a high-end approach, selecting the finest. café Sea, coming from the same designer, would offer more affordability than the premier café brand.

Qin Xiangnuan agreed, reasoning that even if she didn’t sell the designs, knockoffs were rampant anyhow. With their café label on the clothes, it would be like gilding them, catering to those who did not wish to buy the high-end café offerings.

Of course, she would modify the design sketches herself. café’s garments would remain unique, selling reputation and distinction.

In plain terms, let Qin Xiangnuan modify some designs to sell, but ensuring they still represented her work.

Qin Xiangnuan was certainly willing. Casual sketches would suffice, and from her past life experience in the clothing industry, she would be able to keep up with trends for at least another decade. Beyond that, she trusted that her accumulated experience would keep the café brand from failing. Quality over quantity was her ethos, and she had no fear.

Zhao Jinmin happily went to arrange these matters.

Naturally, many companies expressed keen interest in his proposal. Numerous calls had already been received. But when it came to choosing a company to produce the sub-brand café Sea’s clothing, he needed to deliberate carefully.

A meeting time was set, and everyone was ready for fair competition. Anyone with a bit of fashion sense knew that café’s clothing made a lot of money. Despite café’s distinct approach, they were now willing to collaborate with a single company, offering both the brand name and designs. For any company securing the deal, it meant a possibility of becoming a top domestic fashion brand within a few years.

Yes, there were many knockoffs, but the quality could never be replicated. Every company has its knockoffs; it only indicated that the designers were not at the forefront of fashion trends. Now, eagerly, they hoped to master, utilize, and profit from what’s trendy.

At least seven or eight major domestic clothing factory representatives were present, all awaiting the person in charge of café to decide whom to partner with. They were all in the same industry, naturally making them adversaries. Outwardly, everyone was as cordial as if with their own parents, but who could tell if someone might stab another in the back once they turned around?

With a squeak, the door opened, and the chattering, whether sincere or feigned, instantly ceased. The conference room fell silent.

"Everyone is here, aren’t they?"

Zhao Jinmin walked in, placing the documents on the table and resting his hands on it. His gaze settled on one individual, who was smiling. The recipient of that smile turned pale, as though about to vomit something unclean.

The unspoken question, "Why is it you?" was almost shouted out loud.

Zhao Jinmin’s smile broadened as he picked up the documents and flipped through them before sitting down. "I presume many here know me," his gaze shifted, "however, there are also quite a few who have never seen me." After saying this, he looked at one man whose heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed by an indescribable pressure, nearly crushing him. The man was none other than Gao Cheng, Zhao Jinmin’s former archrival and the one who ousted him from Fenggong Clothing Company.

The happier and more confident Zhao Jinmin seemed, the more disgusted Gao Cheng felt, wanting to vomit but unable to leave; wanting to stay but not daring to. Sitting felt like atop a cactus, its spines piercing him, teaching him the true meaning of misery.

Soon after, Gao Cheng was drenched in sweat, his clothes nearly soaked through.

"What’s wrong, Mr. Gao, you are sweating?" A person kindly asked Gao Cheng, though an enemy, some concern was still warranted.

"It’s nothing, nothing, thank you for your concern," Gao Cheng wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, "It’s just a bit warm in here, that’s why I’m perspiring."