42: Chapter 43 Hyomin's Doubts Completely Dispelled

At the entrance of the hot pot restaurant.

The night in Seoul was a bit chilly.

Qian Xu watched Jeon Bo-ram walk into the elevator.

She was wearing his jacket.

Her face was flushed.

Like a kitten that had successfully stolen a fish.

The elevator doors closed.

Qian Xu smiled.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Park Hyomin.

"Mr. Qian, are you free tomorrow?"

"I want to see the CU Convenience Store's cultural and creative section."

Qian Xu replied.

"Sure, tomorrow at ten in the morning."

"See you at the CU Convenience Store in Apgujeong."

"Okay."

The next morning.

Apgujeong, CU Convenience Store.

Qian Xu arrived ten minutes early.

Wang Lei was organizing the shelves.

"President Qian, good morning!"

"Good morning."

Qian Xu nodded.

"How were yesterday's sales figures?"

"Very good!"

Wang Lei's eyes lit up.

"The 20 pilot stores."

"Yesterday's sales reached 38 million won."

"It was 40% higher than expected."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Keep up the good work."

"Start restocking today."

"Okay!"

Nine fifty-five.

A white Mercedes parked by the roadside.

Park Hyomin stepped out.

She was wearing a black blazer.

A white shirt.

Jeans.

Her hair was tied in a high ponytail.

She was wearing sunglasses.

She looked like a female CEO from a movie.

"Mr. Qian!"

She took off her sunglasses.

She smiled.

"I'm here."

"Morning."

Qian Xu waved.

"Come in and take a look."

Park Hyomin walked into the CU Convenience Store.

At first glance, she saw the cultural and creative section on the right side of the entrance.

Red velvet cloth was spread on the shelves.

The Palace Museum cultural and creative series.

Panda plushies.

Chinese-style stationery.

Hanfu hair accessories.

Everything was neat and tidy.

The lights shone on them.

They were glittering.

"Wow..."

Park Hyomin was stunned.

"You did this?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu walked to the shelf.

He picked up a panda plushie.

"The value of the first batch is 500 million won."

"We sold 38 million yesterday."

"Restocking starts today."

Park Hyomin walked over.

She picked up a notebook from The Palace Museum.

She flipped it open.

The inside was blank.

But the vermilion gate on the cover.

And the gold-stamped characters for "The Palace Museum".

Held her gaze.

"How much is this?"

"15,000 won."

"So cheap..."

Park Hyomin picked up a jade hairpin.

The Korean label read:

"Chinese Hanfu Hair Accessory"

"Material: Imitation Jade"

"Price: 12,000 won"

She looked at the jade hairpin.

Her eyes lit up.

"This is so pretty..."

"If you like it, take it."

Qian Xu smiled.

"It's a gift for you."

"Really?"

"Really."

Park Hyomin held the jade hairpin in her hand.

She smiled.

She continued looking.

The panda plushies were lined up in a row.

Each one wearing a red bow tie.

She picked one up.

Hugged it to her chest.

"So cute..."

"I'll give you this one too."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Really?"

"Really."

Park Hyomin hugged the panda plushie.

Like a little girl who had received a gift.

"Mr. Qian..."

"You even managed to set this up in a convenience store?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"This is just the beginning."

Park Hyomin looked at him.

Stunned.

"This is just the beginning?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu walked to the shelf.

Pointed to the goods on it.

"This is just the first batch."

"20 pilot stores."

"If it goes well."

"We will expand to 100 stores next week."

"And to 500 stores next month."

"By the end of the year, we will cover all 15,000 CU Convenience Store locations nationwide."

Park Hyomin opened her mouth in surprise.

"15,000?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu smiled.

"This is just for convenience stores."

"There are also supermarkets."

"And shopping malls."

"And online platforms."

"I want Chinese cultural and creative products."

"To enter every Korean household."

Park Hyomin stood there.

Hugging the panda plushie.

Looking at Qian Xu.

Her eyes turned red.

"Mr. Qian..."

"Hmm?"

"I completely believe you now."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Believe what?"

"I believe every word you say."

Park Hyomin's voice choked up slightly.

"You said you would take T-ARA to China for a concert."

"I thought it was just empty talk."

"You said you would invest in T-ARA's comeback."

"I thought you were just saying it."

"You said you would bring Chinese cultural and creative products into Korea."

"I thought it was just a business plan."

"But now..."

She looked at the Chinese cultural and creative products on the shelf.

Looked at the jade hairpin.

Looked at the panda plushie.

"You really did it."

"It's only been a month."

"And you've already done it."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"This is just the beginning."

"T-ARA's comeback."

"Is just the first step."

"Chinese cultural and creative products entering Korea."

"Is just the first step."

"There will be much more in the future."

Park Hyomin nodded vigorously.

"I believe in you."

"From now on, whatever you say."

"I will believe it."

Qian Xu smiled.

"That's good."

"Go back and prepare well."

"We're filming the MV next week."

"Okay!"

Park Hyomin wiped her eyes.

"I will definitely perform well."

She hugged the panda plushie.

Walked out of the CU Convenience Store.

Stood at the entrance.

Looked back.

Qian Xu was standing in front of the shelf.

Talking to Wang Lei.

Sunlight streamed in from outside.

Shining on him.

Park Hyomin looked at him.

She suddenly felt a strange sensation in her heart.

This man.

Is truly very different.

She took out her phone.

Took a picture of Qian Xu from behind.

Sent it to the T-ARA group chat.

"Sisters."

"I saw the CU Convenience Store's cultural and creative section today."

"The boss really did it."

Ham Eun-jung replied instantly.

"How is it?"

"It's very good."

Park Hyomin typed.

"Sales are 40% higher than expected."

"The boss said this is just the beginning."

"By the end of the year, it will cover 15,000 stores nationwide."

Park So-yeon sent a shocked emoji.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Park Hyomin replied.

"I completely believe him now."

"From now on, whatever he says."

"I will believe it."

Jeon Bo-ram sent a smiley face.

"I told you so."

"The boss is very capable."

Park Ji-yeon sent a cute, coquettish emoji.

"Unnie, please bring me a panda plushie!"

"I want one too!"

Lee Qri also sent a message.

"I want one too!"

"I want that jade hairpin!"

Park Hyomin smiled.

"Okay."

"I'll bring them for you."

She put away her phone.

Hugged the panda plushie.

Got into the car.

Started the engine.

Glanced at the rearview mirror.

Qian Xu was still standing at the entrance of the CU Convenience Store.

Talking to Wang Lei.

She smiled.

Stepped on the gas.

The white Mercedes drove out of the parking lot.

Inside the CU Convenience Store.

Qian Xu watched Park Hyomin's car drive away.

Smiled.

"Wang Lei."

"Yes, President Qian."

"Starting today."

"Gift a set of cultural and creative products to each T-ARA member."

"Send them to the practice room."

"Okay!"

Wang Lei nodded.

"I'll arrange it right away."

Qian Xu walked out of the CU Convenience Store.

Stood at the entrance.

Looked at the streets of Seoul.

The sunshine was just right.

The leaves of the plane trees rustled.

He smiled.

Park Hyomin said.

"I completely believe you now."

These words.

Meant more than any data.