87: Chapter 88 China Increases Direct Procurement

The night in Seoul was deep.

Qian Xu sat in the car, looking at the group chat messages on his phone.

Park Hyomin's teasing message was still on the screen.

He smiled.

Just as he was about to reply, his phone vibrated again.

It was a call from Kim Min-jun.

"Mr. Qian, Lotte has officially notified us."

"The suppliers have to choose one or the other."

Qian Xu frowned.

"I understand."

"See you at the office tomorrow morning."

"Alright."

Kim Min-jun hung up the phone.

The next morning.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

7:30 AM.

By the time Qian Xu arrived, Kim Min-jun was already in the conference room.

The notice from Lotte Mart was on the table.

"Good morning, Mr. Qian."

"Morning."

Qian Xu sat down, opened the document, read it, and smiled.

"They have finally made their move."

"Mr. Qian, you're still smiling?" Kim Min-jun was anxious.

"This is a big deal."

"Lotte Mart holds over 20% of the market share in the Korean retail market."

"If they cut off our suppliers, we will run out of stock."

Qian Xu leaned back in his chair.

"Representative Kim, are you afraid?"

"Afraid?" Kim Min-jun was taken aback.

"I'm not afraid, but I am worried about the store."

"If we run out of stock right after opening, our reputation will collapse."

Qian Xu nodded.

"You're right."

"That's why we need to plan ahead."

He opened his laptop and pulled up a document.

The title read: "China Direct Sourcing Escalation Plan" and "Yiwu Daily Necessities Procurement Plan."

Kim Min-jun leaned in to look.

"Mr. Qian, have you already prepared for this?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu pointed at the screen.

"The first batch of China Direct Sourcing goods, worth 5 billion KRW, has already arrived at the port. But it's not enough."

"After Lotte cuts off our suppliers, we need to at least double our volume of China Direct Sourcing."

Kim Min-jun was stunned.

"Double?"

"Yes."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I contacted Yiwu last night and placed an additional order."

"The second batch, worth 3 billion KRW, consists entirely of daily necessities—tissues, laundry detergent, shampoo—the categories Koreans consume the most daily."

Kim Min-jun looked at the screen.

"What about the cost?"

"Compared to Korean wholesale prices," Qian Xu smiled, "it's another 10% lower."

"Why?"

"Because the people in Yiwu know we are being choked by Lotte. They proactively offered a discount because they want to help us gain a foothold."

Kim Min-jun took a deep breath.

"Chinese helping Chinese."

"Exactly."

Qian Xu stood up.

"This is the advantage of the Dual Supply Chain. If Korean suppliers try to squeeze us, we source directly from China. The costs are lower, the quality is better, and no one can hold us back."

At 9:00 AM, Qian Xu dialed the Yiwu supplier.

On the other end of the line was the voice of a middle-aged man.

"President Qian, good morning!"

"Boss Wang, good morning."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Has the cargo been shipped?"

"It's shipped!" Boss Wang's voice was cheerful.

"The 3 billion KRW worth of goods was loaded last night. It's taking the China-Korea Express line and will arrive at Busan Port in 72 hours."

"Good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Regarding the price, the quote you gave is 10% lower than last time. Is that alright?"

"No problem!" Boss Wang laughed.

"President Qian, I'll be honest with you. The price I gave you last time was the normal wholesale price. This time, it's at cost."

"Why?" Qian Xu asked.

"Because I know you're running a supermarket in Korea," Boss Wang's voice turned serious.

"You're being squeezed by the Koreans. I, Wang Jianguo, do business to earn what I should, but when Chinese people are being bullied, I must help."

Qian Xu was silent for a few seconds.

"Boss Wang, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Boss Wang laughed.

"You're bringing honor to the Chinese in Korea, and I'm backing you up here at home. We Chinese people are one family, wherever we go."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Alright. When the goods arrive, I'll treat you to a drink."

"Deal!" Boss Wang hung up the phone.

Qian Xu put down his phone and looked at Kim Min-jun.

"The second batch of goods will arrive at the port in 72 hours. The cost is down another 10%."

Kim Min-jun gave a thumbs up.

"Mr. Qian, you are truly…"

"Calculated and flawless."

"It's only right." Qian Xu smiled.

"Let's go. Let's head to the Hongdae store to see how the first batch of goods is selling."

"Alright."

At 10:00 AM, in Hongdae, Yunmengze Life Plaza.

Qian Xu and Kim Min-jun walked in.

The store was crowded.

There was a long line at the checkout counters.

Half the goods on the shelves were already gone.

"Business is good." Kim Min-jun looked at the customer flow.

"There are even more than yesterday."

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"Word of mouth has spread. The prices are cheap, the service is good. Koreans aren't fools."

He walked to the daily necessities section.

On the shelves, only a few packs of tissues were left.

The laundry detergent was also almost sold out.

"Representative Kim, look."

Qian Xu pointed at the empty shelves.

"These daily necessities are what Koreans need the most. After Lotte cuts off our suppliers, local Korean brands won't supply us. But with China Direct Sourcing for daily necessities, the prices are cheap, the quality isn't bad, and Koreans will buy them all the same."

Kim Min-jun nodded.

"Then when the second batch arrives, we'll increase the proportion of daily necessities."

"Yes." Qian Xu smiled.

"Let Lotte see. By cutting off our suppliers, they've actually helped us."

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"Mr. Qian, are you in Hongdae?"

"Yes."

"I'm at the store."

Ham Eun-jung replied quickly.

"I'm nearby too. Rehearsal just finished. Should I come over to take a look?"

Qian Xu replied, "Sure."

A few minutes later, Ham Eun-jung appeared at the store entrance.

She was wearing a white T-shirt, her hair tied in a ponytail, and her face still flushed from rehearsal.

"Wow!" She walked in, looking at the customers queuing.

"Business is this good? It's even livelier than yesterday."

"Yes." Qian Xu smiled.

"Word of mouth has spread. The prices are cheap, the service is good. Koreans really respond well to that."

Ham Eun-jung walked to the daily necessities section and looked at the empty shelves.

"These are all sold out?"

"Yes." Qian Xu nodded.

"Tissues, laundry detergent, shampoo. They sell the fastest. Local Korean brands are twice as expensive. The China Direct Sourcing daily necessities are similar in quality but half the price. Of course, Koreans will choose the cheaper one."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

"Then Lotte cutting off the suppliers… didn't that actually help you?"

"Yes." Qian Xu smiled.

"They thought they could choke me out. Instead, they forced me to launch the Dual Supply Chain. China Direct Sourcing + Korean Farmers. No one can hold us back."

Ham Eun-jung smiled.

"You are truly…"

"Calculated and flawless."

"It's only right." Qian Xu looked at the store.

"Let's go. Let's head to the warehouse. The second batch of goods is arriving soon."

"Alright."

At 2:00 PM, at the Busan Port warehouse.

Qian Xu and Ham Eun-jung stood at the entrance.

Kim Min-jun was coordinating with logistics.

"The second batch of goods is expected to arrive at the port tomorrow afternoon."

Kim Min-jun walked over.

"It's 12 hours ahead of schedule."

"Good." Qian Xu nodded.

"Once it arrives, take it straight to Hongdae. The shelves at the store are almost empty."

"Alright." Kim Min-jun went to make the arrangements.

Ham Eun-jung stood next to Qian Xu, looking at the sea.

The sun was setting, and the sea surface was shimmering with golden light.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever thought about what you would do if one day your system disappeared?"

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

Qian Xu was taken aback. This question again.

She had asked him the same thing last time at Busan Port.

"I don't know," he answered honestly.

"But I will take advantage of the present to do more things—to help T-ARA get back on its feet, to make Yunmengze a real enterprise, and to let the Chinese people in Korea live with more dignity."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him, her eyes very gentle.

"You really are very special."

His phone vibrated. It was a system notification.

Qian Xu tapped it open.

[China Direct Sourcing Escalation Complete]

[Second Batch Value: 3 Billion KRW]

[Procurement Cost: Another 10% Lower than Korean Wholesale Price]

[Supply Chain Stability: S-Rank]

He smiled and put away his phone.

"Ms. Eun-jung, let's go. Back to Seoul. There's still rehearsal tomorrow."

"Alright." Ham Eun-jung nodded.

The two walked out of the warehouse.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long.