Chapter 006: Capital Grows Thirtyfold—This Is Only the Beginning

The night breeze brought with it a coolness, carrying the distant sounds of conversation. Sitting on the stone steps, Zhang Tianfeng gazed at the star-studded sky, feeling utterly at ease.

At this time, light and air pollution were not yet severe. On midsummer nights, the sky would be scattered with stars—though the mosquitoes were a bit relentless.

"Hey, the bracelet that girl was wearing just now seems to be from this very stall."

"Yeah, it looks exactly the same. I wonder about the craftsmanship."

"Let's check it out. It’s not as if he’d dare force us to buy anything."

Once you come to my stall, you won’t leave empty-handed.

Sitting up straight and looking at the two approaching customers, Zhang Tianfeng was momentarily taken aback.

He’d seen the girl on the left twice yesterday—once at the open-air cinema, once at the social dance square.

Steadying his nerves, Zhang Tianfeng smiled and asked, “Are you two interested in bracelets?”

“Yeah, let’s have a look.”

The bolder of the girls, whom he’d seen twice, crouched down to pick through the items, while the one on the right stood shyly, her cheeks flushed.

The bold girl immediately picked out the same bracelet Qin Yuelan had bought earlier and asked, “How much is this one?”

“Ten yuan.”

“Ten yuan?!”

In an era when the average monthly wage was a few hundred yuan, ten yuan was already a luxury. The girl’s voice jumped a full octave in shock.

“That’s way too expensive. Forget it.” She tossed the bracelet aside and turned to leave.

“Miss, do you know why that lady was so beautiful?” Zhang Tianfeng smiled, gesturing toward the cardboard sign on his left. “Because she wore my bracelet.”

“The two of you have a good foundation, and tonight you’re wearing light makeup. Not even the darkness can hide your beauty.”

“That girl is about the same as you, but she looked more beautiful because her clothes, hairstyle, and bracelet matched perfectly. When it all comes together, the effect is more than the sum of its parts.”

These words made the departing customers pause.

The bolder girl glanced back and asked cautiously, “Are you really a designer from Harbor City? You truly offer free advice and a complimentary bracelet?”

“I wouldn’t stoop to deceiving two such lovely customers over a little money.”

“Then tell me in detail—how should I match my clothes?” With that, she stepped forward.

Zhang Tianfeng looked her over and said, “Your outfit is inspired by Miss Wang, the movie star from Harbor City, isn’t it?”

“Yes, I really like her. I watched her in ‘God of Gamblers’ and tried to dress like her, but something always feels off.”

“You’ve imitated her closely, but the difference lies in your aura,” Zhang Tianfeng explained. “Miss Wang has her own designer. Everything she wears is tailored to match her own look, temperament, and figure perfectly.”

“Your face is similar to hers, but your figure is different. By copying her style, you’re actually hiding your own best features.”

“My suggestion: change into a beige mid-sleeve long dress, let your hair fall naturally over your shoulders, give your bangs a slight wave, and wear light blue sandals. With my bracelet, it’ll be perfect.”

“That’s all?” The girl sounded surprised.

Zhang Tianfeng handed her the bracelet, smiling. “You’re not paying anyway. Give it a try and see for yourself.”

“Alright, thank you!”

He nodded and turned to the girl on the right. “Miss, you seem more reserved.”

“Given your face and figure, I’d suggest straight brows, a bolder lipstick, keep your current hairstyle and clothes, and just swap out your shoes for pure white sandals or flats. Here’s your necklace.”

“Thank you,” the girl murmured shyly.

“You’re welcome. If you have any other questions, come back anytime.”

“Okay, we’ll be going now.”

Watching the two girls leave, Zhang Tianfeng took out pen and paper, and wrote on a board: “Two have been given away. Only one free spot left.”

Finished, he leaned back against the steps, hands behind his head, eyes on the dark sky.

Ten minutes later, Qin Yuelan returned.

“You look comfortable enough. I’m drenched in sweat from walking, and you look about ready to fall asleep,” she teased.

“Didn’t I tell you to have some fun? Why are you back so soon?” Zhang Tianfeng sat up.

Qin Yuelan sat down beside him. “I thought about it. Since we’re using my looks to advertise the products, I should sit here and let customers see. If they’re interested, they’ll come buy directly.”

No wonder she’d become a future queen of small commodities—her ability to absorb new ideas was remarkable.

“But you’ve overlooked something important: our stall is off the beaten path. In a time when everything is so similar, even the best goods can go unnoticed if tucked away.”

Qin Yuelan fell silent, thinking it over.

Still, her return had an effect—soon, two men strolled over.

“Boss, how much for a bracelet?”

“These are for ladies—twenty yuan each.”

“Wasn’t it ten?”

“You two are so handsome. If you wear my bracelets, no one else will dare buy them. I’m charging you a handsome fee—surely that’s fair?”

“I guess that makes sense… but that’s still too expensive. Can’t you go lower?”

“No.”

“Forget it. I’m handsome enough already—don’t need a bracelet.” With that, the two left quickly.

“You’re terrible—insulting people in such a roundabout way,” Qin Yuelan giggled, her charm undiminished by the night.

Those two had nothing to do with ‘handsome’—‘ugly’ was a better fit.

“Did they look like real customers to you? Their eyes were glued to you.”

Qin Yuelan nodded. “Thinking back, your advice really works. How is your brain so sharp?”

“Read more—then you’ll understand. The further you go, the more important knowledge and information become. Blind courage will get you nowhere.”

“Once I get my affairs in order, I’ll consider running a business and studying at the same time,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go. I don’t think we’ll have much business tonight.”

“Patience—let the bullets fly a little longer.”

“Can’t you speak more plainly?” she protested.

If he spoke plainly, how could she, the queen of small commodities, still admire him?

Before long, the park grew noisy. Qin Yuelan turned to see a group of people hurrying toward them, looking fierce.

“Oh no, those two must have reported you. Let’s run!” she exclaimed.

Zhang Tianfeng shook his head. Leading the group were the two girls from earlier—they’d come back with money.

“This is the place!”

“Boss, tell me how to put together my look. If you can satisfy me, this hundred yuan is yours.”

“Me too! Design my image and I’ll pay you fifty more!”

“No rush—one at a time.” Zhang Tianfeng pulled out his sign. “I’ve just helped these two with their style, and there’s one free spot left.”

“Miss, please put away your hundred yuan. Since you were the third to ask, I’ll serve you for free.”

“Your looks are excellent, and you’re even taller than the other two. You can try a different style…”

Surrounded by the eager girls, Qin Yuelan was stunned.

Weren’t they here to sell jewelry? How did he suddenly become everyone’s image consultant?

But, she had to admit, it was a clever move—he’d drawn all the customers from the neighboring stalls.

“Your hairstyle needs a change.”

“Your clothes are too dark—try lighter colors.”

“Miss, let me see…”

From seven in the evening until midnight, the two of them worked tirelessly before returning to the shop.

“One hundred, two hundred, three hundred… two thousand four hundred and fifty yuan.”

Zhang Tianfeng took out fifty yuan. “Sister, here’s your pay for tonight. Don’t think it’s too little.”

“It’s not little at all!”

All she’d done was stroll around with a necklace on, and she’d earned fifty yuan—more than enough, in fact!

“Little brother, I still don’t quite understand what just happened. Can you explain?”

She’d thought Zhang Tianfeng was boasting, yet he’d exceeded all expectations, turning his principal over thirty times and earning six hundred an hour.

If she could learn this skill, what worries would she ever have?

“Sure—fifty yuan tuition.”

“You knew I’d ask, didn't you?” Qin Yuelan gritted her teeth and handed the money back.

Zhang Tianfeng said, “The reason I chose the east gate of Fuhe Park is because it’s home to the smallest social dance square in Xiyan City.”

The bigger the place, the more mixed the crowd. The smaller the place, the more consistent the circle.

That’s where an MBA principle comes into play: some businesses make more from added services than the product itself, especially when the customers have money to spend.

On his reconnaissance the night before, Zhang Tianfeng noticed that the girls at the east gate dressed much better than elsewhere, but their jewelry was just as poor—hence his decision to make money with accessories.

Before setting up, he had the two of them enter through the east gate, with Qin Yuelan on his left, making sure the girls at the dance square saw her—the first strike of beauty.

After setting up, he sent Qin Yuelan out the same way, a second strike, stirring up those girls again.

Every girl loves beauty. As long as they dared to ask, they were the bold ones.

At this point, half the plan was complete.

Next, Zhang Tianfeng would use the pretext of beauty, flatter them a little, offer free advice and gifts, and completely break down their defenses.

Once they went home, their friends wouldn't tolerate someone prettier than themselves flaunting it in front of them.

Hearing the whole plan, Qin Yuelan sat in thought for five minutes.

“You’re incredible—calculating everything from the start, including me and the customers.”

“It’s not really scheming. Every customer leaves happy, and I make money. That’s called a win-win.”

“Even if it is scheming, so what? Business is a silent battlefield—win or be defeated. I don’t want to lose. I want to win, and keep winning!”

“I’ve learned so much.” Qin Yuelan stood up and bowed deeply. “Little brother, I want to do business with you. Will you take me on?”

“What do you have to offer?” Zhang Tianfeng countered.

“I have raw materials, I have equipment, and I’m good-looking.”

He shook his head with a smile, patting the stack of cash in front of him. “I have money.”

“Friendship is friendship, business is business.”

“We’ve only known each other a day. You have no capital or skills—I can’t take you on.”

“That’s a bit harsh—don’t be angry.”

“I know. My biggest regret in life is not continuing my studies.” Qin Yuelan lowered her head in shame, trembling slightly.

After a pause, Zhang Tianfeng continued, “But since you helped me today, I’ll offer you a way to make money. If you pass the test, I’ll work with you.”

Qin Yuelan’s eyes widened in delight. “Tell me.”

“How much did you pay to rent this shop? When does the lease end?”

“Three hundred sixty yuan. The lease is up at the end of this month.”

Located in the center of the wholesale market, though on the second floor, the shop was well-placed—visible as soon as you entered.

“I’ll give you six hundred yuan to sublet the shop, plus all raw materials and equipment usage fees.”

“No way! The raw materials alone are worth more than a thousand yuan at cost—you’re taking advantage of me!”

“If I don’t buy it, you’ll go out of business by month’s end. Even if you sell your materials to competitors, will they buy? And if they do, at what price? Better to turn it into cash now and plan your next move!”

“You… you…!” Qin Yuelan was so angry her eyes turned red.

Weren’t people who suffered emotional wounds supposed to be delicate? This guy was anything but.

“I could just bite you to death!”

“Forget it, then,” Zhang Tianfeng said, getting up to leave.

She quickly blocked the door. “I agree! But you must let me be your assistant. I won’t take a wage, and you can use my image for promotion—no charge.”

“No, I have a better way for you to make money.”

He took out pen and paper, wrote up the transfer agreement in detail, pressed their thumbprints on it, and handed her the money.

“Next, I’ll teach you a way to make at least a hundred an hour—but you’ll need to pay me six hundred yuan tuition.”

“Zhang Tianfeng, you’re doing this on purpose!” Qin Yuelan’s glare could kill.

“One hundred an hour, a thousand in ten hours—six hours to break even, ten days and you’re making ten thousand…”

“Enough! I’ll pay.”

Unable to resist, she handed the money back. “So what’s the method?”

“Shaved ice.”

“That’s it? Give me back my money!” she snapped. “There are already a bunch of shaved ice shops in Xiyan. I’ve checked—they’re all run by people from the provincial capital, claim to have learned in Japan, but the stuff tastes awful.”

“I’m not done. Shaved ice existed in our country as far back as the Tang and Song dynasties—Japan’s got nothing on us.”

He sketched a diagram on a blank sheet. “The method I’m teaching you is a shaved ice cart.”

“As the name suggests, it’s a cart you can push around. The advantage? Low cost, not dependent on fixed foot traffic—go wherever the crowds are.”

“I’ll also teach you several special recipes—that’s the real secret to making money. While selling shaved ice, you can promote your custom jewelry. It’s a mobile advertisement stand.”

“Even if others try to copy you, I’ll make sure you always profit.”

After thinking it through, Qin Yuelan agreed this was feasible.

“I’m curious—how many money-making ideas do you have in that head of yours?”

“More than you could imagine.” Stashing the cash in his bag, Zhang Tianfeng said, “See you tomorrow. I’m heading home.”

With twenty-four hundred yuan in hand, he caught a cab to his Fourth Uncle’s house.

Turning his principal over thirty times was only the beginning—the real profits would come in the days ahead.