Chapter 008: After Selling Services Comes Selling Stories, and the Bully Arrives

Once again, Zhang Tianfeng launched himself into the wild rhythm of overtime, working from dawn to dusk and back to dawn. With full power, he crafted 1,200 pieces of jewelry, half brooches and half necklaces. In his spare moments, he wrote the first chapter of the exclusive story for the summer-themed collection, "Summer Love," and designed an advertising flyer.

After only two hours of sleep, Zhang Tianfeng woke at the sound of his alarm, tidied up the shop, cleared everything into storage, set up display racks for the jewelry, and adjusted the lighting. He was busy until ten o'clock in the morning before opening the shop.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Qin Yuelan outside, pushing a small cart, her eyes wide as saucers.

"You're here so early? Aren't you out making money at your stall?"

"Making money, my foot. I was out all night yesterday, and this morning there's already another shaved ice cart."

So soon? Clearly, West Salt City is not lacking in determined people.

Muttering to himself, Zhang Tianfeng said, "Your business will take a hit, but it won't be too bad. The recipe is the real key!"

"Younger brother, do you have any other recipes? I'd like a few more."

Qin Yuelan was still uneasy. The more recipes she had, the better her chances.

Zhang Tianfeng raised his hand, "Three hundred yuan. Non-negotiable."

"Just say you want me to bite you!" Qin Yuelan gritted her teeth.

After two days with him, she hadn't earned a penny, and her shop was gone. She'd hoped that with the shaved ice cart, she could escape the pit and start making money, but after one night of happiness, she was back in it!

She suspected she'd been tricked, but had no proof.

"How about this: go to the place where I used to set up my stall, put this sign on your shaved ice cart, and I'll teach you."

The sign read, "Fashion Guru Helps You Dress to Impress and Win the Heart of Your Dream Him/Her. Location: Wholesale Market, Second Floor, Room 205."

"Zhang Tianfeng, you planned for me all along! In a blink, you made me your free labor again!"

"As long as you do as I say, I guarantee you'll make ten thousand in four days. I'll make up any shortfall."

"Brother, no need for formalities between us. Helping you is only right!"

"Set up your stall at Fuhe Park for half a day. Tomorrow, wait outside the shop. Prepare more ingredients and hire a helper if you can, otherwise you'll be exhausted."

"Are you planning to sell services?"

"Not services—it's about reusing customer flow."

As long as he could attract those high-quality customers, the shop's traffic would naturally increase. And with the heat, just standing still was enough to break a sweat; enjoying a bowl of shaved ice while waiting in line was paradise.

Qin Yuelan had no more doubts. She took the sign and pushed her cart away.

Zhang Tianfeng crossed his legs, lit a cigarette, and sat waiting for customers.

...

Gao Ran was a native of West Salt City. She had a gentle, virtuous mother and a busy father. As a student, she noticed other children being picked up by their fathers, and she'd ask her mother where he was. Her mother always replied, "Your father is out earning money."

From childhood, Gao Ran never lacked money. While others had only a few yuan for pocket money, she had a hundred each week. If she ran out, she just told her mother and had more immediately.

From reckless spending to rational budgeting, from poor grades to top student, Gao Ran believed her learning and comprehension were above average.

Her sense of fashion and cultivation always surpassed her peers. But just two nights ago, she met a young man running a street stall in Fuhe Park, claiming to be a designer from Harbor City.

Determined not to spend money, she followed his advice and tried changing herself, and a new door opened before her. Her unusual style made her the brightest in her circle of friends, catching all eyes.

But there were always a few shameless ones who copied her look, not realizing how ugly they were. Gao Ran was disgusted, wanting to try a new style, but nothing seemed right.

She remembered the street stall boy from Fuhe Park. Setting out in the evening, with plenty of cash, she swore to adopt a style those copycats could never imitate. But he was nowhere to be found.

After a sleepless night, she rushed over early the next day, waiting until noon before seeing the familiar pretty girl selling shaved ice, with a sign indicating the boy's location.

Gao Ran immediately set off for the wholesale market.

"Come take a look, Summer Breeze bracelets! Put on my necklace and you'll be at the forefront of fashion!"

"Summer Breeze bracelet and necklace set, wholesale price six yuan, better deal for bulk orders!"

"Hey, beauty, you look familiar. That bracelet is from my stall, right? Got new items, Summer Breeze necklace, just five yuan."

"Beauty, my necklace and earrings are only eight yuan!"

Clearly, a true hustler of the wholesale market—not only copying Zhang Tianfeng's sales pitch, but also independently designing two more Summer Breeze accessories.

But Gao Ran found them uncomfortable, as if a pheasant had stuck a few phoenix feathers in its wings—still just a pheasant.

She shook her head and hurried upstairs.

No sooner had Gao Ran stepped into Zhang Tianfeng's shop than a few shifty-eyed stall owners followed.

"Go tell Brother Niu, that guy's got a customer."

Inside, Zhang Tianfeng was asleep.

After a day and night awake, only two hours of sleep, no coffee, no tea, cigarettes alone couldn't ward off fatigue.

Seeing a familiar face, Gao Ran ran over excitedly, banging on the table.

"Hey, wake up!"

Startled, Zhang Tianfeng nearly fell off his chair. Rubbing his eyes, he realized this was his very first customer.

"What can I do for you, miss?"

"Design me a new look, tailor-made, so those copycats can't imitate me. If I'm satisfied, this thousand yuan is yours."

A thousand! Truly a generous client!

In that case, don't blame me for striking while the iron is hot.

Grandmaster of persuasion, online!

"You want a style no one else can copy, right?"

"Exactly!"

"Have you ever heard the story of Dong Shi imitating Xi Shi? Why was Dong Shi so annoying?"

"She was ugly and shameless."

"Not just ugly—her temperament and bearing were worlds apart from Xi Shi, something she could never learn."

"From your outfit and spending, it's clear your family is well-off. You have a good foundation. Next, you need to cultivate your refinement."

"Are you saying I lack refinement?" Gao Ran frowned.

"Not at all. I just think that if you're spending money, you should at least know what you're buying. For example, do you know the meaning behind your bracelet?"

"No."

"My intention when designing this necklace was to give every girl a perfect love."

"There was once a beautiful girl named Zhong Yi, from a wealthy family. Through an accident, she met the jewelry designer Zhang Ziqian..."

The story played out like a blend of a classic romance and a K-drama, guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of any girl.

Gao Ran was a diehard fan of such dramas. Hearing the story, she was instantly captivated.

"Sadly, fate was cruel. Zhong Yi fell into a coma due to an aneurysm, and Zhang Ziqian stayed by her bedside day and night."

"Recalling their meeting and connection, he designed this jewelry set, naming the bracelet 'Summer Breeze.' The five blue stars represent the five stars they discovered together, the silver chain is the Milky Way, symbolizing their love would only end if the Milky Way vanished."

"So touching!" Gao Ran was crying, wiping her eyes with all her might.

Zhang Tianfeng took a booklet from under the counter and handed it over. "Here's the story of Summer Love, with a photo of the male and female lead holding hands, and my signature on the back. Only one copy."

"Thank you, but you still haven't told me how I'll stand out from them."

"This story is yours alone. They don't know it." Zhang Tianfeng stood up. "Imagine them showing up in public dressed like you, and you tell the story of Summer Love while they look blank. What would that be like?"

"A laughingstock!" Gao Ran burst out laughing, picturing the scene.

Zhang Tianfeng nodded and continued, "There's a saying: matching outfits aren't scary—it's who's ugly that's awkward."

"Improve the quality of your social circle, refuse to be friends with vulgar people. That's the biggest gap between you and them."

He pulled a small box from the cabinet and pushed it to Gao Ran. "This is the matching brooch for Summer Breeze. You can wear it."

"What a beautiful brooch!"

Gao Ran put it on and spun around, beaming. "You said a full set—are there other accessories?"

"Still in design. They'll be ready the day after tomorrow."

"Great, I'll come back then. Save a set for me, don't sell out."

She pushed the money to Zhang Tianfeng, turned to the door, then looked back, "Is my outfit today okay?"

"It's perfect, just go a bit lighter on the lipstick and you'll be flawless."

"Thanks! I'm off to crush those ugly trolls. Wait for my good news!"

"Take care!"

Only after Gao Ran disappeared did Zhang Tianfeng take the thousand yuan in hand.

People these days are so naive. The tropes that were worn out in the twenty-first century still work wonders here!

No matter—he had plenty more stories. He could handle another hundred wealthy clients.

Bang bang bang—

The iron door knocked again. A thin, sharp-faced man stood at the entrance.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

"Young man, you're talented, designing such a perfect bracelet. Let's work together!"

"Which outfit are you from?"

"My name is Niu Li. I've been in the wholesale market for three years, own three workshops, and most shopkeepers source their goods from me."

"I know you." Zhang Tianfeng's expression grew serious.

Niu Li was a notorious rogue in West Salt Wholesale Market.

Relying on his uncle in management, he forced shopkeepers to cooperate with him. If they refused, Niu Li played dirty tricks—not criminal, but infuriating.

Many shopkeepers went bankrupt because of him, losing everything.

The visitor was certainly up to no good.