Furthermore, moving forward, she would be given priority to purchase her own supply of bell-bottoms with a twenty-percent deposit. As for the rest of the inventory, there would be no such special treatment.
Luo Yuchen had already figured out a way to handle the stock that Tang Zhen couldn't move herself: he would have it sold directly in her shop, with all profits from those specific sales going to him. Tang Zhen naturally nodded in agreement.
Watching the current scene—the place in a state of absolute frenzy—Tang Zhen was stunned at first, and then broke into a radiant smile. This time, it really lived up to what So Ah-sai had said: she had truly met a benefactor.
"Form a line! There are still plenty of bell-bottoms, everyone will get a chance to buy, don't push!" Tang Zhen shouted repeatedly, occasionally pausing to attend to wholesalers who had come to place bulk orders.
The crowd at the scene was simply massive. Fortunately, Yuen Mui, So Ah-sai, and Tian Yang'en were there, along with thirty Dragon Gate lackeys sent by Luo Yuchen to maintain order, ensure their safety, and assist with sales and collecting money. Seeing the tough-looking Dragon Gate crew standing guard, no one dared to cause any trouble.
Even though Yuen Mui, So Ah-sai, and Tian Yang'en were stunningly beautiful and caught many eyes, they stayed inside the shop and had no direct contact with the customers; they were only responsible for passing the bell-bottoms and bringing out different styles for Tang Zhen, so those who wanted to strike up a conversation never found the opportunity. Besides, with the thirty formidable Dragon Gate brothers present, no one dared to step out of line.
"We're rich!" So Ah-sai watched the endless stream of people and beamed.
Yuen Mui was equally overjoyed; the smile on her face never faded. She hadn't expected this business venture to be an overnight success, and she was both amazed and ecstatic.
Among the crowd of buyers, many voices could be heard.
"One hundred and eighty-eight for a pair of bell-bottoms? Are they trying to rob us?"
"I think it's too expensive, too. My clothes usually don't cost more than twenty."
"Then why are you still here?"
"I'm just looking..."
"Hey, if you aren't buying, get lost! Don't block my way..."
"Who do you think you are? Acting so high and mighty—can you even afford it?"
"You think I'm like you? You broke loser!"
"Holy crap! Who's broke? You want to bet I'll buy three pairs right now?"
"Only three? Pfft! Don't make me laugh!"
"Alright, alright, stop arguing, we're almost at the front."
Those who managed to buy a pair would inspect the quality and nod in satisfaction: "Hey, you really can't deny it—this style is unique, and the fabric is decent, too. It should be pretty comfortable to wear..."
"Yeah, the material is really honest. Stuff in the big department stores that costs hundreds is pretty much the same as this..."
Inside Jinbi Bar, Tian Yangyi was busy summarizing the reports and updating Luo Yuchen. Once he had the final numbers from Tang Zhen’s end, even the usually calm Tian Yangyi couldn't help but be excited: "Brother Chen, the situation is looking great! At this rate, we might sell all two hundred thousand pairs of bell-bottoms today! Tang Zhen's regular customers are also pulling their weight, having already taken two thousand pairs. With our continuous promotion, sales in all areas are looking very good..."
Luo Yuchen, however, remained quite composed, as if he had anticipated this hot sales performance all along. He smiled slightly and said: "I told you all along that you can make big money in legitimate business. You don't have to deal in illegal goods, commit robberies, or collect protection money to get rich. Do you believe me now?"
Tian Yangyi nodded like a woodpecker, his eyes filled with thinly veiled admiration: "Brother Chen, of course I believe you..."
"Did you call A Zha?" Luo Yuchen asked with a smile.
Tian Yangyi nodded: "I did. He has already taken a portion of the money to urge the factories to speed up production..."
"Good. Tell him he must make the factories work at full capacity. Once our batch of bell-bottoms sells out, there will likely be knock-offs appearing on the market soon after," Luo Yuchen cautioned.
This was inevitable. Imitations, knock-offs, and plagiarism were simply facts of the market; no matter what measures you take, it's useless. If there is a market demand, someone will always be there to copy it. However, as far as Luo Yuchen was concerned, those who made knock-offs were only drinking the dregs. Although it wasn't something he enjoyed, there was nothing to be done about it. The only thing he could do was occupy the market as quickly as possible and grab the lion's share.
The clothing market was like that; in fact, every industry and every market was the same. When a blockbuster item suddenly appears on the market, people will inevitably follow suit, making slight modifications and passing it off as their own product. Some shameless ones wouldn't even change a thing, just swap the name and put it on the market with an air of legitimacy. This was the trend of the market. There was no helping it; in this era, awareness of intellectual property and copyright was not yet strong.
"Brother Zha is already handling it. Brother Chen, what's our next move?" Tian Yangyi asked.
Luo Yuchen narrowed his eyes and said thoughtfully: "Keep an eye on Beautiful Mum and see what she does."
Tian Yangyi's expression shifted; after a moment of thought, a flash of joy crossed his face: "Brother Chen, are we going to make a move on Beautiful Mum?"
"It's not that we *want* to move on her, but Beautiful Mum certainly won't let this go. Since that's the case, why shouldn't we strike first?" Luo Yuchen’s tone was calm, but there was a faint undertone of murderous intent.
Tian Yangyi snorted: "She really thinks we can't do anything to her? Hmph, once Tin-hung and his five hundred men arrive, even if we are at a disadvantage in numbers, it won't be as massive as it is now!"
Luo Yuchen nodded: "Beautiful Mum has about two or three thousand men. Our combined forces are less than a thousand, but..." He paused, his tone deepening, "Sometimes, having more people doesn't necessarily mean an absolute advantage! Anyway, enough of that. I'm going to make a call to check on Ah Sang and the others to see what the situation is on their end..."
Before he could even pull out his phone, it rang. Luo Yuchen took it out and couldn't help but smile. It was Tian Yangsheng calling.
After answering, Tian Yangsheng quickly reported: "Brother Chen, we've already recruited over four hundred men. We expect to reach the full count by tomorrow night! We’ll actually be able to finish the mission a day early."
Just then, Lok Tin-hung's voice came through the phone, feigning grievance: "Brother Chen, we're exhausted these days. You have to treat us to a meal when we get back—I want a feast!"
Luo Yuchen chuckled: "Fine! When you all get back, I'll treat you to drinks and a feast!" He paused and added: "There are still seven days left. Do your best to keep recruiting!"
Tian Yangsheng replied: "Understood, one day doesn't make much difference! Oh, and Brother Chen, I've already put the new recruits through some basic training. We’ve been constantly preaching the rules of Dragon Gate to them so they keep them in mind. Once we get back and they familiarize themselves with the base and do some extra training, they'll be ready for use immediately."
Luo Yuchen nodded: "Good! Ah Sang, you're the expert in this area, you handle it."
Tian Yangsheng laughed: "Besides that, I have another proposal..."
"Go ahead..." Luo Yuchen nodded.
Tian Yangsheng said: "Brother Chen, how about this? I suggest these men return in batches rather than all at once. This will give outsiders the illusion that we still only have about two hundred men and are just a small group. That way, if a big war breaks out, we can catch them off guard! Also, once these new guys return, have A Yi and Tony keep them hidden as much as possible for secret training. When the time is right, we’ll let them appear before everyone like a thunderbolt and give them a huge surprise!"
A bright light flashed in Luo Yuchen's eyes. As expected, Tian Yangsheng's intelligence and big-picture perspective were not to be underestimated. Both he and Tian Yangyi were natural-born commanders. With formidable combat skills, excellent strategic vision, and a meticulous, calm, and composed nature, men like these were the hallmarks of true power-brokers. If Tian Yangsheng and Tian Yangyi weren't his own men, Luo Yuchen might have been forced to find a way to eliminate them.
But now, he had nothing to worry about. Tian Yangsheng, Tian Yangyi, and the others were his most loyal subordinates; there was no need to fear betrayal.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and a constant smile remained on Luo Yuchen's face: "Ah Sang, that's an excellent proposal! Do exactly as you said!"
Tian Yangsheng said: "Alright then, I'll send a busload of men back right now!"
"Good! When you get back, I'll welcome you myself!" Luo Yuchen said. He turned on the speakerphone, looked at Tian Yangyi, and said: "Do you have anything to say to your big brother?"
Tian Yangyi shook his head, then nodded, and shouted into the phone: "Big Brother, when you get back, I've got a huge surprise for you too..."
"A surprise? What surprise?" Tian Yangsheng asked, puzzled.
"Damn, A Yi, are you playing games again? Be careful, or I'll beat you up when I get back!" came Lok Tin-hung's laughing, cursing voice.
Luo Yuchen chuckled. What a character!
Tian Yangyi curled his lip: "Tin-hung, are you itching for a beating? You dare talk to your Brother Yi like that?"
"Brother my foot! The one with the bigger fist is the brother! You wait until I get back, then you'll know who's the real brother!" Lok Tin-hung laughed.
Tian Yangyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but after a moment, he shouted into the phone: "Big Brother, help me beat Tin-hung up. When you get back, I'll buy you a drink..."
"Haha..." Tian Yangsheng couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Holy crap, A Yi, you despicable, shameless guy! You can't beat me so you're calling for reinforcements? Brother Sang, don't listen to his nonsense! Our brotherhood can't be broken by him so easily!" Lok Tin-hung immediately protested.
"If you don't want a beating, get back to work!" Tian Yangsheng jokingly scolded, then said to Luo Yuchen: "Brother Chen, let's leave it at that. I'm busy. You can send someone to receive this batch of recruits later..."
"Hard work..." Luo Yuchen nodded.
Tian Yangsheng hung up the phone efficiently.
Luo Yuchen instructed: "A Yi, have the first batch stay entirely at Jinbi Bar. You personally supervise them and make sure they integrate into Dragon Gate quickly..."
"Fine, no problem!" Tian Yangyi nodded.