Becoming Rich with Daily Scavenging APP-Chapter 363: Ugly Group Enters Instant Retail
"By the way, there’s something else these past couple of days." Zhang Yuling thought for a moment and decided to bring it up.
As she applied essential oil to Chen Yiyang’s back, pressing gently, she said, "Li Guanpeng contacted me recently, saying that as long as you and he are willing to have a meal together, I can ask for any amount as an introduction fee."
"Which Li Guanpeng?" Chen Yiyang asked.
"The one who’s the ex-husband of the diva Princess."
"Oh, oh." Upon hearing this introduction, Chen Yiyang knew who this person was.
Besides being the diva’s ex-husband, this guy is best known for having acted as Linghu Chong.
"What does someone who’s almost out of the entertainment circle want with me? Is he thinking about investing in a movie?" Chen Yiyang was a bit puzzled.
"He implied that he wants to collaborate with you on an investment venture."
"Who in their right mind would get involved in an investment with him?" Chen Yiyang was speechless.
This guy pursued real estate projects when the industry was at its peak, yet still ended up with abandoned projects and debts running into tens of millions.
That’s beyond what one could describe as an idiot inheriting a fortune.
"He also delivered a bunch of Heavenly Pearls to me, saying they’re a gift for you to check out." Zhang Yuling continued.
"You’re doing well in business right now, so it’s best to have less contact with such people in the future." Chen Yiyang initially thought that perhaps this person wanted him to invest in a legitimate project.
But upon hearing the words "Heavenly Pearl," he immediately understood why this person would offer such great terms to hope Zhang Yuling could get him to meet for a meal.
Actually, the domestic collectibles market is divided into two categories.
One is the genuine collection of antiques, artifacts, or items with historical value.
The other, as Chen Yiyang puts it, is like an offline version of virtual currency.
It ranges from sky-high prince orchids to Tibetan mastiffs to bizarre stones and Heavenly Pearls.
They all become popular for a short time, and when the upstream folks have made enough money and leave, those downstream who take over become the ones left with nothing.
Li Guanpeng is the ultimate "chive"—someone who gets cut down.
Whatever others speculate on, he jumps in and follows suit.
While others have sold off and withdrawn, he’s still holding onto a bunch, expecting to sell them gradually.
This leaves him only to amuse himself along with others.
Since he can’t drum up interest in these things himself, he thinks of pulling influential people in to hype it together.
He ends up only getting someone like Yangzi—who’s just as incapable as he is—to play along, becoming a laughingstock for others.
"Send the stuff back to whoever gave it." Chen Yiyang didn’t want to be associated with such people in any way.
"Okay, got it." Zhang Yuling nodded.
After returning to Lin’an from the Imperial Capital, Chen Yiyang happened to host Marco and his group, who were touring Huaxia.
After seeing Marco off, about half a month passed.
Liu Xiaoyue came to report to Chen Yiyang on the current development of their instant retail business.
"At present, our instant retail business has already covered all first- and second-tier cities in the Southeast Three Provinces.
We’ve established thousands of lightning warehouses locally, and the franchise business related to lightning warehouses is gaining 10 to 15 new franchisees each month."
"And the software?" Chen Yiyang asked Liu Xiaoyue, "I previously said we should develop a software specifically for our instant retail delivery personnel and runners. Has that been developed yet?"
"It’s been developed and is now in testing."
Liu Xiaoyue explained, "This software allows anyone to register as either a part-time or full-time employee of our instant retail. Through the software, these people can instantly accept orders on the retail platform."
"Hmm." Chen Yiyang nodded, "Our biggest competitor at the moment is the Ugly Group, and they do manage details quite well. I’ve seen their software; both the navigation and positioning are very accurate. Our software must meet their standards as well."
"Understood." Liu Xiaoyue nodded.
While Chen Yiyang and Liu Xiaoyue were talking, an assistant knocked and entered the room.
"Go ahead." Chen Yiyang knew the assistant wouldn’t interrupt unless the matter were urgent.
"The Ugly Group just announced that they are also entering the instant retail space and plan to roll it out nationwide!"
One must admit that as a leader in the food delivery industry, Ugly Group has both keen perceptions and swift reactions.
In just a few months, after Chen Yiyang set up his instant retail within the Southeast Three Provinces, Ugly Group identified this as a promising new market for them.
However, unlike other companies that engage in high-profile announcements before acting,
Ugly Group quietly deployed and tested their instant retail service nationwide, catching Chen Yiyang off guard with their sudden press conference.
When Ugly Group steps into instant retail, Chen Yiyang could consider himself fortunate to achieve a position similar to Hope’s in the food delivery field.
After all, Chen Yiyang only had a little over two billion prepared for his instant retail venture, and more than half had already been expended.
On the other hand, Ugly Group’s cash flow is at the trillion-level.
The Ugly Group wouldn’t dare engage in subsidy wars against other massive corporations, but when facing Chen Yiyang’s instant retail, they wouldn’t hesitate to spend a little to take him down.
"Mr. Chen, what should we do now? Should we release some announcement or statement?" Liu Xiaoyue looked at Chen Yiyang.
"And say what, accuse Ugly Group of copying us?" Chen Yiyang was not shaken in the least, "This is a business sector, and we have no patents.
We’re entitled to do business in this field, and so is Ugly Group. We have no grounds to accuse them unless they’ve copied our software or poached our talent."
"But we ought to respond somehow." Liu Xiaoyue said.
"Yes, we should respond." Chen Yiyang immediately said, "Get someone to contact Ugly Group and tell them I want to sell the instant retail company to them and ask them to name their price."
"Huh?" Liu Xiaoyue was dumbfounded after hearing Chen Yiyang’s words.
As soon as word got out from Chen Yiyang that he wanted to sell the company,
Ugly Group immediately sent people to Lin’an to actively engage with him.
Although Chen Yiyang’s instant retail currently holds little influence nationwide, it has already laid a considerable foundation in the bustling Southeast Three Provinces, boasting ample experience and existing talent.
If Chen Yiyang is willing to sell the company at a price lower than Ugly Group’s estimation of the cost needed to defeat Chen Yiyang’s instant retail through subsidies, Ugly Group would gladly purchase it directly.
To demonstrate sincerity, Ugly Group not only sent a vice president over but also leveraged connections with Tengxu to have Tengxu’s vice president, Wu Changxun, come engage in negotiations with Chen Yiyang.
"Hey, weren’t you saying you’d go head-to-head with Ugly Group and enter the food delivery field? Why are you in such a rush to sell your company before even starting the fight?" Wu Changxun teased Chen Yiyang right away.
