Chapter 20: A Cornered Beast Will Fight Back

Wu Ya did not leave the house for an entire day.

He locked himself in his room, immersed in deep thought.

The sales channels weren’t working.

If this problem isn’t resolved, all the plans amount to nothing!

Because...

The rise of student uniforms would happen within these next few days!

If he missed this window, the consequences would be dire!

He was pressed for time!

“What should I do to open up the sales?” he wondered, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

His mind drifted back over the next twenty years of his life, recalling anything that might relate to his current predicament.

Anything even remotely relevant, he would examine relentlessly, then adapt it for the present situation, hoping it could be put to use.

But after coming up with dozens of ideas, he still found nothing.

Meanwhile, outside his room, his parents were beside themselves with worry.

After coming home last night, their son had locked himself away. He hadn’t eaten, hadn’t spoken a word.

What on earth was happening?

“Old man, what’s wrong with our son? He won’t eat, just shuts himself in his room without a sound. Could it be something’s gone wrong with the business?”

As for the student uniforms, despite having the support of Liu Qian’s parents, Zhang Caixia had never felt optimistic about them from the start.

Seeing Wu Ya like this only deepened her anxiety.

By yesterday, over a hundred Zhongshan suits had already been altered.

To change them back? Impossible!

If this decision proved wrong and there was no market for student uniforms, then what awaited their family...

Would be disaster!

The thirty sewing machines in the tailor shop were still humming away energetically!

At this rate, the ten bolts of fabric delivered two days ago would be used up by tomorrow!

That meant another hundred finished uniforms!

If all these failed to sell, they would lose everything!

At this moment, Zhang Caixia was faintly regretful.

Was this decision too hasty?

“Well, it’s probably the business that’s hit a snag. But don’t worry too much, wife. Even if there’s a problem we can’t solve, we still have Liu Qian’s parents, don’t we? Maybe our son is wrestling with the issue on his own to prove himself,” Wu Wanli mused, looking at Zhang Caixia.

“Yes. They gave us advice and sent Liu Qian to help oversee things, and for that, we’re already grateful. If we trouble them for every little thing, what are we here for?” Zhang Caixia, though worried, agreed with Wu Wanli.

Their son had pride.

He’d be embarrassed to bother Liu Qian’s parents again. That’s why he was holed up, thinking desperately.

But he was only an eighteen-year-old kid—what business experience did he have?

If embarrassment kept him from seeking advice at the best moment, the consequences could be severe.

Thinking of this, Zhang Caixia looked at Wu Wanli.

“How about we call Liu Qian directly and have her ask her parents for their opinion?”

“Yes!” Wu Wanli nodded, agreeing immediately.

This was no trivial matter; it could not be delayed.

The couple sprang into action, dressed, and prepared to leave.

They would find a phone booth and call Liu Qian.

But just as they opened the front door...

A creak sounded, and the inner room door opened.

“Mom, Dad, where are you going?” Wu Ya suddenly emerged.

The gloom of yesterday was gone from his face, replaced by unmistakable relief.

“Oh, son, we saw you locked in your room, not eating or drinking. Did you run into trouble? Should we ask Liu Qian? Maybe her parents can help?” Wu Wanli turned, choosing his words carefully.

Their son was in business for the first time; his dignity needed protecting.

They couldn’t let careless words crush his drive.

“Yes, son. Sometimes you need to ask others for help. Don’t let pride lead you astray,” his mother advised earnestly.

“Mom, Dad, you’ve worried enough,” Wu Ya said, his face tinged with guilt.

After coming back to life, he’d hoped to let his parents live comfortably.

But in just a few days, he’d made them fret over him again!

“It’s nothing. You’re our son; worrying about you is our duty,” Zhang Caixia and Wu Wanli reassured him, their eyes full of kindness.

“Mom, Dad, you don’t need to worry anymore. I’ve been troubled these days because sales weren’t moving, but now I’ve found a solution!” Wu Ya said, sitting at the table.

He gazed hungrily at the food his mother had prepared.

From last night until now, Zhang Caixia hadn’t left the house, busy in the kitchen, trying different dishes for Wu Ya.

She hoped the aroma would distract him, ease his worries.

But Wu Ya seemed to have lost his sense of smell, never opening his door.

As a result, the food piled up on the table, uneaten.

Now that his mind was clear, his appetite returned.

Without waiting for his parents, he grabbed his chopsticks and devoured the food.

“Son, let me heat that up for you,” his mother offered.

“No need, Mom,” he replied, eating with gusto.

His day of intense thinking had not been wasted!

He had finally found a way to break through the sales bottleneck!

Consignment!

It was the sales tactic that would later sweep across business circles: distributing goods.

Put the products in other shops, retrieve payment according to sales volume.

Or place the goods, then collect payment on a set date.

Either way, the essential step was getting the products into the market!

If the goods never appear, customers won’t even have a chance to see them.

So sales are out of the question!

Thus, placing goods on consignment was the perfect solution to his dilemma!

“Son, can you tell Dad how you plan to open up sales?” Wu Wanli asked, seeing his son’s mood improve.

He was still anxious at heart.

“Dad, I plan to work with the clothing stall owners at the market. I'll consign the goods first, then collect payment later!”

“What? That won’t do! What if they refuse to pay? Don’t forget, all our funds are tied up in this! If something goes wrong, we’ll lose everything!” Zhang Caixia exclaimed before Wu Wanli could speak.

Twenty years later, the market would be more mature.

Consignment would be done with reputable, strong companies.

Risks would be minimized through contracts.

But in this era, things weren’t so formal.

If cheated, you could lose everything!

No wonder Zhang Caixia could not agree to her son’s risky plan.

To her, it wasn’t a solution at all.

It was...

Desperation!

“Son, Dad also thinks this idea is too risky. Even if we’re facing obstacles, we can’t just take reckless risks!” Wu Wanli, though less vehement, stated his opposition clearly.

He was firmly against it!

Wu Ya stopped eating.

“Mom, Dad, this wasn’t my idea! It was suggested by Liu Qian’s parents!” he said, playing his trump card yet again.

But...