Chapter 78
All newly arrived goods were automatically organized and inventoried by the warehouse system, saving Shen You considerable time.
Today marked the day her parents would arrive in Jiang City. She had already placed an order with a moving company from the county, and everything would be handled within the next two days.
After picking them up at the airport, she first took her parents to the rented house, then the family went next door to look at the new house as well.
Mother Shen looked at the bright bedroom and large balcony, excitedly talking for a long time about where different things should be placed.
After handling matters here, Shen You contacted Gu Shaoyu.
Originally, their meeting with his friend who ran a factory was scheduled for dinner, but since they had other matters to discuss, they arranged to meet earlier in the afternoon.
The location was an afternoon tea restaurant.
When Shen You arrived, Gu Shaoyu had already ordered refreshments. They had mentioned the studio matter over the phone previously, so today was for detailed discussion.
Shen You had also brought the contract that Xiao Lu had prepared.
For Gu Shaoyu, the items Shen You had produced during these recent days were sufficient proof that she had the capability to establish this studio.
Being able to work together would be a good thing.
Previously, knowing that the family business didn’t need him to shoulder major responsibilities, he just needed to avoid foolish entrepreneurship that would drag the family down, and he had always acted accordingly.
Now there was a reliable opportunity. Missing it would make joining again later much more difficult. He wanted to participate, which was why he came to review the contract today.
His own family dealt in first-hand jewelry transactions. Reselling second-hand items wouldn’t exactly be crossing into another industry, and there might even be advantages.
Items that Shen You ‘acquired’ would certainly include quality pieces, and if they needed to be sold, he could handle the purchasing himself.
“I do have some connections in the jewelry market, but I understand absolutely nothing about traditional craftsmanship.”
Shen You nodded, “I know. You’ll take thirty percent of the profits from jewelry sales.”
With her providing the items, giving away thirty percent profit was already quite generous.
However, this profit was calculated based on normal prices in the current world, certainly not the prices at which Shen You acquired items from other planes.
There was also a ten percent share in the studio, though naturally with conditions. Profits could be shared, but the studio had to operate according to her decisions.
The studio needed someone with high emotional intelligence as a front person. If Jiang He weren’t working at the auction company, Shen You would have considered inviting her.
That girl was truly the most diplomatic person she had ever met.
Gu Shaoyu examined the contract materials carefully and asked seriously, “I trust you, but for cooperation, I still need to ask about the source of those items.”
“They were all legally acquired.” Shen You said, sipping her coffee. “But tracing back to the original source isn’t convenient for me to discuss.”
Gu Shaoyu nodded. Channels were private matters, and if Shen You had backing, she certainly couldn’t reveal it.
This was quite common in their antique circles.
“Agreed!” After confirming the contract contents were acceptable, Gu Shaoyu cheerfully signed.
“By the way, you mentioned earlier that you’d already found a location at South Lake?” Gu Shaoyu asked with enthusiasm. “Properties there aren’t easy to negotiate for, yet you secured such an excellent location!”
Being able to hold an auction there was also because the backing auction company had sufficient prestige.
“The person providing usage rights to the property is another partner.” Shen You said, putting away the contract to give to Xiao Lu later.
“Once the procedures are completed, shall I take you to see it?”
“Absolutely!” Gu Shaoyu nodded repeatedly.
The privately owned ancient architecture around South Lake belonged to people who were either wealthy or noble, especially those historically valuable courtyards.
His family had been hoping to purchase one but couldn’t manage it. Those in poor condition were available for purchase, but they looked down on those.
After afternoon tea ended, they went together to the dinner location, a Black Pearl restaurant.
While waiting for someone, Gu Shaoyu also briefly told Shen You about his friend’s situation.
Qi Hang had just returned from abroad. During school, he was a carefree rich kid, but during vacations, he was thrown into his family’s factory to work like a beast of burden, having moved cargo and operated forklifts.
Given Shen You’s surprised expression, when the person arrived, he looked like a young master from the same circle as Gu Shaoyu, not at all like the laborer Gu Shaoyu had described.
“This must be Miss Shen?”
Qi Hang extended his hand, politely shaking hands with Shen You, then looked at Gu Shaoyu with a meaningful inquiring gaze.
The latter immediately explained, “We’re business partners.”
Meaning it wasn’t the kind of relationship he was thinking of. How could Qi Hang not understand?
They discussed business while eating. Economic conditions hadn’t been good these past two years, so Shen You’s order was substantial – down-filled inner layers and thermal underwear and pants totaling 100,000 pieces.
He also had resources for sleeping bags.
Shen You was using the name of a foreign trade company, so discussing quantities didn’t require restraint.
As they talked, Qi Hang started calling her “sister”.
“Sister, we’re all family here, so I won’t quote you inflated prices. This price is slightly higher than going directly to factories, but I absolutely guarantee quality and subsequent transportation.”
Shen You replied, “As long as quality is fine, being slightly more expensive doesn’t matter.”
Cold-weather clothing related to so many lives. Having earned the price difference from Great Qi’s side, she couldn’t supply substandard products.
With business settled, everyone naturally enjoyed their dinner.
For Gu Shaoyu, the mediator, the commission he earned wasn’t significant to him – the connections on both sides were what he valued.
Shen You hadn’t drunk alcohol, so when the other two were waiting for designated drivers and talking about going to another venue, she declined to join them and drove home first.
Watching that small electric car drive away, Qi Hang rubbed his eyes, thinking he was drunk from just two glasses of red wine.
“Your friend is quite low-key.”
This was comparable to when he used to wear uniform work clothes to work in factories for pocket money.
Gu Shaoyu saw through his thoughts: “She’s different from you. She’s the apprentice of Professor Li, the major figure in cultural relic restoration.”
“Really?” Qi Hang was somewhat shocked. “Isn’t she running a foreign trade company?”
“That should be a side investment business.”
Gu Shaoyu held his phone up, showing the donor listed on the Imperial Capital Silk Museum’s official website, then switched to porcelain displayed at Jiang City Collection Hall: “And this too.”
Qi Hang was amazed: “Damn! You didn’t tell me which family she’s from either. Nice job with these connections of yours.”
He naturally assumed that someone this young who could produce such items had to come from some distinguished family.
Gu Shaoyu shook his head: “It’s not what you’re thinking. Shen You inherited some legacy, but Professor Li’s initiative to take her as an apprentice was due to her own capabilities.”
“Don’t get any ideas just because she’s attractive either. Even Brother Jiayan couldn’t win her over, despite having Grandpa Xu’s approval.”
When Qi Hang first entered the restaurant, his eyes had clearly flashed with amazement, which was why he initially thought Shen You and Gu Shaoyu were in a romantic relationship.
“I’m still counting on Shen You to let me join the partnership.” Gu Shaoyu added.
Saying this was also meant to discourage Qi Hang’s thoughts in advance.
Qi Hang remained noncommittal. Even without Gu Shaoyu’s reminder, during their business discussion, he hadn’t viewed her as a girl he could flirt with.
“With the Xu family’s status and Brother Jiayan’s own qualifications, he still couldn’t win her over?” Qi Hang asked gossipily.
Gu Shaoyu replied, “She has her own money and channels for acquiring good items, so she doesn’t care about those things.”